Elin Hilderbrand does it again! What Happens in Paradise is the second book in her mystery series that I am totally loving from her! Elin does a fantastic job of reviewing main ideas of the first book so I am not completely lost when reading. This books setting is so warm and peaceful that it is making me dread this New England weather. She can develop characters relationship while still keeping the mystery alive… especially at the end! I can not wait a year for the next book to come out, I need answers now!!

I can't wait until next fall for the 3rd book - can we put a rush request on it?????

I'll admit, I wasn't in love with the first one...the love triangles, the deaths but after reading the 2nd one, I just have to know what's going to happen! Will there be a happily ever after for the couples? Will they get the house back? And what about the auctioned item????

I love Hilderbrand's books and What Happens in Paradise is no exception. This second book in the trilogy gives more details into what Russ was really doing business-wise. I also enjoyed the inclusion of Rosie's diary to give an insight into her and Russ' relationship. I love the characters and, of course, Elin's descriptive writing makes me want to visit St. John!

I'm sad to write this, but I was let down by What Happens in Paradise! I LOVED the first in this series, but could not get into this one, unfortunately.

This book reveals a lot more of the mystery that begins in the first novel in the series. The plot and characters kept me engaged the whole time. If you are a fan of the author’s previous books, you’ll enjoy this series.

Elin never fails to deliver an excellent story and this next installment of this series is no exception. I do like the change in location from the usual Nantucket location, but it comes through Hilderbrand thinks of St. Thomas as home as well. Highly recommend!

I could not wait to start reading What Happens in Paradise. The first book in the series ending with Russ's wife, Irene, and two grown sons, Baker and Cash, having learned about his double life and his mistress and daughter in St John's. They were going to try to heal and move on but all of them felt a pull to return to St Johns. In this book they are all deciding if a return to St Johns on a more permanent basis is feasible. But then the FBI starts searching around and there are questions about Russ and his boos, Todd, and their business dealings. I really enjoyed the second book in the series. The only problem will be waiting another year for the third book!

If you’re a fan of Hilderbrand then you’ll enjoy this. Nothing new or groundbreaking here, but it feels like comfort food. Read the first in the series first. I had forgotten some of what happened but the book did enough to remind me where I was picking up.

A great follow-up to Winter in Paradise, and the mystery continues to deepen. Trying to move on with their lives, Irene and her sons all end up back on the island of St. John, all trying to deal with their new realities. Can't wait for the final book next year!

I was up late into the night learning the secrets of this second trip to St. John. I can't wait to read the next installment!

Thanks to NetGalley and Little, Brown and Company for the advanced reader copy in exchange for my honest review.

This book is the second in a series and picks up right where the first book leaves off. At the end of Winter in Paradise, the Steeles return home to deal with the death of their husband and father, but it seems they all left their hearts back at the villa they just learned about. The people that were left back on the island long for the company of the Steeles. All are seeking answers about what was really going on with the late Russ Steele, including the FBI. With all their life changes, all three Steeles end up back on St. John.

Winter in Paradise and What Happens in Paradise are the first two books by Elin Hilderbrand. I really love the character development and relationship development between each of the people in this story. I appreciate the attempt of suspense and the drama that the secret lives of Russ and Rosie create. It makes me want to hug them all and tell them that life will turn out just fine.

I do feel that this second book fell short of the first in the series. While the first book could be a standalone, I feel that how the second book left off makes the book feel unfinished. Yes, I understand that Hilderbrand needed to leave a cliffhanger to lure you into purchasing the next book. How this book finished just left me disappointed. The story line developments seemed rushed and lacked the development from the first book. I just wanted more.

I don’t want to be misunderstood on my enjoyment of the book as a whole. For a quick, fun read…this book and this series meets those elements. I do look forward to reading more Hilderbrand books. And I will most likely read the next book in the series.

Book #2 in the series develops the characters even more. I like the characters and the underlying mystery. The island lifestyle in St. Johns is also and I felt like I was there. I loved reading about the local businesses on the Island! I suggest reading Winter in Paradise first before this one! Thank you to Netgalley and Little Brown and Co. Publisher for the opportunity to read this great book by a fabulous author! Already looking forward to the 3rd book in the series. I can't wait to see how everything unfolds!

This book, like all of Hilderbrand's novels, was incredibly entertaining. Hilderbrand writes in a way that makes it easy to become very involved with the characters. I always find myself very invested in her novels. They are easy to read without being overly simplistic and they give me so much joy for some reason. Although many of the characters have great wealth which is kind of hard to relate to, their problems are very human. I look forward to the third book in this series and I'm disappointed I have to wait a year to read it!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced copy of "What Happens in Paradise" by Elin Hilderbrand in exchange for an honest review.

I fell in love with the characters in the first of the trilogy, "Winter in Paradise" as well as the island of St. John. This second instalment was even better than the first. I enjoyed finding out the story of Russell and Rosie as Ayers read through Rosie's diaries. At times I found the narrative of Rosie's diaries to be a bit boring, but I'm glad that they were included for the backstory.

I admit, I really was on board with a Cash and Ayers relationship. I'm still not a fan of Baker in general, but I'm curious to see how these characters make out in the final novel. I read through the story quite quickly and of course there is quite the cliffhanger at the end, which was expected. Is it next October yet? I'm going to have a tough time waiting for the conclusion.

The second book in the trilogy has Irene and her sons Cash and Baker, and her grandson Floyd, returning to St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands, to live in the villa and work on the island. They are still trying to come to terms with Russ's death and his subterfuge. Ayres and Huck find money and diaries in Rosie's bedroom, leading to speculation that Russ was into something illegal. The diaries help the reader to learn more about Russ and Rosie. Relationships continue to develop between new friends, as the FBI hovers nearby. I did grow tired of Ayres and her relationship indecisiveness, and everyone seems to be constantly drinking, but I still enjoy the author's style of writing. However, this book has the same problem that all "second in a trilogy" books have -- not enough happens and nothing is resolved. Thanks to NetGalley for providing an ARC.

Love this series. I think it's really fun that Hildebrand's books all have such a different feel. This was totally different than Summer of '69 in a good way. I read the first one in a few days and this was no exception. I look forward to the ending to this fun, makes-you-wish-for-the-beach-again trilogy.

This book picks up where Winter in Paradise leaves off. I suggest reading that one first. Although you don't have to, it would be helpful for context.

In Winter in Paradise, you know Irene’s husband had a secret life and secret family on St. John USVI. He was killed in a plane crash and Irene and their two sons, Baker and Cash flew down there and both of her sons fell in love with the same woman. That book ends with the investigation of the crash. This one gives us more info on the investigation, the secret family and there are some sweet budding romances.

As a woman in her late 40s with two almost grown children, I think Irene makes a wonderful role model.

“It was just in the week before, only a couple days after they’d arrived home from St. John, an FBI agent named Colette Vasco called Irene, Cash, and Baker to let them know that the Virgin Islands Search and Rescue team had contacted the Bureau with suspicions that there might be more to the helicopter crash and the lightning. There was lightning in the area, but the damage to the helicopter seems to have been caused by an explosive device.” (paraphrased)
“What now,” thought the three remaining members of the Steele family. The first shock was the death of Russell Steele, Irene’s husband, and Cash and Baker’s father, on New Year’s Day in the US Virgin Islands. Once they got there, they discovered Russell had a second life that included another woman, their child, plus an extravagant condo he owned. Now they’re saying the helicopter crash that killed him may have been intentional. Irene needed to talk to their family lawyer, someone she knew and trusted, for guidance. Her next step was to get a certified copy of Russ’s death certificate; otherwise her lawyer told her, he was considered, “alive.”
One by one, the Steele family members make their way back to island of St. John they both love and want to hate. The pull of this beautiful paradise is almost magnetic, and not just for its natural wonders. The people they all met, well certain people, have charmed each of them. (Note: it would benefit readers to have read the first book in this trilogy: ‘Winter in Paradise’) Irene is concerned about Maia, the thirteen-year-old daughter of Rosie, who was killed in the crash with Russ. Russ is Maia’s biological father. Irene also wants to see Huck again, Rosie’s stepfather, and subsequent Grandfather of Maia, whom Irene felt definite sparks with.
Keeping up?!
Cash and Baker are both in love with the same women, Ayers, who was Rosie’s best friend and helper in caring for Maia, since Rosie’s mother passed away. They need to figure out who Ayers really cares about since when they left the island she went back to her cheating boyfriend, Mick. Both Cash and Baker definitely think Mick is wrong for her, but who is the right guy.
Finally, that leaves all the suspicions around Russ’s boss, Todd Croft and his company. The big plus in this second book is we hear from Rosie and a little about what went on when she met Russ. Ayers found all her diaries when cleaning out Rosie’s room. Ayers and Huck found more, but you have to read this book to find out.
So much happens in this second book it’s truly an adventure. I raced through it the first time, then like a movie you love but were afraid you missed something, I read it again. Honest, I did. I might actually read it a third time; it was that good.
A MUST READ! (Mm, a movie?! HBO series?!)

Thank you NetGalley, Little, Brown and Co., Inc. and Elin Hilderbrand

3 1/2 stars rounded up to 4.

Let me start by saying I absolutely LOVE Elin Hilderband and will forever read everything by her. That doesn't mean all of her books blow me away... But they do bring me a certain level of happiness and comfort and I eagerly anticipate them always.

What Happens in Paradise is the second book in Hilderbrand's winter series. I read and enjoyed Winter in Paradise and have been waiting for the continuation of the story in this new book. I read it and enjoyed it, but have to say, nothing really happened that was exceptionally exciting or novel.

For me, these books seem to be most about characterization. I like that I got to know Ayers a lot better and that we got a serious peek into Rosie and Russ's relationship (though it felt a bit cliche that she just happened to write every detail down in her journals). I also found myself continuing to cheer for Irene and Huck. While I'll definitely read the third book in the series (and happily, too!), I'm pretty sure I can guess at how almost everything will happen.

Like I said, these books are more about comfort to me and I don't read them because they're going to blow me away. And that's OK! I just think Hilderbrand raised my expectations a bit after writing Summer of '69.

Oh, and I HIGHLY recommend you read Winter in Paradise before picking this book up. Yes, it could potentially stand on its own, but I think you might be a bit confused by the characters and will have missed out on a lot of backstory that will help you enjoy the story more.

I know some people don’t like the middle book of a series as much but loved it and can’t wait for the last book! I enjoyed reading from each of the character’s perspectives and especially Rosie’s from her diary. Irene and Huck are great together and by now I’m really invested in Baker, Cash and Maia. Hopefully we’ll hear more from Russ’ viewpoint in the third installment. Loved the cliffhanger and can’t wait to read the rest of the story!