The Paradise Project

by Suzie Andres

Have you ever kept a New Year's Resolution? Elizabeth Benning hasn't, but she's determined that this will be her year. Like Elizabeth Bennet before her, Liz Benning doesn't work, lives at home, and takes pride in her resourcefulness, but when she resolves on a yearlong project to be happier, it looks like her ambition has outrun her abilities...Enter a love interest more conniving than Wickham, a blonde cold enough to freeze out Caroline Bingley, and Elizabeth's paradise project is heading for disaster. She's never been so unhappy, but if she can discover which hero is straight out of her beloved Jane Austen, she might yet take the prize for happiest ever after.

404 pages, Paperback

First published June 26, 2015

Reviews

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a delightfully light read...and I loved it for all the reasons I love Jane Austen books.

It's a romantically inclined book about Liz Benning, whose life has distinct parallels to Elizabeth Bennet from Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice. Part of the fun of reading this book is experiencing Liz's mishaps and misunderstandings and realizing how they tie in to Austen's novel.

Liz is the kind of character who I found myself relating with a little too much...the world is "against her," though she's admittedly blind to her own shortcomings.
The premise behind the book is that Liz is going to have a "happiness project" over the course of a year, spending every month focusing on something to bring her more personal happiness.

Given that her brother-in-law (who's up for picking on Liz in any way he can) has a bit of a bet with her about it...and an interest in getting her to help him with his projects, there's layers of laughter throughout the book.
At one point, I found myself wondering if it would be a happy ending (I mean, how can it be an Austen-like book without that?!?). And therein lies some of the delight: the path to happily ever after is full of rocks and twists and chuckles.

[Kristen Eggert Robinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you are looking for a clean, fun, romantic comedy, this is the book for you. It is clear that the author loves books herself, and there are some fun surprises in store for you in this book. Very enjoyable!

[Elisabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was really fun. The main character felt real, a character I couldn't help get invested in. I groaned over and over in embarrassment for her, I got mad with her, I laughed at her. I couldn't put it down, staying up all night reading it. It was fun, appropriate for all ages.
I particularly enjoyed it, having grown up in the small town and around the college where it is based. I enjoyed finding all the references to my home.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've read this 3 times, it's absolutely amazing! It's a modern day retelling of Pride and Prejudice, and it's done so well, it doesn't have any of that poorly recreated scenes and personalities that some retellings have. Instead Suzie cleverly embodies all our favorite characters in new, modern day versions, and it's just so accurate and fun to read! The banter between characters is my favorite part, it's so fun! I recommend it to everyone!

[Ursi Engebretsen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book so much! If you like Jane Austen novels, you should read it; you'll recognize an Elizabeth Bennett, a Mr. Darcy, a Miss Bingley, and a Mr. Wickham (or is he more Mr. Collins?). Even if you haven't read any Jane Austen, you should still read it. The characterization is great, the humor is hilarious, and the plot is terrific!

[Antonia]

Pleasant, happy read.