The Rebound

By: L. Steele

Narrated by: Shane East, Rose Dioro

Length: 17 hrs and 6 mins

Publisher's summary

He was supposed to be my forever love. Instead, he became my personal hell....

I wasn’t supposed to be on the beach that night.
Neither was Declan Beauchamp, the super-hot, super-bad-boy upcoming actor.
He saved me from being hurt.
But his life changed forever.

I never thought I’d see him again.
Until he returns and offers me the chance to embrace my dreams.
Now, I'm a singer with a break-out single.
Together, we’re a match-made-in-tabloid heaven.
Then, he betrays me.

Shattered, I put him behind and move on.
I even have a new boyfriend.
Except my career is in freefall.
The only consolation?
Declan isn’t faring better either.

With my future and his at stake, Declan comes up with a plan.
One movie together, and a fake relationship to catapult our futures back on track.

But when our chemistry detonates, how will I survive this encounter?

A standalone, enemies to lovers, fake relationship billionaire romance about mistakes, heartache, and second chances.

©2023 Laxmi Hariharan (P)2023 Laxmi Hariharan

Great Second Chance, Age Gap, Mafia Romance!

The Rebound audio version was my first book by L. Steele and one that I really did enjoy! I have always loved Shane East as a narrator, and Rose Dioro

The Rebound is a second chance, age gap, fake dating mafia romance about Declan and Solene. Although it is book 4 in Morally Gray Billionaire series, it can be read/listened to as a standalone.

These two met one night by chance when Declan is in the right place at the right time to help rescue Solene. They're immediately drawn to one another, but their age and life circumstances tear them apart. Now it's years later and they are two different people, but are brought back together. Can they overcome their differences and get to their HEA?

This story was full of plenty of heat, angst, and two characters that have to overcome a lot together and apart. I really enjoyed this story and am looking forward to checking out more of L. Steele's books!

Good story

It was my 1st time reading her book and it was definitely interested me to read more.....it was definitely interesting to hear his sub orders in his head. But the pull he had between wanting her and trying to restrain....good story, great spice.

4 steamy stars!

The Rebound is the fourth book in a series and it packed a punch for sure! I am completely in love with Declan and Solene and their second-chance romance! This story was a mixture of my favourite tropes such as billionaire romance with a second chance, mafia romance, full of kink, steam and passion that kept me hooked from page one! You need this book! 4 STARS!

Couldn’t stop listening

I have just recently discovered this author and I’m so glad I did. This author has got me hooked! I cannot wait to read more of her work. The audio book for this was great and I loved the narrators. I’m glad I listened to the audiobook because I sure didn’t want to put it down when I couldn’t read. I haven’t read the other books in this series so I’m looking forward to going back and reading them. I enjoyed the story and the characters. The Rebound was a must read.

Emotional and Sizzling Romance!

Solene and Declan meet when he rescues her one night on the beach. They fell for each other despite their age difference. But when Declan tried to do the right thing, an accident happened that changed him, and Solene never knew. Now years later they have a second chance, but they are completely different people. Declan has delicious dominant desires, and even when Solene gets turned on by them, she wants her independence as well. As they get to know each other, the push/pull between them fuels their fiery attraction. But as Declan struggles with feeling worthy, will he be able to prove his love before he loses Solene forever? This story was such a rollercoaster of emotions and hot passion. Declan frustrated me at times with his back and forth, but eventually understood the reason why, making my heart hurt for him. Solene was always fighting for her independence and I loved how true to herself she was. I really loved the close bond they both had with their friends and how essential they were in each other's lives. This story was exciting, intense and so hot and sexy. It was made all the more dynamic by the fantastic narrations by Shane East and Rose Dioro. They duplicated Declan and Solene's fiery chemistry beautifully. Their banter in both English and Italian was so hot and sexy. They did an amazing job with both accents and bringing these characters to life.

Good listen

Holy moly what a roller coaster. This story was not what I expected and for the most part I was a happy little reader gobbling Declan and Solene’s story up. It’s definitely spicy so keep that in mind. It’s also emotional and such a great journey. I will also say I definitely wanted to slap Declan’s multiple times but in the end he did redeem himself.

Overall I liked it.

Unique story, good read!

Tropes:
Fake dating
Billionaire hero
Second chance
Revenge

"You’re the most important thing in the world for me. You’re more important than the very air I breathe. You’re it for me, baby. And I won’t let even death take you away from me.”

Great book

This was the first story I have read/heard by this author. I look forward to reading or listening to more of her material. I really enjoyed the dynamic between Declan and Solene and how it captures your attention right at the start of the book and keeps you interested right through the end. Very spicy. My only complaint is that the audio book was very long (17ish hrs)...almost seemed like some could have been cut out to keep it shorter. The Narrators were amazing however. I think for this book I would have enjoyed it more if I had read it instead...of trying to listen to it in several sessions.

I received an ALC of this book to review voluntarily.

The Rebound (Morally Gray Billionaires)

🎧🎧AUDIO REVIEW🎧🎧

PERFORMANCE REVIEW & RATING: 5++ Stars!!

I couldn’t have picked two narrators more suited for the roles of Declan and Solene! Rose Dioro has a way of playing the role of young and naïve super well and it’s not the first time I’ve experienced her doing so. She was fantastic. Shane East was also spectacular as Declan and the two together took this story to the next level for me!

STORY REVIEW & RATING: STRONG 3.5 stars but since half stars are not a thing and it isn’t a 3-star story, 4 stars it is!

About this story … (I’ve been sitting on reviewing this book because in all honesty, I liked the story a lot as a whole, but there were major circumstances I couldn’t wrap my head around)

Declan’s character tested me LOL This is only the second story I’ve experienced by this author but so far, her MMCs have both been borderline ”not good men” in my opinion. I had the opportunity to download the book via KU while I listed to this ALC provided by Valentine PR which allowed me to highlight my many frustrations with his character and as I look at all the highlights, I’m getting all frustrated with him again! LOL In the end, he did redeem himself (obvs) but this story is 17 hours long *blink* and redemption just did not come fast enough for me. *shrug* #twitchy

Now, about the age thing when they meet and Solene’s innocence one minute but not the next … without giving away anything about the story, I found that the author set up her curiosity and willingness to give anything Declan threw at her regarding sex a try. Do I think Declan should have been a little more communicative with Solene before he just did whatever his sexual inclinations wanted? Sure, yes, and that added to my frustration of him but I think he saw something in Solene when it came to this, and he knew that’s how/what she needed. That’s my take away at least. Now, about the age thing when they meet. I know from reading reviews that originally this story was written as Solene been only 14 yo and Declan being 21 or 22 yo old but then changed it to the version I listened to where she is 17. I’m disappointed the author changed the story after publication because I have a strong feeling, she did it out of pressure and not because the story made more sense the way it is written today. I HATE THAT! There are two things I strongly believe in … 1. Everything in life is a choice and you should think carefully before you make said choices. 2. Once you make that choice, stand by it and defend it. I know, I know, mistakes can happen and of course you should try and make amends for your choices if something like that happens, but this wasn’t that type of choice and gaaaaah, I wish the story had stayed as it was first published. That’s a me thing and in no way affected my reading experience, kinda! LOL

In keeping with my theme of not ”giving away the plot”, I can’t say much about the why of the last thing I have to say about this book, but even though 17 hours comes across as daunting, I can’t really say it could have been told in less and been as impactful as it was. I enjoyed this story. I got lost in it for many hours at a time. Sometimes I got frustrated and others I was smiling from ear to ear. There’s a lot going on in this journey to keep you captivated and on your toes and I especially liked that it mainly focused on Solene’s growth because as I said before, Declan tested me way too much! LOL

Age gap romance

✔️celebrity romance ✔️age gap ✔️enemies to lovers ✔️fake romance Declan and Solene’s story and chemistry is hot. Narrated by Shane East and Rose Dioro. They did a wonderful job with narration.