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Indigo Island #1
Weekend with the Tycoon
Wealthy business tycoon Blake Putnam isn’t looking for love, he just needs a date for a family wedding he’s dreading. Alpha male to the core, Blake’s idea of being a man leaves little room for emotional connection. He comes up with the perfect solution to the dreaded wedding: he’ll find a controllable date. He has everything planned to perfection.
Samantha Jones agrees to spend the weekend with the hot boss. She’s attracted to him, but she’s sworn off men after her embarrassing recent break up. She’s determined to ignore the attraction and focus on business when he hands her an opportunity to be part of the biggest business pitch in Blake Genetics’ history. It could change everything. She’s not looking for love, she won’t jump off that cliff again. But she will take the chance to further her career.
What neither of them expected was the weekend to take flight. Is this a risk they’re willing to see through to the end?
Samantha Jones agrees to spend the weekend with the hot boss. She’s attracted to him, but she’s sworn off men after her embarrassing recent break up. She’s determined to ignore the attraction and focus on business when he hands her an opportunity to be part of the biggest business pitch in Blake Genetics’ history. It could change everything. She’s not looking for love, she won’t jump off that cliff again. But she will take the chance to further her career.
What neither of them expected was the weekend to take flight. Is this a risk they’re willing to see through to the end?
97 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 7, 2014
396 people are currently reading
733 people want to read
About the author
Kaira Rouda
41 books2,844 followersKaira Rouda is a USA TODAY and #1 Amazon and Amazon Charts bestselling author of contemporary fiction exploring beneath the surface of seemingly perfect lives. Her suspense novels include BEST DAY EVER, THE FAVORITE DAUGHTER, ALL THE DIFFERENCE, THE NEXT WIFE, SOMEBODY'S HOME, THE WIDOW, BENEATH THE SURFACE, UNDER THE PALMS, THE SECOND MRS STROM, WHAT THE NANNY SAW and JILL IS NOT HAPPY. Her next novel, WE WERE NEVER FRIENDS, is out February 3, 2026.
She lives in Southern California with her family and is at work on her next novel. Visit her webiste, KairaRouda.com for more. Connect with her on Instagram and Pinterest: @KairaRouda; and on Facebook at Kaira Rouda Books.
If you'd like to host Kaira at your book club, please reach out through her website KairaRouda.com
Sign up to receive a monthly email from Kaira with exclusive sales news, book excerpts, sweepstakes, and giveaways at: kairarouda.com/signup/
She lives in Southern California with her family and is at work on her next novel. Visit her webiste, KairaRouda.com for more. Connect with her on Instagram and Pinterest: @KairaRouda; and on Facebook at Kaira Rouda Books.
If you'd like to host Kaira at your book club, please reach out through her website KairaRouda.com
Sign up to receive a monthly email from Kaira with exclusive sales news, book excerpts, sweepstakes, and giveaways at: kairarouda.com/signup/
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 104 reviews
September 1, 2018
Weekend with the Tycoon by Kaira Rouda is the first book of the contemporary romance Indigo Island series. While part of a series the books do switch main characters in each installment so this one can be read as a standalone if choosing to do so.
In this story Blake Putnam is a wealthy businessman that has no intention of settling down and starting a relationship but finds himself needing a date to take to a family wedding. Samantha Jones is a new employee at Blake's business that somehow finds herself being whisked away to pretend to be her boss's new date.
Again this is a novella so don't expect a lot of depth to the characters or story as everything moves at a rather fast pace. My problem with this one really was more I just did not ever connect to the characters at all and rather actually found them kind of annoying which is a shame because normally I like the idea of pretend dating going into something more.
For more reviews please visit https://carriesbookreviews.com/
In this story Blake Putnam is a wealthy businessman that has no intention of settling down and starting a relationship but finds himself needing a date to take to a family wedding. Samantha Jones is a new employee at Blake's business that somehow finds herself being whisked away to pretend to be her boss's new date.
Again this is a novella so don't expect a lot of depth to the characters or story as everything moves at a rather fast pace. My problem with this one really was more I just did not ever connect to the characters at all and rather actually found them kind of annoying which is a shame because normally I like the idea of pretend dating going into something more.
For more reviews please visit https://carriesbookreviews.com/
March 22, 2018
A quick little "perfect" romance. What woman doesn't want to have an mega expensive shopping spree and beauty treatments a la Pretty Woman (minus the being a hooker part) all paid for by a handsome, alpha-ish, hard-hearted bazillionaire, just to win him over with just her charm and grace and brains? Sign me up!!!
July 10, 2014
Fantastic start to a new series! The first 3 chapters totally sucked me in and then the electricity between Blake and Sam was perfect.. Wish there was just one more chapter as I feel the ending wasn't quite enough. Fun read, nonetheless.
May 28, 2017
2.5, but I can't truly bump it up to 3. This was a typical storyline: boss needs a fake date for a family wedding and figures the newbie employee is the most likely to fill the position. I never really connected with the characters. There was nothing new, or really particularly interesting, in this one.
June 28, 2015
When Samantha's boss, the cold and intimidating Mr. Putnam, summons her to his office, she's not sure what to think. When she's asked to accompany him on a business trip, she's thrilled that her hard work has been noticed and excited for the chance she'll have to pitch her new idea for the company. But when she finds out she's his date for his sister's wedding… Well, it's going to be one hell of a weekend.
The Verdict: The plot's pretty standard, but there's always room for a different spin or a fresh new take, so I thought I'd give this one a shot. Unfortunately, this one is simply too short to really get off the ground, and in the end, I simply wasn't convinced.
Samantha's smart, a hard worker, and easy on the eyes, and that's what Blake is looking for when it comes to a date for his sister's wedding. His faithful assistant suggested enlisting one of the women from the office for the role, and Blake figures it's better than whatever high society candidate his mother would inevitably set him up with. However, he doesn't reveal the real purpose of the trip until after Samantha has been conscripted for the part, but when he does, he makes it clear that they will actually be working between wedding weekend events. Later, when he finds that they're expected to sleep in the same room, he's concerned that doing so could equal a sexual harassment lawsuit, which pretty much shreds his credibility as a successful businessman, given that requiring an employee to even pretend to be a date is grounds for exactly that.
Much of the story was completely underdeveloped, and there were several pieces that it seemed should have been important but were little more than side notes. First, Blake apparently had a previous relationship that went horribly wrong, and I'm guessing that should have been part of the reason he wasn't much of a dater. However, after a mention, it wasn't touched on again, nor was anything explained, so I'm not sure why it was even brought up. Samantha had a recent relationship gone wrong as well, having recommended her boyfriend for a job at Putnam only for him to dump her for someone else. But while the synopsis implies that it's something keeping her from easily trusting and dating again, she's more than willing to throw herself into another relationship after a single day. And because apparently every romance must have a jerk for the hero to punch, there's the groom's brother, a flirty mess of a man who makes a scene in front of the whole family. But he's completely unnecessary to the story, and those paragraphs focusing on him would have been better used to add something to the ridiculously fast romance brewing between Blake and Samantha. And that brings me to the real issue I had with the book…
The whole relationship is tied up with a big red bow without any real development or depth. One day Sam's being told she's going to be Blake's date. The next they're faking it for the family and sleeping separately. And the next they're sneaking off together and planning out how they can both date and work together. Were this a full-length novel, or perhaps if more time had been spent on character development than wardrobe, I think I could have been convinced. Instead, it seemed like I was reading more of a story outline, with all the intense emotions and dramatic moments not yet written. I've read novellas before that had me fully invested in the characters before I knew what hit me, but Weekend with the Tycoon just wasn't able to pull that off.
***FicCentral received this book from Wordsmith Publicity for free in exchange for an honest review.
August 22, 2015
Weekend With the Tycoon provides an interesting look at a billionaire romance. We meet, but don't really get to know Blake until quite a few chapters in, so the opinion we form of him out of the gate is based on solely on what we learn of him through Samantha's eyes. It's an interesting way to get to know the hero because from her perspective, he's overbearing, dominating, and boorish. He basically calls her into his office, commands her to a weekend meeting, and sends her to a boutique to pick out a bunch of designer outfits. No wonder she perceives him the way she does. But, in true romance fashion, all is not what as it seems. Samantha takes a positive look at the situation - as an opportunity to discuss an exciting idea she has with the boss.
When we finally meet Blake, it's as he's dealing with Samantha's paralyzing fear of heights and he reaffirms Samantha's perspective of him. He is overbearing and boorish. We find out she's is posing as his girlfriend for the weekend with his family. So add deceiving to his list of characteristics.
But, as Samantha and Blake arrive at the island, we start to see a different side of Blake. I believe he's formed this opinion of his family and spending a lot of time away from them, it has festered into a deep dislike for them. His family is delightful. His mother is very welcoming, if not a bit sly in putting Blake and Samantha together in the same bedroom. His father is welcoming and acknowledging of Blake's difference of opinion in how they run their business. His brothers are fun and his sister is delightful. Just a little bit of time around his family brings out the softer side of Blake. We see him smiling more, acting on his attraction to Samantha and demonstrating a more sensitive, loving side that you wouldn't necessarily have expected based on how we first met Blake. Blake's transition during this book was probably my favorite part of the book.
In true romance fashion, the hero and heroine get their happily-ever-after and I love the transition we see in Blake as he falls in love with Samantha.
When we finally meet Blake, it's as he's dealing with Samantha's paralyzing fear of heights and he reaffirms Samantha's perspective of him. He is overbearing and boorish. We find out she's is posing as his girlfriend for the weekend with his family. So add deceiving to his list of characteristics.
But, as Samantha and Blake arrive at the island, we start to see a different side of Blake. I believe he's formed this opinion of his family and spending a lot of time away from them, it has festered into a deep dislike for them. His family is delightful. His mother is very welcoming, if not a bit sly in putting Blake and Samantha together in the same bedroom. His father is welcoming and acknowledging of Blake's difference of opinion in how they run their business. His brothers are fun and his sister is delightful. Just a little bit of time around his family brings out the softer side of Blake. We see him smiling more, acting on his attraction to Samantha and demonstrating a more sensitive, loving side that you wouldn't necessarily have expected based on how we first met Blake. Blake's transition during this book was probably my favorite part of the book.
In true romance fashion, the hero and heroine get their happily-ever-after and I love the transition we see in Blake as he falls in love with Samantha.
January 15, 2015
Way to come out of the gate for a new series, Blake is my Alpha Billionaire book boyfriend for life! A little wedding for his sister & his world is twisted. Business man to the core, simple plan of action. No mess strings & put stars in a girls eyes, bring your employee what could go wrong! HA Everything went right in my eyes. This story is fantastic, a sweet ride from beginning to end.
I love how they were both dead set on no attachments and BAM ends with them being very attached. It always happens that way. The harder you fight it the harder you fall and both of them went down hard. Who can resist a little get away with a new wardrobe to boot?
The family dynamic is great, I love the little insight but I feel it cost us a little to get to know them that we were missing out on Blake. It might be my book crush talking but I honestly did want a little more get to know with him. If I am being honest in the end my only nitpick would be the ending, I like mine tied up in a bow it leaves it a little open. But I feel like it doesn't take away from the story it'self some might actually enjoy it that way. I just happen to be one of those people who like to come back to a couple and check up on them. I would love to see a book a couple years from now and see how they are fairing. Overall awesome read will be looking for more from this author in the future.
I love how they were both dead set on no attachments and BAM ends with them being very attached. It always happens that way. The harder you fight it the harder you fall and both of them went down hard. Who can resist a little get away with a new wardrobe to boot?
The family dynamic is great, I love the little insight but I feel it cost us a little to get to know them that we were missing out on Blake. It might be my book crush talking but I honestly did want a little more get to know with him. If I am being honest in the end my only nitpick would be the ending, I like mine tied up in a bow it leaves it a little open. But I feel like it doesn't take away from the story it'self some might actually enjoy it that way. I just happen to be one of those people who like to come back to a couple and check up on them. I would love to see a book a couple years from now and see how they are fairing. Overall awesome read will be looking for more from this author in the future.
July 9, 2014
A really cute story
Mislead. That's how Samantha Jones feels when she is asked to go out of town with her boss, Blake Putnam. He told her it's a business trip. When in reality, he has used her as his date to his sister's fancy wedding on Indigo Island. He doesn't want to deal with his mother trying to set him up like she always does. They will be staying at his parent's home. Sure, he is hot. Sure, she can play the role. But, she wants him to listen to her sales pitch for a new product at Blake Genetics. So, she plays along with him. Life gets a bit confusing for them both as they start to feel their attraction to each other. Can they control their feelings despite the fact they have to share the same room? What about the number one rule in the company, no office relationships?
I loved this story. The shopping trip was a lot of fun. The descriptions of the island and home were so vivid, I felt right there.
Mislead. That's how Samantha Jones feels when she is asked to go out of town with her boss, Blake Putnam. He told her it's a business trip. When in reality, he has used her as his date to his sister's fancy wedding on Indigo Island. He doesn't want to deal with his mother trying to set him up like she always does. They will be staying at his parent's home. Sure, he is hot. Sure, she can play the role. But, she wants him to listen to her sales pitch for a new product at Blake Genetics. So, she plays along with him. Life gets a bit confusing for them both as they start to feel their attraction to each other. Can they control their feelings despite the fact they have to share the same room? What about the number one rule in the company, no office relationships?
I loved this story. The shopping trip was a lot of fun. The descriptions of the island and home were so vivid, I felt right there.
July 9, 2014
Weekend with the Tycoon is a new Indigo Island romance novella by Kaira Rouda and it is fantastic. "Mr. Iceman" otherwise known as Blake Putnam, CEO of Blake Genetics, hand picks Samantha Jones to attend a weekend business meeting. Instantly, she is whisked off to an exclusive boutique and given a whole new look - clothes, makeup, jewelry, bags, shoes, luggage. Every girl's dream! That is until it is time to depart and she has to be carried onto the awaiting helicopter where she learns the true nature of the business meeting. In order to avoid having his mother set him up once again, Mr. Putnam needs someone to pose as his date to his sister's wedding. This is a very fun little story that can be read in under two hours. There is no profanity and I would consider it mildly spicy.
July 21, 2014
Weekend with the Tycoon is a fast-paced novella that I thoroughly enjoyed! Samatha our heroine works for Blake Genetic and is ask to go away on what she thinks is a business trip with her boss. Samantha's boss CEO Blake Putman is a alpha male who actually needs a pretend date for his sister's wedding. Blake who has had his heart broken in the the past is certainly not looking for romance, he wants this strictly a business arrangement. Well guess what, an attraction develops between Blake & Samantha and romance happens! Kaira Rouda is a new author to me and she did not disappoint me, her writing kept me interested and wanting to read more from her.
I received an ARC from the publisher for an honest review.
I received an ARC from the publisher for an honest review.
January 23, 2016
Fake date, I think not
What starts as a fake date, a date to fool the family, turns out to be anything but. Blake seems cold and aloof;Samantha seems unsure yet determined, but by faking it, what they feel for each other wins out in this novella. Except for the overuse of the words, fake date, this is a sweet romance with few What-the-tuck trends.
What starts as a fake date, a date to fool the family, turns out to be anything but. Blake seems cold and aloof;Samantha seems unsure yet determined, but by faking it, what they feel for each other wins out in this novella. Except for the overuse of the words, fake date, this is a sweet romance with few What-the-tuck trends.
July 12, 2014
Absolutely loved this book! I ended up reading it in one sitting. I was just so into the characters stories and there struggle to do the right thing. The book is a little "HOT" at times but not overly so. I'm definitely looking forward to more Indigo Island books!
December 10, 2014
Read/reviewed for Tule VIP Insider street team for a honest opinion
I loved the setting and the characters, character development and dialogue. It was perfect for the storyline. I'm looking forward to reading more in this series and by Kaira Rouda.
I loved the setting and the characters, character development and dialogue. It was perfect for the storyline. I'm looking forward to reading more in this series and by Kaira Rouda.
February 12, 2015
2.5 stars
July 6, 2016
3,5 stars
Short, nice read.
Short, nice read.
May 31, 2017
My only complaint is how short the book was. I read it in about 2 hours and it left me wanting more. I was a little disappointed that we never got to follow Sam through the presentation and her return back to work on Monday, but I liked it so much that I really can't complain. Also, I want to hear more about Jane and what happened between Blake and Max back in college. Another thing that surprised me was that we never got deeper into Sam's father's suicide. It was briefly mentioned for a paragraph and then nothing. Still I love what the author did in so few pages.
I enjoy books where I can identify with the main character and I would love to meet Sam. I generally get disappointed with books where the lead woman is educated, but never gets a chance to show it and despite her education she is terrible at communicating. However that's the norm so I've gotten used to it and I'm glad that wasnt the case here.
Before they get to Indigo Island, Sam is a bit irritating, but if I'm being honest I'd be walking on eggshells to if the CEO at my company was being cryptic and I had the opportunity to present in front of a big client.
I think the author should dive deeper into this book with a couple novellas that go into the topics I mentioned above and others. quick 20-50 page short stories about Sam dealing with her break up and what Blake was like in college. All I know is that I'm excited for the next book in the series.
I enjoy books where I can identify with the main character and I would love to meet Sam. I generally get disappointed with books where the lead woman is educated, but never gets a chance to show it and despite her education she is terrible at communicating. However that's the norm so I've gotten used to it and I'm glad that wasnt the case here.
Before they get to Indigo Island, Sam is a bit irritating, but if I'm being honest I'd be walking on eggshells to if the CEO at my company was being cryptic and I had the opportunity to present in front of a big client.
I think the author should dive deeper into this book with a couple novellas that go into the topics I mentioned above and others. quick 20-50 page short stories about Sam dealing with her break up and what Blake was like in college. All I know is that I'm excited for the next book in the series.
May 31, 2017
Sam is smart... or so we are told over and over again. But doesn't acts or think like it. A bunch of things are mentioned that do not make sense (the dad thing, Max and Mark thing etc.). Very first glance kind of story.
Blake is of course oh so distant, smart and rich... but so considerate and warm etc. Again a bunch of unrelated things (What happened to Jane? What is his deal with James? etc.).
Everything is set quite nicely, but it lacks any kind of depth. You could set the same story anywhere, anytime and the genetics is just thrown there for word count and has no connection besides sounding "oh so important".
My rating is: Oh come on! (in the most frustrating tone).
Blake is of course oh so distant, smart and rich... but so considerate and warm etc. Again a bunch of unrelated things (What happened to Jane? What is his deal with James? etc.).
Everything is set quite nicely, but it lacks any kind of depth. You could set the same story anywhere, anytime and the genetics is just thrown there for word count and has no connection besides sounding "oh so important".
My rating is: Oh come on! (in the most frustrating tone).
June 10, 2017
Edit, please
Underlings are not the same as underwear. Compartment is not the same as compartment.
The basic set up is that the h is an employee of H's, and she gets assigned to be his fake girlfriend for a weekend. But, she's not told the truth about her assignment until after she gets a new wardrobe, the appropriate Pretty Woman references are made, and they arrive at the event. One kiss and it's happy for now. And, h's biggest concern is keeping her job. It's an odd short story.
Underlings are not the same as underwear. Compartment is not the same as compartment.
The basic set up is that the h is an employee of H's, and she gets assigned to be his fake girlfriend for a weekend. But, she's not told the truth about her assignment until after she gets a new wardrobe, the appropriate Pretty Woman references are made, and they arrive at the event. One kiss and it's happy for now. And, h's biggest concern is keeping her job. It's an odd short story.
June 16, 2017
Perfect holiday book.
This is quite a light, short story. We have Blake, the cold cut off boss and middle brother and Sam, bright bubbly and warm. Blake and Sam didn't stand a chance of staying work colleagues. As Blake's Dad says, when you've found the one, then that's it for you. I enjoyed how we see Blake opening up and Sam staying strong against Blake's strong personally.
This is a well written story perfect for travelling or a holiday read. I'd certainly recommend Weekend with the Tycoon.
This is quite a light, short story. We have Blake, the cold cut off boss and middle brother and Sam, bright bubbly and warm. Blake and Sam didn't stand a chance of staying work colleagues. As Blake's Dad says, when you've found the one, then that's it for you. I enjoyed how we see Blake opening up and Sam staying strong against Blake's strong personally.
This is a well written story perfect for travelling or a holiday read. I'd certainly recommend Weekend with the Tycoon.
June 19, 2017
This was a cute book, but it didn't have much of a plot. There was no unexpected drama or really much of a climax to the book. All the characters were likable, but I felt like there were a lot of loose ends left at the end of the book. I understand that it's the first part of a series and that many more of the characters might be addressed in subsequent books, but I just felt like there were a lot of things left unsaid at the end of the book. Nice writing style, good overall book, felt like reading a young authors first book. I might read more in the future.
May 27, 2017
Great
Samantha worked hard in college and got a great job doing what she liked. She got called into the head boss's office. So many things went through her head. Blake like Sam's work ethic and something caught his eye. He needed a date for his sister wedding. He made it a working weekend, but will it stay that way.
Samantha worked hard in college and got a great job doing what she liked. She got called into the head boss's office. So many things went through her head. Blake like Sam's work ethic and something caught his eye. He needed a date for his sister wedding. He made it a working weekend, but will it stay that way.
June 20, 2017
It was a quick read. Blake wants Samantha to do "business meetings" this weekend. He buys her clothes for the trip. Blake doesn't tell Samantha until they are on their way to Indigo Island. He needs her as a date for his sister's wedding. There was "electric Sparks" between them but not enough to get the motor running. There needed more in depth between characters. The story ended abruptly.
May 31, 2017
Quick read
It came together really quickly into true love in a weekend. A little to quick for me. Just surface love with hot sex. Just wasn't a deep connection with the story or characters. But ok for a quick read.
It came together really quickly into true love in a weekend. A little to quick for me. Just surface love with hot sex. Just wasn't a deep connection with the story or characters. But ok for a quick read.
May 31, 2017
Thank goodness it was free
I felt like times I was reading from a Jr high schooler... no character development...and copied things that are already in use....I can say it's rushed ending was very welcomed..
I felt like times I was reading from a Jr high schooler... no character development...and copied things that are already in use....I can say it's rushed ending was very welcomed..
June 6, 2017
This is a very excellent book. Great characters, great story. I loved it. The whole storyline is rather unique and well done. Very good book to read. Not focused on sex or lust, but on two people being drawn to each other.
June 20, 2017
Could not continue reading after the heroine raised some legitimate concerns over what she thought was a business trip and everyone keeps telling her to stop asking questions because this is such a wonderful opportunity. Ugh.
July 2, 2017
Working Weekend
This was a cute story about a woman her boss and a working weekend. She is brought to the most exclusive boutique in town she had several designer outfits then they were packed up and her adventure begins.
This was a cute story about a woman her boss and a working weekend. She is brought to the most exclusive boutique in town she had several designer outfits then they were packed up and her adventure begins.
July 7, 2017
Weekend with the Tycoon(Indigo Island Book 1)
I enjoyed reading the book but I am hoping that book 2 will give me more info on what happen to Samantha and Blake. Other wise it was a great book to read.
I enjoyed reading the book but I am hoping that book 2 will give me more info on what happen to Samantha and Blake. Other wise it was a great book to read.
October 16, 2017
Very short and sweet. Liked the book a lot. Will probanly read more of this authers books.
I really am tired of having tobwrite so much about each book. If i font then i cannot submit the teview
I really am tired of having tobwrite so much about each book. If i font then i cannot submit the teview
November 19, 2017
Weekend getaway
Blake set Sam up for a working weekend and then she finds out it is a family wedding. They are attracted to each other but, unsure of the impact on their working relationship.
Blake set Sam up for a working weekend and then she finds out it is a family wedding. They are attracted to each other but, unsure of the impact on their working relationship.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 104 reviews