The Hat Trick by Madi Danielle

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

What’s the saying… the best way to get over someone is to get under someone else? How about three someones?

I didn’t expect the hot stranger who helped me face my ex to end up being an NHL player and be interested in me. I really didn’t expect his two teammates to also be interested in me.

These men look at me like I’m everything they’ve ever dreamed of. Now I have all three men wanting my attention. And I want them all.

Unfortunately, it might not be that simple. When it comes down to it, the hot nights, whispered words, and strong emotions might not be enough. I just hope that at the end of it all it will have been worth it.

The Hat Trick

Holiday Heat & Hockey Hearts

The following ratings are out of 5:
Romance: 💚💜💙
Heat/Steam: 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
Chemistry: 🧪🧪🧪🧪
Story/Plot: 📕📗
World building: 🌏🌍🌎
Character development: 😋🙂☺️
Narrator(s): 🎙🎙🎙🎙
Narration type: Dual Narration

🦸🏼‍♀️ Heroine: Chandler

Chandler’s life is in emotional freefall. A year after her college boyfriend Jay cheated and married the other woman (which she discovered via a social media spiral — ouch), she’s still reeling. Living with her best friend and nursing a broken heart, Chandler’s world feels stuck. Enter the bucket list: a spontaneous day of “never-done” adventures, from ceramics to the town’s Christmas village, meant to shake her out of her rut.

🏒 Heroes: Vince, Brent, Matt

• Vince is the golden retriever of the trio — a pro hockey player with a soft spot for his niece and a quiet longing for connection. He spots Chandler at the Christmas village and is instantly drawn to her.
• Brent, Vince’s best friend, is the emotional anchor. Raised in chaos, he’s the guy who stepped up when no one else did.
• Matt McQuade is the wildcard: cocky, unapologetically blunt, and a magnet for puck bunnies. He’s the kind of guy who says what everyone’s thinking — even when they wish he wouldn’t.

🔥 Plot Snapshot

Chandler’s festive outing takes a nosedive when she runs into Jay and his new bride fresh from the courthouse. Cue Vince, who swoops in with a fake-boyfriend rescue worthy of a rom-com. Turns out, he’s not just hot — he’s hockey-famous. Sparks fly, numbers are exchanged, and Chandler’s bucket list suddenly includes a lot more heat than holiday cheer.

❤️‍🔥 What Worked

• The character backstories had real emotional weight. Vince’s family ties, Brent’s resilience, and Chandler’s heartbreak gave the romance depth beyond the surface-level steam.
• Chandler’s vulnerability felt authentic — even if her healing journey was messy, it was relatable.

🤨 Room for More

• Chandler’s self-description as a “thick size 14 curvy girl” felt forced and overly self-conscious. It’s one thing to embrace body positivity, but this phrasing leaned into stereotype rather than empowerment.
• The plot was thin — more montage than narrative arc. The emotional beats were there, but they got buried under a flood of intimate scenes that didn’t always serve the story.
• The romantic entanglements blurred ethical lines. Chandler’s involvement with multiple men while claiming casual status felt emotionally inconsistent. The lack of fallout or tension between the guys made it feel too easy — and missed an opportunity for deeper conflict.

🎧 Narration Vibes

• Avery Caris nails Chandler’s voice — expressive, youthful, and emotionally grounded. Her performance felt lived-in, not read.
• Patrick Zeller brings a rich tone, but his character differentiation was lacking. With multiple male POVs, distinct voices are crucial, and here they blurred together too often.

📝 Final Thoughts

This audiobook delivers on holiday charm and hockey heat, but stumbles in its emotional execution. The characters deserved more story, more tension, and more space to grow. If you’re in it for the steam and swoops, it’ll satisfy. If you’re craving layered romance with real stakes, you might be left wanting.

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