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Off the Ice #3
The Rebound Plan
I’ve got one week to get my head in the game and forget about my inconvenient attraction to my teammate’s wife.
A relaxing retreat to cottage country with my teammates is the perfect way to prep for the upcoming hockey season.
Or so I thought.
Now I’m trapped in my cabin with my crush–and her jerk of a husband–where it's impossible to get space or clarity. Or get over her. And that mission becomes even harder when I learn that Shannon’s marriage is failing.
With the lines of loyalty and friendship becoming blurred, and relationships being tested in all directions, I know I need to tap the brakes hard.
Until one night when everyone else is at a party down the lake, and the team captain makes me an offer I can’t refuse…to share his wife, and have a taste of the forbidden I always assumed was forever out of reach.
The Rebound Plan is a swoony forbidden romance between a tall, growly, protective hockey player and a failed model-turned-escort-turned-WAG who needs to learn to love herself as much as she loves those around her. It's not a love triangle - you know who to root for from page one. #TeamRuss the whole way.
A relaxing retreat to cottage country with my teammates is the perfect way to prep for the upcoming hockey season.
Or so I thought.
Now I’m trapped in my cabin with my crush–and her jerk of a husband–where it's impossible to get space or clarity. Or get over her. And that mission becomes even harder when I learn that Shannon’s marriage is failing.
With the lines of loyalty and friendship becoming blurred, and relationships being tested in all directions, I know I need to tap the brakes hard.
Until one night when everyone else is at a party down the lake, and the team captain makes me an offer I can’t refuse…to share his wife, and have a taste of the forbidden I always assumed was forever out of reach.
The Rebound Plan is a swoony forbidden romance between a tall, growly, protective hockey player and a failed model-turned-escort-turned-WAG who needs to learn to love herself as much as she loves those around her. It's not a love triangle - you know who to root for from page one. #TeamRuss the whole way.
446 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 1, 2024
190 people are currently reading
643 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 72 reviews
December 4, 2024
The MMC participates in the FMC being trafficked by her abusive husband
I expected that the concept of wife sharing would be touched upon/happen from the summary of this book, but like most book summaries, I expected there was probably a little more to it and either wife-sharing wouldn’t actually happen or that the wife would at least have SOME agency in the situation. Nope. Not this one. This is exactly what was suggested mixed with sexual assault that the MMC is totally okay with. It’s absolutely horrific and this author should be ashamed to write something like this and PRETEND it’s anything other than the MMC full on embracing the FMC’s abusive husband’s coercive sexual exploitation and straight up trafficking (because what happens in this book is literally how a lot of trafficking starts) of the FMC.
I cannot believe the author had the audacity to write this and call it romance.
I expected that the concept of wife sharing would be touched upon/happen from the summary of this book, but like most book summaries, I expected there was probably a little more to it and either wife-sharing wouldn’t actually happen or that the wife would at least have SOME agency in the situation. Nope. Not this one. This is exactly what was suggested mixed with sexual assault that the MMC is totally okay with. It’s absolutely horrific and this author should be ashamed to write something like this and PRETEND it’s anything other than the MMC full on embracing the FMC’s abusive husband’s coercive sexual exploitation and straight up trafficking (because what happens in this book is literally how a lot of trafficking starts) of the FMC.
I cannot believe the author had the audacity to write this and call it romance.
December 6, 2024
So, I liked this a lot but 1) I wasn't prepared for how much of it was going to be about the marriage disintegration and 2) this is an example of where I find a cartoon cover REALLY inappropriate but maybe not out of sync with the market if what I have heard about the content of Hannah Grace books is correct. In this one, there is a scene where and I'm sorry that cover does not convey that scene??? But I really do dig this world and series!
December 7, 2024
3.5/5 stars, I think
I genuinely enjoyed the relationship here, but there was so much time spent on the FMC's marriage falling apart and I really think I would have liked more time spent on the post-marriage period. I also strongly agree with Jess' comment that the cartoon cover really does not fit with the story. I enjoyed this book a lot overall and really liked Shannon and Russ, but this would have been better served by a different cover.
I genuinely enjoyed the relationship here, but there was so much time spent on the FMC's marriage falling apart and I really think I would have liked more time spent on the post-marriage period. I also strongly agree with Jess' comment that the cartoon cover really does not fit with the story. I enjoyed this book a lot overall and really liked Shannon and Russ, but this would have been better served by a different cover.
December 13, 2024
Wow was this a miss for me. First of all, I think this book could have used a proofreader, I counted a fair number of typos and there’s probably more I missed. Secondly, I do not like romances where one of the MCs is already in a relationship for half the book. Here, Shannon is married to team captain Max who is also captain Douchelord and while I understood the difficulty for Shannon in leaving him and obtaining a divorce, I also was confused at the way she continuously devalued herself and tried to justify Max’s actions by claiming he’d saved her by marrying her. And then, in the end, she basically trades in one hockey player hubby for another with Russ, the hero of the book. Also, the first time she and Russ have a sexual encounter is with her husband present and I’m sure the author meant it to be hot but it came off icky and very much dubious consent, like Max was basically whoring his wife out bc he was an asshole and didn’t care that she kept saying no. And then Russ just decides to play along and yes, she has an orgasm but she initially said no and the second she said no, that should’ve been the end of it. Idk, there’s just so much that was wrong with this book and normally, this is an author I like so I’m just really surprised at this book. I would have preferred in the end, that Shannon take some serious time after the end of her marriage to work on her self esteem before jumping into a relationship with Russ, I feel like author could have given us a year long gap instead of coming up with the plot point she did to solve the divorce conundrum.
December 2, 2024
This one wasn’t for me. I get that the marriage was failing, but the whole forbidden love thing, in this context, is just not *it* for me.
The scene where her husband invites Russ (mmc) to be with them while they’re having sex outside and says “she can take [it]” was almost too much for me. It was clear he didn’t love her, but Russ giving in just to be with her? It felt dirty, and not in a good way…in a way that made me feel really, really bad for Shannon.
I’m glad that Shannon (fmc) started to find herself again, but it felt like too little too late for me. I think I would’ve rather started at the end and had the book be about Russ and Shannon navigating this new territory than to have read all through the failing marriage. Or perhaps if we’d all (characters included) found out the marriage wasn’t real even sooner?? Again maybe this type of story just isn’t for me.
I do love Kiley and her friendship with Shannon. All the girls really. They’re the best part of the series.
Overall, I like this series, and I hope there’s another, but I’m hoping for another more like the first or even second book.
The scene where her husband invites Russ (mmc) to be with them while they’re having sex outside and says “she can take [it]” was almost too much for me. It was clear he didn’t love her, but Russ giving in just to be with her? It felt dirty, and not in a good way…in a way that made me feel really, really bad for Shannon.
I’m glad that Shannon (fmc) started to find herself again, but it felt like too little too late for me. I think I would’ve rather started at the end and had the book be about Russ and Shannon navigating this new territory than to have read all through the failing marriage. Or perhaps if we’d all (characters included) found out the marriage wasn’t real even sooner?? Again maybe this type of story just isn’t for me.
I do love Kiley and her friendship with Shannon. All the girls really. They’re the best part of the series.
Overall, I like this series, and I hope there’s another, but I’m hoping for another more like the first or even second book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 3, 2024
This was so, so good. I love Shannon and I'm so glad she's happy and getting back to herself.
The ending seemed a little too easy, but after all the tension I felt such overwhelming relief for her. Wish we could have seen some of the podcast come into fruition although I don't see how it could have been included without it feeling separate from the rest.
I 100% love this series. I cannot pick a favorite honestly. I really hope we get more-- maaaaybe Alexei?
The ending seemed a little too easy, but after all the tension I felt such overwhelming relief for her. Wish we could have seen some of the podcast come into fruition although I don't see how it could have been included without it feeling separate from the rest.
I 100% love this series. I cannot pick a favorite honestly. I really hope we get more-- maaaaybe Alexei?
June 7, 2025
The first 60 percent of this read more like general fiction than romance? Honestly I didn't hate it, but it did make the "I love yous" feel like they surfaced out of nowhere. It wasn't even that I didn't buy that Russ and Shannon had a connection, I did, and I genuinely liked that the dissolution of her marriage/their friendship taking root wasn't rushed. It just seemed like we jumped over some steps between the start of their friendship and I love you.
Also agree with Grace & Jess that the cover doesn't work for this book at all.
Anyhow, I did fly through this and mostly had a good time, just wasn't quite the balance I wanted it to be.
Also agree with Grace & Jess that the cover doesn't work for this book at all.
Anyhow, I did fly through this and mostly had a good time, just wasn't quite the balance I wanted it to be.
August 7, 2025
My least favorite of the series so far, although I still had fun. I felt like the characters basically fell in love off screen before the book started so I missed it. They were just sort of desperate for one another and sad for a lot of the book.
Shannon was a great character with great development. Russ’ main character trait was “loving Shannon” and I guess vaguely being Scottish when the book remembered. I actually didn’t mind that at all though.
The ex husband sucked but seemed realistic. The “threesome” at the beginning of the book could deffo be off putting for some readers.
Shannon was a great character with great development. Russ’ main character trait was “loving Shannon” and I guess vaguely being Scottish when the book remembered. I actually didn’t mind that at all though.
The ex husband sucked but seemed realistic. The “threesome” at the beginning of the book could deffo be off putting for some readers.
December 3, 2024
This was a very slow burn, but worth it.
January 16, 2025
Hmmm, I have mixed feelings about this one. I understand the author's intentions about 'destroying the marriage' as she wrote them in the front of the book, and trust me, the (ex)husband deserved it. I just wish that part of the story line happened a little earlier along with the the FMC and her 'personal growth' moment - which was a little lacking IMO. Also, Shannon wasn't really aware of Russ' attraction until the cottage and then when her husband isn't in the picture any more they are suddenly 'in love'. I can understand lust, attraction, etc but it felt like some real romance was missing before arriving at 'love'. The characters were fantastic, and the spice was hot, but it felt like it was all squeezed in the last 15% of the book just to say that there were this many spicy scenes. I think if some things were tweaked in the plot line that this book would be a lot more palatable.
December 23, 2024
The story in this one is murky. Like swamp water in the summer murky. And I’m just not sure I can find anything romantic about starting a relationship with someone else when your previous relationship hasn’t officially been ended. Doesn’t matter if your husband is a jack ass or does despicable things. Bottom line, there was too much “gray” in this book for me.
Also, too many typos/proofreading errors. Someone fell down on their job, but I’m not sure who. This author doesn’t usually have so many typos, so it was disappointing to see.
Also, too many typos/proofreading errors. Someone fell down on their job, but I’m not sure who. This author doesn’t usually have so many typos, so it was disappointing to see.
January 27, 2025
Book 14 of 2025
I am over here squealing because @AinsleyBooth has absolutely knocked this one out of the park! I love the Off the Ice series, and each book has brought something different. I was swoony for Kieran and Harper in the first book, which I then reread in anticipation for Ty and Kylie, who had a more enemies to lovers type vibe. In April 2024 I left that book excited for what was to come, and I had no idea that this third book would hands down be my favorite of the series.
The reason that this series works in so many ways is because of the found family, which is one of my favorite things about hockey books as of late. The team functions as a family, and we get an entire cast of characters to fall in love with and root for. From the beginning, we have met all the women of the WAG group. We know all of these women and how they show up for their men. We watched Harper come into the group through Kieran, and we even got to experience their wedding week in the second book. Then we watched Kylie come into the group through Ty, the newest addition to the team.
From the beginning, the leader of the group has been Shannon, married to the captain, Max. We have been given peaks from the start that Max was not the best of guys – we heard rumors of him cheating on his wife, and the way he treated the other guys it was clear he wasn’t in the inner-circle off the ice. We have also met Russ, our Scottish giant as Kieran’s best sidekick and journeyman on the team. Was I trepidations when I found out that Russ and Shannon were going to be highlighted in this book? No doubt. I hate a cheating troupe, and I am not sure I have read a book with “his teammates wife” troupe before.
BUT GUESS WHAT! @AinsleyBooth absolutely killed this is the best possible way. It was all about quiet support and far away pining and showing up when it counts. It was all about the little things that turn into the big things. There is so much to love here, and our Russ Armstrong is the absolute KING. The way he handles this entire book is fire. I actually need to take a breather here because whew, he was great. I also loved how we got so much back story on Shannon and her past, their marriage and filling in all the holes that we didn’t get about them in the first two books.
There were a few moments I was that meme of the women silently screaming – I couldn’t not put this book down and I was dying until the very last moment. I am giddy and screaming and immediately wanting to start the book again. I downloaded the bonus content as soon as my fingers would allow, and then I screamed in delight when I found out that the next book in the series would be about Emory. Let me just say this – 1. I think that Emory’s book will be absolute fire because she is a great character and we know that she will be with a Highlander, but we don’t know who. 2. I told @AinsleyBooth this in an email, but I will never be ready to say goodbye this team and will take as many books about ANY character in this series, for as long as she is willing to write them.
@AinsleyBooth, the Hamilton Highlanders have my heart! Please keep giving us more!
Rating – five stars
Format – e/book
Rating of the Off the Ice series –
1. The Rebound Plan (Book #3, Russ and Shannon), five stars
2. The Playing Game (Book #1, Kieran and Harper), four and a half stars
3. The Scoring Secret (Book #2, Ty and Kylie), four stars
I am over here squealing because @AinsleyBooth has absolutely knocked this one out of the park! I love the Off the Ice series, and each book has brought something different. I was swoony for Kieran and Harper in the first book, which I then reread in anticipation for Ty and Kylie, who had a more enemies to lovers type vibe. In April 2024 I left that book excited for what was to come, and I had no idea that this third book would hands down be my favorite of the series.
The reason that this series works in so many ways is because of the found family, which is one of my favorite things about hockey books as of late. The team functions as a family, and we get an entire cast of characters to fall in love with and root for. From the beginning, we have met all the women of the WAG group. We know all of these women and how they show up for their men. We watched Harper come into the group through Kieran, and we even got to experience their wedding week in the second book. Then we watched Kylie come into the group through Ty, the newest addition to the team.
From the beginning, the leader of the group has been Shannon, married to the captain, Max. We have been given peaks from the start that Max was not the best of guys – we heard rumors of him cheating on his wife, and the way he treated the other guys it was clear he wasn’t in the inner-circle off the ice. We have also met Russ, our Scottish giant as Kieran’s best sidekick and journeyman on the team. Was I trepidations when I found out that Russ and Shannon were going to be highlighted in this book? No doubt. I hate a cheating troupe, and I am not sure I have read a book with “his teammates wife” troupe before.
BUT GUESS WHAT! @AinsleyBooth absolutely killed this is the best possible way. It was all about quiet support and far away pining and showing up when it counts. It was all about the little things that turn into the big things. There is so much to love here, and our Russ Armstrong is the absolute KING. The way he handles this entire book is fire. I actually need to take a breather here because whew, he was great. I also loved how we got so much back story on Shannon and her past, their marriage and filling in all the holes that we didn’t get about them in the first two books.
There were a few moments I was that meme of the women silently screaming – I couldn’t not put this book down and I was dying until the very last moment. I am giddy and screaming and immediately wanting to start the book again. I downloaded the bonus content as soon as my fingers would allow, and then I screamed in delight when I found out that the next book in the series would be about Emory. Let me just say this – 1. I think that Emory’s book will be absolute fire because she is a great character and we know that she will be with a Highlander, but we don’t know who. 2. I told @AinsleyBooth this in an email, but I will never be ready to say goodbye this team and will take as many books about ANY character in this series, for as long as she is willing to write them.
@AinsleyBooth, the Hamilton Highlanders have my heart! Please keep giving us more!
Rating – five stars
Format – e/book
Rating of the Off the Ice series –
1. The Rebound Plan (Book #3, Russ and Shannon), five stars
2. The Playing Game (Book #1, Kieran and Harper), four and a half stars
3. The Scoring Secret (Book #2, Ty and Kylie), four stars
February 1, 2025
Oooffff this book gave me a pit for like 75% of it lol
Shannon is married to max the captain of the hockey team but he is a fucking doucheeeeee. Shannon grew up in like Louisiana or somewhere like that and left home at 18 to be a model/actress in nyc but as she described it was being a glorified escort. She just like enjoys sex lol whatever. Max kind of like "saves" her from that life but she's like just supposed to be the supportive wife that like stands around and looks pretty even tho he like cheats on her and constantly has her walking on eggshells.
Meanwhile angel of a human Russ is just like stupidly in love with his team mates wife. Shannon. It's like sad and painful to read.
Max invites the team to Russ's house for like a team building weekend before the season starts and it's kind of messy. Russ brings along his friends younger sister to act as like his girlfriend. A new ice hockey league is being developed and stressing all the players out. Max wants shannon to sleep with the guy who's starting the new league. They fight. She asks for a divorce and then ends up having sex with him in Russ's backyard where he walks in on them and max asks him if he wants to join and he does. Crazy.
Shannon still wants to leave max but like it's complicated. She's signed a prenup, she has to be separated for a year to get divorced - it's messy.
Max and Russ get into it on the ice/in the locker room and Russ ends up breaking maxs jaw. Russ gets sent down to the AHL and max gets traded to a new team where shannon decides she's not going with.
When Russ gets sent back up to his regular team shannon shows up to his apartment and it's on.
It turns out that max and shannon were never legally married but now staying in Canada is a problem for shannon bc she was there on a spousal visa. She ends up getting a job with the team Russ is on and they end up together in the end and that part was really cute. Russ was just like obsessed with her and treated her the way she deserved to be treated. I ended up liking it but max was hands down the worst book character I've read in a while. Douche lord.
Shannon is married to max the captain of the hockey team but he is a fucking doucheeeeee. Shannon grew up in like Louisiana or somewhere like that and left home at 18 to be a model/actress in nyc but as she described it was being a glorified escort. She just like enjoys sex lol whatever. Max kind of like "saves" her from that life but she's like just supposed to be the supportive wife that like stands around and looks pretty even tho he like cheats on her and constantly has her walking on eggshells.
Meanwhile angel of a human Russ is just like stupidly in love with his team mates wife. Shannon. It's like sad and painful to read.
Max invites the team to Russ's house for like a team building weekend before the season starts and it's kind of messy. Russ brings along his friends younger sister to act as like his girlfriend. A new ice hockey league is being developed and stressing all the players out. Max wants shannon to sleep with the guy who's starting the new league. They fight. She asks for a divorce and then ends up having sex with him in Russ's backyard where he walks in on them and max asks him if he wants to join and he does. Crazy.
Shannon still wants to leave max but like it's complicated. She's signed a prenup, she has to be separated for a year to get divorced - it's messy.
Max and Russ get into it on the ice/in the locker room and Russ ends up breaking maxs jaw. Russ gets sent down to the AHL and max gets traded to a new team where shannon decides she's not going with.
When Russ gets sent back up to his regular team shannon shows up to his apartment and it's on.
It turns out that max and shannon were never legally married but now staying in Canada is a problem for shannon bc she was there on a spousal visa. She ends up getting a job with the team Russ is on and they end up together in the end and that part was really cute. Russ was just like obsessed with her and treated her the way she deserved to be treated. I ended up liking it but max was hands down the worst book character I've read in a while. Douche lord.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 17, 2024
I’ve read hundreds of hockey romance books at this point and somehow, The Rebound Plan was new, fresh, and exciting.
⭐️ Rating: 4.5/5
🌶️ Spice: 2.5/5
🏒Mutual Pining
🏒Right Person, Wrong Time
🏒Teammate’s Wife
🏒Hockey Romance
🏒Slow Burn
🏒Fake Dating
🏒Forced Proximity
I’ll be brief as to not give away all the details, but here’s the gist-a player has it bad for his captain’s wife. That relationship looks great from the outside but it’s far from perfect. During the off season the players and their partners do a long weekend at Russ’ new place…
Settle in for a slow burn. I gave this book a 2.5 on the spice scale, not because what we got wasn’t quality hot spice but more so because it was such a slow burn with teaser dropped in the middle. Once the characters(who were totally meant to be together) got together, it’s game on for spice. However, that's at like 85%. This is not a wham-bam-thank-you-ma’am kinda read.
I’d love to give this book a 5/5 rating because of how well the story was crafted and how exciting it was to read however there were so many typos. Like missing words, or the wrong words like this instead of his. If that kind of thing doesn’t bother you, you’ll love this one. If typos and grammatical errors grate at you, you might find it a little hard to get through.
Note that this is a happily ever after kind of love. The epilogue emotes all the warm and fuzzy feelings knowing that these characters were completely made for one another. I absolutely love the Off the Ice series. The first book, Playing the Game, was one of the first hockey romance books I read when I got back into reading and it really did a number on me.
⭐️ Rating: 4.5/5
🌶️ Spice: 2.5/5
🏒Mutual Pining
🏒Right Person, Wrong Time
🏒Teammate’s Wife
🏒Hockey Romance
🏒Slow Burn
🏒Fake Dating
🏒Forced Proximity
I’ll be brief as to not give away all the details, but here’s the gist-a player has it bad for his captain’s wife. That relationship looks great from the outside but it’s far from perfect. During the off season the players and their partners do a long weekend at Russ’ new place…
Settle in for a slow burn. I gave this book a 2.5 on the spice scale, not because what we got wasn’t quality hot spice but more so because it was such a slow burn with teaser dropped in the middle. Once the characters(who were totally meant to be together) got together, it’s game on for spice. However, that's at like 85%. This is not a wham-bam-thank-you-ma’am kinda read.
I’d love to give this book a 5/5 rating because of how well the story was crafted and how exciting it was to read however there were so many typos. Like missing words, or the wrong words like this instead of his. If that kind of thing doesn’t bother you, you’ll love this one. If typos and grammatical errors grate at you, you might find it a little hard to get through.
Note that this is a happily ever after kind of love. The epilogue emotes all the warm and fuzzy feelings knowing that these characters were completely made for one another. I absolutely love the Off the Ice series. The first book, Playing the Game, was one of the first hockey romance books I read when I got back into reading and it really did a number on me.
December 3, 2024
LOVED, LOVED, LOVED IT.
What an amazing read, I can’t even express how much I loved it.
Some of Ainsley’s books can be a bit more taboo, but the way she approaches the subject, the insight and sensitivity in her writing style simply makes these books not only work but masterpieces.
This book reminded me on some level of “Shame”, another Ainsley book that is one of my all time favorites. The story is different but the depth and feeling of this book are exquisite. I started writing this review when I was 1 third in because I just needed to capture my thoughts.
This is definitely a slow burn story but it is absolutely worth it, when Shannon and Russ can finally be together it’s absolutely perfect and beautiful.
I loved how patient, respectful, supportive, loving and perfectly dirty Russ is. He’s absolutely determined to respect Shannon’s marriage but once it’s clear she will be leaving her husband he’s also ready to give her the time and space ahead needs while at the same time willing to risk it all to be with her.
And Shannon is so strong and brave. She’s been trying to be the perfect wife for 8 years only to realize she’ll never be enough and her husband only sees her as a commodity. She’s basically alone in another country but is determined to get her power back, have her divorce and she is a fighter all the way to the end.
The ending was beautiful and satisfying. This book I will be rereading again and again.
What an amazing read, I can’t even express how much I loved it.
Some of Ainsley’s books can be a bit more taboo, but the way she approaches the subject, the insight and sensitivity in her writing style simply makes these books not only work but masterpieces.
This book reminded me on some level of “Shame”, another Ainsley book that is one of my all time favorites. The story is different but the depth and feeling of this book are exquisite. I started writing this review when I was 1 third in because I just needed to capture my thoughts.
This is definitely a slow burn story but it is absolutely worth it, when Shannon and Russ can finally be together it’s absolutely perfect and beautiful.
I loved how patient, respectful, supportive, loving and perfectly dirty Russ is. He’s absolutely determined to respect Shannon’s marriage but once it’s clear she will be leaving her husband he’s also ready to give her the time and space ahead needs while at the same time willing to risk it all to be with her.
And Shannon is so strong and brave. She’s been trying to be the perfect wife for 8 years only to realize she’ll never be enough and her husband only sees her as a commodity. She’s basically alone in another country but is determined to get her power back, have her divorce and she is a fighter all the way to the end.
The ending was beautiful and satisfying. This book I will be rereading again and again.
December 5, 2024
This one was so bittersweet for me- not the story, just the disappointment.
I love this series! The community of the Highlanders. I really enjoyed Russ (MMC) and prior to this book, I had really enjoyed Shannon (FMC). I can appreciate how she fell into her abusive marriage (because that’s what it is) but I have so many problems with so many other parts of this.
The pacing of this book. Sure, I hate a slow burn, but that’s not this. This felt like…. She had to rush the ending. Boom, solutions, we are done, in like 3 chapters. Shannon literally says she’s going to be her own person before anything else, but immediately goes to Russ’s apartment?
How was Ty ever a captain. It’s 2024, in his work place, his behavior would be called out. also? It’s 2024, the immigration and marriage stuff is insane. It felt so thrown together.
Also- I guess I’m really hating on this- but, the slut shaming bothered me so much. Even tho ultimately we end up with some hot sex scenes and “taking it back” but this really did not feel great.
Sections of this book were awesome. But it felt like huge chunks of development were gone and the end was cut and paste into a HEA.
Am I going to wait for the next book, and continue to follow this author, yes. But this wasn’t it.
I love this series! The community of the Highlanders. I really enjoyed Russ (MMC) and prior to this book, I had really enjoyed Shannon (FMC). I can appreciate how she fell into her abusive marriage (because that’s what it is) but I have so many problems with so many other parts of this.
The pacing of this book. Sure, I hate a slow burn, but that’s not this. This felt like…. She had to rush the ending. Boom, solutions, we are done, in like 3 chapters. Shannon literally says she’s going to be her own person before anything else, but immediately goes to Russ’s apartment?
How was Ty ever a captain. It’s 2024, in his work place, his behavior would be called out. also? It’s 2024, the immigration and marriage stuff is insane. It felt so thrown together.
Also- I guess I’m really hating on this- but, the slut shaming bothered me so much. Even tho ultimately we end up with some hot sex scenes and “taking it back” but this really did not feel great.
Sections of this book were awesome. But it felt like huge chunks of development were gone and the end was cut and paste into a HEA.
Am I going to wait for the next book, and continue to follow this author, yes. But this wasn’t it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 21, 2025
The writing is impeccable, and the slow burn was burning. The yearning was top tier. The "sharing his wife" scene was so ick though. The Shannon/Max fight with Russ eavesdropping then immediately transitioning into a spicy scene was just not elegant, imo. I didn't think it really aligned with Shannon's character to just allow Max, in that moment specifically, to objectify her in that way. And also, for Russ to accept a part in that, despite what he JUST overheard and his existing feelings for Shannon, it was just wrong. Like for one hormone-driven moment both of them excuse Max's shitty, abusive behavior. Nah, not for me.
This is the one book were I felt a time-jump would have been so appreciated. While I am fully on-board with suspending my disbelief for romance novels, it was major whiplash how quickly Shannon jumped into bed with Russ. They clearly should have been together, but since a major part of the story is Shannon's journey to self-acceptance and reimagining her own independence, I think a nice little 6-month jump ahead before reconnecting with Russ would have given us a sweeter conclusion.
This is the one book were I felt a time-jump would have been so appreciated. While I am fully on-board with suspending my disbelief for romance novels, it was major whiplash how quickly Shannon jumped into bed with Russ. They clearly should have been together, but since a major part of the story is Shannon's journey to self-acceptance and reimagining her own independence, I think a nice little 6-month jump ahead before reconnecting with Russ would have given us a sweeter conclusion.
June 19, 2025
Me ha gustado mucho pero me parece que se le podría haber sacado más partido. Para empezar, estamos demasiado tiempo viendo cómo la protagonista sale de su anterior relación (ha sido mi parte favorita del libro sin duda) y muy poco siguiendo cómo se desarrolla la relación de los protagonistas. Me hubiera gustado que la cosa estuviera más equilibrada, y quizás así no habría sentido que ella salta de una relación a otra sin tiempo entre medias, que es otra de mis críticas, y es que va muy rápido en ese sentido.
Además, entiendo por qué a la gente no le ha gustado esa escena polémica pero yo la verdad es que la he disfrutado y no me parece que esté mal escrita aunque repito que comprendo que la gente se haya podido sentir incómoda al leerlo.
Por lo demás todo me ha gustado mucho, sobre todo cómo ella consigue salir de una situación en la que hay mucha manipulación, hostilidad e intimidación.
Con ganas de leer el siguiente.
Además, entiendo por qué a la gente no le ha gustado esa escena polémica pero yo la verdad es que la he disfrutado y no me parece que esté mal escrita aunque repito que comprendo que la gente se haya podido sentir incómoda al leerlo.
Por lo demás todo me ha gustado mucho, sobre todo cómo ella consigue salir de una situación en la que hay mucha manipulación, hostilidad e intimidación.
Con ganas de leer el siguiente.
June 4, 2025
This really should be 2.5 stars, but I’m rounding up, I guess. Damn. The writing is, as always with this author, smooth and compelling, but the book itself was frustrating and drawn out and slow. I really liked both Russ and Shannon but I feel like we barely spent any time with them, and they hardly spent any time with each other? But then they’re in love? I don’t know. I hated the sharing/threesome scene; definitely dub-con, which was terrible. I hated the ending; the sex scene made no sense and the use of “slut” was awful even in the “right” (??) context. This book was also riddled with errors—missing words, typos, a character who switches names, the works. All in all, a huge disappointment after books 1-2, which is such a pity because it started out pretty strong. But it really could’ve used a complete overhaul to the pacing and the plot.
December 4, 2024
I wasn’t quite sure how this would play out, we had one party in a problematic marriage, and the other a teammate of the problem in the marriage. How it did, that was not an issue at all, as our couple are true to themselves, and their commitments, until they have an all clear. Along the way though, lots of emotions to sort through, confrontations to be had, knuckles to be bruised, and tears to be shed. Longing, slow burn, and undeniable chemistry kept the heat on all along the way, and a supportive group of friends help temper the issues. There are a lot of raw emotions here, but the satisfaction our characters have in the end, so worth it all <3
December 5, 2024
This story was unexpected. Unexpected and beautifully written. The end of a marriage and the beginning of a new life, a new love (can we say new love when it didn't seem there was old love in this marriage ?), that story goes deep into feelings, psyche and the life of the characters.
For those wondering, there is no love triangle (because who wants to love Max ?) and Shannon does not cheat on her husband.
Ainsley Booth's writing is flawless and my emotions were all over the place. I felt in my bones the tension, the doubts, and the wonderful love between Shannon and Russ.
That book is really one of the kind and I highly recommend it.
For those wondering, there is no love triangle (because who wants to love Max ?) and Shannon does not cheat on her husband.
Ainsley Booth's writing is flawless and my emotions were all over the place. I felt in my bones the tension, the doubts, and the wonderful love between Shannon and Russ.
That book is really one of the kind and I highly recommend it.
December 4, 2024
4.75 holy-car-wreck-Batman stars! I could not look away or put this down! Was the H hot?- sure both Russ AND Shannon were hot and their chemistry was banging! But Max was SUCH a baddy!!! Ooooh I was made to loathe him with the burning of a 1000 suns. And when you fold in the whole married angle, which is usually a sticking point for me, I was hanging on to see how it was all going to come out ok. And it did! In some gravity-defying Circ du Soleil -type style, Ms. Booth pulled it out of the deathly tailspin the story was in. Well done.
March 18, 2025
I’m not sure how I feel about The Rebound Plan. It’s a darker side to usually frothy romances in this setting because there is a dissolution of a marriage plus controlling aspects and a desire to please the spouse to maintain a secure and comfortable lifestyle. I understood why Shannon entered their relationship and Max’s desire for possession, but their relationship was messy. I did like how supportive Shannon’s friends and Russ were. I do feel that Shannon should’ve focused on herself more, though.
July 7, 2025
Marriage meltdown.
When the minor bad guy becomes an all out villain. At least he wasn't physically violent, but what a POS!
Russell is a giant protective growly bear. Shannon is a sweetheart who needs to unfurl her packed away freak flag.
Too much time was spent at the cottage and the consuming dissolution of Shannon and Max. There needed to be way more of the last quarter of this story. More realization moments in therapy or something. It lingered too long in the first half. Hence the lower ⭐rating
When the minor bad guy becomes an all out villain. At least he wasn't physically violent, but what a POS!
Russell is a giant protective growly bear. Shannon is a sweetheart who needs to unfurl her packed away freak flag.
Too much time was spent at the cottage and the consuming dissolution of Shannon and Max. There needed to be way more of the last quarter of this story. More realization moments in therapy or something. It lingered too long in the first half. Hence the lower ⭐rating
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 31, 2025
An emotional roller coaster of a read
I was beginning to think Shannon and Russ would never get together, that the breath taking tease would go on and on. Don’t get me wrong it was exhilarating and heartbreaking and oh so hot! But the wait was worth it. Together they are incendiary! And I just wanted them to have their hearts desire, each other, but it seems nothing in life or a good book is easy. I loved the third act twist and the bonus epilogue made my heart explode. Loved this read!
I was beginning to think Shannon and Russ would never get together, that the breath taking tease would go on and on. Don’t get me wrong it was exhilarating and heartbreaking and oh so hot! But the wait was worth it. Together they are incendiary! And I just wanted them to have their hearts desire, each other, but it seems nothing in life or a good book is easy. I loved the third act twist and the bonus epilogue made my heart explode. Loved this read!
December 4, 2024
I enjoyed this, even though the kinky sexy parts weren't really my cup of tea, but that didn't bother me too much. I'm happy that Shannon got her happily ever after!
My copy of the ebook had a literal placeholder (something like "insert Scottish name here") for the name of Russ' hometown the first time it's mentioned. I laughed out loud at this. :)
My copy of the ebook had a literal placeholder (something like "insert Scottish name here") for the name of Russ' hometown the first time it's mentioned. I laughed out loud at this. :)
December 5, 2024
Just wow! The Rebound Plan is powerful, emotional, and yet tender and sweet and deliciously spicy! Not all is what is seems in Shannon's world, and Russ sees right through it all. One look and he knows he will protect her, even if she isn't his to protect. The dynamic between Shannon and Max, the WAGS, Russ and Max and the rest of the team add to the already heightened emotions of the book and make it impossible to put down. I love this so much!
December 10, 2024
I really did not enjoy this book as much as I expected I would; and Shannon was so downtrodden by her POS husband that I struggled to buy her having the emotional bandwidth to fall in love with Russ at all. Girl, look after yourself first!!
December 13, 2024
True love
What happens when your true love is married to your hockey team's captain who also doesn't treat her right? Russ and Shannon have been attracted to each other from the moment they met. She wants to get a divorce but because she's not a Canadian citizen, it's becoming complicated. I really liked this book in this series. I liked the way the other WAGs rallied around Shannon, too. This is a wonderful book.
What happens when your true love is married to your hockey team's captain who also doesn't treat her right? Russ and Shannon have been attracted to each other from the moment they met. She wants to get a divorce but because she's not a Canadian citizen, it's becoming complicated. I really liked this book in this series. I liked the way the other WAGs rallied around Shannon, too. This is a wonderful book.
January 8, 2025
This book was the definition of mixed for me. My lasting impression is that I enjoyed it but there were a lot of questionable moments that took me out of the experience. Mainly involving the FMC and her husband. I wasn't sure how that could be redeemed and ultimately it is very hand-wavy. However, I loved Shannon and Russ together and Russ in general so their moments together saved the overall read for me. I wish the marriage hadn't been on the page for so much of the book though.
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