Listen free for 30 days
-
Lovers Leap
- Narrated by: Mark Steadman
- Length: 5 hrs and 14 mins
- Unabridged Audiobook
- Categories: LGBTQ+, Literature & Fiction
Add to basket failed.
Add to wishlist failed.
Remove from wishlist failed.
Follow podcast failed
Unfollow podcast failed
Listen with a free trial
Buy Now for £19.39
No valid payment method on file.
We are sorry. We are not allowed to sell this product with the selected payment method
Listeners also enjoyed...
-
Out!
- Shamwell Tales
- By: JL Merrow
- Narrated by: Mark Steadman
- Length: 7 hrs and 51 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
When love wars with principle, which one will win? Mark Nugent has spent his life in the closet — at least, the small portion of it he hasn't spent in the office. Determined to make amends to his neglected teenage daughter from a failed marriage, Mark swears off work — and love — so he can give her a stable home environment. But Mark's resolve to keep his heart under wraps is tested when he meets an out-and-proud young man he's instantly drawn to.
-
-
single dad, age gap, teenager daughter
- By Graziana on 27-12-19
-
Pricks and Pragmatism
- Southampton Stories, Book 1
- By: JL Merrow
- Narrated by: Mark Steadman
- Length: 2 hrs and 18 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Kicked out by his father at age 16, English student Luke Corbin's used to trading on his looks and charm to keep a roof over his head until he can make it big as a journalist. He goes for men with money, power, and looks, in that order, and he doesn't let emotions get in the way. But when his lover tells him it's over, Luke finds himself homeless - just as his final exams are looming. Moving in with geeky chemical engineer Russell may be a step down for him, but Luke can't afford to be choosy.
-
When the Boys Are Away
- By: Sarah Webb
- Narrated by: Caroline Lennon
- Length: 13 hrs and 7 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
When Meg returns to Dublin after three years following sailor boyfriend Simon around the globe with two toddlers, Lily and Dan, she realises that all her friends have moved on. And now she only has her kooky family and Dan's flaky but dangerously gorgeous father, Sid, to rely on for help and support.
-
Lobsters
- By: Tom Ellen, Lucy Evison
- Narrated by: Avita Jay, Lee Maxwell Simpson
- Length: 8 hrs and 41 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Sam and Hannah have only the holidays to find 'The One’...which is their lobster.... Instead of their summer holidays being epic, Sam and Hannah’s summer holidays is turning out to be very awkward.... They must navigate social misunderstandings, the plotting of well-meaning friends, and their own fears of being virgins to find happiness. But fate is at work to bring them together, and in the end it all boils down to love.
-
-
Heartwarming Easy listen
- By Dawn on 14-05-15
-
Skin Deep
- By: Laura Jarratt
- Narrated by: Lisa Coleman
- Length: 8 hrs and 10 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
After the car crash that leaves her best friend dead, Jenna is permanently scarred. She struggles to rebuild her life, but every stare in the street makes her want to retreat further from the world. Until she meets Ryan. Ryan's a traveller. When he and his mother arrive in the village, he can't imagine why this place shouldn't be as unwelcoming as the rest. Until he meets Jenna. But as Jenna and Ryan grow closer, repercussions from the crash continue to reverberate through the community. And then a body is found.
-
Pressure Head
- The Plumber's Mate, Book 1
- By: JL Merrow
- Narrated by: Phillip Humphries
- Length: 7 hrs and 4 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Some things are better left hidden.... Tom Paretski’s not just a plumber with a dodgy hip courtesy of a schoolboy accident. He also has a sixth sense for finding hidden things. Called in by the police to help locate a body near Brock’s Hollow, he’s staggered to encounter Phil Morrison, his old school crush - and the closeted bully whose actions contributed to Tom’s accident. Phil’s all grown up now, and Tom’s unwilling attraction to him is back with a vengeance.
-
-
Interesting premise that wasn't used much
- By elly gausden on 13-11-20
-
Out!
- Shamwell Tales
- By: JL Merrow
- Narrated by: Mark Steadman
- Length: 7 hrs and 51 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
When love wars with principle, which one will win? Mark Nugent has spent his life in the closet — at least, the small portion of it he hasn't spent in the office. Determined to make amends to his neglected teenage daughter from a failed marriage, Mark swears off work — and love — so he can give her a stable home environment. But Mark's resolve to keep his heart under wraps is tested when he meets an out-and-proud young man he's instantly drawn to.
-
-
single dad, age gap, teenager daughter
- By Graziana on 27-12-19
-
Pricks and Pragmatism
- Southampton Stories, Book 1
- By: JL Merrow
- Narrated by: Mark Steadman
- Length: 2 hrs and 18 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Kicked out by his father at age 16, English student Luke Corbin's used to trading on his looks and charm to keep a roof over his head until he can make it big as a journalist. He goes for men with money, power, and looks, in that order, and he doesn't let emotions get in the way. But when his lover tells him it's over, Luke finds himself homeless - just as his final exams are looming. Moving in with geeky chemical engineer Russell may be a step down for him, but Luke can't afford to be choosy.
-
When the Boys Are Away
- By: Sarah Webb
- Narrated by: Caroline Lennon
- Length: 13 hrs and 7 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
When Meg returns to Dublin after three years following sailor boyfriend Simon around the globe with two toddlers, Lily and Dan, she realises that all her friends have moved on. And now she only has her kooky family and Dan's flaky but dangerously gorgeous father, Sid, to rely on for help and support.
-
Lobsters
- By: Tom Ellen, Lucy Evison
- Narrated by: Avita Jay, Lee Maxwell Simpson
- Length: 8 hrs and 41 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Sam and Hannah have only the holidays to find 'The One’...which is their lobster.... Instead of their summer holidays being epic, Sam and Hannah’s summer holidays is turning out to be very awkward.... They must navigate social misunderstandings, the plotting of well-meaning friends, and their own fears of being virgins to find happiness. But fate is at work to bring them together, and in the end it all boils down to love.
-
-
Heartwarming Easy listen
- By Dawn on 14-05-15
-
Skin Deep
- By: Laura Jarratt
- Narrated by: Lisa Coleman
- Length: 8 hrs and 10 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
After the car crash that leaves her best friend dead, Jenna is permanently scarred. She struggles to rebuild her life, but every stare in the street makes her want to retreat further from the world. Until she meets Ryan. Ryan's a traveller. When he and his mother arrive in the village, he can't imagine why this place shouldn't be as unwelcoming as the rest. Until he meets Jenna. But as Jenna and Ryan grow closer, repercussions from the crash continue to reverberate through the community. And then a body is found.
-
Pressure Head
- The Plumber's Mate, Book 1
- By: JL Merrow
- Narrated by: Phillip Humphries
- Length: 7 hrs and 4 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Some things are better left hidden.... Tom Paretski’s not just a plumber with a dodgy hip courtesy of a schoolboy accident. He also has a sixth sense for finding hidden things. Called in by the police to help locate a body near Brock’s Hollow, he’s staggered to encounter Phil Morrison, his old school crush - and the closeted bully whose actions contributed to Tom’s accident. Phil’s all grown up now, and Tom’s unwilling attraction to him is back with a vengeance.
-
-
Interesting premise that wasn't used much
- By elly gausden on 13-11-20
-
Best Man
- Close Proximity, Book 1
- By: Lily Morton
- Narrated by: Joel Leslie
- Length: 6 hrs and 36 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The product of a disorganized and chaotic childhood, Zeb likes order and control, and as the boss of his own employment agency he can give that to himself. Life runs along strict lines and he never mixes business with pleasure. Everything in his life lives in neat, alphabetized boxes. Until Jesse.
-
-
Brilliant
- By Magnus on 24-10-21
-
Pick Me
- Sunday Brothers, Book 1
- By: May Archer
- Narrated by: Michael Dean
- Length: 10 hrs and 26 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The job at Sunday Orchard was supposed to be temporary. A chance to gain some work experience, to have some fun. I had not expected to be welcomed into a family of gorgeous and weirdly efficient lumberjack-types, or to find purpose in the tiny Vermont town whose claim to fame seemed to be apple-based products and copious amounts of charm. And I most definitely hadn’t expected to fall for Knox Sunday, my grumpy, burly, fifteen-years-older, reluctant roommate, with his infuriating lectures, his hot-as-fire body, his superior attitude - I’ve never been one to put down roots.
-
-
Loved, great book.
- By Mr Dal M on 20-11-21
-
The Fall
- Love in O’Leary Series, Book 1
- By: May Archer
- Narrated by: Alexander Cendese, Iggy Toma
- Length: 8 hrs and 28 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Small-town police officer Silas Sloane knows every resident of O'Leary, New York. He's earned the love and respect of its citizens, though living under the small-town microscope grates on him. But though he's good at his job, there's one thing he's not good at: commitments...until Everett Maior, widower and O'Leary's newest citizen.
-
-
interesting surprise
- By Jessica Scott on 07-11-21
-
Doing It
- By: Melvin Burgess
- Narrated by: Colin Moody
- Length: 8 hrs and 32 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Dino really fancies fit, sexy Jackie, but she just won’t give him what he wants. Jonathan likes Deborah, but she’s a bit fat - what will his mates say? Ben’s been secretly shagging his teacher for ages. He used to love it, but what if he wants it to stop? Three lads discovering sex for the first time. But do any of them really know what they’re doing?
-
Meet Me at the Art Café
- By: Sue McDonagh
- Narrated by: Charlotte Strevens
- Length: 9 hrs and 17 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
That’s the question single mum Jo Morris has to ask herself when she collides with local bike mechanic Ed Griffiths on a rainy Welsh hillside. Working at the Art Café, Jo hears the gossip and is all too aware of Ed’s reputation. But whilst he’s certainly no angel, there is something about Ed’s daredevil antics that Jo can’t ignore. And as she gets to know him better and watches the kind way he deals with her young son Liam, she begins to wonder - is there more to this 'bad boy' than meets the eye?
-
-
more twists turns and of course, motorbikes
- By y jones on 29-01-20
-
Undone
- By: Cat Clarke
- Narrated by: Scarlett Leigh Fawcett
- Length: 9 hrs and 20 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Real, compulsive and intense: Cat Clarke is the queen of emotional suspense. Jem Halliday is in love with her gay best friend. Not exactly ideal, but she's learning to live with it. Then the unspeakable happens. Kai is outed online...and he kills himself. Jem knows nothing she can say or do will bring him back. But she wants to know who was responsible. And she wants to take them down. A searing story of love, revenge and betrayal from a best-selling author.
-
-
Great read!
- By Meg on 18-10-18
-
Fast Movin' Train
- By: Pam Howes
- Narrated by: Dawn Hyde
- Length: 8 hrs and 1 min
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Interior Designer Mandy Radcliffe runs a thriving business. Her husband is married to his job and her three daughters are adults with lives of their own. Anyone observing would assume they were a happy and successful middle-class family. Then a phone call and a declaration of love leads Mandy into a secret affair that turns her well ordered life upside down.
-
The Photograph
- A Lesbian Mystery Romance
- By: Jane Retzig
- Narrated by: Danielle O'Farrell
- Length: 5 hrs and 53 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
When she hears Niamh busking in the center of town, Becky is stunned by the intensity of her attraction to the itinerant young musician. The feeling is mutual. For Niamh, Becky has a familiar feel that reminds her of the home and family she has lost, and she quickly finds herself looking for ways to meet this intriguing young woman again.
-
-
This would make a beautiful film.
- By Frankimunk on 19-03-16
-
Rainbow Place
- Rainbow Place, Book 1
- By: Jay Northcote
- Narrated by: Hamish Long
- Length: 5 hrs and 59 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
When Seb Radcliffe relocates to a seaside town in Cornwall, he feels like a fish out of water. He misses queer spaces and the sense of community he enjoyed when he was living in the city and decides to open an LGBT-friendly cafe-bar. Jason Dunn is the builder Seb hires to help renovate the rundown space where the cafe will be housed. Jason is also gay, but unlike Seb, he’s deep in the closet. He’s never had a relationship with another man - allowing himself only the occasional hook up with guys who are prepared to be discreet.
-
-
Great story 5/5
- By A. Listener on 19-01-20
-
Helping Hand
- Housemates, Book 1
- By: Jay Northcote
- Narrated by: Mark Steadman
- Length: 3 hrs and 20 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Jez Fielding and James MacKenzie are in their second year at uni. After partying too hard last year, they make a pact to rein themselves in. When Jez suggests watching some porn together, he isn't expecting Mac to agree to it. One thing leads to another, and soon their arrangement becomes hands-on rather than hands-off. But falling for your straight friend can only end badly...unless there's a chance he might feel the same.
-
-
Loved the story and narration
- By LGB on 19-05-16
-
Lost and Found
- Twist of Fate, Book 1
- By: Lucy Lennox, Sloane Kennedy
- Narrated by: Michael Pauley
- Length: 9 hrs and 25 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
He promised to never leave me. But when I needed him the most, that was exactly what he did. Wilderness guide Xander Reed has spent fifteen years trying to forget the night he turned to his best friend in his darkest hour, only to find the young man who'd sworn to always have his back was turning his on Xander instead. Two thousand miles and fifteen years of building a new life in the quiet backcountry of the Rocky Mountains should have been enough to put the memory of Bennett Crawford out of his mind.
-
-
Great performance on a terrible story
- By Alexander Sutherland on 05-09-17
-
Roommate
- By: Sarina Bowen, Heart Eyes Press LGBTQ
- Narrated by: Teddy Hamilton, Stephen Dexter
- Length: 9 hrs and 5 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
I’m a man with too many secrets, so the last thing I need is a new roommate with a sexy smile and blue eyes that see right through me. Eight years ago, Roderick left town after high school. We’re not friends. I owe him nothing. But back then, I let one of my secrets slip, and he’s the only one who noticed. Part of me knows I should run far, far away. But the other part wants him to come upstairs and spend the night. But if I let him in, I could lose everything.
-
-
Hooked from chapter 1
- By Christopher Young on 13-02-21
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.
More from the same
Author
Narrator
What listeners say about Lovers Leap
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Geraldine
- 02-03-16
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.
3 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Mandy ryder
- 23-06-16
Brilliant
This is one of the funniest audiobooks I've listened to. So good. I highly recommend this.
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Morgan A Skye
- 14-03-16
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
2 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Cat
- 22-06-16
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.
1 person found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Cranky Reader
- 23-09-19
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.
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- CMN0320
- 21-07-19
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.
-
Overall

- Wende
- 21-02-17
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.