Audiobook Review: Kiss Me Again by Garrett Leigh

Tree surgeon Aidan Drummond is content with his own company. He works alone, and lives alone, and it doesn’t occur to him to want anything else until a life-changing accident lands him in hospital. Then a glimpse of the beautiful boy in the opposite bed changes everything.

Ludo Giordano is trapped on the ward with a bunch of old men. His mind plays tricks on him, keeping him awake. Then late one night, a new face brings a welcome distraction. Their unlikely friendship is addictive. And, like most things in Ludo’s life, temporary.

Back in the real world, Aidan’s monochrome existence is no longer enough. He craves the colour Ludo brought him, and when a chance meeting brings them back together, before long, they’re inseparable again.

But bliss comes with complications. Aidan is on the road to recovery, but Ludo has been unwell his entire life, and that’s not going to change. Aidan can kiss him as much as he likes, but if he can’t help Ludo when he needs him most, they don’t stand a chance.

Listening Length: 5 hours and 41 minutes
Narrator: Dan Calley

‘Kiss Me Again’ is classic Garrett Leigh - complex characters, gritty yet realistic situations, and an incredibly romantic love story.

The excellent narration by Dan Calley made the book even more enjoyable! This is the first time I’ve listened to an audiobook read by him, and I would definitely do so again.

Aidan and Ludo meet under less-than-desirable circumstances - the hospital, to be exact. From the moment the two men look over at each other, they’re drawn together, no matter the situation they’re in.

Habitually-cranky Aidan softens for Ludo, and Ludo’s mind calms when he’s with Aidan.

While Aidan slowly recovers from his life-changing injuries and Ludo’s mind returns to a semblance of “normal”, their mutual friendship becomes a lifeline.

And slowly, it becomes more. I was all heart eyes while the two fell for each other. This is a book where you can really see the characters on the path to love.

The bubble they live in bursts once Ludo and Aidan are discharged from the hospital. Building a real and solid relationship takes work, and it’s even harder when both men have some major hang-ups or limitations.

Garrett Leigh doesn’t pull any punches here. As always, she portrays disabilities - both mental and physical - in all their harsh realities.

But despite the up-hill battle, Aidan and Ludo keep finding their way back to each other. I loved how the two men did whatever needed to be done to make things work, despite the odds.

And I loved what Ludo and Aidan did for each other. They brought colour and joy to each other where before things had been beige.

But most importantly, the two men support one another. And that might be a really simple thing, but it’s something neither Ludo or Aidan had, and something they desperately needed.

Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed ‘Kiss Me Again’. Aidan and Ludo’s story is sometimes harsh and definitely angsty, but their happy ever after is so worth it!

A copy was provided in exchange for an honest review.