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Cruising
I could be the perfect boyfriend of the most beautiful man I’d ever seen. Even if it was only make-believe.
Rowan didn't want to go on this Caribbean cruise—and he definitely didn't want to walk in on his hot, charming roommate—Lee—naked. But when Lee runs into the ex-boyfriend, the one who broke his heart, he tells a lie that leaves him stranded—he's here with the perfect boyfriend.
Quiet, shy, reserved, and sweet, Rowan fits the bill and has his own reasons for wanting to help Lee out. Hot Caribbean nights, a cruise ship full of party boys out for a good time, sharing a bed, and pretending to date should be fine, right?
“What’s the worst that could happen?”
“You might fall in love with me. That’d be a disaster.”
Cruising is a full-length gay romance novel with a sweet, steamy HEA. It contains: men ranging from half-naked to naked, a fake relationship, the world's most precious twink, unpronounceable destinations, desperate makeouts, buried treasure, fully requited lust under the Caribbean sun, and true love conquering all.
Rowan didn't want to go on this Caribbean cruise—and he definitely didn't want to walk in on his hot, charming roommate—Lee—naked. But when Lee runs into the ex-boyfriend, the one who broke his heart, he tells a lie that leaves him stranded—he's here with the perfect boyfriend.
Quiet, shy, reserved, and sweet, Rowan fits the bill and has his own reasons for wanting to help Lee out. Hot Caribbean nights, a cruise ship full of party boys out for a good time, sharing a bed, and pretending to date should be fine, right?
“What’s the worst that could happen?”
“You might fall in love with me. That’d be a disaster.”
Cruising is a full-length gay romance novel with a sweet, steamy HEA. It contains: men ranging from half-naked to naked, a fake relationship, the world's most precious twink, unpronounceable destinations, desperate makeouts, buried treasure, fully requited lust under the Caribbean sun, and true love conquering all.
286 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 16, 2019
85 people are currently reading
182 people want to read
About the author
Sean Ashcroft
44 books460 followersSean Ashcroft likes rainy days, white hot chocolates (don't knock it 'til you've tried it!) and boys kissing in books. He currently resides in Australia, all the way down at the bottom of the mainland in a sleepy little seaside town.
He writes sweet, hot books about sweet, hot boys who absolutely deserve each other.
He writes sweet, hot books about sweet, hot boys who absolutely deserve each other.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 66 reviews
March 3, 2021
This was such a pure read. Rowan and Lee just met and fell in love with very little conflict, many swoon worthy moments and a great set of supporting characters. I loved being on the journey with them. This is the kind of work this author does best.
June 1, 2020
I asked for a cute, light, drama-free romance, and this is exactly what I got :)
I really liked this one. There is no drama (always a plus for me), and just a bit of "but oh is it too soon to tell him how I really feel" angst towards the end. It was perfect for a day of sitting in the sun and doing nothing. I really liked both main characters, one shy and quiet, the other bubbly and so full of adorable energy, and thought they were a really good match.
I really liked this one. There is no drama (always a plus for me), and just a bit of "but oh is it too soon to tell him how I really feel" angst towards the end. It was perfect for a day of sitting in the sun and doing nothing. I really liked both main characters, one shy and quiet, the other bubbly and so full of adorable energy, and thought they were a really good match.
March 13, 2020
In typical Sean Ashcroft, this book was adorably sweet and romantic. Low angst, cute, fun, sexy. Not the most exciting plot, but if you are looking for a fun little romance, this is perfect.
January 16, 2026
So I picked this up because I was going on vacation on a cruise ship and I wanted a book to match the vibes and I asked around and this one was suggested to me and omg it did not disappoint!
From the moment Rowan met Lee I was SMITTEN. They were so cute and I honestly saw a lot of myself in both of these sweet men! The story was engaging, the banter was playful and even the side characters in this book were great!
I thoroughly enjoyed this one and it’s my fav book of the year so far!
From the moment Rowan met Lee I was SMITTEN. They were so cute and I honestly saw a lot of myself in both of these sweet men! The story was engaging, the banter was playful and even the side characters in this book were great!
I thoroughly enjoyed this one and it’s my fav book of the year so far!
December 18, 2019
This book is pure fluffy, cheesy and romantic sweetness all in one - like cotton candy reading. Rowan and Lee have completely opposite lifestyle but somehow they worked perfectly together, they provide each other with a new outlook and it's adorable. While there is the pretend relationship aspect it wasn't a huge focus, at least for the majority to me as those they interacted with mostly knew and they got into an agreement quickly.
I really enjoyed their interactions with Andries, Tyler and Benji who were great fun and really helped as a whole with these two. The pirate theme and the exploring at each stop on the cruise were some of my favourites, the parts about buried treasure especially and I loved how this was reflected in the ending. It seemed a bit slow in parts for me and I didn't feel desperate to get through it, but overall an easy adorable read and I am so happy for Rowan and Lee after how their past relationships have treated them. They got their HEA.
I really enjoyed their interactions with Andries, Tyler and Benji who were great fun and really helped as a whole with these two. The pirate theme and the exploring at each stop on the cruise were some of my favourites, the parts about buried treasure especially and I loved how this was reflected in the ending. It seemed a bit slow in parts for me and I didn't feel desperate to get through it, but overall an easy adorable read and I am so happy for Rowan and Lee after how their past relationships have treated them. They got their HEA.
February 19, 2021
3.7/5
Me pareció un libro muy dulce. En muchos momentos solo quería sacudir a los personajes y decirles que se digan la verdad
Me pareció un libro muy dulce. En muchos momentos solo quería sacudir a los personajes y decirles que se digan la verdad
June 15, 2024
Lots of affection, and super fluffy. At times it felt a little slow because there was no drama, but still enjoyable as a light read.
January 5, 2021
1⭐
Como por la mitad es... aceptable y entretenida. Luego es aburridísima.
Mientras la iba leyendo, pensaba que mi reseña sería: 'Entretenida, tierna, y olvidable'. Pero definitivamente, eso es aplicable solo a la primera mitad. La segunda mitad es aburrida, mal editada (hay situaciones que los personajes mencionan que nunca sucedieron, y no estoy hablando de detalles, sino de algo realmente importante para la trama), y planísima.
La línea de vida en el electrocardiograma de esta novela es casi muerto en la primera parte, pero con un leve pico que indica un pequeño pulso. Pero que luego se mantiene en línea recta hasta el final. La declaro oficialmente obito.
No voy a hacer un análisis real de esta novela, con el argumento, la trama, los personajes y la relación amorosa. No. Porque sería injusto. Yo solo esperaba entretenerme leyendo esta novela, y lo hice (al menos en la primera parte, por eso la estrella).
En fin, no tiene mi sello de recomendación.
Como por la mitad es... aceptable y entretenida. Luego es aburridísima.
Mientras la iba leyendo, pensaba que mi reseña sería: 'Entretenida, tierna, y olvidable'. Pero definitivamente, eso es aplicable solo a la primera mitad. La segunda mitad es aburrida, mal editada (hay situaciones que los personajes mencionan que nunca sucedieron, y no estoy hablando de detalles, sino de algo realmente importante para la trama), y planísima.
La línea de vida en el electrocardiograma de esta novela es casi muerto en la primera parte, pero con un leve pico que indica un pequeño pulso. Pero que luego se mantiene en línea recta hasta el final. La declaro oficialmente obito.
No voy a hacer un análisis real de esta novela, con el argumento, la trama, los personajes y la relación amorosa. No. Porque sería injusto. Yo solo esperaba entretenerme leyendo esta novela, y lo hice (al menos en la primera parte, por eso la estrella).
En fin, no tiene mi sello de recomendación.
October 31, 2020
I am a sucker for a good fake boyfriend romance. Like, I love them. So obviously I needed to read this and although I felt the beginning was strong, the ending seemed to drag on and I could have done without the never ending inter dialogue about whether or not what was happening between Rowan and Lee was going to last. All that being said, this was a super cute, fluffy read.
Rowan is an introverted man who is seen as cold and aloof, forced to take a vacation and try to have some fun. Lee is on the rebound and wanting to get under a bunch of men to heal his broken heart. The two men find themselves roommates on a gay cruise. An awkward situation turns even more so when Lee runs into his ex and says he's there with this boyfriend and Rowan agrees to play the part. Their interactions and affections become more quickly and these two seem to really suit each other.
I loved the build of Rowan and Lee's relationship and the changes you see in the two men. They were incredibly sweet to each other and it made my heart swell with affection. Even the side characters Benji, Tyler, and Andries wormed their way into your heart.
Where it lost me was when I realized there was a lot of book left and most of it was Lee and Rowan wondering if they could be more once they stepped off the ship. For me, it dragged on and on and felt unnecessary. Then it got overly sappy and all the build up and affection got swept away.
In the end, this was a sweet and no angst that will definitely give you all the good feels.
Rowan is an introverted man who is seen as cold and aloof, forced to take a vacation and try to have some fun. Lee is on the rebound and wanting to get under a bunch of men to heal his broken heart. The two men find themselves roommates on a gay cruise. An awkward situation turns even more so when Lee runs into his ex and says he's there with this boyfriend and Rowan agrees to play the part. Their interactions and affections become more quickly and these two seem to really suit each other.
I loved the build of Rowan and Lee's relationship and the changes you see in the two men. They were incredibly sweet to each other and it made my heart swell with affection. Even the side characters Benji, Tyler, and Andries wormed their way into your heart.
Where it lost me was when I realized there was a lot of book left and most of it was Lee and Rowan wondering if they could be more once they stepped off the ship. For me, it dragged on and on and felt unnecessary. Then it got overly sappy and all the build up and affection got swept away.
In the end, this was a sweet and no angst that will definitely give you all the good feels.
July 12, 2024
Cruising was a fun book that I didn't want to put down! The main characters are so easy to fall in love with, along with some of the secondary ones. I hope a second book is being planned with these secondary characters. After reading so many heavy books lately, with triggers and sometimes difficult topics, it was so refreshing to read something light and happy. Sean Ashcroft wrote another great book, and I'm so glad to have gotten an ARC to read!
November 19, 2019
What a great story
This was such a great story. It's light and fun, I didn't want to put this book down. It's definitely a feel-good story and I highly recommend reading this.
This was such a great story. It's light and fun, I didn't want to put this book down. It's definitely a feel-good story and I highly recommend reading this.
July 3, 2022
This was just so stinking cute and this author really does fake boyfriends well. Rowan and Lee end up as roommates on a gay cruise, both their for different reasons. Rowan because his sister bullied him into getting out, and Lee who is subscribing to the theory that the best way to get out from under an old boyfriend is get under a new one. (or a few someones) Lee is super hot, friendly, smiley, flirty, everything Rowan finds attractive and believes he's not. He's boring, staid, has never really had a relationship. Of course Lee's ex shows up on the cruise and in a panic he says he's there with his new boyfriend and he describes Rowan. Shit. Now the ex wants to meet him. He is forced to ask Rowan to play along and Rowan goes for it figuring he will get some "couples" pics for his family to make them think he had a fling and back off.
Of course we know how these things go, both of them start falling for the other but don't admit it. The ex keeps popping up with a little twink he latched on to, and Rowan and Lee form a friendship with a poly married couple. I liked that while on the surface Lee seems confident and like the more... assertive? Confident? one of the two, he's actually a mess and neither of them think they are good enough for the other and are hiding insecurities. I liked that their new friends were instrumental in getting them to pull their heads out of their ass and that Lee was able to move past his ex and the ex's temporary boyfriend ended up being their friend as well.
Rowan had a dry sense of humour and often his musings made me smile and Lee was like a damn puppy. So bouncy and happy and enthusiastic about all things pirate and he just made Rowan's life better. So I loved that the "perfect" guy on the surface had issues and that Rowan, who may not have seemed like a typical catch, cared about people and their feelings and Lee had never had someone who wanted to hold his hand just because, not because if he showed affection it meant payoff later in the form of sex.
So on the whole, it just made me smile and I was glad that Rowan (after a good talking to from their friend) finally pulled it together. Plus you got to hear about some of the islands they visited on their cruise which was fun.
Of course we know how these things go, both of them start falling for the other but don't admit it. The ex keeps popping up with a little twink he latched on to, and Rowan and Lee form a friendship with a poly married couple. I liked that while on the surface Lee seems confident and like the more... assertive? Confident? one of the two, he's actually a mess and neither of them think they are good enough for the other and are hiding insecurities. I liked that their new friends were instrumental in getting them to pull their heads out of their ass and that Lee was able to move past his ex and the ex's temporary boyfriend ended up being their friend as well.
Rowan had a dry sense of humour and often his musings made me smile and Lee was like a damn puppy. So bouncy and happy and enthusiastic about all things pirate and he just made Rowan's life better. So I loved that the "perfect" guy on the surface had issues and that Rowan, who may not have seemed like a typical catch, cared about people and their feelings and Lee had never had someone who wanted to hold his hand just because, not because if he showed affection it meant payoff later in the form of sex.
So on the whole, it just made me smile and I was glad that Rowan (after a good talking to from their friend) finally pulled it together. Plus you got to hear about some of the islands they visited on their cruise which was fun.
May 7, 2024
A ship, a slip, and some catnip make Pirate love a treasure to cherish.
Lee is a pirate in love with sex. His previous lover destroyed his life five months previous to a cruise for 10 days to try to recover his life and revisit his love for pirates.
Am overworked introverted virgin set sail for a chance to find someone to make his life better at his sister's insistence to get a life or walk the plank.
Lee's prior lover Craig is also aboard to provide pain and suffering for the entire cruise just because that is what he does.
A few other new friends offer support and port friendship to keep the treasure hunt on course and the wooing amazing.
Benji starts out as a fake partner for Craig, but soon switched crews to befriend the love pirates over just the rat.
Bed time is not for sleeping, but exercise and cuddling. Meals are for energy. Ports are for exploration and all maps lead to treasure to find or to bury.
Meeting your forever partner on a cruise by sharing your cabin and more for a 10 day trip is perfect. Rings are part of a pirate's legacy.
Lee is a pirate in love with sex. His previous lover destroyed his life five months previous to a cruise for 10 days to try to recover his life and revisit his love for pirates.
Am overworked introverted virgin set sail for a chance to find someone to make his life better at his sister's insistence to get a life or walk the plank.
Lee's prior lover Craig is also aboard to provide pain and suffering for the entire cruise just because that is what he does.
A few other new friends offer support and port friendship to keep the treasure hunt on course and the wooing amazing.
Benji starts out as a fake partner for Craig, but soon switched crews to befriend the love pirates over just the rat.
Bed time is not for sleeping, but exercise and cuddling. Meals are for energy. Ports are for exploration and all maps lead to treasure to find or to bury.
Meeting your forever partner on a cruise by sharing your cabin and more for a 10 day trip is perfect. Rings are part of a pirate's legacy.
November 7, 2020
This was exactly the right low angst, high feels story I needed. These two MCs were the sweetest characters: Rowan, a shy, awkward workaholic unlucky in all things love, and Lee, the life of the party with an adventurous spirit and a damaged heart. The story was sweet, almost sugary, and the drama with Lee's obnoxious, meddling ex was enough to fuel the story's conflict but never too heavy or overbearing. Even their inevitable dark moment was short, and, despite the annoying build-up, it didn't take away my enjoyment and the aaaw feeling at the (very predictable) end. This is not a deep, serious book, and never meant to be. I'll be revisiting this one when I need an escape from real life.
June 7, 2021
4/5🌟
Es un romance bonito, divertido, sin drama y con un final feliz 😍
Necesitaba leer algo de romance rosa (como siempre) y fue el libro perfecto.
Lee un aventurero, divertido y obsesionado con los piratas, jajajaja eso me encantó.
Rowan muy serio, amable. Definitivamente me encantaron su personajes, la historia es muy ligera todo comienza como una relación falsa y luego se convierte en algo más. Cuando desembarcan sentí que falto un poquito más de drama, fue interesante pero esperaba un demostración de amor más grande, más palabras. Pero del resto todo perfecto.
Es un romance bonito, divertido, sin drama y con un final feliz 😍
Necesitaba leer algo de romance rosa (como siempre) y fue el libro perfecto.
Lee un aventurero, divertido y obsesionado con los piratas, jajajaja eso me encantó.
Rowan muy serio, amable. Definitivamente me encantaron su personajes, la historia es muy ligera todo comienza como una relación falsa y luego se convierte en algo más. Cuando desembarcan sentí que falto un poquito más de drama, fue interesante pero esperaba un demostración de amor más grande, más palabras. Pero del resto todo perfecto.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 29, 2022
I didn't mean to read this. It was sort of an accident. I'd already decided to never read this author again but here I am, one more of their books down. Not that this book in any way changed my mind. There is nothing here that feels particularly real and all of the characters act like aliens. I suppose it's partially that this is supposed to be fluff but the whole thing comes across as bizarrely artificial.
October 1, 2020
Very sweet story. I love Lee, I love Rowan, I love Andries, I love Tyler, and even Benji turned out to be a sweetheart. After the last scene with Craig being a contemptible douchebag, I would have liked to see a final comeuppance scene where he was either still miserably alone, or getting dumped yet again, and then seeing Lee and Rowan with their engagement or wedding rings, happier than ever.
October 21, 2020
Really enjoyed this book. It was difficult to put it down while I was reading and many times I didn't, so things didn't get done. LOL The story had a nice flow to it and since it was an M/M romance, you knew what the ending was, but the story to get there was very enjoyable. I could see myself in Rowan and maybe someday, I'll find my Lee.
November 15, 2020
Me encantó esta historia. Tiene personajes frescos y super dulces.
Rowan no es consciente de lo que causa en los demás. Con formas y pensamientos amables, casi inocentes que resultan hasta graciosos por momentos.
Y me gustó el entusiasmo de Lee por los piratas. Me hizo querer buscar cada puerto por el que atracaban.
X
Rowan no es consciente de lo que causa en los demás. Con formas y pensamientos amables, casi inocentes que resultan hasta graciosos por momentos.
Y me gustó el entusiasmo de Lee por los piratas. Me hizo querer buscar cada puerto por el que atracaban.
X
June 12, 2021
Cruising es la historia perfecta para pasar un buen rato y desestresarte después de una larga, larga, larga semana (así que gracias universidad por ser tan estresante y llevarme a este libro)
Este es una historia mlm con tropes como: fake romance y one bed. Con un final feliz y te deja con ganas de más.
Definitivamente bueno
Este es una historia mlm con tropes como: fake romance y one bed. Con un final feliz y te deja con ganas de más.
Definitivamente bueno
March 3, 2022
Two adorable and cute MCs, very good side characters and a journey from fake boyfriends to lovers on a cruise in the Caribbean? Yes please! I didn't know I needed this book, but I definitely did.
It's low angst, fluffy and comfortable, and it has the little extra to make it 5 star and be a book I will reread when I need comfort.
It's low angst, fluffy and comfortable, and it has the little extra to make it 5 star and be a book I will reread when I need comfort.
March 23, 2023
Amazing
These two men were so sweet and loving. And so incredibly insecure. It was beautiful watching them fall in love. Of course they were complete idiots. But they managed to fix it and made my heart swoon. They were perfect for each other.
These two men were so sweet and loving. And so incredibly insecure. It was beautiful watching them fall in love. Of course they were complete idiots. But they managed to fix it and made my heart swoon. They were perfect for each other.
May 6, 2024
The first 60% of this was five stars, but in the last third there was just a little too much withholding of feelings, second guessing each other, and non-communication, if you know what I mean. But I had a lot of fun, overall, and this was a great palate cleanser.
November 10, 2020
OMG
This was so swett, i loved!
This was so swett, i loved!
November 19, 2020
No me disgustó pero esperaba más...
May 8, 2021
Sean Ashcroft LOVES a fake dating plot. And yet this one might be among the most enjoyable of all the fake dating books I've read by him!
May 27, 2021
Was this like many other book by this author (fake dating set up that end up turning real) yes. So far though the bet I've read from them.
September 5, 2021
3.75 stars. Sweet, fluffy, but the pining on both sides gets a bit repetitive by the end.
April 27, 2022
I LOVED these two, a sweet book with a bit of fake boyfriend
July 12, 2022
3.5 Stars
Displaying 1 - 30 of 66 reviews