A husband’s secret life, a wife’s new beginning: escape to the Caribbean with #1 New York Times bestselling author Elin Hilderbrand. Irene Steele shares her idyllic life in a beautiful Iowa City Victorian house with a husband who loves her to sky-writing, sentimental extremes. But as she rings in the new year one cold and snowy night, everything she thought she knew falls to pieces with a … falls to pieces with a shocking phone call: her beloved husband, away on business, has been killed in a helicopter crash. Before Irene can even process the news, she must first confront the perplexing details of her husband’s death on the distant Caribbean island of St. John.
After Irene and her sons arrive at this faraway paradise, they make yet another shocking discovery: her husband had been living a secret life. As Irene untangles a web of intrigue and deceit, and as she and her sons find themselves drawn into the vibrant island culture, they have to face the truth about their family, and about their own futures.
Rich with the lush beauty of the tropics and the drama, romance, and intrigue only Elin Hilderbrand can deliver, Winter in Paradise is a truly transporting novel, and the exciting start to a new series.
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After Irene’s husband dies tragically in an accident, she learns pieces of shocking details that basically result in the revelation that her husband was living an entirely different life in paradise: on the beautiful island of St. John’s. With this news in her pocket, she heads towards the island to see this truth for herself, because it just can’t be. Discovering that, yes, her husband had a double set of everything, even another family, she commits herself to finding out more in order to reconcile the many versions of her husband who has left her too confused and hurt to grieve. But, if her husband wasn’t who he seemed, maybe his death wasn’t either. Was it an accident?
If you have never read Elin Hilderbrand before, this is a great title to get started with. It is the first in a series though, so be prepared for a bit of a wait for what looks to be an ongoing story. Engaging and enjoyable, Winter in Paradise sets a tone that women everywhere can appreciate. It also establishes the characters, explains relationship dynamics, and explores the harm of secrecy which you’ll find everywhere in this book. Developed through the eyes of a variety of characters, the plot comes to life with complex emotions that allow it to be palpable and easy to invest in. With a fabulous setting, interesting characters, a plot full of scandal, and even a little bit of romance, Winter in Paradise is a winner for most every reader. And after a jaw-dropping ending that promises more to come, this is a series I am excited to follow. Check it out.
The story is great and I enjoyed the tropical location. Will definitely read the next one.
The three books in this series go down like ice cold Pina Coladas on a hot white-sand beach. You can practically smell the suntan lotion and hear the waves in every paragraph. And oh yeah. The story? The story is a riveting, no holds barred 5-star read all the way through.
Full review: https://skryder.com/2021/02/27/review-paradise-series/
4.5/5
Holy moly, I don’t know what I was expecting when I went into Winter in Paradise by Elin Hilderbrand, but I loved it more than I could have thought possible. It is filled with so many secrets and lies, and as they start to come unraveled things really start to get interesting. I was addicted to the audio and listened to it in basically a day. Even though it is just over 10 hours it goes super quick and is narrated by Erin Bennett who is a regular narrator for Hilderbrand’s books. I am a huge fan of her narration, and love that they have stuck to her for so many of this author’s books.
My mouth actually dropped open at the end of Winter in Paradise, and boy oh boy do I love when that happens. The setting of St. John’s was positively amazing and gave me all the beach vibes which made me wish I was on an island right now. I also loved seeing one of the characters living in Colorado and talking about Breckenridge since I live in CO and am very familiar with Breck. I think it is always so fun to see places you know in books and I definitely did in this one. There is a lot going on and I loved the mystery aspect of this novel as well. The end leaves you on a bit of a cliffhanger which means I will be starting What Happens in Paradise immediately. I also really appreciated the author’s note at the beginning of the book and love that Hilderbrand included it. I could go on and on so I will stop now, but I definitely recommend Winter in Paradise!
So you think that your marriage is great, you have everything you ever wanted and your family is happy and healthy..think again.
This book introduces us to the Steele family and like so many other families we find out that the perfect family is just one step away from the balloon bursting and all the foul air to fly out.
Irene thinks her marriage is one that is perfect although she wishes that her husband was around more, but then she hardly pays attention to him now so what more does she want…Baker is married to another workaholic and is in for the shock of his life when she reveals her secrets. He already takes care of his son so that is not a problem but what has his wife been hiding and Cash well he has been the free spirit disappointment for years and now he has to let his family know that the gift they gave him is gone and he has failed again….
BUT< this is not the whole story, in fact these things seem like such inconsequential problems once Irene gets a phone call on New Years Day. Talk about starting the new year with a bang.... Book one of the Paradise story brings us up to date on what has happened in the past and present with the Steele family and luckily we have Elin to write these as she continues their tale through the next two books. Enjoy the scenery because your heart will break for what is about to come. Can a family glue back their lives after tragedy strikes. I love this series and can't wait for the next installment.
Elin Hilderbrand writes a captivating story in which a woman finds out about her husband’s secret second home and family in St. John. The Steele family travels to St. John to find out more about the details of their father/husband, however they are all keeping secrets of their own. This story grabbed me from the beginning and did not let go as more pieces continued to be discovered. I enjoyed meeting all of the characters and cannot wait to see how the story plays out in the next two books.
After several friends read – and loved – this book, I had to jump on the Elin train. It’s completely unexpected. Which shouldn’t be surprising since I went in blind without having read the summary or reviews.
One thing to note is that the cliff hangar at the end, which I anticipated, does not really allow you to not continue the series. I guess what I’m saying is, Winter in Paradise is not a standalone and you ought to plan on investing time into the trilogy.
I listened to the audio and I think it is a disservice to the book. With how many POVs there are, it would have been easier to follow along with a paperback. At almost the halfway point, I felt comfortable enough with the who, what, and when, and can see why so many love Elin’s writing. I’m glad I am starting this now that the series is all ready and waiting for me. Now on to book two!
Wow, this book was not what I expected. At first, Irene kind of bored me, but after the initial character introductions, the book really took off for me. I really enjoyed the multiple POVs. It felt like I was in on a secret that the others didn’t know yet and the anticipation was exciting. The relationships are tangled, complicated, and somehow manage to be ridiculous and realistic at the same time. Hilderbrand’s love for St. John island really shines through in her writing. The island, the food, the ocean, and the laid-back lifestyle that it represents are a beautiful part of the story. I enjoyed the twists and surprises, although just when you think it’s all tied up neatly, there’s a cliffhanger hooking you in for the second book. I can’t wait to continue the story of Irene and her sons.
“Love is messy, complicated, and unfair.”
Great beach book.
The first in the paradise series, and they are good! Irene has just gotten done celebrating New Year’s with her friend when she gets the worse call any wife could receive. Her husband was in a terrible plane crash and there was also a local woman with him. WHAT? He was working, he had to work over the holiday. What do you mean a local woman, where was this? St. John what.. where is that? Irene can’t believe what she is hearing and thinks they have the wrong Mrs. Steele, but they claim there is no mistake. She pulls herself together, call both of their sons to break the news and is headed down to warmer weather for who knows how long, or for what exactly? Off she goes, and her two sons also meet her at the airport to go with her. What they found down in paradise is beyond what they could have ever imagined their father was capable of having. With each new day, it seems there is another secret or person involved. Meanwhile the boys are not keeping themselves out of trouble, in this nw makeshift home either. Make sure you have book two handy, as this leaves off on a cliff hanger!
Love all Elin Hilderbrand bookshop
I love Elin”s books and this is a continuation of her series. Looking forward to the next book.
Really more of a 3.5
Irene Steele has a picturesque life. Her husband, Russell, loves and dotes on her. She has a beautiful home and family, and a fulfilling job as editor of a popular magazine. Even though her husband works and travels away from home often, she is happy in her bubble. Until that bubble bursts…
Crippling news comes in the form of a phone call from her husband’s boss’s secretary…there has been an accident and her husband has died. Worse even still…he died in a helicopter crash on a small Caribbean island, with only the pilot and a local woman aboard. What was her husband doing there and who were the people he was with?
Irene and her sons, Baker & Cash, travel to St. Johns to unravel the secrets of Russell Steele and the devastation he’s left behind.
This is the first in a series and my first Hilderbrand book. I’ve seen her all over Bookstagram and was highly intrigued. Since I actually had this book collecting dust on my shelf I decided…why not? Who doesn’t love a good beach read?
I can see what all the fuss is about as the writing is good and the characters are well written. The story itself is cliche and I could see where it was going from the first chapter, but then I’m sure that was meant all along. How could it not be?
It’s a very quick and enjoyable read and I will continue the series although I’m sure I know where it’s going and the secrets that unfold will likely not be a surprise.
The perfect amount of suspense, mystery, and romance in this first book of the trilogy. What a terrific read! I loved the the family in crisis story line and can’t wait to see where it goes.
Another great series!
I loved this first in the series and I’m looking forward to devouring the rest. Honestly, this has been the perfect escape and distraction from my Covid-19 quarantine worries.
This was one of the best books I have read in a long time.
Perfect escape book for the cold winter months!
Love is messy, complicated, and unfair … this is pretty much the theme of this quick, fun, on the beach read on a winter day. The characters are shallow and undeveloped; the plot, if any, moves quickly, and the characters practice casual sex on a whim. That being said, the book was a light enjoyable fun read, as it makes you appreciate the deep thoroughly researched fictions by some of the other authors you may have read. I will read more work by Elin Hilderbrand, as I do enjoy a light whimsical read on occasion, and I am now curious to see where these characters go in the next few books of the trilogy. Overall, I reccommend the book, but be prepared for little to no character development and whimsical subplots.
I have vacationed on St. John do it was a fun setting for the book for me.