Playground Games

By: Lily Morton

Narrated by: Joel Leslie

School trips are hell on the teachers.

Auguste Patterson’s happy place on a winter holiday would involve a seat by a fire, a good book, and alcohol. Which is why he’s horrified when the headmaster at the primary school where he teaches demands he accompany a group of young students to France on a skiing trip. Gus believes snow should always be viewed from inside a warm building and never encountered while flailing on skis.

The holiday’s single perk is also the one reason Gus has for liking sports—the school’s PE teacher, Doug Henshaw. Doug is Gus’s secret crush, and sharing a room at the ski chalet with him almost makes managing forty school children bearable. But Gus doesn’t stand a chance with Doug. A handsome, funny ex-professional football player would never fall for a hopelessly unathletic language teacher. Would he?

Playground Games is a 25K word novella that first appeared in a promotional giveaway. No new content has been added.

©2021 Lily Morton (P)2026 Lily Morton

A Delightfully Entertaining Story & Listen🎧

Lilly Morton pens a delightfully entertaining novella, a fun holiday romance you can enjoy anytime of the year. A secret crush, opposites attract romance, two teachers who work together and are away on a school trip with their students. Auguste “Gus” Patterson, an adorable and quirky character you can not help but fall for, and Doug Henshaw, former professional football player now the P.E. teacher, and the one Gus crushes on. Gus’s mishaps were hilarious, and Doug turned out to be his rock while on their school trip. I enjoyed watching them get to know each other better and seeing their relationship morph into something so much more.

This sweet story flies by, and I highly recommend listening to the audiobook because Joel Leslie’s fabulous performance makes it even more enjoyable. He does an amazing job voicing the characters and delivering a perfect portrayal of each. His accents for the characters are always spot on, and his expressive performance conveys all the characters’ emotions, making you feel each one. Joel Leslie is an entertaining storyteller, and his captivating performance keeps you glued to the story.

This novella is a delight!

I loved Gus and Doug when I first read it back when it first came out. Now, Joel Leslie narrating it gave it that something extra special that turned the story into a proper delight! Not that our Gus needs anything to add to his fabulous self!
I adored how they both turn into babbling fools when they are near each other, and yet neither of them realise, or even consider, that the other may fancy him too.

Quick & Cute

I absolutely loved listening to the audiobook for this. Joel Leslie brought so much life to characters as he always does and the story was so much fun. I liked Auguste and Doug for each other.

I received an ARC and this is my unbiased opinion

This was such a fun, funny, sweet story!

Omg i loved this audiobook. Joel did an amazing job with Gus' slight French accent! It was just perfect!

Lily is one of my favorite authors. I know i will be laughing out multiple times. This story is no different! Gus was so sassy ans snarky! I absolutely loved him.

Doug was too freaking sweet! An absolute Cinnamon Roll, literally walking green flag! He was so sweet and supportive! I was absolutely swooning over him! Diamond Morning scene is all I have to say!

This book was sweet, funny, snarky, and absolutely perfect

A good read with a few laughs

‘Playground Games’ was a good short read. I really wish it was longer.

Gus is a school teacher and Author Lilly Morton’s descriptions of his role is hilarious at times. Very realistic.

Unexpectedly he is sent on his worst nightmare, a snow camp. Everything goes wrong, it’s a total disaster, until it isn’t. Doug, Gus’ crush is along for the ride and is one of two room mates Gus has to share with but from there things might do a total turn around.