Review: Rebound Envy by Jerica MacMillan

Reviewer's Rating: 5

5.0Overall score

Rebound Envy By Jerica MacMillan

Contemporary Romance

Released January 15, 2016

Self Published

Series: Rebound Series, Book #2

Synopsis

Always the bridesmaid when her best friend’s the bride …

Amy’s best friend Jenna is engaged … again. And she’s asked Amy to be her maid of honor again. Amy can’t help but feel jealous that Jenna’s ready to walk down the aisle for the second time, especially when her own love life is virtually nonexistent.

Adam has wanted Amy since she first walked into his wine bar. After he finally got the chance to take her out, issues from his past got in the way.

Now she’s dating someone else, and he’s jealous of the lost opportunity.

Will Adam and Amy work out the issues from the past and present that are keeping them apart? Or will their jealousies ruin their relationships and keep them apart forever?

Excerpt:

A glass of red wine appears on the low table in front of me, next to my half drunk flute of champagne. A low voice rumbles next to my ear. “We just got in a new Syrah last week. Try it. I think you’ll like it.”

I turn in surprise to find Adam’s face close to mine. His dark hair has gotten a little long since I last saw him, curling more than it does when it’s shorter. I like it. I want to touch it, run my hands through it. There’s no hair product there that will make me feel like I need to wash my hands afterward. Of course, I don’t. We don’t have that kind of relationship.

“Hey, Adam. Thanks.” I reach for the wine, glad to have something better to drink than the champagne. Especially since I am now faced with Adam. A strange mix of elation and dread fills me, causing my stomach to swirl and all of my saliva to dry up. He always makes me feel something. Avoiding him for almost two months hasn’t changed that at all.

He takes the seat next to me, lounging back in the comfortable chair, his golden eyes studying me as I take a sip. He quirks a brow at me. “What do you think?”

“It’s really good. Thanks for getting it for me.”

He flicks a couple fingers at my champagne flute. “I saw your date got you that. While it’s good champagne, I know you prefer reds over whites.”

I nod. “I do.” There doesn’t seem to be much else to say to that, even though he seems to be fishing for something.

He glances over to where Scott is still talking and mingling. “I’m surprised you’re over here by yourself. Usually you like to mix and mingle. Tired of your boyfriend already?”

There’s a little bite to his tone that I haven’t heard from him before. “I’ve been mingling for a while already. My feet were hurting and I wanted to sit. Scott is enjoying himself and I saw no reason to drag him away.” For some reason I’ve decided not to correct his assumption that Scott is more to me than a date for tonight.

Adam raises his eyebrows. “He looks like he takes longer to get ready than my sister. And she’s a beauty queen.”

I look at Scott’s profile where he’s standing in animated conversation. “He is very well groomed.” I turn my gaze back to Adam. “I hadn’t pegged you as the type to get jealous over another man’s looks.”

He laughs, but it sounds ugly and forced. Not the carefree, flirtatious laugh I’m used to from him. “I wouldn’t say I was jealous of his looks, Amy.”

I set the wine glass back on the table, not enjoying this exchange at all now. “Is there something you wanted, Adam? Or did you just come over to criticize my date?”

He studies my face. “Date? Not boyfriend?”

“I’m not sure why it matters.” I stand and pick up the champagne flute. “You’ve been more than clear that you have no interest in either position.”

Review

Reviewed by Deb

Beautiful, Sexy, and Bursting With Emotion

Rebound Envy takes you by the hand and whispers, “Come with me…I have a fantastic story to tell you.” Jerica MacMillan’s style is gentle and beautiful. And yet, it’s bursting with emotion, and some verra, verra sexy times. The second novella in her Rebound Series, this one tells Amy’s story. It’s not necessary to read novella #1, Rebound Therapy, but do it anyway. It sets up the series, and it’s wonderful. It has a different feel to it than this one. Which is one of the things I admire about Ms. MacMillan; her writing is true to the characters in every way. I have to say, even though I loved Rebound Therapy, this one is my favorite. I couldn’t put it down. I lounged in bed savoring every bit of this totally engaging story.

Amy is the polar opposite of her best friend, Jenna. She is the extrovert to Jenna’s Ms. Prim and Proper. Jenna is merely weeks away from marrying Brian, and since Amy played matchmaker, she is thrilled her best friend has found love again. When Jenna’s fiance was killed in a tragic accident, Amy was beside her through every step of the grieving process. She encouraged Jenna to get back out there. Job done, Amy is feeling lonely, and a tad jealous. Luck has not been on her side in regard to men. She had a few dates with Adam, Brian’s friend, and wine bar business partner. She thought they had a connection. And then, Bam…Adam stopped calling. No explanation, no “It’s not you, it’s me”. As far as Amy is concerned, Adam can go sit in a mud puddle and eat a toad. Up until now she’s successfully avoided the wine bar. However, there’s no way she can get out of this engagement party. She’s Jenna’s maid of honor. And lucky her, Adam is Brian’s best man. Awkward. Thankfully, Jenna has set her up with gorgeous co-worker Scott. The plot thickens ladies.

I love Amy! Her dry sense of humor is hilarious, she thoroughly enjoys shocking Jenna with sex talk, and she’s not afraid to speak her mind. The banter throughout this novella is great, as are the serious conversations. Which are sure to hit a nerve with everyone. We’ve all been in Amy’s situation in regard to relationships. We’ve all wanted it to “work” with someone, knowing deep down it just won’t happen. We’ve all let it go on too long, hoping things will change. Amy is torn between trying to make something work with Scott and listening to her heart. Her heart says Scott isn’t for her. No matter how gorgeous, or sweet, or wonderful he is. Her heart says Adam still wants her.

Thank you, Ms. MacMillan, for giving us Amy. Thank you for reminding us that we shouldn’t settle just to be with someone. Rebound Envy packs a whole lot of wisdom and insight into a beautifully written, thoroughly entertaining novella. I’m looking forward to the next story in the Rebound series.