Reviewed by Sadonna
TITLE: Rebound Control
SERIES: Chicago Thunder
AUTHOR: Jodi Oliver
PUBLISHER: Self-published
LENGTH: 297 pages
RELEASE DATE: January 9, 2026
BLURB:
Elliot
How is it possible to be surrounded by people who love me, yet I still feel alone?
Everyone is falling in love, and it’s like I’ve been left on the outside.
I want that for myself, but the thought of putting myself out there is terrifying.
Growing up being told you’re ‘too much’ puts a dent in your confidence, no matter how hard you try to hide it.
Until one day, Lieutenant Hunter Bowen finds me trapped in an elevator.
His kind words and gentle smile only heightens the crush I have on him, and when he asks me to join him one night, I push my fears aside and say yes.
I’m great at controlling the rebound on the ice, but when it comes to bruised hearts?
I guess we’ll find out.
Hunter
When I became a widower seven years ago, my entire world was flipped upside down.
I needed a fresh start, so I left the military and moved across the country, and vowed never to fall in love again.
That was until I met Elliot Olsen.
The guy who has the brightest smile, the biggest heart, and a whole heap of unspoken emotions.
I try to keep my heart at a distance, but the fire burns too bright between us to ignore.
The only problem is I’ve been here before, and I don’t know if I can risk having my heart torn apart again.
Rebound Control is a sports romance featuring a hockey goaltender and a firefighter. It includes ADHD rep, a protective mc, late night ice cream drives and all the Thunder found family vibes.
It is book five in the Chicago Thunder series and can be read as a standalone.
REVIEW:
Note: this is the first story in this series and as such has major spoilers for previous books. The other books establish especially Elliot’s relationship with his twin brother and teammate Blaine and his husband Alex who are major support for Elliot.
Elliot has always been told he’s “too much” and that he needs to get it together. Blaine, his twin is always “rescuing” him. But Elliot doesn’t try to mess up. He just can’t keep his brain on track. He’s also desperately wanting to find someone who doesn’t find him to be too much and can love him like Alex loves Blaine.
Hunter Bowen is an ex-SEAL who is an Lt with the Chicago Fire Department. He and Elliot meet at a Thunder family day. Elliot wants to sit in the truck and reluctantly he goes over and asks and Hunter gives him the rundown. They then run into each other periodically over the next year plus. But neither is prepared when Elliot gets trapped in an elevator and it’s Hunter and the CFD to the rescue.
Hunter is so wonderful to Elliot as he tries calm him from his anxiety and panic attack due to his claustrophobia. Elliot is really embarrassed by his reaction and having Hunter see him as weak. Hunter tells him he has nothing to be embarrassed about. Elliot makes cookies to thank him – with Alex’s help 😉
Hunter had moved to Chicago after his husband’s death in California while he was deployed. His uncle is retired CFD and he asked Hunter to move in with him. He and Uncle Walt are pals and Uncle Walt would like to see his nephew happy again.
When Hunter and Elliot run into each other at the theater, they end up sharing some snacks and seeing a show together. Hunter has gone to a holiday movie since this was a tradition with his late husband. Hunter relaxes enough to fall asleep in the movie 😉 After the movie they go for dinner and some fun. Things go well until somehow Elliot gets spooked again and tightens up. But they exchange numbers and connect over their insomnia.
After texting for a while, Hunter decides to go to a game. There, he meets Alex, who is Elliot’s brother-in-law. Alex asks Hunter to be patient with Elliot. And Hunter ends up being the absolute best for Elliot 🙂
Gotta say this is hands down my favorite so far in this series. I’ve been waiting and waiting and waiting for Elliot to find his person. This low angst story is perfection! CFD? Check. Goalie with a tender heart? Check. Second chance love after loss? Check. Family and found family having their backs? Check. I loved Alex and Blain’s protectiveness of Elliot. I loved the team’s love of Elliot. I loved Uncle Walt. The author took such care in writing Elliot and the challenges that he’d been faced with and how much he constantly doubts himself because of all the feedback he’s been given over his lifetime. Hunter is reluctant to put himself out there because he was devastated by losing his husband – his first boyfriend and all that meant. Both of them deserved this happily ever after SO much. They had so much love to give and I was soooo happy to see them find and love each other. Highly recommended.
RATING: 
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