Thanks to NetGalley, Berkley Publishing Group and PRH Audio for the arc/alc.

When I tell you I loved this book, I think it might be an understatement. I seriously adored this book. This book was so mesmerizing (and I was honestly hoping it would be based on that gorgeous cover!!!) This book is most certainly going on my list of favorite historical fiction novels of 2025! Susan Meissner knows how to keep an audience's attention. I think what I loved most about this book is the backdrop of the story, set in Cold War Era Malibu, CA. It was just dazzling. I wish I could rate this more than 5 stars.

I finished the audiobook (reading concurrently with the e-arc) in under a day. I hope that gives you a sign just how beautiful this story is. Lisa Flanagan does an amazing job bringing these characters to life, so I definitely recommend checking out the audiobook version of this story for sure!

Thanks to NetGalley, Berkley Publishing Group and PRH Audio for the arc/alc.

3.5 ⭐s from me, rounded down.

This was my first Susan Meissner book. I thought the story line was interesting - a young, out of work actress befriends the agoraphobic next door neighbor, his eccentric sister-in-law, and the immigrant maid. My favorite character was Eva; I appreciated how her story unfolded throughout the novel, giving the reader bits of insight into her life and having a somewhat complete picture by the end. While she was not a very likable character at the start, Melanie grew on me, and by the end, I was happy for her outcome. The friendship that grew between Eva, Melanie, and June throughout the book was heartwarming.

This book was a bit of a slog for me, though. Especially at the beginning, it was S.L.O.W. There was very little plot in the first half of the novel, other than Eva going back and forth between Melanie and June's houses, trying to find out what happened to Elwood. I really was bored with the book until Melanie found out the truth and the three women started concocting stories and plans for how to solve their problems. The second half of the novel held my attention and went much more quickly than the first half. However, I think the opposite was true for the second half - there was a lot going on, some of which seemed superfluous to the story - Nicky, the wildfires, even down to the exact Christmas presents that were purchased.

Overall, I thought this was an okay book. There are other books by this author on my TBR pile, so hopefully I'll enjoy those more than this one. It wasn't bad, but probably not one that I'll revisit.

Thanks to NetGalley and Berkley Books for an advanced copy of this novel. It's scheduled for release on March 18, 2025.

A little slow paced for my liking, but it's still a great character driven book. Besides, it's historical fiction, I can not not expect it to be a little slower. Regardless, it's an immersive novel that really drives you into the plot, timeline, and characters.

My first time reading Susan Meissner was not a disappointment at all! This was a very suspenseful and interesting book. I loved the story of the women in the book and I was excited to see how their stories would intersect.
I loved the time period, too. This is a book that I definitely enjoyed and would recommend to other readers..

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the advanced reading copy.

Thrilled to read an early copy of this book. I ordered a pre-copy too, of course, because Susan is a must read for me. This book was so enjoyable. Mystery, murder, suspense. I loved every minute and only wish it was longer. I knew there was a fire in it but was surprised it wasn’t until 80% then wondering how everything would play out. I was happy with each women’s story. It gave Fried green Tomato vibes and a sprinkling or Nature of Fragile Things too.

#AMaptoParadise #NetGalley.

This was an enjoyable read with an element of mystery. I enjoyed finding out how Eva, Melanie, and June's stories came together.

A Map of Paradise by Susan Meissner is a deeply moving and beautifully written novel about love, loss, and the search for meaning. Meissner’s storytelling is as immersive as ever, weaving together past and present with rich historical detail and emotional depth. The characters are compelling, and the themes of resilience and hope linger long after the final page. Fans of her previous works will not be disappointed.

A Map to Paradise by Susan Meissner is a historical fiction novel set in the 1950's. This story brings together 3 women who become unlikely friends because they share a secret that winds up bonding them. This novel brings in elements of old Hollywood, the Red Scare, and Communism as the backdrop of a strong female female story. Although I love Meissner's books, I did not connect with this one as much as I have with her other books. I found this one a bit slow at times. I did like the three female characters and found them interesting, but they did not carry the story enough to make this a wow story for me.

In 1956 Malibu, California, three unlikely women become fast friends over shared secrets. Melanie Cole is the new darling of Hollywood. She and her handsome costar, Carson Edwards, are the new “it” couple. However, all of that changes when Carson is accused of being a Communist and Melanie is guilty by association. Because they have been told to stay out of the limelight and not be seen together, Carson rents a house in Malibu for her and hires a woman named Eva to be her housekeeper. Eva is a displaced, European Jew with secrets that she is keeping from Melanie.

Melanie’s next door neighbor is Edward Blankenship, a famous screenwriter, who is now a recluse in his house because of a tragedy. His widowed sister-in-law, June, lives at the house and takes care of him. Melanie has visited with Edward in his home and has appreciated the help that he has given her with her blacklisted situation. When Melanie wakes up one evening to see June digging in Edward’s beloved rose bushes, she is suspicious. Her suspicions grow when she can’t get in touch with Edward and June says that he has taken a turn for the worse and is in his room refusing to see anyone. Has June killed Edward and buried him under the rose bushes? Melanie is determined to find out what is going on but some secrets are better left hidden.

I enjoyed this book, the Malibu setting, the information about the Red Scare and the time period. As the story progresses, with flashbacks, the reader finds out a little more about each of the women as we learn their secrets and how these secrets bring them together.

Thanks to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for the advanced reading copy.

This is the story of 3 women in Malibu who's choices in the late 1950's are completely their own, but also they overlap. Set in a time where women had much fewer rights, all communists were being hunted and your country of origin could seal your fate, these women's lives are filled with secrets and regrets. Watching them come together as friends and companions and remain that way through the years was quite a ride. This has the themes we want in a historical fiction with the story piece that we need. I did find it to slow down some in the middle, but that could have just been my brain this week.

I did not finish this book. I just found the story boring and I could not connect with it. I read about 30% and the parts that I did read I felt like nothing happened.

3.5 stars
Recommend

This was a unique historical fiction novel with few characters in an underwritten time in U.S. History during the "red scare" and Hollywood blacklisting.

The three main characters are a Blacklisted Hollywood actress, the caretaker sister-in-law of a famous Hollywood screenwriter, and a displaced person due to WWII who works as a housekeeper. The three women seemingly help each other when a tangled web of lies begins to untangle. I don't think the reactions of the three women to plot twists or even their friendship are realistic.

This was an entertaining book, but not one that will stay with me.

TRIGGER WARNING: Fire, death, mental health issues, Hollywood blacklisting, war references with violence, domestic violence

Goodreads: - https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/215062082-a-map-to-paradise - posted 2/2/2025

Storygraph: - https://app.thestorygraph.com/reviews/1a022e39-5ea8-45cb-8e27-b5af38379055?redirect=true - posted 2/2/2025

Books by Dorothea blog: - https://booksbydorothea.blogspot.com/2025/02/review-map-to-paradise-earcebook.html - posted 2/2/2025

In 1956 in Malibu, California, three women forge unexpected friendships. Actress Melanie Cole was on the brink of stardom, receiving glowing reviews for her new movie alongside Carson Edwards. The studio promoted a romance between them for publicity, and when Carson was blacklisted due to his connections with known communists, Melanie was blacklisted too. Carson rented a house for Melanie on Paradise Circle in Malibu for her privacy. Melanie befriended her neighbor Elwood Blankenship, a screenwriter who became reclusive following a terrible car accident, with his widowed sister-in-law June caring for him. Eva Kruse was employed as Melanie's housekeeper. She is believed to be a Polish refugee from a Displaced Person camp, yet she is not truthful about her past. Eva fears that Melanie is being watched which would endanger her safety. Melanie sends Eva to the Blankenship house to check on Elwood, who seems to have vanished. Secrets, lies and the threat of a natural disaster ultimately unite the three women. 

I have read most of Susan Meissner's books and have enjoyed each one of them. A Map to Paradise is yet another engaging historical novel. Setting the story during the McCarthy era offers an interesting look at the Red Scare and the Hollywood blacklist. It was a dark chapter in American history. Despite facing very different challenges, Melanie, Eva, and June share a common strength and resilience. They have no option but to help one another. Most of Meissner's novels have been highly emotional. This latest book may not tug at the heartstrings as much as the others, but that didn't make it less likable. This was another good read by a favorite author.

This book grew on me. The more I read, the more I wanted to read. Three women MCs are completely unlike each other in both origin and experience. Each woman has secrets. As they learn to trust each other and their secrets are revealed, the women grow closer and become more likeable. The 1950s Malibu setting, including the Hollywood blacklist, made me want to search for pictures of Malibu at the time. I will definitely be suggesting this book to everyone I know who likes historical fiction and mysteries.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the chance to read this arc in exchange for an honest review.

I love Susan Meissner’s writing style and she has a great way of creating compelling characters. I really enjoyed the character growth of all three women in this book! Each of them had their own secrets and I loved learning about their complicated pasts. Set in the 1950’s, it was fascinating to read about this era, especially with the focus on blacklisted Hollywood stars during the Cold War.

The plot was intriguing and I was immediately drawn into the story because of the mystery surrounding Elwood’s sudden disappearance. However, with very little suspense and a slower pace, the story ended up being really predictable. While I enjoyed certain aspects of this book, I didn’t feel the same emotional connection I’ve felt with Susan Meissner’s previous works.

If you’re looking for a historical fiction set in beautiful Malibu and filled with surprising secrets and unlikely friendships, you may enjoy this more than I did!

Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for an electronic ARC of this book!

Thank you to Net Galley and Penguin Random House Publishing for an early copy of A Map to Paradise by Susan Meissner

Paradise: an ideal or idyllic place or state

The time is 1956 and the place is Paradise Circle in Malibu, California. Three women, Melanie, Eva and June, will make the most of circumstances beyond their control and each will ultimately become the best version of themselves.

Hollywood starlet Melanie Cole is living in fear as the Washington House on Unamerican Activities Committee is relentlessly interviewing Hollywood's biggest names and requiring them to turn in those suspected of communist ties. While renting a house paid for by her male costar, she befriends a neighbor, Elwood, working as a scriptwriter. Elwood has serious depression issues following a car accident he is responsible for which has killed a woman he loves and left her two young sons orphans. Elwood's sister-in-law, June, is in the home caring for him. Eva Kauss is the housekeeper working between both homes, a Displaced Person of the ravages of World War II.

Suspicion arises when Elwood disappears, and a narrative is eventually developed and carried through. leaving all three women on edge that their "crime" will be discovered. But have they committed a crime?

A Map to Paradise is a masterful tale of historical fiction, suspense and redemption. It also speaks to the coincidences in life that bring such diverse people together and the lengths one will travel to realize one's dreams.

Welcome to the time of the Red Scare in America. A time when Americans were scared of communism. Most believed that Hollywood had been infiltrated with those who were communists. Malibu when it was quiet and idyllic for the rich Hollywood elite.

Three women with three very different backgrounds have been thrown together by circumstance. Each one is struggling with inner turmoil and decisions on their quest to find their own inner paradise. The characters of Eva, June, and Melanie were so well thought out and put together and as the novel gets going you truly feel the emotion the author is trying to convey of the time period.

This is a wonderfully researched book and such a wonderful read. I will be looking for many of Mrs. Meissner's books to come!

Thank for you for giving me an ARC of this title. I love Susan Meissner's books. The first chapter always grabs me. I don't know much about this time period and the Hollywood stars that were being blacklisted, so it was very informative but very interesting to keep me hooked! I really enjoy the story!

Centered on a rising starlet, Melanie Cole, who due to associations finds herself on the Hollywood blacklist. Supported by her former leading man, she finds herself living in a Malibu cul de sac hiding out from the press and hoping things will blow over so she can reclaim her career. Next door, a reclusive agoraphobic screenwriter (Elwood), and on weekdays a hired maid (Eva) who was displaced by WWII, become her only companions as she navigates her lonely world. As she loses contact with Elwood except through his sister-in-law/caregiver, she begins to suspect something bigger than his anxiety is afoot and recruits Eva into seeking more information by helping the neighbors with their home as well. I becomes convoluted with who-knows-what-about-whom and what secrets all three women are keeping, but soon leads them to close relationships as developments overtake them and loyalties are stretched. Well paced and interesting, the character development and unwinding plot drive the reader toward a satisfying conclusion.

Set during the McCarthy era, we meet three women.

Melanie has been blacklisted because she was seen with a producer that they think is a communist.

Eva is a Polish housekeeper for Melanie.

June lives next door to Melanie and is taking care of her brother-in-law who won’t come out of his house because of an accident he caused a while ago.

The odd thing is that June won’t let anybody see Elwood, and it’s a puzzle where an agoraphobic person would go.

Elwood must be there, though, because Melanie hears a typewriter clicking.

How will these women - all with secrets - become connected?

A MAP TO PARADISE started out slowly for me, but once the background information of each character was revealed and their predicaments were revealed, I enjoyed a thoughtful, well-researched read. 4/5

Thank you to the publisher for a copy of this book. All opinions are my own.