I went into a his book not knowing what to expect but I was wonderfully surprised. The storyline was excellent and I loved the characters. It was a rollercoaster of emotions for me, I was rooting for Joe and at the same time I was encouraging Liz to give his a chance. I love stories like this, it really just pulls you in. I would definitely recommend this book of you are a lover of short emotional romance this book is for you.

I really wanted to like this book… but unfortunately, it just didn’t work for me. The writing felt underdeveloped, and I couldn’t connect with the characters or their story. I kept hoping it would improve, but it never quite got there.

Let me start of by saying Soft Rebound was *Chefs kiss*
Joe is meant to meet his ex brother in law at a bar. While waiting he sees her and is captivated.
Liz is watching a game on tv when a handsome stranger approaches her.
Liz and Joe end up chatting and sparks fly.
They’re both coming out of long term relationships and don’t want anything too heavy. They decide to be Rebound Buddies. Only after a while Joe wants more. This is too much for Liz so she pushes him away.
They reconnect months later and sparks are still flying
The tension in this book is delicious.
I love how Liz is such a brave woman who knows for the first time what she wants todo with her life and takes the reins.
Joe is such a cutie pie and shows Liz how it feels to be truly loved and cherished.
Love love love this book

2.5 stars


This is my first book by this author, and it’s the first book i have read from this series. The book follows Joe and Liz who happen to meet in a bar and go in with the intention of having a casual relationship. Somehow along the way feelings change, due to the undeniable chemistry. The problems the couple face are very real issues, which I really appreciated. What made the book fall through for me was the fact that Joe was so incredibly persistent at times, that it started to annoy me. Especially if Liz expressed her issues or concerns, it would appear as if Joe didn’t hear her at all or that he wouldn’t take no for an answer. However, denial is a very real thing, which I also recognize. I appreciated that neither of the characters were described as having the perfect model body, which added into the realistic aspect of the story. Both characters are described to have a bit of a gut, despite the cover being somewhat misleading. I loved the communication Joe and Liz had towards the end of the book.


It was all in all an enjoyable read, and I’m looking forward to explore more of this author’s work.

Thank you so much for the ARC,

I really enjoyed this book more than I expected. Liz and Joe felt very real and not perfect, which made their story refreshing. Both have emotional baggage from past relationships, and I liked how their connection grew naturally with all the ups and downs. Joe was a bit pushy sometimes, but his honesty and growth made him more likable later. I also liked the side story with Liz’s brother Bobby and Trey, it added depth and made me curious about their future. Overall, it was a solid read. Thank you so much to the author and Netgalley for giving me the opportunity to read the book in advance, I received this for free and I'm leaving a honest review

this book was such a deeply layered and gorgeous read. i followed our main characters and felt totally taken in by them. they had both come to the story hurt and carrying it around with them. it was certainly managing to shape how they lived in the world and definitely shaped what they thought about love. but when they meet and expect just a little pick me up and done, they soon realise in each other there is something deeper going on here. this isnt a pick up,leave and move on. this is something thats hitting much deeper into their surface of protection they thought they had given themselves.
the characters were so thought out and layered. i felt like i could really get a grip and picture of who they were and enough to see such well rounded imagery of them and their life in my mind. i was then rooting for them and needing to read what comes next all the more. i was also rooting for them both as individuals and as a pair. what they went through, what they come together with, their interactions just felt so true. it wasnt always easy. it was sometimes raw. but it was sometimes moments that truly made my toes squiggly and my smile wide.
a brilliant book where all the characters have their place and found myself endeared to more than the two main characters throughout. and there are the type of other characters who i love, you know the ones you wish for in your own life.
great read. and so much more than i thought it was going to be going in.

I received this as an ARC reader via NetGalley and this is my honest review.

I'm going to give this 3.5 stars, but I will be fully transparent- I went into this book not realizing it was a traditional/contemporary romance vs a dark romance. (I don't even know how I made that mistake when I requested the ARC). So, because this is a genre I:
1- Don't read due to my dark romance preference
2- Don't know much about
my review is probably skewed vs someone who typically reads contemporary romance.

Joe and Liz are so real it might make some people uncomfortable. We are taken through events in their past relationships and see how they have affected their sense of self-worth. We see how faults in their previous partners have made them so hesitant and scared to possibly love again, that it almost taints and derails their current relationship. Internalized insecurities are examined, and hard conversations between the MCs and supporting characters make this story seem completely relatable. I appreciate that the author made the MMC 'ideal'- he sees his flaws, corrects his behavior, apologizes to others for his errors, and asks Liz repeatedly for open feedback within their blooming romance. Oh, and he sees a therapist and listens to said therapist.

Hey... maybe this IS a fantasy romance...

The spicy scenes are sweet- we see two adults who ask each other what they like, and then meet those needs with each other. Joe absolutely worships all of Liz, and who doesn't want a 6'8" (or something close to that) man who can make us feel dainty??

My one gripe in the first third of the book is that Joe doesn't take 'no' for an answer well. Liz makes it abundantly clear that she doesn't want anything serious and that she doesn't have the emotional or mental capacity for a serious relationship at that time, and for very valid reasons. But he pushes her repeatedly to see if she would change her mind. It comes off that he doesn't respect her autonomy or choices.

I really enjoyed this book! First off--the spice is a 12/1o. But, there were so many other reasons I enjoyed it. First, I really loved that this was a bit of a later in life love story. These weren't two kids all caught up in first love; both the main characters had been through their share of life and heartbreak, which I think made them more interesting. Also, Joe, the MMC, he was clearly written by a woman! His character was so wonderful. He wasn't Mr. Perfect, but, because he was more mature, he wanted to focus on the FMC's pleasure and he wasn't afraid to say how he felt. I also really liked the side stories with the supporting characters. While this book wasn't a five star read, I would definitely reccommend it!

Thank you to Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op and
Fiona Embers for sending me a review copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. At first, I was convinced this was going to be one of those stories where two strangers hook up after a chance encounter, maybe a classic case of mistaken identity thrown in for good measure. I couldn’t tell you exactly why I thought that, but I did. However, the story took a completely unexpected turn, and I ended up enjoying it far more than I expected.

Joe and Liz are incredibly layered, emotionally complex characters who have clearly been shaped by the pain and baggage of their previous relationships. When they meet by chance at a bar, what begins as a casual hookup quickly reveals itself to be something much deeper, I really liked Joe and his character. He did come across quite persistent and didn’t know how to take no for an answer at times. However, I really liked how authentic and grounded both characters were. Their interactions were refreshingly real, full of vulnerability, tension, and moments of genuine connection.

The supporting characters were just as compelling. I was especially drawn to Liz’s older brother, Bobby, and his developing relationship with Trey. Their subplot added another engaging dimension to the story, and I found myself just as invested in their dynamic as I was in the main couple. I’m genuinely curious to see what might unfold between them in the future; whether it’ll be a second chance romance between them or not.

Overall, this story defied my expectations in the best way, and I had a fantastic time reading it.

This book was what I was hoping for when i read the description.

Joe is the typical recently-ish divorced adult male, but is larger than life (literally). And Liz is sick of living in her family’s footsteps and wants to do something for herself, hence the bar, Joe, and the beer.

My favorite part about Joe and Liz is they aren’t the typical body types. Particularly mentioning Joe had a bit “around the middle” and Liz having a big ass and curves Joe loved.

I also enjoy when a story can be read as a standalone.

I’d definitely enjoy seeing more of Trey’s story, and was a little sad by the end, but hoping for more to come!

Thanks to NetGalley and Victory Editing for access to the ARC in exchange for this honest review!

Soft Rebound is a cute, easy read—perfect as a little palette cleanser between heavier books. I’ll admit, I found Joe a bit pushy at the start. His insistence on pursuing Liz despite her hesitations rubbed me the wrong way, but he gradually won me over as the story progressed. I really appreciated Liz’s character arc and how Joe eventually stepped back to let her grow at her own pace.

Their story felt like a case of right person, wrong time—but with patience and growth, they found their moment.

Also… I’m low-key desperate for Bobby and Trey’s story now! And not going to lie—I was a little devastated by the ending, I'm hoping they can make their way back to each other!

Big thanks to the Victory Editing and NetGalley for the ARC!

This book had me at being set in Wisconsin, I enjoyed it immensely.

Liz has uprooted herself from St. Cloud MN to Madison WI after her fiancee calls it off. A chance encounter in a bar brings her to Joe, also a Minnesotan in Wisconsin, drinking New Glarus and waiting to catch up with his ex-brother in law. They share an instant connection and a hot night. But, Liz is scared to move on to something right away. After what feels like seven wasted years and not really living for herself, she wants time to just be herself. Joe has his own issues from his ex-wife who after 10 years of marriage said she didn't ever want kids. This left him with some scars. But, what was at first a rebound felt like so much more. Is their rebound really for forever?

I think what I liked most about this book is how real it felt. Neither of them is described as particularly skinny -- in fact, they both have a bit of a belly. But Joe LOVES all of Liz's curves and big ass. And, their separate issues were so relatable. And Joe sees a therapist -- love a mental health rep especially for a MMC.

Seriously, this was just a delight. I'll definitely be going back to read the first one in the series and watching for the books from the other characters. (Hello, Bobby!! (can he and Trey actually make it work please???!))

Thanks to NetGalley and Victory Editing for access to the ARC in exchange for this honest review!

Liz and Joe were real, emotionally scarred, and both struggling to deal with the loss of the long term relationships. When they meet, things get hot very, very fast, and that makes them put a break on their relationship. Sorting through their feelings to build something stronger and lasting was a nice take in this book.

Overall, a solid B.

I love that while this is Book 2 in a series, it can be read as a standalone. I was hooked from the first few chapters and appreciated the way the plot developed. Embers crafted likable characters, and the spice factor was high, and I enjoyed how it was written authentically. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

New to me author came up on NetGalley and the cover intrigued me. It says it’s book 2 in a series but that it’s more of a prequel than a continuation and so it feels like it’s appropriate to read it first ( can’t wait to pick up the story of Roxie next).
4.5stars
This is a portrayal of two very “real” people experiencing heartbreak after they both have had relationships end. They have meet-cute that leads to an amazing night of intimacy. The book describes these two as having “normal” body types with a little around the middle and not perfect looking. I love that aspect as we are also able to feel their connections. We also see them while they sort through the emotions of their previous breakups. Great therapy representation that I applaud. There are some other family drama moments to work through and each main character has some emotional growth that we get to witness. It feels like how a real relationship evolves. All the warts and bumps in the road.
There’s some spectacular spicy moments that feel so raw and real as each character explores the other and stretches their boundaries. Loved it. I highly recommend!

This steamy and heartfelt romance explores what happens when two emotionally bruised people take a chance on love—whether they’re ready or not. Joe Larson and Liz Jensen’s chemistry is electric, but what starts as a rebound soon reveals deeper feelings neither expected.

Despite being book 2 in a series, it stands strong on its own, with witty dialogue, emotional depth, and just the right amount of heat. Perfect for readers who enjoy second-chance love stories with flawed, relatable characters.