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What Happens in Paradise (Paradise, 2)
Spend your winter on sunlit shores in the New York Times bestselling follow-up to Winter in Paradise, as secret lives and new loves emerge under the bright Caribbean sky. A year ago, Irene Steele had the shock of her life: her loving husband, father to their grown sons and successful businessman, was killed in a helicopter crash. But that wasn't Irene's only shattering news: he'd also been leading a double life on the island of St. John, where another woman loved him, too. Now Irene and her sons are back on St. John, determined to learn the truth about the mysterious life--and death--of a man they thought they knew. Along the way, they're about to learn some surprising truths about their own lives, and their futures. Lush with the tropical details, romance, and drama that made Winter in Paradise a national bestseller, What Happens in Paradise is another immensely satisfying page-turner from one of America's most beloved and engaging storytellers.
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Community Reviews
Picks up where the last novel left off. Lots of fun. Devoured it. Really enjoy Elinâs new winter series.
I was invested in this series. I couldn't put the books down. The drama, the love interests, the writing!
Author Elin Hilderbrand's vibrant, complicated, but endearing characters return in the second installment of her Paradise trilogy. (It is not necessary to read the first volume in order to enjoy What Happens in Paradise, although doing so will provide a richer experience.)
Winter in Paradise focused on exposition. Hilderbrand compassionately detailed the reactions of her characters to the untimely deaths of Russ and Rosie, and their struggles to come to terms not only with losing them, but the shocking news about their relationship. Irene found herself unable to tell any of their friends back in Iowa about her husband's secret life with Rosie, and their sons, Cash and Baker, grappled with all the things about their father's life they never knew as they both became acquainted with and enchanted by Avery. Rosie's beloved stepfather, Huck, the rugged fishing boat captain, remained focused on Rosie's daughter, Maia, putting her well-being above all else, even as he felt a strong connection to and growing affection for Irene.
The next chapter of their lives is focused on the aftermath of the deaths of Russ and Rosie, as Irene, Cash, and Baker all return to the island. Baker, in the midst of a divorce from his wife who has already moved on to a new romance, decides that his father's lovely island estate would be an ideal place to raise his young son and works out a shared custody arrangement with the boy's mother. But Cash's business in Colorado has failed and there is nothing for him there or in Iowa, so he also decides to take up residence in the home. He jumps at the chance to work on a tour boat with Ayers, determined to convince her that he is the "superior Steele brother" and make her fall in love with him.
Back in Iowa, Irene now finds the showplace home she shared with Russ -- which she poured so much time, planning, and money into renovating -- dark, overwrought, suffocating . . . and lonely. She also heads back to the island and accepts an offer from Huck to serve as his first mate. To Huck's delight she is both a highly competent assistant and good company. Irene thoroughly enjoys joining Huck on the fishing charters and interacting with his guests. Their attraction is undeniable, but they wisely proceed cautiously.
Ayers is determined to make her relationship with Nick work. After all, they have a shared history. But she is not convinced that Nick's affair is over and her feelings for Baker complicate matters.
Ayers continues to be a supportive presence in Maia's life and agrees to help Huck sort through and dispose of Rosie's things. In the process, she finds more than the stylish clothing that accentuated Rosie's natural beauty. One of her discoveries leads to questions that, perhaps, the FBI agents who have descended on the island might be able to answer. Their investigation into the helicopter crash is ongoing and one thing is clear: the crash was not an accident. The damage to the helicopter was caused not by lightning, as originally thought but, rather, by an explosive device.
Ayers also locates Rosie's diary and takes it with her to read. Through Rosie's first-person narrative, Hilderbrand reveals the details of her time with Russ, including how they met, what drew her to Russ and vice versa, and how her affair with him impacted her relationship with her late mother. Rosie's story is a heartbreaking tale of attraction, yearning, joy, and loneliness, particularly when she acceded to a threat issued by her mother. And because of her status as the other woman in Russ's life. After all, Russ remained married to Irene until his death.
Irene works to unravel Russ's estate. Information received from their attorney about his wishes comes to light, as do details about mysterious financial transactions. Irene never knew much about Russ's employment by an old college friend -- she wasn't really interested.. She was busy renovating their home and attending to her own career. What she learns is unsettling and leads her to ponder whether she might somehow be implicated,
What Happens in Paradise proceeds at a fast pace as the characters' lives move forward. They struggle to find a new sense of normalcy and design futures that differ dramatically from the lives they originally envisioned. Hilderbrand injects shocking plot developments at expertly-timed intervals, with each bombshell revelation posing a threat to the tenuous lives Irene, et al. have established on the island.
The entries in Rosie's diary, interspersed with the present-day third-person narrative, provide context and are deeply affecting. But each of Hilderbrand's characters is each uniquely likable and empathetic, and their struggles provide an absorbing and entertaining tale set against a stunning tropical backdrop. All of which make What Happens in Paradise, along with Winter in Paradise, ideal books to read by the pool or on the beach. Be warned, however, that Hilderbrand once again provides a jaw-dropping conclusion to her compelling story that sets up the forthcoming third and final volume, Troubles in Paradise, which, unfortunately, will not be available until October 2020.
Thanks to NetGalley for an Advance Reader's Copy of the book.
Winter in Paradise focused on exposition. Hilderbrand compassionately detailed the reactions of her characters to the untimely deaths of Russ and Rosie, and their struggles to come to terms not only with losing them, but the shocking news about their relationship. Irene found herself unable to tell any of their friends back in Iowa about her husband's secret life with Rosie, and their sons, Cash and Baker, grappled with all the things about their father's life they never knew as they both became acquainted with and enchanted by Avery. Rosie's beloved stepfather, Huck, the rugged fishing boat captain, remained focused on Rosie's daughter, Maia, putting her well-being above all else, even as he felt a strong connection to and growing affection for Irene.
The next chapter of their lives is focused on the aftermath of the deaths of Russ and Rosie, as Irene, Cash, and Baker all return to the island. Baker, in the midst of a divorce from his wife who has already moved on to a new romance, decides that his father's lovely island estate would be an ideal place to raise his young son and works out a shared custody arrangement with the boy's mother. But Cash's business in Colorado has failed and there is nothing for him there or in Iowa, so he also decides to take up residence in the home. He jumps at the chance to work on a tour boat with Ayers, determined to convince her that he is the "superior Steele brother" and make her fall in love with him.
Back in Iowa, Irene now finds the showplace home she shared with Russ -- which she poured so much time, planning, and money into renovating -- dark, overwrought, suffocating . . . and lonely. She also heads back to the island and accepts an offer from Huck to serve as his first mate. To Huck's delight she is both a highly competent assistant and good company. Irene thoroughly enjoys joining Huck on the fishing charters and interacting with his guests. Their attraction is undeniable, but they wisely proceed cautiously.
Ayers is determined to make her relationship with Nick work. After all, they have a shared history. But she is not convinced that Nick's affair is over and her feelings for Baker complicate matters.
Ayers continues to be a supportive presence in Maia's life and agrees to help Huck sort through and dispose of Rosie's things. In the process, she finds more than the stylish clothing that accentuated Rosie's natural beauty. One of her discoveries leads to questions that, perhaps, the FBI agents who have descended on the island might be able to answer. Their investigation into the helicopter crash is ongoing and one thing is clear: the crash was not an accident. The damage to the helicopter was caused not by lightning, as originally thought but, rather, by an explosive device.
Ayers also locates Rosie's diary and takes it with her to read. Through Rosie's first-person narrative, Hilderbrand reveals the details of her time with Russ, including how they met, what drew her to Russ and vice versa, and how her affair with him impacted her relationship with her late mother. Rosie's story is a heartbreaking tale of attraction, yearning, joy, and loneliness, particularly when she acceded to a threat issued by her mother. And because of her status as the other woman in Russ's life. After all, Russ remained married to Irene until his death.
Irene works to unravel Russ's estate. Information received from their attorney about his wishes comes to light, as do details about mysterious financial transactions. Irene never knew much about Russ's employment by an old college friend -- she wasn't really interested.. She was busy renovating their home and attending to her own career. What she learns is unsettling and leads her to ponder whether she might somehow be implicated,
What Happens in Paradise proceeds at a fast pace as the characters' lives move forward. They struggle to find a new sense of normalcy and design futures that differ dramatically from the lives they originally envisioned. Hilderbrand injects shocking plot developments at expertly-timed intervals, with each bombshell revelation posing a threat to the tenuous lives Irene, et al. have established on the island.
The entries in Rosie's diary, interspersed with the present-day third-person narrative, provide context and are deeply affecting. But each of Hilderbrand's characters is each uniquely likable and empathetic, and their struggles provide an absorbing and entertaining tale set against a stunning tropical backdrop. All of which make What Happens in Paradise, along with Winter in Paradise, ideal books to read by the pool or on the beach. Be warned, however, that Hilderbrand once again provides a jaw-dropping conclusion to her compelling story that sets up the forthcoming third and final volume, Troubles in Paradise, which, unfortunately, will not be available until October 2020.
Thanks to NetGalley for an Advance Reader's Copy of the book.
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