A solid mystery/thriller! This reminded me of the novel The Silent Woods, which I devoured and was one of my best the year it came out. In What Kind of Paradise there is great suspense , mystery and a likable main character. Following along ties Jane as she unravels her past and looks to the future - I was totally engaged in her story beginning to end. Solid read!

Thank you to Random House Publishing Group for providing this ARC for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

What Kind of Paradise by Janelle Brown follows a teenage girl, Jane, who has spent her childhood in seclusion in the Montana wilderness with her father. After introducing the early internet into their lives, Jane realizes that she’s part of something much greater and more sinister than her father’s led her to believe. Fleeing to San Francisco, Jane seeks to find a truth about her identity by both learning about her past and about who she wants to be on her own.

(Spoiler alert here:) This book’s main premise is a fictionalized version of the Unabomber saga. The father, Adam, is the same ‘tortured, radicalized genius’ with a similar career and backstory. He writes a manifesto and turns to domestic terror. Where things depart history is that this posits, what if he had a daughter? What if he had an ex-wife as part of his lore? This is what is probably the most interesting element of the story, which is seeing how easily the concept of a younger, unwitting accomplish slots in. A brainwashed, sheltered teen with esteem for her father creates a nice, complicated narrator grappling with her identity.

Without spending too much of this review going through the individual questions the book posits, this story does bring up a lot of discussions of agency, technology, parentage, and radicalization. While the author can sometimes be a little too over handed with trying to pose some of the questions, it would be an excellent option for a book club, as it covers a lot of pretty big ideas.

I think that this book, despite dealing with some pretty heavy themes, is very readable. The prose is relatable and engaging, while still not trivializing what Jane is going through.

Where this book was disappointing was in the pacing. It felt like the book came to such an ending, and then the ‘postscript’ was so abrupt. It felt like a quick summary that didn’t do justice to the rest of the story, and it seemed a little hurried comparatively. It’s my opinion that the two book end chapters in present day did little to add to the narrative. I felt like they made the pacing somewhat uneven. The information that was given in these chapters didn’t improve the story, and I think the narrative is best ended on the very finite but open ended note of the final 1990s chapter.

I think for people who enjoy crime stories, this is a wonderful choice. Despite the fact that it’s not true crime per se, it uses a real life inspiration that makes it compelling option. I’d rate this a 3.5/5 but will round it up for a 4/5 for the purpose of review.

I feel like "The Great Alone" by Kristin Hannah pulled off the dangerous loner father trope better. Jane doesn't seem to really struggle to adapt and she always manages to luck out into finding someone willing to take a chance on her, despite her complete lack of...anything. This isn't bad, but it is so busy rushing through to make it's saying something Important that it never actually says anything.

This book was GREAT and I finished it in less than 24 hours because i was so caught up in the story.

It gave you so much to think about how Jane had no other outside influences and her sheltered life led her to be so conflicted with everything she was confronted with.

It hurt my heart almost physically when Jane/Esme found her mother and wasn't presented with the scenario she had yearned for since she found out there was a possibility she was alive.

The writing was so amazing to me, to evoke so many feelings -sympathies, anger, sadness and so much more.

I really, really liked this book. I thought the premise was so interesting. I liked the main character a lot. The author did a good job of making this story believable. I found the AI stuff very interesting.

I really liked this book. It was sad but happy watching our main character grow and discover herself and all that she could be and could do now that she is more free. I think it is upsetting that many people do go through life like this, so limited and trapped.

Thank you to NetGalley, to the author, and to the publisher for this complimentary ARC in exchange for my honest review!!!

What Kind of Paradise is the story of Jane, a teenager who lives a secluded, off the grid life with her father in Montana. Their life is simple, at least until she begins to realize all the things her father has been hiding from her. Janelle Brown has written another intriguing, mysterious story with this book, much like her previous work. The setting is a fascinating one, the internet revolution of the 90s, and I tore the this wanting to know how things would end.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the Kindle ARC in exchange for an honest review. After reading What Kind of Paradise, I am sure it will be one of the top books of 2025. I've read Janelle Brown's other books and this book was not only her best but one of the best books I've read this year. Jane is a 17 year old, living in a remote, ramshackle cabin in Montana. She is home-schooled and has little contact with the outside world. Her father indoctrinates her with his manifesto. As she approaches her 18th birthday, she finds evidence in her father's chaotic office in the cabin that she is not who her father has told her she is and that her mother didn't die in an accident when Jane was four. The story is set in the 1990's when personal computers were becoming popular and Silicone Valley was booming with start-ups. Because Jane's father made her set up his manifesto on a computer, she teaches herself code and when she finally breaks away, she heads to San Francisco - seeking help and searching for her mother. The end of the book is very surprising and wholly satisfying.

What Kind Of Paradise by Janelle Brown is exactly what I expected. Impossible to put down! So many twists and turns and surprises! I'm not sure how Brown's mind works but if What Kind Of Paradise is any indication she would definitely be the best person to be partnered with in an Escape Room.
Just when you thought the plot of the story makes sense and you think you know what to expect, think again! The title perplexed me until about halfway through the book. My conclusion is everyone's paradise is different. There is a stark contrast between someone who thinks paradise is living simply with little interference from the outside world and someone who thinks paradise is having technology at their fingertips. Throw in AI and Brown seems to have insight or some sort of psychic ability about the future of our world. So what is your paradise or is there even such a thing?
I voluntarily received a copy of this book from NetGalley.

This was a good, well-written story.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

- hooked me from the beginning
- really appreciated Part 1 with the level of depth and description that went into describing the woods and the way their life was different
- rooted for jane the entire time and she had my heart!
- i wanted a little bit more from the ending, but only because i think i wanted more OF the book itself!
- highly recommend and this is one that i will be adding to my library when it is released

thank you NetGalley for the ARC !

I stay away from all these uber-popular female (authors and protagonists) thrillers as far as I can, until something really draws me in. In this case, it was the author's reputation - I've read and enjoyed her books before. And to be fair, this novel isn't a really a thriller. To me, it read very much like a character-driven drama and a coming-of-age story.

Many kudos to Brown for managing to write a novel with a teenage protagonist without making it YA. Instead, Jane/Esme is a smart, resourceful, interesting person, a survivor and a fighter.
At seventeen, on the brink of the digital revolution that will reshape the world all around. she is living off-grid in Montana woods with only her father, a radical and a Luddite for company. The man is clearly and curiously unhinged, one of those people whose brains have turned against them. In his flight from the world, he comes to fear and resent, he has made some hard choices for himself and in turn imposed them on his only child, who has grown up in isolation and solitude.
When they two of them finally step out into the world together (and for all the wrong reasons), everything changes.

This was a very good read that held my attention completely. The characters are as interesting and compelling as you want to see in a character-driven novel. This is a story of people doing what they believe is right at terrible cost, of juxtaposing cleverness and kindness, of the importance of truly seeing the people around you as they are and not as you wish them to be. There is a lot of thoughtful meditation on our place in the world and, especially, on the place of technology in our lives.
In the end, it seems that the novel is saying that wielding the power has everything to do with who wields it, be it biological or artificial intelligence. And that without a strong moral compass, it can go awry either way.

I may have expected a bit more from the ending and perhaps a bit more for the novel's protagonist, but either way, it was very much worth a read. Recommended. Thanks Netgalley.

Thanks to NetGalley for an arc of this amazing book. A review from someone else popped up on goodreads and the person was like, “omg stop what you’re doing and request a copy of this book” and I’m so glad I did. I was absolutely riveted. The writing was amazing (which is important to me) and the story was fascinating. I loved the entire thing. And it really made me think- a lot. Well done!

I loved this book. The beginning section where Jane is living in seclusion in the woods of Montana with her father reminded me of Our Endless Numbered Days and These Silent Woods. When the book opens its the early 1990s and Jane’’s 17th birthday and she has grown up in isolation thinking her mother died when she was a child. Her father brings the internet to the woods so Jane can publish his manifesto. The internet opens the world up to Jane and eventually brings her to San Francisco to figure out what really happened to her mother. Jane also finds herself complicit in her father’s crimes. This book is a thriller, coming of age story, history of the internet and statement on the good and evil of technology. I loved it. I loved the writing. It’s my first book by Janelle Brown but it won’t be my last.

This book was amazing. I love stories where people try to live off the grid life styles. This one was very interesting. Reflection and looking at the world as it is .

A gorgeously written exploration of the ties that bind us to people, places, and our own wants and needs. The storytelling is rich and layered, weaving together personal histories and cultural commentary in a way that feels both intimate and expansive. It’s the kind of book that makes you pause, reflect, and see the world a little differently. I felt transported and deeply moved—an absolute gem for anyone who loves reflective, character-driven narratives. Thank you to Net Galley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

What Kind of Paradise gripped me from the very beginning. The style of writing just flowed so well, that I didn’t want to put the book down. “Saul” and his daughter “Jane” are living in Montana, off the grid, but as Jane gets older she starts to question why. What happened to her mom? Why do they have to be ready to flee at a moments notice?

I was completely captivated by this book! It was my first experience with Janelle Brown's writing, but it certainly won't be my last. "What Kind of Paradise" offers a distinctive perspective on the early 1990s through the eyes of a sheltered teenager. This novel seamlessly blends elements of mystery and coming-of-age, while also exploring how technology has influenced lives across past, present, and future. It resonated deeply with my emotions. I found myself falling in love with Jane, the protagonist, and sharing in her heartbreak as she navigated the secrets she uncovered and the difficult choices she faced. The storytelling was masterfully executed. This book is an ideal choice for discussion in book clubs and should definitely be at the top of your reading list! Make sure to highlight it—I've rated it a well-deserved 5 stars!

This story details a father-daughter shared experience of living off the grid in the mid-90s, so the setting alone is captivating. Yet, it’s the why of the story that drives the mystery and suspense of it all.

When teenage Jane starts to eke out information about her tragic childhood and her dad becomes increasingly radical about his doomsday-type beliefs, it’s eerie how some of the details of this fictional story have lined up with the news of today.

Honestly, I don’t know if I’ve ever thought this before, but as soon as I finished the last page, I thought - this book is perfect, no notes. The description, the pace, the surprises, the heart – all of it makes for an exceptional novel.

I was already a fan of Brown’s work, but What Kind of Paradise goes straight to the top for me.

Jane’s life was a lie. Her paranoid father kept this in a cabin in an isolated location with limited access to the world. He worked on a manifesto that he believed would help spread the world about computer technology and how it’s poisoning people.
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Her father was her protector and hero. H home schooled her teaching everything he learned himself at Harvard. Her became fearful about the advancements in technology so he designed a plan to eradicate the people who set the computer world in motion.
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Jane longed for a mother figure to help guide her through life. When her father brought home a computer it opened up her world. She realized her father was a conspiracy theorist with anti-government views.
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What Kind of Paradise is about a teenage girl who breaks free from her father's world of isolation. His agenda is to educate people about the technology movement, but his progress doesn’t get the results he hoped for.
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My first introduction to Janelle Brown was in reading I’ll Be You. That book was a solid 5 stars. This book is completely different than that book. The writing is very complex given the nature of the main male character living a life of isolation away from the controlling government agencies. Janelle Brown is a brilliant and talented writer. By far beyond my wildest imagination of writing skill set. I’m a simple reader who need’s simplicity in my writing style. This book is far bigger than my brain can process. I’m in the mindset of reading romance books and psychological thrillers. I feel out of my realm delving into a book about the WWW and HTML. It’s beyond my comprehension. Yet I’m fascinated with where she’s going with Esme’s life. I want to collect the puzzle pieces to complete the grandiose picture and understand what her father planned from the beginning. Janelle Brown illustrated a painting that could be interpreted in numerous ways revealing a different perspective based upon a person’s experience. I’m more aware of how some people get trapped inside their own fears.