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Not the Rebound Guy

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A freshly broken heart sends the overworked Eliza back home to rural Illinois for some rest, relaxation, and bonding with her grandmother. The one-on-one time she planned for quickly takes a turn when she discovers that her generous, feisty Grams has another unexpected houseguest.

On Grams' insistence, a doting beekeeper neighbor, Garrett, has taken up temporary residence on the back porch of her tiny farm house, after falling on hard times. This arrangement is a little too close for comfort for Eliza, but when the two of them band together to help Grams keep up with orders for her famous strawberry jam, all kinds of stickiness ensues.

Heartreak? What heartbreak?

If you like:

Forced proximity
Feisty grandmas
Small town romance
Baby farm animals
Bees
New uses for strawberry preserves...

Then this fun and sexy novella is your jam!

120 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 1, 2021

40 people are currently reading
81 people want to read

About the author

Abby Knox

152 books597 followers

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5 stars
86 (58%)
4 stars
38 (25%)
3 stars
17 (11%)
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4 (2%)
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2 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
Profile Image for JudyAnnLovesBooks.
2,121 reviews76 followers
April 17, 2021
4.5 Stars ⭐️

Not The Rebound Guy is such an adorable, read in one sitting romance. Everything about sassy pants, curly haired, meticulous list maker and planner queen, Eliza, is in direct contrast with, nature boy, singer song writer, beekeeper and farm animal whisperer, Garrett. And that is exactly why they are so perfect for each other. On the heels of a breakup with the world’s worst boyfriend, Eliza decides to spend time with her Grams. Garrett is Grams’ neighbor and has been taking care of her for years. Grams is a crafty old fox and has set her matchmaking eyes on her two favorite people - Garrett and Eliza. Her wish comes true when they get their much deserved happily ever after and what a sweet read it is. TBR and Enjoy.
Profile Image for Book Snob Sue.
1,414 reviews136 followers
April 20, 2021
These two were like sunshine, puppies, and rainbows, throw in some naughty and I was hooked. Especially Garrett, he was probably one of the sweetest guys, absolutely adorable that one. They meet when Eliza heads back to see her Grams after finding out her ex had cheated and was seeing someone else. I know, I know, good riddance. Garrett is at the airport to pick her up for her Grams. He is her Grams neighbor, and helps her out all the time...I know, que the awwwwweeeee, and yes, he really is that guy, so adorable. And, he is a huge animal lover, seriously I could gush about him in the entire review, he was just that perfect. Oh yeah, he sings too, he is like a mystical book boyfriend.

Safe read. Sweet, cute, quirky, adorable, feel good, everything you could ever want in a small town romance. Throw in the drive-in, and jam making dirty shenanigans to complete the effect. I love the feel good of the book, and will definitely read this again just for that reason. I actually loved everything about this book, it was the perfect blend of everything. And Garrett, I can’t say enough about him, and how much he was the all around perfect book boyfriend, they just don’t make them like him anymore. A sweet af epilogue and hea.

Psst, kudos for the use of tussle and critters, kinda made my day.
Profile Image for Abby Knox.
Author 152 books597 followers
Read
April 23, 2021
Update:

This feel-good, funny, read-in-one-sitting story is ready for your weekend reading. Go grab it! Not the Rebound Guy



Head over to my website and get a sneak peek behind the scenes on how this story came about. The book is set to be released Tuesday, April 20. Thanks in advance for adding it to your want-to-read list!

www.authorabbyknox.com/abbys-blog

Profile Image for Lynn Thinking out loud .
1,482 reviews64 followers
April 18, 2021
I'm giving this book a one star. I'm possibly finished with this author. Two words in a book that I despise the most is "toxic masculinity " It's the kiss of death for me. Stop pussifying men with your "toxic feminism ".
951 reviews1 follower
July 29, 2022
Not The Rebound Guy by Abby Knox was a sheer, true, and utter delight!

Eliza is a take no prisoners hoot! She's a planner, meticulous, and needs someone to keep her off kilter, just a bit! Feisty and sassy to boot.

And Garrett?! I. Flipping. Love. This. Cinnamon. Roll. Hero! A sweetheart with the right amount of durrrrrty. Yum!

This story is all about the country boy and the city girl and how they're a perfect meld of two worlds. It's an engrossing read, a fun read, a loving read, a read that will leave you with a grin on your face. And a new appreciation for jam! So, dive on in!
306 reviews1 follower
April 26, 2021
Wholesome love story

Not the Rebound Guy was such a wholesome love story.

Fresh off a break up Eliza decides to the behind the fast paced New York City for a vacation to see her grandmother. What she doesn’t anticipate is her matchmaking grandma and her grams hunky neighbor, Garrett.

Absolutely fun read. Would definitely recommend.
Profile Image for Jackie.
1,628 reviews7 followers
July 20, 2022
absolutely loved!!

So adorably cute. I love garret. He is the embodiment of strong, loyal and caring. He goes out of his way to help those he cares about and when he wants something he is in 100%. Loved how he slowly got Eliza to accept them and openly up to the possibility of more. Their steamy times are hot and adorably cute with their quirks and jokes. Great story.
379 reviews9 followers
April 22, 2021
Absolutely delightful!

I truly loved Eliza and Garrett’s small town romance, it’s sweet sexy and low on angst and so very satisfying. You will never look at strawberry jam the same again.
Profile Image for Jennifer.
1,428 reviews19 followers
July 15, 2021
So sweet

This book was so sweet. The main characters had great chemistry and the was little to no drama. It was perfect. I really enjoyed reading this... And I especially loved the very happy ending.
273 reviews1 follower
July 20, 2022
Sweet and tender

Very, very beautiful bouquet of feelings, emotions, family bonds, romance and love. Sincerity, tenderness and true love in the broadest meaning. Really lovely story!
3 reviews
May 1, 2021
Lovely story

Quick, safe read. HEA. Lovely story, the characters are so sweet and perfect for each other plus a feisty matchmaking grandma.
1,382 reviews6 followers
May 11, 2021
It was cute. I like the characters. Just a tad boring and tame for my taste.
Profile Image for Jeannette.
3,155 reviews8 followers
June 5, 2021
Sweet

This was a good book to read. It had sad and sweet moments. I liked the characters and their chemistry and connection
54 reviews
June 24, 2021
Tearjerker

Not sure at first but hang in there because by the time Anny Knox gets done with these two you'll be sweetly in love with them yourself.
Profile Image for Ashema.
120 reviews
August 18, 2021
Sticky sweet

This couple was so adorable and hot and sweet! And I love a good meddling Grams who still lives and is full of life!
3,731 reviews9 followers
June 11, 2023
Enjoyed reading this book
Profile Image for Holly Doyal.
1,101 reviews5 followers
April 25, 2021
3.5 stars
This book really wasn't what I was expecting. It started off strong for me, but then it lost some of its appeal and turned into more of a sex marathon (nothing wrong with that as long as it has a good story to go along with it). However, it is a short story that is very readable in one setting.

Eliza has gone to visit her grandmother after she suffered an unexpected breakup by her boyfriend of several years. We learn the back story on this breakup, but then the conversation turns strange. She then realized that he never did certain things to her in the bedroom and she is now upset. So upset that she repeats this story to a near stranger (Garrett) who happens to be staying with her grandmother. There's nothing awkward or strange about that. Eye roll.

Garrett is around the same age as Eliza and is a farmer / bee keeper / soap maker, etc. that lives next door to Grams. His house caught fire when his pet goat chewed on kitchen wiring and when Garrett first made tortilla chips later, a fire started. Such strange details to me. Anyway, while his house is being repaired, he is sleeping in a sleeping bag at Grams' house. He instantly falls in love with Eliza once he sees her at the airport - especially since he has heard Grams talk about Eliza for the several years he has lived next door.

Eliza wants nothing to do with Garrett because she is nursing a broken heart. Until later that night when she also falls instantly in love with Garrett. Again, just a little too strange to me. The attraction didn't build or simmer - it just went straight to 100% with no warning.

This story really could have been cute if a few more details were worked out. But to me it felt like a story that only existed so the author could write sex scenes.

I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. The opinions above are mine without biases.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Me_myself_and_romance_ Books.
491 reviews
April 30, 2021
This is a beautiful fast paced small town insta attraction romance. When Eliza has her heart broken by her cheating ex she decides to regroup by visiting her grandma but instead she meets the larger then life, sweet and handsome neighbour Garrett at the airport. Garrett has had feelings for her since he first saw her photo on her grandmothers fridge. Eliza is organized and doesn’t want to get her heart broken again knowing she has to go back to New York so she fights the feeling that grow so quickly.

The more time they spend together the more it’s harder to resist what is growing. It’s sweet, swooney, funny, sizzling the chemistry between these two are explosive. I didn’t want it to end, I read it on one go but that’s always the case with anything I read of Abby Knox.

I received an arc to give an honest opinion.
Profile Image for Trish.
1,618 reviews7 followers
May 5, 2021
I absolutely loved this book. It’s funny, steamy and sweet. Garrett is such a sweetheart you can't help but fall for him. Eliza is spending her vacation time with her gran trying to get over her heartbreak although I think she's more regretful of the years wasted with the guy that heartbroken. Eliza's gran is wonderful and definitely a bit of a matchmaker and I think she's been working on the setup between Eliza and Garrett for a while now. Honestly Eliza's gran reminds me of my own granny who's been gone several years and is missed everyday still. If you like funny, witty, instalove like stories you'll love this book. I'm not sure how I've managed to not read any of Abby Knox's books before now, but this definitely isn't my last one!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Emily Pennington.
20.7k reviews359 followers
May 6, 2021
Eliza and Garrett's Story . . .

After a horrible breakup, Eliza goes to Illinois to rest and relax, and to spend time with her grandmother. Her regimented plans fall apart since Grams’ beekeeper neighbor, Garrett, has been hanging around. Since the time seems right, Grams decides to play matchmaker for the two of them and gets them working in her strawberry jam project. Garrett and Eliza are total opposites in personality. Could the two of them fall into Grams’ plan for their happiness? Or will they catch on and put a stop to meddling?

This is a fun, light comedy that puts humor where it belongs! Grab your copy and enjoy these wonderful characters as we find out whether Eliza’s grandmother got it right to begin with! And you’ll also find 1,001 uses for strawberry jam, followed by a shower.
Profile Image for Elizabeth McDaniel.
2,383 reviews
May 10, 2021
I really enjoyed this book.
Eliza took time off her job in New York to visit her Gram in Piper’s Grove and help her with her jams and jellies and get over a bad breakup. Garrett was Grams neighbor that looked after her and had fell in love with Eliza through the pictures and the stories that Gram had shared with him. When Eliza met Garrett the sparks immediately began. As Eliza and Garrett started their fun and sweet not dating dates they experienced awkward, exciting, different and exceptional once in a lifetime feelings as his love made her strong to face her past with her cheating ex and nagging mother so they could have their HEA. Fun read

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
1,070 reviews28 followers
April 19, 2021
I was sent this book inn exchange for an honest review.
So-in-charge-of=everything-in-her-life Eliza is home visiting her favorite grandma after having her heart broken. Garrett is Gran's next door neighbor and has as strong a place in Gran's heart as Eliza does. So what does feisty Gran do? Of course - she match makes. Will it work? Well this story will give you the answer to that. The sweet journey was such a joy to read and Abby Knox has the best imagination I've come across in a very long time. Not just in creating her characters and story lines, but in the way she brings people together.
Highly recommend
Profile Image for Elysian Fields.
2,190 reviews37 followers
April 19, 2021
I found this story so much fun. It is lighthearted and funny and doesn't take things too seriously, just what I needed in a exciting and entertaining read. The story has so many great moments and many times I found myself laughing out loud, aweing and wanting a Grandma just like the one in this story. There is romance of course and that is a fun ride, as well a great character that really make the story blossom. I liked the snark, the push and pull and lets not forget all the wild animals! A pure entertaining romance! Recommended for readers who want a read to boost their moods.
677 reviews6 followers
May 4, 2021
Eliza and Garret were perfect together! And Eliza's spunky Grandma was too cute. I really enjoyed this story. Eliza going to stay with her Grandma to get over a breakup but when she gets Garrett she sees in him what a man should be like. Their story is sweet,funny and has some steam to top it off.

**Wee bit of a spoiler...just about someone's attitude**
Augh! Eliza's mother! I really wanted Eliza to shove a strawberry in her face! But in the end everyone had a HEA!
Profile Image for Bunni Crawford.
186 reviews
May 7, 2021
We Bee Jamming!
Liza isn't looking for love, just a vacation with her Grams. Garrett, the Bee keeper, slash Grams "hot" neighbor, is a pleasant surprise. Things Bee Jamming by the time Liza realizes, it's not just a rebound thing. No spoilers.
This was a sweet short, with just enough chemistry to keep things a little on the sexy side.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
1,564 reviews7 followers
May 4, 2021
Eliza decides to go to New York City for a vacation to see her grandmother. What she doesn’t anticipate is her matchmaking grandma and her grandma's hunky neighbor, Garrett. The story has a good story line. The characters are good, and they have good chemistry, Not the Rebound Guy was so much fun. It is lighthearted and funny, a definite must read.
Profile Image for Helena Mendes.
1,370 reviews16 followers
May 11, 2021
I loved Eliza and Garrett's tale, it's funny, romantic, steamy and so sweet. All the characters are wonderful and the storyline it's what one expects from a rom com and then some more. I love the authors writing style and the dual POV in which the story is narrated.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Charlene.
5,669 reviews2 followers
April 27, 2021
Super cute story. Loved all the fruit puns and the animals. Especially loved the planner insights (I use Happy Planner). Great story and would love to revisit them in the future.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Amanda.
1,260 reviews11 followers
May 5, 2021
Super cute and funny story. Very light and easy to read. Definitely one to add to your to be read list of you enjoy chick lit.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews

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