I went into The Rebound thinking it was going to be a fun romcom, but instead it is a story of growth, love, family, and going for what you want. Abby is down on her luck—she’s lost her job (and her apartment with that) and her fiancé has broken up with her. Needing an escape from NYC, she goes back to her home in Ireland to stay with her sister, and the first person she meets is an attractive stranger, except turns out he’s not a stranger; he’s the boy who grew up next door, Luke. I feel like the title is misleading for this book. Abby never really looks at Luke to be her rebound—the flirt from the start but it’s not a plan for her to use him. This is much more about Abby coming to terms with what’s next for herself with some romance sprinkled in along the way. I immediate felt some of Amy Adams’ Leap Year vibes and not just because it was also set in Ireland. Abby is fierce and smart and kind of lost, but I loved her getting introduced back to her home. She is so determined and I loved watching her really go for what she wants on her own terms. Her sister Louise is such a strong and stiff, and I loved watching the growth in their strained relationship. There were definitely times with them that I wish they would just communicate, but I really enjoyed where they ended up. The town in this too was so cute, the townspeople felt so alive, and there was a Stars Hollow (from Gilmore Girls) feel to the closeness of the people. I adored Beth, the first new friend Abby meets in town. She’s so vivacious and fun, and she just felt like a good friend to have! Plus I loved Abby’s friend Jess from NYC. The characters were so well done all throughout! Plus Luke, he’s so kind and giving. I love he felt a little more shy and I loved the playfulness of him. Abby and him have such great banter and chemistry!! I really enjoyed their story. I feel like the ending had moments where it felt a little rushed but overall this is a light, fun read. It’s perfect for fans of Sophie Kinsella I think, and I really enjoyed reading it.

I am sorry to say this was totally not my cup of tea. I did not like the heroine and the way she kept her secrets. It annoyed me to the point I stopped reading. But it could be this is just not the right book for me at this moment.

I want to thank Netgalley and the publisher for the chance to read this book.

Abby was happy working in New York until her fiancee broke up with her and lost the job. Now she is homeless and she needed to go back to Ireland where she doesn't want to go back to. She couldn't believe she is back and meets stranger who would give her a lift. She is fascinated to find a stranger who is willing to give her a lift except she didn't know until he showed up at her house next day with her neighbors. He was her next door neighbor and childhood friend Luke Bailey. He is not a scrawny kid she remembered anymore, he was handsome and witty.
This is suppose to be short time off in Ireland and find a new job for Abby, but everything is not working the way she planned. Abby didn't have best relationship with her sister and it seems they are not getting any better. All Abby wanted to do was to get out of this small-town and now she is back and she has to stay longer. She can't decide if she wants to go back.
While Abby is looking for a job, Luke and Abby's relationship is on a rollercoaster ride. It continues to be will they or won't they. They couldn't decide what they wanted even though they are attracted to each other.
This book is more of Abby's journey to find her happiness and rebound in her life. I did enjoy the ending for Abby and Luke but it wasn't so easy in the middle. It wasn't a laugh out loud book but there were some moments that made me laugh and smile.
Thanks to Netgalley and Bookouture for ARC.

I could go on and on about this book because it was so perfect. There’s childhood friends to lovers, humor, spice ;), family drama, crazy exes, and pretty much everything else you love in a book. By the time I got to the middle of the book I couldn’t put it down. Like literally. I was reading in school, in the car, in my free time, and everywhere else pretty much. I cannot thank NetGalley and Catherine Walsh’s team enough for this arc. If you haven’t preordered this yet, what are you doing? Preorder it now!

The story
Abby has lost her job working in a global bank after it closed suddenly. She returns back to Ireland to her childhood home where her eco-warrior sister Louise now lives with her husband Tomasz. When the bus home isn’t coming for a few days, a stranger gives her a lift to the village. But the stranger is actually her childhood friend and neighbour Luke. Homeless, jobless and at a loss after the recent breakup with her fiancé, will Abby be able to stay in the village and Ireland or will she be able to return to her former life in NYC?

My thoughts
Catherine Walsh’s debut novel One Night Only with its gorgeous pink cover was one of the first books I was approved for on NetGalley, and I loved reading it. I have been so keen to read her second story The Rebound, and it didn’t disappoint in the least! I love the way that this is a romance but that the relationship between Abby and Luke is only one part of this story. Abby’s self image / relationship with herself and her confidence in her own strength has been knocked down. It’s only when she is able to be honest with her parents, Louise and Luke that she is able to start healing herself. I loved the visit from Jess and how that friend-mirror allowed Abby to view her relationship with her sister Louise differently. Beth, a new friend, doesn’t judge and allows Abby to be herself. And then the cherry on the top is that Luke is a total. sweetheart 😉 ❤️ it’s a “Highly recommend” read from me!

This is actually the first romance book I've ever read and it's a very lighthearted read compared to my usual books. Though this isn't my preferred genre, I thought it was pretty good. I feel this book would definitely be a hit for those who love light funny romance books. The characters are likable, especially Abby and Luke. Very uplifting book during this time.

This book got me hooked from the very first page.

The Rebound is about Abby Reynolds who worked at a bank in New York. Turns out the bank she worked for had been doing illegal stuff so she loses her job and basically everything. She moves back to Ireland to stay with her sister and meets up with old friends again. One of those old friends is Luke Bailey. Luke Bailey who was her childhood best friend who turned into a stranger.

You don’t know how much I loved this book. Like, hear me out; childhood best friends to strangers to lovers?? AHH. Who doesn’t love that? I loved every single interaction Abby and Luke had, they were so cute oh my god. I loved how Abby and her sister Louise got closer and started trusting each other more.

A thing I disliked was that every time something got fixed another problem would pop up which was kind of tiresome but other than that I adored this book.

This book was delightful from start to finish! Down on her luck, Abby had me rooting for her the entire time. Abby’s character was likable and easy to connect with. Her emotions, actions, and reactions were understandable. Her character was realistic and her actions expressed her inner turmoil. Observing her character develop, page after page, was entertaining, and I liked how things worked out for her. The relationship between Luke and Abby was enjoyable to watch unfold. I was predicting their happily ever after. However, the ending surprised me. I assumed I had it figured out, and it wasn’t what I expected. I love when the author surprises me. The entire cast of characters was genuine. Each had depth and was well written. I appreciated the many varied relationships. This book had everything. It had sibling drama, ex-fiance drama, old friend drama, and new friend drama. It drew me in and kept me engrossed, page after page. I definitely recommend this book. Especially if you like an excellent, well-written, rekindled friendship-turned-love story with a side of discovering what truly matters in life. I give this book 5 out of 5 stars!!

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

What a beautiful, heartwarming story! The book is incredibly well written so that it reads smoothly. What I especially love about it is that the MC do not have everything under control. That they do not have a perfect life but a realistic one.
Especially touched me the relationship between the two sisters because I could relate to that story.

Overall: A beautiful romantic story that gives you a good mood.

I loved everything about this book!
I really enjoyed how the story was not only about romance but also Abby's relationship with her sister and her hometown.
I struggled to put this book down honestly.
The description does seem quite different from the actual plot to me but I was pleasantly surprised with the storyline.
I also loved that it was set in Ireland and the small sideline chemistry between Beth & Jess.

Thank you NetGalley & Bookouture for the ARC in exchange for an honest review :)

Thank you to Netgalley for providing us with an E- ARC
Spoiler free review:
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ stars

Let me just start off by saying, this book is PERFECT.
As someone who's never been to Ireland, i could imagine everything perfectly and that is something so important to me.
I think i specially relate to Abby because as someone who wants to get out of the town i live in, it felt like i was being heard, it felt like someone understands. It's captured so well and that in itself gets 3 stars from me.
Luke is *chef's kiss* and he now has my utmost adoration.
The tension and slow burn between Luke and Abby had me on the edge of my seat, waiting for them to GET TOGETHER!! And it was definitely worth the wait.
As for the pacing of this book, i am thoroughly pleased because it is so easy to get into and it's pretty fast paced so there isn't a moment of boredom. Even the conversations between the characters is so wholesome, it kept me smiling throughout. I loved RORY?!!( he NEEDs a book of his own. I need to know more about his story with Sinead), Louise, Tomasz, Beth. Even Andrew was hilarious to imagine. I will now go on to read One Night Only (the author's debut book) because i cannot get enough of her writing.
All in all, I am very glad i got to read this one. Definitely worth it.

Catherine Walsh has written a phenomenally funny, ironic, sweet, sassy pseudo friends to lovers love story. This story while parts were a bit slow was quite good. The setting in Ireland was fun end eventful. The scenes were beautifully described and the characters were realistic and some a bit quirky, which I love because they remind me of my friends.

The Rebound tells the story of Abby who after a job loss and a breakup ends temporarily moving back to small town Ireland from Manhattan New York. Abby finds herself a new friend, an old and new neighbor, and builds a better relationship with her sister. She also confronts her old life a few times and finds herself while in Ireland. And as one might expect she finds herself a rebound relationship. . .but does the rebound go anywhere?

Read this great story to find out! I want to write so much more and give you all the juicy fun details but then you wouldn't need or want to read the novel. . .

What a great little gem! Written well and I enjoyed the story. Loved the second chance aspect between two elementary school friends and the sizzling to smoking chemistry that builds. I’m this was a great quick and easy read and if I could change anything about you would have wished to have read it in a beach because it would be the perfect beach read!

DNF @ 60% - these characters were just not likable or realistic, and I felt like the MC was just making one bad decision after another in order to keep herself happy.

I was so excited to see another release from Catherine Walsh as I loved One Night Only and this didn't disappoint. I devoured this book in two days. I loved every character (apart from Tyler) including Jess, who I really didn't think I'd like. I love the whole storyline of your world faling apart and going back to your home town, reconnecting with old friends and really finding yourself. Abby and Luke's story is one that will have you smiling (and swooning) until the last page.

I had high hopes for this, but was underwhelmed from the beginning.

While I love a small town setting for the cast of characters, interpersonal relationships, and a cozy vibe, the setting lacked any atmosphere and could have taken place anywhere.

Miscommunication was a strong (and frustrating) theme throughout the story, because it stemmed from Abby not sharing information which is infinitely more annoying than our characters just not being on the same page or coming to different conclusions.

Overall, I found the relationships to lack development and chemistry. I wanted to love this, but the story was pretty flat.

I received a copy of the book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review

Abby Reynolds has been recently dumped - first by her fiancé who decided he just doesn't see himself marrying her, then by her job when the whole company implodes, taking her career and life savings with it. She's left her carefully curated life in New York City to crawl home to rural Ireland with her tail between her legs. It's at this lowest moment when she runs into Luke Bailey while trying to catch the non-existent bus to her childhood home. Not recognizing him as a local, she's immediately attracted to him and flirts with him, thinking he would make the perfect rebound. Only to realize at lunch with her sister and their next-door neighbors that he is Luke, her childhood best friend and next-door neighbor. Now she has to either admit that maybe the false façade she's been putting on is just that, or risk losing her chance to making a real life for herself.

This romance book has it all - small town, second chance, miscommunication, humor, and a little bit of heat. I fell in love with all the characters, hoping for more chapters to stay with them a little longer (please give us a Jess + Beth sequel!) If you like Sophie Kinsella or Meg Cabot, you'll love The Rebound!

Abby life seems to be falling apart. Her fiancé dumps her right after she loses her lucrative job in NYC. She makes her way back home to Ireland where she will love with her sister for a bit while she figures things out. Unfortunately, her relationship with her sister has never been the best and she has no idea where to start when figuring out her next step. Enter Luke…Abby’s childhood friend that she hasn’t seen in many years. Maybe he can help her figure out where to goin life??

After reading some heavy books lately this little romance was a breath of fresh air! Abby and Luke are fun to follow throughout the book and you just want to root for them! A fun, quick read!

It was so entertaining! I enjoyed so much this story of Abby, Louise and Luke.
It is amazing how besides is a "love story" the author included the relationship (or the lack of relationship) of two sister and their persuit of getting know each other.
I really fancy the struggles that you will find in the book, such as the new begginings. How not matter your age can find your dream and go for it, just like happend to Luke.
Also, how when everything feels bad and you feel like there is not a way out, life can surprise you and give you one of the most wonderful gift: know what you really love.

It was good to share with abby all her ups and downs, how she find love not only with men but with her sister. All the character are so powerful it demand a book for each.

Firstly, thank you to Netgalley, Catherine Walsh and the publisher for a copy of this book in return for an honest review.

If you're looking for a hallmark romance, this is the book for you. Girl lives in the big city, life falls apart, moves back to her home time and reunites with an old friend who has grown into a good looking man... and it's to be published on valentine's day! Perfect!

I wasn't overwhelmed by it but it was everything I was expecting which was nice.