Rebounds & Roses

by Hattie Wade

"Hello, sir, hi! My name is Rosalie St. Clair, and I'm calling for—"
Click.

One repetitive theme in Rosie's life has always been rejection, and quite frankly, she's sick of it. Another theme she's sick of? Basketball.

Which makes it ten times more annoying that pro basketball player Clarke Washington is back in town. Her brother's ex-best friend thinks he can just come back to town like everything's fine? Not on Rosie's watch.

But when they keep running into each other around town, Rosie is determined to discover Clarke's motives. The answer is somewhat shocking.

Rosie & Clarke's journey to find love is both amusing and swoon worthy. Buckle up for this fun opposites attract, fake dating, and brother's ex-best friend love story.

196 pages, Paperback

Published November 4, 2024

Reviews

[Bekah Holman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stayed up way too late to finish this book! Loved it so much. It dealt with hard issues but still had lighthearted touches (like “ship”ing their body guards)

[Heather (heathers.clean.reads) · Rating 5 out of 5]

This just might be my favorite from Hattie yet, right up there with Rely on Him! It was so good, I couldn’t put it down!

Rosalie is used to rejection and tired of feeling like she’s not enough. So when she spots her childhood crush and pro-basketball star, Clarke Washington, (her brother’s ex-best-friend) back in town, she tries to steer clear of him. But they just keep running into each other.

So when the paparazzi catches them and show them together on tv as a being a romantic couple, they decide to fake date and keep up the ruse for mutual reasons.

Right from the start, I knew I was gonna love Rosalie. She was quirky and down-to-earth. She was her own person and loved who she was. And her love for critters made for some humorous moments with Clarke!

And I couldn’t help but love Clarke! He had a rough past and hard home life, but overcame and made a good life for himself. He had great character and was so flirty and fun!

These two were complete opposites but so perfect for each other! So many sweet scenes with these two and the romance was swoony! So many other parts I loved in this story but I don’t want to give anything more away! Just read it!!!

What to love:
🏀Fake dating
🏀Pro Basketball player
🏀Brother’s ex-best friend
🏀Piggy back rides
🏀The Rose Garden scene
🏀She loves critters
🏀Flashbacks
🏀High School Crush
🏀Catching Fireflies
🏀Anti-Itch Cream (IYKYK)
🏀The Tree
🏀She wears his jersey
🏀The Kiss Cam
🏀He cares for her
🏀The first “real” date
🏀The kisses!!!!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Christina Parrott · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a clean sports romance. There is some kissing and lots of banter and tension. Rosie and Clark are just so cute together. I love how their relationship builds over the course of the story. I love how he helps her to accept and love herself for who she is. There are brief mentions of church, prayer, and Christianity but their faith is not at the center of the story. It was so refreshing to see a contemporary sports romance with hints of faith woven into it.
Tropes:
Sports romance
Brothers ex best friend
Fake dating
Kind of second chance in a way

[Morgan Philbrick · Rating 1 out of 5]

oh this book was one of the worst i’ve ever read. i thought it would be cute from the description, but the fact that the fmc has pet bugs & everyone calls her weird for it is so odd. i know plenty of bug owners & it’s not that big of a deal???
also, towards the end when ryder tells rosie that clarke is in the hospital, in CRITICAL condition, yet when she gets there, he’s awake, alert & only has a few bruises & mild broken bones? the plot has quite a few holes in it. overall, i wouldn’t recommend.

[Katie Ann Burgess · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely love the story line of Rebounds and Roses! Sweet, loving, hallmark vibe! A touch of real life as the main character struggles with rejection. Something her and I have in common. Some parts really pulled at the heart but it was wrapped up so beautifully and sweet! Such a great wholesome read!!

[Nikki Piper · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rosie and Clarke’s story was so fun! I loved Rosie’s quirky personality! I caught myself laughing out loud so many times while in her head.

I love a good fake dating story, and this one did not disappoint. Both MCs had many unanswered questions from the past, and I loved how they worked through those as they got reacquainted. This led to healing and, of course, swoony moments. I also appreciated the way faith was woven throughout the story.

Here are a few of my favorite things:
🏀Rosie’s quirky personality
🪲Rose garden moments
🏀Kiss Cam
🪲Critter time
🏀Catching fireflies
🪲Her supporting him
🏀Him caring for her
🪲Swoony kisses

If you enjoy a good fake dating story, be sure to read this one!

[Kaelin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book hit all the right notes! It was sweet and cute, while also packing a lot of emotional depth. And it had me laughing a lot too. Definitely a great read!

[Jessiemaereads · Rating 5 out of 5]

The most adorably quirky FMC you’ll find! 🫶🏻

[Ruth · Rating 4 out of 5]

And what a lovely little book to get me out of my reading slump! A quick and easy read with lots of feels, cute moments and giggles. I'm definitely looking forward to the second book coming out in December!

Content guide:
Language - Gosh x13, geez, gee whiz, heck x10, dang x3, crap

Sexual content - forehead kisses, barely detailed kisses, lightly detailed kiss x2

[M.M. Bylo · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you like clean sports romances, this is the book for you.

Rosie is a refreshing main character—quirky, down to earth, and unapologetically herself. The book was both mature and funny at times, encouraging readers to not only be themselves but also be willing to grow and be vulnerable with the right people.

Sweet romance ☑️
Not toxic athlete love interest ☑️
Learning too many things about snakes and other creatures ☑️

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author, and this voluntary review is all my own thoughts.