I really liked this book. It was sad but happy watching our main character grow and discover herself and all that she could be and could do now that she is more free. I think it is upsetting that many people do go through life like this, so limited and trapped.

Thank you to NetGalley, to the author, and to the publisher for this complimentary ARC in exchange for my honest review!!!

What Kind of Paradise is the story of Jane, a teenager who lives a secluded, off the grid life with her father in Montana. Their life is simple, at least until she begins to realize all the things her father has been hiding from her. Janelle Brown has written another intriguing, mysterious story with this book, much like her previous work. The setting is a fascinating one, the internet revolution of the 90s, and I tore the this wanting to know how things would end.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the Kindle ARC in exchange for an honest review. After reading What Kind of Paradise, I am sure it will be one of the top books of 2025. I've read Janelle Brown's other books and this book was not only her best but one of the best books I've read this year. Jane is a 17 year old, living in a remote, ramshackle cabin in Montana. She is home-schooled and has little contact with the outside world. Her father indoctrinates her with his manifesto. As she approaches her 18th birthday, she finds evidence in her father's chaotic office in the cabin that she is not who her father has told her she is and that her mother didn't die in an accident when Jane was four. The story is set in the 1990's when personal computers were becoming popular and Silicone Valley was booming with start-ups. Because Jane's father made her set up his manifesto on a computer, she teaches herself code and when she finally breaks away, she heads to San Francisco - seeking help and searching for her mother. The end of the book is very surprising and wholly satisfying.

What Kind Of Paradise by Janelle Brown is exactly what I expected. Impossible to put down! So many twists and turns and surprises! I'm not sure how Brown's mind works but if What Kind Of Paradise is any indication she would definitely be the best person to be partnered with in an Escape Room.
Just when you thought the plot of the story makes sense and you think you know what to expect, think again! The title perplexed me until about halfway through the book. My conclusion is everyone's paradise is different. There is a stark contrast between someone who thinks paradise is living simply with little interference from the outside world and someone who thinks paradise is having technology at their fingertips. Throw in AI and Brown seems to have insight or some sort of psychic ability about the future of our world. So what is your paradise or is there even such a thing?
I voluntarily received a copy of this book from NetGalley.

This was a good, well-written story.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

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

- hooked me from the beginning
- really appreciated Part 1 with the level of depth and description that went into describing the woods and the way their life was different
- rooted for jane the entire time and she had my heart!
- i wanted a little bit more from the ending, but only because i think i wanted more OF the book itself!
- highly recommend and this is one that i will be adding to my library when it is released

thank you NetGalley for the ARC !

I stay away from all these uber-popular female (authors and protagonists) thrillers as far as I can, until something really draws me in. In this case, it was the author's reputation - I've read and enjoyed her books before. And to be fair, this novel isn't a really a thriller. To me, it read very much like a character-driven drama and a coming-of-age story.

Many kudos to Brown for managing to write a novel with a teenage protagonist without making it YA. Instead, Jane/Esme is a smart, resourceful, interesting person, a survivor and a fighter.
At seventeen, on the brink of the digital revolution that will reshape the world all around. she is living off-grid in Montana woods with only her father, a radical and a Luddite for company. The man is clearly and curiously unhinged, one of those people whose brains have turned against them. In his flight from the world, he comes to fear and resent, he has made some hard choices for himself and in turn imposed them on his only child, who has grown up in isolation and solitude.
When they two of them finally step out into the world together (and for all the wrong reasons), everything changes.

This was a very good read that held my attention completely. The characters are as interesting and compelling as you want to see in a character-driven novel. This is a story of people doing what they believe is right at terrible cost, of juxtaposing cleverness and kindness, of the importance of truly seeing the people around you as they are and not as you wish them to be. There is a lot of thoughtful meditation on our place in the world and, especially, on the place of technology in our lives.
In the end, it seems that the novel is saying that wielding the power has everything to do with who wields it, be it biological or artificial intelligence. And that without a strong moral compass, it can go awry either way.

I may have expected a bit more from the ending and perhaps a bit more for the novel's protagonist, but either way, it was very much worth a read. Recommended. Thanks Netgalley.

Thanks to NetGalley for an arc of this amazing book. A review from someone else popped up on goodreads and the person was like, “omg stop what you’re doing and request a copy of this book” and I’m so glad I did. I was absolutely riveted. The writing was amazing (which is important to me) and the story was fascinating. I loved the entire thing. And it really made me think- a lot. Well done!

I loved this book. The beginning section where Jane is living in seclusion in the woods of Montana with her father reminded me of Our Endless Numbered Days and These Silent Woods. When the book opens its the early 1990s and Jane’’s 17th birthday and she has grown up in isolation thinking her mother died when she was a child. Her father brings the internet to the woods so Jane can publish his manifesto. The internet opens the world up to Jane and eventually brings her to San Francisco to figure out what really happened to her mother. Jane also finds herself complicit in her father’s crimes. This book is a thriller, coming of age story, history of the internet and statement on the good and evil of technology. I loved it. I loved the writing. It’s my first book by Janelle Brown but it won’t be my last.

This book was amazing. I love stories where people try to live off the grid life styles. This one was very interesting. Reflection and looking at the world as it is .

A gorgeously written exploration of the ties that bind us to people, places, and our own wants and needs. The storytelling is rich and layered, weaving together personal histories and cultural commentary in a way that feels both intimate and expansive. It’s the kind of book that makes you pause, reflect, and see the world a little differently. I felt transported and deeply moved—an absolute gem for anyone who loves reflective, character-driven narratives. Thank you to Net Galley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

What Kind of Paradise gripped me from the very beginning. The style of writing just flowed so well, that I didn’t want to put the book down. “Saul” and his daughter “Jane” are living in Montana, off the grid, but as Jane gets older she starts to question why. What happened to her mom? Why do they have to be ready to flee at a moments notice?

I was completely captivated by this book! It was my first experience with Janelle Brown's writing, but it certainly won't be my last. "What Kind of Paradise" offers a distinctive perspective on the early 1990s through the eyes of a sheltered teenager. This novel seamlessly blends elements of mystery and coming-of-age, while also exploring how technology has influenced lives across past, present, and future. It resonated deeply with my emotions. I found myself falling in love with Jane, the protagonist, and sharing in her heartbreak as she navigated the secrets she uncovered and the difficult choices she faced. The storytelling was masterfully executed. This book is an ideal choice for discussion in book clubs and should definitely be at the top of your reading list! Make sure to highlight it—I've rated it a well-deserved 5 stars!

This story details a father-daughter shared experience of living off the grid in the mid-90s, so the setting alone is captivating. Yet, it’s the why of the story that drives the mystery and suspense of it all.

When teenage Jane starts to eke out information about her tragic childhood and her dad becomes increasingly radical about his doomsday-type beliefs, it’s eerie how some of the details of this fictional story have lined up with the news of today.

Honestly, I don’t know if I’ve ever thought this before, but as soon as I finished the last page, I thought - this book is perfect, no notes. The description, the pace, the surprises, the heart – all of it makes for an exceptional novel.

I was already a fan of Brown’s work, but What Kind of Paradise goes straight to the top for me.

Jane’s life was a lie. Her paranoid father kept this in a cabin in an isolated location with limited access to the world. He worked on a manifesto that he believed would help spread the world about computer technology and how it’s poisoning people.
…
Her father was her protector and hero. H home schooled her teaching everything he learned himself at Harvard. Her became fearful about the advancements in technology so he designed a plan to eradicate the people who set the computer world in motion.
…
Jane longed for a mother figure to help guide her through life. When her father brought home a computer it opened up her world. She realized her father was a conspiracy theorist with anti-government views.
…
What Kind of Paradise is about a teenage girl who breaks free from her father's world of isolation. His agenda is to educate people about the technology movement, but his progress doesn’t get the results he hoped for.
…
My first introduction to Janelle Brown was in reading I’ll Be You. That book was a solid 5 stars. This book is completely different than that book. The writing is very complex given the nature of the main male character living a life of isolation away from the controlling government agencies. Janelle Brown is a brilliant and talented writer. By far beyond my wildest imagination of writing skill set. I’m a simple reader who need’s simplicity in my writing style. This book is far bigger than my brain can process. I’m in the mindset of reading romance books and psychological thrillers. I feel out of my realm delving into a book about the WWW and HTML. It’s beyond my comprehension. Yet I’m fascinated with where she’s going with Esme’s life. I want to collect the puzzle pieces to complete the grandiose picture and understand what her father planned from the beginning. Janelle Brown illustrated a painting that could be interpreted in numerous ways revealing a different perspective based upon a person’s experience. I’m more aware of how some people get trapped inside their own fears.

What Kind of Paradise by Janelle Brown is a thought-provoking and suspenseful exploration of isolation, family bonds, and the lure of freedom.

Set in the mid-1990s, the story centers around Jane, a teenager who has known no world outside her secluded cabin in Montana. Her father, a fiercely independent and enigmatic man, has raised her in an off-the-grid existence, shielding her from modern conveniences and societal norms. Jane’s only glimpse of the outside world comes during monthly trips to a local bookstore, where a connection with a young woman her age stirs her curiosity about life beyond the confines of her father’s rules.

When her father brings home a mysterious machine—a laptop—and enlists Jane’s help in a dubious scheme, her sheltered life begins to unravel. As Jane delves deeper into her father’s plans, she starts to question the man she idolized, her own origins, and the motives driving his anger toward society. The story crescendos as Jane faces an impossible choice: remain loyal to the only life she’s ever known or embrace the uncertain possibilities of the wider world.

Janelle Brown masterfully weaves themes of control, rebellion, and self-discovery into this compelling tale. What Kind of Paradise is a gripping coming-of-age story that asks what it truly means to seek freedom when the ties that bind you are also the ones that hold you back.

#RandomHouse #WhatKindOfParadise #JanelleBrown

<i>Can you ever escape legacy? Does it define you, whether you like it or not? Even if you consciously flee it, doesn’t it still circumscribe the shape of who you are, or are not?</i>

There’s a lot to unpack in What Kind of Paradise, and I’m convinced this will be the book of 2025. It’s in the league of The God of the Woods and All the Colors of the Dark, though, honestly, it might surpass them both.

This is my first [author:Janelle Brown|970639] novel, and I’m baffled as to why I haven’t picked her up before, despite the rave reviews. What Kind of Paradise is a mystery, a thriller, a sordid history on the creation of the internet, a technological deep dive, and a profound exploration of family, loss, a coming of age story, and self-discovery—all wrapped into one.

The story centers on Jane, who has spent her entire life in a 700-square-foot cabin in Bozeman, Montana, with her father, Saul. Homeschooled and isolated, Jane’s world consists of Baudelaire bedtime readings, memorized passages of Thoreau, and a looming fear of the Feds, though she doesn’t know why. It’s just the reality Saul has instilled in her.

Saul is a man of foresight or paranoia, depending on how you see it. He’s convinced that technology will enslave humanity, tethering us to our screens. The novel is set in the mid-90s, as the World Wide Web emerges, dial-up tones become the soundtrack of curiosity, and HTML sparks a digital revolution. For anyone who remembers this era, it’s a vivid trip back. Growing up in the Bay Area, I saw firsthand the dot-com era’s explosion and aftermath.

“San Francisco is evolving terribly fast. There’s so much moaning about all the artists being pushed out, but you have to think about all the exciting things coming in their place. And honestly, I welcome a few more decent restaurants and a few less burritos.”

As Jane grows older, she begins to sense there’s more to life beyond her father’s world. Escaping Saul sets her on a path of discovery, but also one of danger. Together, they create an online manifesto, one that leads to a crime so profound she’s forced to leave her past behind entirely. Jane’s journey takes her to San Francisco, where she seeks her missing mother and stumbles into a job at a digital publishing company called Signal, thanks to an online chatroom connection with a man named Lionel. Meanwhile Jane has no clue as to how basic life skills work - no TV, phones, no formal education, no sense of self worth, though incredibly wise beyond her years.

The depictions of the Bay Area, especially during the pre- and post-tech boom, are spot-on. From SOMA to San Lorenzo, the Fillmore to Kepler’s Books, it’s a love letter to a changing city. Or perhaps, Brown is simply dismissing it as a place where technology has destroyed our own sense of pride.
I too, worked for a company very similar to Signal on 2nd and Market in San Francisco. I felt like I was drawn back to this era.

Jane’s learning curve is steep. Phone books, pop culture, eating at restaurants, basic human interaction—everything is new to her.

“I have a phone book at home we can use. One gets dumped on our doorstep every year and my roommates use the cover for rolling joints.”

Scenes of San Francisco reminded me so much of my own life. My aunt and grandma were seamstresses for decades.
“The floor had only recently been vacated by one of the sewing shops, and it still smelled like fish sauce and cotton fiber.”

I won’t spoil what happens next, because What Kind of Paradise is best experienced blind. It’s a thriller you won’t want to put down. Brown’s writing is gripping, deeply researched, and alive with historical authenticity, during the dotcom boom, and eventual bust.

By the end, you’ll find yourself questioning everything. Who is Saul? A visionary antihero, a manipulative sociopath, or just a father doing his best in a fractured world? Has staring at our screens improved life, or are we more lost than ever?

“Reading this, I realized, with a spasm of guilt, that I hadn’t read a book since the internet arrived at our house. I hadn’t gone on a walk in the woods, or sketched the deer in the meadow, or played a game of chess with my father. I’d abandoned everything that we valued, seduced by the infinite delights of the Web.”

Run—don’t walk—when this hits shelves in June 2025!

Brown's writing is truly captivating. I enjoy the way she tells a story. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC. All the stars for this story!

This was another stay up all night and can not stop reading book from Janelle Brown. This was a mystery book that took Jane from the remote/ isolated life in Montana living with her father to the bustling city of San Francisco out on her own. This novel is about family and finding oneself and also about the power to change our destinies. The writing is excellent from the descriptions of Montana and the life there to Jane`s relationship with her father. I recommend this book and think it will be a top book of 2025!

Another unputdownable book by Janelle Brown! This smart, fast moving mystery is first set in an isolated cabin in Montana where Jane lives with her father. As the book goes on, the reader gets a taste of what Jane’s isolated life looks like, idealistic at first. As Jane grows older she is eager to see the bigger world out there and slowly learns more about her father and the reasons why they live is such isolation. The book is later set in silicone valley in the mid 1990’s in the midst of the early internet frontier. This book is expertly written and captivating.