Soft Rebound is a heartfelt and sultry contemporary romance that explores love, vulnerability, and the courage to start over. What makes this book stand out from other romances is how deeply it dives into emotional recovery after heartbreak while still delivering undeniable chemistry and spice.

The story follows Joe Larson, a man quietly surviving after a painful divorce, and Liz Jensen, who is determined to keep her heart on lockdown after a broken engagement. Their first encounter is electric is what was supposed to be a casual rebound quickly develops into a connection that neither can ignore. Their journey is about healing, trust, and taking a leap into love when it feels safest to run away.

Why fellow readers will care:

I really enjoyed the story a lot. The book balances emotional depth with the thrill of a passionate, steamy romance. It tackles real-life struggles like divorce, fear of vulnerability, and mental health, making the characters feel authentic and relatable. Readers who love second-chance or “healing” romances will find themselves rooting for Joe and Liz.

What I loved most:
The chemistry between Joe and Liz practically leaps off the page. Made me pray for a chemistry like this for my damn self.

Fiona Embers paints a beautiful journey of self-discovery and emotional intimacy that makes the happy ending feel earned.

Even as Book 2 in the series, it works perfectly as a standalone.

Overall Impression:
Soft Rebound is a swoony, emotional, and intimate romance perfect for readers who love their love stories with both heat and heart. It reminds us that sometimes, the people we meet on the rebound might just be our forever.

This story is about Joe and Liz who have a chance meeting. Joe has been divorced for a couple years and Liz has just recently broken up with a long term boyfriend. Their chance encounter turns out to be fate intervening because they hit it off splendidly. This flirty banter and chemistry is spot on. Joe ends up being the first one to cave, knowing they would be perfect for each other. Liz takes a lot more coaxing from Joe to really trust and open herself up to a deeper relationship. She was in a vulnerable place in life when she met Joe but it was so wonderful to see their HEA unfold. I will be looking for more books from this author.

I enjoyed this book. Slow burn romance where the guy falls first!
Liz is portrayed as the everyday woman. The woman who realized that she didn't really know herself or what she wanted. In walks a man that she didn't realize could exist. Joe is an everyday guy, who has had time to recover from a failed marriage but hasn't had the desire to be with anyone until he sees her even when's she's trying hard to not be seen. Really enjoyed Liz's brother (Bobby) and would love to see his story play out.

3.5⭐️ Soft Rebound exceeded the expectations I originally had for this quick and spicy, little novella. The interaction between Liz and Joe felt authentic and both characters were really well developed. I really enjoyed seeing their growth over the course of the story and I wasn’t expecting this book to be so heartfelt. I really enjoyed it. I’m not gonna lie, the spice was spicing too. 👀

I didn’t realize this is actually book two of the series so now I want to go back and read Shoot Your Shot next.

This book had potential but sadly the author just did not give it the writing it deserved.

Joe was just way pushy at the beginning of the book and put off Liz and me. I get that he really really liked her but almost every other sentence he wanted to ride off in the sunset.

Liz was wishy washy and just got annoying through out the book until the end.

Towards the end of the book is when the book started getting good.
They both dealt with the issues they had and finally came together correctly.

If she would have had last part of the book start at the beginning then I would enjoy it more,

It was also under Erotica but there was nothing erotic about it.

This was tender, sexy, and surprisingly grounded. I went in expecting a light rebound romance, but it delivered a lot more emotional depth. Joe is warm, emotionally intelligent, and refreshingly open about his flaws, while Liz’s journey from heartbreak to healing felt honest and relatable. Their chemistry is undeniable, but what really stuck with me was how safe and supportive their connection felt—messy, real, and full of second chances.

I loved this story line and how the characters were written. Recommend as a quick summer read!
I loved Joe and Lizzie 🧡
Love the 🔥💃🏻

Soft Rebound
Stars: 4
Spice: 2

Synopsys:
Joe is a complex and firm man. He comes alive when he meets Liz at a bar and end up having a casual one night fling. Joe is a demanding man who realizes that his "relationship" with Liz is much more, however, he has hurt and betrayal to get over before he can let their relationship become more. Liz's vulnerability and thoughts that she is never enough, is enough to keep her walls up. She's trying to find herself and having a relationship fresh out of another relationship is not in her agenda.

Thoughts:
Joe is vulnerable, sweet, demanding, yet fresh and passionate with zero expectations. He is fresh out of a long term relationship and isn't set out to find another one. He takes the time to find out what Liz's needs are.
Liz is guarded, She's trying to find herself and who she is on her own.
This book has so much open vulnerability, passion, and real life experiences, that it brings the reader in to the situation unfolding. I loved the storyline. At first I didn't like Joe's "pushyness", but as I continued to read, it's just his dominance and gives him that air of demanding persona, but deep down he is just as vulnerable, and passionate as Liz is. His story simply broke my heart. It was enlightening to see the men's mental health aspect and the fact that Joe has no issues with seeing a therapist. In today's word, most men balk at revealing this side of them, or often think they don't need outside help.
Liz is lacking self-confidence and needs to find herself to learn that she *is* enough and she is able to be confident and is enough for others.
I would definitely recommend this book. And, I would recommend book 1, too. I actually went back and read the first one. Now, I anxiously await book 3.

Soft Rebound is the second book in the Mad City Moments series, though it’s technically a prequel to the first. That worked in my favor—I haven’t read the first book, and I had no trouble following the story or understanding the characters.

The novel follows Liz and Joe. Liz has just been dumped by her fiancé and heads to Wisconsin to start over. She leaves behind her job at the family business and all her friends. Joe, two years post-divorce, meets Liz at a bar during a Vikings game. They hit it off and decide to leave together—and from there, you can probably guess where things go.

I had mixed feelings about this book and still don’t quite know how I feel overall. I almost DNF’d it during the first half. Liz’s constant talk about her ex, Jake, and her back-and-forth on committing to Joe started to wear on me. I get that she just ended an engagement, but based on her own reflections, she didn’t even love Jake—so her hesitations felt a bit forced. I kept thinking, Just decide what you want already.

That said, I was much more engaged in the second half. I couldn’t put it down, even as the dynamic shifted and Joe became the one pulling away emotionally, which added a new layer to the conflict.

This novel definitely includes spice, so if you’re a closed-door romance reader, this might not be for you. It also touches on themes like cheating (not between the main characters) and a failed marriage, so be mindful of potential triggers.

Thank you to Evernight Publishing and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC.

I went into this thinking it was going to be just another hookup story between two strangers with maybe some classic mix-up drama. Nope. It surprised me in the best way.

Liz and Joe felt real—flawed and complicated from past heartbreaks. They meet at a busy bar during a Vikings game, and what starts as a casual fling quickly gets deeper. Joe can be pretty persistent (sometimes too much), but I liked how grounded and authentic they both were. Their conversations had that mix of vulnerability and tension that kept me hooked.

Also, shoutout to Liz’s brother Bobby and his relationship with Trey. Their subplot added so much more to the story, and now I’m hoping for more from them in the future!

One thing I loved was the honest look at men’s mental health—Joe goes to therapy and it’s part of the story without feeling forced. The intimate scenes were sweet and genuine, showing two normal people figuring each other out without the usual unrealistic standards.

The only thing that bugged me was Liz’s quick temper at times, especially when Joe brought up the relationship talk—but that got better later on. Some of the descriptive bits during the steamy scenes felt a little awkward and took me out of it.

All in all, this was a solid, low-key read about healing and moving on. I gave it 3.5 stars but rounded up to 4 because I really connected with the characters and their story.

This very spicy story about two people that are hurting from past long term relationships, will take you on their roller coaster ride of emotions. Liz is trying to not be a people pleaser anymore and Joe is looking to find a woman who's honest about her path in life. It takes many wrong turns along the way but they find forever together. It was good. I would recommend it.

Thanks to Netgalley and Fiona Embers for the ARC

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🌶️🌶️.5

Liz who is newly single, is alone at a bar when approached by divorce Joe, when his ex brother in law cancels their meet up. At first, it started as a one night hook up. But then they quickly realized one night was not enough.

The cover and the blurb is what truly what intrigued me when requesting this book on NetGalley.

Honest review: reading this book, I thought it was a quick and easy read! The spice was not too much so me, it was the perfect amount of spice. I enjoyed a lot of things in this book such as a good therapy rep, the side characters, the raw expression on how previous relationships can really mentally take a toll on future relationships. I felt for both characters while reading the book. From one stand point, I love how Joe is very determined and open in expressing his feelings on how he feels for Liz. However, I also feel for Liz on how she wants to truly live independent from people especially the dependency she got from her family. But also i felt her frustration. She made things clear with Joe from the beginning, and Joe still not wasn’t really taking “no” for an answer. I wanted for Liz to be with Joe but I also understand why Liz doesn’t want to jump into a relationship right away. Overall, i thought this was an easy and fun read. There were some times where I felt annoyed from both characters and thought their arguing was too repetitive.

I have not read the first book that is in this series but, I know book 1 is set before events in book 2 took place. That being said it would be interesting to see how the characters development are in book 1.

Thank you Victory Editing NetGalley and Fiona Embers for sending me a copy of this book!

Loved the characters and story. Just when I thought everything was going good...it wasn't and it kept pulling me in.

The first hookup after a long relationship is always meaningless. Right?

This book is about Joe and Liz and how an unexpected meeting can lead to their happily ever after.
The chemistry between Liz and Joe is intense and fueled not only by their sexual attraction towards one another, but also through their banter. They feel comfortable with each other which catches them both by surprise.

Joe is a kind, empathetic man that does not shy away from difficult situations. He is in therapy, and we see that Joe is very open with telling his therapist the ins and outs of his life. When Joe hurts Liz or is in the wrong, Joe is quick to apologize and not be defensive. When he meets Liz, his friend is able to see a side of Joe that is happy and bubbly, a side he did not know Joe had. Joe worships every single part of Liz and let’s just say he definitely knows what he is doing. To say that most readers will have crushes on Joe is an understatement

Liz is on the heels of her engagement ending and figuring out what is next for her while trying to navigate her strained relationship with her parents. Liz moves away from the people and surroundings she has known all her life to start over somewhere new. This move helps Liz to see her past relationship and her relationship with her parents for the unhealthy relationships they had.
Liz and Joe must go through their own journeys to not only better themselves, but hopefully to find each other again.
Both Liz and Joe have great support systems that are not afraid to give them the advice that at times is not easy to hear but needed. I loved Roxie, Bobby and Trey.

The characters were real and relatable, and I felt like I was right there with them during the entire book. The characters went through real life struggles in real ways. Fiona Embers is very skilled in writing about difficult topics with empathy while staying true to how the characters felt.

Liz and Joe’s story will stay with me forever. I loved this book and look forward to reading more by Fiona Embers in the future.
Thank you to Victory Editing NetGalley and Fiona Embers for the opportunity to read and review this arc.

"Soft Rebound" had a promising setup—a divorcé meets a woman fresh off a broken engagement—but it just didn’t land.

The biggest issue for me was the romance itself. Joe (MMC) didn’t respect Liz’s (FMC) boundaries. As early as 24%, he was already coming on too strong/clingy, emotionally intense, and constantly pushing for more when Liz had made it VERY clear she wanted to keep things casual.

That back-and-forth of “I’m not ready/I don't want to” vs. “But we have chemistry/We should" got tiring fast.

I was intrigued by Liz’s struggle with her traditional, overbearing family, but those conflicts felt rushed and underdeveloped (especially with her brothers). And the instant friendships she made with the people in town also felt unrealistically fast.

By 70%, when the ex (who dumped her and cheated on her) shows up to get her back, the drama turns immature, and I lost interest.

The writing flowed well, and the author has potential, but this one just wasn’t for me. Thank you Netgalley, Fiona Embers, and Evernight Publishing for a copy of this ARC

Thank you to NetGalley and Evernight Publishing for the ARC!

This book is a breath of fresh air. It’s such a welcome change to read a spicy romance that isn’t set in a totally “out there” fantasy scenario. Soft Rebound is grounded and real in the best possible way. These are normal people, living believable lives, making mistakes, and navigating relationships with all the mess and beauty that comes with them.

The characters are flawed, insecure at times, and perfectly human. They’re not sculpted swimwear models, and that makes them even more relatable. The dialogue? Spot on. It feels natural, emotional, and unforced. I loved how much personality came through in every conversation.

And the spice? It’s super hot, but in a way that feels fun, exciting, and totally down to earth. Nothing over the top or unbelievable—just honest chemistry and heat that makes sense for the characters and their connection.

A friend recommended I request this, and she was gushing about it. I’m so glad I listened. You absolutely don’t need to have read book 1 to enjoy this, but I guarantee that once you finish, you’ll want to dive straight into the first one. This is a multifaceted, messy, sexy relationship story that knows how to hit every emotional note while keeping the heat high.

Don’t sleep on this series.

4.5 ⭐️

I read Shoot your Shot and absolutely loved it last year, so I was absolutely thrilled when I got the email telling me about this arc being open!

Soft Rebound was great. It was a fun read. I loved the characters and was invested in finding out how everything wrapped up for each character.

I’m a sucker for a MMC who falls first and who is an absolute Golden retriever boyfriend. Mr Joesph Lawson esquire is just that!

Soft Rebound by Fiona Embers is more than just a steamy romance—it’s a heartfelt story wrapped in emotional depth and genuine connection. While the spice is certainly present and well-written, what truly stands out is the chemistry between the two lead characters. Embers crafts a dynamic that feels both electric and endearing, making you root for these two every step of the way.

Both characters come with emotional baggage, and their journey toward healing and love is equally tender and passionate. The author does a fantastic job balancing the intensity of the romantic scenes with moments of vulnerability and warmth, creating a narrative that is as emotionally satisfying as it is seductive.

With vivid detail and a natural flow to the storytelling, Soft Rebound delivers a romance that is both hot and heartfelt—perfect for readers looking for a story that sizzles and soothes in equal measure.

This was a well-written, fast-paced read, character driven and quite spicy. Nice therapy representation and emphasis on growth and change, both individually and within a relationship. I also appreciated plus-size main characters and enjoyed the secondary romance between Bobby and Trey.

Joe and Liz meet at a bar while watching a football game one night. After some flirting and open conversation, they dive into a one night stand. Both are just getting out of their long term relationships, he’s one year post divorce and she just ended her engagement after 4 years, and they each need a release. He feels this amazing chemistry and attraction to her but she is not looking for anything so she declines to see him again.

After a while, she then decides that friends with benefits would be a great solution so they use their incredible chemistry in the bedroom but when Joe pushes for more, she pushes him away.

When they reconnect a few months later, Liz realizes that she misses Joe and decides to take things slow. They began dating and things are going great until her family and ex try and force her to move home. Can Liz finally stand up for herself and make her own decisions or will she get pulled back by family obligation and guilt?

Joe was a little pushy. He didn't want to let her go after their night but he still did respect her choice eventually. Then he turned into the most patient person and I started liking him more.

I found Liz incredibly whiny! I understand her confusion of not wanting to jump into something new but she just keeps rejecting poor Joe and doesn’t even give him a chance. He just wants to get to know her and spend time outside the bedroom with her and she is too stubborn to even try.

There were a lot of mixed signals from both characters and while they had good chemistry, they seemed a little immature.

I also didn't like the dynamic she had with her family and how they made her feel bad for moving away and not helping with the family business. Liz could have used some therapy to clear her head and move forward in her life.


Huge thanks to Evernight Publishing for sharing this book’s digital advanced review copy with me in exchange for an honest review.