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dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Okay, first things first. Read the author's note and its content warnings. I do not say that lightly. This is definitely the most emotional book of the series with plenty of dark thoughts from both the MCs. If you are not in a good headspace, give this a pass until you are. And have some tissues near as you read.
Now with that out of the way, I was looking forward to this book, though I don't remember if we got a hint of what happened to Riley on the day of his accident in the last book. This one picks up right where the last left off, so we are with him as he experienced the car accident and in those moments where he realizes that everything has changed. We're with Lexi as she fights with him and for him throughout the rehab process, and with the DC Stars family as they all watch Riley through his recovery/acceptance of his new normal and support him in his effort to get back out on the ice. Riley fights for Lexi - whether it's supporting her in spearheading his rehab to showing her that she is more than she thinks of herself and is worthy of love - which, quite frankly, was just as heart wrenching as Riley's story.
It looks like Chelsea Curto did her due diligence in researching amputee athletes - from their acceptance of the "new normal", complete with the mental and physical highs and lows, to the rehab to get back to their sports... and everything in between. This was a beautiful story of two lives that have been completely changed and have come together to create a stronger whole.
Now with that out of the way, I was looking forward to this book, though I don't remember if we got a hint of what happened to Riley on the day of his accident in the last book. This one picks up right where the last left off, so we are with him as he experienced the car accident and in those moments where he realizes that everything has changed. We're with Lexi as she fights with him and for him throughout the rehab process, and with the DC Stars family as they all watch Riley through his recovery/acceptance of his new normal and support him in his effort to get back out on the ice. Riley fights for Lexi - whether it's supporting her in spearheading his rehab to showing her that she is more than she thinks of herself and is worthy of love - which, quite frankly, was just as heart wrenching as Riley's story.
It looks like Chelsea Curto did her due diligence in researching amputee athletes - from their acceptance of the "new normal", complete with the mental and physical highs and lows, to the rehab to get back to their sports... and everything in between. This was a beautiful story of two lives that have been completely changed and have come together to create a stronger whole.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Car accident, Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Suicidal thoughts, Blood
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Sexism, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Vomit, Medical content, Medical trauma, Car accident, Pregnancy, Abandonment
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I’d say this is a 4.95. This was so good! The DC Stars series is definitely Chelsea Curto’s best work. Riley’s storyline felt so authentic, especially with the mental aspects of it. Lexi and Riley’s story was so emotional and genuine, and I loved the relationships that Riley has with the boys, Lexi’s love with the girls, and the through line of Emmy and Maverick’s progressing relationship. Also, as a Liam girlie, the little tidbits!! ugh!! All in all, yes yes yes
Content Warnings
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts, Car accident
emotional
funny
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
“What would you tell your younger self if you found out you got a second chance at life?”
I REALLY didn’t think that any couple in the DC Stars series was going to top Maverick and Emmy for me but Riley and Lexi did from almost the very beginning of this one. The way that they showed up for each other even when things were so unbelievably hard was what my romance reader dreams are made of. Riley has had a crush on his team’s athletic trainer, Lexi, since the first day they met. After the biggest win of his life, he is in a life-changing accident and Lexi is tasked with getting him back on his skates. Lexi is a one-and-done kind of girl. Commitment? She doesn’t know her. The forced proximity trope hits hard with Riley’s treatment schedule though and as they spend more time together, they become best friends… and so much more. This book had a lot of heartbreaking moments, I cried on and off for probably the entire first half of it, but it also put the pieces back together in the most beautiful way. Side note: Riley was definitely SPICIER than I expected him to be based on his appearances in the previous books and I loved every second of it. This book was my favorite of the series so far. I will never tire of these characters.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Ableism, Misogyny, Suicidal thoughts, Vomit, Medical content, Car accident, Abandonment, Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Drug abuse, Infertility, Blood, Pregnancy
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
If Chelsea Curto wrote it, I'm reading it. Period, end of discussion, next question.
4.75/5 - But only cause I hate the lack of communication.
I was not ready for how emotionally raw this book was going to leave me. But I also laughed and loved so hard during this book. It's not just Riley and Lexi. The whole team is so heartwarming and wholesome (this is me recommending the DC Stars series to you, once again.)
The spice was so good. I love a man who is down bad.
4.75/5 - But only cause I hate the lack of communication.
I was not ready for how emotionally raw this book was going to leave me. But I also laughed and loved so hard during this book. It's not just Riley and Lexi. The whole team is so heartwarming and wholesome (this is me recommending the DC Stars series to you, once again.)
The spice was so good. I love a man who is down bad.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
My sweet Riley and Lexi oh I love you so so much <3
For real was giggling and kicking my feet the entirety of their story (and screaming because of the mouth on this man).
I have been waiting for this book as soon as it was clued in that Riley had a crush on Lexi. Chelsea did such an amazing job developing both the characters and their stories. I cried multiple times while reading (especially in the beginning even with knowing what was going to happen). There were so many sweet moments and quiet showings of love throughout this book that made their relationship mean so much to me. I have been in love with Lexi since the first time we met her and getting to see her let herself go a little bit and trust Riley all while still being true to herself was amazing (finally got a g&t drinking character lets go). Of course, we got more of the boys bookclub and the group chats which always have me laughing. As always being back with this series feels like coming home to your friends, and i cannot wait for more to come.
the spice. the simping. the glasses. the research. the tattoos. and finally, LIMES.
riley mitchell. the man you are ohmygod.
so beyond thankful I got a chance to read the ARC, this has become one of my favorite series
For real was giggling and kicking my feet the entirety of their story (and screaming because of the mouth on this man).
I have been waiting for this book as soon as it was clued in that Riley had a crush on Lexi. Chelsea did such an amazing job developing both the characters and their stories. I cried multiple times while reading (especially in the beginning even with knowing what was going to happen). There were so many sweet moments and quiet showings of love throughout this book that made their relationship mean so much to me. I have been in love with Lexi since the first time we met her and getting to see her let herself go a little bit and trust Riley all while still being true to herself was amazing (finally got a g&t drinking character lets go). Of course, we got more of the boys bookclub and the group chats which always have me laughing. As always being back with this series feels like coming home to your friends, and i cannot wait for more to come.
the spice. the simping. the glasses. the research. the tattoos. and finally, LIMES.
riley mitchell. the man you are ohmygod.
so beyond thankful I got a chance to read the ARC, this has become one of my favorite series
Content Warnings
Graphic: Medical content, Medical trauma, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Mental illness, Suicidal thoughts, Car accident
emotional
funny
inspiring
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
What can I say about the magic that is…
Riley and Lexi
Lexi and Riley
I'm so obsessed with these two, you don't even know. 😍
Hat Trick was the perfect amount of spice, angst, humor, and love.
The team are at its best. They’re more than a team, more than friends, they’re a family and the book was filled with so much love it was overflowing.
Riley has been down bad for Lexi forever, and we love our nerdy glasses king.
Watching Lexi catch up has been a hilarious awe inducing rollercoaster ride that has you swooning and potentially crying again and again.
You don’t want to miss out on the best hockey book of the year!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Car accident
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
💜 Thank you to Love Notes PR & Chelsea Curto for the ARC 💜
I have nothing but tears 😭😭 Every single moment of this book had me in shambles. Through every single up and down I was a complete and utter mess over these two.
Everything about this book was perfection from Riley's road to recovery (which was written so, so well. Truly, it was done so realistically with the ups and downs, the good days and bad. Curto truly outdid herself with all the emotions), to the friend group which only continues to grow (I live for the group chats. Make me an entire book of the two chats and I'd be living my best life), and the romance. I love my down-bad Mitchy and my scared-of-love Lexi.
The way that these two heal each other and become the absolute best versions of themselves together. The attentiveness, the passion, the communication... every single bit of it was done immaculately.
It's hard to believe that we're more than halfway done with our Stars 😭 But for now, I'm just gonna enjoy the good days while we're still in them 💜
“Today’s been a pretty good day, huh?” “No... It’s been the best day.”
I have nothing but tears 😭😭 Every single moment of this book had me in shambles. Through every single up and down I was a complete and utter mess over these two.
Everything about this book was perfection from Riley's road to recovery (which was written so, so well. Truly, it was done so realistically with the ups and downs, the good days and bad. Curto truly outdid herself with all the emotions), to the friend group which only continues to grow (I live for the group chats. Make me an entire book of the two chats and I'd be living my best life), and the romance. I love my down-bad Mitchy and my scared-of-love Lexi.
The way that these two heal each other and become the absolute best versions of themselves together. The attentiveness, the passion, the communication... every single bit of it was done immaculately.
It's hard to believe that we're more than halfway done with our Stars 😭 But for now, I'm just gonna enjoy the good days while we're still in them 💜
“Today’s been a pretty good day, huh?” “No... It’s been the best day.”
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Car accident, Injury/Injury detail