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The Model Agency #3
Call Back
Once upon a time, Reuben Langley broke Xavier Conway’s heart.
Five years later, Xavier has convinced himself that he’s over it. Now a famous supermodel, his life is filled with faraway locations, glamorous parties, even more glamorous men, and so much noise. And if his mind still drifts to the quiet and responsible war photographer he loved and lost, then no one else has to know.
Xavier’s living the dream until everything comes tumbling down around him, and when he hits absolute rock bottom, the person there to pick up the pieces is Reuben.
Reuben fell in love with Xavier the first moment he met him—a wild, sassy boy in a hotel bar. When he found out that he was his best friend’s son, it should have stopped him, but it didn’t. That passionate affair came to a disastrous and painful end, and since then, Reuben’s had to be content with the tiny glimpses he’s had of Xavier over the years. But now, Xavier needs him, and Reuben isn’t going to turn away this time.
Set in London and the Inner Hebrides, this is a story of second chances and a constant, hopeful love.
This is the third book in the Model Agency series, but it can be read as a standalone.
Please see the disclaimer at the beginning of the book for content some readers may find triggering.
Five years later, Xavier has convinced himself that he’s over it. Now a famous supermodel, his life is filled with faraway locations, glamorous parties, even more glamorous men, and so much noise. And if his mind still drifts to the quiet and responsible war photographer he loved and lost, then no one else has to know.
Xavier’s living the dream until everything comes tumbling down around him, and when he hits absolute rock bottom, the person there to pick up the pieces is Reuben.
Reuben fell in love with Xavier the first moment he met him—a wild, sassy boy in a hotel bar. When he found out that he was his best friend’s son, it should have stopped him, but it didn’t. That passionate affair came to a disastrous and painful end, and since then, Reuben’s had to be content with the tiny glimpses he’s had of Xavier over the years. But now, Xavier needs him, and Reuben isn’t going to turn away this time.
Set in London and the Inner Hebrides, this is a story of second chances and a constant, hopeful love.
This is the third book in the Model Agency series, but it can be read as a standalone.
Please see the disclaimer at the beginning of the book for content some readers may find triggering.
456 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 21, 2026
About the author
Lily Morton
77 books3,501 followersLily is a bestselling gay romance author.
She lives in sunny England with her husband and two children, all of whom claim that they haven't had a proper conversation with her since she got her Kindle.
She has spent her life with her head full of daydreams, and decided one day to just sit down and start writing about them. In the process she discovered that she actually loved writing because how else would she get to spend her time with hot and funny men?
Her latest release is Ever After which is the fourth book in the bestselling Black & Blue series.
https://geni.us/Ever-After
You can keep up with Lily's latest releases and read the exclusive short stories '3 Dates' and ‘Best Love’ by subscribing to her newsletter: https://bit.ly/LilyMorton-Newsletter
Facebook Group: www.facebook.com/groups/SnarkSquad
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She lives in sunny England with her husband and two children, all of whom claim that they haven't had a proper conversation with her since she got her Kindle.
She has spent her life with her head full of daydreams, and decided one day to just sit down and start writing about them. In the process she discovered that she actually loved writing because how else would she get to spend her time with hot and funny men?
Her latest release is Ever After which is the fourth book in the bestselling Black & Blue series.
https://geni.us/Ever-After
You can keep up with Lily's latest releases and read the exclusive short stories '3 Dates' and ‘Best Love’ by subscribing to her newsletter: https://bit.ly/LilyMorton-Newsletter
Facebook Group: www.facebook.com/groups/SnarkSquad
Facebook: www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=10000...
TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@lilymortonauthor
Instagram: www.instagram.com/lilymortonauthor
Pinterest: www.pinterest.co.uk/LilyAuthor
Bookbub: www.bookbub.com/profile/lily-morton
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 196 reviews
July 8, 2026
I usually love second chance romance, but I had so many issues with this book. I'll say that I mostly liked Reuben and Xavier together. The way they connected and could read each other felt believable. But everything else felt messy and forced to me.
I think I would have enjoyed this more if the story was based on the age gap, a clean five years separation and then getting together again. But there was so much more thrown into this story that I'm not sure what it wanted to be. It was silly at times, then angsty-but-make-it-light, then full-on icky in certain scenes. That didn't work for me at all. Here are some random thoughts, because I can't be bothered to write a coherent review.
- the beginning was like reading Model Clinic, with the characters from the same world and the usual sexual innuendos and villainous banter. I did like seeing Felix, though.
- the way everything played out when Xavier ended up in the hospital wasn’t believable to me. There is no way such thing wouldn’t be reported to the police. But the author just needed a reason for Xavier to be in Reuben’s care.
- Jez was another typical silly and “villainous” character that I couldn’t take seriously. To me, it felt like he was there for the sake of some angst, but the author didn’t want us to be bothered by the fact that he is Xavier’s father, so we were repeatedly reminded that he didn’t care about Xavier, and that Xavier never saw him as a father. I also didn’t buy him being Reuben’s best friend, because of how he acted and what he did to separate Reuben and Xavier. Making him such a shitty character had the opposite effect on me and I still found Reuben and Xavier hooking up behind his back icky. I would have preferred a normal person who is actually someone’s best friend, if you wish to have some angst in the story.
- I mentioned that I liked the connection between Reuben and Xavier, but I didn’t like what Reuben said to Xavier to break things up with him. It felt completely out of character. If someone did that to me, I’d never want to see that person again. But for the next five years, Xavier proceeds to hook up with Reuben occasionally to punish him, sleep with other people, become a model, do drugs, all to spite him. Oh, and at one point they also wake up married in Vegas. I didn’t find those five years believable, because it was obvious how much they love each other.
- Grey. One of those characters who appear out of nowhere just to serve a purpose. First to show up at Reuben’s room unannounced and get naked, so that Xavier can find them and jump to conclusions, and then he shows up on the island at the exact time to tell Xavier everything.
- Jez is forgotten for most of the present timeline, until Reuben decides to tell Xavier what happened to him. I had to skim through that part, but sadly my eyes caught on something that almost made me want to vomit. How do such descriptions and making Jez a complete silly caricature of a character belong in the same book? Not funny.
- the dog and the tattoo artist – predictable and convenient, but cute.
I love some of this author’s books, but this won’t be among those I like to re-read.
I think I would have enjoyed this more if the story was based on the age gap, a clean five years separation and then getting together again. But there was so much more thrown into this story that I'm not sure what it wanted to be. It was silly at times, then angsty-but-make-it-light, then full-on icky in certain scenes. That didn't work for me at all. Here are some random thoughts, because I can't be bothered to write a coherent review.
- the beginning was like reading Model Clinic, with the characters from the same world and the usual sexual innuendos and villainous banter. I did like seeing Felix, though.
- the way everything played out when Xavier ended up in the hospital wasn’t believable to me. There is no way such thing wouldn’t be reported to the police. But the author just needed a reason for Xavier to be in Reuben’s care.
- Jez was another typical silly and “villainous” character that I couldn’t take seriously. To me, it felt like he was there for the sake of some angst, but the author didn’t want us to be bothered by the fact that he is Xavier’s father, so we were repeatedly reminded that he didn’t care about Xavier, and that Xavier never saw him as a father. I also didn’t buy him being Reuben’s best friend, because of how he acted and what he did to separate Reuben and Xavier. Making him such a shitty character had the opposite effect on me and I still found Reuben and Xavier hooking up behind his back icky. I would have preferred a normal person who is actually someone’s best friend, if you wish to have some angst in the story.
- I mentioned that I liked the connection between Reuben and Xavier, but I didn’t like what Reuben said to Xavier to break things up with him. It felt completely out of character. If someone did that to me, I’d never want to see that person again. But for the next five years, Xavier proceeds to hook up with Reuben occasionally to punish him, sleep with other people, become a model, do drugs, all to spite him. Oh, and at one point they also wake up married in Vegas. I didn’t find those five years believable, because it was obvious how much they love each other.
- Grey. One of those characters who appear out of nowhere just to serve a purpose. First to show up at Reuben’s room unannounced and get naked, so that Xavier can find them and jump to conclusions, and then he shows up on the island at the exact time to tell Xavier everything.
- Jez is forgotten for most of the present timeline, until Reuben decides to tell Xavier what happened to him. I had to skim through that part, but sadly my eyes caught on something that almost made me want to vomit. How do such descriptions and making Jez a complete silly caricature of a character belong in the same book? Not funny.
- the dog and the tattoo artist – predictable and convenient, but cute.
I love some of this author’s books, but this won’t be among those I like to re-read.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy
"Let’s be lost together,” he finally says hoarsely. “Until you’re ready to be found.”
I never know where to start when reviewing Lily's books- what can I possibly say other than you should read this book immediately!!! Her name speaks for itself! Every book is so good 🥰. In Call Back, we have second chance, age gap romance with mental health rep and a delicious little foray into best friend's son/dad's best friend.
It’s like he’s woven a spell over me, making everything feel like it’s dusted with happiness. The shiny, freshness of it all makes me recognise this has been missing from my life for far too long. Maybe I’ve never had this. Is it wrong to grab onto it with both hands?
Xavier and Reuben meet by chance, and fall in love over a brief few days. They get to know each other in a stolen moment in time, as two men who never would have met otherwise. They let down their walls and find a rare moment of true connection. Unfortunately the timing just isn't right and they go their separate ways.
There is no spell. Just a boy full of sunshine and an older man who should know better.
Reuben thinks that Xavier- his sunshine boy- will forget about him and find someone younger and less broken to be with. But Reuben is the first man who Xavier ever loved, and he can't forget him. His love turns vengeful and spiteful over the years, with no one else measuring up to his memories of Reuben. He punishes Reuben for walking away from what they could've had together.
I’d consoled myself that wherever he went and whatever he did, I’d linger in his mind, impossible for him to ignore.
Call Back begins in the present, with an older Xavier having become as bruised and dented by life (and his own questionable decisions) as Reuben once was. This time, the roles are reversed: Xavier is a mess, and Reuben is in a more stable place and available to help Xavier through putting his life back in order. Reuben 'kidnaps' Xavier to the beautiful but remote Inner Hebrides in Scotland and the two start tiptoeing their way back together again.
“I’d already found my beautiful when I met a sassy boy in a little bar. I just never realised it in time.”
The story is absolutely beautiful, and Lily smartly spares us the majority of the years where Xavier and Reuben are making each other miserable. Ultimately this is a story of two men giving each other a safe place to heal, and to recover some of what they should have had if they hadn't walked away from each other all those years ago. It's quietly humorous and filled with Lily's trademark charm and wit. They should hire Lily to create travel brochures, because I'd be shocked if the locals on the island aren't soon bemoaning an unusual influx of tourists, all wanting to visit the destinations featured in this book!
The reality is that it’s beautifully imperfect. We’re flawed men who somehow connect in a strange way I’ve never felt with another person.
I love how Lily's books feature popular tropes, but they never feel tropey. The tropes don't feel gratuitous or shoe-horned in, they just flow as a part of a wonderful story. Her writing is so natural and the characters and settings feel so authentic. I really enjoyed this book, and normally age gap and second chance romance are two of my least favourite tropes. If Lily writes it, I'll be lining up to read it!
He kisses me slowly as if we have all the time in the world. I suppose we do now.
I don't think any book in this series can ever top Dean's (The Sunny Side) but Call Back came very very close.
Rating: 4.75 stars
Angst: 3.5/5
Steam: 2.5/5
I received an advance copy of this book and this is my honest review.
June 24, 2026
Classic, classic, classic British romance. Lily Morton at the top of her game, again. The way she spins this story is gorgeous. The Daphne Du Maurier quote set the tone and whisked my brain back to the black and white romance/drama movie era.
In this beautiful second chance romance the main theme is undeserved guilt and miscommunication that results in years of spiteful separation and hurtful petty revenge. Right up until saving the man he loves forces Reuben to take matters into his own hands. Xavi is hurt and angry but the burning underlying love he has for Reuben convinces him to stay and forgive.
Another stunning story with many beloved intertwining characters from Lily Morton's world. I pulled an all nighter with this one.
*I saw a couple of flaws that nagged at me throughout, mainly about the timeline the events happened in, but it didn't take away from my enjoyment because in the end all was said and done.
**to reread
* favorites
In this beautiful second chance romance the main theme is undeserved guilt and miscommunication that results in years of spiteful separation and hurtful petty revenge. Right up until saving the man he loves forces Reuben to take matters into his own hands. Xavi is hurt and angry but the burning underlying love he has for Reuben convinces him to stay and forgive.
Another stunning story with many beloved intertwining characters from Lily Morton's world. I pulled an all nighter with this one.
*I saw a couple of flaws that nagged at me throughout, mainly about the timeline the events happened in, but it didn't take away from my enjoyment because in the end all was said and done.
**to reread
* favorites
won-t-read-bc-nopes
June 17, 2026And another second chance that isn't for me. Sigh. When will I get to read more Lily Morton? Alas. Thanks to @Elizabeth for confirming this isn't a Me book. This is another one where an MC uses sex as a weapon (and therefore uses people as sex objects, blech) for years to hurt the other MC (for hurting him terribly in the first place, but, still, icky ew nope for me.) Hooking up w others during separation, including in front of the other MC...many, many others...I just can't take it. Total weakling here.
Adding a note from the helpful @Daje1968, the MCs are also married (waking up in Vegas style, but never annulled). And while they don't consider themselves truly married and it's presented as not cheating, to me, the one man-ho-ing around absolutely would be cheating. Aka not okay. (although, @Evelyn, I think this book might be the kind of messed up you enjoy! Check it out! Uh. If you see this note. 💕)
Beautiful cover though, and the early reviews are stellar and focus on this being super emotional and satisfying, so yet again, if second chance is your thing? Check it out!
Adding a very rude note, please don't read it unless you can ignore the judgy-ness: "TED-Rant" over.
Adding a note from the helpful @Daje1968, the MCs are also married (waking up in Vegas style, but never annulled). And while they don't consider themselves truly married and it's presented as not cheating, to me, the one man-ho-ing around absolutely would be cheating. Aka not okay. (although, @Evelyn, I think this book might be the kind of messed up you enjoy! Check it out! Uh. If you see this note. 💕)
Beautiful cover though, and the early reviews are stellar and focus on this being super emotional and satisfying, so yet again, if second chance is your thing? Check it out!
Adding a very rude note, please don't read it unless you can ignore the judgy-ness: "TED-Rant" over.
June 26, 2026
Lily Morton - will you please stop doing that?
Look, I absolutely love second chance romances. They're one of my favorite tropes. The pining and the heartache are just delicious.
That part of the story was done well here. It's the reason I finished the book.
But this author, who is an autobuy for me, just keeps adding these laughably awful, caricature villains, that at least one MC is a total doormat for. I don't know a single person who would put up with someone this awful in their life, and almost every one of Morton's MCs does this.
Since the entire backstory of the MCs' first chance was centered around the absolute stupidity of this villain, all this book did was make me ragey. If someone in my life, who was supposed to love me, allowed themselves to be this stupid, I just simply wouldn't want them in my life anymore. So it's hard to root for their second chance.
I wish Morton realized this formula has gotten very old.
Look, I absolutely love second chance romances. They're one of my favorite tropes. The pining and the heartache are just delicious.
That part of the story was done well here. It's the reason I finished the book.
But this author, who is an autobuy for me, just keeps adding these laughably awful, caricature villains, that at least one MC is a total doormat for. I don't know a single person who would put up with someone this awful in their life, and almost every one of Morton's MCs does this.
Since the entire backstory of the MCs' first chance was centered around the absolute stupidity of this villain, all this book did was make me ragey. If someone in my life, who was supposed to love me, allowed themselves to be this stupid, I just simply wouldn't want them in my life anymore. So it's hard to root for their second chance.
I wish Morton realized this formula has gotten very old.
June 24, 2026
It feels like Xavier's love story was a long time coming and boy did it not disappoint in the least.
Reuben is Xavier's estranged father's best friend - not as juicy than it was a regular situation, and if Jez was at all a good person or father, but it's still juicy nonetheless - and there's an instant connection between these two before they even know who the other is. Although they do know that Xavier is only 19 from the get go and Reuben still throws caution to the wind and hooks up with him, even though he's 35 years old himself.
We start in the present, with Xavier and Reuben on the outs, and it's clear they're still in love but there's been immense pain and heartbreak that, for the last five years, has prevented them from being together.
It is warned for, but just know that there is Attempted rape and drugging in this. Clothes are taken off but thankfully Reuben gets there to stop it before anything more can happen. But just be aware going into this that that happens.
After that, though, we spend almost half the book in the past, seeing these two fall in love over about a week or so.
It shouldn't work, because it's so rushed and the age gap is so immense, but it does. Their chemistry is so good and they get along from the get go. It is rushed so maybe what happens was for the best in some ways, but that doesn't negate how awful what happens is and why it's understandable how Xavier acts for the next 5 years.
Reuben, to his credit, takes the attitude and more from Xavier because he knows he deserves it, and he does. He kind of ruined it mostly by himself. Motherfucking Jez - not even sure that's 100% his name and if I'm getting it wrong I don't care -had a big role in it too, but Reuben didn't have to decide to end it the way he does and THAT is on him.
But Jez really does emotionally manipulate Reuben and orchestrate things to try to break him and Xavier up so he's a little bitch until the end and just like Xavier, I don't care that
Then they have 5 years of random hook ups every few months or so - very hot, passionate sex, mind you, but just sex all the same. A way by Xavier to try punish and hurt Reuben the way he hurt him. They even, we learn, at some point
So we thankfully never have to see them with anyone else, but it's apparent that for 4 of the 5 years, Xavier is with others - usually, it seems, only when Reuben is around so he can see. So it seems he did it mainly whenever he was able to punish Reuben. Although it seemed he was with Max (from After Felix) as more at least for a few weeks or months. We don't know exactly when so at some point both stop being with others even when they're technically free to be with others, but for some years there, they are with others. (Or at least, we know Xavier is. It seems Reuben might have been with his FWB, Grey, at least once after the events of the past, but who knows, that isn't very clear if they were.
Anyway, once we're back in the present and these two are back in each other's lives in a more permanent way, they are for sure not with anyone else, and it's just focused on them reconnecting and fixing everything that went wrong.
It is pretty crazy, though, that after what Reuben does and says to Xavier to try to break his heart enough to walk away, that Xavier can't help but come back to him over and over again, even if on the surface it's just for sex.
Their love was just too deep to let each other go, even under all the pain and anger and heartache. Even under all the excuses that Reuben gave himself for why they wouldn't work, even under all the PTSD he was dealing with as well.
Seeing their love bloom again in the present day was beautiful, and them reconnecting was perfect. Them finding their way back to each other was *chef's kiss* wonderful.
I was always wondering what was going on with Xavier and who his great love was or would be, and now in this we finally got to find out, and it was great. I absolutely loved their HEA, and it was certainly a hard fought for HEA!
Definitely recommend this, it's a great installment to round out this trilogy.
I absolutely can't wait for more from this lovely author, and I can't wait to see what we have in store for us.
Until then! 😘
My Ratings for The Model Agency series:
🔆 The Sunny Side: 5 stars (my review)
🔆 French Fancy: 4.5 stars (my review)
🔆 Call Back: 5 stars
Reuben is Xavier's estranged father's best friend - not as juicy than it was a regular situation, and if Jez was at all a good person or father, but it's still juicy nonetheless - and there's an instant connection between these two before they even know who the other is. Although they do know that Xavier is only 19 from the get go and Reuben still throws caution to the wind and hooks up with him, even though he's 35 years old himself.
We start in the present, with Xavier and Reuben on the outs, and it's clear they're still in love but there's been immense pain and heartbreak that, for the last five years, has prevented them from being together.
It is warned for, but just know that there is Attempted rape and drugging in this. Clothes are taken off but thankfully Reuben gets there to stop it before anything more can happen. But just be aware going into this that that happens.
After that, though, we spend almost half the book in the past, seeing these two fall in love over about a week or so.
It shouldn't work, because it's so rushed and the age gap is so immense, but it does. Their chemistry is so good and they get along from the get go. It is rushed so maybe what happens was for the best in some ways, but that doesn't negate how awful what happens is and why it's understandable how Xavier acts for the next 5 years.
Reuben, to his credit, takes the attitude and more from Xavier because he knows he deserves it, and he does. He kind of ruined it mostly by himself. Motherfucking Jez - not even sure that's 100% his name and if I'm getting it wrong I don't care -had a big role in it too, but Reuben didn't have to decide to end it the way he does and THAT is on him.
But Jez really does emotionally manipulate Reuben and orchestrate things to try to break him and Xavier up so he's a little bitch until the end and just like Xavier, I don't care that
Then they have 5 years of random hook ups every few months or so - very hot, passionate sex, mind you, but just sex all the same. A way by Xavier to try punish and hurt Reuben the way he hurt him. They even, we learn, at some point
So we thankfully never have to see them with anyone else, but it's apparent that for 4 of the 5 years, Xavier is with others - usually, it seems, only when Reuben is around so he can see. So it seems he did it mainly whenever he was able to punish Reuben. Although it seemed he was with Max (from After Felix) as more at least for a few weeks or months. We don't know exactly when so at some point both stop being with others even when they're technically free to be with others, but for some years there, they are with others. (Or at least, we know Xavier is. It seems Reuben might have been with his FWB, Grey, at least once after the events of the past, but who knows, that isn't very clear if they were.
Anyway, once we're back in the present and these two are back in each other's lives in a more permanent way, they are for sure not with anyone else, and it's just focused on them reconnecting and fixing everything that went wrong.
It is pretty crazy, though, that after what Reuben does and says to Xavier to try to break his heart enough to walk away, that Xavier can't help but come back to him over and over again, even if on the surface it's just for sex.
Their love was just too deep to let each other go, even under all the pain and anger and heartache. Even under all the excuses that Reuben gave himself for why they wouldn't work, even under all the PTSD he was dealing with as well.
Seeing their love bloom again in the present day was beautiful, and them reconnecting was perfect. Them finding their way back to each other was *chef's kiss* wonderful.
I was always wondering what was going on with Xavier and who his great love was or would be, and now in this we finally got to find out, and it was great. I absolutely loved their HEA, and it was certainly a hard fought for HEA!
Definitely recommend this, it's a great installment to round out this trilogy.
I absolutely can't wait for more from this lovely author, and I can't wait to see what we have in store for us.
Until then! 😘
My Ratings for The Model Agency series:
🔆 The Sunny Side: 5 stars (my review)
🔆 French Fancy: 4.5 stars (my review)
🔆 Call Back: 5 stars
June 16, 2026
I just loved this so much! First of all, I have not read the other two full length books in this series and it was fine. The characters from those books are in this but not for long. Second of all, to me Lily Morton has a formula. If you are looking for a different sort of book from her this isn’t it. Her books are similar in many ways but I don’t mind that, I don’t read them back to back and I find it comforting in a way. Sometimes it’s nice to know what to expect and I can get into the story and truly enjoy it.
I loved Xavier, he is fun and smart and has a smart mouth to go along with it. He’s 19 when he first meets Reuben and they have a whirlwind type of romance. I think Reuben would be about 35 at this time. If an age gap like that is not your thing then you won’t like this. It didn’t bother me because Xavier never struck me as a typical 19 year old. He brought much needed light into Reuben’s life and I thought they just fit so well together.
The story does go from present to past then back to present and it worked really well, we need to see what happened five years ago to cause this rift. It’s a matter of communication of course and nothing surprising but I just had so much fun reading this.
I loved the setting in Scotland, Lily Morton always has me wanting to pack up and visit the locations she writes about. If I had as much money as her fictional characters I would. The setting seemed like a third main character and I think it helped heal the relationship between Xavier and Reuben (or Xavi and Roo. Best nicknames!).
Reuben has so much baggage and PTSD that my heart broke for him. He was a loyal friend and cared so much about everyone he loved. I don’t think he was truly alive until he met Xavier. This was such a lovely love story.
ARC received for review
All thoughts and opinions are my own
I loved Xavier, he is fun and smart and has a smart mouth to go along with it. He’s 19 when he first meets Reuben and they have a whirlwind type of romance. I think Reuben would be about 35 at this time. If an age gap like that is not your thing then you won’t like this. It didn’t bother me because Xavier never struck me as a typical 19 year old. He brought much needed light into Reuben’s life and I thought they just fit so well together.
The story does go from present to past then back to present and it worked really well, we need to see what happened five years ago to cause this rift. It’s a matter of communication of course and nothing surprising but I just had so much fun reading this.
I loved the setting in Scotland, Lily Morton always has me wanting to pack up and visit the locations she writes about. If I had as much money as her fictional characters I would. The setting seemed like a third main character and I think it helped heal the relationship between Xavier and Reuben (or Xavi and Roo. Best nicknames!).
Reuben has so much baggage and PTSD that my heart broke for him. He was a loyal friend and cared so much about everyone he loved. I don’t think he was truly alive until he met Xavier. This was such a lovely love story.
ARC received for review
All thoughts and opinions are my own
July 10, 2026
4⭐️ I really enjoyed the angst and drama of this second-chance, epic love story. Very sweet, heart-wrenching, and entertaining.
However, I think Jez was such an over-the-top despicable villain. Literally the worst person ever. I think it would have been more impactful if he were a bit more relatable. I didn’t understand why Reuben was friends with him at all.
However, I think Jez was such an over-the-top despicable villain. Literally the worst person ever. I think it would have been more impactful if he were a bit more relatable. I didn’t understand why Reuben was friends with him at all.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Not what I was expecting from Xavier and Rueben, but I enjoyed this story and the setting in the Inner Hebrides sounds so beautiful that I want to go and see it for myself!
I'm not great with time jumps and it did take a while for my brain to accept that we'd gone back in time for a good chunk of the book. I did like seeing how Xavier and Rueben initially got together and how things ended, but I do wish there'd been more of their interactions over the years they weren't officially together because I felt like I didn't really understand how they stayed in each other's orbits. I think if I'd seen the events during the five years that were significant then I could have been more invested in their relationship. As it was, I loved their beginning and I loved their end, there was just no middle...
It was also fun to have cameos from Mal, Pip, Dean, Max and Felix too! I like how Lily's character's all have some kind of six degrees of separation going on - we even get mentions of Ivo and Henry!
Xavier finally getting a life that made him happy was really good to see though, and I hope there's more to come from the Model Agency series.
*****
I received an ARC of this book from Gay Romance Reviews, and this is my honest review
I'm not great with time jumps and it did take a while for my brain to accept that we'd gone back in time for a good chunk of the book. I did like seeing how Xavier and Rueben initially got together and how things ended, but I do wish there'd been more of their interactions over the years they weren't officially together because I felt like I didn't really understand how they stayed in each other's orbits. I think if I'd seen the events during the five years that were significant then I could have been more invested in their relationship. As it was, I loved their beginning and I loved their end, there was just no middle...
It was also fun to have cameos from Mal, Pip, Dean, Max and Felix too! I like how Lily's character's all have some kind of six degrees of separation going on - we even get mentions of Ivo and Henry!
Xavier finally getting a life that made him happy was really good to see though, and I hope there's more to come from the Model Agency series.
*****
I received an ARC of this book from Gay Romance Reviews, and this is my honest review
September 10, 2026
2 disappointed stars just for old times' sake. 🤦♀️
It’s been a while since I read a Lily Morton book, and this one made me realize I might have completely outgrown them.
The entire plot relies on a series of miscommunications and misunderstandings… hands down my (and everyone one else’s) absolute least favorite trope. It stretches belief and leads to five miserable years for both characters that felt completely unnecessary.
I found Rueben utterly boring, and Xavier came off as a spoiled brat. I had zero connection to their dynamic.
I actually had to resort to skimming pages just to push through to the end because I refused to mark another book DNF. Glad to be done with it! 🤷♀️
My advice to fans; save your time. If you’re a fan of LM or the rom-com M/M, skip this torture, there are much better books by her and other authors you’ll enjoy more.
It’s been a while since I read a Lily Morton book, and this one made me realize I might have completely outgrown them.
The entire plot relies on a series of miscommunications and misunderstandings… hands down my (and everyone one else’s) absolute least favorite trope. It stretches belief and leads to five miserable years for both characters that felt completely unnecessary.
I found Rueben utterly boring, and Xavier came off as a spoiled brat. I had zero connection to their dynamic.
I actually had to resort to skimming pages just to push through to the end because I refused to mark another book DNF. Glad to be done with it! 🤷♀️
My advice to fans; save your time. If you’re a fan of LM or the rom-com M/M, skip this torture, there are much better books by her and other authors you’ll enjoy more.
June 29, 2026
Took a break from this author but this one called to me. So glad it did cause this one was like "a LM from the good old days". Snarky, british and some good angst. Made me want to read more from her again so I'm going for the two previous in this series.
Read
August 16, 2026This book reminded my why I've distanced myself from new releases in this genre.
June 26, 2026
The banter is stellar in this one and Xavi’s character stole the show honestly! What a star. I loved everything about him. I also felt Rueben’s struggle and the long way he had to go in the 5 years spanning this book. Great character arc.
This is a longish book but a very easy read, quite swoony, very spicy and full of found family. I really enjoyed it
This is a longish book but a very easy read, quite swoony, very spicy and full of found family. I really enjoyed it
July 15, 2026
Als je een roman met zo'n coverfoto opent met een quote van Shakespeare, dan wek je wel bepaalde verwachtingen. Dat citaat is (uiteraard?) pretentieus. Maar los daarvan; wie houd ik hier voor de gek? Ik vond het gewoon een leuk verhaal met de nodige humor. De MC's zijn inwisselbaar, met dezelfde licht ironische grappen die in al Mortons boeken gemaakt worden, maar I don't care.
June 12, 2026
I’m so happy to have finally read the story of Rueben and Xavier! From the tidbits I’ve picked up from other books in the Mortonverse I knew this one was going to be a tear jerker filled with yearning, and it totally delivered! Another stellar 5 star Lily Morton book in the bag ⭐️
Thanks to GRR and the author for the ARC. These opinions are my own.
Thanks to GRR and the author for the ARC. These opinions are my own.
June 23, 2026
Better than Morton's recent books—a touch more grit. And she's still good at couples who do actually feel as if they fitted together. Mind you, she's used the same couple dynamic in almost all her books—the sassy twink and the long-suffering appreciative older man—so it's perhaps not surprising that she's got it down to a tee.
But she still shies away from using conflict productively. Here, there are several potentially strong threads all of which are dealt with off-stage. Instead half the book is dedicated to a week of non-stop sex. Fine if you're one of the lucky pair, but it does pall a bit if you're waiting for real action to start. As a result, this is not a well-structured book. I suspect, though, that an author as successful as Morton is not subjected to much rigorous editing.
Maybe I'm just growing out of Morton.
Also I need to find something that isn't a 2-3 star read.
Credits—
Cover design: Natasha Snow Designs, who didn't clock that Xavier doesn't have a moustache.
Editing: Edie Danford
But she still shies away from using conflict productively. Here, there are several potentially strong threads all of which are dealt with off-stage. Instead half the book is dedicated to a week of non-stop sex. Fine if you're one of the lucky pair, but it does pall a bit if you're waiting for real action to start. As a result, this is not a well-structured book. I suspect, though, that an author as successful as Morton is not subjected to much rigorous editing.
Maybe I'm just growing out of Morton.
Also I need to find something that isn't a 2-3 star read.
Credits—
Cover design: Natasha Snow Designs, who didn't clock that Xavier doesn't have a moustache.
Editing: Edie Danford
July 2, 2026
3.5⭐️
If I had to sum up this book in one word, it would be frustrating. The primary source of conflict is the miscommunication and secrets between Reuben and Xavier, and there were so many moments where I wanted to shake some sense into both of them!
That said, this was still a compelling second-chance romance packed with angst. It blends a forbidden relationship, an age gap, and the dad's best friend trope into an emotional story that kept me invested.
Xavier was easily my favorite character. He's a ray of sunshine—full of snark, stubbornness, and sass—but underneath it all, he has the sweetest, softest heart that just wants to be loved. He and Reuben have an instant connection and fall for each other almost immediately, only to discover that Xavier is the son of Reuben's best friend.
At 19, Xavier is meeting his father for the first time, and his dad is absolutely awful to both him and Reuben. Reuben, burdened by a misplaced sense of loyalty and struggling with PTSD, ultimately chooses Jez over Xavier. The way he breaks both of their hearts is absolutely gut-wrenching.
Over the next five years, they're apart, crossing paths only occasionally. Xavier lashes out, trying to hurt Reuben as deeply as he's been hurt himself. Watching them continue to love each other secretly and live separate lives (with Xavier still furious with Reuben) while the truth remains unspoken was heartbreaking. If Reuben had just been honest, so much pain could have been avoided.
When Xavier eventually hits rock bottom, Reuben becomes his caretaker, and they slowly find their way back to one another. Watching them finally communicate honestly and earn their happily ever after was incredibly satisfying, even if the journey there was frustrating at times.
The story alternates between the past and present and is told in dual POV, which adds depth to their relationship and shows how everything unraveled.
If you love emotional, high-angst romances with messy characters, second chances, and plenty of hurt/comfort, this one is definitely worth picking up.
Tropes:
• Second chance romance
• Dad's best friend
• Forbidden relationship
• Age gap
• Hurt/comfort
• Caretaking
• Dual POV
• Past & present timeline
• PTSD representation
• Miscommunication
• angst
If I had to sum up this book in one word, it would be frustrating. The primary source of conflict is the miscommunication and secrets between Reuben and Xavier, and there were so many moments where I wanted to shake some sense into both of them!
That said, this was still a compelling second-chance romance packed with angst. It blends a forbidden relationship, an age gap, and the dad's best friend trope into an emotional story that kept me invested.
Xavier was easily my favorite character. He's a ray of sunshine—full of snark, stubbornness, and sass—but underneath it all, he has the sweetest, softest heart that just wants to be loved. He and Reuben have an instant connection and fall for each other almost immediately, only to discover that Xavier is the son of Reuben's best friend.
At 19, Xavier is meeting his father for the first time, and his dad is absolutely awful to both him and Reuben. Reuben, burdened by a misplaced sense of loyalty and struggling with PTSD, ultimately chooses Jez over Xavier. The way he breaks both of their hearts is absolutely gut-wrenching.
Over the next five years, they're apart, crossing paths only occasionally. Xavier lashes out, trying to hurt Reuben as deeply as he's been hurt himself. Watching them continue to love each other secretly and live separate lives (with Xavier still furious with Reuben) while the truth remains unspoken was heartbreaking. If Reuben had just been honest, so much pain could have been avoided.
When Xavier eventually hits rock bottom, Reuben becomes his caretaker, and they slowly find their way back to one another. Watching them finally communicate honestly and earn their happily ever after was incredibly satisfying, even if the journey there was frustrating at times.
The story alternates between the past and present and is told in dual POV, which adds depth to their relationship and shows how everything unraveled.
If you love emotional, high-angst romances with messy characters, second chances, and plenty of hurt/comfort, this one is definitely worth picking up.
Tropes:
• Second chance romance
• Dad's best friend
• Forbidden relationship
• Age gap
• Hurt/comfort
• Caretaking
• Dual POV
• Past & present timeline
• PTSD representation
• Miscommunication
• angst
June 28, 2026
4.5⭐️
I loved this story. I was excited for Reuben’s story because his snark and grumpiness are familiar 😆
He was so awful to Xavier, and I know he had genuine reasons for this, but it really hurt to read him be so cruel to such a lush character. Jez was awful! Their careers were having such an effect on them, but Jez was so selfish even when he could see his friend was crumbling.
I loved catching up with other characters and being introduced to new ones. The time changes always throw me for a while, but I was glad to get the story instead of it just thrown at us in drips and drabs.
I’ve enjoyed this series so far, and I think this one was my favourite so far. I just love Reuben, can’t even explain why 😆
I loved this story. I was excited for Reuben’s story because his snark and grumpiness are familiar 😆
He was so awful to Xavier, and I know he had genuine reasons for this, but it really hurt to read him be so cruel to such a lush character. Jez was awful! Their careers were having such an effect on them, but Jez was so selfish even when he could see his friend was crumbling.
I loved catching up with other characters and being introduced to new ones. The time changes always throw me for a while, but I was glad to get the story instead of it just thrown at us in drips and drabs.
I’ve enjoyed this series so far, and I think this one was my favourite so far. I just love Reuben, can’t even explain why 😆
June 22, 2026
Did I love the romance, so so much. It’s fabulous. A definite recommendation!
Rating: 4.5🌈
The Model Agency has been a favorite of mine because of its unique characters and wonderful relationships. Their journeys to HEA often set in gorgeous places when it’s not actually in the office of the agency itself.
Reuben Langley is a character we’ve met before. He’s had a tremendous impact on Pip and Olivier as their next door neighbor and friend in the south of France (French Fancy #2). And we caught glimpses of some of the early photographs of Xavier mentioned there.
Xavier Conway is also one of those characters who is notable from previous books and the author’s monthly blog. This due to Pip’s chatty humor and insightful commentary, focusing in on how Xavier’s insane social life and inability to stay on schedule is one of Pip’s greatest challenges. Especially when Pip becomes a model manager.
Yes, Pip will always be my favorite. Let’s get this out of the way. And, marvelously, we see lots of him here. He forever has the best lines.
Call Back is a great second chance at love story. We begin with present day and Xavier’s physical and emotional downward spiral. Too many parties, drugs and forms of self punishment have left him feeling empty. However ,he’s committed to a runway to walk with Dean and Mal.
And in the audience is Rueben, along with Olivier, Jonas and Pip.
It will end up being an emotional event that leads to a dramatic moment.
From present day and then backwards to the past where they first met, we see the circumstances where Rueben and Xavier came together and how disastrously they were parted.
Then the second chance they are given at Rueben’s house on the Isle of Mull in the Hebrides.
Those are wonderfully written and beautifully executed scenes on the island. A love note to the island and the people who live there. And the relationship that resets between them is grown realistically and with depth of detail.
Even Ibiza gets a golden opportunity to shine here as a romantic partner for the couple as a location. I did wonder what would happen to Rueben’s villa in the south of France but Morton had that figured out too. Perfect! Love it when there no drop in continuity.
If I had anything here that took me out of the book (trust an animal lover to obsess about it) , it’s concerning that Bernard, the IW. If Lily Morton had chosen any other breed I’d have been fine probably.
But she chose an Irish Wolfhound as a pet for Xavier, one that had been dumped on the island.
I’ve been lucky to have had three IWs in my lifetime. They aren’t often seen outside of those who’ve gotten theirs from breeders here in the USA, let alone being dumped. Maybe it’s different in the UK. However , IWs are sight hounds with pretty specific behaviors. And retrieving isn’t one of them. I’ll just say that Bernard acts exactly like a Golden Retriever or Lab in the book and nothing like an Irish Wolfhound. Ask me how I know.
That’s my say. Next time pls choose to make the dog a mutt or even a lab who loves its balls. Side eye.
Did I love the romance, so so much. It’s fabulous.
A definite recommendation!
Book cover design by Natasha Snow Designs
The Model Agency (3 book series to date)
The Sunny Side #1 (Dean and Jonas)
French Fancy #2 (Pip and Olivier Durand)❤️🫶
Call Back #3 (Rueben and Xavier)
Rating: 4.5🌈
The Model Agency has been a favorite of mine because of its unique characters and wonderful relationships. Their journeys to HEA often set in gorgeous places when it’s not actually in the office of the agency itself.
Reuben Langley is a character we’ve met before. He’s had a tremendous impact on Pip and Olivier as their next door neighbor and friend in the south of France (French Fancy #2). And we caught glimpses of some of the early photographs of Xavier mentioned there.
Xavier Conway is also one of those characters who is notable from previous books and the author’s monthly blog. This due to Pip’s chatty humor and insightful commentary, focusing in on how Xavier’s insane social life and inability to stay on schedule is one of Pip’s greatest challenges. Especially when Pip becomes a model manager.
Yes, Pip will always be my favorite. Let’s get this out of the way. And, marvelously, we see lots of him here. He forever has the best lines.
Call Back is a great second chance at love story. We begin with present day and Xavier’s physical and emotional downward spiral. Too many parties, drugs and forms of self punishment have left him feeling empty. However ,he’s committed to a runway to walk with Dean and Mal.
And in the audience is Rueben, along with Olivier, Jonas and Pip.
It will end up being an emotional event that leads to a dramatic moment.
From present day and then backwards to the past where they first met, we see the circumstances where Rueben and Xavier came together and how disastrously they were parted.
Then the second chance they are given at Rueben’s house on the Isle of Mull in the Hebrides.
Those are wonderfully written and beautifully executed scenes on the island. A love note to the island and the people who live there. And the relationship that resets between them is grown realistically and with depth of detail.
Even Ibiza gets a golden opportunity to shine here as a romantic partner for the couple as a location. I did wonder what would happen to Rueben’s villa in the south of France but Morton had that figured out too. Perfect! Love it when there no drop in continuity.
If I had anything here that took me out of the book (trust an animal lover to obsess about it) , it’s concerning that Bernard, the IW. If Lily Morton had chosen any other breed I’d have been fine probably.
But she chose an Irish Wolfhound as a pet for Xavier, one that had been dumped on the island.
I’ve been lucky to have had three IWs in my lifetime. They aren’t often seen outside of those who’ve gotten theirs from breeders here in the USA, let alone being dumped. Maybe it’s different in the UK. However , IWs are sight hounds with pretty specific behaviors. And retrieving isn’t one of them. I’ll just say that Bernard acts exactly like a Golden Retriever or Lab in the book and nothing like an Irish Wolfhound. Ask me how I know.
That’s my say. Next time pls choose to make the dog a mutt or even a lab who loves its balls. Side eye.
Did I love the romance, so so much. It’s fabulous.
A definite recommendation!
Book cover design by Natasha Snow Designs
The Model Agency (3 book series to date)
The Sunny Side #1 (Dean and Jonas)
French Fancy #2 (Pip and Olivier Durand)❤️🫶
Call Back #3 (Rueben and Xavier)
July 11, 2026
This was closer to 3.75 stars for now but we will see over the following months whether I am still thinking about the book or compelled to re-read bits of it, which is what happened with the first book in the series (The Sunny Side). This book actually reminded me of After Felix, which is one of my favorite Lily Morton books. In both, the main characters fall for each other, something happens and their relationship falls apart but they remain in each other's orbits and after a number of years, they get back together again. Call Back starts in the present then has 9 chapters showing the origin of the relationship over a week then returns to the present, which is 5 years later. I don't particularly care for flashbacks but it is much easier to follow if it is all in one chunk and the flashback didn't bother me at all in this book.
The best part of the book was the connection between the 2 main characters, which was really easy to see at their origin and then the last 1/3 of the book. I also really liked both Xavier and Reuben - they were good people. Lily Morton is known for good banter and that was present here, although sometimes I felt like there was too much of it. It was also fun to see secondary characters from previous books in the series, although it made me sad to see Max from After Felix as that part of the book took place during Max's years after he had lost Felix. I don't like a big age gap between the main characters and this was present (16 yrs) but it actually didn't bother me as Xavier's youth was effectively used as part of the plot (decisions/reactions he made were realistic to his age and level of life experience). I don't usually like second chance books but felt the 5 year gap was necessary for Xavier to grow up a bit and for Reuben to partially heal from his PTSD.
There were a few things I didn't like. I felt the story would have benefited from more glimpses of the main characters' interactions during the 5 years when they saw each other but weren't together. There was a rather significant event that happened during those years and it should have had more time on page. There were also a lot of situations where the main characters' former sexual partners were now very good platonic friends and there was no jealousy on anyone's part, which I felt strained credulity (not that I feel this couldn't occur but just how often it happened in the book). The book was also set in a unique location in Scotland (Inner Hebrides) and I didn't feel like I got as much of a flavor of the setting compared to some of Lily Morton's other novels.
Overall, I did like this book and, unlike other readers I know, I am not ready to give up on Lily Morton!
The best part of the book was the connection between the 2 main characters, which was really easy to see at their origin and then the last 1/3 of the book. I also really liked both Xavier and Reuben - they were good people. Lily Morton is known for good banter and that was present here, although sometimes I felt like there was too much of it. It was also fun to see secondary characters from previous books in the series, although it made me sad to see Max from After Felix as that part of the book took place during Max's years after he had lost Felix. I don't like a big age gap between the main characters and this was present (16 yrs) but it actually didn't bother me as Xavier's youth was effectively used as part of the plot (decisions/reactions he made were realistic to his age and level of life experience). I don't usually like second chance books but felt the 5 year gap was necessary for Xavier to grow up a bit and for Reuben to partially heal from his PTSD.
There were a few things I didn't like. I felt the story would have benefited from more glimpses of the main characters' interactions during the 5 years when they saw each other but weren't together. There was a rather significant event that happened during those years and it should have had more time on page. There were also a lot of situations where the main characters' former sexual partners were now very good platonic friends and there was no jealousy on anyone's part, which I felt strained credulity (not that I feel this couldn't occur but just how often it happened in the book). The book was also set in a unique location in Scotland (Inner Hebrides) and I didn't feel like I got as much of a flavor of the setting compared to some of Lily Morton's other novels.
Overall, I did like this book and, unlike other readers I know, I am not ready to give up on Lily Morton!
June 22, 2026
This latest book from Lily Morton gives us supermodel, Xavier’s story and it’s fabulous.
They say hate and love are two sides of the same coin, and that dictates the actions in Xavier and Reuben’s age-gap, second chance, lovers, to enemies, to lovers story. When they meet both men are instantly attracted to the other, but each come with broken pasts, Rueben because of his job and the PTSD it’s left him with, and Xavier from his father, and childhood. Deliberate mis-communication and emotional reactions sets the scene for love to turn to hate, making for hurtful decisions, and interactions that are more battles than anything else. Neither of them are really in the right place for a serious relationship when they first meet and their struggles over time are at times heartbreaking, but thankfully when Xavier really needs him Reuben is there for him.
With appearances by the other supermodels and friends, to help them find their way, we are treated to a sweet, emotional and at times funny story that has wonderful characters and beautiful Scottish settings. Plus as usual, throughout it all is the unique banter which this author gives to her characters, and which always elevates her books and makes them special. I loved every second of their story and can’t recommend this book highly enough.
They say hate and love are two sides of the same coin, and that dictates the actions in Xavier and Reuben’s age-gap, second chance, lovers, to enemies, to lovers story. When they meet both men are instantly attracted to the other, but each come with broken pasts, Rueben because of his job and the PTSD it’s left him with, and Xavier from his father, and childhood. Deliberate mis-communication and emotional reactions sets the scene for love to turn to hate, making for hurtful decisions, and interactions that are more battles than anything else. Neither of them are really in the right place for a serious relationship when they first meet and their struggles over time are at times heartbreaking, but thankfully when Xavier really needs him Reuben is there for him.
With appearances by the other supermodels and friends, to help them find their way, we are treated to a sweet, emotional and at times funny story that has wonderful characters and beautiful Scottish settings. Plus as usual, throughout it all is the unique banter which this author gives to her characters, and which always elevates her books and makes them special. I loved every second of their story and can’t recommend this book highly enough.
June 22, 2026
A Joyfully Jay review.
4.5 stars
Call Back is the third book in Lily Morton’s The Model Agency series and I just loved this one (as I have all the books so far in this series). This book has a really great format that I think works well for the story. We meet the men in present day, where Xavier is a famous model and Reuben is a prominent photographer. We learn that the men have a past, and they have clearly been circling one another, drawn together but not allowing themselves to be together. Morton sets this portion up so well, really making clear the pining and the sexual tension and all that is pulling these men together, but we don’t yet know what happened between them to tear them apart romantically.
It all comes together into such a great happy ending and I can highly recommend it.
Read Jay's review in its entirety here.
4.5 stars
Call Back is the third book in Lily Morton’s The Model Agency series and I just loved this one (as I have all the books so far in this series). This book has a really great format that I think works well for the story. We meet the men in present day, where Xavier is a famous model and Reuben is a prominent photographer. We learn that the men have a past, and they have clearly been circling one another, drawn together but not allowing themselves to be together. Morton sets this portion up so well, really making clear the pining and the sexual tension and all that is pulling these men together, but we don’t yet know what happened between them to tear them apart romantically.
It all comes together into such a great happy ending and I can highly recommend it.
Read Jay's review in its entirety here.
August 14, 2026
I had a bit of a hard time getting completely invested in the story but the end of one chapter gagged me and then I needed to know everything. I was hooked! I love second chance romance and this one was very sweet. Xavier and Reuben never stopped loving each other and we could feel it at every moment. I loved it!
June 22, 2026
**3.5 stars**
Another engaging story that I read in a day and half.
Through Lily’s ability to give each character a believable backstory, flaws and when needed to show a level of vulnerability, she creates characters that are truly loved by the audience, and Xavier and Reuben are no different. I genuinely could believe in these two and see their relationship only growing stronger as the years passed, and for me that is important when I’m reading a romance book.
As always she brought back well loved characters from previous books, even weaving in characters from other series and it has me reaching for these older stories as I remember how much I enjoyed them.
If you want a good bingeable contemporary romance, that has descriptive environments, actual believable romances and full on snark then read no further and go and enjoy this book.
However, as a long time reader even I can admit this book is not without some questionable choices. This is in my opinion, and the following does contain spoilers.
The villian: Robbie has always been a ‘love to hate’ character, I want to say he first appeared in the Mixed Messages series along with Dean, but I could be mistaken. The choice to make him a truly hated character was an interesting choice, and for me, not a believable one as any nastiness on his part has always been a reflection of his insecurities rather than true maliciousness.
The attempted SA: this was a vehicle to explain why Xavier would stay with Reuben, and again felt unnecessary; the story could have easily of been he suffered poor health after after malnourishing his body, not sleeping and taking too many drugs for too many years. It worked for Mal and Caden, and would have had just as much impact here, especially as the fallout from this act (both in Xavier’s exploration of what happened and Robbie’s comeuppance) was undeveloped.
Age gap: now I’ve read everything Lily Morton has written so I’m well versed in an age gap story, but I have to question why it was chosen for Xavier to be 19 when they first met (he is 24 in the present day). Maybe I’m just getting old and reading sex scenes with characters that are in their teens does nothing for me. But I really couldn’t think of a reason he needed to be that young. I really enjoyed his youthful exuberance, but could he not have been just 2 years older.
Another engaging story that I read in a day and half.
Through Lily’s ability to give each character a believable backstory, flaws and when needed to show a level of vulnerability, she creates characters that are truly loved by the audience, and Xavier and Reuben are no different. I genuinely could believe in these two and see their relationship only growing stronger as the years passed, and for me that is important when I’m reading a romance book.
As always she brought back well loved characters from previous books, even weaving in characters from other series and it has me reaching for these older stories as I remember how much I enjoyed them.
If you want a good bingeable contemporary romance, that has descriptive environments, actual believable romances and full on snark then read no further and go and enjoy this book.
However, as a long time reader even I can admit this book is not without some questionable choices. This is in my opinion, and the following does contain spoilers.
The villian: Robbie has always been a ‘love to hate’ character, I want to say he first appeared in the Mixed Messages series along with Dean, but I could be mistaken. The choice to make him a truly hated character was an interesting choice, and for me, not a believable one as any nastiness on his part has always been a reflection of his insecurities rather than true maliciousness.
The attempted SA: this was a vehicle to explain why Xavier would stay with Reuben, and again felt unnecessary; the story could have easily of been he suffered poor health after after malnourishing his body, not sleeping and taking too many drugs for too many years. It worked for Mal and Caden, and would have had just as much impact here, especially as the fallout from this act (both in Xavier’s exploration of what happened and Robbie’s comeuppance) was undeveloped.
Age gap: now I’ve read everything Lily Morton has written so I’m well versed in an age gap story, but I have to question why it was chosen for Xavier to be 19 when they first met (he is 24 in the present day). Maybe I’m just getting old and reading sex scenes with characters that are in their teens does nothing for me. But I really couldn’t think of a reason he needed to be that young. I really enjoyed his youthful exuberance, but could he not have been just 2 years older.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 23, 2026
'Call Back' (The Model Agency series, Book 3) written by Lily Morton (paperback & Kindle)
August 2026 (re-reading)
I like this book, a lot...which is why it keeps sliding itself back into my "currently reading" (again). It's really funny, as well as addressing more serious issues as well, and I appreciate that.
What would you do, if you're a middle-aged lawyer, and the doorbell rang while you were eating your breakfast omelet, and you got up and opened the door only to discover an almost naked young man wearing a pretty blue bow tied artfully around his cock, who starts spouting off a litany of things you'll do, as you journey through life...together?
Witnessed by another guy, who's currently standing in front of your next door neighbor's apartment door while simultaneously trying to unlock that door, and laughing at your dramatic scenario.
(yeah; lmao)
This kind of creativity with humor is why Morton is one of my fave authors! An interesting mixture of hilarity and seriousness that captures my attention.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Older review:
This is one of my all-time favorite series and this new addition socks it into place!
Lots of messed up communications between Xavier (now a fameous super model) and Reuban (a famous war photographer). They pulled each other at a bar when Xavier was 19 and Reuban was a lot older. In fact, unbeknownst to either of them, Reuban was best friends with Xavier's father, Jez, which became clear the next day as they attended the funeral of a friend. Fury and recriminations fly, with a very regrettable outcome!
Set in London and the Inner Hebrides and other locations, this is a tale of massive miscommunications, innate stubbornness, jealosy, lost & found loves, plus dealing with intense trauma and PTSD.
And a big goofy rescue dog named Bernard.
Another great book in this series, it can be read as a stand-alone. However, do yourself a big favor and read the series from the beginning so you don't miss any of the drama, the humor, the outright snark & bitchiness of several characters, plus the depth of emotional devastation that grabs these characters when the shit hits the fan and things go to hell...and they do! More than once.
《~~~~~《●》~~~~~》
Trigger warnings:
for on again-off again drug use, for being drugged and the subsequent attempted rape (on page, an MC), for war zone happenings and trauma (some on page), for unwanted pregnancy and child, for parental neglect, for PTSD (a main character), and emotional blackmail)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Another great book that held my curiosity and intrigued me, by Lily Morton; loved it!
Two thumbs up! 👍👍
August 2026 (re-reading)
I like this book, a lot...which is why it keeps sliding itself back into my "currently reading" (again). It's really funny, as well as addressing more serious issues as well, and I appreciate that.
What would you do, if you're a middle-aged lawyer, and the doorbell rang while you were eating your breakfast omelet, and you got up and opened the door only to discover an almost naked young man wearing a pretty blue bow tied artfully around his cock, who starts spouting off a litany of things you'll do, as you journey through life...together?
Witnessed by another guy, who's currently standing in front of your next door neighbor's apartment door while simultaneously trying to unlock that door, and laughing at your dramatic scenario.
(yeah; lmao)
This kind of creativity with humor is why Morton is one of my fave authors! An interesting mixture of hilarity and seriousness that captures my attention.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Older review:
This is one of my all-time favorite series and this new addition socks it into place!
Lots of messed up communications between Xavier (now a fameous super model) and Reuban (a famous war photographer). They pulled each other at a bar when Xavier was 19 and Reuban was a lot older. In fact, unbeknownst to either of them, Reuban was best friends with Xavier's father, Jez, which became clear the next day as they attended the funeral of a friend. Fury and recriminations fly, with a very regrettable outcome!
Set in London and the Inner Hebrides and other locations, this is a tale of massive miscommunications, innate stubbornness, jealosy, lost & found loves, plus dealing with intense trauma and PTSD.
And a big goofy rescue dog named Bernard.
Another great book in this series, it can be read as a stand-alone. However, do yourself a big favor and read the series from the beginning so you don't miss any of the drama, the humor, the outright snark & bitchiness of several characters, plus the depth of emotional devastation that grabs these characters when the shit hits the fan and things go to hell...and they do! More than once.
《~~~~~《●》~~~~~》
Trigger warnings:
for on again-off again drug use, for being drugged and the subsequent attempted rape (on page, an MC), for war zone happenings and trauma (some on page), for unwanted pregnancy and child, for parental neglect, for PTSD (a main character), and emotional blackmail)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Another great book that held my curiosity and intrigued me, by Lily Morton; loved it!
Two thumbs up! 👍👍
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 27, 2026
Classic Lily Morton.
I already loved Xavier Quaver from his snarky addition to the model clinic podcast. I love him even more now.
This book is a mixture of love at first sight because when Xavier and Reuben Langley meet, fireworks explode and an angelic host arrived to sing songs. But things went sour fast, and that was party due to Reuben being Xavier’s dad’s best friend. But daddy Jez is a bit of a twat, and the relationship between Jez and Xavier went down hill quicker than cheese rolling down a steep hill.
The book then twists into enemies to lovers and then almost into a slow burn while Reuben and Xavier try to work things out. A lot of truths have to be told. Lots of knitted jumpers need to be worn, I do love a man in cashmere. There’s lemon drizzle cake to eat and techno bagpipes to listen to. I want to go to Mull!
Loved it. Made me want to re-read The Sunnyside, because Dean Jacob’s is a fitty!
Loved it so much I read it twice so I could create a pinboard. The only problem with my board is that I can’t find a picture of a man in a garden, wearing a pair of hot-pink boxers, a pair of motorcycle boots and a Russian hat with the flaps down whilst dancing to techno bagpipes. If someone can find that image for me I will reward them with my forever love and appreciation.
I already loved Xavier Quaver from his snarky addition to the model clinic podcast. I love him even more now.
This book is a mixture of love at first sight because when Xavier and Reuben Langley meet, fireworks explode and an angelic host arrived to sing songs. But things went sour fast, and that was party due to Reuben being Xavier’s dad’s best friend. But daddy Jez is a bit of a twat, and the relationship between Jez and Xavier went down hill quicker than cheese rolling down a steep hill.
The book then twists into enemies to lovers and then almost into a slow burn while Reuben and Xavier try to work things out. A lot of truths have to be told. Lots of knitted jumpers need to be worn, I do love a man in cashmere. There’s lemon drizzle cake to eat and techno bagpipes to listen to. I want to go to Mull!
Loved it. Made me want to re-read The Sunnyside, because Dean Jacob’s is a fitty!
Loved it so much I read it twice so I could create a pinboard. The only problem with my board is that I can’t find a picture of a man in a garden, wearing a pair of hot-pink boxers, a pair of motorcycle boots and a Russian hat with the flaps down whilst dancing to techno bagpipes. If someone can find that image for me I will reward them with my forever love and appreciation.
June 28, 2026
4.5⭐️ - gosh I loved this angst second chance romance. I loved these two together. I’m glad there wasn’t some quick fix. The angst and inner turmoil were top tier. So much emotion and the ending was like a warm hug.
June 26, 2026
I am and will always be a huge fan of Lily Morton. She writes beautiful love stories with hilarious characters. I was so excited that all of my favorites from her other books made appearances. It was like a family reunion.
October 2, 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Okay, I am OFFICIALLY conflicted because we all know Lily Morton is basically an automatic five-star author for me at this point, but I couldn’t quite give Call Back the five. So we’re sitting at a very well deserved four stars.
And there was SO MUCH that worked for me.
Xavier and Reuben meet completely by chance on a wild night out and the attraction is IMMEDIATE. They have this crazy connection, spend the night together, and then the next day comes the absolute OH SHIT moment.
Reuben is actually there to support his best friend while he meets his son for the very first time.
And that son is Xavier.
THE MAN REUBEN JUST SPENT THE NIGHT WITH.
Obviously Reuben immediately thinks absolutely freaking not. Except the attraction between them isn’t something either of them can just turn off, and during that trip they continue seeing each other in secret. What was supposed to be something they absolutely SHOULD NOT be doing becomes something very real, very quickly.
Until Reuben makes a decision that completely breaks Xavier’s heart.
And Xavier does NOT take it well.
For the next five years, every time their lives cross, Xavier basically makes it his personal mission to punish Reuben for what he did. It’s very much I hate you, I want you to suffer, and unfortunately I’m still completely freaking in love with you.
Then five years later, Xavier’s life has spiraled and he’s hit rock bottom. And who is there to pick up the pieces and basically bring him back to life?
Of freaking course.
REUBEN.
And now these two have to deal with five years of anger, resentment, secrets, yearning, and the tiny little problem that neither one of them ever actually stopped loving the other.
So obviously we have second chance. Age gap. Dad’s best friend. Forbidden romance. Supermodel x grumpy photographer. Mental health and PTSD rep. AND all the Lily Morton snark that I freaking love.
There was so much I loved about these two. The vulnerability. Watching Xavier try to find himself again after hitting rock bottom. Reuben slowly opening himself up again. Watching them finally fight FOR each other instead of constantly finding reasons why they couldn’t be together.
And when these two are good? THEY ARE SO GOOD.
They’re funny. They’re ridiculously hot. They have that Lily Morton banter I’m obsessed with, but there’s also so much tenderness underneath it.
BUT.
THE FREAKING MISCOMMUNICATION.
Listen, I can handle yearning. I LOVE yearning. Give me two idiots desperately in love with each other and make me SUFFER.
But when the majority of that suffering could have been avoided by SOMEONE JUST SAYING THE FREAKING THING?
I struggle.
And there is SO MUCH of that here that instead of all the separation and yearning feeling haunting and nostalgic and making me ache for them, sometimes I was just frustrated. SO frustrated that toward the beginning I genuinely started wondering if this book was going to work for me.
Obviously it DID. This is Lily freaking Morton. But that frustration is ultimately what kept this from being five stars.
I also wish we’d gotten a little more of certain moments from their past ON PAGE. There are some pretty significant things that happen between them that we only hear about afterward, and you know how I feel about being told something huge happened when I could have been THERE SUFFERING THROUGH IT MYSELF.
But I’m also fully aware that I’m nitpicking because my expectations for Lily are ridiculously high.
Because everything else? I genuinely loved.
We get glimpses of some of our favorite couples. We MAYYYYY even get a little hint about Bowie 👀. We get second chances, healing, vulnerability, found family, fighting for the person you love, and two people finally realizing that loving someone sometimes means actually letting them love you back.
And THAT ENDING???
The epilogue made me ridiculously happy. After everything these two put me through, watching them finally get their HEA was exactly what I needed.
AND THE PUPPY.
HELLO???
The cutest freaking baby in the entire world.
So yes, ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ for me.
And I will say this: if miscommunication is a trope you absolutely CANNOT stand, I actually wouldn’t recommend this one. It’s such an important part of Xavier and Reuben’s story that I’d rather you skip it than read the book and hate it for being exactly what it is.
But if you don’t mind miscommunication, or you actually enjoy that kind of angst? Absolutely give this one a chance.
Because even when Lily Morton has me wanting to physically shake two grown men and scream JUST FREAKING TALK TO EACH OTHER, she still somehow gets me completely invested in their HEA.
Okay, I am OFFICIALLY conflicted because we all know Lily Morton is basically an automatic five-star author for me at this point, but I couldn’t quite give Call Back the five. So we’re sitting at a very well deserved four stars.
And there was SO MUCH that worked for me.
Xavier and Reuben meet completely by chance on a wild night out and the attraction is IMMEDIATE. They have this crazy connection, spend the night together, and then the next day comes the absolute OH SHIT moment.
Reuben is actually there to support his best friend while he meets his son for the very first time.
And that son is Xavier.
THE MAN REUBEN JUST SPENT THE NIGHT WITH.
Obviously Reuben immediately thinks absolutely freaking not. Except the attraction between them isn’t something either of them can just turn off, and during that trip they continue seeing each other in secret. What was supposed to be something they absolutely SHOULD NOT be doing becomes something very real, very quickly.
Until Reuben makes a decision that completely breaks Xavier’s heart.
And Xavier does NOT take it well.
For the next five years, every time their lives cross, Xavier basically makes it his personal mission to punish Reuben for what he did. It’s very much I hate you, I want you to suffer, and unfortunately I’m still completely freaking in love with you.
Then five years later, Xavier’s life has spiraled and he’s hit rock bottom. And who is there to pick up the pieces and basically bring him back to life?
Of freaking course.
REUBEN.
And now these two have to deal with five years of anger, resentment, secrets, yearning, and the tiny little problem that neither one of them ever actually stopped loving the other.
So obviously we have second chance. Age gap. Dad’s best friend. Forbidden romance. Supermodel x grumpy photographer. Mental health and PTSD rep. AND all the Lily Morton snark that I freaking love.
There was so much I loved about these two. The vulnerability. Watching Xavier try to find himself again after hitting rock bottom. Reuben slowly opening himself up again. Watching them finally fight FOR each other instead of constantly finding reasons why they couldn’t be together.
And when these two are good? THEY ARE SO GOOD.
They’re funny. They’re ridiculously hot. They have that Lily Morton banter I’m obsessed with, but there’s also so much tenderness underneath it.
BUT.
THE FREAKING MISCOMMUNICATION.
Listen, I can handle yearning. I LOVE yearning. Give me two idiots desperately in love with each other and make me SUFFER.
But when the majority of that suffering could have been avoided by SOMEONE JUST SAYING THE FREAKING THING?
I struggle.
And there is SO MUCH of that here that instead of all the separation and yearning feeling haunting and nostalgic and making me ache for them, sometimes I was just frustrated. SO frustrated that toward the beginning I genuinely started wondering if this book was going to work for me.
Obviously it DID. This is Lily freaking Morton. But that frustration is ultimately what kept this from being five stars.
I also wish we’d gotten a little more of certain moments from their past ON PAGE. There are some pretty significant things that happen between them that we only hear about afterward, and you know how I feel about being told something huge happened when I could have been THERE SUFFERING THROUGH IT MYSELF.
But I’m also fully aware that I’m nitpicking because my expectations for Lily are ridiculously high.
Because everything else? I genuinely loved.
We get glimpses of some of our favorite couples. We MAYYYYY even get a little hint about Bowie 👀. We get second chances, healing, vulnerability, found family, fighting for the person you love, and two people finally realizing that loving someone sometimes means actually letting them love you back.
And THAT ENDING???
The epilogue made me ridiculously happy. After everything these two put me through, watching them finally get their HEA was exactly what I needed.
AND THE PUPPY.
HELLO???
The cutest freaking baby in the entire world.
So yes, ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ for me.
And I will say this: if miscommunication is a trope you absolutely CANNOT stand, I actually wouldn’t recommend this one. It’s such an important part of Xavier and Reuben’s story that I’d rather you skip it than read the book and hate it for being exactly what it is.
But if you don’t mind miscommunication, or you actually enjoy that kind of angst? Absolutely give this one a chance.
Because even when Lily Morton has me wanting to physically shake two grown men and scream JUST FREAKING TALK TO EACH OTHER, she still somehow gets me completely invested in their HEA.
October 2, 2026
Second-chance romance stories just hit a little harder when Lily Morton writes them. After Felix and Max became my favorite Morton couple, Xavier and Reuben come very close behind. Morton has a talent for writing longing, resentment, hope, despair, and yearning in a way that goes straight for the heart. Add her signature age gap, a grumpy/snarky sunshine dynamic, and a whole lot of unresolved feelings, and you have another absolute gem on your hands.
I truly lost sleep over this book. I could not put it down. My pillow was wet with tears, and I was rooting so damn hard for these two to find their way back to each other. And because this is Lily Morton, she makes you wait for it. But when the payoff finally came, it was so worth the wait.
We’d already gotten little snippets of Xavier and Reuben’s fallout in previous books, but we had no idea what had actually happened between them. Five years ago, a very young, sassy Xavier and a very broken older Reuben met under rather explosive—and forbidden—circumstances. The unlikely pair fell hard and fast, in a whirlwind romance that lasted barely a week but left a mark neither of them could ever escape.
Xavier was young, shiny, sassy, and desperate to be loved. Reuben was a mess, struggling with PTSD after his time as a war photographer. They were completely wrong for each other on paper and utterly, devastatingly right for each other in reality. Their love was forbidden, lustful and intense, until Reuben broke Xavier’s heart. Five years later, Xavier is spiraling. He still loves Reuben. He still hates Reuben. And he’s utterly exhausted from carrying all that resentment around. He’s become increasingly self-destructive, and when he eventually ends up in the hospital, Reuben steps back into his life and insists that Xavier stay with him for a while to recover. These two have so much baggage between them, so much hurt and anger, but underneath it all is the fact that they never stopped loving each other.
Set against the breathtaking backdrop of the Isle of Mull in Scotland, they slowly begin to chip away at their resentment and find their way back to each other. And of course, leave it to Lily Morton to make Scotland feel like a character in its own right. I could practically feel the cold wind whipping through my hair and hear the waves crashing around them. The setting added so much atmosphere to the story.
Xavier and Reuben were absolutely destined for each other. They are soulmates in the truest sense—two people who only ever truly loved each other, despite having had so little time together the first time around. Their connection was like a bolt of lightning and something neither of them ever really recovered from. Watching them slowly find their way back to each other was beautiful. It was great to have a little cameo from Felix and Max again!
I absolutely loved this series, and Xavier and Reuben have firmly secured their place among my favorite Morton couples. If you love second chances, aching pining, age gaps, grumpy/sunshine, and two souls who are hopelessly in love despite everything they’ve been through—read this. Just maybe keep some tissues nearby.
I truly lost sleep over this book. I could not put it down. My pillow was wet with tears, and I was rooting so damn hard for these two to find their way back to each other. And because this is Lily Morton, she makes you wait for it. But when the payoff finally came, it was so worth the wait.
We’d already gotten little snippets of Xavier and Reuben’s fallout in previous books, but we had no idea what had actually happened between them. Five years ago, a very young, sassy Xavier and a very broken older Reuben met under rather explosive—and forbidden—circumstances. The unlikely pair fell hard and fast, in a whirlwind romance that lasted barely a week but left a mark neither of them could ever escape.
Xavier was young, shiny, sassy, and desperate to be loved. Reuben was a mess, struggling with PTSD after his time as a war photographer. They were completely wrong for each other on paper and utterly, devastatingly right for each other in reality. Their love was forbidden, lustful and intense, until Reuben broke Xavier’s heart. Five years later, Xavier is spiraling. He still loves Reuben. He still hates Reuben. And he’s utterly exhausted from carrying all that resentment around. He’s become increasingly self-destructive, and when he eventually ends up in the hospital, Reuben steps back into his life and insists that Xavier stay with him for a while to recover. These two have so much baggage between them, so much hurt and anger, but underneath it all is the fact that they never stopped loving each other.
Set against the breathtaking backdrop of the Isle of Mull in Scotland, they slowly begin to chip away at their resentment and find their way back to each other. And of course, leave it to Lily Morton to make Scotland feel like a character in its own right. I could practically feel the cold wind whipping through my hair and hear the waves crashing around them. The setting added so much atmosphere to the story.
Xavier and Reuben were absolutely destined for each other. They are soulmates in the truest sense—two people who only ever truly loved each other, despite having had so little time together the first time around. Their connection was like a bolt of lightning and something neither of them ever really recovered from. Watching them slowly find their way back to each other was beautiful. It was great to have a little cameo from Felix and Max again!
I absolutely loved this series, and Xavier and Reuben have firmly secured their place among my favorite Morton couples. If you love second chances, aching pining, age gaps, grumpy/sunshine, and two souls who are hopelessly in love despite everything they’ve been through—read this. Just maybe keep some tissues nearby.
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