Laguna

Sawyer's Ferry #1.5

by Cate Ashwood

Beckett
The moment I laid eyes on the guy napping on my private beach, I wanted him. Bad. But living life in the spotlight means nothing is ever that simple. When Brody doesn’t recognize me, it seems like the perfect opportunity to let loose and have a little fun. Besides, what harm can come from a hookup with a clear expiry date?

Brody
A week’s vacation in Laguna Beach, California, is a dream come true for a guy like me. Born and bred in Sawyer’s Ferry, Alaska, I have more experience with snow than sand. But halfway through my holiday, I’m thinking I should have just stayed home until a day at the beach brings an unexpected—and intense—turn of events.
It might have started out as a disappointing trip, but it could end up being the best vacation I’ve ever had.

Genres: M M Romance, Contemporary, Romance, Short Stories, LGBT, Gay, Fiction

34 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 28, 2018

About the author

Cate discovered her love for books of all kinds early on, but romance is where her heart truly lies. She is addicted to the happily ever afters and the journey the characters take to get there. Currently residing in British Columbia, Cate loves living just a stone's throw from the water. When she's not writing, she can be found consuming coffee at an alarming rate while wrangling her children, her husband, and their two cats.

Reviews

[*J* Too Many Books Too Little Time · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 Stars!

OMG. Seriously. That has to be a teaser. There’s going to be more right? If not, that’s just cruel. Really cruel.

[Drusilla · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think I hate myself right now. I honestly don't know why I thought this short story would have a HEA. It's just a summer fling and then it's over. Someone please tell me there is a real story to these two somewhere.
Because as is Cate Ashwood's talent, I'm all about Brody and Beck and need to see them together. 😭😩😪🤧

[Elsa Bravante · Rating 1 out of 5]

Como short me parece una tomadura de pelo, fundamentalmente porque no es un short, que se supone que debe ser una historia corta con principio, desarrollo, y final. Es un teaser para un libro que va a publicar la autora, nada más.

[Cadiva · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fabulous sexy wee introduction to Beckett and Brody's romance.

[Jennifer☠Pher☠ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oooohhh!!! Cate! What did you just do?? What is going to happen? Come on!!

I really, really, really enjoyed this set up.

I am not a fan of Hollywood and movie stars and all that jazz but seriously, BRING IT!

This was such a tease!

[haletostilinski · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fun and quick hot read about Brody and Beck, who meet on Beck's private beach when Brody trespasses - unknowingly - and who give in to the lust between them really quick. And it was really fucking hot.

I saw a while ago that the author will be continuing their story in another book in this series, which makes me happy and more lenient with the ending. We'll get their love story, so I can live with that ending.

Recommend this for a quick, hot read that is definitely setting up something more.

[Ami · Rating 3 out of 5]

SPOILERS SPOILERS SPOILERS

All I can say is ... Cate Ashwood better have a NOVEL to follow-up this story!!! Because this is only a vacation fling between Alaskan born and bred Brody and movie star Beck (and Brody didn't know who Beck was), and it STOPPED with them going back to their respective lives!! That's it. Not even a HFN. Pretty much like a prequel of sort. SO yeah, there better be a full-length story about them in the future !!!

[~Kristin~ · Rating 4 out of 5]

I so want more...
This was a very short snippet, the meeting of Brody the crabber from Alaska and Beck the A-list movie star from California. I usually an not a huge fan of such short releases, but this one really has me wanting more! I mean I really want to read the rest of the story, it is going to be sooo good. This definitely whet my appetite, I can’t wait to see what happens.

[Ele]

Well. That was not a short story. I mean it was, just not a romantic one, meaning there is no ending. Even short stories should have some sort of ending. The right way to describe this a teaser or a sneak peak for the actual book.

That said, it was pretty AMAZING and I can't wait to read Brody and Beck's book. If it's anything like this shortie, I know I'm going to love it. Read it, just don't expect any kind of closure, at least not until the actual book comes out.

[Catherine · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this little snippet. Excited to see how the rest of their story unfolds.

[⚣Michaelle⚣ · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 Stars

I think not being set in Sawyer's Ferry took the charm right out of this book. I'm hoping there's a longer one for this couple on the horizon because that wasn't even a HFN ending; I kind of expected that, though. The summary does mention a time limit.

But still, a cute diversion - and I liked the way Brody's culture-shock was detailed. Plus the sex was hot.

[Jamie · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm not sure what the point of this book was. It was a completely unrealistic hookup but there was no real ending. I think from other reviews that Beck and Brody are supposed to have a book, but I don't see one. The last book was written in 2019 for this series it looks like. So again, what was the point of this book???

[Sheri · Rating 4 out of 5]

NOTE!
This is an enticing intro to another book in this series.
This short story is not complete and I was blinking in dumbfounded exasperation when it ended because...I wanted MORE!
Seriously can't wait for Brody and Beck's book.
I think the wait will be worth it.
Yep.
Loved the first book and counting the days for more Alaskan fun.

*4 no-you-didn't! stars*

[Dutchgirl · Rating 3 out of 5]

If this is a prequel and we get a follow up and a novel for this couple i would rate it 4 stars but if this is it i would rate it 2 stars because although i love the story the ending kept me wondering because really it doesn't end it just stops, leaving me with all of these questions that needs answers.

That's why i rated it 3 stars and i can hopefully rate it four stars real soon. Please

[Marthea · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nie odważyłabym się nazwać tego opowiadaniem - raczej było to pięć pierwszych rozdziałów książki. Pomimo tego, iż przynajmniej połowa z tych ok. 30 stron właściwego tekstu to było napięcie seksualne i seks, to nie ukrywam, że moje zainteresowanie historią Brody'ego i Becka piknęło dość wysoko 😉 Ale ten tekst kończy się w taki sposób, że tylko o kant czterech liter go można rozbić - po prostu się urywa w sposób zupełnie niesatysfakcjonujący, wręcz nawet rzekłabym frustrujący... Zwłaszcza, że po 3 latach od jego premiery, chłopaki ciągle nie mają swojej historii, oprócz tego wstępu...

[Jenn (not Lily) · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm torn -- I want more of Brody and Beck, even though they're at such different places in their lives...but maybe it's best that they end up like this due to those very differences? I'll have to see how I feel about it after I finish Logan's story.

[Danielle Gypsy Soul · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm intrigued but I sure hope we get more about these two later in the series because this one had no resolution not even a HFN.

[Rissa (an M/M kinda Girl!!) · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wasn't even in the loop about This series... I've added Alaska to my TBR.

This was short, fun, sexy and left me wanting & needing more of these guys!

[Sali · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love it!
It is a short story, it's basically a hook up book.
Do not expect a love story, insta love with a HEA. That DOESN'T happen.
It's short, fun, quiet sweet and hot!

The guys meet, spend a weekend together, and everyone is on their way.
I have no idea if we will have more of them or not. I don't mind either way.. I mean, I would love to read more of them but at the same time I love how it end, felt genuine because it is a hook up. I love the mystery of "Will they meet again?! Or not?!"

[Tina J · Rating 3 out of 5]

POV ~> Alternating first-person

The cover displays the well-defined bare torso of a man in dark shorts. Bold title font once again.

Brody’s mom gifts him a week-long vacation at her sister’s house in sunny southern California for his 21st birthday. Talk about climate and culture shock when compared to the small, isolated town of Sawyer’s Ferry where he grew up. Brody finally catches a break after 4 days and heads for the beach.
Coming ashore from catching some waves, Beck discovers a trespasser asleep on his beach property. Wary of deceit, he somewhat-rudely wakes the guy but is shocked when the intruder genuinely does not seem to recognize him and he’s not inclined to ruin the blissful anonymity of the situation.
A weekend together is all they’ll get and that’s all the reader gets, too. With Brody back on a plane heading back to Alaska, regretting not getting Beck’s # but knowing it would have been silly given the distance and improbable nature of logistics, then watching an in-flight movie – ending with that “lightbulb moment”. Yeah… this was a major tease of epic proportions and I am not thrilled with the fact that I bought this copy instead of downloading it for free from the author’s website.
Open ending, no closure. It was great until then.
.
Rating: [R] ~ Score: 3.35 ~ Stars: 3
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⭐ ⭐ **** Disclosure of Material: I bought a copy of this book from Amazon and am voluntarily leaving unbiased and unsolicited feedback. I was not asked, encouraged, or required to leave a review - nor was I compensated in any way. I am posting this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising". ***** ⭐ ⭐

[Max · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ugh! Adorable short story, with a non-ending ending. We better get to read the rest of this story in another Sawyer's Ferry book! :)

[cmbookdiva · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short and sweet. Can’t wait for the complete story.

[Lillian Francis]

Checking back in (Apr 2021) and it looks like these two never did get their HEA. Shame.

*****

A fine, well written, hook up short story.

Unfortunately, a hook up is all it is, there isn't even a hint of a HFN. However I have it on good authority that a follow up story is coming for these two.

I'll be waiting, patiently...

[Mitch Reynolds · Rating 4 out of 5]

Laguna (2018) by Cate Ashwood is a short read set in California.

The story follows the romance of Beckett and Brody and is the prequel to Ashwood’s fourth Sawyer’s Ferry book. That is the reason why this story ends on a cliffhanger where we are unsure how, and if, their relationship will progress beyond their short holiday romance.

We meet Brody first in the book and he is spending the week in Laguna Beach but is originally from Sawyer’s Ferry in Alaska. He is dying for adventure and in the early part of the story it doesn’t look like he is going to have much of that but then a breakthrough finally comes and he begins to really enjoy himself. More than he could ever imagine! While accidentally trespassing on Beckett’s beach, he meets Beckett who after a brief awkward moment invites him up to his beach home and well, you don’t need a map to know what happens there!

Beckett is holding back a secret. He is a famous actor and is finding it hard to meet someone who wants him for him as opposed to his success. So when Brody doesn’t recognize him, it makes him feel at ease that Brody likes him for him which was sweet.

I like both characters but my favourite was Brody. I liked his personality, his inner thoughts were very real and quite funny too. But both of them are great and together they are magic. The only flaw I have with this story is that there is backstory but there isn’t enough of it. I know that is probably being reserved for the full book but a little bit more backstory about both characters wouldn’t have went amiss and would help readers connect more to the characters.

But it was a great read and a lot of fun!

[Katherine · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you take this as a short story it is incomplete, with minimal story or explanation of the characters, and little build up or plot. If you take this as a prequel, or lead in sneak peek, this is an amazing hook to a new and upcoming story.

Brody and Beck meet when Brody accidentally crashes Beck's private beach. The two have an instant attraction and they decide to have a little vacation fling. And....that's pretty much it. We get some basic story about each of their lives- Brody being a small town Alaska crab fisher, Beck being a big time movie star- and a good feel for their connection. We get to learn that each man thought of more, but no numbers were exchanged and nothing was pursued. The palpable feeling of betrayal at the end further cements the idea that this must be a prequel, as there is more to the story to be told. It has me hooked for a story about these two....but if this is it I'm greatly disappointed.

[Isindia]

This was really disappointing. It started quite well: interesting characters, promising story, good writing – and then it ended abruptly.

Don't get me wrong: The story is free, so I generally have no problem with an open ending that teases me to read a follow up. The problem is, there is no follow up. It's been a year and three novels in the series meanwhile and no book about Brody an Beckett in sight.

And it was not even an open ending, the story just stopped before it ever really began. There was no ending whatsoever. Even if there are some really good elements in this short, they don't make up for the frustration about the (non)end.

I won't rate it now, because I hope for a continuation, but right now it would be one star. You can't leave your readers hanging like that.

[Suze · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very short sex filled interlude for Beck and Brody.
These are new characters and I see from another review they will get their story soon.
However it is a fairly wham bam thank you man sort of story. Enjoyable for what it is but definitely a teaser for what is to come later.
Best bit was Brody on the plane!!

[EzliOak · Rating 3 out of 5]

Short story that I got on Instafreebie app as The MM Back to School Free Short Story Giveaway.

I liked this book until I got to the end and realized there was no couple or HEA at the end. :(
It looks like it is teaser for upcoming book. I might check it out.

[Nevaeh Wright · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well written, enjoyed it a lot. Too short, but obviously by design. This is a great tease for the series. I just hope these MCs get a book of their own, because if this little short story is all there is for them... It's too cruel to even consider.

[Gabi · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars
I really enjoyed this one.
Can I have seconds, please!