This was highly rated on the Google Books free books, and seemed semi-interesting. However, as the adage goes, you get what you pay for...
The main character, Olivia, is not at all likeable for several reasons. She is a hard worker, but supports her leech mother that is constantly in trouble for petty things. Also, Olivia is in a ton of debt, which although relatable, the storyline that follows is so far fetched that I couldn't enjoy the fantasy getaway the author tried to concoct.
Olivia has a roommate Sydney, who is affluent and could be compared to a ditsy Kardashian type. Unassuming Olivia receives a check for the exact amount of all of her debt that comes with only the string to fly out to an undisclosed place and meet with someone she doesn't know. Ironically, Sydney figures this out and flys out with Olivia to see that she stays safe on the journey. While in Maui, Olivia meets the man who gave her hundreds of thousands of dollars to pay off her loans and asks her to stay with him and be a "business partner" for one year for a million dollars. When asked why he would do this, he retells this story about a longtime friend, Ashley, who Olivia was close with. Ashley commited suicide and her dying wish was for him to do good in the world, which equated to helping Olivia. This is such a ridiculous premise that I cannot even fathom.
Unfortunately, Olivia says no to Nicholas' proposal and rushes to leave Maui. Upon arriving back home in Boston, she finds out her mother is totally screwed and indebted to a madam in the amount of $50,000. Obviously, we already know how this is going to play out.
By the end, Olivia takes Nicholas up on his offer and the novel ends. The last ten pages was the only redeeming quality of the novel, but of course, because this would lure you in to buy the remainder of the series.
I wouldn't recommend this book because it was way too far fetched and all over the place from the weirdly placed flashforward and flashback, unlikeable protagonist, mystery man who has a weird request, and a mother constantly in toil making the novel an overall unenjoyable read. The only reason the novel received a 2/5 for me is because of the last ten pages.