The Rebound demonstrates that sometimes going backwards is what you need to do to move forward. Abby is lost after first losing her fiancé then subsequently losing her job, apartment, and life savings and decides that going home is her only option. Home brings her a renewed relationship with her sister and reignites her relationship with her childhood best friend, Luke.

I found this book so enjoyable simply because Abby was realistic in her plight. She rebuilt her own life to not repeat her past mistakes and learned how to advocate for herself and even her loved ones. I would recommend this book to anyone that is lost and looking for guidance on how to begin again.

I like the unrequited crush and small town trope that we got in this book, not recognizing a childhood friend is a good place to start, specially if they are attracted to each other. They were flirty, trying to figure out their lives and were willing to talk to each other. I love books with epilogues, for me the longer the better. This is my kind of romance book, but I still feel I needed more time with Abby and Luke.

This is the author's second book and I'm looking forward to reading her debut novel and what she writes next.

Really cute romcom! There was plenty to love here, although I also had some problems with the book.

I liked: the writing was great, it flowed well and there was a lot of witty banter I enjoyed. Definitely some laugh out loud moments here. I also really loved the setting, I don't read many romcoms set in Ireland so it felt fresh and the town felt really alive. This book has some quirky side characters like Beth that I really enjoyed as well. My favorite part was probably the sisterly bond: I loved how the two sisters made amends and grew closer together during the book in a really natural way.

I disliked: A lot of conflict was rooted in miscommunication, which was frustrating to read about. I also think the author could have done a little more to flesh out the male main character: I had trouble connecting to him and I would have loved to know a little more about the character's childhoods and he experienced it from his point of view.

"You have to live your life for you, not for anyone else"

Abby Reynolds’ life was absolutely sorted – until it wasn’t. Now she’s back home with no job, no fiancé and no real prospects. She’s a bit miserable, but when she meets the handsome Luke, sparks fly. But is Luke a for-real romance or simply a very hot rebound?
Catherine Walsh is back with another romantic comedy, this time set in Ireland – and it is so much fun to read. It offers the same things that make a good romantic comedy sparkle – unconventional (but still tropey) romance, a cast of deeply charming characters and a clever sense of humour that’s got one foot in the arch.
As with One Night Only, the real joy here is getting to know Walsh’s characters. I loved Abby, a protagonist with her life in pieces, refusing to give up or fall apart – she’s a Business Bitch with a huge heart, and though I have nothing in common with her (running? To feel better? Ain’t me) she felt like a friend by the end of the novel. And it’s impossible not to fall head over heels for Luke, a love interest who strikes the right balance between wholesome and sexy while still seeming realistic.
The secondary relationship in this novel also deserves a shout out – that of Abby and her sister, Louise. I’ve read a lot of romantic comedies that seem to focus exclusively on the main couple but this relationship in all its complexity is given plenty of breathing room here. The relationship is a complex one – as many sisterly relationships are – filled with jealousy and insecurity but deep love, as well. As someone with a younger sister (and yes, I am the Louise of the situation – older, less successful and bossy as hell) I found the relationship to be sensitively and wonderfully drawn. Shockingly, I responded to Louise really well, and I’d read a novel about her and her excellent husband, as well as her crusade to save the whales, in an instant.
Sometimes you just need to read a good love story - two people falling in love in the most unlikely circumstances, where nothing goes too horribly wrong, and things work out for the best. The Rebound ticks all these boxes, with enough heft to make you think and plenty of chemistry between the two romantic leads. I absolutely loved it.

A fun, lighthearted read! I absolutely adored Abby’s character, and the chemistry between her and Luke was palpable. I also like that this story covered more than just romance - a complex family relationship, adult friendships, and navigating a tricky career path. Can’t wait to read the next one!

This book was very fun! I liked Abby a lot, and it was really easy to root for. When I read the premise, I didn't know what to expect because the concept could have made Abby really unlikable but I was relieved to see she handled everything pretty well :D I thought her and Luke had a good amount of easy chemistry and it made me believe they could be a couple. My only complaint it that maybe everything could have been developed a bit more. I wouldn't mind if the book was longer in order for the relationships to have more depth. Despite this, I still really enjoyed the book and would recommend it to my friends.

I loved the setting in this story! The details really transport you to the scene of a small town in Ireland. I liked how the story starts with Abby's character falling from the top of her career and needing to find herself again. Luke was the perfect match for her and I felt the romance unfolded at a nice pace. I didn't completely love the ending though, I was so hoping they'd decide to stay in Ireland!

A charming story about family, friendships and how returning to your childhood hometown isn't always a bad thing. I enjoyed reading about Abby as she figured out her future after being dumped and let go at her New York City job. She shows up at her sister's house (which is also their childhood home) for a vacation that ends up being much longer than anyone planned. Her connection with Luke is fun and flirty from the start, especially once she realizes how she knew him from her past. A perfect book for curling up with a cup of tea or sitting on the beach.

This felt a bit light on the romance to me, but I liked it a lot more than I usually would with similar books to this. It was fun reading about Abby and Luke along with her friendships. Fun setting in Ireland as well.

Well now….. what a fantastic read, I thoroughly enjoyed it, I read the last half in one sitting, a totally heart felt, feel good read.

I will recommend this book to all of my friends

5 stars from me 😊

I'm saddened to say this was a bit of a letdown.
I was so charmed by the blurb, Abby returning to Ireland after her posh New Yorker life comes crumbling down and reconnecting with her childhood friend Luke Bailey had me creating lots o expectations.

Unfortunately, although there are bits that are funny and interesting the overall abuse of miscommunication in Abby and Luke's relationship is just infuriating. Their conflict drags on and on based on inexistent drama.

The side characters had potential and the Irish scenery was delightful, but the plot just didn't have enough meat in it.

Thank you Netgalley for an e-arc of this book in return for an honest review!

A small-town Ireland setting, a mysterious stranger, a girl who is down and out and feels like her life is over. This book was the perfect, light romance read to settle down with on a dark evening. It's got a sweetness to it that was unexpected, and the romance itself is very lovely and wholesome (eventually).

It felt a little slow to start with, but a few chapters in and you end up hooked! Not only are the interactions between MC Abby and love-interest Luke funny, charming and cute, the dynamics between Abby and her sister are a nice added bonus to the story as well.

It will be great for people to read on Valentine's Day, which is the publish date!

I've given it three stars as while I enjoyed the book, it probably isn't one I would read again.

Where do you go when your fiancé breaks off your engagement and then the company you are working files for bankruptcy? You go back to your childhood home. Leaving New York to return to Ireland.
Parents living in Portugal means that you arrive on your sister and her husband doorstep. A fractious and combative sibling relationship is unravelled by your brother in law whilst still trying to find a new job.
Love, friendship, family, loyalty abound with all the complex characters. I felt invested in all the characters and would love a follow-up book.

Ireland. Crisis. Second Chance Love.

Yes please!

Abby finds herself back in her in rural Ireland after the company she works for falls to pieces. Her first day back and she gets offered a ride to her small hometown by a tall, dark, and handsome guy named Luke. What a way to get over your ex-fiance Tyler.

The next day however she finds that Luke is none other than her childhood neighbor who was a dear friend.

I really enjoyed that this book was not just a fluffy romance. Abby is able to truly connect to the place that she fled. As someone who is about to go back to my own home state after being away for fourteen year I could greatly relate. Abby reconnecting with her family and fellow townspeople was very endearing.

Luke is of course swoon worthy and an epic addition to this story. I really quite liked this story. I felt like I was traveling back to Ireland with Abby and finding new meanings to a new normal.

Thank you Bookoture and Netgalley for the advanced readers copy for my honest feedback.

This Book is for every bookworm who loves Ireland , coffee addicts, fan of small town and second chance for first love. The Rebound is the second book in a series set in Ireland.
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A contemporary Romance that reflects how difficult it is to make your own path at your own pace and without feeling that you are in lack of something.
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Abby had a great life in Manhattan, working in a major banking firm and with a bright future but everything fell apart since her boyfriend decided to break off the engagement and a few weeks later her company went bankrupt
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With nowhere to go, she decides to call her sister with whom she has a difficult relationship and return to her hometown in Ireland. With no money, and no one to ask for help, she finds an attractive stranger who offers a ride
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Luke can't believe that Abby, his first crush and neighbor is back, that she doesn't recognize him and flirt with him. The attraction between the two is very strong and neither can avoid running into the other even though they believe the timing is wrong and many misunderstandings arise between them
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I really liked the story of Luke and Abby, I like how Catherine Walsh writes, although a long time passes between each meeting and it is from a single pov. The transition of the characters, the pace and the beautiful landscapes of Ireland make this book something very beautiful that I really enjoyed reading
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Thanks to Catherine Walsh and Booktoure for give me this great book in exchange for my honest opinion

3.75 stars
This second book by Catherine Walsh is a childhood friends, meet after years, instant connection kinda thing.

The Plot

So, our protagonist is Abby, who moved out of her small Irish town to work in New York. She was climbing the career ladder, had a perfectly nice fiancé and life was good. Until the big business she was working at went down. Big. For bad reasons. Then, she got dumped by the fiancé, had no money and was forced to move into her sister’s house in the tiny town she worked so hard to get out of. But when she gets there, she has totally forgotten about the very unreliable public transport she was relying on. Luckily, there’s a nice (hot) man who offers her a ride. Hehe. The perfect rebound right? Not when she realises who he is, a childhood friend she’s pretty sure she shared a bath with at some point. And, to make it worse, he knew who she was the whole time. Oh, it’s just too funny. Add to that the fact that he (and everyone else) thinks she’s still engaged and on the way to the Promised Land of the Rich. Yeah, she may have forgotten to mention some details.

To be honest, this wasn’t as much a romance as a women’s fic with a side romance. It was more about Abby finding herself, figuring out what she wanted from life and navigating some turbulent relationships in her life. The romance wasn’t a main focus of that, it was only half of an amazing story. Secondly, I don’t know if it was just me but the blurb gave the impression that she used him as a rebound and then realised who he was, but apparently not. They only actually get together afterwards.

Oh well, misconceptions aside, it was a pretty good plot.

The Romance.

Ughhh Luke has just been added to my fictional boyfriends list. Hot, adorable, and IRISH, seriously what more could you want? I love how he was always trying to protect her and it was such a slowburn romance, I was screaming at them to get on with it already. But slow burns are the best for a reason obviously, because they lead to more believable feelings. Like, you’re not really going to believe that a character who’s just had a one night stand is suddenly in LOvE with the one night stand. Anyways, off topic, but the romance was amazing. I do have my one constant complaint though, which is the conflict/turbulence. Needed to be a little bit more developed and could have been a bit more of a plot twist or something instead of just carrying on from the tension in the rest of the book.

Ok, so overall rating: ⭐⭐⭐.75- Yup I went into .05’s! A fun, cute read with underlying imporaant and deeper messages. Not as funny as her debut but still laugh out loud. Would definitely recommend to rom com lovers with slow burn, angst, and smut.

Spice rating: 🌶🌶🌶- a few intense make out scenes, one in detail but not super graphic sex scene.

See my full review and more random rambles on my blog: https://mochasandmadness.wordpress.com/2021/12/25/the-rebound-arc-review/

6 stars!

What a lovely romantic novel and it should definitely be published in paper.

I have enjoyed it so much that I went and looked for other Catherine Walsh's books. Unfortunately she only wrote two so far but I was more than happy to purchase her first book because I found both of them quite excellent romantic novels with all the right tension and chemistry and the beautiful background of Ireland. Now Walsh is my new favorite author and I cannot wait for her to publish more.

Thanks NetGalley for introducing me to this author and for a free copy in exchange of the honest review

I really love this book, and I really just love Cat Walsh's writing. I am on Erasmus this year from Ireland in America, so this book really presented itself with a lot of nostalgia this year. The being away from Ireland in America element really hit close to home. I love that this book of being a love for Ireland while also not romanticizing it is incredible.

One of my favourite things about the Rebound, and Cat Walsh's writing in general, is the HUMOUR!!! The perfect amount of sarcasm, and wit, and darkness. Genuinely laughing out loud while reading.

Also, the balance of developing the romantic plot, personal character arcs, and familial relationships is perfect. This is often an issue for me with a lot of romance books is finding this balance, and The Rebound really nails it.

Honestly, I just love this book. New instant fav — and the perfect read!

4 ⭐️ // The Rebound is a quick read, and I would classify it as a rom-com mixed with chick-lit story. At first, I was attracted to the book cover, and once I read the description, I was very intrigued!

Newly jobless, single, and homeless Abby travels back to her childhood home in Ireland to visit her sister and brother-in-law, and with a transportation mix-up, she catches a ride with a handsome stranger. After a flirty car ride, she is surprised she has forgotten about her struggles, but soon afterwards, she realizes that’s not the only thing she’s forgotten. Turns out the mysterious stranger was her childhood friend!

I adored the first half of the book, and I could not stop reading! I was convinced I could read the book in one sitting. However, there were a few chapters right in the middle that annoyed me, so I read the story over a few days instead. The miscommunication parts were necessary for the storyline, but sometimes, I just wanted to shake main character and say, “Just communicate, please!!!” Or “Choose better friends!” The story picked back up in a few chapters though, and I could not wait to see how it ended!

Read this book if …
👯‍♀️ You didn’t always get along with your sibling
☕️ Coffee is an everyday necessity
✈️ You wish you grew up in a small town in Ireland
💗 You enjoy the “friends to lovers” trope
🌊 Skinny dipping in the ocean sounds like a good time

TW: infertility, broken engagement

Thank you NetGalley and Bookouture, for providing me an ARC copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Thank you to Bookouture and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

The Rebound by Catherine Walsh is a heart-warming rom-com that will appeal to fans of traveling and Ireland. The story revolves around Abby Reynolds, who has just returned to her hometown in rural Ireland after years working for a fancy business in Manhattan. While there, she meets a handsome stranger who gives her a lift to her destination. She realizes that Luke can be her "rebound.". Unknown to her, Luke isn't just a handsome stranger...

Here is a humorous excerpt from the beginning of Chapter 1:

"I listen to it ring as I watch the remaining stragglers board the bus to Galway. I landed in Dublin this afternoon, naively thinking once I did it would be relatively easy to get to where I needed to be. But what should have been two to three hours on the road has turned into half a day trying to navigate the Irish public transport system. Or rather the lack of it. And now after managing to make it all the way across the country, I have a feeling that if I’m not careful, I’m going to have to walk the rest of the night.
I get to my feet, brushing away crumbs as I look around. In the tourist brochures, the west of Ireland is usually portrayed as a lush, windswept vista. Full of rugged cliffs and green fields. They do not show places like this. And for good reason. When I arrived, the small crossroads town had been full of people making their way home for the weekend. Now it’s quiet, the surrounding businesses closed, leaving the streets eerily empty, and I’m left staring enviously as the final bus pulls away, leaving just me and a girl in a bright orange vest talking to another customer."

Overall, The Rebound is a fun rom-com that will appeal to anyone looking for a quick, feel-good read. One highlight of this book is the exotic location. As someone who has never been to Ireland, it was interesting to read about this country and the local setting. I did take off 1 star, because I found that the two main characters are slightly boring, and there wasn't much action in this plot. I'm sure that many rom-com fans will love this one though. If you're intrigued by the excerpt above, or if you're a fan of rom-coms in general, I recommend that you check out this book when it comes out in February!