rebound control

“As long as I’m on this earth, you will never question your worth again. You hear me? If anyone tries to make you doubt yourself, I will rip them apart with my bare hands.”

Ever since reading the rest of the series last year, I’ve been counting down the days for Elliot’s book. He’s held a special place in my heart since Trade Deadline, and I’m so happy to say Jodi Oliver absolutely delivered. Elliot and Hunter’s story was everything I hoped for and more—a perfect ending to a perfect series 💯💯

Elliot Olsen, the Chicago Thunder goalie, is funny, chaotic, sweet, and impossible not to love 🥰🥰 But as the people around him start finding their forever, Elliot is left struggling with change, loneliness, and finding a new normal. That’s when Lieutenant Hunter Bowen enters his life—a kind, incredibly handsome firefighter Elliot is immediately attracted to. Hunter carries his own baggage, yet he can’t resist the pull he feels toward Elliot. Their connection is immediate and magnetic 🔥🔥

This book was tender, emotional, and full of heart. Elliot deserves the world, and Hunter is more than ready to give it to him 😎😎 I didn’t think I could love Elliot more than I already did, but I was wrong. He was sweet, gentle, and deeply relatable. Elliot’s internal struggles— feeling afraid to be himself, caught between the fear of being too much and never enough— broke my heart. Hunter never tried to quiet or change him; instead, he made Elliot feel seen and valued, adoring his nonstop talking and the way his mind works, loving him exactly as he is ❤️❤️

The ADHD neurodivergent representation was handled with so much care and authenticity. Elliot’s thought patterns and struggles felt real, never exaggerated or caricatured, and I really appreciated that 👍👍

“Never change, Elliot. Don’t let anyone ever dull your shine.”

Hunter is an ex–Navy SEAL, and while serving, he lost his husband, Duncan. He never wants to go through that kind of pain again—losing someone who means the world to him—so staying single feels safer 😭😭 That is, until he meets Elliot. Hunter is an incredible partner for Elliot; they complement each other perfectly. Hunter sees Elliot exactly as he is and treasures him for it, while Elliot helps heal Hunter’s internal scars and guides him forward. Elliot becomes the light Hunter needs to find his way out of the dark ☀️☀️

I also need to address how incredibly mature Elliot was when it came to Duncan. He never tried to replace him and instead acknowledged how precious what Hunter and Duncan shared was, even telling Hunter to never let anyone take that away from him. I cried when he gave Hunter that one single rose. Elliot truly is an angel 😇😇

“God forbid anyone goes near Elliot, though. It’s like waving a red flag, and he’s like a raging bull. He doesn’t think clearly when someone threatens Elliot.” It seems Blaine and I have something in common.

Another moments that made me cry was the confrontation between Elliot and Blaine. Growing up, Elliot always felt unlovable, watching people gravitate toward his twin instead of him, which left him with deep insecurities and constant self-doubt. Now that Blaine and Alex are married, Elliot fears he’s been replaced, and their conversation was incredibly emotional. I love them so much—these siblings have always been each other’s rock, and they always will be 💕💕

Seeing the other characters from the previous books again was so special. They truly feel like a family, and reading about them makes me feel like I’m part of that family too. I love the Chicago Thunder series so much—it will always have a special place in my heart. Thank you, Jodi Oliver, for giving us this series and these characters 🌷🌷