Paradise

I love JM's historical romances which is why I chose to read Paradise. It was a good book with well developed characters. The book is a page turner although I did feel the book could have been a bit shorter.
Meredith and Matt have a once in a lifetime love that all girls wish she they could experience, especially with a handsome, rags to riches guy like Matt. Also, the chemistry between them is hot.
One thing I didn't like was how easily Meredith forgave her father for all the things he did to keep Meredith and Matt apart. It was just too much to stomach for me. In that regard, I felt that she could've had a bit more backbone. Overall though, this is a great book.

I picked up this book because it came so recommended and I really wanted to give McNaught a try as a contemporary author. Unfortunately, I was a bit disappointed.

This started out as a promising romance, but it just sort of went down hill when McNaught skipped a decade and went from there. I honestly skimmed pages and pages of the book because all of it was just business. I truly had trouble finishing the novel.

The storyline wasn't extremely interesting after the decade the reader misses out on and when the reader finds out about the misunderstanding the novel basically ends there. The rest was extremely boring.

All in all, it was an okay read and I wouldn't recommend it except that the sequel, Perfect, is such a fabulous story that you need to read Paradise first.

This is the best romance book I've ever read. It has all the elements that make a great love story: passion, power, desire, love, and hate. Wonderful characters fill the story each with their own personal triumphs and defeats but the love between Meredith and Matthew is one that keeps you gripped right from the get go!
This is one book I pick up once a year just to get my fix. Thanks Judith for keeping love alive!

I picked this up because so many people cited it as their favorite romance novel of all time. Unfortunately, I couldn't agree.

Paradise felt like it was written a couple of decades before it was (1991)--the style was similar to a Jackie Collins or Jacqueline Susann novel from the 70s. There was a distance between the characters and the reader, so I was always aware I was Reading A Book rather than being involved in the characters' lives.

I'd seen all the plot elements before--rich girl falls for bad but ambitious boy, pregnancy, rich girl's father tries to pay off the boy, boy leaves to make good, father prevents their letters from reaching each other, miscarriage that he's told is abortion, etc., etc.

Right up until practically the very last page, the heroine is believing her father's lies about the hero, even though she's discovered he's lied over and over again.

I wanted the hero to say the heck with her.

I did like that the hero was proud of the heroine's business accomplishments.

But all in all, I really couldn't see what the fuss was about for this one. Sorry.

I've enjoyed McNaught's historical novels and rank her among the best of fictional romance authors. I was hesitant to read this contemporary work of hers, but I am so glad I decided to read it! This novel has now become my favorite among McNaught's works. I enjoyed the rollacoaster ride Meredith and Matt took me on. It is so full of heartfelt emotions. Needless to say, this is one book I'll definitely read over and over again.