My Rebound

On My Own, Book 2

By: Carrie Ann Ryan

Narrated by: Emma Wilder, Shane East

Length: 7 hrs and 9 mins

Publisher's Summary

A rebound isn’t supposed to last. Though, sometimes, fate has other ideas in this opposites-attract, friends-with-benefits romance.

It wasn’t supposed to happen this way. 

I started planning my future at the age of six. I knew the college I wanted, the career I needed, and the boy I would marry.

Only he wasn’t supposed to break up with me in such a spectacular fashion. Now, I’m tossing my planner and breaking my rules.

First up: Pacey Ziglar.

I want one night of fun. One night to toss out all inhibitions with the sexy Brit across the hall. Too bad I fell for my rebound along the way.

I never meant to say yes.

I know exactly what Mackenzie Thomas wants when she asks me out on a date. She won’t be my first no-strings-attached relationship, and if things work out the way we both want, she won’t be my last.

Yet the more I get to know her, the more I want her. But she’s not looking for me to be her forever.

And when my family secrets threaten our future, I’m afraid forever might end far too soon.

©2021 Carrie Ann Ryan (P)2021 Carrie Ann Ryan

Just a rebound? Yeah, right.

I enjoyed this book, but I have some criticisms about it. I loved Pacey and Mackenzie together, especially after what Sanders did to her. And I wanted to slap Sanders in this book when he decided he made a mistake and wanted her back. Add to that, his "friend" Hunter who does everything in his power to ruin Mac. Not a fan of either of these guys.

Pacey has secrets. Lots of secrets. And I get why he has them. Dealing with an organ transplant and all of the ramifications afterwards (even many many years later) is not easy. And he's in college and doesn't want people to think of him as weak or to treat him differently. He wants to fit in and not have people constantly worrying about him. However, realistically, that's not possible. Once you receive a transplanted organ, you entire life is turned upside down. The meds you have to take constantly and on a timeclock. You have no immune system and the slightest germ can put you in a hospital. Life is different and you aren't "normal". You are not like other people your age. There are ways to adjust, but there is always differences.

I love that Mac is so concerned once she knows what is going on with Pacey. I also love the fact that his "roommates" and their family have decided to get tested to see if any are a match in case he ever needs another kidney. And that is entirely possible. Most transplants only last 10-20 years and since he was so young when he had his, he will need another one in his lifetime.

I realize I have focused on the transplant topic of the book and it was not a "major" storyline in it, but it hit close to home for me.

I felt that Mac, being the odd girl out of the four, was hesitant yet supportive. And, because of Hunter, she got screwed over in her studies. So when she had the chance to give her professor that turned her turn to be her advisor and the internship, I was so proud of her. It seemed like she was hesitant to upset the norm, but she found her backbone and let him know exactly what she thought and I was cheering her on.

I'll admit I wasn't too impressed with Mac originally but I loved Pacey. I wasn't sure how their pairing was going to work. And I still don't know if they will work out once they are out of college, but that is life.

Shane East was a great Pacey. His British accent is such a thrill to listen to. And Emma Wilder as Mac, and all of the other girls, never disappoints.

Really Enjoyed This One!!

This one was great! This story started off with a broken hearted girl who asks a guy friend to be her rebound. Their relationship progresses faster than either of them expected and that’s pretty cute!

These two are ones you wouldn’t necessarily put together at first but as their story unfolds you see they have quite a bit in common.

They are juniors in college which makes it a little hard for me to relate not being in their age range or close to it but ehh it wasn’t too big of a hindrance other than trying to keep it straight as to where they were in the year. That seemed to keep changing until they were done lol

Narrators:
Shane East and Emma Wilder— I very much appreciate when a British/English character is voiced by a native voice actor and I love Shane’s work!

Emma is a major favorite. She can go soft and wispy or deep and strong. Her male voice is great. She even managed to do an English accent without a high cringe factor which is not always easy!

Pacey is swooning worth it! great narration!

I was super excited about Pacey and Mackenzie's story, since that awful betrayal at the end of book one, and i loved how they happened in a fluid way, even if I found lots of similarities with book one.

Pacey was a sweetheart, even if he sometimes was clueless to his surroundings. I liked that he was always there for everyone, and i could relate to his disappointment with his parents...

Mackenzie was a bit flat in my opinion, but she also grew up on me when she started to spread her wings and take charge of her life without a planner.

This series is sweet and addictive, especially if NA college romance is your guilty pleasure.
This whole group matching up and living all their experiences as a huge family, is kinda of cool.

🎧 About the Audiobook Narration 🎧

Narrated by Shane East and Emma Wilder.

I don't know why it was Emma doing the narration again, since she did for Elise one the first book... She's really good, but it was weird to hear her again on Mackenzie.
On the other hand, Shane East and his accent can narrate every single British character over there, and I'll be okay with that.
Yes! Double standards and I don't care. 😂

Awesome second book in the series!

Another amazing book by Carrie Ann Ryan. Pacey and Mackenzie were absolutely delightful and relatable. They have definitely become some of my favorite characters from her world.

After finding her boyfriend cheating on her, Mackenzie is on her own for the first time. Being the helpful guy and flirt that he is, Pacey offers to be her rebound. The two have a chemistry that neither was expecting that would ignite once they get together.

I loved Pacey. He has this confident outer shell and would do anything for his friends. But once you peel away those layers, he’s a shy guy who’s a little bit broken. And I loved that about him. How he opened up to Mackenzie melted me. Mackenzie was also amazing. She’s a planner; and girl, same. Then her whole life gets turned upside down but Pacey is back there to put it right side up. And that incident we had at the end of the book had me screaming.

There are still two other books in the series and it’s going to be hard for Miles and Tanner to top Pacey in my eyes. The teaser we get at the end about Miles and Nessa was a big tease and I can’t wait to read their story next.

Emma Wilder and Shane East were fabulous as MacKenzie and Pacey. They did a great job bringing all the emotions of this story to life.

Rebound

The first thing that needs to be said is that the accent is so sexy! I could listen to that all day.

College aged friends trying to figure out how to become adults. This is book 2 in the series, but I think you could get away with not starting book 1 and still be okay. I appreciate the maturity of this group of friends. It’s not just about parties and sex, it’s about family and responsibility. I can tell I’m going to love the rest of this series and am looking forward to everyone getting their happily ever after.

What a delightful rebound !

Pacey and MacKenzie stole my heart immediately. Shane East and Emma Wilder made the characters so likeable and endearing. Enemies to lovers is one of my favorite tropes and then throw in the “life laughing at your plans” twist and this story became fun, sexy and engaging. This book was my introduction to the series and i look forward to listening to the rest. If you like sexy, snarky nice-guy heroes and determined kick ass heroines then this book is for you !

Sweet

Aww this book is so sweet. I love their relationship
Emma Wilder and Shane East did an amazing job at narrating. God Shane’s voice!!! Freaking hot

I am loving this series!

What a great story! I feel like I am really getting to know these kids. I loved learning more about Pacey! He really is a hidden gem and he has a lot of secrets! Mackenzie is on the rebound from Paul. She forms a friendship with Pacey as he tries to get her back into the world of dating and friends. One thing leads to another…..

There is quite a bit going on behind the scenes. We see more of the Nessa, Natalie, Tanner and Miles and how their lives are intertwined with the two main characters.

I did listen to this on audio. Shane East and Emma Wilder rocked this one! Both add much to an already great story.

Great Story

I listened to this one on Audible. I loved this story, The rebound was great. The narration was stellar and the story was great. I can't wait for the next in this series.

Fantastic story!!

I really enjoyed this story! It was great to see Mackenzie come out better from what Sanders did to her at the last of the first book in series. (Don't worry if you haven't read it, this one does explain what happened so you won't be lost). I loved how Pacey was ready to be a friend and whatever Mackenzie needed. I loved how that he asked what she needed and really listened. These two were not set to have anything serious, it wasn't even going to be a typical rebound but they just fell together. I loved how their relationship built and how they tried to communicate their feelings and what was going on, even when they didn't fully understand it themselves. They just got each other. I loved how Pacey understood her need to have a plan and lists and need things defined and never took offense to them. It really just made these two work from the beginning. That's not to say that they didn't have their issues that they needed to deal with and overcome. Both were overwhelmed with outside issues that kept throwing their lives upside down. I loved getting to see these two come together and be better for it. This story definitely pulls you in and connects you to the story and the characters. You can really feel for both characters and what they are going through and the changes that are out of their control that they have to keep adapting to. I loved how these two were such great support for each other during those times. They let each other be who they needed to be during those moments and supported what they needed to adapt and move forward. They made each other strong. I loved getting to know Tanner and Miles better as well. I can't wait to get their stories.
The narrators were great. They added another layer to the story and brought it to life. They were great with the voices and emotions for characters throughout the book.
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book.

Book 2

We all know friends with benefits never works out right but what a great story about their friendship. Mackenzie thinks she has everything planned but nothing is working right. There have been so many wtf and omg moments in these book. All the friends have their own book so the characters are reoccurring. The narration was great. I definitely recommend this book/series.

I’m in love

If the British accent doesn’t work on you, then maybe his wonderful personality will make you swoon.

I’m totally hooked on this guy and would go to any lengths to protect him from getting hurt. It’s so sweet and adorable how they fall in love despite all that’s going on. I love this series.

Pacey & Mackenzie!

I am loving this series. This is like an ensemble cast, so while the books standalone, it's best to read/listen to them in order! Mackenzie only knows the love of one man. From childhood to college, she was with Sanders, until he does the unthinkable. Now, out of the guys' house and her life she is trying to find her footing. Pacey has always been smitten with Mackenzie. He holds some secrets that keep from relationships, but when he suggests he be her rebound, she takes him up on it. And our story begins. It's fun and flirty, and I absolutely love this couple! Pacey is very humble, just want to be one of the guys, and is extremely attentive when it comes to Mackenzie. Mackenzie has a lot to digest and I love how she blossoms in this story. It's a wonderful, easy listen and I can't wait til My Next Play to hear Nessa and Miles story!

Emma Wilder continues her narration of the women in this series. She falls into the new adult genre with such ease, sounding like she is in college, all the angst and emotion that it entails. Shane East comes in as Pacey, and with his voice, it's impossible not to love him. He is warm and loving, and as he falls, East's voice has us falling too. A great duo for this one!

thoroughly enjoy whiling away the day

listening to these gorgeous voices while I get swept away to the amazing imagination worlds of Carrie Ann Ryan and knitting at the same time. Basically I am in heaven.
love how Pacey's voice was exactly how I envisioned it, and considering I'm British, I was slightly nervous as some British accents are not the easiest to being across in audio but they did it well. I forgot it was an actor and just listened to the story unfold and I was swept away to my happy place.
I love Carrie Ann Ryan books and she always finds the best voice actors to portray her amazing characters. put the kettle on (no never ever put a cup of tea in the microwave you heathen) and sit back, relax and let go.