The second book in the series has Dan coming back to the town he grew up in to recover from an injury and to take part in a charity Hockey game. At first, he does not want to go but is ordered so he decides to make the best of it. Leaving ten years ago on a Hockey scholarship and now becoming a star in the NHL he wonders what happened to his ex-girlfriend. Well, he runs into her finally since she has made it a point to not be around when he has come into town before. Kiera though has her hands full being in charge of the farmers market and then helping her sister with her children since she is not feeling well. I felt that I should have liked this book more but it just felt off for me for some reason. I am sure others will love it.

The Rebound Play is the second installment in the Love on Thin Ice series, that takes place in the quaint town of Maple Falls, where a charity hockey competition sets the stage. The story follows Keira (Kiki) and Dan Roberts, high school sweethearts who never moved on from each other despite their breakup when Dan left for a college hockey scholarship and a career in the NHL. Now, as Keira manages the local farmers market and cares for her family, Dan returns home, sidelined with a wrist injury but eager to play in the charity game. Their reunion, far from a typical "meet cute," reignites their old flame, with Dan questioning whether there's more to life than hockey and Keira worrying about the future once the charity event ends. The characters are delightful, especially Keira’s endearing young nephew, and while the story is sweet and enjoyable, it might have benefitted from a bit more conflict to raise the stakes. The novella-length book provides a lovely, easy read with added charm from interconnecting characters from previous and future installments.

I wish I had discovered this author sooner and thoroughly enjoyed diving into this engaging story, which had me laughing out loud in public. Keira and Dan’s reconnection, with Dan’s persistent efforts to win her back, including coaching her nephew for free and picking his hockey number based on her birthday, makes this a heartwarming and entertaining read.

The Rebound Play is the second book in the universe of Maple Falls. Can be read as a standalone but the series is so cute. I have enjoyed it so far. And ever since reading the first, I wondered more about the story of Dan and Keira.

They were high school sweethearts, and broke up because each had to go their own way. He became a famous NHL hockey player and she went to college but eventually came back to her small town to help her sister with a health condition. After spending years apart, they meet again on their hometown since he’s back to play there for charity.

I’m not usually one to love second chance romance but I really liked this book. It’s easy to read, it has lovable characters and makes you root for the story, since you can feel their battle with insecurities, their adversities since life kept them apart and finding their way back to each other and reconnecting.

Thank you NetGalley, the publisher and author for providing me this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

The Rebound Play is the second book in the Love on Thin Ice series, which is a series of small town romcoms with each volume being written by a different romance author. This one is by Kate O’Keeffe. The series take place in the small town of Maple Falls, centering around a hockey competition being put on for charity.

This volume stars Keira (Kiki) and Dan ‘the man’ Roberts. Back in high school the two were an item, each was the other’s first love. And the truth is neither of them have ever gotten over the other. But they broke up at the end of high school, going their separate ways when Dan couldn’t resist a college scholarship to play hockey at Yale and then made it into the NHL. Now Keira not only manages the town’s farmers market but also helps look after her sister, who is dealing with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, and her and her niece and nephew. As for Dan, he’s currently benched while he undergoes PT for a wrist injury, but gets cleared to go come home to play in the charity competition. Of course they are going to run into each other (and I’d say it was quite the meet cute, though I’m not sure you can call it a meet cute considering they already know each other so well.) As their relationship rekindles, Dan begins to wonder if there is more to life than just hockey, while Keira worries what will happen when the competition is over and Dan returns to the NHL. Loved the characters, Keira’s young nephew was especially endearing, and the story for the most part hits all the right notes. If I have to complain about anything it would be that there could have been a bit more … conflict? tension? turmoil? Not sure exactly how to phrase it. It was a very sweet second chance love story, it’s just there really weren’t all that many hurdles for them to get over. Not that that is necessarily a bad thing, who says love has to be hard? I definitely enjoyed it, and of course we not only have some minor interaction with a few of the characters from the previous book, but we also have interaction with the one of there stars of there next book. I really enjoy the interconnectivity of the books. This is on the short side, more novella than novel, but that just meant I was able to complete it all in a single sitting, and very much enjoyed doing so. I’d like to thank Wild Lime Books and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review an eARC of The Rebound Play.

https://www.amazon.com/review/R1H038STON3F95/ref=pe_1098610_137716200_SRTC0204BT_cm_rv_eml_rv0_rv

Super cute second chance romance between high school sweethearts. I love that this is part of a series and characters from other books are mentioned in this one (but no spoilers). I also enjoyed that there was some actual hockey in the book, not just the players. The story itself was too short to really get to know the characters and connect with them. I wish this had been longer. (Also, I think it’s weird to still call a grown woman Kiki but that might be just me). Otherwise, this was a nice diversion on a rainy day.

this was a quick, binge-able hockey romance. it was a little lacking in substance and plot, but it was a short and entertaining read. i think ive read this author before and had the same reaction.

Not going to lie, seeing this whole series was about a small town, had hockey, and mostly fell around fall - had me hooked.

But this one, was just eh. I really enjoy Kate O'Keeffe, but this one the characters just weren't really there. It was still a good, quick, feel good small town romance read, just wish there was a bit more from the characters.

Thank you NetGalley and Wild Lime Books for my DRC!

I had a really tough time getting through The Rebound Play - the characters and story lacked depth and development and the writing felt a little unpolished. It wasn't that any particular part of this book was bad, but that lack of depth sucked out all the swooniness, all of the motivation to keep moving forward as a reader and killed the little chemistry that did exist.

This book is part of an interconnected series that is best read in order but not required. Each book focuses on a different couple but several of the characters are in multiple books. The romances all occur closely together time wise.
They dated in high school but felt long distance wouldn't work. Now he's back for the charity games and wants his second chance. She's scared of getting hurt. What will it take for him to prove his devotion? Will it be enough?
I wish I knew of this author sooner. So glad I got this book along with the others in the multi author series.
I received a of this book from the author. Review voluntarily given.

The Rebound Play by Katie O’Keeffe, I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
For me this was a 3.5 star read ⭐️⭐️⭐️

This book was a cutsie second chance romance, a nice easy read. The main characters Dan and Keira were made for each other. They both never forgot their high school connection and I love that they rekindled and how easy it seemed to be. I wish the book was longer though I would have loved to see the development of their relationship during that year Dan was back in Chicago and even some more of their history. The side characters all have great potential for their own stories and I’m looking forward to reading more from this author. Overall this was a nice wholesome small town love story. ❤️📚

I would like to thank Netgalley and Xpresso Book Tours for a free copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

This was enjoyable and I’m looking forward to the rest of the series.
However, there seems to be a theme in this genre of books of disabled people being background characters and never getting their own hea.

The second book in the series is so good. The second chance with happening within a reasonable timeline.

Keira is so relatable. She just wants to run her farmers market and take care of her sister's children. The only thing she doesn't want to do is run into her ex while he is back in their hometown. Honestly, same. I get it.

Dan is such a gentleman. He would do anything to make Keira see him again as a love interest. He is so cute with small children!!

The charm of a swoony hockey romance, and the quirky sweetness of a town remniscent of Stars Hollow.

This is what you get in The Rebound Play. Dan is the star NHL hockey player, poised to take the Captain's position next year. Kiera runs the smalltown market, takes care of her ill sister and her kids, and loves all things Maple Falls. Oh, and by the way, she is the one that got away. Dan and Kiera were high school sweethearts, but life and opportunity tore them apart.

This second chance romance has a little bit of everything. Goofy moments, tender moments of vulnerabillity, loss, jealousy, hope and heartache. If you are a lover of Hallmark Movies on paper, you can't go wrong with The Rebound Play.

Personally, I felt like there were a few clunky plot moments. The ending, while adorable and is a dream for any hopeless romantic, was not necessarily realistic. If you are looking for something relateable, with major character growth realistic challenges this may not be for you. If you are wanting something to make you happy with a swoony HEA this will absolutely do that!

This book had me cackling in public while reading. Keira let her hockey player high school boyfriend go when he got offered scholarships to play across the country but she didn't realize that she wasn't going to care about anyone but him- even years later. When he comes back to town to play in a series of charity games, sparks fly again as she keeps running into him and he refuses to let her avoid him. It's hard to avoid a guy who coaches your nephew for free AND buys his necessary equipment, cheers on the rest of your family, supports your causes, and chose his hockey number based on your birthday....

#arc
#netgalley
#thereboundplay

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

Keira and Dan were high school sweethearts. They both thought they would find someone else but have never forgotten each other. Dan comes back into town for a charity hockey game and the sparks still fly between them.

Fans of small town romance, second chances, hockey romances, and kissing only will enjoy this one!

If you like hockey, small towns, clean, wholesome, second chance romance, you’ll like the story. Keira and Dan were high school sweethearts, when Dan received a scholarship to Yale, clear across the country, and Keira was going to the University of Washington, they broke up. 10 years later, Dan comes back to Maple Falls for a charity hockey fundraiser. When he’s had time to come home to visit family he keeps his eyes out for Keira, but never seems to find her. But this time he’s here for a while and he’s determined he’s going to find her, because she is his one true love.
This is a really sweet romance. There’s really no drama just two people reuniting and figuring out if they have a future together. There are many cute tender moments, embarrassing moments and fun moments. It is a cozy afternoon read. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Thanks to Netgalley, I received this as an ARC. This rom-com was as sweet as the maple syrup that flows in the ficitional small town setting. What makes a second chance romance for high school sweethearts who never truly moved on even better? An mmc, who is a complete cinnamon roll and an fmc, who is a perfect bookish girl. While this story did have some inaccuracies regarding how the NHL works, sometimes you just have to throw those details out the window and just enjoy some romance while drinking a psl and dreaming of hockey. This is a perfect read if you're looking for something quick (this is less than 200 pages), are new to the fan favorite hockey romance subgenre, or if you're looking for something to read that you won't be afraid to have your kiddos read over your shoulder (no spice, all sweetness). So, grab a sweater (when it finally cools down), your fall beverage of choice, and this read, and get ready to smile at all of the maple syrupy sweetness.

Kate O’Keeffe will never disappoint me with her cute and adorable closed door romances. But this time she’s made me even happier by adding hockey into the mix!

Keira
What do you do when your NHL superstar ex skates back into your small town? Drop to the ground and hide behind the bleachers, hoping he doesn’t see you. But Lady Luck must be in a bad mood today because Dan spots me, my hood over my eyes, pretending I’m not there.
Dan
I want Keira back. End of story.

This is the second in the Love on Thin Ice series and while it can be read as a stand alone, I really enjoyed revisiting the small town and characters of Maple Falls. This is perfect for fall season with a fall festival and farmer markets being at the front of the plot. I absolutely loved Keira and Dan and was rooting for them all the way!

This one will make you believe in love and happily ever afters! I highly recommend

3.5⭐
Sweet 🧁, not spicy 🌶️

This is a cute, quick read. Kierra and Dan were high school sweethearts who parted ways for Dan to pursue his NFL career. It's an easy to read, cozy, small town romance. It's paced well for the length, but I do find that I wish this series had been fleshed out a little more. Regardless, they've been fun reads so far!!!

✨Second Chance Romance
✨Hockey 🏒
✨Small Town
✨Clean Romance 🧼

Is it predictable? Absolutely. But it's a fun read with good vibes.

Thank you, NetGalley for the eBook to read and review. 💕

I hate giving low star reviews and try to be really fair because I know that just because a book isn’t for me doesn’t mean others won’t enjoy it. However, I just cannot give this book a higher rating. The writing is fine and the setting was nice-since I’m reading this at the beginning of September it got me really excited for fall weather and food. However, this book needed to be more developed. I read it in about 2 hours, so that tells me it’s short. It was almost like a novella, and it read like one to me. The characters had no depth, the plot didn’t really develop. The third act breakup lasted about one page and was solved with just a quick declaration of love that had already been made. There was no substance, which was disappointing because it seemed at the beginning like it was set up to be better. There was no tension, no problem to solve, hardly any time the characters even spent together, and no real reason for them to be in love with each other at all. Like I said, I hate being harsh with reviews, and I was surprised to see how many positive ones there were for this book. I just think it needed to be extended so that we could actually get invested and have a reward at the end.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.