Review: ‘Rules of a Rebound’ by Nina Crespo
Rules of a Rebound
by Nina CrespoSeries: Breakup Bash #2
Published by Entangled Publishing (Brazen) on August 5, 2019
SubGenres: Contemporary Romance, Interracial Romance, Multicultural Romance
Format: eBook
Pages: 212
Source: Purchased
Audience: 18+/Rated R
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Natalie Winters thought she’d married the man of her dreams…but her marriage ended way too soon in a nightmarish divorce. She even has to share custody of the dog! The stress is killing her, so she decides to take a night off and attend the Breakup Bash—a private party for women celebrating their breakups—with her friends.
Former executive security specialist turned bartender Rome Collier is drawn to the woman easily trading sexy banter with him. And if she wants the “Do Me” condoms she accidentally throws across the counter at him, she’ll have to claim them…personally. Their flirtation turns into so much more, and every scintillating night they spend together is better than the last.
Strong, protective...and hot, Rome is everything Natalie ever wanted in a man. All she has to do is convince him he’s more than a rebound.
Rules of a Rebound is the second book in Nina Crespo’s Breakup Bash series. I’m so glad I made time for this series because I’m having a hard time putting down the books; I’m enjoying them so much. They’re quick and steamy, and I love the setting and characters for it.
The series follows three girlfriends who end up attending a breakup bash at the local club after they either suffer a horrible breakup or are newly divorced, like the FMC in this book. Natalie Winters thought she had met the man of her dreams until she ended up getting a divorce shortly afterward. Her ex-husband didn’t deserve her, in my opinion, because then she would have never met Rome Collier at the breakup bash with her friends while he was bartending. She’s not even looking for anyone, but she can’t seem to take her eyes off Rome, and neither can he with her, even when there are other women at the bar vowing for his attention. Rome only has eyes for her, and their flirting with one another leads to a one-night stand that turns into a lot more between the two.
I loved how Nina began in the same scene as the first book in the series but with a different POV, and that’s Natalie’s POV, this time at the breakup bash. Natalie’s friend Alexa already got her HEA, so now it’s Natalie’s turn, even though she’s not looking for anything serious. It’s inevitable, though, because her connection with Rome was instant, and I loved their chemistry with one another, even though Natalie tried to fight it, which drove me a little crazy with her character. She had some insecurities, and she was dealing with some things at work, too.
Rome, on the other hand, fell hard for Natalie, even though he suspected she was still hung up on her ex and was using him as a rebound. Rome isn’t even looking for serious with anyone, and he’s dealing with the things from his past that he doesn’t like talking about, but he’s forced to open up when something happens between him and Natalie that puts him on the spot.
Just like the first book, the MMC won me over immediately more than the FMC. I found Rome a sweetheart who didn’t want to be Natalie’s rebound but something else. He did things for her that a rebound guy wouldn’t do, but someone who cares for her. He melted my heart when it came to how he cared for her doggie for her because he knew how much her dog meant to her.
Some misunderstandings are going to happen between the characters that could have easily been addressed with communication, but don’t worry, there’s a HEA for them both. Both characters were meant to meet one another, and I’m usually picky with instant love connections, but Nina writes them so well. Natalie needed a man like Rome after she had to deal with her ex-husband. Rome will show her how she’s supposed to be treated and how they make time with one another, even when they have busy schedules.
This was another great story from Nina Crespo, and I give it four stars. I look forward to reading the last book in the series, especially when Nina has given us hints on what’s to come next.
Story Rating: ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
Steam/Spice: 🌶🌶.5
Standalone or Part of Series: It’s part of the Breakup Bash Series. I recommend reading this series in order because the storylines from the other books occur simultaneously.
Would I recommend this book? Yes. If you are looking for a book that has instant love, characters that find love when they aren’t looking for it, and steamy moments between those characters, this book is for you.
Genre/SubGenre(s): Romance | Contemporary Romance | Multicultural/Interracial Romance
Trope(s)/Element(s): One Night Stand | He Fell First | Divorced FMC | Scarred MMC
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About Nina Crespo
Nina Crespo lives in Florida where she indulges in her favorite passions -- the beach, a good glass of wine, date night with her own real-life hero and dancing. Her lifelong addiction to romance began in her teens while on a "borrowing spree" in her older sister's bedroom where she discovered her first romance novel. Let Nina's sensual contemporary stories and steamy paranormal tales satisfy your own craving for love, romance, and happily ever after.
My obsession with reading started over 30+ years ago when I went to my first Scholastic Book Fair and found R.L. Stine's Fear Street series. Later, I came across Anne Rice's novels at my public library when I was fourteen when my obsession with vampires started. I was the girl who preferred to be a vampire over a princess any day. My husband says I would leave him a heartbeat for a vampire that looked like Spike or Angel (from Buffy the Vampire Slayer) or Damon Salvatore from The Vampire Diaries. (It's true, though, and he's accepted it.)
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