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

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

Keira and Dan were high school sweethearts. They both thought they would find someone else but have never forgotten each other. Dan comes back into town for a charity hockey game and the sparks still fly between them.

Fans of small town romance, second chances, hockey romances, and kissing only will enjoy this one!

If you like hockey, small towns, clean, wholesome, second chance romance, you’ll like the story. Keira and Dan were high school sweethearts, when Dan received a scholarship to Yale, clear across the country, and Keira was going to the University of Washington, they broke up. 10 years later, Dan comes back to Maple Falls for a charity hockey fundraiser. When he’s had time to come home to visit family he keeps his eyes out for Keira, but never seems to find her. But this time he’s here for a while and he’s determined he’s going to find her, because she is his one true love.
This is a really sweet romance. There’s really no drama just two people reuniting and figuring out if they have a future together. There are many cute tender moments, embarrassing moments and fun moments. It is a cozy afternoon read. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Thanks to Netgalley, I received this as an ARC. This rom-com was as sweet as the maple syrup that flows in the ficitional small town setting. What makes a second chance romance for high school sweethearts who never truly moved on even better? An mmc, who is a complete cinnamon roll and an fmc, who is a perfect bookish girl. While this story did have some inaccuracies regarding how the NHL works, sometimes you just have to throw those details out the window and just enjoy some romance while drinking a psl and dreaming of hockey. This is a perfect read if you're looking for something quick (this is less than 200 pages), are new to the fan favorite hockey romance subgenre, or if you're looking for something to read that you won't be afraid to have your kiddos read over your shoulder (no spice, all sweetness). So, grab a sweater (when it finally cools down), your fall beverage of choice, and this read, and get ready to smile at all of the maple syrupy sweetness.

Kate O’Keeffe will never disappoint me with her cute and adorable closed door romances. But this time she’s made me even happier by adding hockey into the mix!

Keira
What do you do when your NHL superstar ex skates back into your small town? Drop to the ground and hide behind the bleachers, hoping he doesn’t see you. But Lady Luck must be in a bad mood today because Dan spots me, my hood over my eyes, pretending I’m not there.
Dan
I want Keira back. End of story.

This is the second in the Love on Thin Ice series and while it can be read as a stand alone, I really enjoyed revisiting the small town and characters of Maple Falls. This is perfect for fall season with a fall festival and farmer markets being at the front of the plot. I absolutely loved Keira and Dan and was rooting for them all the way!

This one will make you believe in love and happily ever afters! I highly recommend

3.5⭐
Sweet 🧁, not spicy 🌶️

This is a cute, quick read. Kierra and Dan were high school sweethearts who parted ways for Dan to pursue his NFL career. It's an easy to read, cozy, small town romance. It's paced well for the length, but I do find that I wish this series had been fleshed out a little more. Regardless, they've been fun reads so far!!!

✨Second Chance Romance
✨Hockey 🏒
✨Small Town
✨Clean Romance 🧼

Is it predictable? Absolutely. But it's a fun read with good vibes.

Thank you, NetGalley for the eBook to read and review. 💕

I hate giving low star reviews and try to be really fair because I know that just because a book isn’t for me doesn’t mean others won’t enjoy it. However, I just cannot give this book a higher rating. The writing is fine and the setting was nice-since I’m reading this at the beginning of September it got me really excited for fall weather and food. However, this book needed to be more developed. I read it in about 2 hours, so that tells me it’s short. It was almost like a novella, and it read like one to me. The characters had no depth, the plot didn’t really develop. The third act breakup lasted about one page and was solved with just a quick declaration of love that had already been made. There was no substance, which was disappointing because it seemed at the beginning like it was set up to be better. There was no tension, no problem to solve, hardly any time the characters even spent together, and no real reason for them to be in love with each other at all. Like I said, I hate being harsh with reviews, and I was surprised to see how many positive ones there were for this book. I just think it needed to be extended so that we could actually get invested and have a reward at the end.

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

I received an arc from NetGalley and this is my honest opinion.

This was a light hearted second chance romance set in a small town with Professional Hockey players. Quick and easy read with Fall vibes and down to Earth characters.

✅ General Fiction/Romance
✅ Small Town Vibes
✅ Quick and Easy Read
✅ Hockey Romance
✅ Second Chance Romance

Loved the characters in this town and looking forward to reading Emmy’s story.

He took her for granted…

Dan was callous with his high school girlfriend, Kiera “Kiki.” He’s been no saint and he’s taken full advantage of the fact he’s a pretty boy hockey player. Did he redeem himself? Not really. Zero groveling and he certainly didn’t work for it.

Kiera was great. She deserved better.

I cannot recommend this book. I almost DNFed the book at 82% but pushed through. As someone who is a self proclaimed feminist, and a basic hockey fan, this book is cringy, too fast paced, and does not paint women in a good light. The timeline of this book does not make any sense. According to Dan, the hockey season hadn’t started up when this book started and yet it was snowing during one of the scenes when he was back home? Even if this started in early September, before the official hockey season started (though the season would have started with practices and such), then how was it fall and snowing during this book. Additionally, how would a NHL team be okay with their captain being away for part of the season, even if he is injured and not playing. It doesn’t make sense. Now Kierra was a terrible FMC. Ya’ll are in your late 20’s and acting like you’re teenagers. You break up with him instead of TALKING with him about the future? Be so for real right now. Additionally, how she talks about other women in this book, is not it. “They look more like they belong in a Hugh Hefner nightclub than at a hockey after game party.” Like that’s such a terrible thing to think about other women. Also, you’re both in your late 20’s and keep thinking “he’s a jock and I’m a nerd,” is so cringy. Lastly, when the journalist kept probing Dan about Kierra, its becomes very obvious that the author hasn’t spent much time watching hockey or interviews. These journalists do not have a single care about who the NHL player is dating.

The Rebound Play is book two in the Love on Thin Ice series by Kate O'Keeffe.
A sweet second chance love story about a jock and a nerd who gets a second chance in this small town romance.
Keira and Dan were just amazing.
I loved everything about this book. The writing, the characters and the storytelling was just incredible.
This book was fun, light, and easy going.

Thank You NetGalley and Xpresso Book Tours/Wild Lime Books for your generosity and gifting me a copy of this amazing eARC!