The Paradise Problem

I was looking forward to a new Christina Lauren book and was very excited to start reading. Unfortunately, if I'm honest, I was not loving it at the start. I find the premise of the book to be a bit far-fetched and the characters to be a bit too stereotyped. However, I am glad I stuck with it. In spite of the things I do not love, I ended up enjoying it overall. The romance is sweet and fun, and I really fell in love with the male lead. The female lead grew on me despite my distaste for her originally. Ultimately, my feelings are still mixed but I can admit I had a good time reading it.

The storyline follows Anna Green and Liam Weston, who married in college in order to live in family housing. It was a marriage of convenience that never actually ended even though they have not seen each other in years. Suddenly, Liam shows up at Anna's front door with a proposition involving life-changing money in exchange for attending a family wedding with him and pretending they have a real marriage so that he can receive an inheritance. As one can image, this does not go smoothly.

There are a lot of unlikeable characters in this book, specifically Liam's wealthy family. Their extreme privilege and snobbery are difficult to stomach. In contrast, Anna is unconventional and artistic. The reader is supposed to love Anna, but I found it very hard to relate to her. In fact, I could not relate to any of the characters in the book. This is not usually a problem for me, but when I also do not really like any of them, it is hard to root for any of them.

That being said, I did end up invested in Anna and Liam's relationship. When they are not interacting with the horrible Weston family, they are honest and kind with each other. Their romance develops organically through their forced proximity. They have fun and laugh together, which I find very endearing.

So, overall I'd say my feelings on this one are middle of the road. I do not love the set up of the plot or most of the characters, but I do love Anna and Liam's romance. I would tentatively recommend this to the right reader.

Fun Read

After reading Tangled Up in You, I found myself so captivated that I delved into the back covers of countless other books by Christina Lauren, eventually landing on The Paradise Problem. From the very first page, I was hooked, and I ended up devouring the entire book in a single day. It's not just good; it's phenomenal. Every element of this story pulled me in and refused to let go.

This book has everything you could want in a contemporary romance: humor, sexiness, compelling characters, and lush, vibrant detail. It's one of those rare stories that can make you laugh out loud one moment and have you wiping away tears the next. The narrative is intricately woven with a commentary on family, wealth, and love, adding depth and substance to the romance. The emotions this book evoked in me ran the gamut—from laughter to tears, from nail-biting tension to triumphant cheers. In short, I loved every single part of it.

One of the things I’m starting to realize is how much I love the marriage of convenience trope, especially when it’s written as well as it is here. Christina Lauren nails it with Anna and Liam. The way these two characters exist in and around each other is nothing short of mesmerizing. Their relationship grows organically, both as individuals and as a couple, navigating tough situations and even some delightfully zany ones with grace and charm.

Anna and Liam are not just protagonists; they are the beating heart of this story. I found them to be incredibly compelling characters, each with their own struggles, strengths, and vulnerabilities. The connection between them is instantaneous, and I couldn’t get enough of the chemistry that sizzles between them. Every interaction, every exchange of dialogue, every stolen glance feels so real and loaded with meaning.

One of the standout aspects of this book is how it handles the wealth gap between Anna, who is struggling, and Liam, who is insanely rich. Rather than glossing over this disparity, Christina Lauren dives into it, offering insightful commentary on capitalism, power, and privilege. The book explores how wealth can be both a tool and a weapon, and how it affects relationships and personal identity. Importantly, this is done without falling into the traps of chauvinism or exploitation, making the narrative feel both modern and thoughtful.

And then there’s the spice. My god, the spice! The intimate scenes between Anna and Liam are not only steamy but also deeply emotional. The chemistry between them is electric, and their physical connection is enhanced by the bond they share—their love, their respect, their adoration for each other. These moments are not just about physical pleasure; they are about two people who are deeply in love, and that makes the heat all the more intense.

The Paradise Problem is a book that I cannot recommend highly enough. It’s a story that will make you feel every emotion under the sun, from the joy of new love to the tension of unresolved conflict. Christina Lauren has crafted a romance that is not only entertaining but also thoughtful, offering rich commentary on wealth, love, and power without ever losing sight of the characters at its heart. If you love contemporary romance with depth, humor, and a lot of heart, this book is a must-read.

4.5/5 - This book was a whole vibe. I had fun! A perfect summer book! It had all of the elements: a beautiful private island, wealthy good looking people, a fake marriage trope and MESS! I enjoyed both main characters. I didn't read the synopsis so wasn't sure what I was getting into but this was a joy to read!

The best parts of the forced proximity and fake marriage tropes

Nothing in this plot is truly groundbreaking, but I enjoyed it so much that it's going to stick with me for a while. The romance is well written. The fake marriage setup is reasonable. Liam and Anna are charming, confident, playful, and have great romantic tension.

The private island wedding setting is the perfect combination of extreme wealth and high stakes to really drive the plot forward. At no point was I bored. I often surprised myself by how fast I was flying through pages but never felt like I was missing any depth.

There was so much going on plot wise outside of the romance that it would have still been compelling without it. Family tension, corporate politics, wedding stress all blended together beautifully.

Highly recommend in general, but especially as a vacation read and/or for people who loved the drama and romance of Crazy Rich Asians.

I've been in need of some light reading entertainment lately and “[b:The Paradise Problem 199797582 The Paradise Problem Christina Lauren https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1697744363l/199797582.SY75.jpg 204370087]” by [a:Christina Lauren 6556689 Christina Lauren https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1730746046p2/6556689.jpg] certainly fits that bill. Due to Anna, its strong, independent, smart, self-confident, and down-to-earth female lead, it felt surprisingly fresh and real.At its core, “The Paradise Problem” is a delightful blend of wit, charm, and a touch of the absurd, anchored by an emotional resonance that feels authentically raw. While it veers slightly from their earlier works, such as “[b:The Unhoneymooners 42201431 The Unhoneymooners (Unhoneymooners, #1) Christina Lauren https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1548201335l/42201431.SY75.jpg 65813986]” (which I also enjoyed), it still boasts that inimitable Christina Lauren spark, albeit with a stronger focus on individuality and the intricacies of self-discovery. The setting—a tension-filled reunion with Liam's dysfunctional family—only heightens the stakes, making me appreciate the story even more.Centred on Anna, our brilliant and self-possessed protagonist, the novel immediately strikes a balance between lighthearted banter...[After Liam asks her not to use certain words]»“You've just ensured that these words will now be staples in our marital relationship.”«... and poignant moments of genuine vulnerability. Anna's relatability is what makes her so engaging—she's smart, confident, and real, yet still grappling with the chaos that life throws at her. One of my favourite moments from early in the book is perfectly encapsulated in Anna's excitement over impending chaos:»She leans forward and hugs me. “This is going to be a disaster. I'm so excited!”«This clever perspective on calamity helps establish Anna's resilience and wit, making her both hilarious and human. While Christina Lauren often excels at crafting relatable heroines, Anna stands out with how she handles the challenges of navigating family drama and new romance—all while grappling with “robot luggage”:»I'd love to change but I have no idea where my robot luggage is. I assume it's followed us of its own volition somehow.«Compared to other works by Christina Lauren, “The Paradise Problem” feels slightly more introspective. While it retains their signature romantic element, it's not all swoon-worthy grand gestures. Instead, the book champions quieter, more meaningful demonstrations of love, as Anna beautifully reflects in the epilogue:»The world tells girls we should want romantic, flashy grand gestures, and those can be great. But if I had given it deeper thought, I know I'd have dreamed up something just like this—an offer given with honesty and communication and mutual respect—over anything showy.«This simple thought reflects perfectly the kind of relationship Anna and Liam formed, as wonderfully written by Christina Lauren. I also appreciated the slow evolution of Liam, Anna's romantic counterpart. His personality, shaped by a strict father and rigid upbringing, pales at times in comparison to Anna's dynamism. Yet, his growth feels earned, inspired by Anna's influence. Still, I found him a touch overshadowed by Anna's vibrance, his evolution, however, felt natural.If you're looking for a feel-good read with some substance and just the right amount of emotional depth, I highly recommend this one. Anna's journey is ultimately about finding joy and authenticity, and by the end, it'll likely leave you cheering her on.Five out of five stars.Blog Facebook Twitter Mastodon Instagram Pinterest Medium Matrix TumblrCeterum censeo Putin esse delendam

I stayed up way too late last night to finish this. Matt turned off his bedside lamp and said, “I hope it ends with love, and kisses, and sunsets...” as he started falling asleep.

“How about sex in an industrial kitchen?” I snickered.

“That sounds unsanitary,” he murmured. “And also dangerous ... so many knives and ... cheese graters ...“

And I busted out laughing and couldn't stop.

Fake relationship, check. (Or, I guess it's a real marriage, but one of convenience, so they still end up playing at fake relationship.) Good communication between H/h, check. Excellent banter, check. I have not watched Succession or anything but I suspect this story is similar in that all the family stuff is freaking STRESSFUL when it comes to their business, their insane wealth, and their interpersonal relationships, and the father's attempts to get our H Liam to take over as CEO so he can be under Dad's thumb FoReVeR.

I enjoyed it a lot, but there's a lot of suspension of belief required for the legal stuff.

I liked the way Anna and Liam's relationship developed. There were a couple moments where I laughed out loud. I appreciate the portrayal of Liam's dad and the effect he had on people. It really was stressful, but it certainly made the book about more than just their romance. They had to grow and reckon with their own faults and past. Part of the third act break up was a little silly in comparison with the stressors of each of their dads. Overall I liked the romance with deeper character work involved.