This didn't hold my attention as much as I thought it would. The chemistry was there, Ari was a great guy, Kelsey was a great employee but every other scene was spice. It would have been nice to have some tension and build up, flirty behaviour, not to be straight at it.

4/5⭐⭐⭐⭐
2/5🌶️🌶️

What to Expect:
🛳️Billionaire Romance
🌊Forbidden Romance
🛳️No Strings Attached
🌊Boss/Owner x Employee
🛳️Cinderella Trope
🌊Cruise Ship
🛳️“I Don’t Do Relationships!”
🌊Alpha Hero

I knew from the first chapter that Undercover Billionaire was going to be one of those reads, I couldn’t stop. The chemistry between Ari and Kelsey? Off the STEAMYYYY. Their banter, the instant attraction, and the tension building with every interaction had me reeling to see what would go down between them (lots of foreshadowing, but not in the annoying way!). Amy Andrews did such a great job making their connection feel natural, not forced, which made every stolen moment between them even more HOTTT. And let’s be honest—Ari answering the door in nothing but a towel multiple times was a genius move… we all love to drool over a smexyyy man in a towel!

One thing I especially loved was how Kelsey was written. She’s not your stereotypical romance FMC—she’s a curvy, hardworking bartender with real insecurities and everyday struggles. She’s not supermodel perfect, and that made her so much more relatable. Her dreams, her resilience, and her no-nonsense attitude made me root for her even more. The cruise ship setting was also such a fun backdrop, adding an extra layer of escapism with all the glitzy, sun-soaked locations (seriously, I want to book a trip ASAP).

Beyond the romance, I could tell Andrews put a lot of TLC into the story. There were deeper themes woven in—betrayal, class differences, workplace ethics—all without taking away from the sizzling romance, or letting the romance overtake the plot. And while Ari’s big secret was bound to explode, I appreciated how the fallout was handled in a way that felt real, not rushed… not all is instantly forgiven. The ending was so satisfying, giving us that well-earned ending without surpassing the struggles it took to get there.

I love anything by Amy Andrews, and this book was no exception. Neither Ari and Kelsey can resist their attraction to one another even though they each know their relationship is taboo (crew/client, boss/crew.) Despite this they embark on a steamy affair for the duration of the cruise, which inevitably fell apart once the truth of who he is was discovered. The HEA was perfect - I loved how Ari approached it, showing Kelsey who he really was.

I love anything by Amy Andrews, and this book was no exception. Neither Ari and Kelsey can resist their attraction to one another even though they each know their relationship is taboo (crew/client, boss/crew.) Despite this they embark on a steamy affair for the duration of the cruise, which inevitably fell apart once the truth of who he is was discovered. The HEA was perfect - I loved how Ari approached it, showing Kelsey who he really was.

I love anything by Amy Andrews, and this book was no exception. Neither Ari and Kelsey can resist their attraction to one another even though they each know their relationship is taboo (crew/client, boss/crew.) Despite this they embark on a steamy affair for the duration of the cruise, which inevitably fell apart once the truth of who he is was discovered. The HEA was perfect - I loved how Ari approached it, showing Kelsey who he really was.

This was a well written book and I very much enjoyed it. Hidden identity, and some "I never do this" was a little expected but overall I loved the relationship and had a fun time getting lost on the cruise shit with Ari and Kelsey.

I really like this book it was a great tale with good characters and settings. I received a review copy from NetGalley but the views and opinions expressed herein are my own.

This steamy romance novel was a fun read that I was able to read quickly. I haven't read the author before but I liked the writing and I enjoyed the characters relationship.

If you enjoy Billionaire romance and the Cinderella story this is a good choice for you.

This book is hot, steamy, forbidden and just meant to be enjoyed. What more can you ask for, but a cruise ship, a hot man and a woman who played by the rules, but is willing to put herself on the line for this passenger.

I don’t usually read romance novels but when I do I often enjoy them. Even though I often find them predictable and a big formulaic. This one was no different. You know how it’s going to turn out but it is still interesting to read it.

A rich cruise ship company owner posing as a passenger and an employee. They fall fast for each other.

Naturally there are misunderstandings etc but will they be worked through?

There is a lot of spice especially in the first half of the book. It gets less as the book goes on. The second half has more story and less spice.

Overall, this was a quick read that I enjoyed. If you like romances that have spice content then you will enjoy this one.

Having her trust and heart broken was sad
But working on a cruise ship isn't so bad!
Kelsey is determined not to fall again
Doing so causes too much pain.

When a passenger proves irresistible
She's convinced a one-night stand then they'll be through
But attraction builds as they discover
And they can't resist temptation of one another.

However, the stranger has secrets of his own
He's undercover- and doesn't want his cover blown!
Their romance is totally against company rules
But somehow that only their relationship fuels!

A steamy forbidden romance
With them both taking a chance.
However what happens when she finds out
Who he is and what he's about?

A great, fun romance that takes you away
Brilliant to read, whatever the weather or day!
For my copy of this book I say thank you
As I share with you this, my honest review.

Ari is a Greek-born London-based billionaire who goes undercover on one of the cruise ships his family owns to find out why it's underperforming compared to their other ships. He's also a widower, having lost his wife in a car accident three years earlier. Kelsey is an employee of the cruise ship who's saving up her money to return home and help her mother in Australia. She's headstrong and feisty and has a good moral compass. When these two meet, sparks fly all over the place and eventually they fall right into bed. It's the perfect setup for a forbidden romance and all the spice. And boy, does this book have a ton of spice, like 35% of the book is spice that I sometimes had to skim through the bits to get back to the plot. But that's a minor thing. I like the way the author handled Ari's grief as well as the way he handles certain workplace events, making Ari an amazing character overall. Kelsey's character was a bit over the top sometimes but I chalked it up to her feisty character.

4.5 stars!

Ari is the not-well-known brother. He went on a cruise to find out why one of their ships wasn't doing well. Too many open berths, and it wasn't making the cash flow it should have. He is a widower, still mourning his wife. He was on the cruise to work. Nothing more.

Then he ran into Kelsey, who is hard at work, earning a living behind an onboard bar. She lost her inheritance and had been with the cruise line for 7 years. One more year and she'd make her goal to provide for herself and her going-blind mother.

She'd sworn off men because of her thieving former lover. Until she tested fate and slept with Ari. Each was infatuated with each other. It was a firing offense. Was it worth it?

Lordy, Amy Andrews knows how to write an exciting sex scene. Or maybe a whole book full of them.

I generally don't like billionaire stories. Guys living the high life and thrilling the women with luxury. But Ari is buried in his grief and nothing else matters to him. You'll see him in a T-shirt and board shorts. Or a towel. Great story.

A driven and grieving billionaire travels on one of his family's cruise liners to discover why it is losing money. His attraction to Kelsey is immediate and surprising as he is still coming to terms with the loss of his wife. The sizzling passion that follows has its roots in emotion, and Ari and Kelsey soon realise that this is more than a one-night experience. Ari is easy to like, as is Kelsey. When Ari confesses the undercover aspect of his role, Kelsey is unforgiving, and her inability to forgive and risk her heart again threatens their relationship. I like the emotional journey the story takes the couple on, their passionate affair and the romantic conclusion.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher.

Undercover Billionaire by Amy Andrews, is a sizzling, steamy, emotional, billionaire, forbidden, instant attraction romance story with humor, and secrets. Ari and Kelsey had an instant attraction to one another despite both strongly being opposed to a relationship. Ari is still feeling heartbreak, and Kelsey is still feeling her resentment from getting burned by an ex. Taking place on a cruise ship, Ari Calliisthenes, part of a wealthy family and one of the heirs to a shipping line, goes undercover to investigate a few problems and concerns. Falling for a member of the staff was never on his list of things to do, but beautiful Australian Kelsey Armitage gets under his skin and into his emotions and leaving her behind was not going to happen. Kelsey has been working on the cruise ships for seven years doing which ever job she can in order to save enough money to purchase a place by the sea for her Mum. While on a beautiful Mediterranean cruise she meets a passenger who sets her heart on fire and for the first time she breaks the rules, for supposedly a one night stand.

The chemistry and electricity sparks between Ari and Kelsey, setting the pages on fire as well as possibly boil the ocean around them. It was supposed to be only a one night stand, except neither of them figured that their feelings would get involved. When cupid shoots his arrows no one is safe and Ari pulls out all strings to win the woman who has won his heart. Kelsey is the perfect partner for the brooding billionaire.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book
#NetGalley #Boldwood

A fun romantic read! This would be a great beach read or one to take on a cruise with you! If you like romance novels, you won't be disappointed by this one.

This is a very spicy and steamy read with likeable characters Kelsey and Ari. Billionaire Ari goes undercover to investigate why one of his cruise liners isn’t performing. What he doesn’t expect is to meet Australian waitress Kelsey which sparks some very intense feelings in them both. What follows is a forbidden romance between two people who have emotional baggage. I found this easy to read and that the balance between the steamy parts and the undercover story with their backstories explored just right. All in all a very enjoyable read. Thanks to Boldwood Books and Netgalley for the ARC

Undercover Billionaire is a sexy forbidden romance. Kelsey is a bartender on a cruise ship sailing through the Mediterranean. Ari Callisthenes is the billionaire to a Greek shipping line. He's also cruising on his own ship but incognito. When Kelsey and Ari meet, the sparks fly for both of them but their romance is forbidden. Kelsey isn't allowed to fraternize with the guests, and Ari doesn't want to disclose who he is to anyone. That will blow his cover and the whole reason he's on the ship.

I enjoyed Undercover Billionaire. There is fun, chemistry, and steam between the pages. Both main characters have unpleasant baggage that forces them to step away from the idea of a relationship. When they meet on the ship and Kelsey has to seek Ari out in his stateroom, their connection intensifies. Lovers of romance (forbidden, steamy, billionaire) will be entertained by Undercover Billionaire and the book's main characters.

The author's writing style is amazing. I'm drawn into everything I've read by Amy Andrews. Her characters are well-developed and her scene building pulls the reader right into the events happening on the page. I've enjoyed meeting her characters in every book I've had the chance to read.

I loved being back on a cruise ship even if it was just in my imagination. My husband and I cruised in February 2024 (my third, my husband's first) and are already planning another one in the near future. I highly recommend these floating cities with the best attendants, wide array of onboard activities, and exotic destinations.

This book was an absolute blast to read—fun, sexy, and fast-paced in the best way. The chemistry between the characters was electric, keeping me hooked from start to finish. Every moment felt effortless yet exciting, making it impossible to put down.

Set on a cruise ship, Undercover Billionaire tells the story of Ari and Kelsey. They have both loved and lost. In the case of Kelsey, she was cheated out of her inheritance by someone she thought loved her, leading her to stop trusting anyone. For Ari though, he lost his wife after a car accident and believes that he will never love again.
I really enjoyed the way that these two found their way to one another and love. It was a quick read, but ultimately an enjoyable and satisfying one. Kelsey might have been a little bit too prickly towards the end, but they both got there in the end.
This book sets us up for the next in the series, which I'd also be quite keen to read.
I received a complimentary copy of this book through NetGalley. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own and given voluntarily.