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A review by _onemorechapter_
The Paradise Problem by Christina Lauren
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
𝑻.𝑾: Narcissistic Father and Toxic Family Vibes
💭Paradise RomCom!
Liam(West) Weston is the heir to a nationwide grocery chain who has been trying to distance himself from his toxic family to chart his own path. Anna Green is a pink-haired, quirky, free-spirited artist who lives paycheck to paycheck. Even though Liam and Anna entered into a marriage of convenience for them to qualify for graduate family housing at UCLA, they lived together as strangers for two years until he completed his PhD. So, it’s a surprise when Liam shows up on her doorstep after three years, telling her they’re still married (she really should have read the documents she signed, thinking they were divorce papers) and that he needs her to accompany him to his sister’s wedding to play the devoted wife so that he doesn’t lose a substantial inheritance. Anna, who is all the way broke, unemployed, and trying to pay off her dad's medical bills negotiates a generous payment to be his devoted wife. The only thing is that nobody can find out they’re faking it or he and his siblings will lose everything. Cue the drama!!!
Paradise Problem brings the laughs, pop culture references, and witty banter that I have come to know and love. Christina Lauren can absolutely do no wrong their writing is always perfectly blended between sweet, spicy, and laugh-out-loud moments. The plot was silly and dramatic (with some serious parts involving a narcissistic father and very toxic manipulative behaviour) with outlandish characters, and it totally sucked me in.
One of the standout features of this book is the dual perspective. It’s a brilliant move by the author, allowing us to dive deep into both characters’ minds. Through Liam’s eyes, we see the profound impact of his relationship with his father, adding a layer of depth to his character and enriching the story. His struggle and eventual triumph over his past are truly uplifting.
Anna is totally my kind of girl and her dry and quick humor had me laughing a lot! She is the kind of character who lights up every page she’s on. Her wit and spark not only entertain but also bring out the best in those around her—especially Liam.
Liam might not win you over immediately, but trust me, give him time. As he starts to let his guard down and allow his emotions to surface, you’ll see a transformation that’s both touching and satisfying. Liam actually is a total cinnamon roll of a man, but when Anna is definitely his frosting filling in all his layers with the unconditional love and support he has been missing. She’s adorable, he’s a dull person who’s hot, broken, and always conflicted.
The chemistry between the main characters is very lusty, with an angsty buildup. Their relationship, however, was the least memorable part of me in the story. They went from reluctant con partners to friends to hook-up buddies to lovers in a matter of minutes and their third-act breakup felt insignificant since their reconciliation happened without any real conversation! Somewhat predictable, but hey, most Happily Ever Afters are, right? This wasn't like a deep connection with the character's type of book for me, but it's definitely the perfect beachy read.
Furthermore, I loved the beautiful setting, and it was so different to read about people with so much wealth and outlandish lifestyles. It was fun imagining the places described and was unlike anything else I’ve read.
Overall, The Paradise Problem was everything you expect from a Christina Lauren book and so much more. I struggled to put it down, I couldn’t stop smiling, I GIGGLED. This book has Drama, Humor, Learning, Healing, and of course, Loving.
𝐏.𝐒 Not quite as good as “Unhoneymooners”, but a similar vibe.
🔸𝑴𝒚 𝑹𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈: ⭐⭐⭐⭐.25
🔸𝑮𝒐𝒐𝒅𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒅𝒔 𝑹𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈: 4.21 (16104)
🔸𝑮𝒆𝒏𝒓𝒆:Romance novel, Humorous Fiction
🔸𝑺𝒑𝒊𝒄𝒚: 🔥🔥🔥
🔸𝑹𝒆𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒅𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏: YES!
I think it will be a great summer read for lovers of romcoms.
🔸 𝑭𝒂𝒗𝒐𝒓𝒊𝒕𝒆 𝑸𝒖𝒐𝒕𝒆𝒔:
“Being an artist is sometimes about not being afraid to do it badly first.”
“When we care about someone, they deserve the benefit of the double. We have to consider not only what they did, but also why they did it. Intent matters.”
“I realize, just before we touch, that he’s about to erase everything I know about the act of kissing.”
“We get to decide how much of our hearts we want to give them.”
"I have always been an oversharer. Whether I slept badly, am experiencing some minor tummy upset, or have strong emotions about the ending of a long-running TV series, chances are, if you ask, I’m going to tell you how I feel. If someone doesn’t really care how I am, then why not just say hello and go about it? I prefer honesty, I prefer openness, I prefer real."
“He would do anything to protect the people he loves. Remember that.”
"I’ve kissed guys. A lot of guys. Sometimes it’s good, sometimes it’s great. But mostly it’s fine. Mostly it feels good but doesn’t hit me like a spear to the chest and a slap to the lady parts. But this kiss? It’s chaste but has me melting. It’s soft, no tongue, just the lingering press of his mouth to mine followed by the easy parting, a pull of my bottom lip between his. Slow, deliberate kisses. Chaste, because we’re in front of everyone, but still so intentional, so claiming, so thorough I feel the sweet exploration in my fingertips and my spine, I feel it in my chest and my belly and between my legs. But most of all, I feel it in my brain, a firework flash, a dopamine flood, the sealing of a happy memory firmly into place."
"I’m between my brothers at the altar, with my sister taking her careful steps up to the stage, and I can’t stop staring at Anna. I feel the longing solidifies into realization: I want our marriage to be real. Marrying her for student housing was the most impulsive thing I’ve ever done, and it turns out it might have been the best thing that’s ever happened to me."
“I want you to know—I need you to know—that I am not ashamed of your path as an artist. Not for one second. I think the real you is wonderful, exactly the way she is. You are funny, courageous, creative, and silly. You are honest and vulnerable. You are forthcoming and self-reliant. You are sexy as hell and amazing in bed.” I laugh, and he smiles. “I am well on my way to falling for you, and fuck anyone who makes you feel small. Fuck them.”
“I want to deserve you,” he says when he pulls away.
“You already do.”
“I want all of you. I want to give you everything I have.” His lips linger on mine one more time. “There are no strings attached to what I’m offering,” he tells me. “I just want you. I just want to love you.”
“Unconditionally.”
"It’s the feeling I get when I look at it. The details. Some might just see two people dancing, but… look at his hat on the floor—it’s like he was so swept up in the moment it fell to the ground, and he couldn’t be bothered to pick it up. The forgotten table, the spoon still in the cup, her fingers barely grasping her fan, and he’s holding her so close, completely unconcerned with the people behind them. See the way he’s gripping her waist?” I say, pointing. “And is he nuzzling her cheek? Smelling her hair? Whispering something naughty into her ear? Is that why she’s smiling with that look of absolute bliss on her face? She’s so in love.”
“When you realize you want to spend the rest of your life with someone, you want the rest of your life to start as soon as possible.”
💭Paradise RomCom!
Liam(West) Weston is the heir to a nationwide grocery chain who has been trying to distance himself from his toxic family to chart his own path. Anna Green is a pink-haired, quirky, free-spirited artist who lives paycheck to paycheck. Even though Liam and Anna entered into a marriage of convenience for them to qualify for graduate family housing at UCLA, they lived together as strangers for two years until he completed his PhD. So, it’s a surprise when Liam shows up on her doorstep after three years, telling her they’re still married (she really should have read the documents she signed, thinking they were divorce papers) and that he needs her to accompany him to his sister’s wedding to play the devoted wife so that he doesn’t lose a substantial inheritance. Anna, who is all the way broke, unemployed, and trying to pay off her dad's medical bills negotiates a generous payment to be his devoted wife. The only thing is that nobody can find out they’re faking it or he and his siblings will lose everything. Cue the drama!!!
Paradise Problem brings the laughs, pop culture references, and witty banter that I have come to know and love. Christina Lauren can absolutely do no wrong their writing is always perfectly blended between sweet, spicy, and laugh-out-loud moments. The plot was silly and dramatic (with some serious parts involving a narcissistic father and very toxic manipulative behaviour) with outlandish characters, and it totally sucked me in.
One of the standout features of this book is the dual perspective. It’s a brilliant move by the author, allowing us to dive deep into both characters’ minds. Through Liam’s eyes, we see the profound impact of his relationship with his father, adding a layer of depth to his character and enriching the story. His struggle and eventual triumph over his past are truly uplifting.
Anna is totally my kind of girl and her dry and quick humor had me laughing a lot! She is the kind of character who lights up every page she’s on. Her wit and spark not only entertain but also bring out the best in those around her—especially Liam.
Liam might not win you over immediately, but trust me, give him time. As he starts to let his guard down and allow his emotions to surface, you’ll see a transformation that’s both touching and satisfying. Liam actually is a total cinnamon roll of a man, but when Anna is definitely his frosting filling in all his layers with the unconditional love and support he has been missing. She’s adorable, he’s a dull person who’s hot, broken, and always conflicted.
The chemistry between the main characters is very lusty, with an angsty buildup. Their relationship, however, was the least memorable part of me in the story. They went from reluctant con partners to friends to hook-up buddies to lovers in a matter of minutes and their third-act breakup felt insignificant since their reconciliation happened without any real conversation! Somewhat predictable, but hey, most Happily Ever Afters are, right? This wasn't like a deep connection with the character's type of book for me, but it's definitely the perfect beachy read.
Furthermore, I loved the beautiful setting, and it was so different to read about people with so much wealth and outlandish lifestyles. It was fun imagining the places described and was unlike anything else I’ve read.
Overall, The Paradise Problem was everything you expect from a Christina Lauren book and so much more. I struggled to put it down, I couldn’t stop smiling, I GIGGLED. This book has Drama, Humor, Learning, Healing, and of course, Loving.
𝐏.𝐒 Not quite as good as “Unhoneymooners”, but a similar vibe.
🔸𝑴𝒚 𝑹𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈: ⭐⭐⭐⭐.25
🔸𝑮𝒐𝒐𝒅𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒅𝒔 𝑹𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈: 4.21 (16104)
🔸𝑮𝒆𝒏𝒓𝒆:Romance novel, Humorous Fiction
🔸𝑺𝒑𝒊𝒄𝒚: 🔥🔥🔥
🔸𝑹𝒆𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒅𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏: YES!
I think it will be a great summer read for lovers of romcoms.
🔸 𝑭𝒂𝒗𝒐𝒓𝒊𝒕𝒆 𝑸𝒖𝒐𝒕𝒆𝒔:
“Being an artist is sometimes about not being afraid to do it badly first.”
“When we care about someone, they deserve the benefit of the double. We have to consider not only what they did, but also why they did it. Intent matters.”
“I realize, just before we touch, that he’s about to erase everything I know about the act of kissing.”
“We get to decide how much of our hearts we want to give them.”
"I have always been an oversharer. Whether I slept badly, am experiencing some minor tummy upset, or have strong emotions about the ending of a long-running TV series, chances are, if you ask, I’m going to tell you how I feel. If someone doesn’t really care how I am, then why not just say hello and go about it? I prefer honesty, I prefer openness, I prefer real."
“He would do anything to protect the people he loves. Remember that.”
"I’ve kissed guys. A lot of guys. Sometimes it’s good, sometimes it’s great. But mostly it’s fine. Mostly it feels good but doesn’t hit me like a spear to the chest and a slap to the lady parts. But this kiss? It’s chaste but has me melting. It’s soft, no tongue, just the lingering press of his mouth to mine followed by the easy parting, a pull of my bottom lip between his. Slow, deliberate kisses. Chaste, because we’re in front of everyone, but still so intentional, so claiming, so thorough I feel the sweet exploration in my fingertips and my spine, I feel it in my chest and my belly and between my legs. But most of all, I feel it in my brain, a firework flash, a dopamine flood, the sealing of a happy memory firmly into place."
"I’m between my brothers at the altar, with my sister taking her careful steps up to the stage, and I can’t stop staring at Anna. I feel the longing solidifies into realization: I want our marriage to be real. Marrying her for student housing was the most impulsive thing I’ve ever done, and it turns out it might have been the best thing that’s ever happened to me."
“I want you to know—I need you to know—that I am not ashamed of your path as an artist. Not for one second. I think the real you is wonderful, exactly the way she is. You are funny, courageous, creative, and silly. You are honest and vulnerable. You are forthcoming and self-reliant. You are sexy as hell and amazing in bed.” I laugh, and he smiles. “I am well on my way to falling for you, and fuck anyone who makes you feel small. Fuck them.”
“I want to deserve you,” he says when he pulls away.
“You already do.”
“I want all of you. I want to give you everything I have.” His lips linger on mine one more time. “There are no strings attached to what I’m offering,” he tells me. “I just want you. I just want to love you.”
“Unconditionally.”
"It’s the feeling I get when I look at it. The details. Some might just see two people dancing, but… look at his hat on the floor—it’s like he was so swept up in the moment it fell to the ground, and he couldn’t be bothered to pick it up. The forgotten table, the spoon still in the cup, her fingers barely grasping her fan, and he’s holding her so close, completely unconcerned with the people behind them. See the way he’s gripping her waist?” I say, pointing. “And is he nuzzling her cheek? Smelling her hair? Whispering something naughty into her ear? Is that why she’s smiling with that look of absolute bliss on her face? She’s so in love.”
“When you realize you want to spend the rest of your life with someone, you want the rest of your life to start as soon as possible.”