Kindle
$4.99
Available instantly
Audible Logo Audiobook
$0.00
with membership trial
Paperback
$15.99
Buy new:
-11% $15.99
FREE delivery Tuesday, May 14 on orders shipped by Amazon over $35
Ships from: Amazon.com
Sold by: Amazon.com
$15.99 with 11 percent savings
List Price: $17.99

The List Price is the suggested retail price of a new product as provided by a manufacturer, supplier, or seller. Except for books, Amazon will display a List Price if the product was purchased by customers on Amazon or offered by other retailers at or above the List Price in at least the past 90 days. List prices may not necessarily reflect the product's prevailing market price.
Learn more
Get Fast, Free Shipping with Amazon Prime FREE Returns
FREE delivery Tuesday, May 14 on orders shipped by Amazon over $35
Or fastest delivery Friday, May 10. Order within 23 hrs 42 mins
In Stock
$$15.99 () Includes selected options. Includes initial monthly payment and selected options. Details
Price
Subtotal
$$15.99
Subtotal
Initial payment breakdown
Shipping cost, delivery date, and order total (including tax) shown at checkout.
Ships from
Amazon.com
Ships from
Amazon.com
Sold by
Amazon.com
Sold by
Amazon.com
Returns
Eligible for Return, Refund or Replacement within 30 days of receipt
Eligible for Return, Refund or Replacement within 30 days of receipt
This item can be returned in its original condition for a full refund or replacement within 30 days of receipt.
Read full return policy
Returns
Eligible for Return, Refund or Replacement within 30 days of receipt
This item can be returned in its original condition for a full refund or replacement within 30 days of receipt.
Read full return policy
Payment
Secure transaction
Your transaction is secure
We work hard to protect your security and privacy. Our payment security system encrypts your information during transmission. We don’t share your credit card details with third-party sellers, and we don’t sell your information to others. Learn more
Payment
Secure transaction
We work hard to protect your security and privacy. Our payment security system encrypts your information during transmission. We don’t share your credit card details with third-party sellers, and we don’t sell your information to others. Learn more
$13.98
Get Fast, Free Shipping with Amazon Prime FREE Returns
This item shows wear including moderate wear to edges and cover. This item shows wear including moderate wear to edges and cover. See less
FREE delivery Wednesday, May 15 on orders shipped by Amazon over $35
Or fastest delivery Friday, May 10. Order within 23 hrs 42 mins
Only 1 left in stock - order soon.
$$15.99 () Includes selected options. Includes initial monthly payment and selected options. Details
Price
Subtotal
$$15.99
Subtotal
Initial payment breakdown
Shipping cost, delivery date, and order total (including tax) shown at checkout.
Access codes and supplements are not guaranteed with used items.
Amazon book clubs early access
Loading your book clubs
There was a problem loading your book clubs. Please try again.
Not in a club? Learn more
Amazon book clubs early access

Join or create book clubs

Choose books together

Track your books
Bring your club to Amazon Book Clubs, start a new book club and invite your friends to join, or find a club that’s right for you for free.
Explore Amazon Book Clubs
Kindle app logo image

Download the free Kindle app and start reading Kindle books instantly on your smartphone, tablet, or computer - no Kindle device required.

Read instantly on your browser with Kindle for Web.

Using your mobile phone camera - scan the code below and download the Kindle app.

QR code to download the Kindle App

Follow the author

Kate Meader
+ Follow
More books from this author
Something went wrong. Please try your request again later.

Man Down: A Rookie Rebels Novel Paperback – July 25, 2020

by Kate Meader (Author)
4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 1,248 ratings
See all formats and editions
{"desktop_buybox_group_1":[{"displayPrice":"$15.99","priceAmount":15.99,"currencySymbol":"$","integerValue":"15","decimalSeparator":".","fractionalValue":"99","symbolPosition":"left","hasSpace":false,"showFractionalPartIfEmpty":true,"offerListingId":"JQpvZURKV3QrXPK41QWDSbCQo5uKAryrLrA6g%2Bcm9Ys5N2wwSZ28quCPsFSxnbJHYazf0FOPhZ9xlYQB2Aj6fq4FuORttfGFvcKnppANJuXqLWbQOOWHNQoU4I4mHjF%2BqiuePioJhYNiMT3W9e3svg%3D%3D","locale":"en-US","buyingOptionType":"NEW","aapiBuyingOptionIndex":0}, {"displayPrice":"$13.98","priceAmount":13.98,"currencySymbol":"$","integerValue":"13","decimalSeparator":".","fractionalValue":"98","symbolPosition":"left","hasSpace":false,"showFractionalPartIfEmpty":true,"offerListingId":"JQpvZURKV3QrXPK41QWDSbCQo5uKAryrvnQCqHosscnrbBvxMLw2jQ85Sy5hAc%2B3q1BUx7Dpr3E9A%2Fl02sS6l%2FGQz2LQCjNwt%2FvT9%2F6OC1ZcxpsJ7F7qBurgDaamjEiIqYY%2FGwaSj3yNvmzTW2jwnWss0tpLDrTtNoIsIOJr3qV4dggW7rzkhNpnUFNU7Hrs","locale":"en-US","buyingOptionType":"USED","aapiBuyingOptionIndex":1}]}

Purchase options and add-ons

Gunnar Bond is broken.

Three years ago, he lived through the car crash that took his wife and twins away from him—though “lived” barely describes his current state. Giving up professional hockey, going off grid, and drinking himself into oblivion are his coping mechanisms. Another is texting his dead wife about his days without her. Therapeutic? Doubtful. Crazy? Definitely. But those messages into the ether are virtually the only thing stopping him from spiraling to even darker places. Until someone texts back … Sadie Yates is losing it.

Suddenly guardian to a little sister she doesn’t know and a misbehaving hound she’d rather not know at all, she’s had to upend her (sort of) glamorous life in LA and move back to Chicago. The nanny has quit, the money’s running out, and her job is on the line. The last thing she needs is her sister’s hockey camp counselor, a judgmental Viking type, telling her she sucks at this parenting lark. Thank the goddess for her sweet, sensitive, and—fingers crossed—sexy text buddy who always knows the right thing to say. In the same city at last, they can finally see if their online chemistry is mirrored in real life. She just needs to set up a meeting …A ruined man who claims to have used up all his love is surely a bad bet, but Sadie’s never been afraid of a challenge … even if this one might shatter her heart into a million pieces.

Read more Read less
Previous page
  1. Book 3 of 11
    Rookie Rebels
  2. Print length
    366 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Publication date
    July 25, 2020
  5. Dimensions
    5 x 0.92 x 8 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    0998517895
  7. ISBN-13
    978-0998517896
  8. See all details
Next page
Layla
"Layla" by Colleen Hoover for $7.19
From #1 New York Times bestselling author Colleen Hoover comes a novel that explores life after tragedy and the enduring spirit of love. | Learn more

Frequently bought together

Man Down: A Rookie Rebels Novel
$15.99
Get it as soon as Tuesday, May 14
In Stock
Ships from and sold by Amazon.com.
+
Instacrush (A Rookie Rebels Novel)
$14.99
Get it as soon as Tuesday, May 14
In Stock
Ships from and sold by Amazon.com.
+
Foreplayer: A Rookie Rebels Novel
$17.99
Get it as soon as Tuesday, May 14
In Stock
Ships from and sold by Amazon.com.
Total price:
To see our price, add these items to your cart.
Details
Added to Cart
Choose items to buy together.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Kate Meader LLC (July 25, 2020)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 366 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0998517895
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0998517896
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 14.1 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5 x 0.92 x 8 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 1,248 ratings

About the author

Follow authors to get new release updates, plus improved recommendations.
Kate Meader

Kate Meader

Brief content visible, double tap to read full content.
Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

Originally from Ireland, USA Today bestselling author Kate Meader cut her romance reader teeth on Maeve Binchy and Jilly Cooper novels, with some Harlequins thrown in for variety. Give her tales about brooding mill owners, oversexed equestrians, and men who can rock an apron, a fire hose, or a hockey stick, and she’s there. Now based in Chicago, she writes sexy contemporary romance with big-hearted guys and strong heroines - and heroes - who can match their men quip for quip..

In the Rookie Rebels series, a new generation of players take to the ice and learn that all's fair in love and hockey.

1. GOOD GUY (Levi and Jordan)

2. INSTACRUSH (Theo and Elle)

3. MAN DOWN (Gunnar and Sadie)

4. FOREPLAYER (Cal and Mia)

5. DEAR ROOMIE (Reid and Kennedy)

6. REBEL YULE (Erik and Casey)

7. JOCK WANTED (Fitz and Tara)

8. SUPERSTAR (Bast and Pepper)

The Chicago Rebels series features three estranged sisters who inherit their father's failing hockey franchise . . . and get their hearts checked by a band of hard-bodied ice warriors.

0.5 IN SKATES TROUBLE (Ford and Addison)

1. IRRESISTIBLE YOU (Remy and Harper)

2. SO OVER YOU (Vadim and Isobel)

3. UNDONE BY YOU (Dante and Cade)

4. HOOKED ON YOU (Bren and Violet)

5. WRAPPED UP IN YOU (More Dante and Cade)

The Hot in Chicago series stars the Dempseys, a family of firefighting foster siblings, and the blazing hot love interests who tame their daredevil ways.

0.5 REKINDLE THE FLAME (Beck and Darcy)

1. FLIRTING WITH FIRE (Luke and Kinsey)

1.5 MELTING POINT (Gage and Brady)

2. PLAYING WITH FIRE (Eli and Alex)

3. SPARKING THE FIRE (Wyatt and Molly)

3.1 FOREVER IN FIRE (Eli and Alex)

The Hot in Chicago Rookies series is about a trio of Chicago Fire Academy graduates, besties who will have to navigate the trials of new jobs and sizzling romances as they find their place in the world and the love of a lifetime.

1. UP IN SMOKE (Roman and Abby)

2. DOWN IN FLAMES (Jude and Hudson)

3. HOT TO THE TOUCH (Sam and ??)

In the Laws of Attraction series, three men who think they know everything about marriage, relationships, and women will learn that, in fact, they don't know jack.

1. DOWN WITH LOVE (Max and Charlie)

2. ILLEGALLY YOURS (Lucas and Trinity)

3. THEN CAME YOU (Grant and Aubrey)

In the Hot in the Kitchen series, turn up the heat with the DeLucas, a Chicago-Italian family of restaurateurs, and the sizzling chefs who love them.

1. FEEL THE HEAT (Jack and Lili)

2. ALL FIRED UP (Shane and Cara)

3. HOT AND BOTHERED (Tad and Jules)

In the Tall, Dark, and Texan series, a trio of hot, rich Texans take the Windy City by storm, and meet the women who will bring them to their knees.

1. EVEN THE SCORE (Hunter and Tess)

2. TAKING THE SCORE (Brody and Emma)

3. ONE WEEK TO SCORE (Flynn and Olivia)

... however each book can also be read as a standalone novel or novella.

For excerpts, news, and giveaways, sign up for Kate's occasional newsletter at: katemeader.com/newsletter

For exclusive content and early peeks at Kate's books, join Kate's Kittens! facebook.com/groups/kateskittens

Customer reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars
4.5 out of 5
1,248 global ratings
Oh, My Heart! It's Still a Little Battered—and a Lot Happy—After Reading Man Down.
5 Stars
Oh, My Heart! It's Still a Little Battered—and a Lot Happy—After Reading Man Down.
Never underestimate the power of a good knock-knock joke.Oh, my heart! It's still a little battered—and a lot happy—after reading Man Down. I have to say, I went into this one with eyes wide open—and ready to well up at a moment's notice. After all, the premise is based around a man who's lost everything and the woman who comes after.It can't be easy to be the one who comes after. Just like it can't have been easy for Kate Meader to write this story. And yet, she did it exceptionally well. The balance between harrowing and humor was finely trod—I laughed, yes, but I absolutely cried. In fact, even the day after finishing, there are moments I can't remember without feeling a lump form in my throat.These characters, Sadie and Gunnar, are both immensely likable. In fact, I adored Sadie. She was far from perfect, but so very relatable, and absolutely someone I would love to befriend IRL. And as for Gunnar? Well, he's a bearded, broken Viking of a man. A hard exterior that hides a soft, bruised center. What chance did I have against him?None. Just I like I don't believe I had any choice but to love this book. From the presence of Theo, who brought much-needed levity, to the quickly-but-believably-formed friendship between Sadie and Jenny, to the tween-angst and anger of Lauren, Man Down didn't just focus on a grieving man and the woman who saved him—it focused on life in all its messy forms, and proved that living, while hard, can be rewarding, too.One final note: I wish with all my heart to see Sadie and Gunner (and Lauren) again. A bonus epilogue, a novella, a short newsletter story or a Bite on Book+Main—I would read it in a heartbeat. I just need more of them. Please.
Hide
Thank you for your feedback
Sorry, there was an error
Sorry we couldn't load the review

Top reviews from the United States

Sarah McC
5.0 out of 5 stars break out the tissues
Reviewed in the United States on February 14, 2024
Verified Purchase
This is a great story and a beautiful portrayal of grief. Gunnar has lost his family and frozen himself out, and Sadie experienced grief of her own and had moved forward.
A dress designer and maker and a hockey player are surrounded by a cast we’ve come to know and love with a new dose of snarky tween and more fun women and I truly enjoyed this book- even when it had me in tears.
Love seeing repair and a positive portrayal of therapy.
Helpful
 Report
Megan (bookish.dustjacket)
4.0 out of 5 stars Widower Sports Romance
Reviewed in the United States on October 19, 2022
Verified Purchase
4.5 Stars

Gunnar lost his family in a tragic accident and is just barley surviving when he finally decides to return to his hockey career. And Sadie has a pretty complicated history with her father and his family, but when her little sister needs her, she goes running.

This is the third book in the Rookie Rebels companion series from Kate Meader and I have loved every book so far. Kate does an amazing job of balancing the emotional storyline with comedic moments and this one was no exception.

The characters in this book have such depth and their understanding of each other was so gripping. It was a struggle to put this book down because I just wanted to know what was going to happen and how these characters were going to find their happy ending.

I would recommend this one to anyone who enjoys the following.

✔️ Sports (Hockey)
✔️ Widower
✔️ Single Parent (Guardian)
✔️ Pen Pals
✔️ Fling/Temporary Relationship
✔️ Found Family
✔️ Third Person Dual POV
3 people found this helpful
Helpful
 Report
Sam K
5.0 out of 5 stars I just loved everything about this book!
Reviewed in the United States on October 29, 2020
Verified Purchase
Three years ago, Gunner lost everything. His wife, his children -- gone. For three years, he had festered in his guilt and grief, blaming himself for the accident and his inability to protect his family. In a moment of weakness, he began texting his dead wife, and then one day, he received a reply. The mystery person on the other end helped him climb far enough out of the depths of despair to return to hockey. Though not healed, Gunner was functioning. When Sadie enters the picture, he finds himself drawn to her, but will he be able to open up his heart again?

Grab the tissues, kids. I knew I would be feeling all sorts of stuff as I read this book, but I think the way Meader let the story unfold caused it to hit with an even bigger impact than I anticipated. My heart was already aching for Gunner as he suffered alone, but when I finally gathered all the information regarding the crash, my heart crumbled to pieces. She did a really beautiful job exploring Gunner's pain, grief, and loss, and there were so many heart exploding moments for me as I took this journey with him. Excuse me as I wipe my tears.

Gunner wasn't the only slightly broken person in this story. Sadie was pulled back into a life she fled due to her father's legal situation. This was her chance to finally build a relationship with her estranged pre-teen sister, but she had to put aside the hurt she carried from her past. I was a fan of many of the things Meader incorporated into Sadie's story too. She surprised me a few times, and they were good surprises. I liked Sadie so much, and it was extremely satisfying for me to see the way this whole situation with her sister played out.

I became a fan of Meader's via her Chicago Rebels series. That was were I met and fell in love with the Chase sisters, who, I am glad to say, have been featured in this series as well. It's fantastic to see them there as the Rebel family grows, and I am NOT using the term family loosely. The Chase women continue to be hands on in their management of the team. There were gatherings and festivities, but more than anything, there was this endless source of support for the members of the team when they need it.

I just loved everything about this book! Meader took that texting premise and an incredible story was born from it. I have a soft spot for books about grief and loss, but this book also highlighted the idea of connection, and really made me think about those opportunities one has to reach out, make a connection, and realize how much it could mean to someone. This book filled me with warmth and joy, and I hope we get another chance to revisit the Rebels really soon.
5 people found this helpful
Helpful
 Report
Just me Nicole
5.0 out of 5 stars I think you might have the wrong number...
Reviewed in the United States on July 29, 2020
Verified Purchase
How do you write a review for a book that still has you thinking about and feeling so emotionally about it…even days later? I doubt my review will do this book justice, but here goes…

After Gunnar Bond lost his wife and twins three years ago in a tragic accident, he was numb. He gave up professional hockey and went to a cabin to try to heal…shutting everyone out of his life. Struggling with anguish, he decided to text his dead wife, Kelly. For two years he pours his heart and soul into these messages…until one night…he gets a text back…

Kelly: Hello! Sorry, but I think you might have the wrong number?

Sadie Yates has a lot on her mind and her own pain in her life. With a boss that expects entirely too much of her, living across the country and getting news that her father is in jail, she was just giving guardianship of a 13 year old sister who doesn’t know her (and can’t stand her), and suddenly becomes the lifeline of a hurting soul.

This book…gah! This book is the epitome of a “roller coaster” read that gives you all the feels…WOW! SEROUSLY…ALL. THE. FEELS. This incredibly written romance by Author Kate Meader had me laughing (so many mood-lightening parts and conversations),crying (more than once), at the edge of my seat, wrapping myself in a blanket to feel “held”, swooning…just literally every emotion went through me during this journey.

“I haven’t been attracted to anyone since my wife died. I haven’t wanted to even think about that, but with you, it’s burning through my veins. A buzz of need that’s almost…painful.”

This storyline flows so well and the way the author blended all of the different aspects of it was perfection! I loved their first IRL meet-up, and all of the circumstances behind it. I loved the different people they became in different situations.

“Of course it’s easier to push back against a stranger.”
“But it shouldn’t be. It should be easier with the people you know and love.”

So much power and so many deep emotions in this book! So touching and healing. I was anticipating it being incredible and it surpassed my expectations. I would definitely recommend reading the first two books in the Rookie Rebels series (and maybe the Rebels series) because you get the background of the Rebel’s characters and families, and the dynamic and characterizations make you feel like you are right there in the story. But whatever you do…DO NOT PASS THIS BOOK UP. So grab your tissues, your e-reader or hard copy of MAN DOWN, something to drink, find a quiet, comfy spot to read and enjoy this masterpiece…it is perfection in a beautiful but tragic and heartbreaking story. This is by far one of the best reads of this year and one that I will reread (once I recover…LOL). 5+++ stars!!!
9 people found this helpful
Helpful
 Report
Colleen P Horn
4.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful story
Reviewed in the United States on November 29, 2020
Verified Purchase
This story was a gut punch. I truly felt for the hero throughout this story and the strength it takes to work through a tragedy such as this. I loved the relationship between the main characters and its development throughout the story. Overall a wonderful story that was well done.
Helpful
 Report

Top reviews from other countries

Translate all reviews to English
kittygabe
5.0 out of 5 stars comovente
Reviewed in Brazil on November 21, 2022
Verified Purchase
AffeMaria como chorei!
Desde o livro passado já tinha me interessado pelo Gunnar e essa história de redenção foi linda!
O luto é algo muito difícil e a autora trata com seriedade. Demonstrando um desenvolvimento e final até um tanto diferente de outros romances. O que é bom.

P.S. Ainda continua morta apaixonada pelo Theo e fiquei feliz do tanto que ele apareceu.
Report
Gideon’s Eva
5.0 out of 5 stars *Sniffles* Keep your tissues at the ready *Sniffles*
Reviewed in Germany on December 15, 2023
Verified Purchase
This entire series is such a rollercoaster ride. With a completely different tone and emotion for every book.
And "Man Down"? This book just broke my heart ... Gunnar's story and the way it is told will rip you apart.

I am still speechless and reeling.

Must read!
Report
Julia M
5.0 out of 5 stars Emotional
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on December 9, 2021
Verified Purchase
This story really tugs at your heartstrings. Gunnar a pro ice hockey player, has known tremendous loss in the form of his wife and twins in a car accident in which he was the sole survivor. He has been text his wife’s old phone number when he suddenly unexpectedly gets a reply. Apparently the number has been recycled to another woman. They begin communicating and thus the story starts
Sadie is having to cope with looking after a tweenage sister she hasn’t seen in years because her mother has died and their father has gone to jail for fraud.
To say anymore gives too much away and this book is so worth the read.
Report
Christina
5.0 out of 5 stars Heartbreakingly wonderful
Reviewed in Canada on September 12, 2020
Verified Purchase
Oh My Heart, this was such a wonderful, heartbreaking story. My emotions were all over the place with how author Kate Meader wrote Gunnar & Sadie’s story. Tragedy is the forefront of this story & the loss is devastating but I loved how humour was threaded through their story as they both learned how to accept their situations & attempt to move forward. For Gunnar it was harder as the loss of his wife & children haunted him still. I cried every time he remembered the accident, his conversations with his wife & daughter, his attempts to reach his son all for naught. With Sadie the sadness was different, she’d been dealing with her loss for over a decade but now had to deal with a teenage sister that didn’t like her, as well as the fallout of her father’s actions. I enjoyed the sweetness of the beginning of the relationship when they didn’t know each other & then the strong sexy relationship as they took on the no strings/short time relationship that you knew wasn’t ever going to be a no strings just because of who they were. I also laughed out loud with the antics of Aurora(Theo’s grandmother) & of Allegra Sadie’s boss to a certain extent but she went to the extremes of insanity some times & I just wanted Sadie to stand up to her & tell her she was nuts. The estrangement between the sisters was sad & I felt for Lauren who’s life had been turned upside down but it was wonderful to see her excel at hockey but also have that creative connection with Sadie. I think this book just overtook Theo’s as my favourite so far in both series. Definitely recommend.
One person found this helpful
 Report
Leigh-Ayn Absolom
5.0 out of 5 stars Two broken people find each other and love
Reviewed in Australia on September 21, 2021
Verified Purchase
T/W: death of spouse and children PTSD associated with car accidents Grief

This books made me feel all the feels. Both main characters were dealing with their own emotional baggage.
I’m glad they found each other.
Report