Elin Hilderbrand’s “The Paradise Series” Review
You may know that Elin Hilderbrand is one of my favorite authors. I have read quite a few of her books, both of her series, The Winter Series and The Paradise Series. In this post, I will be giving you a short and honest review of each book in the Paradise series. There are 3 books in this series, each took me about a week to read because I can only read during Moose’s nap or when he goes to bed.
Book 1- “Winter in Paradise”-
This book, being the first in the paradise series, sets the tone. It introduces you to the main characters, Irene and Russ Steele, their two adult sons, Huck, Rosie, Maia, and Ayers. Irene works for a magazine. While Russ travels a lot for work, not letting out what his true job is. As for the sons, one is a stay-at-home dad living in Texas while the other is a store owner in Colorado. As the sons think their lives are being turned upside down they get some terrible news.
Irene is having dinner with a friend on New Year’s Day, while Russ is away on business, only to find out her husband has died in a helicopter crash. The accident occurred in the area of the British and US Virgin Islands, setting off her two sons and her to take a trip there to figure out what happened! Once they arrive on St. John they quickly realize their dad had been living a double life. One that NO ONE had suspected.
In comes Huck, Rosie, Maia, and Ayers. All of these characters become intertwined in ways that only Elin Hilderbrand could think up, and in the craziest, most dramatic ways! There are romantic twists, adventures, and heartbreak.
Elin paints a picture of the Island that makes you feel like you are there, and when you put down the book it makes you want to book your next vacation, to St. John! Once you read “Winter in Paradise” you will be racing to start “What Happens in Paradise”.
Book 2- “What Happens in Paradise”-
After “Winter in Paradise” the Steeles are left with so many unanswered questions. Ultimately they all return to St. John to try and uncover what happened to their husband and dad. Ayers has stepped up to help Huck raise, her best friends’ daughter, Maia. Irene and her sons with the help of Ayers and Huck discover things about their loved ones that no one knew.
As Ayers stumbles across some journals written by Rosie she struggles with knowing what the right thing to do with them is. Should she turn them over with hopes that they may help solve what happened to the helicopter carrying her best friend, Rosie, and Russ? Or should she keep them and give them to Maia when she gets older?
In this book, the characters become even more intertwined in such a delightful way that you will be up past bedtime hoping to find out what happens next. And let’s not forget about the Steele brothers, what happened to their lives back home? Have they fallen in love with the island? You will have to read to find out! And I promise you will enjoy discovering how it all unfolds.
Disclaimer
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Book 3- “Trouble in Paradise”-
Elin Hilderbrand really outdid herself with the last book in the paradise series. Being the longest book in the series, it took me the shortest amount of time to finish!
The remaining Steeles have uprooted their lives. They’ve decided they are all moving to the villa their beloved husband and dad owned. They are going to start their own lives on this beautiful Island in a beautiful HUGE villa and everything is looking up despite all the truths they have discovered about Russ.
They also come to find out that the helicopter accident killing Russ and Rosie may not have been an accident after all! This new development brings up evidence that may cause the Steeles to lose everything they have. The brothers have fallen in love on the island. While one is trying to get his son settled, he finds out his new love interest is pregnant. The other is thinking about going into business with the family of his new love interest, but will that work out?
A storm is approaching the island, threatening to destroy everything. This also brings up new information that will finally help solve the helicopter mystery and hopefully bring a bit of peace. Elin closes out each character’s story leaving you happy with how it ends but also open to the possibility for more. She brings in a character from the Winter Street Series to help create a wonderful finale to a storyline that you never want to end.
In Conclusion
The Paradise Series was a great summer read! I enjoyed every twist and turn Elin Hilderbrand included and she may have inspired our vacation for next year! If you are looking for a quick, easy, fun, and emotional series to read, this is the one. You won’t be disappointed!
If you would like to check out some other book reviews I have done click here and be sure to check back soon for more as “the best friends book club” is starting back up soon!
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