This is my second Elin Hilderbrand book, and I wanted to give myself a fair chance to enjoy Hildebrand's books, but I think this particular genre is not for me. That said, the story and the characters did keep me interested enough to finish the story.

Hilderbrand did a fine job at picking up where the first book left off. And she set the stage well for the third book. Her characters are believable, sympathetic (even when they are approach being worthy of contempt), and feel real.

The second title in another of Elin Hilderbrand's novella trilogies, What Happens in Paradise takes place in the Caribbean, a break from her typical Nantucket setting. We learn more about Russell Steele's relationship with Rosie, while we're rooting for the romances the rest of the Steele family finds down on St. John.

What Happens in Paradise by Elin Hilderbrand is a welcome follow-up to the initial book in this series, Winter in Paradise, a story that unfolds about a Iowa family with a cheating husband and a secret second family in the Caribbean.

Irene Steele and her sons Baker and Cash have returned home to Iowa City after visiting St. John Island where they have scattered the ashes of her husband Russell who was killed in a helicopter crash along with his mistress Rosie Small, leaving their love child Maia an orphan. Each of the Steeles need a fresh start after the shock of Russell’s demise and secret life, and though they choose diverse paths, they all end up back at Russell’s 15 million dollar villa in St. John.

Both Baker and Cash are drawn back to the island by an infatuation for the same woman, Ayers, Rosie’s best friend. Irene yearns for the peace of the island and the friendship of Captain Huck, Rosie’s step-father.

Readers can count on Hilderbrand to accent her romantic and dramatic stories with all the tropical details of sun, sand, and water; it’s what makes her the queen of the beach reads. The multiple plots will keep readers turning pages to get to the climactic cliff-hanger ending, leaving them hungry for the conclusion of the Steeles’ story.

My review will be posted on Goodreads starting April 11, 2020.

I highly recommend this book to Elin Hilderbrand fans as everything she writes is gold. This second installment in Paradise is rich and rewarding and will leave readers hungering for the final installment in this trilogy. For readers who like beach reads with intricate plots and a bit of mystery, this series is for them.

I’d like to thank Little, Brown and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC in return for an objective review.

As always, Elin Hilderbrand delivers a great novel about love, friendship and the human experience. Set against the backdrop of pristine beaches and natural woodland, the complexity of this novel stands out.

I enjoy this author so much, in fact I think I have read every one of her books. Every time I finish one, I think she will never top that one, but of course she does. Waiting for the next one!

Fans of Elin Hilderbrand will not be disappointed with “What Happens in Paradise.” “What Happens in Paradise” is a quick read and a well written sequel to “Winter in Paradise”. I would recommend any fan of Hilderbrand’s writing style to give the trilogy a try. One must absolutely read the first book, “Winter in Paradise” before reading “What Happens in Paradise” to fully embrace and appreciate the characters and their lives.

“What Happens in Paradise” begins by picking up where the first left off. Irene Steele and her sons, Baker and Cash, are grieving the loss of the patriarch of their family, Russell Steele, while also trying to put the pieces of his secret life together. They are left with loose ends, and more questions than answers in the first novel. In the second novel, they begin to find answers and it seems as if they are all going to be okay, but in typical Hilderbrand style, there are road bumps and twists along the way. Rosie, Russell’s mistress, has left her family mourning her loss and figuring out how to move on without her as well. Huck, Rosie’s stepfather, Maia, Rosie’s daughter, and Ayers, Rosie’s best friend, are caught up in a new life with the drama surrounding the Steele family.

The ending of the novel leaves the reader wanting more. Which of course they are going to get in the third and final novel of the trilogy.

I am a recent convert to the cult of Elin Hilderbrand. She has totally sucked me in with this Paradise trilogy. This second installment offers some answers to a few questions, namely, how Rosie and Russ hooked up. The end of this book was a real cliffhanger and I am actually panting to get my hands on book 3. I hope that Ms. Hilderbrand continues writing these trilogies/sets along with her regular summer offering. She is definitely an author that I look forward to reading.

I love the drama in these books! Some characters are unlikeable but I assume it’s written like that on purpose. I can’t wait for the third book!

Author Elin Hilderbrand's vibrant, complicated, and endearing characters return in the second installment of her Paradise trilogy. (It is not necessary to read the first volume in order to enjoy What Happens in Paradise, although doing so will provide a richer experience.)

Winter in Paradise focused on exposition. Hilderbrand compassionately detailed the reactions of her characters to the untimely deaths of Russ and Rosie, and their struggles to come to terms not only with losing them, but the shocking news about their relationship. Irene found herself unable to tell any of their friends back in Iowa about her husband's secret life with Rosie, and their sons, Cash and Baker, grappled with all the things about their father's life they never knew as they both became acquainted with and enchanted by Avery. Rosie's beloved stepfather, Huck, the rugged fishing boat captain, remained focused on Rosie's daughter, Maia, putting her well-being above all else, even as he felt a strong connection to and growing affection for Irene.

The next chapter of their lives is focused on the aftermath of the deaths of Russ and Rosie, as Irene, Cash, and Baker all return to the island. Baker, in the midst of a divorce from his wife who has already moved on to a new romance, decides that his father's lovely island estate would be an ideal place to raise his young son and works out a shared custody arrangement with the boy's mother. But Cash's business in Colorado has failed and there is nothing for him there or in Iowa, so he also decides to take up residence in the home. He jumps at the chance to work on a tour boat with Ayers, determined to convince her that he is the "superior Steele brother" and make her fall in love with him.

Back in Iowa, Irene now finds the showplace home she shared with Russ -- which she poured so much time, planning, and money into renovating -- dark, overwrought, suffocating . . . and lonely. She also heads back to the island and accepts an offer from Huck to serve as his first mate. To Huck's delight she is both a highly competent assistant and good company. Irene thoroughly enjoys joining Huck on the fishing charters and interacting with his guests. Their attraction is undeniable, but they wisely proceed cautiously.

Ayers is determined to make her relationship with Nick work. After all, they have a shared history. But she is not convinced that Nick's affair is over and her feelings for Baker complicate matters.

Ayers continues to be a supportive presence in Maia's life and agrees to help Huck sort through and dispose of Rosie's things. In the process, she finds more than the stylish clothing that accentuated Rosie's natural beauty. One of her discoveries leads to questions that, perhaps, the FBI agents who have descended on the island might be able to answer. Their investigation into the helicopter crash is ongoing and one thing is clear: the crash was not an accident. The damage to the helicopter was caused not by lightning, as originally thought but, rather, by an explosive device.

Ayers also locates Rosie's diary and takes it with her to read. Through Rosie's first-person narrative, Hilderbrand reveals the details of her time with Russ, including how they met, what drew her to Russ and vice versa, and how her affair with him impacted her relationship with her late mother. Rosie's story is a heartbreaking tale of attraction, yearning, joy, and loneliness, particularly when she acceded to a threat issued by her mother. And because of her status as the other woman in Russ's life. After all, Russ remained married to Irene until his death.

Irene works to unravel Russ's estate. Information received from their attorney about his wishes comes to light, as do details about mysterious financial transactions. Irene never knew much about Russ's employment by an old college friend -- she wasn't really interested.. She was busy renovating their home and attending to her own career. What she learns is unsettling and leads her to ponder whether she might somehow be implicated,

What Happens in Paradise proceeds at a fast pace as the characters' lives move forward. They struggle to find a new sense of normalcy and design futures that differ dramatically from the lives they originally envisioned. Hilderbrand injects shocking plot developments at expertly-timed intervals, with each bombshell revelation posing a threat to the tenuous lives Irene, et al. have established on the island.

The entries in Rosie's diary, interspersed with the present-day third-person narrative, provide context and are deeply affecting. But each of Hilderbrand's characters is each uniquely likable and empathetic, and their struggles provide an absorbing and entertaining tale set against a stunning tropical backdrop. All of which make What Happens in Paradise, along with Winter in Paradise, ideal books to read by the pool or on the beach. Be warned, however, that Hilderbrand once again provides a jaw-dropping conclusion to her compelling story that sets up the forthcoming third and final volume, Troubles in Paradise, which, unfortunately, will not be available until October 2020.

I read this book because the doldrums of winter were really getting to me, and I needed some fun in the sun! I actually didn't realize this book was the 2nd in a series. Many have complained about most of the book being a rehash of the previous book, but since I hadn't read the previous one, everything was new to me. I found What Happens in Paradise to be an enjoyable beach-y book with engaging, if sometimes irritating characters. It's not high art but it was fun. I wasn't looking for anything particularly deep or weighty. I look forward to reading more by Hilderbrand.

This is book 2 in the Paradise series and it certainly needs at least one more to address this cliffhanger of an ending. I would recommend reading book 1, Winter in Paradise first. Irene is back in St. John's about a year after her husband died there in a helicopter accident. Now the FBI is investigating because there are some doubt about the lighting strike. Irene and her grown sons want the answers and get to know more about the folks their dad knew. I received a copy of this ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Oh, Elin Hilderbrand, what happened here? I was so looking forward to another enjoyable read about beautiful people and their beautiful things even as they wrestled with roadblocks on their way to their HEA (or as happy as could be). And instead I read What Happens In Paradise, which seems like it should have been called Author Has To Deliver A Book and Throws Together A Very Long Recap and then Some Crappy Filler.

I get that second series novels often have their problems but they shouldn't be this bad, especially when you know the author is capable of so much better. What Happens In Paradise isn't just forgettable--it's bad and a rare misstep from an author who could have (and should have) asked for more time to craft a better novel (or should have taken less $$$ to write a shorter series)

Wow what a cliffhanger in this book. Now I can't wait for the third book to be released!! Once again Ms. Hilderbrand has written a story that moves right along and holds you from start to finish. I love the diversity and strengths that the characters in this series have. Irene is awesome the way she is dealing with finding out she has a cheating husband and moving on with strength of purpose. I like the way both boys are coming into their own and I also like the relationship that Cash is forming with Maia. This book as a whole was a great read. It ties up many of the lose ends from the first book and at the same time leaves you with the awesome cliffhanger that I spoke about above which makes you eagerly anticipate the release of the next book in the series!!!!

If you enjoy Elin Hilderbrand you will not be disappointed . Always an easy read but strong characters who keep you interested in their lives.

Elian Hilderbrand doesn’t disappoint. This second book in the Paradise series continues to stories of Irene, Huck, Ayers, and co. As they deal with the aftermath of Russ and Rosies deaths. This book delves further into characters whose your affection for is already well established from book 1. Cannot wait for book 3

OK..... definitely urge you to read book 1 before you start this one!!

I read it when it first came out... and ugh I forgot what happened in some of it so I was confused for awhile!! Boo!

But, can't wait to read book 3! Can I just say that Baker needs to man up and Ayers kind of annoys me haha.

Overall, Hilderbrand continues to have talent with her writing and can't wait to see more from her!!

4 stars!

Thank you to Little Brown and Netgalley for the arc in exchange for an honest review.

Published to GR: 1/10/20

This was an enjoyable second book in the Hildebrand's Paradise series. The book is set in St. John as Irene Steele and her adult sons deal with the death of their husband and father and the fallout of his secret life. While I enjoyed the first book (What Happens in Paradise) more, I found this enjoyable too. The ending was a bit abrupt but this may just be Hildebrand leading up to book 3.

I've read just about everything by Elin Hilderbrand. "What Happens in Paradise" is book 2 of a trilogy (book 3 still to come). I had recently read book 1 "Winter in Paradise" and remember thinking at the conclusion how I wished there was a sequel. Then, there it was on netgalley! While Book 2 can certainly stand alone, you would be cheating yourself of the trademark Hilderbrand depth of character development. Read book 1 and luxuriate in the details and background of the characters; you'll be glad you did. And I might add, be careful of reading reviews for the current title. So much of the previous plot is given away ... too many spoilers.

I enjoyed this book. As always, I love Elin’s Books. I read the first book awhile ago and I had to go back and remind myself of what happened. I can’t wait for the third book! I am sure it will be awesome! Thank you!