Erryn reviews ‘Leap of Faith’ by C.F. White. The ebook was published March 31, 2021 and was 352 pages. The audiobook version of this story was narrated by Piers Ryman, released August 14, 2021 and is 9 hrs and 13 mins long.
Why I read this book: I am a huge C.F. White and Piers Ryman fan.
Sometimes all you need is a little push.
Running from his shattered gymnastics career, Charlie Avrill’s one hope for redemption is the strange and colorful world of the circus. His skills should make him a good fit for seasoned performer, Darius Lungo. But Darius won’t compromise his high stakes act for just anyone.
Still mourning the loss of his performance partner who unexpectedly abandoned the show, Darius’s heart can’t take another temporary filler. No matter how perfect Charlie might seem at first glance. But the circus is dying, and Darius owes his bosses a stellar act to sell.
Putting their differences aside to recreate the star attraction, Darius and Charlie grow closer with each rehearsal. But Charlie’s only in the ring for a one-night-only performance and the circus is due at its next stop — off the island and into Europe.
Can Charlie push aside his fears and take the leap of faith to change his entire life? And, if he does, will Darius still be there to catch him?
Leap of Faith is a standalone age-gap, enemies to lovers, MM romance where the twists and turns don’t only happen in the ring.
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My review:
I’m a huge C.F. White fan and I was thrilled when this book was released. I wasn’t in a position to review the book, but when the audio came out, I leapt. (Ha ha.) I’m so glad I did.
This is a great book. I loved that Charlie was somewhat broken when he came home to lick his wounds. His gymnastics career in tatters has left him at loose ends. He’s broke, home couch surfing, and facing his failures. Not all his fault, but I did respect him for being willing to take ownership.
He doesn’t plan to join the circus. His mother has always been hugely anti-circus and he’s absorbed some of that animosity. But when he’s presented a chance to show off his artistic and physical prowess, he takes it.
Darius has been with the circus forever. And he had a performance partner with him continuously for most of those twenty years – until recently. Louis took off to parts unknown leaving a devastated Darius behind. He leaves messages he knows Louis will never pick up. And he fights to recover from a twenty-year crush on a man who could never – would never – love him back. Not in that way.
Then Darius meets Charlie and although he’s beyond reticent, something in the young man calls to him. And not just Darius’ ability to spot talent. As they work together to perfect a performance, they also develop and form a bond that grows into something more. Then the past crashes into them and it looks like all is lost.
But this is a romance, of course. I loved the precious connection between the two men and yearned for them to fix the problems and get on with life as it could be, not as it is. I love well done age-gap romances and this was definitely one I’d listen to again. Now, this is a completely stand-alone book but there’s an open circle at the end that has me completely intrigued. For that alone, I hope there is at least one more book.
Piers Ryman narrates all of Ms. White’s books and I couldn’t be more pleased. He does a brilliant job – especially with the multi-lingual Darius. This is definitely a book I recommend and will likely go back to and listen to again.
My rating:
9/10 Pots of Gold – Compares to 4.5/5 Stars
Website | Twitter: @CFWhiteUK| Goodreads
Brought up in the relatively small town in Hertfordshire, I managed to do what most other residents of the town try and fail. Leave.
Going off to study at a West London University, I realised there was a whole city out there just waiting to be discovered, so much like Dick Whittington before, I never made it back home and still endlessly searches for the streets paved with gold; slowly coming to the realisation that it is mostly paved with chewing gum. And the odd bit of graffiti. And those little circles of yellow spray paint where the council point out the pot holes to someone who is supposedly meant to fix them instead of stare at them endlessly whilst holding a polystyrene foam cup of watered down coffee.
Eventually I moved from West to East along that vast District Line, and settled for pie and mash, cockles and winkles, and a bit of Knees Up Mother Brown to live in the East End of London; securing a job, creating a life, a home, a family.
Having worked in Higher Education for the most proportion of my adult life, a life-altering experience brought pen back to paper, having written stories as a child but never having the confidence to show them to the world. Now embarking on this writing malarkey, I cannot stop. So strap in, it’s a bumpy ride from here on in. 
Rainbow Gold Reviews 