What do you think?
Rate this book
Sandcastles & Sunburns: A DKAG short story
DKAG Summer Shorts is a collection of stories where Daddies and their Boys bring the heat in more ways than one. This sugary sweet series is guaranteed to get you in the mood for summer. Be sure to grab them all!
Sandcastles & Sunburns
Liam
Finally purchasing his dream house on the beach, Liam is ready to spoil himself and fully indulge the part of him he’d been neglecting. It doesn’t matter that he doesn’t have a Daddy like he’d always planned. Liam has his best friend and his cat. He’ll just have to learn how to reward himself for being such a good boy and making his dreams come true. Well, that’s his plan until Liam meets his new neighbor. The hot ex-military guy that brings him lemonade, helps him build sandcastles, and insists on slathering him in sunscreen.
Jude
After losing his boy and best friend ten years ago on a mission, Jude has cut himself off from his old life and friends. Pushing down his Daddy instincts isn’t difficult when Jude refuses to talk to anyone. Until the day he spots his new neighbor moving in.
Liam is everything Jude had once believed that he’d have. He’s cute, sweet, and his smile warms Jude’s cold dead heart. Daddy Jude comes out when he’s around Liam whether Jude wants it to or not. Every time Liam looks up at Jude with those big blue eyes, Jude’s resolve to keep punishing himself crumbles. The boy wants a Daddy and Jude needs the boy.
This short story features two men in their forties learning that it’s never too late to fall in love. This book contains MM sexual content (men having sex with each other), Age Play, and a Daddy/little relationship. All characters are over the age of consent. No cheating or cliff-hangers.
Sandcastles & Sunburns
Liam
Finally purchasing his dream house on the beach, Liam is ready to spoil himself and fully indulge the part of him he’d been neglecting. It doesn’t matter that he doesn’t have a Daddy like he’d always planned. Liam has his best friend and his cat. He’ll just have to learn how to reward himself for being such a good boy and making his dreams come true. Well, that’s his plan until Liam meets his new neighbor. The hot ex-military guy that brings him lemonade, helps him build sandcastles, and insists on slathering him in sunscreen.
Jude
After losing his boy and best friend ten years ago on a mission, Jude has cut himself off from his old life and friends. Pushing down his Daddy instincts isn’t difficult when Jude refuses to talk to anyone. Until the day he spots his new neighbor moving in.
Liam is everything Jude had once believed that he’d have. He’s cute, sweet, and his smile warms Jude’s cold dead heart. Daddy Jude comes out when he’s around Liam whether Jude wants it to or not. Every time Liam looks up at Jude with those big blue eyes, Jude’s resolve to keep punishing himself crumbles. The boy wants a Daddy and Jude needs the boy.
This short story features two men in their forties learning that it’s never too late to fall in love. This book contains MM sexual content (men having sex with each other), Age Play, and a Daddy/little relationship. All characters are over the age of consent. No cheating or cliff-hangers.
145 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 18, 2025
30 people are currently reading
31 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
July 29, 2025
Liam, celebrating his dream beach house, is ready to embrace the little side of himself he’s neglected—content with his cat and best friend, even without the Daddy he once hoped for. But a new neighbor changes everything: Jude, a reclusive, ex-military man quietly nursing a decade of heartbreak after losing both his boy and best friend. As their paths cross over lemonade, sunscreen, and sandcastles, Liam’s hopeful sweetness begins to thaw Jude’s icy emotional armour. With each shared moment, Liam’s longing awakens Jude’s buried instincts—and the chance at a bond neither expected but both desperately need.
This was a sweet short story that wrapped tenderness, grief, and sunlit second chances into a coastal romance. There was such a beautiful ache to how love tiptoed back in for both of them. Definitely a story to make you smile. This was an MM story with mature content and a BDSM-like DDLB dynamic.
This was a sweet short story that wrapped tenderness, grief, and sunlit second chances into a coastal romance. There was such a beautiful ache to how love tiptoed back in for both of them. Definitely a story to make you smile. This was an MM story with mature content and a BDSM-like DDLB dynamic.
August 7, 2025
Fun
A little hurt comfort mixed in with a fun sweet read. Athena did a beautiful job in mending the pain of losing a partner to moving forward when finding a boy who fits his life as it is now. Liam is a perfect little who deserves a daddy to adore and cherish him as he is. Jude, after losing his first love, shuts himself off completely from his life until Liam. Together, they learn to move forward yet still recognize the first love Jude lost. Liam was a great man in allowing Jude the time he needed to heal without pushing and just being there for him. This was my first read from this author, and dont plan on it being my last.
A little hurt comfort mixed in with a fun sweet read. Athena did a beautiful job in mending the pain of losing a partner to moving forward when finding a boy who fits his life as it is now. Liam is a perfect little who deserves a daddy to adore and cherish him as he is. Jude, after losing his first love, shuts himself off completely from his life until Liam. Together, they learn to move forward yet still recognize the first love Jude lost. Liam was a great man in allowing Jude the time he needed to heal without pushing and just being there for him. This was my first read from this author, and dont plan on it being my last.
July 18, 2025
As I enter middle age, it's always refreshing to find romances that center on older characters. They're generally feel-good reminders that it's never too late for love. In 'Sandcastles and Sunburns,' Liam and Jude are both in their mid-to-late forties, and that brings a different flavor of vulnerability, growth and healing than is usually found with romance leads.
The beachy setting and the tender Daddy/boy dynamic between Jude and Liam help make this short story a sweet and satisfying read. Liam is adorable - still hopeful he'll find a daddy someday, but resigned to playdates with his best friend if it doesn't happen. He's going to enjoy this life he's created, even if it never looks exactly the way he once imagined. Jude is all broody, wounded strength, guarding his heart and refusing to open up to a new relationship after years of grieving the death of his previous boy.
That said, there were a couple of moments with abrupt emotional shifts that threw me - like when Jude was so adamant that nothing was ever going to happen with Liam, only to turn around and give him physical affection. Those moments felt a little too quick, especially for a man who is just emerging from a decade of hiding. I would have loved to see just a bit more development in their relationship, but it is a novella, so there's only so much room to work with.
Overall, this is a cute, low-angst short story that left me smiling. It's gentle, affirming and proof that healing and connection can happen at any age. I'm curious about Nicky and Law, too, and I hope the author plans to share their story someday!
[I received an advanced copy of this book. All reviews and ratings are my own.]
The beachy setting and the tender Daddy/boy dynamic between Jude and Liam help make this short story a sweet and satisfying read. Liam is adorable - still hopeful he'll find a daddy someday, but resigned to playdates with his best friend if it doesn't happen. He's going to enjoy this life he's created, even if it never looks exactly the way he once imagined. Jude is all broody, wounded strength, guarding his heart and refusing to open up to a new relationship after years of grieving the death of his previous boy.
That said, there were a couple of moments with abrupt emotional shifts that threw me - like when Jude was so adamant that nothing was ever going to happen with Liam, only to turn around and give him physical affection. Those moments felt a little too quick, especially for a man who is just emerging from a decade of hiding. I would have loved to see just a bit more development in their relationship, but it is a novella, so there's only so much room to work with.
Overall, this is a cute, low-angst short story that left me smiling. It's gentle, affirming and proof that healing and connection can happen at any age. I'm curious about Nicky and Law, too, and I hope the author plans to share their story someday!
[I received an advanced copy of this book. All reviews and ratings are my own.]
July 18, 2025
This is a faster read and I don't want to give away too much so I'll keep it simple.
Both MCs are a little older – in their forties - and tbh that was the reason I picked this book up. I love it to read about mature characters who start new and find love (again). It's so heart-warming in my eyes.
It was done very well and I enjoyed their slowly getting to know each other and finally accepting that they were meant to be. Grumpy Jude, still grieving the loss of his partner and boy, needed someone like Liam who feels like he's sunshine personified.
I really enjoyed their interactions even if Jude didn't want to recognise what was happening for quite some time.
I simply loved them together. The care taking seemed so natural and was exactly what they both needed.
I found this an entertaining and lovely read which was well written and made me thirsty for more of those characters.
Btw I really hope for a book about Nicky and Law.
Both MCs are a little older – in their forties - and tbh that was the reason I picked this book up. I love it to read about mature characters who start new and find love (again). It's so heart-warming in my eyes.
It was done very well and I enjoyed their slowly getting to know each other and finally accepting that they were meant to be. Grumpy Jude, still grieving the loss of his partner and boy, needed someone like Liam who feels like he's sunshine personified.
I really enjoyed their interactions even if Jude didn't want to recognise what was happening for quite some time.
I simply loved them together. The care taking seemed so natural and was exactly what they both needed.
I found this an entertaining and lovely read which was well written and made me thirsty for more of those characters.
Btw I really hope for a book about Nicky and Law.
November 28, 2025
This was another in the short story summer series. Liam is finally able to move near his best friend and buys a house right on the beach. Jude is his grumpy new next door neighbor. As Liam watches Jude swim every morning, and Jude watches Liam build sandcastles something starts to spark in both of them. But Jude has a heartache that is ten years old, and not only is he not looking for a boyfriend, but he's cut himself off from his friends and life in general. Liam however with his patience and positivity might offer Jude another chance. These are quick reads, and great after you've read something dark, to just get your HEA fix.
July 18, 2025
Liam and Jude’s story is so sweet. I really enjoyed this book, especially when Jude just couldn’t stop himself from being Daddy. I also really like Liam’s little side, so cute! The side characters are wonderful (I hope they get a book too). This book does have a little sadness, but it doesn’t last very long. This is such a sweet story with a little heat, a cute Little and a Grumpy Daddy. This is the perfect short read. I recommend this book!
July 18, 2025
Absolutely loved Sandcastles and Sunburn by Athena Stellar it's part of the DKAG Summer Series by multiple authors it's short but it's cute, sweet and beautiful love Jude and Liam they are so very special together a grumpy daddy who wants to be left alone and a boy full of sunshine who shows him there's love after loss and to live again.
July 23, 2025
I enjoyed that both main characters, Jude and Liam, are in their 40's. Also, the author, Athena Steller, managed to write an engaging, well paced and written novella. Some additional elements I enjoyed were the play times with Liam and his bestie, the use of pacis, bottles, plus more. I also enjoyed the side characters Law and Nicky. Hoping they will get their own story in the future.
August 20, 2025
Enjoyable
I enjoyed Liam and Jude’s book. It’s a sweet daddy boy story with two older main characters. It’s mildly angsty due to Jude’s backstory, but it was lovely watching him start to pull his life back together with Liam’s help. I hope we set Law and Nicky’s story, assuming Liam’s matchmaking works
I enjoyed Liam and Jude’s book. It’s a sweet daddy boy story with two older main characters. It’s mildly angsty due to Jude’s backstory, but it was lovely watching him start to pull his life back together with Liam’s help. I hope we set Law and Nicky’s story, assuming Liam’s matchmaking works
July 20, 2025
Sweet Story
This was a sweet story about reconnection. I'm glad Jude got to reconnect with his old friends as well as get a HEA. I hope more characters from this book get their own HEA in future books.
This was a sweet story about reconnection. I'm glad Jude got to reconnect with his old friends as well as get a HEA. I hope more characters from this book get their own HEA in future books.
July 22, 2025
Such a wonderful story!
This book was so good. The healing over a loss is spot on. I really liked seeing both of the characters growth throughout the book. I can’t wait to read about the best friend.
This book was so good. The healing over a loss is spot on. I really liked seeing both of the characters growth throughout the book. I can’t wait to read about the best friend.
November 19, 2025
I really enjoyed this story. Liam was so sweet and really needed a daddy and Jude really needed a boy after losing Sam 10 years ago on a mission gone terribly wrong that made him so reclusive. Liam's bestie Nicky was adorable and I hope that he finds his own daddy with Jude's best friend Law.
July 18, 2025
Sandcastles and Sunburns by Athena Steller is part of the DKAG Summer Shorts series by multiple authors. Sandcastles and Sunburns is about Jude and Liam. I loved their story. It was cute, sweet, full of feels and very well written. They were so good together.
July 19, 2025
Too cute!
This was such an adorable slow burn. Even though we didn’t get too much official DDlb time, it made their unofficial time together even more amazing.
This was such an adorable slow burn. Even though we didn’t get too much official DDlb time, it made their unofficial time together even more amazing.
July 20, 2025
loved this one
I really want enjoyed this one. When will we see Law and Nicky’s story. I can’t wait please hurry please
I really want enjoyed this one. When will we see Law and Nicky’s story. I can’t wait please hurry please
July 20, 2025
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Enjoyment: ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
Enjoyment: ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
July 20, 2025
sweet and salty
Liam is perfect for the grumpy jude. Gotta love his bratty bestie!! And what boys life is complete without a murder kitty to spice up his days!
Liam is perfect for the grumpy jude. Gotta love his bratty bestie!! And what boys life is complete without a murder kitty to spice up his days!
July 21, 2025
Liam and Jude
This was a very cute book. I really enjoyed Liam and Jude. Jude broke my heart but Liam put it back together. I loved that.
This was a very cute book. I really enjoyed Liam and Jude. Jude broke my heart but Liam put it back together. I loved that.
July 23, 2025
So good.
Liam is so adorable. I smiled so much while reading this. My heart hurt though when Jude thought about and talked about Sam. Nicky and Law rock. Best friends are awesome.
Liam is so adorable. I smiled so much while reading this. My heart hurt though when Jude thought about and talked about Sam. Nicky and Law rock. Best friends are awesome.
August 27, 2025
An absolutely sweet and adorable story.
Reading it made me smile.
Liam and Jude are so perfect together.
Reading it made me smile.
Liam and Jude are so perfect together.
August 31, 2025
🧡age play
🧡daddy/little
🧡grief
🧡mm
🧡retired military mmc
🧡hasn’t touched anyone in 10 years
🧡healing
🧡hurt/comfort
🧡strangers to lovers
🧡diapers
🧡bottle
🧡building sandcastles
🧡second chance(kinda)
🧡daddy/little
🧡grief
🧡mm
🧡retired military mmc
🧡hasn’t touched anyone in 10 years
🧡healing
🧡hurt/comfort
🧡strangers to lovers
🧡diapers
🧡bottle
🧡building sandcastles
🧡second chance(kinda)
December 6, 2025
Jude and Liam are a good couple together. It did feel rushed at times. The conflict in Jude to suddenly all is well. But a good read
December 25, 2025
Another short and sweet little book.
December 28, 2025
4.5 ⭐️ I only wish this was longer and we saw more of little Liam.
July 15, 2025
Having taken the plunge and made the move to change careers and homes, Liams new home brings into his life his grumpy neighbour Jude.
Jude whom he cannot stop watching and thinking about becomes someone who Liam unexpectedly connects with and as they share their pasts and experiences, they ultimately build a future together.
A story about older characters who find each other when they least expect it, a story of love after loss and a Daddy who was ready to move on with the right boy.
A lovely precursor to the authors new series to come.
Jude whom he cannot stop watching and thinking about becomes someone who Liam unexpectedly connects with and as they share their pasts and experiences, they ultimately build a future together.
A story about older characters who find each other when they least expect it, a story of love after loss and a Daddy who was ready to move on with the right boy.
A lovely precursor to the authors new series to come.
July 18, 2025
This book is part of the DKAG Summer Shorts. It is a quick cute read. There is some hurt/comfort and found family in a sense. And we cannot forget Hades. If you are in the mood for a short book, slow burn, and of course a HEA don’t miss this book.
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews