The past few weeks, I’ve followed Catherine Walsh’s book two updates on Instagram and settled in for what I was sure would turn out to be a long promotional period before the book’s actual release.

And then she dropped the fact that ARCs of The Rebound is on NetGalley and I dropped my phone in a mad digital dash to request one.

What I love most about The Rebound—and about all of Walsh's writing, actually—is its depictions of Ireland. Walsh tells Abby's story through an indulgently annoyed lens on Ireland, rejecting the typical tourist perceptions of the county and introducing some more interesting ones. There's a fierce love of Ireland in Walsh's writing, one that endears even if the reader hasn't the faintest clue how to discern between the west and east coasts of the country. (Of course I've seen maps, leave me alone.)

The Rebound has a hilarious secondary cast, from Abby's high-strung older sister to Abby's ex-boyfriend's current wife, who is an absolute delight in her scenes. And, of course, Tomasz is fantastic character and deserves his own novel. A more-developed secondary cast of characters is exactly what I wanted from One Night Only​ (review here) and I'm thrilled that it was a main aspect of this novel.

Walsh also writes deftly when it comes to her characters' young age. Life passes quickly around Abby and Luke, and being stuck in their hometown doesn't help. There's a sense of millennial ennui in Walsh's writing that always manages to ground the novel and insist on the novel's deeper relevancy.

As always with Walsh's protagonists, Abby is a wonderfully three-dimensional character who is a lovable, much-too-good person. (I highlighted a quote at one point and annotated, "Ugh omg she's such a good personnnnnnn.") However, I wish her romance with Luke had been more developed—I felt that the pacing of the novel veered off track a little towards the end of the story. The constant back-and-forth between the two of them is just a bit over-played in the final act.

That being said, The Rebound is a perfect novel with which you can curl up during Valentine's Day, no matter if you're coupled or in a committed relationship with your own box of Ghiradelli. I am always eager to read Walsh's writing—just as any contemporary romance fan should be.

Thank you to Bookouture and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you Netgalley for the ARC :)
I requested this book mostly because it mentioned it'd be good for fans of Emily Henry, completely forgetting that I actually have read Catherine Walsh before (One Night Only, which I didn't particularly love nor hate). My feelings for The Rebound happen to be similar to those I had with One Night Only.

Walsh's writing is particularly easy to get through. It had a couple of heartwarming moments - mostly Abby's relationship with her sister and friends. I even happened to like those more than the moments with Luke, the love interest.

My main complaint is that I felt disconnected to the characters throughout the entire book, even when the plot was very well-developed (there's a lot going on yet it's not confusing,), it all felt very passive, unassertive. There was not enough tension, attraction between the leads. Like you're browsing channels and happen to catch an episode of a series you don't watch, and let it play leisurely; you know what's going on but you don't feel gripped, attached. It's entertaining but nothing that takes your breath away, nothing that leaves you anxious and at the edge of your seat.

Nonetheless, I think Catherine Walsh's books so far are good if you want a romantic story that doesn't drag itself too much. Something that isn't too complicated, and warms your heart. A lukewarm story.

What strikes me the most in The Rebound is how relatable the characters feel. The story is centered around Abby, who lost everything in New York - job, fiancé, apartment - and decides to move back home. She meets Luke, and immediately feels a spark of attraction to him. Luke was this sweet character - your down-to-earth, regular good guy.
I loved the relationship between Abby and her sister Louise, how it was rocky at first and got better with time, communication and a little bit of much-needed intervention from Tomasz (Louise's husband). Btw, I love that guy. There's this line from him that had me laughing, because it's funny, and annoyed because if someone told me that, I would be rolling my eyes <spoiler>“How’s your moping? [...] Going well? It looks like you’re really getting the hang of it.”</spoiler>
Jess and Beth (the bffs) were absolute sweethearts. The other secondary characters were great as well.
Abby's parents - the video calls, the mom wanting to leave everything at a moment's notice to be where her daughters are, the stoic dad trying not to show emotions. See, relatable!
The story was wholesome. I think I loved it as much as Catherine's first book, which was very, very much.
I think I said it for Catherine Walsh's first book, and it goes the same for this one as well - this book played like a movie in my head. It was easy to picture.
Overall, another hit from Walsh.
Question: at what point can we qualify an author as an auto-buy author? Because with these two hits under her writer belt, I have to say Catherine's now an auto-buy for me.
Thank you to Bookouture and Netgalley for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

The Rebound by Catherine Walsh is a great, contemporary romance that made me laugh, smile, and entertained me from beginning to end.

This is a fun, relaxing, and all around enjoyable romance. The author does a great job balancing humor, wit, and light moments with slightly more serious elements of searching for purpose and what one wants out of life.

I really liked Abby Reynolds Luke Bailey. I like the chemistry, the dynamics, the tongue-in-cheek moments and also how, without even knowing, they help one another along in answering their own respective inner questions.

I enjoyed the plot, the layers that allowed the characters to evolve and own up to, and I enjoyed the positive and satisfying ending.

Too cute.

5/5 stars

Thank you NG and Bookouture for this wonderful arc and in return I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review and opinion.

I am posting this review to my GR and Bookbub accounts immediately and will post it to my Amazon, Instagram, and B&N accounts upon publication on 2/14/22.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for giving me an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I read this book in one sitting on a rainy afternoon and it was absolutely delightful! The story was easy to follow, the MC’s personalities were sweet and the plot moved at a steady pace. I was seeking an oh so sweet romance read and this definitely lived up to the mark with so many adorable moments. There were moments where I stopped and wondered how a particular moment would look, translated on screen.

The only thing that threw me off a little was the blurb indicating that Abby may have some struggle admitting her feelings for Luke and feel torn with her love for her fiancé. However Abby is head over heels for Luke and no such obvious tension seems to brew.

Would definitely recommend this book for romance lovers, especially on a cold rainy afternoon with a cup of hot cocoa.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for the ARC!

4 stars! This book was everything I wanted it to be. It was super cute, swoon-worthy, and overall a great read.

After losing her fiance, home, and job, Abby Reynolds heads back to her hometown in Ireland where she bumps into her childhood friend, Luke. From there the book takes us on a journey of Abby mending ties with her estranged sister, making new friends, and her relationship with Luke.

The characters were likeable, the plot was easy to follow, and it was easy to root for Abby and Luke to end up together. Luke was really the sweetest and such a loveable hero. I really liked Jess as a side character and her personality really shined through even though we didn't see too much of her. There are quite a few of those "smiling a lot your face starts to hurt" moments in the book so be warned you may look like a squirrel while reading, but it's worth it.

However, I would say that this book isn't so much a "started as a rebound then turned into something more" as the title suggests. Before anything happens between her and Luke she already appears over her ex-fiance and isn't too hung up over him.

If you're looking for a lighthearted rom-com that you can binge, this is the book for you!

ARC provided by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Release Date: February 14, 2022

Additional Information:
Spice? Little to non (brief and vague descriptions)
Cheating? No
OW/OM? No
HEA? Yes