Say It Again

Lest Is Moore #2

by Rebecca Rathe

The second book in the Lest Is Moore series, following Remember My Name, features bandmates and foster brothers Will and Ari!
Say it again, I need to hear it slow
Tell me I’m not on my own
When the world caves in, you never flinch
You say you’re with me—say it again

Say it again, with your mouth on mine
Every ache in my chest lets go, unwinds
I’ve been waiting for something to break
Say it again, tell me you’ll stay

Say it again when my head’s too loud
When I’m too weak, too tired to be proud
I don’t need much, I just need this
Tell me I’m not alone—say it again

Say it again, whispered in the dark like that
Like you mean it, like you’ll never take it back
Everything goes quiet when you say my name
Say it again, tell me you’ll stay

Say it again, I’m worn so thin
Too tired of fighting this pain I’m in
When you say you’re here, I can finally breathe
Say it again—stay forever with me

Genres: M M Romance, Romance, Friends To Lovers, Contemporary, Audiobook, Queer, Found Family

406 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 1, 2026

About the author

Deliciously dirty, delightfully neurotic, ratchet mess of a daydreamer.

See www.rebeccarathe.com for a full list of books, social media, and trigger warnings.

Reviews

[Laura Lou · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

Say It Again is book two in the Lest is Moore series. This MM rockstar romance story is about Ari and Will.

I have to start by saying I absolutely loved book one, Remember My Name. I definitely was looking forward to book two with Will and Ari. They are foster brothers, and I love me some taboo, but unfortunately it didn’t work for me with the way it was executed in this story. I did love Ari’s character and think he deserved better. I struggled with Will, and I especially didn’t like the way he treated Ari. I usually can’t get enough of a character that’s protective and possessive, but it didn’t sit right with me when it came to Will being this way with Ari.

I didn’t like how Ari felt that Will didn’t have feelings for him, and it sucked seeing Ari try to move on with another man. When Will finally starts to figure out his feelings toward Ari and gets therapy, I still had a hard with him. I think that Ari was just so in love with Will, that he easily forgave him and was able to move on quickly.

Even though it was great to see Jesse and Luc again, I really didn’t need to relive some of the same scenes from book one. I got bored at those times since I already knew what happened, and I felt it took away the focus from Will and Ari.

Unfortunately there were a few too many things that frustrated me when reading this story, but it could be a me thing. Although this book didn’t hit like I had hoped, I am sure others will enjoy it.

[AnnaKitt · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved Remember My Name so much, and considering how Rebecca makes you fall in love with the side characters as well, I was really excited for Will and Ari’s story 😻

“Say it again?"
He whispers low against the hollow of my throat.
“I’m here, Ari. You’re not alone. I’m here.”

Ohmigod, the pining, the yearning, the longing..😮‍💨 

I told myself to stay strong but honestly I was down hard in the prologue already 🫠
It’s one of those books when you can genuinely feel the connection between the MMCs. There was never a doubt that they belong together 💗

I loved so many things about this book.
Ari and Will spent most of their lives together, which made it much more complicated to transition to romantic relationship. And the mental health representation was fantastic, the way both Will and Ari turned to therapy for help ❤️‍🩹 How they actually worked on their issues, instead of falling into toxic codependency.
Then we have that found family aspect - how all the characters care and stand for each other, I’m not kidding when I say you are going to love the whole crew!
And of course, the way Rebecca addresses political issues. I don’t live in the U.S., but I truly admire how she speaks through her works ❤‍🔥

And of course, all the songs 🔥

 “If I love you, set you free
But loving you is all of me
I don’t know how to not hold on
Who am I if you’re gone?”

Fantastic book. So many emotions, the care and love that really does overcome everything ❣️
I'm soooo ready for Naz's story ☺️

[Aricka Decker · Rating 3 out of 5]

“Say it again?” He whispers low against the hollow of my throat. “I’m here, Ari. You’re not alone. I’m here.”

3.5 ⭐️


I was looking forward to this book because I liked both Ari and Will from the first one. I enjoyed their relationship. However I felt like this book lacked actual relationship building and didn’t show us enough of them ACTUALLY together. We got far too much recap of book 1 and information on the other couples for upcoming books, that this really sort of felt like a filler book to me which is disappointing. I like the band and everything but the focus should have been on the couple for me personally. I’ll give the next book a try in hopes we get more couple time than just transition like this book felt.

[theshadyivy · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 🫦🫦🫦

Rebecca had me at "will you read this?" — and honestly? Best decision I never had to make. 😏🖤
I devoured every. single. word.

Now listen — yes, this is Book 2 of the Less is Moore series, but don't let that stop you. I jumped right back in without missing a beat. The story pulls you in and keeps you there. 🔥

This is Ari & Will's story. Foster brothers. Inseparable since the moment Ari stepped into the same home — a home that wasn't always safe, but Will made sure Ari never had to face it alone. From day one, Will was his shield. His constant. His person. 😮‍💨💔

The setting? Stunning. The characters? Layered and real. The emotions? Oh honey — buckle up. This story is soaked in pining so thick you could drown in it. Every single time I thought "THIS is the moment—" Rebecca snatched it away from me. 😭 The audacity. The NERVE. And yet I couldn't stop. Wouldn't stop. The drama, the tears, the passion, the fights — it's all worth every agonizing page. 🖤

And can we talk about Rebecca for a second? 🙌 She shows up for the LGBTQ+ community not just in words but in her stories — fierce, loud, and unapologetically. That kind of courage deserves to be celebrated. Thank you, Rebecca. Genuinely. You have my support always. 🏳️‍🌈✨

This one is not for the faint of heart — but it IS for everyone who believes love, in all its messy, complicated, beautiful forms, is always worth fighting for. 💋

Go read it. You'll thank me later. 😈

🎤 Rockstars
🎤 Friends to lovers
🎤 Foster brothers
🎤 Forbidden
🎤 Found family
🎤 Gay for you
🎤 Power bottom
🎤 Rimming, comes in his pants

75/26

[-`♡´- · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m being generous with the 4 stars, I’d say it’s more 3.5⭐️ but I digress.

Once again with the cheesy lyrics. 😩

I however did really like Will & Ari and watching their relationship unfold. The smut didn’t come off as gratuitous and I felt actually lended to the story and the pace of their reconciliation. It flowed well with their overarching journey of coming to terms with their feelings for one another amidst the taboo of it all (foster brothers).

And I am interested in Naz and his bodyguard, Scott’s, relationship.

Truly is a hit or miss situation with Rathe but she gets me to read almost everything she writes, so. 🤷‍♀️

*this is a very politically charged story which kudos to Rathe for bringing it to the forefront especially during these times but I note only if you need a break from current affairs and are maybe looking to escape when it comes to reading.

[Delanique Waller · Rating 4 out of 5]

First Rebecca, Thank you for speaking out on so many injustices happening in the world bc yes books and reading is very political.
Second, I very much enjoyed reading about Will and Ari! I love a hurt comfort book with a lil possessive energy 🤪
Can’t wait to read more from not only this series but also from Rebecca🫶🏾

[Christina Sturgill · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rating: 4/5 🌟
Spice: 3/5 🌶️
Characters: Will and Ari

[Alyssa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another amazing book for Rebecca!!

I love this one! Ari and Will were so cute and sweet. Also i loved the real world tie ins! One of my fav rockstar series. Amazing! Def recommend!! If you havent read this series you better start!! Rebecca is one of my fav authors!!

[grumpy_sunshine_reader · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good audio!🎧

The political commentary in this and the previous book is right on! 👏

What you’ll get:
Foster Brothers
Codependent
Therapy🫶
Rockstars
Voyeurism
Exhibitionism
Nightmares > Consoling Him
Possessive

[Matthew Williams · Rating 4 out of 5]

Say It Again understands that foster brothers Ari and Will are too codependent for the sort of relationship they actually want with each other to emerge until they can create some distance from each other. Ironically, the novel never grants their story the same space. By embedding almost the entire romance within the timeline of Remember My Name, it leaves Ari and Will struggling to establish an independent narrative identity even as they work to become independent people.

I enjoy a forbidden romance most when the prohibition has real, measurable stakes. Too many books describe a relationship as forbidden when revelation would result in little more than an awkward conversation or the inconvenience of finding a new job. Foster brothers occupy a particularly interesting space. While there is no biological or marital connection, emotional bonds developed through displacement and instability have trauma-bonded Ari and Will in a protector/protectee arrangement. Crossing from that bond into romance risks destabilising the only secure structure either has known. The absence of blood removes one kind of taboo, but the survival-based sibling identity intensifies another.

At the beginning of the novel, Ari and Will’s relationship is already intimate in ways that go well beyond acceptable social mores. They frequently share a bed because Will’s presence regulates Ari’s nightmares and panic attacks, which, even in isolation, would raise some eyebrows. Where this behaviour tips into the transgressive is Will allowing Ari to repeatedly bring himself to orgasm while grinding up against him in bed. Will also makes decisions for Ari, scares away men who express interest in him and repeatedly interferes with his attempts to pursue sex or romance elsewhere.

Following one of these “romantic interferences” that is particularly egregious and controlling, Ari finally puts some distance between himself and Will, begins therapy and searches for ways to self-regulate rather than relying on Will. This separation, while painful, begins to create the space between them in which a healthier relationship can grow.

This is the novel’s most profound psychological insight. The codependency that helped them survive childhood has become incompatible with adult autonomy. Ari cannot freely choose Will while Will remains the only person capable of protecting him. Will cannot become Ari’s partner while his entire identity depends upon Ari remaining vulnerable enough to need protection.

The novel eventually allows Will to recognise that his actions are hurting the one person he claims to exist solely to protect.

Will’s apology for the aforementioned romantic interference is resolved with suspicious efficiency. At Ari’s command, he falls to his knees and begs forgiveness, which Ari grants rather quickly, although Will’s position on his knees soon becomes useful for activities other than grovelling. Ari’s forgiveness is understandable. He has wanted Will for years, understands the feelings motivating his behaviour and has no desire to punish the person he loves simply to satisfy the mechanics of a redemption arc. Still, his softness moves the reconciliation along more quickly than Will’s actions realistically warrant.

Rathe’s writing remains consistently strong. Her prose is lush, and the dialogue is again sharp, character-specific and genuinely enjoyable. The wider world of Lest is Moore also remains compelling. Even after seeing many of the same events from four perspectives, the band, staff, partners and orbiting future couples still feel like people worth following.

The sex is characteristically unabashed, although significantly less frequent, varied and intense than in Remember My Name. There are hand jobs, blow jobs, frotting and penetrative sex, alongside voyeuristic and exhibitionist elements, but the sheer erotic inventiveness of Jesse and Luc’s book is absent.

More strangely, the sexual progression here follows a conventional romance hierarchy in which penetration is treated as the definitive line that cannot be uncrossed. This did not entirely work for me. Ari and Will have already been sleeping in the same bed and sharing sexualised physical intimacy for years. Treating anal sex as uniquely transformative feels like romance logic rather than something that maps naturally onto queer sexual exploration. People are perfectly capable of fucking a stranger before even learning his name; penetration is not inherently the holy grail of intimacy. That framing is particularly surprising after Rathe wrote Jesse and Luc’s sexual relationship with such playful variety, and to me, the sex felt more conventional than I expected from this series.

The novel’s greatest structural problem is its near-total overlap with Remember My Name. Concurrent romance timelines can be enormously satisfying when they reveal hidden conversations, reframe familiar behaviour or show what another couple was doing during a previously unexplored period. Usually, however, only part of the story overlaps. Each book still needs significant narrative territory of its own.

Here, approximately ninety per cent of the timeline is familiar. The overlap works best when it reveals what the rest of the band was doing during Jesse and Luc’s isolation and in the lead-up to the first novel’s climax. Too often, however, Ari and Will are simply present because Remember My Name established that the band was gathered in a shared hotel suite while something more consequential happened behind Jesse and Luc’s closed door. There is a great deal of milling around within events whose broad strokes we already know. Even the epilogues overlap identically, both taking place during the same party at the beach house where Luc and Jesse first met.

Their relationship therefore feels as though it exists within Jesse and Luc’s story rather than alongside it. The first novel’s threats were enormous: forced outing, digital violation, presidential targeting, career risk, harassment and physical danger to family members. Will and Ari remain affected by that environment, but primarily as observers. The political material goes further in depicting contemporary America’s fascist backsliding and rapid descent into an emboldened right-wing hellscape, yet it is less organically connected to this couple because the threats remain centred upon Jesse and Luc.

This feels like a significant missed opportunity. A differently structured Say It Again could have placed the climax of the first book at 60–70%, rather than at 90%, allowing the rest of the novel to more fully explore their foster father’s attempt to blackmail them, the public revelation that the band’s supposed “brothers” are romantically and sexually involved, or the resistance tour organised in response to coordinated attacks from the president, conservative media, trolls and assorted cookers. Any of those would have given more space for Ari and Will to have a conflict that belonged specifically to them. Yet the novel never fully explores what happens when their specific relationship becomes public. For a book so interested in forbidden love and contemporary reactionary politics, that omission is surprising.

Say It Again remains a strong, emotionally intelligent and well-written romance. The world surrounding them remains rich, the dialogue snaps, and Rathe continues to write both sex and politics without apology. My lingering feeling, however, is frustration. Ari and Will need distance from one another before their love can become workable. Their novel needs precisely the same distance from Jesse and Luc, but never receives it. The characters eventually create enough space for their relationship to grow; the book keeps their story trapped inside someone else’s.

[Rachael Hamilton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Say It Again is so different from the first book in the series, and I really liked it for that.

One of my favorite things was how Ari's relationship with Will started out as what could have been just trauma bonding and codependency, but Ari actively works on healing himself. Will gives him space to handle things on his own without smothering him, even when it's hard.

"You can't just give up, because the world is ugly."

That line stuck with me.

I also really respect that this author doesn't shy away from discussing the political agenda negatively affecting our community today, especially since it seems she got backlash for it in her last book. It is relevant, and it adds real weight to the story.

On top of that, I loved getting glimpses of what Jesse went through in Remember My Name from his bandmates perspectives. There were moments we did not get to fully experience in his book, and seeing those gaps filled in was so satisfying.

I cannot wait for Scott and Naz's book, and I just know Emmy and Blake have to be getting one at some point too.

[Lori · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 stars

[Ash · Rating 5 out of 5]

Insert *grabby hands* for Blake and Emerson

[Jana Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’ve said it before, I’ll say it again (hehe) - Rebecca Rathe knows how to write angst. Whether it’s athletes or rockstars, she will make her characters, and her readers by extension, feel some things before it’s all over.

There was a point in this book where I didn’t know if I could handle all that was happening. Will, one of our MCs, was being just so toxic and kind of mean? But not in a bully romance way, in a, “I’m so emotionally stunted, I don’t know how to feel things without taking them out on the person I love” way.

I should have trusted Rebecca, though. There was genuine development in Will’s journey. He didn’t become perfect, but he became self aware.

And Ari… my sweet angel baby Ari. He went through his own journey, too. It pained me to see just how dependent he was on Will in the beginning, which made his healing all the more gratifying. So when the pair finally became lovers, it wasn’t in the name of toxic codependency.

I commend Rebecca Rathe for her political advocacy that has made its way into this series. Rock and punk music is prolific for being a genre of protest, so it only makes sense for their characters to feel so strongly about injustice, and to let that influence their music.

A few things to expect from Say It Again:
- rockstar romance
- foster brothers
- codependency/possessive
- size difference
- gender-nonconformity/femme boy

[Keia Cotton · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️


This is the second installment in the Doormen of the Lest is Moore series and here we go again with the “brothers” troupe. I shouldn’t say it like that since it is one of my favorite troupes, but I hate it when one of the “brothers” wants to be all scared about falling for the other. In this instance, they aren’t blood related at all but foster brothers which is so far from brothers it shouldn’t even be considered a taboo brothers story.

Ari is clearly in love with Will and with the way Will comforts him every chance he gets, I completely understand why. Will has always been the one there for Ari. Even as a child when he would have nightmares, Will would be the one comforting him, opening up his bed for him to come and lie down and get his nightly rub down to fall asleep. Now, years later it is something they still do while they’re members of a huge rock band named Lest is More. Except now they’re both clearly in love with each other but Will is really fighting it…annoyingly so. Will does a lot of “If I can have him, no one can!” In this book. He’s super possessive and protective of Ari and he finds it hard not to be but fails epically throughout this book.

It took me awhile to get through this book because I was frustrated by the “will they won’t they” angst. Once I sat down and made myself finish it, I was happy with it.

[Kristi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my god..I tore through this book so fast. Rebecca puts something in their books that just pulls you in and holds you tightly. This is the second book in the Lest Is Moore series and I loved Ari and Will's story.

Will and Ari are foster brothers who had to rely solely on each other their entire lives. Will has always been Ari's protector, with a side of possession. Ari is his. But Ari can't be his because Ari is...

Ari worships Will. He needs him. Will is his protector and big brother figure. Ari has always relied on Will. For almost everything. As things go on, Ari needs some independence. He knows Will loves him and wants what's best for him, but the care and possessiveness becomes smothering.

The two men try but struggle to separate their paths. They need each other. Their way back is messy but ends in a super fun and delicious HEA.

This book has everything. It's serious and painful and funny and entertaining. It's spicy and tender and political and just... perfect.

The characters from book 1 are fully integrated and amazing. This book runs concurrently to book 1, which is also pretty cool. I can't wait to read book 3.

Story: 5/5 ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
Characters: 5/5 🫂 🫂 🫂 🫂 🫂
Spice: 5/5 🍆🍆🍆🍆🍆
Gasping moments: 5/5 😮🤭😮🤭😮

[Betty Loves Books Galore · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a foster brothers to more rockstar romance, featuring Will and Ari, and is book two in the Lest Is Moore series.

Will and Ari grew up in foster care together, and Will has been looking out for Ari for as long as he can remember. As they spend more time together on tour, lines get blurred and Will starts to question his feelings for Ari.

These two were all kinds of angsty and I couldn’t look away. The push / pull between Will and Ari was intense, Will especially struggled with his feelings and his behaviour gets a little toxic. They learn a lot about each other through this story and I was rooting for them the whole time for their HEA. What a journey! We get to see a lot of the characters from book one. Yay!

Things to expect in this book are:
Book 2 in series
MM rockstar romance
Check CW
Foster brothers
Band mates
Hurt / Comfort
Mental health themes
Reads books
Codependent & possessive
Caretaking
Light stalking
Push / pull
Carries him
Bi awakening
Spicy times
S*x club & public s*x
C*ck warming
Voyeurism / Exhibitionism
Secret relationship
Coming out
Foster father drama
It’s always been you
Found family
HEA

[Abbey · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5

preaching to the choir on all the politics, got a little tiring. I read to escape that shit, I don’t need the epstein files and the big orange baby invading my gay smut. did make me yearn for more radical and sustained action to be taken by the people who have the biggest platforms, feels way too business as usual. BUT AGAIN I do not read fiction to invoke these feelings, I have the regular old reality to do that for me. I also think it took away from the relationship between will and ari. could’ve used way more back story on them. they literally grew up together and there’s like 2 flashbacks.

morales of this story thou - go to therapy! it will help! (I say to myself looking in the mirror) love is love is love is love and it’s worth fighting for. oh and fuck this administration:)

[li (stupid canadian wolf bird fanatic) · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this but I think Will and Ari deserved a story not so tied into Jesse and Luc. Not only that but we also get bombarded with other couples!!! Don't you trust in their story and love to stand on their own? Between that and the heavy focus on politics (which I loved!!!!) I felt we didn't get enough of them. I wanted way more.

[ashlee ❤ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Will + Ari

-mm rockstar romance
-forbidden romance
-foster brothers
-codependent/possessive
-found family
-“its always been you”

dude the pining & yearning paired with complete & utter denial was SENDINGGGG MEEEE!!! it created the most TORTUROUS slow burn but these two were soooo delicious!!!

[Leilani Noack · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book was good and I love Ari & Will and it sucks that it took so long for them to get together. I like that we got to see Jesse’s story as well and I’m really excited for Nazs story. I hope Blake and Emmy get one as well.

[Natalie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just love Rebecca's writing. The 'I'm just telling it how it is' vibe it this book made me love them even more. This is the type of author i will follow forever. I loved Ari and Will. The struggle to be together and the angst had me clearly seeing both their sides.They had such a great connection and a great love for each other. Book two down in the Lest Is Moore series and I'm loving all the characters, the story and the theme. I can't wait for the next book, to read Naz and Scott's story.

[Ginger · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF at 86%. Only 60 pages left but I couldn't fucking take it anymore. SO much info dumping. SO much internal repetition. The entire story was just reliving the plot of the first book but from a slightly different angle. Dull, dull, mind-numbingly dull.

[✶ · Rating 5 out of 5]

please oh please, i’m begging on my hands and knees, please let there be a book about blake and emmy 🙏🙏🙏

[Yanadeyaert · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ooh did I love Ari and Will!!! Codependent foster brothers who are bandmates and have this kinda toxic trauma bond, sign me up!! Also the audiobook was everything!!

[Sash · Rating 1 out of 5]

Authors, please, let’s justify the text before publishing the book. And my God, are there even any good MM books these days?

[Anna With Unpopular Opinions · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars

It was fine, but I'm not a fan of the books that follows the same timeline, when it doesn't actually adds anything new to the story.

[gab_e_reading · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rock stars, foster brothers, found family—and all of this from Rebecca Rathe? It’s bound to be amazing!
I was quickly drawn back into the world of Lest Is Moore and didn’t want to leave it! The story of Will and Ari, two broken boys who’ve been destined for each other since their traumatic childhoods, moved and captivated me from the very first moment. Their relationship is very complex, and the lines between codependency, possessiveness, and love are blurred. It was great to read about how they found their way together ❤️. But it’s not just that—the connection with their bandmates and the whole team are so wonderful. The side characters play an important role, and you find yourself wanting to know more about them.
The spice is just top-notch; I can’t help but keep saying it 🔥.
Last but not least, the book also addresses political issues. I don’t live in the U.S. and can’t even imagine how brave it must be to take a stand on these issues today. I admire Rebecca for that—it’s simply impressive.
I love this book and highly recommend it! Go ahead and order it—it’s a real joy, both in terms of content and visuals!

[Anne · Rating 3 out of 5]

I struggled with this one.

I love a taboo setup so this is right up my alley but the execution didn't do it for me. I found the political activism in this one tiring vs inspiring. It felt preachy especially considering the folks reading this book will more than likely be in full agreement on these topics already.

I liked that the timeline of this book overlaps with the timeline of the first, so we get to see what Ari and Will are experiencing when Luc and Jesse were going through their own journey. But at the same time there were certain scenes that I felt could have been cut to prioritize Ari and Will vs rehashing what we already know happened to Jesss and Luc.

There were just a lot of unclosed loops and moments that could have been teased out more for greater angst and tension between our MCs but were "resolved" before they could really gain mometum. ie: we're teased with something big happening for half the book that just never materialises in a real way, and is then resolved within the final 5% of the book.

I'm still excited for the third book about Naz and Scott, but tbh I spent a good chunk of this one wishing we were getting a story about Blake (band manager) and his assistant Emmy

[Anna · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really loved book 1 so I was so excited for Aris and Wills story.
But this was the perfect example why interconnected series should play after another (time wise). Book 2 fully overlaps with the plot of book 1. There were so many time jumps because the author didn’t want to repeat the plot of book 1. But at the same time it gave me the feeling that there were so many plot holes.

Another negative thing: we didn’t get to see new „surroundings“. Ari and Will are both members of the band and we already fully saw that in book 1.

Last but not least, book 1 was some kind of easy to read insta love story. It was a cute love story where the two MMCs really tried their best to make the relationship work. But here in this book?!? The miscommunication got so bad to the point the „relationship“ seemed toxic. Till around 60% they still didn’t completely opened up to each other.