Rebound is an interesting read so far. I've only read five chapters, but I can see the drama unfolding nicely like a blanket. The characters are believable so far. They are both doing what they can for the situation brought upon them. H.'s story is more attractive to me than Jace's story, but I suspect that will change as the story continues. There were no intimate acts yet. However, I assume there will be later. As a story, Rebound does capture the readers, especially with H. starting out. The writing style is beautiful and shows the scenes as if I was seeing them. This is a story I would be continuing as I'm curious to learn more about the two characters and how they wind up together.

~Ellen

I've read through 8 chapters so far and that's not due to lack of interest for sure. Wow - I really enjoyed the writing style and the degrees of polish I feel have gone into each chapter. I haven't noticed too many technical errors so won't go into that.I have to admit that the story is a bit hard only in the sense that most supporting characters are (intentionally) so unlikeable that I just want to shake Haille's shoulders and tell her she needs to surround herself with better people. Everyone around her seems like such a-holes, the worst of humanity! No wonder she feels the way she feels. Stacey is really the only one in her court.

Let's touch on Jace for a moment. It's apparent that both of them are extremely broken people but Jace, in particular, is a cumulation of mistakes he has made in the past. The only thing I have a small bit of trouble with how Jace acts vs how he feels, especially in the scene where he and Haille meet back up. His lack of reluctance to hit on and pick Haille up is not something I'm sure is entirely consistent with his internal landscape. It makes me wonder how much his intentions can be trusted? What are his intentions even in the first place? Is he going to end up treating Haille the same way as the woman was ho came stalking at his place? I really don't want to feel that way towards the main male lead. I want to be rooting and shipping the couple, considering the genre. Perhaps elaborating on his internal dialogue with Haille may help with that. I want to understand upfront that despite how he's been treated by women, how he can so quickly and easily try to go for someone else and treat them right and not just looking for sex.

Some other very minor things I want to point out is to consider Allie's dialogue. Considering she's 4, you may want to simplify even further anything she says. Just for consideration!

Also, I would actually move the timestamps to the beginning of the chapter. To me, timing is important as it shows how quickly a relationship develops (I hate it if there's no reason for characters to fall in love right away. Lust, I can understand but not love.) Last, I love the flashbacks but it takes me a little bit to orient that they are dreams or thoughts. Any kind of dream sequence, consider using italics to denote as that is a fairly common way to do so in published books.

All that said, I cannot stop singing praises about your writing style. I love the attention to detail of physical sensations and the varied ways you describe various simple gestures like hugs and eye glances. This is definitely the mark of a skilled writer and makes your writing easy to read and non-repetitive. I cannot wait to get to the steamy scenes. Great job and I will definitely be reading on.

~PixieStormcrow

The story between two people who had a rough life is emotionally good. But what shocks me is the characters in this story. Hallie is a very fragile woman who's self-worth is getting damaged by the people who are so critical and damage and they tend to make her feel like she's unwanted and undesirable. Mostly Liam and the two harpies, Vanessa and Ryleigh. And as for Jace, he's one broken man after the war in another country. He has done for much destruction in his life that he's biggest mistake was when he married that witch Sara, who likes to make Jace's life a living hell. But I know that Jace has PTSD and yet Sara has made everyone turned against him like how Liam did to Hallie. Jace and Hallie has walk through a path of bad decisions and bad relationships. The story is good but the characters kinda off to me.

~JaszmeneSmith

Chapters read: 8. I found the plot very thought through and realistic. It depicts the raw emotions around a break-up and trying to get back on one's feet. Hailie's struggles about her emotions towards her ex are very realistic; it depicts perfectly how complicated and hard it can be. Very relatable. The characters are realistic and very layered. I like how they aren't perfect but have made mistakes – very human. I like Hailie, but Jace is my favorite, and the second chapter really got to me in means of understanding his character. It was smart starting the story with a scene from their teenage years, giving a glimpse of who they were back then. There are several strong characters in addition to the MC's. I really like Stacy; she's that no-bullshit-loves-you-for-you kind of friend everyone should have. The descriptions are really good! Definitely one of the biggest strengths of the story. The pace is okay. A few chapters in I find myself skipping a bit, trying to get to the Hailie and Jace parts, but that's just a personal preference. I think the story is well built with all the different scenes, and seeing different angles/settings. I would absolutely read more from S.S.Marie!

~Mekri21

1. What did you think the book was about? — I didn't read the summary because I wanted to read this story without being spoiled and with an unbiased point of view. But from the title, the first thing I thought was, a couple broke up, and one of them suffers immense heartbreak, therefore they decide to have sex with some stranger or a friend like a rebound.

2. Did you feel the book fulfilled your expectations? — This book surprised me a lot after the time skip happened. It fulfilled a few of my expectations, even though like all erotica books, I was expecting sex or role-play in some chapters. Not everything is about sex, but about the sequence of events that leads to more than sex, to love. I enjoyed reading the book, specifically Jace's background. I found his perspective so interesting and real.

3. What about the plot? Did it pull you in; or did you feel you had to force yourself to read the book? — I thought the plot developed so well. I was happy this book is part of the club because it's so real and relatable in so many ways. I like that the author doesn't make the characters stereotypically handsome, pretty, or perfect. No human is perfect.

4. Do the characters seem real and believable? (Basically, can you relate to their predicaments? To what extent do they remind you of yourself or someone you know, if they do at all?) — I'm amazed, that Hailie didn't turn out like the typical female lead turns out in a typical story about the best friend, who always had a crush on the male lead, turns into a super conglomerate diva or whatnot, and show him what the male lead is missing. In this case, they both have a lot of baggage, skeletons in their closet, and need to work on themselves and make better friends. Especially Hailie! Ugh, I hated that woman who works in the cafe with her. She's awful and so insensitive. The woman has no filter, and she feels like her main job is to make Hailie feels bad about herself. Which in turn seems realistic because there are good people and then there are bad people. If I were her, I'd give her a taste of her own medicine. I feel so much for Jake. His ex-wife is horrible for keeping their son away from him, and I don't even know if what happened with the gun that time, truly happened. I mean, the dude seemed to have blacked out or something. But being a marine with PTSD, it's possible he blacked out and might have done what she said he did. Therefore, she's probably scared he might hurt their son or worse. Still, I think she's been taking advantage of Jake far too many times. He ain't no saint either, and at least he admits to it. This story and its characters are complicated and real. I can't wait to read more.

5. How was the pacing of the chapters you read? (Consider if the scenes skipped or jumped randomly. Too fast or too slow? Why?) — I think the story was written smoothly. I didn't detect any skipped scenes. It's written really well. It's easy, refreshing, and endearing to read. The pacing is just the right amount. I think this author can write a really long chapter, and you won't even notice because the story is written so well.

6. How was the description of the chapters you read? (Consider if there where any information bumps. Were there a lack of emotions, too little describing, telling rather than showing, etc.)— As I said before, the story is written well, and I can picture a lot of the scenes vividly. I feel I'm in the scene of the story and watching from the background as it plays out.

7. Describe what you liked or disliked about the writer's style? Why? — It's refreshing, compelling, and endearing. The author knows how to structure their story in a way that you can enjoy every second of it.

8. Would you read more of the author's work? — I plan to in the future. I need to know how the story of Jake and Hailie develops in the end.

~Jojo