BOOK REVIEW: Finding Paradise by Barbara Dunlop
Series: A Paradise, Alaska Romance Series | Book 2

Most Anticipated Books of 2021

T.I.M.E. Book Recipe: Mix Seven Brides For Seven Brothers with The Bachelorette... Mixes nicely without any "creepy factor"... Your story will rise quickly to double in size due to the strong female character leads and fab Alaskan setting... And result in the perfect amount of spice that will leave your tastebuds with a hint of heat without all the details... ✨😎✨

T.I.M.E. Jalapeno Rating: 🌶 (Very Mild)

Pages: 336
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Sub-Genre: Fish Out Of Water Romance | Holiday Romance | Books About Alaska
Time Period: Contemporary
Location: Alaska

IF YOU LIKE THIS BOOK THEN TRY…
Book: Match Made In Paradise by Barbara Dunlop (A Paradise, Alaska Romance Series | Book 1)
Movie: The Proposal

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All my reviews can be seen at This Is My Everybody | Simple Living | Denise Wilbanks at www.thisismyeverybody.com

♡ Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC. I voluntarily chose to review it and the opinions contained within are my own.

“Marnie wasn’t here to participate in the matchmaking weekend. She didn’t mind helping with the event. And hanging out with Mia again was going to be a load of fun, but she had no intention of interacting with Alaskan men looking for romance. She was an introvert at heart, and she loved the city. She was the last person who’d have screened in as a potential match for an Alaskan man, and she wouldn’t risk giving anyone the wrong idea about her future.”

Marnie Anton is a successful and driven lawyer who is sensible to a fault, but when one of her friend’s asks for help with a matchmaking project she can’t resist helping out with her crazy scheme. Will it work? Who knows, but Marnie knows that she can’t leave her friend undertaking it alone. She has to transport big city women to a matchmaking event in Paradise, Alaska, but will Marnie find her true love there too?

Conrad Cobra Stanford is your typical ruggish and handsome Alaskan mountain man, but he doesn’t have the patience for a foolish matchmaking scheme. Neither him nor Marnie were looking for a match with each other, but fate had other plans for them.

Do you like Hallmark movies? Because if you do then then you should stop what you are doing and read this book right now. I love Hallmark movies. Yes, they’re cheesy and silly, but is there anything better than a big city lawyer finding love with a small-town ex- Air Force hero? I think not. Is the premise a little out there? Absolutely. It was endearing though, and these characters found a way to weave themselves around my heart a little bit. I think with everything going on in the world, these small-town romances are a means to escape to a simpler life one not burdened by our worries or our struggles. This is the perfect read to curl up with this winter if you’re looking for something to make you feel all warm and fuzzy inside.

Fans of romances set in Alaska like those of Alanna Martin may find this read to be immensely enjoyable.

~ Michelle

There is just something about this time of year that always draws me towards books set in Alaska and this was a great one.
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Mia is a transplant to Alaska and she has this crazy idea to bring other city girls to Alaska on a match making vacation. Marine, is her attorney, who helped plan the trip. She came to Alaska on a whim.
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Marnie has no interest in matchmaking, neither does Conrad, yet they find each other.
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This is an enjoyable Alaskan love story and it’s out tomorrow!
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Thank you @berkleypub for an arc in exchange for an honest review
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This is the second book in Barbara Dunlop’s Paradise, Alaska series and while I enjoyed the first book in this series, I absolutely adored Finding Paradise. L.A. attorney Marnie Anton was happy to help her friend Mia bring willing single women to Paradise for a singles mixer weekend, but she didn’t expect to accompany them. When it became evident the women wanted her with them, she made the snap decision to go and while it causes a bit of problems with accommodations, she is welcomed not only by her friend Mia but others in the tiny town. What she doesn’t expect is to find airplane mechanic Conrad “Cobra” Stanford so interesting and engaging. A quiet, giant of a man, Conrad had no intentions of joining any of the single’s weekend activities but once he sees Marnie, he’s drawn to her like a moth to a flame.
While it seems like Marnie and Cobra are complete opposites, they in fact have a lot in common and I loved the way Marnie surprised Cobra at every turn. It was nice to see a man realize that he’d judged her based on her outward appearance and she was so much more than the polished lawyer. I loved the way they both opened up so much about their past and how it shaped them even though Marnie didn’t divulge everything all at once, Cobra was smart enough to know there was more going on and was patient with her as she worked her way up to telling him everything.
I completely understood why Marnie didn’t want to leave her career and so it thrilled me to no end that Cobra, not only got that but supported her in any way that he could. I also loved that when he made an error in judgment that caused Marnie to flee, he did everything in his power to make it right and more. There’s a lot to say about a man who is willing to put his pride on the back burner, admit he was wrong, fix it, and promise to do better.
Barbara Dunlop captured my interest in the first book of this series, but in Finding Paradise she captured my heart. I cannot wait to see what comes next in this exciting and captivating series.

I went into Finding Paradise with a bit of uncertainty. I knew that the first book (Match Made in Paradise) was decent, but it didn't fully wow me. So I had that playing in the back of my mind.

I will say, I was pleasantly surprised by Finding Paradise. Returning to Paradise Alaska with the group of women was going to be a wild ride. Especially since none of them had been in the town before, it was totally going to be a fish out of water experience. Granted the women had been thoroughly vetted, but still.

The relationship between Marnie and Cobra grabbed my attention away from all the other "matchmaking" that was attempting to happen. Looking at the two, you wouldn't think they'd work, but yet they did. Especially was Marnie revealed more and more of her skills (as well as her past). She showed how easily she'd be able to fit into this small town, as well as be perfectly suited for Cobra.

I also loved how Marnie jumped in where ever she could to help out. Whether it was with the matchmaking group, the community, with Cobra, or even with Mia, it just speaks to her character.

There was so much of this book that I enjoyed. That being said, the ending wasn't my favorite. Granted it works for Marnie, but in my heart of hearts I wanted something a tidbit different. Honestly, I wanted her to make a grand gesture for Cobra.

Happy Wednesday y'all! Fifteen billion amazing books came out yesterday (Finding Paradise being one of them) and instead of picking one to yell about and review, I got trapped in the indecision, and posted... nothing. Haha today, I made a decisive decision to write a review for Finding Paradise, but be ready for a whole lot of amazing contemporary romances, rom coms, and just all in all cute books to be reviewed in the next couple of weeks! (I might break them up with some fun YA fantasy/sci fi, but we'll see what I end up reading in the next couple of weeks- I've read 2 more romances to review after this one, I started one YA fantasy, and I have like 8 more romances on my list, so we'll see what happens). As usual, thank you so much to Berkley and Netgalley for letting me read an eARC of this book!
Finding Paradise 4/5 Stars
Summary from Goodreads:
Passion heats up in Paradise, Alaska, for two people who couldn't be more different in this sweet, sizzling romance from New York Times bestselling author Barbara Dunlop.
Accomplished Los Angeles lawyer Marnie Anton has always been sensible, but when her friend Mia Westberg asks for help with a ridiculous matchmaking project, she can't say no. The idea of transporting city girls into the small town of Paradise, Alaska, is so crazy it just might...work? Against her best judgment, she tags along. Having grown up in a family of intimidating men, Marnie developed a preference for the urbane lawyers and clients in her life in LA. But when she meets a mountain of a buff Alaskan man with an intriguing snake tattoo, intimidated is definitely not the first thing she feels.
Conrad Cobra Stanford was skeptical of the matchmaking event from the start. Big-city women weren't adventurous, they were judgmental. They'd take one look at him and scorn his lifestyle, just like his first love did. Cobra planned to give the women a wide berth, but one of them won't be ignored. Marnie's everything that's wrong and everything that's right for him all at the same time. Just when he thinks he's got her pegged, she blindsides him with a startling past, falling into his arms and igniting his protective instincts and so much more....
Oh there's so much I loved about this book! Finding Paradise is the second book in Barbara Dunlop's series about Paradise, Alaska and I loved that this book was about Cobra and Marnie (although I'm still holding out for a book on Raven and Brodie). These cute, small town Alaskan romances are perfect winter reads, so I thoroughly enjoyed it curled up on my couch drinking eggnog, with my Christmas tree up next to me. Barbara Dunlop has such a way with her characters that even when they're being difficult or stupid or extremely set in their ways, you still want them to win. I loved the addition of the Kodiak Games and Marnie being a part of them and I love how successful the matchmaking trip was- those were two great plot point that really drove the story along. Characters wise, I love everyone in Paradise, so I don't have anything negative to say about any of them. All in all, Finding Paradise was a great read, and even though some of the elements of the book seemed similar to book one in the Paradise series, they were done in such a way that it didn't feel stale. I highly recommend reading both of the Paradise books (and any other Paradise books Barbara Dunlop ends up writing) ASAP!

I absolutely adored this book! Marnie and Cobra were so much fun, I loved them. I also loved the Alaskan setting and Dunlop's writing.

I just love small-town romance, and when it's set in Alaska, I am completely unable to pass it up. Finding Paradise brings us back to the Paradise, Alaska series, and I enjoyed this one as much as the series opener, Match Made in Paradise. I'll go ahead and say now that this can be read as a standalone, but there are crossover characters and there's a continuing storyline - it's explained, but it is there.
Our romantic couple this time around is Marnie and Cobra, and they have some really good chemistry going on. There's a lot of push and pull between them, and I kept wanting them to just have a dang conversation but had that happened sooner, we'd have missed out on all the fun. It is a romance, but there's also adventure and excitement that comes with the location, so this one has a little of this and a little of that, and it all comes together wonderfully.
The Paradise, Alaska series is my first experience with Barbara Dunlop, and I'm liking what I see. The characters are likable, the stories are engaging, and I'll definitely be watching for the next book in the series.

Happy #publishingday to this fun read! Thanks to @netgalley and @berkleyromance for a copy to read and review.

Marnie is a high power LA lawyer who ends up helping her best friend with a ridiculous matchmaking project. Soon she ends up in Alaska (not looking for love) with a bunch of women who are looking for love. Conrad thinks this matchmaking scheme is a bad idea. He thinks city woman are not adventurous for the wild of Alaska but can’t help but notice one woman!

We all know I LOVE a romance that is set in Alaska. This is book 2 in the series but honestly you could read it without reading the first one. Pick it up if you love Alaska romances like me! 🙂

I was a little wary about the direction this series was heading after book one, to be honest, but this took a turn I really enjoyed. This is definitely a standalone romance, but I should mention there's a storyline that is a continuation from MATCH MADE IN PARADISE.

Following Cobra and Marnie, both have no personal interest in the matchmaking scheme brought to Paradise, Alaska. Planning to help the women arrive and hightail herself back to LA, lawyer Marnie unexpectedly discovers a spark with the rugged Aircraft Maintenance Engineer. Connecting over their past and family hardships, I loved seeing the quiet Cobra become totally smitten with the visiting city girl.

Despite her LA lifestyle, Marnie had some hidden small-town roots and skills that were fun to uncover. This is a slower paced story, but in a positive way that really immerses you into the Alaskan wilderness. Filled with adrenaline-filled adventures, local competitions, and bear encounters, I loved seeing these characters in action.

And I always love an ending that differs from the norm. This one made me absolutely swoon!

Cute romance with the stunning backdrop of Paradise, Alaska. Really enjoyed the chemistry and romance between Marnie and Cobra, as well as the premise of the story. The spice was great, as was the way Cobra and Marnie brought out the best in each other. I absolutely loved that Marnie didn’t settle for something she didn’t want, and how she and Cobra wound up compromising in a way that made them both happy. *I received an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

HAPPY PUB DAY REVIEW

A perfect next title in the author’s Paradise, Alaska romance series! I loved the first book and this newest is equally fun! (Isn’t that cover gorgeous?)

💖 While Covid madness swirled outside, I stayed cozily enrapt in this sweet story featuring a matchmaker (Mia from the first book), L.A. lawyer Marnie, and aviation mechanic Cobra. Could you ever imagine true love between a usually sane big-city professional and a gruff but buff Alaskan mountain man?

💖 Never say never when it comes to a Barbara Dunlop romance — that’s what makes her books so compelling. Highly recommended for romance lovers and anyone who longs for an Alaskan escape.

5 of 5 Stars
Pub Date 30 Nov 2021
#FindingParadise #NetGalley

Thanks to Barbara, Berkley Publishing Group, and NetGalley for the review copy. Opinions are mine.

Thank you to Netgalley and Berkley Publishing Group for the ARC.

🌟🌟🌟🌟 4/5 stars

At this point, I am just exclusively reading romance books set in Alaska. I love them all and they instantly put me in the winter mood. Finding Paradise is the second book in the Paradise, Alaska series and tells the story of Marnie, a lawyer for L.A., and Cobra, an aviation mechanic. When Marnie arrives in Paradise to help her friend, Mia, with a matchmaking project, her and Cobra find unexpected love.

This was such a cute story with a ton of chemistry and great characters. I love the town of Paradise and the “hot guy in Alaska” trope is always a hit with me. Marnie was a fun main character and her and Cobra have excellent chemistry. Their romance was very heartfelt with a lot of depth. I really enjoyed this story and can’t wait for the next installment.

ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Finding Paradise is the second book in the Paradise, Alaska series by Barbara Dunlop. A great addition to the series with well-written characters in a unique setting. I would definitely love to read more in the Paradise, Alaska series.

𝘚𝘸𝘦𝘦𝘵, 𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘳𝘮𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘥𝘦𝘭𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵𝘧𝘶𝘭!

Don’t you love when a series gets better with book two?
I had so much fun with this story, it was fast paced and easy to read, I loved the chemistry between the characters and I ended up with a smile on my face.
This is the second book in a series but can be read as a standalone.

Thank you Berkley Romance Berkley Publishing Group and NetGalley for this gifted copy.

Finding Paradise by Barbara Dunlop Author releases tomorrow November 30, 2021.

𝘙𝘦𝘢𝘥 𝘪𝘧 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘭𝘪𝘬𝘦: 𝘙𝘰𝘮𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘦, 𝘚𝘮𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘛𝘰𝘸𝘯 𝘳𝘰𝘮𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘦, 𝘊𝘰𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘮𝘱𝘰𝘳𝘢𝘳𝘺 𝘳𝘰𝘮𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘦, 𝘉𝘰𝘰𝘬𝘴 𝘴𝘦𝘵 𝘪𝘯 𝘈𝘭𝘢𝘴𝘬𝘢.

https://www.instagram.com/booksandcoffeemx/

Mini Review: This was another great book in the Paradise, Alaska series! I enjoyed this book as much as the first, I hope we get more books in the series, because I think there is so much potential for stories featuring the characters who haven't gotten their happy ending yet! Overall, I would definitely recommend this book!

I received an e-ARC from the publisher.

I really do love small-town romances, and after reading Match Made in Paradise I knew that I had to keep reading the Paradise, Alaska series. Finding Paradise can be read as a standalone but I recommend reading Match Made in Paradise first.

Both Marnie and Cobra have no interest in being part of the matchmaking process happening in Paradise, Alaska. Marnie is a lawyer that ends up on a plane to Alaska, where she meets Cobra, an engineer. Sparks fly from the moment they meet. As Marnie spends more time in Alaska, she recalls her past that made her a sharpshooter and prepared her for the wild. As they bond over being the black sheep of their family, they spend more and more time together.

I wish that I would have felt a stronger connection between Marnie and Cobra. I felt more interested in what was going on with Marnie's family than the romance or the matchmaking business.

Regardless, I can't wait for the next book and am praying that it's going to be Brodie and Raven's story.

Thank you to Berkley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

FINDING PARADISE is the second book in the PARADISE, ALASKA series. It was nice to be back and reunited with many characters we've met before. The scenery is rustic and vivid and I could picture being there. There was wildlife, outdoor activities, beautiful descriptions of the mountains, animals, homes, competitions as well as a more rugged lifestyle.

This is Marnie and Cobra's story and there's a lot of depth to the characters. They each have secrets and lives they enjoy but are distanced from their families. I liked how they connected but it was heartbreaking to see they weren't on the same page with his life in Alaska and hers in LA. But could that be changed? There are many stories being told and they are woven nicely together. The story had a good flow and I laughed a few times at some of the antics. There is nice closure and a happily ever after with compromises but definitely more stories to tell. I look forward to returning to Paradise over and over again! The cover is spot on and drew me in.

Ms. Dunlop is an almost new author to me and whose books I look forward to reading. This is only the second book of hers that I've read, but I plan to correct that. I've added some of her books to my TBR pile.

At the end of "Match Made in Paradise" we see that Mia and Marnie are creating a matchmaking program in Paradise, Alaska. Mia got her happy ending so of course, now it's Marnie's turn. Except of course, she doesn't want to live in Paradise. In fact she doesn't even want to go.

Of course, she does find her way there. Once there she meets the rugged Conrad who goes by Cobra. Cobra's nickname suits him. Marnie also suits him, but her life is in LA.

We find many things wonderful in the book. We get to see situations that feel quite life-like. There is imprisoned family members, black sheeps, blue collar and white collar professions, grand gestures of love, and more. This story could happen to you neighbor, and I loved it. I binged the entire thing in one sitting. I wanted more!

Thank you Berkley and Netgalley for the advanced copy of this book for my honest opinion.

The crisp air awakened her senses as a bitter wind blew across her face. She could feel the beginnings of an icicle threatening to take over her nose. The snow on the ground glistened and the white blanketing the pine trees was pristine and fresh. She felt alive out here with nothing but nature surrounding her. The mountains in the distance protected the small town and the river snaked through the forest creating a serene sound in the background. This place was heaven on earth and she couldn’t imagine being anywhere else.

Finding Paradise is book two of the Paradise, Alaska series, but it can honestly be read as a standalone.
Marnie is in Alaska on an impromptu trip as she helps get things running for a matchmaking event she has helped start. Little does she know that some matchmaking may be coming her way as well.

The setting of this book was gorgeous and I couldn’t get enough of the Alaskan scenery and the characters were fun to read about. I loved the strength of Marnie’s character!
But… I felt the book was so rushed. There were so many different things happening and things were just flying across the pages without any true fleshing out of the storylines. I also felt the romance was a little forced as well and I just didn’t feel a strong chemistry between the two main characters. I’m not a big instalove fan, and that’s what this romance felt like. Plus, the chasing after Marnie across the country (twice), was a bit odd.

If you’re a fan of fast moving relationships and a gorgeous Alaskan setting, then you may want to give this book a read.