I really enjoyed this book!

This was a fast paced story with one of the best enemies to lovers set up I’ve read in a while. Rowan and Cooper run into each other in a hotel bar while they’re traveling for business. They get snowed in together over Christmas. After three days, they go their separate ways. Only to then bump into each other once they get back home.

I loved Cooper and Rowan as a couple. Rowan knowing more about Cooper than she lets on is something I haven’t found in many books and I loved it. She knew what she wanted and went for it. When the truth finally came out and Cooper tried to pull away, she made it known what she wanted. And when he came around to them being together, she made him work for it. You go girl! The ending was a surprise but I feel like it was the perfect ending for their story.

I listened to the audiobook via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. J.F Harding and C.J Bloom do a fantastic job telling this story.

I’ll definitely be reading the third book in the Spade Hotel series.

The Rebel is the 2nd book in the Spade Hotel series. This story took us on quite an emotional roller-coaster ride. It was steamy, swoony, angsty and at times heartbreaking and I was hooked until the end.

Rowan and Cooper had such intense chemistry from the minute they met and their steamy scenes were scorching hott. They really were perfect for each other. They had a slight bump in their relationship at the start as they were from rival families and had to figure out how to navigate their personal life, work life and their families, but once they worked it out, I loved how supportive they were towards each other.

Omg....I absolutely loved Cooper. I loved every single thing about him....from his dirty talk and swoony ways, to his fierce loyalty and work ethic he might just be one of my favorites especially with his attitude towards potential love and relationships. Rowan was intelligent and talented and had no issues standing up for herself and I loved her.

The story gave us family drama and work stress but through it all I loved how both Cooper and Rowan stood by each other. There were a few side characters and I loved being introduced to the Cole's.

This steamy, romantic tale set in a hotel business world had me fully invested and it flew by so fast. It was a fantastic addition to the series and I can't wait for more from this world. I would definitely recommend this novel to lovers of billionaire romance.

I enjoyed this story so much, I immediately requested the audio when I saw it available.
The audiobook was narrated by J.F. Harding and C.J. Bloom. These two were fantastic together. They brought the story to life and had the steamy scenes sizzling. Their voices suited the characters and it were clear and understandable. It was a pleasure listening to them narrate this novel.

3.5 Stars The Rebel by Marni Mann is a modern retelling of Romeo and Juliet, with star-crossed lovers whose families are rival hotel conglomerates. Rowan Cole and Cooper Spade meet at a hotel bar while both are on a business trip in Banff and they immediately hit it off. Snowed in due to a huge storm, they spend the next three days and nights--including Christmas--in Rowan's room. But this isn't just another hookup for either of them; they have deep conversations and truly want to get to know one another. Cooper makes it clear that he wants to see Rowan again when they return home to LA, but Rowan hesitates. She knew from the beginning who he was, but she never shared her last name with him. After their return to LA, everything comes crashing down around them as their families announce some gigantic changes and Cooper realizes who Rowan is. The lovers have become enemies and Rowan must figure out how to win back Cooper's trust.

The chemistry between these two characters was 🔥 🔥 🔥 and there were plenty of romantic moments to balance out the spice. I recommend this one if you like office romance and rival romance!

4.5/5 stars
This was such a fun and hot listen! I really enjoyed the story, spice, and narrators! You can’t really beat the forbidden tension and drama that comes when the MCs are from rival families. The Rebel is the second book in the Spade hotel series, which features siblings who all work in the luxury hospitality industry.

Rowan is scouting out some land for a new hotel in Canada. When a blizzard strikes, he meets Rowan at the hotel bar. The hotel is out of rooms, and she graciously invites him to share hers. Rowan never shares her last name or why she was also in that part of Canada. Rowan is crushed to learn who her family is after meeting her face to face in a business meeting. They both received the shocking news that fathers have decided to immediately merge both companies after a decades long feud.

Rowan and Cooper have so much going against them. No one is happy for them and they just can’t seem to stay away from each other. I loved Rowan’s character so much. She was brilliant, resourceful, and needed to find an equal partner. No one was going to tell her who to be with, and she fought for their relationship. Cooper is so loyal and he struggled so much with disappointing his family. The Spade family has an incredible dynamic. Cooper’s love language was acts of service and I ate up every second of that. This author always writes the best spice and I enjoyed that we did not have to wait long for things to heat up.

The book is told in dual narration, and I really loved CJ Bloom & JF Harding’s portrayal of Rowan and Cooper. CJ is one of my favorite female narrators. Her “male voice” is one of the best among female narrators.

I can’t wait for the next book in the series to come out!

Book two in the Spade Hotel series- which is a spinoff of The Dalton Family, which spun off from The Agency...
Works as a stand alone- maybe better than most in this 'universe'
Format- Audiobook- listening speed 1.5
Dual POV


Cooper Spade gets snowed-in in Canada for Christmas. Not only were all flights canceled (even for his private jet), but there are no rooms available at the local hotel. He goes for a drink at the bar and finds Rowan, also stranded for Christmas. But she has a room and offers to share it.
Rowan is evasive- she knows who Cooper is, but she cannot let him know who she is. They should not be hooking up- and he would never have stayed with her if he knew who she was. Once they leave Canada, she'll never have to see him again....


Cooper is a lot sweeter than most of the men in Marni Mann's books. I enjoyed that as a change in pace. He is still pretty dominant, but kinder about it. And he is the one doing the pursuing.
I am also appreciative of the fact that there is no third act breakup. There is drama earlier on, but once they get together, they overcome things together. I always prefer that to third act breakups.

J. F. Harding and C.J. Bloom do a great job narrating the audiobook.

I received an advance audio copy in exchange for an honest review.

This story hit me in so many ways and I absolutely adored it from start to finish. While it was a typical spicy good time, as Marni is known for, it was also a fantastically sweet story about falling in love and family. The Rebel is an enemies-to-lovers, only one bed, workplace, billionaire romance with a girl boss and a dirty talking alpha. I adored how Rowan and Cooper were equals in every way. They have tons of conflict on their way to their HEA, but avoid a third act breakup like the true bosses they are. What started out with insta-lust became a fabulously sweet story. They were strangers meeting in a bar but meant for so much more. Cooper is a delightful cinnamon roll hero and Rowan was the perfect combination of strength and vulnerability. I absolutely enjoyed this one from start to finish.

I was so excited to have the opportunity to listen to The Rebel in audio. CJ Bloom and JF Harding were a treat, but they are two of my favorite narrators so I wasn’t surprised that this was an absolutely fantastic audiobook. JF Harding is a narrator who isn’t afraid to be gruff and talk dirty, but also can be sweet as pie. This story was even better with CJ and JF’s performances. I can’t recommend this story in audio enough.

It’s funny that even though this story has a few tropes that I will sometimes avoid, I absolutely adored it and honestly, Marni incorporated them into the progression of their love story in a more realistic way than some other romances. It completely avoided the campiness of the only one bed trope and there was another that was very tastefully handled as well. All in all, I think The Rebel was a fantastic follow up to The Playboy and I enjoyed this one more. I’m quite interested to see which character Marni chooses next given that she has quite a number of options now. Guess we will wait and see.

Tropes:
One bed/ONS (or 3 nights) to enemies to ❤️
Family feud/rival companies
Forced proximity
Surprise 🤰🏻

The audio was 🔥🔥🔥

Cooper Spade. Sweet lord. Marni men just hit differently. What a filthy mouth but also the acts of service!?!? Yes, please!! 🥵🥵 I absolutely love the family dynamics of these books but to also add the Cole family to mix, such an entertaining read. Emotional but steamy, entertaining and spicy, Marni is so talented with the way she balances everything. Rowan was such a incredible FMC and I loved how driven and headstrong she was. Smart and fiery, she and Cooper were the perfect match. The liquor store scene may quite possibly be one of my favorite scenes of the year so far. So, so, so good. Can’t wait for book 3!!! 5/5 stars!

✨𝐀𝐋𝐂 𝐑𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰: The Rebel✨
𝐚𝐮𝐝𝐢𝐨 𝐩𝐮𝐛 𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐞: February 29, 2024
𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬: Spade Hotel #2
𝐠𝐞𝐧𝐫𝐞: contemporary romance
𝐩𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐬: 400
𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐭𝐡: 9h 50min
𝐧𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐨𝐫: CJ Bloom & JF Harding
𝐩𝐨𝐯: dual
𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐬:
- rival families
- secret identity
- forbidden romance
- forced proximity
- 3 night stand (snowed in at the hotel)
- billionaires (both)
- workplace romance
*SPOILER AHEAD*
- accidental pregnancy

If you're eyes skipped over that last trop because of the spoiler warning and you don't want to know what that spoiler is, please stop reading, because honestly - it's going to be a big part of this review.

Here's the thing. I listened to the first book in this series at the end of last year courtesy of Dreamscape Media and NetGalley. It was good, but it didn't stand out as anything spectacular. It was a hotel mogul billionaire romance like just like all the others (which is saying something, because I love me a billionaire book boyfriend). With that said, I went into this one cautiously hopeful, but expecting about the same - a good book, but nothing that's going to blow me away.

AND THEN... these two characters had a steamy hookup without contraceptive (that we're aware of) and without having "the talk," this... inevitably leads to her getting sick repeatedly... but don't worry! It's just her anxiety! Until she realizes that her bestie who's cycle she is synced with tells her she should be on day 2 of her period... but it must just be stress..

All of this to say, it was very obvious to me very quickly the hill this snowball was rolling down. Later on we find out that the FMC was in fact meticulous about taking her pill and they did in fact have the contraceptive talk after they ran out of condoms during their three day snowed in sex sprint.

I think it's safe to say I was seriously worried and beginning to feel disappointed that this was going to be another accidental pregnancy romance that the author didn't hint at in the blurb or on any trope lists (*more on my opinion of that in a minute). HOWEVER - our boy Cooper surprised me in the BEST. DAMN. WAY.

He save this girl from spiraling about her distaste for accidental pregnancy. WHY you ask? Let me tell you why. One of my BIGGEST pet peeves about an accidental pregnancy is when it becomes the main point of conflict between the characters - or the dude storms out to go get drunk and then comes crawling back later to grovel and say he just needed to wrap his head around it (I'm looking at you Christian Grey). I HATE when that happens - like stop being a man baby and recognize that she's just as surprised and scared as you are but she doesn't get to run away or drown herself in booze (no matter how much she might want to).

BUT - let. me. tell. YOU. Our Cooper, he's no man baby. No. In fact, he finds the (not yet used) pregnancy test and gets upset (in a gentle way - not a mad way) that she was carrying the weight of this possibility alone. That he couldn't support her through wrapping their heads around this because she didn't tell him. Except that he CAN support her through it afterall because he found the pregnancy test before she could use it. And get this - he was excited by the possibility. He was so damned sweet through the whole thing he was making me swoon.

This is a big deal - what I'm trying to tell you is that the way the MMC reacted in an accidental pregnancy romance SAVED the book for me. Let that sink in. I don't think that has ever happened to me before, but I'm so here for it.

Anyway, I found the first half of the book good, but kind of cliche. There didn't seem to be much unique about it, and the anxiety about worrying about the accidental pregnancy made me slightly reluctant through the middle, but I genuinely enjoyed the end afterall!

Rowan was such a well rounded character. I adored her boss babe energy and her take no shit from these business bros attitude. Cooper was a fucking sweet heart. I didn't love how he treated Rowan after finding out she knew who he was when they hooked up, but he got all of his immaturity out early and was beyond head over heels for his girl from every minute on. I adored their love.

*Here's where I'm going to share my opinions on the whole authors not disclosing the accidental pregnancy trope. I understand that this is a fairly common trope in romance books. I'm also aware that it is one of the most disliked romance tropes from the readers perspective. So although I understand it can be considered a spoiler because it often is used as the major conflict, I wish authors would include it in their trope lists. It's not going to stop me from reading the book necessarily, but it will allow me to manage my expectations so I don't have to message my book bestie with a "NOOOO I THINK IT'S ACCIDENTAL PREGNANCY😭". Then just racing through to find out if I'm right and not actually enjoying some of what's going on in the middle. If I know it's coming, my overall rating will be less affected by the fact that is a trope used.

ANYWAY, I did really like this audiobook. CJ Bloom can do no wrong as a narrator in my opinion. She has one of the better "male" voices from female narrators and is generally one of my favourite narrators. Also, JF Harding did a fantastic job. He is super easy to listen to.

Thank you to Dreamscape Media and NetGalley for the ALC copy of The Rebel.

This is Book 2 of the Spade Hotel series. Available on Kindle Unlimited. The audio is also available on Audible and Hoopla.

• billionaire
• alpha hero
• enemies to lovers
• grumpy sunshine
• one bed
• lots of spice

Cooper Spade is stuck after a blizzard derails his plan to return from a business trip. He meets Rowan at the hotel bar and they end up spending a passionate weekend together in her room. Cooper returns home with no expectation to see Rowan again. Imagine his surprise when they meet again only for him to discover she is his family’s enemy. He says he doesn’t want anything to do with her anymore but his actions say otherwise.

There were some unexpected twists and turns in this book and some emotional moments that you may warrant a tissue. In Marni fashion, things get hot and heavy. Cooper and Rowan definitely bring the heat! 🔥 I listened to the audio narrated by J. F. Harding and CJ Bloom and really enjoyed the performance!

Another great addition to The Spade Hotel series! I was hooked from the moment I started this one and didn’t want to put it down! Luckily I was able to review the audio as well so I didn’t have to! If you are looking for a billionaire, alpha hero, forced proximity, enemies to lovers romance look no further! If you like a high level of spice you will not be disappointed! I loved Rowan and Cooper! This was one that I wasn’t ready for the book to end! This is a true standalone in the series.

I thought the narrators did a great job of bringing this book to life! They were really able to draw me in and make the book come alive like a movie in my mind!!

Overall this was a great read a listen that I would definitely recommend!!

Received an arc and alc for a honest review.

The Rebel is the second book in the Spade Hotel series. Cooper Spade and Rowan Cole first meet when they are stranded in Canada during a snowstorm right before Christmas. Sparks fly instantly and instead of being sad they are missing the holidays with their families, they lose themselves in each other. Their seventy-two hours together are sizzling and magical, but everything changes when they get back home to reality and run into each other again.

I am always excited to see another Marni Mann book coming out and now that I’m hooked on this series, I was even more excited to see this newest book. It didn’t disappoint! I instantly fell in love with Cooper and Rowan and did not want to stop listening to this audiobook. I loved how this book started with the main characters stranded for the holidays, but I loved how this book progressed even more. Instead of just being a romance about a holiday fling, this book took it to the next level and brought in enemies to lovers vibes that were perfect. The spice in the book was strong, but there were also sweet moments that made me love this couple even more. If you are a steamy romance fan, give this book and the series a try!

This was a sexy read that ended up getting heavier as the story progressed. Honestly this one kinda began as straight smut, but it quickly grew into so much more and ended up enjoying it so much more than I anticipated.

Rowan and Cooper are unknowingly thrust in the middle of some age-old family rivalries but their chemistry is undeniable. Both of them are so eager to put in the work to make the other the priority, to stand up to their families and bury the feud. Their chemistry is scorching but their love is smoldering. The way each of them conquered their own demons while still supporting the other made this so much more than a sexy read, it made it relatable and engaging!

Thank you NetGalley for the advanced listeners copy of this one! CJ Bloom and JF Harding both did such a good job beginning Rowan and Cooper to life.

I loved being back in the spade world! This is a super cute (but also really spicy) enemies to lovers! Cooper is my current favorite book boyfriend! 🤭

Publisher's summary
One bed. Two stranded strangers. Three wildly passionate nights. A thousand secrets between them. After an unplanned, sizzling weekend together, what happens when Cooper Spade and Rowan Cole return home and realize they spent seventy-two unforgettable hours with the enemy…and loved every second?

Thanks to NetGelley & Dreamscape Media for the ARC!

The Rebel
Spade Hotel, Book 2
By: Marni Mann
Publisher: Dreamscape Media
Narrated by: J. F. Harding, C.J. Bloom
Release date: 02-29-24

Ohhhh snowed in romance! Loved it! Rowan and Cooper's story gave me all the feels. Perhaps my favorite thing about this was Rowan's strength. She was a strong female who knew what she wanted and she went after it. Cooper was the perfect man when he wasn't getting in his own way. This story united the Spades and the Coles and I was all in!

Rowan and Cooper had off the charts chemistry. It melted the pages. If you like a lot of spice Marni always brings the spice!

I loved the two families as they united on a new business endeavor. Watching this group all find their HEA is something I can't wait for!

I listened to the audio and loved the way the narrators brought these two to life. Great story and a great listen!

Marni is just one of those authors I’m never going to pass on, especially when it comes to audio. I recently found Marni within the last year… my first audio of hers being the bachelor and I have not missed a single audio of hers since. She chooses the best narrators to brings her characters to life and CJ Bloom and JF Harding did that with Rowan and Cooper!! God did they bring the heat. I loved this one so much, what’s not to love about billionaire, rival families, with a snowed in trope. Cooper almost took top place for me but daddy ford still holds my favorite Marni Man 🖤

Thank you dreamscape and NetGalley for this audio arc!!

4.5⭐
Genre ~ billionaire romance
Series ~ Spade Hotel #2
Others in the series ~ The Playboy
Setting ~ California & Canada
Publication date ~ February 29, 2024
Est page Count ~ 405 (p+ 36 chapters +e)
Audio length ~ 9 hours 50 minutes
Narrators ~ J.F. Harding, C.J. Bloom
POV ~ dual 1st
Featuring ~ fast burn, forced proximity, snowed in, one bed, workplace romance, enemies~ish to lovers, steamage, no 3rd act breakup

Listen there is a similarity with Marni's books, yet each character is still unique. Fast burn and full of steamage is guaranteed. They typically meet in a bar, too. You can count on a H that has gotten around town and then some, but has finally found someone to change his ways, is cocky and knows how to hit it and never wanna quit it. The h's are always strong and independent.

Here we have Cooper (29) & Rowan (29) who find themselves snowed in with all flights delayed for days, and only one bed available...whatever will they do?

Just when I think I have enough book boyfriends another is added to the list. This guy is so sweet and attentive, and protective. And when he got some unexpected news his response was absolutely perfect. Ford Dalton from The Single Dad is still my favorite, but Cooper comes in at a close second.

Rowan knows what she wants and isn't afraid to speak up, even when she gets the cold shoulder.

Overall, lovedy love loved. The epilogue just might bring a tear to your eye.

Series notes
This series follows brothers in business together, so you might as well read the 1st one 1st so that you know what's up with the family. Then you'll be ready for Brady's story coming out in June 2024.
This is also a spin-off of The Daltons series and some of those characters are involved here. I suppose it's not absolutely necessary to read those first, but they're quite enjoyable, so why not?

Narration notes:
Both narrators did great. Their opposite voices weren't bad.

Cooper Spade has my heart! The Rebel by Marni Mann was a steamy, enemies-to-loves billionaire romance that commanded my attention and stole my heart right from the start. I loved every spicy twist and emotional turn that led to Rowan and Cooper’s HEA. This is book 2 in the Spade Hotel Series but can be read as a stand-alone.

CJ Bloom and JF Harding perform this audiobook in dual narration, and these two bring the HEAT right from the start. CJ was spot on conveying Rowan’s determined, passionate, and desirable spirit. JF brought the swoon and charm showcasing Cooper’s broody and protective nature which made him simply irresistible. Both narrators created so much steamy tension and longing that burned up my earbuds!

Overall, I LOVED this book. If you are a fan of an enemies-to-lovers romance with two passionate billioinares, rival families, dream hotels in Banff, Lake Louise, snowed in steam, fun in a Range Rover, cheeseburgers, business mergers, forbidden love, a hero who cooks, family secrets, unexpected surprises, an emotional cilmax, and a HEA that will warm your heart, then you will love Rowan and Cooper’s story. I look forward to more from Marni Mann.

Marni Mann sure knows how to write an epic MMC and a strong, spitfire FMC.
Rowan Cole and Cooper Spade end up snowed in together and enjoy a few nights of explosive sex. By the end of the trip, it was evident there were feelings developing, but of course nothing can be easy!

I absolutely loved that the typical ‘conflict’ happened in the early-middle portion of the book so we had more time to enjoy the resolution and development beyond their initial concerns.

The smut was spicy and super hot. Cooper was a man who loved to eat (yes, that kind of eating) and wasn't afraid to say what he wanted.
I’d classify the spice level as 3.5/5 for the multiple open door scenes with explicit verbiage and dirty talk. Nothing super kinky or TW-worthy.

J. F. Harding & C.J. Bloom brought the heat, angst, and emotion to the audio of this sexy story.

*Billionaire Romance
*One night stand turned enemies to lovers
*Rival families

I love Cooper! He says what he means and does what he says he will. He pays attention to detail and shows he cares. Rowan is one lucky girl. Loved the story, love seeing favorite characters from prior books.

Thank you for the ALC for my honest review