𝚁𝚊𝚝𝚒𝚗𝚐: 4.5⭐️
𝙶𝚎𝚗𝚛𝚎: contemporary romance 📚

𝙼𝚢 𝚃𝚑𝚘𝚞𝚐𝚑𝚝𝚜:
This one was such a fun and wild ride. If you’re a fan of romantic comedies you need to read this one

𝚁𝚎𝚊𝚍 𝚒𝚏 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚕𝚒𝚔𝚎:
Marriage of convenience
Forced proximity + only one bed
All the family drama
Great chemistry
Dual POV
Tropical wedding setting
Laugh out loud moments
Opposites attach
Spicy slow burns

𝚃𝚑𝚒𝚗𝚐𝚜 𝙸 𝚕𝚒𝚔𝚎𝚍:
West and Anna are adorable

𝚃𝚑𝚒𝚗𝚐𝚜 𝙸 𝚍𝚒𝚍𝚗’𝚝 𝚌𝚊𝚛𝚎 𝚏𝚘𝚛:
How awful Liams family was
The conflict resolution felt a little rushed

loved it! such a fun and perfect summer read. the right amount of steam and plot, almost felt like an unhoneymooners sequel, highly recommend

While I claim to be a die hard Christina Lauren fan (and I DO love their books), I realized that the last one I'd read of theirs was The Unhoneymooners. (I think I get nervous to pick up books from favorite authors for fear of them not living up. Spoiler alert: The Paradise Problem exceeded expectations.) Anna and West were such unique characters with palpable chemistry; the setting was completely escapist; the rich people behaving badly was highly entertaining; and their love story was just so adorable (and steamy!). I swooned throughout and was genuinely sad when I had to leave them. Whether or not you've read CL, if you're a contemporary romance fan I urge you to pick this up (plus it's perfect for summer!)

This is Christina Lauren at their absolute *best* after a few releases I wasn't all that crazy about.

My favorite CL book is The Unhoneymooners and this feels like a spiritual sibling of that book -- an idyllic setting, forced proximity and charming, funny characters with excellent banter. And bonus tropes for this one: Fake dating/marriage of convenience with a quirky twist. I saved this to be my first summer read of 2024 and I'm so glad I did.

Bonus points for rich people family drama, which I usually just eat up -- and I definitely did this time, too.

I love a good Christina Lauren page turner! Fake relationships always get me good and this one was no exception. I felt like I was on pins and needles the whole time because the couple was certainly going to get caught at any moment. It felt like their lies kept digging them in a hole deeper and deeper. I really loved Anna, the main female character, she is such a strong kick ass woman. Now Liam on the other hand could really stand to grow a pair. How could he come from such a family and go through years of therapy and still be such a mousey little man? I mean there were times when I got WHY, but it still drove me nuts until the very end. I loved it so much and like most Christina Lauren books I did not want it to end. I will miss these two characters and wish we could see where they both are now!!

Sometimes Christina Lauren is hit or miss for me, but Im happy to say this one was more of a hit!

I love a good fake marriage troupe with forced proximity done well and this one did not disappoint.

Our two main characters Liam and Anna married in college in order to get family housing, when they graduated, she thought she signed divorce papers. but Years later, turns out they are still married. Ana is now literally a starving artist, and , when Liam shows up needed her to be his bride for the week at his sister's wedding to get his inheritance.

Good times ensue in a beautiful location.

this is the perfect summer read. Quick and easy without too much drama.

Highly recommend

Thank you to NetGalley for the Arc. All opinions are my own.

This book!!!!!! This feels so so so reminiscent of CL ala unhoneymooners. Funny. Swiping. Loved the characters dialogue and wit. I can’t say how much more enjoyable this is! Also GORG cover. Tysm CL for this incredible romcom. You set the bar high w this one!!

I mention this in every review, but I will read anything by Christina Lauren. Their books are perfect for when you need a fun read to forget about any stressors or as a palate cleanser after a more challenging book. The Paradise Problem is no exception. I literally read the book in a 24-hour period. It’s the perfect mix of the enemies-to-lovers trope, a beautiful setting in Hawaii, with a bit of NSFW scenes thrown in. If you a headed to the beach, the is the perfect book to bring on your trip!

Thank you to NetGalley and Gallery Books for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

In signature Christina Lauren fashion, this book had me hooked from the very beginning. I really enjoyed the fake marriage, forced proximity trope and thought the banter between the main characters was effortless. The main character, Anna, reminded me a lot of Hazel from Josh and Hazel's Guide to Not Dating, which I loved. The spicy scenes were so well done and the setting was its own character. The toxic familial issues gave perfect "rich people problems" and added an extra compelling layer to the overall story. I will read anything that Christina Lauren writes and this one definitely did not disappoint.

Liam Weston and Anna Green married in college in order to get family housing, when they graduated, she signed divorce papers. Years later, Ana is a starving artist, living paycheck to paycheck, when Liam (West) shows up at her door with an answer to her problems. They are still married, and he is asking her to portray his wife at his sister's wedding. The catch is his inheritance, but they need to be convincing, or he will lose it. As the week goes on, Liam starts to wonder if the money or his new found feelings will win out.

This is a fun read! Great characters and a fun plot!

Thank you to the Publisher and NetGalley for the ARC in return for my honest review.

Rating: 4.5/5
Steam: 3.5/5
Warnings: absentee parent, toxic family culture, illness of a parent

Thank you Gallery Books for this advanced copy in exchange for my honest opinion.

Why did I wait to read this book? I don't know but it was fabulous. The perfect mixture of chaos, humor, steam and all around a good time.

One thing I love to observe (I know, this is bad) but wealthy people behaving badly. It is almost like, are you serious? We should know who you are because of that? Anyways, this book was filled with that and it was WILD.. It was similar to Crazy Rich Asians but they were not Asian but still in that part of the world on a private island.

What I loved: My fav trope but with a twist. Wedding shenanigans and family drama. The setting was so perfect, I almost felt like I was there and now want to visit. Late night pizza in the kitchen. Liam's perspective on his family. Such great banter and the steam was an ode to the OG CLo. Anna's story was so real for so many and I am so glad they showcased that.

What I didn't love: Liam's family really was quite cruel and while the epilogue covered how they were mending, it wish I saw more of that on page.

Just binged "The Paradise Problem" in 24 hours and OMG, I’m obsessed! 😍 From the prologue, I was HOOKED. The story follows two main characters who get married in college for financial reasons and end up faking their marriage for a family wedding years later. The banter and opposites attract energy between them were on point! 🥰 The tension was palpable and kept me on the edge of my seat. Plus, the paradise backdrop and family drama added so much to the plot. 🌴✨ This writing duo never disappoints. Perfect fun read for this summer! ☀️📚 #Bookstagram #TheParadiseProblem #SummerReads #BookReview

3.75
2
Christina Lauren are the queens of romcoms!
Anna and West got married in college so they could live in family housing and save some money. 3 years latter and Anna is a struggling artist and West is a professor at Sanford. Anna thought she signed divorce papers 3 years ago when West moved out but when West shows up at her door she finds out that was not the case.
West needs Anna to attend a 10 day family wedding to convince his family they are in fact married so he can collect his inheritance.
This is a fun romcom that you don't have to think too much about. I would 100% recommend.
Thank you to NetGalley for the arc in exchange for my honest review.

Christina Lauren's "The Paradise Problem" is a captivating romantic escapade that flawlessly executes the beloved fake dating trope. Set against the picturesque backdrop of a tropical paradise, this novel introduces readers to the irresistible chemistry between Anna Green and her fake husband, Liam "West" Weston.

What truly sets this book apart is the dynamic banter between Anna and Liam. Their playful exchanges and witty repartee inject the narrative with a delightful energy, keeping readers thoroughly entertained from start to finish. Christina Lauren masterfully crafts their interactions, making each moment feel genuine and heartwarming.

However, it's not just the romance that makes "The Paradise Problem" shine. The complication introduced by Liam's family adds depth and intrigue to the story, keeping readers on the edge of their seats as they navigate through unexpected twists and turns.

As a reader who typically reserves five-star ratings for only the most exceptional romance novels, I found myself unable to resist awarding "The Paradise Problem" with the highest praise. Christina Lauren's seamless blend of humor, romance, and family drama creates an irresistible narrative that is sure to captivate readers of all ages.

In conclusion, "The Paradise Problem" is a must-read for fans of the fake dating trope and anyone looking for a charming and engaging romance novel. With its well-developed characters, sparkling dialogue, and compelling storyline, this book deserves nothing less than five stars. Christina Lauren has once again proven why they are masters of the genre, delivering a heartfelt and unforgettable story that will leave readers swooning until the very last page.

Review will be posted on 5/21/24

Anna Green married Liam Weston years ago as an arrangement to qualify for the much coveted campus housing in college. After an amicable arrangement, they part ways at graduation and don't see each other for years; that is until Liam shows up on Anna's doorstep. Apparently, they never really divorced and he needs her help again. Liam is the heir to a major successful grocery store chain and needs to stay married for five years to obtain his inheritance. This is where Anna comes in. He needs her to pretend to be married to him and attend his sister's wedding; in turn, Anna will get a cut of the money, which she desperately needs and Liam will get his inheritance if all goes well. So, off Anna and Liam go to a private island for a family wedding and although Liam's family is pretty horrible, Anna has come to realize that he isn't. Christina Lauren's The Paradise Problem is a steamy rom-com with everything readers could want in a beach read: a tropical setting, an opposites attract romance, family drama, and a lot of witty banter.

The Paradise Problem had me laughing out loud at times. It reminded me of one of my favorite rom-coms from the 90s. Anna is a delightful character, but also very quirky; you can't help but love her. Liam is her polar opposite, so I really enjoyed how their romance unfolded. Fans of the fake marriage trope will especially enjoy this one. Also, I liked the private island setting of The Paradise Problem as this only added to the beach read appeal. Fans of romance can't go wrong with Christina Lauren's novels. The Paradise Problem will make for great vacation reading this summer.

🌸 The Paradise Problem 🌸
Christina Lauren

I so enjoyed this book! Anna is totally my kind of girl and her dry and quick humor had me laughing a lot! West or Liam actually is a total cinnamon roll of a man, but when Anna is definitely his frosting filling in all his layers with the unconditional love and support he has been missing. This marriage of convenience/fake dating set in an actual paradise set these two up for crossing the lines of friendship in the best of ways!

Anna Green thought her marriage to Liam “West” Weston was just a way to get access to subsidized family housing at UCLA, ending with their graduation and supposed divorce. Three years later, Anna is a struggling artist while West is a Stanford professor and heir to the Weston Foods empire. Despite his disinterest in the family business, West is keen on his $100 million inheritance, which requires him to be happily married for five years. With pressure mounting from his family to meet his spouse, West turns to Anna, his not-quite-ex-wife. As they grow closer during their time in paradise, he must decide if his inheritance is worth risking the genuine love that has emerged from their sham marriage.

Read if you enjoy
💍 Marriage of Convenience
❣️ Fake Dating
💞 Friends to Lovers
🏝️ Island Setting
💰 Billionaire
🧑‍🧑‍🧒‍🧒 Family Drama
🗣️ Banter
🧲 Opposites Attract
🛏️ Only One Bed

Thank you to @gallerybooks and @netgalley for the advanced copy of this book!

#christinalauren #botm #bookofthemonth #theparadiseproblem #paradiseproblem #netgalley #arcreview #BookReview #BookRecommendation #marriageofconvenience #fakedating #friendstolovers

I just loved this book. Anna and Liam's lives are like oil and water. You would have never seen these two together if it wasn't for the fact they are married because Liam needed to get into UCLA housing. They have not seen each other since graduation. Anna is a starving artist trying to make ends meet and keep up with her dad's medical bills. Liam is now a professor. Now, Liam needs Anna again. When she agrees because of the money offered, they are whisked off to Liam's sister's island wedding where most of Liam's family is going to meet her for the first time. They think she is a doctor, but some secrets will be revealed. The longer they are on the island, Anna falls deeper, until secrets come out and all heck breaks lose. This was an awesome read. Thank you to Christina Lauren, Galley Books, and NetGalley, for the opportunity to read and review this book.

This was such a cute read. Loved the dynamic between Anna and West/Liam. And felt like both were relatable and real. Ate this one up!

Since I don’t have any kids and I am not a teacher, summer begins when the weather finally gets warmer. So it’s officially summer for me and what better way to start it off than with a rom com set on a private island. This had the equivalent of my favorite trope, a fake marriage.

I love Anna and West/Liam. They are opposites in so many ways, which played well for their slow burn romance. She’s out of work and poor from a small family filled with love. And he’s not only a professor but is first in line to run the family company from an over the top large dysfunctional family. I loved their banter as they learned about each other while pretending they’ve been married for five years.

Even though this is very much a slow burn, there is some spice, heartfelt moments, laughter and romance to root for. I enjoyed disliking Liam’s family in all their quirkiness and dysfunction and wanting him to land on top. There were moments that pulled on my heartstrings in hearing about Anna’s family.

This was a great read to start my summer reading. Everything coming up will have a lot to live up to.

The Paradise Problem is Christina Lauren at their best. This is a fun and funny story that I flew right through, soaking up every moment with these characters. And who doesn’t love some well-written fake dating antics? Or the chemistry thusly generated? This is a perfect choice for this summer’s beach reading season- though I’m glad I didn’t wait that long.

Thank you Christina Lauren, Gallery Books, and NetGalley for providing this ARC for review consideration. All opinions expressed are my own.