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Undercover Honeymoon
The next hilarious action rom-com from the author of Love at First Flight, perfect for fans of The Fall Guy and Mr and Mrs Smith.
💖 Fake Dating
💖 Rivals-to-lovers
💖 Action rom-com
💖 Forced proximity
💖 Second-chance romance
💖 Gorgeous holiday read
When Lizzie is hired as a Private Investigator to look into a cheating spouse, the last person she expects to run into is Cam, her ex - who she dated for a grand total of 6 hours - and the reason she left the Police Academy.
Something Lizzie definitely isn't still bitter about it.
Cam, while investigating a man for money laundering, once again finds himself on the opposing side to Lizzie, his old flame. As their searches takes them to the romantic and glamorous Seychelles, the pair are forced to masquerade as a honeymooning couple in love to cover their tracks.
When they find themselves caught up in a criminal conspiracy bigger than they expected, Lizzie and Cam must pretend to a loving couple to get off the island alive - but as old feelings resurface, are they really just playing the part?
_______________
Reader's can't get enough of Jo's books!
'If this doesn't speak romcom perfection I don't know what does!' ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
'Wow! This book would make THE most amazing romantic movie' ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
'OMG!!! I absolutely love, LOVE, LOVED this absolutely gorgeous book!!! I must say it has got to be one of the best romances I have ever read!!' ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
'A laugh-out-loud novel with unique and realistic characters' ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
'Why haven't I heard of Jo Watson before?!! Such a brilliant read and one that totally and utterly broke my star rating system!' ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
💖 Fake Dating
💖 Rivals-to-lovers
💖 Action rom-com
💖 Forced proximity
💖 Second-chance romance
💖 Gorgeous holiday read
When Lizzie is hired as a Private Investigator to look into a cheating spouse, the last person she expects to run into is Cam, her ex - who she dated for a grand total of 6 hours - and the reason she left the Police Academy.
Something Lizzie definitely isn't still bitter about it.
Cam, while investigating a man for money laundering, once again finds himself on the opposing side to Lizzie, his old flame. As their searches takes them to the romantic and glamorous Seychelles, the pair are forced to masquerade as a honeymooning couple in love to cover their tracks.
When they find themselves caught up in a criminal conspiracy bigger than they expected, Lizzie and Cam must pretend to a loving couple to get off the island alive - but as old feelings resurface, are they really just playing the part?
_______________
Reader's can't get enough of Jo's books!
'If this doesn't speak romcom perfection I don't know what does!' ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
'Wow! This book would make THE most amazing romantic movie' ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
'OMG!!! I absolutely love, LOVE, LOVED this absolutely gorgeous book!!! I must say it has got to be one of the best romances I have ever read!!' ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
'A laugh-out-loud novel with unique and realistic characters' ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
'Why haven't I heard of Jo Watson before?!! Such a brilliant read and one that totally and utterly broke my star rating system!' ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
326 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 28, 2026
About the author
Jo Watson
27 books1,128 followersBest selling author of romantic comedies and young adult fiction
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 55 reviews
June 5, 2026
🎉Happy Release Day!🎉
Fun, no drama and no third-act breakup, what more can a girl ask for?
Lizzy and Cam were rivals in college. There was always chemistry between them, but they only acted on it after graduation. Unfortunately, their truce lasted only a few hours. A misunderstanding occurred, she stormed out, and they haven’t spoken since.
Now, six years later, they have to pretend to be engaged to speed up a criminal investigation.
My overall impression of this book is that it’s very simple and very light—perfect for reading on a tropical island, sipping a piña colada by the pool, which is exactly what I’ve been doing for the past two days 💅
The dynamic between Lizzy and Cam was very intense: they wrestled a lot, there was plenty of verbal sparring, and it always felt like they might either jump at each other’s throats—or start kissing.
Lizzy is portrayed as the one with trust and commitment issues, but I didn’t get the impression that she pushed him away that much. And if she did, he wasn’t giving up on her, which was very sweet. I absolutely adore heroes who don’t allow third-act breakups.
I’m not giving it five stars because it could use a little more depth, but I’d still recommend it.
Thanks to NetGalley and Headline for the ARC, all opinions are my own.
Fun, no drama and no third-act breakup, what more can a girl ask for?
Lizzy and Cam were rivals in college. There was always chemistry between them, but they only acted on it after graduation. Unfortunately, their truce lasted only a few hours. A misunderstanding occurred, she stormed out, and they haven’t spoken since.
Now, six years later, they have to pretend to be engaged to speed up a criminal investigation.
My overall impression of this book is that it’s very simple and very light—perfect for reading on a tropical island, sipping a piña colada by the pool, which is exactly what I’ve been doing for the past two days 💅
The dynamic between Lizzy and Cam was very intense: they wrestled a lot, there was plenty of verbal sparring, and it always felt like they might either jump at each other’s throats—or start kissing.
Lizzy is portrayed as the one with trust and commitment issues, but I didn’t get the impression that she pushed him away that much. And if she did, he wasn’t giving up on her, which was very sweet. I absolutely adore heroes who don’t allow third-act breakups.
I’m not giving it five stars because it could use a little more depth, but I’d still recommend it.
Thanks to NetGalley and Headline for the ARC, all opinions are my own.
May 31, 2026
4⭐️ although for the yet still “can’t believe you fell for that” and counting who “won” on the very last page, I was tempted to drop my rating to 3 stars.
It was an entertaining action romcom with good quality writing. It was my first read by Jo Watson but I’m keeping her other books (and any new releases) on my TBR.
I liked the writing and the storyline although it was more on the rom and com end, with action as a last part of the equation. (I don’t mean it in a bad way, just stating the fact).
Ex academic rivals, second chance, antagonizing each other and literal fighting as foreplay and their love language, PI x finance detective (or sth like that) (but basically two detectives working on the same target for different reasons), good banter and a lot of funny situations, paradise setting.
The action part was there but I would rather call it low stakes danger (apart from just couple scenes).
Read if you like romcoms that provide laughs and have action elements. This book should work well as a summer beach/pool read.
It’s mostly 1POV but we do get little glimpses of MMC’s through short sections at the end of all (all/almost all) chapters.
Two things I had a bit of issue with:
-maybe not really an issue but once again just stating the fact: some scenes felt like they were written with more words than necessary. It was a first for me cause they were NOT dragged or repetitive, but just felt (unnecessary) lengthy.
-I wished for a bit of different development (character/relationship). It was probably author’s vision / lack of proper second (MMC’s) POV but when they KEPT calling truce and then going back to one upping each other and counting who won, it was really getting on my nerves. I understand this was their thing but… I’ve read romances when they are enemies to lovers and still have bantery banter when they are together-together, but this was not it, the was the MMC kept treating the FMC was getting on my nerves considering at what % of the book I was at
Overall I do recommend it! It was a good time book. The tension was definitely there and I had fun reading it.
Thanks to Headline and NetGalley for eARC.
It was an entertaining action romcom with good quality writing. It was my first read by Jo Watson but I’m keeping her other books (and any new releases) on my TBR.
I liked the writing and the storyline although it was more on the rom and com end, with action as a last part of the equation. (I don’t mean it in a bad way, just stating the fact).
Ex academic rivals, second chance, antagonizing each other and literal fighting as foreplay and their love language, PI x finance detective (or sth like that) (but basically two detectives working on the same target for different reasons), good banter and a lot of funny situations, paradise setting.
The action part was there but I would rather call it low stakes danger (apart from just couple scenes).
Read if you like romcoms that provide laughs and have action elements. This book should work well as a summer beach/pool read.
It’s mostly 1POV but we do get little glimpses of MMC’s through short sections at the end of all (all/almost all) chapters.
Two things I had a bit of issue with:
-maybe not really an issue but once again just stating the fact: some scenes felt like they were written with more words than necessary. It was a first for me cause they were NOT dragged or repetitive, but just felt (unnecessary) lengthy.
-I wished for a bit of different development (character/relationship). It was probably author’s vision / lack of proper second (MMC’s) POV but when they KEPT calling truce and then going back to one upping each other and counting who won, it was really getting on my nerves. I understand this was their thing but… I’ve read romances when they are enemies to lovers and still have bantery banter when they are together-together, but this was not it, the was the MMC kept treating the FMC was getting on my nerves considering at what % of the book I was at
Overall I do recommend it! It was a good time book. The tension was definitely there and I had fun reading it.
Thanks to Headline and NetGalley for eARC.
June 6, 2026
I'm a fan of Jo Watson's books but sadly this one was my least favourite of hers. It's not a bad book but for me personally I got tired of the constant rivalry between the characters and them having to win all the time. It became repetitive and in the end I just wanted them to stop fighting and get on with it! There are some fun parts and antics on the island that I liked but Lizzy the FMC was annoying so I wasn't rooting for her to get her man which is probably why I didn't enjoy this book as much. As always this is my opinion, other reviewers have enjoyed the book though.
Did Not Finish
April 27, 2026DNF @ 25%
Unfortunately this one was not for me, I just couldn’t get into the writing (bit clunky) and I really didn’t like the FMC - I found her to be so annoying 😅 she mentioned her big strong shoulders like 5 times in the first quarter of the book, plus she drives a muscle car and she doesn’t wear dresses, she’s obviously not like other girls okay!!!
Thanks to NetGalley and Headline Books for the advanced reader copy in exchange for my honest review.
Unfortunately this one was not for me, I just couldn’t get into the writing (bit clunky) and I really didn’t like the FMC - I found her to be so annoying 😅 she mentioned her big strong shoulders like 5 times in the first quarter of the book, plus she drives a muscle car and she doesn’t wear dresses, she’s obviously not like other girls okay!!!
Thanks to NetGalley and Headline Books for the advanced reader copy in exchange for my honest review.
April 6, 2026
Thank you to Headline Eternal for a review copy of the book. All opinions are my own 😊
This book had a super fun romance. I loved the dynamic with the grumpy x sunshine vibes and I love a flirty mmc. The banter was hilarious and I really liked their bickering and competitiveness. Though at one point I became annoying at the fmc and her inner monologue because in one moment she wants him and in the next she talks herself out of it. It’s just very back and forth and not something I enjoy. I also did not like the diary-like entries from the mmc at the end of some of the chapters. Either have a double pov book so he gets his own interesting story to tell with some depth to it or drop it. I don’t need to hear his thoughts all the time which is basically only wanting the fmc. I already know that from his actions and the things he says to her. It became very repetitive and unnecessary in my opinion.
The plot also sounded super intriguing but unfortunately didn’t live up to my expectations. I liked the first 50% when the two main characters found themselves in funny positions and loved their rival dynamic and the setup for fake dating. But then from 50-90% ish nothing exciting relating to the investigation happened. Almost all the focus was on the main characters relationship. And then when things finally went down again around 88% it was over in a heartbeat and everything solved way too quickly and easily. I found myself spending longer on the last half and not wanting to pick it up as much even though I hoped something would happen soon. I really liked the assassin and he should have been more present. I would have liked to know how funny he was before the very end! I especially loved “Now hop, my little bunnies, hop” 🤣
So while I loved the couple in this book to a certain degree, I’m just disappointed it wasn’t more investigative and exiting. I feel the balance between those two aspects were not good. And the book itself felt very repetitive and back and forth.
This book had a super fun romance. I loved the dynamic with the grumpy x sunshine vibes and I love a flirty mmc. The banter was hilarious and I really liked their bickering and competitiveness. Though at one point I became annoying at the fmc and her inner monologue because in one moment she wants him and in the next she talks herself out of it. It’s just very back and forth and not something I enjoy. I also did not like the diary-like entries from the mmc at the end of some of the chapters. Either have a double pov book so he gets his own interesting story to tell with some depth to it or drop it. I don’t need to hear his thoughts all the time which is basically only wanting the fmc. I already know that from his actions and the things he says to her. It became very repetitive and unnecessary in my opinion.
The plot also sounded super intriguing but unfortunately didn’t live up to my expectations. I liked the first 50% when the two main characters found themselves in funny positions and loved their rival dynamic and the setup for fake dating. But then from 50-90% ish nothing exciting relating to the investigation happened. Almost all the focus was on the main characters relationship. And then when things finally went down again around 88% it was over in a heartbeat and everything solved way too quickly and easily. I found myself spending longer on the last half and not wanting to pick it up as much even though I hoped something would happen soon. I really liked the assassin and he should have been more present. I would have liked to know how funny he was before the very end! I especially loved “Now hop, my little bunnies, hop” 🤣
So while I loved the couple in this book to a certain degree, I’m just disappointed it wasn’t more investigative and exiting. I feel the balance between those two aspects were not good. And the book itself felt very repetitive and back and forth.
May 19, 2026
‘Mr and Mrs Smith’ meets ‘Just Go With It’ in this romantic comedy with an undercover twist.
‘This dance is a bit Mr & Mrs Smith of us, don’t you think?’ he asked. ‘What does that even mean?’ ‘Mr & Mrs Smith. Brad Pitt, Angelina Jolie. The movie!’
Lizzy and Cam were rivals at the academy, briefly lovers and then back to enemies. When Lizzy goes to an exotic beach resort to do a job (she’s a private investigator) she doesn’t expect to find Cam there. And he’s after the same man. To make matters even worse, so is the mafia. So the only solution is for them to fake being fiancés so as to avoid detection and save their skin. With them it’s always a competition - who will come out on top this time?
“I’d only ever felt that way about one person in my entire life, but it had been incredibly short-lived, and now all I felt for Cam was hatred. Intense, searing hatred. In fact, if there was a word that meant more than just ‘hate’, I needed it to describe the depth of my feelings for the infuriating Cameron Anderson.”
He broke her trust years ago and ruined what they could’ve been. She never wanted to see him again and she can hold a grudge! He’s desperate for a second chance - to fix the mistakes he made all those years ago and he’s not letting her get away again.
“It felt like I’d been handed a second chance, gift-wrapped and laid out for me on the shiniest silver platter imaginable. There was no way I was going to let her go again this time. No matter how hard she fought it.”
I loved the tension between them! The way they argued added so much coal to the fire. And let me tell you - that fire was hot!! I was surprised by the spice in this, but in no way disappointed. This was a very spicy read!
Overall a fun romantic comedy with a twist - the perfect holiday read!
ARC copy provided by Headline Books & NetGalley in exchange for an honest review
‘This dance is a bit Mr & Mrs Smith of us, don’t you think?’ he asked. ‘What does that even mean?’ ‘Mr & Mrs Smith. Brad Pitt, Angelina Jolie. The movie!’
Lizzy and Cam were rivals at the academy, briefly lovers and then back to enemies. When Lizzy goes to an exotic beach resort to do a job (she’s a private investigator) she doesn’t expect to find Cam there. And he’s after the same man. To make matters even worse, so is the mafia. So the only solution is for them to fake being fiancés so as to avoid detection and save their skin. With them it’s always a competition - who will come out on top this time?
“I’d only ever felt that way about one person in my entire life, but it had been incredibly short-lived, and now all I felt for Cam was hatred. Intense, searing hatred. In fact, if there was a word that meant more than just ‘hate’, I needed it to describe the depth of my feelings for the infuriating Cameron Anderson.”
He broke her trust years ago and ruined what they could’ve been. She never wanted to see him again and she can hold a grudge! He’s desperate for a second chance - to fix the mistakes he made all those years ago and he’s not letting her get away again.
“It felt like I’d been handed a second chance, gift-wrapped and laid out for me on the shiniest silver platter imaginable. There was no way I was going to let her go again this time. No matter how hard she fought it.”
I loved the tension between them! The way they argued added so much coal to the fire. And let me tell you - that fire was hot!! I was surprised by the spice in this, but in no way disappointed. This was a very spicy read!
Overall a fun romantic comedy with a twist - the perfect holiday read!
ARC copy provided by Headline Books & NetGalley in exchange for an honest review
May 29, 2026
3.5 ⭐️ rounded up to 4.
If you're looking for a fast-paced, action-packed escape to paradise, Undercover Honeymoon delivers exactly that.
It's a fun, lighthearted rom-com filled with classic tropes like rivals to lovers, forced proximity, and a fake honeymoon in the gorgeous Seychelles.
I’ll admit, reading a tropical beach book while wrapped up in a South African winter had me longing for a dark academia vibe instead, but it was still a fast and entertaining read!
The investigation plot was definitely my favourite part, and I actually would've liked to see more of that mystery aspect.
While the initial banter between Lizzie and Cam was fun, it started to feel a bit repetitive after a while, and the FMC gave off a bit too much "not like other girls" energy for my personal taste. As much as I enjoy a spicy read, I also found myself wishing for just a little more depth to the characters and their connection.
The side characters were an absolute highlight for me, sometimes stealing the show from the main romance!
If you want a spicy, action-filled beachy read, definitely check this one out.
Thank you to Jo Watson for this e-arc x
If you're looking for a fast-paced, action-packed escape to paradise, Undercover Honeymoon delivers exactly that.
It's a fun, lighthearted rom-com filled with classic tropes like rivals to lovers, forced proximity, and a fake honeymoon in the gorgeous Seychelles.
I’ll admit, reading a tropical beach book while wrapped up in a South African winter had me longing for a dark academia vibe instead, but it was still a fast and entertaining read!
The investigation plot was definitely my favourite part, and I actually would've liked to see more of that mystery aspect.
While the initial banter between Lizzie and Cam was fun, it started to feel a bit repetitive after a while, and the FMC gave off a bit too much "not like other girls" energy for my personal taste. As much as I enjoy a spicy read, I also found myself wishing for just a little more depth to the characters and their connection.
The side characters were an absolute highlight for me, sometimes stealing the show from the main romance!
If you want a spicy, action-filled beachy read, definitely check this one out.
Thank you to Jo Watson for this e-arc x
June 28, 2026
3.5 stars
June 2, 2026
REVIEW
cw: mentions of misogyny, cheating
When Private Investigator Lizzie is hired to look into a cheating spouse, the last person she expects to run into is Cam, her (very briefly) ex and her biggest rival at Police Academy.
Cam is investigating a man for money laundering, and once again finds himself on the wrong side of Lizzie. As their searches take them to the romantic Seychelles, the pair are forced to masquerade as a honeymooning couple to cover their tracks. There, they find themselves caught up in a criminal conspiracy much bigger than expected. But as old feelings resurface, are they really just playing the part?
This was so much fun! Jo Watson writes some of the funniest, most awkward situations, and there were plenty of those in this fun read.
Lizzie and Cam were very much a black cat/golden retriever dynamic, but they were both feisty in their own distinct ways. At the beginning of the book, it took me a few chapters to really root for Lizzie, but once I did, I desperately wanted her as a friend. She was such a bad*ss FMC, and I really loved her strength and her biting wit. But I also loved the emotional growth her character underwent over the course of the story. I loved Philly, Lizzie's partner and friend. She was amusing but also gave THE best advice. I also loved the chapter with Sage, who could see through all of Lizzie's insecurities.
I LOVED how Cam and Lizzie ran into each other again (literally) on the island, and the following chapter made me cackle. Cam was such a sweetheart, but he was also able to hold his own both physically and mentally with Lizzie. I loved all of the little flashbacks between them, good times and bad, but especially their first and last scenes together. Those flashbacks really set the scene for both their rivalry and their magnetic attraction.
My favourite things about this book were the banter and the slow burn. I cackled SO MANY times. Lizzie had some of THE best one-liners, but Cam also pulled some hilarious punches. All of the banter was tied up in the most incendiary chemistry. I LOVE fake-dating ruses, and this one was SO much fun. It didn't feel forced, and with the added lovers-to-enemies (at least for one of them) aspect, it was such a fun read. But there were also quieter, sweeter moments, particularly the ends of chapters when we got a glimpse into Cam's thoughts and feelings. I loved how well he knew and understood Lizzie. He saw her strength and intelligence, but also her stubbornness, and loved all of it. Add to that forced proximity, and I was in heaven!
This was THE most exquisite slow-burn. As I mentioned, their chemistry was palpable, and I loved all of the ways they teased each other. It was always leading towards a crescendo, and that scene did not disappoint.
The plotline of getting to know their 'marks' better was hilariously written, and the other surveillant only added another layer to the intrigue. I won't spoil things, but it was perfectly wrapped up, and I loved the ending.
This was the perfect beach read.
Overall Rating: ♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️
Heat Rating: 🔥🔥
*Thanks to the publisher for an ARC of this book. All opinions are my own. Undercover Honeymoon is out now in the UK*
Favourite Quotes:
‘You know, behind that prickly exterior of yours, there’s a well of love waiting to come out.’
This cupboard wasn’t designed for two people. And certainly not for two people who despised each other but had also had incredibly hot sex once upon a time.
She might hate me. She might want to murder me with her elbow right now. But I’d probably let her if it meant being this close to her after all this time apart.
This was exactly why I didn’t wear dresses. You never knew when you’d need to throw down and wrestle someone who brought out your homicidal tendencies. And Cam did that in abundance.
‘Cam, it will snow in the Seychelles before I rub anything attached to your body.’
‘Are you always this violent on dates?’
'What?!’ I spluttered. ‘This is not a date.’
'But we’ve got moonlight, flowers . . .’ He ran a hand over one of the pretty pink blossoms in the tree.
‘God, I’ve missed this.’
'What?’
'This. You. Being all worked up. Angry and violent and glowing with it.’
‘I’ll always catch you, Lizzy,’ he whispered. ‘If you’ll let me.’
‘Since when did you use the word “decorum”, or even care about it?’
'When I can see your left testicle hanging out from behind a face cloth!’ I said, and pointed.
‘So when a woman beats someone, she’s trying to make a point, but when a man does, he’s just good?’
What kind of sick sense of humour did the gods of genetics have when they created this man rising up in front of me now? And why, oh why, did this man also have to move in slow motion whenever his clothes were off?
‘There was an us, Lizzy. For years – whether we admitted it out loud or not – there was an us. And then for six hours there was definitely an us. Because what happened that night was very, very real. Maybe the most real thing that’s ever happened to me.’
‘I admire you and respect you more than anyone I’ve ever known, even now, six years later.’
‘Put. That. Thing. Away.’
'I can’t help it. You’re the one sliding up and down on my lap!’
'It’s the waves!’ I protested.
I hadn’t planned on making the first move; that would have been giving in, that would have been losing . . . but what had Cam said? We were both going to win in this particular situation.
The thought of him getting hurt suddenly pumped fear into my veins. It was a very unfamiliar feeling, and I didn’t like it.
I had to admit, despite myself, there was something undeniably nice – annoyingly nice even – about feeling someone else’s warmth next to me. I’d never craved that before.
‘Cam sees you. That’s the problem, isn’t it?’ She didn’t wait for a response. ‘He sees through the sarcasm and the bravado. The way you say you love being alone when actually you just don’t trust anyone to stay.’
‘And by the way, I can’t believe you fell for that.’
'I can’t believe I fell for you,’ I retorted, and immediately felt his hands loosen around me.
cw: mentions of misogyny, cheating
When Private Investigator Lizzie is hired to look into a cheating spouse, the last person she expects to run into is Cam, her (very briefly) ex and her biggest rival at Police Academy.
Cam is investigating a man for money laundering, and once again finds himself on the wrong side of Lizzie. As their searches take them to the romantic Seychelles, the pair are forced to masquerade as a honeymooning couple to cover their tracks. There, they find themselves caught up in a criminal conspiracy much bigger than expected. But as old feelings resurface, are they really just playing the part?
This was so much fun! Jo Watson writes some of the funniest, most awkward situations, and there were plenty of those in this fun read.
Lizzie and Cam were very much a black cat/golden retriever dynamic, but they were both feisty in their own distinct ways. At the beginning of the book, it took me a few chapters to really root for Lizzie, but once I did, I desperately wanted her as a friend. She was such a bad*ss FMC, and I really loved her strength and her biting wit. But I also loved the emotional growth her character underwent over the course of the story. I loved Philly, Lizzie's partner and friend. She was amusing but also gave THE best advice. I also loved the chapter with Sage, who could see through all of Lizzie's insecurities.
I LOVED how Cam and Lizzie ran into each other again (literally) on the island, and the following chapter made me cackle. Cam was such a sweetheart, but he was also able to hold his own both physically and mentally with Lizzie. I loved all of the little flashbacks between them, good times and bad, but especially their first and last scenes together. Those flashbacks really set the scene for both their rivalry and their magnetic attraction.
My favourite things about this book were the banter and the slow burn. I cackled SO MANY times. Lizzie had some of THE best one-liners, but Cam also pulled some hilarious punches. All of the banter was tied up in the most incendiary chemistry. I LOVE fake-dating ruses, and this one was SO much fun. It didn't feel forced, and with the added lovers-to-enemies (at least for one of them) aspect, it was such a fun read. But there were also quieter, sweeter moments, particularly the ends of chapters when we got a glimpse into Cam's thoughts and feelings. I loved how well he knew and understood Lizzie. He saw her strength and intelligence, but also her stubbornness, and loved all of it. Add to that forced proximity, and I was in heaven!
This was THE most exquisite slow-burn. As I mentioned, their chemistry was palpable, and I loved all of the ways they teased each other. It was always leading towards a crescendo, and that scene did not disappoint.
The plotline of getting to know their 'marks' better was hilariously written, and the other surveillant only added another layer to the intrigue. I won't spoil things, but it was perfectly wrapped up, and I loved the ending.
This was the perfect beach read.
Overall Rating: ♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️
Heat Rating: 🔥🔥
*Thanks to the publisher for an ARC of this book. All opinions are my own. Undercover Honeymoon is out now in the UK*
Favourite Quotes:
‘You know, behind that prickly exterior of yours, there’s a well of love waiting to come out.’
This cupboard wasn’t designed for two people. And certainly not for two people who despised each other but had also had incredibly hot sex once upon a time.
She might hate me. She might want to murder me with her elbow right now. But I’d probably let her if it meant being this close to her after all this time apart.
This was exactly why I didn’t wear dresses. You never knew when you’d need to throw down and wrestle someone who brought out your homicidal tendencies. And Cam did that in abundance.
‘Cam, it will snow in the Seychelles before I rub anything attached to your body.’
‘Are you always this violent on dates?’
'What?!’ I spluttered. ‘This is not a date.’
'But we’ve got moonlight, flowers . . .’ He ran a hand over one of the pretty pink blossoms in the tree.
‘God, I’ve missed this.’
'What?’
'This. You. Being all worked up. Angry and violent and glowing with it.’
‘I’ll always catch you, Lizzy,’ he whispered. ‘If you’ll let me.’
‘Since when did you use the word “decorum”, or even care about it?’
'When I can see your left testicle hanging out from behind a face cloth!’ I said, and pointed.
‘So when a woman beats someone, she’s trying to make a point, but when a man does, he’s just good?’
What kind of sick sense of humour did the gods of genetics have when they created this man rising up in front of me now? And why, oh why, did this man also have to move in slow motion whenever his clothes were off?
‘There was an us, Lizzy. For years – whether we admitted it out loud or not – there was an us. And then for six hours there was definitely an us. Because what happened that night was very, very real. Maybe the most real thing that’s ever happened to me.’
‘I admire you and respect you more than anyone I’ve ever known, even now, six years later.’
‘Put. That. Thing. Away.’
'I can’t help it. You’re the one sliding up and down on my lap!’
'It’s the waves!’ I protested.
I hadn’t planned on making the first move; that would have been giving in, that would have been losing . . . but what had Cam said? We were both going to win in this particular situation.
The thought of him getting hurt suddenly pumped fear into my veins. It was a very unfamiliar feeling, and I didn’t like it.
I had to admit, despite myself, there was something undeniably nice – annoyingly nice even – about feeling someone else’s warmth next to me. I’d never craved that before.
‘Cam sees you. That’s the problem, isn’t it?’ She didn’t wait for a response. ‘He sees through the sarcasm and the bravado. The way you say you love being alone when actually you just don’t trust anyone to stay.’
‘And by the way, I can’t believe you fell for that.’
'I can’t believe I fell for you,’ I retorted, and immediately felt his hands loosen around me.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Lizzy Brown is a professional private investigator. Is your husband cheating? She'll find out about it!
So when THE Sharaz Venter hires her to catch her husband red-handed with a mistress, Lizzy never expected to see HIM again. Cameron. The guy who betrayed her... and now he wants to work with her? No way. Never gonna happen! Right?!
OH MY GOODNESS!
Undercover Honeymoon by Jo Watson was absolutely HILARIOUS, and I'd recommend it as the perfect summer read. ☀️🍹
Lizzy is such a badass woman! She's tough, sarcastic, and not the girl next door. Feelings? Nope. Not interested. And especially when it comes to Cameron!
Ooooh, Cam. He is the police guy who got the job she wanted... and deserved. He's such a sweet guy! I loved to get his POV as well and get to know more about his intentions.
So, 6 years later, they meet again. On a romantic island. To find out more about this guy, Victor, who’s got plenty of skeletons in the cupboard.
And speaking of cupboard. 🤭🤭🤭🤭 IYKYK.
Well, it'd be better to investigate as a fake couple so they won't get caught. Yeah, Lizzy isn't that happy about it, but she's also really ambitious, and so they've an arrangement. 🤝
Awwwwww! I LOVE THIS TROPE! ❤️ Fake marriage! PERFECT!
From the moment they meet again, the sparks fly! EVERYWHERE! 💖💖💖
I couldn't stop myself from laughing and swooning SO HARD! 🫠🤣🫠🤣🫠😅
Lizzy and Cam absolutely have this black cat and golden retriever kind of vibe, and I enjoyed every moment of their interactions!
There's so much humour, but also attraction, emotions galore, and some unexpected depth!
I absolutely loved the story of Lizzy and Cam! ☀️🤗❤️🔥💃🍹
Thanks a lot to Jo Watson and Headline Eternal for this ARC via NetGalley.
This is my honest review in my own words.
So when THE Sharaz Venter hires her to catch her husband red-handed with a mistress, Lizzy never expected to see HIM again. Cameron. The guy who betrayed her... and now he wants to work with her? No way. Never gonna happen! Right?!
OH MY GOODNESS!
Undercover Honeymoon by Jo Watson was absolutely HILARIOUS, and I'd recommend it as the perfect summer read. ☀️🍹
Lizzy is such a badass woman! She's tough, sarcastic, and not the girl next door. Feelings? Nope. Not interested. And especially when it comes to Cameron!
Ooooh, Cam. He is the police guy who got the job she wanted... and deserved. He's such a sweet guy! I loved to get his POV as well and get to know more about his intentions.
So, 6 years later, they meet again. On a romantic island. To find out more about this guy, Victor, who’s got plenty of skeletons in the cupboard.
And speaking of cupboard. 🤭🤭🤭🤭 IYKYK.
Well, it'd be better to investigate as a fake couple so they won't get caught. Yeah, Lizzy isn't that happy about it, but she's also really ambitious, and so they've an arrangement. 🤝
Awwwwww! I LOVE THIS TROPE! ❤️ Fake marriage! PERFECT!
From the moment they meet again, the sparks fly! EVERYWHERE! 💖💖💖
I couldn't stop myself from laughing and swooning SO HARD! 🫠🤣🫠🤣🫠😅
Lizzy and Cam absolutely have this black cat and golden retriever kind of vibe, and I enjoyed every moment of their interactions!
There's so much humour, but also attraction, emotions galore, and some unexpected depth!
I absolutely loved the story of Lizzy and Cam! ☀️🤗❤️🔥💃🍹
Thanks a lot to Jo Watson and Headline Eternal for this ARC via NetGalley.
This is my honest review in my own words.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This one gets hot ... and not just because of the weather! ☀️🌶☀️🌶☀️
A secret assignment on an exclusively luxurious island in the Seychelles. This is a real laugh out loud read with quite a bit of spice!
Lizzy Brown is a Private Investigator, finding the love cheats and exposing their deceit and her latest assignment takes her to a paradise island favoured by honeymooners and those well and truly in love - or in hiding!
A nice, simple assignment - get in, get the evidence, get out and deliver. But things don't always go according to plan...
Enter Cam, also working undercover on the island and also, with lots of unfinished business with Lizzy from years gone by. Cue plan going out of the window! Is it a love/hate thing? Stubbornness? Pride?
Can they both work on the island and catch their man, without rubbing eachother up the wrong way...?
I really enjoyed this one, and reading it in the current heatwave made me feel even more immersed in the island, yet longing for cool waters to dive into! The storyline is quick paced, written in a way you can sit back, relax and read with ease - and in this heat, that's a great thing!
There are rising tensions, both in the Investigations and connections and hysterical attempts at a reinvention.
But it all comes down to Lizzy and Cam. Will they/won't they? Should they/shouldn't they?!
Must also mention Lizzy's business partner Philly (aptly named I think...wykyk!) With a penchant for desserts and elaborate soap opera storylines, I think Lizzy would be lost without her!
I highly recommend this one and am also off to get myself lots of other Jo Watson books...a great addition to the collection of favourite authors and one set to become an automatic go-to!
Add this to your summer TBR, you won't be disappointed!
Out 28.05.26
Read as an e-ARC
A secret assignment on an exclusively luxurious island in the Seychelles. This is a real laugh out loud read with quite a bit of spice!
Lizzy Brown is a Private Investigator, finding the love cheats and exposing their deceit and her latest assignment takes her to a paradise island favoured by honeymooners and those well and truly in love - or in hiding!
A nice, simple assignment - get in, get the evidence, get out and deliver. But things don't always go according to plan...
Enter Cam, also working undercover on the island and also, with lots of unfinished business with Lizzy from years gone by. Cue plan going out of the window! Is it a love/hate thing? Stubbornness? Pride?
Can they both work on the island and catch their man, without rubbing eachother up the wrong way...?
I really enjoyed this one, and reading it in the current heatwave made me feel even more immersed in the island, yet longing for cool waters to dive into! The storyline is quick paced, written in a way you can sit back, relax and read with ease - and in this heat, that's a great thing!
There are rising tensions, both in the Investigations and connections and hysterical attempts at a reinvention.
But it all comes down to Lizzy and Cam. Will they/won't they? Should they/shouldn't they?!
Must also mention Lizzy's business partner Philly (aptly named I think...wykyk!) With a penchant for desserts and elaborate soap opera storylines, I think Lizzy would be lost without her!
I highly recommend this one and am also off to get myself lots of other Jo Watson books...a great addition to the collection of favourite authors and one set to become an automatic go-to!
Add this to your summer TBR, you won't be disappointed!
Out 28.05.26
Read as an e-ARC
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I loved this book a lot, and it felt a bit different, definitely a bit more high stakes than other Jo Watson books, which I was totally there for.
Lizzy is in the Seychelles, as a private investigator trying to prove that Victor is cheating. The last thing she expects is to end up in a closet with her kind of ex, but definitely nemesis Cam, who it turns out is on the island to investigate Victor on behalf of financial crime team. What is very clear is that Lizzy and Cam have some chemistry, and that they both love to win.
They also had a 6 hour "relationship" many years ago which went sour just as fast, when Lizzy comes across something and fails to believe Cam. But yet they are now both trying to do the same sort of thing, and have realised the best way to get close to their target is to pretend to be in a fake relationship. It's also to try to detract attention from the Mafia man who is also on the island, attempting to get to Victor, but could potentially wish to harm Lizzy and Cam.
I always love any sort of fake dating type stories, and seeing Lizzy so far out of her comfort zone in so many ways was something I came to relish. And I loved the dynamics between this pair too.
Between getting to see some fabulous sights on the island, doing some great activities and trying to discover the truth there is plenty to love about this book. And I thoroughly enjoyed everything, although some of the sex was perhaps a tad rough for my own personal preferences!
Thank you to Headline Eternal and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.
Lizzy is in the Seychelles, as a private investigator trying to prove that Victor is cheating. The last thing she expects is to end up in a closet with her kind of ex, but definitely nemesis Cam, who it turns out is on the island to investigate Victor on behalf of financial crime team. What is very clear is that Lizzy and Cam have some chemistry, and that they both love to win.
They also had a 6 hour "relationship" many years ago which went sour just as fast, when Lizzy comes across something and fails to believe Cam. But yet they are now both trying to do the same sort of thing, and have realised the best way to get close to their target is to pretend to be in a fake relationship. It's also to try to detract attention from the Mafia man who is also on the island, attempting to get to Victor, but could potentially wish to harm Lizzy and Cam.
I always love any sort of fake dating type stories, and seeing Lizzy so far out of her comfort zone in so many ways was something I came to relish. And I loved the dynamics between this pair too.
Between getting to see some fabulous sights on the island, doing some great activities and trying to discover the truth there is plenty to love about this book. And I thoroughly enjoyed everything, although some of the sex was perhaps a tad rough for my own personal preferences!
Thank you to Headline Eternal and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Undercover Honeymoon was an overall fun read and I enjoyed it.
I loved that the main characters where different from the "standard". Our MFC is a strong independent woman, personality wise and physically. Trained by the Police academy, very proficient in jiu jitsu and an avid rugby player, this girl is a powerhouse with a hatred for cheats and law breakers. So when the next job sends her to a tropical island to catch a cheater, she needs to swap out her practical pants and sneakers for stringy bikinis and sandals, what could possibly go wrong.
Then enters our MMC, a true blast from her past in the form of her Police academy rival and the only one who has been able to even get a glimpse of her heart. He is even more well built then she remembers, more infuriating, and defiantly more distracting which is not a good combination in her line of work. Through in 2 separate missions, 1 target, some diamonds and a (slightly under-represented) assassin, it is a recipe for a fun time.
Their banter is so funny and the constant competitiveness is sizzling. So many of my favourite tropes in one book (Fake Dating, Rivals-to-lovers, Forced proximity, Second-chance romance, Grumpy-and-Sunshine) with hilarious side characters!
You can see Jo started as a Screen Writer because this book is movie ready!
Thanks for giving me a chance to read and review this ARC Jo
I loved that the main characters where different from the "standard". Our MFC is a strong independent woman, personality wise and physically. Trained by the Police academy, very proficient in jiu jitsu and an avid rugby player, this girl is a powerhouse with a hatred for cheats and law breakers. So when the next job sends her to a tropical island to catch a cheater, she needs to swap out her practical pants and sneakers for stringy bikinis and sandals, what could possibly go wrong.
Then enters our MMC, a true blast from her past in the form of her Police academy rival and the only one who has been able to even get a glimpse of her heart. He is even more well built then she remembers, more infuriating, and defiantly more distracting which is not a good combination in her line of work. Through in 2 separate missions, 1 target, some diamonds and a (slightly under-represented) assassin, it is a recipe for a fun time.
Their banter is so funny and the constant competitiveness is sizzling. So many of my favourite tropes in one book (Fake Dating, Rivals-to-lovers, Forced proximity, Second-chance romance, Grumpy-and-Sunshine) with hilarious side characters!
You can see Jo started as a Screen Writer because this book is movie ready!
Thanks for giving me a chance to read and review this ARC Jo
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
4.25
Thank you so much to headline eternal for kindly gifting me this book! 🫶🏻
WOW… this book was hot, hilarious and so entertaining from beginning to end. I loved how adventurous and seriously addictive it was too. I couldn’t put it down once I got started.
Lizzy is a fierce, capable private investigator who knows exactly what she wants and how to handle herself. She is powerful in her own right, but underneath that strength she struggles to trust others or let people get close to her. She keeps her walls high and doesn’t really believe in real love, which makes her emotional journey really compelling to watch as things unfold.
Cam who is playful, cocky, smooth and ridiculously flirty is a policeman and honestly… these two were PERFECT for each other even while driving each other absolutely insane 😅 Lizzy tried so hard to resist him, but the tension between them was unreal. He saw the real her right from the start. Their chemistry was electric from the beginning. The banter? Elite. The teasing? Constant. The bickering had me giggling so many times 😂
These two often had each other in chokeholds, pinned positions and wrestling situations, all thanks to their training of course 👀And the yearning !?…in was EVERYTHING.
I also loved getting Cam’s POV at the end of chapters because it showed his real feelings beneath all the teasing and honestly made him even more lovable. Seeing his devotion and hidden softness towards Lizzy was a highlight.
And can we talk about the assassin for a second?! 😭😂 Dangerous, yes. Unhinged, absolutely. But also weirdly funny and iconic. „Now hop, my little bunnies, hop” genuinely took me out .💀 The investigation itself was really interesting and I just wished the high stakes danger and action had lasted a little longer because I was having so much fun with the suspense.
Overall this was such a fun, fast-paced and steamy read that had me smiling, giggling and fully invested in Lizzy and Cameron’s friendship. Watching their fake relationship slowly break down their walls and bring all those old feelings back to life was so satisfying 🥹
@marta_thebookworm
Thank you so much to headline eternal for kindly gifting me this book! 🫶🏻
WOW… this book was hot, hilarious and so entertaining from beginning to end. I loved how adventurous and seriously addictive it was too. I couldn’t put it down once I got started.
Lizzy is a fierce, capable private investigator who knows exactly what she wants and how to handle herself. She is powerful in her own right, but underneath that strength she struggles to trust others or let people get close to her. She keeps her walls high and doesn’t really believe in real love, which makes her emotional journey really compelling to watch as things unfold.
Cam who is playful, cocky, smooth and ridiculously flirty is a policeman and honestly… these two were PERFECT for each other even while driving each other absolutely insane 😅 Lizzy tried so hard to resist him, but the tension between them was unreal. He saw the real her right from the start. Their chemistry was electric from the beginning. The banter? Elite. The teasing? Constant. The bickering had me giggling so many times 😂
These two often had each other in chokeholds, pinned positions and wrestling situations, all thanks to their training of course 👀And the yearning !?…in was EVERYTHING.
I also loved getting Cam’s POV at the end of chapters because it showed his real feelings beneath all the teasing and honestly made him even more lovable. Seeing his devotion and hidden softness towards Lizzy was a highlight.
And can we talk about the assassin for a second?! 😭😂 Dangerous, yes. Unhinged, absolutely. But also weirdly funny and iconic. „Now hop, my little bunnies, hop” genuinely took me out .💀 The investigation itself was really interesting and I just wished the high stakes danger and action had lasted a little longer because I was having so much fun with the suspense.
Overall this was such a fun, fast-paced and steamy read that had me smiling, giggling and fully invested in Lizzy and Cameron’s friendship. Watching their fake relationship slowly break down their walls and bring all those old feelings back to life was so satisfying 🥹
@marta_thebookworm
Review of advance copy received from Author
This book had me on a rollercoaster of feelings, laughing at the characters antics, swooning over their romantic moments and just the anticipation of will they or wont they...
Jo Watson has such a unique way of making her characters totally unhinged but in the best way possible. I struggled to put this book down as I just needed to know what happens next.
We meet Lizzy who is a Private Investigator and she has been tasked to follow up on a local celebrity's husband to see if he is cheating...but the issue is...it is in the Seychelles, honeymoon destination! This throws Lizzy off as it puts her out of her comfort zone but just as she thinks she is onto something, her ex/blast from the past shows up and it seems he is on a similar mission.
Antics ensue now that Cam is on the scene, it messes with Lizzy in a big way as there is so much that is unresolved between them. A huge misunderstanding that has affected the last 6 years of their lives. But now they have to be fake engaged in order to dig further into the case... but lines are being blurred and what is supposed to be fake isnt so fake after all...
If you are looking for a fun, light-hearted read, then this is just the one for you!
Jo Watson has such a unique way of making her characters totally unhinged but in the best way possible. I struggled to put this book down as I just needed to know what happens next.
We meet Lizzy who is a Private Investigator and she has been tasked to follow up on a local celebrity's husband to see if he is cheating...but the issue is...it is in the Seychelles, honeymoon destination! This throws Lizzy off as it puts her out of her comfort zone but just as she thinks she is onto something, her ex/blast from the past shows up and it seems he is on a similar mission.
Antics ensue now that Cam is on the scene, it messes with Lizzy in a big way as there is so much that is unresolved between them. A huge misunderstanding that has affected the last 6 years of their lives. But now they have to be fake engaged in order to dig further into the case... but lines are being blurred and what is supposed to be fake isnt so fake after all...
If you are looking for a fun, light-hearted read, then this is just the one for you!
Review of advance copy
This has been an absolutely funny, witty, and truly memorable book by Jo Watson. All I could think was that we need a book-to-movie adaptation immediately!. I mean, how awesome would this RomCom be!
We are met with our FMC, Liz, who is a no-nonsense, independent to a fault, and intelligent woman who has always put her work first as a private investigator. Her line of work is quite interesting, as many women seek her skills for catching their partners in the act of being unfaithful. However, we then meet our MMC, Cam, who has literally been in love with Liz since he first saw her. They have not seen each other in year until they meet on an island for a job with the same target. They then have to work together!!!
Let's just say this book will make you fly through the pages; you’ll never want their witty banter, sharp quips, and pushing each other to their limits to stop. The humor entices you as they challenge each other in the most unexpected ways, and I was here for it all.
For me, let's just say that eating jam on toast will never be the same again LOL! Beating someone at their own game feels so rewarding, and let’s not forget about their undeniable passion and attraction for each other.
It's quite the book that you need to read.
We are met with our FMC, Liz, who is a no-nonsense, independent to a fault, and intelligent woman who has always put her work first as a private investigator. Her line of work is quite interesting, as many women seek her skills for catching their partners in the act of being unfaithful. However, we then meet our MMC, Cam, who has literally been in love with Liz since he first saw her. They have not seen each other in year until they meet on an island for a job with the same target. They then have to work together!!!
Let's just say this book will make you fly through the pages; you’ll never want their witty banter, sharp quips, and pushing each other to their limits to stop. The humor entices you as they challenge each other in the most unexpected ways, and I was here for it all.
For me, let's just say that eating jam on toast will never be the same again LOL! Beating someone at their own game feels so rewarding, and let’s not forget about their undeniable passion and attraction for each other.
It's quite the book that you need to read.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Lizzy and Cam used to be the biggest rivals at the police academy six years ago, striving for the top spot and the fast route to detective, until one night, all their tension came to a climax - and subsequently everything fell apart. Not having seen each other since, they both built out a wonderful career, and Lizzy is now a renowned Private Investigator, on a case to figure out if another husband is cheating. When she arrives on the private island in the Seychelles, she realises Cam is there too - investigating the same man, for different reasons. Things happen and they have to pretend to be lovers in order to both save their respective covers, and luckily the chemistry is still there - but so is the hurt.
I really enjoyed the suspense in this book. The tension between Lizzy and Cam is undeniable, and I really wanted them to work together to fuck over Victor, because he’s a garbage human. On the other hand, Lizzy quite irritated me with her ‘not like other girls’-rhetoric about quite literally everything. The side characters and certain happenings in this book did make me laugh out loud, but Cam and Lizzy didn’t do it for me.
I really enjoyed the suspense in this book. The tension between Lizzy and Cam is undeniable, and I really wanted them to work together to fuck over Victor, because he’s a garbage human. On the other hand, Lizzy quite irritated me with her ‘not like other girls’-rhetoric about quite literally everything. The side characters and certain happenings in this book did make me laugh out loud, but Cam and Lizzy didn’t do it for me.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I LOOOOOVED IT!
It was full of BANTER, TEASING, and HUMOUR. I had the BEST time reading this story. Lizzy and Cam were constantly trying to outdo each other, and I absolutely loved the ridiculous lengths they went to just to have the upper hand. Their tactics, the competitiveness, the chaos — EVERYTHING was entertaining.
Lizzy’s POV was basically:
Why is Cam here? Why does he look so good? How do I get back at him? Why do I still love him? I hate him so much. I want to kill him. Also… why does he look so good?
She went through every possible emotion when it came to Cam, and it was glorious to witness.
Meanwhile, Cam’s POV was just him trying to figure out how to tell Lizzy he loves her without completely ruining everything (again), and honestly? His poetic, emotionally messy thoughts had my whole heart.
AND THE CHEMISTRY??? SIZZLING.
I also loved how they constantly ended up in situations where one had the other in a chokehold. Physical fighting as their love language was truly chef’s kiss. Their dynamic was chaotic, intense, hilarious, and somehow unbelievably romantic all at once.
I had an AMAZING time with this book. I absolutely devoured it.
It was full of BANTER, TEASING, and HUMOUR. I had the BEST time reading this story. Lizzy and Cam were constantly trying to outdo each other, and I absolutely loved the ridiculous lengths they went to just to have the upper hand. Their tactics, the competitiveness, the chaos — EVERYTHING was entertaining.
Lizzy’s POV was basically:
Why is Cam here? Why does he look so good? How do I get back at him? Why do I still love him? I hate him so much. I want to kill him. Also… why does he look so good?
She went through every possible emotion when it came to Cam, and it was glorious to witness.
Meanwhile, Cam’s POV was just him trying to figure out how to tell Lizzy he loves her without completely ruining everything (again), and honestly? His poetic, emotionally messy thoughts had my whole heart.
AND THE CHEMISTRY??? SIZZLING.
I also loved how they constantly ended up in situations where one had the other in a chokehold. Physical fighting as their love language was truly chef’s kiss. Their dynamic was chaotic, intense, hilarious, and somehow unbelievably romantic all at once.
I had an AMAZING time with this book. I absolutely devoured it.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Undercover Honeymoon by Jo Watson has such a fun premise: a PI and an undercover cop who are exes, fake dating, enemies to lovers, it should have been a perfect recipe for chaos and romance.
The story itself is genuinely funny, and the side characters are quirky, entertaining, and full of personality. Lizzy is an absolute badass: strong-willed, capable, and impossible not to love.
Unfortunately, Cam completely ruined the romance for me. This man is waving so many red flags he could open a store and start selling them. Every funny moment lost some of its charm because of how manipulative he felt, and every romantic scene was overshadowed by his rudeness and tendency to gaslight Lizzy. Like boundaries are a real thing bro.
I wanted to love the tension between them, but instead I found myself frustrated most of the time. Lizzy deserved so much better.
At this point, Sid and Sisko are the real love story we deserved.
If you enjoy action, forced proximity, undercover chaos, and witty side characters, there’s still plenty to enjoy here, but the romance itself just didn’t work for me.
3 Sid & Sisko deserve a love story of 5.
The story itself is genuinely funny, and the side characters are quirky, entertaining, and full of personality. Lizzy is an absolute badass: strong-willed, capable, and impossible not to love.
Unfortunately, Cam completely ruined the romance for me. This man is waving so many red flags he could open a store and start selling them. Every funny moment lost some of its charm because of how manipulative he felt, and every romantic scene was overshadowed by his rudeness and tendency to gaslight Lizzy. Like boundaries are a real thing bro.
I wanted to love the tension between them, but instead I found myself frustrated most of the time. Lizzy deserved so much better.
At this point, Sid and Sisko are the real love story we deserved.
If you enjoy action, forced proximity, undercover chaos, and witty side characters, there’s still plenty to enjoy here, but the romance itself just didn’t work for me.
3 Sid & Sisko deserve a love story of 5.
June 1, 2026
Thank you to the author for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Undercover Honeymoon was such a fun and entertaining read! This book perfectly blends romance, action, and comedy, creating a story that kept me hooked from beginning to end.
Lizzy and Cam were fantastic together. Their chemistry felt natural, and I loved watching their relationship develop throughout all the chaos they found themselves in. The banter between them was one of my favorite parts of the book and added so much charm to the story.
The vibes were a perfect mix of adventure, mystery, and rom-com fun. There was always something happening, whether it was a thrilling action-packed moment or a hilarious situation that had me smiling. Jo Watson does an excellent job balancing the suspense with lighthearted humor, making this a very enjoyable read.
Overall, this was a fast-paced, funny, and romantic story with lovable characters and plenty of entertaining moments. If you enjoy romantic comedies with action, undercover missions, and a couple you can't help but root for, I definitely recommend giving this one a try.
Rating: 4⭐️ 📚💕✨
Undercover Honeymoon was such a fun and entertaining read! This book perfectly blends romance, action, and comedy, creating a story that kept me hooked from beginning to end.
Lizzy and Cam were fantastic together. Their chemistry felt natural, and I loved watching their relationship develop throughout all the chaos they found themselves in. The banter between them was one of my favorite parts of the book and added so much charm to the story.
The vibes were a perfect mix of adventure, mystery, and rom-com fun. There was always something happening, whether it was a thrilling action-packed moment or a hilarious situation that had me smiling. Jo Watson does an excellent job balancing the suspense with lighthearted humor, making this a very enjoyable read.
Overall, this was a fast-paced, funny, and romantic story with lovable characters and plenty of entertaining moments. If you enjoy romantic comedies with action, undercover missions, and a couple you can't help but root for, I definitely recommend giving this one a try.
Rating: 4⭐️ 📚💕✨
Review of advance copy received from Author
Thank you Jo and team for the ARC copy in exchange for my honest review
I’m a big fan of Jo’s and this was such a fun book. I loved the concept and enjoyed this fun PI/Cop character work.
It was so fun to see Lizzy doodle her spy work to try catch a cheater.
Cam and Lizzy’s dynamic was fun. Cam always riling Lizzy up 😂
I do think the spice 🌶️ felt… different. Not bad but it’s not typical of Jo to be so spicy. I suppose the author may be open to something new, but it just didn’t feel like authentic Jo.
I wish we did get more vulnerability from Lizzy at the end with Cam. He worked really hard to get her to acknowledge her feelings. I think he deserved a longer moment of her being real and honest with him.
Despite those few thoughts, I did really enjoy this. Jo always delivers on a quick and fun read. My favorite thing about this book was the representation with Lizzys body type. How often do you hear of a romance book FMC who isn’t petite? I was picturing the gorgeous Ilona Maher while reading this.
I’m a big fan of Jo’s and this was such a fun book. I loved the concept and enjoyed this fun PI/Cop character work.
It was so fun to see Lizzy doodle her spy work to try catch a cheater.
Cam and Lizzy’s dynamic was fun. Cam always riling Lizzy up 😂
I do think the spice 🌶️ felt… different. Not bad but it’s not typical of Jo to be so spicy. I suppose the author may be open to something new, but it just didn’t feel like authentic Jo.
I wish we did get more vulnerability from Lizzy at the end with Cam. He worked really hard to get her to acknowledge her feelings. I think he deserved a longer moment of her being real and honest with him.
Despite those few thoughts, I did really enjoy this. Jo always delivers on a quick and fun read. My favorite thing about this book was the representation with Lizzys body type. How often do you hear of a romance book FMC who isn’t petite? I was picturing the gorgeous Ilona Maher while reading this.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Undercover Honeymoon was such a cute, fun, fast-paced romcom read and it honestly had me in giggles from start to finish. Between the undercover mission, the fake honeymoon setup, and all the unresolved tension between Lizzy and Cam, this book delivered chaotic entertainment in the cutest way.
The chemistry between the characters was palpable. The witty banter, constant tension, and that perfect mix of frustration and attraction that makes you keep turning the pages. Jo Watson knows how to write humor in a way that feels relatable and effortless, and the tropical setting makes everything feel even more escapist and cinematic✨
It gave major romcom-meets-spy-movie energy, and I had a great time with it.
If you love:
💖 fake dating/fake honeymoon vibes
💖 second-chance romance
💖 forced proximity
💖 hilarious banter
💖 tropical settings
💖 romcoms with action and adventure
…then this is definitely one to add to your TBR. It was such a fun and entertaining read that kept me hooked the whole way through. 🌺✨
The chemistry between the characters was palpable. The witty banter, constant tension, and that perfect mix of frustration and attraction that makes you keep turning the pages. Jo Watson knows how to write humor in a way that feels relatable and effortless, and the tropical setting makes everything feel even more escapist and cinematic✨
It gave major romcom-meets-spy-movie energy, and I had a great time with it.
If you love:
💖 fake dating/fake honeymoon vibes
💖 second-chance romance
💖 forced proximity
💖 hilarious banter
💖 tropical settings
💖 romcoms with action and adventure
…then this is definitely one to add to your TBR. It was such a fun and entertaining read that kept me hooked the whole way through. 🌺✨
June 4, 2026
Definitely one of my top reads of the year so far! Undercover Honeymoon has been such a joy to read and is one of those books that had me genuinely laughing out loud multiple times. The comedic moments are absolute perfection (I loved them so much).
The story is mainly told from the FMC's point of view, and while I did struggle to connect with Lizzy at first, the more I read the more I found myself genuinely rooting for her. She's such a strong woman and I loved slowly getting to know more about her.
Another thing I really enjoyed was the South African touches throughout the book. Even though most of the story takes place in the Seychelles, those little pieces of home really spoke to me.
At the end of each chapter, we get little snippets of the MMC's thoughts, which was such an adorable detail and a really fun take on a dual POV romance. I'd definitely recommend Undercover Honeymoon to anyone looking for a good laugh, amazing banter (because let's be honest, the banter in this book is chef's kiss 🤌), and plenty of sizzling tension. 🤭
And also... ✨️tree frogs✨️
The story is mainly told from the FMC's point of view, and while I did struggle to connect with Lizzy at first, the more I read the more I found myself genuinely rooting for her. She's such a strong woman and I loved slowly getting to know more about her.
Another thing I really enjoyed was the South African touches throughout the book. Even though most of the story takes place in the Seychelles, those little pieces of home really spoke to me.
At the end of each chapter, we get little snippets of the MMC's thoughts, which was such an adorable detail and a really fun take on a dual POV romance. I'd definitely recommend Undercover Honeymoon to anyone looking for a good laugh, amazing banter (because let's be honest, the banter in this book is chef's kiss 🤌), and plenty of sizzling tension. 🤭
And also... ✨️tree frogs✨️
May 10, 2026
This had everything I’d like on paper but it didn’t really work for me. I did enjoy the suspens part of it - the detective work and Lizzie and Cameron working together to solve their cases was quite fun, creating lots of laughable situations, but I would say it stayed quite light.
Unfortunately, I just didn’t enjoy the characters. Lizzie was just very displeasing for most of the book, starting with her strong “I’m not like other girls” vibes by emphasising that she liked fast cars, enjoying sports and is soooo muscular, she doesn’t like animals or kids, never wears dresses or make-up and just repeats how men react to her because she’s such a non-feminine person with non-usual hobbies, and like yeah we get it, you’re so different… Cam was better, but honestly not so interesting either. The way they were fighting each other was a bit funny at first but they kept going and it got old really fast.
*I received an ARC of this book, this is my honest opinion*
Unfortunately, I just didn’t enjoy the characters. Lizzie was just very displeasing for most of the book, starting with her strong “I’m not like other girls” vibes by emphasising that she liked fast cars, enjoying sports and is soooo muscular, she doesn’t like animals or kids, never wears dresses or make-up and just repeats how men react to her because she’s such a non-feminine person with non-usual hobbies, and like yeah we get it, you’re so different… Cam was better, but honestly not so interesting either. The way they were fighting each other was a bit funny at first but they kept going and it got old really fast.
*I received an ARC of this book, this is my honest opinion*
May 28, 2026
Review of advance copy received from Author
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
What an amazing unconventional romance story.
From the get go we are introduced to an atypical MFC. I loved seeing a female character whose athleticism was allowed to shape both her body and identity. As well as a MMC who is emotionally aware not only of himself, his actions and mistakes but also how to support his MFC who was not in tune with herself that way, what a guy 👌🏼
Lizzy and Cam’s story was very reminiscent to me of the montage in The Notebook where Noah and Allie are often seen either fighting fiercely or making out with passion. They have this constant push and pull which can be so exhausting yet also so rewarding when caving to it.
I thoroughly enjoyed the fun, adventurous and dangerous setting they find themselves in and as always the theatrics that is always present when reading a Jo Watson novel.
All round, we are once again gifted with a love story fueled with tension, chaos and passion all in one go.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
What an amazing unconventional romance story.
From the get go we are introduced to an atypical MFC. I loved seeing a female character whose athleticism was allowed to shape both her body and identity. As well as a MMC who is emotionally aware not only of himself, his actions and mistakes but also how to support his MFC who was not in tune with herself that way, what a guy 👌🏼
Lizzy and Cam’s story was very reminiscent to me of the montage in The Notebook where Noah and Allie are often seen either fighting fiercely or making out with passion. They have this constant push and pull which can be so exhausting yet also so rewarding when caving to it.
I thoroughly enjoyed the fun, adventurous and dangerous setting they find themselves in and as always the theatrics that is always present when reading a Jo Watson novel.
All round, we are once again gifted with a love story fueled with tension, chaos and passion all in one go.
May 31, 2026
The perfect read to get you into the mood for summer.
Lizzy and Cam were almost HEA college but that rivalry was just too strong to overcome! Now that the prefrontal cortex's are fully developed and they are no longer the idiots the once were (spoiler they are still a bit idiotic!) maybe there will be the spark of a second chance.
I love a rivals to lovers romance. These two has chemistry but that competitiveness was ridiculous. I'm never a fan of miscommunication but this one wasn't that bad and I soon forgave them! Watching these two attempt to work together whilst also trying to pull off the fake relationship was hysterical in places.
Lizzy and Cam had that Tracy/Hepburn dynamic and I really enjoy that kind of sparky banter. There were no 3rd act break-ups (always a bonus). My only real grips was that I would have preferred to have had a bit more suspense to the mystery part of the story.
But overall a great summery feel read.
Lizzy and Cam were almost HEA college but that rivalry was just too strong to overcome! Now that the prefrontal cortex's are fully developed and they are no longer the idiots the once were (spoiler they are still a bit idiotic!) maybe there will be the spark of a second chance.
I love a rivals to lovers romance. These two has chemistry but that competitiveness was ridiculous. I'm never a fan of miscommunication but this one wasn't that bad and I soon forgave them! Watching these two attempt to work together whilst also trying to pull off the fake relationship was hysterical in places.
Lizzy and Cam had that Tracy/Hepburn dynamic and I really enjoy that kind of sparky banter. There were no 3rd act break-ups (always a bonus). My only real grips was that I would have preferred to have had a bit more suspense to the mystery part of the story.
But overall a great summery feel read.
June 22, 2026
4⭐️ *Arc Review*
Jo Watson has officially mastered the art of the chaotic action rom-com. If you love the enemies-to-lovers pipeline, sharp banter, and high stakes, you need to read this immediately.
What to expect:
💖 Fake dating / Undercover marriage
💖 Academy rivals-to-lovers
💖 Second-chance romance (with a 6-hour relationship history!)
💖 Tropical island setting (Seychelles 🌴)
💖 Action-packed criminal conspiracy
Lizzie and Cam are spectacular leads. Their chemistry is built entirely on competitiveness, old grudges, and brilliant back-and-forth banter. Lizzie claiming she is "totally not bitter" about a six-hour relationship from her past while actively radiating pure pettiness made her incredibly relatable and fun to follow.
The plot transitions seamlessly from a sunny, tropical resort romance to a genuinely thrilling conspiracy where they have to rely on each other to get off the island alive. Is it a little far-fetched at times? Sure, but logic takes a back seat when a book is this genuinely funny and entertaining. It completely delivers on the escapism.
Highly recommend for anyone looking for a low-stress, high-fun contemporary romance!
Jo Watson has officially mastered the art of the chaotic action rom-com. If you love the enemies-to-lovers pipeline, sharp banter, and high stakes, you need to read this immediately.
What to expect:
💖 Fake dating / Undercover marriage
💖 Academy rivals-to-lovers
💖 Second-chance romance (with a 6-hour relationship history!)
💖 Tropical island setting (Seychelles 🌴)
💖 Action-packed criminal conspiracy
Lizzie and Cam are spectacular leads. Their chemistry is built entirely on competitiveness, old grudges, and brilliant back-and-forth banter. Lizzie claiming she is "totally not bitter" about a six-hour relationship from her past while actively radiating pure pettiness made her incredibly relatable and fun to follow.
The plot transitions seamlessly from a sunny, tropical resort romance to a genuinely thrilling conspiracy where they have to rely on each other to get off the island alive. Is it a little far-fetched at times? Sure, but logic takes a back seat when a book is this genuinely funny and entertaining. It completely delivers on the escapism.
Highly recommend for anyone looking for a low-stress, high-fun contemporary romance!
April 7, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an e-arc of this book, in exchange for my honest review:
3 stars! ⭐️
The premise of this book was so promising, but unfortunately I couldn’t really connect with the story. I found the FMC quite annoying to be honest. The whole dynamic between the two main characters felt a little weird to me, with their fighting all the time. Like I get the idea, but it didn’t really hit how it was supposed to. The story also felt a little slow at first.
Normally I love dual POV, but I found the parts from Cams perspective at the end of each chapter a little irritating, they didn’t really fit with the rest.
So unfortunately this was only a 3 star read for me. Although, I did enjoy the vacation part and the investigation part of the story and found these quite enjoyable and fun!
3 stars! ⭐️
The premise of this book was so promising, but unfortunately I couldn’t really connect with the story. I found the FMC quite annoying to be honest. The whole dynamic between the two main characters felt a little weird to me, with their fighting all the time. Like I get the idea, but it didn’t really hit how it was supposed to. The story also felt a little slow at first.
Normally I love dual POV, but I found the parts from Cams perspective at the end of each chapter a little irritating, they didn’t really fit with the rest.
So unfortunately this was only a 3 star read for me. Although, I did enjoy the vacation part and the investigation part of the story and found these quite enjoyable and fun!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 27, 2026
Jo did it again, a book filled with teasing, banter and just fun.
This book follows Lizzy, Private Investigator who specializes in find and busting cheating husbands, now hired by the Sharaz Venter to find her cheating husband red handed.
She never expected to see him again the one man she let her guard down for and then betrayed her Cam. Who stole her job and now wants to work together, we thinks not.
6 years later and she still hasn't forgiven him for what he did to her, but now they are forced together literally to protect themselves and bust the bad guy.
Also I need to mention Sid he is just the cutest, and of course my personal favorite line from the whole book that had me cackling like a loon
"Now hop, my little bunnies. Hop"
Picture this a hit man with the name of the blade, his scary he kills people with one slice but then says that I just can't 😂😂
This book follows Lizzy, Private Investigator who specializes in find and busting cheating husbands, now hired by the Sharaz Venter to find her cheating husband red handed.
She never expected to see him again the one man she let her guard down for and then betrayed her Cam. Who stole her job and now wants to work together, we thinks not.
6 years later and she still hasn't forgiven him for what he did to her, but now they are forced together literally to protect themselves and bust the bad guy.
Also I need to mention Sid he is just the cutest, and of course my personal favorite line from the whole book that had me cackling like a loon
"Now hop, my little bunnies. Hop"
Picture this a hit man with the name of the blade, his scary he kills people with one slice but then says that I just can't 😂😂
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
This one was an entertaining read that provided many laughs, however something about it missed thel mark for me.
The FMC and MMC are extremely competitive (I know that's their thing), but the constant back-and-forth and playing games with each other did get a bit tiresome.
There are chapters that flash back to the past every now and then, so be aware of the time jumps. Each chapter is told from the FMCs point of view, and ends off with a "diary entry" style from the MMC. I quite liked this take rather than the more traditional dual POV chapters (although I do like those too!).
Overall, this book was enjoyable. Thank you to Jo Watson, and the Pen To Platform team for providing me with this ARC copy!
💓 Undercover Honeymoon will be officially be in the wild from 28 May 2026!
The FMC and MMC are extremely competitive (I know that's their thing), but the constant back-and-forth and playing games with each other did get a bit tiresome.
There are chapters that flash back to the past every now and then, so be aware of the time jumps. Each chapter is told from the FMCs point of view, and ends off with a "diary entry" style from the MMC. I quite liked this take rather than the more traditional dual POV chapters (although I do like those too!).
Overall, this book was enjoyable. Thank you to Jo Watson, and the Pen To Platform team for providing me with this ARC copy!
💓 Undercover Honeymoon will be officially be in the wild from 28 May 2026!
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