I just couldn’t get into this book. From the beginning, I felt like it was following a formulaic plot, and as I continued, it just felt like a cheap novel. After the first sex scene, I had to stop. It was so poorly written that I literally facepalmed. I couldn’t take it seriously, and I found myself cringing from secondhand embarrassment.

The author seemed to throw around a lot of metaphorical, "wise" writing, but it failed to evoke any real emotion. It felt like telling rather than showing, and I couldn’t connect with the story at all.

The premise had potential, and I had a few minor issues with the setting details (like the tipping system on cruise ships, which didn’t match my own experiences), but what ultimately ruined it for me was the heroine’s personality and behavior. Kelsey’s actions didn’t resonate with me. She was deeply affected by a past event, yet it didn’t feel believable that she’d act the way she did with Ari, especially after everything he did for her. Her behavior was frustrating, and I found it hard to sympathize with her.

Ari was the only character I liked, and I genuinely hoped he would overcome his grief. But Kelsey’s attitude made it impossible for me to enjoy their relationship, and the plot just didn’t deliver. Sadly, this one didn’t work for me, though I know it has its fans.

I'm giving it 1 ⭐.

There was so much potential for this book but I feel like it fell a bit flat. The plot was interesting, the characters had depth, but there wasn't enough time to explore the emotional connection. The story went from insta-lust straight to love, which fine I can get past that, but Kelsey and Ari only have 1 to 2 conversations that weren't surface level. I liked the idea of Ari's investigation, but it felt like those pages could've been better spent forming their connection instead of talking about health code violations and sexual harassment. Maybe it's just me but I don't want to be thinking about digestive distress sandwiched between two smutty scenes.

Thank you NetGalley for an early copy.

3rd Person POV
Dual POV
Fast Paced
Steamy
OTT Romance

How do I explain this book? I'm honestly not sure. There was a lot happening all at once and yet not much going on either.

My favorite part of the entire thing revolved around Ari finding out what was wrong with the ship. It wasn't the romance itself that did me in.

Don't get me wrong -- there are some romantic moments. But overall, the characters don't work for me. That's not to say others won't really love this story.

Ari and Kelsey have a very fast insta-lust relationship. When things eventually go south (because of some secrets), they have to figure out how to be without one another. The story shows the lead up until the TAB and then the resolution after. It's not super long, as I said, however you do get an HEA with a tease for the brother's story.

The spice is on page, however some of it was a bit stilted. I'm not sure if it's a language thing (this is British Eng) or cultural differences that left me confused at times.

<spoiler> There is a major plot line of the MMC being a widower. I did not see this in the trigger warnings and it might be difficult for some. Just a heads up. </spoiler>

Thanks to NetGalley and Boldwood books for the early ARC.

Entertaining take on the undercover boss and exemplary employee - he has his baggage, she has her story and goals, and the cruise ship has issues he needs to identify. Enough plot to keep things going and plenty of spice from early on.

If it has spice, I want to read it and lately I have become a big fan of billionaire romances. Andrews take on this trope was a good one. I liked the characters and the banter throughout the story. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

I was hoping for more adventure from the cruise part of the story. I love cruising and think that the ship and excursions would add a lot of appeal for some people. I liked the ending. Air went great lengths to show Kelsey and the people around her how much he loves her and was willing to wait for her.

This was a VERY quick read: I finished it in less than 24 hours.

Definitely spicy, which started off good, but as the story went on, there was honestly too MUCH spice and not enough STORY. It left me unconvinced there was enough for a HEA, and I felt as though the characters were in extreme lust, not love.

2.5 stars, rounded down for poor execution

•𝘛𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘬 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘵𝘰 𝘕𝘦𝘵𝘎𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘦𝘺 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘉𝘰𝘭𝘥𝘸𝘰𝘰𝘥 𝘉𝘰𝘰𝘬𝘴 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘱𝘳𝘪𝘷𝘪𝘭𝘦𝘨𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘰𝘸𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘮𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘈𝘙𝘊 𝘪𝘯 𝘦𝘹𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘨𝘦 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘮𝘺 𝘩𝘰𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘵 𝘳𝘦𝘷𝘪𝘦𝘸.•

Cocktail waitress Kelsey falls for her passenger Ari on the cruise. Ari is secretly the owner of the cruise liner....

A sexy and steamy romance. Love Kelsey and Ari. Great chemistry. Lots of swoony romance too.

Thanks to the publisher for the arc.

I truly enjoyed this book! Usually, forced proximity and secret identity plots can feel overdone, with scenarios requiring a lot of suspension of disbelief to keep the story going. However, the author handled it masterfully in this case.

It’s almost an insta-love, but I’d describe it more as an insta-attraction. The setting on a ship was incredibly fun and, for me, quite refreshing. I really liked it.

Spoiler Alert: What I appreciated most was that Kelsey didn’t find out about Ari’s identity through someone else—he told her himself. Just for that, chef’s kiss! The third-act breakup was necessary and well-executed. That said, I missed having an epilogue that delved more into the couple’s future. Did they stay in Australia? Move to Greece? Go somewhere else?

Thanks to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

Up until the 70-something mark the book was great.
Just great chemistry and heart-melting naughty goodness. I was smitten with both Ari and Kelsey, the author wrote them so well that you couldn't help but cheer for their connection and love.
At least, until shit hit the fan.
Towards the ending, both characters went into this weird shift where they turned really different to their former self.
For Kelsey, the sudden change from sexy and self-assured to insecure and unworthy, was disconcerting.
I understand feeling deceived or betrayed, but the extreme mindset flip was unrealistic and kind of a turn off.
And the same happened to Ari!
The charismatic, greek-fantasy of a man suddenly transformed into a robotic, standoffish guy. And I don't mean it as in actions as much as a way of thinking. It honestly felt like reading about a whole different couple.
I really think the book would've been a big success if not for the last 20 or 25 percent.
*I received an ARC of this book through netgalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review*