Paradise CityParadise #1
Release Date: April 28, 2015
Genre: YA/NA Contemporary Romance
Source: I received a complimentary copy from the publisher, via Netgalley, in exchange for an honest review.
Rating: 4 Bookworms
Goodreads
Synopsis
There's bound to be trouble in Paradise...
When her parents decide a change will be good for her, seventeen-year-old Lexie Atkinson never expected they'd send her all the way to Paradise City. Coming from a predictable life of home schooling on a rural Australian property, she's sure that Paradise will be amazing. But when she's thrust into a public school without a friendly face in sight, and forced to share a room with her insipid, hateful cousin Amanda, Lexie's not so sure.
Hanging out with the self-proclaimed beach bums of the city, sneaking out, late night parties and parking with boys are all things Lexie's never experienced, but all that's about to change. It's new, terrifying...and exciting. But when she meets Luke Ballantine, exciting doesn't even come close to describing her new life. Trouble with a capital T, Luke is impulsive, charming and answers to no one. The resident bad-boy leader of the group, he's sexier than any boy Lexie has ever known.
Amidst the stolen moments of knowing looks and heated touches, Lexie can't help but wonder if Luke is going to be good for her...or very, very bad?
I'm a big fan of Duggan's Summer series so I jumped at the chance to read a new series from her. While Paradise City started out a bit slowly for me, I ended up delighted with this new set of characters and my introduction to their life in Paradise.
As a home-schooled girl from a tiny town, Lexie was a bit sheltered. But she always dreamed of living her cousin's life - a life of sun, ocean, and boys - in Paradise. So she's thrilled when she learns her good grades earned her a spot to complete her education in a public school. And bonus - she'll be living with her cousin, whom she was once very close to. Unfortunately, Lexie learns Paradise isn't all she dreamed it would be.
Lexie made me laugh. Her life in Paradise was a comedy of errors. This "good girl" was constantly getting into trouble - usually completely innocently. Her cousin has become a "mean girl" and doesn't have much to do with Lexie. However, Lexie does attract the attention of the "it" boy - a gorgeous surfer, Luke Ballantine. Several misunderstandings and Lexie tripping up, more than once, seem to have the odds stacked up against them though.
Duggan has created another fun cast of characters that I'm completely invested in and wrapped a compelling story around them. I'm dying to know what's going to happen next between Lexie and Ballantine following yet another blunder by Lexie...an innocent one. And I'm anxious for answers about certain members of her family as well. I don't want to wish my summer away, but I'm looking forward to August. ;)
I wasn't interested at first - a little tired of YA/NA, but the fun element makes all the difference and those innocent blunders look appealling. Thanks for sharing ;)
ReplyDeleteOk, I would have passed on this but it sounds adorable and perfect as a summer read. Sorry I have been MIA this week, between the sinus infection and my RA I took the week off to try and feel better.
ReplyDeleteIt was an entertaining read, huh? Lexie grew a lot in this book and it will be interesting to see what she is like after this experience. Hopefully she can get things right the second time around !
ReplyDeleteNaomi @ Naomi’s Reading Palace
Great review. And it's set in my homeland. I really, really need to get this one.
ReplyDeleteThis sounds so cute with all her comedy of errors moments. Great summer read for sure :)
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