Reviewed by Sadonna

TITLE:  Rebound

SERIES:  The Oleander Chronicles

AUTHOR:  Lynn Van Dorn

NARRATOR:  Michael Ferraiuolo

PUBLISHER:  self-published

LENGTH:  10 hours and 3 minutes

RELEASE DATE:  November 12, 2021

BLURB:

All Jacob Goldman wanted was for his boyfriend to not take him for granted. His plans, however, only gained him an ex-boyfriend, a damaged classic car, a charge of bird murder, angry townsfolk, and a hot mechanic he wants nothing to do with. All he wants now is his car fixed and to not be run out of town by the angry townsfolk of Oleander for involuntary bird-slaughter. Falling for his annoying mechanic is no part of Jacob’s plan.

Levi Greene is tired of being alone. He’s also tired of pining for his best friend, a man who’s in love with someone else. Jacob Goldman, an uber-twink from South Florida, isn’t even close to being Levi’s type. Nevertheless, he’s uncontrollably drawn to Jacob, and it isn’t just the lure of fixing his damaged classic car. Jacob touches Levi in a way that makes him want more, even if Levi knows that more isn’t in the cards for either one of them.

Rebound is the story of two men giving up on hopeless relationships only to fall into each other’s arms, more or less, and find that they complete each other in a way no other man could. There is hate sex, a bird funeral, “special” baked goods, a redneck seder, and an accidental overabundance of flamingos. Jacob and Levi fight each other, but find they can’t fight the bond that forms between them or the love that will, despite all obstacles, have its own way. This novel is a sequel to Reunion, but features a new couple and can be listened to on its own.

REVIEW:

Note:  This is the second book in the series and as such, contains spoilers for book 1 as well as some timeline overlap.  It can be listened to on it’s own by I highly recommend the first in the series, Reunion.

Jacob Goldman has had a rather inauspicious introduction to the town of Oleander Florida, hometown of his ex-boyfriend.  In an attempt to get Brett back, Jacob accidentally hits and kills Betty, one of a pair of flamingos who are sort of the town mascots.  Needless to say he is persona non grata in this small town.  So it’s pretty hilarious when he has to stay there in order to get the classic car of his odious father repaired before returning to Miami.  And the only mechanic familiar with and able to restore a classic care happens to be one Levi Greene, erstwhile mechanic who was also a classmate of the aforementioned Brett and best friend of Brett’s new/old boyfriend Tony.  It’s specifically hilarious because he has to stay at the only option in town, a B&B run by Levi’s Bubee.

Levi cannot believe what he is seeing with Jacob and his friend Maxie.  These two ubertwinks are unlike anyone he’s ever met.  And Jacob hits every button he has.  While Levi might look butch with his tats and piercings (in many many places 😉 ), he needs to be dominated.  Jacob is tired of being assumed to be a bitchy bottom and he is the toppiest twink ever.  There is a good amount of hate sex at the beginning of this story, but they move on from that pretty quickly 😉  Bubee and Levi’s twin, Leah, also have some side stuff going with a little weed business and Bubee’s “special” baked goods at the B&B.  Soooo many funny moments here.  The half cracker, half Jewish Levi and Leah are really quite the pair – a couple of gay siblings who total love and support each other.

Jacob, however, has a bit of backstory.  His family is the polar opposite of Levi’s.  He’s been used and abused forever. His mother is running for Congress and his father and sister see him as a means to an end – and certainly not as a person.  When Jacob experiences the Greene family, he’s kind of blown away.  And then there is the sex – which is OFF THE CHARTS with Levi.  But a funny thing happens on the way to fixing the classic car.  Instead of a short fling, Jacob finds himself falling not just for Levi, but for the whole family and the town of Oleander.  And when unexpected guests arrive, the deal is sealed.

There is also a hilarious side story about replacing the deceased flamingo.  Other characters are introduced and I hope we get at LEAST one more story from Oleander.  My mom is from a small town.  Honestly, this story is not really over the top or far-featched 🙂

OMG!  This story has so many heartbreaking moments.  This story also has so many laugh out loud moments!  Between Bubee and Maxie and Jacob and Levi and Leah and the entire Greene family, there is always something happening.  I am so glad I was listening to this at home, because I’m sure my laughing would have scared anyone that heard me.  These characters are just so quirky and fun and amazing!  I loved that Jacob found his forever family and that Levi finally found someone to fit him.  And the narration!  I think Michael Ferraiuolo really outdid himself on this one.  I LOVED Maxie and Jacob from the first book, but really – just brilliant in this book.  All the voices are so distinct and perfect for the characters.  BRAVO sir!  Highly recommended for a hard-won HEA from some amazing and fabulous characters.  I cannot wait for more!

RATING: 

BUY LINKS:

Amazon

Audible