An easy, light read but there were definitely some unbelievable aspects to the story: Irene has no idea what her husband does for work and where he goes every few weeks? A devoting dad is able to disappear for a week in St John and doesn’t talk to his four-year-old while he’s away? And that same devoted dad, whose wife says she wants a divorce, “falls in love” in one day while on St John?
Most likely I’ll read the next book in this series.

I am a fan of Elin Hilderbrand and I was excited to see a new series pop up on Netgalley, who graciously supplied the arc in exchange for this honest review. The story is an easy read and I lived the characters. It was typical of the authors previous books, but I like that. I read it very quickly, now I must wait for book 2.

Honestly anything this woman writes is amazing!! I own all her books because she is one great story-teller!!

I just adore Elin HIlderbrand- this was a delightful story of a family filled with surprise, drama, and love. The story was all encompassing and hard to put down. The author left you wanting more, and I am so excited for book 2! Thank you for the advanced copy!!

I received this book free of charge from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

I liked this. It was a quick, easy read that was perfect for an early winter weekend curled up on the couch under a blanket. The characters were likable and it was an interesting plot that leaves enough to be explored in future books in the series.

Definitely would recommend it.

If you like Hilderbrand's other books, you will enjoy this. Same formula as most of her books but it works for a nice easy read.

I love anything Elin Hilderbrand writes, and this is no exception! While I found Baker to be kind of annoying, I was interested in continuing to read and discover the storyline. I can’t want to find out what happens next in the second book!

Irene Steele's life in Iowa City is pretty idyllic. Her two sons, Cash and Baker, are grown and gone. Her husband's career is so successful that she was able to buy and rehab her dream Victorian, but his career means that he is gone a lot. Even on New Years Day. Then she receives a phone call that changes everything. Her husband has died in an accident. On St. John in the US Virgin Islands. Irene is stunned. What was he doing in the US Virgin Islands? Is he really dead? Rather than break under the shock, Irene calls on her sturdy midwestern roots, calls her sons, and books a flight. They arrive on St. John to find out that the man they called father and husband was leading another life. Will they be able to find out the truth about the man they loved?

Even though Winter in Paradise was not set on Nantucket, I devoured it like I do every other Elin Hilderbrand novels. I really liked Irene. Her midwest sensibilities were very near and dear to my heart. She was obviously shocked by her husband's death but was determined to do what needed to be done. Her sons, on the other hand, were spoiled, selfish brats, who were only concerned about outdoing the other. I couldn't believe how bad they were towards each other. At least they were kind to their mother. Like the Winter Street series, Winter Paradise is definitely set up to be a trilogy. But Winter Paradise is not really a Christmas book, like the Winter Street series. That was really the only thing that disappointed me.

Bottom Line - Winter in Paradise is everything we love about Elin Hilderbrand novels. A strong woman, a great story, and a fabulous island. One to not miss!

Details:
Winter in Paradise by Elin Hilderbrand
On Instagram
Pages: 272
Publisher: Little, Brown, and Company
Publication Date: 10/9/18
Buy it Here!

I'm a fan of this authors, and excited to read the first installment of this series. Whatcha love about her books is the detail and development of her characters. I could visualize this story unfolding in color.

The story begins with the news of Irene's husband of 35 years has died suddenly from a helicopter crash. This news prompts her and her two sons to go to St. John's where they learn he had another life and another family. They learn that there was another victim in the crash who was his misress. More questions surface. Russ had an oppulent lifestyle that is contrary to the one they know living in a small town. It's as if he is a stranger to them because they know nothing about his life or business there and the people they meet who were close to his mistress, Rosie, are just as clueless. The story escalates to new information that leaves you hanging........and ready for the next installment in the series.
Well done, I can't wait.

If you have been following me for a while, you’ll know that I’m obsessed with Elin Hilderbrand’s books. I will read anything and everything that she writes. I already had this book pre-ordered when I requested to read it early. I didn’t get approved for NetGalley until I already had the book in my hands, but I was still pumped for the opportunity to review it for them.

The past two and a half months have been really emotionally difficult for me. Getting back into the routine and pressures of being a third grade teacher has been really hard for me. This past Sunday all I wanted was to be able to sit, relax, and get transported to another place. I decided it was time to pick this book up and I’m so glad that I did. It delivered everything that I love in a book.

If you aren’t captivated by the first two perspectives, I don’t know what to tell you. The first two gripped me and I couldn’t wait to continue reading. I had to find out what was going to happen in the story. I wanted more! I knew that the answers weren’t going to come simple and that they were going to require work to get there. This book is the first book in a trilogy. That being said, I still thought I’d get some closure by the end of the book. Who was I kidding? That wasn’t going to happen! So now here I am desperately waiting for book 2 and 3! I thought that I wouldn’t attach to this book as much as I attached to the Winter Street series that she released for the past 4 years. That was such a wrong way to think because I attached to these characters just as much.

Elin Hilderbrand lets us know in the forward that she wrote this book while in St. John’s and it totally shows. I was nervous knowing that this was the first book that she has written that doesn’t take place in Nantucket. Nantucket has always felt like a second home through her books so I wasn’t sure what to expect. What I ended up getting through this book was a new lovely new set of unique characters, culture, a beautiful settings, and exciting events at every corner. Also a rumble in my stomach. The way Elin writes about food makes you want all of the meals even when they include food items that I would never eat in the real world. I felt my mouth-watering reading about the Caribbean inspired dishes.

These characters were flawed, but not to the point of annoyance. I feel like we are going to be able to grow and learn through these characters. Their story is going to be an important one. In life everything is not black and white and there is going to be way more than meets the eye. I can feel it! I can’t wait to go on that journey with them.

The setting was stunning. I really could picture the beaches, the sea life, the restaurants, that amazing house without ever being to St. Johns. Elin Hilderbrand has a way to transport you to these locations without ever leaving your couch. It felt like summer in the middle of November.

I 100% recommend you read this book! You won’t regret it! I read it easily in one day.

5 stars!

While I liked the book well enough, I thought the title was very misleading. It was more of a mystery than a book about wintering in paradise. I was also very frustrated that the ending was a cliffhanger with no mention. of when the next book will be published.

I have always liked Elin Hilderbrand's style of writing each chapter from a different character's viewpoint/about a different character. This book was no different. It moved quickly because of all of the characters.

All in all, a good, quick read that kept me intrigued, but also disappointing that it didn't wrap up more at the end.

I mean honestly. I adore these ridiculous book series' she writes. I can't help myself. She has such a way with different voices and connecting them all. I'm happy this is another series because I was worried about having withdraws from the Winter Street Inn series.

Such a great new series by Elin Hilderbrand. Not as “wintery” as the Winter Street triology but I cannot wait to see what happens next!

I absolutely loved this book! The only negative is that now I have to wait so long to see what happens next!!

Ok, this reinforced why i said I'd never read another of her books. Silly me for thinking I'd give her another chance.
I swear she gets paid by the word as she keeps repeating the same story. Each person seems to repeat something such as, "I can't believe he is dead" over and over. Then the focus changes to a different character who also repeats it. How many times does she need to tell us? Does she think we are stupid?
Also, why does she keep calling people by first and last name?
No more for me, but thank you NetGalley for an advance copy in exchange for an honest opinion.

I received an ARC of this novel from Netgalley in exchange for my review. Winter in Paradise is the first in a new series by Elin Hilderbrand, and I'm hooked! Irene Steele has it all: a devoted husband, a beautiful home, and more money than she can spend, but it is all about to blow up in her face. She gets a call that her husband has been killed in a helicopter crash. When Irene and her sons arrive to claim his body, they find that he has been living a secret life and they discover the truth behind a mountain of lies. Irene has to figure out who she really is and what does life hold for her in the wake of the destruction her husband left behind.

I am eagerly looking forward to reading more books in this series as I have lots of questions about what happened to characters in this story. I also liked the location of this novel with cold weather approaching!

Elin Hilderbrand is one of those authors where you know, no matter what the plot is - you're going to enjoy it! This is the perfect book to give yourself a break with as the busy holiday season starts to creep in and you need some wind-down time and self-care. Highly recommend!

5 out of 5 stars
Great read, but cliffhanger ending
October 29, 2018
Format: Kindle Edition
The husband has a secret life in a tropical paradise -- but then he is killed and wife and sons have to try to pick up the pieces! Lots of very human emotions emerge examining marriage, love, achievement and secrets. Definitely worth a read, and now I've got a new author with a long backlist to read!

I agree with many of the other reviewers about the cliffhanger ending, can't wait to see where the story goes next, but have to wait until the release of the next in the series!

I read Elin Hilderbrand’s new book this week and it was amazing. She tweeted that her sister thought this was Elin’s best book ever so my expectations were high. This book did not disappoint. Elin departed from her usual Nantucket setting and headed to St. John, USVI to share her latest story. I loved the characters, felt their angst, and cheered for all of them to come out on top. I have added St. John to my “must visit” list after visualizing the beautiful island while reading. Elin spends about 5 weeks there each winter to write so she knows the island and really makes you feel like you are there. I don’t want to give away too much but the story starts when a wife finds out her husband died in a helicopter crash, a woman finds out her best friend died in a helicopter crash, and two men find out their father died in a helicopter crash. Each of these people is going through their own struggles when they get this news and Elin artfully weaves their stories together as they mourn the dead and figure out how to move on with their lives. This is the first in a trilogy set on St. John and ends with a major cliffhanger. The only thing I don’t love about this book is that I have to wait an entire year to read what happens next!

Reading an Elin Hilderbrand book is something of nostaglia for me. Every summer as I head to the cabin to prepare for dockside reading in the noon day summer heat I pick up the latest Elin thriller. Reading this novel was somewhat of a treat for me. Even though it is cold and windy and I am no where near a dock I am still warm and surrounded by a familiar friend. I am thrilled to know that this is a beginning to a new series. Here is hoping that the Paradise series will have readings dashing through the snow to the bookstore for a little piece of summer.