When a Manhattan businesswoman and a reclusive French artist are stranded together on a deserted island, opposites attract…and sparks fly. But with love shimmering on the horizon, will they survive to claim their happy ending?Nicole Morella boards a private Mediterranean cruise with one goal: to reclaim herself after her divorce. When she sits next to a beautiful blonde in the ship’s lounge, … lounge, she’s knocked off balance by the immediate attraction between them, and it’s not just because Nicole hasn’t found her sea legs yet. Fiona stirs things in Nicole that haven’t been stirred in a long time, but a fiery kiss turns dangerous when the ship is hijacked. The women launch a daring escape, leaving them adrift in an empty lifeboat.
Fiona Boone has been adrift most of her life, but never in such a literal sense. She’s a survivor, though, so when they land on a deserted island, Fiona’s ready to do whatever it takes to stay alive until they’re rescued. In the meantime, she can’t get enough of the feisty woman she’s stranded with, despite her usual fiercely independent nature. Although they’re lost, Fiona finds something unexpected in the comfort of Nicole’s touch. But when an injury puts her life in jeopardy, they begin to worry help won’t arrive in time. If she survives their ordeal, Fiona might just face her biggest challenge yet: falling in love.
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Okay, my lovelies, this week’s read found me lost at sea and riding high on adventure, lust, and some super awesome characterization! Lost in Paradise, by Rachel Lacey, is a kick-butt lesbian contemporary romance that jacks up the heat… both literally and metaphorically.
I’m not sure what I was expecting when I dove into this book, but it wasn’t the plain Jane contemporary I’d envisioned. And thank goodness for it! This story is jam-packed with beautiful writing, vivid descriptions, and fantastic scenery. It also starts out with a, “Holy cow, did that just happen?!” and ends with a, “OMGsh, that just happened!” Seriously, it rocked my happy little boat from page one.
Our main characters find themselves “shipwrecked” (of sorts, but I truly don’t want to say any more because going into the beginning of this book blind is one of the best decisions I’ve made in recent memory!) Anywho, they’re stranded on an island… and it’s frickin’ Hot. With a capital H. And I don’t just mean the temperature.
The chemistry between Fiona and Nicole is off the charts, and the imagery their surroundings and adversities supply? Gorgeous. Trust me.
I would recommend this book to anyone who loves lesbian romance, especially of the sizzling variety. It would also appeal to readers who enjoy a little adventure with their romance, because… yeah. That beginning. It definitely starts off with a bang!
Nicole Morella and Fiona Boone meet while on a Mediterranean cruise. Nicole took the cruise as a post-divorce gift to herself. Fiona was stood-up by a man for a week of no strings sex and adventure. Fiona is the type that takes action before thinking things through; Nicole is more reserved. When the ship is hijacked, Fiona jumps into action and decides to abandon ship. Nicole follows her reluctantly and they become marooned on an island.
I enjoyed every minute of this story. I do wish their time on the island had been longer with more adventure and angst. But this is a story I will definitely revisit. BTW, I did not notice any errors in this book at all. That was a very welcome relief.
Nicole, fresh off a divorce, signs up for a Mediterranean cruise in hopes of having a little fun while working through the failure of her marriage to her cheating husband. While having a drink at the bar, Nicole meets Fiona. Having always been attracted to both men and women, Nicole decides to act on her attraction to Fiona.
Fiona, having been stood up by her male companion, decides to head to the bar to drink away her rejection. At the bar, Fiona chats with Nicole and decides to act on their attraction. Fiona and Nicole leave the bar to find a secluded place on the ship. On their way across the ship, it’s overtaken by pirates. Fiona’s quick thinking gets them off the ship, but adrift at sea in a lifeboat, and later stranded on a deserted island.
After being rescued from a deserted island, Nicole and Fiona have to decide whether or not their relationship can last-now that they’ve been rescued. Fiona and Nicole were absolute opposites, but perfect for each other. This was a story of facing your past, letting go, and forgiving so that you can move on. I have to say that I absolutely LOVE Rachel Lacey and her writing, but this just wasn’t the story for me. I enjoyed the basic storyline, but not the f/f love scenes. If f/f love stories are your thing, this is absolutely the story for you! I read a gifted copy and all opinions stated are my own.
I love Rachel Lacey’s style of writing! This book has it all: action, suspense, heartbreak and lots of steam. Nicole and Fiona were quite different, each with a unique background, hiding a lot of hurt. I really like stranded together books and was quite pleased that we got to see what happened after the big rescue. I hope there will be more books in this series!
It’s been quite I while since I read one of Rachel Lacey’s Stranded books, but that didn’t diminish this book in the slightest. It is also, I believe, my first foray into a F/F romance! I have to say, this was a very interesting read!
I loved the slow burn of the romance between Fiona and Nicole! I also found it easy to identify and connect with Fiona. I really loved Fiona’s dictate to Nicole that they take time apart for Nicole to find herself, as I felt that her concerns were extremely realistic of the situation. I suspected something had happened in Fiona’s past, but the reveal of it was a complete surprise for me! I loved how Nicole’s parents viewed themselves as “Modern” Catholics, since more traditionalist Catholics are the reason I left that faith entirely, so many years ago!
This was a quick read, but told a complete story, and was very engaging and entertaining to me! I can’t wait to see where the rest of the series goes!
I know I’ve said this before but I’ll mention it again, I don’t usually read the blurb or review of a book I want to read for review. If I do I usually wait awhile so I can forget what I read. I don’t like anything tainting what I’m reading. I like to go in surprised.
Well!!! I was damn surprised when I read Lost in Paradise that’s for sure.
Who would have thought that the two main characters are both female. I was a tiny bit shocked by this from this author. I don’t remember her ever doing a book like that.
That being said I have to say she did a wonderful job of it. It was impossible to go in without a somewhat tainted view of the story. I don’t shy away from same sex romances, but I also don’t seek them out.
So, at first I almost put this one down. Then I told myself to get over it and read the story. I am so glad that I did. This is wonderfully written. Shortly after starting it I truly wanted to know Nicole & Fiona’s story. I wanted more of them together.
You really root for these two to both make it and find their happy-ever-after together. I became so lost in their story that it became just like any other romance to me. I’m so glad I gave this story a chance.
If your mind is totally closed off to the idea of same sex romance then pass of this one. But if you I like to explore something different I do believe this one is a very good one to start with.
Lost in Paradise by Rachel Lacey
5++++ Stars
Lost in Paradise is another amazing fabulous story written by Rachel!! She surely doesn’t disappoint! It is very well written and it is very captivating. I couldn’t put it down!
Nicole and Fiona~ loved their chemistry, both trying to rediscover themselves
Nicole, recently divorced, goes on a cruise and meets Fiona at the bar.
Fiona, who lives in France, is an artist.
“Nicole had thought Fiona’s eyes to be sky blue before, but this close, she saw that there was a gold ring around her pupil, mirroring their tropical paradise where the turquoise water met the golden sand. Her eyes were the beach, not the sky.”
Very highly recommended!
4 LOST IN PARADISE STARS!! This book was like being on a rollercoaster with all the ups and downs. Nicole and Fiona story will hit all your emotion buttons and keep you flipping pages. These characters are broken, but need each other help to be whole. Rachel Lacey has written another great story for us readers to get lost in.
Having read and thoroughly enjoyed the last few books I’ve read by Rachel Lacey, I was eager to read her latest even though it was a F/F romance. And I must say I am so glad I did. This was an absolutely amazing story centered around personal growth and fighting for the love that you believe in even when the other person isn’t as sure. Nicole and Fiona’s relationship started out under less than ideal circumstances but both admit that they could never have survived without the other. But then do they have the courage to continue that relationship once they are both safe? These two women had terrific chemistry from the very beginning even though each had such very different personalities. I was sucked into the story from page one and didn’t put down my kindle until they got their happily ever after!
This book was a little different from what I normally read but I love Rachel’s writing so I took a chance on it. And whoa! I devoured this book. The plot was interesting and I was a little nervous for Nicole and Fiona. They found themselves in quite a harrowing situation. But Rachel took me on a journey where emotions were palpable and I was invested in these characters’ lives. The emotions felt real and they were raw. Not only were these women scared for their lives but Nicole was also feeling things she hadn’t given thought to in awhile. They had to depend on each other. Fiona was used to doing things alone. Nicole made her stop and think. I don’t want to give anything away about this book, so I’ll just say, if you’re open to reading a different romance from the typical M/F, take a chance on this book! It was a magical journey and reminded me why I love this author’s writing so much!
Even though this book is in a genre I don’t ordinarily read, I took a chance because I do really enjoy this author & the way she writes. After reading this, I’m glad that I took that chance. Nicole & Fiona are two strong women searching to rediscover themselves & find that important connection to another. While experiencing terror & danger, they are drawn to each other in a battle of survival. They each learn important things about themselves & each other. This was an important lesson about living life to enjoy rather than just to survive.
Really enjoyed this book,and it is not my normal go to. It’s a book about finding your self and finding the person for you. Very well written beautiful story. Plenty going on right from the beginning.
I received a free copy of the book and I am voluntarily leaving a review
Compelling Story
I got totally engrossed in this read. I wasn’t sure about a F/F romance, but beautifully written, the circumstances are main and become life threatening. Kept me turning the pages to see what came next.
A great story with all the feels that comes to a sigh worthy HEA.
Captivating, suspenseful and heartwarming!
What started out as a fun trip quickly turned into a terrifying experience for both Nicole and Fiona.
Will this experience be the one to help them truly overcome their troubled pasts and find happiness?
Rachel Lacey did an amazing job at captivating me into this book. I felt many different emotions and could not put this book down. I loved the characters true and raw emotions, I loved the courage they were forced to embrace, but mostly I loved the outcome of this suspenseful book!
Love has a way of shaking up more than a heart. Lost in Paradise is a journey of personal discovery. It’s surprising, sexy and an emotional rollercoaster as well. Nicole is looking to heal a broken heart. Become a new woman. What she finds is love like she’s never known before. Lacey takes her talents in an unexpected direction. Out of tragedy comes the courage to be happy.
I enjoyed reading this book. I was not
sure what the story would be like, with
two women as the main characters.
But Rachel Lacey never disappoints.
I found it to be compelling, & emotional.
It’s a beautifully written story. Nicole,
lives in New York. Recently divorced.
She is taking a Mediterranean cruise to celebrate & find herself.
The first night on the ship, she see’s
a woman sitting at the bar.
Fiona, is an artist living in France.
Disappointed after being stood up,
she decided to enjoy the cruise.
When they first meet, their chemistry
is undeniable. While taking a walk on deck,
the ship is taken hostage.
Barely escaping in a life boat, Nicole
& Fiona try to find a way to be saved.
They finds themselves on a deserted island. While trying to survive, Nicole
& Fiona give into their attraction for
each other. What happens when & if
their rescued. Will Nicole & Fiona ever
see each other again?