As far as hockey romances go, this one was middle-of-the-line for me. I feel that there was a lot of telling instead of showing in the narration, and neither one of our leads was given room to fully develop because of this. I thought it was fluffy in a fun way, and I really enjoyed the comedic moments, such as when Dan and Kiera meet again after all this time. It was cringe-worthy in the BEST way. I love all the awkwardness and secondhand embarrassment in those sort of rom-com moments.
However, it was lacking in depth for me, which would be what I would need to propel this into a 4-5 star read. It was quick and bingeable, which is awesome and definitely something to pick up if that’s what you’re in the mood for. But if you’re looking for something plot-forward and completely fleshed out, this might not be it, as it reads more like a novella than a novel.

Book review 📚
The Rebound Play by Kate O’Keeffe
⭐⭐⭐.5

This is my first read from Kate and I was pleasantly surprised. I knew I was expecting some sort of romance but this was an utterly binge worthy read. I’d finished it in a day and do not regret my choice’s. My only issue was it was a closed-door romance, I like a bit of spice with my romances so it didn’t quite make it to 4 stars.

Overall, it’s a cute romance that can be read in a day. If you like a cute and cosy romance, with no spice, then this is for you.

I received this book for Netgalley and Wild Lime Books in exchange for my honest review. This book was a binge-worthy second-chance romance between Keira and Dan. Dan is a big-time NHL player returning to his hometown for a charity hockey team. Keira has stayed in her hometown to help care for her sister and family. Dan was a jock and Keira a nerd in high school broke up before college. Dan is ready to reconnect with Keira when he returns to Maple Falls. Keira is nervous that he is going to leave again like he did in high school. They begin building a relationship and over the whole book Dan and Keira make a sweet couple and love the ending of the book. I enjoyed Kate O'Keeffe's book and I can't wait to read more by her.

3.5
I want to thank NetGalley for an arc of this book

This is a sweet closed door, second chance romance. I'm not normally a big fan of second chance romance, but Kate's writing and the dynamic between the FMC and the MMC had me in a good mood from cover to cover.

Dan is a hot shot hockey player who goes back home to his small town to play a charity competition. Keira never left the small town and is still in love with Dan, even after all those years of being apart.

This was a quick read. It highlighted the important aspects, like the charity and how they give their relationship another go. I am used to chunky romance books and wanted a bit more depth with the main characters families and a deeper look into the characters relationship.

All in all, a good read, lovely writing style and loveable characters

Thank you for allowing me to read this!

I will say this wasn’t my favorite because I read so many hockey romances that it just didn’t live up to some of the others. I’m also bias because the second chance romance trope is probably my least favorite and I also don’t like closed door romances. I will say that I do wish it was longer and a bit more developed in the plot. But it was a quick easy read!

Overall: 2.5/5
Spice: 0/5

Thanks to Net Galley and Wild Lime Books for the advance copy!

"The Rebound Play" is a cute romance read! The story centers around a second chance romance, which I always enjoy. I really enjoyed that multiple perspectives were used, and that both main characters had distinct voices, bringing their individual stories to life. I also felt that the supporting characters were well developed, which made for great world building.

The pacing was okay for a clean, cozy romance - I do wish it was just a tad bit longer. Whether you’re in need of a pick-me-up or simply looking for a delightful escape, this novel is sure to leave you with a smile. I recommend this for the holiday romances made for TV crowd!

#thereboundplay #netgalley

Thanks NetGalley and the publishers for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

This book was a short, sweet, second chance romance! It was simple/straight forward enough that I think it would be easy to read on a road trip or in a public place.

Dan was the sweetest and you could tell the character was written to be a good sporty guy who never got over his high school sweetheart, Kiera. Meanwhile, unbeknownst to each other the feeling is mutual, so imagine her surprise when he temporarily moves home to play in a charity tournament and they are back in each other’s orbits. Confronted with the shared feelings of “the one that got away” this pair is forced to face their feelings and fears around potentially getting back together.

This book was a short read, and perfect for sports romance lovers, especially if you like hockey romance.

For me personally, the book was too fast paced and I felt like there was so much more to the story we could’ve gotten. The whole relationship felt incredibly rushed and I had a hard time relating to the characters because of it.

The whole romance felt unbelievable for me, and I just found myself wanting more out of the book.

I lost chemistry, I started very high with this story and I felt that I was missing some chemistry spark, or maybe a little angst
.
but I still enjoyed it, the story takes place in a beautiful little town that has all the vibes and characters of Stars Hollow, including a beautiful fall festival and as if that were not enough we have a Lorelai Girlmore trying to live close to her ex, her high school sweetheart, without falling for him again
.
But with a hockey player willing to do anything for what he wants, it is a lost battle and between private hockey lessons, she can’t afford, for her nephew, the small gestures and the walk down the memorie lane of her first love, it is impossible.
.
and this book became a beautiful story, comfortable to read with your best sewather and a cup of delicious mocha coffee. All the cosy and sweet just like the recipes in the prologue
.
Thanks to Kate O´Keeffe and her team for give me a copy of this beautiful book in exchange for my honest and voluntary opinion

This book is short and cute, exactly what I was looking for and I liked it so much I read it in one sitting.
The mmc is an absolute Golden Retriever who would do everything for his girl, paired with the hockey player trope I ate it up!
The fmc is the typical ‚girl next door‘ and loves books, so I had no problem identifying with her. Her compassion and the way she takes care of her family was amazing.
Even though the book was so short the main characters had a lot of depth to them and the second chance romance was so very cute!
The storyline is one romance readers will have read multiple times already, but that didn‘t take away any enjoyment I had while reading this book.
If you‘re looking for a cute read this is exactly the book for you!

I got this book as an ARC copy from Netgalley. Thank you to the author, I loved reading and reviewing your book!

There is nothing better to me than a second chance romance and that is just what you get when reading The Rebound Play, sprinkle in a little hockey and you had me at the title.

Kiera and Dan were high school sweet school sweethearts who regretted breaking up with each other. Watching them reunite was funny but absolutely swoon worthy. They are adorable together and their story was light hearted and just what I needed. It's a quick read with the best ending.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

I wasn’t aware that this was the second book in a series when I requested it, so there were a few characters that I felt I should have known more about before reading.

That being said, it was a cute, quick read. The plot moves along fast and the characters were likeable. I would have liked to see a bit more character development.

The Rebound Play by Kate O'keeffe

Genre- romance, contemprary, sports romance, dual pov
Chapters- 17
Paged count- 176
Rating ★★★★.5\5

Thoughts- I loved this book, Kate did an amzaing job, the plot its slow and you need to read a bit to get into it jumpd right in, it is a fantastic second chance love plot, the interactions between Kiera and Dan are great, the interactions with Dan and Kiera's newphew are great, the sisterly bater that happens with Kiera and her siser about Dan are such a fun well written "anyone who has a sister know this" moment, its such a great story, theres no spice so if ypu want to read sports romance but dont what all the smut this one a great option, its such easy cant put the book down read

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

This was my first Katie O’Keefe read. I didn’t realize when I requested the book that it was #2 in a series. There was some mention of characters I should have known, but overall it didn’t deter me from understanding the book not reading #1 first.

This was a short and quick read, it was cute- I thought a lot of time was emphasizing the ‘home town hero’ returns but and the hiding of Kiki, it was cute and I enjoyed the ending but even as a short book just parts felt rushed and others dragged out..

Thank you for sharing The Rebound Play with me. I enjoyed this book, it was a nice easy hockey romance that I would recommend to others who like sports romances.

I loved this second chance romance from Kate O'Keeffe. Keira and Dan's story was so much fun to read and I was hooked from the first page until the very last.

If you are looking for a super cute rom com that could definitely be a Hallmark movie, this is the book for you!
"This could be our rebound play, and I’m not going to let her slip through my fingers. I need to make her mine again."
Dan Roberts is the sweetest man. He is a true golden retriever! The best part is that he's also a hot hockey player!
I really loved that Dan was into Keira because she wasn't like all the other girls. She didn't wear all the fancy clothes or makeup, she was just a small town girl who loved books.
Maple Falls definitely sounds like a place I would love to go to!
I feel like the whole charity game in the middle.of a hockey season was a little odd, especially while having an injury.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book and would definitely recommend it if you are looking for a cute Hallmark type story.

This was an ARC I received and was so excited about! It’s book 2 of the love on thin ice series. I actually read this out of order and read book 3 first, where these 2 main characters were introduced. Dan and Kiera had a small part in book 3 but you really didn’t know what was going on with them. I loved seeing what actually transpired between them in real time. Kiera is everyone’s sweet, small girl. Dan is the attractive hockey player, coming back to this small town wanting to win back the girl he left behind. Sign me up! I loved watching them both come to the realization that they still loved one another and trying to prove that love to one another. This short book made my heart happy.

This was a cute second chance romance. It is closed door. I do topically prefer a little spicy but I’m not going to ding a book for not having any spice. I do love that he gives up the big city for her. We’re in typical romcoms it’s the girl giving up something for the guy.

Now the part that was hard for me, was the last two chapters of the book. I genuinely thought that there was a mistake at one point because the start of the last chapter is so similar to part of the previous chapter. The only real difference is in the first he is in Maple Falls on the icebreakers and the second chapter is when he is back on the blizzards in Chicago But they are playing the Jacks in both.

This series is making this hockey girl so incredibly happy! Rebound Play, the second book in the series, follows Dan, a hockey player sidelined by a wrist injury, and Keira, the charming woman who runs the local farmers market. Their second chance at love is heartwarming, and I practically melted when Dan offered to teach Keira’s nephew to skate—talk about swoon-worthy! The interconnectedness of the series is perfect, with familiar faces and overlapping characters, yet each book stands beautifully on its own. This sweet town and its lovable residents have completely stolen my heart!