Erin Hilderbrand can do no wrong. Set 24 hours aside, so you can just enjoy the continuation of Winter in Paradise. With more family drama, connections, and some surprises, you will be sucked into the Steele family and the island magic. The ending leaves room for more, and I already can't wait!!
Must read!

Thank you, NetGalley for an advanced copy of this novel.

My number one complaint about Elin Hilderbrands "winter" books is that they are too darn short! I wanted more! This book was a great follow up to "Winter in Paradise" but could be read as a stand alone too. I will say that since a good chunk of the book was a "review of what I'd already read", I didn't love it as much a I did the first. However, the characters were the same -- surprising and engaging and Elin's writing style never gets old. While not nearly as suspenseful as the first in the series, I was left on the edge of my seat and wanting more. I can't wait to read the conclusion next year!

Hilderbrand fans will not be disappointed with the second installment in this series that follows 2018's Winter In Paradise. Still recovering and responding to both her husband's death and betrayals, Irene Steele and her sons Baker and Cash must navigate the messy tangle of emotions and changes in the wake of Russ Steel's secret life and choices. New relationships form between the family and the people they become friendly with on the island. Could they all begin anew in paradise?

What Happens in Paradise is based on love, deceit, family, forgiveness, and moving forward. Thank you, Elin Hildebrand, for part 2 to this story - can't wait for part 3!!

I was so glad to see this storyline continue with more backstory on the live affair between Rosie and Russ. I also enjoy the underlying mystery of What really happened to Russ and Rosie. Looking forward to the final installment of the trilogy.

Elin Hilderbrand knows how to keep you coming back! I read Winter in Paradise and then immediately read What Happens in Paradise and I am kicking myself for not starting the series after the 3rd book is released.

Many lives are intertwined, with a bit of mystery and romance, humor and adventure. While it seems unlikely for all of these events to occur-on their own they are completely possible. I can not wait to see what happens next.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the Kindle ARC of "What Happens in Paradise," by Elin Hilderbrand. I have just recently discovered Elin Hilderbrand's books - and my first one was "The Rumor." I was hooked. "What Happens in Paradise" is the second book in a planned trilogy, following Irene, her two sons and the residents of St. John, BVI. In "Winter in Paradise," Irene's world is rocked when she finds out that her husband, Russ, had been living a double life in St. John, under the guise of travel elsewhere for his business. Irene is told that he, an island woman and a helicopter pilot died in a New Year's Day crash in the islands. In "What Happens in Paradise," Irene and her two adult sons, Cash and Baker, return to St. John, which they had visited after the alleged helicopter crash. Each member of the family starts a relationship or entanglement with a different islander. Ms. Hilderbrand's "Paradise" series is engrossing and hard to put down. Her writing style is light and breezy but tells a gripping story. I can't wait for the third book in the "Paradise" series. In the meantime, I'll check out one of her older novels.

This novel was a continuation of Winter in Paradise. I couldn't wait to get my hands on this book and had to re-read the first book because it had been about a year since I visited with Irene and her sons Cash and Baker as well as with Huck, Maia and Ayers. You definitely have to read Winter in Paradise first. Instead of rehashing the plot I will mention some pros and cons of this saga. First, it was great to get a real picture of Rosie through her journals. It is easy to judge her knowing that she walked into a relationship with Russ knowing that he was married. However, through Rosie's journal as well as Irene's introspection, we realize that there are two sides of every story and that Irene did have some culpability in the sad direction that her marriage took. That still didn't make Russ' actions o.k. however it did give some depth to the idea that Russ would cheat on someone as fantastic as Irene seems to be. Also, it was nice to see the slow build of Irene's and Russ' relationship. On the con side, I didn't buy into the idea at the end of the last book that Ayer would jump back into a relationship with Mick. Any time Ayer spends with Mick in this book seems wasted because you know that he is not the end game. I definitely want to see how this story raps up!

Thank you to NetGalley and Little, Brown and Company for this advanced copy. When my request was approved I had to quickly start reading the first book in the Paradise series, Winter in Paradise, and I just HAD to find out more, so I was looking forward to this one and once again, Elin, did not disappoint! She is one of my favorite authors. I have read a lot of her books. This story kept me wanting more and I hope/assume that a third book is coming out...one can only hope!!!! I will recommend this book and series to anyone looking for a good read that will keep them wanting more! Thank you again for my advanced copy!!

Another great read by Elin Hilderbrand, this book picks up where the last book left off. In the beginning, it was a little difficult trying to remember the characters and where they left off, but once I had that done, it was a very enjoyable read. This book gives a little more backstory to each character, and fills us in on Rosie and Russ's relationship. The book ends in a somewhat predictable cliffhanger, and I'm definitely looking forward to book 3 in the series. If you like Elin Hilderbrand, this book does not disappoint.

I love all things Elin Hilderbrand but for some reason this book read a little slower than others. Still all the great elements of her past books: characters, locale, interweaving of stories, but I just wasn't as invested in most of the middle section. The end zipped along and of course that is when it ended--ahh! Now I have to wait until next year to finish up the story. Overall relaxing and fun read!

Very good follow-up to book one! I am looking forward to book three already. The characters are compelling (even the minor ones) and I am intrigued to see how the rest of the plot line is going to go.

"What Happens in Paradise" is the second book in Elin Hilderbrand's "Paradise" Series. The author picks back up with the familiar characters of the first novel, along with a few new ones. While this was a quick and easy read, I was a little overwhelmed trying to keep straight every character and his/her storyline. However, I will still pick up Book 3 once it's released to find out the conclusion of Hilderbrand's "Paradise" series.

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

You can never go wrong with a Elin Hilderbrand book. I loved the first book in this series and the second one didn’t disappoint. While I love how her novels usually take place inn nantucket the change in scenery to the island of St John wants me to book a trip there immediately.

I think the characters from this book will stay with me for a long time. What at first seems like a situation that is shocking but easy to judge is recalled from many characters' points of view, revealing the matter to be more complex than one might have guessed. The plot moves quickly, compressed into only a matter of days, and the shifts from the first-person diary (Rosie) to the other characters' third-person narratives. This is an engrossing read, perfect for the beach, travel, or waiting rooms where you need a good distraction.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the digital ARC.

I look forward to the release of every one of Elin Hilderbrand’s books. I cannot help it - I love her stories! When I read them I am transported to another location (usually Nantucket, but St. John this time!) I enjoy her writing style, her stories and her deeply flawed characters. My only complaint is that her books are too short.
This is book two of a trilogy - the first ended in a cliffhanger and this one did as well. I don’t like reviews that retell the story, so I won’t. If you like love stories, some drama, some mystery as well, add this trilogy to your TBR list.

While it took me awhile to get into “What Happens in Paradise” because I hadn’t read the previous novel in the series, I was able to quickly figure out the characters and their relations with each other. Once I figured that out, I thoroughly enjoyed the mystery and romance that surrounded St John. The cliffhanger at the end left me anticipating the next book in the series!

WARNING: If you haven't read book one, proceed with caution as I have a lot to say!

One of my most anticipated books of the fall. Read it in one swoop, but....and there is a but...

So book two picks up very close to where Winter in Paradise left off. Irene returns home to deal with the legal and personal challenges in making it known that Russ has died. Yet she cannot resist the pull to return to the villa and Huck. Sons Cash and Baker are both changed for the better by their experiences and set about to start anew. Of course, Ayers is still a big issue between the brothers.But she's back with her cheating ex and it appears to be going well. Finally, Huck realizes that it's not so easy to deal with a teenage Maia. But when the FBI comes a knocking, none of our characters might be prepared for what happens next.


It felt so great to be back in the Virgin Islands and with Elin Hilderbrand's fantastic characters. As a reader, I just cannot help but feel that I am revisiting old friends or family.


Now here comes the BUT! As much as I loved and give this book a 4 star(which is by no means a bad rating), I felt that it wasn't as strong is its predecessor. In fact, it felt a bit like filler. Things happened fast for our characters, but there's a lot of wishy washy behavior (looking at you, Ayers). Almost like EH had to pull herself back and "save the good stuff" for book 3. Also? I haven't mentioned it previously but we get increments of Rosie's diary and how she met Russ and their whirlwind courtship. Now I TOTALLY understand as a writer why EH might feel the need to give that backstory. After all, it does explain a few plot points. As a reader with a personal opinion, I am not sure that I needed that "voice."

Don't let me deter you because we all need a healthy dose of EH in our reading selection and I look forward to what happens next.


Thanks to Netgalley and Little, Brown and Company for a digital galley in exchange for an honest review.

Goodreads review published 18/09/19
Publication Date. 08 /10/19

Elin Hilderbrand continues her Winter in Paradise trilogy with another cliff hanging ending! She works in what happens in the first book and expertly expands it but filling a lot of gaps but leaves you impatiently waiting for the next installment!

I have long been a fan of Elin Hilderbrand. Her novels have always been a sure sign that summer is here and now she has signs that alert us of a change of season! I personally always get excited when I see Elin's yearly interview appearing on CBS this morning. This new series Winter in Paradise swept me off my feet. I first read the book and than immersed myself in the audio book. Both are equally compelling and I am a true believer that when we both read and listen to a book your mind absorbs it differently. In What Happens in Paradise we follow Irene as she copes with startling news and learns about herself and what strength truly means. Be prepared to be swept out to sea with this one.