Consider the ethical angle for a second. Authors and narrators get paid when you borrow through library apps (the library purchases a license) and when you use a trial (the service pays the publisher). They get nothing from pirated streams. So while finding a 'free' option is the goal, sticking to the legal paths ensures the people who created the content you enjoy can keep doing it. That's why I'm always happy to wait on a Libby hold or use a trial. It supports the ecosystem that produces more of the stories I love. Free shouldn't mean exploitative.
What's the chapter length like? I listen during my commute, which is about 25 minutes each way. I prefer audiobooks where chapters roughly fit into that window so I can finish a chapter in one sitting. If 'Icebreaker' has super long chapters, I might pause in the middle of a scene, which is less satisfying. Can anyone who's listened comment on the chapter pacing for a commuter?
The key thing is that 'free' here means through a public library system. There is no standalone, universally free app like Spotify for brand-new, popular audiobooks. The library apps are the gateway. Libby is the most common. Your experience will entirely depend on your specific library's budget and population size. A library serving a large metropolitan area will have a vastly better selection and more copies than a small rural one. That's the unequal reality. But it's still the #1 free and legal method. Also, library apps don't have ads, which is a huge plus compared to some free, ad-supported services for older titles.
Hoopla is the unsung hero. No waitlists! If your library partners with them and they have the title, you can borrow it instantly. The catch is that libraries have limited 'copies' on Hoopla, so it might not be there. But if it is, it's the easiest free route for the complete audiobook.
Free and legal reading for a novel like that usually depends on how it's being distributed. Does the author have a personal site or a Wattpad account? Sometimes authors release their work for free initially to build an audience. Check the author's social media for any announcements.
If it's traditionally published, a full free version online is unlikely. Your best bet might be a library service like Libby or Hoopla, which lets you borrow ebooks using your library card for free—that's totally legal.
You could also see if the publisher has a sample chapter on their website or through retailers like Amazon or Google Books. Those samples are a few chapters long and can give you a taste without cost.
For older books that have entered the public domain, they're often on Project Gutenberg, but that's not the case for most contemporary fiction. Without knowing more about the specific 'Icebreaker' book, it's hard to pinpoint a source.
This might sound obvious, but have you tried the author's website? Hannah Grace likely has direct purchase links there. Authors usually make the most royalty from sales through their own affiliate links. It's a great way to support them more directly than through a giant retailer.
Her site or social media bios should point you right to the official stores. Sometimes they even have signed copy giveaways or special edition links. Going straight to the source cuts through all the noise and confusion of searching online.