Former high school couple Dan and Kiki reconnect when he comes into town for a charity match and they realize that they still love each other ten years later.
Overall I’d say this is a great waiting room book. It’s sweet but very predictable. It’s totally clean, the most spicy thing that happens is kissing. It’s not a bad read, but it didn’t really pull me in. The townsfolk of Maple Falls seem nice, and there are lots of opportunities for standalone companion books.

If you are looking for a closed door small town second chance romance. I would highly recommend this book!

I needed this. I needed a sweet, quick read to fill my heart with joy. I loved the second chance story line with mutual pining.

I received an ARC from NetGalley & Wild Lime Books. The Rebound Play by Kate O’Keeffee is a story about a second chance romance. Dan & Keira were high school sweethearts when life took them on different paths. Dan had his hockey career in the NHL and Keira after completing college in Seattle returned to their small town to take care of her sick sister and her kids. When Dan returns to Maple Falls a cute meet leads to a second chance at happily ever after.
This book is a light wholesome fluffy quick read. I thought the map at the start of the book was pretty and I already plan to read all the books in the series. The author did a very good job of enticing us with the possible love stories waiting to happen. Possibly my favourite part of the book was when they meet for the first time after all these years - it was really adorable and funny and not so awkward that I was cringing with second hand embarrassment.

I liked the concept of the story but felt the story and the characters didn’t get a chance to develop a lot. I could easily see this book being stretched out another 5-10 chapters. The “obstacle” they faced really didn’t get a chance to expand before a solution and declarations of love were thrown out which was kind of a let down.
Overall I gave this book 3 stars. ⭐️⭐️⭐️.

A wholesome, closed door romcom good for people looking for romance without spice or explicit language.

I enjoyed the small town, cozy fall vibes that underpin the story. I was imagining Stars Hallow so laughed when the book made a reference to it. While I felt like I could imagine the town, I do wish the characters were a bit more built out (e.g., I know they broke up because of college but I don’t know what made them fall in love in the first place to want this second chance romance to succeed)

My biggest issue with the book was the writing style - things were very explicit, leaving characters saying long lines that felt forced to push the story forward but not realistic to normal conversation.

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

“She smiles at me and it’s as though I’ve won the state lottery. Man, I have got it so bad for this woman.”

Dan and Keira dated in high school, the jock and the nerd. With their plans leading them to opposite sides of the world, they did what they thought was the best for them, they broke up.
10 years later Dan, hockey star, is back in their hometown. Keira never really got over Dan and doesn’t want her heart broken again so she plans to avoid him while he’s in town. But Dan has other plans, he realized that she wants Keira back and would do anything to show her. Can this really work since Dan is only in town temporarily and Keira has her life in Maple Falls?

This is such a cute second chance romance! The one that got away! Dan is just the sweetest, once he realized what he wants, he went all in. Offering to help Keira’s nephew with hockey, and just showing Keira that she needs someone to take care of her while she takes care of everyone around her.
And Keira deserves that, she is selfless and has the biggest heart.

An adorable second chance romance with all the swoon and steam but no spice! Fall back in love with Keira and Dan and enjoy Maple Falls!

🍁 synopsis:
The Rebound Play is a small town, hockey romance where Keira and Dan get their second chance at love when he comes to play on a hockey team for charity. Keira feels like she’s living the same life as she was when she dated Dan back in high school and she doesn’t believe a hockey star could want to date her even if they were high school sweethearts. Dan on the other hand can’t believe Keira hasn’t been snatched up by a guy and he will do whatever he can to get his first love back.

🍁my thoughts:
to put it short and sweet: I loved this book. For a little bit longer explanation, this romcom delivered all of my favorite things in a romcom but also had way more depth than I was expecting. I loved the emphasis on the importance of family and how they helped each other in hard times. This is a second chance romance and I appreciated the fact that when they broke up ten years before, it was because one of them had done something mean or stupid, it was because of distance which was actually quite understandable for how young they were. Dan is such a precious MMC and how he pursued Keira was just top tier. The fall vibes in the book were immaculate and the town honestly feels like Stars Hallow from Gilmore Girls. This book is perfect for anyone who wants a closed door autumn hockey romance!

🍁 read this book if you love:
🍂 autumn vibes
🏒 hockey
🏡 small town

🍁content ratings:
🍭 - no spice
🤗 - no explicit language

The Rebound Play just release today and is apart of the Love on Thin Ice series which is a must-author seven book autumn romance series!

Thank you so much Kate O’Keeffe and NetGalley for this ARC!

I loved this quick, fast paced story about second chances at first love and the sacrifices and heart aches that come along the way. Definitely recommend.

The title sums up this book completely. Childhood sweethearts reconnect. She’s a small town bookish girl and he’s a NHL player. Simple plot and wholesome romance.

The characters felt a tad 2D and could have been developed a bit more.

I was lucky enough to receive an ARC of this book. I devoured it on one sitting! It was exactly what I needed.

Keira a woman who stayed in her small town and supports her family. Dan a hockey star who returns to his home town for some R&R. When the two exes bump in to each other, sparks fly! Need I say more? This is a sweet second chance romance set in the town of Maple Falls. It’s an interconnected series of stand alone books with each one being written by a different author.

I would definitely recommend if you want a sweet love story.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️

Thank you NetGalley & Wild Lime Books for allowing me access to this e-book! The Rebound Play by Kate O'Keeffe is releasing today Aug 29. It's a second-chance romance with plenty of charm! Keira's struggle to protect her heart from the hockey star who broke it is both relatable and engaging, while Dan's determination to win her back adds an irresistible sweetness to the story.
I absolutely loved how easy it was to read, I read this in one day! I loved the little map at the beginning! Loved the cozy ambience and small town! It was super sweet, I recommend it to anyone who wants a warm hug in a form of a book!

Thank you to Wild Lime books, Kate O'Keeffe, and NetGalley for the advanced copy of this title.
This was such a quick, easy read coming in under 200 pages. This is not a spicy hockey romance. This books is a small town, second chance romance between the girl next door, Kiara, and NHL golden boy, Dan. A fateful charity game brings them back to their home town where their mutual feelings linger into something neither can ignore.
Opposites attract in this sweet novel about winning back the one who got away.
It's simple, sweet, and worthy as a good palate cleanser.

3 🌟 | "𝘛𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘤𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘣𝘦 𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘳𝘦𝘣𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘥 𝘱𝘭𝘢𝘺, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘐'𝘮 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘨𝘰𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘰 𝘭𝘦𝘵 𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘴𝘭𝘪𝘱 𝘵𝘩𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩 𝘮𝘺 𝘧𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘦𝘳𝘴."

One thing about me as a reader: I love seasonal book series where different authors get together to create a small town and interwoven stories. It's the best way to get to know new closed door authors and to fall in love with a fun cast of characters.

This book is a second chance, "the one who got away" type of romance. It takes place in a cozy small town called Maple Falls and has the most unique cast of characters. This book has the coziest fall vibes and it's perfect for those who miss Stars Hollow.

It feels like the relationship is not developed enough. We know they are exes and this is a second chance. But we do not get a glance at their previous relationship and neither how their feelings develop. There is only the description of how they always loved each other and wished they had never broken up, even though the breakup was necessary for them to grow as individuals.

A few times the dialog did not feel believable - the character had the longest lines, always putting a lot of information when only a simple answer was needed. I understand the author used this strategy to give the reader a better overview of the story, but that made the dialog feel kind of dragged. Also, it was quite annoying how Dan kept referring to Kiera - as his "high school girl". I know some people find it romantic, I just find it annoying. Just say girlfriend like a normal person.

All this aside, The Rebound Play - as well as the other books in this series - is the perfect book for those looking for a cozy fall read.

3.5 rounded down to 3

A short fun story of second chances in a small town.

Dan and Keira broke up when he left for college. Years later, he's in the NHL and she's still in their small town. When a charity game brings him home and to the rink where her niece and nephew skate, the two of them are forced to admit that the other is the one they never should have let get away.

Read if you like:
-Second Chance Romance
-Small Town
-Sweet not Spicy
-The One that Got Away

I really liked this story. It was refreshing because although it was second chance, it was clear that there was no ill-will. Yes, there was regret, but it was clear that they did not blame the other person or hold a grudge. And it was sweet how much Dan cared for Keira's family.

2.5-3/5 stars!

This was a fun second-chance romance between high school sweethearts now living their exciting adult lives. Having returned to Maple Falls after college to care for her sister, niece, and nephew, Keira has tried to avoid most things Dan Roberts-related for the last ten years. But after an injury benched him from preseason games, he's back in Maple Falls for a few weeks playing for the Ice Breakers, a charity hockey team raising money for the local ranch. In the small town of Maple Falls, these two are bound to cross paths and rekindle what they had in high school.

Overall, this book was ok. There wasn't really any playing hard to get and the plot wasn't really exciting. It was sort of instant love, which I understand they were high school sweethearts, but when you haven't seen or talked to someone for ten years, I think it was a bit much for them to go on one date and tell each other they loved each other at the end of it. I liked the idea of this second-chance romance, but I didn't like the execution I guess despite there being a couple of really cute moments. In summary, I think if you're looking for a quick beach read, this could be a good one but don't expect too much. I don't think I'll be reading any more of the series, but it was decent.

*Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review

I liked this book, it was very cute and adorable.
Dan was a man in love and I loved to see that. He wanted her and he would do anything to be with her, no matter what it was.
Keira still loved him too but was afraid of him leaving again. They were young and their lives took them in diferent paths. But fate always had a plan for us and it definitely did for them.
They were good together and I liked them. I just wish that Keira had a little more faith in him and their love and talked to him instead of just assuming things. He made a big career decision and she didn't blink an eye. I didn't like that. That she basically assumed that he would be the one making the sacrifices. That's not how relationships work. But alas, maybe that's me.
Overall, it was a good book

A sweet romance about getting a second chance at love!
Kiki and Dan were high school sweethearts who only broke up because he was headed to Yale to play hockey. It’s been ten years since they’ve spent any time together but when they get together again, it’s like no time has passed at all. At least until she becomes a little insecure….
I enjoyed this one and thought it was well written.

The Rebound Play is a fairly quick, clean, second chance romance. It follows the rekindling romance between Dan and Keira. I liked both characters, but this story and the book in general just didn’t do it for me. I wish I could put my finger on exactly what the issue is, but I cannot. I will say that I will always sign up to a newsletter to get another epilogue to a book, but this is the first time I decided I didn’t care about what happened next. Just a 3 star read for me. Thank you NetGalley for an advanced copy.

I LOVED every second of this book. The moment it was over I immediately added the rest of the series to my TBR list. I can’t wait to read them!

In this story we follow FMC Keira (Kiki) and MMC Dan. They were high school sweethearts but when they went to different colleges they amicably broke up. Fast forward ten years and Dan is a star hockey player in Chicago and Kiki is working at the farmers market in her hometown. When a small injury gives him the opportunity to head back to his hometown for a charity event, he knows this is his moment to rekindle his love with Kiki.

While this is a short novel and surface level, I loved the characters, plot, and writing style.

The characters tugged at your heart strings and made you want to know more about each of them (side characters included).

The plot was easy to follow and a standard second chance romance/ hockey romance cliche, but who cares! It contained all the love and heartbreak is romance readers love, so I was game the whole time.

I was in a reading slump before this book, and I’m completely cured! If you want a book that is easy to read, pick this one up on August 29.

*An ARC was received in exchange for an honest review.

Grab some hot chocolate with extra marshmallows and cozy up for this sweet read!

"This could be our rebound play, and I’m not going to let her slip through my fingers."

This second book is a sweet second-chance romance for high school sweethearts, Dan and Keira. When Dan left for college and on to the NHL, he and Keira decided to leave their relationship behind. But they were always the ones who got away, so when Dan shows back up in Maple Falls for a charity hockey tournament, he is determined that hockey isn't the only thing he is going to win at.

"We might have lost the game, but I’ve won back the person who’s been missing from my world for what feels like a lifetime."

I adore a second chance when both know they really want to be together! With the addition of the small town vibes, Dan and Keira get a lot of extra support from people they've known their whole lives. Their "re-meet cute" and their first date are some of the most adorable moments I've read in a second chance romcom! Their chemistry is extra special with the shared history, making this second book in the series another big winner.