Unlovable Player

Ivy League Players #2

by Emmery Fox

Of all the assholes in the NCAA who could have been traded to the team, Sebastian Huntington is the absolute fucking worst.

Two players from opposite sides of the tracks face off in this spicy rivals to lovers MM hockey romance.

Austin is NHL-bound, if only the team who picked his name in the draft would sign him already! Coming up to the cut-off point and graduation, Austin is hyper focused on proving himself and paying his mom back for all her sacrifices.
The last thing he needs is a distraction in the form of the Ivy League’s biggest asshole Sebastian Huntington III.

Sebastian has been raised in Swiss boarding schools and Ivy League colleges, but after a scandal forces him from New Haven, he finds himself in a situation he is not used to navigating.
While messing with the hottest player in the NCAA was fun, playing on the same team is going to be a challenge. Maybe Sebastian can make it interesting?

Each book in the Ivy League Players series can be read as standalones and feature a new couple at a new college.

Genres: M M Romance, Hockey, Romance, Enemies To Lovers, Sports, Sports Romance, LGBT

242 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 8, 2025

About the author

When I'm not trying to invent the perfect book boyfriend, I'm studying towards a graduate degree in Modern History, trying to little avail to get better at drawing and watching You've Got Mail for the millionth time!

I write spicy MM romance with special emphasis on sports, small towns and childhood sweethearts.

I love romance books with spicy scenes that don't feel detached from the couple's relationship dynamics, and when our protagonists respect and root for each other.

Reviews

[Meags · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 Stars

Still a fair bit in the way of editing issues here, but much like with book one (Untouchable Player), this story was easy to sink into, with its likable MCs (Austin and Sebastian) and their college hockey playing, opposites-attracting, (sort of but barely) rivals-to-lovers romance.

I enjoyed Austin and Sebastian’s dynamic and the fairly angst-lite way their relationship development, with lots of sexual exploration and emotional connectivity, as one has a bi-awakening and the other discovers the true definition of love and respect for the first time with a romantic partner.

I liked the juxtapositions of their upbringings and how that informed their thoughts, feelings, and behaviour, as they both navigated their new and unexpected pull towards one another—which may have started off as sexual, but quickly grew into deeper feelings for both characters.

It maybe wasn’t all that original or groundbreaking, in comparison to other M/M college hockey romances of the same ilk, but it’s a favourite sub-genre of M/M romance for me for a reason, and I still very much enjoyed my time reading Austin and Sebastian’s story.

I look forward to reading more from Emmery Fox soon.

[G_occasionally_reads · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nothing special; nothing new; still enjoyable

🏒 enemy-to-lovers
🏒 MM sport romance
🏒 college hockey
🏒 gay + bi
🏒 dual POV
🏒 grumpy/sunshine

[Sasha · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Unlovable Player" by Emmery Fox is a delightful rivals-to-lovers MM hockey romance that will captivate you from start to finish!

I adored the perfect blend of enmity and angst, which added depth to the story without feeling overwhelming. The characters, Austin and Sebastian, are sweet, cute, and complex, making their transition from hatred to love a joy to witness.

The author's writing is engaging, and the hockey setting adds an exciting layer to the story. The romance is slow-burning, passionate, and satisfying.

Overall, "Unlovable Player" is a fantastic read for fans of MM romance, hockey, and rivals-to-lovers tropes!

[Heidi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Unloveable Player by Emmery Fox is a delightful rivals to lovers story. It’s got just the right amount of angst without feeling overbearing. Even though it’s the second book in the series, it works perfectly fine as a stand-alone.

The story follows Austin, the team captain with humble beginnings and a single mom who’s worked her butt off to support his hockey dreams. Austin’s juggling the pressures of having been drafted, finishing school, and worrying about taking care of his mom.

Then there’s Sebastian, the rich, cocky guy who seems to have it all (including daddy’s endless AMEX), and has always been Austin’s nemesis on the ice when he played for rival Yale. When Sebastian transfers to Austin’s team, you know sparks are bound to fly‌ — ‌even if it starts with plenty of bickering and some serious team tension. As the rivals gradually turn into something more, the story does a great job of exploring their growing connection and the seemingly (to them) class challenges they face.

Meanwhile, Austin is finally coming to terms with his own truths about attraction and identity. I thought this was done so well. The bi-awakening was really well done, and didn't seem to come out of left field. I also really loved the coming-out scene with his mom, and when he admitted to overcoming the feelings that he “should” be with a woman. Plus we love a supportive mom! Oh and all the first time scenes were adorable. Sebastian’s seemingly perfect life slowly reveals a more complicated reality. The transition from rivalry to romance feels natural and real. (And not really even a slow burn!) without any over-the-top drama.

All in all, Unloveable Player delivers a quick, heartfelt read with plenty of good feels and memorable “first time” moments. I’m giving it five stars and can’t wait to read the next!

[A🦄🌻🌙 · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25⭐️


Ooo the tension, the rivalry, the drama! I had a good time with this one. Seb is a really interesting character that has been put through the wringer and Austin can’t quite get him out of his head. I liked watching their (mostly one sided) animosity develop into something more. One thing stylistically that carried over from the first book that was kinda irksome is how the author often had dialogue mentioned in the middle of a paragraph outside of quotes right before then starting the quoted dialogue - it made following the conversations more difficult and for my ADHD brain that jumps to spoken quotes a heck of a lot, it had me having to backtrack and reread stuff to make sure I knew where conversations were starting. Other than that annoying bit I really liked this addition to the series and hope for more!

[Allan · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 stars
Better than the first book for sure, even if I’m still screaming internally about the grammar at some points.

[Lo✨ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a enjoyable read!
Austin and Sebastian facing problems but trying to hold on to their confidence and pride.
Sebastian crushing on his captain is so cute even Austin hates him lol
Steamy and sensible! Great romance!

[Ellie · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

Had some really nice moments, like the meet the family segment with Austin's mother.

Also really liked the sharing of music.

But overall it just fell kind of flat.

Fewer grammar and punctuation issues than book 1, glad the author seems to have taken that into account.

[✭ 𝖜𝖊𝖓𝖉𝖞✭ ｡^‿^｡ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Unlovable Player 🎧
By: Emmery Fox
Performed in duet by: Nick J Russo & Oscar Reyes

✨ALC REVIEW ✨

Thank you to BlueNose Audio for the ALC and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Not unlovable at all. Very much the opposite. I love a good bi awakening story. So much love to give, yet no one brave enough to help let it out. Especially in hockey. The players think they can only love the game. This story says otherwise.
Two people. Two different backgrounds. A mutual love for a game that is a part of them. However, we walk with them as they find out, it doesn’t make them who they are. It’s a beautiful bi awakening.
Wonderfully told by two great performers you must keep on your radar. Oscar’s array of voices is impressive. His Jersey accent in this one was so spot on, it made me want pizza! Nick’s ability to bring such passion to his characters is unmatched. Especially when he went into brat mode. Loved it! Great job 👏🏾 They were both very lovable ☺️
Story: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🌶️🌶️
Narration: 🎙️🎙️🎙️🎙️🎙️

[Maddi Marina · Rating 4 out of 5]

cute little rivals to lovers and teammates story! super easy and fun read that i got done in one day 🕺🏼

[rosy★彡 · Rating 4 out of 5]

seb as a wag is all i wanted, my baby deserves a soft life

[Ashley Toporowski · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lots of spice. Cute little romance I enjoyed, just the usual enemies to lovers, rich boy poor boy. Etc etc.

[Marcia Gosse · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 ⭐

[Erin A. {midnight_rosepetals} Thorne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Unlovable Player

✨AUDIO/BOOK REVIEW✨

Rating: ♡5⭐️♡5🎧♡5🌶️♡

🎧💙 I can never pass over a book narrated by Oscar Reyes! Boston accent on top of that??? SOLD! Always a pleasure hearing you narrate anything! 10000/10

🎧❤️ Nick J. Russo - you make my heart do the flip thing! Ughhh my heart hurt for Seb! Always love hearing you narrate too! Also 10000/10


📚🖤 I LOVE a good hockey romance and this ma’am, was AMAZING! Thank you so much for putting this story into the world and these 2 wonderful men as the narrators!

[Meandmyshelf23 · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read the first book of this series and I gotta say while I liked untouchable player, unlovable player is definitely my favorite.

I really enjoyed the writing and plot. I feel like there was improvement from book 1 to book two and that’s exactly what you want in a series, I’m planning on continuing this series.

The story itself is really interesting, we have Sebastian who is a rich spoiled troubled kid and Austin who can only be described as a golden boy. Opposites attract obviously and these two cannot keep away from each other even when it was dislike you can feel the pull they have towards each other.

I like the growth Sebastian had, he was in so much need of love and Austin provided him with it. I really wanted to give Seb a hug when he told Austin about what happened at Yale.

I loved Austin’s mom and family they were exactly what Sebastian needed.

Just like in the first book these boys are great at communicating and that’s one of my favorite things.

Thank you to the author for this ARC, this review is entirely my own.

[Lily · Rating 2 out of 5]

DNF @50%

I was not a fan of the first book and I really wanted to give this author another chance, which I think is fair. I'm not going to love every book an author writes, and that's okay.

A few things...

If I ever see the word bagel in a book that much again, I'm going to scream. I'm not from the east coast and maybe I'm missing out, but a whole team going to get bagels after training multiple times? I had questions.

The amount of times Seb's 'pale forearms' were mentioned. A man's forearms can be hot, and as a healthcare girlie, I'm a sucker for good, thick veins. But like, do we need to keep describing this character the same way at least 4 different times?

Why the hate on people who work at diners? Seb told Austin that his mom 'was wasted working in a diner', instead of having another kind of job, I'm not sure. But that's wild for you to say to someone who's your teammate and barely your friend. That's more of an inside thought in my opinion. Also, does she have a choice? Maybe she was busy raising two kids and working to provide for them to go to college or a trade school 🤷‍♀️

The biggest thing I had an issue with is that Seb OFFERED to be Austin's 'bi experiment' and even asked him later on how his 'bi awakening' was going. In the hundreds of queer romances I've read and being bi myself, I have never seen a character OFFER this, knowing how down bad he already is and how much that heartbreak is going to hurt. I just don't understand. And then later on he's surprised when he starts questioning if Austin is as into the s*x as he is, and what if he's still in love with his ex, etc.

Also, was the professor married? Why did Seb call it an 'affair'? 🤔

[Kelli · Rating 4 out of 5]

I put up with a lot in romance books—but describing a New Jersey accent as “sexy”?

I drawn the line.

There’s only so much suspension of disbelief that’s reasonable. As a resident of the garden state, I’ve never once heard someone order a bagel and thought, “ain’t that attractive”.

Also, what’s a “begel”?

I get what they’re going for but nobody says it like that. That’s not the right phonetics. It’s a BAY-gull if anything.

Romanticize literally anything else.

Anyway.

Now that that’s out of my system, I can say I thought this was pretty cute.

I found the first book in this series to fall a bit flat. It wasn’t bad. But, it was just kind of okay?

I think this second book has a better story to it.

Our central relationship—between humble, mama’s boy Austin and obnoxious, rich boy Sebastian—was more dynamic. They had better banter and more of an arc than the relationship between the characters in the prior book.

Each character was also more developed. There was a lot more show than tell. Like, it was very apparent early on that both characters had self-worth issues—but for different reasons. Seb, especially, felt very much like a hurt child who grew into a poorly adjusted adult.

Watching these two young men grow close and mend some of the damage done to them was sweet and wholesome.

I don’t hate this.

If you’re looking for a soft, contemporary mlm sports romance to settle in with for a couple hours, this would be a fine choice~

[Alexandria doe · Rating 2 out of 5]

Whoever is giving this anything more than a 3 star review is lying their ass off. Somehow it was so freaky with no chemistry and said so much while saying nothing. If I didn’t spend my hard earned money on this book i would’ve never finished it.

[K · Rating 2 out of 5]

DNF @ 49%

telling instead of showing. bland characters.

[Toni K · Rating 2 out of 5]

Needs an editor and a bit more heart. Nothing egregiously bad, but there are 101 similar hockey romances.

[Faiza · Rating 4 out of 5]

Unlovable Player by Emmery Fox

This was my first book by Emmery Fox, but I already know I need to read more from them because Unlovable Player completely surprised me in the best way.

Yes, this is a rivals-to-lovers MM hockey romance, but it ended up being so much deeper than I expected. What really grabbed me was the character work. Emmery Fox doesn’t just tell us what Austin and Sebastian are feeling; you can see it in the way they behave, the things they don’t say, their reactions, and the little pieces of themselves they try so hard to keep hidden.

Sebastian especially broke my heart. His loneliness is there beneath everything, and you can feel how much it has affected him. He has built this exterior around himself, but the more we get to know him, the clearer it becomes that there is so much happening underneath that surface. Austin has his own defenses too, although his are a little harder to spot at first.

I loved watching these two go from barely being able to stand each other, to slowly seeing something different in one another, and eventually becoming something so much more. Nothing about their progression felt artificial. There wasn’t some sudden switch where all their problems disappeared and they were magically in love. Their feelings developed through the story and through the process of actually getting to know each other.

And that made the romance work so well for me.

There’s plenty of tension and angst, but it never became exhausting. The hockey world gives the story a fun backdrop, while the relationship itself remains the real reason I kept turning the pages. Austin and Sebastian are both complicated in their own ways, and getting to watch them lower their defenses was honestly one of my favorite parts.

This story also touched on something I really appreciated: the idea that sometimes the things we want most are the very things we’re afraid to admit we need. Austin and Sebastian both have to learn how to let someone see the parts of themselves they usually keep protected. They have to become vulnerable, trust each other, and stop pretending they’re fine when they’re not.

That emotional growth made this feel like much more than a standard hockey romance.

And apparently Emmery Fox found the secret to keeping my ADHD brain from wandering because I was completely absorbed in this book! I normally find myself taking breaks and reading a couple of chapters here and there, but with Unlovable Player, I actually got lost in the story. I cared about these characters, wanted to see where their relationship would go, and genuinely didn’t want to put it down.

Austin and Sebastian are adorable, frustrating, complicated, and incredibly easy to root for. Their chemistry, the slow-building romance, the rivalry, the emotional depth, and the hockey setting all came together beautifully.

I went into this expecting an enjoyable MM rivals-to-lovers hockey romance and ended up getting a character-driven story about loneliness, connection, vulnerability, and finding someone who sees the real you.

I loved every bit of Austin and Sebastian’s journey, and after this one, Emmery Fox has definitely earned a spot on my list of authors I need to read more from!

[Mother Of Dragons 86 · Rating 4 out of 5]

🏒 ALC Review 🎧 Produced by Blue Nose Audio.

⭐ Story: 4⭐ 🎙️ Narration: 4⭐ (Nick J. Russo absolutely stole the show for me.)



Some stories grab you by the throat. Others quietly find their way into your heart. Unlovable Player was the latter for me.

At its core, this is a sweet enemies-to-lovers college hockey romance between Sebastian, the new player carrying more emotional baggage than anyone realizes, and Austin, the team captain who slowly becomes the safe place Sebastian never knew he needed.

Sebastian was undoubtedly my favorite character. Beneath his easy smiles, sarcasm, and playful personality is someone deeply scarred by humiliation, betrayal, and the fear of never truly belonging. Watching those layers slowly peel away as Austin learned to see the real Sebastian was the emotional heart of this story.

Austin also surprised me. He wasn't the stereotypical cocky captain I expected. Instead, he became Sebastian's biggest source of support, choosing understanding over judgment and proving that love can sometimes be quiet, patient, and unwavering.

As for the narration...

Nick J. Russo was simply phenomenal. He didn't just narrate Sebastian, he became him. Every teasing remark, every hidden ache, every vulnerable moment and every ounce of longing felt completely authentic. His performance added so much emotional depth to Sebastian's journey.

Oscar Reyes was more of a mixed experience for me. While I enjoyed his dialogue, I found the narrative portions a little too restrained for my personal taste. During action scenes and emotional moments, I wanted more variation in pacing and intensity to fully match what was happening on the page.

That said, this is purely a matter of personal preference, and other listeners may connect with his style differently.

If you're expecting the intensity of a dark romance because of the trigger warnings, keep in mind that this is still a contemporary hockey romance at heart. The intimate scenes are present, but they're far sweeter and softer than what many dark romance readers may be used to.

Overall, I enjoyed my time with Unlovable Player. It may not have become an all-time favorite for me, but it delivered a heartfelt romance, lovable characters, and a beautiful reminder that sometimes the people who smile the brightest are carrying the deepest wounds.

[Joanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Unlovable Player masterfully weaves an enemies to lovers narrative within the thrilling backdrop of college hockey, offering readers a heartfelt exploration of vulnerability, acceptance, and love. Sebastian, the enigmatic newcomer, is a character brimming with charm yet hiding profound emotional scars. His journey toward healing is poignantly depicted through his evolving relationship with Austin, the team captain. Austin defies initial expectations by embracing a role far beyond that of a leader on the ice, he becomes a steadfast ally and a comforting presence for Sebastian. Their dynamic is a testament to the transformative power of quiet, unwavering support and the profound impact of seeing and accepting someone for who they truly are. The novel beautifully captures the tender unravelling of defences, celebrating love that is patient and deeply understanding.
Nick J. Russo and Oscar Reyes delivered exceptional performances that truly brought their characters to life. Russo’s portrayal of Sebastian was a masterclass in emotional depth, capturing every facet of the character with authenticity and nuance. His ability to convey Sebastian’s vulnerability and longing added layers to the narrative that resonated deeply. On the other hand, Reyes showcased his remarkable vocal range and talent through his depiction of Austin. His mastery of accents and his portrayal of Austin’s emotional journey, including his bisexual awakening, were handled with sensitivity and skill. Together, their performances elevated the story, leaving a lasting impact and demonstrating the power of skilled narration.

[K · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars. Here I felt like the whole traumatic backstory of Sebastian Huntington III was dismissed kinda quickly, like what do you mean he had an affair with his professor at Yale and had a sex tape of them filmed and leaked without his consent and it spread everywhere so his rich Wall Street father pulled strings to get him transferred to a state school with a better ranked hockey team as an excuse!? And he’s all smiley nonchalant as a personality to mask his family being the typical rich shitty neglectful parents who throw money at the problem and he’s been raised in Swiss boarding schools! I did like the realism of him being an admitted spoiled guy who does want to chart his own path doing hockey related jobs but his father expects him in the cushy family firm and he doesn’t want to be cut off, extremely understandable and realistic. Austin and his chip on shoulder of being working class and wanting to provide his single mother with a better life with him making the NHL being the meal ticket to that better life. The way music was brought up here is also kinda laughable to me, feels fanfic character dialogue but that’s whatever. The whole bi discovery angle and how Austin talked over it with his high school ex Alyssa was eh at the start to ok by the end when they’re still great friends. Austin and Sebastian duo with Austin the team captain trying to have the team integrate Sebastian in after his unexpected transfer was a good dynamic.

[Toni · Rating 4 out of 5]

An enjoyable read!!

My first book of the Ivy League Players series. I enjoyed this story as a standalone.

The rivalry between Austin and Sebastian is only exacerbated by Sebastian’s cheeky smugness towards Austin. Their relationship takes a turn when Sebastian arrives on campus, and transfers to the hockey team!

As team captain, Austin is tasked with facilitating Sebastian’s transition to the team all whilst keeping morale up!

The sneaky looks between these two become increasingly heated. Both are quietly wanting more, yet both are hesitant to pursue each other. Were their backgrounds holding them back?

Austin has had to work hard to get to where he is in the hopes of fulfilling his dream to play in the NHL. Sebastian’s future seems all but planned out for him, working for his dad’s business.

My favourite scenes involved Austin’s mum and extended family and how warm and welcoming they are! Shows how you don’t need money to be rich.

New to me voice actors, Oscar Reyes, and Nick J. Russo portrayed the characters’ struggles and emotions with class. I particularly liked their interpretation of the raw, vulnerable, sweet and seductive nature of the guys.

An enjoyable read and listen.

[Emma · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 star

It wasn't bad? I mean it wasn't very good either. I don't remember the first book having this poor of plotting and writing but I remember scoring it similarly due to the jock and nerd trope which I have never been a fan of. This one just felt sloppy like it could use an edit. It feels like the author wrote it, and then didn't go back and reread and adjust the first draft. It wasn't very long so it wasn't too bad but the writing towards the end got lazy feeling where it didn't feel like the author paid a lot of attention to detail as they got deeper into the story. Overall the story was plotted out well with things being brought up and never touched again and a lot of interesting set ups that were just resolved in the most boring way and issues that could have added some interest into the book was overlooked. Lots of potential, poor execution. It was goofy and silly though and I'm not mad I read it, I just wish it was written better because then this had like 4 star potential.

[Reinita · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is book 2 in the Ivy League Players series. This was such a sweet, spicy and feel good read.

This is a MM hockey romance with rivals-to-lovers, opposites attract, grumpy/sunshine and a beautifully written bi awakening. The rivalry on the ice mixed with the undeniable pull between these two had me giggling.

One MMC comes from a humble upbringing and has worked hard for everything he’s achieved. Watching him navigate his unexpected bi awakening and slowly opening his heart was one of my favorite parts of the story 🖤. His journey felt authentic and vulnerable.
Our other MMC is a talented hockey player from a wealthy family who has spent his entire life trying to live up to the expectations placed on him. He transfers to a new university and ends up playing with his former rivals. I loved him! I loved watching his facade come down once he found someone who truly saw him.
And the spice?? 😮‍💨🥵 Sweet, steamy, and perfectly paced. Their natural evolution felt so genuine.

If you love MM books, hockey romances, bi awakening, rivals-to-lovers, opposites attract and two characters who help each other become the people they were always meant to be… this one absolutely delivers. 🏒🖤✨

[Mary *~* · Rating 5 out of 5]

Audio: 5/5 stars, considering 6/5 stars. Hello, Mr Reyes. I don’t care what anyone says, I loooved his Jersey accent for Austin. Phew! And in general, I liked his voice and how he can do multiple voices. Color me impressed. I will say this - his narration did feel rushed in comparison, and slightly monotone, so I had to slow down to 0.95 for most of his chapters. / Nick J Russo? No surprises here, he’s the best as always. / Generally, this audio absolutely elevated the book.

Book: 4.5 stars rounded up, because this gave me TheFeelsTM. Would I have loved more frequent, and more graphic spice to sink into? Yes, for sure. We only had a couple of scenes in the middle of the book.
But there was a lot about this book to like regardless. The MCs had strong personalities and I felt for them individually. I also rooted for them as a couple and they had many moments I had to stop and 🥹💘
Note, this is proper, actual, legit slow burn, with no established romantic or sexual tension between the MCs until about 35% of the book.

[Jen Wycech · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hockey Romance
MM Romance
Enemies to lovers
Bi-awakening
College
Dual POV - 1st person

Duet narration - Nick J. Russo & Oscar Reyes

Book #2 Ivy League Player series

Emmery Fox what did you put in this sweet and loveable book? Seriously the main characters are so likeable and sweet. Starting of as enemies on rival hocket teams to being team mates to being lovers.

Austin is feeling the pressure of being hockey captain and hoping to get signed to Boston's NHL team. Sebastian is a fun-loving, easy-going guy that enjoys hockey but feels his dad would never let him play professionally. These two are rivals at first but when they become teammates things get spicy and these two are so cute, sweet, and likeable together.

I would recommend this book to any hockey romance fan or MM romance fan. Overall, a lighthearted romance story that is easy to enjoy. The narrators did a fabulous job bringing Austin and Sebastian to life.

[Charlotte · Rating 4 out of 5]

Untouchable Player is a cute little mm hockey romance. This was a quick and easy read with only a small conflict towards the end. I eat these tropes up every time so it didn’t surprise me that I loved this book.

- gay/bi
- hockey teammates — captain/teammate
- rivals to lovers
- dual POV
- college setting
- spicy 🌶️🌶️🌶️

I did notice that throughout the book it felt like maybe some moments and characters’ decisions could have gone into more detail.
*SPOILER*
I especially noticed that Sebastian’s decision to take the internship was almost brushed over. I felt as though he decided to come back to the team and then bam, he had decided to take the internship with no talk about it or even some inner monologue.
Other than this minor detail, it was a very cute little romance that I would 100% read again.