Member Reviews
Thank you so much @netgalley & @gallerybooks for the eArc.
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This is a story about the best of exes.
I liked but didn’t love this one as much as I’d hoped. The premise was fine (I would do much crazier things for free housing) but it felt to much like insta-love for me. That being said, it’s a short cute read!
Super cute read, reminded me quite a bit of the unhoneymooners which I loved. I ended up buying a physical copy!
This is a good book. The two main characters are Anna and Liam. Anna and Liam are in college. They meet when Liam’s brother introduces them to each other. They both need cheap housing for college, if you are married you can get it. They get married and stay together till Liam gets his PHD. They think they get a divorce till four years later. Liam finds Anna right when she needs help. He offers to pay her to go to his sister’s wedding, because she still his wife. His family wants to meet her. So she goes. They both have issues it together they work them out and fall in love.
This was exactly the fun escapism I sought in a summer read. It was light-hearted, funny, and quick to read. The marriage of convenience trope was so well done in this book because I, too, would have married a stranger if it had gotten me free housing in college. I loved how the relationship developed between Liam and Anna without feeling too rushed.
This is my favorite Christina Lauren book yet! I loved the characters and the tropical island setting. The pacing was great and I was so eager to continue reading to see what would happen next.
What a fun, light summer read! Anna was so refreshing as a young, female main character. I loved the way she spoke what was on her mind and made sure her feelings were known. The chemistry was palpable and I found the way these characters were intertwined to be very unique. This was another high quality Christina Lauren book!
Thank you for the ARC. As usual, Christina Lauren delivers another delightful romcom! I enjoyed reading this book immensely and will recommend it to my library patrons.
The Paradise Problem is a fun summer rom-com with a tropical island setting. If you liked the Unhoneymooners, I think you'll also like this book!
While it was entertaining, this book didn’t necessarily stand out to me. The overall plot and setting had the potential to make this a great book, but it felt like something was missing.
It’s not my favourite CL book, but I still had a fun time reading it!
3.5/5 stars
I love these authors and this book was no exception. Marriage of convenience turns romance. What could get better?! I loved the hunky, quiet main character energy that Liam gives off. Add it to that of Annas “free spirit” energy it makes for an interesting opposite attract.
I thought there was a lot of heart in this story and I loved the added element of the toxic family dynamics.
Great built up sexual tension within the story made for a very exciting union.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book. Pacing was great, the characters were vibrant, and it was funny! I didn’t find either main character insufferable so that was a plus as well! It would make a great rom-com movie. Overall, recommend!
Unfortunately, I think this book was the final nail in the coffin for me when it comes to Christina Lauren.
This felt like a bad mix of The Unhoneymooners and The Soulmate Equation. Can these women only write about rich men saving poor women? Get some new material, CLo!
Thank you for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
𝐑𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠: 4/5⭐️
𝐒𝐭𝐞𝐚𝐦: 3/5🌶
𝗪𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐈 𝐞𝐧𝐣𝐨𝐲𝐞𝐝: This book would be the perfect vacation or beach read, and easily makes the list of my favorite CL books. It had my favorite tropes (fake dating/forced proximity) and the steam and banter were right on par with The Unhoneymooners.
The tropical island setting was so easy to get lost in, and I loved the subplot of “rich people behaving badly”. It was so manipulative, and gossipy, and felt like it could have spun off into a thriller at any point. Liam’s family was toxic and insufferable, but in that train-wreck kind of way that you can’t look away from. I really loved that, despite going along with the lie, Anna didn’t give up her quirky uniqueness or attempt to fit any “acceptable” mold.
𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐩𝐚𝐮𝐬𝐞: The ending was a bit too neatly wrapped up, and I’m not sure that I felt a strong emotional connection between these two MCs (but the lust factor was definitely there).
I absolutely loved "The Paradise Problem"! This book is so well-written and was very addictive. The characters' chemistry is palpable, making their dynamic deeply engaging, and I loved their development. I was also pleasantly surprised by the novel's critical stance on billionaires, with some refreshing "eat the rich" vibes that added depth to the story – it's definitely not a typical billionaire romance. The island setting is beautifully described, creating an idyllic backdrop that made for a perfect summer read.
Overall, "The Paradise Problem" is a fantastic read that I highly recommend to anyone looking for a compelling novel with beach vibes and a sizzling romance. The 30th book that I've read by Christina Lauren and it's one of their bests!
A classic CLo title perfect for a summer read. Definitely giving Succession meets Glass Onion vibes but with far fewer dead bodies and more romance.
I loved this book! The setting and the characters were all top notch! It felt like I was a fly on the wall while reading this book. Great read for anytime you need an escape to a tropical island.
Anna Green is married to Liam Weston, just on paper to get cheaper housing at UCLA. Once they graduated she thought they would sign divorce papers and move on with their independent lives. Liam is working as a college professor and Anna is a starving artist, struggling a little bit to take care of her father and pay her rent. Liam comes from a wealthy family, that he wants nothing to do with, but in order to get his trust fund he must be happily married for five years. There is one secret though that Liam has been keeping from his family, they think they is married to a medical student named Anna Green. Liam explains this to Anna and they set up to a private tropical island for Liam's sisters's wedding. From there the story unfolds and the chaos begins. If you are looking for a great read this summer or really anytime, grab this one!
Christina Lauren's new romance novel is a delightful and engaging story about Liam "West" Weston, an heir to a grocery chain fortune, and Anna Green, his ex-wife. When West discovers that an inheritance of $100 million depends on being married for five years, he turns to Anna for help, despite their supposed divorce. Anna, living paycheck to paycheck, reluctantly agrees to the charade. The novel explores themes of love, wealth, and authenticity, making for a heartwarming and witty read. Christina Lauren delivers a charming tale that fans of romance will thoroughly enjoy.
The Paradise Problem by writing duo Christina Lauren is marketed as a romantic comedy, but this one had a little too much family drama taking place! Anna and Liam got married in college to get a better housing option. When they moved on from school she signed the paperwork ending their "marriage". Then she dropped out of med school to become a painter and hasn't thought about her "husband" in five years. Liam's family is uber wealthy and there are some strict stipulations that go along with Liam and his siblings getting their inheritance. One of them is that they have to be married to the same person for at least 5 years. So you see, Liam didn't actually file those papers to end their marriage - and Anna doesn't know it. Now Liam's family wants to meet his wife - in time for his sisters destination wedding in paradise.
So - forced proximity, marriage of convenience, shared bed, fake boyfriend/girlfriend situations arise and it's not as cute and fun as you want to think it is.
There is just so much pop culture references in this book. Anna is way too childish. Liam is spineless to stand up to his brother or father or anyone for that matter. Liam's family is horendous. I didn't want to read about rich people's problems and so I almost didn't finish this one because that's all it was. It was so long and dragged out. It was repetitive. The bedroom scenes were so cringy. There really wasn't anything I loved about this book. Really - why would a father let his son be accused of SA/stalking and do nothing about it? It was beyond unbelievable.
I think this may be my last Christina Lauren book as they have become less and less enjoyable.
Thank you to the authors, publisher, and NetGalley for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest thoughts.
Christina Lauren books always keep me entertained, laughing, and loving Rom com books! Their books are always fun, have ride or die relationships I would love to have in my own life, full of pop culture references which I enjoy, and are typical set in very lush tropical locations. What's not to love?! I went to a book talk by these authors when they came to our state and their books will always be repeat purchases and request.
This one was so cute and I loved. All my favorite tropes and I love a good teammate and friendship before relationship
Christina Lauren can do no wrong. The Paradise Problem was steamy, funny, and heart warming. I love the premise of marriage of convenience and CL did it right. I thought Anna and Liam had great chemistry and their story played out so well. Definitely a reread!