Review by bookishnerdyandcurious - Hat Trick

bookishnerdyandcurious 's review for:

Hat Trick by Chelsea Curto

5.0

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.

Content Warnings