The Rebound

Storm Hockey #4

by Kelly Jamieson

Praise for Kelly

'No one does hockey romance like Kelly Jamieson!' Kate Meader

'If you’re a fan of Rachel Reid or Elle Kennedy, then you’ll definitely enjoy this book' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

'Perfect for fans of Elle Kennedy! I devoured this in one day' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

'I couldn’t put this book down! It was so good! I laughed, I cried. Can’t wait to read more from this author! yall will NOT want to miss this! Kelly absolutely outdid herself on this one 😍' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Genres: Hockey Romance, Second Chance

269 pages, Kindle Edition

Expected publication 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!

[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!

[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.

#TheRebound #KellyJamieson #BoldwoodBooks #NetGalley #HockeyRomance #SportsRomance #SecondChanceRomance #MarriageInCrisis #ForcedProximity #ContemporaryRomance #RomanceReader #BookReview #Bookstagram #BooksCoffeeBrews #SpicyRomance #EmotionalRomance #RomanceBooks

[M · 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.

[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!

[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.

[N.L. Craig · Rating 4 out of 5]

Carson wants to fix everything around him, but the only thing he couldn't fix was his wife's hurt, or their marriage. Ayla does everything for everyone else, but the one person she couldn't do anything for is her husband.

Carson and Ayla have finally separated; the loss they both share has changed them, but could they find a way back to each other?

I have followed this couple throughout this series, and cried in every heartbreaking scene they were in, so I am heavily invested in their narrative. So for them to have their own novel with a second-chance romance is just beautiful.

I love these characters, especially the character of Carson and how he truly worships his wife. Both characters were very lovable, and everyone just wanted the best for them.

This is a novel full of reflection and self-healing, portrayed with raw emotion and themes of loss. There was a specific scene where Ayla is speaking to Gia, and she says about having the conversation and not crying, but while these characters were not crying, I was with every word.

I do not usually read a second-chance romance, but this is one I had to know.
This is part of a series, but I feel can be read as a standalone, as this author catches you up in detail, however, there is a trigger warning due to the theme of a sensitive topic, and I recommend checking this before picking up to read.

[Christina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the early chance to read and review “The Rebound.” All opinions expressed in this review are my own.

Ayla and Carson are on the brink of divorce following the death of their infant son, Kane. (Note: this event happens off page, in an earlier book in the series - this book takes place more than a year following that). More than any other character in the Storm series, I have been excited to delve into Carson and Ayla’s story, so when I received this ARC, I literally dropped everything else and dove in. I was not at all disappointed with this moving story of love, loss, and second chances. Both Ayla and Carson really struggled following the loss of their son and they both had to work on themselves before they could be there for each other. I really enjoyed how they came together in the end and I thought the author’s words about love and grief were quite moving, a bit heavier and more emotional than a typical hockey romance. While this can be read as a standalone, I think it is more impactful after reading the previous books in the series. Overall, I really enjoyed this one and have rated it 5 stars.

[Jenn the Readaholic · Rating 4 out of 5]

Carson and Ayla have broken my heart this whole series. They’re done and can’t bear to be near each other, but is that the truth? Or are they still hurting so much that they can’t see clearly enough to communicate? Don’t get me wrong, their story is brutally painful. But sometimes, when you think all is lost, it’s just paused for a bit.

Carson really angered me a few times. His treatment of Ayla, his seemingly dismissive heart, and his refusal to listen grate a lot. Then we start to get to the truth though, and it is not pretty. It’s not nice or fun or happy, but it is real. And it’s exactly what he and Ayla need to even attempt to finally heal.

Ayla angered me also, so I didn’t hate either of them. She’s been pressured for so long by everyone that she can’t see straight. She needs Carson to help her stand firm and he finally does exactly that since losing Ayla simply isn’t an option anymore. Granted, I wanted to witness the true takedown of those who demand more of Ayla than she should have to give, but I know that she is able to push back when it’s breaking boundaries, thanks to Carson.

[Chaptersxchill · Rating 3 out of 5]

This one hurt in the quietest, most real way.

Carson and Ayla aren’t just dealing with a breakup, they’re dealing with grief, and that completely changes the tone of this story. You can feel how much they loved each other and how losing their son slowly pulled them apart in ways neither of them knew how to fix at the time. It’s messy and frustrating at points, but in a very human way.

The fake dating, one weekend together setup could have felt light, but it actually made everything heavier in the best way. Being back in close quarters forces everything they avoided to the surface, and the emotional tension really carries the story. The chemistry is still there, but now it’s layered with history, pain, and so many what ifs.

Carson was hard to read at times because of how he handled everything, but that made his growth feel real. And Ayla, I felt for her so much. She was trying to hold onto something that already felt like it was slipping away.

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

[Emma Greenway · Rating 3 out of 5]

I started the rebound today after some much needed rest from fantasy. I usually love a cute second chance romance but this book wasn’t for me.

It follows a hockey player and his ex wife. They tragically loose a child after a car accident and essentially their marriage falls apart. A year later, the ex wife is throwing a family party for her 99 yr old nonna. Nonna doesn’t know they are in the process of being divorced so they hatch a plan to pretend date at the resort party so that her Nonna doesn’t find out.

I unfortunately didn’t get too far into this as I felt overuse of certain words that became too repetitive. I also did find it abit surface level for the topics that were discussed. There was a few here and there hockey conversations but it didn’t feel very hockey related and I found it lacked the found family vibes I look for in these types of books. Although this wasn’t for me, I’m sure other people will enjoy this.

I did however like where the main storyline was heading and I think it’s shows how men struggle to speak about what they are going through and brings awareness to that.

Thank you for the opportunity to read this book!

[Kerry Glynn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for the eARC of this book.

I am new to Kelly Jameson and did not read the three books prior to this one in the series. I did feel a little lost in the beginning, but then I felt like once the story took off, I was fine. I probably would go back and read the three books before this to get caught up. I liked the beginning and I understood the background for their separation and potential divorce. I just didn’t like Ayla as a character. She just seems so gruff and abrupt and he seemed like a big teddy bear (who also wanted to be in control) and I just didn’t see the chemistry. She did have some great one liners but overall, I just wasn’t as into this as I thought I would be. Hockey romance is my favorite trope and Carson was great. This was a quick read and I like Kelly’s style of writing. Definitely will read her other books and I would recommend this book to others.

[Pati Langs · Rating 5 out of 5]

I knew this book was going to be a 5-star read from the very beginning.
It had been a long time since I read something this mature and captivating — the kind of story that keeps you completely hooked from start to finish. I cried, laughed, fell in love, and even learned valuable lessons that I’ll carry with me in my life and marriage.

The Rebound is a story about grief, forgiveness, love, and new beginnings. And the spice? Absolutely amazing. Intense, emotional, and perfectly balanced. There’s nothing better than a book that makes you feel everything all at once.

Carson and Ayla’s story is emotional, raw, and deeply human. Rebuilding yourself after such a devastating loss is never easy. Everyone experiences grief differently, and this book portrays that in such a sensitive and realistic way. But above all, it shows how love can be the most powerful force in overcoming pain. When there is love, anything feels possible — and they have plenty of it for each other.

If you enjoy romances with more mature characters (25+), sports romance, second chances, and complex themes that almost feel like a therapy session, you’ll probably love this book as much as I did.

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

[Aftan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kelly Jamieson knows how to write a great hockey romance. The Rebound is part of the Storm Hockey series and can be read as a stand alone, though I find it very enjoyable to revisit characters from the other books as I read through this series. This book is more raw and deals with more real and emotional issues than the other books in this series. A couple on the brink of divorce after losing their baby in a car accident...oof. This is not the light hearted hockey romance read you will find in the rest of the series.

However, especially if you have read the other books, you will binge this one. Yes, it is heartbreaking but Carson (MMC) is someone i have been cheering for since the beginning. The relationship is a representation of real and very tough issues. You will still find some hockey, but not a lot. The spice is there. But this is definately not a light hearted romance.

Spice: 3.5
Character Development: 5
Recommended: Absolutely yes!

[Jen Lindsey · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Rebound is an emotional story of second chances, a meddling family, and overcoming grief and finding peace through love.

Carson and Ayla suffered one of the worst losses in life, the death of a child. Their communication breaks down and they grieve in very different ways, which resulted in their marriage no longer working. However neither was ready to fully move on and they still held so much love for each other. Ayla's family suggests forced proximity during Nonna's birthday celebration, where they are then reminded about the feelings they once had and question if they could move forward together once again.

Both Carson and Ayla were in survival mode following their son's death. They needed each other, but fear and feelings of failure created a wedge between them. This story is raw and real! It breaks your heart and then slowly repairs itself.

Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and publisher for this 4 star read!

[Urvashi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ayla and Carson have been separated for almost a year now, on the verge of divorce after their child’s death in a car accident.
The way they handled grief was the reason that drove them apart, Carson shut himself down emotionally and threw himself into hockey and day routine, while Ayla needed connection and someone to share her pain with. Their grief drove them apart and a joyous occasion will bring back together.
It is Ayla’s Nonnas 99th birthday, and she doesn’t know they are separated. To keep up appearances, they have to pretend to still be married, and share a room.
Close proximity and fake pretend soon turn real. They never stopped loving each other, so love is not an issue, communication was and they finally started doing that.
I loved this second chance romance. It was emotional yet heartwarming. Having read the previous books, I knew their backstory and I loved the way the author has handled their grief and angst.

[Ariel · Rating 5 out of 5]

✨ARC REVIEW! ✨

Thanks to @netgalley I was able to read The rebound by Kelly Jamison

The rebound is a second chance romance ! This book does have a couple triggers in it so please check your trigger warning before you read the book!!!

The book is about a couple who goes through a traumatic event and with bad/ no communication eventually ends their marriage, Carson is a famous hockey player and his ex wife Ayla is a working at her family restaurant, wanted to be a school teacher but never followed through, Ayla is throwing her 99year old grandmother a birthday party and the grandmother wants Carson there, only a few family members know about the divorce/ separation essentially so Ayla has to ask Carson to do her a favor and attend the birthday weekend as her husband and act like they never separated and they’re not getting a divorce, with close proximity they realize that they missed each other but still have a lot of work to do to be better together and as them self’s!

[Kelsey Fredericks · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Rebound is a second chance hockey romance following Ayla and Carson about a year after they have separated. Ayla and Carson lost a son and their differing coping mechanisms and grieving processes drove them apart. Ayla convinces Carson to come with her to her great grandmother's 99th birthday party because she has not told Nonna they are separating.

This was a quick read for me. This book has a lot of grief, yearning and chemistry. I enjoyed reading about Ayla and Carson coming back together and learning more about each other as well as themselves. Carson is a hockey player, but there is very little technical reading about the actual sport. This book is a quick read, but does deal with heavier themes such as death of a child.

I would definitely recommend if you love second chance! Thank you Boldwood Books and NetGalley for the ARC!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[Sara Oxton · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an emotional rollercoaster of a five-star read. I have loved this author and the series, as you get to know a different player in each story, and this time it was Carson, he was so wrapped up in hockey that nothing else existed for him, and do you know what I so got him, the loss he and Ayla experienced is one that cuts you so deeply, and one that shakes you to your core. I especially loved how we are shown that people grieve differently, but its not any less relevant, and I know the story deals with loss and grief, but its also light and fun, playing hockey and parting, and being reminded that life is beautiful in the moments as grief is encompassed and not taken over. Also I must say I feel we all need a Nonna in our lives, we would all be blessed to have such a wonderful 99 year old in our lives.

[Patricia (Spellbound Stories Trish) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read this series from the start and have thought about this couple endlessly. I do feel that in order to truly appreciate them you have to have read each book in the series to feel the true depth of their pining for one another.

Carson and Ayla have had some series set backs. Very deep a emotional trauma that they didn’t heal from and though I would’ve like to see Carson go to therapy I know that his growth and self introspection through the book shows that he’s ready to be the man and husband Ayla needs. I loved Ayla’s flightiness! She’s a mess and it’s understandable. It endeared me to her and seeing both come together and finally have the talks they so needed was so emotionally beautiful.

This couple is by far one of my favorites. Their story really hit home for me in a different way and I love that they found their way!

[Dani💓 · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC REVIEW
I didn’t realise this was book 4 in the series hehe oops, but I will be going back and reading them because I enjoyed this!

This book is about healing from a trauma, regret and second chances.
After loosing their son, ayla and Carson seperate after dealing with their grief.
After being separated for nearly a year, a weekend forced them to spend time together, fake dating and reigniting the spark, making them talk about their feelings and the past. Carson would do anything for anyone but he couldn’t fix the past and the mistakes he made in their marriage which ultimately led to them getting a divorce.
This book was very emotional and had me tearing up in parts of the story.

Overall I really enjoyed this and I’ll be looking forward to reading the rest of the series

Thankyou NetGalley for the arc!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[Lucy · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was great to be back with the guys from the Jersey Storm again. I especially was looking forward to reading Ayla & Carson’s story. When they lost Kane in a previous book, my heart broke and I couldn’t understand how Carson was behaving back then.

This book is a second chance romance and I’m here for it.

They were able to communicate and get to the root of things, they still love each other. But is love enough?!

Read on to see what happens with the help of some classic forced proximity/ only one bed and their open hearts and Ayla’s new found boundaries.

Tropes:
Hockey Player
Forced proximity
Only one bed
Second chance
My Wife

Overall rating - 4.5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spicemeter - 🌶️🌶️🌶️ (& a half)

[Sarah Higginbottom · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Rebound by Kelly Jamieson was a heartfelt and emotional romance that definitely delivered on the feelings and relationship dynamics you’d want from the genre.

While it didn’t completely hit the mark for me personally, I could still appreciate what the story was trying to do and why it would work well for many romance readers. The emotional moments felt genuine, and the romance had enough depth to keep me invested throughout.

Overall, this was a solid 4-star read — maybe not a standout favorite for me, but still an enjoyable and worthwhile romance.

📚I was able to read an advanced copy of title thanks to NetGalley, Kelly Jamieson and Boldwood Books📚
📚All reviews and opinions are entirely my own📚

[Hollie | Romantasy Reads 💫🧚 · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was really confused and surprised at the start of the book why Carson never mention Kane at all.. as though he never exist. Obviously this was the explained later on in the book.

I really liked Carson’s jealous side, this made me laugh. It was quite powerful to say how long they had been separated and that he had been in dates of his own but obviously that was because his heart still belonged to Ayla

The book took you through the self growth and grief journey of both Carson & Ayla and how they found their second chance at love. I really found myself routing for them towards the end. The book was sprinkles with spice. Would give book a 2/5 on the spice rating.

I wasn’t finding myself hooked or really attached to the characters but overall it was a nice easy read

[Addie Zadai · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Rebound by Kelly Jamieson is the perfect book for when you need a deep, emotional read. Ayla and Carson have been through some hard times and had to find each other again. While this story definitely wants to tear your heart apart, it still is full of light moments and excitement. This is not a book you pick up and read for a few minutes before bed- this is one you need to get yourself emotionally prepared to read, like grab your favorite blanket and warm beverage and get comfortable because you will not want to put it down. It is a beautiful, raw story of how life can truly chew you up and spit you out. The reconnecting was true love. I have not read the other books in this series and am new to this author, but I will be going back to read more from this series.

[Ameera khan · Rating 3 out of 5]

First of all Thank you Netgalley for the ARC

I enjoyed this book it had a good storyline with good plot and as you know I am a sucker for second chance romance this ticked the boxes for me. The grief they both had and the way this story shows them both navigating through it and realizing their mistakes and trying to do better was so sweet literally melted my heart.

The thing I didn’t like was sometimes the banter between the hockey players in order to be funny and give the book a fun mood they were so cringe like grown ass men talking about their dick sizes in two different settings was so cringe but if you skim through those convos it was a pretty good book.

Would 100% recommend!!!

[Emily Croker · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was my first time reading this author and I was not disappointed. This book was very emotional and beautiful. It handled love, loss and grief.

Carson and Ayla has such a great connection and there was so much tension. they pretend that they're still married at a family's birthday party but It just reveals how much they love each other.

They find closure and are able to finally communicate their grief with ⁴each other over their loss which is probably my favourite last of the book so overall I fell in love with both the book and characters.

Thank you to the author and netgalley for letting me read this arc.