Happy Friday! Today I have a review of Winter in Paradise, the first installment in a shiny, new series from Elin Hilderbrand and now available from Little, Brown!
My Thoughts:
Elin Hilderbrand’s newest book and first in a series, Winter in Paradise, takes a break from cozy Nantucket and whisks us away to sunny St. John!
Irene Steele is the main character that has it all. We know the one- fantastic husband, kids, the job, and home. That perfect facade has cracks, though, when her children are grown and don’t need her as much, her husband is distant, and her job is pushing retirement. The cracks shatter when she receives the late night phone call no one wants. Her husband has been found dead under mysterious circumstances. He was found far away on the island of St. John…
Irene flies to St. John with her two sons to figure things out, and she is confronted with more unexpected news: her husband has a second family.
Even with all the deceit staring her in the face, Irene won’t give up until she finds out the truth.
I know some of you may be thinking this sound dramatic and predictable, but not when Hilderbrand writes it. It reads as if this is happening to your best friend, and Irene becomes your best friend. She is human, her emotions are raw and honest, and she is fierce. She takes on all these secrets and fights for closure and peace for herself and her family.
With themes of heartache, love and loss, and most of all, hope and healing, Winter in Paradise is a stunning beginning to a new series, and I’ll be biting my nails waiting for book number two! (This is why I don’t often read series- ahh! The waiting!).
Thanks to Little, Brown for the opportunity to read and review an early copy. All opinions are my own.
Synopsis:
Spend the coldest days of winter on a Caribbean beach with New York Times Bestselling author Elin Hilderbrand.
Join New York Times Bestselling author Elin Hilderbrand on the stunning beaches of St. John for the beginning of her thrilling new winter series-The Paradise. Welcome to Paradise, the first book in the Paradise series, has everything that readers have come to know and love about an Elin Hilderbrand novel, plus a healthy dose of intrigue. Irene Steele’s idyllic life-house, husband, family-is shattered when she is woken up by a late-night phone call. Her beloved husband has been found dead, but before Irene can process this tragic news, she must confront the perplexing details of her husband’s death. He was found on St. John island, a tropical paradise far removed from their suburban life. Leaving the cold winter behind, Irene flies down to the beautiful Caribbean beaches of St. John only to make another shocking discovery: her husband had a secret second family. As Irene investigates the mysterious circumstances of her husband’s death, she is plunged into a web of intrigue and deceit belied by the pristine white sand beaches of St. John’s. This exciting first book in the Paradise series will transport readers to a new beach locale-another world that Elin knows as well as her beloved Nantucket-and have them longing for winter.
Have you read Winter in Paradise? Are you an Elin Hilderbrand fan? Happy Reading! ~ Jennifer THR
wonderful, wonderful review! I too am not a huge fan of series . I hate having to wait for the second or for the third book.But, what I hate the most is that in series, the first book always ends in an upsetting way…. the worse is when I do not know I am reading the first book of a series and the story ends with no end….. NO!!!!!! I want my end! 🙂
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Thanks, Ink! ♥️ This one had a cliffhanger at the end, but not a huge one. Just enough that I definitely want to continue on with the series, which I probably would have anyway because I love this MC and author. I was already hooked! I tend to lose focus and forget about series installments because there are so many books to read, but hopefully I can maintain reading this one! 🤞 If I recall correctly, you were impacted by Florence, and I hope you are ok after Michael. We actually had a harder time with this storm than Florence- too much rain, too fast. Ugh.
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Yes, wind yesterday was nasty! I found my Halloween stuff in a yard that is at least six houses from mine. I totally forgot to put away the flag and now I have a broken flag pole in the garage. I expected to see Dorothy and her red shoes flying around, but the only thing flying was the head of a skeleton with a fake spider in its mouth. Lol
But, right after the storm, butterflies were flying here and there. BEAUTIFUL! Seeing butterflies after the nasty storm was so surreal and yet uplifting…
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That is so special! I wish I could have seen it! I am so sorry about your decorations! Some of poor plants had a quick end to summer! The wind was brutal and so was all the rain! Enjoy your weekend, Ink! ♥️
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Likewise! I so like when you call me Ink! Not sure why but I like it 😘
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I’m happy you like it! I write to you so often, I can’t not have a name for you- so Ink it is! 💕 Happy Saturday, Ink!
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❤️
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A second family! 😳 See…now I want to read this book, Jennifer!! What am I to do?! Yesterday, my husband told me I have books all over the place in my book room. He’s right. 😂 But when my fellow bloggers entice me like this it’s so hard to resist. 😌
Thanks for this excellent review!! 😊
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Thanks, Laurie! I absolutely think you’d love this book! (Sorry to Laurie’s husband! 😂) There’s a nice romance in here and EH is such a smooth writer. Hey, guess what? I got three Harlequin Christmas books in the mail yesterday! It made me think of you! I’m really excited about the Sarah Morgan one. Happy weekend, Laurie! I hope you weren’t too affected by Michael? ♥️
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Hi Jennifer!! I put it on my tbr along with the rest of them. 🤦🏽♀️
I really love the Harlequin Heartwarming line. Are your three books ARC’s? I actually don’t read holiday books, but I am really enjoying that ranch series. 😊
Thankfully, Michael didn’t really affect where we live besides heavy rain and some downed trees. The trees really scare me with these storms.
Thanks so much for asking. ☺️
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You’re welcome, Laurie! Yes, these are ARCs. I put the pics up on instagram tonight. There is one from Sarah Morgan, one from Jodi Thomas, and one from Delores Fessen. ♥️
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Wow!! You’re on a roll!! 😃
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When is the third book coming out? Do we know the name?
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It should be out next fall but I have not seen the name yet! I can’t wait!
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Fantastic review Jennifer! 🌸
I haven’t read this author in a while but I do love her writing. Sounds really good! So glad you enjoyed! 💜💕
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Thanks so much, Lindsay! ♥️ Yes, this was such a good book! I was pretty certain I would enjoy it because I already love this author, but this one was over-the-top good, even for her. Xoxo
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Oh wow! I’ll definitely be adding it then! 💜
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Lovely review. I am an E.H. Fan. Cannot wait to read this domestic drama. Happy Friday! 🌺📚💗
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I think you’ll love this, Virginia! She is on top of her game with this new series! Happy Friday to you! 💗
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Ahh, she always chooses the best settings! Brilliant review! ❤
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She really does, Holls! This book is so GOOD! 💗
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This is an author I been meaning to read. Just need a few more reading hours in my day. Lovely review!
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Thanks, Marialyce! I think you’d enjoy her books! They are reliable and well-written
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Lovely review, Jennifer!
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Thanks, Siobhan! 💗
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Happy Friday to you as well! I can’t wait to read this one!!
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Thank you, Amanda! Oh, I hope you love this! It’s a good one!
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Great review! 😊 I’ve never read anything from this author before, so I will need to check her out!
I have such a love-hate relationship with reading books in a series. I love having the chance to see my favorite characters develop and I love the excitement that comes with waiting for a new installment, BUT at the same time the wait can sometimes be a killer.
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Thanks, LP! She’s a reliable author, and her books are nice for an escape. Not fluffy, but not too heavy either. Yes, the wait can be hard, and I tend to just forget about the next book. I’m just bouncing around to all my other reads and it’s hard to get me back to a series. I have high hopes for this one, though. At least it should be out in a year’s time and not longer. 😊 Happy weekend!
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Wonderful review Jen! I just got this new and I can’t wait to read it! I’m a huge fan of Elin and have lots of her older books to get caught you on! Have you read the “other”Winter series? Those were the books that hooked me on her! Have a great weekend and hopefully you can dry out some this weekend! 😊🎃💕
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Thanks, Sus! Ohh, I am jealous of your hard copy! I am thinking I may go ahead and buy one, too, for the shelf. 😉 I may re-read it before the next one comes out. I think I have most of the Winter series, but I have not read them. Sigh! Hopefully I will binge them some time- maybe in the summer when I have a little more time, though it would be nice to read them in winter…I’ve usually just read her beachy Nantucket books. I hope you have a great weekend, too! 💗 xo
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Looks like a lovely book! I’m going to pick this one up on audio! To read in my spare time, LOL!💕💕
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Spare time?! I actually think you are going to have some slower reading time after we get through October or November? A little? I bet this will be great on audio, and I can’t wait to hear what you think of it! ♥️
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Great review! I have never read anything by this author, though I do own books by her. I know I made a similar comment on another of your posts today. Clearly, I need to start reading the books I buy. 😂
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I didn’t mean to miss commenting back, Darinda! I’m in the same boat. Several of her books are here unread, but I have read a few! 😂🤗
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I haven’t read this author before. It sounds like she’s a talented writer!
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She is, Chrissi! It’s nice for an escape read but without being too light or fluffy.
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I haven’t read Erin’s books yet. Thanks for this recommendation, Jennifer. Have a wonderful weekend!
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I’m sorry I missed commenting back, Jacquie! She’s a lovely, reliable author!
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Oh wow! A series! Something to look out for just in time for winter 😁
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Yes, it’s definitely off to a great start, Jee!
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It does sound a bit dramatic, but also sounds quite intriguing.
I haven’t read any of her books yet. Have The Perfect Couple on my Kinlde tho 😀
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The Perfect Couple is so good, Norrie! It has a murder mystery in it, which was a new thing for this author, and this particular start of the series had a similar element. It was lighter than thriller fare, but it was still intriguing for me. I hope you enjoy The Perfect Couple! ♥️
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Ditto to not reading new series. I prefer to wait until it’s done if it’s a trilogy, or until the series is at least three books in (but not 12!), before jumping in. No patience, here. Glad you enjoyed it so much!
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Thanks, Myndi! If I hadn’t gotten this one as an ARC, I would have waited and bought the whole trilogy. That’s what I did with her other trilogy, but I still haven’t read it! 😂 I’m the worst! Like you said, so many good books, not enough time!
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I collected her Winter series and am trying to read that one first. Your review tempts me (like they all do) but I have to be strong…maybe not:)
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I still need to read the Winter series, Jonetta, and I think I’ve collected them all, too. I hope we both love it! (Little, Brown archives their books later. If you end up feeling weak!)
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Wonderful review Jenni, intrigued to hear it’s a series but I might have to wait a little bit before I read this, I’m far too impatient to wait!! 😂
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Thanks, Beth! I usually am, too, so I know what you mean! 😂 ♥️
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Lovely review Jennifer! I’m going to have to pick this author up from my library sometime since I have no luck getting a hold of ARCs and I’m always hearing good things.
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Thanks, Carrie! Aw, that’s a shame about not getting the ARCs. I hope you can get one from the library and give her a try. She’s a lovely, reliable author.
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Great review Jennifer. I love Elin Hilderbrand books and look forward to this one. I do love the Nantucket setting, but I am sure St. John will be beautiful.
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Oops, I mean Jennifer.
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Thanks, Carla! I have done the same thing and always hope the person fixes it for me- so I fixed it. 😊 I hope this is a great read for you, too. It’s quite the story and St. John’s is a nice, warm backdrop.
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