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Paradise #2
What Happens in Paradise
Spend your winter on sunlit shores in the New York Times bestselling follow-up to Winter in Paradise, as secret lives and new loves emerge under the bright Caribbean sky.
A year ago, Irene Steele had the shock of her life: her loving husband, father to their grown sons and successful businessman, was killed in a helicopter crash. But that wasn't Irene's only shattering news: he'd also been leading a double life on the island of St. John, where another woman loved him, too.
Now Irene and her sons are back on St. John, determined to learn the truth about the mysterious life—and death—of a man they thought they knew. Along the way, they're about to learn some surprising truths about their own lives, and their futures.
Lush with the tropical details, romance, and drama that made Winter in Paradise a national bestseller, What Happens in Paradise is another immensely satisfying page-turner from one of America's most beloved and engaging storytellers.
A year ago, Irene Steele had the shock of her life: her loving husband, father to their grown sons and successful businessman, was killed in a helicopter crash. But that wasn't Irene's only shattering news: he'd also been leading a double life on the island of St. John, where another woman loved him, too.
Now Irene and her sons are back on St. John, determined to learn the truth about the mysterious life—and death—of a man they thought they knew. Along the way, they're about to learn some surprising truths about their own lives, and their futures.
Lush with the tropical details, romance, and drama that made Winter in Paradise a national bestseller, What Happens in Paradise is another immensely satisfying page-turner from one of America's most beloved and engaging storytellers.
384 pages, Paperback
First published October 8, 2019
About the author
Elin Hilderbrand
98 books66.8k followersElin Hilderbrand lives on Nantucket with her husband and their three young children. She grew up in Collegeville, Pennsylvania, and traveled extensively before settling on Nantucket, which has been the setting for her five previous novels. Hilderbrand is a graduate of Johns Hopkins University and the graduate fiction workshop at the University of Iowa.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 7,721 reviews
December 4, 2023
Literally flying through this series! Loving it - already halfway through the final one
September 18, 2019
WARNING: If you haven't read book one, proceed with caution as I have a lot to say!
One of my most anticipated books of the fall. Read it in one swoop, but....and there is a but...
So book two picks up very close to where Winter in Paradise left off. Irene returns home to deal with the legal and personal challenges in making it known that Russ has died. Yet she cannot resist the pull to return to the villa and Huck. Sons Cash and Baker are both changed for the better by their experiences and set about to start anew. Of course, Ayers is still a big issue between the brothers.But she's back with her cheating ex and it appears to be going well. Finally, Huck realizes that it's not so easy to deal with a teenage Maia. But when the FBI comes a knocking, none of our characters might be prepared for what happens next.
It felt so great to be back in the Virgin Islands and with Elin Hilderbrand's fantastic characters. As a reader, I just cannot help but feel that I am revisiting old friends or family.
Now here comes the BUT! As much as I loved and give this book a 4 star(which is by no means a bad rating), I felt that it wasn't as strong is its predecessor. In fact, it felt a bit like filler. Things happened fast for our characters, but there's a lot of wishy washy behavior (looking at you, Ayers). Almost like EH had to pull herself back and "save the good stuff" for book 3. Also? I haven't mentioned it previously but we get increments of Rosie's diary and how she met Russ and their whirlwind courtship. Now I TOTALLY understand as a writer why EH might feel the need to give that backstory. After all, it does explain a few plot points. As a reader with a personal opinion, I am not sure that I needed that "voice."
Don't let me deter you because we all need a healthy dose of EH in our reading selection and I look forward to what happens next.
Thanks to Netgalley and Little, Brown and Company for a digital galley in exchange for an honest review.
Goodreads review published 18/09/19
Publication Date. 08 /10/19
One of my most anticipated books of the fall. Read it in one swoop, but....and there is a but...
So book two picks up very close to where Winter in Paradise left off. Irene returns home to deal with the legal and personal challenges in making it known that Russ has died. Yet she cannot resist the pull to return to the villa and Huck. Sons Cash and Baker are both changed for the better by their experiences and set about to start anew. Of course, Ayers is still a big issue between the brothers.But she's back with her cheating ex and it appears to be going well. Finally, Huck realizes that it's not so easy to deal with a teenage Maia. But when the FBI comes a knocking, none of our characters might be prepared for what happens next.
It felt so great to be back in the Virgin Islands and with Elin Hilderbrand's fantastic characters. As a reader, I just cannot help but feel that I am revisiting old friends or family.
Now here comes the BUT! As much as I loved and give this book a 4 star(which is by no means a bad rating), I felt that it wasn't as strong is its predecessor. In fact, it felt a bit like filler. Things happened fast for our characters, but there's a lot of wishy washy behavior (looking at you, Ayers). Almost like EH had to pull herself back and "save the good stuff" for book 3. Also? I haven't mentioned it previously but we get increments of Rosie's diary and how she met Russ and their whirlwind courtship. Now I TOTALLY understand as a writer why EH might feel the need to give that backstory. After all, it does explain a few plot points. As a reader with a personal opinion, I am not sure that I needed that "voice."
Don't let me deter you because we all need a healthy dose of EH in our reading selection and I look forward to what happens next.
Thanks to Netgalley and Little, Brown and Company for a digital galley in exchange for an honest review.
Goodreads review published 18/09/19
Publication Date. 08 /10/19
October 21, 2020
Stagnant. Predictable. A missed opportunity.
Back in the fall of 2018, Elin Hilderbrand provided a salve of sorts for all of the Winter fans left with a gaping hole in their hearts following the series conclusion. Introducing readers to the Steele family and promising annual fall trips to a new island set in paradise, St. John.
Winter In Paradise (book 1) was reeling with revelations, secrets, incredibly messy love connections, and a dreaded cliffhanger. Naturally, my mind managed to spin a follow-up just as intriguing. Only to be met with this storyline, one lacking in terms of forward momentum.
What Happens in Paradise finds what’s left of the Steele family—Irene and her two grown sons, Baker and Cash—looking for a reason to get back to paradise. For Irene, although she’d never own up to it, misses Huck. There are a host of unexpected feelings that have emerged for the surly boat captain. Which makes his hail-mary offer, Irene coming back to St. John to be his first mate, all the more enticing. Baker and Cash both have a one-track mind, getting back to Ayers and being the brother that manages to capture her wishy-washy heart.
The secret compound, heady with the ghosts of Russ (Irene’s dead husband and father to Baker and Cash), his mistress, and their daughter, provides the shelter for the transplanted Steele family. Yet, the ease of slipping into life on the island proves short-lived as the consequences of Russ’ misdeeds continue to take shape. Irene's woeful naivety is exhausting, given the trajectory of the storyline is all too easy to foretell.
For me, What Happens in Paradise was a missed opportunity on Hilderbrand’s part. For the simple fact that the forward progression—in terms of characterization, plot, and level of impact—was weak this go-round. Most of the happenings, if not all, could have found a home within the pages of book 1. Still, regardless of my middle-of-the-road feelings, I’m determined to see the series through to the end. Here’s to hoping Troubles in Paradise provides some much-needed equilibrium for this unbalanced series.
Back in the fall of 2018, Elin Hilderbrand provided a salve of sorts for all of the Winter fans left with a gaping hole in their hearts following the series conclusion. Introducing readers to the Steele family and promising annual fall trips to a new island set in paradise, St. John.
Winter In Paradise (book 1) was reeling with revelations, secrets, incredibly messy love connections, and a dreaded cliffhanger. Naturally, my mind managed to spin a follow-up just as intriguing. Only to be met with this storyline, one lacking in terms of forward momentum.
What Happens in Paradise finds what’s left of the Steele family—Irene and her two grown sons, Baker and Cash—looking for a reason to get back to paradise. For Irene, although she’d never own up to it, misses Huck. There are a host of unexpected feelings that have emerged for the surly boat captain. Which makes his hail-mary offer, Irene coming back to St. John to be his first mate, all the more enticing. Baker and Cash both have a one-track mind, getting back to Ayers and being the brother that manages to capture her wishy-washy heart.
The secret compound, heady with the ghosts of Russ (Irene’s dead husband and father to Baker and Cash), his mistress, and their daughter, provides the shelter for the transplanted Steele family. Yet, the ease of slipping into life on the island proves short-lived as the consequences of Russ’ misdeeds continue to take shape. Irene's woeful naivety is exhausting, given the trajectory of the storyline is all too easy to foretell.
For me, What Happens in Paradise was a missed opportunity on Hilderbrand’s part. For the simple fact that the forward progression—in terms of characterization, plot, and level of impact—was weak this go-round. Most of the happenings, if not all, could have found a home within the pages of book 1. Still, regardless of my middle-of-the-road feelings, I’m determined to see the series through to the end. Here’s to hoping Troubles in Paradise provides some much-needed equilibrium for this unbalanced series.
October 28, 2019
This book is yet again a fantastic read! I love that twist on the mystery of Irene's husband. His death has changed course and I'm hooked on wanting to find out what happened. Irene's marriage is such a lesson learned. It's so easy to be caught up in our own interests that we neglect our loved ones. I could say that I sometimes rather read than talk to my husband lol. I love Rosie's view as well as everyone else. I like the reminder to experience more of where you live because I do regret not sightseeing places nearby Wisconsin and Georgia and now that I have moved away from there I will not have a chance to travel there anymore due to expenses.
This book is told in the third person point of view following Irene as she dreamed yet again of Russ, her husband of 35 years until his recent death. She dreamed that he's still alive. The second view is Ayers. She's back with her ex but can't help thinking about Cash & Baker. The third view is Cash. He's thinking to move back to St Johns and work at Treasure Island now that his business has tanked. The fourth view is Huck. He enlisted Ayers to clean out Rosie's room and they both found the surprise in the dresser drawer. The fifth view is Rosie, told in first person via diary. Rosie talks about her life and how she met Russ. The sixth view is Baker. His wife is leaving him and he thinks to move to St Johns permanently. The FBI called and are conducting an investigation into Irene's husband death.
What Happens in Paradise is an excellent storytelling by Elin Hilderbrand. I like the story of love in this book: "Love is messy, complicated, and unfair." Ayer's love story is a bit of a headache for her and it can be relatable to many readers. Then Rosie's love story is another complicated thing as well as other characters in this book. Another cliffhanger ending, one I have guessed it just because of the where the money came from. I'm surprised Irene and her sons didn't figure that out. It's interesting how islanders are like small towners, the gossip mill is the only thing people with secrets are afraid of. I haven't read too many women's fiction but this book and the first one are definitely unputdownable and I highly recommend everyone to read them!
Pro: fast paced, page turner, twists, family, friendship, love, mystery Con: none I rate it 5 stars!
***Disclaimer: Many thanks to Little, Brown and Company for the opportunity to read and review. Please be assured that my opinions are honest. xoxo, Jasmine at www.howusefulitis.wordpress.com for more details
This book is told in the third person point of view following Irene as she dreamed yet again of Russ, her husband of 35 years until his recent death. She dreamed that he's still alive. The second view is Ayers. She's back with her ex but can't help thinking about Cash & Baker. The third view is Cash. He's thinking to move back to St Johns and work at Treasure Island now that his business has tanked. The fourth view is Huck. He enlisted Ayers to clean out Rosie's room and they both found the surprise in the dresser drawer. The fifth view is Rosie, told in first person via diary. Rosie talks about her life and how she met Russ. The sixth view is Baker. His wife is leaving him and he thinks to move to St Johns permanently. The FBI called and are conducting an investigation into Irene's husband death.
What Happens in Paradise is an excellent storytelling by Elin Hilderbrand. I like the story of love in this book: "Love is messy, complicated, and unfair." Ayer's love story is a bit of a headache for her and it can be relatable to many readers. Then Rosie's love story is another complicated thing as well as other characters in this book. Another cliffhanger ending, one I have guessed it just because of the where the money came from. I'm surprised Irene and her sons didn't figure that out. It's interesting how islanders are like small towners, the gossip mill is the only thing people with secrets are afraid of. I haven't read too many women's fiction but this book and the first one are definitely unputdownable and I highly recommend everyone to read them!
Pro: fast paced, page turner, twists, family, friendship, love, mystery Con: none I rate it 5 stars!
***Disclaimer: Many thanks to Little, Brown and Company for the opportunity to read and review. Please be assured that my opinions are honest. xoxo, Jasmine at www.howusefulitis.wordpress.com for more details
March 26, 2020
WHAT HAPPENS IN PARADISE was one of my favorite reads of 2018, so of course I was eagerly anticipating the sequel! Irene and her family are back, just days after leaving St John. But the mystery surrounding husband and father Russ’s death and infidelity only continue to deepen. Slowly, one by one, the family returns to the island, where they meet back up with people they met there in book one, and we start to uncover Russ’s secrets.
As always, the characters are what make an Elin Hilderbrand book, and this cast is richly drawn, both Irene’s family, and Russ’s secret daughter’s family (Maya’s) on St John. There are new loves, intense conflicts, and you just want to keep turning page after page. Things heat up in this one with the addition of Rosie’s diary, where we learn more of Russ’s dirty deeds, the truth of what his business partner has been up to, Ayers and her love quadrangle gets interesting with Cash/Baker both interested, but her slimy ex not out of the picture either… plus Baker’s ex-wife who has only a passing interest in her son is also proving a complication and the way Hilderbrand writes all these scenarios is captivating. After the way this one ended, I will be eagerly awaiting book three!
As always, the characters are what make an Elin Hilderbrand book, and this cast is richly drawn, both Irene’s family, and Russ’s secret daughter’s family (Maya’s) on St John. There are new loves, intense conflicts, and you just want to keep turning page after page. Things heat up in this one with the addition of Rosie’s diary, where we learn more of Russ’s dirty deeds, the truth of what his business partner has been up to, Ayers and her love quadrangle gets interesting with Cash/Baker both interested, but her slimy ex not out of the picture either… plus Baker’s ex-wife who has only a passing interest in her son is also proving a complication and the way Hilderbrand writes all these scenarios is captivating. After the way this one ended, I will be eagerly awaiting book three!
January 31, 2020
Oh, Elin Hilderbrand, what happened here? I was so looking forward to another enjoyable read about beautiful people and their beautiful things even as they wrestled with roadblocks on their way to their HEA (or as happy as could be). And instead I read What Happens In Paradise, which seems like it should have been called Author Has To Deliver A Book and Throws Together A Very Long Recap and then Some Crappy Filler.
I get that second series novels often have their problems but they shouldn't be this bad, especially when you know the author is capable of so much better. What Happens In Paradise isn't just forgettable--it's bad and a rare misstep from an author who could have (and should have) asked for more time to craft a better novel (or should have taken less $$$ to write a shorter series)
I get that second series novels often have their problems but they shouldn't be this bad, especially when you know the author is capable of so much better. What Happens In Paradise isn't just forgettable--it's bad and a rare misstep from an author who could have (and should have) asked for more time to craft a better novel (or should have taken less $$$ to write a shorter series)
August 16, 2020
It’s Time to Return to Paradise!
The second book in the Paradise series “What Happens in Paradise” brings us back to St. John.
A year has passed since Irene Steele discovered that her husband died on St. John, now she and both of her sons are back on the island, this time for good. All three are hoping to make a fresh start while also hoping to find out the truth about what happened to Russ.
Not everything goes according to plan however. As soon as they arrive on the island, their hopes are dashed in more ways than one and each member of the Steele family has to scramble to figure out a new plan. The Steeles however, are a resilient bunch and they will figure out how to survive.
Though I enjoyed this novel it wasn’t quite as good as the first book in the series “Winter in Paradise” - here I felt as though some of the characters were a little lost or more specifically that they lost their focus. The characters of Baker and Ayers were two of the strongest characters in the first book and here they were the weakest and brought little to the story. That said, the characters of Irene, Huck and Maia were the standouts and I’m glad that Elin Hilderbrand continued their storylines and I look forward to reading the last book in the series “Troubles in Paradise.”
Thank you to my local library for loaning me the audiobook.
Published on Goodreads on 11.14.20.
The second book in the Paradise series “What Happens in Paradise” brings us back to St. John.
A year has passed since Irene Steele discovered that her husband died on St. John, now she and both of her sons are back on the island, this time for good. All three are hoping to make a fresh start while also hoping to find out the truth about what happened to Russ.
Not everything goes according to plan however. As soon as they arrive on the island, their hopes are dashed in more ways than one and each member of the Steele family has to scramble to figure out a new plan. The Steeles however, are a resilient bunch and they will figure out how to survive.
Though I enjoyed this novel it wasn’t quite as good as the first book in the series “Winter in Paradise” - here I felt as though some of the characters were a little lost or more specifically that they lost their focus. The characters of Baker and Ayers were two of the strongest characters in the first book and here they were the weakest and brought little to the story. That said, the characters of Irene, Huck and Maia were the standouts and I’m glad that Elin Hilderbrand continued their storylines and I look forward to reading the last book in the series “Troubles in Paradise.”
Thank you to my local library for loaning me the audiobook.
Published on Goodreads on 11.14.20.
October 30, 2019
Find all of my reviews at: http://52bookminimum.blogspot.com/
When we last met up with the Steele family they had all returned to the United States to recuperate from the shock of dealing with (a) a dead husband/father, (b) a McMansion in St. John no one knew about, (c) a love child (samesies with the no one knew about her part), and (d) various potential romances. In book two it’s pretty much a given there’s going to be a bunch of other crap pop up that wasn’t disclosed in #1. It’s also a given that these folks are headed back to island life ASAP or else there wouldn’t even be the need for a continuation of the story.
If you are familiar with me you know I spend about 95% of my time on Goodreads talking about how I don’t read past the first book in a series. And yet here I am finished with #2 here and anxiously awaiting #3. What can I say?????
In my defense I will say I probably would have never picked up Winter In Paradise if I knew it was going to be a series (and a cliffhangery type of one to boot – GRRRR). But what’s done is done and when I saw this release on the new and notable shelf on a day where it was 30 degrees rather than the near 70 degrees it was supposed to be I said . . . . .
And today it’s snowing . . . . .
Don’t even come at me when I decorate for Christmas this weekend. If it can fucking ice storm before Halloween I can Clark Griswald the crap out of the interior of my own house before Thanksgiving.
Anyway, I’m new to the Elin Hilderbrand Kool-Aid drinkers club, but I assume this is pretty much her typical fare (only set on a different island than her older stuff). This is also pretty typical book two content. These are always what I call the “filler” books. You need additional info to move the story along, but there’s not a whole lot of real action until book three. It also would not work at all as a standalone, but it was a great way to escape reality and didn’t require a lot of thinking on my part which is always a plus. Bring on #3.
When we last met up with the Steele family they had all returned to the United States to recuperate from the shock of dealing with (a) a dead husband/father, (b) a McMansion in St. John no one knew about, (c) a love child (samesies with the no one knew about her part), and (d) various potential romances. In book two it’s pretty much a given there’s going to be a bunch of other crap pop up that wasn’t disclosed in #1. It’s also a given that these folks are headed back to island life ASAP or else there wouldn’t even be the need for a continuation of the story.
If you are familiar with me you know I spend about 95% of my time on Goodreads talking about how I don’t read past the first book in a series. And yet here I am finished with #2 here and anxiously awaiting #3. What can I say?????
In my defense I will say I probably would have never picked up Winter In Paradise if I knew it was going to be a series (and a cliffhangery type of one to boot – GRRRR). But what’s done is done and when I saw this release on the new and notable shelf on a day where it was 30 degrees rather than the near 70 degrees it was supposed to be I said . . . . .
And today it’s snowing . . . . .
Don’t even come at me when I decorate for Christmas this weekend. If it can fucking ice storm before Halloween I can Clark Griswald the crap out of the interior of my own house before Thanksgiving.
Anyway, I’m new to the Elin Hilderbrand Kool-Aid drinkers club, but I assume this is pretty much her typical fare (only set on a different island than her older stuff). This is also pretty typical book two content. These are always what I call the “filler” books. You need additional info to move the story along, but there’s not a whole lot of real action until book three. It also would not work at all as a standalone, but it was a great way to escape reality and didn’t require a lot of thinking on my part which is always a plus. Bring on #3.
Read
October 1, 2019Why I love it
by Siobhan Jones
What Happens in Paradise is Elin Hilderbrand’s wonderful follow-up to the first book in her romantic mystery series set on a sleepy—or not so sleepy?—Caribbean island. It’s also the second book that BOTM has featured by Hilderbrand this year, and the one that establishes her as our second-ever “threepeat” author.
Longtime fans of the author and her cozy yet elevated books—and I know there are millions of them out there—are probably delighted to see this as a selection, while others may be wondering if we chose this book simply because there are millions of them out there. All I have to say about that is: Don’t knock this book until you’ve read it. The Paradise series is a treasure chest of can’t-guess-it plot twists, salty family drama, and pure reading bliss.
This book picks up where Winter in Paradise left off: Iowa housewife Irene is struggling to accept the unexpected death of her jetsetting businessman husband, her sons Cash and Baker are each struggling with their girl dramas, and Ayers—the deeply relatable St. Johns local—is making bad decisions. If you didn’t read Winter, I encourage you to grab both books now and dive in, because this trilogy is heating up, and you can tell it’s only going to get better. Intricate plotting, a diverse cast of likeably flawed characters, and a beachy setting right as I’m swapping my summer clothes for sweater weather are all I need right now—surely you can’t disagree?
Read more at: https://bookofthemonth.com/what-happe...
by Siobhan Jones
What Happens in Paradise is Elin Hilderbrand’s wonderful follow-up to the first book in her romantic mystery series set on a sleepy—or not so sleepy?—Caribbean island. It’s also the second book that BOTM has featured by Hilderbrand this year, and the one that establishes her as our second-ever “threepeat” author.
Longtime fans of the author and her cozy yet elevated books—and I know there are millions of them out there—are probably delighted to see this as a selection, while others may be wondering if we chose this book simply because there are millions of them out there. All I have to say about that is: Don’t knock this book until you’ve read it. The Paradise series is a treasure chest of can’t-guess-it plot twists, salty family drama, and pure reading bliss.
This book picks up where Winter in Paradise left off: Iowa housewife Irene is struggling to accept the unexpected death of her jetsetting businessman husband, her sons Cash and Baker are each struggling with their girl dramas, and Ayers—the deeply relatable St. Johns local—is making bad decisions. If you didn’t read Winter, I encourage you to grab both books now and dive in, because this trilogy is heating up, and you can tell it’s only going to get better. Intricate plotting, a diverse cast of likeably flawed characters, and a beachy setting right as I’m swapping my summer clothes for sweater weather are all I need right now—surely you can’t disagree?
Read more at: https://bookofthemonth.com/what-happe...
September 20, 2019
4.5 Stars
Great storytelling, could not put down, what a cliffhanger.
Review to follow
Great storytelling, could not put down, what a cliffhanger.
Review to follow
November 14, 2019
This is the middle installment in a planned trilogy.
I like the light, fun, gossipy nature of this series. It's light and the storyline/plot is silly. Still the action is intriguing and I get invested quickly.
My main problem is that this novel is set on Island that is populated largely by Black folks. In the first book the author contrives the plot so all of the POV characters are white. It was annoying but often how white authors write.
That's not the case entirely with this novel. The problem is the author doesn't seem to understand that Black folks don't speak to each other or socialize with each other in the ways that we do with white people.
I'm Black and have West Indies Black folks as family and friends. This is just very much a vacationers view and an author should know better. Even the way the Black characters are described is lacking any flavor. The women are beautiful with dark skin. Yet both Baker and Cash have thoughts about white women's bodies that involve detail: bouncy blonde curls, curvy hips, clear blue eyes. Black women are beautiful with dark skin and that's it. Even the Black POV character treats herself as simply a plot device for the white characters.
Why are Black men portrayed in a racist and stereotypical way? Bad fathers, drug dealers, racist comments about Black style? Even the Black women are overly stereotypical. There's no real discussion of the abject poverty of the people who work and are stuck on the island. I assure this is a major part of the social though that makes up Black life.
It's cringeworthy considering on an Island full of Black folks she only has very very few in her novel set on a Black Island and with a Black POV character.
I strongly suspect this author doesn't know any Black people socially.
Please just stick to white characters in these Urban Fiction gossipfest novels🤷🏽♀️
Also the casual bi-erasure and homophobia apparent in the outdated phrase "lesbian phase". These characters are supposed to be Millennial and that's not really how Millennials speak, now is it. Just please understand that bi and pan sexual folks exist and IT"S NOT A FUCKING PHASE!
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Slight spoilers below:
I dislike the Rosie POV chapters intensely as well as the narrative that Rosie tempted Russ. It feels gross.
Also no way is a West Indian Women keeping cash and not opening her own business, boutique, side hustle.
The author has clearly never met Black West Indians on friendly informal terms.
Lol yikes
I like the light, fun, gossipy nature of this series. It's light and the storyline/plot is silly. Still the action is intriguing and I get invested quickly.
My main problem is that this novel is set on Island that is populated largely by Black folks. In the first book the author contrives the plot so all of the POV characters are white. It was annoying but often how white authors write.
That's not the case entirely with this novel. The problem is the author doesn't seem to understand that Black folks don't speak to each other or socialize with each other in the ways that we do with white people.
I'm Black and have West Indies Black folks as family and friends. This is just very much a vacationers view and an author should know better. Even the way the Black characters are described is lacking any flavor. The women are beautiful with dark skin. Yet both Baker and Cash have thoughts about white women's bodies that involve detail: bouncy blonde curls, curvy hips, clear blue eyes. Black women are beautiful with dark skin and that's it. Even the Black POV character treats herself as simply a plot device for the white characters.
Why are Black men portrayed in a racist and stereotypical way? Bad fathers, drug dealers, racist comments about Black style? Even the Black women are overly stereotypical. There's no real discussion of the abject poverty of the people who work and are stuck on the island. I assure this is a major part of the social though that makes up Black life.
It's cringeworthy considering on an Island full of Black folks she only has very very few in her novel set on a Black Island and with a Black POV character.
I strongly suspect this author doesn't know any Black people socially.
Please just stick to white characters in these Urban Fiction gossipfest novels🤷🏽♀️
Also the casual bi-erasure and homophobia apparent in the outdated phrase "lesbian phase". These characters are supposed to be Millennial and that's not really how Millennials speak, now is it. Just please understand that bi and pan sexual folks exist and IT"S NOT A FUCKING PHASE!
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.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Slight spoilers below:
I dislike the Rosie POV chapters intensely as well as the narrative that Rosie tempted Russ. It feels gross.
Also no way is a West Indian Women keeping cash and not opening her own business, boutique, side hustle.
The author has clearly never met Black West Indians on friendly informal terms.
Lol yikes
January 5, 2021
4.5 stars, rounded up.
In the cold of January, a book that takes place in the Caribbean is good for what ails you, which is one of the reasons I chose Elin Hilderbrand's What Happens in Paradise !!
It still seems unbelievable to Irene Steele that her husband Russ was killed in a helicopter crash on New Year’s Eve. But more unbelievable is the fact that he was in the Virgin Islands at the time, ostensibly on "business"—but it was all part of a double life he was apparently leading without Irene or anyone else realizing.
To add insult to injury, now the FBI has come around to investigate some possible financial improprieties Russ may have been involved in. Who was this man she was married to for so long?
Each adrift for different reasons, Irene and her two adult sons, Baker and Cash, all decide to return to the island of St. John, where Russ had been living while away from home. The island paradise is certainly welcoming, but it also brings its own set of questions.
Was Russ involved in something illegal and/or unethical? Was the helicopter crash an accident or was it murder? Was he happier with his life on the island instead of at home in Iowa with Irene? If so, how did that happen?
Hilderbrand is an author I just started reading over the last few months although many have loved her for years. I so enjoy her ability to immerse you in her books—whether set on Nantucket or St. John—and create characters whose lives and struggles you care about.
What Happens in Paradise is the second book in her Paradise series (following Winter in Paradise ) so I’d recommend you read them in order. I’m ordering the third and final book as soon as I’m done with this review!!
Check out my list of the best books I read in 2020 at https://itseithersadnessoreuphoria.blogspot.com/2021/01/the-best-books-i-read-in-2020.html.
Check out my list of the best books of the last decade at https://itseithersadnessoreuphoria.blogspot.com/2020/01/my-favorite-books-of-decade.html.
See all of my reviews at itseithersadnessoreuphoria.blogspot.com.
Follow me on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/the.bookishworld.of.yrralh/.
In the cold of January, a book that takes place in the Caribbean is good for what ails you, which is one of the reasons I chose Elin Hilderbrand's What Happens in Paradise !!
It still seems unbelievable to Irene Steele that her husband Russ was killed in a helicopter crash on New Year’s Eve. But more unbelievable is the fact that he was in the Virgin Islands at the time, ostensibly on "business"—but it was all part of a double life he was apparently leading without Irene or anyone else realizing.
To add insult to injury, now the FBI has come around to investigate some possible financial improprieties Russ may have been involved in. Who was this man she was married to for so long?
Each adrift for different reasons, Irene and her two adult sons, Baker and Cash, all decide to return to the island of St. John, where Russ had been living while away from home. The island paradise is certainly welcoming, but it also brings its own set of questions.
Was Russ involved in something illegal and/or unethical? Was the helicopter crash an accident or was it murder? Was he happier with his life on the island instead of at home in Iowa with Irene? If so, how did that happen?
Hilderbrand is an author I just started reading over the last few months although many have loved her for years. I so enjoy her ability to immerse you in her books—whether set on Nantucket or St. John—and create characters whose lives and struggles you care about.
What Happens in Paradise is the second book in her Paradise series (following Winter in Paradise ) so I’d recommend you read them in order. I’m ordering the third and final book as soon as I’m done with this review!!
Check out my list of the best books I read in 2020 at https://itseithersadnessoreuphoria.blogspot.com/2021/01/the-best-books-i-read-in-2020.html.
Check out my list of the best books of the last decade at https://itseithersadnessoreuphoria.blogspot.com/2020/01/my-favorite-books-of-decade.html.
See all of my reviews at itseithersadnessoreuphoria.blogspot.com.
Follow me on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/the.bookishworld.of.yrralh/.
October 13, 2019
Unexpectedly, I find myself in a "meh" state of mind.
.
So, I was a HUGE fan of Winter in Paradise. It was easily a 5-star read for me: entertaining, thought-provoking, compelling, and a cliff hanger to boot.
.
Well, What Happens in Paradise has the cliff hanger. It's sorta entertaining at parts. It's not very thought-provoking, and the only thing that compelled me to keep going was the attachment I fostered to the characters in the first novel.
.
Maybe it's me? I'm coming off an 800 page book with lots of character development and maybe this just felt... too... short? Too unfinished? Too rushed? I'm bummed though, I've been looking forward to this read all dang year!
.
Will I stick around for number three of the series? Absolutely! But I'm hoping number three can recapture the magic that the first book has.
.
So, I was a HUGE fan of Winter in Paradise. It was easily a 5-star read for me: entertaining, thought-provoking, compelling, and a cliff hanger to boot.
.
Well, What Happens in Paradise has the cliff hanger. It's sorta entertaining at parts. It's not very thought-provoking, and the only thing that compelled me to keep going was the attachment I fostered to the characters in the first novel.
.
Maybe it's me? I'm coming off an 800 page book with lots of character development and maybe this just felt... too... short? Too unfinished? Too rushed? I'm bummed though, I've been looking forward to this read all dang year!
.
Will I stick around for number three of the series? Absolutely! But I'm hoping number three can recapture the magic that the first book has.
May 29, 2024
Actual rating: 2,5
September 8, 2019
Escapist, addictive, and downright enthralling!
In this latest novel in the Paradise series, What Happens in Paradise, we head back to the idyllic island of St. John and into the lives of the Steele family who after the turbulent events triggered by the death of the patriarch in the first novel begin to accept, heal, move on, take chances, forge new friendships, and find new love even while the underlying feelings of dread still linger.
The writing is smooth and seamless. The characters are hesitant, multilayered, and intriguing. And the plot is an alluring tale of life, loss, heartbreak, friendship, family, coming-of-age, secrets, deception, corruption, and new beginnings.
Overall, What Happens in Paradise is a heartwarming, mysterious, romantic, domestic drama that keeps you engaged and invested from start to finish and with its beautiful infusions of island living and tantalizing cliffhanger ending it will undoubtedly leave you eager for more and counting down the days until the third and final novel in this trilogy becomes available.
Thank you to HBG Canada for providing me with a copy in exchange for an honest review.
In this latest novel in the Paradise series, What Happens in Paradise, we head back to the idyllic island of St. John and into the lives of the Steele family who after the turbulent events triggered by the death of the patriarch in the first novel begin to accept, heal, move on, take chances, forge new friendships, and find new love even while the underlying feelings of dread still linger.
The writing is smooth and seamless. The characters are hesitant, multilayered, and intriguing. And the plot is an alluring tale of life, loss, heartbreak, friendship, family, coming-of-age, secrets, deception, corruption, and new beginnings.
Overall, What Happens in Paradise is a heartwarming, mysterious, romantic, domestic drama that keeps you engaged and invested from start to finish and with its beautiful infusions of island living and tantalizing cliffhanger ending it will undoubtedly leave you eager for more and counting down the days until the third and final novel in this trilogy becomes available.
Thank you to HBG Canada for providing me with a copy in exchange for an honest review.
April 6, 2022
What Happens in Paradise by Elin Hilderbrand
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
“What Happens in Paradise” is such a great follow up from “Winter in Paradise”. I just love all the character and how Elin Hilderbrand weaves them all together. I am absolutely enjoying reading this series and looking forward to reading the last book to this series “Troubles in Paradise”.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
“What Happens in Paradise” is such a great follow up from “Winter in Paradise”. I just love all the character and how Elin Hilderbrand weaves them all together. I am absolutely enjoying reading this series and looking forward to reading the last book to this series “Troubles in Paradise”.
May 26, 2020
Laikam aptuveni reizi gadā ir jāizlasa kkas briesmīgs, lai atgādinātu sev, ka jābūt uzmanīgākai un lasāmviela jāizvēlas rūpīgāk, jo ir tik daudz lielisku grāmatu, kas daudz vairāk ir pelnījušas lasīšanu.
Biju nolēmusi atkal dot iespēju audio grāmatu formātam, jo šobrīd mēroju garāku ceļu starp darbu un mājām, ko varētu izmantot lietderīgi. Sāku ar non-fic grāmatu, kur diemžēl tika padots pārāk daudz informācijas pārāk straujā tempā - piekusu. Tā nu paķēru random grāmatu, kas solījās būt kkāds sievieškrimiķis - pietiekami nesarežģīts un pietiekami interesants. Tā man lika domāt šis teikums no apraksta - “Now Irene and her sons are back on St. John, determined to learn the truth about the mysterious life -- and death -- of a man they thought they knew.” SALTI MELI!
Karoč šī ir totāla lubene un vēl turklāt no tām sūdīgākajām. Neieslīgstot detaļās - te ir viena vienīga ņemtne starp vairākiem varoņiem - tad viņa/-š grib vienu, tad otru, tad trešo. Kā pie zviedru galda. Motivācija izvēlēties vienu vai citu partneri ir apmēram tāda pati kā vējam, kurš vnk pūš, kur sanāk. Zelta zivtiņai gan jau ir augstāka spēja noturēt uzmanību uz vienu potenciālo intereses objektu. Nu tak izlemiet vienreiz! Kādu brīdi divi brāļi ir tā samīlējušies vienreiz satiktā Virdžīnu salu skuķēnā, ka tešas pāri visai Amerikai (katrs no savas puses), lai viņu dabūtu. Gatavi sakauties, bet 20 min vēlāk viens ir izdomājis, ka nu lai, viņam patīk arī tā cita čiepa no bāra. Nupat vēl bija gatavs brālim acis izbakstīt aiz greizsirdības. Karoč visi tur tādi, paši nezin, ko grib, tomēr visi dabonas. Reizēm ir tāds pārspīlēts cukurs un pārjūtīgi monologi, ka man likās - aizkaitinājumā šitā bolot acis, es tās pagalam sabeigšu. Par autores valodas līmeni nerunāšu. Iespējams, tieši audio formātā tas vairāk bija jūtams, ka nu švaki viņai ar to vārdu krājumu. Ja ir dialogs, kurā aiz katras tiešās runas viņa pieliek “he said”, “she said” un tā piecreiz pēc kārtas, tad nu bēdīgi, ka viņa nezina citus darbības vārdus (“sacīja, norādīja, piebilda, nopūtās, atbildēja” utt.). Un grāmatas beigas vnk tā noraujas, ka domāju - man ir bojāts audio fails, kam pietrūkst dažu nodaļu. Izrādās, autore to uzskata par cliffhanger. Es uzskatu to par svētību, ka šis draņķis ir beidzies. Turēšos no viņas turpmāk pa gabalu un jums iesaku to pašu. Esmu runājusi.
Biju nolēmusi atkal dot iespēju audio grāmatu formātam, jo šobrīd mēroju garāku ceļu starp darbu un mājām, ko varētu izmantot lietderīgi. Sāku ar non-fic grāmatu, kur diemžēl tika padots pārāk daudz informācijas pārāk straujā tempā - piekusu. Tā nu paķēru random grāmatu, kas solījās būt kkāds sievieškrimiķis - pietiekami nesarežģīts un pietiekami interesants. Tā man lika domāt šis teikums no apraksta - “Now Irene and her sons are back on St. John, determined to learn the truth about the mysterious life -- and death -- of a man they thought they knew.” SALTI MELI!
Karoč šī ir totāla lubene un vēl turklāt no tām sūdīgākajām. Neieslīgstot detaļās - te ir viena vienīga ņemtne starp vairākiem varoņiem - tad viņa/-š grib vienu, tad otru, tad trešo. Kā pie zviedru galda. Motivācija izvēlēties vienu vai citu partneri ir apmēram tāda pati kā vējam, kurš vnk pūš, kur sanāk. Zelta zivtiņai gan jau ir augstāka spēja noturēt uzmanību uz vienu potenciālo intereses objektu. Nu tak izlemiet vienreiz! Kādu brīdi divi brāļi ir tā samīlējušies vienreiz satiktā Virdžīnu salu skuķēnā, ka tešas pāri visai Amerikai (katrs no savas puses), lai viņu dabūtu. Gatavi sakauties, bet 20 min vēlāk viens ir izdomājis, ka nu lai, viņam patīk arī tā cita čiepa no bāra. Nupat vēl bija gatavs brālim acis izbakstīt aiz greizsirdības. Karoč visi tur tādi, paši nezin, ko grib, tomēr visi dabonas. Reizēm ir tāds pārspīlēts cukurs un pārjūtīgi monologi, ka man likās - aizkaitinājumā šitā bolot acis, es tās pagalam sabeigšu. Par autores valodas līmeni nerunāšu. Iespējams, tieši audio formātā tas vairāk bija jūtams, ka nu švaki viņai ar to vārdu krājumu. Ja ir dialogs, kurā aiz katras tiešās runas viņa pieliek “he said”, “she said” un tā piecreiz pēc kārtas, tad nu bēdīgi, ka viņa nezina citus darbības vārdus (“sacīja, norādīja, piebilda, nopūtās, atbildēja” utt.). Un grāmatas beigas vnk tā noraujas, ka domāju - man ir bojāts audio fails, kam pietrūkst dažu nodaļu. Izrādās, autore to uzskata par cliffhanger. Es uzskatu to par svētību, ka šis draņķis ir beidzies. Turēšos no viņas turpmāk pa gabalu un jums iesaku to pašu. Esmu runājusi.
November 20, 2019
4 Stars
October 10, 2019
I have LOVED all of Elin’s books and this was such a disappointing read. I know this is meant to be a trilogy but the way this book was paced you could tell she only had enough of a story for maybe two books and dragged out whatever she could to fill pages. This placeholder of a book only gave us a couple of paragraphs of new information. There is zero to no characters development and I’m not sure who we are all supposed to root for. Worst book I’ve read this year.
September 11, 2019
“It was just in the week before, only a couple days after they’d arrived home from St. John, an FBI agent named Colette Vasco called Irene, Cash, and Baker to let them know that the Virgin Islands Search and Rescue team had contacted the Bureau with suspicions that there might be more to the helicopter crash and the lightning. There was lightning in the area, but the damage to the helicopter seems to have been caused by an explosive device.” (paraphrased)
“What now,” thought the three remaining members of the Steele family. The first shock was the death of Russell Steele, Irene’s husband, and Cash and Baker’s father, on New Year’s Day in the US Virgin Islands. Once they got there, they discovered Russell had a second life that included another woman, their child, plus an extravagant condo he owned. Now they’re saying the helicopter crash that killed him may have been intentional. Irene needed to talk to their family lawyer, someone she knew and trusted, for guidance. Her next step was to get a certified copy of Russ’s death certificate; otherwise her lawyer told her, he was considered, “alive.”
One by one, the Steele family members make their way back to island of St. John they both love and want to hate. The pull of this beautiful paradise is almost magnetic, and not just for its natural wonders. The people they all met, well certain people, have charmed each of them.
(Note: it would benefit readers to have read the first book in this trilogy: ‘Winter in Paradise’) Irene is concerned about Maia, the thirteen-year-old daughter of Rosie, who was killed in the crash with Russ. Russ is Maia’s biological father. Irene also wants to see Huck again, Rosie’s stepfather, and subsequent Grandfather of Maia, whom Irene felt definite sparks with.
Keeping up?!
Cash and Baker are both in love with the same women, Ayers, who was Rosie’s best friend and helper in caring for Maia, since Rosie’s mother passed away. They need to figure out who Ayers really cares about since when they left the island she went back to her cheating boyfriend, Mick. Both Cash and Baker definitely think Mick is wrong for her, but who is the right guy.
Finally, that leaves all the suspicions around Russ’s boss, Todd Croft and his company. The big plus in this second book is we hear from Rosie and a little about what went on when she met Russ. Ayers found all her diaries when cleaning out Rosie’s room. Ayers and Huck found more, but you have to read this book to find out.
So much happens in this second book it’s truly an adventure. I raced through it the first time, then like a movie you love but were afraid you missed something, I read it again. Honest, I did. I might actually read it a third time; it was that good.
A MUST READ! (Mm, a movie?! HBO series?!)
Thank you NetGalley, Little, Brown and Co., Inc. and Elin Hilderbrand
“What now,” thought the three remaining members of the Steele family. The first shock was the death of Russell Steele, Irene’s husband, and Cash and Baker’s father, on New Year’s Day in the US Virgin Islands. Once they got there, they discovered Russell had a second life that included another woman, their child, plus an extravagant condo he owned. Now they’re saying the helicopter crash that killed him may have been intentional. Irene needed to talk to their family lawyer, someone she knew and trusted, for guidance. Her next step was to get a certified copy of Russ’s death certificate; otherwise her lawyer told her, he was considered, “alive.”
One by one, the Steele family members make their way back to island of St. John they both love and want to hate. The pull of this beautiful paradise is almost magnetic, and not just for its natural wonders. The people they all met, well certain people, have charmed each of them.
(Note: it would benefit readers to have read the first book in this trilogy: ‘Winter in Paradise’) Irene is concerned about Maia, the thirteen-year-old daughter of Rosie, who was killed in the crash with Russ. Russ is Maia’s biological father. Irene also wants to see Huck again, Rosie’s stepfather, and subsequent Grandfather of Maia, whom Irene felt definite sparks with.
Keeping up?!
Cash and Baker are both in love with the same women, Ayers, who was Rosie’s best friend and helper in caring for Maia, since Rosie’s mother passed away. They need to figure out who Ayers really cares about since when they left the island she went back to her cheating boyfriend, Mick. Both Cash and Baker definitely think Mick is wrong for her, but who is the right guy.
Finally, that leaves all the suspicions around Russ’s boss, Todd Croft and his company. The big plus in this second book is we hear from Rosie and a little about what went on when she met Russ. Ayers found all her diaries when cleaning out Rosie’s room. Ayers and Huck found more, but you have to read this book to find out.
So much happens in this second book it’s truly an adventure. I raced through it the first time, then like a movie you love but were afraid you missed something, I read it again. Honest, I did. I might actually read it a third time; it was that good.
A MUST READ! (Mm, a movie?! HBO series?!)
Thank you NetGalley, Little, Brown and Co., Inc. and Elin Hilderbrand
October 22, 2019
Major let down as the second book in this trilogy. Rather boring and felt as though nothing happened. At least the last book will bring some answers...hopefully
October 16, 2019
Oh my goodness just like book one this book left me hanging. I had no idea there was going to be another book. I now have to wait until sometime in 2020 to find out what happens.
March 14, 2021
My review of the Paradise series can be found here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
October 25, 2019
It’s been a year since Irene Steele received the news that her husband Russ was killed in a helicopter crash. The most shocking part: it occurred on the island of St. John, where he apparently lived a double life with another family. Now Irene and her two grown sons are back on the island, trying to move on—and learn more about the life Russ led there.
I really am loving this series. I worried for naught this book wouldn’t be as captivating as the first! It was, per usual, a delicious Hilderbrand read. I love these characters, especially stalwart Irene. And Huck, oh Huck, the tough yet sweet fishing captain. She just captures them all so perfectly!
This book is really quite fascinating—almost a mystery. There’s plenty of good relationship drama, too and lots of curiosity about Russ’ business dealings. It’s so easy to get caught up in everyone’s lives.
This is a fun, dramatic, and engaging read. You can read it out of order, but pick up Winter in Paradise first (if you haven’t already) for the full experience!
(Also, this was my first read BOTM. Yay!)
Blog ~ Twitter ~ Facebook ~ Instagram ~ PaperBackSwap ~ Smashbomb
I really am loving this series. I worried for naught this book wouldn’t be as captivating as the first! It was, per usual, a delicious Hilderbrand read. I love these characters, especially stalwart Irene. And Huck, oh Huck, the tough yet sweet fishing captain. She just captures them all so perfectly!
This book is really quite fascinating—almost a mystery. There’s plenty of good relationship drama, too and lots of curiosity about Russ’ business dealings. It’s so easy to get caught up in everyone’s lives.
This is a fun, dramatic, and engaging read. You can read it out of order, but pick up Winter in Paradise first (if you haven’t already) for the full experience!
(Also, this was my first read BOTM. Yay!)
Blog ~ Twitter ~ Facebook ~ Instagram ~ PaperBackSwap ~ Smashbomb
March 22, 2020
Elin Hilderbrand has done it again!
Since I discovered her books last summer, she has been moving her way up my list of favorite authors.
She is the queen of transporting you into the setting of her stories. It is evident that she has lived in and loves that lands she writes about. While I love her Nantucket stories, I think St. John in the Paradise series is even better!
I loved this first book and was so excited to find out it was series! What Happens in Paradise picks up right where Winter in Paradise left off. We're back into the lives of Huck, Irene, Cash, Baker, Ayers, Maia, and now Rosie thanks to the discovery of her journals! I liked this one even better than the first can I cannot wait to see how the story ends!
Since I discovered her books last summer, she has been moving her way up my list of favorite authors.
She is the queen of transporting you into the setting of her stories. It is evident that she has lived in and loves that lands she writes about. While I love her Nantucket stories, I think St. John in the Paradise series is even better!
I loved this first book and was so excited to find out it was series! What Happens in Paradise picks up right where Winter in Paradise left off. We're back into the lives of Huck, Irene, Cash, Baker, Ayers, Maia, and now Rosie thanks to the discovery of her journals! I liked this one even better than the first can I cannot wait to see how the story ends!
December 20, 2019
This is definitely mindless escape reading and there's nothing wrong with that. There's nothing profound or even particularly compelling going on here. Now we're getting the back story through incredibly detailed diary entries that I find completely unreasonable. What grown woman has time to write copious notes about her day in a journal? It's pretty convenient for us though.
I also think I would have liked it better had I been able to read this book right after the first. Honestly this whole thing should be one book in my opinion. That being said I like how the author ends each book with a big turn of events. It definitely makes you want to come back for more.
I also think I would have liked it better had I been able to read this book right after the first. Honestly this whole thing should be one book in my opinion. That being said I like how the author ends each book with a big turn of events. It definitely makes you want to come back for more.
August 7, 2025
Elin Hilderbrand has such a marvelous way of telling a story, and writing a series. I cannot wait to finish this series.
September 29, 2020
So.... I intentionally waited almost a year to read book 2, What Happens in Paradise in "Paradise" trilogy. I really like the first one but who wants to wait a whole year to find out what the heck is going on? Normally, I am not a fan of unfinished mystery, or to be continue in the next or even next next book! This is a rare exception because I really like it. 😘
I'm pretty new to this author and just found out that her books often have adultery or love triangle theme. Okay, now it makes a whole lot of sense why 28 Summers I read not long ago also fell into that romance category. I enjoy this beach read more than her historical fictions.
I'm pretty new to this author and just found out that her books often have adultery or love triangle theme. Okay, now it makes a whole lot of sense why 28 Summers I read not long ago also fell into that romance category. I enjoy this beach read more than her historical fictions.
December 25, 2019
"What Happens in Paradise" is the second installation of a series by Elin Hilderbrand. True to Ms. Hilderbrand's talent as a writer, she creates a distinct setting full of color and the smell of suntan lotion in the air. Her interesting although somewhat flat characters, travel on a journey toward wholeness. Though this is part of a series, it is not necessary to read the prior book since the reader gets all relevant details to engage with the current drama, which is set on a lovely Caribbean island, St. James (part of the U.S. Virgin Islands), where beauty and luxurious living abounds for visitors temporarily escaping from life in the fast lane.
Most of the key characters are just a few weeks away from the tragic loss of Russ and Rosie. They were riding on a helicopter which had a fire aboard while in flight, during January 1st, 2017 pleasure visit to another island. Russ Steele is a married man, who has been in a secret relationship with a local woman for 10+ years and they share a daughter together. Their relatives and friend are left to pick up the pieces and must parent their 12 year old love child, Maia. Irene was the wife of Russ for more than 30 years (she was clueless about the affair) and Huck takes custody of Maia, since he is her grandfather (Rosie was his stepdaughter). Ayers was Rosie's bestfriend and godmother of Maia. As they all struggle with their shock and grief, they form a new dynamic. Add in Russes' adult sons with Irene, Cash and Baker to this mix and we have more romance and lies to the plot as each man pursues Ayers. Ayers is caught up in her own trouble with men, her long term partner, Mick is cheating on her. Meanwhile, her attraction to Baker makes her assess whether taking a chance on a new man is worth the effort of tossing aside a shaky romantic life she has grown to accept.
Soap Opera anyone?
Wow! So many people deeply impacted by this accident. It is like a Shakespeare tragedy! Tragedy Agog even. However, these people still have needs if you catch my drift. Thus, this is somewhat like a Shakespeare Comedy. Not many tears shed in this story. Nope, it has a flavor of "On with the Show!". "Life is for the Living!", vibe in a sense, at least for the Steele family since Russ had emotionally disconnected years earlier . Thus, we find people moving to paradise to embrace new people and a new lifestyle. Please don't forget your bathing suit! Cocktail hour is basically anytime it strikes your fancy. Rosie's family seems to weather their loss well although Maia is now an orphan, she isn't letting that get in the way of being a teenager.
Note, I haven't provided any spoilers, there is still a mystery here. One should be cautioned that it moves the story plot forward and is not the key premise. This isn't a strong 4 star. Hilderbrand is a good writer and I admit, I'm a tad jealous that she got to spend "time" doing her research in this beautiful piece of real estate.
If you are fortunate enough to escape the Northern Winter for a week or two, this will be the perfect read. If you can't physically escape, take a mental vacation at least!
Now available for purchase!
---------------------------------Housekeeping----------------------------------
A shout out to the editor which overlooked two flaws, one pretty significant (Maia's age should currently be 7 (according to one part based on the math provided), though mainly she is 12.
Most of the key characters are just a few weeks away from the tragic loss of Russ and Rosie. They were riding on a helicopter which had a fire aboard while in flight, during January 1st, 2017 pleasure visit to another island. Russ Steele is a married man, who has been in a secret relationship with a local woman for 10+ years and they share a daughter together. Their relatives and friend are left to pick up the pieces and must parent their 12 year old love child, Maia. Irene was the wife of Russ for more than 30 years (she was clueless about the affair) and Huck takes custody of Maia, since he is her grandfather (Rosie was his stepdaughter). Ayers was Rosie's bestfriend and godmother of Maia. As they all struggle with their shock and grief, they form a new dynamic. Add in Russes' adult sons with Irene, Cash and Baker to this mix and we have more romance and lies to the plot as each man pursues Ayers. Ayers is caught up in her own trouble with men, her long term partner, Mick is cheating on her. Meanwhile, her attraction to Baker makes her assess whether taking a chance on a new man is worth the effort of tossing aside a shaky romantic life she has grown to accept.
Soap Opera anyone?
Wow! So many people deeply impacted by this accident. It is like a Shakespeare tragedy! Tragedy Agog even. However, these people still have needs if you catch my drift. Thus, this is somewhat like a Shakespeare Comedy. Not many tears shed in this story. Nope, it has a flavor of "On with the Show!". "Life is for the Living!", vibe in a sense, at least for the Steele family since Russ had emotionally disconnected years earlier . Thus, we find people moving to paradise to embrace new people and a new lifestyle. Please don't forget your bathing suit! Cocktail hour is basically anytime it strikes your fancy. Rosie's family seems to weather their loss well although Maia is now an orphan, she isn't letting that get in the way of being a teenager.
Note, I haven't provided any spoilers, there is still a mystery here. One should be cautioned that it moves the story plot forward and is not the key premise. This isn't a strong 4 star. Hilderbrand is a good writer and I admit, I'm a tad jealous that she got to spend "time" doing her research in this beautiful piece of real estate.
If you are fortunate enough to escape the Northern Winter for a week or two, this will be the perfect read. If you can't physically escape, take a mental vacation at least!
Now available for purchase!
---------------------------------Housekeeping----------------------------------
A shout out to the editor which overlooked two flaws, one pretty significant (Maia's age should currently be 7 (according to one part based on the math provided), though mainly she is 12.
October 16, 2019
Really struggled to finish this one. Honestly, I could see what was coming at the end of the book by the end of the 1st book of the trilogy. This seemed like filler to me - just a "place-holder", until we get to the last book to find out what happens. Although I have a pretty good idea, I think. We'll see when #3 is published.
Ms. Hildebrand is usually a favorite of mine, but this book fell short, in my opinion.
Ms. Hildebrand is usually a favorite of mine, but this book fell short, in my opinion.
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