Member Reviews

More self discovery and forgiveness and family drama than romance, this novel is about a woman who does what I often think about doing on a bad day - she runs away to the beach. This book wasn’t really what I was expecting but it was a quick, easy read that left me feeling quite content. All of the characters evolved and changed as they learned more about themselves and connected with others.

(I received this ARC from Netgalley in exchange for my honest review.)

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Very easy and fun beach read. A bit predictable (as many beach reads are), but I still couldn’t put it down. Mary heads to a cute hotel with her granddaughter for some much needed time after several events unfold in her life. Ollie has recently lost her husband, and is hoping to hold onto her beloved hotel. Daniel is reeling from some major losses. Set in a cute beach town, the characters' lives become intertwined in so many ways. Highly recommend for anyone looking for a fun beach read to get through these winter months! Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review

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An easy read. It is a little predictable, but I found it comforting. Good characters and a nice storyline that was perfect for the holidays. Thanks NetGalley and St Martin's!

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Paradise Girls was a quick, easy read that allowed me to escape the holiday madness and relax for a bit. Set around Christmas, this book chronicles the evolution of the characters, Mary, Ollie and Daniel as they navigate the seasons of their lives. All three are dealing with unrelated major life changes, their worlds collide and they end up helping each other find some peace. A story of healing, self discovery, love and forgiveness, Paradise Girls was a little predictable but was a comforting, light story that filled my need for some “brain candy”.

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Mary is an interior designer on the brink of some major life decisions, and she winds up at a kitschy hotel with her granddaughter for the holidays. A story more about loss, forgiveness and self actualization for all three of the central character who are at a crossroads. It was a great ;beach read', just as frothy as the umbrella drinks served at the hotel where they stay. Fans of Elin Hilderbrand will be sure to enjoy.

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This is a heartwarming story about loss, forgiveness, and personal growth. The story centers around three characters, Mary, Daniel, and Ollie, each of whom is at a crossroads in life. Mary, a 42-year old mother and grandmother, has just broken up with her long-term boss/boyfriend in New York. At the urging of her best friend, she and her granddaughter, Larkin, head to the Low-Key Inn, an old beach hotel in Florida, for Christmas. Mary had hoped that her estranged daughter, CC, would join them, but CC had other plans in mind. While in Florida, Mary meets Daniel, a pensive loner and fishing guide who has demons of his own to overcome. She also befriends, Ollie, the elderly woman who owns the Inn and is struggling to maintain it. As their lives become more and more intertwined, Mary, Daniel, and Ollie draw strength from each other and begin to realize that there just might be a light at the end of the tunnel after all.

This is a beautifully written book by Sandy Gingras, and I would definitely recommend it to Jenna Bush Hager's book club!

Thanks so much to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for sending me this book to read!

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I am a fan of the author's many beachy gift type books and as such was very interested and excited to see she had written a novel. The book centers around 3 main characters; Mary, Daniel and Ollie. Each chapter is written from one of the three characters perspective. While there are potential future romances, the book is more about other things. It is about forgiveness, overcoming grief, learning what a person really needs, how important nature and the environment are to our happiness. The author writes how the ocean, shells, sand, birds,butterflies and raspberries " feel" and how they make us feel. The characters are all wonderful and I think I connected most with Ollie.Perhaps because she is older, but also perhaps because she walks the beach everyday. talks, feeds and cares about "her" birds and loves life.
I'd like to thank NetGalley, Sandy Gingras, the author and St Martin's Publishing for the opportunity to read and review this lovely book. Paradise Girls releases on July 5, 2022

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This was my first book by this author and I enjoyed it but did not love it. I typically enjoy multiple view points but this one was hard to follow sometimes. I love the “Frankie and grace” feel to this book and I’m a big fan of vacation on the beach books. Due to that, this was an easy read. This was a heart warming book but very predictable. I would read another book by Sandy Gingras but would not buy this one in physical form.

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Thank you NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review.

I love a good story of starting over - starting fresh - finding yourself.

There was also a cast of quirky characters that all together become a family.

If you're looking for a nice, light and easy read - look no further.

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I received an advance copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

I found this book to be perfectly pleasant and enjoyable. The thorough descriptions of the characters and their feelings helps readers feel more connected to each of the story's three narrators. When I first started this book, I was expecting it to be a true romance novel with a concurrent theme of family and strained relationships. However, I would describe Paradise Girls as a story about healing, self-acceptance, growth, and mutual understanding with just the **tiniest** hint of romance.

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I really wanted to like this book, but never felt like I connected with the characters as much as I am able to do with other writers. The premise of the story was good, but it didn’t give me that feeling where I couldn’t wait to see what happened next; one of the most important criteria I look for in a good book. This is my first book by this author, so not sure if this is her style or just this book.

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I was lucky to receive an advance copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review and opinions. I found this story to be extremely touching and heart warming from start to finish. She did such a great job developing the characters! This is the first book I've read by this author but going forward she will for sure be on my list of favorites.

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even though at times I felt there was disjointedness, I really liked this book. it all comes down to family and how you choose to behave with them.

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A bit hard to follow with the changing of character perspectives, because it didn't flow well with each switch. However, a cute story overall, if predictable.

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Touching and endearing story from start to finish. The characters are so well written and their individual stories combine for a truly wonderful take.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

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What a great story about lost women finding their place in the world. Reconnecting with family, taking new directions and making friends. In a 70s style Inn on the coast of Florida 2 women come together in a place in their lives when they are at a precipice of change. Ollie who owns the In is no longer under the thumb of her former husband and Mary has left the man that has spent many years unwilling to commit. Mary has her estranged granddaughter with her for the first time and wants so badly to reconnect with her daughter and be allowed to be a grandmother. Stories of loss and regretted choices and then redirection and choosing for themselves.
I love Mary and Larkin and how Mary is able to give life back into Larkins dreary childhood. I can feel the love and joy come from the pages as i read. I want to book a trip to stay at the Inn and have my life affirming experience. This was a great feel good book perfect for a summer read on the beach.
Thank you Sandy Gringas and St Martins Publishing for allowing me to read and review this book.

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Paradise Girls was a nice vacation read. The story was pretty predictable, but for the most part I liked the characters, and I enjoyed the happy ending.

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I requested to read and review this book for free from St. Martin Publishing. This book is about love, self love, growth, and family. This book takes place for the most part in beautiful Florida. True happiness comes from where? Can love still be true as life goes on? Family is a lot of things. Can someone past shape their future or do you make the future? Characters Mary and Ollie are unique and different in many different ways. Kipper has been dealt sometimes a difficult hand in life. Can growth happen in a short period of time? This book can be read by anyone and can be read anywhere.

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My personal opinion of what makes a book a good read is it makes you laugh, makes you smile, keeps your interest, and makes you feel as if you are on location of the story. Paradise Girls does all that plus more. It's been a while since I've read something that made me laugh, hated to put down, and hated to finish. Just a "make you feel good" story.

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Touching and endearing story from start to finish. The characters are so well written and their individual stories combine for a truly wonderful take.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

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