Just for Me

A Rugby Romance (Escape to New Zealand, Book 15)

By: Rosalind James

Narrated by: Emma Wilder

Luke Armstrong doesn’t want to be a pioneer or an inspiration. He just wants to be a prop.

What’s it like to be the first All Black to come out while he’s still playing rugby? Luke has spent more than 30 years not wanting to find out, but hiding has become so hard. He’s a man who doesn’t get tired, but now, he’s soul-weary.

Hayden Allen knows that if you keep that smile on your face, they won’t know they’ve hurt you. Never let them see you sweat, that’s his motto. What happens, though, when everything you’ve never realized you needed shows up bang in front of you?

Every man has his limits. And even the strongest man can fall.

©2023 Rosalind James (P)2023 Rosalind James

Luke & Hayden

We first met Luke and Hayden in a previous book, "Just Say Christmas." And they finally got their own love story.

Luke has hidden his sexuality all of his life since coming out as a professional sportsman is not the norm. And Hayden has always been out. But these two connect when they first meet. And the sparks fly despite Luke not being out. Hayden is coming out of a relationship that wasn't really a relationship with a man who turned out to be a narcissist, a liar and a cheater.

Luke is a very likable character. He is honest to a fault and cares about the people around him. He has mana. Hayden is adorable and comfortable in his own skin. Both of them care about their families, both biological and found families.

Two totally different men who end up together makes for a fantastic story. I want to point out that this is a love story. It is no different than what a love story with a male lead and a female lead.

This review is for both the audiobook and the e-book. Having read it and listened to it, I think I need another reread of it since it is that good.

I did receive a copy of both the e-book and audio book from the author in exchange for a fair and unbiased review.

Getting your Feet Wet

When you discover you are different, and you are on an all male sports team trying to figure out how to come out and feel good about it, how does that happen? Well, you meet the right partner. Rosalind has written an amazing story about Hayden and Luke and how their lives have fallen together. Her characters are individual and delightful. This is a fun and truly great book. Enjoy!
"I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. I was not compensated for my review, and I was not required to write a positive review. The opinion expressed here is my own.”

Excellent new installment in the series!

This is one of those books, where if you have read the other books in the series, the main characters, especially Hayden, seem more like old friends than a character and as a reader I was just really happy for them finding each other and being happy and accepted.

I enjoyed everything about this book, from the story to the chemistry, but especially the coming out elements of the book. I am reading this from a straight POV, but I do think this book captures the unique time in LGBTQ history and specifically the generation that Hayden and Luke are part of. I am glad that James explored these characters and the familial and societal pressures they faced, and the support they found in each other and those around them. It is always good to be able to close a book and think that you just read about a healthy relationship.

This book really has some fantastic and memorable scenes, both dramatic and heartfelt and some comedy and I can tell be a book I think about, especially as little things remind me of the characters or the scenes.

Emma Wilder’s narration, as always, is phenomenal. I wouldn’t hesitate to listen to anything narrated by her. She really has the perfect blend of pacing, clarity, and dramatization.

I received a free copy of this audiobook in exchange for an honest review. I was not compensated for my review, and I was not required to write a positive review. The opinion expressed here is my own.

A Happily Ever After Story!

I was happy to see Ms. James told Luke and Hayden story. We first see them starting out in Escape to New Zealand book 13. When they have a chance meeting at Rhys house while painting Cassie's bedroom mural. We got to see a bit of their lives unfold during that book. It had left me wondering whatever happened with them since there was no closure. Then while reading The New Zealand Ever After series. They appear in book 3 Kiwi Strong. I won't spoil that book but if you want to read about what happens to them after this book. You can continue with the book Kiwi Strong. There is a lot of back and forth between this book #15 and book #13 of the series. It was telling the parts from Luke or Hayden point of view.

Loved it!

Great on so many levels. Rosalind James took a risk on this one and it more than paid off.

Just For Me - Luke and Hayden

I was willing to listen to this story, but wasn't sure I would like or enjoy it. In prior Rosalind James’ works, I liked Hayden as a secondary character and I liked Luke as a secondary character, but having them as the main characters in a story was out of the ordinary for me. You see, they are gay and I am not. Hayden is somewhat uptight and Luke is solid. Hayden is coming out of a relationship and Luke is coming out. The story is about people in love, with all of the angst and emotion that goes with it. The narrator, Emma Wilder, does a wonderful job with voices and accents. Even though both leading characters are male, her voice did justice to their characters. Give it a try - you might enjoy it!

I received a free copy of this audible in exchange for an honest review. I was not compensated for this review and I was not required to write a positive review. The opinion expressed here is my own.

What a wild and exciting ride this story is

"I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. I was not compensated for my review, and I was not required to write a positive review. The opinion expressed here is my own.”

I was not sure what to expect from this story but I was very pleasantry surprised and I truly loved the story, it was great to visit characters from previous books and laugh at some of there antics and the places the characters visited brought back memories of when I had the opportunity to visit the same places

I loved how the characters continued to grow through the story.

I love how Emma makes the characters come to life with her narration as well and look forward to the next book in this series

Not James strong suit

Thank goodness for Emma Wilder. Awesome narration. As for the story.... just a tad disappointed. Hayden and Luke were just an ok couple. Felt their love story was a bit shallow. No real drama. Sorry. My first less than wonderful assessment of the series.
Awaiting another of her books eager to enjoy.
Can't win them all.

wonderful story

This is Luke and Hayden’s story. Their story starts in Just Come Over and that beginning is repeated in this story but with much more depth. This is a beautiful love story. It can be so hard to trust another person or believe they feel for you what you feel for them. Add to it that you have to come out and face possible disapproval of your lifestyle. Luke and Hayden show their courage and love for each other despite disapproval from parents or teammates. The people who love them are there for them and support them as it should be. The kids in this book are adorable - the way they explain gayness as perfectly normal to a disapproving dad is perfect. I have very much enjoyed all of the books Rosalind James has written, this one is another great entry in this series. And much fun to catch up with previous characters!
Emma Wilder does her usual stellar job with this book. She does the different voices so well. She is a go-to narrator for me.
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. I was not compensated nor was I required to write a positive review. I really enjoyed this book!

Yet another winner from Rosalind James

This is the story of Luke, pro rugby player, who is captain of England's national team and brother of Kane and stepbrother to Nyree, and Hayden, brother to Zora, who is married to Rhys, another famous player. While there are many players that we see from prior novels, it is a stand-alone.
The protagonists are a same-sex male couple, with Hayden being out, for the most part, and Luke just starting to come out, both personally and professionally. I found the discussion of this topic to be very emotional, making me think about how the young people in my life have felt when I was supportive or, by my silence, not supportive. There is an act of violence and talk of "gay bashing" that is very sad and disheartening to hear, but also very moving.
I love the way that Rosalind James writes about the crushes that teenage boys have, with such tenderness and sweetness. The way that she wrote about these two men falling in love was also so gentle and romantic, also. There were several sex scenes, so I would suggest this for grownups, as I have for most of her books.
I really enjoyed this audiobook and give it an enthusiastic five stars!!
I received a free copy in exchange for an honest review. I was not compensated for my review and I was not required to write a positive review. The opinion expressed here is my own.