The Rebound Play by Kate O’Keeffe, is part of the Love on Thin Ice series (Sweet Small Town Hockey Romcom) and I am here for it! The stories can be read in any order, or even as a standalone, but reading them as they come out has been great and I highly recommend. Kiera (Kiki) is loyal, logical, and steadfast. Until she sees Dan, the one who got away and who has held her heart ever since. Then she’s a bit of a mess. She let him go for all the right reasons and she has moved on with her life. Again, until she sees Dan. Dan is THE man. The amazingly successful hockey hero from the small town of Maple Falls who has everything. Except Kiera, and he wants her back. Watching them spend time together and fall in love all over again was so sweetly satisfying. Honestly, I love that there is not a lot of drama or tension (I feel like they lived it with ten years apart) and we get to pick up at the good part. Plus, it happens in the fall season, so all the romantic fall vibes set the scene perfectly! These two are perfect together and will give you all the happy, romantic, emotional feels.
I received a copy from the publisher via NetGalley and all opinions expressed are solely my own, freely given.

Dan and Keira had a really cute little second chance romance storyline! Lighthearted, occasionally laugh out loud if a teeny bit predictable, it sets the stage for some future storyline’s that will be fun reads as well! Definitely recommended and I will be reading the rest of the series for sure!

In this heartwarming romance, former high school sweethearts Dan and Keira reconnect years after their separation. Dan, a former popular jock turned professional hockey player, and Keira, a bookish caretaker for her ill sister and her niece and nephew, are brought back together when Dan returns to their small town, Maple Falls, for a charity game. As they reconnect, their past romantic feelings quickly resurface. However, for their relationship to last, they must confront the issues that caused their initial breakup.

This is the second book in the "Love on Thin Ice" series, and it captures the essence of small-town charm with a fall festival and farmers' markets as key elements in the story. Despite being a shorter read, it's filled with fun, romance, and endearing characters, making it perfect for fans of cozy love stories.

Dan, a rising NHL star, and Kiera, the local market owner, were high school sweethearts who broke up so Dan could chase his NHL dreams. Their reunion sparks a whirlwind of emotions, filled with goofy moments and a lot of nostalgia.

While the plot is light and sweet, there are a few instances where the narrative feels a bit forced. The ending, while undeniably sweet, may seem a bit unrealistic.

The writing style is light and engaging, with a conversational tone that breaks the fourth wall. However, the book's portrayal of women, particularly in relation to love rivals, can be somewhat “I’m not like other girls” vibes again. Yet a few pages later, we’re talking about women supporting women?

Overall, The Rebound Play is a nice palette cleanser for those seeking a feel-good, completely closed door romance between the heavier books.

📚Book Review📚

The Rebound Play by Kate O’Keeffe
⭐️⭐️⭐️

Tropes
🏒 Hockey Romance
🏒Small Town
🏒Second Chance
🏒Opposites Attract
🏒Jock/Nerd

The Rebound Play was a sweet closed door romance that follows two high school sweethearts who called it quits when it came time to go their separate ways for college. They’re reconnected when the NHL star comes to town for a six week charity event that gives them time to re-connect. The book was a short read but felt predictable. They both wanted each other back from the start so the back and forth about being worried if the other would feel the same felt a little redundant.

QOTD: What’s your favorite hockey romance?

#thereboundplay #hockeyromance #smalltownromance #secondchance #oppositesattract #jockandnerd #fallread #moodreader #bookstagram #toris_readingcorner

The rebound play is a sports romance about second chances, since sometimes we are with the right person but at the wrong time. This book is quite short and quick to read and is perfect for alternating with heavier readings because it allows you to disconnect easily since it contains all the ideal elements to fall in love with the book: sports romance, small town, friends to lovers...
An element to highlight in the relationship of the protagonists is that although time has passed, the love between them has not been lost, and I loved that, also the place in which the story takes place is super beautiful and it represents any small town where everyone knows each other and helps each other. I was also very fascinated by the protagonist because she shows us how she is always looking out for her sister and helps her in everything she can (you will discover why in the book ;)).
In conclusion, I highly recommend the book because is a very beautiful and enjoyable story to read when you don't know what to read or you are on a reading block.

Thank you, NetGalley, the publisher and author for providing me with this ARC in exchange for an honest review! I post my review on Instagram !!

The second book in the series has Dan coming back to the town he grew up in to recover from an injury and to take part in a charity Hockey game. At first, he does not want to go but is ordered so he decides to make the best of it. Leaving ten years ago on a Hockey scholarship and now becoming a star in the NHL he wonders what happened to his ex-girlfriend. Well, he runs into her finally since she has made it a point to not be around when he has come into town before. Kiera though has her hands full being in charge of the farmers market and then helping her sister with her children since she is not feeling well. I felt that I should have liked this book more but it just felt off for me for some reason. I am sure others will love it.

The Rebound Play is the second installment in the Love on Thin Ice series, that takes place in the quaint town of Maple Falls, where a charity hockey competition sets the stage. The story follows Keira (Kiki) and Dan Roberts, high school sweethearts who never moved on from each other despite their breakup when Dan left for a college hockey scholarship and a career in the NHL. Now, as Keira manages the local farmers market and cares for her family, Dan returns home, sidelined with a wrist injury but eager to play in the charity game. Their reunion, far from a typical "meet cute," reignites their old flame, with Dan questioning whether there's more to life than hockey and Keira worrying about the future once the charity event ends. The characters are delightful, especially Keira’s endearing young nephew, and while the story is sweet and enjoyable, it might have benefitted from a bit more conflict to raise the stakes. The novella-length book provides a lovely, easy read with added charm from interconnecting characters from previous and future installments.

I wish I had discovered this author sooner and thoroughly enjoyed diving into this engaging story, which had me laughing out loud in public. Keira and Dan’s reconnection, with Dan’s persistent efforts to win her back, including coaching her nephew for free and picking his hockey number based on her birthday, makes this a heartwarming and entertaining read.

The Rebound Play is the second book in the universe of Maple Falls. Can be read as a standalone but the series is so cute. I have enjoyed it so far. And ever since reading the first, I wondered more about the story of Dan and Keira.

They were high school sweethearts, and broke up because each had to go their own way. He became a famous NHL hockey player and she went to college but eventually came back to her small town to help her sister with a health condition. After spending years apart, they meet again on their hometown since he’s back to play there for charity.

I’m not usually one to love second chance romance but I really liked this book. It’s easy to read, it has lovable characters and makes you root for the story, since you can feel their battle with insecurities, their adversities since life kept them apart and finding their way back to each other and reconnecting.

Thank you NetGalley, the publisher and author for providing me this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

The Rebound Play is the second book in the Love on Thin Ice series, which is a series of small town romcoms with each volume being written by a different romance author. This one is by Kate O’Keeffe. The series take place in the small town of Maple Falls, centering around a hockey competition being put on for charity.

This volume stars Keira (Kiki) and Dan ‘the man’ Roberts. Back in high school the two were an item, each was the other’s first love. And the truth is neither of them have ever gotten over the other. But they broke up at the end of high school, going their separate ways when Dan couldn’t resist a college scholarship to play hockey at Yale and then made it into the NHL. Now Keira not only manages the town’s farmers market but also helps look after her sister, who is dealing with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, and her and her niece and nephew. As for Dan, he’s currently benched while he undergoes PT for a wrist injury, but gets cleared to go come home to play in the charity competition. Of course they are going to run into each other (and I’d say it was quite the meet cute, though I’m not sure you can call it a meet cute considering they already know each other so well.) As their relationship rekindles, Dan begins to wonder if there is more to life than just hockey, while Keira worries what will happen when the competition is over and Dan returns to the NHL. Loved the characters, Keira’s young nephew was especially endearing, and the story for the most part hits all the right notes. If I have to complain about anything it would be that there could have been a bit more … conflict? tension? turmoil? Not sure exactly how to phrase it. It was a very sweet second chance love story, it’s just there really weren’t all that many hurdles for them to get over. Not that that is necessarily a bad thing, who says love has to be hard? I definitely enjoyed it, and of course we not only have some minor interaction with a few of the characters from the previous book, but we also have interaction with the one of there stars of there next book. I really enjoy the interconnectivity of the books. This is on the short side, more novella than novel, but that just meant I was able to complete it all in a single sitting, and very much enjoyed doing so. I’d like to thank Wild Lime Books and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review an eARC of The Rebound Play.

https://www.amazon.com/review/R1H038STON3F95/ref=pe_1098610_137716200_SRTC0204BT_cm_rv_eml_rv0_rv

Super cute second chance romance between high school sweethearts. I love that this is part of a series and characters from other books are mentioned in this one (but no spoilers). I also enjoyed that there was some actual hockey in the book, not just the players. The story itself was too short to really get to know the characters and connect with them. I wish this had been longer. (Also, I think it’s weird to still call a grown woman Kiki but that might be just me). Otherwise, this was a nice diversion on a rainy day.

this was a quick, binge-able hockey romance. it was a little lacking in substance and plot, but it was a short and entertaining read. i think ive read this author before and had the same reaction.

Not going to lie, seeing this whole series was about a small town, had hockey, and mostly fell around fall - had me hooked.

But this one, was just eh. I really enjoy Kate O'Keeffe, but this one the characters just weren't really there. It was still a good, quick, feel good small town romance read, just wish there was a bit more from the characters.

Thank you NetGalley and Wild Lime Books for my DRC!

I had a really tough time getting through The Rebound Play - the characters and story lacked depth and development and the writing felt a little unpolished. It wasn't that any particular part of this book was bad, but that lack of depth sucked out all the swooniness, all of the motivation to keep moving forward as a reader and killed the little chemistry that did exist.

This book is part of an interconnected series that is best read in order but not required. Each book focuses on a different couple but several of the characters are in multiple books. The romances all occur closely together time wise.
They dated in high school but felt long distance wouldn't work. Now he's back for the charity games and wants his second chance. She's scared of getting hurt. What will it take for him to prove his devotion? Will it be enough?
I wish I knew of this author sooner. So glad I got this book along with the others in the multi author series.
I received a of this book from the author. Review voluntarily given.

The Rebound Play by Katie O’Keeffe, I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
For me this was a 3.5 star read ⭐️⭐️⭐️

This book was a cutsie second chance romance, a nice easy read. The main characters Dan and Keira were made for each other. They both never forgot their high school connection and I love that they rekindled and how easy it seemed to be. I wish the book was longer though I would have loved to see the development of their relationship during that year Dan was back in Chicago and even some more of their history. The side characters all have great potential for their own stories and I’m looking forward to reading more from this author. Overall this was a nice wholesome small town love story. ❤️📚

I would like to thank Netgalley and Xpresso Book Tours for a free copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

This was enjoyable and I’m looking forward to the rest of the series.
However, there seems to be a theme in this genre of books of disabled people being background characters and never getting their own hea.

The second book in the series is so good. The second chance with happening within a reasonable timeline.

Keira is so relatable. She just wants to run her farmers market and take care of her sister's children. The only thing she doesn't want to do is run into her ex while he is back in their hometown. Honestly, same. I get it.

Dan is such a gentleman. He would do anything to make Keira see him again as a love interest. He is so cute with small children!!

The charm of a swoony hockey romance, and the quirky sweetness of a town remniscent of Stars Hollow.

This is what you get in The Rebound Play. Dan is the star NHL hockey player, poised to take the Captain's position next year. Kiera runs the smalltown market, takes care of her ill sister and her kids, and loves all things Maple Falls. Oh, and by the way, she is the one that got away. Dan and Kiera were high school sweethearts, but life and opportunity tore them apart.

This second chance romance has a little bit of everything. Goofy moments, tender moments of vulnerabillity, loss, jealousy, hope and heartache. If you are a lover of Hallmark Movies on paper, you can't go wrong with The Rebound Play.

Personally, I felt like there were a few clunky plot moments. The ending, while adorable and is a dream for any hopeless romantic, was not necessarily realistic. If you are looking for something relateable, with major character growth realistic challenges this may not be for you. If you are wanting something to make you happy with a swoony HEA this will absolutely do that!

This book had me cackling in public while reading. Keira let her hockey player high school boyfriend go when he got offered scholarships to play across the country but she didn't realize that she wasn't going to care about anyone but him- even years later. When he comes back to town to play in a series of charity games, sparks fly again as she keeps running into him and he refuses to let her avoid him. It's hard to avoid a guy who coaches your nephew for free AND buys his necessary equipment, cheers on the rest of your family, supports your causes, and chose his hockey number based on your birthday....

#arc
#netgalley
#thereboundplay