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Paradise #2
Paradise Road
The road to Paradise is never easy.
After a year on the coast, Lexie Atkinson can't settle back into country life. She's missing the glitzy, gritty nightlife of the big city and the group of misfit friends she'd loved to hate. She knows to move forward she has to go back - back to face the guy who stole her heart.
But when Lexie arrives in Paradise City to work out if her future includes bad-boy surfer, Luke Ballantine, he is nowhere to be found. With no home, no money and no Luke, Lexie gets a job slinging drinks at the wild Wipe Out Bar. Soon her heartache is eased when broody bar owner, Dean Saville, starts taking an interest and stirs more than just her drinks. But nothing is ever as it seems in Paradise City and when Luke Barrels back into town, Lexie has a choice to make. But who will end up with the broken heart: Luke, Dean...or Lexie?
After a year on the coast, Lexie Atkinson can't settle back into country life. She's missing the glitzy, gritty nightlife of the big city and the group of misfit friends she'd loved to hate. She knows to move forward she has to go back - back to face the guy who stole her heart.
But when Lexie arrives in Paradise City to work out if her future includes bad-boy surfer, Luke Ballantine, he is nowhere to be found. With no home, no money and no Luke, Lexie gets a job slinging drinks at the wild Wipe Out Bar. Soon her heartache is eased when broody bar owner, Dean Saville, starts taking an interest and stirs more than just her drinks. But nothing is ever as it seems in Paradise City and when Luke Barrels back into town, Lexie has a choice to make. But who will end up with the broken heart: Luke, Dean...or Lexie?
336 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 28, 2015
About the author
C.J. Duggan
29 books1,152 followersCJ Duggan is an internationally best-selling author of contemporary Young Adult and New Adult fiction. From small town dramas to big city dreamers, CJ’s coming-of-age tales are filled with hope and heart, and told by relatable protagonists with strong Australian voices.
A proud Yorta Yorta woman, CJ lives with her husband in a rural border town of New South Wales. When she is not writing you will usually find her rearranging knick-knacks in her home office, or plotting the next weekend escape.
If you love ceramic owls, dusty-pink decor and old typewriters, then CJ wants to be your new best friend.
Follow C.J on her website: www.cjdugganbooks.com
A proud Yorta Yorta woman, CJ lives with her husband in a rural border town of New South Wales. When she is not writing you will usually find her rearranging knick-knacks in her home office, or plotting the next weekend escape.
If you love ceramic owls, dusty-pink decor and old typewriters, then CJ wants to be your new best friend.
Follow C.J on her website: www.cjdugganbooks.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 57 reviews
May 18, 2017
Lexie Atkinson is back in her sleepy home town of Red Hill for the summer, grieving for the relationship what could have been. With the bright lights of Paradise City in her sights, Lexie plans to return to the city. I adored Paradise City. A small town, home schooled Lexie Atkinson was a breath of fresh air as she navigated her new life in the city. In Paradise Road, unfortunately Lexie now is under the illusion that with her aunt and uncle unable to offer her accommodation, she'll be able to find work, complete her education and become independent. The one condition that will allow her to stay.
Conveniently, the Wipe Out Bar is looking for employees and with a small room available for lodgings, Lexie is now reluctantly employed by Dean Saville. Lexie is determined and begins to assert her dominance, believing she has the authority to transform the bar into a family friendly atmosphere. Her vision was innovative but ultimately, she is a young woman who knows nothing about small business management and infringed on her employment boundaries. While Lexie is coming to terms with her relationship falling apart, Luke is consistently in her thoughts even while beginning to pursue Dean as a romantic interest.
I found the romance between Lexie and Dean improbable unfortunately due to Lexie's demeanor, interchanging one brother for another. The pleasant, country charm is replaced by a determined and arrogant young woman, naive and frustrating. Although wonderfully written, Lexie was incredibly unpleasant and hindered my enjoyment of the duology finale.
Conveniently, the Wipe Out Bar is looking for employees and with a small room available for lodgings, Lexie is now reluctantly employed by Dean Saville. Lexie is determined and begins to assert her dominance, believing she has the authority to transform the bar into a family friendly atmosphere. Her vision was innovative but ultimately, she is a young woman who knows nothing about small business management and infringed on her employment boundaries. While Lexie is coming to terms with her relationship falling apart, Luke is consistently in her thoughts even while beginning to pursue Dean as a romantic interest.
I found the romance between Lexie and Dean improbable unfortunately due to Lexie's demeanor, interchanging one brother for another. The pleasant, country charm is replaced by a determined and arrogant young woman, naive and frustrating. Although wonderfully written, Lexie was incredibly unpleasant and hindered my enjoyment of the duology finale.
November 22, 2015
''Sometimes people just need a bit of though love''
When i first heard about this series i was happy,that's because i love the way C.J Duggan writes,but after Paradise City i wanted to read more and more..Honestly,who wouldn't?
I was a little shocked because of the way the first book ended,so when i saw that Negalley approved my request i started reading the book ASAP.
And i'm really glad.
''Tomorrow i would take the first step towards changing my life forever.''
I admit that there were times when i laughed out loud because of the way Lexie acted,but sometimes,i wanted to shake some sens in her.Returning to Paradise made her do crazy things,but i never thought that everything will change in that way.
Lexie Atkinson's wish to return back to Paradise wasn't something easy to fullfill,but somehow she promised to do the unthinkable: find a job and live on her own.
This time i admit that she wasn't exactly my favorite ,but she had her moments when i refused to give up on her.Her attitude was reckless and impulsive..She wasn't the same Lexie i knew about.But...The best part: she proved -sometimes- that she could do anything.
The reason i loved this book?Well,i give you one name : Dean.
''Waiting for Dean was like battening down the hatches for an impending hurricane.You knew it was coming but there was no real way of knowing how destructive the path might be.''
Honestly,between Ballentine and Dean, this time..and well,forever from now on,Dean is my favorite.
I now understand a lot about him and i'm beginning to think that he and Lexie are perfect togheter.And that...in the first book i was too blind to see him.
Honestly,i was excited to read this book-and i enjoyed reading it from the beginning until the end.It made me appreciate Cj more for writing such an amazing story.
You could say that it was a bit of rollercoaster,mainly because everything that happened between Dean and Lexie.
Sometimes,i honestly admit this,i tried to understand what was Dean's problem,but i got my answer and i'm pretty much sure that even after all he is still my favorite.
Returning in Paradise might not be exactly how Lexie expected,but the result?It was pretty much the best thing that could happen to Lexie.
When i first heard about this series i was happy,that's because i love the way C.J Duggan writes,but after Paradise City i wanted to read more and more..Honestly,who wouldn't?
I was a little shocked because of the way the first book ended,so when i saw that Negalley approved my request i started reading the book ASAP.
And i'm really glad.
''Tomorrow i would take the first step towards changing my life forever.''
I admit that there were times when i laughed out loud because of the way Lexie acted,but sometimes,i wanted to shake some sens in her.Returning to Paradise made her do crazy things,but i never thought that everything will change in that way.
Lexie Atkinson's wish to return back to Paradise wasn't something easy to fullfill,but somehow she promised to do the unthinkable: find a job and live on her own.
This time i admit that she wasn't exactly my favorite ,but she had her moments when i refused to give up on her.Her attitude was reckless and impulsive..She wasn't the same Lexie i knew about.But...The best part: she proved -sometimes- that she could do anything.
The reason i loved this book?Well,i give you one name : Dean.
''Waiting for Dean was like battening down the hatches for an impending hurricane.You knew it was coming but there was no real way of knowing how destructive the path might be.''
Honestly,between Ballentine and Dean, this time..and well,forever from now on,Dean is my favorite.
I now understand a lot about him and i'm beginning to think that he and Lexie are perfect togheter.And that...in the first book i was too blind to see him.
Honestly,i was excited to read this book-and i enjoyed reading it from the beginning until the end.It made me appreciate Cj more for writing such an amazing story.
You could say that it was a bit of rollercoaster,mainly because everything that happened between Dean and Lexie.
Sometimes,i honestly admit this,i tried to understand what was Dean's problem,but i got my answer and i'm pretty much sure that even after all he is still my favorite.
Returning in Paradise might not be exactly how Lexie expected,but the result?It was pretty much the best thing that could happen to Lexie.
November 23, 2015
THIS BOOK BLEW MY SOCKS OFF
Back in April I read this really amazing book. Paradise City. I met Lexie, and Ballantine, and wrote a pretty freaking awesome fangirl-y review. I REALLY DID. It literally blew my socks off, and did I believe the sequel could do the same? DID I HECK. BUT IT WAS BETTER. IT WAS ONLY BLOODY BETTER. I can honestly say that Paradise City and Paradise Road are two of the best freaking books I've ever read in my life. UTTERLY amazing and I bow down to the altar of CJ Duggan's writing because she SLAYS ME.
I READ THIS IN ONE SITTING!!!!
ONE BLOODY SITTING. I am writing this at 1.08am because I am that hyped up about how good this bloody book was. I mean BONKERS good. AMAZING good. BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR GOOD. CAPS LOCK GOOD!!!!!!!!! I am honestly amazed, after reading Paradise City, I never would have thought the sequel would go where it went and I'm literally the happiest person alive right now (which is true, because every body else is ASLEEP). I loved Lexie in Paradise City, but I loved her EVEN MORE in Paradise Road. I LOVED that she was doing her own thing, getting herself a job and a place, and growing up. I loved the decisions she made regarding her love life (OH YOU'RE IN FOR SUCH A SURPRISE). I loved that she didn't just collapse under the weight of her Ballantine grief (I'M LOOKING AT YOU, BELLA!!!!). It was just mind-bogglingly good. I raced through this book, barely believing my eyes at just how amazing it was. Have I mentioned this book was AMAZING yet?
#TEAMDEAN #TEAMDEAN #TEAMDEAN
Back in Paradise City, I loved Ballantine. I LOVED HIM. But there was very, very much a spark between Lexie and Dean, Ballantine's sexy, dangerous, tattooed (!!!!) half-brother. There was just something about him that made me feel all warm and fuzzy inside, even if he was a bit dangerous with a stare you really want looking at you. You really do. He just had that spark, and he and Lexie have this amazing banter, Lexie is one of the only people who actually puts Dean in his place and the sparks FLY. THEY FLY. I saw it in Paradise City, but here in Paradise Road it's off the bleeding charts. It's INSANE. It's heady, special, magical, and you know you're witnessing something great. I said in my Paradise City review I wanted my own Ballantine. Screw that, I want my own Dean, please.
READ THESE BOOKS!!!
I honestly can't get over how much I loved this book. It was INSANE. It made me excited to come and fangirl all over it at 1am with my review. It made me so excited to read again, after some drab books. I so, so wish there were more exciting New Adult books like this, more exciting Chick Lit books like this, with spark and wit and humour and a brooding bar owner or surfer. It just grabbed me and wouldn't let me go and made me a very, very happy clam. As if all the capslock and exclamation marks didn't tell you, eh? This was a seriously good duology. AMAZING. Mind-blowing, I want-more amazing. Sigh. I can't believe it's over. I want to just hide in my room for a week, because how do I pick up my next book after THIS? Talk about #bookhangover.
Back in April I read this really amazing book. Paradise City. I met Lexie, and Ballantine, and wrote a pretty freaking awesome fangirl-y review. I REALLY DID. It literally blew my socks off, and did I believe the sequel could do the same? DID I HECK. BUT IT WAS BETTER. IT WAS ONLY BLOODY BETTER. I can honestly say that Paradise City and Paradise Road are two of the best freaking books I've ever read in my life. UTTERLY amazing and I bow down to the altar of CJ Duggan's writing because she SLAYS ME.
I READ THIS IN ONE SITTING!!!!
ONE BLOODY SITTING. I am writing this at 1.08am because I am that hyped up about how good this bloody book was. I mean BONKERS good. AMAZING good. BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR GOOD. CAPS LOCK GOOD!!!!!!!!! I am honestly amazed, after reading Paradise City, I never would have thought the sequel would go where it went and I'm literally the happiest person alive right now (which is true, because every body else is ASLEEP). I loved Lexie in Paradise City, but I loved her EVEN MORE in Paradise Road. I LOVED that she was doing her own thing, getting herself a job and a place, and growing up. I loved the decisions she made regarding her love life (OH YOU'RE IN FOR SUCH A SURPRISE). I loved that she didn't just collapse under the weight of her Ballantine grief (I'M LOOKING AT YOU, BELLA!!!!). It was just mind-bogglingly good. I raced through this book, barely believing my eyes at just how amazing it was. Have I mentioned this book was AMAZING yet?
#TEAMDEAN #TEAMDEAN #TEAMDEAN
Back in Paradise City, I loved Ballantine. I LOVED HIM. But there was very, very much a spark between Lexie and Dean, Ballantine's sexy, dangerous, tattooed (!!!!) half-brother. There was just something about him that made me feel all warm and fuzzy inside, even if he was a bit dangerous with a stare you really want looking at you. You really do. He just had that spark, and he and Lexie have this amazing banter, Lexie is one of the only people who actually puts Dean in his place and the sparks FLY. THEY FLY. I saw it in Paradise City, but here in Paradise Road it's off the bleeding charts. It's INSANE. It's heady, special, magical, and you know you're witnessing something great. I said in my Paradise City review I wanted my own Ballantine. Screw that, I want my own Dean, please.
READ THESE BOOKS!!!
I honestly can't get over how much I loved this book. It was INSANE. It made me excited to come and fangirl all over it at 1am with my review. It made me so excited to read again, after some drab books. I so, so wish there were more exciting New Adult books like this, more exciting Chick Lit books like this, with spark and wit and humour and a brooding bar owner or surfer. It just grabbed me and wouldn't let me go and made me a very, very happy clam. As if all the capslock and exclamation marks didn't tell you, eh? This was a seriously good duology. AMAZING. Mind-blowing, I want-more amazing. Sigh. I can't believe it's over. I want to just hide in my room for a week, because how do I pick up my next book after THIS? Talk about #bookhangover.
February 15, 2017
I can't really say it was a bad book. Every book C.J. writes has to be an ok book, but my problem with this one is that it did not go at all the way I hoped it would. Paradise City ended with such a cliffhanger and of course in this one we expect answers, we expect stuff, but nothing is answered. It's almost like a completely new book, like screw you Ballantine, we don't need you anymore even though you're here. I didn't like it. I expected more, I wanted more. It's like this book went the easy route, so it's getting the easy rating - 2 stars is enough.
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November 24, 2015
Rating: 4.5/5
Review coming soon!
Review coming soon!
January 19, 2016
4.5★
Surprisingly, this one turned out very good for me.
First, you must read the first book, Paradise City before diving into this because: (1) to better understand Lexie and all her interactions and connections with the characters in here; and (2) to better enjoy this book.
The author, as I expected, have written this in a way that was captivating and mind you, that is very true. I started this and I can’t really push myself to stop. I’ve tried but really, what am I supposed to do?
I think I still have some issues with Lexie but I’m happy to say that even if she’s somewhat immature, and that she still made some stupid and impulsive decisions, there was growth in her character. The character development and build up was something I was glad to see. I was still pissed off with how Lexie was saying she needs to act like this and the next second forgetting about that promise she made to herself, but who doesn’t? She at least was able to shoulder responsibility. I guess most notable of all was her humility. That was one thing I admire the most. To accept that you’ve been a bitch, or that you were irrational and most of all, to accept your mistakes and take responsibility for it.
The road to Paradise was indeed a rough one and the struggle of a teenager to make it to the real world from a sheltered life? That was something admirable. I like how I’ve seen the realities of life in the pages of this book.
And really, I like how where the events were leading up to. Just everything Dean did. The asshole stuff he did and all the little things he did were actually very sweet in a way, in an asshole kind of way if there is that.
Anyway, I think what I love the most was how this was not mushy and there was no corny bullshit. I think I like most was the randomness of some events, that in the boardwalk most of all. Just yeah, I’m actually surprised this turned out so good.
Books in the series and must be read in order:
For more about me and my crazy ramblings and post, reviews and other stuff:
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 12, 2015
Review also found at http://kristineandterri.blogspot.ca/2...
I waited a long time for this story. I reads the first book Paradise City before it was released back in April and had to wait until December for the conclusion. See review of Paradise City here . The first story captured me so therefore I waited not so patiently to see how everything would play out.
I would not recommend this as a stand alone novel. It clearly picks up where the first one ended and without reading the first one the meaning would really be lost. I would also recommend reading them back to back as for me, the distance between the two made me forget parts of the first story.
I am really struggling to write my thoughts on this story without giving away any spoilers from either of the books. I can say as I have said before with Duggan's work is that she has a way of capturing attraction/longing/chemistry that although I do not have the words to describe. always seems to capture me. While I preferred the way she captured it in the first story better, I was still sucked in.
Although this story delivered exactly what I thought it would, it also omitted or played down some aspects that I thought would be there. The love triangle as advertised on the synopsis didn't end up being how I thought or expected it to be. That's ok, I still enjoyed the story and ultimately the outcome.
Duggan is one of my guilty pleasures. I have read the majority of her stories (that I am aware of) and they always deliver exactly what I want. A romance that has the right amount of angst while not being to old or too young for any particular demographic. Hopefully she will continue to write and produce stories that I am anxious to read.
I waited a long time for this story. I reads the first book Paradise City before it was released back in April and had to wait until December for the conclusion. See review of Paradise City here . The first story captured me so therefore I waited not so patiently to see how everything would play out.
I would not recommend this as a stand alone novel. It clearly picks up where the first one ended and without reading the first one the meaning would really be lost. I would also recommend reading them back to back as for me, the distance between the two made me forget parts of the first story.
I am really struggling to write my thoughts on this story without giving away any spoilers from either of the books. I can say as I have said before with Duggan's work is that she has a way of capturing attraction/longing/chemistry that although I do not have the words to describe. always seems to capture me. While I preferred the way she captured it in the first story better, I was still sucked in.
Although this story delivered exactly what I thought it would, it also omitted or played down some aspects that I thought would be there. The love triangle as advertised on the synopsis didn't end up being how I thought or expected it to be. That's ok, I still enjoyed the story and ultimately the outcome.
Duggan is one of my guilty pleasures. I have read the majority of her stories (that I am aware of) and they always deliver exactly what I want. A romance that has the right amount of angst while not being to old or too young for any particular demographic. Hopefully she will continue to write and produce stories that I am anxious to read.
November 25, 2015
Original Review @ Naomi’s Reading Palace
4.5 STARS
I read the first book, Paradise City, back in March and I’ve been keen to continue Lexie’s story. She didn’t leave Paradise City a happy girl and spent most of her Summer miserable and was eager to get back there to sort things out. It was hard in the beginning, she felt invisible and had to find her own way in Paradise City, or she’d have to return home.
Lexie is a character that I love to read about! She is such a quirky girl, who says exactly what she thinks and often acts before thinking through the consequences. I was often laughing at the stunts she pulled, but there were times my heart ached for her because she wanted her friends, or just to simply fit in.
I liked seeing more of Dean in this book too. He comes across cold and uncaring, but he goes out of his way to help Lexie right when she needs it. There were times that Lexie could see him let his guard down, before he would slide his cold demeanour back in place.
I think that C.J. Duggan did a great job at delivering Lexie’s story and I enjoyed this book more than the first one. It wasn’t just focused on Lexie at school but about how Lexie needed to find her own path in life. She needed to step up and find her own place to live and to get a job. She learned so much about herself and was a stronger more confident girl by the end. I would like to see more of Dean and get his story so I can understand him better… I can only hope!
Complimentary copy provided by the Publisher, via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
4.5 STARS
I read the first book, Paradise City, back in March and I’ve been keen to continue Lexie’s story. She didn’t leave Paradise City a happy girl and spent most of her Summer miserable and was eager to get back there to sort things out. It was hard in the beginning, she felt invisible and had to find her own way in Paradise City, or she’d have to return home.
Lexie is a character that I love to read about! She is such a quirky girl, who says exactly what she thinks and often acts before thinking through the consequences. I was often laughing at the stunts she pulled, but there were times my heart ached for her because she wanted her friends, or just to simply fit in.
I liked seeing more of Dean in this book too. He comes across cold and uncaring, but he goes out of his way to help Lexie right when she needs it. There were times that Lexie could see him let his guard down, before he would slide his cold demeanour back in place.
I think that C.J. Duggan did a great job at delivering Lexie’s story and I enjoyed this book more than the first one. It wasn’t just focused on Lexie at school but about how Lexie needed to find her own path in life. She needed to step up and find her own place to live and to get a job. She learned so much about herself and was a stronger more confident girl by the end. I would like to see more of Dean and get his story so I can understand him better… I can only hope!
Complimentary copy provided by the Publisher, via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
December 13, 2015
Last week I read and really enjoyed PARADISE CITY. Actually, I loved it. So as soon as I received the second book, I got stuck into it. I couldn't wait to find out how Lexie's story would end.
Lexie Atkinson has gone back to Red Hill and is heartbroken after Luke Ballantine pretty much dumped her without giving her a chance to explain what the note he read and misunderstood really meant. And what makes matters worse is that her aunty and uncle are moving away from Paradise City, so she won't be going back to finish her last year of high school there. Except, she's almost eighteen and thanks to her zany uncle's idea, she proposes a crazy plan to her parents.
They give her a couple of weeks to find a place to live and get a job to support herself in Paradise City. If she does that, she'll be able to stay there and finish school on her own. However, as soon as she arrives things turn sour. Luke has left Paradise City, her cousin has become friends with Lexie's nemesis, and the only place that comes remotely close to offering her a job is the Wipe Out Bar. The dive owned by Luke's half-brother, Dean Saville. The same guy who looks good but is so frustrating they spend most of the time bickering.
Still, she gives it a go and winds up getting herself into one bad situation after another. How's she supposed to concentrate on school if she can't even get her life straight outside of it? If she can stay out of trouble for just a minute, maybe she'll work it out...
You know what? I didn't enjoy this installment as much as the first.
When I started reading, I once again found myself charmed by Lexie's voice and was instantly hooked into her story. But when she moves to Paradise City and starts on an awkward road back to recapture what she loved about the place so much, I started to realise that the story wasn't working for me. There was something missing. The awesomeness of the first book was gone, replaced with something else. All of a sudden I started to find Lexie's klutzy actions and inability to stay out of trouble, silly, selfish and immature. Whereas she soldiered on through all the ups and downs before, now she was totally unravelling and becoming whiny. I didn't like the person she was becoming.
Not to mention that her friend Laura practically disappeared and instead somehow became as unappealing as Amanda & Co were in Book 1. But worst of all was that I didn't buy the romance. No matter how hard I tried to get into it, I just couldn't. Mainly it was because I didn't like Dean. I didn't like him in the first book, and I certainly didn't like him in this one. He's smug and arrogant, a total jerk she doesn't even get along with. Yet (somehow) finds herself attracted to. Nope. Couldn't believe that. I have no problem with relationships that start from two people not liking each other and then one day realising it was because they're so into each other, but this was not an example of that. At all.
And Luke? Well, after a whole book of dreaming about him and building him up to be the perfect guy... he became background dressing. A way to push her towards his brother. What about school? It became something that was hardly mentioned. Almost forgotten in her quest to take over a bar she doesn't even own. :/
It was a shame, but this one just didn't work for me.
Paradise Road is an entertaining, well-written book that will keep you interested in Lexie's troublemaking adventures. If you enjoyed the first one as much as I did, it's worth giving this one a go. What happens here might work for you, but it might not. I can't help but feel like this shouldn't have been a duology, and rather, a stand-alone with a HEA. But that's just me.
Oh, and one more thing: the cover didn't work for me either. I liked the previous covers a lot more.
Lexie Atkinson has gone back to Red Hill and is heartbroken after Luke Ballantine pretty much dumped her without giving her a chance to explain what the note he read and misunderstood really meant. And what makes matters worse is that her aunty and uncle are moving away from Paradise City, so she won't be going back to finish her last year of high school there. Except, she's almost eighteen and thanks to her zany uncle's idea, she proposes a crazy plan to her parents.
They give her a couple of weeks to find a place to live and get a job to support herself in Paradise City. If she does that, she'll be able to stay there and finish school on her own. However, as soon as she arrives things turn sour. Luke has left Paradise City, her cousin has become friends with Lexie's nemesis, and the only place that comes remotely close to offering her a job is the Wipe Out Bar. The dive owned by Luke's half-brother, Dean Saville. The same guy who looks good but is so frustrating they spend most of the time bickering.
Still, she gives it a go and winds up getting herself into one bad situation after another. How's she supposed to concentrate on school if she can't even get her life straight outside of it? If she can stay out of trouble for just a minute, maybe she'll work it out...
You know what? I didn't enjoy this installment as much as the first.
When I started reading, I once again found myself charmed by Lexie's voice and was instantly hooked into her story. But when she moves to Paradise City and starts on an awkward road back to recapture what she loved about the place so much, I started to realise that the story wasn't working for me. There was something missing. The awesomeness of the first book was gone, replaced with something else. All of a sudden I started to find Lexie's klutzy actions and inability to stay out of trouble, silly, selfish and immature. Whereas she soldiered on through all the ups and downs before, now she was totally unravelling and becoming whiny. I didn't like the person she was becoming.
Not to mention that her friend Laura practically disappeared and instead somehow became as unappealing as Amanda & Co were in Book 1. But worst of all was that I didn't buy the romance. No matter how hard I tried to get into it, I just couldn't. Mainly it was because I didn't like Dean. I didn't like him in the first book, and I certainly didn't like him in this one. He's smug and arrogant, a total jerk she doesn't even get along with. Yet (somehow) finds herself attracted to. Nope. Couldn't believe that. I have no problem with relationships that start from two people not liking each other and then one day realising it was because they're so into each other, but this was not an example of that. At all.
And Luke? Well, after a whole book of dreaming about him and building him up to be the perfect guy... he became background dressing. A way to push her towards his brother. What about school? It became something that was hardly mentioned. Almost forgotten in her quest to take over a bar she doesn't even own. :/
It was a shame, but this one just didn't work for me.
Paradise Road is an entertaining, well-written book that will keep you interested in Lexie's troublemaking adventures. If you enjoyed the first one as much as I did, it's worth giving this one a go. What happens here might work for you, but it might not. I can't help but feel like this shouldn't have been a duology, and rather, a stand-alone with a HEA. But that's just me.
Oh, and one more thing: the cover didn't work for me either. I liked the previous covers a lot more.
January 23, 2016
Same Review Also Posted In My Blog: Dreamy Addictions
Paradise road is a sequel to the paradise city and also the conclusion to the series. I liked Paradise city but I loved Paradise road and I enjoyed it more than it’s previous installment. It was nice sequel and i’m quite satisfied with how it was finally concluded. With how the first book has ended, I eagerly waited to know what’s going to happen next. In Paradise Road, we get to know more about Dean Saville which is something I was looking forward to since I’ve finished its prequel.
Heart broken Lexie is back in paradise city to rekindle her relationship with her boyfriend and solve the misunderstanding between them but he is nowhere to be found and she’s quite upset with his absence. To add more misery to her situation, her aunt is relocating which makes her homeless. With no money, she is in desperate need of job so that she could find a place to rent and if she didn’t find a job in time then she has no choice but to leave paradise city. To prove her parents that she could be independent, she sets her pride aside and manages to get a job in wipe out bar which is actually her last resort because it’s owned by none other than Dean Saville whom she tried to avoid meeting. Whenever Dean and Lexie meet, there are fireworks everywhere and with time they start to get to know each other well and forms an attraction which they can’t avoid but with the return of Luke Ballantine, Lexie needs to make up her mind and choose the one her heart really wants.
Lexie is more mature and independent than her previous self in Paradise city. After getting her heart broken, she finally decides to move on and find herself. I really liked her character in the plot and I’m glad that she finally came to her senses and stopped chasing after a guy who didn’t gave her a chance to explain. Dean Saville is a total hottie and my favorite character in the plot. I just loved his snide remarks, arrogance and smugness which makes him more appealing. He always has a hard exterior but inside he is a softie and really cares about Lexie. I enjoyed how he always likes to tease Lexie and not to forget the banters between them. The chemistry between Lexie and Dean is very intense and scorching hot and I quite enjoyed their relationship. From the start, I was rooting for Dean because the chemistry between him and Lexie is much better than Luke and Lexie because the relationship between Luke and Lexie seemed like it was only a physical attraction. The supporting characters are also good and well connected but I didn’t cared much about them because my focus was always on Dean and Lexie.
I really liked the plot and how it was executed but it seemed kinda rushed at the end nonetheless it was great. The pacing was also good, it was neither slow nor fast. I must say Miss Duggan has a great writing style and it was another best thing about this book.
Overall, I think it’s a perfect conclusion to the story and I really liked it. It is my first series by C.J. Duggan and I really need to check out her other works too. Do I recommend it? Yes, It was a great contemporary romance and definitely worth reading.
Paradise road is a sequel to the paradise city and also the conclusion to the series. I liked Paradise city but I loved Paradise road and I enjoyed it more than it’s previous installment. It was nice sequel and i’m quite satisfied with how it was finally concluded. With how the first book has ended, I eagerly waited to know what’s going to happen next. In Paradise Road, we get to know more about Dean Saville which is something I was looking forward to since I’ve finished its prequel.
Heart broken Lexie is back in paradise city to rekindle her relationship with her boyfriend and solve the misunderstanding between them but he is nowhere to be found and she’s quite upset with his absence. To add more misery to her situation, her aunt is relocating which makes her homeless. With no money, she is in desperate need of job so that she could find a place to rent and if she didn’t find a job in time then she has no choice but to leave paradise city. To prove her parents that she could be independent, she sets her pride aside and manages to get a job in wipe out bar which is actually her last resort because it’s owned by none other than Dean Saville whom she tried to avoid meeting. Whenever Dean and Lexie meet, there are fireworks everywhere and with time they start to get to know each other well and forms an attraction which they can’t avoid but with the return of Luke Ballantine, Lexie needs to make up her mind and choose the one her heart really wants.
Lexie is more mature and independent than her previous self in Paradise city. After getting her heart broken, she finally decides to move on and find herself. I really liked her character in the plot and I’m glad that she finally came to her senses and stopped chasing after a guy who didn’t gave her a chance to explain. Dean Saville is a total hottie and my favorite character in the plot. I just loved his snide remarks, arrogance and smugness which makes him more appealing. He always has a hard exterior but inside he is a softie and really cares about Lexie. I enjoyed how he always likes to tease Lexie and not to forget the banters between them. The chemistry between Lexie and Dean is very intense and scorching hot and I quite enjoyed their relationship. From the start, I was rooting for Dean because the chemistry between him and Lexie is much better than Luke and Lexie because the relationship between Luke and Lexie seemed like it was only a physical attraction. The supporting characters are also good and well connected but I didn’t cared much about them because my focus was always on Dean and Lexie.
I really liked the plot and how it was executed but it seemed kinda rushed at the end nonetheless it was great. The pacing was also good, it was neither slow nor fast. I must say Miss Duggan has a great writing style and it was another best thing about this book.
Overall, I think it’s a perfect conclusion to the story and I really liked it. It is my first series by C.J. Duggan and I really need to check out her other works too. Do I recommend it? Yes, It was a great contemporary romance and definitely worth reading.
December 4, 2015
Waiting….it is a painstaking task to most. For Lexie Atkinson, life has been a roller coaster ride lately. After leaving small town life behind to live with her cousin in Paradise, Lexie finds herself once again faced with the prospect of leaving the exciting adventure to return home. This is the last thing that she wants. Leaving behind her friends, school, and Ballentine behind was harder than she could ever imagine. Then a ray of hope lit up a path…pointing Lexie towards Paradise once again.
There are conditions for Lexie’s return to Paradise. She must find a job and a place to live before school starts. Easy….right? Not really. With rental prices out the roof and availability near the coast almost impossible, Lexie soon discovers her plans to stay in Paradise might fizzle before she ever gets going. Then she finds a job AND a place to live from the most unexpected person around……Dean!
How will Lexie’s year shape up in Paradise? Will she rekindle her romance with Ballentine? Is Paradise really and truly the place where Lexie can live out her dreams?
Paradise Road is the second book in the Paradise series from CJ Duggan. In the first book, we learned that Lexie led a sheltered life in her hometown and found herself landing in the middle of new experiences when she came to Paradise. Her romance with Ballentine was definitely worth rooting for, but left readers hanging at the end of the first book.
Now - fans can reconnect with the spontaneous spitfire that will leave you laughing at her antics. The romance between Ballentine and Lexie will leave you wondering no more!! I couldn’t have been happier with the way CJ decided to lead Lexie’s path!! Trust me - Lexie will lead you on a roller coaster ride that sparks with electricity!!
Seriously - I love everything that CJ Duggan writes!!
There are conditions for Lexie’s return to Paradise. She must find a job and a place to live before school starts. Easy….right? Not really. With rental prices out the roof and availability near the coast almost impossible, Lexie soon discovers her plans to stay in Paradise might fizzle before she ever gets going. Then she finds a job AND a place to live from the most unexpected person around……Dean!
How will Lexie’s year shape up in Paradise? Will she rekindle her romance with Ballentine? Is Paradise really and truly the place where Lexie can live out her dreams?
Paradise Road is the second book in the Paradise series from CJ Duggan. In the first book, we learned that Lexie led a sheltered life in her hometown and found herself landing in the middle of new experiences when she came to Paradise. Her romance with Ballentine was definitely worth rooting for, but left readers hanging at the end of the first book.
Now - fans can reconnect with the spontaneous spitfire that will leave you laughing at her antics. The romance between Ballentine and Lexie will leave you wondering no more!! I couldn’t have been happier with the way CJ decided to lead Lexie’s path!! Trust me - Lexie will lead you on a roller coaster ride that sparks with electricity!!
Seriously - I love everything that CJ Duggan writes!!
November 18, 2015
This review may contain spoilers if you have not read the first book.
I can honestly say that I have enjoyed the heck out of my trip back to Paradise City, with it's white sand shores, crystal clear waters, bonfires on the beach and an incredibly hot tattooed bad boy. The second book in C.J. Duggan's Paradise series picks up with Lexie back in Red Hill and heartbroken, but yet dying to return to Paradise City.
After Ballantine's no show, Lexie mopes around for a while... until her uncle comes up with a brilliant idea, a way for her to go back to Paradise City. Back to Ballantine. However, things are not as she expected them to be upon her return. Her cousin is friends with Lucy, the one girl Lexie hates the most, her only friend rarely has time for her anymore, and the boy she was looking for is not the one she found.
I felt everything Lexie was feeling in this book. C.J. Duggan has an uncanny talent for placing me right in the story. It happens with every book she pens, that I have read. At the end of Paradise City, I was hoping for more Dean Saville. And, boy, did I get more. Although I would be lying if I said my heart didn't start racing with the rumor of Ballantine coming back to town. They are like the Salvatore brothers on The Vampire Diaries, so hard to choose between the two. As is the case with the Salvatore brothers, I like the older one just a teeny bit more and I am elated to have more of him in this story.
If you're a fan of Abbi Glines, you should give this Australian New Adult romance a try. I loved it! Highly recommended to everyone!
ARC provided through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review
I can honestly say that I have enjoyed the heck out of my trip back to Paradise City, with it's white sand shores, crystal clear waters, bonfires on the beach and an incredibly hot tattooed bad boy. The second book in C.J. Duggan's Paradise series picks up with Lexie back in Red Hill and heartbroken, but yet dying to return to Paradise City.
After Ballantine's no show, Lexie mopes around for a while... until her uncle comes up with a brilliant idea, a way for her to go back to Paradise City. Back to Ballantine. However, things are not as she expected them to be upon her return. Her cousin is friends with Lucy, the one girl Lexie hates the most, her only friend rarely has time for her anymore, and the boy she was looking for is not the one she found.
I felt everything Lexie was feeling in this book. C.J. Duggan has an uncanny talent for placing me right in the story. It happens with every book she pens, that I have read. At the end of Paradise City, I was hoping for more Dean Saville. And, boy, did I get more. Although I would be lying if I said my heart didn't start racing with the rumor of Ballantine coming back to town. They are like the Salvatore brothers on The Vampire Diaries, so hard to choose between the two. As is the case with the Salvatore brothers, I like the older one just a teeny bit more and I am elated to have more of him in this story.
If you're a fan of Abbi Glines, you should give this Australian New Adult romance a try. I loved it! Highly recommended to everyone!
ARC provided through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review
January 13, 2016
See more reviews at Words Read & Written
Gosh… I LOVED Paradise City. It was a 5 star read for me. It was fresh, light, sweet, cute, I fell in love with characters, and was sucked into the passion of the story.
In comparison, Paradise Road felt lacklustre, which sucks because there is nothing worse than a sequel that fails to live up to its predecessor, and I really wanted to love this.
My main drama was that nothing really happened. I got halfway into the novel and it felt like CJ Duggan was struggling to fill the pages. There were so many scenes shoved into the narrative which felt completely unnecessary. I found myself thinking c’mon, c’mon as though urging the plot to hurry up and make an appearance.
Even more frustrating than that was Lexie… I loved Lexie in Paradise Road, but in Paradise City I really disliked her. She was needlessly dramatic, self-absorbed, and selfish. I understand that the author was trying to portray her finding herself, but to me, she just seemed like a silly, spoilt child.
I don’t know… I guess this sort of lacked the magic of the first one.
My Verdict – 2 stars
December 9, 2015
I've been waiting for Paradise Road for a long time, in fact if I remember right I got the first book early through NetGalley, so it really has been a while.
Paradise Road will not disappoint. In fact this couldn't have ended better if I'd wrote it myself - well, it wouldn't have been wrote very well if I wrote it but you get the idea. It had the perfect ending.
We are joined by the gang again but some things have changed. There's also a big issue for Lexi to overcome first in this book too. I will admit I still don't like Amanda (Using bitch still springs to mind) but loved how it was her words that helped Lexi.
Of course there's Luke again and also Dean. Plus you have Lexi's 18th birthday too.
This was well written and CJ has put just the right amount of humour, romance and feeling into this book. I read this in one sitting and am so glad that the series ended like it did. 4 stars!
Paradise Road will not disappoint. In fact this couldn't have ended better if I'd wrote it myself - well, it wouldn't have been wrote very well if I wrote it but you get the idea. It had the perfect ending.
We are joined by the gang again but some things have changed. There's also a big issue for Lexi to overcome first in this book too. I will admit I still don't like Amanda (Using bitch still springs to mind) but loved how it was her words that helped Lexi.
Of course there's Luke again and also Dean. Plus you have Lexi's 18th birthday too.
This was well written and CJ has put just the right amount of humour, romance and feeling into this book. I read this in one sitting and am so glad that the series ended like it did. 4 stars!
November 30, 2015
REALLY liked the ending to this series. Seemed a bit rushed towards the end (relationship could have been built up a little more, it seemed a little sudden), but I loved how everything ended up. Great short series (if you don't mind a protagonist that can be a little overdramatic at times ><) to consider when you're looking for your next book to read.
September 27, 2020
Look, Lexie isn’t my favourite person in the world. Nonetheless I enjoyed this book so much, finishing it in a few hours. It’s quick, light, with enough chemistry and teenage angst to keep you smiling when you reach the end. I’m glad she treated herself with more respect in the end, though she has a lot of maturing to do in regards to her other relationships and how she communicates with those around her.....still, I’d read another!
***and ok, so it’s not exactly a book about true love, although you can see the affect they have one one another....maybe if I read this book at another time, I’d hate it. But after sleeping on it, I’m still satisfied with its beginning, middle and end!
***and ok, so it’s not exactly a book about true love, although you can see the affect they have one one another....maybe if I read this book at another time, I’d hate it. But after sleeping on it, I’m still satisfied with its beginning, middle and end!
August 2, 2022
Addictive Reading...!
I love the character growth in the second half of this duet! It’s realistic and relatable, the FMC doesn’t have a complete change of personality and still makes mistakes, but you can see the “natural” growth she has gone through throughout these two books and the resolving of the love triangle started in the first book is addictive reading.
I love the character growth in the second half of this duet! It’s realistic and relatable, the FMC doesn’t have a complete change of personality and still makes mistakes, but you can see the “natural” growth she has gone through throughout these two books and the resolving of the love triangle started in the first book is addictive reading.
November 28, 2015
I only gave Paradise City, the first book in this Paradise duology by C.J. Duggan, two stars. I didn't really care for the overall story and the abrupt ending, feeling as if there was little connection between the two main characters to justify all the angst and adoration. Still, it was a fairly positive two star review because I still enjoyed Duggan's writing, and I was sure that she would bring everything home in a great way as the series concluded with this story. It turns out that I was right. Paradise Road seems like a completely different story than the first book of the series. In fact, it almost seems as if Duggan finished the first book and thought, "Wait, I really meant to take this in a whole new direction." Gone is the immature, weak, and completely self-centered Lexie of the first book. She still has her moments of immaturity, but to be fair, she is only 18. She's allowed a few moments of ridiculousness. In her place is a girl who is more sure of herself and more willing to stand up for herself and her needs. She isn't the doormat present for much of the first book.
SPOILERS AHEAD!!!
Ballantine, the romantic interest of the first book is gone as well for most of this book. Considering how tragic his departure in the first book was, it seems as if this would be a huge problem, but his absence actually tightens up the entire story and creates a much better novel. Book one seemed to be one long, drawn out story of two Aussie high school students playing out what they think love might be. But there was never any actual love there. There was rarely any conversation to justify any feelings of love. It was just two people simply attracted to the IDEA of each other, not the actual person. I didn't like that at all, so I didn't shed any tears when Ballantine hit the road. Lexie is still pining for him for much of this book, but it only serves as a great contrast between her infatuation and more solid and real feelings that occur in her relationship with another person in this story.
That other person (AND HERE'S THE SPOILER) is Dean, Ballantine's mostly estranged half-brother. Dean served as the conflict provider in the last book, mostly because of false rumors that led Ballantine to lose it and abandon Lexie at the end of the book. But even in that book it seemed as if Dean, as a minor character, had more of a real connection with Lexie than Ballantine ever did. In this story that connection comes to fruition as Dean rescues Lexie from potential homelessness/joblessness and gives her a job and a room to rent. Dean and Lexie are not exactly enemies, but they do have a good back and forth banter that allows Lexie to grow as a character and gives Dean some necessary push back from his perch as lord over his restaurant/bar world. The conversations between Lexie and Dean were more solid than any conversation that she ever had with anyone in the first book of the series. This was not just a relationship of infatuation, but it was a relationship built on mutual understanding and the comfort that comes from trusting and knowing the real person inside the outward facade.
I loved Dean and his contradictions in character. He could seem cold and aloof at times, but at other times he showed real warmth and care as he talked with Lexie. He could seem absolutely sure of himself at times and completely lost at others. His actions toward Lexie were the mark of maturity that his younger brother Ballantine lacked. I really loved the things that he did to rescue her while giving her a platform for individual growth that kept her from simply becoming yet another doormat for yet another boy. And I really, REALLY loved it when he called her out for her more immature actions and let her know that she deserved more from life and more from herself than she was giving or expecting. This was the sort of romantic relationship that I am used to seeing in a C.J. Duggan novel, and she really knows how to write these well. It was the relationship that was missing in the first book of the series.
There were still a few faults in this story. I still felt like Amanda was a ridiculous character in this series. Her wavering between hatred/ridicule of Lexie and friendship/got-your-back-cousinship was jarring and unexplained. There was a tiny bit of time spent in school that didn't really need to be in this story. It didn't add anything to the story. I felt like there was more to learn about Dean and his history. I would have loved even more of a focus on the restaurant/bar and Lexie's influence in helping Dean to modernize and change. I would have loved to see even more of a focus on the evolution of feelings between Lexie and Dean. It was a great relationship, and I felt like their story deserved an even greater depth as it was told. In fact, I really think that the entire series would have been better if the first book was not there. This would have been an amazing book if the entire Ballantine angle was eliminated so that it could have simply been a story of Lexie and Dean. However, even saying that, I think that this was a great end to the series and an example of the writing that I have come to love in C.J. Duggan YA/NA novels. Four stars!
SPOILERS AHEAD!!!
Ballantine, the romantic interest of the first book is gone as well for most of this book. Considering how tragic his departure in the first book was, it seems as if this would be a huge problem, but his absence actually tightens up the entire story and creates a much better novel. Book one seemed to be one long, drawn out story of two Aussie high school students playing out what they think love might be. But there was never any actual love there. There was rarely any conversation to justify any feelings of love. It was just two people simply attracted to the IDEA of each other, not the actual person. I didn't like that at all, so I didn't shed any tears when Ballantine hit the road. Lexie is still pining for him for much of this book, but it only serves as a great contrast between her infatuation and more solid and real feelings that occur in her relationship with another person in this story.
That other person (AND HERE'S THE SPOILER) is Dean, Ballantine's mostly estranged half-brother. Dean served as the conflict provider in the last book, mostly because of false rumors that led Ballantine to lose it and abandon Lexie at the end of the book. But even in that book it seemed as if Dean, as a minor character, had more of a real connection with Lexie than Ballantine ever did. In this story that connection comes to fruition as Dean rescues Lexie from potential homelessness/joblessness and gives her a job and a room to rent. Dean and Lexie are not exactly enemies, but they do have a good back and forth banter that allows Lexie to grow as a character and gives Dean some necessary push back from his perch as lord over his restaurant/bar world. The conversations between Lexie and Dean were more solid than any conversation that she ever had with anyone in the first book of the series. This was not just a relationship of infatuation, but it was a relationship built on mutual understanding and the comfort that comes from trusting and knowing the real person inside the outward facade.
I loved Dean and his contradictions in character. He could seem cold and aloof at times, but at other times he showed real warmth and care as he talked with Lexie. He could seem absolutely sure of himself at times and completely lost at others. His actions toward Lexie were the mark of maturity that his younger brother Ballantine lacked. I really loved the things that he did to rescue her while giving her a platform for individual growth that kept her from simply becoming yet another doormat for yet another boy. And I really, REALLY loved it when he called her out for her more immature actions and let her know that she deserved more from life and more from herself than she was giving or expecting. This was the sort of romantic relationship that I am used to seeing in a C.J. Duggan novel, and she really knows how to write these well. It was the relationship that was missing in the first book of the series.
There were still a few faults in this story. I still felt like Amanda was a ridiculous character in this series. Her wavering between hatred/ridicule of Lexie and friendship/got-your-back-cousinship was jarring and unexplained. There was a tiny bit of time spent in school that didn't really need to be in this story. It didn't add anything to the story. I felt like there was more to learn about Dean and his history. I would have loved even more of a focus on the restaurant/bar and Lexie's influence in helping Dean to modernize and change. I would have loved to see even more of a focus on the evolution of feelings between Lexie and Dean. It was a great relationship, and I felt like their story deserved an even greater depth as it was told. In fact, I really think that the entire series would have been better if the first book was not there. This would have been an amazing book if the entire Ballantine angle was eliminated so that it could have simply been a story of Lexie and Dean. However, even saying that, I think that this was a great end to the series and an example of the writing that I have come to love in C.J. Duggan YA/NA novels. Four stars!
September 23, 2019
I loved the first book & had to get this one straight away. I was so glad it did! I love this book, have read it three times now - twice in one day!
I really hope there is a third book to this series. Completely hooked with Lexie and Dean
I really hope there is a third book to this series. Completely hooked with Lexie and Dean
June 26, 2020
I thought the first book was good but Dean and Lexie's story is just... an absolute favourite. I have no words. Would 10 out of 10 recommend you read it if you enjoy romance and a sleepless night of reading!
December 27, 2020
It was bittersweet for me, because I really liked the first book so much, and their story, so even thought I loved dean and her I was silently hoping for a Ballantine redemption, it was sad, but I wouldn’t have wanted it any other way in the end.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 12, 2017
I love Ballantine. I'll start with that. Now, I figured that when Ballantine didn't show up until over halfway into the book my dreams of Lexie and Luke forever may not have been very realistic. I wanted to cry when I realized this, about at chapter 2. Now I understand that Ballantine was different in this book. The author changed him so that we could accept a different love interest. I wasn't okay with this at first. But I think I've pretty much come to terms with it now because Dean is okay. I mean he's good*. Great*. Amazing*. YES OKAY I SOMEHOW FOUND MYSELF ENJOYING HIM AND LEXIE BEING TOGETHER AND BEING ALL CUTE AND FLIRTY AND THEIR BANTER WAS 9.96/10 but I still love Ballantine. Well actually, I loved the Ballantine from the first book. And because I was just so not okay with Dean being end-game in the beginning I have to give this book 4 stars even though I know, and you know, that it deserves 5. I'm sorry, but I just can't. This book was amazing though, so yes READ THIS SERIES!!!
AHHHHH I ALMOST FORGOT: CJ DUNNAN, I DESPERATELY NEED A NOVEL OR A DUOLOGY OR EVEN FOR YOU TO WRITE THREE BOOKS (pause; three might be a bit much) ABOUT BALLANTINE FINDING LOVE - MOST WONDERFULLY WHILE ON HIS SURFING CONTRACT AND ITS IN AMERICA AND THE GIRL HE FALLS IN LOVE WITH IS AMERICAN SO THAT MY OWN PATHETIC AMERICAN LIFE GAINS REALISTIC HOPE OF FINDING A BEAUTIFUL, TANNED, DIMPLED, WICKED AUSTRALIAN SURFER WHO WILL LOVE ME FOREVER - please and thank you.
AHHHHH I ALMOST FORGOT: CJ DUNNAN, I DESPERATELY NEED A NOVEL OR A DUOLOGY OR EVEN FOR YOU TO WRITE THREE BOOKS (pause; three might be a bit much) ABOUT BALLANTINE FINDING LOVE - MOST WONDERFULLY WHILE ON HIS SURFING CONTRACT AND ITS IN AMERICA AND THE GIRL HE FALLS IN LOVE WITH IS AMERICAN SO THAT MY OWN PATHETIC AMERICAN LIFE GAINS REALISTIC HOPE OF FINDING A BEAUTIFUL, TANNED, DIMPLED, WICKED AUSTRALIAN SURFER WHO WILL LOVE ME FOREVER - please and thank you.
August 7, 2019
I love this book. I am reviewing this after re-reading it many times, even though I only read the first book once. I was interested following the first book to pick up the second, but I didn't love it.
This book had many laugh out loud moments for me, and I thought the chemistry was dripping from the pages. I also got the feels in my chest, which to me is all you need in a great book, and a sign it is well written. I don't see another book in this series, which I find sad, as I would definitely pick up another book if C.J. wrote another one.
This book had many laugh out loud moments for me, and I thought the chemistry was dripping from the pages. I also got the feels in my chest, which to me is all you need in a great book, and a sign it is well written. I don't see another book in this series, which I find sad, as I would definitely pick up another book if C.J. wrote another one.
January 15, 2016
It’s always the same for me with CJ’s books! Once I start reading, I can’t put them down. I’m just so eager to carry on and see what is going to happen. On the other hand I’m like woah…… Slow down Laura, we don’t want to get to the end too soon and it all be over. Such turmoil ha ha. However, I once again couldn’t control myself and read Paradise Road in a matter of hours. When I find a series I love, I re-read so many times, and The Paradise series will definitely be a series I read over and over again. I guess you can gather from my gushing that I loved it :-)
We start off with a depressed Lexie, after being told by her parents that she won’t be heading back to Paradise as her aunt and uncle are moving away. During a visit from drunken Uncle Eddie one evening, he points out that Lexie is almost 18 and can basically then do what she wants. However her parents are not happy with this prospect. Eventually they give Lexie two weeks to head back to Paradise to find a job and a place to live. Lexie is over the moon but underestimates just how hard this could be to achieve.
Arriving back in Paradise, everything has changed in such a short amount of time. Her family moving away. Amanda is best friend’s again with Lexie’s mortal enemy Lucy-Fell-on-her-face and no more Luke! No, Luke Ballantine has left Paradise. He’s gone on a surfing tour. Lexie’s dreams of working things out with him….. Shattered!
Eventually, like right at the end of the two weeks, when desperation has hit, Lexie finds a job and a place to live, her saviour? The most unexpected person of all, the moody, rude, but sexy Dean Saville, brother to Luke. Lexie seems to be able to push Dean’s buttons and get away with it. Lexie doesn’t cower away from Dean like most people. Just as Dean is starting to get under Lexie’s skin, becoming the leading man in her sexy dreams, BAM….. Enter Luke Ballantine! He’s back!
Lexie should be ecstatic, Ballantine wants her back, but her heart and mind are confused. Why does a brooding bar owner keep popping into her head? Who does Lexie end up choosing? Only one way to find out!! :-p
In Paradise City, I was totally #TeamBallantine, no doubt about it, 100%! Starting Paradise Road, I was in the same mindset. All for Luke and Lexie, but oh no…… CJ with her superpower ability to create and write about hot, grumpy, brooding men, that actually turn out to have the biggest, softest side to them, that turns my heart to mush, well, my traitorous heart became all about #Team Dean!
“Cakes, impromptu visit to the boardwalk. It’s true. Your black heart does have a gooey soft centre, Dean Saville.”
Lexie’s character development in Paradise Road is super entertaining. We see her transform from mousy, nerdy, farm girl, to a sassy, independant, take charge woman. Well most of the time ha ha. The climbing the drain pipe scene had me in stitches!
Paradise City was written from Lexie’s point of view and let me tell you, being inside her mind throughout this book was so hilarious. She often had me laughing out loud. The pace of the story followed through smoothly, with plenty to keep us gripped, from Lexie’s struggles in the beginning, to her drunken antics, girl fights and following her heart.
I adored the love/hate banter always occuring between Lexie and Dean. It was highly entertaining.
If anything I would say maybe there could of been a bit more of alpha male between Dean and Luke over Lexie. Fighting over who gets the girl kind of thing, but this no way deters you from the book. I just love a bit of fighting over the girl by two hotties
We start off with a depressed Lexie, after being told by her parents that she won’t be heading back to Paradise as her aunt and uncle are moving away. During a visit from drunken Uncle Eddie one evening, he points out that Lexie is almost 18 and can basically then do what she wants. However her parents are not happy with this prospect. Eventually they give Lexie two weeks to head back to Paradise to find a job and a place to live. Lexie is over the moon but underestimates just how hard this could be to achieve.
Arriving back in Paradise, everything has changed in such a short amount of time. Her family moving away. Amanda is best friend’s again with Lexie’s mortal enemy Lucy-Fell-on-her-face and no more Luke! No, Luke Ballantine has left Paradise. He’s gone on a surfing tour. Lexie’s dreams of working things out with him….. Shattered!
Eventually, like right at the end of the two weeks, when desperation has hit, Lexie finds a job and a place to live, her saviour? The most unexpected person of all, the moody, rude, but sexy Dean Saville, brother to Luke. Lexie seems to be able to push Dean’s buttons and get away with it. Lexie doesn’t cower away from Dean like most people. Just as Dean is starting to get under Lexie’s skin, becoming the leading man in her sexy dreams, BAM….. Enter Luke Ballantine! He’s back!
Lexie should be ecstatic, Ballantine wants her back, but her heart and mind are confused. Why does a brooding bar owner keep popping into her head? Who does Lexie end up choosing? Only one way to find out!! :-p
In Paradise City, I was totally #TeamBallantine, no doubt about it, 100%! Starting Paradise Road, I was in the same mindset. All for Luke and Lexie, but oh no…… CJ with her superpower ability to create and write about hot, grumpy, brooding men, that actually turn out to have the biggest, softest side to them, that turns my heart to mush, well, my traitorous heart became all about #Team Dean!
“Cakes, impromptu visit to the boardwalk. It’s true. Your black heart does have a gooey soft centre, Dean Saville.”
Lexie’s character development in Paradise Road is super entertaining. We see her transform from mousy, nerdy, farm girl, to a sassy, independant, take charge woman. Well most of the time ha ha. The climbing the drain pipe scene had me in stitches!
Paradise City was written from Lexie’s point of view and let me tell you, being inside her mind throughout this book was so hilarious. She often had me laughing out loud. The pace of the story followed through smoothly, with plenty to keep us gripped, from Lexie’s struggles in the beginning, to her drunken antics, girl fights and following her heart.
I adored the love/hate banter always occuring between Lexie and Dean. It was highly entertaining.
If anything I would say maybe there could of been a bit more of alpha male between Dean and Luke over Lexie. Fighting over who gets the girl kind of thing, but this no way deters you from the book. I just love a bit of fighting over the girl by two hotties
September 5, 2023
⛔️(in notes)
December 5, 2015
Lexie and Dean
ONE GIANT SPOILER! I write these for myself so I can reflect on the book later on. I am always a strict judge. It doesn't mean I didn't like the book because I really did. I'm just talking to myself, not to an audience.
Lexie returned to Paradise City only to learn that Luke Ballantine wasn't there. He'd be gone for quite awhile. Lexie was heartbroken but determined to stay in Paradise anyway. She found a job and housing so her parents let her stay. She ended up getting a room at Dean Saville's, Wipeout Bar. She would need to earn her keep and work at the bar while living there. Lexie has a tough go at it with all her confusion about who she is and what she wants.
I was surprised that Luke didn't really play much of a roll. I kind of figured he didn't have much hope when I was 2/3 into the book and nothing had happened with them. I'm not sure if I'm bummed or happy about it. I think if there had been a little more action between the two of them than I would be ok knowing for sure that she made the right decision. Wish there was more of Luke's friends in this book. I really liked them in the other book. I also felt it was weird that she didn't really seem to be consumed with any guilt. A little bit would have been good. I felt like the way she treated Luke at the end was sort of rude. He didn't help his case by giving her space. I guess the whole Lexie and Luke thing ended without any emotion. Also, I'm surprised that there wasn't a confrontation between the two guys seeing as they're brothers.
I was glad to see Dean's rough exterior melt. There's only so much sarcasm two people can handle before feelings start to happen. I never really felt he was a jerk in the previous book. He was short and curt with people, I guess I didn't think of him in a negative way. He was a guy that kind of got thrown into the drama. It was good to know about Sherry and her role. I really can't see Luke into her though.
What about the cousin reunion? It was too unbelievable to me. The last book had them getting really close at the end. She dumped her cousin to be with who she knew was a heinous wench. I don't know anyone that would do that to their cousin. Even in the previous book it was unbelievable.
Let's talk about the obvious age gap. I know she was legal. It was that she was still in high school! That didn't enter anyone's mind? That's interesting. When a very young naive person person falls for an established adult, it's called cradle robbing.
She barely spent any time at the beach, unfortunately for her.
There, once again, was an "epilogue". It was the next evening, not even 24 hours from the late action of the night before. It's not an epilogue, it's just the normal ending of a book. Of all the vomit I spewed already in this post that annoys me the most.
Luke Ballantine is an idiot for letting her go. I really did want to reach through the book and slap him. He was a pussy.
ONE GIANT SPOILER! I write these for myself so I can reflect on the book later on. I am always a strict judge. It doesn't mean I didn't like the book because I really did. I'm just talking to myself, not to an audience.
Lexie returned to Paradise City only to learn that Luke Ballantine wasn't there. He'd be gone for quite awhile. Lexie was heartbroken but determined to stay in Paradise anyway. She found a job and housing so her parents let her stay. She ended up getting a room at Dean Saville's, Wipeout Bar. She would need to earn her keep and work at the bar while living there. Lexie has a tough go at it with all her confusion about who she is and what she wants.
I was surprised that Luke didn't really play much of a roll. I kind of figured he didn't have much hope when I was 2/3 into the book and nothing had happened with them. I'm not sure if I'm bummed or happy about it. I think if there had been a little more action between the two of them than I would be ok knowing for sure that she made the right decision. Wish there was more of Luke's friends in this book. I really liked them in the other book. I also felt it was weird that she didn't really seem to be consumed with any guilt. A little bit would have been good. I felt like the way she treated Luke at the end was sort of rude. He didn't help his case by giving her space. I guess the whole Lexie and Luke thing ended without any emotion. Also, I'm surprised that there wasn't a confrontation between the two guys seeing as they're brothers.
I was glad to see Dean's rough exterior melt. There's only so much sarcasm two people can handle before feelings start to happen. I never really felt he was a jerk in the previous book. He was short and curt with people, I guess I didn't think of him in a negative way. He was a guy that kind of got thrown into the drama. It was good to know about Sherry and her role. I really can't see Luke into her though.
What about the cousin reunion? It was too unbelievable to me. The last book had them getting really close at the end. She dumped her cousin to be with who she knew was a heinous wench. I don't know anyone that would do that to their cousin. Even in the previous book it was unbelievable.
Let's talk about the obvious age gap. I know she was legal. It was that she was still in high school! That didn't enter anyone's mind? That's interesting. When a very young naive person person falls for an established adult, it's called cradle robbing.
She barely spent any time at the beach, unfortunately for her.
There, once again, was an "epilogue". It was the next evening, not even 24 hours from the late action of the night before. It's not an epilogue, it's just the normal ending of a book. Of all the vomit I spewed already in this post that annoys me the most.
Luke Ballantine is an idiot for letting her go. I really did want to reach through the book and slap him. He was a pussy.
December 29, 2015
If you don't know yet, I'm a huge CJ Duggan fan. I've enjoyed all her books and the Paradise duology is no different. Paradise City left me dying for its sequel. Paradise Road took a wild turn for the story but I was satisfied with the conclusion.
This is the part where I warn you that this review may be a bit ranty. There will be spoilers because there's no proper way to express my thoughts unless I talk about what happened in this book. It's mostly going to be about the relationships because this is a love story so the romance is everything :P
I was beyond surprised with the path CJ Duggan went down in Paradise Road. I was prepared for some Lexie and Dean interactions given the synopsis but I was not expecting how few of Ballantine there was. Even when he was back 0n the scene, he had a mere few lines. I was anticipating his reunion with Lexie and to see how they would patch things up but that didn't happen. The love interest was completely flipped around. Ballantine became a splash in the background while Dean moved into the forefront. It took me some time to get through the initial shock but I managed. I expected an explanation, a closure from Ballantine but got none. He just came in and issue an ultimatum. I get that life is like that sometimes, a simple yes or no but I expected, wanted, more complexity. Ballantine and Lexie had a connection in the first book but in this book it was like it never existed. Ballantine wasn't important anymore and I found that hard to accept. It almost feels like we got cheated from making an actual choice.
So basically I knew Lexie's choice even before she made it. It was obvious. What I really can't comprehend is why Dean would pick Lexie? He's this mature business owner and she's barely an adult. Lexie annoyed me in this book way more than she did in the first. Her actions were childish and I didn't really believe some of the enthusiasm she was spewing out. Except for some cute banter with Dean, I saw no real attraction between them. I'm not quite convinced that their feelings for each other extends beyond lust. I'm not saying I wouldn't have made the same choice because Dean is yummy but their connection (beyond a physical one) didn't really show.
Overall, I was unhappy with how some things were swept under the rug. I do support the final pairing but the logical side of me can't help but scream there were too many questions left unanswered. After all my ranting I guess it's weird for me to say that I enjoyed this book. But I actually am comfortable with the ending. Even if Paradise Road pretty much threw out the romance from book one. I can't recommend this book if you're looking for something deep but if a fun summertime read is what you're after, then the Paradise duology will for sure show you a good time.
This is the part where I warn you that this review may be a bit ranty. There will be spoilers because there's no proper way to express my thoughts unless I talk about what happened in this book. It's mostly going to be about the relationships because this is a love story so the romance is everything :P
I was beyond surprised with the path CJ Duggan went down in Paradise Road. I was prepared for some Lexie and Dean interactions given the synopsis but I was not expecting how few of Ballantine there was. Even when he was back 0n the scene, he had a mere few lines. I was anticipating his reunion with Lexie and to see how they would patch things up but that didn't happen. The love interest was completely flipped around. Ballantine became a splash in the background while Dean moved into the forefront. It took me some time to get through the initial shock but I managed. I expected an explanation, a closure from Ballantine but got none. He just came in and issue an ultimatum. I get that life is like that sometimes, a simple yes or no but I expected, wanted, more complexity. Ballantine and Lexie had a connection in the first book but in this book it was like it never existed. Ballantine wasn't important anymore and I found that hard to accept. It almost feels like we got cheated from making an actual choice.
So basically I knew Lexie's choice even before she made it. It was obvious. What I really can't comprehend is why Dean would pick Lexie? He's this mature business owner and she's barely an adult. Lexie annoyed me in this book way more than she did in the first. Her actions were childish and I didn't really believe some of the enthusiasm she was spewing out. Except for some cute banter with Dean, I saw no real attraction between them. I'm not quite convinced that their feelings for each other extends beyond lust. I'm not saying I wouldn't have made the same choice because Dean is yummy but their connection (beyond a physical one) didn't really show.
Overall, I was unhappy with how some things were swept under the rug. I do support the final pairing but the logical side of me can't help but scream there were too many questions left unanswered. After all my ranting I guess it's weird for me to say that I enjoyed this book. But I actually am comfortable with the ending. Even if Paradise Road pretty much threw out the romance from book one. I can't recommend this book if you're looking for something deep but if a fun summertime read is what you're after, then the Paradise duology will for sure show you a good time.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 23, 2015
Received a copy of the title in exchange for an honest review.
When I read PARADISE CITY, I had my #team and I was hopeful to watch their story grow in book two, PARADISE ROAD. Epilogue reader that I am..........
Let's just say I was a bit disappointed.
Now, when I read book one, I didn't really get into it. I liked the story, I liked the idea... but it certainly wasn't "New Adult" in the American sense of the term. When I think "NA" books, I think super-young twenty-somethings who are living on their own, maybe going to college, trying adult things, starting out life in the adult world...
In book one, Lexie, who'd been homeschooled, was moving in with her aunt and uncle to finish up year eleven in a public high school alongside her cousin. If everything went swimmingly, she'd return for her final school year. So book one ends with the end of the school year, some new friends, and some miscommunication with the men in Lexie's life -- who happen to be at-ends half-brothers. One brother was young and fun and pretty, a bit immature maybe... and the other was older and broody and sexy and had a good job. Both egged on the other, and both wanted Lexie.
When we open up this book, finally we (err, I) feel the American sense of "NA" even though our main character is still in high school.
Lexie was excited to return back to Paradise to finish up school and rekindle the friendships she left behind a few months ago, except she receives news her uncle took a new job, and the family would be moving away from Paradise. Wanting to finish out her school year, and turning eighteen, Lexie asks her parents to allow her to move. They give her a time-frame -- get an apartment and a job by such-and-such date, and you can stay.
I can honestly say...
I loved this book. After being disappointed in my epilogue endeavors, I wasn't sure how I'd feel but I gave it some time and went back, read from the first page this time.... and absolutely fell in love with the characters. I loved Lexie in the situations she finds herself. I did find that her age showed on a couple of occasions, and I was annoyed with her one or two times because she disregards some things when she hadn't previously been thinking about them (and didn't give as much credit to those sexy dreams she'd been having), but beyond that, the story line and the growing up she does, as well as the romance, was refreshing.
[He] was the most real person I had ever met, honest to a fault, but as far as faults went, his was certainly the one I wanted to have in my life...
As much as I was originally upset with the end, I can say my #team changed; I loved the way this story played out and would love to see these two again.
When I read PARADISE CITY, I had my #team and I was hopeful to watch their story grow in book two, PARADISE ROAD. Epilogue reader that I am..........
Let's just say I was a bit disappointed.
Now, when I read book one, I didn't really get into it. I liked the story, I liked the idea... but it certainly wasn't "New Adult" in the American sense of the term. When I think "NA" books, I think super-young twenty-somethings who are living on their own, maybe going to college, trying adult things, starting out life in the adult world...
In book one, Lexie, who'd been homeschooled, was moving in with her aunt and uncle to finish up year eleven in a public high school alongside her cousin. If everything went swimmingly, she'd return for her final school year. So book one ends with the end of the school year, some new friends, and some miscommunication with the men in Lexie's life -- who happen to be at-ends half-brothers. One brother was young and fun and pretty, a bit immature maybe... and the other was older and broody and sexy and had a good job. Both egged on the other, and both wanted Lexie.
When we open up this book, finally we (err, I) feel the American sense of "NA" even though our main character is still in high school.
Lexie was excited to return back to Paradise to finish up school and rekindle the friendships she left behind a few months ago, except she receives news her uncle took a new job, and the family would be moving away from Paradise. Wanting to finish out her school year, and turning eighteen, Lexie asks her parents to allow her to move. They give her a time-frame -- get an apartment and a job by such-and-such date, and you can stay.
I can honestly say...
I loved this book. After being disappointed in my epilogue endeavors, I wasn't sure how I'd feel but I gave it some time and went back, read from the first page this time.... and absolutely fell in love with the characters. I loved Lexie in the situations she finds herself. I did find that her age showed on a couple of occasions, and I was annoyed with her one or two times because she disregards some things when she hadn't previously been thinking about them (and didn't give as much credit to those sexy dreams she'd been having), but beyond that, the story line and the growing up she does, as well as the romance, was refreshing.
[He] was the most real person I had ever met, honest to a fault, but as far as faults went, his was certainly the one I wanted to have in my life...
As much as I was originally upset with the end, I can say my #team changed; I loved the way this story played out and would love to see these two again.
December 7, 2015
Basically, I've loved CJ Duggan's work in the past, but Paradise City left me unimpressed. I really struggled with Lexie as a character. She was whiny, overly dramatic, inconsistent between thought and action, and very immature. I had a hard time buying the romance between Lexie and Ballantine as it didn't seem to be built upon any substance. (As a complete side note, I HATE how Lexie calls him Ballantine like his friends, rather than Luke since that's his first name. It never felt right to me.) And while I guess I liked Luke the best of the two of them, even he had moments that frustrated me when he was overly sensitive and wouldn't give Lexie the chance to explain. That being said, when I saw that Paradise Road really seems to build up the triangle between Lexie, Luke and Dean (Luke's half brother), I can't say I was overly excited. However, I needed to know how it would all end, and I wanted to see if CJ Duggan would bring Lexie into a character that I could support.
Well I have to say that I still struggled with Paradise Road. Lexie is still overly dramatic. She's still immature. She still overreacts. She has a really bad potty mouth. But even with all of that she was definitely better than she was in book 1. That just goes to show how much room for growth she truly had.
Since I was never really sold on Lexie's relationship with "Ballantine", I wasn't sure whether I was rooting for Luke or for Dean. Dean is one of those leading males that's often mean to the main female. He's older than Lexie, but at the same time, at least these two had interactions of more substance than she had with Luke. So I ended up rooting for him.
What surprises me the most is that it really feels like CJ Duggan's writing has taken as step back from her Summer series which was self-published initially (**I believe**). I truly hate to say that. I didn't have thoughts of "bad" writing continuously while reading--only moments here and there.
Favorite quote:
I will say that I read Paradise Road quickly. I wanted to keep reading it even if I couldn't fully get excited about the characters. I didn't love the writing in this one even though I still feel like CJ Duggan will be an author that I support for many books to come! (PLEASE PUBLISH FOREVER SUMMER ASAP!) That being said, I think my review of Paradise Road is coming off more negative than I felt. I still enjoyed it overall. I just know CJ Duggan can do better. Paradise Road gets 3 Stars. Have you read Paradise Road? What did you think? Let me know!
Well I have to say that I still struggled with Paradise Road. Lexie is still overly dramatic. She's still immature. She still overreacts. She has a really bad potty mouth. But even with all of that she was definitely better than she was in book 1. That just goes to show how much room for growth she truly had.
Since I was never really sold on Lexie's relationship with "Ballantine", I wasn't sure whether I was rooting for Luke or for Dean. Dean is one of those leading males that's often mean to the main female. He's older than Lexie, but at the same time, at least these two had interactions of more substance than she had with Luke. So I ended up rooting for him.
What surprises me the most is that it really feels like CJ Duggan's writing has taken as step back from her Summer series which was self-published initially (**I believe**). I truly hate to say that. I didn't have thoughts of "bad" writing continuously while reading--only moments here and there.
Favorite quote:
-"If he doesn't believe you, trust you, then you have nothing."
I will say that I read Paradise Road quickly. I wanted to keep reading it even if I couldn't fully get excited about the characters. I didn't love the writing in this one even though I still feel like CJ Duggan will be an author that I support for many books to come! (PLEASE PUBLISH FOREVER SUMMER ASAP!) That being said, I think my review of Paradise Road is coming off more negative than I felt. I still enjoyed it overall. I just know CJ Duggan can do better. Paradise Road gets 3 Stars. Have you read Paradise Road? What did you think? Let me know!
November 18, 2015
ARC received from publisher via Netgalley for an honest review
You will need to have read Paradise City to get the full effect of Paradise Road
At the end of Paradise City, Ballantine broke Lexie's (and my) heart.
Now Lexie is back, and her story is bigger and better than ever!
Whilst I liked Paradise City, I LOVED Paradise Road - so much more than I thought I would!
This is Lexie's road to self discovery, to prove to herself and everyone else that she is more than that girl from the country.
Ballantine is still gone, and now Dean is becoming a part of her life - much to both her and Dean's surprise.
I adored Lexie and Dean's banter - there is a real love/hate thing going on, but as the reader you can feel, you just know that there is more.
I was really happy with where Lexie's story took us. I felt a lot more depth, a lot more emotion with where she is in this part of the story as to where she was during Paradise City.
CJ Duggan drew all the emotions out of me with Paradise Road - I laughed, I teared up, got mad.
Paradise Road is a wonderful conclusion to the Paradise series, and I look forward to what she brings us next.
You will need to have read Paradise City to get the full effect of Paradise Road
At the end of Paradise City, Ballantine broke Lexie's (and my) heart.
Now Lexie is back, and her story is bigger and better than ever!
Whilst I liked Paradise City, I LOVED Paradise Road - so much more than I thought I would!
This is Lexie's road to self discovery, to prove to herself and everyone else that she is more than that girl from the country.
Ballantine is still gone, and now Dean is becoming a part of her life - much to both her and Dean's surprise.
I adored Lexie and Dean's banter - there is a real love/hate thing going on, but as the reader you can feel, you just know that there is more.
I was really happy with where Lexie's story took us. I felt a lot more depth, a lot more emotion with where she is in this part of the story as to where she was during Paradise City.
CJ Duggan drew all the emotions out of me with Paradise Road - I laughed, I teared up, got mad.
Paradise Road is a wonderful conclusion to the Paradise series, and I look forward to what she brings us next.
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