What in the world did I just endure?

I honestly feel like I read two different stories that were melded together so perfectly. 

On the one hand we have this budding romance that is just so fun to watch.

We also have this familial subplot that just BROKE me! It reached so many facets of me and I simply just lathered it all in.

The storyline can be condensed to Marian finding herself. This sounds simple but it is oh so far from simply. Its beautifully mastered.

Definitely have some tissues ready.

Thank you so much @berkley and @Netgalley for the advanced copy.

Since their moms death. Marin has always been the safe one. The one that holds down the fort while Sadie is off taking risks and traveling the world. Sadie has a plan to change through. When she comes home home from a particularly hard trip, she plans a girls getaway for her and Marin. Marin is petrified of traveling, but is willing to go along for the ride in order to spend some much needed time with her sister. Only problem, Sadie doesn’t show up to the flight. In fact, she never had any intentions of turning up for the flight. With Sadie cheering her on, Marin is stepping outside her comfort zone and exploring the small island of Saba. Luckily for her, she has a very good looking and knowledgeable tour guide in Lucas.

Alright, I picked this one up thinking it was going to be a great rom com, funny, adorable, and filled with love. I did not expect to end up sitting on the couch sobbing trying to read through my tears. This book had all the emotions. Legit, ALL the emotions. I absolutely adored both Marin and Sadie, and the story of their sisterhood, friendship, and love for each other just filled my heart to the brim. You can’t leave out Lucas though. While she didn’t always see it that way, his love for Marin was so true and pure and lovely. I tend to be more of a Marin, but this book made me want to jump on a plane to a small island resort and just explore! I mean let’s be real, I would honestly like to go anywhere right now and am super over being stuck at home with no vacations in sight, but still! I just loved watching Marin find herself through Sadie’s antics, and the unexpected part had me in tears for the last quarter of the book. This book was an unexpected gem that I will be recommending a ton!

I dove into this book fully expecting a contemporary romance but instead I found an amazing, deeply emotional that at times became gut wrenching but a truly awe inspiring story about one of the greatest loves of all time.. the LOVE BETWEEN SISTERS. 

⚠️ CW: death of a loved one, grief, cancer, anxiety and loss

✍🏻 Marin and 📸 Sadie are two sisters bound tightly together by the sudden and tragic loss of their mother when they were both in their teens. Marin stepped in to care for Sadie and in that time put herself in a protective bubble & casting her needs, wants and dreams aside to watch out for her sister meanwhile Sadie would go on to follow in their journalist mother's footsteps and explore the world, camera in hand.

🏝 After a job appears to have taken its toll on Sadie, Marin agrees to go on a sister trip to the Tropical Island of Saba. It was only after Marin arrives in Saba does she find out that Sadie had never planned to go with her, instead she wanted Marin to enjoy her life putting herself first and letting go of her fears.. so with the help of hotelier Lucas Tsai, he takes her around the island on adventures with the help of some truly lovable locals, Marin sets out to prove to her sister she could live a little and have fun... that is until she finds out the hearbreaking truth behind why she was sent there in the first place.

✅ Asian Representation. Mandarin was added as part of Lucas' dialogue although he does speak mostly in English. Loved seeing an Asian cast as a Male Lead & not in stereotypical fashion either.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I loved this book so much, I also preordered myself a physical copy!

MEET ME IN PARADISE is about sisters Sadie and Marin. After their mom died when they were teens, Sadie continued to live a free-spirited life as an adventurous photographer while older sister Marin stayed in Tennessee to take care of her little sister. Marin is a worrier and lived a cautious life. When Sadie returns from her latest assignment, she convinces Marin to go on a fun weekend trip on Saba. The trip kicks off to a rocky start. Sadie misses the flight and Marin loses her luggage and her passport. With the help of the extremely kind and good-looking hotelier, Lucas Tsai, Marin slowly begins to enjoy her time in paradise until she realizes the real, heartbreaking reason why she's there. 

This book has all the parts you want out of a contemporary romcom: a tropical locale, a disaster meet-cute, awkward dates with the nicest hero.  However, It is a story about grief and how we honor loved ones who've passed. It is about these sisters who frustrate each other and love each other even in their toughest moments of their lives. This book wonderfully captures the escapist adventures, the love between sisters, the depths of grief and the moments of humor in between.

Oh, Libby Hubscher, you make me cry! I know it's not personal, but your debut novel has absolutely blown me away, broken my heart, and put it back together again. I am the youngest of three sisters and, without any spoilers, it was at times difficult for me to read this book, but the story gave me enough laughs and joy to make it pitch perfect. The romance was everything, the descriptions of Saba and Italy were so vivid, I felt like I was there (and really wished I was)! The secondary characters and other people Marin met along the way were so kind, and the kindness filled my heart. I truly adored this book and I am positive this is going to be one of my favorite reads of 2021. I will end this now so I can return to my crying.

Don't judge Meet Me in Paradise by Libby Hubscher by its cover. The bright colors and carefree image don't do justice to the vulnerability and impact of grief and love in this story. Phew - I'm an emotional wreck after this book, and I absolutely love it!

Perhaps it's because I've walked through a lot of the same in my life, but I'm drawn to reading novels that bare the heart of loss and grief. I'm deeply critical of their accuracy, and don't want something profound and life-altering to be reduced to a passing emotion. Hubscher does not disappoint at all, and really leans in to what sudden loss can do to Marin (the main character).

If you're here for the romance, you'll get a little physical (closed-door) intimacy, and a whole lot of emotional support and deep caring. This is the devoted and doting side of love, while still finding humor and frustration between the moments of vulnerability. There's a reappearance of an old flame, and a new love interest as well, which makes for a great love triangle that forces Marin to inspect what she wants out of life. 

I love how the main characters have to find their way to self-discovery and healing instead of being rescued from grief by a new relationship. (I'm not spoiling anything by saying whether or not there's a happy ending...read it to find out!) There's a diverse cast of characters, and a few location settings that honor different cultures and perspectives, as well.

Hubscher weaves this story as intricately as lace, and I'm in awe of the power of her story. This is a new favorite, and a must read!

CWs: anxiety, grief, previous death of a parent (off-page), cancer, end-of-life days detailed on-page.

Thank you to Berkley & NetGalley for this complimentary copy in exchange for my honest review.

Content Warnings: Death and grief

I was not prepared for this book. Not at all. I went into Meet Me in Paradise thinking I was getting a contemporary romance with maybe some laughs and fun times set in a lovely tropical location. What I got was a deep, emotional story full of love, and sacrifice, and a woman’s journey through grief to find herself on the other side.

Meet Marin, a woman full of anxiety who’s world revolves around her younger sister. At the age of 17 Marin finds herself taking over Sadie’s care after the death of their mother. Marin has given up on her dreams and any adventure she may have craved in her younger life, now she lives vicariously through Sadie, while at the same time wishing her bright, sunny sister would settle down.

When Sadie comes home from a job in China, she seems rundown and more tired than usual. This leads to a discussion of a sister’s trip and a weekend of fun. Only Sadie misses the plane and Marin is forced to step way out of her comfort zone and do things she wouldn’t normally contemplate doing. She even meets a mysterious, glamorously good-looking man on the plane who somehow takes over as her tour guide/host while stuck alone sisterless on the paradise island of Saba.

It doesn’t take readers long to realize that Sadie is up to something and has no intention of interrupting Marin’s vacation. While Marin is living her best life and becoming a bit of an adventurer while also falling for Lucas, who happens to also own the resort, there is this sense that something else is really going on. And there is. Something big. Something heartbreaking. Something had me crying big buckets full of tears and clutching my chest.

While I think this is billed as a romantic comedy and even has that cute artsy cover, don’t be fooled. This is a profound book about loss and grief and time slipping away. And how do we live our best lives and honor those we love at the end? For me, this story was more about Marin’s journey through grief than about her falling in love. Although, maybe I’m wrong. The romance with Lucas, and her weighing her current feelings for him against that of an old flame that suddenly appears at such a tumultuous time, is part of her figuring out what she truly wants her life to look like going forward.

This book starts out a bit slow and as the drama and angst pick up so does the pacing. I loved the scenes of Marin and Lucas getting to know each other and falling into like and then love. I loved the island setting and the secondary characters. They brought a vibrancy to the story, and they helped me understand Lucas better. I think the scenes at the end between Marin and Sadie will stay with me for a good long while.

Meet Me in Paradise will be on my best-of list at the end of the year. While I do think this tends to be more on the side of women’s fiction rather than a true contemporary romance, I would definitely recommend. I loved it and I hope readers will choose to add it to their TBR lists.

Final grade- A

Meet Me in Paradise is a book I cannot recommend enough. It was beautiful, funny, and emotional.

Ever since she lost her mother at a young age, Marin has been living a safe life. She had to grow up overnight to take care of her sister and because of that she gave up a lot. Marin gave up on her dreams and lost sight of what made her happy. 

The romance is adorable and sweet. It felt like a slow burn but also didn't feel like a slow burn. I felt what Marin was feeling.

I cried when I realized what led Marin to wind up in this island paradise with her mystery hottie. The book neve felt rushed, rather it felt as though everything took place at the speed with which it was meant to. 

I loved how Libby explored the bond between sisters and how sisters make painful sacrifices to give the other joy. It reminded me so much of the relationship I have with my sister.

You do not want to miss this wonderful debut novel, just make sure you have some tissues on hand and are ready to feel emotions.

CWs: anxiety, grief, previous death of a parent, cancer, death of a main character

This was an immersive story focused more on the bond between 2 sisters and the stages of grief. And knowing that now, it was beautiful. However I came into this book thinking it would be a romantic comedy which changed my expectations of it. 

That being said, we get to follow the uptight Marin and the free-spirited Sadie through this tale and their sisterly love shows. Add in the atmosphere of a tropical island and a handsome hotel owner? You've got a destination novel cruising for success.

Oh wow! I’m simply at a loss for words. I went into this story expecting a lighthearted romcom filled with hilarious mishaps and swoon worthy moments.  Although this book did have its sweet moments, it’s so much more than the beautiful cover and laidback plot. This story is an emotional rollercoaster with a love that goes beyond a meet cute on a tropical island. It’s a gripping story about love in all forms, life and it’s many tribulations, and the power of grief and how it can shape the trajectory of our life.

Marin lives in a well protected bubble, never stepping out, but this story is her journey of discovering herself by living vicariously through her sister's wishes.The details to this story made you feel as if you were in the pages of this book. The author spoke true to the situations Marin went through with captivating writing and a compelling well-rounded cast. There’s a mystery to the story and I love the alternating POV between Sadie and Marin and how seamlessly the author intertwines both past and present. 

This story is completely heartbreaking, but between the tears, there are moments of quirky humor through perfectly planned mishaps. This isn’t the perfect cookie cutter story. It reflects the true mess that life is with moments that take you by surprise, while others leave you filled with regret.

At the core of this book is human connection. It expresses how we interact with the people in our lives, like the impact of just sitting next to another person expressing feelings that have been repressed, and how cathartic and liberating it can be. It's amazing how often we forget how precious family is and the days we are given are not guaranteed. This story isn’t like any other contemporary romance story I have read. It’s a beautifully tragic story unlike any other book out there. Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley for this ARC

5 tropical + adventure filled + heartwrenching + sincere stars to this stunning debut by Libby Hubscher. What I thought would be a straight forward romance novel, ended up being a beautifully written, poignant story on the power of hope, the bonds of family and community, the healing qualities of nature, and the joys of unexpected adventures.. Marin Cole, an advertising executive, thrives on having control and stability; her younger sister, Sadie, a travel photojournalist, does not. Marin agrees to a sister's getaway trip on an exclusive island resort as a way to connect more with her little sister. However, the trip doesn't go as planned and Marin is forced to step outside her comfort zone in so many ways. Told from perspectives of both sisters, I thoroughly enjoyed this novel- the breathtaking descriptions of the gorgeous island and the dynamic, engaging characters. This book had me in tears, laughing out loud and all the feelings in between. 

Don't miss this story! Pub day is March 23rd. Thank you so much to Netgalley and Berkeley Books for the advanced reader copy in return for an honest review.

While this book is in the genre of romance (rightfully so there is a delicious romance storyline in it that deserves applause) I found myself finding this story to be more of love story between two sisters. Marin and her younger sister, Sadie, are always there for one another, they are all they have since the untimely death of their mother. So when Sadie comes home for a work assignment looking a little worse for wear she convinces Marin (the one who never does anything spontaneously or adventurous EVER) to head to an island in the Caribbean for a week...a girl's trip if you will to reconnect with each other. 
When Sadie doesn't make the flight on time, Marin is introduced to Lucas...her new seatmate and the man who happens to own the resort that Marin is staying at. Each day that goes by without Sadie, Marin is pushed further and further out of her comfort zone and each day Marin begins to see just what the world has to offer and how much Marin has been hiding from everything. 
Hubscher has written a gorgeous book, about love sure, but about the strength it takes to leave your comfort zone and really start living. I cried in this book (not something I was expecting at all) it had all the feels.

This is a wonderful warm hearted read about sisters who are complete opposites but love one another fiercely. I would love to see this as a movie adaptation. Marin is so relatable in her fear of traveling and trying new things but she grows so much by the end that I just love her character so much! The pages are filled with unexpected surprises in a good ways and not so good ways. Sadie's fearlessness is jaw dropping but incredibly encouraging to try new adventures, food, learn about other cultures. I loved this one! I just read Hubscher's bio and we live in the same state! I'd love to go back and read Hubscher's other books.

*Thank you to Berkley Publishing for my gifted copy. 

This book gave me ALL the feelings! This was definitely a read that sucked me right in and was much more than I expected. It was layered, emotionally complex, and extremely well written. I loved the story of sisterhood and family, the romantic sub-story, and the underlying message of finding yourself. The details were so vivid that almost felt like I was in this tropical paradise, which was perfect for reading in January. 

 While sisters, Sadie and Marin, led the way as main characters, I loved the smaller character additions, specifically those they meet on the island who offer their kindness with no expectations in return. The emotional and heartbreaking ending was powerful and I know this book will stick with me for a long time.

My full review will be posted on my website, genthebookworm.com, closer to the publication date.

This was such a great book! As everyone else already said, it's definitely not a frothy, fun escape. The destination is gorgeous, and you totally feel like you're there, but it's much deeper than that. This story will break your heart... in the best possible way.

Marin and Sadie are sisters as different as night and day. Marin, a cautious realist, and Sadie a free spirit always looking for adventure. What is pegged as a romance the love story that stood out to me wasn’t between Marin and hunky hotel proprietor Lucas Tsai , it was the love story between sisters- more on that in a minute. 

The romance in this story was incredibly sweet and endearing. There was a bit of a love triangle aspect to further add turmoil to Marin's predicament. I appreciated the importance of this old flame coming back into her life to help paint the picture of the choices Marin needs to make in her life. Does she take chances and live with a little more abandon or does she revert back to what’s familiar and comfortable? It was a common theme in this book that was reflected with her ex, her new flame, and also with her sister. 

Sadie and Marin, as I mentioned, are complete opposites. I loved how the author made me feel their unshakable love and support for each other that really came to fruition after the passing of their mother. This hit me personally, having lost my mother which further strengthened my relationship with my sister. The story’s dual POV switched between Marin and Sadie and it wasn’t revealed until halfway through, the importance of Sadie’s POV. I flew through the back half the book and love how the story unfolded. 

Meet Me in Paradise was the perfect book to get lost in. The story was touching, raw, and hopeful. I absolutely loved this one. Have your tissues ready, Meet Me in Paradise drops March 23!

Thank you to Netgalley and Berkeley Publishing Group for the ARC. 

🌟🌟🌟🌟 4/5 stars 

Well for such a happy cover and title, I cried A LOT during this book. Libby Hubscher, how dare you? 😭 

Meet Me in Paradise centers around sisters Marin and Sadie. After the tragic death of their mother, Marin became the responsible parental figure in the relationship and Sadie the risk-taker. When Sadie comes home from a work assignment abroad looking run down, Marin finally agrees to take risk and go with her on a “sisters trip” to tropical island of Saba. However, when Marin gets to the airport, Sadie is nowhere to be found. Handsome stranger, Lucas Tsai, is in her sister’s seat and, after many hijinks, becomes her unofficial guide to the island. As Marin takes more and more risks and has many amazing experiences, she begins to fall for Lucas and find herself. 

This book made me laugh, cry, and then cry some more. It is a sweet, heartbreaking, and powerful story about family, life, and finding yourself. It also has romance to keep you from completely falling apart. Although Lucas and Marin have a poignant romance, the true love story is that of Marin and Sadie. You come to love both of them so much and their relationship is the most memorable aspect of the book. It is a beautiful story of sisterhood and it makes me want to cry again. 

Meet Me in Paradise is a bittersweet, moving novel that is extremely well-written. (I recommend going in knowing that it is not a rom-com, but leans more towards the “women’s fiction” genre.)

ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Full review to be posted closer to release date.

Libby Hubscher hits it out of the park with this beautifully written, multi-layered story. Her characters are crafted with a keen eye and will leave you thinking about them long after you read the last page. Despite its rom-com-like cover, this is a story that, while it has its moments of humor, deals with some weighty issues. 

Marin and Sadie are sisters whose mother died when they were young and whose paths in life are heavily influenced by that tragic loss. Marin prefers the comfort of safe choices while Sadie lives her life with a certain zestful defiance. This is a book about sisterhood, love, loss, and the re-discovery of one's self. It's mostly set on Saba, an island in the Caribbean, hence the title Meet Me in Paradise. This is a fabulous debut novel and one that you won't want to miss!

Loved Libby Hubscher's Meet Me in Paradise so much! I wasn't expecting the story to be as heavy as it was but it turned out to be just what I needed in this moment where the world feels so unsettled. I loved the relationship between Marin and Sadie and truly was moved to tears multiple times. Just a gorgeous must-read book for those who love Women's Fiction and Romance alike. 

Thanks to Net Galley and Berkley for the advanced copy in exchange for honest thoughts!

I was pretty stoked when I got my hands on this beauty. Being an elder sister, I love stories about sisters, this story set in a beautiful island and a handsome rich hunk is icing on the cake. It was a bittersweet story, I found myself laughing one moment and bawling my eyes out the next moment.

Marin is uptight, dependable, doesn’t take a break from her job, doesn’t travel due to fear of flying, worrier, and has no social life. Her younger sister Sadie is a wanderlust, fun loving, daring, and she is yin to Marin’s yang. Marin had to grow up early and take over the responsibility of Sadie when their mother had died when they were teenagers. 

With the intent of making Marin live life fully and experience all the things she missed out because of Sadie, she orchestrates and sends Marin on a vacation in Saba island. On the way, Marin meets dashing Lucas.

Hubscher’s beautiful descriptions transported me to paradise. The islanders were awesome. Everyone knew everyone’s business, not in the way of being nosy but warm to each other and their camaraderie was delightful. 

Both sisters were wonderful and they shared a great bonding and the sacrifices they made for each other made me love them more. This has adventures, mishaps, slow burn romance, love, grief, loss, soul crushing agony, unlikely friendships, promises, and self-discovery. 

I connected with Marin instantly as I am afraid of heights and adventures. When she was shedding her fears and taking on heart pounding adventures, made me wonder how easy they are once you take the first step, and gave me the courage. 

Overall, it was a beautifully written, poignant and uplifting tale with well-developed characters.

Thank you NetGalley and Berkley Publishing for providing me an ARC in exchange for my honest review.