Thank you to netgalley, the publisher and the author for allowing me to have access to an eARC for this book in return for an honest review.

I loved this book I have read many other books from this author and I think they are great, I love the romance between the main characters this was sexy and funny and amazing.

Abby returns to her native Ireland in the middle of the night with no money, job or home, when she runs into her neighbor growing up, Luke Bailey. Luke has apparently turned from ugly duckling into swan, and he kind of knows it. Abby had apparently always had a one-way ticket out of her dead-end town from early on in life, and left as soon as she could. She was apparently so focused on getting out, that she never stopped to look around and never noticed Luke Bailey or his feelings for her. Even if she did, he was the duckling and she had bigger goals in mind. She is admirable in her quest if not selfish, lacking depth or an understanding of romance. Instead Abby moved to NY and chose to get engaged to a successful lawyer for reasons that make sense on paper only. Neither her nor her ex-fiancé ever seemed to really care for each other. That being said, Luke seems to be overly attached to her from the jump, even though she admits to him that she is still engaged when she actually isn’t. Luke’s feelings for Abby don’t exactly feel natural, especially when literally nothing had even happened between them. When something finally does happen, there’s a whole silly side plot going on with her sister.
The Rebound was not so much a Romance as a true Romantic Comedy. It was light on the romance, not really getting into smooching scenes, many days going by with the characters not even seeing each other. This book is really about how two sisters strengthen their poor relationship.

ARC provided by the author and Netgalley for an honest review!

Abby has lost her job, been dumped by her fiance and has nowhere to live. All this leads to her heading home to rural Ireland ... where she reconnects with an old neighbour and discovers some changes are good.

This is a sweet romance with a brilliant pairing - Abby and Luke are adorable and I watching them get to know one another again. A really lovely book if you're looking for an easy read!

I received a copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

The story has to be more, at the 1st chapter, so that you will be interested and kept reading. It didn't happen to me. Still, I don't judge a book by the cover or in this case by only one chapter. But it didn't get unpredictable by the time I was finished.
As I read the author's 1st book and loved it, I was expecting for more spark and chemistry. But I could not find any growth in the characters. I really had high hope for this book. Well, I was disappointed.

This was everything I wanted and needed and expected. A tad predictable yes, but so-called (by me) happily-ever-after type books always are, and that’s exactly what I want. I want something calming and enjoyable to read, full of love and laughter and friendship, and you know it’ll end on a positive note and that’s what keeps you reading.

I love how strong Abby is when faced with difficult times. Yes she stumbles and puts her foot in it on more than one occasion, but she stands up for what she wants in the end. The small supporting cast make her shine in their own way, and the small community feel made me feel like I was a part of it - like these were my friends too.

Ireland isn’t described too much in the book, but what is there sounds idyllic to me. To shut yourself away with loved ones in a quiet, rural village is perfect - especially if it comes with its own Luke.

Having finished it, I’m not 100% keen on the title - I’m not convinced it really conveys the plot, but that’s easily brushed aside. I’m not sure it warrants a sequel but I’d definitely be interested in reading more in this line of Catherine’s writing. She makes you believe in love again. She gives you permission to hope.

This book was everything I wanted it to be. It was super cute, swoon-worthy, and overall a great read.

Abby Reynolds has lost everything. Her fiancé broke up with her, lost her job and apartment. So with all that, she's forced to leave her fancy life in New York. She's broke, and the only option left is going back to Clonard. She is reluctant to go back cause she has to stay with her sister, and they don't get along for starters.

But what she didn't anticipate was discovering that when you've hit rock-bottom, there's no other way to go but up. She has to admit the truth to herself slowly and pick up the pieces. It's not as bad as she thought it might be, especially when you have a lot of people around you helping you along the way.

If you're looking for a lighthearted rom-com that you can binge, this is the book for you! The characters were likable, the plot was easy to follow, and it was easy to root for Abby. I loved all the witty banter and sassy back and forths between the characters. I also loved seeing her relationship grow with everyone she encountered throughout the book.

Huge thank you to #NetGalley and the publisher for sharing this advanced reading copy of this book with me in exchange for my honest review.

Romance isn’t usually my go to genre, but this book was just what I needed! It was a lighthearted, easy read and I found myself routing for the main character, Abby. The characters were lovable and I was so invested in the story. A beautiful read for romance fans!

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC. I really enjoyed this book. Abby was born and raised in Ireland, that has recently gone through a breakup. The way she handled it was better than I ever would have lol. Luke is swoony, and I wish he was real. I wanted more of this story, it just wasn't enough.

I read the author’s first novel, One Night Only and was very excited when I got approved of her second.

The setting for this one was dreamy. I definitely wanted to visit the small town Clonard in Ireland. I liked how Abby wanted to leave and she did, but she knew she’d feel safe back in her hometown.

I had no idea this would be a sort of second chance romance! I loved the fact that Abby and Luke were best friends who just grew apart as they got older.

I also thought the ending was super realistic. I feel like in a lot of these kind of books they end up staying in their hometown and trying something new in life. But Abby already liked what she did, she just needed more work/life balance.

I loved so many things about this book:
- Abby as a protagonist was great to read from
- Luke, the love interest, was definitely swoon worthy
- The setting was really nice, I always enjoy books set in cute little villages
- Childhood friends to lovers
- Lots of funny moments and also lots of really cute moments too

I really enjoyed this one, it’s the second book I’ve read by Catherine Walsh and I will definitely be picking up anything she releases in the future!

This is the cutest romcom I’ve read in a long while! It took me a little while to get into it, but once I did, I couldn’t put it down. Luke is so adorable it hurts and the family dynamics are wonderful. It was so swoon worthy and laugh out loud funny.

Cute, fun, summer read perfect for that beach holiday. Abby returns home to her little country town in Ireland jobless and fiancé-less.
Stuck in a small town with too many memories, I’m her sisters house that she doesn’t get along with. Abby finds some new and old friends along the way.
A little twist to the ending which is satisfying and not too expected which is nice. Great read, highly recommend.
Thanks #netgalley for the advanced copy.

It had some promise, but ultimately it was not the book for me. I couldn’t connect with the main character, Abby, at all. She honestly kind of drove me nuts and that’s a first for me. I honestly didn’t really feel a connected between her and the love interest at all.

Even though it wasn’t for me, you may like it!

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me to have this ARC for an honest review. It will be out on Valentine’s Day if you wanna give it a go!

The Rebound was one of those books I enjoyed reading. It wasn’t a “page turner” as much as it was a good friend I wanted to sit up all night with and have a few laughs. I took my time reading this book simply because I didn’t want it to end.

Successful New York finance professional, Abby, finds herself suddenly unemployed, single, and back home in Ireland on her sister’s doorstep.

After the company she was working for closes its doors unexpectedly, her fiancé breaks off their engagement, and Abby has no other option than to return home to Clonard, an idyllic village on Irish east coast.

I don’t like giving too much plot detail in my reviews because I don’t want to give anything away to potential readers. But what I can say is I loved this story. I loved everything about it.

I loved the characters:

While Abby was ballsy and often unapologetic, she wasn’t written in a way that was too much; she was still relatable and likeable which is not easy to pull off for an author. So many times a strong woman is arrogant and unbelievable. Not Abby. Abby is the kind of gal you want to meet up with a wine and a chin wag.

I loved Louise, Abby’s impossible sister. At times you want to slap Louise as she certainly isn’t backward in coming forward, but the relationship between the sisters is scarily accurate. I think those of us with sisters will absolutely be able to relate to these two in more than a few instances written in the story.

Luke. Oh, Luke. I love me a swoony book boyfriend. And the chemistry between Luke and Abby is believable and realistic. And HILARIOUS.

I loved Clonard. As an Australian who has never been to Ireland, I love these types of books because you really do get to escape.

I loved the background characters. Andrew, the self-appointed Mayor of Clonard, is a standout for me. Loved his little snippets.

This book was funny. And when I say ‘funny’ I mean FUNNY! The way Catherine Walsh writes dialogue is just so free-flowing and effortlessly hilarious; more than a few times I found myself laughing out loud. But it was more than funny; it was touching and relatable, and the ending, whilst undoubtedly a HEA, wasn’t corny or forced like so many romance stories out there.

This was an undeniable 5/5 for me.

I can’t wait for the next instalment from Cat. I hear it’s a Christmas book, and I’m all about it.

Thanks to Bookouture, NetGalley and Catherine Walsh for allowing me the chance to review The Rebound.

Abby lost her job, fiancé , savings when her job fell apart in the states. She felt like she had no choice but to return home to Ireland and live with her sister temporarily. The first person she sees is Luke, who gives her a ride home from the bus stop. What Abby doesn’t realize is Luke was one of her childhood friends and his parents still live next door to where she’s staying. The story follows Abby as she tries to find herself and goes through restarting her life. I did enjoy this story however I didn’t feel like there was much of a story behind it but I would definitely recommend for a quick romantic read ❤️

Read if you like: slow burning romance & small town stories.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

The Rebound follows Abby Reynolds as she returns to her childhood home in rural Ireland after she’s suddenly unemployed, homeless, and single. Abby swore she would never return but when her fiancé calls things off and her employer in New York goes bankrupt – she finds herself with no choice but going back home to see her sister, who she left behind many years ago. Things are looking up when the first person she meets is handsome Luke who offers her a lift home from the bus station. He is the perfect distraction until Abby realises, he is actually the boy next door, her childhood neighbour. The village, including Luke and her sister, think she is a high flying New yorker, getting married next year. Can she admit that she has lost everything? To get what she wants, she might have to!

A huge thank you to Netgalley for letting me read this one. I was very excited when I saw it was available because I love a heart-warming romance and find them a great way to start the year. This was a beautiful story. It was very cute, uplifting, and quick to read. I loved that Abby and Luke met straight away at the beginning of the book, it took me straight into the story.

It was heartening to follow Abby on her journey throughout the story. Life doesn’t always go to plan, and it was those challenges and hurdles that Abby had to face to realise what she actually wanted. I enjoyed seeing the strained relationship between Abby and her sister develop over the chapters as well as her relationship with Luke.
Overall, a feel good funny contemporary romance!

This was a fun story about re-starting your life and reconnecting with your family and your ambitions after personal and professional disaster. I must admit that while it is billed as a 'hilarious romantic comedy', I found it enjoyable, but not actually funny - I think the humour depends on enjoying watching people encountering awkward situations, and that always makes me squirm rather than laugh.
The relationship between Abby and Luke was very sweet once they actually started talking, but oh my did they take a long time to get past the Big Misunderstandings.
I really enjoyed the relationship between Abby and her sister, Louise, and the way it changed during the course of the book. I liked the fact that Abby and Louise are two very different people, and that their rapprochement didn't require either of them to change who they were - just to appreciate better and figure out how to talk to each other as adults rather than as children.
The other thing I really liked was the way that this book subverted the whole stereotype of 'big city girl goes home to her small town and learns what really matters in life'. Abby is allowed to be ambitious and enjoy her career, and I really appreciated that.
This book wasn't quite for me, but if you are in the mood for a cosy contemporary about figuring out who you are and building adult relationships with your family. this will probably suit you very well.

My first experience with the author's books, The rebound is a light and compelling love story set in the beautiful Ireland as a background. That kind romantic comedy that lifts your mood in the bad day. Such an interesting reading.

A fun, lighthearted read that was so cute!

Wow! This one had me laughing and smiling. I loved Abby's character development throughout the book, and enjoyed seeing her find herself again.

I loved Luke! Our small town hottie with a heart of gold. Luke Bailey definitely gave me Luke Danes vibes 😍

I loved all the witty banter and sassy back and forths between the characters. This book Kelly me on my toes and I felt like u was sitting on a room with friends!

Read if you enjoy: slow burn romance, city girl/small town guy & childhood friends.

❤️ 𝐓𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐤 𝐘𝐨𝐮 @Bookouture for this e-ARC in exchange for an honest review!

This is Catherine Walsh's second novel, and the second one I have read by her! I really enjoyed The Rebound and found Abby, the main character, perfect in her imperfectness.

Luke was an amazing character who was a kind person, who just cared for the people in his life in a way we all deserve to be cared for. I loved the banter between Abby and Luke and found them caring for each other so sweet. I also loved the exploration of Abby and Louise's relationship in the book and how complicated and realistic this relationship is for many. Sometimes in books, I feel that the author makes everything wrap up perfectly, but Walsh does an excellent job of relationships developing, but not being perfect. This made all the characters in the book more relatable.

Walsh does an excellent job of painting the small Irish town that Abby retreats too and I could picture myself there in the town, in the café, in the pub and even in her childhood home. She also doesn't write typical stereotypes that I often find in novels based in Ireland, which was a nice change. The town and people in it felt real, and that made the book feel more relatable.

I did find some of this book to be a bit of a typical rom-com, but that also made it a quick read. This books was a fun and sweet read and I definitely recommend it to anyone looking for a good, not spicy, romance. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an open and honest review. All opinions are 100% mine.