He’s all in. She’s all in. Nothing stands in their way–until their families get involved.Summer Davis, small town librarian, PHD candidate, wants to fall in love.Rocco De Luca, pro hockey player, didn’t know he was looking for love until he met Summer. Now they try to navigate getting to know each other around his home game schedule with both their families vying for attention and meddling in … for attention and meddling in ways only big families can. It’s a wonder they can go on a few dates at all once Summer’s brothers learn a pro hockey player is interested in their sister.
But the closer they become, the harder it will be when Summer is offered the chance of a lifetime…far away from their small town in Wyoming.
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I love this series! This book was hard for me to jive with compared to the others. I couldn’t seem to connect with Rocco, but had been really excited to read his story. By the end, I was feeling it. I love how the characters are so variable from book to book. When I said I couldn’t seem to connect to Rocco, that’s actually awesome now that I’m done with the book because I feel like I got to know someone different. I’m more of a girl like Summer, so reading this book was fun because it’s so ‘out there’ of an idea to date a pro hockey player I’m a fan of playing sports, not really watching them (don’t have much experience), and these books give me a great insider’s look. The romance is just right.
This story is a hot mess. So much potential, but marred by poor editing and plot structure. It suffers from poorly developed characters, plot holes, and formulaic structure. If I didn’t like the overall series, I would have quit because I was increasingly frustrated with the characters’ behavior.
Rocco treats Summer like some talisman and she swings like a pendulum with her attitude to him and does things that would otherwise sabotage any relationship. Their behavior came across many times as very immature and there’s also a lack of true relationship development between them. And, the final conclusion was completely unbelievable.
I also found the supporting characters inconsistent and thrown around to fill in another formulaic plot structure. They appeared and disappeared at random. And, the presence of the Belltown baseball players felt forced and out of place.
Are there good elements of the story? Absolutely! There are some scenes that are truly romantic and funny, but that does not negate the fact that I’m disappointed with the story. I love this series, but I cannot give this story a good rating.
Romance – Steamy PG – lots of kissing and thoughts related to the physical
Language – PG
My rating – 2 stars.
We finally get Rocco’s story and who doesn’t love a handsome Italian hockey player? I loved his passion and good looks! Summer was sweet, smart, and down to earth. Her family was the crazy over the top and made the story even better! Anyone can relate to embarrassing siblings or parents and it made the story so much more real for me. I loved that Summer was great at ice skating, that made her connection with Rocco even better. Rebound was one of those books I devoured! It is easy to read, has a great storyline, and the sparks between the main characters were sizzling! I received a copy of this book for free; all thoughts and opinions are my own.
Summer’s family is a BIG fan of hockey. Her dad is even president of the fan club for their local hockey team! So when Summer gets chosen to see if she can score against a pro during a break in a home game and win a car, it’s a chance of a lifetime. Rocco is stunned by the beautiful girl who can skate… and score on him. But when he becomes friends with her family, he thinks he’s the lucky one who won because now he can get to know Summer. Just as things are going well, Summer has a chance of a lifetime, but it would meaning living in another country,,,for a year. Should she take the internship? Is it too soon for this new relationship to affect her choices? Or are they both all in and ready to make it work?
Third book in a series of six. Can be read as a stand alone.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.
I have stars in my eyes! Charming from the start, Rebound introduces us to another member of the Northbrook Elite, “bad boy” Rocco De Luca. I have to say that Rocco is now one of my favorite members of the team, and him and Summer Davis, both of their characters so down-to-earth, are perfect together! I love that they’re both so family oriented, and even the family dynamics themselves are delightful. I especially love Mrs. De Luca, the typical Italian mama, who lives for her family.
The little bit of tension involving the ex was a great conflict, giving the story more balance. The writing is great, putting you right there in the action both on and off the ice, but my favorite part of the narrative was one little moment in the beginning of the story involving ice dancing, which just happens to be one of my dreams. Talk about swooning!!! I also wish I had a big, rowdy family like the Davis family, and a close knit ground of friends like The Pit.
I am enjoying this series so much, more than I thought I would, especially with me not being much of a hockey fan, and I can’t wait to read the next book in February.
Great sports romance series. Rocco’s and Summer’s eyes connect for the first time at one of his hockey game. Then she beats him in a hockey fan versus pro challenge and wins a car. Now the real attraction begins. But can they deal with the complications of his father only wanting him to be with a catholic Italian and her father the gossiping fan club president?
Do you love hockey? Or, are you like me and know next to nothing about hockey? Luckily, either way you probably love this book. It’s not the hockey that makes me love this book but the romance and the awesome relationships between this group of friends that all started with hockey. That is really the kind of stuff that I love to settle in with. Love and friendship. It makes my heart happy all the way around.
I think Rocco and Summer are both fun characters. They are well matched and their first meet was something else! I liked the natural progression of their relationship and the fun they had together.
This series is one of my favorites. I’m all in and anticipating the next book!
Content: kissing
– I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.
Rebound by Sophia Summers (3 stars)
(This review has spoilers)
This was a good story and had some really romantic moments; when they skate together, it’s magical! That said, it wasn’t my favorite in the series. It had too much physical attraction and not enough time with the characters getting to know one another.
Rocco becomes way too dependent on Summer.
He seems to expect her to be a fan-girl, yet she has a life separate from hockey; a life he has next-to-nothing to do with it. Yes, he wines and dines her, but I didn’t feel a true connection where he even knew her. Of course, I’m not sure she truly knew much about him, either.
Also, way too much unresolved family stuff. His father caring about Italian/Catholic heritage, her father’s star-struck disregard of his daughter’s wishes regarding the media. None of it felt truly resolved; yeah his dad called and apologized, but it still felt like a bandaid over a wound that would re-open later. Especially, if the whole family has to move to Boston because of her!
I guess that, although it’s cute and very romantic, I felt that every-day life and true getting-to-know-you conversations needed to play a bigger role.
A good book, and certainly worth reading, (lots of great romantic scenes) it just had some issues that I had a hard time ignoring. That said, I’m definitely looking forward to Ms. Summer’s next book! She’s always been a favorite of author of mine 🙂
*poor, **ok, ***good, ***very good, *****something special
Super fun story! I love the hockey theme…it might need to become my new favorite sport 😉 great character development. The setting is my favorite (I may or may not be very familiar with the area). I’m excited to read the rest of the series.
Disclosure statement:
I receive complimentary books for review from publishers, publicists,
and/or authors, including Netgalley. I am not required to write positive
reviews. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this
in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.
This is the third book in the Northbrook Hockey Elite series by Heather B. Moore, Rebecca Connolly, and Sophia Summers. I am loving this series! I know nothing about hockey but I am loving the characters in these books! I really loved this one. It was so good I didn’t want to put it down! I loved her characters and I thought the heroine was very relatable and I loved how they fell in love through their passion for hockey. I also loved that they would do anything for each other, even change some of their dreams. Wonderful book that I highly recommend!
As much as I love this series and the sports romances this trio of authors writes, this one sadly fell flat for me. I liked Summer and Rocco, but the relationship didn’t have any depth and seemed to move forward on attraction only before they really got to know each other or spent much time together. They had good chemistry, but I didn’t feel an emotional connection to them. There also wasn’t much of a plot- each time a conflict arose it was diffused in an anti-climactic way. The supporting cast had so much potential with the brothers, the parents, and the Wyoming teammates, but I felt like it was kept surface-level and they were way under-utilized. There was quite a bit of name dropping from the previous books in this series and then also the Belltown Sixpack series, but with no substance to the encounters. I would have rather there been more of a focus and development on a few characters that are close to Rocco and Summer instead of spreading it thin explaining so many connections that aren’t really vital to the story. Overall, Summer and Rocco are totally sweet together, but the only memorable thing about them is the way they met (which was a great scene). I’m still looking forward to what comes next for this band of hockey brothers!
(I received a complimentary copy of the book; all opinions in this review are my own)
Rocco and Summer are likable characters that draws you into this story. He is an athlete and she is a librarian. That within itself may have some to think that they are incompatible but Rocco and Summer will prove you wrong. This story draws you in and will have you cheering for them as the adventure down the road to their happily ever after. I voluntarily agreed to receive an ARC of this book for an honest review.
Ok, I’m a book title nerd. I absolutely love when a title has a few different meanings and several appearances in the book. Does Rebound mean they’re both on the rebound? Boo. Could it? Maybe. Is that necessarily a bad thing? Nope. My husband of 24 years was called a rebound initially, haha.
I really enjoy the Swoony Sports trio of authors. They mix humor, romance, chemistry, and interpersonal interactions in such a way that every book is a fun new read. There isn’t a typical predictability you find in some romance series where you know about what page (or what percentage through a Kindle book) things will happen.
So, we’ve read the Belltown Six series and fell in love with baseball. Now, we’re learning about hockey, the players, team interactions, and some names for some plays that may or may not have something to do with the title of the book being reviewed here (yes, I did get to the point, haha).
I love how these three authors all write with their own styles yet the series still meshes, the stories still blend, the compatibility is still there, and while each book can definitely be a stand alone, it’s so much more enjoyable to read together.
Clean romance, fantastic family involvement (including extended family) and something you don’t want to miss especially if you read the first two but even if you didn’t.
I received a copy from the publisher and chose to add my review.
I liked getting to read another Northbrook book, but this wasn’t my favorite in the series. I liked the characters and the romance, but this one just didn’t flow as well as the previous books. There were things that didn’t seem consistent, like Rocco saying his family didn’t care about him dating an Italian but his father did care, and things that weren’t explained, like Rocco saying Trane dropped a bombshell announcement but giving no hint as to what that was so. It’s still a fun story but I didn’t enjoy it as much as the others.
I read an ARC provided by the author/publisher. All opinions are my own.
Anyone who knows me for any length of time knows I’m not into traditional mainstream sports–baseball, basketball, football, soccer, hockey, etc–but I loved the Belltown Six Pack series and I’m really into this new series about the Northbrook Hockey Elite. Why? Because they’re written by fantastic authors who know how to write characters readers will care about, the dialogue is witty and fun, and the kisses swoony but clean.
Rocco (the Rock) De Luca’s family is close. So close they moved from Chicago to Wyoming when Rocco is picked up by the Steers hockey team. Summer Davis is a hometown girl, and is the head librarian at the town’s library while also working on her PhD. Her family’s superclose too and they’re big hockey fans–especially her dad.
Rocco and Summer have the best meet-cute when it’s Rocco’s turn to do the half time promo and the seat number selected is Summers!! She beats him and scores winning herself a brand new Jeep, and the interest of Rocco. This was just about my favorite scene in the book. Rocco was smitten at first glance.
I loved Summer and Rocco and rooted for them to get over the obstacles that might keep them apart–like her possible internship in another country, and their dads being a little too involved in their lives (especially Rocco’s dad). I loved that we got more of the other guys in the Northbrook Hockey Elite (I can’t wait for Zane’s story), and cameos of the Belltown Six Pack and their wives/girlfriends.
Even if you’re not into sports I think you’ll love this series, because it’s about the people, not just the sport they play. I can’t wait to read the rest of the series–it’s so hard to pick a favorite, they’re all so good.
I enjoyed reading this book! I don’t know a whole lot about hockey but the story around the hockey player and the girl is very interesting and keeps one on their toes trying to keep up with the romance! I recommend this book to anyone who loves romance books.
Rocco De Luca loves his family, playing hockey, and his friends. When he meets Summer Davis and her family, he falls faster than he does when an opposing defenseman trips him on the ice.
The third installment of the Northbrook Hockey Elite series, Rebound has some fun moments—from Summer and Rocco’s first introduction to their large families and all those encompass. There is also some great hockey action, and I loved that the Northbrook guys are all together again for a few chapters in this book.
As a hockey fan, I appreciated the attention to the details of the game. As a reader, I enjoyed the sizzle between Summer and Rocco. If you’re a fan of clean sports romances, be sure and grab this series.
Disclosure statement:
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book and was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own.
I don’t know much about hockey but I do know that I loved this hockey romance! Rocco is a pro hockey player who meets Summer at a home game. She is given the opportunity to win a new Jeep if she can score against one of the home town players. They face off in hockey and soon start a new relationship. Problems with exes, fathers and career choices threaten to block their HEA. But they preservere and the story is wrapped up and all obstacles defeated. 5 stars!
This third book in the series was just as wonderful as the first two! I love these clean, sweet love stories! The characters were really fun and cute together. I like the continued strong friendships and family ties of the hockey guys. Great ending and fun to read!
I received a complimentary copy of the book. All opinions are my own and are expressed voluntarily.
I was a tiny bit devastated when the Belltown Six Pack came to an end, but I’ve found solace in the pages of the Northbrook Hockey series and I’m just as in love with this group as I was with the last.
This story takes on Rocco (the Rock) De Luca and his pursuit to finding true love. I loved the setting of Aspen, Wyoming and since I’ve been there, I could picture it. It made me smile to think of an Italian restaurant family all moving there because one of their own is playing hockey there. A spark of interest, a match on the ice, and a mind-boggling win was all it took for Rocco to lose his heart to Summer, a small town librarian with a penchant for ice skating.
I love getting to know each member of this group. They’re all likable and talented in their own ways and each come from different backgrounds with stories to tell. I love watching these rough and tough guys fall in love and this story was no exception. From meddling and opinionated large families to drama with exes to the normal ups and downs of a fledgling relationship, Rocco and Summer won me over and had me cheering them on louder than a super hockey fan club president.
Content: mild romance; very mild violence (hockey related)
*I received a complimentary copy. All opinions expressed are my own and were voluntarily given.*