Paradise for Christmas is the 1st book in the Sisters in Paradise series by Carolyn Brown. This book takes us to small town Nacona, Texas. The Simmons family has 7 girls and when their father left them, their mother raised them in the old brothel, known as The Paradise. Ursula Simmons, the oldest sister, is a novelist like her mother, and has writer's block. She has headed home for the holidays, hoping that will inspire her for her new book. Of course, all her sisters will be coming home as well. She is happy, yet surprised to meet up with Remy, her handsome highschool crush. Remy was shy, awkward, and super smart, and now he is back, with a small spread nearby and working as a college history teacher. The chemistry is there and it doesn't take long for them to become a couple, but, Ursula is just home for the holidays. Ursula's twin, Luna, has a secret she is keeping from her family, especially from Endora, who's fiance has left her for her best friend. Handsome veteran, Shane, wants Luna to let everyone know about their relationship, but can she let everyone know?

I really enjoyed this story. It is full of all the warmth, humor and sass that I love about Caroline Brown's books. Apparently, Trouble in Paradise, written back in 2005, is the story of Mary Jean Simmons and her present husband Joe Clay Carter, so I definitely want to read that before I continue with this series. I loved the characters in this book, as they are funny, caring, stick up for one another, loyal and loving. There is a lot of Christmas in this one with decorating, parties, charity work and presents. With two romances, a broken heart, swoon worthy love interests, a couple of tarts trying to get their men and a sassy aunt who shares some stories that make the girls turn red, I was all in. Another great read from Carolyn Brown. I listened to the audiobook and enjoyed the narration by Abigail Reno. There are a lot of characters, so it is important to pay close attention at the beginning to keep them all straight as the story progresses.

Paradise for Christmas (Sisters in Paradise #1) by Carolyn Brown
Narrated by Abigail Reno
Publisher: Dreamscape Media
Genre: General Fiction (Adult), Romance, Women's Fiction
Published: February 27, 2024

Paradise for Christmas is the first book in the Sisters in Paradise series by Carolyn Brown.

I thought this book was so sweet. I love the small town in Texas feel. (I thought that community feeling was what I would find when I moved to small town Texas, but I guess my town isn’t small enough.)

I loved the Christmas at the Paradise! What a wonderful experience. The romance was wonderful and Aunt Bernie is so funny! She is the true star of this book!

I really enjoyed the narration by Abigail Reno! I thought it was wonderful!

I really enjoyed this and will be reading the future books in the series!!!

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Paradise for Christmas is a Christmas/Romance/Women’s Fiction book. The story starts when all 7 sisters come home for Thanksgiving to a small town in Texas. Their family home is called Paradise which used to be the local brothel.

The first half of the story was really fun and I was totally engaged. This was when all of the decorating was being done for Christmas. Also the oldest daughter was trying to get over writer’s block and starting a romance with their next door neighbor.

The most interesting part of the story for me was the book that she is writing about a mail order bride that came to live in their town many years ago. I wish that this had been a bigger part of the story. I have read Carolyn Brown books in the past that I liked and rated much better. I listened to the audiobook and thought the narrator was just ok.

I liked Paradise for Christmas by Carolyn Brown. The characters were likable and it was a quaint little Christmas romance story. There are a lot of characters that when listening to it, got a little confusing who was who because of how many sisters there, but overall I enjoyed this story, the setting and the characters.

Thank you so much to #NetGalley for an ARC of #ParadiseforChristmas by Carolyn Brown!

With Ursula Simmons struggling to overcome her writer’s block, she decides to return home for focus and inspiration. Her author-mother guides and encourages her, but it’s her budding romance with old friend and neighbor, Remy, that provides the inspiration emotionally and also in the form of an old family journal he shares with her. Younger sister, Luna, is also enjoying a new romance, which she desperately tries to hide from her twin sister Endora, who is recovering from recent heartbreak as a result of her fiancé and best friend cheating on her. Aunt Bernie has shown up to live on the family property, and she is full of “wisdom” and unsolicited advice which adds the perfect amount of spice to the story. Carolyn Brown’s novel gives readers another taste of life with the seven Simmons sisters while adding all of the holiday chaos, drama, and feels from decorating the family home and trees, special holiday meals, community events, holiday parties, and many reminders of the importance of love and loyalty. A fun read!

I wasn't sure about this book when I started it. Seven sisters return home for Christmas. Two plan to stay for now. One is an author, like her mother and needs a place to find inspiration and finish her book. Her book is a historical romance about the people who used to live in the community. Her home is an old brothel. The two sisters fall in love with men in the community. It was fun and a nice escape.

The characters are interesting and the story is sweet how the sister's band together and support each other.

Thanks to NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book and offer my honest opinion.

This is the opposite of 7 brides for 7 brothers, could be called 7 grooms for 7 sisters. It’s Thanksgiving/Christmas time and the sisters are all returning home to Paradise, the name of their home that was once a brothel. Ursula is the oldest and has followed in her mother’s footsteps as a writer, but has writer’s block. Her boy crush handsome neighbor mentions a diary of Daisy, who is a family member from his past. As he offers it for her to read and find her muse, they find instant attraction that they both have hidden since their youth.
Luna, another sister also finds her HEA, but hides it from her twin for fear of hurting her feelings. There are lots of characters obviously being a large family, but loved Aunt Bernie she is a hoot! So one gets a taste of all the sister’s background for their future HEA stories. A sweet typical women’s romance story, can get a bit confusing with so many characters but very entertaining. The narrator of the audio was excellent. Thank you NetGalley for this eARC. I am voluntarily posting an honest review after reading an Advance Reader Copy of this story. #NetGalley #ParadiseforChristmas #SistersinParadise

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.
What an enjoyable listen. I like Brown’s books and this was a nice start to a new series she is doing.
Good job by the narrator.
Great listen.

An enjoyable start to a new series, Paradise for Christmas is Book 1 in Carolyn Brown's Sisters in Paradise. We meet all seven sisters, and it is fun to imagine them all getting their stories.

The audio version is performed by Abigail Reno and her performance is filled with Southern charm.

Lots of family, history, different personalities all coming home together again with the addition of one wacky aunt who exactly what she wants to not caring in the least what anyone thinks. It’s holiday time and they’re all happy to be together again which was sweet. I think for me it was a bit too “you all need a man and to start having’ babies” centric. I think I may have enjoyed this more had I read it. The narration didn’t work for me and at times I found it over the top and exaggerated.

I called looks like this a pallet cleanser. I read thrillers, and I read spicy romance books.

Looks like this, that are beautifully written, contemporary fiction, and sweet romance. Are my favorite!

When I saw this book was coming out, one of my favorite authors, I had to request. I am so glad I got the chance to listen to this audio. It was truly an enjoyable sweet Southern read.

- Southern charm
- Small town
- Fated mates
- Large family dynamics
- Family drama
- Country song references
- Friends to lovers

If you need a book that easy to read and isn’t spicy at all, This is your book

This was a nice easy romance audiobook. If you are looking for something light this is a good book for you. It's a bit predictable, but the characters are nice and likeable.

This was a super cute and charming book, made me think of a Christmas Hallmark movie with a big family full of girls. I loved several of the storylines happening at once for the sisters, but they also seemed a little repetitive throughout the book.

Some of the romantic parts were super cheesy, but if you enjoy a sweet and endearing relationship, this would be a great, feel-good book for the holidays.

Two things I was not a huge fan of were the bizarre names of the characters, and just the sheer number of characters in this book to keep up with.

Thanks NetGalley for an early copy.

I really enjoyed the first half of this book! I'm a Texas Panhandle girl, so it's always fun to read about stories that are close to home! I got a bit confused when the story totally switched focus halfway through, and the story lost me some when we moved to the second sister.

I love Carolyn Browns writing style, and she did such a great job fleshing out these characters and giving them interesting back stories. I wish I could read the two book series mentioned in the book-- they seem so fun!! I also read this in February, and it was a perfect break from intense heavy books, and my life!

The audiobook narrator did a really great job keeping my attention and bringing these colorful characters to life!

Thanks to Netgalley and Carolyn Brown for the advanced copy to review.

I listened to this book in February, after Christmas, but it still gave all the holiday season vibes it would've had I read it in December.

The book was good. Small town girl with a large family goes to an old brothel for the holidays in hopes to inspire her to write and get her out of her writer's block. When her sisters are being the good and the bad angels on her shoulder she is torn as to what to do when some handsome men show up to help with the decorating for the holidays.

This is a very clean romance, genuinely sentimental and charming women's fiction at its finest.

Ursula, the oldest of seven sisters, is an author and when she has a bout of writer’s block, she decides that a trip home might be in order. With the holidays right around the corner all her sisters will be home as well.

The sisters enjoy all parts of the holidays, especially the decorating. For Luna and Ursula, there might be more than the Christmas spirit putting a smile on their faces.

I really enjoyed listening to this novel and the narrator. I’m already looking forward to the next installment in this series.

Thank you to NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for allowing me to listen to an ALC of this novel. #NetGalley #ParadiseforChristmas

A book about books is my sweet spot. This was such a cute holiday book. I plan on buying it myself and re-reading it at christmas time. This was just so wholesome.

Christmas, traditions and family! What more could you want. If a Christmas book is even good in February, you have a winner! Loved the narrator and highly recommend picking up this book!!

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC!

Overall: 4
Narration: 5
Spicy: 1

The spice in this book is off the page and more about the relationship between the characters. A great love story about admitting feeling from high school. In discovering this love the FMC finds her ability to write her next book like her famous mother. The FMC prepares their relationship with their older siblings.

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️

"Paradise for Christmas" by Carolyn Brown is a heartwarming holiday novel that promises a cozy escape into the festive season. The story is set in a picturesque small town, and Brown skillfully creates a charming atmosphere that captures the magic of Christmas.

The characters are endearing, and their interactions bring a sense of warmth to the narrative. The author successfully weaves a tale of love, family, and the spirit of giving, which aligns perfectly with the holiday theme. The Christmas traditions and celebrations described in the book add to the festive ambiance, making it an ideal choice for those seeking a feel-good holiday read.

However, the plot feels somewhat predictable, and at times, the pacing seemed a bit slow. While the characters are likable, their development lacks depth, leaving some room for improvement in terms of emotional connection with the reader. Additionally, certain aspects of the storyline felt a bit clichéd, making it less engaging for those looking for a more unique or unexpected holiday tale.

In conclusion, "Paradise for Christmas" is a pleasant holiday read that captures the essence of the season. It may not break new ground in terms of plot or character development, but it delivers a comforting and festive experience for readers seeking a traditional Christmas story.

Thank you Carolyn Brown and Net Galley for a copy of this book! :)