Lovers Leap

By: JL Merrow

Narrated by: Mark Steadman

Length: 5 hrs and 14 mins

Publisher's Summary

If they looked, would they ever leap?

Good-looking, confident, and doted on by his widowed mum, Michael is used to thinking only of himself. Getting shoved off an Isle of Wight pier by an exasperated ex ought to come as a wake-up call - but then he meets Rufus, and he's right back to letting the little head take charge. Rufus is cute, keen, and gets under Michael's skin in a disturbing way.

Would-be chef Rufus can't believe his luck when a dripping wet dream of a man walks out of the sea on his birthday, especially when Michael ends up staying at the family B&B. Life is perfect - at least until Michael has to go home to the mainland.

Rufus can't leave the island for reasons he's entirely neglected to mention. And though Michael identifies as bi, breaking his mum's heart by coming out and having an actual relationship with a guy has never been his plan. With both men determined to keep their secrets, a leap of faith could land them in deep water.

©2016 JL Merrow (P)2016 Riptide Publishing

Fun, snarky, British, OFY

We start the story off with Michael being shoved into the water by his (ex) girlfriend when she asks him to marry her just as he’s breaking up with her. He is rescued by Rufus whose birthday it is – on leap day.

Rufus takes Michael to his family’s B&B to dry off and the two end up gettin’ it on. Michael – who isn’t gay and only a little bi-sexual (his thoughts) really likes Rufus so he runs away – fast.

Rufus is gay and out and working for his folks in their B&B. He doesn’t ever leave his small island home because he thinks his father will freak without him. He’s never had a boyfriend and he’s had very little experience in bed.

In the end there are several hurdles for these guys to overcome: Can Michael admit he wants a relationship with a man to himself? To his mother? Can Rufus find the strength to chase after what he wants? Will Rufus finally tell his family the truth? What about Liz and Trix?

**

JL Merrow always writes very funny, imperfect characters and gives them unique and yet mundane lives that pull the reader into their story so easily. She’s very British in her writing and it’s like being back in the UK when I read her work. I absolutely loved Rufus, Trix and Liz and for most of the book I despised Michael… he redeemed himself in the end, but it was a close call.

I loved the epilogue and I suppose that saved this book for me, but I do wish we’d gotten to see these two as a couple more. It felt like I got to see all the build up to their relationship but not feel the magic once they connected.

Having Liz and Trix in the story added a delightful mix of characters that was refreshing and funny – thank god Liz was there to clear the air or these families would still be mucking around trying to sort things out!

I was glad I listened to this as an audiobook because the narrator, Mark Steadman, really helped set my frame of mind and immersed me in the story.

Overall this was a funny, sometimes sweet (sometimes frustrating) book and the narrator really added to the “British” experience.

4 of 5 stars

Leap into it for a fun sweet romance!

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes. Lovers Leap is a fun story. It's a great pick-me- up for any romance lover and full of laughs.

What did you like best about this story?

I liked the humor and how Rufus Birthday played a role in the story and title.

Which character – as performed by Mark Steadman – was your favorite?

I loved Rufus. I relate since I like to cook. I loved his sweetness and naivete. I think Mark Steadman did a good job with Rufus.

If you could rename Lovers Leap, what would you call it?

I love the Title as it is but if I had to rename it... Poseidon's Birthday Gift

Any additional comments?

Michael is on a holiday off-season with Trix. he just can't take any more of her endless chatter and blurts they should split up as she asks him to marry her. so she shoves him over the cliff into the water
It's Rufus 5th birthday since he is born on Leapday and when gorgeous, wet Michael emerges from the sea Rufus thinks he is a gift from Poseidon.

Lovers Leap is a sweet, romance full of humor. It is a sort of insta love but the guys have to really work at some hang ups to get there.

This is my first performance by mark Steadman but I loved his Accent and think he made the story. I would have liked a bit more switches on the character's but the writing was good enough you knew who was speaking.

If you like sweet romance,fast moving romance, English stories you will adore this.

Seaside holiday whirlwind romance

Aside from the fact that Michael starts out as an entitled git and mostly stays that way it’s a fun story. Rufus seems to like the git though, so it works out. Contains a coming out to mom scene that takes a while to work through. And while the surly bff & surly ex are fun, my favorite part was the Lego booby-trap.

Steam: medium-low M/M on page, some fumbling around to figure out what they like that’s not hetero.

Narration: good. A quick speaker, it took me a moment to adjust to the pace (which I listen to already sped up). I think there were background noises in the recording. I turned it off a couple times to see what the popping sound was and either it was on the recording or the crickets shut up when the speaker did.

A pure delight!

I love this book so much I can hardly wait to read it again! It’s got romance, it’s got a bit of angst but not so much it drags you down. And the humor that runs through it kept me chuckling even as they worked out their family and personal issues.

I’m new to this author and the narrator. I’m off to find more from them. Instant fan! I can’t recommend this enough. It will make you feel good long after you finish the book.

Great fun

This is a typical JL Merrow's book. Loads of laughter and light on angst. I enjoyed this book a lot. The narration was spot on. It came alive to me.

Fantastically funny and a real find.

Very funny from the start, you might not always have the warmest feelings for some of the characters, most of them in fact are self involved, selfish or oblivious, but they and the situations they find themselves in are hilarious. Brilliantly written, and well read, this had me laughing out loud. Well worth the money or credit you won't regret the time it takes to listen. Hopefully we will see more of Ms Merrow's work on Audible soon.

Brilliant

This is one of the funniest audiobooks I've listened to. So good. I highly recommend this.