The Key to Everything

by Paula Stokes

College senior Oakland Fuller has always believed in signs and soulmates, so when both a therapist and a fortuneteller say that her repeated relationship failures are due to unresolved feelings for her high school boyfriend, Seth, Oakland tries desperately to get back in touch with him. Problem: Seth isn’t responding to her online messages.

To rescue Oakland from a pathetic Christmas break of sitting in front of the computer, her best friend Morgan books the two of them on a guided excursion of Thailand. When the girls meet a pair of American soldiers in Bangkok, Oakland takes Morgan’s advice and engages in a little harmless holiday hooking up. Sergeant Tyson Banks is the perfect mix of sexy and fun. Two weeks with him might just turn out to be the best relationship Oakland has ever had.

Until the day she spots someone familiar across a crowded temple complex—it’s Seth! Somehow the boy she’s been trying to reconnect with is in Bangkok too. If that’s not a sign, then what is?

Filed with friendship, romance, and gorgeous faraway settings, The Key to Everything is a book for anyone who's ever dreamed of finding love when (or where) they least expected it.

Contains explicit content. Recommended for ages 16 and up.

Genres: New Adult, Contemporary, Romance, Young Adult

328 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 7, 2017

About the author

*** Please contact me via the contact information on my website: authorpaulastokes.com ***

Paula Stokes is half writer, half RN, and totally thrilled to be part of the world of YA literature. She started out writing historical fiction under a pen name and is now branching out into other YA genres.

When she's not working (rare), she's kayaking, hiking, reading, or seeking out new adventures in faraway lands. She's petted tigers, snuggled snakes, snorkeled with stingrays, and once enjoyed the suction-cuppy feel of a baby elephant's trunk as it ate peanuts from her palm. Her future goals include diving with Great White sharks, learning Krav Maga, and writing a whole slew of novels, not necessarily in that order.

Reviews

[Sara (sarabara081) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Paula Stokes wrote a New Adult novel, y’all! I’ve been reading her YA books for years and she has grown to be a favorite author of mine so when I heard something a little spicier with college age characters was on the horizon I jumped at the chance to read it.

I found the writing to be very comparable to her YA works. The author is excellent at creating these characters that are quite flawed but very likable. Characters you can’t help but to root for and that’s exactly the type of character Oakland is. After a few lackluster relationships throughout college, she becomes obsessed with the idea of ‘The One’ and feeling like she already had her chance at true love in high school and gave it up before leaving for college, an idea only made worse when a fortune teller encourages the thoughts in her mind by declaring him the ‘key to everything’. She tries relentlessly to find her old boyfriend Seth but strikes out at every turn. In an effort to distract her from the obsession, her best friend Morgan offers up a trip to Thailand for the Holidays.

Once again Stokes magically transports her readers to such vivid and detailed settings. So rich in detail that I found myself wishing I was right there with the characters during all of their excursions. It was on this trip that Oakland meets Tyson, an American soldier on vacation with his friend Jed. Morgan and Jed hit it off instantly, leaving Oakland and Tyson to their own devices. But Oakland is quite standoffish, her mind fixed on the idea that Seth is her destiny and closed to the thought of anything else. Their romantic interactions were quite casual, almost awkwardly so in the beginning. Admittedly, I didn’t really feel the connection either at that point, well besides all the very spicy and hot sex they were having. But things slowly start to change as Oakland gets to know Tyson. I think my feelings evolved at the same pace as Oakland’s and I really appreciated how honest it all felt. Tyson was such an understanding and sweet man, and oh so patient. Even when fate has a funny way of messing with Oakland and Seth shows up in Thailand too…

Despite Oakland’s often misguided actions, she was still a character I easily connected with and I grew to love the romance hanging in the air of Thailand. I am so very happy the author decided to try out New Adult and hope she writes more in the future. Definitely check this one out!

[alice · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was really excited to read Paula’s newest, and I jumped in without really looking at the synopsis. THE KEY TO EVERYTHING is very reminiscent to other traveling / romance books, particularly to a more recent novel, I SEE LONDON, I SEE FRANCE. THE KEY TO EVERYTHING follows Oakland and Morgan, both college seniors as they travel to Thailand and meet two soldiers, Tyson and Jed, with whom they hook up and hang out.

Oakland was a pretty relatable character in terms with her personality and her close friendship to Morgan, and her perseverance to contact Seth was respectable but something I couldn’t really connect with on a personal level. However, I did enjoy how the novel and the Seth dilemma wrapped up at the end and I felt it quite fitting to the title of the story.

For some reason, I didn’t realize this was a new adult romance, so there was lots of hot sex which was pretty nice if you like to read that sort of romance. Tyson and Oakland had some pretty palpable chemistry and I loved the classic romance tropes that were played throughout the novel.

My only reservation is that there was this one instance in the novel where a Thai man, Mr. Chu, is eating with the crew, and Morgan says “Whoa. You speak English?” (Location 4205, eARC). This did not sit well with me. In the author’s note, Paula says that she hired a few sensitivity readers, but I would have loved to see more Thai sensitivity and beta readers to be involved in this novel, especially since this novel is set in Thailand and the cultural significance is, to me, quite imperative to this novel.

Overall, if you want something fluffy and dramatic in your new adult romance, be sure to check this one out! I was put out a bit because of the racial and cultural implications but I hope that there will be a few changes to the final book.

Thanks to Paula for providing a copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Stacee · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars

A great story with a vibrant setting, excellent banter in nearly every conversation, and an MC I could really root for.

Full review to come.

[Irene · Rating 3 out of 5]

ARC provided by the author


You know how when you're reading a book by one of your favorite authors, you expect just a little bit more than what you normally would? That's the case with this book.

I love Paula's books and was stoked (pun intended) when I heard she was writing a new adult novel. I know she's capable of writing ya romance novels, and since I love new adult books, I couldn't be more excited.

I really liked this book, but I had a few problems:
¤ Oakland is 22 years old, but I felt like she was acting like she was 18. Her choices weren't all that mature. I get why she felt the way she did, but she didn't have to act on all of it imo.
¤ The sex scenes weren't as...delicate, I guess you could say, as I would have liked. What I mean is, it felt a bit forced. I haven't read descriptive sexscenes by this author before, and to me it just felt like she was trying too hard. Like she needed to practice just a bit more.
¤ The storyline was a bit predictable.

What I did like was the setting of the book. It's set in Thailand and it really made me want to go there. It's not a country I've taken any particular interest in earlier, so that's something.
This is also a book that I wouldn't have picked up, if I hadn't known the author. I'm glad I did though, because I really enjoyed it. I absolutely recommend this book to the new adult audience.

[PinkAmy loves books, cats and naps · Rating 4 out of 5]

Stanford senior Oakland and her best friend Morgan travel to Thailand. Oakland, still pining for her high school boyfriend after six unsuccessful college romances, thinks she sees Seth, complicating the burgeoning romance with a friends Oakland and Morgan have met traveling.

I’m a huge Paula Stokes fan. I love the way she creates characters with interesting personalities and backstories. Oakland’s parents are weekend ghost hunters, for example. Stokes writes with unique voice and moves plot at an steady, page-turning pace.

THE KEY TO EVERYTHING wasn’t my favorite of her books, because new adult isn’t usually my thing, Stokes kept me engaged. Readers who enjoy this genre will savor #TheKeyToEverything .

[Lauren · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can't stop smiling...the ending was way too cute and perfect for words!

Paula Stokes's THE KEY TO EVERYTHING is romantic, adventurous, and insightful.

I loved a lot about THE KEY TO EVERYTHING; however, I have to say the characters were by far my favorite part! THEY KEY TO EVERYTHING is classified as New Adult so Oakland and Morgan are college aged - second semester seniors to be exact. It was so much fun to read about characters who are around my age and going through similar things to what I just went through - graduating college, deciding what comes next, really just overthinking anything and everything.

Oakland is the more sensible out of the two. She's a planner and a rule-follower. She doesn't trust or open up easily, and I could easily relate, as I've always been that type of friend. At first, I was slightly worried that her indecision over the two boys would annoy me; however, that didn't happen.

Instead, I felt that this journey was the last stepping stone in her growing up, and I enjoyed watching that occur. She's questioning the past while looking towards the future, and I feel like that's the natural progression of things. Her romance with Tyson was sparkly, new, and sexy while her memories of Scott were safe and sweet - the last remainder of childhood innocence in some respect. I could easily see the appeal of both boys as well as understand her conflict in choosing. Additionally, they both brought out the good in Oakland.

Tyson, however, was without a doubt my favorite. He's adventurous, fearless, and risk-taking, and he brought those traits out in Oakland. I loved seeing Oakland open up, taking jumps and leaps. I especially loved that he wasn't a "rusher." He always wanted Oakland to feel safe and in control, and while at times I think she pushed his understanding a little too far, I thought it was sweet that he was always so willing to be there for her, no matter the outcome. Maybe a little too perfect, but I still liked him nonetheless.

I also liked the side characters. Morgan was such a riot. I thought it was awesome that she always spoke her mind and didn't take anyone's garbage. I also loved seeing the dynamic between Morgan and Oakland. They banter always kept me giggling, and I especially loved how Morgan got Oakland into such crazy situations at times. It reminded me of my own best friend and me. Morgan's love interest was also adorable. I need a book about those two next!

The setting was another fantastic part. I knew a fair amount about Thailand before starting this; however, it was fun to see the country and its culture through Oakland's eyes. It was interesting to see the different customs and traditions as well as how they celebrated Christmas. Additionally, Paula's descriptions added a drool-worthy factor. She beautifully painted the scene, so much so in fact that I now want to go to Thailand.

In all, THEY KEY TO EVERYTHING is yet another rich addition to the New Adult genre. Paula Stokes's perfectly captures what it feels like to be at that pivotal point between college and real life, showing the fear, confusion, and more importantly, hope that comes with. It's a book about taking chances, falling in love, and embracing the unknown, no matter how scary it may be. This may be my first book by Paula, but it certainly won't be my last.

[Jaime Arkin · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’ve been a fan of Paula Stokes for ages it seems – I really love her YA stuff, so when I heard she was writing an NA title, I couldn’t wait to get my hands on it.

The Key To Everything introduces us to Oakland Fuller. She’s always believed in soulmates, so when the latest in her most recent string of relationships fails, she knows there’s a reason. When both her therapist and a random fortuneteller both confirm that her issues lie in some unresolved feelings for her high school boyfriend, she’s convinced that she needs to reconnect with him. Only he’s not responding to her.

Morgan, her best friend, decides to save her from a lonely Christmas break and whisks her off to Thailand where on the very first day, they meet a pair of soldiers. Morgan, who doesn’t do relationships, convinces Oakland that there is no harm in hooking up over the holidays, especially since Seth hasn’t replied.

But then the unexpected happens… Oakland spies a familiar face in the crowd and sure enough it’s Seth.

First of all, I think you have to go into this story either believing in fate and signs from the universe or with suspended belief. The reason I say that is because seriously, what are the chances that you’d be visiting the same place as a person you haven’t talked to in years… the same temple at the same time in the same country. It would just require all the fates lining up, and as someone who doesn’t really believe in ‘fate’ or the like, I think that was the hardest part for me to swallow about this story. I just kept thinking… really, what are the chances.

Oakland for me was a bit on the annoying side. It was really hard for me to understand why she was holding onto this idealized version of a boy that she knew 4 years ago and thinking he was the solution to all her relationship woes… especially when there was a boy right in front of her who she got along with, who she connected with, and who she enjoyed her time with. It possible that because It’s been a long time since I’ve been her age, I don’t remember thinking in such an immature way, but as someone in her senior year of college, I don’t know, I kind of feel like she could have been a bit more mature in that regard. (Let’s not even go into this harebrained idea of her to leave the tour to try to catch up with this guy in some other part of the country by herself.)
I did really enjoy getting to know Tyson, and I’m glad that despite Oakland’s immaturity, he wasn’t letting her completely ruin his trip.

Ultimately I really enjoyed Stokes exploring the friendship between Oakland and Morgan and showing that friends are there no matter how ridiculous things might get. Though this isn’t my favorite from Stokes, I love that she’s writing in so many different genres and I’m excited to see what she shares next!

[Meigan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I always forget how much I love romance books, especially when they’re new adult. New adult, for me, offers what adult and YA romances don’t - heaps of angst on top of heaps of uncertainty, and that’s exactly what The Key to Everything delivered, along with a hefty side of frustration.

Oakland has some strange notion in her head that finding her old boyfriend Seth will provide her the happiness that seems to be missing, and give her the perfect future she’s been dreaming of. Of course it doesn’t help that a psychic seemed to hint at *someone* in her future that can deliver that, and Oakland is convinced it’s Seth. She and her best friend take an impromptu trip to Thailand as a sort of break from everything, and of course that worrisome little psychic reading comes into play when Oakland learns that Seth, too, is in the country. What’s supposed to be a relaxing trip turns into wild-goose chase with Oakland tracking Seth down for something that may not even hold any water. Problem is, she also met a guy on the trip and he’s pretty much the best guy Oakland’s ever met. But vacation romances aren’t really *real*, are they?

As I said before, The Key to Everything delivered everything I expect from NA romances, but it also delivered a healthy serving of frustration. Frustration on behalf of Oakland and her silly (to me) quest to once again find Seth and true love, and ignoring what’s right in front of her face. Although I did like the angst that both Oakland and Tyson felt when it came to their relationship, although I found the idea that vacation relationships not being “real” to be kind of odd. Especially considering that Oakland is a graduate student in the field of psychology, surely she’d be able to tell the the difference between real and unreal ;-)

All told, The Key to Everything was a fast-paced and fun romance read, and there was a happy ending after Oakland sorted through all the baggage concerning her notions of what the future is supposed to be. It also had more than its fair share of steam and sexy times, which I always appreciate. I definitely recommend this for anyone who likes romances, particularly of the angsty variety.

*Many thanks to Paula Stokes for providing a free advanced copy of this book.

[Kiara · Rating 3 out of 5]

*I read this during Huricane Maria: September 22. I read it as an arc. This is my honest opinion. All reviews can be found at www.theterriblebookblogger.wordpress.com

I love Paula Stokes and her writing. I do not love New Adult books. This review is the result of both things in one.

First off, this story is both well written and well executed. I kept reading and every time I stopped, I returned because I was enjoying the story and plot. Paula Stokes’ characters are always lush and real and this book is no exception.

The story is pretty straightfoward, and being in Oakland’s head is engaging and interesting. I found her very relatable and understood her thought process.

It’s a very real novel.

I don’t like detailed sex in the novels I read, which is why I shy away from New Adult in general. This novel features many pages that I skipped over for that reason.

I did love the friendship in this novel. Oakland and Morgan were friendship goals throughout the novel.

Overall, this book is fun and interesting. It deals with deeper questions while maintaining a light tone.

It’s not my usual kind of book, which is why I give it 3.5 stars, because although it’s good, it’s not the kind of book I’ll read again. It’s an enjoyable ride though, and well worth a read.

[Jonathan Cotto · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an e-arc from the author in exchange for an honest review. **Spoiler Alert**


I like Paula Stokes work. The first book I read from her was Liars Inc. And Girl Against the Universe is one of my favorite reads. So getting the chance to read The Key to Everything, was an interesting experience. And I have to say, I am not disappointed.
I was curious to see what she would bring with this story, considering it was a more adult novel. I enjoyed her descriptive writing style. It helped me create beautiful mental pictures of the scenery throughout Thailand. I also enjoyed the way she portrayed the male friendship between Tyson and Jed. The way their conversations flow and they can understand and support each other. It's refreshing to see something like that without a huge male ego in the way.
I am not really fond of sexual scenes. But I have to admit, that the way they're written, to me at least, was so adrenaline rushed that I basically read fast, like in action, and wasn't uncomfortable like I thought I was going to be when the first scene began. So kudos to the author for that. There were just enough details to be able to imagine the scene and know exactly what was happening , without turning it erotica. At least in my perspective.
I do have to criticize the main character, Oakland, personality wise. I kind of disconnected from her at a point cause her obsession with Seth turned exaggerated. And for someone studying psychology, it was to much. She went off the deep end and blinded herself to easily because of a guy. So it threw me off and got super annoying. Specially when everyone saw it but her. I can understand actions and attitudes like that from someone less knowledgeable on the subject. But she was a psych mayor, she was aware of what was happening, and all of it was still useless to her.
Other than that detail, I really enjoyed the read and the trip around Thailand. This book gives truth to the phrase that we can go to so many new places with in the pages of a book. So thank to Paula Stokes for that. Hope you guys give the book a chance and enjoy it as I did. Happy Reading.

[diana · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rating: 3.5 of 5 stars

Paula Stokes has a new book! Eeepp!!
The Key to Everything had me both swooning and aahhh-ing! I've never been anywhere outside the country (I'm from the Philippines btw) so I'm a huge fan of "travel" books. This book had such a vibrant setting I wanted to get lost in and I loved experiencing Thailand with Oakland! The female friendship was also amazingly portrayed. I love it! The romance was sweet and definitely swoonworthy. (Not that I expected anything less. This is Paula Stokes after all.) I am shipping Tyson and Oakland so much!

Giving this an average rating though because I didn't exactly feel like the book was unputdownable. It was great but it didn't feel amazing. (This is all just me though so maybe just ignore what I said.)
Still. If you love NA and Paula Stokes definitely put this on your tbr.

[Lauren · Rating 4 out of 5]

That was a really solid New Adult! These are hard for me because I’m soooo picky and have very little tolerance for drama and angst. I’m happy to say those were fairly minimal. I liked that there wasn’t a lot of lying and jerking around. Oakland definitely got on my nerves a lot and turned into a bit of a crazy stalker at times. However, the story itself was sweet and I LOVED the setting of travel in Thailand.

[Thelma · Rating 4 out of 5]

3,5
I liked this. Quick read, nice setting. Oakland was a bit 'dumb' in parts but overall I liked her. The rest of the characters were nice too, very diverse. It was nice to have such a different setting. It was also very sex positive which was nice. My nitpicks would be some awkward moments, a bit too much drama for my tastes and quite a few typos. But overall I definitely enjoyed it!

[Lindsey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute read.

[Jennifer Madero (Boricuan Bookworms) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Check out more of my reviews at Boricuan Bookworms

eARC Provided by Author For Reviewing Purposes

I love Paula Stoke's writing style and her stories. They are always realistic, thought-provoking, and with great family and/or friend dynamics. The Key to Everything is no exception. I enjoyed Oakland's and Morgan's friendship, always sticking together and through crazy ideas, let it be about hookups, searching for your soul mate, quite simply, mutually supporting each other's goals and dreams.

However, the main reason I didn't enjoy this story as much as I thought was because of Oakland. She was really cool at some moments, but at others I wanted to slap her repeatedly. She was indecisive, sporadic, and insecure. These are all things most of us are, but with Oakland, this thing lasted longer than I would've liked in the book which adds to it being slow at least 30% into it. It was hard to want to continue at one point because it felt unnecessary.

Regardless of this, if you're like me in this aspect, before 50% the story improves a lot with the actual Thailand tour as well as Oakland slowly growing as a character. I enjoyed these parts the most because I could see Paula's style that is also in Girl Against the Universe and This is How it Happened. She gives great detail to her settings, making it impossible to not feel transported there and living the experience yourself. Also, the psychological aspect of her characters is always great, how they reflect on their flaws, their goals, their whole life, and decide to take control of it.

The romance I loved so much! There were a few explicit sex scenes that I did not expect but that nonetheless can be enjoyed by anyone that loves New Adult Fiction that has it all. It spices things up, but I mainly liked them because it contributed to Tyson and Oakland being together and how that worked out.

While this wasn't the kind of story I expected to read, it was nevertheless enjoyable. It was something different from the previous Paula Stokes books I've read but wouldn't say no to any future NA books.

Rating: 3 stars

[Mariely · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an eARC copy from the author in exchange for my honest review.
Ok, I think you all know I'm a big fan of Paula Stokes and of course, I was super excited when I heard her first New Adult book was coming up! But I won't lie, I was a little scared... Why? Because I love Paula's writing style on her YA books so I didn't know what to expect. But now that I've read it, I can honestly tell you, The Key to Everything was literally everything and more.

I LOVE the relationship between Oakland and Morgan! They were like this kind of friends who can tell each other everything. By the way, Morgan even made me think of one of my classmates, who happens to be obsessed with soldiers. I also liked the relationship between Tyson and Jed. All the characters were relatable. At first, I wasn't really connected with the whole situation of finding Seth, Oakland's high school boyfriend AKA "The One". But then it kinda made sense, you know? Maybe I couldn't relate to the situation, but I could see why she felt the need to reach out to him. But honestly, at one point I felt like she could have let go of the situation and just enjoy her time in Thailand (with Morgan... and Tyson, of course!). Anyway, I felt like I traveled to Thailand with Oakland, because of all the descriptions and details. So I enjoyed every place she visited!

Remember when I mentioned that I was kind of scared of Paula's writing style in NA? Well, I felt it was following her YA books, except for the sex scenes, duh! So yeah, I really liked it! I felt it was the right amount of spiciness... at least for me. I mean, I'm not an expert on NA books because I haven't read that many, but this one didn't made me feel uncomfortable. If that makes sense...

Oh, can I just say that I loved every time I read something related to Puerto Rico?! And even my favorite bookstore, The Bookmark, was mentioned! (at least on the eARC version). And on a side note, I just want you to know that I finally found my book boyfriend! TYSON!

You can find my full review on We Read!

[Ashley Reading Stewardess · Rating 3 out of 5]

Exotic locations, an amazing best friend and a different type of love triangle, what's not intriguing about that. The Key to Everything is Paula Stokes first self published novel and follows college senior Oakland Fuller as she travels to Thailand with her best friend for a chance to escape her so far unsuccessful search for her ex-boyfriend Seth. A guy Oakland is convinced is her soul mate, despite not having seen or spoken to him since she dumped him on prom night. With the beauty of Thailand and a hilarious cast of senior citizen characters to help round out the tour group, Oakland's time in Bangkok is the type of experience many would love to have themselves. I know I myself wanted nothing more than to be riding in the tour bus with Oakland and everyone else, seeing the sights of Thailand and trying the food. This was a story that I enjoyed reading, despite my on-again, off-again feelings towards the main character Oakland. See my full review at: https://readingstewardess.wordpress.c...

[Kathy Coe · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars. If you're a New Adult fan, I HIGHLY recommend this one!

[Christina (A Reader of Fictions) · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars

Hot ship and the travel element is fabulous.

[Shannon Miz · Rating 4 out of 5]

You can find the full review and all the fancy and/or randomness that accompanies it at It Starts at Midnight

I'll go ahead and admit it: I am always a tiny bit scared to venture into a New Adult book. I've read some really good ones, and some that definitely left me with a bad taste for the genre. But when I saw that Paula Stokes was writing one, I knew if I'd be trying anyone's NA, it'd be hers! And I was very happy with my decision!

Usually the thing I hate most about NA is that I find the characters to be either unlikable, unbelievable, unrelatable, or a big ol' combo platter of the three. But not in this one! I found Oakland to be quite relatable and sympathetic. She was nuanced, flawed, and had a lot of qualities that I definitely had at her age. And my favorite thing about this book? The love interest(s) weren't jerks. The characters were all just decent human beings trying to live their lives. Mistakes are made, lessons are learned, but everyone just seemed human.

Oakland's relationship with her best friend was really great- it was a healthy, positive female friendship. These women supported and loved each other no matter what. And of course they had ups and downs, as all friends do, but the relationship Oakland and Morgan had mirrored some of my own from that age very, very much. Oakland often felt like the sidekick instead of the main character; Morgan seemed to garner attention wherever she went. And that was something Oakland didn't fault Morgan for, but something she did have to try to come to terms with herself.

Another thing Oakland needed to figure out? What she wanted out of a relationship, who she wanted. At one point, she talks about how everyone wants to feel wanted, and it is just so true. Not only is Oakland trying to figure out what she wants and needs from friendships and romantic relationships, but she is trying to decide what direction she wants her life to go after college. Add to it navigating a relationship with her parents, and she's got quite a bit on her plate. But it's stuff that so, so many people have gone through (or will go through)!

And, it's set in Thailand! Paula Stokes has been, for me, one of the authors who can do an enormous job of painting amazing pictures of the setting her books take place in, and this was no different. I kept highlighting passages, with little notes that said "add to bucket list", because the setting was so well done.

There were a few things that seemed a wee bit too coincidental for my taste, but that is about the only negative I had in the book. Oakland could be frustrating at times, but I think we all can be frustrating at times, so I didn't really see that as a negative, it's just all part of character development. She had to make mistakes to grow, so while she did irritate me from time to time, I really don't see it as a bad thing!

Bottom Line: I have faith in NA again! The author did an awesome job showing that a book can have steamy parts while also still having amazing characters and stories.

*Copy provided for review

[Amanda Stav · Rating 5 out of 5]

*I received an advance eBook copy from the author in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion.* 



I can't think of another scenario where I've felt like a book was written just for me. I love Paula and her YA work but this NA romance blew me away. She was already an auto-buy author but if she keeps pubbing these romances I will pre-order and stalk the internet for ARC opportunities every single time.
I'm the first to admit that I have a very large collection of book boyfriends. Write me a kind, swoony boy and I will 100% try to lay claim to him for me and me alone but this time is different. Tyson is quite literally my dream man; all his character traits, his humor, physical attributes...all things I dream of one day maybe finding in a partner. This drew me into the story and the build up of the characters even more than the adorable romance and awesome adventure would have had it not been such a perfect fit. I can't even lie I spent a lot of the book being extremely jealous of Oakland and her time with him...nobody said I was a rational person when it comes to romance novels, okay?
Another huge factor in why I adore this book so much is the strong friendship theme and how amazing the actual relationships between the friends are. They are so supportive of one another and at the same time care enough to call their partner in crime out on their BS when it's needed. The friendship between Oakland and Morgan is goals and what I hope to see female friendship portrayed as more often in literature. While things like Mean Girls are entertaining and have their moments I hate the overwhelming tendency to depict female friendships as constantly toxic and combative. Gimme a bestie who will traipse across Thailand and who will genuinely tell me when I'm being "extra".
I love travel but never really considered myself as having wanderlust. Paula just gave me that though. This journey that Oakland, Morgan, and the boys go on is so freakin' epic that I almost immediately wanted to pack up a suitcase and hop on the first flight to somewhere interesting at Pearson. As their escapades continued that feeling only grew stronger. The Key to Everything is an awesome adventure while simultaneously being an amazing romance story. I also found the snippets of Thai culture to be fascinating and I definitely would love to learn more about them now!
Thing aren't all fluffy and puppies and rainbows in this story but I love that raw aspect to it. Things in life aren't easy or perfect and part of the beauty of the novel is the pain and struggling each character experiences. This leads to the equally amazing growth we see in the characters as they make their way across the country. Perfect man + adorable romance + amazing friendships + awesome adventure + wicked character growth? Paula, you spoil me! I also loved that the end wasn't your run-of-the-mill HEA. It made it feel that much more real and it was weird to look up from my iPad and be like oh wait...I'm actually still here in cold-ass Toronto.


Final Verdict:
Paula nailed her foray into New Adult romance and I seriously hope there is more of this coming. Like next week. Or right now.

[Caro · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars.

Well, this was a lovely read, and a great start of my reading year. :-)

The story is mostly about Oakland and her journey to finding herself and just trying to find a place in this crazy world, lol. I loved her character, flaws and all. I actually liked her imperfect the most. Ms. Stokes was able to really show just how scary the world can seem when you finish college. It’s crazy out there!

Because of that, I just loved Oakland’s trip, an opportunity to just be. :-) Add to that a little romance, and we’re golden.

Also, Thailand sounds great, so exotic, just the perfect setting for Oakland’s self growth.

The story also had a great flow; it was a bit long, but once you got into it, you barely notice; and I loved Oakland’s character, I could totally see myself in her at times.

All in all, it was a fun and lovely read, with lots of ups and downs; and just a little bit of everything to keep you interested. Definitely worth a reading.

*Thank you to the author for providing an ARC in exchange of my honest opinion*

[Katherine · Rating 5 out of 5]

I realized reading this book I am much pickier in my taste in travel companions than main characters. Oakland follows Paula Stokes' tradition of character who aren't perfect (aka she's real and human... which means annoying like a regular human sometimes). Apparently I'm really picky about travel companions, because I wouldn't want to travel with Oakland, and since as readers we are basically traveling with her, for the first part I was being all snobby in my head.

BUT BUT. Once you see her through the eyes of her love interest, you absolutely see all the great things in her that he sees. It's like this amazing flipping of the switch. Not in a bad way at all, you are just presented with her characterization through his framework now and you are like oh! You're right she is all those things! I agree! (though I still would not travel with her)

The romance is good and if you like Paula Stokes or NA or both you will enjoy this one.

The parents aren't there but have super unique jobs. That could be its own book!

[Kathleen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm not sure what I was expecting going into this book, but I really enjoyed it. I loved the relatable characters and especially a MC I could believe in. Oakland was a great character who had flaws, but embraced them. The friendship between Oakland and Morgan was imperfectly perfect. They love and support each other, but they were also there to knock some sense into each other. The male characters of Seth, Tyson, & Jed were also fun to read. I love the banter between the group.

The travel aspect of this book really had me excited. I never thought of visiting Thailand, but after the wonderful imagery, I would love to see it for myself. I also really enjoyed how much detail was included for the cultural aspects of Thailand.

I definitely recommend giving this New Adult story by Paula Stokes a shot. It takes you on an exciting roller coaster of emotions.

[Danielle Hammelef · Rating 4 out of 5]

The author provided me a Kindle copy in exchange for an honest review. I struggled with the first few chapters because I wasn't connecting with the POV character or her friend because I didn't feel as if I got to know more than a superficial glimpse. But as the story progressed, I finally got to know more about the real person of the POV character and started to care about her and her friends. I have to admit that the sexual content of this book was part that I thought was not right for this character, but this author knows how to write the steamy scenes. I now have a new book boyfriend and thoroughly enjoyed the tenderness, friendship, hopefulness, and forgiveness I read in this book. Overall, this book will whisk you away to Thailand where you'll find a story of friendship, figuring out what you really want in life, and realizing every decision has consequences.

[Kari · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oakland and her friend, Morgan, decide to spend their Christmas break on a guided tour in Thailand. She is determined that her unresolved feelings for her ex, Seth, is the reason that her current relationships aren't working out. So when she thinks she sees Seth, she has to find out how he feels.

Alright!! I am already a huge Paula Stokes fan, and this book was no exception for me. I loved the travel references and honestly, it made the story really fun. I got pretty annoyed by Oakland on different occasions, but true to Paula Stokes style, she is human. She makes mistakes, she messes up, she gets irritating, but she always tries her best. I really enjoyed all of the side characters as well. The romance was great and believable, especially with all of their doubts and the ups and downs they had. If you are a fan of NA, then i highly recommend this novel for you.

[Rachel Kass · Rating 4 out of 5]

Paula Stokes book Girl Against the Universe changed my life, and ever since that release I have been reading literally anything she writes (and loving it), so getting the chance to read an ARC of The Key to Everything was SUPER EXCITING. The book DID NOT disappoint.

Her writing captivated me from the first few pages and I only set it down when I had to eat, sleep, or work. It was a fun and adventurous story about two college best friends going on the adventure of a lifetime to Thailand.

My favorite part? That this book is a new adult novel (meant for college age individuals or those in their 20s) and she hit the nail on the mark. I could literally visualize some of the scenarios going down with my best friends and I. Definitely going to recommend it to my fellow book nerds and friends!

(I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review)

[Elle · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was kindly provided with an eARC to review. All opinions (and any factual mistakes) that follow are my own. I’ll try to avoid any spoilers.

There are so many things I loved about this book: strong female friendship, character growth, gorgeous locations, no insta-love. Plus it was an enjoyable read. It’s the perfect book to take you on a vacation without actually going on vacation.

There was a lot that I liked about The Key to Everything and once things got going, I couldn’t put it down. The things I loved largely outweighed the things I didn’t like and I wouldn’t mind rereading this book in the near future. If I had to rate it out of 5 stars, it would be a solid 4 stars.

Full review can be found here: https://wordsonsimmer.wordpress.com/2...

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Disclaimer: I normally don’t read NA (New Adult), but I read Paula Stokes, so naturally, I was excited to read her NA debut! The Key to Everything brings us to Thailand, where our MC (and her best friend) are on vacation. This was a fun, relaxing romantic adventure to follow along with. One of my biggest gripes with books is romance (sometimes necessary, sometimes unnecessary, sometimes completely inorganic and unrealistic, etc.) but I didn’t have a problem with this one!

Note: This e-ARC was provided by the author in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own. But thank you Paula!!!

[Cassie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found it hard to relate to any of the characters in this book, especially Oakland. I felt the book was lacking character development for Tyson, and a character arch for Oakland. However, I was drawn in enough to want to keep reading through to the end. I was really looking forward to this book, but was left a little disappointed.