Hat Trick: Nanny for the Hockey Players

by Christina Sterling

When the Captain of The Titans bursts into my work and shouts at me "I need you" I think all of my dreams have come true.

What I don't expect is the baby he's holding.

Now, the Captain, our star goalie and the best defenseman in the league are my new roomies and I'm their live-in nanny.

Carter is the Captain, easy-going, boy-next-door and all American good-guy.

Gabe is the goalie - the gorgeous, brooding loner.

And Luca is the handsome playboy grinder.

Now, somehow, we all have to figure out how to live together and give Carter's surprise daughter the loving home she deserves.

And resist our growing attraction. Because I shouldn't get involved with one hockey player, let alone three.

Right?

Hat Trick is a Why Choose, Spicy, Hocky and Nanny Romance, Reverse Harem, Multiple POV, Happily Ever After guaranteed.

Genres: Why Choose, Hockey, Sports, Sports Romance, Hockey Romance, Romance, Forced Proximity

318 pages, Paperback

Published July 12, 2024

Reviews

[Tonna · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was my first time reading a why choose romance, and I am obsessed with it! The slow burn, and emotional whirlwind had me completely captivated throughout the whole story. Emily is so admirable, despite everything she's been through, she has such a loving and giving heart. She is Carter's godsend when his unbeknownst to him daughter, Annie is signed over to him. Emily moves in with Carter and his NHL teammates/bestfriends Luca & Gabe. She becomes the nanny and so much more. Without giving spoilers, let me just say the spice, tension, and emotion was flawless. Why choose with a happy fairytale ending. This book is a must read!

[Lori · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a fun read! Carter finds himself needing a nanny ASAP and Emily is perfect! I loved how each of the characters grow and discover their relationships in their own time and in their own way. Each person has their own strengths and weaknesses that they bring to the family. I think Emily’s growth is the best though, she’s got some “emotional baggage” that needs to be worked out. I love that there’s a HEA for everyone and that we get to see a little of Cedar and Carter’s Mom. Great book with some spice!

[juliebonds · Rating 1 out of 5]

Gonna be honest, just from looking at most of the reviews they are from arc readers who were definitely influenced because there is no way.

This is the first why choose where i felt like we only got to know one of them? Like i feel like all the focus was on Carter because he had the kid. Maybe it was just me just felt like the book really lacked depth, and the characters lacked depth? I wanted it to be good just from the premise, but so disappointed. Also, babe invest in an editor, go through an outline and release. I’ll read it again just to support.

[Sarah · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was AMAZING. Everything I could have ever wanted out of not only one but THREE MMCs. The FMC was insecure but not in an annoying sense where it killed the whole book. She always had moments of clarity and the boys really built her up. My only problem is that I went through this whole book high on the hog until the last 15% which absolutely killed it for me. I understand wrapping up the loose strings with Annie's birth mom but the way we went about it was rage worthy. Emily took care of Annie throughout the entire 6 months of her being signed over to Carter, up until Cedar was out of jail all of a sudden. Not only does Carter note her as beautiful standing in the middle of his living room, but not a single one of the guys attempts to stop Emily from leaving or ensures her of her place in their lives. The grovel, if that's what you want to call it was weak. Not only that, but baby momma Cedar is now hanging out with the WAGs and at the games by the time Emily decides to forgive them? After that dumpster fire was put out I thought a little epilogue pregnancy would put some balm on the sting that the ending left BUT CEDAR SHOWS UP AT THEIR PREGNANCY ULTRASOUND?! CARTERS PUTTING HIS HAND ON HER HAND WHEN THEY SEE EMILYS BABY FOR THE FIRST TIME?! CEDAR ACKNOWLEDGES HERSELF AS CARTERS BABY MOMMA FOR THE REMAINDER?!

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Personally, this is a trope that I haven’t seen before and therefore haven’t read before, so I was a little unsure going into it. My fears were totally unfounded though because this was so well done that it made me a complete fan. The trope added so much depth into the plot, and since I’m automatically on board when smut has a plot so this quickly turned into a favorite. Surprisingly there was a lot about hockey spread throughout the story, and a point was made to show the guys moving through the season (which as an avid hockey fan myself) I super liked and appreciated. For a one shot again there was a lot of progression throughout the book and a lot of depth which I was really happy to see. There are some twists but again it kept it interesting and moved the plot right along.
There was a lot of heart and soul in this book in addition to spice. Which I’m a huge fan of!!! I liked that not everyone was on board at first and the fact that the friends to lovers trope is very strong which again is a 10 out of 10 for me. The spice was pretty spicy, which is always an added bonus. It felt realistic, natural and super intimate.
Get ready to fall in love with the Titans crew!

[Kaitlyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hat trick delivers a spicy, why-choose romance set against the backdrop of hockey. While there might not be sword-crossing, there's plenty of steam, and the chemistry between these characters kept me hooked throughout the book. At just over 300 pages, it's a captivating read that balances romance, family, and sports drama.

If you're a fan of hockey romance and enjoy reverse harem dynamics, this book is a must-read. As for falling into a harem like that—well, who wouldn't be tempted? 😉🔥 FMMM

[Rachel Stephens · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it!!
This was my first book by Christina Sterling and I loved it!!
With themes of: RH, nanny/employer and 🏒
This story was filled with emotions, drama, humor, and spice.

I adored Emily. She had the biggest heart and she was so relatable. I hurt for her at times, so I was proud to see her growth in the end. Seeing her learn to become more confident and know her worth.

Carter, Luca, and Gabe, I loved them so much. The author did a great job making each of the unique.
I also think the author did a great job with their relationships. They developed so naturally. Emily became a huge and important part of their lives perfectly.

Overall, I felt like this was a sweet and heartwarming read.
It was the great balance of plot and spice and leaving us with the perfect ending!!

[✨Sandra✨ · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an excellent why choose hockey romance.
I fell in love with Carter right away. He needed a nanny for his surprise daughter ASAP. Emily was at the right place, at the right time, end became his nanny.
Annie is such a sweet little girl, a great addition to the hockey family.
Emily was such a strong, loving and caring FMC, and she was amazing with Annie.
She had some emotional baggage to work through, and the guys were so supportive and amazing with it. They built up her confidence and self worth step by step.
Luca and Gabe were just as amazing, and they created the perfect family together.
It was a beautifully written story with great character development and growth.

It’s a slow burn romance, with a hint of instalove from Luca. It was great to get some of Cedar and Carter’s mom’s story as well 🫶🏻
Great book. I can highly recommend it ✨

[₊⋆ Nyxia ☾ · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such a fantastic read! It’s overall really sweet and wholesome. Low angst read, great spice. The guys are amazing, especially Luca. I usually don’t care for the playboy type, but he had me giggling.

I really liked Emily. The story is pretty fast paced. The relationship is why choose and slower burn. I loved it! Will read more from this author. ♡

"𝓨𝓸𝓾'𝓵𝓵 𝓬𝓸𝓶𝓮 𝓽𝓸 𝓶𝔂 𝓰𝓪𝓶𝓮𝓼. 𝓨𝓸𝓾'𝓵𝓵 𝔀𝓮𝓪𝓻 𝓶𝔂 𝓳𝓮𝓻𝓼𝓮𝔂. 𝓨𝓸𝓾'𝓻𝓮 𝓶𝓲𝓷𝓮."

[tia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ugh this was so fucking cute. ADORABLE.

I mean seriously. Friends to lovers. Rivals to lovers. Infatuation to lovers. This one had it all. And omgggg am I glad Cedar wasn’t put out to be the bad girl. It was a genuine struggle with genuine consequences and a genuine desire to fix things.

Fuckin’ a.

There were some minor errors (spelling, commas, tense changes, etc) but I still absolutely loved this book. It was TOP NOTCH and a perfect start to my July reads.

[Justina Staniforth · Rating 5 out of 5]

I totally binged this and I LOVED it!!!
Em is relatable, human and realistic when it comes to trying to move on from trauma and realise her worth.
Carter, Luca and Gabe are HOT and in their own point of transitioning to their future. And I love them all!
Add the addition of Annie and I was hooked, needing to know what happens next.
Such a fun, binge read you won’t regret!
Great characters, plot, and spice. We need more Ms Sterling!!!
5 ⭐️
3 🌶️

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m a big fan of reverse harem and it seems harder and harder to find a good book. I genuinely enjoyed this story and felt that it had a little bit of everything, angst, drama, and humor.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really loved it! These guys are truly sweet, gentle giants. And the lighthearted banter and quirky jokes, with the blossoming friendship affection, adoration and love between the group, made for a great read

[Mouse · Rating 5 out of 5]

amazing book and it was super interesting especially for someone like me who doesn't usually read why chose it was engaging and thrilling to read! plus the author is super sweet and amazing too<3

[Melanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is adorable! I loved Carter, Luca, and Gabe. Emily's character was sweet, and I was happy to see her image of herself change and become a stronger woman. The way the guys were with Annie made me swoon. I loved this book and definitely recommend it!

[Nay · Rating 5 out of 5]

Holy hotness! This book gave me all the feels!!!!! Butterflies, tears, laughter, melty heart… check check check check. This story exudes love in so many forms. I didn’t want it to end and tried to read it slower just to hang on longer. Christina Sterling knows how to capture your attention!

[Annie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this story and the characters. Not heaps of the actual hockey side in it but great story and characters, not a lot of drama. Amazing work as always from Christina.

[D C · Rating 1 out of 5]

That was super boring and very meh.
The whole plot is a girl with insecurities takes care of a hockey player’s kid (that he didn’t know that existed) and he and his 2 besties and co-players want her 🤷🏻

At first I thought that she wanted only one of them and the other two were just extras. Then she gets intimate with not the one that felt like the main character which was just to built the harem, imo.

Blah blah, many pages without any reason and we get 6 months into her taking care of the baby and being with this guys (around 85% of the book) and then we have the papers being nosy about her relationship with the guys and at the end the mother is back, she is a B to the FMC and the father telling FMC to take a walk.

His POV after she left was:

“I saw Cedar, looking as beautiful as ever, in my home, which she'd never been to. I saw Emily, her eyes wide and scared. I'd seen Annie - my little girl and the love of my life and the fear overwhelmed me.”

Sorry but the above doesn’t give me FMC is the love of my life. BTW, the FMC is Emily and not Cedar :) in case you didn’t get that. His first thoughts when the mother appeared was that she was as beautiful as ever and his love interest was with eyes wide and scared. Like… okay? And the other two just sit there and let the FMC leave.

Then her brother goes at their place to get her stuff and they told him they love her and they sit down to grab some beers all together lol

After that, the mother texts the FMC to ask her if she wants to see the baby and the FMC says yes and the mother which btw was just a f-buddy of the MMC (Carter) hugs the FMC and tells her

““Thank you for taking care of both of them, Emily. I really can't thank you enough.”

Like, BOTH OF THEM? Like, you had no friendship with him, no relationship with him, you were a bartender and had intimacy with him whenever (?)

And then the FMC forgives them and all good.

That was a waste of time.

[Angie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Horrifically poor editing, terrible grammar, just so many nonsensical things that distract from what could’ve been a really interesting story.

The MCs were fairly solid, and concept was good but the content was not well thought out at all, definitely not researched in any way.

Story comes across uninformed, immature and uneducated.

Decent spice and likable characters gave this 2 stars, but it was only sheer stubbornness that stopped a DNF

[Ally · Rating 3 out of 5]

could have been better

It was a cute story but there were some grammatical errors and some confusion on timelines. It had potential. I also didn’t like how insecure Emily was. I get that her mom and dad and her ex treated her horribly but it was annoying at times how hard she was on herself. Didn’t hate it but didn’t love it either

[Steph · Rating 1 out of 5]

baby’s age doesn’t make sense

I had to DNF this I tried I really did but the baby can biologically be his. He hasn’t seen the girl he slept with in 2 years yet he somehow has an infant with her????? Sooryyyy can’t do that got up to about 55% and had to stop

[Diana Pentecost · Rating 2 out of 5]

Could have been a cute feel good story but couldn't get past all the typos and continuity missteps.

[Phoenix · Rating 5 out of 5]

## 5 Stars - A Home Run for Hockey Romance Fans!

As someone who regularly reads both hockey romance and why-choose stories, I can confidently say that *Hat Trick: Nanny for the Hockey Players* delivers on all fronts. Christina Sterling has crafted a story that's fun, sexy, and surprisingly emotionally deep.

**What Made This Book Shine:**

Emily is a standout heroine. What I loved most was how Sterling wrote her as genuinely flawed but strong - she's dealt with trauma and difficult family issues, yet she never became bitter or gave up on life. Instead, she remained a nurturer with a truly good spirit, and watching the players recognize and value her for exactly who she is was incredibly satisfying and refreshing.

The why choose dynamic developed organically and naturally, never feeling forced. The chemistry between Emily and the players had everything - slow burn tension, instant attraction, emotional vulnerability, and fantastic banter. Each relationship felt distinct and real. The hockey elements provided a solid, entertaining backdrop without overshadowing the romance, and the pacing kept me hooked from start to finish.

Sterling's writing is smooth and immersive, with great dialogue and a perfect balance of steam (moderate heat), emotion, and plot. The story has real emotional weight while still being an enjoyable, sexy read.

**Content notes:** Features past trauma (handled with care), true why choose/reverse harem (no choosing just one), and moderate steam level.

If you love hockey romance with heart and well-executed why-choose dynamics, this is a must-read!.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[LKG · Rating 2 out of 5]

I wanted to like this book. It had promise but at the end, I'm still not sure what the author wanted the story to be. The plot had promise, but the POV was never clear and while it was overly wordy, it still seemed like so much was left out. It was way too long. It wasn't entertaining. It had no heat, passion or romance and definitely no humor. It was just blah. The author went out of her way on many, many different occasions to portray the FLC Emily, as boring, mousey, weak, emotionally screwed up and not very attractive. She spent as much time on portraying the FMC's as amazingly good looking, rich and ripped hockey gods. That never changed. Moral of the story written is that Emily should be grateful to be with them, no matter how they treat her. The sex in the book was lukewarm at best and clinical at worst. There was nothing sexy or passionate about it, even when all 4 were involved. The author tried to make things about D/S but honestly, that was a joke. All in all, the book was boring and awkward. The 4 main characters just didn't vibe together and even though the author gave them a half-ass HEA, it just didn't ring true. I received a free copy of this book to review, so while there are a TON of spelling, grammar and pacing mistakes, I'd hope the author got an editor before publishing. 2/5.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Mercedes · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's a good story with a nice setup. Pro hockey player gets handed a baby that he never knew existed and panics. Then runs into the arena daycare and picks a nanny that gives him that support he needs to navigate this new fatherhood. Then add in his 2 friends/teammates/rommies. Then banter between all them was nice and fun. And we get spice between everyone.

Some things to note though, there was some grammar issues and I felt it could have been edited better. I didn't understand how Cedar shows up announced (how did she even know where they lived?) and then after an apology to Emily, she's instantly apart of their group and going to games with the other WAGs and to top it off, she was at the appointment with Emily by the end of the book. Like in the actual exam room telling the doc that she's Carter's baby mama. Umm. didn't you sign you're rights away 6+ months ago. And then she comes back and is like im in treatment and want my daughter back. I think it would have been better if she was slowly welcomed back into Annie's life and like slowly builds a friendship with Emily and the guys.

[Kat · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is such a great why choose, if you've never dipped into this type of romance, this one is a great introduction to this type of relationship.

Three great hockey players who are already in their own formed family group meet a young nanny in this desperate time of need. An adorable surprise baby is always going to throw a man off his head, but when this happens in his NHL prime, yeah, that's one type of situation.

This story has a lot of ups. This group communicates, which is so important in this type of relationship, which just brings the whole story together. They are all adults and act like it, you wont find miscommunication in this book, which is a breath of fresh air. I enjoyed the different personalities that each part of this group brought to the table. You have the cinnamon roll, the protector, and the caretaker in the men. They all desperately love their women, and I adored how much they went out of their way to take care of her. Add in the added adorableness of a cute baby and some overprotective daddies. This is a book that you won't want to miss.

I was lucky enough to receive an arc of this amazing novel and am leaving a review of my own thoughts and feelings.

[Brenda Campbell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great character development should be mandatory for why choose - unless you're skipping the story and going for full smut. This story is a great balance.

This story has plenty of great POV chapters to craft a well-rounded story. From the very first chapter you drive straight into the story. Within a couple pages they're all living together. And you might expect instant gratification, but the slow build as they get to know each other and the chemistry intensifies makes for a much more enjoyable read.

Emily is a true hockey fan. A little damaged and a lot insecure, but very likable from the beginning. And as Emily contemplates embarking on adventures with her the guys, we get to see exactly how they all complement each other. Luca is the happy, flirty, easy-going component. He brings us the "he falls first" trope in spades. Carter is the team captain and the guy with plenty of pressure and responsibilities. He's the guy making a home that brings Emily into the fold. Gabe is the untrusting skeptical. He may fall last, but he falls hard.

Enjoyed every moment of this book. Well done!

[Haley · Rating 1 out of 5]

I tried. I really tried to read and enjoy this book. And let me say- I am not a book snob! I read books for vibes all the time! The tropes and marketing for this book were SO promising but honestly the reason they make a big deal on the cover with a “human authored” guarantee sticker is because without it I could have bet my life it was written by ai. It’s like this amalgamation of popular words and tropes with none of the development or character building. Literally it’s a hockey romance that basically entirely glosses over ALL of the hockey games. They talk about hockey, but almost all of the book takes place at the house. Even when she finally does get to a game, it cuts to a new chapter before the puck even drops. Stakes throughout the book for everyone are so high for no reason and there’s almost no conflict to drive character evolution. It feels like every five seconds a character just randomly has an epiphany with no lead up or struggle or development. But at the same time it also feels like half the time you are walking into a conversation that’s already part way done, especially in chapters/conversations between the MMCs. Save yourself the time; just skip this one

[Marissa Richards · Rating 5 out of 5]

Firstly, I went into this book blind, like I didn't not read that it was a Why Choose romance, I only read the book title. I love a good hockey romance and this one did not disappoint. I'm not going to lie and say I loved everything about it, but I found the whole premise to be incredibly impractical. Never, and I mean never, will CPS drop a kid on you and dip. There is no way that you would not have been notified far earlier in the process. Then you jump to the nanny making the decision to uproot her life and change everything in a matter of minutes. That is absolutely ludicrous and 100% unbelievable. However, despite all of the incredibly crazy major pieces this story contains, the romance is soooooooo good. I found it very difficult to put down, and honestly, I'd love to read a story for Ben. These players could not be any more different and she works for every one of them perfectly. If you can get past the logistics of how she ended up in that house, this is absolutely worth every second.

[Elisabeth Copeland · Rating 5 out of 5]

This why choose hockey romance is a fantastic read. Emily, Carter, Gabe and Luca are characters you love to read again and again.

Carter discovers he has a daughter (while at work) and is in full panic mode. When he goes to the team’s onsite daycare, he grabs the first person he sees to help him out. Luckily for him, he grabs Emily. Emily immediately steps in and starts putting out fires.

Carter insists Emily move in with him and his two roommates, Gabe and Luca, in order to help with his daughter while the team travels. Luca is instantly smitten, and Gabe is instantly suspicious.
What happens after all three meet is a slow burn romance that brings all the feels: passion,
insecurities, laughter, and love. Yes, there is some miscommunication, but the road to HEA is never easy.

I would have to say my favorite part of this book is the ending. I won’t give it away, but this is how families/coparenting should work. Absolutely wonderful.