Reviews

Winter in Paradise by Elin Hilderbrand

Only show reviews with written explanations

jesslknutson's review against another edition

4.5

4.5 ⭐️
.
I picked up this Elin book for a summer beachy read. It truly delivered that. I loved the mystery it had throughout the whole story. It was always leading my mind one way then it would change. The one thing I find hard in Elin’s books are the amount of characters. I catch myself having to go back to see who they are. In this book it totally pulled the story together. I loved how we started in Iowa and went around the states to meet everyone. Then we went to the island getting to know the aspect of everything that was playing apart in the world of this family was so good. I’m so glad the ending set you up for the next book.

btownsend's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous emotional funny hopeful lighthearted relaxing slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.5

mollyulsh's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous challenging mysterious slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

daniwalker18's review against another edition

Go to review page

emotional hopeful lighthearted medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.25

keen23's review against another edition

Go to review page

4.0

Good start to a new series. Nice to see Hilderbrand get beyond Nantucket (don't get me wrong, I love those books too). An interesting premise as been set up, and I hope the rest of the books deliver on the promise.

rebeccasreadingrambles's review against another edition

Go to review page

4.0

This might be one of my favorite Elin Hilderbrand novels yet. This one found it's way quickly to my heart and shortly after starting, I couldn't stop reading it. I went through a range of emotions throughout the book and the ending had me alternating between smiling and honestly tearing up. I am beyond thrilled that this story will be continued on into more books. I usually fall in love with Elin Hilderbrand's characters and then I am sad to say goodbye to the at the end of a book.
_
Though this story takes place away from the author's beloved Nantucket, she does a wonderful job transporting us to the tropical beauty of St John. It actually cracks me up that some of the characters don't understand the BVIs because I also have such trouble with geography and know little about these islands. She brings the same feeling of a quaint close community that we usually see in her Nantucket books.
_
This book had drama! Secrets and lies, but also people trying to find themselves and figure out their place in the world. This is family drama at it's best. I loved flawed characters and these are some interesting ones. I especially loved Maia and cannot wait to see more of her. She is the strongest one in this book, even though she has lost the most. I have such hope for her and I am so happy that everyone treated her kindly, despite the misdeeds of her parents. I found all the characters interesting and really felt connected to each of them, which can be hard for an author to do.
_
Okay I don't always love love-triangles, but this one was at least entertaining. There isn't the usual stringing along, but two characters who have strong feelings and a women who knows what she wants (or at least tries to until she is burned again).
_
Of course there is a cliff hanger, but that is to be expected in the first book of a series. I am really looking forward to seeing these characters again!
_
Thank you to the publisher for a free copy. I was happy to give my honest thoughts.