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Rookie Rebels #9.5
Holly Jolly Rebel
Hockey and the holidays go hand in hand ...
Theo and Elle Kershaw are about to celebrate the season with their boisterous brood, but a surprise is waiting in their Christmas stockings.
This surprise pregnancy, older couple, love at the holidays hockey romance is the perfect check-in with a fan-favorite couple and a fun dive into the next generation of Chicago Rebel heroes and heroines. Includes a sneak peek at Sweet Thing, the first in a new hockey romance series from Kate Meader.
Theo and Elle Kershaw are about to celebrate the season with their boisterous brood, but a surprise is waiting in their Christmas stockings.
This surprise pregnancy, older couple, love at the holidays hockey romance is the perfect check-in with a fan-favorite couple and a fun dive into the next generation of Chicago Rebel heroes and heroines. Includes a sneak peek at Sweet Thing, the first in a new hockey romance series from Kate Meader.
68 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 6, 2025
86 people are currently reading
307 people want to read
About the author
Kate Meader
55 books3,393 followersKate writes sexy contemporary, sports, and LGBTQ+ romance with strong guys and amazing women and men who match their heroes quip for quip. She's known for blending heat, humor, and heart into irresistibly romantic stories.
Sign up for her newsletter to get updates on sales, giveaways, and new releases.
The Rookie Rebels features a team of heroes who are about to learn that all's fair in love and hockey.
1. GOOD GUY (Levi and Jordan)
2. INSTACRUSH (Theo and Elle)
3. MAN DOWN (Gunnar and Sadie)
4. FOREPLAYER (Cal and Mia)
5. DEAR ROOMIE (Reid and Kennedy)
6. REBEL YULE (Erik and Casey)
7. JOCK WANTED (Fitz and Tara)
8. SUPERSTAR (Bast and Pepper)
9. WILD RIDE (Dex and Ashley)
10. HOCKEY WIFE (Banks and Georgia)
The Hot in Chicago Rookies series heads back to Engine 6 for more steamy firefighter romances.
0. COMING IN HOT (Tyler and Evie)
1. UP IN SMOKE (Roman and Abby)
2. DOWN IN FLAMES (Jude and Hudson)
3. HOT TO THE TOUCH (Sam and Cassandra)
The Laws of Attraction series about sexy divorce lawyers:
1. DOWN WITH LOVE (Max and Charlie)
2. ILLEGALLY YOURS (Lucas and Trinity)
3. THEN CAME YOU (Grant and Aubrey)
The Chicago Rebels series about sexy hockey players:
0.5 IN SKATES TROUBLE (Ford and Addison) - FREE!
1. IRRESISTIBLE YOU (Remy and Harper)
2. SO OVER YOU (Vadim and Isobel)
3. UNDONE BY YOU (Dante and Cade)
4. HOOKED ON YOU (Bren and Violet)
5. WRAPPED UP IN YOU (More Dante and Cade)
The Hot in Chicago series about sexy firefighters:
0.5 REKINDLE THE FLAME (Beck and Darcy)
1. FLIRTING WITH FIRE (Luke and Kinsey)
1.5 MELTING POINT (Gage and Brady)
2. PLAYING WITH FIRE (Eli and Alex)
3. SPARKING THE FIRE (Wyatt and Molly)
3.5 FOREVER IN FIRE (More Eli and Alex)
3.6 COMING IN HOT, Men in Uniform anthology (Tyler and Evie)
The Hot in the Kitchen series about sexy chefs:
1. FEEL THE HEAT (Jack and Lili)
2. ALL FIRED UP (Shane and Cara)
3. HOT AND BOTHERED (Tad and Jules)
... however each book can also be read as a standalone novel or novella.
For excerpts, news, and giveaways, visit: http://katemeader.com
Sign up for her newsletter to get updates on sales, giveaways, and new releases.
The Rookie Rebels features a team of heroes who are about to learn that all's fair in love and hockey.
1. GOOD GUY (Levi and Jordan)
2. INSTACRUSH (Theo and Elle)
3. MAN DOWN (Gunnar and Sadie)
4. FOREPLAYER (Cal and Mia)
5. DEAR ROOMIE (Reid and Kennedy)
6. REBEL YULE (Erik and Casey)
7. JOCK WANTED (Fitz and Tara)
8. SUPERSTAR (Bast and Pepper)
9. WILD RIDE (Dex and Ashley)
10. HOCKEY WIFE (Banks and Georgia)
The Hot in Chicago Rookies series heads back to Engine 6 for more steamy firefighter romances.
0. COMING IN HOT (Tyler and Evie)
1. UP IN SMOKE (Roman and Abby)
2. DOWN IN FLAMES (Jude and Hudson)
3. HOT TO THE TOUCH (Sam and Cassandra)
The Laws of Attraction series about sexy divorce lawyers:
1. DOWN WITH LOVE (Max and Charlie)
2. ILLEGALLY YOURS (Lucas and Trinity)
3. THEN CAME YOU (Grant and Aubrey)
The Chicago Rebels series about sexy hockey players:
0.5 IN SKATES TROUBLE (Ford and Addison) - FREE!
1. IRRESISTIBLE YOU (Remy and Harper)
2. SO OVER YOU (Vadim and Isobel)
3. UNDONE BY YOU (Dante and Cade)
4. HOOKED ON YOU (Bren and Violet)
5. WRAPPED UP IN YOU (More Dante and Cade)
The Hot in Chicago series about sexy firefighters:
0.5 REKINDLE THE FLAME (Beck and Darcy)
1. FLIRTING WITH FIRE (Luke and Kinsey)
1.5 MELTING POINT (Gage and Brady)
2. PLAYING WITH FIRE (Eli and Alex)
3. SPARKING THE FIRE (Wyatt and Molly)
3.5 FOREVER IN FIRE (More Eli and Alex)
3.6 COMING IN HOT, Men in Uniform anthology (Tyler and Evie)
The Hot in the Kitchen series about sexy chefs:
1. FEEL THE HEAT (Jack and Lili)
2. ALL FIRED UP (Shane and Cara)
3. HOT AND BOTHERED (Tad and Jules)
... however each book can also be read as a standalone novel or novella.
For excerpts, news, and giveaways, visit: http://katemeader.com
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
July 30, 2025
InstaCrush was my favorite of the Chicago Rebels/Rookie Rebels series. This novella is meant to set the stage for Sweet Thing, the first book in a new series featuring Theo and Elle Kershaw's children, now 18-21-ish.
I kept getting distracted by the timeline. Is this supposed to be 2040-ish? Is this "present day"?
Theo is still playing hockey in his early 40s and there are cameos from lots of characters from other books. A family tree at the beginning of the book would have been helpful to remember the origin stories of these now 20 somethings who were infants and toddlers in their parents' books.
I kept getting distracted by the timeline. Is this supposed to be 2040-ish? Is this "present day"?
Theo is still playing hockey in his early 40s and there are cameos from lots of characters from other books. A family tree at the beginning of the book would have been helpful to remember the origin stories of these now 20 somethings who were infants and toddlers in their parents' books.
January 22, 2025
Oh, I can't wait for the next generation of Rebels. Elle oh Elle and Super Glutes what a great start or ending? to the next gen of "Players". Surprises galore in store.
July 10, 2025
I’ve been a fan of Kate Meader since she debuted as an author. I would love to say that I’ve read all of her books, but unfortunately, I’ve slacked off. I fully plan on catching up. With that said, Holly Jolly Rebel brings back my FAVORITE Rebel of all time, Theo Kershaw, who found love in Instacrush.
In Holly Jolly Rebel, Kate has time-skipped at least ten years into the future (I’ve missed four Rookie Rebel books, and people have aged), allowing us to be introduced to a new generation of Rebels–aka, the Rebels' offspring as new and young adults, along with a new generation of Rebel players. Holly Jolly Rebel finds Theo wondering if, after over 20 years of being in the league, it’s time he hangs up his skates. Elle finds herself finally having some breathing room and time for herself, as their youngest kids are getting ready to head to college. But between Theo’s big decision, the large Rebel organization who’ve become a second family, the boisterous Rebel Christmas party, her own family, and their Christmas, Elle feels herself being tired and feeling burned out. This Christmas is going to prove to both of them what family is truly all about.
I loved being able to check in with the Kershaw family and see how everyone has been. Holly Jolly Rebel reminded me of why Theo is one of my favorite heroes and why he and Elle are one of my favorite couples. This story also kicks off a new era of Rebels. As I said, the Rebels’ children are now young adults and are preparing to shine. Kate’s new series, Chicago Players, puts Theo and Elle’s oldest daughter, Adeline, into the spotlight with Sweet Thing. I’m looking forward to this new era.
~ Favorite Quotes ~
“Embrace your weird.”
“My love for you is to infinity and beyond. Everlasting. Limitless. Unbreakable.”
**Personally purchased**
In Holly Jolly Rebel, Kate has time-skipped at least ten years into the future (I’ve missed four Rookie Rebel books, and people have aged), allowing us to be introduced to a new generation of Rebels–aka, the Rebels' offspring as new and young adults, along with a new generation of Rebel players. Holly Jolly Rebel finds Theo wondering if, after over 20 years of being in the league, it’s time he hangs up his skates. Elle finds herself finally having some breathing room and time for herself, as their youngest kids are getting ready to head to college. But between Theo’s big decision, the large Rebel organization who’ve become a second family, the boisterous Rebel Christmas party, her own family, and their Christmas, Elle feels herself being tired and feeling burned out. This Christmas is going to prove to both of them what family is truly all about.
I loved being able to check in with the Kershaw family and see how everyone has been. Holly Jolly Rebel reminded me of why Theo is one of my favorite heroes and why he and Elle are one of my favorite couples. This story also kicks off a new era of Rebels. As I said, the Rebels’ children are now young adults and are preparing to shine. Kate’s new series, Chicago Players, puts Theo and Elle’s oldest daughter, Adeline, into the spotlight with Sweet Thing. I’m looking forward to this new era.
~ Favorite Quotes ~
“Embrace your weird.”
“My love for you is to infinity and beyond. Everlasting. Limitless. Unbreakable.”
**Personally purchased**
May 28, 2025
A sweet, hockey family Christmas novella
My favourite rookie, Theo Kershaw, comes back older, wiser, but with the same good natures humour. His love and tenderness towards his Elle Oh Elle remain the same, despite the passage of time and the 4 children they have - or maybe because their time together was good, they stayed together love each other and had 4 children :)
"Super Glutes" is still in the game ;)
My favourite rookie, Theo Kershaw, comes back older, wiser, but with the same good natures humour. His love and tenderness towards his Elle Oh Elle remain the same, despite the passage of time and the 4 children they have - or maybe because their time together was good, they stayed together love each other and had 4 children :)
"Super Glutes" is still in the game ;)
December 24, 2025
Well, well, well, the next generation of the Chicago Rebels is about to make their debut. This holiday novella sets the stage perfectly with snark and humor galore. You can read this one in one or two hours, so it's perfect when you need a break from holiday chores. Step back into Super Glutes and El-Oh-El's crazy world and get ready to find out what's going on in the second generation of Rebels.
December 2, 2025
This was SO STINKING CUTE!
Surprise pregnancy meets the holidays (not much of the holidays really mentioned, sort of in passing but still a cute read and it's also a very SHORT read, as it is a prequel).
I will add that apparently, this is book 9.5
Which means I have 9 other books to read in order to catch up. Will they be on my January list now? Oh youuuuuu betcha!
Surprise pregnancy meets the holidays (not much of the holidays really mentioned, sort of in passing but still a cute read and it's also a very SHORT read, as it is a prequel).
I will add that apparently, this is book 9.5
Which means I have 9 other books to read in order to catch up. Will they be on my January list now? Oh youuuuuu betcha!
December 19, 2025
This is a great bridge between the two series. While there was no spice and it was insanely short, it was fun to see old characters and meet new ones. I will probably never read the rest of the series, but it isn’t bad. I am kinda over the novellas, but that’s all the holiday books seem to be. Tis the season I guess.
May 29, 2025
Surprise!
I always love getting into Theo's brain for a little while! He's always the life of the party and making us laugh, but underneath it all, he's a great dad and loves his family hard! I can't wait for the next generation of Rebels and to see what else they get into!
I always love getting into Theo's brain for a little while! He's always the life of the party and making us laugh, but underneath it all, he's a great dad and loves his family hard! I can't wait for the next generation of Rebels and to see what else they get into!
Want to read
May 23, 2025Purchased in epub format from Barnes and Noble for my Nook.
June 17, 2025
Quick read for fans of the series, mostly fluff.
July 11, 2025
a solid 3 stars. a super short novella following the Kershaw family over the holidays.
July 28, 2025
Cute short of Elle and Theo.
October 13, 2025
This was sweet check-in on Theo, Elle, and their family. It does a nice job of catching you on on the Rebels amd laying a small bit of groundwork for the spin-off or next generation of Rebels.
December 12, 2025
This was a perfect way to tease the next series of books brining back the loveable Theo and Elle back and introducing the next generation of the rebel dynasty.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews