The Rebound Play

Love on Thin Ice #2

by Kate O'Keeffe

If you get a second chance at love with your hockey star ex, should you take it?

Keira
What do you do when your NHL superstar ex skates back into your small town? Drop to the ground and hide behind the bleachers, hoping he doesn’t see you. But Lady Luck must be in a bad mood today because Dan spots me, my hood over my eyes, pretending I’m not there.

Mature? No. Necessary? Oh, yes.

Humiliation washes over me, and the wall around my heart stands firm. Dan might be back, but I can’t afford to let him in again. Not after the heartbreak of losing him once before.

When he offers to coach my nephew, I reluctantly agree. Every smile he flashes at me, every kind word, threatens to crack my resolve. But I can’t go through that again. I have to protect my heart.

Dan
I want Keira back. End of story.


The Rebound Play is part of the Love on Thin Ice sweet hockey romcom series. It's a love story about a jock and a nerd who get a second chance in this small town romance with all the sizzle and chemistry, but none of the spice.
Slide into the Love on Thin Ice series for a sweet romantic escape. Seven authors, seven short books, and one charming town. Get ready for heartwarming love stories and all the fall feels. Start reading now!

Breaking the Ice by Whitney Dineen

The Rebound Play by Kate O’Keeffe

The Friend Face Off by Grace Worthington

Love in Overtime by Melissa Baldwin

The Parent Playbook by Elsie Woods

Love at First Skate by Ellie Hall

Penalties and Proposals by Anne Kemp

Genres: Romance, Sports Romance, Hockey, Sports, Second Chance, Hockey Romance, Contemporary

176 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 29, 2024

About the author

Kate O'Keeffe is a USA TODAY bestselling and award-winning author who writes exactly what she loves to read: laugh-out-loud romantic comedies with swoon-worthy heroes and gorgeous feel-good happily ever afters. She lives and loves in beautiful Hawke's Bay, New Zealand with her family and two scruffy but loveable dogs.

When she's not penning her latest story, Kate can be found hiking up hills (slowly), traveling to different countries around the globe (back when we used to be able to do that), and eating chocolate. A lot of it.

Get a free book when you sign up to Kate's newsletter at kateokeeffe.com.

Reviews

[Catarina Águas · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an ARC from netgalley in exchange of an honest review. And I also wanna thank the author for this copy of the book:

I liked this book, it was very cute and adorable.
Dan was a man in love and I loved to see that. He wanted her and he would do anything to be with her, no matter what it was.
Keira still loved him too but was afraid of him leaving again. They were young and their lives took them in diferent paths. But fate always had a plan for us and it definitely did for them.
They were good together and I liked them. I just wish that Keira had a little more faith in him and their love and talked to him instead of just assuming things. He made a big career decision and she didn't blink an eye. I didn't like that. That she basically assumed that he would be the one making the sacrifices. That's not how relationships work. But alas, maybe that's me.
Overall, it was a good book

[Nicole Blomgren · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fun second chance romance brings these two former high school sweethearts back together- can they make it work for a second time? Read to find out and enjoy all of the super fun pop culture references!

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars

Hockey romance, second chance, small town, what's not to love? This was exactly as described and I thoroughly enjoyed it!

Kiera the bookworm and Dan the hockey player that turned pro.

They were high school sweethearts and they both secretly have feelings for each other. Will they be brave enough to confess their feelings for each other now, 10 years later? Do they stand a chance, living so far from each other?

A sweet romance you could share with your daughter and your grandma without embarrassment. The characters are realistic, even if they are a tad sweet.

I apologize to Kate for being almost a week late in turning in
my review. Thank you for giving me a chance to read your book. I look forward to reading more of your work in the future.

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

[Lissa Ruck · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved Dan & Keira's sweet, caring, loving, second chance, swoony story!!

[Ayesha C · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received an ARC from NetGalley & Wild Lime Books. The Rebound Play by Kate O’Keeffee is a story about a second chance romance. Dan & Keira were high school sweethearts when life took them on different paths. Dan had his hockey career in the NHL and Keira after completing college in Seattle returned to their small town to take care of her sick sister and her kids. When Dan returns to Maple Falls a cute meet leads to a second chance at happily ever after.
This book is a light wholesome fluffy quick read. I thought the map at the start of the book was pretty and I already plan to read all the books in the series. The author did a very good job of enticing us with the possible love stories waiting to happen. Possibly my favourite part of the book was when they meet for the first time after all these years - it was really adorable and funny and not so awkward that I was cringing with second hand embarrassment.

I liked the concept of the story but felt the story and the characters didn’t get a chance to develop a lot. I could easily see this book being stretched out another 5-10 chapters. The “obstacle” they faced really didn’t get a chance to expand before a solution and declarations of love were thrown out which was kind of a let down.
Overall I gave this book 3 stars. ⭐️⭐️⭐️.

[Ashlee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well I gulped that book down in one bite! I absolutely love a good hockey romance. It's a guilty pleasure of mine (and I don't even really watch hockey that much. Go figure). Add to that, small town vibes, especially if the fall season is mentioned, and you're well on your way to book I'm going to devour, which is what I totally did with The Rebound Play. It was just adorable, and sweet, and also highly amusing. When Kiera hit the floor in the ice rink clutching her cinnamon roll in an attempt to hide, I was definitely chuckling to myself. So yes, this book checks the rom com boxes for sure!

I do enjoy second chance romances as long as one of the characters doesn't get back together with someone who was a jerk before and is still a jerk. Since Dan and Kiera didn't break up over anything major, just more because of the "long distance relationships don't work" feelings, I was definitely rooting for them! They broke up because they were young and moving on to the next phase of life, and not because someone did something stupid. Dan was such a total cinnamon roll hero (ironic considering they're first meeting in 10 years. Refer back to the clutching the cinnamon roll scene!)

I've been trying to break out of a reading slump, so this book was a great length and pace for that. I felt like the story kept moving and didn't stall out at any point. Keira has a small freak out where she tries to run from her feelings but Dan is like immediately no, we're working this out. Which I loved! Go get your girl Dan the Man.

This book was definitely a great introduction for me into this series. They can be read as standalones but you'll be seeing characters weaving in and out of other books in this multi-author series so I'm sure I'll keep coming back to see what happens!

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

(3,5 ☆)

Kiera and Dan were high school sweethearts, but broke up when Dan moved to Chicago to join the NHL. Neither of them have met anyone else who's made them feel the same way, maybe they can get a second chance?

This is the second book in a series of seven books, hockey romcom written by seven different authors. The series take place in Maple Falls, a charming small town, and evolves (as the title of the series implies) around the town's hockey team. The first book released last week and The Rebound Play will be out in a couple of days. The books are connected but also stand alones.

Kiera is a book nerd and loves to live in Maple Falls, where she knows everyone and helps her sick sister take care of her kids. High recognition in that personality! Dan is seen as a hero in his home town and gets the role of captain for The Ice Breakers when he returns home to play some charity games. He's a real cinnamon roll!

Besides romance and hockey, The Rebound Play offers autumn vibes and some funny scenes. Occasionally it gets a bit TOO sweet for my liking (I'm really no romantic, even though I enjoy reading about it), but it's a very personal preference. If you want something lighthearted and easy to read, with lots of sweet romance, this book is a great choice!

* I received an ARC from the author and I'm giving my honest review. *

[Shushi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rating - ⭐⭐⭐
Spice - closed door

Trope - Rekindle love, friends to lovers, second chance, high school lovers, it's always been you, small town, zero spice, sports romance, novella, HEA
Bonus chapter - 1

This was a cute book. Kiera and Dan dated in high school but broke up due to their different paths. They cross paths again when Dan returns to town for a charity game. Kiera hiding from him and them pretending not to know each other has to be the cutest scene —it showed why they were high school lovers.

Kiki's awkwardness and blabbering is what I live for—she was so adorable. Dan was a natural charmer, he knew what to do, and when to do it to win her back. Her birthday was his jersey number, AHHHH - our boy left no stone unturned.

Kiera's insecurities and feelings made sense, but I loved how Dan made the effort to show her that she was worth every sacrifice and second.

Blaire was a good friend — and she reminded me so much of my rl bestie. The other side characters were good too except those puck bunnies- hated them to my gut.

The ending was simple and beautiful. They get engaged. The bonus epilogue was sweet as well - they had a HEA with a kid.

It could have been better.
Overall 3/5

[Suzan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love a good second chance romance, and this was such a sweet and heartwarming one!

Dan and Keira were high school sweethearts. They may have been opposites – him the popular jock, and her the nerdy bookworm - yet they were so perfect for each other. They were each other’s first love, and were together until Dan left after graduation to pursue a career playing professional hockey. Keira went to college, but returned home, and is taking care of her chronically ill sister and her niece and nephew.

Years later, when Dan comes back to Maple Falls for a charity game, they reconnect with one another, and romantic feelings quickly rekindle between them. But if things are going to last this time, they need to confront the past and try to overcome the obstacles that drove them apart.

I loved Dan and Keira! I loved how they never got over each other, and how determined Dan was to never let her go again. I loved the cute niece and nephew, and how they added to the story.

This is a shorter story, but it’s full of so much fun, romance and lovely characters.

This is the second book in the Love on Thin Ice Series, written by multiple authors. It can be read as a standalone.

[Em Reads Romance · Rating 3 out of 5]

this was a quick, binge-able hockey romance. it was a little lacking in substance and plot, but it was a short and entertaining read. i think ive read this author before and had the same reaction.

[Kelsey · Rating 4 out of 5]

I got this as an ARC book.

I loved this book. It was a faster pace.

Dan and Kiera are high school sweethearts, who broke up before college. Neither of them forgot the other, and still secretly loved the other. Dan comes back into town for a charity hockey tournament. Can he convince Kiera to give him a second chance, and prove that he isn't like a normal hockey player?

I loved the date he plans for her! It would be any coffee drinking, book lovers dream!

[Ashley Kalhagen · Rating 2 out of 5]

I hate giving low star reviews and try to be really fair because I know that just because a book isn’t for me doesn’t mean others won’t enjoy it. However, I just cannot give this book a higher rating. The writing is fine and the setting was nice-since I’m reading this at the beginning of September it got me really excited for fall weather and food. However, this book needed to be more developed. I read it in about 2 hours, so that tells me it’s short. It was almost like a novella, and it read like one to me. The characters had no depth, the plot didn’t really develop. The third act breakup lasted about one page and was solved with just a quick declaration of love that had already been made. There was no substance, which was disappointing because it seemed at the beginning like it was set up to be better. There was no tension, no problem to solve, hardly any time the characters even spent together, and no real reason for them to be in love with each other at all. Like I said, I hate being harsh with reviews, and I was surprised to see how many positive ones there were for this book. I just think it needed to be extended so that we could actually get invested and have a reward at the end.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Laramee · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you love second chance romance, you are going to love this one! I love the small feel of this story mixed with NHL hockey players! Perfect if you are looking for a quick read!

I received an ARC from the author and all opinions are my own.

[Joyce T. · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was so boring and cliche, also I didn't enjoy the third-act breakup. I felt like the characters were only surface-level, there was a lot of tell about their backgrounds but not enough show.

Content: Clean. Innuendos, words like "heck" and "dang," no explicit scenes.

[Brittany · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh how I adore second chance love stories! This one was so sweet because both Keira and Dan regretted breaking up with each other when they went off to separate colleges years earlier. These high school sweethearts believed, at the time, that it was for the best and that there would be other loves for them. But, surprise! They were soulmates and no one else ever measured up.

My heart really felt for both of them as they reconnected and as Dan began to show Keira through his actions that he still cared for her. Yet, they lived two very different lifestyles. Keira battled self doubt and feelings of not being enough for Dan’s famous life. Dan realized he had some big decisions to make about the future he wanted.

The Rebound Play was such a wonderful feel good romance! It is book two in the Love on Thin Ice multi-author series, yet also reads as a stand alone novel. I have really enjoyed the first two books in this series and look forward to reading more.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

You can read this review on my blog:
https://brittreadsfiction.wordpress.c...

[Mara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Keira is caught off guard when her hockey star ex, Dan, returns to their small town. Her initial reaction—hiding from him behind the bleachers—sets the tone for a story full of humor and vulnerability. Despite her often hilarious attempts to avoid him, Dan's persistence and charm slowly begin to chip away at her defenses. When he offers to coach her nephew, she reluctantly agrees, setting the stage for a potential reunion.

I've read several second-chance romances lately and what I liked about this one is that Dan knows exactly what he wants--he wants a second chance with Keira, and there'll be no games or beating around the bush. I admired Keira for all the help she gave to her sister. It doesn't sound like she had a lot of "me" time working, caring for her sister and running her niece and nephew to their activities; she deserved a happily ever after with a great guy like Dan.

I loved the dual POV because I like getting both sides of the story. I also liked that there was no third-act breakup--who needs more angst in their life. If you like second-chance or small-town romances this one will hit the spot.

4-4.5 stars

[Caroline · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5-3/5 stars!

This was a fun second-chance romance between high school sweethearts now living their exciting adult lives. Having returned to Maple Falls after college to care for her sister, niece, and nephew, Keira has tried to avoid most things Dan Roberts-related for the last ten years. But after an injury benched him from preseason games, he's back in Maple Falls for a few weeks playing for the Ice Breakers, a charity hockey team raising money for the local ranch. In the small town of Maple Falls, these two are bound to cross paths and rekindle what they had in high school.

Overall, this book was ok. There wasn't really any playing hard to get and the plot wasn't really exciting. It was sort of instant love, which I understand they were high school sweethearts, but when you haven't seen or talked to someone for ten years, I think it was a bit much for them to go on one date and tell each other they loved each other at the end of it. I liked the idea of this second-chance romance, but I didn't like the execution I guess despite there being a couple of really cute moments. In summary, I think if you're looking for a quick beach read, this could be a good one but don't expect too much. I don't think I'll be reading any more of the series, but it was decent.

*Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review

[Courtney sharpe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kate O’Keeffe will never disappoint me with her cute and adorable closed door romances. But this time she’s made me even happier by adding hockey into the mix!

Keira
What do you do when your NHL superstar ex skates back into your small town? Drop to the ground and hide behind the bleachers, hoping he doesn’t see you. But Lady Luck must be in a bad mood today because Dan spots me, my hood over my eyes, pretending I’m not there.
Dan
I want Keira back. End of story.

This is the second in the Love on Thin Ice series and while it can be read as a stand alone, I really enjoyed revisiting the small town and characters of Maple Falls. This is perfect for fall season with a fall festival and farmer markets being at the front of the plot. I absolutely loved Keira and Dan and was rooting for them all the way!

This one will make you believe in love and happily ever afters! I highly recommend

[Araya · Rating 5 out of 5]

Arc Review
Overall Rating: 5 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Cover Rating: 5 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Tropes:
- Second Chance At Love
- “I Want Her Back”
- Jock/Nerd
- Opposites Attract
- Former High School Sweethearts/First Love
- Hockey Romance
- Small Town
- Fall Vibes
- Swoony Cinnamon Roll Hometown Hero MMC
- Dual POV
- Closed Door/Clean Romcom, Kisses Only

Welcome to the ‘Love on Thin Ice’ series, seven authors, seven short novels, and one charming town, welcome to Maple Falls where heartwarming love stories live. Our second book of the ‘Love on Thin Ice’ series is ‘The Rebound Play’ written by. Kate O’Keeffe.

Dan and Keira were high school sweethearts who broke up and went their separate ways after graduation, both figured they would move on, but no one could ever replace the other. Now it’s 10 years later Keira is still in Maple Falls running the local farmers markets and other town events, along with taking care of her sick sister Clara and her niece Hannah and her nephew Benny. While Dan is now a famous hockey player playing in the NHL but is currently benched do to an injury in his wrist. When Dan is asked to return to his hometown to not only play in a charity hockey game but but to be the captain of the team he’ll be on for the charity hockey game that is raising funds for a good cause he clears it with his coaches and all the other people your suppose to clear that stuff with and accepts the offer, but Dan also has other motives to go back to his hometown he wants to get Keira back his Kiki, the girl he’s never been able to forget his first love, and the only girl he wants to have a future with. When old flames start to rekindle will Dan and Keira get their second chance at a happily ever after or will the sparks fizzle out? Read ‘The Rebound Play’ and find out.

I’m two books into the ‘Love on Thin Ice’ series and it’s been a good experience so far.
I have to say the chemistry between Dan and Keira is amazing, they are just so cute.
Keira is smart, strong-willed, caring, and relatable. When she lays down on the floor to avoid seeing Dan is hilarious I couldn’t stop from laughing. Dan is charming, a romantic, and a big softie. Cutest thing ever when he teaches Benny how to play hockey and buys him all the equipment, also when he makes Keiras birthday his jersey number like omg swoon!

I liked to wrap this up by giving a huge thank you to the author Kate O’Keeffe along with NetGalley and the publishers for sending me an advanced readers copy of this book, I really enjoyed reading it.

[Kristen Lewendon · Rating 5 out of 5]

The bookworm and the jock
Sigh! That was just such an incredibly sweet story. I’m a sucker for a second chance, so I was invested in seeing Dan and Keira find their way back together before I even cracked this book open. Their reunion was everything precious, and precocious once you added in her niece and nephew. I loved this pairing. My heart felt positively bruised watching them both trying to guard their hearts, each thinking they were the only ones with feelings on the line. As we get to know more of the players and residents, I can’t wait to read more of the series.
I received a complimentary advance copy of this book from the author.

[Jessica Wilczynski · Rating 3 out of 5]

3⭐️ Thank you to NetGalley and Wild Lime Books for an advanced copy of The Rebound Play.

Keira has her hands full with her job, helping to care for her sister Clara, and running her niece and nephew around to different activities but she takes it all in stride. Until her famous and attractive NHL star ex boyfriend Dan comes back to town and throws her life upside down. They were high school sweethearts and both secretly still in love with one another. Will they get a second chance at love?

I liked this book it was a cute second chance at love romance but it was a little predictable.

[Teagan Brown · Rating 3 out of 5]

The rebound play is a dual pov, small town, second chance lovers story by Kate O'Keeffe, and a must-read to all hockey romance lovers. Dan and Keira were high school sweethearts who split and went separate ways in college only to find themselves still madly in love 10 years later. After an awkward 1st meeting on Dan's return to Maple Hills, it is clear these two have unfinished business right from the beginning. This book was a great quick read. I just wish it was a full sized novel so I could get more of Dan and Keira. There was so much more I wanted for them!

[Kristen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kate O’Keeffe has joined the ranks of great hockey rom com authors. I love a second chance romance, especially when the original break was not filled with anger. Keira has such a big heart and I was happy to see her get her HEA after all she has sacrificed for her family. Dan is the perfect small town guy: always has a smile on his face, friendly to everyone, loves his family, and would do anything for the love of his life. No tears while reading this book, just swoons and laughter. I can’t wait to read the rest of this series.

[☆Laura☆ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Es una lastima que sea tan corto ya que con pocas hojas es difícil desarrollar la historia.

En teoría tiene todo lo que me gusta: jugador de hockey, segundas oportunidades y puertas cerradas, pero como dije antes, todo se dió rápido y no llegué a disfrutar al 100%.


Me hubiera gustado saber más sobre lo que hizo Keira en el tiempo que estuvieron separados.



Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Shauna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Summing it up: Dan the Man has returned to his hometown to play hockey for a special event. When he sees his high school sweetheart, more than the cinnamon roll is sweet.

Thoughts: I adored this couple and laughed at Keira’s avoidance tactics. Keira tugged at my heart strings and Dan was bigger than life. Lots of hockey to love and the jersey scene was 😍 The ending gets all the heart eyes! Sometimes I just need a little hockey and this was just right. Rounded up.

[Jess · Rating 4 out of 5]

A sweet romance about getting a second chance at love!
Kiki and Dan were high school sweethearts who only broke up because he was headed to Yale to play hockey. It’s been ten years since they’ve spent any time together but when they get together again, it’s like no time has passed at all. At least until she becomes a little insecure….
I enjoyed this one and thought it was well written.

[Susan Z (webreakforbooks) · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Rebound Play is a great installment in the Love On Thin Ice series. It's a very sweet second chance hockey romance. The characters are so sweet and amazing. Although a full length novel, it's on the short side, perfect when you want to escape for a day and immerse yourself in a feel good happy romance.

[Cindy]

Second chance hockey romance.

[Daphnie Bennett · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you’re looking for a small-town, second-chance, hockey romance with no spice, look no further! Dan and Kiki were high school sweethearts, but attending different colleges led them to break up and go their separate ways. Years later, a charity event brings Dan back to Maple Falls. After an awkward reunion, Kiki and Dan reconnect, trying to pick up where they left off. However, the two have some obstacles to overcome.

With fall right around the corner, this book gave me all the cozy feels. It’s a short story, but don’t let that stop you—there’s so much packed into it.

I received an ARC of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Catherine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you, Kate O'Keeffe, for my gifted copy of this book.

I loved this sports romance book! It's a delightful and heartwarming story, perfect for the fall season. The small town of Maple Falls captured my heart and made me wish I lived there, too. The story takes place during autumn, my favorite season, and focuses on a famous hockey player, Dan, and his long-lost ex-girlfriend, Keira. This book is perfect for anyone in the mood for cozy and feel-good vibes.

The male main character, Dan, made me feel giddy, and I couldn't help but root for him and Keira's love to blossom. Their second chance romance is just the sweetest, and the female main character, Keira (Kiki), won me over with her kind nature and selflessness. Her love for books instantly won me over, too. There's something so captivating about a man who knows what he wants, and Dan had that quality and more. I instantly fell for him because of his unwavering devotion to Keira.

Keira's sister and kids added depth and sweetness to the story, winning my heart. Dan's parents and their sacrifices for him and his siblings to succeed also touched my heart.

Love Always, Catherine