Island Fling with the Tycoon

by Therese Beharrie

Could a fairy-tale wedding…

..lead to her own love story?

Sparks fly when Piper Evans meets tycoon Caleb Martin on the way to her brother’s wedding. Gorgeous but uncompromising — he’s the kind of man heartbroken Piper has sworn to stay away from. Yet when the perfect wedding turns to disaster, Piper must search for the runaway groom — with Caleb’s help! Island hopping around Greece, Piper finds herself increasingly tempted by the man whose totally off-limits…

Genres: Romance, Contemporary, Contemporary Romance

256 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 22, 2019

About the author

Therese Beharrie is a South African romance author of several acclaimed novels, including her One Day to Forever series. She takes pride in writing diverse characters and settings, and her books are often recommended for their heart and banter. She lives in Cape Town with her husband, her inspiration for every hero, and two adorable baby boys. You can find her on Twitter and Facebook or visit her at theresebeharrie.com.

Reviews

[K.J. Charles]

Therese Beharrie is my happy place. This is a very sweet romance with a bit of angst and a lot of kindness, between a man who runs a bunch of peoples' lives, and a woman who's sick of men running her life. This works out very nicely, as she clearly tells him she doesn't want taking charge of, and his efforts not to take charge are both sincere and revelatory to him that actually he's doing a lot of work that he shouldn't be. They're both quite hurt, but this author writes people unpicking their feelings brilliantly, and getting into the right place to make things work long term. Soothing to the soul.

[Elvira · Rating 5 out of 5]

Therese's voice OMG! Just cutting through the bullshit and getting down to the nitty gritty FEELINGS! YES! LOVE! IT! I've been reminded of how magical it is to fall in love with a new author. It's fucking great, I highly recommend it. This story was hilarious, full of over the top drama that didn't feel actually dramatic but felt earned. I think the reason was that the level of honesty and vulnerability in the dialogue between the main characters was at 1000% from like hour two of knowing each other. As a Virgo, I was eating it all up because small talk is dumb and all I want to know is what you hold dearest in your heart and what’s hurting you lol Can I ask that casually, like at my next zoom birthday party?

Anyway, how does Therese write such intimate romantic vignettes set in just a few days?! These MCs are falling by day two or three of knowing each other, and it all makes sense. Piper and Caleb running around Mykonos was just the pandemmy vicarious traveling I needed, right after I watched Julia act the fuck out of that vein on her forehead in Eat, Pray, Love too. Oh, the beach.

I learned about Therese from Talia Hibbert’s Shelf Love podcast interview and I think they have very similar voices. I got all the banter, sweetness, humor, and intensity I needed. One of my favorite quotations has to be when Caleb is seriously considering backing off Piper because he’s scared of letting her in and “Then Piper said something that made her laugh, and he knew he couldn't do it. How could he resist that bright and happy laugh? How could he resist someone who made themselves laugh in that way?” Truly just @ me next time.

Lastly, I’ll add that the heroine is dealing with emotional trauma from her manipulative father which could be triggering. She’s learning to trust herself again and struggles with that quite a lot. The hero is grieving and there’s talk of his father’s passing and the ramifications on his life.

[Tiffany Tyler · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really wanted to like this book but it did absolutely nothing for me. It was quite repetitive but it did have the framework to be something special. This was my second time trying this author and I simply think she isn’t my cup of tea. I’m not saying that she’s a bad author but just not my personal preference. I did not finish the first book I tried by this author so this was progress. I will say that if you’re looking for a book to use as an escape on a weekend afternoon then give this one a try.

[Lindsi · Rating 2 out of 5]

Whilst some of the ideas behind the book were interesting, the writing massively let this down. I didn’t feel like the main characters had any chemistry and there were lots of places where the phrasing was off.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty good, too short and felt almost insta lovey, but still awesome

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book. The story opens as Piper arrives in Greece for her older brother's wedding. Her arrival is a bit stressful as she waits for the promised driver to pick her up. The only other person there is a man holding a sign for a different hotel. After an irritated call to her brother, she discovers that the man is her future sister-in-law's brother and had grabbed the wrong sign. Both are grouchy over the misunderstanding and not in the frame of mind for a wedding celebration. Piper was conflicted about going to the wedding. She and Liam were not close thanks to a rough childhood with an emotionally abusive and controlling father. They reconnected after their father's death and so far she hasn't been impressed with what she has learned about Liam. She is concerned that he won't go through with the wedding.

There are sparks between Piper and Caleb from the beginning. Caleb is the oldest of the family and raised his brother and sisters after the death of their father. He is used to being in charge, and it makes an impression when Piper doesn't fall into line. He is intrigued and attracted, which doesn't make him happy at all. Piper is equally fascinated by him, but even more resistant. After years with a controlling father, followed by a boyfriend who turned out to be just as bad, Piper doesn't trust her judgment. She is determined to guard her independence. There are a couple of scenes that first day where that determination creates some awkwardness with Caleb. When the two of them witness an argument between the bride- and groom-to-be, and Liam runs away, Piper has to find him before the wedding. And Caleb is determined to be right there with her.

I enjoyed seeing Caleb and Piper's relationship develop. They are forced to work together to track down Liam which means they have to get along. I liked how Caleb quickly learned how to deal with Piper's prickliness. The more he learned of what she went through, the more he admired her strength and determination. Piper was a harder nut to crack. Between her father and her ex-boyfriend's actions she has a lot of work to do to believe in herself. The attraction between her and Caleb continues to simmer, adding to her fears. I ached for both of them when Piper's fears sent her running and cried for Caleb as he had to let her go. I rooted for Piper to finally see herself the way that Caleb saw her and believe that she could be happy. Her big moment at the end was excellent, as she opened her heart and allowed herself to trust Caleb with it. The epilogue was great. I loved seeing the changes in both Caleb and Piper. There was also a neat little bit with Liam and Emma.

[Leigh Kramer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Piper and Caleb meet when her brother is about to marry his sister. When her brother Liam suddenly runs off after Emma tells him she’s pregnant, Piper and Caleb join forces to track him down so the wedding will go on. This was a perfectly serviceable category romance—and Therese Beharrie does better than most—but these two needed therapy, not a declaration of love after 3 days. Caleb is a parent figure who tries to control everything for his younger siblings. He’s more of an enabler than anything else but still provides quite the foil given Piper’s history with both an emotionally abusive father and ex. She’s understandably scared that she’ll let him control her. Caleb had especially unrealistic expectations of Piper after knowing her only a few days. While we "know" Caleb is a good guy who wouldn’t take advantage of her, their relationship needed more room to breathe. On top of that, Liam and Emma should have waited to get married too. Not my favorite from this author but a fun, quick read overall.

Characters: Piper is a 26 year old South African teacher. Caleb is a 31 year old South African property mogul. This is set in Mykonos, Greece.

Content notes: emotionally abusive ex, past emotional abuse by FMC’s father, past death of FMC’s parents and MMC’s father, MMC was guardian for his 3 younger siblings, MMC was result of teen pregnancy, MMC’s mother left when he was 12, pregnancy announcement (secondary character), off page sex, alcohol

[NE · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 stars

[Beatrice · Rating 4 out of 5]

Therese Beharrie is a balm to the spirit. She writes people picking apart their emotions like nobody else.

[Becky · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm not going to lie, it took me three attempts to finish this book. That's nothing against the book but I wasn't in the right mood on the first two attempts. It does demonstrate my love for Therese Beharrie, though, because there aren't a lot of authors whose books I'd persevere with for so long. For her, I always will.

What won me over in the end with this book was simple. It was that greek setting and that these two idiots were fighting against everything not be together when they were obviously head over heels in love.

The setting first off, it was stunning. I mean, every Therese Beharrie book seems to have a beautiful setting be it a beautiful holiday destination like Greece and the Greek isles or South Africa. She always has me about ready to book a ticket to fly somewhere and it was no different here. Piper's brother, Liam, is having a destination wedding on the isle of Mykonos. It's all being paid for by Piper's future brother in law, Caleb. And damn, don't I just want to fly off to Mykonos and Santorini after reading this. I already know Greece is lovely but there are so many small islands to explore and I have practically booked my ticket to go next year. I wanted to join Piper and Caleb when they were in restaurants when they gatecrashed a walking tour. Every location had me lusting after a warm sun and a chance to relax in a scenic location. And maybe I'll have the chance for a holiday romance while I'm at it.

The setting was one thing, but Piper and Caleb were the other driving force. The first couple of times I'd picked it up in the wrong mood and the assumptions they both kept making about the other's actions at the start frustrated me. I wanted them to talk and not be apart due to misunderstandings but the third time? Yeah, I got it. Piper spent her whole life being dictated to by her father who was an emotional abuser, and when she finally had her freedom after he died she again fell into a relationship where she lost her independence and dated another version of her father. She learnt from these things but never wanted to again have her life chosen by someone else, no matter how well-intentioned they might be and that was Caleb all over. And Caleb? He assumed the role of parent for his siblings after their father's death when he was just 18. Ever since he has been caring and looking after them, far longer than he probably needed to. He liked the control he had and didn't like to lose that. He was used to taking action and making things happen thinking he was being helpful, but that's not what Piper wants or needs. The two of them kept getting their wires crossed as they didn't know where the other was coming from. Once they got to know each other a bit better I was in love. I was cheering them along when they talked about their past and I was crying towards the end when it looked like all was lost and they weren't meant to be.

Basically, this book was brilliant. I mean, any book which can do a total 180 for me is going to be a winner. I went from putting the book down in disinterest to staying up pasy my bedtime and crying at the ending. If that's not enough of a motivator to get you reading I don't know what is. Maybe Google some pictures of what Mykonos and Santorini look like, you need a book in your life to transport you there when the weather is so cold and gloomy I'm sure.

[Emmalita · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. I enjoyed Island Fling with the Tycoon so much. It was my first Therese Beharrie book and I look forward to many more.

Piper Evans flies from her home in Cape Town, South Africa to the Greek Islands to attend her older brother’s wedding. Piper and her brother, Liam, survived growing up with a very controlling father and have not been close as adults. She had not felt like she could afford to travel and stay on Mykannos, but her concerns were waved away by the bride’s older brother insisting on paying for her accommodations. Because she does want to be closer with her bother, she accepts the offer and takes the time to attend. But, she isn’t happy about it.

Things don’t get off to a great start when she arrives at the airport and finds no one there to greet her. Except there’s a very grumpy looking man standing around with a sign for a hotel at which she is not staying. Of course, it turns out to be her soon to be sister-in-law’s older brother, Caleb Martin, the tycoon in question. They are embarrassed/mad at each other about standing around for a half hour. They get further on the wrong foot when they see her brother run away from his sister and hop a boat from Mykanos to Santorini.

Piper and Caleb decide to go look for Liam and head for Santorini the next morning. Caleb is several years older than his siblings, and raised them after their father died. He is used to fixing their problems. Piper isn’t sure if he’s used to being in charge or controlling, but she is sure that he is overly involved in his siblings’ lives. The prickly pair uneasily fall in love while Piper tries to be vulnerable while not repeating past mistakes, and Caleb tries to figure out how to prioritize himself and let his siblings be adults.

Beharrie does a great job of painting complex, nuanced characters. I couldn’t help comparing this book to my memory of category romances I read in the late 80s and 90s. Beharrie’s characters are so grounded and un-glamorous (but not unstylish) that they are worlds away from the slick jetsetters romanticized 30 years ago. I appreciated that Caleb was just a guy rather than a local celebrity. no one fetishized his money. Caleb’s money greased some wheels and made life more comfortable, but it didn’t solve any real problems. This was a good read.

[nick (the infinite limits of love) · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5/5

A Greek setting and Therese Beharrie? I was so in! Everyone already knows how much I adore this author and her angsty (in a very good way) stories. I was quick to dive into the book (and very late to review it as usual).

As always, Therese delivers on a story that punches you right in the hurt and manages to make you ache with how romantic it is. She writes flawlessly flawed characters who you instantly connect with. The heroines in her books are some of my all-time favorites, and I'm happy to add Piper to that list. Piper has not had the best childhood and she has only just reconnected with her brother, Liam. Now she's on her way to his wedding in Greece. At the airport, she meets Caleb, her new sister-in-law's brother, who is there to pick her up. Though both are grumpy about the situation, their chemistry is instantaneous.

When Piper's brother runs away right before the wedding, it's up to Piper and Caleb to find him before the big day. Caleb was just the perfect companion for Piper. He is so patient and kind with her, it 100% melted my cold-heart. Caleb is not a man of many words, but we get to know all the layers he had. I loved them together, and as with all of Therese's couples, Piper and Caleb talk a ton throughout the book, which makes their connection feel even stronger. You are 100% going to root for them and their HEA. Also, I *have* to mention the wonderful Greek setting. I felt like I was transported to Greece which is always a top quality in a book!

The author takes you on absolute emotional roller coaster with Island Fling with the Tycoon and every moment is like a dream. If after all my reviews of her books you still haven't read anything by Therese Beharrie, then I ask, what are you waiting for? If you love your romances wholesome and just full of love, she is a must-read author!

[Jane Hunt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Piper and her brother Liam’s childhood forced them apart, but he wants her at his wedding, and when the bride’s brother offers her free accommodation, she has to attend. The meeting between Caleb and Piper is not new, but it does demonstrate the type of people they are and adds some lighthearted moments to the story.

When Liam’s runs off before the wedding, Piper feels responsible and knows she has to follow him to find out why. Caleb values his sister’s happiness, even if he abhors Liam’s behaviour and insists he goes too.

What follows is a romantic chase around the Greek Islands, the setting is vivid and adds to the romance. Piper lacks self-esteem in the wake of her father’s emotional abuse, she is also reeling from a controlling relationship. So Caleb’s take-charge attitude, both annoys and frightens her. She’s attracted but won’t allow herself to make another mistake. Their romance is riddled with conflict, mostly internal, but the slow burn attraction turns them into risk-takers and after much angst, they find what they are both seeking, including Liam.

A lovely romance with picturesque island hopping.

I received a copy of this book from Mills and Boon via NetGalley in return for an honest review.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

Piper is attending a wedding for her estranged brother when things turn sour when he ups and splits. Now Piper and Caleb, the brides brother, will have to work together to drag him back to the wedding. They both seem to have a rocky start and as they spend time together searching for her brother things start to heat up between the two.

This was such a fast paced cute little contemporary romance. I thought it was interesting how Piper and her brother was raised and why they acted and did certain things. Then there was Caleb who is pretty much from a different world when it comes to lifestyles and making choices and such. Piper refuses to be the one who takes orders meanwhile Caleb has been put into the role of taking charge and clearly things are bound to clash with the who. I liked getting both their perspectives and seeing how they worked together to find Pipers brother. Then there is the romance which I loved, while there was clearly boundary trying to be put it place it was becoming hard for them to keep those barriers up. Overall great book I really enjoyed it.

[Joan Gray · Rating 4 out of 5]

Island Fling With The Tycoon is written by Therese Beharrie. After arriving from her home in Cape Town to attend her brother’s wedding, Piper Evans is searching the Greek islands for him, Liam, the runaway groom. She enlists the help of Caleb Martin, her soon to be sister in law’s elder brother, a handsome tycoon who embodies everything she hates on her ideal man!! The sparks fly as they island hop.

Even though Caleb is a Tycoon this is not a glamourous novel. Beharrie shows that money can sometimes make life easier but cannot always solve life’s problems. She also shows how Piper struggles with a fear of being controlled. Her parents were controlling when she and Liam were growing up and now she backs away from any situation where she feels this may happen again. Ironically Caleb is the one one person who won’t do this. I enjoyed this book. It is well written and the characters develop and grow throughout.

I received this book via Netgalley and Mills and Boon in exchange for a honest review. I am a #MillsAndBoonInsider #netgalley

[Kate Vale · Rating 3 out of 5]

When the destination wedding of her brother and his sister is scheduled to occur in Greece, Piper Evans keeps her fingers crossed that her commitment-avoiding brother will go through with it. When he runs 4 days before the wedding, her worst fears are realized, but what makes her life even more fraught is the bride's brother, Caleb's, insistence on going after Liam with Piper.

In doing so, their mutual attraction wars with each person's fears--from prior disasters having to do with their respective fathers--and she refuses to see that Caleb may just be the only man who would not try to control her.

How all this is resolved ends up being helped and then interfered with by the wedding that is now on again. But will Piper and Caleb be able to come to terms with their own feelings?

[Jenni Fletcher · Rating 5 out of 5]

So first of all, this is my FAVOURITE book by this author. It made me laugh out loud several times (best lines include 'She couldn't bring herself to change despite the situation with her breasts' and donkeys as killing-machines). The heroine is feisty, no-nonsense and determined to prove her own self-worth (which of course she does) as she and our gorgeous, intense hero race to save a wedding (someone else's, which was a nice twist). Obviously I'm not going to tell you if they succeed, but this was well-written and introspective with convincing, 3 dimensional characters. Highly recommended and chuckle-worthy.

[Christine Galletly · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a thoroughly enjoyable story and the characters were well developed.

The plot was excellent and I enjoyed finding out how the author would wrap up the loose ends.

I will be honest as even thought that it was well written, at times I did think that there was a little too much detail which made it a little drawn out and for me that did affect the natural good flow that the author had with the story and I found that to be a little disappointing as this had all the potentially to be a 5 star read for me!.

Taking in to account the above, I still found the story to be highly enjoyable and it is 4 stars from me for this one!

[Kristen · Rating 3 out of 5]

i read this right after another book by this author and didn't enjoy it as much. it felt very similar, which is my fault for reading them so close together. but i did like it, i liked the characters, thought they were realistic. i liked piper more than caleb, i don't know why. it was a cute read, i'll definitely be checking out more from this author.

received ARC from netgalley in exchange for honest review

[Turtleberry Turtleberry · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have at least two other Therese Beharrie books in my Kindle Library and now I am super excited to read them.

I loved this book.

Piper and Caleb were such interesting and layered characters. There was so much growth they went through. Their romance was wonderful.

I enjoyed the setting of the book. I definitely want to move Greece up on my travel list.

This was more of a sweet romance than a spicy one... but that honestly didn't take away from the story.

[Michelle Lindo-Rice · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is my second read by Theresa Beharie and I intend to read more. Island Fling with the Tycoon has romance, adventure and laughter. Piper and Caleb's romance had me smiling as they reached their happy-ever-after.

[Jane Kelsey · Rating 5 out of 5]

REALLY ENJOYED IT

[Isabella ~Mikku-chan~ · Rating 4 out of 5]

RTC

[Onnica · Rating 3 out of 5]

A really nice premise for a book. Enjoyed the setting and the familial bonds but some of the internal dialogue was a bit repetitive.