Too Hot to Handle

by Katie Agnew

There's trouble in paradise in Katie Agnew's latest rollercoaster ride of romance, glamour and scandal... The brand new novel from the author of WIVES V GIRLFRIENDSEver dreamt of escape? That's what Paradise an ultra-exclusive hotel on the Caribbean island of St Barts. There, a retired actor from Hollywood's golden age has brought together a glittering selection of guests. But why are they there...and what are they hiding?Mal and Lexi, popstar newlyweds, have the world at their feet - if they can stay married for more than 48 hours. Then there's Grace, the glamourpuss cougar who lives at the hotel and has her eye on the male guests. For Lauren and Sebastian, it's a final chance to rekindle their marriage, while for the rumpled-looking novelist at the bar, it's time to face his writer's block.And while the guests get plenty of sun, sea and scandal, the staff at the hotel see everything. From the cocktail-king with a heartbreaker's smile to the Irish chambermaid far from home, behind the scenes at Paradise life is far from quiet...

Genres: Chick Lit

449 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 16, 2011

About the author

Katie Agnew was born in Edinburgh in 1972 and spent her childhood in Lasswade. She studied English at Aberdeen University and then journalism at City University in London. Her first job was as features writer on 19 magazine. Since then, she has written articles, celebrity interviews and columns for many magazines and newspapers including the Evening Standard, Cosmopolitan, Marie Claire and the Daily Mail. Until last year she worked as features editor on Marie Claire magazine. Katie now lives in Bath with her husband, John Latimer and their baby, Olivia.

Reviews

[Brooklyn]

Kate Agnew has a way of writing different perspectives well, perspectives that are unique and flushed out. Perspectives that we can all relate to or at least understand with an emotional connection.

I found myself drawn to each perspectives chapter in this book and while if some had their own stand alone book based on their circumstance I probably wouldn't of picked it up, I enjoyed reading about them here. Wound between each person's story, stage of life, and relationship with others, this plot was fast pace for the most part, stayed interesting, and stayed unique to the circumstances.

The downside was the ending which I thought could of been elaborated as everything is announced, happens, and is wound back together for a happy ending in less than 50 pages. I would of also liked to see more of the perspectives in the epilogue. I also thought Gabriel's character was not flushed out enough throughout the book and coming to the end, and the plot twist he was involved in, felt a bit surreal, and I guess not as dark and shocking as it could of been.

I feel that this book, despite it's darker aspects like murder, suicide, cheating, child abuse and an emotionally abusive marriage stayed at the bay of a contemporary, romantic story with some darker themes. This meant that reading this was fast, enjoyable, and an escape from mundane life, but also hinted to a whole other genre and type of writing that delved deeper and flushed further plots out. The book did not go this way though.

I think this book confirmed that one of my fave types of books are the ones with multiple perspectives, and it's a sub-genre I want to explore more.

[Sean Harding]

As inspiring as a dead fish in your percolator.
Anyway not so exciting or dramatic or anything really.
Fairly dull.

[Shazeen]

2 hot 2 handle

Absolutely A star! Just discovered this author, read wives vs girlfriends and I was hooked like it was an addiction

[Ceh]

To be honest this book has taken me 3 years to read. Too many false starts along the way and then i could just never get the story. Also a first by this author. Despite the many stories and back stories, it actually is a light read. however, despite the back stories there's so much that was left out so that this book could remain a romance novel. I was sad that the each time, the story got a bit dark and twisted, the fluffier content would be overkill making you forget the crazies that would have made for a much better story. upside though once i got the hang of the plot, i was raring to get to the end

[Danielle Dent]

I've read worse books but I've certainly read better. It was quite predictable and the ending felt rushed. It took 400 pages for Gabriel to reveal who he had the vendetta against and the whole showdown only took like 10 pages. Did like Clyde and Lauren and would have liked more in the epilogue.

[Candy]

Whilst I liked this book I felt it was slightly tamer than the rest of her books .. But I did enjoy it :)