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Otter Bay #4
Blooming
Instagram crush. Instant fling.
The last thing amateur food photographer Milo expects to find in the sleepy town of Otter Bay is the cute boy he’s been crushing on from Instagram. He’s in town to help his pregnant sister, not to look for a fling, but his best friend is right—it’s been so long since he got laid that they’ll be reissuing his v-card any day now.
It doesn’t hurt that cat foster dad Xander also makes the best cinnamon rolls Milo’s ever had in his cute little bakery, or that he’s unbelievably hot in person.
Xander never dreamed that his Instagram crush would walk right into his bakery, but here Milo is. Gorgeous, sweet, a little awkward, and even more Xander’s type than he could’ve imagined in his wildest dreams.
Xander’s still reeling from a weird breakup, and Milo doesn’t have time for love. What’s the harm in a casual, no-strings-attached fling?
Blooming is the fourth book in the Otter Bay series, but can be read as a standalone. It contains several adorable kittens, the world’s best cinnamon rolls, all the feels, steamy scenes, Milo’s oral fixation, flowers, photography, and true love conquering all.
The last thing amateur food photographer Milo expects to find in the sleepy town of Otter Bay is the cute boy he’s been crushing on from Instagram. He’s in town to help his pregnant sister, not to look for a fling, but his best friend is right—it’s been so long since he got laid that they’ll be reissuing his v-card any day now.
It doesn’t hurt that cat foster dad Xander also makes the best cinnamon rolls Milo’s ever had in his cute little bakery, or that he’s unbelievably hot in person.
Xander never dreamed that his Instagram crush would walk right into his bakery, but here Milo is. Gorgeous, sweet, a little awkward, and even more Xander’s type than he could’ve imagined in his wildest dreams.
Xander’s still reeling from a weird breakup, and Milo doesn’t have time for love. What’s the harm in a casual, no-strings-attached fling?
Blooming is the fourth book in the Otter Bay series, but can be read as a standalone. It contains several adorable kittens, the world’s best cinnamon rolls, all the feels, steamy scenes, Milo’s oral fixation, flowers, photography, and true love conquering all.
287 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 30, 2022
About the author
Sean Ashcroft
48 books471 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 35 reviews
November 18, 2022
3.5 ⭐️ Can I live in Otter Bay? Love this town.
This book is perfect for when you just want something no stress, reading about two sweet guys connecting. It’s just happiness and kittens and pastries.
”You’re just like I imagined you. For the record.”
“Constantly horny?”
Milo laughed. “No. No, perfect. Way too perfect for me.”
“Then I’m not like you imagined me at all.”
Sweetie pies!
This book is perfect for when you just want something no stress, reading about two sweet guys connecting. It’s just happiness and kittens and pastries.
”You’re just like I imagined you. For the record.”
“Constantly horny?”
Milo laughed. “No. No, perfect. Way too perfect for me.”
“Then I’m not like you imagined me at all.”
Sweetie pies!
August 24, 2022
I pick up a Sean Ashcroft when I want a fluffy romance with low drama and quality steamy. Blooming delivered exactly that with an online-friends to lovers between two slightly awkward men with a bonus of feline cuties and delicious sounding baked goods
July 20, 2022
I've been struggling for a while to write this review, wanting to make sure it is as honest and unbiased as possible.
We return to the Otter Bay, a place basically bursting with cute gay couples and out-of-this-world ice cream (that's not an euphemism you dirty you). This time we follow Milo and Xander - they seem to have just met, but is that really the case? You'll have to find out yourself.
For the first 85% of the book I was utterly in love with the story, with the characters, the integration of previous couples, basically everything. Sean has a very distinct and unique style of writing, our humor is also very compatible. I can honestly say I was devouring the book quicker than I could even describe.
Then I got to the obligatory conflict at the 85% mark. I hate that a lot of authors assume it is obligatory to put a random obstacle on the couple's path to make it a good story - it is not! I'll take this even further and say this time it hurt the story immensely. The conflict came so out of the left field it gave me whiplash. There were some hints it will go this way but just a chapter or two before everything seemed to have been resolved with an honest conversation the two MCs had (I even though wow - subverting expectations, nice - oh silly me). After that point I hate finished the rest of the book being extremely angry at both the characters and the author.
I also think the Otter Bay setting is reaching it's limits of cute and starting to become overpacked with young gay couples bringing it closer and closer to a fan-fic setting. I believe it's time for a new series set in a new place.
The best way to read this book is to stop at 85% and pretend the last few chapters don't exist (since after the conflict the MCs come back to the same point in their relationship they were in before, there's no growth, no changes). But if you want to read the whole thing that's fine too. Even thoug I know I've been harsh on it I will still recomend it to my friends, it's just the level of scrutiny I hold for books written by one of my favorite authors.
(I have received an ARC copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Sean Ashcroft had no influence on this review).
We return to the Otter Bay, a place basically bursting with cute gay couples and out-of-this-world ice cream (that's not an euphemism you dirty you). This time we follow Milo and Xander - they seem to have just met, but is that really the case? You'll have to find out yourself.
For the first 85% of the book I was utterly in love with the story, with the characters, the integration of previous couples, basically everything. Sean has a very distinct and unique style of writing, our humor is also very compatible. I can honestly say I was devouring the book quicker than I could even describe.
Then I got to the obligatory conflict at the 85% mark. I hate that a lot of authors assume it is obligatory to put a random obstacle on the couple's path to make it a good story - it is not! I'll take this even further and say this time it hurt the story immensely. The conflict came so out of the left field it gave me whiplash. There were some hints it will go this way but just a chapter or two before everything seemed to have been resolved with an honest conversation the two MCs had (I even though wow - subverting expectations, nice - oh silly me). After that point I hate finished the rest of the book being extremely angry at both the characters and the author.
I also think the Otter Bay setting is reaching it's limits of cute and starting to become overpacked with young gay couples bringing it closer and closer to a fan-fic setting. I believe it's time for a new series set in a new place.
The best way to read this book is to stop at 85% and pretend the last few chapters don't exist (since after the conflict the MCs come back to the same point in their relationship they were in before, there's no growth, no changes). But if you want to read the whole thing that's fine too. Even thoug I know I've been harsh on it I will still recomend it to my friends, it's just the level of scrutiny I hold for books written by one of my favorite authors.
(I have received an ARC copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Sean Ashcroft had no influence on this review).
June 22, 2025
DNF @ 64%
It felt a little weird being dropped in the story well past Xander and Milo being good friends on Instagram. Not seeing how they met up there and how they provided support to each other made lines like Milo saying "You've been the highlight of some of the hardest days of my life" feel very unjustified and shallow. Such a deep declaration of appreciation should've had a stronger emotional impact and backing, but instead it just screams like the author is telling us, "Xander and Milo are very compatible and inportant to each other" without actually going through the effort of showing how it got to that point.
Xander carrying around a cat in his jacket pocket was cute (as long as you ignore the actuality of how messy little kittens are at that age)
The complete lack of communication between Xander and Milo was annoying though. They kissed and obviously had emotions regarding that considering how much both hinted at sexual stuff (like who the hell talks about how many people they've slept with and how people have been hounding them to sleep with others, which was super weird in itself). It got a little annoying reading them wonder how the other felt seeing as how they avoided talking about it despite the physical signals they both were sending each other.
I didn't like the way Xander and his friends talked about Milo at the party. Saying somebody is "mine" never truly lands well with me since it feels like the character is being reduced to a possession as opposed to being treated like a human being. Also the objectification of just calling Milo hot and people urging Xander to sleep with him was a little gross. There were also just way too many names characters at the party (who I'm assuming were previous MCs to the books I DNFed).
Primarily DNF-ing because the story was just too fluffy. Once Xander and Milo got together, there just wasn't enough conflict to keep me invested. Yes, Milo's dad was an asshole and he had to leave in two weeks, but knowing that the problem is easily solvable by Milo choosing to come back (as if anything was truly stopping him from that) just makes the romance too easy imo.
It felt a little weird being dropped in the story well past Xander and Milo being good friends on Instagram. Not seeing how they met up there and how they provided support to each other made lines like Milo saying "You've been the highlight of some of the hardest days of my life" feel very unjustified and shallow. Such a deep declaration of appreciation should've had a stronger emotional impact and backing, but instead it just screams like the author is telling us, "Xander and Milo are very compatible and inportant to each other" without actually going through the effort of showing how it got to that point.
Xander carrying around a cat in his jacket pocket was cute (as long as you ignore the actuality of how messy little kittens are at that age)
The complete lack of communication between Xander and Milo was annoying though. They kissed and obviously had emotions regarding that considering how much both hinted at sexual stuff (like who the hell talks about how many people they've slept with and how people have been hounding them to sleep with others, which was super weird in itself). It got a little annoying reading them wonder how the other felt seeing as how they avoided talking about it despite the physical signals they both were sending each other.
I didn't like the way Xander and his friends talked about Milo at the party. Saying somebody is "mine" never truly lands well with me since it feels like the character is being reduced to a possession as opposed to being treated like a human being. Also the objectification of just calling Milo hot and people urging Xander to sleep with him was a little gross. There were also just way too many names characters at the party (who I'm assuming were previous MCs to the books I DNFed).
Primarily DNF-ing because the story was just too fluffy. Once Xander and Milo got together, there just wasn't enough conflict to keep me invested. Yes, Milo's dad was an asshole and he had to leave in two weeks, but knowing that the problem is easily solvable by Milo choosing to come back (as if anything was truly stopping him from that) just makes the romance too easy imo.
July 5, 2022
Awesome, authentic and great characters
Contains: instagram crushes, fling, small town, friend and family value, fluffy, love and a big dose of sweetness.
The sweetness and lightness is there. We dive into a romance novel without big drama. As Mr. Ashcroft has accustomed us, his books are all about that fluffy/smoochy side... the delicacy of one and the difficulty in expressing what he means by the other makes you get so attached to them. It was just awesome.
Can we just acclaim this book as one of the best by this author? In my humble opinion, it is and I say that without detracting from the quality of the previous books, but this one has a few more things. The feelings are so spot on, the scenes are described so simply and so hot. The flaws, the feeling of insecurity experienced by the character is imprinted in his skin. He can't help it. But in a way, it makes the characters authentic, more real, with a whole personality and this well asserted. The author has outdone himself and we are so grateful.
Contains: instagram crushes, fling, small town, friend and family value, fluffy, love and a big dose of sweetness.
The sweetness and lightness is there. We dive into a romance novel without big drama. As Mr. Ashcroft has accustomed us, his books are all about that fluffy/smoochy side... the delicacy of one and the difficulty in expressing what he means by the other makes you get so attached to them. It was just awesome.
Can we just acclaim this book as one of the best by this author? In my humble opinion, it is and I say that without detracting from the quality of the previous books, but this one has a few more things. The feelings are so spot on, the scenes are described so simply and so hot. The flaws, the feeling of insecurity experienced by the character is imprinted in his skin. He can't help it. But in a way, it makes the characters authentic, more real, with a whole personality and this well asserted. The author has outdone himself and we are so grateful.
June 30, 2022
Milo has worked for his father's seafood wholesaler for a while even though he's a talented photographer and food blogger. He's *finally* taking a two-week vacation--well, kinda--to help his sister during her pregnancy. His sister is a florist in Otter Bay, a small town on the Oregon coast.
What he doesn't know is that the sweet guy he's been hanging out with online owns the bakery right across the street...
Xander's just gone through a very public, complicated break-up the previous week. It was a good thing, but he's still smarting and not thrilled to be getting all the attention.
The story is these two guys (who are really lovely and kind) reworking their online friendship into a in-person relationship which, unfortunately, has a two-week deadling...
This is a great, low-angst story. Yes, there's things that happen, miscommunications, self-doubt, but they're resolved quickly and the leads do communicate which is just great! Highly recommended.
What he doesn't know is that the sweet guy he's been hanging out with online owns the bakery right across the street...
Xander's just gone through a very public, complicated break-up the previous week. It was a good thing, but he's still smarting and not thrilled to be getting all the attention.
The story is these two guys (who are really lovely and kind) reworking their online friendship into a in-person relationship which, unfortunately, has a two-week deadling...
This is a great, low-angst story. Yes, there's things that happen, miscommunications, self-doubt, but they're resolved quickly and the leads do communicate which is just great! Highly recommended.
June 30, 2022
Back to Otter Bay and Sean did not disappoint, as if he ever could! I'm still swooning over these too precious characters Sean has brought to life.
Xander and Milo have been talking for months over Instagram but never really thought they'd meet anytime soon. Milo leaves Seattle to go help his pregnant sister in Otter Bay unaware cat dad lives there and he strolls into Xanders bakery unknowingly. Brought together by Milos favorite foster kitten Luna. And from there we are taken on a beautiful journey as these two fall in love in with each other. Both a bit insecure, from previous relationships, but they help each other realize they're exactly what the other deserves. We get to see our other favorite characters from Otter Bay. This book is delightful, funny, and ohhh boy are they spicy together. You won't be able to put it down.
Xander and Milo have been talking for months over Instagram but never really thought they'd meet anytime soon. Milo leaves Seattle to go help his pregnant sister in Otter Bay unaware cat dad lives there and he strolls into Xanders bakery unknowingly. Brought together by Milos favorite foster kitten Luna. And from there we are taken on a beautiful journey as these two fall in love in with each other. Both a bit insecure, from previous relationships, but they help each other realize they're exactly what the other deserves. We get to see our other favorite characters from Otter Bay. This book is delightful, funny, and ohhh boy are they spicy together. You won't be able to put it down.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 3, 2022
This was cute, and was shaping up to me a 5 star read for awhile. This series is light, fluffy, and super sweet and sometimes, that’s what you need.
However, the third act conflict was annoying. I knew it was coming but come on. And the last 25-30% of the book it feels like the editing fell off the rails a bit. The sudden shift in location/topic/conversation was jarring since there was nothing on the page to indicate we were “cutting to commercial” on the scene. The two main characters would be talking one place and BAM! The next sentence is days later or one of them is somewhere else entirely talking to someone else. I know that’s nit-picky, but it happened several times toward the end and was jarring every time.
Still a good read, and it achieved its goal of being a cutesy romance read.
3.5⭐️
However, the third act conflict was annoying. I knew it was coming but come on. And the last 25-30% of the book it feels like the editing fell off the rails a bit. The sudden shift in location/topic/conversation was jarring since there was nothing on the page to indicate we were “cutting to commercial” on the scene. The two main characters would be talking one place and BAM! The next sentence is days later or one of them is somewhere else entirely talking to someone else. I know that’s nit-picky, but it happened several times toward the end and was jarring every time.
Still a good read, and it achieved its goal of being a cutesy romance read.
3.5⭐️
June 29, 2022
Another amazing book in the Otter Bay series. As with the others this can be read as a standalone, but they're all so great, I recommend reading the entire series. Previous couples show up in this book, but you won't feel like you're missing something if you didn't read their books. I love the idea of online friends meeting & not knowing it's who they've been chatting with, and this was done really well. I love the Otter Bay world Sean created, and all his characters are so easy to fall in love with. I can't wait to see what he comes up with next.
I received an advanced copy and voluntarily gave my honest review.
I received an advanced copy and voluntarily gave my honest review.
July 2, 2022
Super cute and low angst. I had a hard time focusing on everything this week (ugh brains, am I right?). So this took me a lot longer than it should have to finish and I had a little trouble telling the main characters apart, but I think those were “me” problems and I’ll definitely keep this book in mind for when I need something sweet. If you’re four books in to this series like me, you won’t be surprised by the tone of this story. If this is your intro to Sean Ashcroft, you won’t be lost. Past couples make cameos, but reading their books first isn’t necessary. All in all, it met my expectations solidified my opinion that Sean Ashcroft is a go to author for something sugary and light.
June 30, 2022
Every visit to Otter Bay makes me wish it existed even more than the last, and this book is no exception. Milo and Xander are a perfect couple: supportive, sweet, just enough insecurities and conflict to keep the storyline moving along. Both men bloom under the attentions of the other, and sometimes that’s all a romance novel needs to be. The story is the definition of low angst with a side of sweetness and steam, along with the right level of humor from other Otter Bay citizens and foster kittens. Just plain smile-inducing.
July 17, 2022
Love makes you BLOOM 😍
Gosh Xander and Milo as so adorable; it was swoon worthy, lol. This book reminded me of how much I love and missed Sean writing. All his books are always written with love & care; it seeps into you with each word you read. I also love how he creates realistic characters filled with flaws/down in their luck and yet so kindhearted, you root for them immediately. I am definitely spending the rest of the week catching up with the other books in this series. Can't wait for the next installment
Gosh Xander and Milo as so adorable; it was swoon worthy, lol. This book reminded me of how much I love and missed Sean writing. All his books are always written with love & care; it seeps into you with each word you read. I also love how he creates realistic characters filled with flaws/down in their luck and yet so kindhearted, you root for them immediately. I am definitely spending the rest of the week catching up with the other books in this series. Can't wait for the next installment
June 30, 2022
Blooming is a great addition to the Otter Bay series. While it can be read as a stand alone I loved the prior books and would recommend them!
Milo and Xander are perfect together. I loved how they were social media friends and didn't realize who each other where when meeting IRL.
They have wonderful chemistry together.
This is a lovely romance with little to no angst.
I loved seeing these guys get their HEA!
Milo and Xander are perfect together. I loved how they were social media friends and didn't realize who each other where when meeting IRL.
They have wonderful chemistry together.
This is a lovely romance with little to no angst.
I loved seeing these guys get their HEA!
July 5, 2022
I absolutely loved Milo and Xander! These two were just so adorable and sweet! I love how comfortable they are with each other and how they each support the other! Just a fantastic super cute couple! Absolutely adored the kittens and how they both loved them and took care of them! A super cute and awesome story that I highly recommend! I am voluntarily leaving an honest review for this complimentary copy of this book
June 29, 2022
Milo and Xander are relationship goals x10. Who wouldn't fall for someone who fosters kittens? Soul mate! An online friendship blossoms and when they unexpectedly meet sparks fly quickly turning into a steamy love fest. Throw in the most adorable kittens ever and some interesting friends and you have a fun small town romance.
June 30, 2022
I absolutely loved Milo and Xander's story so much.
This is yet another amazing book by Sean Ashcroft in the Otter Bay series.
Xander and Milo's meet cute was just very adorable. I love how they developed a friendship over Milo's photography and Xander's foster kittens.
If you haven't read this book yet, I highly recommend it.
I received an ARC of this book and this is my honest review.
This is yet another amazing book by Sean Ashcroft in the Otter Bay series.
Xander and Milo's meet cute was just very adorable. I love how they developed a friendship over Milo's photography and Xander's foster kittens.
If you haven't read this book yet, I highly recommend it.
I received an ARC of this book and this is my honest review.
July 1, 2022
This is a wonderful addition to the Otter Bay series, it will not disappoint. This is a story filled with intriguing characters, a fluffy, feel-good story, and a setting that will have you wishing it actually existed. I was easily lost within the pages Milo and Xander’s story and I couldn’t wait to find out what happened next. Definitely worth reading.
August 22, 2022
DNF’d at like 84% and skimmed after that because that dark moment is pretty dumb and came out of left field. And then it was over so fast! Those chapters could have been removed and the story would have been so much better.
Also I thought it a little odd that there’s no on page scenes between Milo and Dawn after she gives birth.
Also I thought it a little odd that there’s no on page scenes between Milo and Dawn after she gives birth.
October 9, 2022
another sweet read
A nice story about two sweet boys you would want for friends if not boyfriends in a town you want to be in. I could happily relocate to this little town filled with nice people, a great ice cream parlor, coffee shop, and bakery. Hopefully Sean Ashcroft will bring us back soon.
A nice story about two sweet boys you would want for friends if not boyfriends in a town you want to be in. I could happily relocate to this little town filled with nice people, a great ice cream parlor, coffee shop, and bakery. Hopefully Sean Ashcroft will bring us back soon.
July 23, 2026
I liked this story very much. Both Xander and Milo were so sweet and cool and beautiful. It worked. Yes, Ashcroft use of favorite lines and situations becomes a bit tiresome, but they were couched in better plots this time.
Ashcroft is a good writer. The books are well and truly romantic sweetness. A little more variety could make them even better. This book was better and really romantic.
Ashcroft is a good writer. The books are well and truly romantic sweetness. A little more variety could make them even better. This book was better and really romantic.
June 30, 2022
Blooming is the 4th book in the Otter Bay series (it can be read as a standalone). The story of Milo and Xander is sweet, sexy and a fun read. There are adorable kittens, sinfully decadent cinnamon rolls, and heart melting kisses. This book is low angst.
July 6, 2022
Great book with all the feels! Milo and Xander are one of the cute couples of Otter-Bay now. The two men were Instagram friends with crushes on each other. Meeting by accident changes their lives forever in a good way! Love the book and you will too.
July 18, 2022
Another ab fab story from Otter Bay
Sean has crafted another marvelous addition to the Otter Bay series. Pour yourself a big cup of tea, grab a cinnamon roll, curl up with a kitten, and drift off to Otter Bay to witness the love bloom between Milo and Xander.
Sean has crafted another marvelous addition to the Otter Bay series. Pour yourself a big cup of tea, grab a cinnamon roll, curl up with a kitten, and drift off to Otter Bay to witness the love bloom between Milo and Xander.
July 18, 2022
the writing is good
But again it’s too much. They’re too sweet, too happy, too in love right from the get go. Maybe I’ve just gotten tired of sappy perfect love stories. The first two we’re working much better.
But again it’s too much. They’re too sweet, too happy, too in love right from the get go. Maybe I’ve just gotten tired of sappy perfect love stories. The first two we’re working much better.
August 13, 2022
Warm and fuzzy
This is a low angst story with almost all the happy feels you can stand! I mean homemade cinnamon rolls, kittens, babies and gooey falling in love. It was an enjoyable read for me.
This is a low angst story with almost all the happy feels you can stand! I mean homemade cinnamon rolls, kittens, babies and gooey falling in love. It was an enjoyable read for me.
July 2, 2022
another cute read
I always look forward to these books full of sweet sugary cavity inducing love. Always such a good cleansing read from more emotional reads.
I always look forward to these books full of sweet sugary cavity inducing love. Always such a good cleansing read from more emotional reads.
August 3, 2022
story line: ***
main characters: ****
side characters: ****
world building: ***
editing: *****
main characters: ****
side characters: ****
world building: ***
editing: *****
January 30, 2024
Cute and sweet. The thing with Brady wasn’t fleshed out enough to feel real.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews