What Kind of Paradise by Janelle Brown completely sucked me in right from the first chapter. The premise was so unique — we follow 17-year-old Jane, who’s been living way out in the middle of nowhere Montana with her dad. It’s the 90s, when technology is taking off everywhere else, but Jane’s dad is fully anti-government, anti-technology, and busy writing his manifesto while keeping them hidden from the world. But when he starts disappearing for longer stretches of time, Jane starts uncovering things that make her question everything she’s ever been told.

What follows is a rollercoaster full of family secrets, shocking twists, and so many layers I wasn’t expecting. It’s the perfect mix of coming-of-age, family drama, and thriller — once I started, I truly could not put it down. I kept thinking about it every time I had to step away and couldn’t wait to see how it would all unravel. I loved the 90s setting, the off-the-grid vibe, and how the story slowly peeled back the layers. This one will definitely be a top recommendation to friends and family — highly addictive, super bingeable, and so well written!

This was my first novel from Brown but has hooked me! She is a fantastic author who wrote such a compelling and layered story. I was enthralled by Jane’s world - seeing her isolation was extremely troubling and made my very grateful for my well-rounded upbringing. The events throughout are heartbreaking and felt perfect for the 1990s setting. There was a true crime vibe to this with Jane telling her story after the fact and it worked so well. I went between the audio and reading and would recommend either - Helen Laser does a wonderful job narrating as always!

Grateful to have been given an opportunity to read a copy of one of my most anticipated releases. Unfortunately, this didn’t quite work for me.

Though it’s marketed as a literary thriller, I did find this to be more of a coming-of-age novel. Which is fine, I love those! But it didn’t work for me as that, either.

I truly hope it finds its readers!

In "What Kind of Paradise," we follow 17-year-old Jane, a lonely teenager living in a secluded cabin with her paranoid, anti-technology father. He moved them there after the death of Jane’s mother when Jane was just a toddler. As Jane grows older, she begins to wonder about the outside world, while her father becomes even more extreme in his beliefs. She starts to question what exactly her father is hiding and whether she will ever truly know the truth about her past.

This book hooked me from the very beginning. We remain in Jane’s perspective throughout the story and watch as she uncovers the truths and lies surrounding her father's extremist views and the past she is beginning to doubt. Her love for her father and the naïveté of her upbringing put her at odds with the reality she is starting to discover. I also appreciate how the author portrays the physical spaces—the cramped cabin in the woods of Montana and the sprawling city of San Francisco—as characters in their own right.

Technology and the burgeoning internet play a significant role in this book, raising questions about the direction of technology and its impact on society, which I find still relevant today. I highly recommend it!

This book wasn't my usual cup of tea but I really enjoyed it. It gave me the "Great Alone" vibes. The writing style was at some points hard to read, but it really showed how out of touch Jane/Esme was when she went into the real world. I wish there was more to Esme meeting her mom, I feel like there was a huge build up to that and then it was cut short. The ending where she turned in her dad was well written too. Thank you to Netgalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

Thank you to Netgalley, the publisher and the author, for an ARC of this book, in exchange for an honest review.
I read "Pretty Things" by Janelle Brown a few years ago & enjoyed it so I was excited to see she had a new book, "What Kind of Paradise" to review. I found her latest book to be
an unique & slow-paced, character-driven story that captivated me from the very first page.
I'm looking forward to the author's next book.

Janelle Brown's latest novel, What Kind of Paradise, marks a notable departure from her previous works, showcasing her versatility as an author. This is the fourth book I’ve read by Brown, and I believe it may be one of her best yet. Unlike her typical thrillers, this novel leans more towards a historical mystery, offering a slower-paced, character-driven narrative that captivates from the very first page.

The story centers around Jane, a compelling protagonist whose journey of self-discovery unfolds against the backdrop of the Montana wilderness and the burgeoning tech scene of Silicon Valley in the 1990s. Brown excels in character development, and I found myself immediately drawn into Jane's world. The exploration of "living off the grid" is particularly fascinating, as it presents a lifestyle that many may find intriguing yet daunting. Jane's coming-of-age story is layered with complexity, as the reader is aware from the outset that her father has done something very bad creating a sense of tension that propels the narrative forward.

Brown's writing is beautifully evocative, immersing readers in the lush landscapes of Montana while also capturing the essence of a transformative era in technology. The nostalgic references to the 90s add a delightful touch, resonating with those who lived through that time and enriching the story's atmosphere.

While the pacing may be slower than in her previous thrillers, the depth of character and the unfolding mystery keep the reader engaged. The tension builds gradually, making it a real page-turner as the layers of Jane's family history are peeled back.

Overall, What Kind of Paradise stands out as one of my favorite reads of the year. It combines engaging storytelling with rich character exploration, making it a must-read for fans of historical mysteries and coming-of-age tales. Thank you to NetGalley and Random House for the eARC in exchange for my honest review.

This is easily one of my favorite reads of 2025 so far, and I cannot stop thinking about the story and characters. This was such a powerful genre-bending novel with elements of coming-of-age, mystery and suspense, and a bit of historical fiction as it takes place in the 1990s during the rise of the internet. The story follows 18-year-old Jane as she grows up in seclusion in rural Montana with her dad, who himself went to Harvard and home-schools her, controlling her access to the reality that goes on around her and instilling in her his extremist views on the evils of technology. As Jane starts to ask questions as she compares her life to her peers around her and gains access to the internet and online chatting, she discovers that her dad may have a more complicated past and secrets than she could ever have imagined. This book left me with such thought-provoking questions about the impact of technology, but also the power of connection and the importance of choice on who we get to be.

Thank you to Random House and NetGalley for a copy of the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

I can't believe how much I liked this book! The premise of the book was unique, and the author did a wonderful job bringing the characters and scenario to life. I appreciated that the main character's story began when she was a teenager; I hadn't wanted to read about the minutia of her strange upbringing. I loved the later parts of the book when you see what it's like for her in a more conventional setting as well as the unexpected way the various issues in the book were resolved. I flew through the book, wishing I could have stayed up late enough to finish it in one sitting. This would be an excellent choice for book discussion groups. There are lots of ethical issues which would be interesting to discuss. Many thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read an advance copy of this book. If I had known how great it was, I would have moved it to the top of my list! Highly recommended!

Jane and I grew up during the same time during this book’s setting, though she was confined to a cabin in the Montana woods and knew nothing of the world for 13 years. This was wrenching for me to imagine and the author did a wonderful job developing her character in a way that made me feel connected with her during this time. That changed as she grew up and moved on with her life for some reason. The survivalist plot has been done a lot over the years, though is unique in its rendering, its overall impact on the child remains the same. The debate of heaven being nature or a utopian technology society is certainly one that is relevant today and this book provoked deep thoughts on that front. The actions that went on in the second half of the book were extreme, but had to be to prove a point and to be a catalyst the author wanted it to be. All of that is to say, this book is packed with intense thoughts and big actions, and the author manages to put it all together expertly without inserting her own political agenda. I think it is an important and beautiful book! Many thanks to Random House and NetGalley for the advanced copy for my honest review.

This propulsive thriller is set in the 1990s during the Internet boom. Janelle Brown really took me back to those days when I was a new engineer entering the work force. Jane Williams is home-schooled by her dad in their "off-the-grid" cabin in Montana. She's alone when her dad leaves for several days at a time, which gives her an opportunity to snoop in his locked office and desk for more details about herself and him. What she finds is life-changing which is where the story really takes off.
This book is an excellent book club selection, since it explores morality in the midst of a quick-moving technology that still holds true in today's society with AI, privacy, social media, etc. I loved how Brown delved into the differing opinions on responsibility in the newly burgeoning internet.
I really enjoyed this book and couldn't put it down. I highly recommend it. It's already out and is a great summer read. Look for the fabulous book cover wherever you get your books.
Many thanks to #RandomHouse for an early digital copy in exchange for my honest review and to #AnneBogel #MMDSRG for putting this on my radar.

“And if you gaze for long into an abyss, the abyss also gazes into you."

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (4/5)

Jane and her father, Saul, live a simple life in the secluded, Montana woods. She’s grown up into a genius just like her father whose home schools her with philosophy, literature, hunting, and living off the land. She’s been taught to not trust the government or technology. One day her life drastically changes when her dad decides to publish his manifesto about AI online bringing Jane to question her entire life.

During an unfortunate event, Jane decides to leave the secluded, Montana cabin, and head for Silicon Valley to learn more about her mother whom her father has hidden from her. Will Jane Finally be able to with some semblance of a normal life will her father shadow derail any chance of happiness?

This was such a compelling read and very thought-provoking. There are plenty of genres to describe this one, but I wouldn’t label it as a thriller. It’s definitely not like the typical books I read. This is a character-driven, literary mystery, a coming-of-age tale, with a lot of technological references. It asks the question, “Has the internet and technology improved our lives or has it ruined us?”

Overall, it’s a very interesting books that does make you think. Do our parents choices impact us and can we change? Again, not my typical read but very glad to step back into the 90s and talk about technology in the way it’s actually impacting us now.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House for an e-copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

I thought this book was very interesting! It is such a good example of how we are truly influenced by both nature and nurture. It is wild to see how someone can be so influenced by others around them - and also sad. Truly so much of who we are is shaped by our parents - and thinking about how much they could potentially deprive us from is shocking. And how would we ever know? Esme/Jane was deprived of so much of a "normal" life because of the choices of someone else. I thought it was a tiny bit repetitive towards the beginning, but things started to pickup after Esme/Jane managed to escape from the cabin and start a different life. I really liked the characters, the conflicts throughout the book, and the resolution at the end.

I received this book from NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinions.

I went into this book blind and was pleasantly surprised. I was not expecting such a rich multi layered story that stuck with me days after finishing. I'll be thinking about Jane and her father for a long time, as well as the questions the book raises about whether technology hurts society more than it helps. I truly did not want this book to end, and I know it will be on a lot of top 10 lists this year.

What Kind of Paradise isn’t the thriller the cover copy promises—it’s a quietly compelling coming-of-age tale with a tech-boom backdrop and a side of existential dread. Think less whodunit, more who am I, with a sprinkle of suspense for spice. Temper your expectations, and you’ll be rewarded.

WOW!! Where to start with this book. I gave it 4 stars but I'm rethinking that maybe it should be 5 stars. What Kind of Paradise is truly a great novel. At the beginning it felt predictable and familiar - like the Great Alone by Kristin Hannah (which I also love), but then the twists started coming and really it's not comparable.

Jane has lived in remote Montana as long as she can remember. Her mom passed away when she was four and since then it's just been her and her dad. Jane is home schooled. Her dad went to Harvard - he can teach her everything she needs to know. Her father also teaches how to survive the wilderness and most importantly keep your eye out for the FBI. Jane's only connection to the outside world is an occasional trip into town to a book store.

As Jane gets older she starts to question some of her dad's ideas and ways of living. It's the mid 1990's and one day dad brings home a computer. He wants Jane to learn to program so he can share his message with the world. He needs them to know the dangers of these new computers. He's been telling anyone who will listen for ages and the people who need to hear this are online already.

This book goes from a quiet slow life in rural Montana to full speed in a moment. This book is action packed. I was on edge and flipping pages as fast as I could to see the ending. What Kind of Paradise is unlike anything I've read in a while. I recommend this book to everyone but especially those that worked in tech in the mid 90's. It's an excellent book that I'm sure we will see on top 10 lists very soon. I think it would make an excellent book club choice as well as there is a ton to discuss here.

Jane has only known a life of isolation living in a cabin in the woods of Montana with her father. It is the 1990s and she is completely cut off from society and advancements in technology, like the introduction of the internet to the masses. Her father is homeschooling her and teaching her his ways of thinking. As he has done often throughout her life, her dad leaves her for short periods of time. She has no idea where he goes, but she wants to go, too. So she finally finds a way to convince him to taker her with him. He agrees to let her come this time. It turns out, this adventure will dismantle her life as she knows it. Her dad is not who she thought he was. She is not who she thought she was. Now she is on a quest to find out the truth about herself and time is of the essence.

What Kind of Paradise is a twisty look at the impacts of technology in a family drama thriller.

This gripping novel centers on an extreme father/daughter relationship. Accordingly, if you have issues with psychological manipulation or unsettling family dynamics, you may find it triggering. It also examines other extremely topical issues, including the perhaps too rapid march of technology and the extremism that causes some to try to force their views on others by any means necessary without regard for consequences. These things may also be triggering for some people. However, if you can get past all that, it is a well-written, fast-paced, exciting, and quite timely book.

What Kind of Paradise is a really interesting read about both the dangers of both isolation and of technology. Jane lives with her father in the cabin in the woods in Montana. She's homeschooled and indoctrinated by her father's lessons about the unwieldy power of technology that he believes will eventually destroy and erase humankind.  Jane starts to notice weird gaps in her childhood and has reason to believe her father is keeping something from her, or a lot of things…
 
I thought this book was SO good. Super interesting insight into the people that feared technology's impact (in the 90s). Especially relevant today obviously as all these fears are starting to come into fruition. Super well developed characters and great pacing, honestly couldn't put it down. I'd say this book mostly reads as a literary mystery with a lot of family drama. It's not necessarily a thriller but was at times thrilling. The beginning made me think I was reading a fictional account of Educated but it actually turned into something very different. I do think similarly to Educated, What Kind of Paradise made me think a lot a parent's impact on their children and if anyone can ever fully disconnect from the beliefs their parent's instilled in them.
 
Thank you Net Galley and Random House Publishing Group for the ARC.

Immersive.
Unputdownable.

A young girl is raised "off the grid" in rural Montana by a Harvard educated father obsessed with conspiracy theories. Over the years, Jane begins to unravel the half-truths about her life and sees a world outside of the woods. She learns what exists on a small TV and a place called the internet where she finds a chat room and an allie. Her father publishes his manifesto after teaches herself HTML, opening the world to his long drawn out plan.

Brown explores the implications of connectivity and the internet on our future in the fathers ramblings. This story is thought-provoking, emotional and rich in character development as Jane comes of age in a whole new world.

Thank you Random House Publishing Group - Random House | Random House