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Try for Love #2
Try Again Later
If hooking up with straight married men was a business, Orlando Oakham-Goodwin would be the CEO. Nepo baby and all round spoilt brat, Lando lives a life most can only dream of. But when his father cuts off his finances and his best friend reveals she’s moving away, Lando must find a way to pull himself up by his designer bootstraps. With everyone else abandoning him, there’s only one person left for him to call upon . . . the one person Lando swore he’d never speak to again.
Two years ago, Harry Ellis’s dream came true when he made the roster of the Bath Centurions Men’s rugby team. Unfortunately, that was the same year they also signed a superstar to the squad, and Harry’s been playing second fiddle ever since. Desperate to prove himself and get noticed, Harry vows he’ll outshine his teammates and win the fight for captaincy. And it’s going pretty well, at least until a certain rich boy with a loud mouth and a lack of boundaries comes crashing back into his life.
Try Again Later is a friends to enemies to lovers MM rugby romance with a lactose intolerant brat and a grumpy fly-half. Expect reluctant second chances, “teach me” goodness, and plenty of toilet humour—literally. Try Again Later is the second in the Try for Love series of interconnected standalones.
Two years ago, Harry Ellis’s dream came true when he made the roster of the Bath Centurions Men’s rugby team. Unfortunately, that was the same year they also signed a superstar to the squad, and Harry’s been playing second fiddle ever since. Desperate to prove himself and get noticed, Harry vows he’ll outshine his teammates and win the fight for captaincy. And it’s going pretty well, at least until a certain rich boy with a loud mouth and a lack of boundaries comes crashing back into his life.
Try Again Later is a friends to enemies to lovers MM rugby romance with a lactose intolerant brat and a grumpy fly-half. Expect reluctant second chances, “teach me” goodness, and plenty of toilet humour—literally. Try Again Later is the second in the Try for Love series of interconnected standalones.
358 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 11, 2025
About the author
Jemma Croft
10 books305 followersJemma is a regular human author living in Bristol, UK, with her husband, daughters and an anxiety-ridden Brussels Griffon.
She writes funny, smutty, very British stories about humans falling in love with non humans.
She loves dick jokes, foods where sugar is the first listed ingredient, and ignoring all her grown up problems.
You can find her on Instagram @jemma_croft
On tiktok (if she can figure it out) @jemma_croft
Or on her newsletter www.jemmacroft.com (cool free stuff)
She writes funny, smutty, very British stories about humans falling in love with non humans.
She loves dick jokes, foods where sugar is the first listed ingredient, and ignoring all her grown up problems.
You can find her on Instagram @jemma_croft
On tiktok (if she can figure it out) @jemma_croft
Or on her newsletter www.jemmacroft.com (cool free stuff)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 123 reviews
December 3, 2025
Absolutely perfect.
I would marry Harry Ellis in less than a heartbeat! His response to Lando telling him he's Ace was pure fucking perfection. The absolute dream response. The way he respects and understands Lando and loves him so much made my heart melt into goo.
The format of being present day, past, then present day added so much history, depth, emotion and understanding to these characters. I usually like books to be completely linear but I loved the way their story was told and my brain found it really easy to follow because the exact date is used at the start of every chapter - a definite win for dyscalculia!
Honestly my heart hurt for Lando throughout this book and I just wanted to hug him and be his friend. He's so sad and confused, but Harry and his grumpy twat persona really meshes well with Lando's morose attention seeking drama queen persona. These two are just so incredibly perfect together.
Cannot recommend this series enough. The whole vibe is amazing and I love that it's fairly low spice, low drama, and highly focused on characters and their relationship development outside of sex.
Really hoping Pi and Eggo are up next!
*****
I received an ARC of this book from Gay Romance Reviews, and this is my honest review
I would marry Harry Ellis in less than a heartbeat! His response to Lando telling him he's Ace was pure fucking perfection. The absolute dream response. The way he respects and understands Lando and loves him so much made my heart melt into goo.
The format of being present day, past, then present day added so much history, depth, emotion and understanding to these characters. I usually like books to be completely linear but I loved the way their story was told and my brain found it really easy to follow because the exact date is used at the start of every chapter - a definite win for dyscalculia!
Honestly my heart hurt for Lando throughout this book and I just wanted to hug him and be his friend. He's so sad and confused, but Harry and his grumpy twat persona really meshes well with Lando's morose attention seeking drama queen persona. These two are just so incredibly perfect together.
Cannot recommend this series enough. The whole vibe is amazing and I love that it's fairly low spice, low drama, and highly focused on characters and their relationship development outside of sex.
Really hoping Pi and Eggo are up next!
*****
I received an ARC of this book from Gay Romance Reviews, and this is my honest review
December 4, 2025
WOW. Jemma Croft, yet again, had me staying up past my bedtime to read.
Try Again Later is the second book in Jemma Croft's Try for Love series, an MM Rugby contemporary romance series. I was intrigued by Lando in book one, One More Try, when he was a side character and having him as a MC was not a disappointment! Harry was....also there (iykyk, lol).
This book was almost perfect for me. While it was strictly focused on the romantic connection and there was no sub-plot like there would be in a classic Jemma Croft novel, it really worked. Lando and Harry really shined, and the world building stayed consistent from book 1. The wild amounts of representation was also phenomenal; Ace, IBS, lactose intollerance, anosmia, complicated relationships (romantic and familial), parent loss/greif, not quite connecting with some people in the older generation, MM and other queer relationships, and I'm sure more that I neglected to write down in my notes. Things like these make Jemma's books so real, so enjoyable.
Harry and Lando are such dimensional characters. I do think, though, there was a bit too much Harry nagging about Mathias. It made Harry feel really like more of a pick-me and I struggled with his character at times as a result. The novel also started slowly and had more time jumps than I'd normally enjoy in a single book, but I think it all really fit with the needs of the story. I do wish there was *more* from Lando and Harry, though. I can't quite pinpoint what, precisely, but with all the time jumps I almost felt like there was something I was missing in their story.
Regardless, I just love them so much. I hope everyone gives these goobers a shot.
ALSO, because someone needs to tell him - LANDO, I'M SO HECKIN PROUD OF YOU!
4.5 stars, rounded up to 5 for Goodreads.
Try Again Later is the second book in Jemma Croft's Try for Love series, an MM Rugby contemporary romance series. I was intrigued by Lando in book one, One More Try, when he was a side character and having him as a MC was not a disappointment! Harry was....also there (iykyk, lol).
This book was almost perfect for me. While it was strictly focused on the romantic connection and there was no sub-plot like there would be in a classic Jemma Croft novel, it really worked. Lando and Harry really shined, and the world building stayed consistent from book 1. The wild amounts of representation was also phenomenal; Ace, IBS, lactose intollerance, anosmia, complicated relationships (romantic and familial), parent loss/greif, not quite connecting with some people in the older generation, MM and other queer relationships, and I'm sure more that I neglected to write down in my notes. Things like these make Jemma's books so real, so enjoyable.
Harry and Lando are such dimensional characters. I do think, though, there was a bit too much Harry nagging about Mathias. It made Harry feel really like more of a pick-me and I struggled with his character at times as a result. The novel also started slowly and had more time jumps than I'd normally enjoy in a single book, but I think it all really fit with the needs of the story. I do wish there was *more* from Lando and Harry, though. I can't quite pinpoint what, precisely, but with all the time jumps I almost felt like there was something I was missing in their story.
Regardless, I just love them so much. I hope everyone gives these goobers a shot.
ALSO, because someone needs to tell him - LANDO, I'M SO HECKIN PROUD OF YOU!
4.5 stars, rounded up to 5 for Goodreads.
November 26, 2025
2.5 ⭐️
I picked up this ARC because I mostly enjoyed one of this author's wolf shifter books, apart from the late appearance of a personal hate trope. But since this is contemporary rugby-rom, not a/b/o, I figured I was safe from the recurrence of that particular scourge.
Which! I was! Unfortunately, another personal hate trope raised its ugly head. The "I'm denying what we both obviously want and not communicating about it because you deserve better than pathetic little me, and now I get to be a deluded martyr" trope. And yes, both characters are very young; this is probably best classed as NA. And yes, this trope is a trope because people pull stupid shit all the time, and young people are particularly susceptible to their own poor self-esteem, dramatic notions of noble sacrifice, and blinkered decisionmaking. (Sorry, youngs! It's a necessary life phase! Don't kill the messenger.) But, ugh. UGH!! Tedious!
Honestly, I was struggling with this even before the manufactured crisis. While the shifter book featured a delightfully sunshiny slut and a grumpy cinnamon bun, this goes full asshole-for-asshole for far too long. Lando is an absolute train wreck, which, fine, but being outright rude and patronizing to a service worker is basically the author consigning their character to hell. Harry, aka Abs, is jealous and self-pitying while simultaneously suffering delusions of grandeur -- why else would he think a 23-year-old backup with no people skills would ever be named captain? -- but also, fatally, dull. The problem with writing unlikable characters and sending them on redemption arcs -- towards each other, but also in the readers' sentiments -- is the "unlikable" part is a lot easier to pull off than the "redemption" part. While the long, clunky middle section does an okay job pulling Lando and Harry back from the precipice of these fucking guys -- their friendship/ situationship is affectionately and convincingly described -- the contortions required by the Martyr!trope then push back in the other direction.
I also hated, HATED how Lando perceived his asexuality as disqualifying for a romantic relationship, and used it as both a shield and a weapon throughout. It's not that I think this doesn't happen -- i.e. that people who are ace don't struggle with how their sexuality affects intimate relationships -- but I found it deeply bleak and unexamined. Fortunately, Harry does call him out on it eventually: that Lando is ascribing to him feelings and reactions that Harry himself doesn't feel, based on Lando's own skewed perceptions rather than anything Harry has said or done. If that call-out hadn't happened, this would have been a one-star ranking, because otherwise all we get of ace rep in the book is messaging (from Lando's POV) about how being ace is incompatible with love, romance, and intimacy. I want to be careful here because I don't think the author herself believes this. But when you spend the vast majority of one of the POVs in the head of a character who uses his own sexuality as a means of pre-empting any kind of meaningful connection or love -- basically, as a reason for being miserable and creating misery in another -- then it's not exactly positive rep. Harry countering it was necessary, but it struck me as too little, too late.
Also, the pacing was off. Too much assholery in the beginning, the middle section was too long, and the final section, too quick.
Also, for a rugby-rom, there was basically no rugby here. Definitely in the all-vibes, no-show camp of sportsroms.
Also, Daisy is a shit friend, I said what I said.
The bummer about this is that I could see the seeds of a very good story. Lando's nepo baby privilege and aimlessness co-existing with his loneliness and emotional abandonment; the mix of bravado and hyper-vigilance caused by his IBS, a disease connected with a lot of shame; his ambivalence towards his own sexuality and how he weaponizes it -- all has a lot of potential. Harry is less compelling, but a kind-hearted person who, when he's not whining about others' successes, tries to act with integrity and sense. I thought the writing was fine; a bit mannered and too self-consciously slangy for my tastes, but it kept me reading even while I had serious reservations about everything else going on. But in terms of character development, the handling of sensitive issues, and pacing, this is a potentially good book let down by its execution.
Oh, and I dearly hope the author changed this based on my note regarding Harry's nickname, but in case not: the word you're looking for is ABDICATOR!!! 😂😂😂 Genuinely hope someone updates me in the comments whether "Abstainer" remained. So close to an automatic DNF 5 pages in!!
I got an ARC from GRR in exchange for an honest review.
I picked up this ARC because I mostly enjoyed one of this author's wolf shifter books, apart from the late appearance of a personal hate trope. But since this is contemporary rugby-rom, not a/b/o, I figured I was safe from the recurrence of that particular scourge.
Which! I was! Unfortunately, another personal hate trope raised its ugly head. The "I'm denying what we both obviously want and not communicating about it because you deserve better than pathetic little me, and now I get to be a deluded martyr" trope. And yes, both characters are very young; this is probably best classed as NA. And yes, this trope is a trope because people pull stupid shit all the time, and young people are particularly susceptible to their own poor self-esteem, dramatic notions of noble sacrifice, and blinkered decisionmaking. (Sorry, youngs! It's a necessary life phase! Don't kill the messenger.) But, ugh. UGH!! Tedious!
Honestly, I was struggling with this even before the manufactured crisis. While the shifter book featured a delightfully sunshiny slut and a grumpy cinnamon bun, this goes full asshole-for-asshole for far too long. Lando is an absolute train wreck, which, fine, but being outright rude and patronizing to a service worker is basically the author consigning their character to hell. Harry, aka Abs, is jealous and self-pitying while simultaneously suffering delusions of grandeur -- why else would he think a 23-year-old backup with no people skills would ever be named captain? -- but also, fatally, dull. The problem with writing unlikable characters and sending them on redemption arcs -- towards each other, but also in the readers' sentiments -- is the "unlikable" part is a lot easier to pull off than the "redemption" part. While the long, clunky middle section does an okay job pulling Lando and Harry back from the precipice of these fucking guys -- their friendship/ situationship is affectionately and convincingly described -- the contortions required by the Martyr!trope then push back in the other direction.
I also hated, HATED how Lando perceived his asexuality as disqualifying for a romantic relationship, and used it as both a shield and a weapon throughout. It's not that I think this doesn't happen -- i.e. that people who are ace don't struggle with how their sexuality affects intimate relationships -- but I found it deeply bleak and unexamined. Fortunately, Harry does call him out on it eventually: that Lando is ascribing to him feelings and reactions that Harry himself doesn't feel, based on Lando's own skewed perceptions rather than anything Harry has said or done. If that call-out hadn't happened, this would have been a one-star ranking, because otherwise all we get of ace rep in the book is messaging (from Lando's POV) about how being ace is incompatible with love, romance, and intimacy. I want to be careful here because I don't think the author herself believes this. But when you spend the vast majority of one of the POVs in the head of a character who uses his own sexuality as a means of pre-empting any kind of meaningful connection or love -- basically, as a reason for being miserable and creating misery in another -- then it's not exactly positive rep. Harry countering it was necessary, but it struck me as too little, too late.
Also, the pacing was off. Too much assholery in the beginning, the middle section was too long, and the final section, too quick.
Also, for a rugby-rom, there was basically no rugby here. Definitely in the all-vibes, no-show camp of sportsroms.
Also, Daisy is a shit friend, I said what I said.
The bummer about this is that I could see the seeds of a very good story. Lando's nepo baby privilege and aimlessness co-existing with his loneliness and emotional abandonment; the mix of bravado and hyper-vigilance caused by his IBS, a disease connected with a lot of shame; his ambivalence towards his own sexuality and how he weaponizes it -- all has a lot of potential. Harry is less compelling, but a kind-hearted person who, when he's not whining about others' successes, tries to act with integrity and sense. I thought the writing was fine; a bit mannered and too self-consciously slangy for my tastes, but it kept me reading even while I had serious reservations about everything else going on. But in terms of character development, the handling of sensitive issues, and pacing, this is a potentially good book let down by its execution.
Oh, and I dearly hope the author changed this based on my note regarding Harry's nickname, but in case not: the word you're looking for is ABDICATOR!!! 😂😂😂 Genuinely hope someone updates me in the comments whether "Abstainer" remained. So close to an automatic DNF 5 pages in!!
I got an ARC from GRR in exchange for an honest review.
January 10, 2026
Jeżeli autorka celowała w główną nagrodę na najbardziej okropną, nie dającą się lubić, wkurzającą i wiecznie jęczącą męską parę roku 2025, to gratulacje - udało jej się dotrzeć do ścisłego finału i otrzymać nominację. Nie wykluczam wygrania...
Nikt nie odda mi tego prawie całego straconego tygodnia, ale mogę winić za to tylko siebie 🤦♀️ Już w pierwszym tomie serii Lando jako bohater zupełnie mi się nie podobał, a jednak sięgnęłam po tom z nim w roli głównej i w dodatku zaparłam się jak diabli, żeby go skończyć. Trzeba było zaufać sobie i swojemu przeczuciu, że to dobre nie będzie...
‼️Spoilery‼️
Harry i Lando. Dupki dwa.
Pierwszy to wiecznie narzekający i obwiniający o swoje porażki czy niepowodzenia wszystkich naokoło, tylko nie siebie. Nienawidzi z całego swojego serducha Mathiasa z tomu 1 - nie dlatego, że mu coś zrobił, ale dlatego, że mu zazdrości. Mathias to 29-31-letni (w zależności, w której części książki jesteśmy) kopacz w zespole rugby, w którym Harry gra. Utalentowany do bólu, zaangażowany w grę i treningi, oddający się całym sobą grze, w spektrum, nieśmiały, ze słabą baterią społeczną. Gwiazda swojego sportu. Harry, 8 lat od niego młodszy, zazdrości mu strasznie i nienawidzi go - chciałby w wieku 21-23 lat mieć taką samą pozycję i taki sam szacunek, jak ma teraz Mathias. Nieważne, że Mathias sobie na to wszystko ciężko zapracował. Nieważne, że ma wielki talent i wieloletnie już doświadczenie. Nieważne, że to nie wzięło się z powietrza. Ważne jest tylko to, że Harry po prostu chce tego samego już teraz. I według niego to tylko wina Mathiasa, że tego nie ma. Chce być kapitanem drużyny, choć wie, że nie ma do tego kwalifikacji - ale najważniejsze jest to, że byłby w pewien sposób szefem Mathiasa i mógłby mu mówić, jak ma grać. Kiedy nim nie zostaje, jest wściekły i rozczarowany...
I tak ze wszystkim...
Harry jest po prostu okropnym człowiekiem...
Lando - biedny bogaty chłopczyk, lat 19-21. Nikt go nie kocha. Wszyscy go opuszczają. Ma tylko jedną przyjaciółkę - Daisy, córkę Owena z tomu 1. Nie zna realnego świata. Uwielbia ser, choć ma nietolerancję laktozy. Jest aseksualny, ale przeleciał już połowę Bath (a raczej dał się przelecieć). Wydaje pieniądze tatusia na prawo i lewo. Snob.
Kiedy tatuś go w końcu odcina od kasy i każe mu iść do "pracy" u siebie w firmie, jest nieszczęśliwy. Musi pracować z ludźmi, którzy nie potrafią się ubrać, którzy noszą tanie, niemodne ciuchy i buty, którzy pachną tandetnymi perfumami czy wodami kolońskimi - to przecież zbrodnia przeciwko ludzkości 👀 Po tygodniu dostaje wypłatę awansem za dwa tygodnie (bo tatuś tak powiedział) i jak widzi kwotę, to łapie się za głowę - jak ludzie mogą za takie pieniądze żyć, jego spodnie, które ma teraz na sobie, kosztowały praktycznie tyle samo. Aż w tym momencie nie mogłam i od razu przypomniała mi się Katarzyna Figura z "Kilera" i jej słynny tekst: Kiler, trzysta dolarów? Ochujałeś? Co ja sobie za to kupię? Waciki? 😁
Nikt go nie kocha, wszyscy go opuszczają - mama umarła na raka, gdy miał 12 lat, zaś ojciec ciągle w rozjazdach, nie ma czasu dla syna. I to właściwie tyle. Ale to pozwala mu czuć się odrzuconym, niekochanym i wbić sobie w łepetę, że musi być suką i że w połączeniu z aseksualnością oraz nietolerancją laktozy nigdy nie będzie miał prawdziwego związku, bo nikt go nie pokocha i każdy go opuści. Choć ma Daisy, ma też Owena (który jest NAPRAWDĘ dobrym człowiekiem), który go traktuje jak syna. Ale on wybiera ciągłe jojczenie, bo tak jest łatwiej.
I, jak u Harry'ego, tak jest ze wszystkim...
Nietolerancja laktozy i jej efekty, czyli klasyczne i naprawdę dosłowne shit happens jest przedstawione pod płaszczykiem angielskiego humoru. Uwielbiam angielski humor, ale nie znalazłam w tym nic zabawnego... Żeby było jeszcze wygodniej dla historii, Harry nie ma węchu od urodzenia, zatem pod tym względem mu to u Lando nie przeszkadza...
Obydwaj uwielbiają być w centrum uwagi i uwielbiają, jak się ich chwali...
Może, gdyby autorka trochę inaczej skonstruowała książkę, czyli dała po prostu zdarzenia chronologicznie, były ze dwie gwiazdki. Ale część retrospekcyjną wrzuciła w środek, a początek i koniec to teraźniejszość - i ta pierwsza teraźniejszość tak obrzydziła mi bohaterów, tak wielką niechęć do nich już czułam, że nic nie było w stanie później tego naprostować, choć autorka jakoś się tam starała.
Ale jak zwykle zaznaczam - to tylko moje odczucia, a patrząc na średnią ocen, chyba powinnam dodać nieco wyświechtany już tekst: to ja, nie książka 😜
Ten rok nie zaczął się najlepiej - trzy przeczytane do tej pory, nowe dla mnie książki i średnia wychodzi mi 2 gwiazdki 👀🫤🤦♀️
Nikt nie odda mi tego prawie całego straconego tygodnia, ale mogę winić za to tylko siebie 🤦♀️ Już w pierwszym tomie serii Lando jako bohater zupełnie mi się nie podobał, a jednak sięgnęłam po tom z nim w roli głównej i w dodatku zaparłam się jak diabli, żeby go skończyć. Trzeba było zaufać sobie i swojemu przeczuciu, że to dobre nie będzie...
‼️Spoilery‼️
Harry i Lando. Dupki dwa.
Pierwszy to wiecznie narzekający i obwiniający o swoje porażki czy niepowodzenia wszystkich naokoło, tylko nie siebie. Nienawidzi z całego swojego serducha Mathiasa z tomu 1 - nie dlatego, że mu coś zrobił, ale dlatego, że mu zazdrości. Mathias to 29-31-letni (w zależności, w której części książki jesteśmy) kopacz w zespole rugby, w którym Harry gra. Utalentowany do bólu, zaangażowany w grę i treningi, oddający się całym sobą grze, w spektrum, nieśmiały, ze słabą baterią społeczną. Gwiazda swojego sportu. Harry, 8 lat od niego młodszy, zazdrości mu strasznie i nienawidzi go - chciałby w wieku 21-23 lat mieć taką samą pozycję i taki sam szacunek, jak ma teraz Mathias. Nieważne, że Mathias sobie na to wszystko ciężko zapracował. Nieważne, że ma wielki talent i wieloletnie już doświadczenie. Nieważne, że to nie wzięło się z powietrza. Ważne jest tylko to, że Harry po prostu chce tego samego już teraz. I według niego to tylko wina Mathiasa, że tego nie ma. Chce być kapitanem drużyny, choć wie, że nie ma do tego kwalifikacji - ale najważniejsze jest to, że byłby w pewien sposób szefem Mathiasa i mógłby mu mówić, jak ma grać. Kiedy nim nie zostaje, jest wściekły i rozczarowany...
I tak ze wszystkim...
Harry jest po prostu okropnym człowiekiem...
Lando - biedny bogaty chłopczyk, lat 19-21. Nikt go nie kocha. Wszyscy go opuszczają. Ma tylko jedną przyjaciółkę - Daisy, córkę Owena z tomu 1. Nie zna realnego świata. Uwielbia ser, choć ma nietolerancję laktozy. Jest aseksualny, ale przeleciał już połowę Bath (a raczej dał się przelecieć). Wydaje pieniądze tatusia na prawo i lewo. Snob.
Kiedy tatuś go w końcu odcina od kasy i każe mu iść do "pracy" u siebie w firmie, jest nieszczęśliwy. Musi pracować z ludźmi, którzy nie potrafią się ubrać, którzy noszą tanie, niemodne ciuchy i buty, którzy pachną tandetnymi perfumami czy wodami kolońskimi - to przecież zbrodnia przeciwko ludzkości 👀 Po tygodniu dostaje wypłatę awansem za dwa tygodnie (bo tatuś tak powiedział) i jak widzi kwotę, to łapie się za głowę - jak ludzie mogą za takie pieniądze żyć, jego spodnie, które ma teraz na sobie, kosztowały praktycznie tyle samo. Aż w tym momencie nie mogłam i od razu przypomniała mi się Katarzyna Figura z "Kilera" i jej słynny tekst: Kiler, trzysta dolarów? Ochujałeś? Co ja sobie za to kupię? Waciki? 😁
Nikt go nie kocha, wszyscy go opuszczają - mama umarła na raka, gdy miał 12 lat, zaś ojciec ciągle w rozjazdach, nie ma czasu dla syna. I to właściwie tyle. Ale to pozwala mu czuć się odrzuconym, niekochanym i wbić sobie w łepetę, że musi być suką i że w połączeniu z aseksualnością oraz nietolerancją laktozy nigdy nie będzie miał prawdziwego związku, bo nikt go nie pokocha i każdy go opuści. Choć ma Daisy, ma też Owena (który jest NAPRAWDĘ dobrym człowiekiem), który go traktuje jak syna. Ale on wybiera ciągłe jojczenie, bo tak jest łatwiej.
I, jak u Harry'ego, tak jest ze wszystkim...
Nietolerancja laktozy i jej efekty, czyli klasyczne i naprawdę dosłowne shit happens jest przedstawione pod płaszczykiem angielskiego humoru. Uwielbiam angielski humor, ale nie znalazłam w tym nic zabawnego... Żeby było jeszcze wygodniej dla historii, Harry nie ma węchu od urodzenia, zatem pod tym względem mu to u Lando nie przeszkadza...
Obydwaj uwielbiają być w centrum uwagi i uwielbiają, jak się ich chwali...
Może, gdyby autorka trochę inaczej skonstruowała książkę, czyli dała po prostu zdarzenia chronologicznie, były ze dwie gwiazdki. Ale część retrospekcyjną wrzuciła w środek, a początek i koniec to teraźniejszość - i ta pierwsza teraźniejszość tak obrzydziła mi bohaterów, tak wielką niechęć do nich już czułam, że nic nie było w stanie później tego naprostować, choć autorka jakoś się tam starała.
Ale jak zwykle zaznaczam - to tylko moje odczucia, a patrząc na średnią ocen, chyba powinnam dodać nieco wyświechtany już tekst: to ja, nie książka 😜
Ten rok nie zaczął się najlepiej - trzy przeczytane do tej pory, nowe dla mnie książki i średnia wychodzi mi 2 gwiazdki 👀🫤🤦♀️
November 23, 2025
5⭐️
This book was so good that I cried!!!!!!
Like, yes it’s a low-stakes romance between two hilarious arseholes, but it’s SO WELL DONE!!
We start the book out following Lando and Harry separately, who both vehemently insist that they hate each other. The book does such an excellent job of introducing them and setting the scene for their past relationship. Then we’re taken back in time to see what happened between these two, and it’s INCREDIBLE.
Lando is a spoiled 21 year old with abandonment issues and IBS issues he isn’t shy to talk about. He’s all about hookups (because they can’t abandon you), and never makes any exceptions. Enter Harry, a rugby player who’s trying to figure himself out, and is both a grumpy c*nt and an absolute sweetheart. Their relationship isn’t your cookie-cutter romance. Lando is ace and has a complex relationship with s*x, while Harry is still figuring out what he likes and just wants to make love to someone. But bring these two together? Their compatibility is off the charts, right off the bat. And I mean like, their personalities fit like puzzle pieces, and their physical compatibility is secondary to that because their connection is so strong. So good.
Now when I tell you I love these characters, I mean I LOVE THEM. A LOT!!!! They are incredibly nuanced and well written. You could describe both of them as hilarious, grumpy young dudes that just want to be loved. But they’re SO distinct and different at the same time. This book is an absolute master class in excellent character writing. The characters are consistent but show real growth. Their flaws are believable. They have their own (amazing) voices in the narration, even. Even the side characters are perfectly integrated into this book. Lando and Daisy’s relationship in this book really hit home as well. I loooove the queer friendship we got between them as well. Without ranting for too long, I’ll just say that Jemma Croft has said that these are her favourite characters, and it’s sooo evident why.
Honestly, everything about this book was absolutely incredible. There were moments I laughed out loud. And I don’t mean like, a giggle or a grin (though I was doing that a lot too), but GUFFAWING. There were also emotional moments that had me kicking my feet or feeling butterflies. Then some moments, especially the end, than had me clutching my chest with emotion and my eyes filling with tears?? The writing is S tier—never a dull moment, hilarious banter, perfect balance of everything.
I got so distracted by waxing poetic about how much I love this book that I forgot to tell you about the content 🤪 This book has:
-rugby player x rich kid
-IBS rep ✊ (and a partner that’s so sweet about it)
-ace rep (well done)
-asparagus (both in food form and d*ldo form! Fun!)
-‘teach me’
-fantastic side characters
-second chance
-dual timeline (perfectly executed)
-lots of cuddles and movies
I’m so obsessed with this book. Best book I’ve read in a long time. Jemma Croft is a genius, and I’m not exaggerating. Never read a book by her that wasn’t fantastic.
If you haven’t already, read book 1 in this series immediately, then RUN to pick up Try Again Later on December 11.
This book was so good that I cried!!!!!!
Like, yes it’s a low-stakes romance between two hilarious arseholes, but it’s SO WELL DONE!!
We start the book out following Lando and Harry separately, who both vehemently insist that they hate each other. The book does such an excellent job of introducing them and setting the scene for their past relationship. Then we’re taken back in time to see what happened between these two, and it’s INCREDIBLE.
Lando is a spoiled 21 year old with abandonment issues and IBS issues he isn’t shy to talk about. He’s all about hookups (because they can’t abandon you), and never makes any exceptions. Enter Harry, a rugby player who’s trying to figure himself out, and is both a grumpy c*nt and an absolute sweetheart. Their relationship isn’t your cookie-cutter romance. Lando is ace and has a complex relationship with s*x, while Harry is still figuring out what he likes and just wants to make love to someone. But bring these two together? Their compatibility is off the charts, right off the bat. And I mean like, their personalities fit like puzzle pieces, and their physical compatibility is secondary to that because their connection is so strong. So good.
Now when I tell you I love these characters, I mean I LOVE THEM. A LOT!!!! They are incredibly nuanced and well written. You could describe both of them as hilarious, grumpy young dudes that just want to be loved. But they’re SO distinct and different at the same time. This book is an absolute master class in excellent character writing. The characters are consistent but show real growth. Their flaws are believable. They have their own (amazing) voices in the narration, even. Even the side characters are perfectly integrated into this book. Lando and Daisy’s relationship in this book really hit home as well. I loooove the queer friendship we got between them as well. Without ranting for too long, I’ll just say that Jemma Croft has said that these are her favourite characters, and it’s sooo evident why.
Honestly, everything about this book was absolutely incredible. There were moments I laughed out loud. And I don’t mean like, a giggle or a grin (though I was doing that a lot too), but GUFFAWING. There were also emotional moments that had me kicking my feet or feeling butterflies. Then some moments, especially the end, than had me clutching my chest with emotion and my eyes filling with tears?? The writing is S tier—never a dull moment, hilarious banter, perfect balance of everything.
I got so distracted by waxing poetic about how much I love this book that I forgot to tell you about the content 🤪 This book has:
-rugby player x rich kid
-IBS rep ✊ (and a partner that’s so sweet about it)
-ace rep (well done)
-asparagus (both in food form and d*ldo form! Fun!)
-‘teach me’
-fantastic side characters
-second chance
-dual timeline (perfectly executed)
-lots of cuddles and movies
I’m so obsessed with this book. Best book I’ve read in a long time. Jemma Croft is a genius, and I’m not exaggerating. Never read a book by her that wasn’t fantastic.
If you haven’t already, read book 1 in this series immediately, then RUN to pick up Try Again Later on December 11.
January 23, 2026
This is the love story of two absolute assholes who find love with each other and it’s precious. Both Harry and Lando were insecure and wanted attention and affection, but dealt with it in different ways. Harry was surly and had a massive jealous streak, but was also genuinely good to Lando and others he cared about. Lando was selfish and dramatic with soooo much emotional trauma and baggage, but grew into a good partner for Harry and took more healthy risks. He started accepting that he could have value as a partner and a person. They were young and dumb and in love. Also, I loved how much time was spent on page having Lando’s IBS impact every part of his life. That’s reality when you’ve got chronic illness.
Spice: 3/5
Triggers: cheating (MMC knowingly sleeps with married men, sex is off page), Themes of grief, and learning to live with grief, parental loss to cancer (past), parental neglect and resulting trauma, internalized acephobia, alcohol use including binging, implied homophobia and racism (deceased side character)
Spice: 3/5
Triggers: cheating (MMC knowingly sleeps with married men, sex is off page), Themes of grief, and learning to live with grief, parental loss to cancer (past), parental neglect and resulting trauma, internalized acephobia, alcohol use including binging, implied homophobia and racism (deceased side character)
December 7, 2025
This is it, this might be my favourite book, how is this so perfect, how are Lan and Harry so perfect. You know those stories that’ll stay with you for a long time and characters that deeply entrench themselves in you or you see reflected back at you I dont know which but characters that’ll probably become a part of you, this is that, them is this and this is Everything Magical o need from a story.
Jemma Croft has away of writing that let’s you love a different life for a few days, I couldn’t put this book down and o couldn’t rush it, I could just luxuriate in this world of humour, and found family, and lovely emotions and real feeling people and a small small town/village.
Soulmates - that’s what Harry and Lan are. From the moment they may eyes on each other they are done for even though they do not know that for most of the story. This meandering, romantic , absurdly swoony (who thought I would swoon at people chatting while pooing) fundamentally connected friendship/relationship/situationship exclusively uniquely theirs made me ache laugh cry sigh scream huff and puff till Lan got it together.
Here are the parts I loved-
Harry gets Lan, like really gets him
Lan let’s Harry be Harry
The scenes at Lan’s mom grave
Teaching how tos on gay sex - practice practice practice
Ace rep
Chronic condition rep
Banter - it’s epic
Starkers Harry 🤣
Drunk Harry
Lan’s commentary on his coworkers
Harry’s fam
Second chances
I could go on tbh and then it’d be the whole book cause I really did love it
Jemma Croft has away of writing that let’s you love a different life for a few days, I couldn’t put this book down and o couldn’t rush it, I could just luxuriate in this world of humour, and found family, and lovely emotions and real feeling people and a small small town/village.
Soulmates - that’s what Harry and Lan are. From the moment they may eyes on each other they are done for even though they do not know that for most of the story. This meandering, romantic , absurdly swoony (who thought I would swoon at people chatting while pooing) fundamentally connected friendship/relationship/situationship exclusively uniquely theirs made me ache laugh cry sigh scream huff and puff till Lan got it together.
Here are the parts I loved-
Harry gets Lan, like really gets him
Lan let’s Harry be Harry
The scenes at Lan’s mom grave
Teaching how tos on gay sex - practice practice practice
Ace rep
Chronic condition rep
Banter - it’s epic
Starkers Harry 🤣
Drunk Harry
Lan’s commentary on his coworkers
Harry’s fam
Second chances
I could go on tbh and then it’d be the whole book cause I really did love it
November 15, 2025
I love them.
I just love them.
So fuckjng much.
They’re messy, grumpy, flawed, and so real it hurts.
I’ve been craving a grumpy x grumpy romance for so long, and I’m not surprised that it was Jemma Croft that delivered one that ticked every box. There’s a reason she’s become an auto buy author for me.
Lando is chaotic, and if you’ve read One Last Try especially the clubhouse shower scene, you’ll understand part of why I say that! Harry is grumpy, and hates my sweet Matias (but we still love him). Together they’re so freaking soft and sweet, they make mistakes, and ultimately they’re each others best friend.
This series just keeps getting better and better. I have a feeling we might be taking a trip down to Cornwall for part of book three….
I just love them.
So fuckjng much.
They’re messy, grumpy, flawed, and so real it hurts.
I’ve been craving a grumpy x grumpy romance for so long, and I’m not surprised that it was Jemma Croft that delivered one that ticked every box. There’s a reason she’s become an auto buy author for me.
Lando is chaotic, and if you’ve read One Last Try especially the clubhouse shower scene, you’ll understand part of why I say that! Harry is grumpy, and hates my sweet Matias (but we still love him). Together they’re so freaking soft and sweet, they make mistakes, and ultimately they’re each others best friend.
This series just keeps getting better and better. I have a feeling we might be taking a trip down to Cornwall for part of book three….
December 16, 2025
story of Lando and Harry
This is a friends to enemies to second chance rugby sport romance, featuring Orlando “Lando” Oakham-Goodwin and Harry Ellis, and is book two in the Try For Love series.
Lando is a spoiled nepo baby forced to rebuild his life after losing his money and support, leaving him with only one last person to turn to, the man he swore he’d never speak to again. That man is Harry, a rugby player fighting to step out of a superstar’s shadow, whose bid for captaincy is thrown into chaos when Lando crashes back into his life.
I loved this book, it’s messy and heartfelt, balancing humour with genuine emotional growth. Lando is the kind of chaotic rich boy you can’t help but love, while Harry’s quiet determination and frustration at always coming second make you instantly want to hug him.
There were so many moments I was cackling through this, and whilst it is extremely funny there is unresolved tension and forced proximity, with sparks flying every time these two are together. Beneath the banter and drama we see Lando and Harry realise their self-worth and learn how to stand on their own feet, which makes this both a fun sports romance and a satisfying second-chance love story. I loved them!!!!
Things to expect in this book are:
Book 2 in series
MM sports romance
Slow burn
Friend to enemies
Second chance
Opposites attract
Spoiled brat x Rugby player
Rich boy x not-so-rich boy
Grumpy x Sunshine
Hurt / Comfort
Loss of a parent
Ace rep
IBS & Anosmia rep
Dimples, freckles & red hair
Flirting lessons
MC in lingerie
Lots of cuddling
Brings him soup
Spicy times
Snowballing
Praise kink
Pet names: babygirl, my king
Time apart / reconnection
HEA
This is a friends to enemies to second chance rugby sport romance, featuring Orlando “Lando” Oakham-Goodwin and Harry Ellis, and is book two in the Try For Love series.
Lando is a spoiled nepo baby forced to rebuild his life after losing his money and support, leaving him with only one last person to turn to, the man he swore he’d never speak to again. That man is Harry, a rugby player fighting to step out of a superstar’s shadow, whose bid for captaincy is thrown into chaos when Lando crashes back into his life.
I loved this book, it’s messy and heartfelt, balancing humour with genuine emotional growth. Lando is the kind of chaotic rich boy you can’t help but love, while Harry’s quiet determination and frustration at always coming second make you instantly want to hug him.
There were so many moments I was cackling through this, and whilst it is extremely funny there is unresolved tension and forced proximity, with sparks flying every time these two are together. Beneath the banter and drama we see Lando and Harry realise their self-worth and learn how to stand on their own feet, which makes this both a fun sports romance and a satisfying second-chance love story. I loved them!!!!
Things to expect in this book are:
Book 2 in series
MM sports romance
Slow burn
Friend to enemies
Second chance
Opposites attract
Spoiled brat x Rugby player
Rich boy x not-so-rich boy
Grumpy x Sunshine
Hurt / Comfort
Loss of a parent
Ace rep
IBS & Anosmia rep
Dimples, freckles & red hair
Flirting lessons
MC in lingerie
Lots of cuddling
Brings him soup
Spicy times
Snowballing
Praise kink
Pet names: babygirl, my king
Time apart / reconnection
HEA
February 14, 2026
So this was cute. Not as lovely and heartwarming as the first one, and with a lot more bodily fluids 😳😁 And the order confused me a bit. I got why there were flashbacks, because otherwise the boatload wouldn’t have worked. However, because of the dates (which are all in the future still) I found it confusing. I had to look back to seethe first chapters are in 2027, and the flashbacks in 2026. I did not really get that choice because “this year” and “august last year” would have been a lot clearer and make it less dated in the future…
Also, I thought the pandemic taught us, never to place a story in the nearby future because it will get proven wrong…
Anyway, the book was cute. I loved Lando and his snarkiness, did not like Daisy at all in this book (why would you interfere SO MUCH in your besties love life????), and I also really liked Harry and his grumpiness around Matthias a lot. And how good he was to Lando.
I hope Serasi dumps Daisy in the next book and find a great love of her own. (Also continuity error here… in the first book she was called Sarasi.)
I’m don’t think I need to reread this book (because of the bodily fluids, great rep but not my favorite thing to read about). And I think I can recommend because of the sweet ending. But not if you’re not into reading a lot about bowel movements. And also not if you pick this up for the advertised trope (enemies to lovers), because it’s a second chance story and lust at first sight kind of book.
Also, I thought the pandemic taught us, never to place a story in the nearby future because it will get proven wrong…
Anyway, the book was cute. I loved Lando and his snarkiness, did not like Daisy at all in this book (why would you interfere SO MUCH in your besties love life????), and I also really liked Harry and his grumpiness around Matthias a lot. And how good he was to Lando.
I hope Serasi dumps Daisy in the next book and find a great love of her own. (Also continuity error here… in the first book she was called Sarasi.)
I’m don’t think I need to reread this book (because of the bodily fluids, great rep but not my favorite thing to read about). And I think I can recommend because of the sweet ending. But not if you’re not into reading a lot about bowel movements. And also not if you pick this up for the advertised trope (enemies to lovers), because it’s a second chance story and lust at first sight kind of book.
December 1, 2025
Oh. My. Fucking. Heart.
I was manifesting Lando's book the whole time I was reading One Last Try, but I did not expect to pick up this story and be laughing out loud one moment, only to break down sobbing the next. Lando and Harry's story was such a whirlwind of emotions, packed full of wholesome codependency, soul-shattering pining, tenderness, ridiculousness, and IBS moments™ (yes, she is a main character, and I love it).
Lando had my entire heart from the beginning. His bitchiness, sass, and underlying vulnerability just spoke to me in all the best ways, and he was an endless source of laughter and tears throughout the book. Harry took me by surprise though, and I found myself loving him and his soft goofy nature so much as the book went on. He truly is an unproblematic king (minus his hatred of my sweet Mathias), and the perfect match for Lando.
Speaking of which: "My King"..."BABYGIRL"?!! Excuse me while I simp over the most adorable nicknames ever.
10/10, no notes. I loved the plot, the pacing, the dual timeline, the ace rep, the humour, the pain. It was exactly the book I wanted.
I was manifesting Lando's book the whole time I was reading One Last Try, but I did not expect to pick up this story and be laughing out loud one moment, only to break down sobbing the next. Lando and Harry's story was such a whirlwind of emotions, packed full of wholesome codependency, soul-shattering pining, tenderness, ridiculousness, and IBS moments™ (yes, she is a main character, and I love it).
Lando had my entire heart from the beginning. His bitchiness, sass, and underlying vulnerability just spoke to me in all the best ways, and he was an endless source of laughter and tears throughout the book. Harry took me by surprise though, and I found myself loving him and his soft goofy nature so much as the book went on. He truly is an unproblematic king (minus his hatred of my sweet Mathias), and the perfect match for Lando.
Speaking of which: "My King"..."BABYGIRL"?!! Excuse me while I simp over the most adorable nicknames ever.
10/10, no notes. I loved the plot, the pacing, the dual timeline, the ace rep, the humour, the pain. It was exactly the book I wanted.
December 14, 2025
I adore lando and live for grumpy harry in this one lol but this story didn’t hit as hard as mattias & owen in ‘one last try’ for me.
I absolutely did enjoy reading about lando & harry spending time together [we love slice of life over here & halloween was epic because I too love death becomes her & harry in heels?? omg lol] but I think I would have liked it a bit more if we had seen lando in a therapy session, or discussing one of them with daisy & her intrusive self. maybe even a scene where harry is talking with pi about his feelings towards lando.
it drove me crazy that the only way anyone tried to intervene was daisy telling lando to basically give harry up. she probably meant well but come onnnn you should know your friend better than that! at least convince him they’d be good together, not just say ‘don’t hurt him’.
because what do you meannnnn lando when this man knew why that date in august meant so much to you, sat with you the whole day & brought snacks and everything & you didn’t snatch him up then??
this was adorably cute & I am glad they eventually made their way back to each other.
anywho, patiently waiting for pi & eggo next.
thank you to grr for the copy!
I absolutely did enjoy reading about lando & harry spending time together [we love slice of life over here & halloween was epic because I too love death becomes her & harry in heels?? omg lol] but I think I would have liked it a bit more if we had seen lando in a therapy session, or discussing one of them with daisy & her intrusive self. maybe even a scene where harry is talking with pi about his feelings towards lando.
it drove me crazy that the only way anyone tried to intervene was daisy telling lando to basically give harry up. she probably meant well but come onnnn you should know your friend better than that! at least convince him they’d be good together, not just say ‘don’t hurt him’.
because what do you meannnnn lando when this man knew why that date in august meant so much to you, sat with you the whole day & brought snacks and everything & you didn’t snatch him up then??
this was adorably cute & I am glad they eventually made their way back to each other.
anywho, patiently waiting for pi & eggo next.
thank you to grr for the copy!
December 10, 2025
4.5⭐️
This did not go the way I expected it to go. It’s actually kind of beautiful, sad, self-destructive maybe, but beautiful. Especially the half-time section.
Lando lives in a mansion, has all the money he needs, but he’s incredibly lonely and jaded. He uses sex to fill gaps in his life, even though in the end it doesn’t work. His mannerisms and personality are used to protect himself. He’s a very sad, self-destructive man.
Harry is the opposite; he is surrounded by people who outshine him and make him feel like he fades into the background in any situation. It makes him grumpy and jealous until he finds Lando. He finally has someone for himself, but because of Lando’s trauma, it doesn’t quite go the way he wants it to.
It’s a lovely story about their developing love. They become best friends first, which turns into lovers. It’s hard fought for and there are some sad moments, but there is also humour, and overall it’s quite adorable.
I did want some sort of update from Lando’s dad at the end once Lando had finally took control back. Even if that was just more disappointment, I would have liked an ending to that. But other than that, I loved the slow development from friends to soulmates.
………………………………………………………….
I received an ARC from GRR, and this is my honest review.
This did not go the way I expected it to go. It’s actually kind of beautiful, sad, self-destructive maybe, but beautiful. Especially the half-time section.
Lando lives in a mansion, has all the money he needs, but he’s incredibly lonely and jaded. He uses sex to fill gaps in his life, even though in the end it doesn’t work. His mannerisms and personality are used to protect himself. He’s a very sad, self-destructive man.
Harry is the opposite; he is surrounded by people who outshine him and make him feel like he fades into the background in any situation. It makes him grumpy and jealous until he finds Lando. He finally has someone for himself, but because of Lando’s trauma, it doesn’t quite go the way he wants it to.
It’s a lovely story about their developing love. They become best friends first, which turns into lovers. It’s hard fought for and there are some sad moments, but there is also humour, and overall it’s quite adorable.
I did want some sort of update from Lando’s dad at the end once Lando had finally took control back. Even if that was just more disappointment, I would have liked an ending to that. But other than that, I loved the slow development from friends to soulmates.
………………………………………………………….
I received an ARC from GRR, and this is my honest review.
January 11, 2026
4.5 stars
Very beautiful story, not the usual romance but still so very good.
I think what I loved the most was Lando and Harry becoming soulmates by sharing very simple (and quite often embarrassing) things: I adored how beautiful confident Lando was actually reduced to a crying wreck by an unapologetic and caring Harry, how Harry was so sure of himself in some aspects of his life but a true mess in other and how he needed Lando's reassurances, the way the two of them cuddled and kissed and always gravitated around each other, unconcerned about people around them, how they both put one another always first.
The buildup through their breakup is very well written and I couldn't put the book down until I got to that part and saw what happened. It was painful and, maybe, avoidable, but it fit very well with how both Lando and Harry bottled up their feelings until that moment.
What prevented me from giving 5 full stars:
Despite I liked Daisy in the first book, this time I really didn't. Was Lando too dependent and attached to her? Definitely. Did they need to be apart in order to grow up and be functional adults? Absolutely. But, oh boy, she was a shitty friend. They spent years together, because they loved each other, not only because Lando was clingy. And the moment she finds a girlfriend, she doesn't even have time to answer his bff's texts.
Daisy has all the right to want to build a life for herself, but that doesn't mean she has to completely ignore Lando in order to do that. The fact that she never bothered to ask about his work really upset me.
And in light of this, I didn't like the epilogue, I would have loved to see Lando and Harry living their life together.
I hope we'll have another book of this series because Pi and Eggo surely have a lot to say!
Very beautiful story, not the usual romance but still so very good.
I think what I loved the most was Lando and Harry becoming soulmates by sharing very simple (and quite often embarrassing) things: I adored how beautiful confident Lando was actually reduced to a crying wreck by an unapologetic and caring Harry, how Harry was so sure of himself in some aspects of his life but a true mess in other and how he needed Lando's reassurances, the way the two of them cuddled and kissed and always gravitated around each other, unconcerned about people around them, how they both put one another always first.
The buildup through their breakup is very well written and I couldn't put the book down until I got to that part and saw what happened. It was painful and, maybe, avoidable, but it fit very well with how both Lando and Harry bottled up their feelings until that moment.
What prevented me from giving 5 full stars:
Despite I liked Daisy in the first book, this time I really didn't. Was Lando too dependent and attached to her? Definitely. Did they need to be apart in order to grow up and be functional adults? Absolutely. But, oh boy, she was a shitty friend. They spent years together, because they loved each other, not only because Lando was clingy. And the moment she finds a girlfriend, she doesn't even have time to answer his bff's texts.
Daisy has all the right to want to build a life for herself, but that doesn't mean she has to completely ignore Lando in order to do that. The fact that she never bothered to ask about his work really upset me.
And in light of this, I didn't like the epilogue, I would have loved to see Lando and Harry living their life together.
I hope we'll have another book of this series because Pi and Eggo surely have a lot to say!
December 4, 2025
I would live in this book if I could
I am officially a BIG Jemma Croft fan. Rookie Recovery caught my eye first. The Good Boys Club sunk its claws in. Try Again Later? It has me feral.
Okay, confession time: I originally got this one as an ARC and—because it’s Croft—I jumped at the chance. But after the first chapter, I was so hungry for MORE Lando that I actually stopped reading and went back to pick up Book 1, Try Again Later.
Yes, Lando and Harry do feature in Book 1 and the timelines of the two books even overlap. However, if you're not as insatiable as me, it's not strictly necessary. These are interconnected standalones, and I found each book to have its own unique vibe. In fact, I found them profoundly different in tone and style. That said, I did enjoy understanding the small town and its wonderfully nosy residents, which Book 1 lays out beautifully.
Now, onto this book. This isn’t your typical romance—the kind this genre seems to be pumping out at lightning speed, imo. How? Well, it's a true slow burn. There’s no rush to the sack here; in fact, they’re profoundly sack-less for most of the book. And shockingly? I was here for it. What's more, we actually get PERSONALITY. Yes! And character depth, plot development... Honestly, it was so enjoyable to dig into Lando's character and watch Harry so effortlessly meet his needs that I didn't care if they ever touched each other (spoiler alert: they do, though).
Also, can we take a moment to applaud Croft for talking about the real realities of b*tt sex? Both books handle it with stark (and sometimes hilarious) honesty, and I love that. The authenticity—the characters, the relationships, the town, the whole messy, beautiful humanity of it all—is what makes her stories shine.
Overall, I absolutely loved this story. I would even say I want MORE. I could've done with a few more plot points smoothed out but maybe that's what the rest of series can do.
Long story short: READ. IT.
I am officially a BIG Jemma Croft fan. Rookie Recovery caught my eye first. The Good Boys Club sunk its claws in. Try Again Later? It has me feral.
Okay, confession time: I originally got this one as an ARC and—because it’s Croft—I jumped at the chance. But after the first chapter, I was so hungry for MORE Lando that I actually stopped reading and went back to pick up Book 1, Try Again Later.
Yes, Lando and Harry do feature in Book 1 and the timelines of the two books even overlap. However, if you're not as insatiable as me, it's not strictly necessary. These are interconnected standalones, and I found each book to have its own unique vibe. In fact, I found them profoundly different in tone and style. That said, I did enjoy understanding the small town and its wonderfully nosy residents, which Book 1 lays out beautifully.
Now, onto this book. This isn’t your typical romance—the kind this genre seems to be pumping out at lightning speed, imo. How? Well, it's a true slow burn. There’s no rush to the sack here; in fact, they’re profoundly sack-less for most of the book. And shockingly? I was here for it. What's more, we actually get PERSONALITY. Yes! And character depth, plot development... Honestly, it was so enjoyable to dig into Lando's character and watch Harry so effortlessly meet his needs that I didn't care if they ever touched each other (spoiler alert: they do, though).
Also, can we take a moment to applaud Croft for talking about the real realities of b*tt sex? Both books handle it with stark (and sometimes hilarious) honesty, and I love that. The authenticity—the characters, the relationships, the town, the whole messy, beautiful humanity of it all—is what makes her stories shine.
Overall, I absolutely loved this story. I would even say I want MORE. I could've done with a few more plot points smoothed out but maybe that's what the rest of series can do.
Long story short: READ. IT.
December 10, 2025
Thank you @gay.romance.reviews for the advanced copy to review!
I absolutely adored this book. Harry and Lando were so cute and messy and funny and sweet and hot and adorable and I just loved them so much.
I loved how this story was laid out, with the current day, to the friendship and love story in the past, to current day. Watching Lando and Harry be so friendly and snuggly and sweet and how they were so open physically!?? Everything made me love them.
While Lando may not have been honest about his feelings for Harry (my poor scared bb), he was truly honest about everything else. The dynamic they shared was so much fun and this book *flew* by. I was practically squealing the entire time. And their s*xy scenes were FIRE. I will not be taking questions at this time.
There were so many epic one liners especially relating to IBS, the Muppet Christmas Carol, and their friendship that I was cracking up. I also cried twice, and I definitely let out a cheer at the end. Such a sweet and cute well earned HEA.
(ALSO CANNOT WAIT FOR THE NEXT BOOK IYKYK)
I absolutely adored this book. Harry and Lando were so cute and messy and funny and sweet and hot and adorable and I just loved them so much.
I loved how this story was laid out, with the current day, to the friendship and love story in the past, to current day. Watching Lando and Harry be so friendly and snuggly and sweet and how they were so open physically!?? Everything made me love them.
While Lando may not have been honest about his feelings for Harry (my poor scared bb), he was truly honest about everything else. The dynamic they shared was so much fun and this book *flew* by. I was practically squealing the entire time. And their s*xy scenes were FIRE. I will not be taking questions at this time.
There were so many epic one liners especially relating to IBS, the Muppet Christmas Carol, and their friendship that I was cracking up. I also cried twice, and I definitely let out a cheer at the end. Such a sweet and cute well earned HEA.
(ALSO CANNOT WAIT FOR THE NEXT BOOK IYKYK)
December 15, 2025
One Last Try is a character-driven romance about two men facing different personal challenges. Landon craves the validation and attention he never got from his father, and uses sex as a tool to get that validation from others—despite being asexual and not wanting sex for himself. Harry is the middle child of a large family and has come second all his life. He’s bitter and angry and blames others for his failings. He just wants to be chosen, to be someone’s first choice.
Jemma has not only created two characters with incredible depth and nuance, she has also expertly crafted realistic schemas that drive their behaviour in believable ways. Lando and Henry read more like real people than book characters, which is not an easy thing to achieve but something Jemma has excelled at. The characters are so relatable, their struggles so real, you can’t help but empathise with them. (Even if they’re behaving badly.) (Maybe especially then.)
I absolutely loved this book, the ace rep touched my heart and helped me gain a deeper understanding of what it means to be ace.
Highly recommend!
Jemma has not only created two characters with incredible depth and nuance, she has also expertly crafted realistic schemas that drive their behaviour in believable ways. Lando and Henry read more like real people than book characters, which is not an easy thing to achieve but something Jemma has excelled at. The characters are so relatable, their struggles so real, you can’t help but empathise with them. (Even if they’re behaving badly.) (Maybe especially then.)
I absolutely loved this book, the ace rep touched my heart and helped me gain a deeper understanding of what it means to be ace.
Highly recommend!
December 9, 2025
5 Stars 🌟
2.5 Spice 🌶️
Tropes and Tags:
- 1st Person, Dual POV
- Dual timeline
- Lowish angst
- Friends to Enemies to Lovers
- Second chance
- Rugby Player x Spoiled Brat
- IBS realness
- Ace Rep
You know those characters you become obsessed with from their very first introduction? That's me with Orlando Oakham-Goodwin✨ I haven't stfu for the last 6 months about my love of Lando, and he and Harry were so perfect it makes me want to scream!
They're both just so bitchy and petty and messy, with flaws and hangups galore - It's what makes them such amazing characters to me - they're so real!
I would kill to have a little bitch sesh with those two, while drinking wine straight from the bottle and oversharing!
As with all of Jemma's books I was crying at a really emotional moment and then a couple of pages later snorting out loud at something ridiculous, which is 1000% my favourite pass time.
If you're an absolute fiend for a giggle like me then you simple must read this book. The banter and humour is absolute top-of-the-line, crème de la crème, *chefs kiss* !
I'm not exaggerating when I say I could've read like 500 pages more of Lando and Harry just existing together, that's how good their chemistry and banter was. I'm already so keen to go back and reread this, because I cannot get them out of my head!!🥹💚
2.5 Spice 🌶️
Tropes and Tags:
- 1st Person, Dual POV
- Dual timeline
- Lowish angst
- Friends to Enemies to Lovers
- Second chance
- Rugby Player x Spoiled Brat
- IBS realness
- Ace Rep
You know those characters you become obsessed with from their very first introduction? That's me with Orlando Oakham-Goodwin✨ I haven't stfu for the last 6 months about my love of Lando, and he and Harry were so perfect it makes me want to scream!
They're both just so bitchy and petty and messy, with flaws and hangups galore - It's what makes them such amazing characters to me - they're so real!
I would kill to have a little bitch sesh with those two, while drinking wine straight from the bottle and oversharing!
As with all of Jemma's books I was crying at a really emotional moment and then a couple of pages later snorting out loud at something ridiculous, which is 1000% my favourite pass time.
If you're an absolute fiend for a giggle like me then you simple must read this book. The banter and humour is absolute top-of-the-line, crème de la crème, *chefs kiss* !
I'm not exaggerating when I say I could've read like 500 pages more of Lando and Harry just existing together, that's how good their chemistry and banter was. I'm already so keen to go back and reread this, because I cannot get them out of my head!!🥹💚
February 19, 2026
these two are such bitchy idiots and I love them
December 2, 2025
Genuinely I just loved these characters. They were raw and real. I like that the author didn't sugarcoat the emotions one can feel in life such as jealousy when it comes to things not working out for you and others getting things that you wanted. It made these characters just so human for me.
Lando was a little shit (pun intended lol) and I adored that. The love he had for Harry and vice versa was just beautiful and once they got past their own insecurities and talked *chef's kiss*
There is so much I could say but honestly this was just a ride and I loved every second of these two dinguses being idiots in love.
Thank you to GRR for the ARC copy in exchange for my honest review ❤️
Lando was a little shit (pun intended lol) and I adored that. The love he had for Harry and vice versa was just beautiful and once they got past their own insecurities and talked *chef's kiss*
There is so much I could say but honestly this was just a ride and I loved every second of these two dinguses being idiots in love.
Thank you to GRR for the ARC copy in exchange for my honest review ❤️
December 24, 2025
TRY AGAIN LATER
By Jemma Croft
⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
I received an E-book ARC edition of this novel in exchange for an honest review. It Is available NOW on Amazon & Kindle Unlimited!
www.amazon.com/B0FTZX397L
This is a 358-page Medium Paced, Friends-to-Idiot Enemies-to-Lovers, Second Chance, Class Difference MM Romance. This is the second book in the Try For Love series but can be read as a standalone. It is about two guys that are completely different except for their Jerky Personality that are drawn to each other but just get in their own way.
Written in dual 1st person POV, it confusingly begins after a time jump from book one, where Lando and Harry are no longer friends. They are both struggling with his path in life. Lando is being forced to finally get a job, working for his uninvolved father, while Harry is battling with his self-esteem since he always comes out as 2nd, 3rd or even 4th sometime, especially to Mathias, a star player on his rugby team. This is a character forward plot thru and thru. Not much goes on outside of the MCs. When they are not together, their individual plots get attention whether with friends, family or teammates, but nothing is done without purpose and it all circles back and is used in their joint plot. This novel also gives a different look to some of the characters we met in Book One and some not in a great light. It goes to show there are different lenses for different people. How one person sees someone doesn’t mean another will see them the same. So, if you read ONE LAST TRY, be prepared to see some loved characters differently. Jemma Croft does use the ensemble and environment wisely and in great detail. She paints a very vivid picture, down to a small detail on items and objects so the readers imagination doesn’t have to work very hard while using English UK Terminology for more authenticity.
The spice was. Period. Just WAS. Listen, it was different and for good reason. Some people didn’t like this or agree with it because of Lando being written as Ace. Not just Ace, but someone that’s sexually active. People are saying BE HE’S ACE…. Well. Yeah. Doesn’t mean he can’t, doesn’t, wouldn’t, couldn’t, or shouldn’t have sex. Just like any sexuality, it’s a spectrum. He even states, I THINK A COUPLE TIMES, even though he takes part in the activity, he doesn’t find the pleasure like someone with regular drive would. Just because you or someone you may know that’s Ace doesn’t have this experience doesn’t mean it doesn’t exist for someone out there. Even though I got irritated with Lando’s reasoning in the plot, his spectrum wasn’t a part of that irritation. I enjoyed learning and living his perspective.
These idiots were made for each other. The author created individuals with health representations that we don’t see. Lando has extreme IBS and will disappear for a long period of time to bomb out the bathroom with just a touch of dairy. It is so bad that a TV was installed in his bathroom at home. Harry can’t smell. He has anosmia which also effects his taste receptors. He got in the habit of keeping Lando company in the bathroom since it clearly didn’t affect him in the slightest. She also created Harry with self-esteem issues that go back all the way to his childhood and follow him into adulthood and is not only effecting him in his career but also in his sexuality. Which is where Lando comes in. He agrees to help teach Harry things he needs to know so he can land the guy he wants. A Situationship of sorts. But with Lando being ACE, his standards of what can be done are limited based on how his body reacts. When their personalities start to mesh, lines begin to blur. Lando’s own self-esteem starts to take a hit with worry that because of where he lands on the ACE Spectrum, he would never be enough for Harry.
The author, Jemma Croft, took a chance on writing this book in a formatted timeline that isn’t the normal formula for a second chance. It’s kind of like an Out Of Order Redemption. The timeline is set with A-FIRST HALF, B- HALF TIME, and C- SECOND HALF, but structured out of order, starting with B, bouncing back to A to see how we got to B, and then bouncing forward to C for the conclusion. Book One does overlap this novel but she wrote it so you didn’t need to know anything about it, but it’s a cool POV look from a different perspective. Now for my very controversial take and reader recommendation if you have issues with timelines. The thing about literature and art is that the creative mind of the author can only go so far. Once it is in the readers’ hands, we have to finish the work with our imagination and heart. They literally give us control of how to enjoy their work. It’s like looking at a painting on a wall, everyone sees and enjoys it differently. The standard practice is reading a novel from Point A-to-Point B, as the writer intended BUT like writers do occasionally, they jump the track to present something a bit more wild and we as readers can also jump the track and consume the book as we want. Read it in any order you find most enjoyable. Like people that tandem read Throne Of Glass. Not what the author intended but the reader enjoys that structure better.
Even though this didn’t completely rock my boat and I was confused at times, I’m still glad I read it, and hope others give it a chance. The author took great care of showing different walks of life, unconventionally. I learned so much about their Health Rep and the Ace Spectrum. It also showed me that relationships don’t always have a forward trajectory, just like the format of this book. Jemma Croft keeps the readers entertained with Lando’s hi-jinxes that he gets them into, little easter eggs from Book One, and also setting up the upcoming Book Three with two rugby players that makes even our characters do a double take.
💜Happy Reading🫶
By Jemma Croft
⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
I received an E-book ARC edition of this novel in exchange for an honest review. It Is available NOW on Amazon & Kindle Unlimited!
www.amazon.com/B0FTZX397L
This is a 358-page Medium Paced, Friends-to-Idiot Enemies-to-Lovers, Second Chance, Class Difference MM Romance. This is the second book in the Try For Love series but can be read as a standalone. It is about two guys that are completely different except for their Jerky Personality that are drawn to each other but just get in their own way.
Written in dual 1st person POV, it confusingly begins after a time jump from book one, where Lando and Harry are no longer friends. They are both struggling with his path in life. Lando is being forced to finally get a job, working for his uninvolved father, while Harry is battling with his self-esteem since he always comes out as 2nd, 3rd or even 4th sometime, especially to Mathias, a star player on his rugby team. This is a character forward plot thru and thru. Not much goes on outside of the MCs. When they are not together, their individual plots get attention whether with friends, family or teammates, but nothing is done without purpose and it all circles back and is used in their joint plot. This novel also gives a different look to some of the characters we met in Book One and some not in a great light. It goes to show there are different lenses for different people. How one person sees someone doesn’t mean another will see them the same. So, if you read ONE LAST TRY, be prepared to see some loved characters differently. Jemma Croft does use the ensemble and environment wisely and in great detail. She paints a very vivid picture, down to a small detail on items and objects so the readers imagination doesn’t have to work very hard while using English UK Terminology for more authenticity.
The spice was. Period. Just WAS. Listen, it was different and for good reason. Some people didn’t like this or agree with it because of Lando being written as Ace. Not just Ace, but someone that’s sexually active. People are saying BE HE’S ACE…. Well. Yeah. Doesn’t mean he can’t, doesn’t, wouldn’t, couldn’t, or shouldn’t have sex. Just like any sexuality, it’s a spectrum. He even states, I THINK A COUPLE TIMES, even though he takes part in the activity, he doesn’t find the pleasure like someone with regular drive would. Just because you or someone you may know that’s Ace doesn’t have this experience doesn’t mean it doesn’t exist for someone out there. Even though I got irritated with Lando’s reasoning in the plot, his spectrum wasn’t a part of that irritation. I enjoyed learning and living his perspective.
These idiots were made for each other. The author created individuals with health representations that we don’t see. Lando has extreme IBS and will disappear for a long period of time to bomb out the bathroom with just a touch of dairy. It is so bad that a TV was installed in his bathroom at home. Harry can’t smell. He has anosmia which also effects his taste receptors. He got in the habit of keeping Lando company in the bathroom since it clearly didn’t affect him in the slightest. She also created Harry with self-esteem issues that go back all the way to his childhood and follow him into adulthood and is not only effecting him in his career but also in his sexuality. Which is where Lando comes in. He agrees to help teach Harry things he needs to know so he can land the guy he wants. A Situationship of sorts. But with Lando being ACE, his standards of what can be done are limited based on how his body reacts. When their personalities start to mesh, lines begin to blur. Lando’s own self-esteem starts to take a hit with worry that because of where he lands on the ACE Spectrum, he would never be enough for Harry.
The author, Jemma Croft, took a chance on writing this book in a formatted timeline that isn’t the normal formula for a second chance. It’s kind of like an Out Of Order Redemption. The timeline is set with A-FIRST HALF, B- HALF TIME, and C- SECOND HALF, but structured out of order, starting with B, bouncing back to A to see how we got to B, and then bouncing forward to C for the conclusion. Book One does overlap this novel but she wrote it so you didn’t need to know anything about it, but it’s a cool POV look from a different perspective. Now for my very controversial take and reader recommendation if you have issues with timelines. The thing about literature and art is that the creative mind of the author can only go so far. Once it is in the readers’ hands, we have to finish the work with our imagination and heart. They literally give us control of how to enjoy their work. It’s like looking at a painting on a wall, everyone sees and enjoys it differently. The standard practice is reading a novel from Point A-to-Point B, as the writer intended BUT like writers do occasionally, they jump the track to present something a bit more wild and we as readers can also jump the track and consume the book as we want. Read it in any order you find most enjoyable. Like people that tandem read Throne Of Glass. Not what the author intended but the reader enjoys that structure better.
Even though this didn’t completely rock my boat and I was confused at times, I’m still glad I read it, and hope others give it a chance. The author took great care of showing different walks of life, unconventionally. I learned so much about their Health Rep and the Ace Spectrum. It also showed me that relationships don’t always have a forward trajectory, just like the format of this book. Jemma Croft keeps the readers entertained with Lando’s hi-jinxes that he gets them into, little easter eggs from Book One, and also setting up the upcoming Book Three with two rugby players that makes even our characters do a double take.
💜Happy Reading🫶
April 4, 2026
4.5 Stars
Oh, I loved these messy boys! They were the unlikeliest of pairs, but they worked so well together. I liked how the book was structured. When it starts, Harry and Lando hate each other after they had a falling out several months earlier, then we’re taken back to the beginning of their relationship to follow them as they became friends up to the point where it all went wrong. Then we catch up to the current timeline so we can see how they reconcile. Now, usually I’m not a fan of third-act breakups, but I found that I didn’t mind it quite as much when I knew from the onset that it was coming, since they were already broken up when the story starts. Don’t get me wrong, it still broke my heart seeing what went down, but at least I wasn’t blindsided by it!
As soon as part 2 started and we got to see how cute they were together and how close their friendship was, it made me sad seeing how bad things were in that first part of the story. A good chunk of the story, though, was seeing all the adorable moments as their relationship grew. They had both been so lonely before meeting, so they jumped into the friendship with both feet. They were as close as two people could be, but the fact that Lando was ace and Harry was the main complication as to whether or not they could make a romantic relationship work long term. I liked how this aspect was handled. Harry was always so respectful of Lando’s boundaries, which was not something Lando was used to at all. It hurt my heart the way Lando thought the only way he could get anyone to give him attention was to use his body in ways that he actually didn’t want to. But Harry gave him a taste of what it could be like with someone who actually liked and respected him. Of course, Lando’s old biases were a hard thing to break, and it caused a lot of angst and heartache for these boys.
But I was so happy to see them find their way back together, and I loved where things left off by the end of the book. They were opposites in many ways, but they were perfect for each other, and I really enjoyed reading their story!
I never felt more . . . at peace, and I realise I could live a thousand lifetimes, fundraise for a million charities, and still I wouldn’t have done enough to deserve this boy’s friendship.
Oh, I loved these messy boys! They were the unlikeliest of pairs, but they worked so well together. I liked how the book was structured. When it starts, Harry and Lando hate each other after they had a falling out several months earlier, then we’re taken back to the beginning of their relationship to follow them as they became friends up to the point where it all went wrong. Then we catch up to the current timeline so we can see how they reconcile. Now, usually I’m not a fan of third-act breakups, but I found that I didn’t mind it quite as much when I knew from the onset that it was coming, since they were already broken up when the story starts. Don’t get me wrong, it still broke my heart seeing what went down, but at least I wasn’t blindsided by it!
I want to hoard him, like a bottle of perfume. Want to keep him in my light‑ and temperature‑controlled closet so nobody else can put their filthy undeserving fingers on him.
As soon as part 2 started and we got to see how cute they were together and how close their friendship was, it made me sad seeing how bad things were in that first part of the story. A good chunk of the story, though, was seeing all the adorable moments as their relationship grew. They had both been so lonely before meeting, so they jumped into the friendship with both feet. They were as close as two people could be, but the fact that Lando was ace and Harry was the main complication as to whether or not they could make a romantic relationship work long term. I liked how this aspect was handled. Harry was always so respectful of Lando’s boundaries, which was not something Lando was used to at all. It hurt my heart the way Lando thought the only way he could get anyone to give him attention was to use his body in ways that he actually didn’t want to. But Harry gave him a taste of what it could be like with someone who actually liked and respected him. Of course, Lando’s old biases were a hard thing to break, and it caused a lot of angst and heartache for these boys.
But I was so happy to see them find their way back together, and I loved where things left off by the end of the book. They were opposites in many ways, but they were perfect for each other, and I really enjoyed reading their story!
"I was so lonely until I met you. You . . . were . . . are, I think, the other half of my soul.”
January 1, 2026
3.5 stars for being a little too long. We start this book with the boys broken up, both of them were, at first, seriously unlikable to me and it was not off to a good start. We have Orlando - poor little rich boy, entitled and cutting, having to navigate the real world outside of the wealthy bubble he has lived his whole life in. And we have Harry, professional rugby player with the sensibilities of a small child. We don't know why they hate each other, assuming a failed relationship or bad break up. And we don't see them together at first, just getting little snippets of bitterness about their past. But thank god we get a prolonged flashback of them first meeting and spending time together, because slowly it all starts to make sense. Orlando, a promiscuous asexual character is something else. Behind his sharp exterior, he hides a multitude of hurts and insecurities. Whereas Harry, who seems a bit goofy and childish, is actually one of the most emotionally intelligent characters I've read about in a hot minute. Harry and Orlando develop a weird and intimate friendship, not dating but not not dating. Orlando's asexuality doesn't scare Harry at all, but sex is never the point with these two. You kind of feel the full spectrum of emotion here. It's a funny book, but also a bit sad, silly and romantic. There is A LOT of gastrointestinal shenanigans. I do think for the story it tells, it was overlong and I skimmed a little bit here and there, but it was cute in the end and well-written, with the characters feeling pretty unique and real to me. Fun that there's more to this series.
December 21, 2025
I loved this so much that I inhaled it! I could barely put it down and I ended up reading it in a day.
I was hooked right from the start. The way Lando started out the book had me curious but also sure about the fact that I will love his story. It was hilarious and also emotional. I was laughing so much, but I also cried a couple of times. I loved how the writing just flowed and it felt like such an easy read.
I really enjoyed how Harry and Lando's relationship unfolded and how they got to their HEA, even if it made me cry. Their friendship was beautiful, and I really loved how accepting, curious and kind Harry was towards Lando concerning all of the topics that Lando thought were or could be issues. I loved how Harry never pushed and was happy to let Lando lead. I understood Lando's fears and why he did certain things, and my heart broke for them at certain points in the book. I loved how they took care of each other, and the little signs of love in their actions even if they weren't saying the words out loud.
I really enjoyed how the dual timeline was handled in the book. I loved seeing them in the past and getting to experience the start of their friendship/relationship, while also knowing in what state their relationship was in the present day.
This was a very hilarious rom-com about a spoiled brat and a rugby player who give each other a second chance. I really enjoyed the Ace rep and all of the IBS realness.
I received a free copy of this book via Indie Author Creative and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I was hooked right from the start. The way Lando started out the book had me curious but also sure about the fact that I will love his story. It was hilarious and also emotional. I was laughing so much, but I also cried a couple of times. I loved how the writing just flowed and it felt like such an easy read.
I really enjoyed how Harry and Lando's relationship unfolded and how they got to their HEA, even if it made me cry. Their friendship was beautiful, and I really loved how accepting, curious and kind Harry was towards Lando concerning all of the topics that Lando thought were or could be issues. I loved how Harry never pushed and was happy to let Lando lead. I understood Lando's fears and why he did certain things, and my heart broke for them at certain points in the book. I loved how they took care of each other, and the little signs of love in their actions even if they weren't saying the words out loud.
I really enjoyed how the dual timeline was handled in the book. I loved seeing them in the past and getting to experience the start of their friendship/relationship, while also knowing in what state their relationship was in the present day.
This was a very hilarious rom-com about a spoiled brat and a rugby player who give each other a second chance. I really enjoyed the Ace rep and all of the IBS realness.
I received a free copy of this book via Indie Author Creative and am voluntarily leaving a review.
December 1, 2025
4.25 ⭐
🌶️.5
This was such a complex, emotional story. But so beautiful in all their flaws. Because that's what this was, a story of two flawed humans still 'ad-hocing this thing called life' (Jemma's words ^^). With all the poo jokes and generally being a cunt to ither people I really enjoyed this. I didn't cry as much as I've seen other people do, but that might just be a me-problem 😆
I did feel like it ended very abruptly. In such a way I thought for a second I was missing a few pages.
Second chance romances hit SO much different when you get both 'chances' and I absolutely love it! Oh, and the ace rep! I think this is the first time a story has ace rep and they're not demi and don't feel like they're 'fixed' when they fall in love. Because often a character is ace until they fall in love and suddenly they do feel sexual attraction. Lando is ace period. It's not because he's not attracted to Harry, or that he doesn't love Harry. He just doesn't experience arousal the same way.
You don't need to have read book 1, but reading this made me want to SO bad 😍 So I guess I'll do that after my other ARCs 🤭
🌶️.5
This was such a complex, emotional story. But so beautiful in all their flaws. Because that's what this was, a story of two flawed humans still 'ad-hocing this thing called life' (Jemma's words ^^). With all the poo jokes and generally being a cunt to ither people I really enjoyed this. I didn't cry as much as I've seen other people do, but that might just be a me-problem 😆
I did feel like it ended very abruptly. In such a way I thought for a second I was missing a few pages.
Second chance romances hit SO much different when you get both 'chances' and I absolutely love it! Oh, and the ace rep! I think this is the first time a story has ace rep and they're not demi and don't feel like they're 'fixed' when they fall in love. Because often a character is ace until they fall in love and suddenly they do feel sexual attraction. Lando is ace period. It's not because he's not attracted to Harry, or that he doesn't love Harry. He just doesn't experience arousal the same way.
You don't need to have read book 1, but reading this made me want to SO bad 😍 So I guess I'll do that after my other ARCs 🤭
December 15, 2025
I have been waiting very impatiently for Lando's book, and Jemma did not let me down. He was everything I wanted and more!
Lando and Harry together were perfection. I loved that their story alternated between present and past to get the full depth of their history together. I also loved that this series is more character driven then spicy scene to spicy scene. Not that those books are great, but their story was so much more than that. They were so real. Really, real like IBS realness.
I am obsessed with this series, and I CANNOT wait for the next one. I hate putting pressure on authors, but also gimme, gimme, gimme!
Lando and Harry together were perfection. I loved that their story alternated between present and past to get the full depth of their history together. I also loved that this series is more character driven then spicy scene to spicy scene. Not that those books are great, but their story was so much more than that. They were so real. Really, real like IBS realness.
I am obsessed with this series, and I CANNOT wait for the next one. I hate putting pressure on authors, but also gimme, gimme, gimme!
January 3, 2026
Soooooo darn good omg. Beautifully done. Characters that fit together so well and demonstrate the author’s deep understanding of human psychology, perfect IBS rep and just such a gorgeous story of two deeply flawed people that have the most beautiful love for each other. Can’t wait to devour the rest of this author’s catalog immediately!
December 19, 2025
One of the best books I've read this year. Absolutely fantastic.
December 20, 2025
Kurczę jak naprawdę ciepło wspominam pierwszy tom to ten był dla mnie dziwny. Chyba nie polubiłam żadnego z bohaterów może specjalnie autorka przedstawiła ich negatywnie. Jeden to zrzędliwy dupek zwalający swoje niepowodzenia na innych a drugi rozpieszczony synek bohatego ojca, który choć jest asem chodzi do łóżka z przypadkowymi mężczyznami. Pod koniec może lepiej ich obu rozumiem ale nie wiem czy lubię. Większość czasu miałam ochotę porzucić tą historię szczególnie przez ciągłe traktowanie nadwrażliwości jelit i sraczki jako elementu humorystycznego i nie trafia do mnie uprzedzenie w przedmowie , że to angielski humor bo go lubię a tego nie trawiłam. Ciekawy był wątek czy as może się związać z mężczyzną, który odczuwa pożądanie czy taki związek może być dla obu satysfakcjonujący.
December 13, 2025
I am obsessed with these two messy messy boys!!! Harry and Lando fit absolutely perfectly with all their messy pieces. I love them both even when I think I was supposed to dislike them at certain points but I never did. The banter was top notch, the ace rep fantastic, and the vibes immaculate tbh. I can’t recommend this one enough!
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