Highly recommend this book! This was my first book to read by this author and I can't wait to read more! The characters and the story stay with you long after you finish the book. One of the best books I have read in a long time.

4.5 stars

It's been months since I've read an ARC, and in attempt to rid myself of the slump I decided to pick this up. It did not let me down. I rarely read books in one day anymore, but this book left me no choice. I was utterly engrossed in this story, the characters felt so real, and I now feel as if I'm a resident of the town of Clonard.

There was so much I loved about this book that I'm not even fully sure what to write about first. The characters are what truly made this an almost 5 star read for me. Abby's personal development throughout the story was so beautifully done, being able to see her overcome what she was faced with and rebuild was so refreshing. The sister dynamic between Abby and Louise was another amazing part of this story. I feel that sibling relationships are sometimes overshadowed in this genre, but the author did an amazing job of showcasing the development they went through as sisters, and wrote it fantastically. I can't forget Luke. He might just be my favorite character in this novel. I loved the way his relationship with Abby was written, the author did a great job of showing the immediate attraction, while also straying from insta-love. They fit into so many good tropes?? Childhood friends?? Neighbors?? The attraction between them was so present throughout, and their ending was so nice. It wasn't what I expected, but I think that made me love it even more.

Catherine Walsh did a great job expressing the imagery and descriptions of Clonard. I had such a clear image of it in my head while reading. The atmosphere and vibe of the town was projected so well, and I don't think anything was left underdeveloped when it came to Clonard. The environmental sub-plot was also an amazing addition, I have a lot of personal interest in the topic, and seeing it thrown in an already amazing book, made it that much better.

I wouldn't say there's any exact reason I didn't give this 5 stars. There's definitely not anything about this book that I hated. It just didn't connect with me the way my five star reads have. Nevertheless, it was still a great read that I will be thinking about for months. This was such an easy and quick, but also beautiful and powerful read.

Thank you Bookouture for providing me with this ARC (via NetGalley) in exchange for my honest review! I had a great time reading this and will definitely be requesting books from this publisher in the future. I definitely recommend checking this book out when it releases on 2/14/22! This review will be posted to my Goodreads and BookBub.

Oh boy, Catherine is really good at writing cute and mature romance. I was so worried this is gonna be a meaningless friend with benefit rebound but I am so glad I am wrong. Abby and Luke don't take their relationship lightly and they make it work.

And just like Catherine's first book, this book has the best side characters as well! The ever so cool Jess, the friendly first ex-boyfriend and ever so sweet Beth. I love to have Jess as my best friend too.

Thanks to Netgalley and Bookouture for the advance read of this title being published on 14th February 2022.
A quick easy fun read. It is well written with likeable characters with a satisfying ending. I particularly liked that the story was based in a small village in Ireland. I giggled my way through this. I will be recommending this book, its perfect for curling up with on Valentines day. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

The storyline was very predictable and familiar to alot of other romcoms I've read. It had the opportunity to have something more to it. The ending felt somewhat rushed and I wish the conflict was explored more?

This was a fast-paced romance, it was cheerful and uplifting. I liked the evolution of the relationship between Abby and Louise, and the relationship between Abby and her brother in law.

This was a quick, easy read that I would recommend.

Thank you to Netgalley, pushlisher and author for this ARC.

A swoon-worthy, rom-com set in Ireland, what more could you want? I finished this novel in 12 hours! I loved the relationships between the main characters but my favourite was between sisters Abby and Louise. HEA guaranteed!

<i>*Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review *</i>

<b>3.75 stars</b>

The Rebound is a cute rom-com, where Abby moves back home to Ireland after losing her job, her apartment and her fiancé breaks up with her. There, she meets her childhood neighbour Luke, who has gotten rather more attractive since his awkward teenage years.

Overall this was a fun, quick read, and a lot of the themes (like feeling a bit lost when you feel like everyone around you has your life together) did seem well written.

I did also like the aspect of Abby slowly fixing her relationship with Louise, but somehow the whole back-and-forth between Abby and Luke did get a little tiresome at times, and honestly their lack of communication got on my nerves sometimes.

This is definitely a delightful book, but I have mixed feelings. I really enjoyed the first part of the book, but as the story progressed I couldn't connect to the characters anymore. It started feeling like a drag.

Overall, I feel like this book didn't live up to the expectations I had when I first read the blurb.

Thank you Netgalley and Bookouture for the eARC!

A quick, easy and adorable read that was really fun to read. Good writing and good characters along with a story that was funny and heartwarming. The perfect cosy read.

I wasn't very impressed.
The Rebound by Catherine Walsh is about Abigail Reynolds after her fiancé breaks up with her before her company files for bankruptcy. She is forced to leave New York City and return to the small town of Clonard, Ireland. She reconnects with people from her past while trying to figure out a way to leave again. She works through a troubled relationship with her sister and her family. She comes to terms with her situation and becomes interested in Luke Bailey, who she grew up next to.
I enjoyed how the story was set in another country away from the usual US, Italy and Canada. I was a little bummed by how stereotypical they presented Ireland. I did also find the storyline to be quite unoriginal and basic which did bore me for most of the book. I didn't find anything that made this book stand out against all the other romance books I've read. I could also understand why some people may like this but compared to 100+ romance books I've read, it was nothing special. This book didn't make me feel apart of the story, I didn't feel anything for the characters and I didn't want to be apart of the story. I was indifferent about the couples and relationships throughout the story. I was missing the emotion from this story.
Read on Netgalley.

This book is about Abby who recently lost her job due to bankruptcy at her last job. She then moves from New York back to her childhood home in Clonard, Ireland, where her sister currently lives as her parents moved to Portugal. A stranger, Luke, offers to give her a ride home because the bus only that actually goes are on Wednesday. After she lost her job and her fiance, Abby feels like everything is just crashing in front of her eyes. Maybe her luck will turn around?

In my opinion, I do wish the drama had happened a little sooner, because it made the ending go by fast. But! This book was a fast and a good read, and I would recommend this book if you enjoy romance novels!

Thank you Netgalley for this ARC for an exchange for an honest review.

I just liked it so much, what a fun read.

Firstly, thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for providing this ARC in exchange for a honest review.

When receiving this book I was so excited, Catherine’s first book ‘One Night Only’ was one of my most surprising reads of 2021 and is a book I constantly recommend to fellow readers. Unfortunately ‘The Rebound’ didn’t have the same impact as her first book.

Going by the synopsis I thought this book had so much promise however some parts of the storyline seemed clumsy and rushed, and I couldn’t seem to gain a connection to the characters. Their relationship seemed bland from the get-go and I felt like there was no chemistry between Abby and Luke.

The one saving grace of this book was that Catherine’s writing style makes reading her text very quick read however the plot and chemistry didn’t match up.

I may pick up another book of Catherines as I did really enjoy her first book, however ‘The Rebound’ wasn’t for me.

This was such a cute wholesome romance story and I absolutely blazed through it in one sitting. Perfect if you're looking for a sweet easy romance with great well rounded characters.

It also has a fantastic setting and the characters were just so sweet and relatable. A great story about family, friends old and new, finding yourself and love. Perfect read!

I received an E-ARC copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

this book wasn't perfect but i loved it! i loved reading about abby and luke, i loved reading about abby and her sister luoise's relationship, how it was rocky at first but then they started working on it, i loved tomasz and how he kind of stole the show in the few scenes he was in, i loved the scenes with abbey's friends (especially the beach one, sinead and rory were hilarious), i loved reading about abby reconnecting with her irish roots. in short, i loved a lot of things about this book, but it still had its flaws, like the pacing and the little miscommunication thrown in there was not my favourite. still, i had a really good time reading the rebound so the flaws didn't bother me as much i thought they would.
i recommend this book if you're a fan of childhood friends to lovers, if you love reading about siblings working through their issues and reconnecting.

3.5 stars!

I don’t think I’ve ever read a book by this author and I was pleasantly surprised. Abby was a strong, independent woman with a vulnerable side and I loved Luke’s character as well. They made my heart warm! The book got a little slow for me in the middle but wrapped up strong so hang in there, it’s worth it. Would definitely recommend. Very sweet and fun!

Based in Ireland? Yes please.
Sisters? Absolutely.
Tall, dark and handsome? Say less.
“The Rebound” is everything you could want out of a strong female character. Abby is a strong independent woman who’s life has taken a very unexpected wrong turn and what I love so much about her character is her unapologetic confidence in who she is. I love the mending of the relationship between Abby and her sister Louise. Their relationship had me calling my little sister just to chat.
I love the relationship building between Luke and Abby, it felt natural and while there were a couple times I wanted to bang their heads together, it was such a heartwarming tale.

I was really looking forward to reading this considering how much I enjoyed ‘One Night Only’, and I’m fairly gutted that I didn’t feel much for this book.

The idea behind the story holds so much promise - it’s interesting and fun and so easy to read. I liked Luke and Beth, and there were cute moments between Abby and Luke. The writing is good, despite what it may sound like in this review.

I didn’t feel any connection to Abby and I felt like there was zero chemistry between the two mc’s. The whole thing fell kind of flat and lacklustre and I’m fairly disappointed that I wasn’t even bothered if they got together or not in the end.

It’s frustrating because this had the potential to be SO good. Someone said that this was more of a book about Abby’s story rather than a romance and I totally agree. Especially when the romance isn’t overly inspiring.

Overall, a light, easy read but it did miss the mark for me.

(Actual rating 2.5 stars)

This ARC was provided to me via Kindle by Bookouture and #NetGalley for my honest opinion. Opinions expressed are completely my own.

Likable characters and a fun read.

Loved it! The perfect feel-good romantic comedy that will make you laugh until you cry and fall completely in love. This is an endearing romance novel with just the right balance of humour, charm and entertaining characters, without the sickly sweet-ness usually found in this genre.