Tackling grief and romance all in one go, this emotional book was a great, as expected Harlequin read. If you’re a fan of the trapped together or billionaire tropes, this book is for you.

Six months ago Jessie’s mom passed, and now Jessie is drifting. Her sister sends Jessie on an all-expenses paid month-long trip to a secluded, tropical vacation at Hannah’s boss’s home in an exclusive resort where she meets sexy Joel, someone she assumes is part of the home’s staff.

Joel is best friends with Hannah’s boss, Brendan, and has been living at his luxury home. After suffering loss over the past few years, Joel has filled his time with easy living and lots of flirting and women. Knowing Jessie is off-limits, Joel hangs around the resort to welcome her and maybe even flirt a bit.

I picked up Billionaire’s Island Temptation to fill one of the boxes in the 2023 Romance Reading Challenge. Although the story has a promising premise and start, I never connected with the characters. Each is in a dark place and recovering from hurt and lost, thinking a fling may be what is needed to fill the void. Yet from the start, Joel is just a tad too arrogant for my liking. He promises Brendan he’ll stay away from Jessie but then gets off on flirting and tempting her, hiding his true identity.

As the story progresses and the couple spends time together 24-7, they grow closer, but don’t share all that much. Joel haphazardly tosses around the word “love,” and it’s out of character and misplaced in the friendship-with-benefits relationship. Jessie is wishy-washy and immature, overreacting to every perceived mistreatment. Both would act like teens, stomping away and pouting. With that said, the author brings them back together very quickly, realizing they overreacted and making amends. However, it happened too often.

In the end, Billionaire’s Island Temptation did not work for me. I never liked the characters and felt their relationship was never fully developed.

My Rating: D

Jessie and Joel are both running from grief when a storm traps them together on a tropical island. They're instantly attracted, but are they too damaged to fall in love?

This is an enjoyable, emotional romance in a luxurious setting. I liked the flirtation between Jessie and Joel and how the chemistry between them develops.

Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC I received. This is my honest and voluntary review.

Quick Summary: A love after loss, tug-of-war romance

My Review: Billionaire's Island Temptation by Rachael Stewart was a romance that brought together two grieving souls who were looking to heal from troubling pasts. The story was emo-rich and unpredictable. Ultimately, the insta-romance between Joel and Jessie brought clarity and resolution on many fronts.

My Final Say: Readers who enjoy comeback stories will like this one.

Rating: 3/5
Recommend: +/-
Audience: A

Thanks to the author, to the publisher, and to NetGalley, who provided access to this title in exchange for an honest review.

I was provided an arc e-copy by the publisher Harlequin Romance by the author
Rachael Stewart so Ican give a honest review thank you so much so I can give a honest review.

Billionaire's Island Temptation was a okay read I didn't enjoy the plot but not enough to give it 5 stars.. I haven't read many books by
Rachael Stewart I look forward to reading her other books. 3 star read 🌟🌟🌟

Happy Reading
Lisa📚