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Kiss Me Again
"Kiss Me Again is a deliciously tender and prickly romance about the intimacy that comes with acceptance. Ludo and Aidan accept and love each other for exactly who they are—complications, injuries, mental health issues, moods—and I loved them for it." -- Roan Parish
Aidan Drummond is happy on his own.
A solitary tree surgeon, he’s made peace with working alone, eating alone, being alone. Until a serious accident tears his world apart and lands him in a hospital bed opposite the most beautiful man he’s ever seen.
Ludo Giordano is beautiful, bright, and impossible to ignore. Bipolar and sleepless, his world is ruled by colour—shifting, vivid, relentless. And when he looks at Aidan, he finds a flare of yellow he can’t resist. Their midnight conversations ignite something electric.
Something dangerous.
Something Aidan can’t forget once he’s discharged. Grey isn’t enough anymore, and when a chance reunion pulls them back together, that flare… Aidan can’t resist it either.
His recovery is slow and painful. Ludo’s instability is a storm they can’t outrun. Yet together, their fractured lives start to feel whole.
Almost.
Because loving Ludo means weathering every shade. It means holding on when he whispers kiss me again because he needs an anchor more than a promise.
It means fighting for a love that burns brighter in the dark.
A grumpy-sunshine, hurt/comfort, opposites-attract, mental-illness rep MM romance packed with slow healing, emotional angst, and the kind of devotion that refuses to fade.
SECOND EDTION. PREVIOUSLY PUBLISHED
Aidan Drummond is happy on his own.
A solitary tree surgeon, he’s made peace with working alone, eating alone, being alone. Until a serious accident tears his world apart and lands him in a hospital bed opposite the most beautiful man he’s ever seen.
Ludo Giordano is beautiful, bright, and impossible to ignore. Bipolar and sleepless, his world is ruled by colour—shifting, vivid, relentless. And when he looks at Aidan, he finds a flare of yellow he can’t resist. Their midnight conversations ignite something electric.
Something dangerous.
Something Aidan can’t forget once he’s discharged. Grey isn’t enough anymore, and when a chance reunion pulls them back together, that flare… Aidan can’t resist it either.
His recovery is slow and painful. Ludo’s instability is a storm they can’t outrun. Yet together, their fractured lives start to feel whole.
Almost.
Because loving Ludo means weathering every shade. It means holding on when he whispers kiss me again because he needs an anchor more than a promise.
It means fighting for a love that burns brighter in the dark.
A grumpy-sunshine, hurt/comfort, opposites-attract, mental-illness rep MM romance packed with slow healing, emotional angst, and the kind of devotion that refuses to fade.
SECOND EDTION. PREVIOUSLY PUBLISHED
233 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 15, 2026
17 people are currently reading
141 people want to read
About the author
Garrett Leigh
92 books2,408 followersShe/Her
Bonus Material available for all books on Garrett's Patreon account. Includes short stories from Misfits, Slide, Strays, What Remains, Dream, and much more. Sign up here: https://www.patreon.com/garrettleigh
Facebook Fan Group, Garrett's Den... https://www.facebook.com/groups/garre...
Garrett Leigh is an award-winning British romance author and artist. Her debut novel, Slide, won Best Bisexual Debut at the 2014 Rainbow Book Awards, and she is a 4 time LAMBDA finalist.
In 2017, she won the EPIC award in contemporary romance with her military novel, Between Ghosts, and the contemporary romance category in the Bisexual Book Awards with her novel What Remains.
Garrett is also an award winning cover designer, taking the silver medal at the Benjamin Franklin Book Awards in 2016. She designs for various publishing houses and independent authors at blackjazzdesign.com
Bonus Material available for all books on Garrett's Patreon account. Includes short stories from Misfits, Slide, Strays, What Remains, Dream, and much more. Sign up here: https://www.patreon.com/garrettleigh
Facebook Fan Group, Garrett's Den... https://www.facebook.com/groups/garre...
Garrett Leigh is an award-winning British romance author and artist. Her debut novel, Slide, won Best Bisexual Debut at the 2014 Rainbow Book Awards, and she is a 4 time LAMBDA finalist.
In 2017, she won the EPIC award in contemporary romance with her military novel, Between Ghosts, and the contemporary romance category in the Bisexual Book Awards with her novel What Remains.
Garrett is also an award winning cover designer, taking the silver medal at the Benjamin Franklin Book Awards in 2016. She designs for various publishing houses and independent authors at blackjazzdesign.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 49 reviews
Review of advance copy
I mean if you can count on Garret Leigh to deliver anything it’s hot men with trauma trying to work through whatever it may be sitting with them and to find a way to love each other still. And honestly, even when it doesn’t 100% hit for me, the writing is still always of a calibre where I know that I will reliably have in the very least, a good time.
Ludo and Aidan having a little meet-cute moment in the hospital was a sweet reprieve in an otherwise bleak time in both of their lives; Aidan having been involved in an accident falling from a significant height and Ludo having had a recent bipolar episode.
I think that in someways this books strength is also is weakness, and that your mileage with the book will likely vary person to person. Ludo’s mental health is not trivialised or watered down for the sake of an easy narrative, nor is his bipolar magically fixed by falling in love. However, while I appreciate that it makes a genuine to present a grittier more realistic representation of a significant mental health condition, it does definitely make for a heavier reading experience and if you looking for a light, fluffy feel-good story, this one might not scratch that itch. That being said its also only 233 pages long so the story doesn’t go into super significant depth with regards to its character work.
I know that this is a rereleased version of this book and I would love to know what triggered the need to rerelease it, or what actually changed, because the authors note did absolutely nothing to clear it up for me.
Either way, a perfectly good way to spend a quiet afternoon, but I will be hard pressed to remember the details in a month.
Thank you to GRR for the ARC and the opportunity to read and review this book.
Consider following my instagram
Ludo and Aidan having a little meet-cute moment in the hospital was a sweet reprieve in an otherwise bleak time in both of their lives; Aidan having been involved in an accident falling from a significant height and Ludo having had a recent bipolar episode.
I think that in someways this books strength is also is weakness, and that your mileage with the book will likely vary person to person. Ludo’s mental health is not trivialised or watered down for the sake of an easy narrative, nor is his bipolar magically fixed by falling in love. However, while I appreciate that it makes a genuine to present a grittier more realistic representation of a significant mental health condition, it does definitely make for a heavier reading experience and if you looking for a light, fluffy feel-good story, this one might not scratch that itch. That being said its also only 233 pages long so the story doesn’t go into super significant depth with regards to its character work.
I know that this is a rereleased version of this book and I would love to know what triggered the need to rerelease it, or what actually changed, because the authors note did absolutely nothing to clear it up for me.
Either way, a perfectly good way to spend a quiet afternoon, but I will be hard pressed to remember the details in a month.
Thank you to GRR for the ARC and the opportunity to read and review this book.
Consider following my instagram
January 20, 2026
Arc Review: Kiss me Again by Garrett Leigh
MC: Aiden& Ludo
4.5⭐
Tropes & tags
Grumpy × sunshine
Hurt / comfort
Opposites attract
Mental health representation
Slow-burn healing
Emotional angst
Gentle, steady devotion
Every time I read a Garrett Leigh book I become more and more of a fan. She takes broken souls and plays god in the best possible way — not by fixing them, but by making them hurt less together. I love a well-earned HFN or HEA for people who are struggling, and this story is another perfect example of that kind of healing.
Add to that her immersive writing and that delicious “it was such a fluke we met, but I adore that fate had our backs” feeling, and I was completely in. Their meeting feels accidental and inevitable at the same time, and that made the connection even more special.
Aiden is such an angry cat, honestly — all sharp edges, frustration, and bottled-up rage at a body and life that have betrayed him. And then enters Ludo, with his bleached hair, soft manners, and emotional openness, quietly turning everything on its head. He’s gentle without being weak, vulnerable without being defined by it, and there’s something incredibly grounding about his presence.
What I adored most is how broken they both are — in very different ways — and how, in the middle of so many personal issues, they still find a reason to move forward by choosing each other. Love doesn’t cure anything here, and that’s exactly why it works. It supports, it steadies, it gives them something to hold on to.
This book is tender, emotional, and quietly powerful. It hurt in the right places and healed just enough. An easy five stars and yet another reminder of why Garrett Leigh is an auto-read author for me. 💙
I received a copy of this book from GRR, and this is my honest review.
⚠️Author Note
Ludo’s experience of bipolar disorder, though heavily influenced by painstaking research, is fictional. It is not, and was never intended to be, the experience of bipolar. No opinions expressed in this book should be taken as medical advice. If you are experiencing difficulties with your mental health, please reach out to a healthcare professional.
⚠️Trigger Warning
Suicidal ideation
Self harm
Bipolar
Serious injury
Drinking and medication abuse
❣️Book Safety & Content
Cheating: No
Other Person Drama: No
Sharing: No
Third-Act Breakup: Yes, but they weren't a couple yet, just some "strangers" that met in the hospital.
Role Dynamics: Strict roles / Versatile
POV: 1st person (dual)
Format: Standalone
Ending: HFN
Angst Level: Medium
Spice Level: Mild
Communication:Some miscommunication
Pining: Mutual
MC: Aiden& Ludo
4.5⭐
“Kiss me again, Aidan . . . please?”
Tropes & tags
Grumpy × sunshine
Hurt / comfort
Opposites attract
Mental health representation
Slow-burn healing
Emotional angst
Gentle, steady devotion
Every time I read a Garrett Leigh book I become more and more of a fan. She takes broken souls and plays god in the best possible way — not by fixing them, but by making them hurt less together. I love a well-earned HFN or HEA for people who are struggling, and this story is another perfect example of that kind of healing.
Add to that her immersive writing and that delicious “it was such a fluke we met, but I adore that fate had our backs” feeling, and I was completely in. Their meeting feels accidental and inevitable at the same time, and that made the connection even more special.
Aiden is such an angry cat, honestly — all sharp edges, frustration, and bottled-up rage at a body and life that have betrayed him. And then enters Ludo, with his bleached hair, soft manners, and emotional openness, quietly turning everything on its head. He’s gentle without being weak, vulnerable without being defined by it, and there’s something incredibly grounding about his presence.
What I adored most is how broken they both are — in very different ways — and how, in the middle of so many personal issues, they still find a reason to move forward by choosing each other. Love doesn’t cure anything here, and that’s exactly why it works. It supports, it steadies, it gives them something to hold on to.
This book is tender, emotional, and quietly powerful. It hurt in the right places and healed just enough. An easy five stars and yet another reminder of why Garrett Leigh is an auto-read author for me. 💙
I received a copy of this book from GRR, and this is my honest review.
⚠️Author Note
Ludo’s experience of bipolar disorder, though heavily influenced by painstaking research, is fictional. It is not, and was never intended to be, the experience of bipolar. No opinions expressed in this book should be taken as medical advice. If you are experiencing difficulties with your mental health, please reach out to a healthcare professional.
⚠️Trigger Warning
Suicidal ideation
Self harm
Bipolar
Serious injury
Drinking and medication abuse
❣️Book Safety & Content
Cheating: No
Other Person Drama: No
Sharing: No
Third-Act Breakup: Yes, but they weren't a couple yet, just some "strangers" that met in the hospital.
Role Dynamics: Strict roles / Versatile
POV: 1st person (dual)
Format: Standalone
Ending: HFN
Angst Level: Medium
Spice Level: Mild
Communication:Some miscommunication
Pining: Mutual
January 15, 2026
ARC Review
Mild Spoilers Ahead
Kiss Me Again is not a light read, it dives into heavy topics and can stir up tough emotions. That said, the story is absolutely captivating and powerful. I’d totally recommend it if you’re in the mood for an angsty romance where the characters have to fight hard for their happy ending. The emotional payoff is well worth the journey.
Aidan and Ludo are both deeply troubled, broken boys, a classic Garret Leigh. She excels at writing complex, sometimes somber people who deal with real life trauma. Her characters always feel genuine, and their struggles make their growth even more rewarding.
Aidan is a tree surgeon who’s emotionally shut down and pretty much disconnected from everyone. After a traumatic accident lands him in the hospital, he meets Ludo, a sweet boy dealing with serious mental health struggles.
When they first meet, there’s an immediate connection, but the circumstances aren’t ideal. Both are medicated, traumatized, and unsure of what’s real. It makes those first moments between them feel dreamlike, almost surreal, and it’s hard for them to trust what they’re feeling.
So, when fate brings them together again, they have to reconnect and rediscover not just each other, but also the people they remember from that first meeting.
Their bond is intense. They’re drawn to each other, feeling deeply, but both have trouble actually expressing those feelings.
Ludo constantly doubts his own mind, terrified of losing his grip on reality. Aidan, on the other hand, is so closed off that he doesn’t even know what it feels like to care about someone else. Their personal struggles make it tough for them to accept this thing that changes their lives. The emotional back and forth keeps you rooting for them, even when everything is hard.
Once again, this book isn’t for everyone, the characters’ lives are tough, and even after their HEA, you know things won’t suddenly get easy. But what’s uplifting is the knowledge that, whatever comes, they’ll face it together. That sense of hope and resilience is what makes their story so powerful.
Mild Spoilers Ahead
Kiss Me Again is not a light read, it dives into heavy topics and can stir up tough emotions. That said, the story is absolutely captivating and powerful. I’d totally recommend it if you’re in the mood for an angsty romance where the characters have to fight hard for their happy ending. The emotional payoff is well worth the journey.
Aidan and Ludo are both deeply troubled, broken boys, a classic Garret Leigh. She excels at writing complex, sometimes somber people who deal with real life trauma. Her characters always feel genuine, and their struggles make their growth even more rewarding.
Aidan is a tree surgeon who’s emotionally shut down and pretty much disconnected from everyone. After a traumatic accident lands him in the hospital, he meets Ludo, a sweet boy dealing with serious mental health struggles.
When they first meet, there’s an immediate connection, but the circumstances aren’t ideal. Both are medicated, traumatized, and unsure of what’s real. It makes those first moments between them feel dreamlike, almost surreal, and it’s hard for them to trust what they’re feeling.
So, when fate brings them together again, they have to reconnect and rediscover not just each other, but also the people they remember from that first meeting.
Their bond is intense. They’re drawn to each other, feeling deeply, but both have trouble actually expressing those feelings.
Ludo constantly doubts his own mind, terrified of losing his grip on reality. Aidan, on the other hand, is so closed off that he doesn’t even know what it feels like to care about someone else. Their personal struggles make it tough for them to accept this thing that changes their lives. The emotional back and forth keeps you rooting for them, even when everything is hard.
Once again, this book isn’t for everyone, the characters’ lives are tough, and even after their HEA, you know things won’t suddenly get easy. But what’s uplifting is the knowledge that, whatever comes, they’ll face it together. That sense of hope and resilience is what makes their story so powerful.
Read
January 20, 2026Review to follow.
January 21, 2026
Whenever I'm in a book slump, I have to go to one of my favorite writers, and I'm so delighted Garrett Leigh had a new release waiting for me! I'm a huge hurt/comfort lover, and Garrett does a spectacular job of writing stories where there's no magic solution overnight but where the couple has to work together to overcome things. Great mental health rep, believable relationship progression, and such a sweet read. Happy to have my first five-star read of the year!
January 17, 2026
holy heavy topics and emotional damage (queue the emotional dammmmaaagggggeeeee sound)
This one hits hard and right in the feels. It's gritty, it's raw and it's heavy but if you push through those tough moments you will go along on a journey with these two broken boys to healing and love.
This one hits hard and right in the feels. It's gritty, it's raw and it's heavy but if you push through those tough moments you will go along on a journey with these two broken boys to healing and love.
January 18, 2026
Authentic, quiet, and intense, Kiss Me Again immersed me in its thoughtful arms and calmed my mind, even as Ludo’s brain took over and wreaked some havoc for these two gentle MCs. I believe this is a refreshed and republished version of an earlier release, though I didn't look into the history of it. This is my first read.
It could be heavy for some, focusing on mental health conditions for MC Ludo and recovery from a near-tragic accident for MC Aiden. But I didn’t find it so. Possibly bc I have so much mental illness in my family tree, I found it affirming to see the world through Ludo’s lens and come away feeling both more aware and hopeful.
Seeing these two meet when Aiden is barely sentient in the hospital after being knocked out of a tree by a drunk driver crashing into it at his tree-management job and Ludo being in the same ward recovering from another episode of his bipolar illness could have been a downer, but, it was fascinating and sweet. The tentative reaching out, the scolding from the nurses that eventually are ignored or firmly shut down, the support each unconditionally gives the other, I found it charming, if melancholic. Their connection seemed real, and realistic.
Finding each other again as they do was so hugely unlikely that I had to stop some eye rolls, but, if you think of it as fate stepping in, it’s just one element in a romance that seemed meant to be and was otherwise organic and inevitable. They just…suit each other. Aiden’s grumpy silences and grunted responses evolving into him caring for Ludo the way he cares for trees and life, and Ludo’s wary near-closed-door cracking open, his belief that the condition he lives with is too difficult to explain or be understood evolving into letting Aiden accept him as he is, even with Aiden’s mistakes, because Aiden sees him as Ludo, not a project, was a rewarding journey. Each ultimately flooding the other with acceptance, friendship, and love was simply lovely to read. There were a few points when one or the other thought of shutting things off, not taking a chance, but then…they kept trying, and I was charmed. Ludo cooking for Aiden and their connecting over food is a particular favorite element.
It's not an easy read; Aiden’s physical recovery is long and painful, and Ludo’s mental state will always need to be managed. Aiden turns to drinking for a while, and that felt glossed over; it was easy and simplified when he just stopped. I didn't think it needed to be included, and wasn't dealt with enough. But they’re just…who they are, and they really like each other, along with falling in love, adn I otherwise very much enjoyed their journey into finding their place at each other's side.
Secondary characters add strong layers. I loved Ludo’s CPN, Rita, and her way of supporting him. Aiden’s boss Bernard wound up being a great guy, supporting Aiden after the accident and keeping him on the payroll, finding a new way for him to work. And Aiden’s cousin, Michael…such a good arc for their relationship, from being pretty much strangers to Aiden (maybe learning from Ludo?!) cracking open his own closed door and letting his cousin support him to eventually being part of each other’s lives. Nicely done. There’s a kind of weird element of Ludo’s long-lost cousin Angelo, who apparently he had a crush on as a kid? It felt inserted to connect to Angelo’s story, and there could have been a stronger thread and arc for it, if it was needed at all.
Oh! And I must give a big shout out to Bella the golden retriever, Ludo’s new companion, who has him focusing on caring for her instead of spiraling every so often.
Heh. Wish I was better at describing things. Oh well. I found their story quietly powerful and deeply romantic, with some natural mania from Ludo’s way of being adding tension and raising stakes at a well-paced time.
No OM drama/action at all. There’s mention of Ludo having dated a man who worked at the chip shop, and Aiden knowing who he was and being jealous, picturing them together, but the man went back to Scotland before the book began and wasn’t around at all, he’s just mentioned as part of Ludo’s past. (But you know me…I just did not need to know that! Ha ha ha.). Aiden is gay and Ludo bi; he also mentions having dated a woman in the past, but no big deal. Neither had been with anyone in a while when they met.
HEA. Hurt/comfort. Recovery from a bad accident and continual managing of a mental condition (bipolarism). Time spent in hospital. Rebuilding family. No OM action or drama. Safe for me. A thoughtful and romantic read for a snowy day. Recommended.
My thanks to Gay Romance Reviews for the ARC; this is my free and impartial opinion.
It could be heavy for some, focusing on mental health conditions for MC Ludo and recovery from a near-tragic accident for MC Aiden. But I didn’t find it so. Possibly bc I have so much mental illness in my family tree, I found it affirming to see the world through Ludo’s lens and come away feeling both more aware and hopeful.
Seeing these two meet when Aiden is barely sentient in the hospital after being knocked out of a tree by a drunk driver crashing into it at his tree-management job and Ludo being in the same ward recovering from another episode of his bipolar illness could have been a downer, but, it was fascinating and sweet. The tentative reaching out, the scolding from the nurses that eventually are ignored or firmly shut down, the support each unconditionally gives the other, I found it charming, if melancholic. Their connection seemed real, and realistic.
Finding each other again as they do was so hugely unlikely that I had to stop some eye rolls, but, if you think of it as fate stepping in, it’s just one element in a romance that seemed meant to be and was otherwise organic and inevitable. They just…suit each other. Aiden’s grumpy silences and grunted responses evolving into him caring for Ludo the way he cares for trees and life, and Ludo’s wary near-closed-door cracking open, his belief that the condition he lives with is too difficult to explain or be understood evolving into letting Aiden accept him as he is, even with Aiden’s mistakes, because Aiden sees him as Ludo, not a project, was a rewarding journey. Each ultimately flooding the other with acceptance, friendship, and love was simply lovely to read. There were a few points when one or the other thought of shutting things off, not taking a chance, but then…they kept trying, and I was charmed. Ludo cooking for Aiden and their connecting over food is a particular favorite element.
It's not an easy read; Aiden’s physical recovery is long and painful, and Ludo’s mental state will always need to be managed. Aiden turns to drinking for a while, and that felt glossed over; it was easy and simplified when he just stopped. I didn't think it needed to be included, and wasn't dealt with enough. But they’re just…who they are, and they really like each other, along with falling in love, adn I otherwise very much enjoyed their journey into finding their place at each other's side.
Secondary characters add strong layers. I loved Ludo’s CPN, Rita, and her way of supporting him. Aiden’s boss Bernard wound up being a great guy, supporting Aiden after the accident and keeping him on the payroll, finding a new way for him to work. And Aiden’s cousin, Michael…such a good arc for their relationship, from being pretty much strangers to Aiden (maybe learning from Ludo?!) cracking open his own closed door and letting his cousin support him to eventually being part of each other’s lives. Nicely done. There’s a kind of weird element of Ludo’s long-lost cousin Angelo, who apparently he had a crush on as a kid? It felt inserted to connect to Angelo’s story, and there could have been a stronger thread and arc for it, if it was needed at all.
Oh! And I must give a big shout out to Bella the golden retriever, Ludo’s new companion, who has him focusing on caring for her instead of spiraling every so often.
Heh. Wish I was better at describing things. Oh well. I found their story quietly powerful and deeply romantic, with some natural mania from Ludo’s way of being adding tension and raising stakes at a well-paced time.
No OM drama/action at all. There’s mention of Ludo having dated a man who worked at the chip shop, and Aiden knowing who he was and being jealous, picturing them together, but the man went back to Scotland before the book began and wasn’t around at all, he’s just mentioned as part of Ludo’s past. (But you know me…I just did not need to know that! Ha ha ha.). Aiden is gay and Ludo bi; he also mentions having dated a woman in the past, but no big deal. Neither had been with anyone in a while when they met.
HEA. Hurt/comfort. Recovery from a bad accident and continual managing of a mental condition (bipolarism). Time spent in hospital. Rebuilding family. No OM action or drama. Safe for me. A thoughtful and romantic read for a snowy day. Recommended.
My thanks to Gay Romance Reviews for the ARC; this is my free and impartial opinion.
January 15, 2026
Kiss me again
By: Garrett Leigh
📚💕⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💕📚
So beautifully broken!
In yet another emotionally charged book by an amazing author we get Aidan and Ludo’s story. It was so intense and I loved it.
The authors writing is flawless and the words are so captivating, the plot had so many twists and turns and none that I was expecting, and many shockingly intimate I have become a huge fan of this author. The author writes with so much intensity and emotion pulled from each book it’s felt page after page. Some are quick witted story lines are so perfect and lets you believe you have a front row seat. So being able to read this love story didn’t disappoint. The authors ability to have two separate individuals struggling in their everyday life and try to navigate someone else’s thoughts, needs and desires was intense and gives all the fills.
Authors blurb: Aidan Drummond is happy on his own.
A solitary tree surgeon, he’s made peace with working alone, eating alone, being alone. Until a serious accident tears his world apart and lands him in a hospital bed opposite the most beautiful man he’s ever seen.
Ludo Giordano is beautiful, bright, and impossible to ignore. Bipolar and sleepless, his world is ruled by colour—shifting, vivid, relentless. And when he looks at Aidan, he finds a flare of yellow he can’t resist. Their midnight conversations ignite something electric.
Something dangerous.
Something Aidan can’t forget once he’s discharged. Grey isn’t enough anymore, and when a chance reunion pulls them back together, that flare… Aidan can’t resist it either.
His recovery is slow and painful. Ludo’s instability is a storm they can’t outrun. Yet together, their fractured lives start to feel whole.
Almost.
Because loving Ludo means weathering every shade. It means holding on when he whispers kiss me again because he needs an anchor more than a promise.
It means fighting for a love that burns brighter in the dark.
This book has everything I love in a book. Then you add that it's beautifully written and believable. It is easily a five star read. Written in dual POV this story flows so incredibly well that the next thing you know you’re 80% into the book and loving every second of it. The believable way the characters interact is perfect. Run, Hop, Jump or use your (1 click) finger to do whatever you have to do and get this amazing book. It'll break your heart, you'll want to scream with frustration and it'll let you discover that love just might conquer all. The chemistry is steamy and sweet and oh so romantic.
By: Garrett Leigh
📚💕⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💕📚
So beautifully broken!
In yet another emotionally charged book by an amazing author we get Aidan and Ludo’s story. It was so intense and I loved it.
The authors writing is flawless and the words are so captivating, the plot had so many twists and turns and none that I was expecting, and many shockingly intimate I have become a huge fan of this author. The author writes with so much intensity and emotion pulled from each book it’s felt page after page. Some are quick witted story lines are so perfect and lets you believe you have a front row seat. So being able to read this love story didn’t disappoint. The authors ability to have two separate individuals struggling in their everyday life and try to navigate someone else’s thoughts, needs and desires was intense and gives all the fills.
Authors blurb: Aidan Drummond is happy on his own.
A solitary tree surgeon, he’s made peace with working alone, eating alone, being alone. Until a serious accident tears his world apart and lands him in a hospital bed opposite the most beautiful man he’s ever seen.
Ludo Giordano is beautiful, bright, and impossible to ignore. Bipolar and sleepless, his world is ruled by colour—shifting, vivid, relentless. And when he looks at Aidan, he finds a flare of yellow he can’t resist. Their midnight conversations ignite something electric.
Something dangerous.
Something Aidan can’t forget once he’s discharged. Grey isn’t enough anymore, and when a chance reunion pulls them back together, that flare… Aidan can’t resist it either.
His recovery is slow and painful. Ludo’s instability is a storm they can’t outrun. Yet together, their fractured lives start to feel whole.
Almost.
Because loving Ludo means weathering every shade. It means holding on when he whispers kiss me again because he needs an anchor more than a promise.
It means fighting for a love that burns brighter in the dark.
This book has everything I love in a book. Then you add that it's beautifully written and believable. It is easily a five star read. Written in dual POV this story flows so incredibly well that the next thing you know you’re 80% into the book and loving every second of it. The believable way the characters interact is perfect. Run, Hop, Jump or use your (1 click) finger to do whatever you have to do and get this amazing book. It'll break your heart, you'll want to scream with frustration and it'll let you discover that love just might conquer all. The chemistry is steamy and sweet and oh so romantic.
Review of advance copy
ARC from Gay Romance Review
This was a well-written, thoughtful story, and yes, it is a romance. There is love, and there is a hard-earned HEA. But for me, the overall tone was overwhelmingly bleak.
I read romance for escape, and this story is steeped in dreariness: chronic pain, mental health struggles, loneliness, poverty, and the grinding weight of just getting through the day. That doesn’t make it bad, quite the opposite. It’s honest. Sometimes painfully so. This book is very clear-eyed about the fact that there aren’t always neat solutions, that sometimes you don’t “fix” things, you just learn how to live with them. If that kind of realism works for you, I think this is an excellent book.
The love story itself was genuinely sweet and felt very real. I especially loved Aidan’s attitude about being gay. He’s a blue-collar guy from a small town in England, and he treats being gay the same way one should be able to treat being straight; no dramatic “coming out,” no hiding, just existing openly and matter-of-factly. In a perfect world, that’s how it would be for everyone. Of course, as this book makes abundantly clear, there is no perfect world.
That said, I’m still not convinced that Garrett Leigh is for me. The pacing felt slow, and there’s a consistently heavy, borderline depressing atmosphere that seems to run through the books of theirs I’ve read. That may be a me issue rather than a quality issue, but it matters when choosing what I want to read.
And I would be remiss if I didn’t mention that socialized medicine is the bomb. Sure, you might have to share a hospital room with half the county, but you’re taken care of (and might even meet the love of your life!) House calls! No private insurance! No financial ruin layered on top of physical pain! I am so tired of the American propaganda machine around healthcare. (Though, to be fair, in the U.S., Aidan would have sued the absolute pants off the person who injured him and probably made bank, so there’s that. But that comes with ridiculously high car insurance premiums so, again, I am so over our propaganda machine.)
Overall: beautifully written, emotionally honest, and deeply humane, but too bleak for what I personally look for in romance. If you’re okay with a heavy, realistic, and sometimes painful read, this is very much worth your time.
This was a well-written, thoughtful story, and yes, it is a romance. There is love, and there is a hard-earned HEA. But for me, the overall tone was overwhelmingly bleak.
I read romance for escape, and this story is steeped in dreariness: chronic pain, mental health struggles, loneliness, poverty, and the grinding weight of just getting through the day. That doesn’t make it bad, quite the opposite. It’s honest. Sometimes painfully so. This book is very clear-eyed about the fact that there aren’t always neat solutions, that sometimes you don’t “fix” things, you just learn how to live with them. If that kind of realism works for you, I think this is an excellent book.
The love story itself was genuinely sweet and felt very real. I especially loved Aidan’s attitude about being gay. He’s a blue-collar guy from a small town in England, and he treats being gay the same way one should be able to treat being straight; no dramatic “coming out,” no hiding, just existing openly and matter-of-factly. In a perfect world, that’s how it would be for everyone. Of course, as this book makes abundantly clear, there is no perfect world.
That said, I’m still not convinced that Garrett Leigh is for me. The pacing felt slow, and there’s a consistently heavy, borderline depressing atmosphere that seems to run through the books of theirs I’ve read. That may be a me issue rather than a quality issue, but it matters when choosing what I want to read.
And I would be remiss if I didn’t mention that socialized medicine is the bomb. Sure, you might have to share a hospital room with half the county, but you’re taken care of (and might even meet the love of your life!) House calls! No private insurance! No financial ruin layered on top of physical pain! I am so tired of the American propaganda machine around healthcare. (Though, to be fair, in the U.S., Aidan would have sued the absolute pants off the person who injured him and probably made bank, so there’s that. But that comes with ridiculously high car insurance premiums so, again, I am so over our propaganda machine.)
Overall: beautifully written, emotionally honest, and deeply humane, but too bleak for what I personally look for in romance. If you’re okay with a heavy, realistic, and sometimes painful read, this is very much worth your time.
January 22, 2026
First let me say I got this book from gay Romance reviews and this is me leaving my honest review.
I’ve been a huge fan of Garrett Leigh’s stories but this felt like a totally different style of writing. And I will admit because I’ve got to be honest that I lost a bit of interest halfway through but I did finish the book and I’m glad I did.
Aidan is a Tree specialist, and one day when he was making a tree safe ready to take it down a van came down the road uncontrollable and ran into the tree while Aidan was still in it hence his broken leg and a collapsed lung to name a few. He wakes in Hospital very confusing and disorientated. And that’s when he sees the figure across from him and he finds out that his name is Ludo now Aidan has always kept himself to himself but there is something different about Ludo.
Ludo is back in hospital with a broken wrist and because he’s had his spleen removed, he is prone to infections. Ludo also suffers with bipolar. When they move Ludo as there was a high dependency patient coming in, he was blown away how beautiful the man was even covered in blood and bruises and broken leg and a tube hanging out side. The nurses tell him to leave the Man alone he needs to rest but there is something special about him. And this is where a lot of the book is, these two men growing more comfortable with each other but what happens when they are discharged from the hospital will they stay friends?? This book is a slow burn. You really get to know the characters I’ve got to say I liked Aidan and Ludo and I thought the way that Garrett wrote about bipolar it opened my eyes to some of the things that seem a normal activity could be so difficult to somebody struggling with mental health. I just found these two so cute.
I’ve been a huge fan of Garrett Leigh’s stories but this felt like a totally different style of writing. And I will admit because I’ve got to be honest that I lost a bit of interest halfway through but I did finish the book and I’m glad I did.
Aidan is a Tree specialist, and one day when he was making a tree safe ready to take it down a van came down the road uncontrollable and ran into the tree while Aidan was still in it hence his broken leg and a collapsed lung to name a few. He wakes in Hospital very confusing and disorientated. And that’s when he sees the figure across from him and he finds out that his name is Ludo now Aidan has always kept himself to himself but there is something different about Ludo.
Ludo is back in hospital with a broken wrist and because he’s had his spleen removed, he is prone to infections. Ludo also suffers with bipolar. When they move Ludo as there was a high dependency patient coming in, he was blown away how beautiful the man was even covered in blood and bruises and broken leg and a tube hanging out side. The nurses tell him to leave the Man alone he needs to rest but there is something special about him. And this is where a lot of the book is, these two men growing more comfortable with each other but what happens when they are discharged from the hospital will they stay friends?? This book is a slow burn. You really get to know the characters I’ve got to say I liked Aidan and Ludo and I thought the way that Garrett wrote about bipolar it opened my eyes to some of the things that seem a normal activity could be so difficult to somebody struggling with mental health. I just found these two so cute.
January 9, 2026
I received an advanced copy of Kiss Me Again (2nd edition of a previously published novel) from Gay Romance Reviews, and this is my honest review!
6 ⭐️ Kiss Me Again deals with some super heavy, intense themes, and it all felt so real. I think this book does a fantastic job of showing what it’s like living with mental illnesses. My emotions were ALL OVER THE PLACE. Ludo and Aiden’s story broke my heart…
Aiden is drunk and lost and angry. He pushed away anyone who tried to care about him while simultaneously not worrying about anyone (including himself).
Ludo is bipolar, constantly having to rationalize his thoughts while also dealing with anxiety, paranoia and depression. Completely uncomfortable in his own skin.
From the very beginning Aiden tried to really understand Ludo and he never once made him feel uncomfortable or awkward about his mental health. And in doing so, I think it made him realize that he’s capable of caring for others which made him want to take care of himself (for Ludo).
No one’s trauma or illness was reduced to make one more important than the other. The descriptions and the way bipolar disorder is explained and expressed through Ludo was captivating. And SO colorful.
The way Ludo and Aiden meet was just heartbreaking… but completely worth it for the story. Watching them fall in love was beautiful. The little touches in the hospital were electric, and I felt them in my freaking soul! And the sex *chefs kiss*
This was truly a beautiful love story. Kiss Me Again is what true, unconditional love looks like.
I will think about this book for some time.
6 ⭐️ Kiss Me Again deals with some super heavy, intense themes, and it all felt so real. I think this book does a fantastic job of showing what it’s like living with mental illnesses. My emotions were ALL OVER THE PLACE. Ludo and Aiden’s story broke my heart…
Aiden is drunk and lost and angry. He pushed away anyone who tried to care about him while simultaneously not worrying about anyone (including himself).
Ludo is bipolar, constantly having to rationalize his thoughts while also dealing with anxiety, paranoia and depression. Completely uncomfortable in his own skin.
From the very beginning Aiden tried to really understand Ludo and he never once made him feel uncomfortable or awkward about his mental health. And in doing so, I think it made him realize that he’s capable of caring for others which made him want to take care of himself (for Ludo).
No one’s trauma or illness was reduced to make one more important than the other. The descriptions and the way bipolar disorder is explained and expressed through Ludo was captivating. And SO colorful.
The way Ludo and Aiden meet was just heartbreaking… but completely worth it for the story. Watching them fall in love was beautiful. The little touches in the hospital were electric, and I felt them in my freaking soul! And the sex *chefs kiss*
This was truly a beautiful love story. Kiss Me Again is what true, unconditional love looks like.
I will think about this book for some time.
January 20, 2026
4.25 stars - It has been a while since I read a Garrett Leigh story. I grabbed this one right away and immediately knew I was not going to he disappointed.
This story is about two lonely souls who find peace with one another and turn out to be exactly what each other needs.
Ludo and Aidan meet in the hospital after Aidan's life comes crashing down, quite literally, when he falls from the top of a tree he was cutting. He was lucky to survive, but this is what leads him to Ludo, a young man suffering from what seems to be a very hardcore case of bipolar disorder. This causes him some pretty drastic manic episodes that often result in injuries and/or him being committed for treatment.
As mentioned earlier, Ludo finds peace through his interactions with the badly injured Aidan, and Aidan is drawn to Ludo in a similar fashion. As these two learn about each other, their feelings and trust grow.
Much of the rest of the story is about their navigating life together as they help each other adjust and deal with their various issues. It takes time for the trust on each of their parts to really solidify, but that journey was worth the trip.
If you love seeing damaged characters survive, overcome and find happiness, Garrett Leigh is a good bet to take. I really enjoyed how Aidan found ways to deal with his own limitations while simultaneously learning how to deal with and ultimately help Ludo and to be the one Ludo could count on in the future.
Review written for Love Bytes Reviews.
Review of advance copy
This is a second edition of Ludo and Aidan's story. I've not read the original, so I couldn't say what the revisions are, but this is a tale of finding something wholly unexpected in the least likely of places.
Ludo and Aidan meet in hospital whilst the former is recovering from a mental health episode (bipolar disorder) and the latter is admitted following a serious accident. Both men take comfort in the other’s presence in an otherwise dreary and lonely space and the bond that forms goes far beyond when both are deemed fit enough to be discharged, though it takes a chance meeting afterwards to reunite them. What follows is the building of a relationship that has to navigate physical, mental and emotional challenges. On one hand, Ludo is still learning to live with the extremes of his bipolar phases being witnessed not just by someone else but by someone who matters and someone he wants to stay…and who wants to stay. On the other, Aidan's life must change significantly after the long-term effects of recovering from his injuries impact his very physical job.
The caretaker role each man adopts for the other is perfect for their relationship. They look after each other in the only ways they know how - Ludo’s feeding Aidan and Aidan's learning how to support Ludo through his highs, lows and the mixed phases in between. It really comes across how deeply they care for each other.
I always enjoy this author's writing style. The clear aim is always for raw honesty and as close to authentic representation as they can get whilst still making the story accessible as a romance. The crux? If you're looking for fluffy you've come to the wrong place. Sweet? For sure, but fluffy it is not. It's intense and the real winner for me is that the HEA is not ‘love conquers all' in that it ‘cures’ either man of their ongoing struggles; rather it's in how Aidan and Ludo happily intertwine their lives to include coping mechanisms for inevitable bumps in the road. Very good read.
An e-copy was provided by GRR. This is my honest opinion.
Ludo and Aidan meet in hospital whilst the former is recovering from a mental health episode (bipolar disorder) and the latter is admitted following a serious accident. Both men take comfort in the other’s presence in an otherwise dreary and lonely space and the bond that forms goes far beyond when both are deemed fit enough to be discharged, though it takes a chance meeting afterwards to reunite them. What follows is the building of a relationship that has to navigate physical, mental and emotional challenges. On one hand, Ludo is still learning to live with the extremes of his bipolar phases being witnessed not just by someone else but by someone who matters and someone he wants to stay…and who wants to stay. On the other, Aidan's life must change significantly after the long-term effects of recovering from his injuries impact his very physical job.
The caretaker role each man adopts for the other is perfect for their relationship. They look after each other in the only ways they know how - Ludo’s feeding Aidan and Aidan's learning how to support Ludo through his highs, lows and the mixed phases in between. It really comes across how deeply they care for each other.
I always enjoy this author's writing style. The clear aim is always for raw honesty and as close to authentic representation as they can get whilst still making the story accessible as a romance. The crux? If you're looking for fluffy you've come to the wrong place. Sweet? For sure, but fluffy it is not. It's intense and the real winner for me is that the HEA is not ‘love conquers all' in that it ‘cures’ either man of their ongoing struggles; rather it's in how Aidan and Ludo happily intertwine their lives to include coping mechanisms for inevitable bumps in the road. Very good read.
An e-copy was provided by GRR. This is my honest opinion.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Ah my heart, why is Garrett Leigh always hurting it 😭
Man this book did me in. Killed me dead. Aidan is a grump before this accident but his pain I felt that at a visceral level, god the fear was palpable. Ludo, I wish he could be rolled up in gossamer soft cotton and protected at all costs but his brain won’t let him be.
The sheer resilience of these me in awe inspiring.
“I was unwell then and I will be again, but I’m not right now. Aidan was unhappy when I met him and he still is, but that doesn’t mean he has to be.”
The care with which Garrett Leigh has depicted the mental health struggles Ludo has with is bipolar and anxiety is fundamentally apparent. Aidan stepping up for the man he loves is beautiful and scary and everything.
This story is touching but extreamly heavy and hard to read in parts so I would recommend going in prepared with the TWs, some chocolate and a snuggly blanket.
“Ludo tips his head back and laughs and I decide that I am totally and ridiculously in love with him.”
Man this book did me in. Killed me dead. Aidan is a grump before this accident but his pain I felt that at a visceral level, god the fear was palpable. Ludo, I wish he could be rolled up in gossamer soft cotton and protected at all costs but his brain won’t let him be.
The sheer resilience of these me in awe inspiring.
“I was unwell then and I will be again, but I’m not right now. Aidan was unhappy when I met him and he still is, but that doesn’t mean he has to be.”
The care with which Garrett Leigh has depicted the mental health struggles Ludo has with is bipolar and anxiety is fundamentally apparent. Aidan stepping up for the man he loves is beautiful and scary and everything.
This story is touching but extreamly heavy and hard to read in parts so I would recommend going in prepared with the TWs, some chocolate and a snuggly blanket.
“Ludo tips his head back and laughs and I decide that I am totally and ridiculously in love with him.”
January 18, 2026
Ludo and Aiden ❤️
5 Stars ⭐️
I can always count on Garrett Leigh to get me all up in my feels. I found these characters some of the most lovable and heartbreaking that this author has ever written especially Ludo. IMO his mental health issue was written in such a realistic and raw way that you couldn't help but want to wrap him up in a huge hug. Aiden was the perfect match for Ludo and his idgaf attitude was everything, scars and all....it was
Perfection! (This story had a great balance of sweet and spicy as always) The relationship build is as fractured as it was beautiful and I was so there for it. If you are expecting warm and squishy this isn't it, but no less beautiful of a love story. Ludo and Aiden's story isn't a traditional romance in a sense to where they ride off into the sunset, it one that is flawed and will have problems but you find warmth in their love and the fact that they will get through it together ❤️. I absolutely recommend.
* I received an ARC from GRR, this is my open and honest review *
5 Stars ⭐️
I can always count on Garrett Leigh to get me all up in my feels. I found these characters some of the most lovable and heartbreaking that this author has ever written especially Ludo. IMO his mental health issue was written in such a realistic and raw way that you couldn't help but want to wrap him up in a huge hug. Aiden was the perfect match for Ludo and his idgaf attitude was everything, scars and all....it was
Perfection! (This story had a great balance of sweet and spicy as always) The relationship build is as fractured as it was beautiful and I was so there for it. If you are expecting warm and squishy this isn't it, but no less beautiful of a love story. Ludo and Aiden's story isn't a traditional romance in a sense to where they ride off into the sunset, it one that is flawed and will have problems but you find warmth in their love and the fact that they will get through it together ❤️. I absolutely recommend.
* I received an ARC from GRR, this is my open and honest review *
January 21, 2026
3.5 ⭐
Tropes:
🏥hurt x hurt (is that even a trope? well, i'm making it one)
🏥hospital meet cute
🏥close proximity
🏥bipolar MC
🏥slow burn
🏥angsty
Ludo and Aidan are really going through it when they meet. Aidan, in the hospital after a work accident leaves him with numerous injuries, and Ludo, with another stay after wellness concerns from his bipolar disorder. The two are instantly drawn to each other when they first meet in the hospital and lose contact when Ludo is discharged. But come to find each other in the most unexpected places.
I thought the story was cute, but ultimately felt unsatified with the momentum of the plot and the development of the relationship between Ludo and Aidan. I did love the representation and the recognition of Aidan that Ludo's bipolar was never going to go away and the best way to be a good partner was to support him and not try to change him. The two of them really do complete each other and get the comfort in one another that each were craving from the start.
Thank you to Garrett and GRR for the eARC.
Tropes:
🏥hurt x hurt (is that even a trope? well, i'm making it one)
🏥hospital meet cute
🏥close proximity
🏥bipolar MC
🏥slow burn
🏥angsty
Ludo and Aidan are really going through it when they meet. Aidan, in the hospital after a work accident leaves him with numerous injuries, and Ludo, with another stay after wellness concerns from his bipolar disorder. The two are instantly drawn to each other when they first meet in the hospital and lose contact when Ludo is discharged. But come to find each other in the most unexpected places.
I thought the story was cute, but ultimately felt unsatified with the momentum of the plot and the development of the relationship between Ludo and Aidan. I did love the representation and the recognition of Aidan that Ludo's bipolar was never going to go away and the best way to be a good partner was to support him and not try to change him. The two of them really do complete each other and get the comfort in one another that each were craving from the start.
Thank you to Garrett and GRR for the eARC.
Review of advance copy
As with pretty much all of Garrett Leigh’s books, Kiss Me Again deals with some
heavy themes.
I think it’s hard to say you really enjoyed something when it is quite a depressing story, but I did. I enjoyed, as I always do, her writing style, the touches of reprieve the characters get from their struggles when they are together, and the few tender moments when it makes the hard stuff worth it for them. There is no fix for their conditions, but it helps to know you have someone on your side.
I always love how the books are linked some way or another, and I waited, thinking maybe I was wrong this time, and then right there at the end, the link to Angelo from Dream. I also love that I always learn something new in these books.
I think this is one of those authors where I’ll continue to read everything on offer even if the overall experience is very similar each time.
………………………………………………………….
I got an ARC from GRR, and this is my honest review.
heavy themes.
I think it’s hard to say you really enjoyed something when it is quite a depressing story, but I did. I enjoyed, as I always do, her writing style, the touches of reprieve the characters get from their struggles when they are together, and the few tender moments when it makes the hard stuff worth it for them. There is no fix for their conditions, but it helps to know you have someone on your side.
I always love how the books are linked some way or another, and I waited, thinking maybe I was wrong this time, and then right there at the end, the link to Angelo from Dream. I also love that I always learn something new in these books.
I think this is one of those authors where I’ll continue to read everything on offer even if the overall experience is very similar each time.
………………………………………………………….
I got an ARC from GRR, and this is my honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Standalone second edition (previously published). Grumpy/sunshine. Hurt/comfort. Mental health representation. Slow burn. Dual POV.
An accident lands Aidan in the hospital, and days bleed together in his pain, only brightened by a fellow patient named Ludo. There’s something about Aidan that allows Ludo to break through his difficult thoughts and luckily they are reunited after their hospital stays.
Aidan and Ludo both have current and past struggles that they have been managing as best they can, but they connect on a different level when they start a relationship that just accepts every piece of the other no matter how broken they feel. I like the way these characters are so insightful with each other and seem to communicate in a totally different way than most people do and it works. I really appreciated the ease when they are together, the shared pain and comfort, and the absolute commitment to each other as they embrace their own brand of normal together. 4.25
An accident lands Aidan in the hospital, and days bleed together in his pain, only brightened by a fellow patient named Ludo. There’s something about Aidan that allows Ludo to break through his difficult thoughts and luckily they are reunited after their hospital stays.
Aidan and Ludo both have current and past struggles that they have been managing as best they can, but they connect on a different level when they start a relationship that just accepts every piece of the other no matter how broken they feel. I like the way these characters are so insightful with each other and seem to communicate in a totally different way than most people do and it works. I really appreciated the ease when they are together, the shared pain and comfort, and the absolute commitment to each other as they embrace their own brand of normal together. 4.25
Review of advance copy received from Author
Kiss Me Gain
Garrett Leigh
Aidan & Ludo
Forced Proximity
Friends to lovers
Found family
Hurt / Comfort
Grumpy/ Sunshine
Pretty sure, Garrett Leigh can do no wrong. I love this author's style of writing. Gritty, vulnerable, raw, sweet, sexy. We can always expect some level of hurt/comfort, honest real life experiences. Emotional and beautiful.
This was a wonderful story. Sweet and genuine. The love between Aidan Ludo felt natural.
“Ludo tips his head back and laughs and I decide that I am totally and ridiculously in love with him.”
This is a heavy story, emotional and gritty. The mental health rep was fantastic. Handled with care.
They truly tried to understand each other. The strength of these men, all of Garrett Leigh’s characters are so strong, no matter what they face and have been through.
Beautiful emotional book. A wonderful love story.
So thankful for this arc
Garrett Leigh
Aidan & Ludo
Forced Proximity
Friends to lovers
Found family
Hurt / Comfort
Grumpy/ Sunshine
Pretty sure, Garrett Leigh can do no wrong. I love this author's style of writing. Gritty, vulnerable, raw, sweet, sexy. We can always expect some level of hurt/comfort, honest real life experiences. Emotional and beautiful.
This was a wonderful story. Sweet and genuine. The love between Aidan Ludo felt natural.
“Ludo tips his head back and laughs and I decide that I am totally and ridiculously in love with him.”
This is a heavy story, emotional and gritty. The mental health rep was fantastic. Handled with care.
They truly tried to understand each other. The strength of these men, all of Garrett Leigh’s characters are so strong, no matter what they face and have been through.
Beautiful emotional book. A wonderful love story.
So thankful for this arc
January 21, 2026
KISS ME AGAIN A grumpy-sunshine, hurt/comfort, opposites-attract, mental-illness rep MM romance packed with slow healing, emotional angst, and the kind of devotion that refuses to fade.
Aiden finds himself in the hospital after falling from a tree having serious injuries. When he wakes he finds someone watching over him, Ludo also in the hospital after having a manic episode. Both are broken in their own ways but somehow fate brings them together where they find they need each other more than they could ever imagine. They each have their own battles Ludo fighting his own mind while Aiden pushes everyone away. Can they somehow make it work between them?
Garrett Leigh does an amazing job with this story. Aiden and Ludo story is raw, emotional and so powerful.
I was given a free copy of this book to read and review for GRR.
Aiden finds himself in the hospital after falling from a tree having serious injuries. When he wakes he finds someone watching over him, Ludo also in the hospital after having a manic episode. Both are broken in their own ways but somehow fate brings them together where they find they need each other more than they could ever imagine. They each have their own battles Ludo fighting his own mind while Aiden pushes everyone away. Can they somehow make it work between them?
Garrett Leigh does an amazing job with this story. Aiden and Ludo story is raw, emotional and so powerful.
I was given a free copy of this book to read and review for GRR.
January 21, 2026
Really liked this one!
I love books with mental health rep and struggling MCs.
This story follows Ludo and Adrian, who meet in a hospital after Adrian fell off a tree while working. They instantly have a connection and when they meet a few times per chance after their hospital stay, they grow closer.
Garrett Leigh went all in with Ludo’s bipolar disorder and held nothing back. We follow him through his manic and his depressive phases and I was in awe of him and Adrian, who loves him just the way he is without trying to change him. I love when these issues aren’t downplayed. Both MCs have their issues and are a little broken sometimes, but instead of trying to “fix” each other, they grow together and support each other without question.
This is for everyone who’s in the mood for a gritty romance between two broken souls. I will definitely read the next books in this series!
I love books with mental health rep and struggling MCs.
This story follows Ludo and Adrian, who meet in a hospital after Adrian fell off a tree while working. They instantly have a connection and when they meet a few times per chance after their hospital stay, they grow closer.
Garrett Leigh went all in with Ludo’s bipolar disorder and held nothing back. We follow him through his manic and his depressive phases and I was in awe of him and Adrian, who loves him just the way he is without trying to change him. I love when these issues aren’t downplayed. Both MCs have their issues and are a little broken sometimes, but instead of trying to “fix” each other, they grow together and support each other without question.
This is for everyone who’s in the mood for a gritty romance between two broken souls. I will definitely read the next books in this series!
January 21, 2026
yellow & black, radioactive orange wotsits, zebra towels, diazepam, tagine, winter in summer, sausage butties, FB
This is a great book and story. I can't believe how fast I read it! It piqued and kept my interest throughout. The words and well-crafted writing just flowed smoothly at a good pace. There weren't any parts that dragged, nor any fat that needs to be trimmed. The severe injury and bipolar aspects are covered adeptly. The only negative is it ended too quickly and I want more!
Aidan and Ludo became real to me, as did the imagery. There's enough angst to keep the story relevant. The care Aidan tries to give to Ludo is lovely. He's so patient and mindful with Ludo. You can feel his love for Ludo through his actions.
If you can't already tell, I absolutely enjoyed reading this remarkable story. I earnestly recommend it.
This is a great book and story. I can't believe how fast I read it! It piqued and kept my interest throughout. The words and well-crafted writing just flowed smoothly at a good pace. There weren't any parts that dragged, nor any fat that needs to be trimmed. The severe injury and bipolar aspects are covered adeptly. The only negative is it ended too quickly and I want more!
Aidan and Ludo became real to me, as did the imagery. There's enough angst to keep the story relevant. The care Aidan tries to give to Ludo is lovely. He's so patient and mindful with Ludo. You can feel his love for Ludo through his actions.
If you can't already tell, I absolutely enjoyed reading this remarkable story. I earnestly recommend it.
January 22, 2026
This was a story that was alternately sweet and stressful, between two men who meet in hospital. They are there for very different reasons, but have a connection that is palpable. After being discharged, they find each other again and it's very much a story of healing and what will never heal but must just be.
The author was sensitive with the subject and careful to leave us with a message that love hasn't cured either of them, but they are there to support each other and be each other's reason for trying their best. Aidan and Ludo see each other very clearly and love each other for exactly who they are, no fixes necessary.
This is republished and several years old, but my first read. It doesn't feel out of step or 'of its time', rather I thought it was refreshingly simple and straightforward. A quick but satisfying read that I do recommend.
Thanks to GRR for the review copy!
The author was sensitive with the subject and careful to leave us with a message that love hasn't cured either of them, but they are there to support each other and be each other's reason for trying their best. Aidan and Ludo see each other very clearly and love each other for exactly who they are, no fixes necessary.
This is republished and several years old, but my first read. It doesn't feel out of step or 'of its time', rather I thought it was refreshingly simple and straightforward. A quick but satisfying read that I do recommend.
Thanks to GRR for the review copy!
January 20, 2026
This may be marketed as a mm romance...but it really is a love story between two damaged young men with medical challenges.
Since they meet in a hospital you'll immediately find out about Aiden's injury and Ludo's fragile state.
This will make it feel like you're balancing on the edge of a roof and one step in the wrong direction will be fatal.
Be prepared for an emotional story in which feelings are key to the plot and each exchange of dialogue.
I received an ARC from GRR and Garrett, who is one of my 'go to' authors.
She peels back the layers and allows you to see deep inside her characers.
As always I recommend this release from Garrett.
Plan on leaving part of yourself in Great Britain.
Since they meet in a hospital you'll immediately find out about Aiden's injury and Ludo's fragile state.
This will make it feel like you're balancing on the edge of a roof and one step in the wrong direction will be fatal.
Be prepared for an emotional story in which feelings are key to the plot and each exchange of dialogue.
I received an ARC from GRR and Garrett, who is one of my 'go to' authors.
She peels back the layers and allows you to see deep inside her characers.
As always I recommend this release from Garrett.
Plan on leaving part of yourself in Great Britain.
January 15, 2026
After reading several light and fluffy MM romance, this book was not that. It is an emotionally complex book that takes issues of mental health head on, and it does so beautifully. Both main characters, Ludo and Aidan, have depth and are experience so many issues. Both men are flawed and both are written like real people, not typical romance MM men characters. Their relationship develops slowly over time but the pay off is so worth it. It is one that stays with you and one that leaves you wanting a following up book with this couple ten years later. A great book about creating our own families.
January 16, 2026
What an incredible story. I don’t have a lot of experience with bi-polar, but this felt real and true. You could really feel both the chaos of living with, as well as loving someone with a mental health illness.
Their love story feels hard-won, but also the easiest thing ever, if that makes sense. Ultimately, they are perfect for one another. Their lives won’t always be easy or smooth; rather, fiercely loving.
And I love how finding each other helps settle the rest of their lives and relationships. Proving how amazing life can be with someone who has your back, and loves you as they are.
Their love story feels hard-won, but also the easiest thing ever, if that makes sense. Ultimately, they are perfect for one another. Their lives won’t always be easy or smooth; rather, fiercely loving.
And I love how finding each other helps settle the rest of their lives and relationships. Proving how amazing life can be with someone who has your back, and loves you as they are.
January 16, 2026
I really enjoyed this story, especially Aidan and Ludo's connection. They may have met in less than ideal circumstances but once they found each other again neither of them was willing to give up on themselves or the other. Their relationship also built slowly and steadily which was probably necessary in order for it to to endure, their foundations were solid and given how they met there weren't any big surprises especially in relation to Ludo's mental health.
Even though Aidan is the 'grumpy' one in the relationship, he's a very sweet and caring guy and the story was heavy at times but full of sweet and swoon-worthy moments.
Even though Aidan is the 'grumpy' one in the relationship, he's a very sweet and caring guy and the story was heavy at times but full of sweet and swoon-worthy moments.
January 16, 2026
Ludo and Aidan’s meet‑cute in the hospital is a surprisingly tender moment in what is otherwise a difficult chapter in both of their lives. Aidan is recovering from a serious fall, and Ludo is navigating the aftermath of a bipolar episode, and the quiet connection they form feels like a small but meaningful spark of hope. One of the book’s biggest strengths is its honest portrayal of mental health. Ludo’s bipolar disorder isn’t minimized, romanticized, or magically “fixed” by falling in love. The story treats his experience with weight and realism, which gives the narrative emotional depth. A well-written book, and I enjoyed it from start to finish.
January 19, 2026
This is my first book from Garrett Leigh , i know i know .
I started with such an emotional book as well but I loved every minute of it
Ludo was so complex and reading everything he went through broke my heart and it was hard to read on places.
Aidan was your typical grumpy ahole didn’t care enough to care about anything even his accident but when he met Ludo you start to see the real Aidan.
I did laugh a few times at some of it because i’m in the UK and i use some of the things they said and i forgot how much i love a chip butty with the bread smothered in so much butter my cholesterol goes off the charts lol.
It goes to sa y this won’t be my last book from Garrett Leigh either.
I started with such an emotional book as well but I loved every minute of it
Ludo was so complex and reading everything he went through broke my heart and it was hard to read on places.
Aidan was your typical grumpy ahole didn’t care enough to care about anything even his accident but when he met Ludo you start to see the real Aidan.
I did laugh a few times at some of it because i’m in the UK and i use some of the things they said and i forgot how much i love a chip butty with the bread smothered in so much butter my cholesterol goes off the charts lol.
It goes to sa y this won’t be my last book from Garrett Leigh either.
January 14, 2026
Kiss Me Again can be read as a standalone.
I really related to different aspects of both Ludo and Aidan. I truly loved these two and felt a bit jealous that I’ve never met my soulmate in a hospital; I spend enough time there!
For a lack of a better term, this book felt so real. I don’t think I have words to describe it, but Aidan and Ludo’s stories connected with me on a deep level. I was sad when it ended, I definitely could have read more about these two.
🌤️ Grumpy/sunshine
❤️🩹 Hurt/comfort
🧲 Opposites attract
❤️🔥 Slow burn
🥺 Emotional angst
Plot: 📚📚📚📚
Character rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Feels: 🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤
Writing style: 🖊🖊🖊🖊
I really related to different aspects of both Ludo and Aidan. I truly loved these two and felt a bit jealous that I’ve never met my soulmate in a hospital; I spend enough time there!
For a lack of a better term, this book felt so real. I don’t think I have words to describe it, but Aidan and Ludo’s stories connected with me on a deep level. I was sad when it ended, I definitely could have read more about these two.
🌤️ Grumpy/sunshine
❤️🩹 Hurt/comfort
🧲 Opposites attract
❤️🔥 Slow burn
🥺 Emotional angst
Plot: 📚📚📚📚
Character rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Feels: 🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤
Writing style: 🖊🖊🖊🖊
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