Liam is a hard-working and respectable man, which is amazing when you figure out who and what he came from. Anna is a fun and out-there starving artist who has also taken on the responsibility for her sick dad, financially and physically. When the two end up on a sickeningly expensive private island for a family wedding, tensions are high between literally every character.

This romantic comedy had lovable main characters, relatable family drama, and a believable story of falling in love. Just spicy enough to be interesting without going too overboard. So often, I dislike the main man of a story because he is too closed off or controlling for it to be believable that a woman could fall for him so quickly. But Liam and Anna are both unapologetically themselves through the entire story and it was refreshing. While the amount of wealth that the Weston family has is not relatable to this librarian, the idea of family drama and the difficulties of navigating complicated relationships with people you love but have nothing in common with is something many of us can relate to.

I was so happy to get The Paradise Problem by Christina Lauren and their story didn't disappoint! I've been a fan of theirs since they wrote fanfiction a long time ago. I know when I get approved for a Christina Lauren novel I know I'm in for a treat. Anna and Liam's story was so cute! An agreement from five years before that gives way to Anna having to endure a hellacious experience with Liam's family to help him out. Married, yet not really together, they have to fool his whole family (other than his younger brother who knew) and Anna and Liam, both of whom were blissfully unaware of the other and simply existed in shared housing before, through forced circumstances grow from really seeing the other, to needing the other, to wanting each other. Loved!

Rating: R
52 Book Club - Prompt #44 - Includes a wedding

Perfect if you like:

Fake relationship
Family Drama
Fantastic locales
Feisty, fearless heroines
Forced proximity romance

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC. Actually, I mean THANK YOU! An early look at Christina Lauren’s book? Is there any better way to start 2024?

Does anyone do strong, feisty heroines that are true to themselves quite like Christina Lauren? I would argue no - they are consistently writing characters that are grounded in the real world. They create the possibility of the fairytale for their female characters but show that the fantasy might not be all that it is cracked up to be. A little Into the Woods.

Anna Green and Liam Weston got hitched four and half years ago, a marriage of convenience that allowed them to obtain cheap married student housing. After Liam finished graduate school, they went their separate ways, but Anna didn’t read all the legal docs Liam gave her and it turns out that they actually aren’t divorced. And Liam needs Anna’s help - he has to convince his family that he and Anna have been happily married these last four years in order to receive his inheritance. Oh and they have to pretend while at Liam’s sister’s wedding at a private resort in Singapore. Sharing a bungalow with one bed - and no door to the bathroom. There might be peeking.

As this is a Christina Lauren’s romance there is a lot of heat, so much sexual tension, but also deep conversations, true vulnerability, and warm cuddles. I’ve loved this writing duo from their very first book and though there were a few books that didn’t resonate with me, their last two novels (this one and The True Love Experiment) highlight all things that make them such an amazing writing team. I’m still not sure how they do it but I hope they keep going for years.

So next on my list, the ARC for Kate Clayborn’s new novel, am I a lucky b*tch or what??

I own a few Christina Lauren books, but this was the first one I’ve ever read! I don’t know how I’ve been sleeping on her for so long! Immediately added all of the books I have of hers to the top of my tbr! I loved how this book played out in the end! Amazing banter! Great characters! Only thing that could have made it better is if I was reading it on a tropical island LOL
Thank you so much for the opportunity to read this! I’m obsessed!

This book was hard for me to put down! The chemistry between Anna and Liam was electric. I loved the premise of Anna being down on her luck and Liam being a secret billionaire! Anna really knew how to put the Weston family in their place. She is a strong woman!

Solid romance, but the first half of this book was slowwwww. Not my favorite Christina Lauren, but still a fun read!

No one writes a better rom-com than Christina Lauren!This book is funny, charming, sweet, and sexy. Plus the setting in literal paradise is dreamy AF.

Anna, the FMC, is one of my new favorite leading ladies, right up there with Fizzy Chen (The Soulmate Equation/The True Love Experiment). I love that Anna is unapologetically herself, with a heart of gold and calls other people on their bullshit. The MMC fell a little flat in comparison, I sometimes got annoyed with his reactions and withholding information, but with a horrible family like his, it’s understandable.

Overall, I really loved this book and highly recommend reading this when it hits shelves in May!

Thank you Christina Lauren, Simon & Schuster, and NetGalley for the ARC.

This was my first, "can't wait to see what happens next, finished in a day" reads in a long time. Christina Lauren delivered a charming story that gave the perfect vacation escape vibes. A brief summary: in college Anna and Liam/West entered into a marriage of convenience to secure affordable, married-couple housing. Anna thought she signed divorce papers, but years later West shows up at her doorstep with a surprise; they are still married and he needs her to attend his sister's destination wedding as his wife.

I found both MCs likeable and the setting was fantastic. Anna helps West navigate the complicated dynamics of his super-wealthy family and, of course, feelings develop between the two. Although there was an element of insta-love here, Christina Lauren did a great job in not rushing the happily ever after, and wrapping up all plot points in a satisfying way. Four out of five stars because some of the plot was a bit too predictable. This would be a great beach read, or anywhere read for someone who is looking to escape to paradise and enjoy a fun (and spicy) romance.

Such a fun fake dating rom-com! Hints of Succession and White Lotus make this the perfect beach read of 2024. Christina Lauren just gets it

“Do less, but better.”

Another banger from Christina Lauren that will leave you satisfied and swooning. This book was filled with vivid imagery that made me feel like I was right there in paradise with Anna and Liam. Anna was sunshine and Liam was wrapped up in a grumpy exterior. Their contrasting personalities, circumstances, and upbringings weaved a magnificent web of a story! I loved how the main characters were developed and their emotional maturity was revealed through adversities large and small.

Thank you to Christina Lauren, Gallery Books, and NetGalley for the privilege of reading an advanced copy of this book!

Christina Lauren books can be hit or miss for me, but the Paradise Problem is 100% a hit! A hilarious FMC, swoony island bungalows, and Twilight references. *chefs kiss* This read is perfect for when you're dreaming of an island getaway with the romance you'd expect from CL.

I enjoyed this book. It shows a flawed family dynamic with flawed characters. The main female character isn't one who showed a lot of personal growth throughout the story. I am glad to see that she stayed true to her character and acted to provide some semblance of outsider perspective to the sickening displays of wealth. I like that the male lead had flaws but not ones that you had to ignore in order to get swept up in the romance.

I want to thank NetGalley, Gallery Books and the author for the Arc.
I love Christina Lauren’s books!! I was so excited to receive this ARC- and it did not disappoint!

I love the MC Anna. She has a positive outlook, great humor, and is also committed to her family and friends. She had been married to Liam 4.5 years ago- an arranged marriage so each could afford housing. However, Liam shows up at Anna’s apartment after she has had an awful day, asking her for a favor- to play his wife at his sisters wedding.
Liam is a controlled, serious individual with a lot of family baggage! But I love how we get to see him grow and show who he truly is. I love the interaction between the two- and the connection they create. I think this couple is one of my favorites. They are honest, encouraging and challenge each other. There is heartache in the family drama- and Liam’s dad is over the top as a despicable person.
I definitely recommend this book!!

.What sets this book apart is its ability to balance humor and sadness flawlessly. The witty dialogue and light-hearted moments create an atmosphere of joy and hope, while the raw emotions and heartbreaking moments bring forth tears. It beautifully portrays that love is not always perfect, but it is through its brokenness that it becomes even more poignant and meaningful.

The prose is both lyrical and captivating, painting vivid scenes and evoking a wide range of emotions. The author's writing style is enchanting, drawing readers into the story and holding them captive until the very end.

“The Paradise Problem" is a testament to the power of love and its capacity to heal even the deepest of wounds. It reminds us that love is messy, unpredictable, and imperfectly perfect. It celebrates the resilience of the human spirit, reminding us that even in our brokenness, we are capable of finding beauty and strength.

I absolutely loved it.!! Liam gave me Ethan from the Unhoneymooners vibes. Which is a good thing! The pace was great and I was never bored while reading. I loved the long epilogue. Didn’t feel squished or rushed! This book reminded me why I am such a fan of Christina Lauren

⭐️⭐️💫✨ 2.75 rounded up. Christina Lauren with yet another spicy romance that keeps the pages turning. CLo’s books are all really similar for me and their heroines are always a bit cheeky for my taste. The passion is always really heavy handed so you kinda have to dig for the relationship aspect which I think I personally prefer the two swapped a bit better. This is their version of the billionaire marriage of convenience trope and man is the rich family a peace of work 🥴 Fun/enjoyable read but somewhat forgettable for me.l 🌶️🌶️🌶️ Steamy. Caution to sensitive readers.

Read if you like these tropes:
-Marriage of convenience
-Billionaire bachelors
-Fake dating
-Only one bed.

I received an advanced eBook copy from NetGalley. All opinions are my own and voluntarily provided

I absolutely loved this book! Their Disney book was a little bit of a let down- this one will remind you of their earlier work. I love that they can have a funny premise, but with deep characters. I definitely cried at points. Loved this!

I received a temporary digital copy of The Paradise Problem by Christina Lauren from NetGalley, Gallery Books and the author in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Anna Green and Liam Weston marry so that they can get family housing during their graduate programs at UCLA. When Liam graduates the two divorce, or at least Anna believes they did. Almost three years later, Liam comes back asking for Anna to attend his sister's wedding as they are still married and his family desperately wants to meet his wife, who is completely unknown to them. A wedding in a tropical paradise will either seal Liam's ability to obtain his inheritance left by his Grandfather, or everything will come crumbling down with Anna in the middle of it all.

The Paradise Problem was a fun and quick read - great for the beach. The banter and humor between the characters was definitely my favorite part of the novel. I enjoyed the storyline as far-fetched as it is for people marrying for housing when one is a secret billionaire who then doesn't actually divorce her...

Great book! The characters were relatable. There were parts of the story that made me laugh out loud. There were parts that kept me on my toes. Christina Lauren’s style of writing is easy to read. It was hard putting this book down. I wanted to keep reading.

From the start I was very interested in this book and the tension between Liam and Anna. What starts as a fake marriage quickly turns into much more, with plenty of drama included! Anna and Liam were such likable and relatable characters. Sometimes awkward and uncomfortable, this kept me reading to see the small changes that transformed their relationship. I would absolutely recommend to any Christina Lauren fans or any romance readers!