The main characters Abby and Luke we childhood friends who slowly drifted apart during their teenage years. Abby had always felt like she didn't belong in her home town of Clonard Ireland so as soon as she could she left to go to London and then finally New York where she had an amazing career, apartment and fiance, until it all came crashing down when her fiance broke up with her and then the company she worked for closed taking everything that Abby had saved and worked for with it. The only thing left for her to do was to return to Clonard to her sister who she has a very fractured relationship still lives with her husband Tomasz. When she get back home she is stranded at the airport when a handsome stranger offers to take her back to Clonard as he is heading there anyway and Abby accepts. It isn't until the next day when the next door neighbours are coming round that the handsome stranger appears again where he is introduced as her old skinny nerdy friend Luke, and Abby didn't recognise him as Luke was a 'late developer' with his handsome face, his muscular frame and charming sense of humour, Abby is floored!
Throughout the story we are hit with the fact that Abby is still intent on leaving Clonard she has never felt like she belongs there and this is a factor in her relationship with Luke, as she is certain that he will remain there forever. She is continually searching for a new job where she can lead the life she was before, it is nice to see a female character career focused and know exactly what she wants and isn't afraid to get it.
This is a slow burn where you are constantly hit with 'will they, won't they', the supporting characters in her friends and family also have their own side stories and are heavily involved. We only get Abby's point of view so it would have been nice to see how Luke was feeling inside his head, but I still found the story endearing and enjoyable, it was definitely an easy read.

This is my second book by Catherine Walsh and I was so excited to get into it. Just like her debut this was a beauty!

Abby returns home to her small town with a secret she wants no one to be a part of. She is embarrassed and feels lost but has no where else to go. Her plan is to move back in with her sister who she can't stand and live the lie for as long as possible. But along the way she is thrown off by and old friend who she hasn't been in contact with for years.

Luke Bailey, the boy next door, but suddenly he has Abby blushing and stumbling over her words. But after all these years is it possible they are the same people they once knew.

Catherine's second book is another sweet, swoon worthy story. I lapped up every minute of it. She has the ability to include just enough romance into her stories to keep its believable and not turn it into a sop fest. Her writing style flows seamlessly and the character development reaches just enough complexity. Even though the main story followed Luke and Abby I was taken by surprise the impact of Louise, Abbys sister. I thoroughly enjoyed the love hate relationship they shared. I fell she played a very important role in the overall story, adding a more complex story line rather than just a regular romance. Walsh's ability to do this makes her stand out from other romance writers, adding another layer to her books.

The chemistry between Luke and Abby is believable and I loved the relationship they developed throughout the story. It was a slow burn romance with plenty of bumps along the way, making it so much more realistic.

Catherine is simply going from strength to strength and is quickly becoming one of my favourite romance authors. I can not wait to see what she write next!

Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for the ARC in return for an honest review.

What happens when you lose your fiancé, your home, your job, and have nowhere to go but the village you grew up in in rural Ireland, with the family you don’t particularly care for?

The Rebound, Catherine Walsh’s sophomore novel, tells the story of Abby, who after losing everything, begrudgingly returns home to stay with her sister until she is able to get back on her feet again. As she becomes reacquainted with old friends (including the boy next door who has now become the town hottie) and discovers new ones, Abby realizes coming home again is not all bad. And the family she thought she hated might be the one to put her back together.

This felt like a very typical rom com to me. Enjoyable? Definitely! Memorable? Not quite so much. Fairly predictable plotline, which I do enjoy sometimes, especially when I just want a cute, fun book to read. As for the characters, I have mixed feelings. Luke, the aforementioned town hottie, was very charming, although I don’t feel like he’s as developed as he could have been. Beth and Jess, Abby’s friends, were both adorable (can there please be a sequel?) Abby had her moments as did her sister Louise. However, Luke and Abby had a way of frustrating me immensely during huge portions of the book. Miscommunication runs rampant throughout and I found myself getting so annoyed with the various characters at times.

If you are looking for a cute rom com set in the quaint Irish countryside, I would definitely recommend this one. It’s a light-hearted, quick and easy read, perfect for a weekend afternoon. Just don’t expect it to blow your mind or you will be disappointed.

Thank you NetGalley for providing me with an arc in exchange for an honest review.

This book wasn't totally what I thought it was going to be, but I enjoyed it none the less.

Given its name, I went into this thinking it was about a rebound story, but it didn't feel that way at all. Nothing even happened between the two characters until like 80% of the book, apart from one little scene nearer the beginning. It was more your typical love story, and she never actually mentioned him as being a rebound. it was still cute and enjoyable so I wasn't too bothered.

I love the development with Abby and her sister also, thought that was really well done and interesting to read about.

The story was nicely paced and the writing was easy to read, so would definitely recommend this book. Just maybe the title is a little misleading.

This was a delightful read! I absolutely adore small town romances, and the fact that it is set in Ireland made it only better. I loved the characters as well as the plot, though it was all quite predictable. The romance was swoon-worthy, and I loved reading it overall. Can highly recommend!

When Abby's life falls apart, driven by the end of her engagement and the loss of her job in a Lehman Brothers-type scandal, she's suddenly alone and has nowhere to live. Her only option is to flee back to her sister's home in a tiny tourist town in Ireland, a prospect she doesn't relish. It turns out, however, that she, her family, and the town might have much more to offer than she realized.

Ostensibly a romance, this is actually a story about rebuilding one's self from the ground up. Abby is pushed out of her comfort zone and forced to reconsider almost everything she thought she knew. In opening herself up, she finds lots of wonderful things she'd missed. The romance is sweet, but only a part of her journey. Pick this up for an uplifting, low-angst tale about coming into yourself!

Many thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review!

30% of the way through and I had to stop. I’m a bit sad that I am just not enjoying this book. I kept skimming or putting the book down and not really wanting to come back to it. There are so many good reviews on this book, so I had set high expectations. I just feel like the book itself is frustrating, and a bit irritating. The more I read the more I just felt like I was reading a “poor me” story. Maybe this book just isn’t up my alley and that is totally fine. I kinda feel like there is nothing left to my imagination and I can already predict the end. I kept chalking this book up to be a cheesy hallmark movie that you would find for valentines day.

We follow Abby, the girl who had it all. An advanced career, money, upscale apartment, clothes.. A perfect new yorker life. All of it comes crashing down when the company she has worked for files for bankruptcy. She loses her home, money, job, career..Even her fiance decides that he doesn’t want to get married anymore. With nothing left to lose, Abby makes her way back to her hometown in Ireland to stay with a sister she does not get along with. Its not long till she finds a rather handsome man to help her get to her sisters place after a bus never shows to take her home. She finds herself completely enamored by this guy and flirts with him as soon as she can…not realizing who it is. Abby cannot believe such a gorgeous man lives in her small hometown. Little does she know this man was the neighborhood kid she use to be close friends with. Everyone in town knows shes lost her job, but they dont know about her failed engagement and true amount of loss she has taken. She finds herself wrapped in lies. Abby must tell the truth in order to get the guy she wants.

Needless to say..i should have known by the synopsis how predicting this book would be. I do have to say the banter is quite witty. I just couldn’t get myself to enjoy the storyline. Maybe ill come back to this at a later time but I have to DNF for now.

The Rebound by Catherine Walsh was just the tonic to fight off the winter blues, and the perfect antidote to my unfulfilled wanderlust.

Abby finds herself re-evaluating her life in Manhattan when things end rather unceremoniously with her fiance. Finding herself flying back to her childhood home in rural Ireland, she immediately runs into the childhood neighbour that she left behind so many years ago. Time has been kind to Luke, and he now has rebound potential in spades. Could he be the one that Abby has been searching for, when at one time he was right under her nose?

This is a fun, feel-good read that will restore your faith in love, and perhaps have you casting a glance around your own backyard for romantic possibilities.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for an ARC.

I loved the characters and the storyline in this book. Abby, a career-driven, knows what she wants woman seems to have just the life she wants until her fiance breaks up with her a few weeks before her company goes under leaving her with no job, house, or relationship. Not knowing what to do, she goes home to Ireland to stay with her sister and figure out what is next.

Luke is the old childhood friend who does not look like the old childhood friend Abby remembers. Louise is the sister Abby bickers with constantly. And Tomasz, the brother-in-law that is just trying to bring them together.

I found this book playing out like a movie in my head while reading it and I love when I can visualize the characters and setting. Walsh's first book has been added to my reading list! If you enjoy a feel-good rom com, read this one!

absolutely wonderful book. Felt all the emotions, laughing, (nearly) crying and keep me engrossed from page 1 right up until the end!

Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book.

I had really mixed thoughts on this one. I almost DNFed it twice out of frustration, but also thoroughly enjoyed the witty banter. The writing was lovely and it was easy to read, but I get easily frustrated over complications in adult romance that involve childish miscommunications. The sister-bonding was my favourite part of this novel.

Although it’s not to my personal taste, I know many readers will enjoy the quick romance between Abby and Luke.

Oh my goodness! What an adorable blend of the friends-to-lovers theme set in a small town, full of witty dialogues, adorable characters, heartbreak, and personal growth.
Anyone who has grown up watching Katherine Heigl rom-com is in for a treat with this one. Both of the characters were raw and real, thus, easy to care for.
The book started off as a soft and sweet laugh-out-loud rom-com but took a serious turn of events in the middle, thus making it more genuine.
I am waiting to read more from this author. I can’t recommend this enough even for those who aren’t big on romance. Just pick this book up and I promise it will be worth it.

Thanks, Netgalley and Bookouture for a free arc copy of this book for an honest review.

Basic plot: Abby is having an awful time, personally and professionally. Whilst in her darkest hour, she decides to venture home, to Ireland. As she regains herself, she “re-meets” Luke, a childhood friend she doesn’t immediately recognize.

Rating: 5/5

What I enjoyed the most: I very much enjoyed this book. Reading about Abby and her finding who she is, what she loves, how she wants to live…she is a rollercoaster of emotions but it makes for a great read.

Thank you to NetGalley for granting me permission for an advanced copy of this great book!

Thank you for the advanced copy!
The Rebound had so much heart! I adored this romantic comedy.
Luke and Abby have so much great chemistry that I was hanging on every word!
The setting in Ireland was just perfect and I found myself drifting there often!
Perfect read for any rom-com lovers out there!
Enjoy!

Thank you for this ARC! A quick whimsical read- love how it was set in Ireland. The characters were a bit flat- it would have been great to see a little more depth from Beth or Luke- they had the potential to be more interesting. Overall very cute- thanks!

This is the first novel I’ve ever read by Catherine Walsh. I stumbled across her work on Netgalley and really liked the sound of the plot of The Rebound, and I wasn’t disappointed.

I loved the relationships between Abby and the other female characters in the book (Louise, Jess and Beth), and enjoyed that the book chose to focus on how she navigates these, as well as that of her love interest. I also loved watching Abby develop as the plot went on, staying true to herself in terms of her work ethic and drive but realising the importance of love, family and friendships.

Another fairly predictable ending (as is normally the case with this genre) but that didn’t mean I didn’t enjoy it any less. I will definitely be adding Catherine’s first novel and any future books that she publishes to my TBR pile.

*Thanks to Netgalley and Bookouture for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.*

Read and reviewed in exchange for a free copy from NetGalley. This was an easy read and I enjoyed the setting and concept, but didn't feel the characterisation was as strong as it could be.

first of all thank you to netgalley and the oublisher for providing me with an arc in exchange for an honest review!

i just want to say that i tried really hard to enjoy this book but i really couldn’t fet through the whole thing. i gave it a few chances but it just wasnt hitting any of the right spots. i will be dnfing for now but will probably come back to it!

This was an adorable, funny, heartwarming read. I flew through the chapters and read it in less than 24hrs. I loved the romance between Abby and Luke. The only reason I’m giving it 4 stars and not 5 is that I just didn’t connect with Abby. But I highly recommend this book.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for giving me an ARC on this book in exchange for an honest review.

This book is so cute, so The Rebound is about Abby Reynolds, an Irish girl from Clonard, who moved out for college, she went to New York and was hired in MacFarlane, a big investment bank. She met there her fiance Tyler, and they lived well until the day where he dumped her. A few weeks after she and all MacFarlane's employees lost their jobs.
Felling a bit depressed Abby packed her things and book a one-way flight to her home country, to stay with her sister (who doesn't know about her situation)
She meets her childhood best friend, and neighbor Luke Bayley, who became super hot, and day after day she started catching feelings for him. So the question is is she really falling for his or he is her rebound?

Overall, the enjoyed this story, Abby and Luke are so cute, the side characters are so funny. This book feels cozy.
I'm looking forward to Catherine Walsh's future books.