Try Again

by Wesley Southard

After an exhausting day at work and a run-in with an obnoxious loudmouth at the gym, all Robin Bellamy wants is to go home and unwind with her father. But when she reaches their house, she discovers something is very wrong. Several armed men appear to be waiting inside, and they’re threatening her father’s life. However, there’s a bigger

The house itself won’t let her in.

After trying numerous times, Robin realizes there may only be one right way into her own home. Can she uncover the correct route in and through the house before the trespassers even know she’s there? Or will she be doomed to repeat the tedious process over and over and over again…

Genres: Horror, Fiction

77 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 26, 2022

About the author

Wesley Southard is the two-time Splatterpunk Award-Winning and Imadjinn Award-Winning author of The Betrayed, Closing Costs, One for the Road, Resisting Madness, Slaves to Gravity, Cruel Summer, Where the Devil Waits, The Final Gate, Try Again, They Mostly Come at Night, Disasterpieces, and The Better to Eat You With, as well as numerous short stories in various markets. Several of his works have also been translated into Italian and Spanish. He is a graduate of the Atlanta Institute of Music and he currently lives in South Central Pennsylvania with his wife and son. Visit him online at www.wesleysouthardhorror.com.

Reviews

[Mort · Rating 4 out of 5]

Full review available at The Mort Report-

https://www.uncomfortablydark.com/bla...

TRY AGAIN has a very interesting concept – hitting the reset button on a situation continuously, almost like a scary GROUNDHOG DAY. However, unlike the popular movie, time does not stop and the night progresses, it is only the people who resets.

Confused? Yip, it does sound rather confusing, I know. Robin had a bad incident at the gym and, heading home, she is still fuming when she arrives to find her dad a hostage during a home invasion. She wants to save him, but every time she tries to enter the house, she resets to her drive back home.
With the people inside the house who is holding her dad hostage knowing someone is trying to get in, will she be able to save her father even if she gets inside?

Look, huge kudo’s to Southard for putting a certain phrase on repeat to inform the reader about the reset without boring them. Also, well done in keeping the action going inside the loop. There are so much happening in a somewhat short space of time.

At the end of the day this novella is good and I can recommend it to horror fans in general. While gory in places, I don’t think this is Splatterpunk (I say this because I’ve heard a few rumors that people might think I only like extreme – rest assured, I love a good horror story. Period.) so there should be a really big audience for this up and coming talent.

4 STARS

[Milt Theo · Rating 5 out of 5]

It felt really good to read this: Robin's determination, her down-to-earth attitude, combined with her natural intelligence and innate sensitivity, made not only for a terrifically written novella but also a haunting story you don't want to put down. The mystery in the center is not all that difficult to guess at, but patience (it is, after all, not that long) pays dividends: I hugely enjoyed the back and forth, the different loops colliding with each other as Robin tries to get into her house and also understand what is going on. It's not a character study, by any means, but the facets all come together, keeping you deeply engrossed in the story. A bit horror fiction, a bit mystery, a bit of murder, and just a bit of something inexplicable; I can't wait to see what Southard comes up with next!

[John Durgin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had a blast reading this novella! Southard has quickly become one of my favorite go to authors over the last year. The new generation of horror is in good hands with writers like himself. This book is much different from his typical style but I still loved it. It was great going in blind, as it’s a twisted mind-bending tale of a robbery gone wrong. I like to keep my reviews spoiler free so I won’t say much about the story itself besides the fact that we have an awesome female protagonist who is hell bent on getting into her house to rescue her dad from a group of bad men who get more than they bargained for. This was a quick read and for people that read faster than myself, a book they can likely fly through in one sitting.

[Leigh F · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a copy of the audio book of this story from the Author. First and foremost this was an interesting listen made better by the narration. As I was first listening I thought there was a glitch in the audio until I realized “nope that’s the story” and it was at that moment I couldn’t wait to keep listening. It was a great story and an interesting concept. I’d even go so far as to say that I would read a back story on why the house did what it did. I recommend it to anyone looking for a quick great listen.

[Kimberly N · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great novella! Loved the strength and determination of the main character. Enjoyed the build of tenseness up to the end.

[Robb Basham · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review coming soon.

[Mike Wallace · Rating 4 out of 5]

A cool little novela with a ground hog day theme and strong message toward women. Always a good thing.

4 stars ****

[Alex | | findingmontauk1 · Rating 4 out of 5]

TRY AGAIN is a fast paced novella about one woman's determination to overcome a repetitive nightmare, save a loved one, and prove to herself and others she is sick of their sh*t, basically. The story has time loop characteristics, but I do not consider it a time loop. Whole days and events are not repeated, but our main character cannot find the right way in to her own house and has to keep repeating the process until successful. It has a few twists and turns along the way that change things up. I had fun with the action and dialogue and our main character is pretty kickass. I finished this one in a single sitting because I had to know!

[Jess · Rating 4 out of 5]

Repetition. Something Robin is probably no stranger to, seeing as the gym is her second home. Reading this brought to mind that scene in Nightmare on Elm Street 4 (I 🤔 think) Where they meet at the diner and run only to start over again .... Here, Robin is trying to get into her own home that has uninvited guests.
A fun fast paced novella!

[Katie (DeathByPaperbacks) · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you’re looking for something fresh and action packed, this is your book!! Wesley Southard created an awesome female protagonist who showed up to kick ass and take names! She added so much heart to the story and made the whole experience a blast! I highly recommend this read. It’s quick, fast-paced, and you won’t be disappointed 🤘🏼

[Candace Nola · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wesley Southard offers up a new twist in this highly original tale. For me, this read like an adult “choose your doom” book, only you don’t get to make the choice. The main character is Robin Bellamy and after a long and frustrating day, all she wants to do is get home and make dinner for herself and her ailing father. But when she arrives, she knows something is wrong; there are men inside yelling at her father. Scared for him and pissed off, she tries to get inside, but the house will not let her. Every attempt lands her back in her car, still driving home.
As she struggles to understand what is going on while still outside the house, her father’s situation is becoming more desperate inside. I loved the fast pace and tension that drove this book. Wesley pulls you right into chaos and slowly lets you unravel the clues along with Robin. This was very well-written, a quick read with a lot of action.
It was great to read a strong female character willing to risk all for her father while not backing down from any danger. Kudos to Wesley for such a strong and fun story.

4 Solid Stars

[Lisa Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wesley Southard has created a unique take on the repetition theme. This story maintains tension in spite of that theme. But for me, it’s more than that.

Try Again has a female protagonist who is both strong and realistic as a person. The story touches on something women experience, something I experienced once upon a time. Southard makes it part of the character, part of the story, and an important driving element. It creates a level of realism in a tale that borders on bizarro.

This is a fast-paced and suspenseful story. It’s brutal and engrossing. And although it’s a bit of a break from Southard’s normal style, the skillful storytelling, evocative brutality, and strong characterization he is known for is there.

A great and highly recommended read.

[Erica Robyn Metcalf · Rating 5 out of 5]

Try Again by Wesley Southard is an action-packed tale of mustering up the sheer determination and strength to do what needs to be done in order to save a loved one.

If you were a fan of the choose-your-own-adventure books when you were a kid and wanted to know what it would be like to have one that was horror based, but even more terrifying as we can’t just flip back to the last option to help the main character carefully navigate through… then this will be a hit for you!

I got totally sucked in and couldn’t wait to see what was going to happen next! I cannot recommend this one highly enough!

Check out my full review here: https://www.ericarobynreads.com/book-...

[Topher Harris · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a quick read and my first read from Southard. While I thought a story about a character reliving certain parts of the story over and over would get tiresome. Southard does a great job at moving the story forward and keeping my attention. I liked this book and can’t wait to read more from him.

[Jason Nickey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Plain and simple, this story kicks a**. A short fast paced read with a unique story concept. I was just going to read a little bit of it tonight but it grabbed me immediately and I ended up finishing it in one sitting.

[John Lynch · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this one. Initially, I was unsure how this would work without becoming too repetitive, however the author quickly proved me wrong. I enjoyed the story and the main character. Definitely check this one out

[Tera · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this story. A short and quick piece with a strong, kick-ass female lead taking on chauvinistic males and giving them a good beating. Quite refreshing really.

[Cris Morris · Rating 4 out of 5]

Will Robin be able to get into her own house and rescue her father, when the house keeps kicking her out? A fun, brutal little book.

[Mark Robinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love a good time loop story. Combine that with a haunted house vibe and Southard has created an entirely original setup.

Robin returns home to find her house being robbed and her ill father being held at gun point. Instinct has her rushing in to save him, only every time she steps foot inside, she winds up right back where she started.

The writing is slick, sharp and instantly draws you in. I’d not read anything by Southard before and glad I took a chance on that fantastic cover and pitch.

My only very minor gripe was no chapter breaks between the loops, though I get the idea was to disorient the reader to feel what the main character felt.

Highly recommended.

[TreeFlower · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

🏋️‍♀️ 🔪🩸

Fast paced. Bloody. Unique.

Follow the story of a dedicated daughter named Robin who is simply trying to come home from the gym and make dinner for her father when her entire life is turned upside down. Upon returning home she finds that men have entered her home and have her father at gunpoint. Robin springs into action, but the only problem is- the house won’t let her in. Every time she tries a different door, she finds herself back where she started. Race against time with her as she tries to figure out the puzzle her house has become in order to save the only family member she has left. It gets pretty bloody along the way!

[Christopher Besonen · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was refreshing to see a male author who defends a woman's right to not be bound by societal standards for female body types. Kudos to Southard for that! As for the story itself, it was a fun and short tale that kind of played out like a video game to a degree. I would have liked to have known what made the house do what it did as I feel it could have either been to protect the family or force closure, either way it was heartfelt throughout in the way it handled loss and the inseparable bonds with those we love. I wouldn't be opposed to reading a sequel or expansion for this tale should either ever exist one day.

[Erin deadhighwaybooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was a fun, twisty thriller with horror elements involved. A one sitting read perfect for the weekend.

Robin Bellamy is one tough cookie. She’s been through hell and back, and working out is how she has overcome her troubled past. After an infuriating altercation, she arrives home to find her house has been broken into, but no matter what she tries she cannot get in.

Pick this one up for next weekend so you can find out exactly what Robin plans to do to save her father who is stuck inside with the intruders!

[Mike Kazmierczak · Rating 4 out of 5]

A quick note as I try to catch up at the end of the year. This is a totally fun and exciting book. It's not quite a "repeat the same day" stories but similar. In this case, the main character cannot get into her own house. It's ok though because the house is saving her from the people inside. But at the same time, her father is inside and in danger. It heightens the suspense since time is still moving and deadlines approaching but she keeps getting reset. Anyway, very fun and I would say an original take on the Groundhog's Day sub-genre.

[Glenn Rolfe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Southard pens in interesting story with TRY AGAIN. I haven't read anything quite like this little novella. After a bit of a slow start, I found myself caught up in the story and needed to know what was going on and how it would end. That's the sign of good writing.
Give this quick read a chance. Definitely worthy of your time.

[Sharon Leung · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice

This is a nice little read. Fast pa ed and easy to get into. I only took a star off as I felt the story unfinished. What were the reasons for the words girls shouldn't be that big? And was it the mother that did this or some other reaso with other questions too. But all that aside it was still a very good read.

[Lucas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great novella! Very interesting and enjoyable. Wish it was longer, liked reading about Robin.

[Lisa (the_epi_reader) · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Try Again” is a unique short novel combining horror with a “Groundhog Day” theme experienced on the worst day of Robin’s life, a home invasion. I have not read anything like this before and had to go back at one point because I thought I put my bookmark in the wrong place when I got up. Southard captured the life and death feeling Robin experienced as she was up against the odds of the house, the men inside and her father’s deteriorated health in order to survive. “Try Again” was enjoyable, different, and had a badass female main character. What more can you ask for?