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D.C. Stars #4
Hat Trick
Riley Mitchell has everything he could ever want.
He’s a back-to-back Stanley Cup champion. He has great friends, a fun life, and he’s living out his dream of playing hockey in the NHL.
Except one night, everything changes.
After a car accident leaves him with an amputated right leg, he struggles with his identity. Who is he away from the ice? How is he supposed to live without the sport that means everything to him?
Enter Lexi Armstrong, the DC Stars athletic trainer assigned to Riley’s rehabilitation.
Independent, proudly single, and a sarcastic ray of sunshine, she’s determined to help Riley feel better not just physically, but mentally too.
And the friends with benefits arrangement they fall into?
Definitely not part of the rehabilitation plan.
It was supposed to be one night, but when just once turns into something much deeper than a romp in the bedroom, they have a decision to make.
Do they fight their feelings and keep things purely physical? Or can they pull off a Hat Trick and find something that lasts forever?
Hat Trick is a spicy friends to lovers sports romance with professional athletes, friends with benefits, injury rehabilitation, he falls first (and hard), and a guaranteed happily ever after. Please check content warnings as some material might be sensitive to readers.
He’s a back-to-back Stanley Cup champion. He has great friends, a fun life, and he’s living out his dream of playing hockey in the NHL.
Except one night, everything changes.
After a car accident leaves him with an amputated right leg, he struggles with his identity. Who is he away from the ice? How is he supposed to live without the sport that means everything to him?
Enter Lexi Armstrong, the DC Stars athletic trainer assigned to Riley’s rehabilitation.
Independent, proudly single, and a sarcastic ray of sunshine, she’s determined to help Riley feel better not just physically, but mentally too.
And the friends with benefits arrangement they fall into?
Definitely not part of the rehabilitation plan.
It was supposed to be one night, but when just once turns into something much deeper than a romp in the bedroom, they have a decision to make.
Do they fight their feelings and keep things purely physical? Or can they pull off a Hat Trick and find something that lasts forever?
Hat Trick is a spicy friends to lovers sports romance with professional athletes, friends with benefits, injury rehabilitation, he falls first (and hard), and a guaranteed happily ever after. Please check content warnings as some material might be sensitive to readers.
506 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 27, 2025
3576 people are currently reading
25482 people want to read
About the author
Chelsea Curto
17 books4,447 followersChelsea is a flight attendant and romance author who writes fun, fresh and flirty love stories with plenty of spice. When she's not making fictional characters banter for twenty chapters before they finally kiss or serving chicken or pasta on an airplane, you can find her trying to pet as many dogs as she can.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 4,050 reviews
July 5, 2025
STOP NO I LOVEDDDDD THIS!!!! God I adore this series so much it’s without a doubt my new favorite hockey romance series. I cannot get over how obsessed I was with this!!!
Riley. RILEYYY????? My glasses wearing shy nerd who reads romance books and paints in his free time WHO IS SECRETELT THE FREAKEST OUT OF THEM ALL WITH A DIRTY MOUTH??? No like I was sweating the whole time. These men are PATHETIC IN THE BEST WAYS. Like Chelsea takes whimpering desperate mess to the next level I can’t even explain it. I also love the men’s mental health rep in this! Chelsea depicts sensitive topics so well!
THIS MAN LITERALLY CRAWLS TO HER!!!!!!!!!
Also the emotions this pulled out of me?? I was not expecting to cry my god. The found family, the friendships, the comedic relief!! Ugh this is such a comfort series!
And Lexi!!! God I also loved her! All of the women in this series are so confident and independent and self assured and the girl friendships are so refreshing! Her and Riley’s relationship was everything to me!! Their chemistry and love was oozing off the pages! I adored them!
- Sunshine x former sunshine
- Friends with benefits
- Hockey player x trainer
- Forced proximity
- Injury rehabilitation
“You want to know why I’ve had all those good days? Because you were there. Because I’ve been an idiotic, pathetic mess of a man since the first day I saw you. I can’t think straight when you’re around. I can’t walk right when you smile at me. I can’t… I can’t fucking breathe unless you’re looking at me. And everything in your past might have fallen apart, but we won’t. We can’t, because deep down, I know you love me too.”
Riley. RILEYYY????? My glasses wearing shy nerd who reads romance books and paints in his free time WHO IS SECRETELT THE FREAKEST OUT OF THEM ALL WITH A DIRTY MOUTH??? No like I was sweating the whole time. These men are PATHETIC IN THE BEST WAYS. Like Chelsea takes whimpering desperate mess to the next level I can’t even explain it. I also love the men’s mental health rep in this! Chelsea depicts sensitive topics so well!
THIS MAN LITERALLY CRAWLS TO HER!!!!!!!!!
Also the emotions this pulled out of me?? I was not expecting to cry my god. The found family, the friendships, the comedic relief!! Ugh this is such a comfort series!
And Lexi!!! God I also loved her! All of the women in this series are so confident and independent and self assured and the girl friendships are so refreshing! Her and Riley’s relationship was everything to me!! Their chemistry and love was oozing off the pages! I adored them!
- Sunshine x former sunshine
- Friends with benefits
- Hockey player x trainer
- Forced proximity
- Injury rehabilitation
“You want to know why I’ve had all those good days? Because you were there. Because I’ve been an idiotic, pathetic mess of a man since the first day I saw you. I can’t think straight when you’re around. I can’t walk right when you smile at me. I can’t… I can’t fucking breathe unless you’re looking at me. And everything in your past might have fallen apart, but we won’t. We can’t, because deep down, I know you love me too.”
July 20, 2025
This ATE and I’m full.
August 7, 2025
I love Riley and his slutty little glasses 😌 also the most emotional (& equally spicy) read so far in this series
May 27, 2025
chelsea curto i love you
June 17, 2025
જ⁀➴ 4 stars
⋆˚࿔ 💜 𝜗𝜚˚⋆ ⋆˚࿔ 💜 𝜗𝜚˚⋆ ⋆˚࿔ 💜 𝜗𝜚˚⋆ ⋆˚࿔ 💜 𝜗𝜚˚⋆ ⋆˚࿔ 💜 𝜗𝜚˚⋆ ⋆˚࿔ 💜 𝜗𝜚˚⋆ ⋆˚࿔ 💜 𝜗𝜚˚⋆ ⋆˚࿔ 💜 𝜗𝜚˚⋆
Chelsea Curto has done it again. When I mean "it," I mean create an amazing story with lovable characters you want to root for, the right amount of spice balanced with heart, bringing more awareness to women in a male-dominated sports world, and writing that makes you constantly want the next book in the series to come out sooner rather than later.
Riley Mitchell is at the top of the world. He plays for a Stanley Cup-winning team, he reads his books, loves his friends, and things couldn't possibly be better. When a horrible car accident leaves him with an above-the-knee amputation, his happy-go-lucky, ray of sunshine personality that everyone loves disappears. Enter Lexi Armstrong, the D.C. Stars' physical therapist, who is determined to not only get Riley back on the ice, but get him back to his old self, too. When a friends-with-benefits situation off the ice and the rehab room comes about, and possibly turns into something more, will they be able to commit to each other in the long run?
I think this review will make more sense if I talk about Riley and Lexi separately, so let's get into it!
જ⁀➴ ♡ Riley: His POV had me tearing up by Chapter 7. This is probably the darkest book of the D.C. Stars series to date, and I love the amount of care and attention Chelsea Curto put into doing research on amputees, finding sensitivity readers for this topic, and looking to Paralympic athletes as a source of inspiration. Considering all that Riley has been through in the beginning of the book, I wanted to give him a hug the entire time. I could feel his hurt, rage, sadness, and depression coming out at me through my screen and I was rooting for him the entire time to make a comeback. His grief and recovery wasn't a linear process by any means, and I love that his rehabilitation process was portrayed in a realistic light. He had his good days and his bad, and watching him improve as the book progressed was so satisfying to read.
He was the definition of a pure cinnamon roll character. Like, COME ON! He wears glasses, reads romance books, paints, buys Lexi her favorite flowers? Chelsea Curto's MMCs never fail to impress me with how many green flags they have. I've yet to find one I didn't like. (P.S. It's always the nice, quiet ones that have a freaky side to them😂)
જ⁀➴ ♡ Lexi: First off, we love a healthcare girly! Lexi is a physical therapist, and add on the fact that she's the only woman in a male-dominated space, I love the fight she had in her to make sure her voice was heard. The amount of research and care she put in to make sure Riley had the best rehabilitation journey possible just shows how much she not only loves her job, but how much she cares about Riley (and the other players!). We also love a woman who's comfortable in her sexuality and knows what she wants.
I love how Chelsea Curto continues to write badass, female characters that are constantly breaking the glass ceiling in a male-dominated world. We have Emmy playing in the NHL, Piper being a lead reporter for the Stars, Lexi as a PT in men's hockey and the implications and intricacies she has to tiptoe around to keep her job, and even the characters that aren't even in the book yet like Amelia, an NHL coach for another team, are all here breaking the mold and defying the expectations of everyone around them. I can't wait to see what the D.C. Stars women have in store next!
જ⁀➴ ♡ Lexi and Riley together: I think they're my favorite D.C. Stars couple so far. I know I say this with every book that comes out in this series, but I think Riley is my new favorite Stars player. (Sorry, Liam.) The way that both of them went out of their way to make each other's days and smile—the flowers, the donuts, the book recommendations—I loved the little acts of service each of them would do. Oh, and Riley's napkin bucket list? That was the cutest thing I've seen. I also gotta mention. The PINING AND YEARNING from Riley?! This was like, 4 books in the making. He was so down bad before Lexi even knew it and we love a man who falls first.
Bonus points go towards all the other D.C. Stars characters and their cameos! I loved seeing Emmy and Maverick still head over heels for each other (Mav will always be Emmy's pretty boy hehe), Ethan's still obsessed with hot dogs (I feel like there's a backstory to this LOL), Liam's still grumpy, Hudson and Maddie are the most wholesome couple around, and Grant is still...Grant.
I'm a bitter, petty woman, but the only thing I would've LOVE to see go down in the story that wasn't there was some good ol' justice being served from the car accident. It didn't ruin my enjoyment of the story overall, I just wanted to see someone get locked away for doing something so stupid and reckless and feel some schadenfreude from it all.
Chelsea Curto. The woman that you are. She's consistently outdone herself with every new book in the D.C. Stars series that comes out, and I'm so proud to say that I've been with her since almost the beginning of the D.C. Stars series. I'm constantly amazed at the things she's able to do, and Hat Trick was one of my 2025 most anticipated releases that met my expectations. Chelsea Curto is officially on my auto-read list, and I can't wait for Coach's book to come out in November!
⋆˚࿔ 💜 𝜗𝜚˚⋆ ⋆˚࿔ 💜 𝜗𝜚˚⋆ ⋆˚࿔ 💜 𝜗𝜚˚⋆ ⋆˚࿔ 💜 𝜗𝜚˚⋆ ⋆˚࿔ 💜 𝜗𝜚˚⋆ ⋆˚࿔ 💜 𝜗𝜚˚⋆ ⋆˚࿔ 💜 𝜗𝜚˚⋆ ⋆˚࿔ 💜 𝜗𝜚˚⋆
Trigger/content warnings (thank you to Chelsea Curto for providing these at the beginning of the book!): Explicit language, alcohol consumption, explicit sex scenes (probably a 3.5/5 on the scale in my opinion, but I know this is subjective based on everyone's personal tastes) that includes breath play and rope play, mention of infertility (via a side character), loss of a limb by a main character (off-page, detailed), mentions of depression and suicidal thoughts had by a main character, mention of a drunk driver, on-page car accident, continuous rehabilitation of an amputated limb
⋆˙⟡ 𝒫𝓇𝑒-𝓇𝑒𝒶𝒹 (5/27/2025): Happy release day to Hat Trick!💜🏒⛸️ I'm so excited to start this, and I'm 100% aware that I'm reading 4 other books right now. I'm making progress on all of them, I swear! I'm just the kind of person who sees "Chelsea Curto" on a book and immediately drops everything else to read it.
Tropes:
𝒫𝓇𝑒-𝓇𝑒𝒶𝒹 (5/14/2025:) OMG the cover reveal has my heart🥹💜🪻Can’t wait to read this later this month!
𝒫𝓇𝑒-𝓇𝑒𝒶𝒹 (2/27/2025:) I’m literally foaming at the mouth waiting for this book to drop. May 27th can’t come sooner; I’ve been waiting for Riley and Lexi’s book for too long! (Their sexual tension is off the charts)
"So many things have been almost impossible for me the night my life changed, but Lexi? Lexi is the easiest part of every day."
⋆˚࿔ 💜 𝜗𝜚˚⋆ ⋆˚࿔ 💜 𝜗𝜚˚⋆ ⋆˚࿔ 💜 𝜗𝜚˚⋆ ⋆˚࿔ 💜 𝜗𝜚˚⋆ ⋆˚࿔ 💜 𝜗𝜚˚⋆ ⋆˚࿔ 💜 𝜗𝜚˚⋆ ⋆˚࿔ 💜 𝜗𝜚˚⋆ ⋆˚࿔ 💜 𝜗𝜚˚⋆
Chelsea Curto has done it again. When I mean "it," I mean create an amazing story with lovable characters you want to root for, the right amount of spice balanced with heart, bringing more awareness to women in a male-dominated sports world, and writing that makes you constantly want the next book in the series to come out sooner rather than later.
Riley Mitchell is at the top of the world. He plays for a Stanley Cup-winning team, he reads his books, loves his friends, and things couldn't possibly be better. When a horrible car accident leaves him with an above-the-knee amputation, his happy-go-lucky, ray of sunshine personality that everyone loves disappears. Enter Lexi Armstrong, the D.C. Stars' physical therapist, who is determined to not only get Riley back on the ice, but get him back to his old self, too. When a friends-with-benefits situation off the ice and the rehab room comes about, and possibly turns into something more, will they be able to commit to each other in the long run?
I think this review will make more sense if I talk about Riley and Lexi separately, so let's get into it!
જ⁀➴ ♡ Riley: His POV had me tearing up by Chapter 7. This is probably the darkest book of the D.C. Stars series to date, and I love the amount of care and attention Chelsea Curto put into doing research on amputees, finding sensitivity readers for this topic, and looking to Paralympic athletes as a source of inspiration. Considering all that Riley has been through in the beginning of the book, I wanted to give him a hug the entire time. I could feel his hurt, rage, sadness, and depression coming out at me through my screen and I was rooting for him the entire time to make a comeback. His grief and recovery wasn't a linear process by any means, and I love that his rehabilitation process was portrayed in a realistic light. He had his good days and his bad, and watching him improve as the book progressed was so satisfying to read.
He was the definition of a pure cinnamon roll character. Like, COME ON! He wears glasses, reads romance books, paints, buys Lexi her favorite flowers? Chelsea Curto's MMCs never fail to impress me with how many green flags they have. I've yet to find one I didn't like. (P.S. It's always the nice, quiet ones that have a freaky side to them😂)
જ⁀➴ ♡ Lexi: First off, we love a healthcare girly! Lexi is a physical therapist, and add on the fact that she's the only woman in a male-dominated space, I love the fight she had in her to make sure her voice was heard. The amount of research and care she put in to make sure Riley had the best rehabilitation journey possible just shows how much she not only loves her job, but how much she cares about Riley (and the other players!). We also love a woman who's comfortable in her sexuality and knows what she wants.
I love how Chelsea Curto continues to write badass, female characters that are constantly breaking the glass ceiling in a male-dominated world. We have Emmy playing in the NHL, Piper being a lead reporter for the Stars, Lexi as a PT in men's hockey and the implications and intricacies she has to tiptoe around to keep her job, and even the characters that aren't even in the book yet like Amelia, an NHL coach for another team, are all here breaking the mold and defying the expectations of everyone around them. I can't wait to see what the D.C. Stars women have in store next!
જ⁀➴ ♡ Lexi and Riley together: I think they're my favorite D.C. Stars couple so far. I know I say this with every book that comes out in this series, but I think Riley is my new favorite Stars player. (Sorry, Liam.) The way that both of them went out of their way to make each other's days and smile—the flowers, the donuts, the book recommendations—I loved the little acts of service each of them would do. Oh, and Riley's napkin bucket list? That was the cutest thing I've seen. I also gotta mention. The PINING AND YEARNING from Riley?! This was like, 4 books in the making. He was so down bad before Lexi even knew it and we love a man who falls first.
Bonus points go towards all the other D.C. Stars characters and their cameos! I loved seeing Emmy and Maverick still head over heels for each other (Mav will always be Emmy's pretty boy hehe), Ethan's still obsessed with hot dogs (I feel like there's a backstory to this LOL), Liam's still grumpy, Hudson and Maddie are the most wholesome couple around, and Grant is still...Grant.
I'm a bitter, petty woman, but the only thing I would've LOVE to see go down in the story that wasn't there was some good ol' justice being served from the car accident. It didn't ruin my enjoyment of the story overall, I just wanted to see someone get locked away for doing something so stupid and reckless and feel some schadenfreude from it all.
Chelsea Curto. The woman that you are. She's consistently outdone herself with every new book in the D.C. Stars series that comes out, and I'm so proud to say that I've been with her since almost the beginning of the D.C. Stars series. I'm constantly amazed at the things she's able to do, and Hat Trick was one of my 2025 most anticipated releases that met my expectations. Chelsea Curto is officially on my auto-read list, and I can't wait for Coach's book to come out in November!
⋆˚࿔ 💜 𝜗𝜚˚⋆ ⋆˚࿔ 💜 𝜗𝜚˚⋆ ⋆˚࿔ 💜 𝜗𝜚˚⋆ ⋆˚࿔ 💜 𝜗𝜚˚⋆ ⋆˚࿔ 💜 𝜗𝜚˚⋆ ⋆˚࿔ 💜 𝜗𝜚˚⋆ ⋆˚࿔ 💜 𝜗𝜚˚⋆ ⋆˚࿔ 💜 𝜗𝜚˚⋆
Trigger/content warnings (thank you to Chelsea Curto for providing these at the beginning of the book!): Explicit language, alcohol consumption, explicit sex scenes (probably a 3.5/5 on the scale in my opinion, but I know this is subjective based on everyone's personal tastes) that includes breath play and rope play, mention of infertility (via a side character), loss of a limb by a main character (off-page, detailed), mentions of depression and suicidal thoughts had by a main character, mention of a drunk driver, on-page car accident, continuous rehabilitation of an amputated limb
⋆˙⟡ 𝒫𝓇𝑒-𝓇𝑒𝒶𝒹 (5/27/2025): Happy release day to Hat Trick!💜🏒⛸️ I'm so excited to start this, and I'm 100% aware that I'm reading 4 other books right now. I'm making progress on all of them, I swear! I'm just the kind of person who sees "Chelsea Curto" on a book and immediately drops everything else to read it.
Tropes:
⋆˙⟡♡ Injury rehabilitation
⋆˙⟡♡ Sunshine X former sunshine
⋆˙⟡♡ Friends with benefits
⋆˙⟡♡ Forced proximity
⋆˙⟡♡ Boy obsessed
⋆˙⟡♡ Hockey player X trainer
⋆˙⟡♡ "Just once to get it out of our systems"
⋆˙⟡♡ Tiny age gap (he's 26, she's 32)
𝒫𝓇𝑒-𝓇𝑒𝒶𝒹 (5/14/2025:) OMG the cover reveal has my heart🥹💜🪻Can’t wait to read this later this month!
𝒫𝓇𝑒-𝓇𝑒𝒶𝒹 (2/27/2025:) I’m literally foaming at the mouth waiting for this book to drop. May 27th can’t come sooner; I’ve been waiting for Riley and Lexi’s book for too long! (Their sexual tension is off the charts)
![Profile Image for madi [semi-ia] .](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fi.gr-assets.com%2Fimages%2FS%2Fcompressed.photo.goodreads.com%2Fusers%2F1753299608i%2F164509151._UX200_CR0%2C0%2C200%2C200_.jpg&w=128&q=75)
June 9, 2025
this book was everything. soft and emotional in all the right ways, with characters that genuinely made me feel something. hat trick gave the kind of quiet, healing love story that sticks with you — the perfect final chapter to a series that’s meant so much to me.
lexi truly shined in this book. i loved how steady and grounded she was, even while carrying so much of her own weight. she constantly showed up for others, and it was clear how deeply she cared — not just about riley, but about every little thing she did. her loyalty, her work ethic, her quiet strength... it made her so easy to root for. she didn’t need to be loud to be powerful. her patience with riley wasn’t just kindness — it was fierce, intentional love. she knew what he needed and never tried to rush him, and that made her feel like such a safe space. her growth stood out so much, especially in how she let herself ask for more too.
riley broke my heart in the most tender way. everything he went through — the trauma, the isolation, the way he struggled to believe he could still be loved — was written so thoughtfully. he was never just “the broken one,” he was layered and real and deeply human. i loved how we got to see both his vulnerability and the strength it took for him to open back up. the guilt he held onto, the fear of not being enough — it all made every small step he took toward healing feel so earned. and his love for lexi? even when he didn’t know how to say it, it was there in everything he did. i was rooting for him the entire time.
the romance was packed with tension, chemistry, and so much heart. you could feel how badly they wanted each other — not just physically, but emotionally too. every scene between them had weight. it was messy and tender and real, and watching them fall in love was honestly one of my favorite parts of the book.
this book made me feel so much. it was comforting and cathartic and honestly the exact kind of story i love most. this whole series has been special, but this really left a mark.
₊˚ ‿︵‿︵‿︵୨୧ · · ♡ · · ୨୧‿︵‿︵‿︵ ˚₊
𐙚⋆°｡⋆♡ pre-read ♡⋆°｡⋆𐙚
⤷ i’m so freaking excited to read this. this series has seriously been everything and i know this one is gonna break me 🥹
lexi truly shined in this book. i loved how steady and grounded she was, even while carrying so much of her own weight. she constantly showed up for others, and it was clear how deeply she cared — not just about riley, but about every little thing she did. her loyalty, her work ethic, her quiet strength... it made her so easy to root for. she didn’t need to be loud to be powerful. her patience with riley wasn’t just kindness — it was fierce, intentional love. she knew what he needed and never tried to rush him, and that made her feel like such a safe space. her growth stood out so much, especially in how she let herself ask for more too.
riley broke my heart in the most tender way. everything he went through — the trauma, the isolation, the way he struggled to believe he could still be loved — was written so thoughtfully. he was never just “the broken one,” he was layered and real and deeply human. i loved how we got to see both his vulnerability and the strength it took for him to open back up. the guilt he held onto, the fear of not being enough — it all made every small step he took toward healing feel so earned. and his love for lexi? even when he didn’t know how to say it, it was there in everything he did. i was rooting for him the entire time.
the romance was packed with tension, chemistry, and so much heart. you could feel how badly they wanted each other — not just physically, but emotionally too. every scene between them had weight. it was messy and tender and real, and watching them fall in love was honestly one of my favorite parts of the book.
this book made me feel so much. it was comforting and cathartic and honestly the exact kind of story i love most. this whole series has been special, but this really left a mark.
₊˚ ‿︵‿︵‿︵୨୧ · · ♡ · · ୨୧‿︵‿︵‿︵ ˚₊
𐙚⋆°｡⋆♡ pre-read ♡⋆°｡⋆𐙚
⤷ i’m so freaking excited to read this. this series has seriously been everything and i know this one is gonna break me 🥹
May 28, 2025
“𝑭𝒖𝒏𝒏𝒚 𝒉𝒐𝒘 𝒂𝒍𝒍 𝒎𝒚 𝒈𝒐𝒐𝒅 𝒅𝒂𝒚𝒔 𝒊𝒏𝒄𝒍𝒖𝒅𝒆 𝒉𝒆𝒓.”
Damn, this book was powerful. I don’t know if it was because I was in the mood for some vulnerability, but these characters brought it and I loved every second. 5 freaking stars. 🌟
Let me start by saying this series always pulls at my heartstrings. It not only brings the romance we all love, but getting to know the characters from book one and watching them grow and evolve with each book makes it easy to feel like coming home. And FINALLYYYY, Lexi and Riley get their story and wow, it was everything I wanted for them and more 💘
A little summary: Riley suffers an accident that results in him losing his leg, and in comes Head Athletic Trainer Lexi to help him with rehabilitation. The way their friendship blossoms through these sessions and slowly turns into something more... AGHHH. 😭
Lexi is so independent and strong. She’s convinced no man can ever live up to her standards (because men always disappoint) until she realizes Riley keeps proving her wrong again and again. From the tiniest gestures to the quiet support, he’s always there. And honestly, that’s the best kind of love: one that listens, notices, and shows up ❤️ He is such a good boy hhehe and please i'm obsessed he wears glasses too.
Love isn’t a straight line, and this book proves just how many ways it can grow day by day, moment by moment. Riley has my whole 💜 He’s been obsessed with Lexi forever, and she only seen him as a friend… until she doesn’t. That “finally, you’re looking at me” moment? Pure magic as a reader ✨
I adored how this book didn’t just give me the pretty parts, but it gave us the messy, the hard, the healing, and obviously the happiness. And the dual POV? It elevated the entire experience. I felt everything!!!!
Also, shoutout to the group chats and the humor Chelsea Curto brings into this book it’s perfection. I was literally gasping at one of those chats 😂 DUNDUN!
Final thoughts? This isn’t just a love story. It’s a story of resilience, quiet strength, and what it means to show up for someone when it matters most. It made me laugh, swoon, and feel teary at one point. If you’ve been following this series, you’re in for a beautiful, emotional payoff. If you haven’t started yet… what are you waiting for?!!!!! PLEASE.
tropes
💜 sports romance
💜 rehabilitation rep
💜 age gap (she's older)
💜 friends with benefit
💜 sunshine x former sunshine
💜 forced proximity
⋆. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁˖ . ݁. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁˖ . ݁⋆.⋆. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁˖ . ݁. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁˖ . ݁⋆.
➳ 𝗽𝗿𝗲-𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗱｡ꪆৎ ˚⋅ and we back to my one of my fav hockey series the way Chelsea writes her MEN 🙂↕️🔥 I can’t wait for Rileyyyy and Lexiiiiii
Damn, this book was powerful. I don’t know if it was because I was in the mood for some vulnerability, but these characters brought it and I loved every second. 5 freaking stars. 🌟
Let me start by saying this series always pulls at my heartstrings. It not only brings the romance we all love, but getting to know the characters from book one and watching them grow and evolve with each book makes it easy to feel like coming home. And FINALLYYYY, Lexi and Riley get their story and wow, it was everything I wanted for them and more 💘
A little summary: Riley suffers an accident that results in him losing his leg, and in comes Head Athletic Trainer Lexi to help him with rehabilitation. The way their friendship blossoms through these sessions and slowly turns into something more... AGHHH. 😭
Lexi is so independent and strong. She’s convinced no man can ever live up to her standards (because men always disappoint) until she realizes Riley keeps proving her wrong again and again. From the tiniest gestures to the quiet support, he’s always there. And honestly, that’s the best kind of love: one that listens, notices, and shows up ❤️ He is such a good boy hhehe and please i'm obsessed he wears glasses too.
Love isn’t a straight line, and this book proves just how many ways it can grow day by day, moment by moment. Riley has my whole 💜 He’s been obsessed with Lexi forever, and she only seen him as a friend… until she doesn’t. That “finally, you’re looking at me” moment? Pure magic as a reader ✨
I adored how this book didn’t just give me the pretty parts, but it gave us the messy, the hard, the healing, and obviously the happiness. And the dual POV? It elevated the entire experience. I felt everything!!!!
Also, shoutout to the group chats and the humor Chelsea Curto brings into this book it’s perfection. I was literally gasping at one of those chats 😂 DUNDUN!
Final thoughts? This isn’t just a love story. It’s a story of resilience, quiet strength, and what it means to show up for someone when it matters most. It made me laugh, swoon, and feel teary at one point. If you’ve been following this series, you’re in for a beautiful, emotional payoff. If you haven’t started yet… what are you waiting for?!!!!! PLEASE.
tropes
💜 sports romance
💜 rehabilitation rep
💜 age gap (she's older)
💜 friends with benefit
💜 sunshine x former sunshine
💜 forced proximity
⋆. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁˖ . ݁. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁˖ . ݁⋆.⋆. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁˖ . ݁. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁˖ . ݁⋆.
➳ 𝗽𝗿𝗲-𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗱｡ꪆৎ ˚⋅ and we back to my one of my fav hockey series the way Chelsea writes her MEN 🙂↕️🔥 I can’t wait for Rileyyyy and Lexiiiiii
June 5, 2025
a cute book, full of spice and my adorable nerdy not so shy guy riley 🩷 but at the same time underwhelming & just feels different from the previous books on the series and i’m sooo conflicted on how i feel about hat trick tbh
i’m not so sure if in the previews books there was, but in this one there was just sooooo many feminism/ “girls-girl” references that unfortunately made me roll my eyes because let’s be honest, im not even sure if lexi actually is what she claims to be. lexi’s whole character and story felt really one-dimensional to me, i feel like she has no life, no plot besides helping riley and i truly hate when the fmcs whole character is centered around the mmc. we don’t see any depth of her connection with the other girls like the previews books, we don’t know anything about her previous life, we don’t know anything about her family and I couldn’t tell you anything she’s interested besides pilates and riley’s dick 😭 i truly feel like I don’t know her AT ALL
the “romance” was cute in general but i feel like riley deserved better. he absolutely adored & worshipped lexi, had been pinning over her forever, he was so kind and patient 🩷 despite everything he went through he was all in with her, but the whole “just sex” made me feel like they didn’t even knew each other and unfortunately i didn’t feel much chemistry between them, the whole spice “friends with benefits” did take away from the story but that’s all that lexi wants anyway 🙃 i think the book dragged on quite a bit compared to the others & i wanted more romantic development between them that isn’t just spice
overall it’s a cute normal book with lots of spice but kinda underwhelming too, riley’s pov was def my favorite and the whole group messages with the guys was adorable!! i love them & the whole found family
rating the books
1. slap shot
2. face off
3. power play
4. hat trick
——————————————
pre read review:
LEXI AND RILEY!!!!!! give it to me 🤲🤲 also the art the author posted of them????? THEYRE GORGEOUS
i’m not so sure if in the previews books there was, but in this one there was just sooooo many feminism/ “girls-girl” references that unfortunately made me roll my eyes because let’s be honest, im not even sure if lexi actually is what she claims to be. lexi’s whole character and story felt really one-dimensional to me, i feel like she has no life, no plot besides helping riley and i truly hate when the fmcs whole character is centered around the mmc. we don’t see any depth of her connection with the other girls like the previews books, we don’t know anything about her previous life, we don’t know anything about her family and I couldn’t tell you anything she’s interested besides pilates and riley’s dick 😭 i truly feel like I don’t know her AT ALL
the “romance” was cute in general but i feel like riley deserved better. he absolutely adored & worshipped lexi, had been pinning over her forever, he was so kind and patient 🩷 despite everything he went through he was all in with her, but the whole “just sex” made me feel like they didn’t even knew each other and unfortunately i didn’t feel much chemistry between them, the whole spice “friends with benefits” did take away from the story but that’s all that lexi wants anyway 🙃 i think the book dragged on quite a bit compared to the others & i wanted more romantic development between them that isn’t just spice
overall it’s a cute normal book with lots of spice but kinda underwhelming too, riley’s pov was def my favorite and the whole group messages with the guys was adorable!! i love them & the whole found family
rating the books
1. slap shot
2. face off
3. power play
4. hat trick
——————————————
pre read review:
LEXI AND RILEY!!!!!! give it to me 🤲🤲 also the art the author posted of them????? THEYRE GORGEOUS
Want to read
February 28, 2025OMG??? Already?? I’m so excited for this book. This is the series of unproblematic kings and I love it
May 31, 2025
The performative feminism/independent woman/girl bossery by the FMC had me flying off the handle and on the verge of buying a MAGA hat. Riley was cute though
July 29, 2025
Another 5 stars for Chelsea💗 I CANNOT WAIT for Coach Saunders book eeeek😁
May 27, 2025
the dc stars players marked safe from the male loneliness epidemic
May 26, 2025
Lexi & Riley 🥹 I did NOT expect for them to take me out like they did, but WOW!!
“You’ve been thinking about it?”
“More than I’m allowed to admit.”
…when the friends with benefits are quickly catching feelings 🥰
Thank you Chelsea Curto for the ARC (and the absolute joy of being on your beta team!).
All opinions are my own.
✦ tropes & stuff:
🏒 pro hockey player x athletic trainer
❤️🩹 injury rehabilitation
✨ friends with benefits
💙 boy obsessed (longtime crush)
🪢 rope play
🫶🏼 found family
💞 dual 1st person pov
*check trigger warnings, there are heavier topics in here
📝 mini blurb:
After an injury that leads to the loss of his leg, hockey star Riley Mitchell loses his joy too.
Enter Lexi Armstrong - head athletic trainer for the DC stars & determined to get Riley to skate again.
She’s also the girl he’s been crushing on for YEARS.
Spending time being vulnerable with one another, and learning they like some of the same things in the bedroom, Lexi & Riley enter a friends with benefits situationship, with off-the-charts chemistry 🔥
They said no feelings… but can they stay true to that when they’re perfect for one another?
•┈••✦ review ✦••┈•
ebook | ⭐️: ♾️ | 🌶️: 3.5 |
Chapter 1 had me laughing out loud, and by chapter 3 I was sobbing 😭 all the feels for this one.
Chelsea is masterful at creating characters and worlds that just feel so incredibly real. I feel like I genuinely know the DC Stars & their partners so well!
💭 what I loved about this one:
- the open communication between Lexi & Riley
- when he takes care of her when she’s sick 🥹
- how accepting & supportive Lexi is with Riley’s scars & new body
- their first (not) date 🎢
- the boys’ group chat 💬
- Riley’s slutty little glasses 😏
- the boys supporting Riley through all his new “firsts” - on the ice, driving - and just the way they show up for him 🥹
- strong female friendships & uplifting women in sports
- the vulnerability Lexi & Riley have with one another
While book 4 in the series, this CAN be read as a standalone - but the series is SO GOOD I highly recommend them all, & would have the greatest emotional impact (especially with the friendships outside the main couple) if read in order 💜
📖 Hat Trick by Chelsea Curto
📚 book 4 • DC Stars series
🏒: sports romance (mf)
*Connect with Me*
🤍 Instagram 🤍 Blog 🤍
________
5/17 - just finished beta reading, I love them so much 🥹
can’t wait for Lexi & Riley to be out in the world!
________
those laughs quickly turned to sobs 😭
________
starting my beta read & already snorting/laughing out loud in chapter 1 - but I know the tears are coming 😭
________
⋆*･ﾟ:⋆*･ﾟ➳❥ pre-read
Lexi & Riley 🥹😍 I just KNOW this is going to be AMAZING!!
(giving it 5⭐️ but haven’t read it yet, to counter the random 1-2⭐️ ratings from PEOPLE WHO HAVENT READ THE BOOK YET 😡 - like seriously how is this allowed? It’s literally with beta readers, myself included, and we only have half the book so far)
“You’ve been thinking about it?”
“More than I’m allowed to admit.”
…when the friends with benefits are quickly catching feelings 🥰
Thank you Chelsea Curto for the ARC (and the absolute joy of being on your beta team!).
All opinions are my own.
✦ tropes & stuff:
🏒 pro hockey player x athletic trainer
❤️🩹 injury rehabilitation
✨ friends with benefits
💙 boy obsessed (longtime crush)
🪢 rope play
🫶🏼 found family
💞 dual 1st person pov
*check trigger warnings, there are heavier topics in here
📝 mini blurb:
After an injury that leads to the loss of his leg, hockey star Riley Mitchell loses his joy too.
Enter Lexi Armstrong - head athletic trainer for the DC stars & determined to get Riley to skate again.
She’s also the girl he’s been crushing on for YEARS.
Spending time being vulnerable with one another, and learning they like some of the same things in the bedroom, Lexi & Riley enter a friends with benefits situationship, with off-the-charts chemistry 🔥
They said no feelings… but can they stay true to that when they’re perfect for one another?
•┈••✦ review ✦••┈•
ebook | ⭐️: ♾️ | 🌶️: 3.5 |
Chapter 1 had me laughing out loud, and by chapter 3 I was sobbing 😭 all the feels for this one.
Chelsea is masterful at creating characters and worlds that just feel so incredibly real. I feel like I genuinely know the DC Stars & their partners so well!
💭 what I loved about this one:
- the open communication between Lexi & Riley
- when he takes care of her when she’s sick 🥹
- how accepting & supportive Lexi is with Riley’s scars & new body
- their first (not) date 🎢
- the boys’ group chat 💬
- Riley’s slutty little glasses 😏
- the boys supporting Riley through all his new “firsts” - on the ice, driving - and just the way they show up for him 🥹
- strong female friendships & uplifting women in sports
- the vulnerability Lexi & Riley have with one another
While book 4 in the series, this CAN be read as a standalone - but the series is SO GOOD I highly recommend them all, & would have the greatest emotional impact (especially with the friendships outside the main couple) if read in order 💜
📖 Hat Trick by Chelsea Curto
📚 book 4 • DC Stars series
🏒: sports romance (mf)
*Connect with Me*
🤍 Instagram 🤍 Blog 🤍
________
5/17 - just finished beta reading, I love them so much 🥹
can’t wait for Lexi & Riley to be out in the world!
________
those laughs quickly turned to sobs 😭
________
starting my beta read & already snorting/laughing out loud in chapter 1 - but I know the tears are coming 😭
________
⋆*･ﾟ:⋆*･ﾟ➳❥ pre-read
Lexi & Riley 🥹😍 I just KNOW this is going to be AMAZING!!
(giving it 5⭐️ but haven’t read it yet, to counter the random 1-2⭐️ ratings from PEOPLE WHO HAVENT READ THE BOOK YET 😡 - like seriously how is this allowed? It’s literally with beta readers, myself included, and we only have half the book so far)
July 1, 2025
Hat Trick ruined me in the best way possible. At this point, I’m convinced Chelsea isn't just writing hockey romances. She's writing emotional rehab disguised as smut. Idk what she puts in it, but I inhaled this like oxygen and now I need a book club just to yap.
Riley Mitchell. My man. My sweet, blushing, glasses-wearing king. Watching him navigate life after losing his leg and the sport that defined him was heartbreaking. It wasn’t just about hockey. It was about purpose, grief, identity. And Chelsea wrote it with such raw honesty, it physically hurts to read at times. I felt his rage, his loneliness, his loss.
And here comes Lexi Armstrong, the DC Stars’ athletic trainer and walking hurricane of sarcasm, strength, boldness, and emotional commitment issues. She’s been burned before and doesn’t do relationships, but her chemistry with Riley? Off the charts. What starts as a “one night just to get it out of our system” slowly unravels into something vulnerable, soft, and incredibly healing. She helps him physically recover, yes but emotionally? She sees him. And for someone like Riley, who feels so unseen in his new reality, that changes everything.
Their dynamic is everything I love: obsessed soft boy x emotionally guarded queen. The banter? witty. The pining? delicious. The sleepovers, dates, and late night talks? top tier. Watching Riley go from bitter and closed-off to quietly hopeful, from hating his reflection to accepting his scars and Lexi finally allowing herself to trust someone with her heart? It gave me everything i wanted.
Also, shoutout to the DC boys. The way they show up for Riley with that unbreakable, brotherhood-level love was the sweetest ever. That first skating scene? That driving lesson? Them supporting Riley on his first game post injury? I wasn't okay 🥹. They're brothers through and through.
And THE SPICE??! Sheesh 🥵. I need to lie down. Riley Mitchell may be soft in public, but in bed? that man is the freakiest of them all. The glasses. The confidence. The ropes. The dirty talks? I needed a bucket of iced water. It's always the shy ones huh.
As for Lexi. Watching her go from guarded and “love isn't for me” to someone who chooses love anyway was powerful. She doesn’t lose herself. She just lets someone in. And that moment she finally embraces what she feels for Riley? I screamed like I was courtside at the playoffs.
But I really wish we got a scene where Riley faced the drunk driver who caused the accident. That moment felt like it was brushed aside amid everything else going on, and I wanted that closure. I wanted Riley to reclaim that power and see justice served. Not in a dramatic revenge kind of way, but just a full-circle moment. And I missed that.
Still this book is everything. Chelsea Curto has outdone herself with Hat Trick big time! 👏🏻
P.S. Men in glasses are the literary equivalent of “come ruin my life.” And Riley Mitchell can have me on a silver platter .
Riley Mitchell. My man. My sweet, blushing, glasses-wearing king. Watching him navigate life after losing his leg and the sport that defined him was heartbreaking. It wasn’t just about hockey. It was about purpose, grief, identity. And Chelsea wrote it with such raw honesty, it physically hurts to read at times. I felt his rage, his loneliness, his loss.
And here comes Lexi Armstrong, the DC Stars’ athletic trainer and walking hurricane of sarcasm, strength, boldness, and emotional commitment issues. She’s been burned before and doesn’t do relationships, but her chemistry with Riley? Off the charts. What starts as a “one night just to get it out of our system” slowly unravels into something vulnerable, soft, and incredibly healing. She helps him physically recover, yes but emotionally? She sees him. And for someone like Riley, who feels so unseen in his new reality, that changes everything.
Their dynamic is everything I love: obsessed soft boy x emotionally guarded queen. The banter? witty. The pining? delicious. The sleepovers, dates, and late night talks? top tier. Watching Riley go from bitter and closed-off to quietly hopeful, from hating his reflection to accepting his scars and Lexi finally allowing herself to trust someone with her heart? It gave me everything i wanted.
Also, shoutout to the DC boys. The way they show up for Riley with that unbreakable, brotherhood-level love was the sweetest ever. That first skating scene? That driving lesson? Them supporting Riley on his first game post injury? I wasn't okay 🥹. They're brothers through and through.
And THE SPICE??! Sheesh 🥵. I need to lie down. Riley Mitchell may be soft in public, but in bed? that man is the freakiest of them all. The glasses. The confidence. The ropes. The dirty talks? I needed a bucket of iced water. It's always the shy ones huh.
As for Lexi. Watching her go from guarded and “love isn't for me” to someone who chooses love anyway was powerful. She doesn’t lose herself. She just lets someone in. And that moment she finally embraces what she feels for Riley? I screamed like I was courtside at the playoffs.
But I really wish we got a scene where Riley faced the drunk driver who caused the accident. That moment felt like it was brushed aside amid everything else going on, and I wanted that closure. I wanted Riley to reclaim that power and see justice served. Not in a dramatic revenge kind of way, but just a full-circle moment. And I missed that.
Still this book is everything. Chelsea Curto has outdone herself with Hat Trick big time! 👏🏻
P.S. Men in glasses are the literary equivalent of “come ruin my life.” And Riley Mitchell can have me on a silver platter .
June 16, 2025
4.75⭐️!! I LOVE THIS SERIES
May 25, 2025
3★
This was a sweet romance with plenty of spice and follows the journey of Riley, who has to learn to live with his amputated limb after a terrible car crash, and goes through rehabilitation with the help of Lexi.
I will say, I feel like this dragged on quite a lot, and a whole load of nothing happens in the middle.
Lexi — I’m not quite sure what to think of Lexi. She didn’t really have much of a personality outside of helping Riley, and she has so many “feminist” or “girls girl” references, but I don’t actually even think she is feminist. Her whole character is revolved around helping Riley and having sex with him. We don’t see any depth of her connection with the other girls, despite them being her best friends who she gets a bloody tattoo for, we don’t know anything about her backstory, she never mentions any family, and I couldn’t tell you a single thing she’s interested in other than Riley’s dick. Being a physical trainer/athletic trainer is such a cool job, and it would have been so interesting to learn more about it, especially being a woman in a male dominated field, but we only read about it when it involves Riley. I would have liked to see scenes of Lexi helping the other teammates, having conversations with them, bonding with them etc. and I also would have liked to see her relationship with the girls more. How is it that they’re her “best friends” but she doesn’t talk to them? She doesn’t even tell them about Riley until like 80% in. Idk I just think Lexi was a very surface level character.
Riley — Gosh, it was weird reading a book where that’s a main characters name because my sister shares the same name lol. Anyway, I liked Riley, and I think his struggles were very realistic. He went from his whole life revolving around hockey, to losing his leg and having to relearn how to walk, let alone skating. I thought his journey was very realistic and something a lot of people who have experienced something similar may be able to relate to. His relationship with his teammates was so pure, and you can tell they really love each other (unlike with Lexi and the girls). They were so patient and understanding with Riley, and so proud of him with every milestone. Their friendship seemed very genuine, and I really liked he had them in his corner.
The Romance — well it was underwhelming. I think Riley deserved better. He had been pining over Lexi for ages (for no reason other than she was hot) and she only wanted him for sex. I mean, gosh, I don’t think they had any deeper conversations that weren’t about Riley’s residual limb or his journey with it. It was all about sex with Riley, and when they finally get into a relationship, I didn’t understand why. It was purely physical and they barely knew anything about each other. It seemed to me that it only progressed from friends with benefits to an exclusive relationship because Lexi didn’t want to lose him or stop having sex with him, which was very disappointing.
I do think this dragged on a lot. While the focus was on Riley’s rehabilitation journey, we also need emotional and romantic development between the main characters that isn’t just spice. It seemed like all of their romance was just their spice scenes (which I found a bit awkward, way too much talking imo) which isn’t a good foundation for a long lasting relationship.
Overall, Riley’s chapters were my favourite, he actually had depth and a personality and friends outside of Lexi, so he was far more realistic and enjoyable.
I did love the limb difference recognition and the portrayal of Riley’s grief, anger, and annoyance with the world and himself. Very realistic.
So it was a cute read, but definitely underwhelming.
Thank you so much to Chelsea Curto for the eARC in exchange for an honest review!
This was a sweet romance with plenty of spice and follows the journey of Riley, who has to learn to live with his amputated limb after a terrible car crash, and goes through rehabilitation with the help of Lexi.
I will say, I feel like this dragged on quite a lot, and a whole load of nothing happens in the middle.
Lexi — I’m not quite sure what to think of Lexi. She didn’t really have much of a personality outside of helping Riley, and she has so many “feminist” or “girls girl” references, but I don’t actually even think she is feminist. Her whole character is revolved around helping Riley and having sex with him. We don’t see any depth of her connection with the other girls, despite them being her best friends who she gets a bloody tattoo for, we don’t know anything about her backstory, she never mentions any family, and I couldn’t tell you a single thing she’s interested in other than Riley’s dick. Being a physical trainer/athletic trainer is such a cool job, and it would have been so interesting to learn more about it, especially being a woman in a male dominated field, but we only read about it when it involves Riley. I would have liked to see scenes of Lexi helping the other teammates, having conversations with them, bonding with them etc. and I also would have liked to see her relationship with the girls more. How is it that they’re her “best friends” but she doesn’t talk to them? She doesn’t even tell them about Riley until like 80% in. Idk I just think Lexi was a very surface level character.
Riley — Gosh, it was weird reading a book where that’s a main characters name because my sister shares the same name lol. Anyway, I liked Riley, and I think his struggles were very realistic. He went from his whole life revolving around hockey, to losing his leg and having to relearn how to walk, let alone skating. I thought his journey was very realistic and something a lot of people who have experienced something similar may be able to relate to. His relationship with his teammates was so pure, and you can tell they really love each other (unlike with Lexi and the girls). They were so patient and understanding with Riley, and so proud of him with every milestone. Their friendship seemed very genuine, and I really liked he had them in his corner.
The Romance — well it was underwhelming. I think Riley deserved better. He had been pining over Lexi for ages (for no reason other than she was hot) and she only wanted him for sex. I mean, gosh, I don’t think they had any deeper conversations that weren’t about Riley’s residual limb or his journey with it. It was all about sex with Riley, and when they finally get into a relationship, I didn’t understand why. It was purely physical and they barely knew anything about each other. It seemed to me that it only progressed from friends with benefits to an exclusive relationship because Lexi didn’t want to lose him or stop having sex with him, which was very disappointing.
I do think this dragged on a lot. While the focus was on Riley’s rehabilitation journey, we also need emotional and romantic development between the main characters that isn’t just spice. It seemed like all of their romance was just their spice scenes (which I found a bit awkward, way too much talking imo) which isn’t a good foundation for a long lasting relationship.
Overall, Riley’s chapters were my favourite, he actually had depth and a personality and friends outside of Lexi, so he was far more realistic and enjoyable.
I did love the limb difference recognition and the portrayal of Riley’s grief, anger, and annoyance with the world and himself. Very realistic.
So it was a cute read, but definitely underwhelming.
Thank you so much to Chelsea Curto for the eARC in exchange for an honest review!
July 17, 2025
4.5 ⭐️
May 30, 2025
my critiques:
- such unbelievable dialogue
- no feminist talks how lexi talks. she said she does pilates so she's ready to fight the patriarchy if society collapses... who says that...
- there is not a single reason this book, nor any hockey romance, should be this long
- just poor storytelling that made me not really care for any of the characters
my pros:
i like injured/disabled mmc's ! amnesia, amputation, dyslexia, idc i like it all !
- such unbelievable dialogue
- no feminist talks how lexi talks. she said she does pilates so she's ready to fight the patriarchy if society collapses... who says that...
- there is not a single reason this book, nor any hockey romance, should be this long
- just poor storytelling that made me not really care for any of the characters
my pros:
i like injured/disabled mmc's ! amnesia, amputation, dyslexia, idc i like it all !
May 24, 2025
The DC Stars series by Chelsea Curto never fails to be a feel-good, faith-in-humanity-restoring experience and I’m so grateful I got an ARC of this one! Chelsea writes Riley’s journey from up and coming NHL star to learning to relive life after a traumatic accident and amputation with so much thoughtfulness and sensitivity without shying away from the deeply difficult topics. Lexi is a badass trainer to makes it her mission to get Riley’s groove back, in more ways than one. I continue to love this team of golden retrievers showing that it’s entirely possible for a group of men to express emotion, show empathy and still be sexy, hard-working athletes which is so necessary in media. This is also the spiciest of the DC Stars books IMO, but it didn’t feel overdone. So excited to see which Star comes next!
May 29, 2025
RATING: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
SPICE: 🌶️🌶️🌶️.5
Y’all! I am not okay!!! I fell in love with a book couple harder than I did for even Maverick and Emmy and now I don’t know what to do with myself because my world is shooketh 😂
Lexi and Riley are my soul couple and this book will live rent free in my head for the rest of eternity. It was just that good.
I laughed, I cried… dear lord I cried… and I fell even more in love with this team and Lexi and Riley in particular.
✨ Hockey Romance
✨ Workplace Romance
✨ Injury Rehabilitation
✨ Sunshine x Former Sunshine
✨ Found Family
✨ Friends with Benefits
Riley is down bad and I don’t want him any other way. I also love that Lexi is Miss Independent and wholly unafraid to be herself. These two tugged on my heartstrings because the way they bonded over Riley’s injury was one beautiful. Things a book about love but also about healing and I loved every second.
Riley Mitchell is a dream man with a little rope kink and so he’s officially perfect! This was Chelsea’s spiciest one yet and I was here for it!
I also have said this over and over, but the way Chelsea writes both found family and women in male dominated fields is something completely special!
SPICE: 🌶️🌶️🌶️.5
Y’all! I am not okay!!! I fell in love with a book couple harder than I did for even Maverick and Emmy and now I don’t know what to do with myself because my world is shooketh 😂
Lexi and Riley are my soul couple and this book will live rent free in my head for the rest of eternity. It was just that good.
I laughed, I cried… dear lord I cried… and I fell even more in love with this team and Lexi and Riley in particular.
✨ Hockey Romance
✨ Workplace Romance
✨ Injury Rehabilitation
✨ Sunshine x Former Sunshine
✨ Found Family
✨ Friends with Benefits
Riley is down bad and I don’t want him any other way. I also love that Lexi is Miss Independent and wholly unafraid to be herself. These two tugged on my heartstrings because the way they bonded over Riley’s injury was one beautiful. Things a book about love but also about healing and I loved every second.
Riley Mitchell is a dream man with a little rope kink and so he’s officially perfect! This was Chelsea’s spiciest one yet and I was here for it!
I also have said this over and over, but the way Chelsea writes both found family and women in male dominated fields is something completely special!
May 28, 2025
{pre-review}
14.05.2025 -- the cover??? ABSOLUTELY STUNNING! OH I AM SO READY FOR THIS STORY!!!
{after-review}
4.5⭐️ rtc?!?
———————————-
➙ I will not make this a super critical review, honestly, because I ate this book upppp. I love this world and the characters that Chelsea Curto creates. It's so easy for me to fall in love with this world because this is the kind of friend group that Kaitlyn always wanted, so in some ways, it heals that inner child within me.
➙ I think the way injury rehabilitation and mental health awareness while weaving in a love story was complex yet refreshing to read about because people sometimes don't know how to help someone through something traumatic. The way Riley's friends are all in his corner, backing him up, and Lexi is doing her research to give him his best chance to being the player he was as well as the mental rollercoaster that mental health is, not making it a straight line but giving Riley those up and down moments was, I think, such a lighthearted and humane way of representing mental health is not stupid nor an easy road.
➙ Now for the characters. I knew when I first read Powerplay that I was going to love Hudson and Riley's books the most because they are such loverboys, and I would trust these guys with my drink and make sure I got home safely. These books are always the best palette cleanser romances I like to read and keep coming back to because it is so easy to fall in love with these characters and this world. I love how their relationship evolves, and despite it still being a romance book, I appreciate that there is a greater focus on Riley's rehabilitation while also providing those swoon-worthy moments and lines.
Riley I think despite his injury rehabilitation, the acknowledgment that the person everyone knows and loves is still in there, and even when he snaps at Lexi and immediately feels horrible, is just UGGHHH!! Riley is just the kind of man I would fall in love with in real life because, even in his most challenging moments, he still feels something for the people around him and doesn't stray away from building himself back up.
Lexi Lexi embracing her sexuality and hesitancy to committed relationships is so refreshing. Even when they officially are a couple, and she doesn't lose that embrace, it is so wonderful to see in a society that seems to hate women proud of their sexuality. We love a woman in sports and STEM, and Lexi's independent character and her determination to get Riley back to the player he was was so refreshing, even in the just-friends moments; she is that friend.
➙ Despite me saying this was not going to be a supercritical review [I still feel like it kinda is, but I can't express my thoughts without delving into it thoroughly] Overall, I found this book super enjoyable; definitely check the tw before reading!!!, but I would recommend this book and checking out this world!
14.05.2025 -- the cover??? ABSOLUTELY STUNNING! OH I AM SO READY FOR THIS STORY!!!
{after-review}
4.5⭐️ rtc?!?
———————————-
➙ I will not make this a super critical review, honestly, because I ate this book upppp. I love this world and the characters that Chelsea Curto creates. It's so easy for me to fall in love with this world because this is the kind of friend group that Kaitlyn always wanted, so in some ways, it heals that inner child within me.
➙ I think the way injury rehabilitation and mental health awareness while weaving in a love story was complex yet refreshing to read about because people sometimes don't know how to help someone through something traumatic. The way Riley's friends are all in his corner, backing him up, and Lexi is doing her research to give him his best chance to being the player he was as well as the mental rollercoaster that mental health is, not making it a straight line but giving Riley those up and down moments was, I think, such a lighthearted and humane way of representing mental health is not stupid nor an easy road.
➙ Now for the characters. I knew when I first read Powerplay that I was going to love Hudson and Riley's books the most because they are such loverboys, and I would trust these guys with my drink and make sure I got home safely. These books are always the best palette cleanser romances I like to read and keep coming back to because it is so easy to fall in love with these characters and this world. I love how their relationship evolves, and despite it still being a romance book, I appreciate that there is a greater focus on Riley's rehabilitation while also providing those swoon-worthy moments and lines.
Riley I think despite his injury rehabilitation, the acknowledgment that the person everyone knows and loves is still in there, and even when he snaps at Lexi and immediately feels horrible, is just UGGHHH!! Riley is just the kind of man I would fall in love with in real life because, even in his most challenging moments, he still feels something for the people around him and doesn't stray away from building himself back up.
Lexi Lexi embracing her sexuality and hesitancy to committed relationships is so refreshing. Even when they officially are a couple, and she doesn't lose that embrace, it is so wonderful to see in a society that seems to hate women proud of their sexuality. We love a woman in sports and STEM, and Lexi's independent character and her determination to get Riley back to the player he was was so refreshing, even in the just-friends moments; she is that friend.
➙ Despite me saying this was not going to be a supercritical review [I still feel like it kinda is, but I can't express my thoughts without delving into it thoroughly] Overall, I found this book super enjoyable; definitely check the tw before reading!!!, but I would recommend this book and checking out this world!
June 3, 2025
Everyone who rated this book highly is lying. The FMC is INSUFFERABLE. Her entire personality is that she hates men and finds them useless but is best friends with a bunch of men and then falls in love with one.
June 26, 2025
જ⁀➴ ♡ 4.5 stars
WHENS IT GONNA BE MY TURN😫😫😫
I dont think i have ever cried this much in the first 5% of a book. Riley is absolutely scrumptious, i mean come on now, THE GLASSES?!?!?! hes so hot and nerdy and to see what he has been through and how him and lexi get through it is honestly so heartbreaking but heartwarming. i love them so much i simply cannot.
Fav quotes:
I wish I had the balls of a mediocre white man who thinks he's hot shit. I'd be unstoppable.
"She wasn't finished speaking," Riley says, deathly low. The look in his eye is murderous. A shiver races up my spine when he curls his fingers into a fist. My cheeks turn bright red when he stares at my boss and tilts his head to the side. “And her name is Lexi. L-e-x-i. That's not difficult, is it? Treat her with respect and get it right, or I'm leaving."
Coach: I'm tired every fucking day of my life.
Me: It must be exhausting to be so annoying.
Mavvy: Keep us posted.
G-Money: Yeah. We'll totally show up to court like Elle Woods's friends do in Legally Blonde and cheer for you!
"You—" I blink. It feels like I'm missing the punchline of a joke. "I'm confused." "You mentioned you liked limes in your drink. Didn't know if that only applied to cocktails or all forms of fluid." "When did I mention that?" "June," he says simply, and he leaves it at that.
"That guy you were talking to downstairs was a waste of your fucking time," he rasps. "I hate him." Understanding dawns, and my spine straightens. I wet my lips, and his eyes follow the path of my tongue. "You were jealous," I whisper. "Of course I was fucking jealous. He had your attention. And I'm fucking desperate for it."
"I'm not down there with him. I'm up here with you. What are you going to do about it?" "What do you want me to do about it?" "You're so fucking bossy. Is this how I get you to shut up? By giving your mouth something to do?" Holy fuck.
I'm going to hell. I don't stand a chance at redemption, and that's fine by me.
Riley: Today was a good day.
Me: It was, wasn't it?
Riley: See you soon, Lexi baby.
"I've been very good at doing my solo exercises this week. I, uh, wanted to make you proud."
Funny how all my good days include her.
"I've been working with their skate rep," she starts, and I hear the tint of nerves in her voice. "I mentioned who the skates were for and how you need two different sizes now, and after talking with your prosthetist about your foot measurements, I ordered a pair. They're, um, custom. The left is the size you used to wear, and the right is slightly smaller to fit your prosthetic foot. I lied the night of the gala. I know your feet aren't the same size anymore, but I didn't want to let on about your gift." Her smile turns sheepish, shy. "I also like to hear you talk."
"Yeah," I finally say. "They are." "What the hell are they for?" "I sail sometimes?" "Riley."
"Do you think Coach dates?" Ethan asks from out of nowhere. "I could see him being stalker-adjacent."
"I know we've said it before, but it should be said again. We're really glad you're here, Mitchy." "Otherwise, we'd be stuck reading some book where a guy fucks his motorcycle because that's apparently what Ethan is into," Grant says.
Liam opens the gate on the end of the bench and lifts his chin in Riley's direction. "C'mon Mitchy," he says, and my heart almost cracks in two when he holds out his hand.
G-Money: Mhm. The girls loveeeeee you. Especially your slutty little glasses.
Me: They aren't slutty. I need them to see.
Easy E: They've ALWAYS been slutty glasses.
"Today was a good day," I murmur. "They're all good days with you, Riley," she whispers,
"Today was a really good day. And the best date I've ever had. I... I can't wait to see what we do on our second date." "A really good day," I agree. "But they're all good days with you, Lexi baby."
"I love you, Lexi. And everything that comes with being with you," he says, and I start to cry again. They're the most beautiful, sure words I've ever heard. "You can be scared with me. I promise I'll take care of you."
WHENS IT GONNA BE MY TURN😫😫😫
I dont think i have ever cried this much in the first 5% of a book. Riley is absolutely scrumptious, i mean come on now, THE GLASSES?!?!?! hes so hot and nerdy and to see what he has been through and how him and lexi get through it is honestly so heartbreaking but heartwarming. i love them so much i simply cannot.
Fav quotes:
I wish I had the balls of a mediocre white man who thinks he's hot shit. I'd be unstoppable.
"She wasn't finished speaking," Riley says, deathly low. The look in his eye is murderous. A shiver races up my spine when he curls his fingers into a fist. My cheeks turn bright red when he stares at my boss and tilts his head to the side. “And her name is Lexi. L-e-x-i. That's not difficult, is it? Treat her with respect and get it right, or I'm leaving."
Coach: I'm tired every fucking day of my life.
Me: It must be exhausting to be so annoying.
Mavvy: Keep us posted.
G-Money: Yeah. We'll totally show up to court like Elle Woods's friends do in Legally Blonde and cheer for you!
"You—" I blink. It feels like I'm missing the punchline of a joke. "I'm confused." "You mentioned you liked limes in your drink. Didn't know if that only applied to cocktails or all forms of fluid." "When did I mention that?" "June," he says simply, and he leaves it at that.
"That guy you were talking to downstairs was a waste of your fucking time," he rasps. "I hate him." Understanding dawns, and my spine straightens. I wet my lips, and his eyes follow the path of my tongue. "You were jealous," I whisper. "Of course I was fucking jealous. He had your attention. And I'm fucking desperate for it."
"I'm not down there with him. I'm up here with you. What are you going to do about it?" "What do you want me to do about it?" "You're so fucking bossy. Is this how I get you to shut up? By giving your mouth something to do?" Holy fuck.
I'm going to hell. I don't stand a chance at redemption, and that's fine by me.
Riley: Today was a good day.
Me: It was, wasn't it?
Riley: See you soon, Lexi baby.
"I've been very good at doing my solo exercises this week. I, uh, wanted to make you proud."
Funny how all my good days include her.
"I've been working with their skate rep," she starts, and I hear the tint of nerves in her voice. "I mentioned who the skates were for and how you need two different sizes now, and after talking with your prosthetist about your foot measurements, I ordered a pair. They're, um, custom. The left is the size you used to wear, and the right is slightly smaller to fit your prosthetic foot. I lied the night of the gala. I know your feet aren't the same size anymore, but I didn't want to let on about your gift." Her smile turns sheepish, shy. "I also like to hear you talk."
"Yeah," I finally say. "They are." "What the hell are they for?" "I sail sometimes?" "Riley."
"Do you think Coach dates?" Ethan asks from out of nowhere. "I could see him being stalker-adjacent."
"I know we've said it before, but it should be said again. We're really glad you're here, Mitchy." "Otherwise, we'd be stuck reading some book where a guy fucks his motorcycle because that's apparently what Ethan is into," Grant says.
Liam opens the gate on the end of the bench and lifts his chin in Riley's direction. "C'mon Mitchy," he says, and my heart almost cracks in two when he holds out his hand.
G-Money: Mhm. The girls loveeeeee you. Especially your slutty little glasses.
Me: They aren't slutty. I need them to see.
Easy E: They've ALWAYS been slutty glasses.
"Today was a good day," I murmur. "They're all good days with you, Riley," she whispers,
"Today was a really good day. And the best date I've ever had. I... I can't wait to see what we do on our second date." "A really good day," I agree. "But they're all good days with you, Lexi baby."
"I love you, Lexi. And everything that comes with being with you," he says, and I start to cry again. They're the most beautiful, sure words I've ever heard. "You can be scared with me. I promise I'll take care of you."
June 3, 2025
reading romance is so fun because i get to temporarily live in a world where men like and respect women
July 28, 2025
──★ ˙ ₊ 3 stars
⤿ started 14.07.25 ✧ finished 28.07.25
rtc
— the way i've been waiting for their book since face off & power play and now i finally have it in my hands
⤿ started 14.07.25 ✧ finished 28.07.25
rtc
— the way i've been waiting for their book since face off & power play and now i finally have it in my hands
August 1, 2025
Be still my heart. This book. This SERIES! Chelsea is QUICKLY becoming a go to for me. I have LOVED watching these men fall so hard for their leading ladies. I have also LOVED the found family, the text banter and honestly the way that Chelsea handles the hard things. This book was heavier than the others which totally made sense given the main storyline which BROKE my heart. Anyone who has been reading this series has been waiting for Riley and Lexi's story. Riley is just the SWEETEST, and I KNEW he would be a handful in the bedroom. He was such a rock with the team and had this steady crush on Lexi from day one. Lexi on the other hand is looking everywhere but the team for something. She doesn't necessarily want a relationship. She is more of a good time kind of girl. But then the unthinkable happens with Riley and their course to love is set. I absolutely LOVED their relationship. The way that she was his trainer and she made it a goal from day 1 that he would skate again. His very real reaction to how much his life had changed and his depression. How his friends tried so hard to get him out of it but the only person who could reach him was Lexi. I loved how Riley tried to act cool, calm and collected around her but really he didn't know what he wanted anymore. He was a different man. Would she like this version of him? And then I loved Lexi realizing that he had in fact been crushing on her for YEARS. And her feeling safe with him. Her deciding she was ok to try more with him. The brotherhood in this one was also next level. These men SHOW UP FOR EACH OTHER! The slow burn and friendship build up was done so well between these two :)
Riley is on a high! His team just won the Stanley Cup and then a few hours later his life is changed for good. He had to have a leg almost completely amputated. All he knows is hockey. It is part of his DNA. Who he is. His friends won't want to be around him. No one will know how to talk to him. And even though the team is acting like he is still a part of it, he knows things are different. But then Lexi ends up being his physical therapist. The same Lexi who he has been crushing on for years. The same one who never gives him the time of day for a chance to try anything. Well now they are spending a ton of time together. And even though at first she kind of let him have some space, she pushes him. She gets him to open up about all of this newness and his feelings. She holds him accountable. God what he would give for a chance with her. And then he gets an opening. A night together. Then back to friends. It's clear they have chemistry, and what is he going to say no? Absolutely not. And it happens. It's unforgettable. Riley is happy to learn that part of him is still what it was before. But then the friend zone is back. Which is fine. Riley will be the best friend Lexi ever had. He will show her what they could be one friend move at a time. Which is how he starts to win over his dream girl. Showing her what a relationship could be like. Treating her like the queen she is. All while she holds him up and supports him through this transition. When he finally throws out all he is feeling, he really hopes she is there too because he has always known- she is his person.
Lexi is over dating. How are these the options for anything. She is fine with just focusing on work and trying to get taken seriously. She is fine with her friends and all of that. But then Riley is hurt. The team's Riley. The cutie with the glasses who has always looked at her with the sweetest smile. He has to have part of his leg amputated. She knows it will be hard. But she is determined to get him back to skating. She is determined to know all there is to know about a plan to get him there. What she didn't expect was him to not be himself. He is angry and pushing everyone away. Which she can't even imagine what he is going through. But this isn't him. So instead of laying down again when he doesn't show up for a session, she pushes him. She starts holding him accountable and letting him in on her plan to get him skating again. The more time she spends with him the more she realizes how amazing he is. He is hot and sweet and just one of a kind. She can only fight this attraction for so long until one night they explore each other. They label it as a one time thing but then how can she go back to friends after he talked to her like that? After he opened up liked that? After he treated her LIKE THAT. But she has to. She can't be in a relationship right? But then Riley keeps pushing her. Showing her what they could be. How amazing they could be. And the more she fights it the more she realizes it is pointless. This man makes her feel in a way she has never felt- safe, loved, supported, strong. She is willing to try more and hopes that she will be able to honor her goal of getting him back in skates.
THESE TWO WERE SOOO WONDERFUL! I feel like these books are getting better and better which is saying something since they have all been 5 stars for me. I just love the way Chelsea works these stories. The slow burn is wonderful. The little snippets we get of what to come is top notch! I loved watching Riley try on coaching for a bit. I loved learning more about their coach. I loved how these two helped each other SO much by pushing each other and loving on each other. They made each other better! I can't wait to see Coach's story! I have probably missed it but don't know whose sister he is supposed to be with?? Does anyone else know??
Riley is on a high! His team just won the Stanley Cup and then a few hours later his life is changed for good. He had to have a leg almost completely amputated. All he knows is hockey. It is part of his DNA. Who he is. His friends won't want to be around him. No one will know how to talk to him. And even though the team is acting like he is still a part of it, he knows things are different. But then Lexi ends up being his physical therapist. The same Lexi who he has been crushing on for years. The same one who never gives him the time of day for a chance to try anything. Well now they are spending a ton of time together. And even though at first she kind of let him have some space, she pushes him. She gets him to open up about all of this newness and his feelings. She holds him accountable. God what he would give for a chance with her. And then he gets an opening. A night together. Then back to friends. It's clear they have chemistry, and what is he going to say no? Absolutely not. And it happens. It's unforgettable. Riley is happy to learn that part of him is still what it was before. But then the friend zone is back. Which is fine. Riley will be the best friend Lexi ever had. He will show her what they could be one friend move at a time. Which is how he starts to win over his dream girl. Showing her what a relationship could be like. Treating her like the queen she is. All while she holds him up and supports him through this transition. When he finally throws out all he is feeling, he really hopes she is there too because he has always known- she is his person.
Lexi is over dating. How are these the options for anything. She is fine with just focusing on work and trying to get taken seriously. She is fine with her friends and all of that. But then Riley is hurt. The team's Riley. The cutie with the glasses who has always looked at her with the sweetest smile. He has to have part of his leg amputated. She knows it will be hard. But she is determined to get him back to skating. She is determined to know all there is to know about a plan to get him there. What she didn't expect was him to not be himself. He is angry and pushing everyone away. Which she can't even imagine what he is going through. But this isn't him. So instead of laying down again when he doesn't show up for a session, she pushes him. She starts holding him accountable and letting him in on her plan to get him skating again. The more time she spends with him the more she realizes how amazing he is. He is hot and sweet and just one of a kind. She can only fight this attraction for so long until one night they explore each other. They label it as a one time thing but then how can she go back to friends after he talked to her like that? After he opened up liked that? After he treated her LIKE THAT. But she has to. She can't be in a relationship right? But then Riley keeps pushing her. Showing her what they could be. How amazing they could be. And the more she fights it the more she realizes it is pointless. This man makes her feel in a way she has never felt- safe, loved, supported, strong. She is willing to try more and hopes that she will be able to honor her goal of getting him back in skates.
THESE TWO WERE SOOO WONDERFUL! I feel like these books are getting better and better which is saying something since they have all been 5 stars for me. I just love the way Chelsea works these stories. The slow burn is wonderful. The little snippets we get of what to come is top notch! I loved watching Riley try on coaching for a bit. I loved learning more about their coach. I loved how these two helped each other SO much by pushing each other and loving on each other. They made each other better! I can't wait to see Coach's story! I have probably missed it but don't know whose sister he is supposed to be with?? Does anyone else know??
June 17, 2025
I freaking adore this series so so much!!!!
I am truly obsessed with these characters, and Chelsea Curto is truly my favorite author.
I was not expecting to cry as much as I did throughout this book. Chelsea just knows how to write about sensitive topics so well. The found family in this series is my favorite, and all of the characters are genuinely hilarious. This is definitely my comfort series, and I can already tell I'm going to love anything Chelsea puts out.
Riley is an absolute sweetheart and deserves so many good things in his life. I loved how he didn't blame others for what happened. He was so nice and understanding. And Lexi is truly the best fmc.... the way she literally spent all of her free time researching ways to help Riley was adorable, and I loved her in this book.
- Sunshine x former sunshine
- Friends with benefits
- Hockey player x trainer
- Forced proximity
- Injury rehabilitation
I am truly obsessed with these characters, and Chelsea Curto is truly my favorite author.
I was not expecting to cry as much as I did throughout this book. Chelsea just knows how to write about sensitive topics so well. The found family in this series is my favorite, and all of the characters are genuinely hilarious. This is definitely my comfort series, and I can already tell I'm going to love anything Chelsea puts out.
Riley is an absolute sweetheart and deserves so many good things in his life. I loved how he didn't blame others for what happened. He was so nice and understanding. And Lexi is truly the best fmc.... the way she literally spent all of her free time researching ways to help Riley was adorable, and I loved her in this book.
- Sunshine x former sunshine
- Friends with benefits
- Hockey player x trainer
- Forced proximity
- Injury rehabilitation
July 27, 2025
I loved this. It was the most emotional book in the series for sure and I have never read a romance like this. Riley and Lexi were so good for each other and I loved both of them. RTC.
May 29, 2025
5 shining stars for Riley & Lexi!!! Thank you to Love Notes PR & Chelsea Curto for the ARC!!!
I don't even know where to start with this one!!! I loved this book from beginning to end. I giggled, blushed, and cried. Lexi & Riley are so special to me!!!!
Riley Mitchell!!! The man that you are!!! Riley's story is heartbreakingly beautiful. Getting to witness his growth, healing journey, and his depth throughout this book was absolutely everything. The depth that came from his mental health struggles was handled with so much care. He is the sweet, gentle, caring boy who you can't help but love. He's witty, vulnerable, and charming. I loved him SO much.
Lexi Armstrong, my darling, independent gal!!! I absolutely LOVED her & her growth throughout the book. She's strong-willed, intelligent, caring, and feisty. She's relatable, witty, and determined. Getting to see her depth & be inside her head was so lovely, I've been so excited for her story! I adored the way Chelsea touched on sexism in the sports industry through Lexi's career as an athletic trainer!
The romance in this!!! I was on my KNEES!!!! Friends with benefits to lovers, in the WORKPLACE! Their dynamic is filled with banter, chemistry, tension, and true understanding. Seeing Riley & Lexi tear down each others walls, find safety and comfort within each other was everything to me!!! Riley is downright OBSESSED with her & watching her become equally as obsessed with him made me want to squeal like a pig! The smut!!! Their chemistry was RADIATING off the pages. ABSOLUTELY DELECTABLE. I loved these two SO much, they are SO perfect for each other it makes my heart ACHE.
The mental health representation in this was BEAUTIFUL. The amputee representation within Riley's character was handled so well. You can tell that Chelsea took the time to research & understand the impact of an injury like this, how it can shape someone's life, and what it can look like. Especially in a sports setting!!!
The DC Stars series quickly became my favorite hockey romance series, and Hat Trick only solidified my love for these books & the characters. The found family, the friendships, the love!!!
TROPES:
- hockey player x athletic trainer / workplace
- mental health & injury rehabilitation
- friends with benefits to lovers
- he falls first / man obsessed
- forced proximity
I don't even know where to start with this one!!! I loved this book from beginning to end. I giggled, blushed, and cried. Lexi & Riley are so special to me!!!!
Riley Mitchell!!! The man that you are!!! Riley's story is heartbreakingly beautiful. Getting to witness his growth, healing journey, and his depth throughout this book was absolutely everything. The depth that came from his mental health struggles was handled with so much care. He is the sweet, gentle, caring boy who you can't help but love. He's witty, vulnerable, and charming. I loved him SO much.
Lexi Armstrong, my darling, independent gal!!! I absolutely LOVED her & her growth throughout the book. She's strong-willed, intelligent, caring, and feisty. She's relatable, witty, and determined. Getting to see her depth & be inside her head was so lovely, I've been so excited for her story! I adored the way Chelsea touched on sexism in the sports industry through Lexi's career as an athletic trainer!
The romance in this!!! I was on my KNEES!!!! Friends with benefits to lovers, in the WORKPLACE! Their dynamic is filled with banter, chemistry, tension, and true understanding. Seeing Riley & Lexi tear down each others walls, find safety and comfort within each other was everything to me!!! Riley is downright OBSESSED with her & watching her become equally as obsessed with him made me want to squeal like a pig! The smut!!! Their chemistry was RADIATING off the pages. ABSOLUTELY DELECTABLE. I loved these two SO much, they are SO perfect for each other it makes my heart ACHE.
The mental health representation in this was BEAUTIFUL. The amputee representation within Riley's character was handled so well. You can tell that Chelsea took the time to research & understand the impact of an injury like this, how it can shape someone's life, and what it can look like. Especially in a sports setting!!!
The DC Stars series quickly became my favorite hockey romance series, and Hat Trick only solidified my love for these books & the characters. The found family, the friendships, the love!!!
TROPES:
- hockey player x athletic trainer / workplace
- mental health & injury rehabilitation
- friends with benefits to lovers
- he falls first / man obsessed
- forced proximity
June 12, 2025
4.25 stars. I love this series. I loved this book. Face Off is still my favorite but this is a close second. Lexi and Riley have been the book I’ve even dying for and it was everything.
I cried. I laughed. I swooned. The spice was spicy. The found family trope continues to be amazing. I love Brett being about this series.
I cried. I laughed. I swooned. The spice was spicy. The found family trope continues to be amazing. I love Brett being about this series.
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