The Rebound

The New Jersey Storm #4

by Kelly Jamieson

Her hockey star ex. A snowy cabin escape. A fake dating scheme to fool their families.

Carson

A family tragedy caused Ayla and I to stop skating in the same direction. I'm burying my head in hockey practice and finding my way back to myself. Now she wants me to pretend we never fell apart for one snowy weekend in the mountains. I tell myself it’s just a favor. But sharing a cabin with the woman I once called home? That’s dangerous ice.

Ayla

Carson and I loved each other, but grief rewrote the rules, and neither of us knew how to play anymore. However, our relationship status isn’t public knowledge and I need him to help keep the illusion intact. Just temporarily for my Nonna’s birthday. Pretending brings back the easy banter, the familiar heat, the moments that once made us a team. The problem? None of it feels fake. But can we get past this one weekend and confront what we have been too scared to talk about and maybe find our way back to each other?

TROPES:
⛸️ Snowy cabin
⛸️ Fake dating
⛸️ Second chances
⛸️ Hurt / comfort
⛸️ Hockey / sports romance
⛸️ Spicy

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

274 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 25, 2026

About the author

Kelly Jamieson is a USA Today bestselling author of over 70 romance novels and novellas. Her writing has been described as “emotionally complex,” “sweet and satisfying,” and “blisteringly sexy.” She likes black coffee, white wine and high heels…and of course cheering on her Winnipeg Jets during hockey season! She loves hearing from readers, so please visit her website at www.kellyjamieson.com.

Reviews

[Kelly Jamieson]

ARCs are out and early reviews are coming in and YOU GUYS I'm so thrilled! This story was emotional to write and I'm so glad it's hitting with readers!

*****

Now available!

"If you love second-chance romance, marriage-in-crisis stories, forced proximity, emotionally mature characters, snowy cabin vibes, and romances that ache before they heal, this one absolutely deserves a spot on your TBR."

Yay! 

[Auntee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful story. Zipped through it in a day. I love this author’s style. Loved the characters. I even teared up a bit.
5 stars

[Shannon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to Boldwood Books and author Kelly Jamieson for the arc on NetGalley! I’ve loved the other books in this series so I was very excited to read this book and it did not disappoint. I’ve been reading quite a few marriage in crisis romances lately and I love when a married couple finds a way to work through their differences or other obstacles in order to come together again. Carson and Ayla seemed somewhat resigned that their marriage is over when the book begins so I loved that staying in a one bedroom cottage at a resort while pretending to be together for the sake of Ayla’s grandmother forced them to acknowledge the issues that divided them. I rooted for this couple to work things out and I loved their HEA.

[Grace]

Thank you to NetGalley and to Boldwood Books for an eARC in exchange for an honest review

This was a perfect romance palate cleanser that explored a second-chance romance plotline without any agonising third act drama. I thought Jamieson's characters were honest with themselves and each other which counted for a lot, even when they didn't have a particularly fleshed out backstory. It was a sweet story, tackling some pretty heavy grief themes, and I sped through it in a day. Would recommend to romance fans generally, despite the ice hockey cover I certainly wouldn't classify it as a sports romance.

[rhea˚₊۶ৎ˙⋆ · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

˚₊ · »-♡→ ꒰ overall ꒱⋆ 𐙚 ̊

overall, this book was a fun read! the story was fun and enjoyable, and i had a good time. there were many heartbreaking things in this book, especially with the couple's past, that i feel was written really well and in a way that allowed you to truely feel their pain. this book has sooo much potential, and i really wanted to rate it higher, but there were just a few things that made it kinda hard for me to, and kind of disrupted the story a bit for me.



˚₊ · »-♡→ ꒰ ayla ꒱⋆ 𐙚 ̊

ayla was...a character. i understand that the author was trying to make her a largely 'feminist' character, which i loved, but i feel like it could have been done better.

for example, we repeatedly see ayla saying many many sentences about women's rights and things we might not have really though about before, which was initially done well. its just that later, when she comments she loved carson's "strength" and how during the end of the novel she needs him to help her assemble furniture and just stuff like that, it was kinda hard to understand what message we're supposed to get.

and let me just say im not saying that she's not allowed to feel like this at all, im just saying it could have been communicated more clearly and coherently to kind of make the story flow a bit better.


ˋ°•*⁀➷ "I told him he was implying that ‘other girls’ are superficial and stupid, and that kind of internalized misogyny can lead to women hating other women and a glorification of men’s attention as a means to self-worth."

i read this and i was like yes, okay, but arguments like this just placed in a romance novel kind of slowed it down a bit, if that makes sense, as the word style and way its was expressed differed a lot from the style the rest of the novel was written in.


˚₊ · »-♡→ ꒰ carson ꒱⋆ 𐙚 ̊

carson was so sweet, and a well developed character. it's just, if this books wants to promote not operating in accordance in stereotypes, its kinda hard to when carson is repeatedly described, as well as him describing himself, as essentially a "dumb jock"

ˋ°•*⁀➷ "He’s an athlete. He’s into sports and working out and watching dumb comedy movies. Not psychological profundity."

like, why can't these wonderful hockey players be both???



˚₊ · »-♡→ ꒰ tw: child loss ꒱⋆ 𐙚 ̊

this part was so sad to read, and so heartbreaking, but i would say written in a way that really makes me feel for the characters. i could feel their pain and heartbreak, and really empathise with their situation and their past, making it even more beautiful when they were able to share and work through their pain together.


˚₊ · »-♡→ ꒰ final thoughts ꒱⋆ 𐙚 ̊

this was a fun read, and i had a good time - it's just i feel like the book had so much more potential, especially with the construction of the characters and the book's feminist undertones.

thank you all for reading my review!!

and...thank you to netgalley and boldwood books for providing me with this arc in exchange for an honest review!!!

[VickydpBooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

Carson, a professional hockey player, and Ayla were once deeply in love, but the death of their son drove them apart—Carson withdrew into silence and his career, while Ayla needed connection he couldn’t give. Months later, Ayla asks him to pretend they’re still together for one snowy weekend in the Catskills at her grandmother’s birthday gathering. What starts as a favor quickly revives old feelings, forcing them to face the pain they’ve avoided and decide if they can rebuild what was broken.

Beyond the steamy romance, it explores how grief changes people and relationships, showing different ways of processing loss without being overly melodramatic.

Both Carson and Ayla feel real and flawed; their struggles, missteps, and growing understanding are relatable and well-developed.

The “fake relationship” trope works well here, with sharp banter, lingering tension, and gradual emotional reconnection that feels earned.

Fits perfectly alongside popular titles from authors like Elle Kennedy, balancing sports-world details with heartfelt personal stories.

It’s part of the Storm Hockey series, so readers new to the books may catch references to past characters/events, though the story stands on its own.

The themes of child loss and grief may be triggering for some readers.

The Rebound is a moving, steamy second-chance romance that delivers both chemistry and heart. Kelly Jamieson blends the energy of hockey with raw, honest emotion, making it a strong pick for fans of sports romance or anyone who enjoys stories about healing and love after loss. A satisfying, emotional read that hits all the right notes.

[E-Reader Addict · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am like a moth to a flame with second-chance romances. So there was very little chance I was going to be able to resist a story about a married couple on the verge of divorce.

But I also went in with tempered expectations. Kelly Jamieson is very hit or miss with me. Sometimes I love her stories, sometimes it seems like an entirely different person wrote the book. Thankfully, this one leaned more towards liking it than not.

I am always going to want a story that leans more into the heart of a relationship than the heat. I want the emotion more than the chemistry. And for a good part of the book, I was feeling the feels - as you would expect when reading about a young couple who was deeply in love, suffered a tragic loss, then lost their way in the aftermath.

But after a strong start, I felt like things fell short. Instead of digging deep and following through on the impact of this couple’s loss, the devastation was abandoned for the sake of steamy times. We get scant details about the tragic event. And towards the end we get some sort of “from out in left field” explanations for why the hero and heroine may have behaved the way they did after their big loss.

And the reason why we have the “fake dating” trope didn’t ring true for me.

Overall, this was a decent book. I just would have liked the author to give more than lip service to the heavy topics. Lots of books have been taking me more than a week to read lately, so the fact that this one only took me a few nights tells me I mostly enjoyed it. And I might even consider reading the first three books in the series.

* thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review

[Kansas · Rating 3 out of 5]

TW: Child Loss/Child Death (mentioned but death not on page)


Review of advanced copy received from NetGalley


Carson and Ayla were married until their son died and they slowly grew apart until they decided on divorce. Now they have to pretend for a snowy weekend in Catskills. They confront what they have been too scared to talk about and maybe find their way back to each other.



This is the first book I’ve read by this author but I enjoyed it. Hockey wasn’t the main focus of this story. It was more of a romance with the MMC being a hockey player. There was a little hockey in it but not much. This book does talk about child death and losing a child so if that triggers you then I wouldn’t recommend it. Overall I enjoyed this book. Thank you to Boldwood Books for the arc copy.

[Amber Shepherd · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was sweet. I appreciated the relationship and the way their story was written. I do wish that we got a bit more on the past history, perhaps some flashback scenes would have made this story easier to connect with and provide more about their past. I also wish that there was more tension between the two. It almost felt like they were getting back together purely because they were in the same room and not because they were unpacking why they broke up.

I definitely enjoyed this as a simple read but wanted more from their story!!

Thank you for gifting me this arc via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

[Mary Jane Braham · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to Boldwood Books and NetGalley for providing this digital ARC! Although this was my first time reading this author and I jumped into the middle of a series, this story absolutely works as a standalone. The plot featured a trope that was completely new to me, but I really enjoyed how it was handled. Please note that there are some heavy themes layered throughout, so I’d highly recommend checking the content warnings before diving in. Overall, it was a great read, and I’ll definitely be going back to read the earlier books in the series!

[Shelley · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC received from NetGalley and Boldwood Books in exchange for honest review.

⭐⭐⭐⭐.5

⚡BLURB⚡
Her hockey star ex. A snowy cabin escape. A fake dating scheme to fool their families.

Carson
A family tragedy caused Ayla and I to stop skating in the same direction. I'm burying my head in hockey practice and finding my way back to myself. Now she wants me to pretend we never fell apart for one snowy weekend in the mountains. I tell myself it’s just a favor. But sharing a cabin with the woman I once called home? That’s dangerous ice.

Ayla
Carson and I loved each other, but grief rewrote the rules, and neither of us knew how to play anymore. However, our relationship status isn’t public knowledge and I need him to help keep the illusion intact. Just temporarily for my Nonna’s birthday. Pretending brings back the easy banter, the familiar heat, the moments that once made us a team. The problem? None of it feels fake. But can we get past this one weekend and confront what we have been too scared to talk about and maybe find our way back to each other?

⚡REVIEW⚡

I am a sucker for a second chance romance, and this emotionally charged story certainly delivered. Firstly I will preface this review by saying to check the content warnings before diving straight in. If you have lost a child, particularly a baby, this may not be the book for you, and I am sorry for your loss.

Upon starting the book it is clear that the main characters have been struck by a huge tragedy, and as you see in real life, tragedy like that can leave a relationship in tatters and beyond repair. When the idea of them pretending to still be married came up, I was worried it might be a little bit too "romcom" a plotline for a split so painful in it's origins, but I thought Kelly Jamieson handled it beautifully. She ensured that the emotional depths behind each character were fully explored and the connection was reforged, whilst never glossing over their loss.

Whilst for a large part of the story, your sympathy is very much directed at Ayla - a mother who has lost her child, and felt shut out by her husband, who thinks she should just get over it - there comes a point in the story where the reason behind Carson's attitude comes out. And it is devastating. Of course, in an ideal world, he would have never bottled up the trauma and insisted on a need for control, but that's not always how real life works and I thought that Kelly Jamieson understood that and executed the realisation for both characters that actually, he has been struggling with not just this current grief, but grief from his past too, with an expert touch. Carson has not ever been made aware of his need to fix everything and his "be strong and carry on" attitude before, so that moment when he and Ayla pick it apart, and the realisation for both of them that he has been suffering for such a long time is devastatingly powerful. I cannot emphasise enough just how wonderfully the character of Carson was explored and understood by his author. So often, a man feels the need to be the strong one, to step up and fix things whilst the woman feels the emotions - and it so often leads to issues, as demonstrated with Ayla and Carson's split. The clear love they still share meant nothing until his true feelings were unlocked and understood.

Ayla, at the beginning of this book, fully blames Carson for their split. His attitude to her grief and to losing their son was why their relationship broke down. She's thrown herself fully into her family, and is the dictionary definition of a people pleaser, at the expense of her own wants and needs. It isn't until the weekend she spends with Carson for her Nonna's birthday that she realises she even still has feelings for him, such is the depth of her belief that he was the cause of their relationship breaking down. With the reconnection, and his attempts to show her that she is more than just a thankless giver to her family, it puts them in a place where they can finally have the conversation they should have had months previously. When they do, she realises that it was not purely a one way street, and that in actuality she was unable to see that people grieve differently. Again, that pivotal third act conversation was expertly navigated by Kelly Jamieson. It was possibly the most powerful scene I've read in a romance novel when it comes to two people finally connecting with each other, but also with how they understand themselves.

I liked the way that Carson's character traits were explored in his relationship with his teammate Trev as well as with Ayla - something she would not have seen, and therefore not have realised that his need to fix everything was not just restricted to her grief.

I say this a lot, but as a sports fan, I really want my sports romances to have a good chunk of sports content. This novel didn't really show any hockey content until the end, which was a little disappointing - I would have loved to have seen more of the New Jersey Storm in action, particularly with the reveal at the end! That said, however, what I would have loved to have seen more would have been a little extra epilogue with Ayla going to the place she mentions multiple times in this book. It would have been the perfect way to end this story - with them doing something for her, not just people pleasing others.

The Rebound is a breathtaking, emotionally charged second chance romance that sees two characters torn apart by a tragedy brought back into each other's orbit, reconnect in an unexpected way, and come to understand each other better than they ever did before. Will you need tissues? Yes. Will you re-evaluate the way you look at the perspective of another person's grief? Absolutely. That lesson will stick with me for a long time. Incredible stuff from Kelly Jamieson.

Thank you for giving me the opportunity to review this book!

[Kimberly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kelly Jamieson’s The Rebound grabbed me by the throat emotionally and then had the audacity to whisper “he still loves her” while I sat there blinking back tears like an absolute fool. Boldwood Books, thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the gifted ARC.

This is the kind of hockey romance that sneaks up on you because technically yes, there’s a professional hockey player involved, but this story is far more interested in emotional survival than slap shots. And honestly? That’s exactly why it works so well.

Carson and Ayla are already separated when the book begins, quietly inching toward divorce after the devastating loss of their infant son. There’s no cheating scandal. No cartoon-villain ex. No giant misunderstanding that could’ve been solved in chapter three with a basic adult conversation. This is two people who loved each other deeply and then got absolutely shattered by grief in completely opposite ways.

And wow, Kelly Jamieson does not soften that reality.

Carson shuts down emotionally and throws himself into hockey, routine, and control because if he stops moving for even a second, the grief might swallow him whole. Ayla needs connection, honesty, vulnerability — she wants someone willing to sit in the pain beside her instead of pretending it doesn’t exist. Watching them slowly drift apart because neither one knows how to reach the other anymore feels painfully authentic. Not dramatic for the sake of drama. Just heartbreakingly human.

Then comes the setup that romance readers collectively eat up every single time because it simply works: forced proximity. Ayla needs Carson to attend her Nonna’s 99th birthday celebration because parts of her family still don’t know they’re separating. Which means snowy Catskills weekend. Shared cabin. Shared memories. Fake happy couple energy while their marriage quietly bleeds out underneath the surface.

Elite emotional chaos.

What hit me hardest is that this book understands something a lot of second-chance romances miss: love was never actually the problem here. Carson and Ayla never stopped loving each other. Not once. The issue was grief, silence, avoidance, resentment, fear, guilt, and two broken people desperately trying to survive the same tragedy in completely different ways.

And because the history already exists between them, every interaction lands harder. Every argument feels layered with years of unsaid things. Every touch feels dangerous. There’s one particular emotional shift midway through the story where you suddenly realize these two still know each other better than anyone else in the world and honestly? That realization wrecked me more than the angst itself.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️½

“What if maybe we had to fall apart… so we could fall back together?”

The chemistry absolutely burns too, but the intimacy feels emotional before physical. The spicy scenes aren’t there just to hit a trope checklist. They feel vulnerable. Hesitant. Familiar in that devastating way only second-chance romance can pull off. Like two people trying to reconnect through all the wreckage left behind.

If you love second-chance romance, marriage-in-crisis stories, forced proximity, emotionally mature characters, snowy cabin vibes, and romances that ache before they heal, this one absolutely deserves a spot on your TBR.

And fair warning: this is not the cute fluffy palate-cleanser hockey romance you pick up casually before bed thinking “just one chapter.” This is the kind of book that has you emotional at midnight clutching your blanket while fictional people repair their marriage in front of you.

Which honestly? Peak reading experience.

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[Shaina Hayes · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an ARC I thankfully received via NetGalley. Thank you to Boldwood Books and Netgalley for this opportunity in exchange for an honest review.

TW: This story contains mentions of pregnancy/infant death/a car accident throughout it.

Book Blurb:

Her hockey star ex. A snowy cabin escape. A fake dating scheme to fool their families.

Carson

A family tragedy caused Ayla and I to stop skating in the same direction. I'm burying my head in hockey practice and finding my way back to myself. Now she wants me to pretend we never fell apart for one snowy weekend in the mountains. I tell myself it’s just a favor. But sharing a cabin with the woman I once called home? That’s dangerous ice.

Ayla

Carson and I loved each other, but grief rewrote the rules, and neither of us knew how to play anymore. However, our relationship status isn’t public knowledge and I need him to help keep the illusion intact. Just temporarily for my Nonna’s birthday. Pretending brings back the easy banter, the familiar heat, the moments that once made us a team. The problem? None of it feels fake. But can we get past this one weekend and confront what we have been too scared to talk about and maybe find our way back to each other?

TROPES:

⛸️ Snowy cabin

⛸️ Fake dating

⛸️ Second chances

⛸️ Hurt / comfort

⛸️ Hockey / sports romance

⛸️ Spicy

My Review:

This was my first book by this author and even though it is part of series, it can definitely be read as a standalone. It does involve a hockey player and mentions of hockey, but it definitely is not the focus of this story.
An easy, easy 4.5 star rating for me. This book hit all of the emotions and as a mother and wife had me absolutely sobbing. It was a beautiful story about family, love, loss, dealing with grief, and trying to find yourself in a sea of emotions. The author did such an amazing job at hitting all of these talking points and really fleshing out the characters emotions and motives behind their behaviors related to them. This book absolutely makes me want to read more of her work.
I also loved that this was dual POV. Being able to have both characters experiences, thoughts, and feelings was extremely important to the telling of this story and to really hit you with an emotional impact. This book does contain some spice, but it never felt overdone or unnecessarily used. It felt like a very natural part of the story and plot.

[Danielle Cordsen · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Rebound
By: Kelly Jamieson

Happier in each other’s arms?

📚💕⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💕📚

Being a huge fan of Kelly Jamieson I had high hopes for this book it’s number 4 in The New Jersey Storm and each book is its own complete book with friends along the way. This second chance book does not disappoint. You can tell from almost the beginning they could be so much more. The author writes with so much intensity and emotion pulled from each book it’s felt page after page. Some have quick witted story lines that are so perfect and lets you believe you have a front row seat. So being able to read this love story didn’t disappoint. The authors ability to have two separate individuals struggling in their everyday life and try to navigate someone else’s thoughts, needs and desires was intense and gives all the fills.

Authors Blurb: Carson
A family tragedy caused Ayla and I to stop skating in the same direction. I'm burying my head in hockey practice and finding my way back to myself. Now she wants me to pretend we never fell apart for one snowy weekend in the mountains. I tell myself it’s just a favor. But sharing a cabin with the woman I once called home? That’s dangerous ice.

Ayla
Carson and I loved each other, but grief rewrote the rules, and neither of us knew how to play anymore. However, our relationship status isn’t public knowledge and I need him to help keep the illusion intact. Just temporarily for my Nonna’s birthday. Pretending brings back the easy banter, the familiar heat, the moments that once made us a team. The problem? None of it feels fake. But can we get past this one weekend and confront what we have been too scared to talk about and maybe find our way back to each other?

This book has everything I love in a book. Then you add that it's beautifully written and believable. It is easily a five star read. Written in dual POV this story flows so incredibly well that the next thing you know you’re 80% into the book and loving every second of it. The believable way the characters interact is perfect. Run, Hop, Jump or use your (1 click) finger to do whatever you have to do and get this amazing book. It'll break your heart, you'll want to scream with frustration and it'll let you discover that love just might conquer all. The chemistry is steamy and sweet and oh so romantic.

[amaaan_reads · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Rebound had all the ingredients of a second-chance romance I usually eat up—divorce, grief, fake dating, forced proximity, and a hero who's hopelessly in love even after everything fell apart. But somehow, it never fully clicked for me.

Carson and Ayla's relationship wasn't the problem. Their pain felt real, and the way they carried the weight of losing their son gave the story genuine emotional depth. Watching two people who still loved each other but no longer knew how to love each other was heartbreaking at times.

One of my favorite lines perfectly captures Ayla's entire character:

"A family tree will wither if nobody tends its roots."

She spends so much of the book taking care of everyone else that somewhere along the way, she forgets herself.

I also loved the subtle emotional punches scattered throughout the book:

"Sometimes, we live alone, too."

It's such a simple line, but it says everything about their marriage after the loss.

The fake-dating setup at Nonna's birthday was fun and gave us some genuinely sweet moments, and Carson was honestly such a lovable golden retriever of a man. The hockey teammates were hilarious, and their locker-room banter was easily one of the highlights. They gave the story a warmth that balanced the heavier themes.

That said... this book felt too long. A lot of scenes dragged, conversations circled the same emotional beats, and the pacing made the reconciliation feel slower than it needed to be. I understood why Carson and Ayla drifted apart, but I wanted more of them actively rebuilding their relationship instead of repeatedly dwelling on the past.

The romance was sweet, but it never gave me those butterflies I expect from a second-chance love story. I felt for them more than I rooted for them.

Overall, this is an emotional read about grief, healing, family, and finding your way back to someone you never really stopped loving. It has heart, humor, and a genuinely wonderful hero, but the pacing kept me from fully falling in love with it.

Thank you Netgalley and Boldwood Books for the digital ARC!!

[Reanna Abare · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review!

After books 1 and 3, I was convinced this series just wasn't for me. But somehow Kelly Jamieson completely turned it around with The Rebound. This is easily my favorite book in the New Jersey Storm series and a solid 4 star read for me.

The Rebound features hockey romance, marriage in crisis, forced proximity, second chance romance, grief, and a snowy cabin setting. While hockey isn't the main focus, there was definitely more of it in this book than the previous ones, which I appreciated.

Ayla and Carson were absolutely the heart of this series. Their growth throughout the book was incredible, both individually and as a couple. After everything they've endured, I found myself rooting for them from the very beginning. Their journey back to each other felt authentic, emotional, and honestly beautiful.

One thing I really appreciated was how the book handled grief. Neither Ayla nor Carson felt wrong in the way they processed their loss. You could understand both perspectives, even when they were struggling to understand each other. Watching them work through that pain and slowly find their way back together was what made this story so compelling.

I also loved the dual POV. Being inside both of their heads added so much depth to the story and helped me connect with their emotions. The tension between them was fantastic, and for once the spice didn't make me cringe! It was much stronger than the previous books and felt like it fit the characters and story.

My only small complaint is that I would have loved a little more time with the characters from the previous books. Since this is an interconnected series, I always enjoy seeing those relationships continue. That said, I loved the family dynamic with Ayla's family and thought it added a lot of warmth to the story.

I do think readers should start with the earlier books before picking this one up. While technically an interconnected standalone, so much of Ayla and Carson's story is built on events from the previous books that I think the emotional impact would be much stronger if you've read them first.

Overall, this was emotional, heartbreaking, hopeful, and ultimately worth every page. After struggling through parts of this series, I am so glad I stuck with it because Ayla and Carson's story was absolutely worth the wait.

[Tanisha · Rating 5 out of 5]

After reading “On Thin Ice,” I could not wait to return to the New Jersey Storm world. I absolutely loved that book, and when Carson and Ayla were introduced, I immediately found myself curious about their story. I am also a huge fan of second chance romances, especially when there is real emotional depth behind the separation. Because of that, I was very excited to pick up this book.

This story grabbed me from the very beginning. While there is definitely a romance at the center of the book, this is also a story about grief, healing, and learning how to move forward after unimaginable loss. My heart hurt for both Carson and Ayla. It was clear that they never stopped loving each other, but they had been coping with their pain in very different ways. I appreciated that the author did not take the easy route with their reunion. Both characters had work to do individually before they could truly find their way back to each other.

I especially loved the character growth throughout the story. Ayla has spent so much of her life putting other people's needs ahead of her own, and it was satisfying to watch her start figuring out what she wanted for herself. Carson's journey was just as compelling. His instinct to take care of everyone around him comes from a place of love, but it has also shaped the way he approaches relationships. Watching him recognize some of his own flaws and actively work on them made me root for him even more.

All in all, I really loved this book. It was emotional, heartfelt, and ultimately very hopeful. I was so happy to see Carson and Ayla get the ending they deserved, and I loved catching up with some of the characters from the earlier books as well. If this ends up being the final book in the series, it was a wonderful addition. That said, I am definitely hoping there is another New Jersey Storm book in the future.

**I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.**

[Sandy S · Rating 4 out of 5]

THE REBOUND is the fourth instalment in Kelly Jamieson’s contemporary, adult THE NEW JERSEY STORM erotic, hockey romance series. This is Carson and Ayla Alfredson’s second chance story line.

NOTE: Due to the nature of the story line premise, there may be triggers for more sensitive readers.

Told from dual first person perspectives (Carson and Ayla) THE REBOUND follows the rebuilding relationship between our story line couple. Approximately one year earlier, Carson and Ayla Alfredson split up, and went their separate ways in the wake of overwhelming grief and guilt. Fast forward to present day, neither has filed for divorce, and with the approach of Ayla’s grandmother’s ninety-ninth birthday, our couple agree to present a united front for one weekend, a weekend that will bring our couple back together.

The world building reveals the backstory and tragedy for Ayla and Carson, a tragedy that resulted in the destruction of a marriage, the devastating trauma of grief and loss that pulled our couple apart, each moving in a different directly alone and lost.

The relationship between Ayla and Carson is one of second chances but a relationship that continues to struggles with the memories from the past. Hoping to keep their separation a secret, Ayla and Carson quickly discover their secret was never a secret, at all. The $ex scenes are provocative and intense, without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

The dynamic secondary and supporting characters include several members of the New Jersey Storm, as well as Ayla’s extended family,and her grandmother Nonna.

THE REBOUND is a story of grief and loss, secrets and lies, family and relationships, acceptance and love. The character driven premise is emotional and engaging; the rebuilding romance is seductive and passionate; the characters are charismatic and determined.

copy supplied for review

[Nicola Frasier (nikswordsonpaper) · Rating 3 out of 5]

"Grief is hanging on to love, and that's why you'll always have it."

3.75⭐️

A beautiful second-chance romance that explores coping through grief, with a little fake dating scenario. Ayla is the dependable family member that's always helping others with little in return. Planning her Grandmothers 90th birthday is no small feat, especially when her family don't know she and her well-liked ex husband have separated. But a sudden run in turns into a blast from the past and they agree to unite for the sake of her Grandmother. Within forced proximity, their grief becomes heightened and they must decide whether to work through it or let it separate them for good.

I want my wife back. She's my heart and my soul and I'm not the poetic type but Jesus, I love her and miss her more than anything. And I'm terrified I'm going to mess it up. Again.

From the get go, it was clear this separation was not bitter but driven by emotion and their opposite coping mechanisms. After a huge loss, they become trapped in their own grief journeys and struggle to navigate their marriage. It was heartbreaking. Carson was clearly still in love but couldn't process his emotions, and Ayla just wanted her husband to lean on. When they are forced to share a room to keep up the facade, it's evident they are meant to be together as they rehash the past. Whilst it does get deep, I almost wish we delved more into the past to really understand how we got here.

As a sports romance, this was less about the sport but the tidbits we got from the team it was clear they were close. I wish we had explored the found family more but the romance was a lovely, wholesome connection.

"Sometimes, we get a chance to do something right the second time that we didn't get right the first time."

eARC received via NetGally. All thoughts are my own.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Rebound is the fourth book in the New Jersey Storm series. Although this is part of a series, it can be read as a stand-alone.

Ayla never told her family that she is getting a divorce from Carson after five years of marriage. Unfortunately, the truth is about to be revealed at an upcoming 99th birthday party for her Nonna (great-grandmother) because Carson will not be there. How will she explain his absence? Knowing her Nonna will be heartbroken, she comes up with a plan to keep the truth hidden just a bit longer. The only problem is trying to get Carson to go along with it.

Carson is trying to move on from his separation from Alya, but some things are easier said than done. To make matters worse, now she wants him to pretend they are still married for the sake of her family...especially her Nonna. Carson wants to say no, but then again, it is only for a couple of days. Having a hard time saying no to Alya, he decides to play along. After all, what could possibly go wrong in just a few days?

The story that unfolds is well-written and the characters are well-developed and realistic. My heart broke for the the tragedy that tore Carson and Alya apart, and as the story is told, I especially felt for Carson and understood his behavior a lot better. Grief tore them apart, and it becomes obvious that Alya and Carson never truly dealt with the loss that they both had. Each dealt with their grief in their own way, but they never dealt with their loss together!

Overall, this is a wonderful and heartfelt story about two people that obviously belong together, but they just don't know how to navigate their shared loss. I absolutely loved The Rebound! Kelly Jamieson handles a difficult and heartbreaking topic with gentleness and care.

I received and ARC from Boldwood Books and NetGalley. My views are my own and are in no way influenced by anyone else.

[Heidi Lengenfelder · Rating 4 out of 5]

There’s something uniquely heartbreaking about two people who never stopped loving each other—they just stopped knowing how to love each other through grief. The Rebound captures that feeling beautifully.

Carson and Ayla’s relationship didn’t end because of betrayal or lack of love. It unraveled under the weight of tragedy, and that made their second-chance romance all the more emotional. From the very first chapter, there’s an undeniable ache between them, the kind that comes from unfinished conversations and feelings that never truly disappeared.

The fake dating setup at a snowy mountain cabin creates the perfect environment for old emotions to resurface. Between shared memories, lingering touches, and the comfort of familiar routines, it becomes impossible to ignore the fact that these two still fit together—even if they’re afraid to admit it.

Carson is wonderfully swoony: a professional hockey player who hides his pain behind determination and long hours on the ice. Meanwhile, Ayla is relatable in her struggle to keep moving forward while carrying the weight of loss. Their chemistry never disappeared, and every interaction crackles with unresolved tension and longing.

What makes this story shine is its emotional maturity. It explores how grief can change people, create distance, and make communication feel impossible. But it also shows that love can survive even the darkest seasons if both people are willing to be vulnerable and do the work.

Warm, tender, and wonderfully emotional, The Rebound is a second-chance romance filled with snowy vibes, heartfelt healing, and the reminder that sometimes the person you need most is the one you thought you'd lost forever.

I had the opportunity to read this book ahead of publication, and these are my honest thoughts.

[K T · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book deals with real life, emotional problems... the main characters are on the brink of divorce (having been separated for almost a year at this point), mainly due to the fact that they lost a child (it's unclear how old the baby was, but he was probably 6-9 months old & killed in a car accident that was not their fault). These are emotional, traumatic things.

That being said... the book is really well written. Yes, they're dealing with emotional things & sometimes that comes into play... but I really appreciate the balance the author finds in that it doesn't overtake the book as it easily could. It's a background noise instead of foreground, if that makes sense.

I love that the main characters haven't been sleeping around with other partners (that would be easy to do while separated & on course for a divorce... and at the beginning of the book you see Carson feeling conflicted on whether he should move on or not... but since they ended up getting back together, I'm glad there weren't other messy things that came between them).

I love how they talk things out so they can find a way back together... no, they didn't handle it so well while still married previously, but I think that helps them more now, being able to see how important it is to talk it out instead of just pushing it away & moving on without each other.

I love Ayla's large family!! Such fun characters & dynamics.

This is a hockey romance... and there is some focus on hockey, but it's pretty minor... maybe 25%.... This is part of a series, as interconnected standalones.

Spice level: 🌶️🌶️🌶️

Thank you to the author (Kelly Jamieson), publisher (Boldwood Books) & Netgalley for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

[Narelle Richards · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ayla is about to throw a birthday party for her Nonna's ninety-ninth birthday and everything is going to plan except what to do about the fact that most of her family don't know that her marriage has been over for quite some time. Solution, see if her soon to be ex husband, Carson, will play along for one weekend and pretend they are still happily married. What could possibly go wrong?

This is the first book that I have read by this author and it was a sweetly moving story about a second chance romance. There was a great deal wrapped up in the pages from loss of a child to demands family sometimes make that can be a little too much so do be aware that the underpinning themes are quite serious. I did like the overall plot of the book, but I have to admit I never really became overly invested in either of the main characters. We do get to see the story from both their viewpoints which was engaging at times, as we see how much both characters are hurt from the tragedy that happened in their life and how much they still care for each other. I did feel a little like I had come into the conversation/ situation at not quite the right point and was missing some of the pieces of what had gone wrong between them over the last year or so.

While there is a hockey background to the story, it doesn't play an overly strong role in the telling of the tale. There is definitely a sense of camaraderie between the men and you can tell there are other stories sitting within this one because of all the different characters. I think I might have benefited from reading other books in this series, though this book does work as a standalone.

Thanks NetGalley and Boldwood Books for the chance to read this arc.

[Rachael Pickering · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think Kelly Jamieson has it in for me – each book she writes destroys me (in a good way!). I was so pleased to get an ARC copy of this book as I didn’t want to wait any longer since the last installment. This series is a wonderfully spicy, romantic, hockey loving, buff guys sort of book. But Kelly writes her characters with such care and attention and such beautifully heartbreaking backstories that I always end up sobbing.

This is the second book I have read – but I think the full series is a definite must for future birthday present idea – and is the fourth in the Jersey Storm series. It concentrates on Carson and Ayla and I really like how it picks up there story from nuggets in the third book. Each works well as a standalone, but I think if you’re going to read these books then you need to invest in all of their lovely stories.

Once again I found myself reading a book that I didn’t realise my body needed to hear. It is such a wise and emotionally open discussion about child loss, grief and vulnerability. I found myself really invested in their storyline and even though I suspected the ending, it was still a beautifully written and woven path.

I was so invested I woofed the whole book down in a day. The spicy scenes are pretty darn spicy, but I like how they feel like a natural part of the story rather than authors just adding spicy bits in because it feels a bit trendy.

I have already recommended this book to so many people I almost feel like it sounds like I’m working on commission.

Just please keep them coming Kelly – absolutely loving this series!

[Seershhhhh (readsbyseersh on IG) · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.75
Double check the trigger warnings at the start of this one. It may be a tough read for some people so please take care of YOU first.

It’s quite a short read. I felt it was lacking something, I think it could’ve been longer of a book, give more of a insight into a year later, or something like that just to see how they’ve changed and worked together

I personally found the MMC’s immature, it felt like it was two teenagers and not two grown adults.

A lot of miscommunication, not speaking your mind when you really should *be*

They have been through such a traumatic experience together, a car accident where they lost their son.

The MMC took me a really long time to get into, he just has this ‘get over it’ approach to literally everything and it PMO. Of course, he is going through grief in his own way, and it’s certainly a realistic representation of how in difficult situations men shut down differently.

He really is dismissive about so many things, and he doesn’t even realise that he’s doing it. Please sir, the ‘type’ of language you use is important. It was hard reading just how much he had hurt her, through his own way of dealing with grief.

I cried way too much reading this one. When Carson and Alya finally started communication properly.
I enjoyed this one, I was really rooting for them, they still loved each other so much but they just were at a crossroads communicating, but they made their way back to each other and had actually recognised where they were both at fault and were genuinely putting in the effort not only for their relationship but also for themselves personally too

[Anh Duong · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Rebound is the kind of romance where the angst is already sitting there before the book even starts. like… second chance romance after a loss that literally changed their entire marriage?? yeah this was never going to be light and fluffy.

what I liked most is that the conflict actually feels serious. not in a dramatic “one misunderstanding ruined everything” way, but in a these are two people grieving differently and completely losing each other because of it way. and honestly that hits harder.

Carson seems very emotionally shut down while Ayla wants connection and communication, so even just from the premise you can already feel the tension between them. also the whole snowy cabin + pretending things are okay for one weekend?? elite romance setup actually.

and listen… “sharing a cabin with the woman I once loved? dangerous ice.”
I rolled my eyes a little but also ate it up immediately.

I’m always weak for romances where the history is already there. no awkward insta-love buildup because these people already know each other’s habits, wounds, and weak spots. it makes everything feel more intense automatically.

also the hockey backdrop is there, but from the synopsis this feels way more emotional-marriage-repair-coded than sports-heavy, which honestly works for me.

overall this sounds messy, sad, intimate, and probably the kind of book that makes you stare at the wall for a second after certain conversations.

exactly what I want from a second chance romance tbh.

Thank you Netgalley and author for an early arc!

[The Cajun Bookworm · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh man! What a ride! Thank you do much to NetGalley, Boldwood Books and Kelly Jamieson for an eARC copy of The Rebound.

If you're a fan of marriage in crisis and second chances this one's for you! It's part of an interconnected standalone series, while I didn't read the previous books I didn't find that it hurt me in the least while reading this one. But I AM going back to read the others, the writing was great!

I also loved the slice of life aspect. It also made me cry...so take that as you will......

It does deal with a lot of grief (loss of child and parent NOT ON PAGE) so please proceed with caution!

Carson and Ayla have given up on their marriage, having been separated for 11 months, they're one month away from being able to have their divorce official. Only Ayla is planning her great grandmothers 99th birthday party and many of the family members don't know. So Ayla asks Carson to pretend to still be married and in love for the weekend.

Close proximity, unhealed hearts and grief made for an emotional book but WOW the communication they end up having was everything. While the book wasn't overly drama filled it gave all the hope and healing vibes, and showed more real life versus the fictional drama I feel like we're used to in books. And I appreciated that.

I do wish we got to see Carson speak with a professional/therapist...I feel like that would have helped him and helped us care even more about them.

[Andrea Perez · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Rebound hit me more emotionally than I expected.

What really worked for me is that Carson and Ayla’s breakup doesn’t feel like romance-book drama just for the sake of it. Their grief over losing their son sits at the center of everything, and that changes the whole vibe of the story. You can feel how much they loved each other, but also how that loss slowly pushed them apart in ways neither of them really knew how to fix.

The fake dating / one-weekend-together setup was honestly a lot heavier than I thought it would be, in a good way. Being stuck together forces all the things they’ve been avoiding back to the surface, and that emotional tension carries the whole book. The chemistry is still there, but now it comes with history, pain, and a lot of “what ifs.”

Carson was probably my favorite part. He definitely makes frustrating choices, but it felt believable, and his growth felt earned. Ayla was a little harder for me. I understood why she was guarded and sharp, but there were moments where I didn’t fully connect with her, which made their chemistry feel a little uneven at times.

One thing I didn’t love was some of the hockey-player banter. A few of those “guys being guys” scenes felt kind of cringe and pulled me out of the story a bit.

Overall, The Rebound is steamy, but at its core it’s really about healing, regret, and second chances. If you like hockey romance with real emotional weight, this one definitely delivers.

[Ecem Esen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rebound was such an emotional and heartfelt second chance romance. Going into it, I expected a hockey romance, but the grief and emotional depth at the center of Carson and Ayla’s relationship really made this stand out for me.

The way Kelly Jamieson handled loss and the breakdown of a marriage felt honest and realistic. Both Carson and Ayla were flawed in ways that made sense, and I appreciated that neither of them was portrayed as completely right or wrong. You could really feel how much they still loved each other even through all the hurt and distance between them.

The forced proximity over the snowy weekend worked so well because it gave them space to finally confront everything they’d been avoiding. Their history together made the romance feel emotional from the start, and the moments where their old connection resurfaced felt really genuine.

I also liked that the story balanced the heavier themes with warmth, chemistry, and hopeful moments. It definitely leans more emotional than lighthearted, but it never felt overwhelmingly heavy.

Overall, this was a touching and well-written second chance romance about grief, healing, and finding your way back to someone after unimaginable loss. If you enjoy emotional sports romances with mature characters and real relationship struggles, this is definitely worth reading.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Sherri Babb · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved The Rebound. Kelly Jamieson has written an incredibly emotional, heartfelt story that completely gripped me from the very first page and left me blinking back tears. At its core, this is a story about two people who love each other deeply, but because of the devastating death of their infant son, they find themselves moving in completely different directions. Instead of typical romance-book drama, the conflict here feels painfully authentic and human. They are on the brink of divorce and have been separated for months, but they are forced to attend Nonna’s 99th birthday celebration and pretend they are still happily together. Being stuck together for the weekend forces them to confront all the silence and grief they’ve been running from. We learn so much about these two as they navigate their defenses, learn to talk again, and slowly open up to one another. You can feel the history and the love that never truly left, making their slow-burn journey back to each other feel beautifully grounded and deeply touching. Beyond the main couple, I absolutely loved the side characters. The warmth of the family adds so much charm and life to the book, balancing the heavier themes perfectly. This is a comforting, sweet, and heart-squeezing second-chance romance about healing and finding your way back to someone. It is an absolute must-read! Thanks NetGalley! I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.