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Sun-Kissed

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A rockstar with a tainted reputation. A shy, sensitive farmer. A magical ten days on the seas of the South Pacific.

Axel Zelman

Stepping in to protect my younger brother was a no-brainer. Now I have to pay the consequences and repair my tarnished reputation. That means facing my demons and spending ten days at sea on a cruise ship. At least it’s for a good cause.

Kyle Brown

Thanks to my interfering family, I’m thrust into a world of extravagance and dazzling spectacle. I’d much rather be at home in the vineyard. That is, until I find an undeniable connection with a gorgeous, brooding passenger. Imagine my surprise when I find out he’s an award-winning performer. Why on earth would he want to spend time with me?

It’s only a cruise, a bit of fun, not a life commitment, and as my brother said—we’re not here for a long time, but a good time—so I’m determined to enjoy the limited time we have. I just wish my heart got the message.

Sun-Kissed is a sweet and sexy story where two worlds collide in an opposites attract, celebrity/ordinary guy, rockstar romance set amongst the fun and chaos of a Pride Cruise.

Sun-Kissed is part of Pride Cruise 2024!Where the water is crisp, the men are HOT, and the party has started! Each book is a standalone but feel free and dive in and binge them all. You won't want to miss a second of their naughty antics. If you think they're silly when the sun is up, just wait until it goes down.

161 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 10, 2024

8 people are currently reading
40 people want to read

About the author

Nic Starr

44 books369 followers
Nic Starr lives in Australia where she tries to squeeze as much into her busy life as possible. Balancing the demands of a corporate career with raising a family and writing can be challenging but she wouldn’t give it up for the world.

Always a reader, the lure of m/m romance was strong and she devoured hundreds of wonderful m/m romance books before eventually realising she had some stories of her own that needed to be told!

When not writing or reading, she loves to spend time with her family–an understanding husband and two beautiful daughters–and is often found indulging in her love of cooking and planning her dream home in the country.

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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
Profile Image for Fay MMBookworm.
3,088 reviews66 followers
August 20, 2024
5 Stars for a great book
A great start to the book with Axel and Kyle finding out about the cruise and the literally bumping into each other.
Axel was a performer with anxieties, but wanted some quiet time that he wasn't going to get. Heading lining for act on the pride cruise for the next 10 days.

Kyle, 25, had a vineyard in partnership with brother, who surprised him with a cruise for his birthday.
Both characters are like opposites but similar in other ways once they start to get to know each other. A fast attraction at first meeting and they form a friendship.
Lots of feelings with this book as Axel’s concerns for his brother getting mixed up with drugs and dragging him down with his music career making an impact. I think Kyle came to him at the right time as Axel needed a shoulder and some support for what to do. They are a team with complete chemistry that they both feel.
Hot sexy scenes for them onboard the ship but what happens after. A gorgeous HEA ending for them both.

Profile Image for ✰  BJ's Book Blog ✰Janeane ✰.
3,032 reviews12 followers
June 10, 2024
This book is part of a series, and it is the LGBTQI+ version of The Love Boat - minus the creepy crew!

It can also be read as a stand alone, so get to it.

Axel and Kyle are a different as one could think, one a rock star, one a farm boy. But when you dig deeper, they are more aike than they would have thought - and they are as cute AF, both apart and together.

Considering they meet and get to know each other over a period of just 10 days, this did not feel rushed at all. Their relationship feels well paced an organic, and you fall in love in real time with them.

I just smiled the whole time I was reading.

I really enjoyed this story, and I will be reading more of the series, and more by this author (who I have read before)


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1,721 reviews14 followers
June 16, 2024
Even the best fairy tales have their troubles. Axel and Kyle don’t struggle with each other but they have their pressures. This love story has its share of drama but it’s also filled with sweet and spicy moments that sizzle but also make you smile. Likable characters tell this story in a good way helping you to experience it as you root for them.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Jamie Lee Zonneveld.
1,685 reviews51 followers
June 11, 2024
Sun-Kissed by Nic Starr is part of the Pride Cruise 2024 series. A multi-author series. This story is about Axel and Kyle and I really liked it. It was sweet, sexy, full of feels and very well written.
1,679 reviews11 followers
June 17, 2024
4.5 stars
Axel, a rockstar trying to shore up a blow to his reputation, and Kyle, a vintner sent on a vacation by his family, literally bump into each other as they prepare to board the ship for a Pride cruise. Both take note of each other, then separate to go their own way with lingering thoughts, wondering if they’ll encounter each other again. They do connect in various places on board ship, spending time together talking, enjoying the stress free interactions of getting to know each other. Making the most of the time they have together, they go sightseeing during the day, spending evenings together getting closer and more involved, with Kyle a big support to Axel as he’s performing. With the connection they’ve formed and the growing feelings, will they be able to keep up the momentum and be together more or drift apart once the cruise is over? Only time will tell.

These two characters are well suited to each other. Kyle is shy, very much not a crowd person, and unsure about interactions with strangers, tending to keep to himself. Axel loves the performance aspect of his career but finds himself on the verge of panic attacks in large crowds and situations when mobbed by fans. He is quiet when not performing, staying out of the limelight and staying in the shadows where possible. But, together they just click, Axel reading people clues better than Kyle, and there to have his back as they go through situations when out and about. Both are able to open up to each other and share their pasts and future dreams, knowing the other one “gets” him and understands.

A sweet, low-angst tale of a shipboard romance with the possibility to be a forever after, if the fates allow.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Ellie (On a break, mostly rereading).
797 reviews17 followers
June 9, 2024
Sun-Kissed is a standalone contemporary MM romance by Nic Starr, and is part of the multiauthor series Pride Cruise 2024. Nic Starr is one of my favourite Australian authors and I always look forward to her books, and always wonder if I can recognise the setting (this one I think is somewhere around the Hunter region, around Cessnock or Maitland). It's always a thrill reading an Aussie romance by an Aussie author.

This is a sweet and sexy story between Axel Zelman and Kyle Brown.

Axel a musician who has a tarnished reputation and will do anything for his little brother, who he has been taking care of for years. To help his reputation and get more work, he's been booked on a Pride Cruise out of Sydney Harbour where Axel does not relish the idea of being in close quarters with so many people that want autographs and the show-biz personality Axel.

Kyle Brown works on the farm/vineyard that he and his brother inherited from their parents. Kyle works hard and doesn't have time for a lot of fun, and finding a partner in the country isn't the easiest thing for an openly gay man. And thanks to his interfering but well meaning brother and sister in law, Kyle is going on a Pride Cruise to let loose. Problem is Kyle is dreading the entire thing.

Kyle and Axel just click together. I really appreciated that this was a celebrity romance (even though Kyle had no idea who Axel was) that was less about the celebrity drama and more about the actual person who Axel is, and in turn gave more depth and sweetness to the romance as is developed between Kyle and Axel. I am totally in love with this couple and the book left me feeling just happy.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
569 reviews2 followers
June 17, 2024
Lovely opposites attract romance.

Two MCs who are really different and from opposite walks of life – one a rockstar, the other a shy, virginal 'farmer' – find each other on a cruise.
Both were likeable characters and I was rooting fast for them. That they both had social anxiety was a surprise for me – I mean who would expect that with a rockstar, not me, that's for sure! - but brought them even more together. Both tried their best to support the other one. It was really lovely to see that

I'd say this one is insta-attraction, perhaps even insta-lust. Over the curse of the cruise – 10 days – those two get to know each other better, firstly forming some kind of friendship and then manage to fall in love.
Now, even with this very short time frame the relationship development as well as the falling in love part didn't seemed rushed. It felt natural and fitting. Just right for those two.


Btw, what I especially loved was the fact that Kyle didn't know who Axel was when he met and got to know him. So it was clear from the start even for our rockstar, that Kyle was interested in him as a person, not his fame or money.

The story itself was low angst and easy to read. I was entertained and had fun reading it.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout but this is my honest and freely given opinion.
Profile Image for Nina Diab.
5,313 reviews51 followers
June 16, 2024
'In my mind I can see Kyle’s smiling face, and the way his eyes sparkled when he looked at me. Despite our obvious differences, there’s an undeniable connection blooming between us.'

I really enjoyed this book. It was a really sweet romance and I like the idea of two men falling in love on a ten-day Pride cruise. Axel and Kyle were from complete opposite walks of life, and yet made such a cute couple. I liked that though Axel is a rockstar celebrity, farmer Kyle doesn't know who he is and Axel could enjoy someone being interested in him for him. I like the way their relationship developed. There's a sense of innocence to Kyle, and I liked how Axel stepped in to help him when he needed it. I really liked getting to know Axel and his demons and how unwaveringly Kyle supported him. A very sweet story. 4 stars.
Profile Image for Christina Horton.
336 reviews4 followers
June 9, 2024
This was definitely a book I couldn't recommend enough.

When Axel, a rock star going through a hard time and trying to fix his image meets Kyle, a vineyard worker who barely gets out on an LGBTQ cruise anything is bound to happen.

I loved the alternating chapters letting us glimpse into the headspace of each character while also getting a full picture of what was going on between each other.

The universal theme of finding your true self and being true to that person is demonstrated in the words of this book without being preachy.

Oh and of course there's the hot romance in those pages as well.

So if you like a sweet and sexy friends-to-lovers book this is the book for you.

I really hope we get more of Alex and Axels story
4,903 reviews18 followers
June 18, 2024
Good deeds, can lead to rewards. Axel faces unexpected consequences when he tries to protect his younger brother. Taking a reputation his isn't great, but a 10 day cruise is a good start making up for it. Kyle, is just an ordinary working stiff thrust into the life of a luxury cruise, for 10 days anyway. His family sends him on the cruise to shake it up a little. When Axel and Kyle meet, there is an unexpected attraction. They are total opposites, but they may be just what each other needs. Nic, takes us through 10 days of reflection, relaxation, examination and fun. I'm ready to book a cruise. Good story, excellent flow descriptions make me feel I was there. Excellent cover art! Well done! I received an ARC and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Anne Barwell.
Author 23 books108 followers
June 27, 2024
I loved this feel-good romance where two very opposite men find they have a lot in common. This author is one of my contemporary go-to reads and this story reminds me why. I loved Kyle and Axel and the importance of family in both their lives.

The Pride Cruise is a wonderful backdrop for the story with Kyle in particular feeling very much like a fish out of water. I loved the friends he makes, and how Axel steps in when needed with one of the seedier types makes a move.

I loved their connection, how naturally their friendship and more progresses, and how refreshingly Kyle has no clue who Axel is at first, so doesn’t have any preconceptions about who he is.

The ending is sweet. I love how their meeting is the start of changes in both their lives.
Profile Image for Jeanette Waters.
2,032 reviews5 followers
June 17, 2024
What a sweet book to start this summer's Pride cruise multi author series. An opposites attract story, Kyle is a farmer, Axel is a rockstar. They meet cute and begin a friends to lovers relationship that will end when the ten day cruise ends. But they're perfect for each other and want more.
It was a quick read, lite and fun. Both main characters suffer from social anxiety, sweetly supporting each other. The bedroom scenes sizzle. The secondary family characters add to the worldbuilding. I'd like to see drag queen, Crystal Starlight be a series anchor. That would be fun.
I received an advance copy of this book and this is my review.
1,014 reviews4 followers
July 6, 2024
Getting a present that's a Pride Cruise is a surprise for Kyle, but he promises to go. Kyle is kind of shy, doesn't go out much nor dated often. His life has centered around the vineyard he owns with has brother. Bumping into Axel in the first day starts an easy friendship between the two. Before the week is out they are spending all their free time together. It's all easy for them to talk and sparks fly when they touch.

This is a sweet story, one of the Series of gifted authors, with Nic Starr being this author. I look forward to reading the others in the series.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Kim Stone.
1,553 reviews1 follower
June 9, 2024
I’ve read this author before. This story is part of a multi author series.The main characters in this story are Kyle and Axel. Kyle is a small town farmer with his brother of grapevines for wine. Axel is a famous rockstar. They meet by chance on the pride cruise. Kyle has been gifted the cruise from his brother as he needs to get out more. Axel is running from bad publicity and doing a few shows on the cruise. Their love is special and not rushed. I will read more from this author and this series.
Profile Image for Belinda Zamora.
2,735 reviews8 followers
June 19, 2024
Sweet

Axel is a rock star trying to help his out of control younger brother and get back to his musical roots by performing on a cruise
Kyle is a workaholic farmer whose family and friends have gotten together to gift him a cruise.
Their initial meeting was adorable.
As they quickly become friends and then much more, both realize they each suffer from terrible anxiety.
I really enjoyed seeing them be so supportive of each other, and there were definitely some steamy moments between them.
3,557 reviews38 followers
June 19, 2024
I love stories about opposites falling in love.
Overcoming obstacles and learning how to put their troubles behind them.
For standing up for what you believe, even if it's just helping out a family member.

Axel gets his HEA in the most unlikely location.
Kyle steps out of his comfort zone and finds more than he'd ever hoped for.

Plus the locations you'll read about will find you searching for your next vacation spot!

You'll breeze through this latest release from Nic ... feverishly waiting for the next installment of Pride Cruise!

Thanks to Bookfunnel for this wonderful ARC.
Profile Image for K-Me.
2,849 reviews
June 15, 2024
I absolutely adored this cruise story. Kyle works mostly alone on a vineyard where he feels he belongs and prefers to be. This cruise throws him out of his comfort zone, and it was lovely that Axel was there for him. They definitely have lived different lives, but Axel is also deep down very caring and family oriented. I loved being both of their heads and seeing them find true love with each other
Profile Image for Deb Kel.
2,458 reviews8 followers
June 17, 2024
I am thoroughly enjoying this "cruising" multi author series and this was another great series. Obviously due to the length of the cruise things develop at a much faster pace but this doesn't make it unrealistic! Another great couple Axel and Kyle who are complete opposites and have so many outside pressures to deal with. Plenty of hot moments between them as we follow their story.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
1,230 reviews4 followers
June 14, 2024
Sun-kissed is a part of a muti-author series called Pride Cruise 2024. This is a whirlwind romance between two opposites, a rockstar and a farmer. Sun-kissed is a sweet read. If any of the other books in the series are like this one, I will be reading those too.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
1,496 reviews9 followers
June 8, 2024
I absolutely loved this story. This was such a wonderfully sweet story. These two led completely different lives and yet they were actually so similar away from their careers. I loved how they put the work in to be together. This was an excellent story.
Profile Image for Debbie Benson.
9,755 reviews35 followers
June 14, 2024
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review. I like how Axel and Kyle meet and develop their relationship. They help each other with their social anxieties. I like how Axel changes his life to something he loves again but more importantly to be with Kyle.
Profile Image for Saskia Veldhuis .
1,941 reviews15 followers
June 15, 2024
Two sweet MCs, from very different lives but both struggling with anxieties. They both really needed someone and it was very enjoyable watching them find each other. Although it was a short cruise the relationship building didn't feel rushed.
Profile Image for Amanda Reeves.
3,656 reviews36 followers
June 17, 2024
This is a standalone book by Nic Starr and is part of the multi-author Pride Cruise 2024 series. I don't know how much more of an opposites attract you can get than a rockstar and a farmer but these two are just so cute together.
2,325 reviews16 followers
June 18, 2024
I really enjoyed this opposites attract story, Axel and Kyle are so different but they fitted together perfectly and they had a great connection and chemistry. Both are very family oriented and it was great to watch their relationship progress. Very enjoyable read.
Profile Image for Reatha Klein.
506 reviews16 followers
July 5, 2024
I absolutely loved this book. Nic Starr is becoming one of my favorite authors and this was one of the best so far!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for David Eric.
217 reviews4 followers
June 16, 2024
Such a nice sweet type book. To introverts meet on a cruise and get a chance to know one another better. Great story and good characters overall.
Profile Image for Amanda Grange.
773 reviews5 followers
June 19, 2024
Sunkissed is adorable and sweet. Very low angst. This is my first book from the Pride Cruise 2024 series and I enjoyed it very much.

269 reviews2 followers
July 22, 2024
Really Sweet

Enjoyable, sweet story. Easy vacation read. Lovely relationship that grows between Kyle and Axel. Loved watching their path to HEA.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews

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