Wow.. This book surprised me. I thought I was diving into a RomCom, easy read. But was pleasantly surprised to read a heartwarming story about sisters, sacrifice and trying to make up for what was and was not said, during this sisters relationship. Marin had never traveled anywhere. When she was 18, her mother died and she was left in charge her sister. She put her life on hold to give her sister the life she couldn’t have and to guide her for a good future. Sadie on the other hand has life to the fullest. She takes every leap of faith and every chance she can. She doesn’t want a simple life, she wants a life filled with excitement. The sisters live at different ends of the spectrum and yet their love for each other is palpable.
Sadie devises a plan to get Marin out of her comfort zone. She wants to get her to see the ocean, live on the edge and not think about consequences but to just live. She has help in setting the plan up and the story develops in the best possible way. Marin is mad at first but as she plays out Marin’s plan.. her mind slows down. Her heart warms up to new experiences and leaping out of her comfort zone. The story is told by each sister a chapter at a time. The story is so well written and it is so truthful. The biggest thing these sisters wanted for each other, is peace and happiness. It just came in different forms for each. The setting is amazing, it was an important character. I really enjoyed this one and was so glad for my copy. Thank you to Netgalley & Libby Hubscher for the opportunity to read this book. This was a four star read for me. I have shared my thoughts on my Instagram page and have shared my review on Barnes & Noble. I truly believe this should be at the top of your summer TBR stack..

Perfect for Summer and filled with so many emotions. I know what you’re thinking as you look at this cover - oh good, a light beach read, its NOT! But it's such a beautiful story, and it was one I connected with so much. the author does a wonderful job of moving back and forth between sisters and time periods to really set the scene and keep you turning pages. I definitely think this is a book you should go into a bit blind.

Don't let the sunshine-y cover of Meet Me In Paradise fool you, fam. 🤧 I'm still sobbing because the story broke me. I was expecting a fluffy romance, but I got something so much more beautiful ~ a story about sisterhood and family. 5/5 *heart-wrenching-but-I-love-it* stars. 🌟

In Meet Me In Paradise, we follow (uptight, anxious, a no risk-taker) Marin as she plans to travel to Saba for a sisters' weekend. Sadie ditches her at the last moment, but she gets to travel to Saba with an arrogant (but very hot) business tycoon - Lucas Tsai. Turns out that he's the owner of the very same hotel that Sadie booked for their trip! 👀 From there, the story captures Marin's adventures as she slowly keeps coming out of her shell in the beautiful island of Saba. Does she fall in love along the way? That's for you guys to find out. 💜

I loved how MMIP showed Marin's journey of self-discovery. The character development was the main feature of the book ~ and it was so perfectly written! The author described Marin's panic attacks and breakdowns in such a realistic manner. That made her character so real to me. I cheered Marin throughout the story and felt so proud of her accomplishments.
Now, I won't tell you why the book made me cry because that's A HUGE SPOILER but please keep some tissues by your side while reading Meet Me In Paradise. You're gonna need those. A LOT.

Marin's story touched my heart in so many ways. To be honest, I don't even have the words to describe how beautiful Libby Hubscher's debut novel is. The story was powerful and conveyed the importance of family in the truest sense. The characters; both main and supporting ones have my whole heart. I can't wait to see what other gems she brings to us readers in the future!

This is not something I would traditionally read--I definitely thought it was more of a romance novel, but in fact it's a book about taking chances, and living life to the fullest. I'll remember this one for reader's advisory for sure.

Meet me in paradise is a story about love. But not just the romantic kind of love, the kind of love only sisters know about.

To be honest I was Interested in this book because I thought it would be a fun romcom. The gorgeous cover and the blurb had me assuming that.

It was definitely not what I was expecting.
It’s much more than that.
It’s a powerful and emotional story about sisterhood and finding yourself.

Marin and Sadie lost their mother when they were teens. Since then Marin has taken over the role and looked after wild Sadie.
That meant giving up her dreams to out her sister first.
I adored the characters! Marin was the kind of person we all wish we could know. The way she loved Sadie was beautiful.
I wish we could have gotten more of Sadie as she was an amazing character though I understand this was Marins story.

Highly recommend this book!

This book was about love, sisters, family, and what we sacrifice for those we love. I love the way the book went back and forth in time when sisters Marin and Sadie lost their mom to the present time. The main character is Marin, the sister that always played it safe. We also get Sadie’s view point from letters that she is writing to someone. Of course, there is romance too with Lucas, the owner of the resort where Marin is staying, he plays a brooding leading man. I highly recommend this book if you like women’s lit and romance!

Marin is cautious and never takes risks, unlike her wild, globetrotting, adrenaline-junkie little sister, Sadie. But then, wonder of wonders, miracle of miracles, Sadie convinces Marin to join her for a sister spa trip in the Caribbean. When Sadie (predictably) misses their flight, she convinces Marin to go ahead to Saba on her own *promising* to get a new flight and meet her there the following day. But Sadie has other plans…

What comes next is some fabulous vacation envy, island adventures, exploring, and new friendships with locals - all thanks to the devastatingly handsome Lucas Tsai, who also happens to be the fabulously wealthy resort owner.

But there is more to the story than Marin knows, and my friends, when I tell you not to be deceived by the happy title and whimsical cover, I mean it. This book will rip your heart out. 😭

Meet Me In Paradise is a bright, beautiful, bighearted story that has every 👏🏻 single 👏🏻 thing 👏🏻 I look for in a book. There’s a meet-cute on a plane. There’s romance. There’s wanderlust. There’s adventure. There’s ugly, sparkly, skimpy clothing. There’s self discovery and stepping out of comfort zones. There’s a super sneaky schemey plan. There are some Eat, Pray, Love/Under The Tuscan Sun vibes thrown in for good measure. But the heart of this story is sisterhood. And you will cry. 10/10 you will cry.

I ADORED this book. It broke my heart in the best, most sincere, most beautiful way. It’s devastating, but it’s hopeful and so heartfelt, and I loved every single character so much. The next time you need a cathartic cry, grab this one and travel to Saba with Marin. Go scuba diving and skinny dipping and fall in love with the Caribbean and Lucas and these sisters who will make your heart grow three sizes. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

⚠️ CW: death of a family member, cancer, grief, anxiety

I must admit I looked at the cover and immediately added it to my tbr pile. But after reading the blurb I knew it wouldn’t be a lighthearted romance. Although the book has some cute rom-come aspects to it, I would not put MEET ME IN PARADISE into the romance category. The novel is more women’s fiction than romance.

It’s about a journey of self-discovery, stepping out of one’s own shadow and trying something new. Living life to the fullest. Don’t take me wrong, the book has a romance, actually two, but the plot focuses more on the sisters and not so much on the romance between Marin and Lucas.

MEET ME IN PARADISE is also quite the emotional novel. Actually bordering on heartbreaking at times. And the story, but mostly the topic itself is not usually something I like to read. But as one of three sisters, books focused on the relationship between sisters always brings out the sentimental in me. Marin and her younger sister Sadie are different, and have a complex relationship that features heavy throughout the story. It was interesting to hear both POVs, which allowed a closer look into their relationship. Sibling relationships can be quite interesting, and Marin and Sadie’s has fascinating layers and complicated memories.

For a debut novel the book is well written and has great Asian representation.

Sadly I didn’t enjoy the narration of the audiobook as much, which is not the author’s fault, BUT it took some of the enjoyment from the book. An audiobook can make or break a story, and this time it was the latter.

Marin has always played it safe after her mother’s death. Her sister on the other hand seeks out adventure every chance she gets. Her sister plans a trip for her to get her to abandon her reservations and start to try to live more boldly. There’s some romance with an exploration of this bond between sisters. I was warned that I’d need tissues, but the story starts out as being rather lighthearted. But I have to say a book hasn’t made me cry so much in a long time. I thought Marin was a complex character, and I very much enjoyed seeing her progress. I loved how Sadie was her opposite and how strong of a bond the two of them have. The romance between Marin and her love interests was good. I’m purposely being vague because I think going in rather blind made me enjoy the story even more. Overall, I loved this book, and it got me out of my reading slump.

Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley Pub for the gifted copy.

I really loved this story. As someone who tends to be less adventurous, I really related to Marin and her growth throughout the story. It was thoroughly enjoyable and the romance was *cute*!

Romance meets a bit of heartache in this delightful romance adventure from Libby Hubscher.

Marin has always lived her life within the lines of her predetermined coloring book. Her mother died when she was a teenager and the uncertainty it brought never quite left her side. Her sister Sadie is her opposite, living life to the fullest, despite the aftermath. When Sadie promises Marin a sisters only trip to the wonderful island of Saba, Marin has her own endgame in mind - convince Sadie to stay in home for good in Tennessee. Sadie, on the other hand, has her own plan set in motion - get Marin to get out of her comfort zone before she remains there forever. In order for Marin to recover her passport, she'll have to live her life a little.

Marin finds herself next to a sexy hotel owner - Lucas Tsai who happens to be going where she is - his hotel. With Lucas's help, Marin finds she can live life with a few question marks and mystery.

I really adored this book. It's got romance. Its got a sexy lead who is just too perfect, and now my new dream man. It had been tearing up at the end (word to the wise do not finish this book before work.) Thank you Libby Hubscher, Berkeley Books and NetGalley for this fabulous read. Now I want to go on vacation and find my own Lucas Tsai. :)

An enjoyable rom-com with surprising depth and an unexpected tearjerker of an ending.

*Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for providing an e-galley in exchange for an honest review.

Marin plays it safe. Always. She is so safe, she's never even left Tennessee. Her younger sister Sadie on the other hand is an adrenaline junkie who followed in their mother's footsteps and works as a photojournalist. Their mom was a journalist who was killed on assignment when Marin was a teenager and ever since she has kept close to home and has tried to get Sadie to settle down. She thinks she's finally got her chance though. Sadie has mentioned that she is tired of the constant trips and Marin has a solution. Sadie however has other plans. Sadie wants Marin to start living so she plans a trip to Saba for Marin to get away and find adventure and perhaps love.

This has such a refreshing plot. I loved Marin, readers will surely connect and sympathize with her. It was an entertaining read. If you are looking for something new than do read this

Meet Me In Paradise by Libby Hubscher

Oh my gosh. This book hit me with all the feels. I knew it was going to be amazing based on the glowing reviews but damn. It is so vulnerable, heartfelt and beautifully written in the way it tackles grief and tragedy.

Here are just a few of the things I loved about it:
💖THE COVER. Isn’t it the most vibrant, stunning cover? All the tropical descriptions had me itching to travel.

💖I loved and related to Marin so much. She is a type A worry wart just like me and doesn’t enjoy trying new things. The juxtaposition between her and wild child Sadie was so well done.

💖The romance sub plot was juicy and delightful!!

💖THE EMOTION. I can’t say more without spoilers but 🙌🏼

This was such a heartwarming tale of sisterhood and family. I can’t wait to read Libby’s next book!

This book definitely took me by surprise! I'm not sure what I was thinking going in but the depth of story too me by surprise. As much as I enjoyed the development of the story and the rollercoaster of emotions, something was missing. I can't quite put my finger on it. I think it might be with relationship between Marin and Sadie. Something was off there. I think it was just so abrupt with Sadie's diagnosis that I was more connected with Marin than I ever was with Sadie. I think this will be really enjoyed by people!

Reading Meet Me in Paradise made me wish I had a sister so that I could share it with her.

The best of siblings have their differences. Meet Me in Paradise is the story of two sisters. Marin ~ works hard and feels like she must take on the responsibilities of the world. Sadie ~ also works hard but is a free spirit photographer living life to the fullest.

They are all they have in the world after their mother dies while on assignment. Marin, 17, takes on the responsibilities of a parent, keeping the house, paying the bills, and caring for Sadie who's in 8th grade. Fast forward 12 years. Sadie has returned home after 3 months in China looking tired and malnourished. Marin desperately wants Sadie to stop traveling and stay in Tennessee with her, but Sadie has other plans.

They agree to a sisters weekend where they can spend time together enjoying the sun and sand. Marin agrees to go (she hates flying) with the hope that she can convince Sadie to stay home. And so, the adventure begins...for Marin. Sadie misses the plane. A stranger takes Sadie's seat. There is a storm causing them to land elsewhere. Her carry-on isn't hers and she's lost her passport. Or has she? It's all part of Sadie's master plan for Marin to live again.

Sadie has secrets...but she's not ready to share just yet.

This e-ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. #MeetMeinParadise #Netgalley

I was not ready for this! When I requested this one I was expecting a sweet romcom, but this book packs an emotional punch! I definitely shed a few tears on this one. It’s sad, but also left me feeling good and at peace. And with a major book hangover.

I’ve got to admit, Marin is a little much sometimes. She is adamantly against anything even remotely fun. It got tiring hearing her talk about needing to take care of her sister. She’s 26, girl. I understand they lost their mother young, but at what point do you let your sister grow up and be an adult?

But as she began to let go and experience the island life, she grew on me. Sadie I loved from start, as well as Lucas and the islanders. This book was so well written and such a beautiful story.

I’ll be shouting from the rooftops about this book to anyone who will listen. It was so good.

I am really late in getting this review out but I had to get my emotions back in order before I wrote a review. This book was definitely not what I had in mind. I thought I was going to read a cute rom-com story but this was so much more. This book is all about the relationship between two sisters and finding yourself. This story broke me. I had an inkling of what was happening after the first few chapters but it didn’t ruin the plot or ending.

I loved this so much. I laughed and I cried! I’ve also thought how life is so short ... and to not settle.. take risks and chances... love like crazy!

Thank you so much Netgalley and Berkeley Publishing but most of all to the author for writing this wonderful story.

I’m not sure I will ever recover from Meet Me In Paradise. My heart is in tatters and my eyes are dry I’ve cried so much. This book is as beautiful as it is heartbreaking. Marin and Sadie and the rest of the characters felt as real to me as my own family. Libby Hubscher is an incredibly gifted storyteller. I’m in absolute awe of this novel.

I think that calling this a romance, while there is a romance, confines this novel to a box it should not be in. It is so very much more. It’s about love, loss, self-discovery and self-acceptance.

While it was an absolute honour to read this book, I must thank the Publisher and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.