I really wanted to love this book because the premise was very interesting and new, also Ari was a pretty good character. His grief, his growth, and his overall personality kept me engaged throughout the story. However, my enjoyment was dampened by a few issues—mainly, the heroine.

Her attitude toward relationships and the way she handled Ari’s confession felt frustrating. She completely disregarded what he told her, lumping him into the same category as someone who had actually wronged her, which felt very childish and unfair. Even after everything he did to prove himself back in Australia, she kept pushing him away with reasoning that didn’t seem realistic in today’s world at all.

She felt too forced and superficial for me.

That said, I’m sure this will be an appealing book for some people. This is just not my type of female character at all.

Thank you Amy Andrews and NetGalley for this ARC.

I was really enjoying the beginning, there was a lot of smex, the chemistry was chemistry-ing and the plot was juicy. Also, cruise romance is not how I read my billionaire romances so bonus for that.

It was fun to watch how instantly these 2 are drawn together and how hard they find it to stay away. I love me some identity-camouflage shenanigans so was def looking forward to seeing how that would pan out.

Unfortunately the second half of the book killed my buzz a bit. Kelsey's reaction to Ari's deception was just so over the top. You would think he swindled her and her mother out of the very roof from their heads.

Did like the bit where she has reservations about him being HIM and her just being a small town girl but the book didnt build up to that, it mostly made it seem like she was just mad at him about his identity conceal.

I did rate this 3 star with hopes that the above might just be an arc issue.

Thanks Netgalley and Boldwood Books. Also BONUS BONUS points for that cover. I would have ignored this straight if it had cartoons on it.

Great book the slow burn was a tad to slow to get into for me but once I pushed thru I could not put this book down. I loved the Cinderella billionaire love story I’d love to see a sequel with the brother and best friend!

I loved the premise of the book. Undercover Billionaire? Sign me up!
However, overall it was... just an okay book for me. *Again, my opinion
I think the book fell a little flat. I didn't mind the insta-love trope, but I think what struck me most was that we didn't get to 'feel' the connection between Ari and Kelsey. Yes, it was insta-love. Yes, the chemistry was obviously there. But I think we only had a few conversations that were more than just superficial (e.g. the conversion about Ari's wife). Also, I wish it was in dual first person (not third person). Also, I have so many questions. What happened to the investigation? What happened to the cruise ship staff? How is the mother's health? I wish the book was a bit longer to cover everything.
Thanks to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for the ARC.

This was a quick and easy read. It had a lot of potential, however for me it fell a little short. I found it to be a bit repetitive. It would’ve been nice to have a little more of the undercover story.

Had my attention from start to finish… I couldn't put it down and finished it in a day. Can't wait for more from this amazing author What an absolute cracker of a book!!!…

Rounding my review up. I quite enjoyed this book however the ending felt a bit rushed, I would have loved it if it was longer and a tad more fleshed out. Over all a quick easy read.

This one just wasn't for me. I didn't connect with Kelsey at all. She seemed childish and hung up on something that happened ten years ago. I don't think Ari should have had to grovel. If anything Kelsey should have. The crime did not match the punishment.

This was not really what I was expecting. It was shorter than it could have been which left room for development and simply just more than it gave.

Sexy, steamy, spicy... this book delivered all the adjectives. Set on a cruise ship, Ari, the undercover boss, is investigating why this ship is doing so poorly in bookings and reviews. Kelsey, one of the "good ones" working the cruise ship meets Ari and it's instant sparks. Kelsey half heartedly resists, but we know where this is going. Spicy, spicy...
The conflict was a surprise, there was some heart put into this beach read. Both Kelsey and Ari had to overcome some major issues to work towards each other at the end.
Enjoyable read. Thank you for the ARC!

Kelsey is working on board a cruise ship, trying to make enough money to buy her mother a new home. What she doesn't need is any distraction. Enter Ari - one of the owners of the cruise ship who is working undercover to see why the ship is losing money.

When they meet, the attraction is instant and they can't stay away from each other. Even though Kelsey knows that it is against the rules to date passengers, she can't resist her attraction to Ari. How long can he keep his real identity secret?

This was a fairly standard 'forbidden romance' with plenty of steamy action.

Kelsey is a bartender on a cruise ship and Ari is under cover as a regular passenger to observe why this particular cruise ship is not as successful as others.
They meet when she serves him a drink and after that they keep running into each other.
Kelsey knows getting involved with a passenger is against the rules but their connection is too strong to be ignored. What starts off as a one night stand turns into something more. And has potential to be HEA till the truths are revealed.
This was a quick and enjoyable read. The spice quotient is pretty high but I would have liked to see some more romance between them.

This book had a great plot with intriguing characters. I’ll definitely be looking out for more from this author.

"Love makes you vulnerable. I know that well. But.... Love is everywhere, Aristotle. You've just got to let it in"
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Ari and Kelsey's relationship is a story based on second chances. I love how vulnerable they both are, and even though they aren't looking for love, that heart fixing, stomach dropping, gut wrenching love finds them. And the spice???? Pass me a fan! I read this on a plane! I could feel my cheeks getting redder and redder 🌶️🌶️🌶️

If you are after a story that will grip you from the beginning, easy to follow love story with forced proximity and a forbidden tryst look no further!!

ARC REVIEW - This was a pretty quick read. I really enjoyed the back and forth between Kelsey and Ari while they slowly get to know one another on a cruise ship. Kelsey’s trust issues with men show as she grapples with meeting and hooking up with Ari. As for Ari, well he has a lot of growth and pain to deal with. Their passion is hot and fun! Thanks NetGalley for the chance to read and review this book!

This was a great well written quick fast paced read with some spice. Would defiantly recommend and look forward to the next one

Kelsey is determined to save enough money to fulfill her and her mother’s dream of owning a beachside cottage, working tirelessly aboard a cruise ship to make it happen. Ari, a wealthy businessman, is undercover as a tourist on the same cruise, investigating financial discrepancies within his family's company. Kelsey knows getting involved with a passenger is against the rules, so she figures a one-night stand is harmless—until it turns into a full-blown fling. But when things start feeling too good to be true, reality proves they are.

Overall, it’s an enjoyable read. The spicy scenes deliver exactly what you’d expect from a passionate fling. The writing style could use some refinement—it’s a bit repetitive at times—but it doesn’t take away from the story.

As for the romance itself, it’s a case of instalove, and I found the last part of the book to be the strongest part. Do Ari and Kelsey have chemistry? Yes. Does their relationship progression feel natural? Not entirely.

Part of the issue lies in Kelsey’s supposed resistance to the relationship—her concern about losing her job feels half-hearted at best. She mentions the risk a few times but ultimately disregards it without much struggle.

Thank you to Netgalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review

An amazing romance with some intriguing drama and lots of spice.

The kind you get to jump your love-one on after reading it.

This was a really fun read. It was cute and spicy, but I loved how the characters backstories played into the plot. The cruise ship setting was so unique and I loved the forbidden aspect of Ari and Kelsey’s relationship! This would be the perfect holiday read. I will definitely be keeping an eye out for the next book!

Thank you so much to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

3.5 stars.
A still grieving hero falls for a vibrant heroine in “Undercover Billionaire”, by Amy Andrews, a story about loss, betrayal and learning to trust and love again.
I loved the alluring, wounded and a bit mysterious (in the beginning) hero. Ari’s physical and psychological pain is well written, realistic and convincing.
Watching him fall for the girl-next-door heroine is the classic Cinderella tale.
The instantaneous sex blends with a mix of emotions emerging in Ari and Kelsey, both trying to dismiss the intensity of feelings, and failing.
The characters are complex and lovable. Kelsey’s bright attitude hides some scars, too; but she’s the perfect person to help Ari heal.
I felt the sex scenes were too extended and perhaps the secrets were kept for too long.