Do you ever go into a book totally blind other than the cover? That’s what I did with Meet Me in Paradise - and while I was expecting a tropical rom-com, it ended up being an emotional story about the relationship between two sisters that absolutely made me bawl my eyes out. With a side of romance.

Don’t let the sunny cover fool you - you will definitely need tissues for this story. What started as a fun rom-com starring a character seemingly prone to hijinks (losing her luggage, her sister missing their flight, etc), quickly turned into an emotional story of family and loss. Libby Hubscher is incredibly talented as a writer - she was able to tell a tragic story while still infusing romance and small moments of levity throughout.

My favorite part of Meet Me in Paradise was the relationship between Marin and her sister, Sadie. Ever since they were young, Marin had played the caretaker role for Sadie, whether she wanted her to or not. As they grew up and Sadie became more adventurous and independent, Marin stalled and stayed firmly in her comfort zone.

The main focus of this book is the shifting dynamics between the sisters as Marin finally began relinquishing her protective role and started stepping out of her comfort zone - with the aid of a little interference from Sadie. Getting to read about Marin finally going on an adventure and learning to experience the world was amazing - her character growth was off the charts and felt very well earned by the end of the book. I loved how she learned to be to roll with the punches and be more adventurous from her sister. Also, her relationship with Lucas Tsai, the mysterious businessman, was so fun - their chemistry was great and their relationship definitely helped Marin grow as a character.

Even though Meet Me in Paradise was an emotional blindside, it was still one of my favorite books of the year so far. It was a poignant story that focused on the importance of family and stepping out of your comfort zone all set on a gorgeous tropical island. This was definitely a five star read for me. 5/5

|Book Review| Thank you @netgalley and @berkleypub for my gifted copy.

QOTD: Are you a thrill seeker?

Synopsis: Marin Cole has never:
Seen the ocean
Climbed a mountain
Taken a risk on love
....But if her sister's plan works, she just might do all three.

Ever since her journalist mother died on assignment, Marin has played it safe, refusing to set foot outside the state of Tennessee. Her wild-child younger sister, Sadie, has trotted the globe as a photographer, living off of art and adrenaline.

When Sadie returns from a tough assignment abroad and looks a little worse for wear, Marin reluctantly agrees to a sisters' spa weekend on the tropical island of Saba. But her lifelong fear of travel is affirmed when Sadie misses the flight, Marin's luggage gets mixed up with another passenger's, and an episode of turbulence sends her hurtling into the lap of Lucas Tsai, the handsome stranger who stole her sister's seat.

For the first time in a long time, Marin has to step outside of her comfort zone as she explores the island with Lucas and learns what she's been missing out on. With each breathtaking new experience, Marin gets closer to her real self, the man she's falling for, and the heart-wrenching truth about why she's there in the first place.

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Review: I was not expecting to cry as much as I did while reading this book, but I went through quite a few Kleenex while reading. This book was so much more than a romance and was a great quick read.

What I loved:

1. I loved that this book is told in alternating POVs and it was done well. Marin and Sadie were so different that it was nice to get both of their perspectives. Their unconditional love for each other was so heartwarming which is why this book ultimately wrecked me.

2. This book is filled with both grief and hope so it was definitely an emotional rollercoaster. I was really able to feel what the characters were feeling and easily empathized with their situation. My heart absolutely broke for both girls.

3. Last but not least, Marin and Lucas. Swoon. Their slow burn romance was what made this book so enjoyable. I loved all of their adventures and their meet cute was perfect.

Libby Hubscher’s debut, Meet Me in Paradise really took me by surprise. I didn’t even read the synopsis, but judging from the cover, I was expecting an over-the-top, super cheesy, extra steamy romance that I’ve read over and over again. Boy, was I ever wrong. Classic mistake of judging a book by it’s cover! It ended up being the most amazing story about family, and the things we do for the ones we love. The big focus was on sisterhood, grief, facing your fears, and taking risks. Of course there’s some love and romance involved, but it didn’t overpower the novel. Romance fans who prefer their novels on the tamer, less steamy side will appreciate this heartwarming story. I’m so glad I took a chance on this wonderful book!

Meet Me In Paradise
By Libby Hubscher

I really enjoyed this surprising gem of a read by Libby Hubscherm a molecular toxicologist who pens this amazing and beautiful story that touched my heart and soul.

Meet Me In Paradise is an emotionally heart wrenching read about families, sisterhood and a touch of love and romance. I love the way Hubscher delivered the characters' backstories and learning more about sisters Marin and Sadie - who are complete polar opposites. Marin plays it safe while Sadie lives life to the fullest. All this had to do with the death of their mother where Marin is traumatized and her younger sister Sadie well protected from the tragedy. Sadie encourages Marin for a holiday getaway and Sadie misses her flight, which leaves Marin stuck with Lucas Tsai a hotel tycoon.

The writing is simply superb! I loved the way the story paced and how the secondary characters of the book made such an impact on this amazing story. All the characters were great and had heart. I am simply captivated by the location of Saba Island, and what a great place to find yourself, find love, and maybe even be carefree and get lost in enjoying life and the gift of it.

I highly recommend this great read with Asian representation and just a beautiful way to handle serous themes in such a hopeful and positive ways. Reading this brought me joy despite all the tears. I loved this book! Go read it!

Meet the latest book I have wanted to hug after reading. Wow wow wow. Five big stars to this one. RUSH to pick it up.

Reading Notes:

- Obviously the bad weather couldn’t be planned so now I want to know what the original plan was. But solid start here!
- From the tone it’s easy to see where this going, the more serious issues. Not gonna be a light and fluffy rom-com.
- I get what Sadie’s trying to do and why. But damn I would be pissed if someone tried to take away that fleeting quality time for any reason.
- Loving the island paradise. The descriptions are dreamy.
- Some sequences feel a little abrupt. And I wish convos and banter went on a little longer. I think the attraction and connection are being cut short.
- There are some emotional missteps in the writing.
- Okay, but at what point did Marin ever think about the poor bride who’s honeymoon was snafued by the luggage exchange. Constantly bitching about the contents but not once does she attempt to get the woman her honeymoon wardrobe back to her! Definitely not liking Marin.
- Lucas is feeling very two dimensional. He gives some insight into his heartache but he just falls flat.
- I’m not feeling any chemistry between the MCs.
- SPOILER: Marin just threw another woman’s shoes into the ocean. WTF? Yes, you’re stuck with someone else’s suitcase and you’re making do. But throwing things away because you don’t like them?! Without a thought to what they may have meant to the owner and trying to return them. Seriously. Wtf?
- I’m halfway and almost ready to call it quits.
- 64%: Super sad stuff is happening but I don’t like any of these people so... meh.
- I think I can stop taking notes now. I’ll finish the book or at list skim it but it’s obviously not working for me.
- Okay, the emotional connection came in the latter bit. The relationship and sentiment all lands in one big heap, piling it on when Sadie and Marin reconnect. It was too little too late for me but it definitely shows the author’s skill to better effect.
- Overall, I wasn’t a fan.

Marin and Sadie are sisters that couldn’t be more different. After losing their mother as teenagers, Marin had to grow up fast in order to be Sadie’s legal guardian. Since then, Sadie is always off to a different destination as a professional photographer. Marin, on the other hand, stuck close to home and works as an advertisement writer.
After returning home from her latest travels, Sadie talks Marin in to a Caribbean vacation. Just the two of them. But then Sadie misses her flight and doesn’t make it there with Marin, and Marin loses her passport so she can’t just turn around and come home.
I rarely read a synopsis, so based on the cover, I thought I was going to get a light, vacation romance. This book was so much more. There was surprising depth to this book and I was a crying mess by the time I finished. (And there’s also a vacation romance.)
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I was looking forward to reading a cute and lighthearted romantic comedy, but Meet Me in Paradise was not a rom-com, it was so much more.

Marin has lived a very safe and predicable life since losing her mother as a young woman and spends most of her time worrying about her adventurous younger sister, Sadie. A younger sister, who is everything that Marin is not, but after Sadie returns from her latest photography assignment, she convinces Marin to accompany her on a sisters' getaway to the island of Saba.

Sadie misses their flight and Marin is forced to face her fear of flying and the unpredictable, on her own. On her flight to Saba she meets Lucas, a handsome and mysterious stranger who saves her from disaster, more than once. When Marin realizes Sadie has no intentions of joining her on their sisters' getaway, she wants to fly back home, but without her passport she must accept Sadie challenge to step outside her comfort zone and let herself live a little. Although skeptical, Marin finally starts to let go with the help of Saba's warm and charming residents and Lucas, of course. It all comes crashing down when she discovers the painful secret that Sadie has been keeping from her. Marin must face the unimaginable, a future without her beloved sister. After her devastating loss Marin is left heartbroken, but along the way she finally finds the courage to live.

Meet Me in Paradise was a story about the unbreakable bond between sisters, facing unimaginable loss and finding oneself. This is a story that will stay with me for a long time and I cannot wait to read more from this author.

Marin Cole has always been the caretaker. After her mother passed away when she was younger, Marin had no choice but to be the strong one for her younger sister. Her dreams and ambitions got put on hold while she literally had to become the adult/responsible one. Marin loves her sister, Sadie something fierce though. When Sadie wants some sister bonding time and books them a trip to the tropical island of Saba, Marin is so excited! What a great time they'll have. Except...Sadie misses the plane and Marin boards it all by herself. She's anxious and nervous and hates flying as it is. Her charming (know it all?) seat mate just happens to be handsome hotelier Lucas Tsai and from that tumultuous plane ride they form a friendship.

I really loved all of the relationships in Meet Me in Paradise. Sadie and Marin had a very complex relationship, but I liked that the chapters were told from both of their point of views. I will admit that it took me a while to really get into the book, but as the story progressed I became more invested in all of the characters. I really enjoyed the banter and chemistry between Marin and Lucas. Although they were both a bit closed off and standoffish, they were both grieving a huge loss in their lives. I enjoyed the way they came together and how those shared feelings solidified their relationship.

Be forewarned that Meet Me in Paradise is not as light as the cover may have you believe. This is a very heavy story. There were a lot of parts that had tears streaming down my face. Libby Hubscher is a very talented writer. I have so many passages highlighted that were written so beautifully. Although Meet Me in Paradise has some romantic elements to it - I would categorize it more as Women's Fiction. I do feel like the ending wrapped up maybe a bit too quickly, but I still enjoyed Meet Me in Paradise.

If you're looking for a book that delves into the bonds of sisterhood, family and community with a side of sweet romance definitely grab Meet Me in Paradise!

This book is one of the best romcoms I have read in a while.. it has the witty banter of The Unhoneymooners with the emotional depth of Beach Read. I was instantly drawn into this book and couldn’t put it down. The characters in the book were dynamite and I loved their interactions.

I went into this book thinking it’d be another cute fluffy read, but was so surprised by the layers this book held. I sobbed A LOT. I highly recommend this book and it is the perfect summer read.

My only complain is that it’s single POV and I always love seeing the male’s perspective. Though this was so well written I almost didn’t mind it being only one POV.

TW: cancer, parental death, parental abandonment

Thank you to Netgalley, Berkley Publishing, and Libby Hubscher for this e-copy in exchange for my honest review.

This is not the average rom-com romance but a much deeper story of love and grief and the bonds of sisterhood. Marin and her kid sister Sadie lose their mother at a young age. Their father has never been in the picture so Marin is forced to grow up quickly - trading in her dreams to create a stable home for her sister. Fast forward a dozen years or so and the two sisters plan this great tropical getaway - or so Marin thought. Sadie ends up ditching Marin and plants resort owner Lucas in her stead with the directive to make her sister live a little and have some fun. The romance between Marin and Lucas is sweet and charming but secondary to Marin’s journey of self-discovery and the news she learns about her sister. Keep the kleenex handy for this one. Recommend for fans of Jodi Picoult or Kristen Hannah’s Firefly series. A strong character-driven debut set in a lush island paradise with the perfect touch of romance.

CW: death of a parent, death from cancer

Thank you for the arc Netgalley and Berkley!

I went into Meet Me In Paradise expecting a lighthearted rom-com and came out snot crying worse than when I read Me Before You. Big, ugly, chest-racking sobs. This story is multi-faceted, the characters believable, and so real you felt all of their experiences: The fear, anxiety, joy, love, it’s all theirs, and yet also your own. You felt it in your fears of trying new things and the fear that comes with worrying you’ll miss out on life if you don’t. You felt it when you didn’t take a chance, or when you did, whether it turned out well or not. You felt it when you experienced loss, and didn’t know how to dig your way out of the grief. I don’t want to say too much, but this book is one I will remember and recommend to anyone.

5 stars = Outstanding!

Wow! This was amazing. I was expecting a light-hearted romcom, and there are some funny moments, but this book has a serious punch to it. I loved getting to spend time with these characters, and I was captivated by their story. This was an ugly-cry sort of book in a beautiful way. It wrecked me, and I loved it. (Language)

Oh my gosh y'all--this book!

I thought I was going into another cute romcom with a nice tropical setting that would be a nice escape. And that's what I got, well kind of.

I am NOT talking negatively about romcoms because they are def one of my favorite genres, but let's face it, they're usually a "lighter" read in the best way possible and provide the best escape ever. This one gave that, because I mean hello tropics, but also had soooo much more depth than that. I don't want to go into detail as to why/how because that would ruin the story.

The characters were so lovable. I personally related to Marin a lot because I would never describe myself as a "risk taker." Change scares me and I like knowing what's going to happen when it's going to happen. Her sister, Sadie, being the exact opposite with a truly carefree spirit.

This was such a wonderful story, but heartbreaking at the same time. Highly highly recommend

4.5 Stars

Wow! I went in expecting a lighthearted, cute read with a tropical setting based on the cover. Let me tell ya, the only thing I was accurate on was the tropical setting.
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This book is deep, it’s powerful, and it puts a lot into perspective. I’d love to go into more detail, but I don’t want to ruin it for you. Instead, I’m going to highly recommend you pick this book up for yourself. Enjoy the story of self growth and living life to the fullest.
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Now I’ll brb as I go call my sister and tell her how much she means to me.

I cant even begin to tell you have much I loved this book. It was everything I needed it to be and more, It was so emotional and well written that I could not put it down. I cant wait for the day that I can visit Saba because it sounds like such an amazing place! Love this book so much. Thank you to Berkley and Netgalley for giving me the advance reading copy of it.

I will admit, I sometime judge a book by it's cover. And based on this cover, I was expecting a fun and light hearted romance. Well, it was not... but man was it still so good! Filled with so many emotions, a great flow to the story and the relationship dynamic between family and friends. I highly recommend this one!!

I loved this book so much. This would actually be more of a four and a half star read for me. It was so good and honestly quite different than what I was expecting. The cover makes it look like it will be a light and fluffy romance, which it was not. This story was an emotional roller coaster that I wasn't fully prepared for but I really enjoyed. I thought the story flowed nicely, the theme was handled well and the relationships between family and friends was just beautiful.

While there was definately a few romantic plots within the story it was about so much more, especially the bonds of family. It focused mostly on two sisters Marin and Sadie. After the loss of their Mom, Marin became the protector. She liked order and routine and never ventured out of her comfort zone. Sadie however, was a wild child, traveling far and wide, seeking adventure at every turn. But the two loved each other fiercely.

While I found Marin annoying at times, I could understand why she was the way she was. And I myself am a bit of a worrier, so I get it! Sadie was a force to be reckoned with and I loved her character! The romance stories in the book were tasteful and not at all cringey. The cast of secondary characters was great and I liked them all and the dimension that they brought to the story.

The story was jam packed with emotion and heart and was just so good. Some trigger warnings to note...cancer, death of a parent and death of a sibling.

If you're looking for a romance story that has alot of emotion and is way more than just fluff, then pick this one up! I loved it!

Thank you Berkley Publishing for gifting me a copy of Meet me in Paradise!

"Everything great is on the other side of fear."

Take a look at that gorgeous cover. It’s beautiful, right? It makes you want to pack up your bags and travel to some tropical location and soak up the beautiful sun. You would never think that a book with as gorgeous a cover as this would take all of your emotions and turn you into a sobbing mess by the end. But, that’s what this one did. Seriously.

I knew from Sadie’s first chapter that there wasn’t something quite right but I couldn’t put my finger on it. I didn’t predict the outcome until halfway through the book and it wrecked me.

Libby Hubscher writes with such heart and vivid descriptions that, as the reader, you feel the emotions of the characters and it feels like you are with them on the beautiful Saba island. By the way, I looked Saba up, and from what I can tell, this place is real and the people sound as kind as Hubscher described them.

The only issue that I had with this book was that I needed more of Sadie and Felix. I honestly could have read an entire book devoted to their love story. It would have been just as difficult to read but I think their story needs a book.

I can’t recommend Meet Me in Paradise enough. The book will be published on March 30th and I highly recommend bumping this to the top of your reading list!

Oh, my heart. A powerful and moving story, Meet Me in Paradise by Libby Hubscher is a heartbreakingly beautiful tale about one woman's path to self-discovery. 

I will start by saying that this book is not what it seems. I thought it was going to be a fun, beachy romantic comedy. What it is is actually a gutwrenching, moving, and important read about grief and self-discovery. 
Marin and Sadie are sisters who couldn't be more opposite. After losing their mom at a young age, Marin stepped into the parent role while Sadie lived on the wild side. The two decide to take a relaxing sisterly vacation together, but Sadie misses the flight and Marin loses her luggage. Luckily, Marin's seatmate is a cute local who agrees to show her the island while she waits for Sadie to arrive. Sadly, paradise is not what it seems, and when Sadie arrives on the island, Marin's life is turned upside down. 

I think this is an important read for anyone who might be dealing with the loss of a loved one. The way Hubscher was able to write a love story in the midst of tragedy, and dispense life advice is something that needs to be acknowledged. I don't think I've ever read another book like this. It will stay with me for a long time.