I am a huge fan of Janelle Brown. This was Tara Westover's Educated as the child of the unabomber. Such a great read. I devoured it!

4.5 Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for my honest review. This was a smart book, clearly written by someone with a deep understanding of both the promise and perils of our digital future.

I liked the main character a lot and thought her transition into the world outside of isolated existence made so much sense. You understand how she still loves her father and the reader knows that not all of his fears are the ravings of an irrational man. We get his perspective and see the complexity behind the deranged acts.

Really recommend this novel.

*Contains spoilers* Such a great concept for a book, and so well done! This book is definitely a love letter to 90s San Francisco, and is an interesting perspective on the dawn of the internet age. I loved how complex Jane is as a character, and how complicated her relationship with her father (and eventually her mother) is. There is no black and white villain, and I appreciate that it's both hard to like and hard to hate Saul. I did think that the romantic relationship between Jane/Esme and Lionel was a bit predictable, but I suppose it makes sense considering he helped her out, and they shared a lot of interests. I think there was a big risk in making their dynamic unbalanced, since she was so vulnerable and new to the "real world," but I think in the end it didn't come off as creepy (which I was afraid of). Despite being primarily set in the 90s, a lot of what is said about technology is surprisingly topical given the explosion of AI, and makes the whole villain arc of Saul all the more complex. A really compelling read!

I think this could be her best book . It is a layered and complex story that explores the complexities of human relationships and how they grow and evolve. This one makes you think
Thanks yo Netgalley and the publisher for letting me read this book

4.75

setting: Montana and California
rep: n/a

two five stars in a row? April is shaping up to be a great reading month! I came across this on netgalley and was drawn in by the cover first, then the synopsis. I was instantly gripped from the first page - I really liked the protagonist's narrative voice and her depth of character. I think fans of Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow will love this!

What Kind of Paradise by Janelle Brown is a beautifully written and emotionally rich novel that explores family, secrets, and the complexity of human relationships. Brown’s writing style is vivid and immersive, pulling you into the lives of the characters with depth and nuance. I loved how the story alternates between different perspectives, each voice adding layers to the central mystery. The characters are flawed and relatable, each struggling with their own desires and regrets, which made them feel incredibly real. The themes of forgiveness and self-discovery are explored with such sensitivity that I couldn’t help but be drawn in. It’s a thoughtful, moving read that’s both poignant and insightful, leaving a lasting impression long after you’ve finished.

This book started a little slow, but once it picked up momentum I couldn’t put it down. Really enjoyed the philosophical/political theory discussions; I studied the same in grad school and thought they were expertly woven into the narrative. Jane’s struggle to understanding her life, her relationship with her parents was so compelling and resonant. Even though we experienced different things in our lives, the desire and struggle to be loved and the way it influences our behavior affects us all.

As someone who has interacted with anarchist ideas quite a lot, the depiction of Jane’s father and struggle over his ideas was very well done. I have heard the justifications her father has made before and go back and forth on what I truly think about them. While the oncoming technological revolution did have many harmful consequences (surveillance, algorithms promoting nationalism/anti-semitism/conspiracy theories, AI ripping from and undermining artists), they have also produced many positive things (shared communities, dissemination of information, opportunities to connect for marginalized identities, accessibility gains). I also don’t think it is reasonable to punish someone for the harm that may come from their actions, only harm that has already been inflicted. There is more nuance to the topic than I could reasonably expect the author to cover, but I think it was pretty well done. I do think the ending came together quite quickly and could have used some further discussion or explanation of Jane’s ideas and experience after the main narrative of the book ended.

I loved Janelle Brown's other books so I couldn't wait to read this new one! I wasn't disappointed. A teenage girl has been living with her father for most of her life. They were living isolated in the backwoods of Montana in an off the grid cabin. As she gets older she has questions about their past and about her presumed dead mother. As she starts gathering clues about that past, she decides to break out and do some exploring on her own. Will she get the answers she needs? Thanks to @NetGalley for the ARC of this book. I couldn't put it down. I love the fast pace of the writing.

What Kind of Paradise by Janelle Brown is a brilliant, twisty, and emotionally resonant novel that explores the illusions we build—both online and in our relationships—and the painful truths that lie beneath them. The characters are deeply human and morally complex, making every reveal hit with emotional weight. It’s a smart, gripping read that lingers long after the final page—easily a five-star standout.

I did really enjoy the writing in this and it was something different from this author than what I’m used to. However I just find this trope to be getting tired and was expecting something different!

This is one of my favorite reads of the year to date. What of the unabomber had a teen daughter secluded in the wilds of Montana? What would her life look like if she escaped? How would she matriculate into society and come to grips with her upbringing?

This book combines family drama, radicalized political characters, and new friendships forged from dire situations.

Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Random House for an advanced copy of this gem!

5 ⭐️
Expected publication date - June 10, 2025

WHAT I LOVED - I loved the mystery... Why are this young girl and her father living so remotely in Montana? Why are they hiding from the feds? What were they doing before this?

WHAT I LIKED - I enjoyed watching the MFC go from accepting the life her father chose for her to rebellion against his rules while she searched for answers on her own.

WHAT I DISLIKED - How much I tended to agree with the father... not the paranoid delusions or violence, but the solitude of life in the forest, not constantly connected to everyone, all the time.

WOULD I RECOMMEND? Yes. Maybe because I am roughly the same age as the MFC, and I remember how quickly technology took off, for the better and the worse.

A sheltered teenage girl raised off the grid comes to a eye opening reality about the world she thought she was part of. I found Jane's struggle quite realistic and the Unabomber-like story more interesting when witnessed by a naive loved one. Her struggles with a vast amount of 'book knowledge' not helping her transition to worldly success was frustrating to watch.

This is a well written novel that gives us deep characters and an early glimpse at the internet and the ways it affected the world.

'Which is true? Is it possible it could be both?'

'Looking back now, can I blame myself for believing this? After all, I was a very good student, and I'd only ever had one teacher.'

'The longing for love is a flawed piece of human coding.'

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group for an early copy in exchange for an honest review.

I don't want to say a lot, I feel this is the kind of story that is best when readers don't know much about the plot, only to be told to go with it, let the story twist and open up and go in directions you might not expect as Jane's story unfolds.

Thank you to Random House for What Kind of Paradise by Janelle Brown — I can already tell this will be one of my top reads of the year. It’s the kind of story that lingers long after the final page. I was completely drawn in by the layered, nuanced portrayal of Jane and her journey.

What could have been a straightforward fictional take on a Unabomber-type narrative becomes something much deeper in Brown’s hands. Her storytelling brings empathy, compassion, and even grief to the forefront, all while skillfully building suspense and tension.

A slow-burn character study with emotionally resonant moments, What Kind of Paradise also thoughtfully explores societal trends and delivers a powerful, well-earned conclusion to a complex tale.

Since the age of 4, Jane has grown up in an isolated cabin with only her dad for company. He has taught her about philosophers and instilled in her the belief that much of the outside world is the enemy. Now, at 17, in the 1990s, her self-proclaimed Luddite father brings home a personal computer. Although she’s had a loving upbringing, Jane uses this new technology as a portal to explore the outside world and, ultimately, to plan her escape.

What an amazing book! It really makes you think about technology and our growing dependence on it. Is technology the answer to everything, as things continue to advance? Or is it the enemy? Or, perhaps, it's somewhere in the middle. A lot of this book takes place in the late 1990s, which is when I was in high school, so I really connected with the time period—the rise of early home computers, chat rooms, and the internet.

I think this would be an excellent book club selection, as there’s so much to discuss!

This book publishes June 3rd, while you wait, I recommend Brown's previous thrillers, I'll Be You and Pretty Things, both are excellent!

Thank you for this ARC! I found the premise to be very interesting. I love books that take place in nature, although that wasn't the majority of the story here. I think this could be a great book club book, as there is a lot to think about regarding the internet, AI and our dependence on technology. This was a unique story with great character development and fast paced plot. I recommend it!

This. Book. Is so good. This is the exact formula I need in a book. It was eery in a not obvious way (does this even make sense?), focused on childhood, parenthood, our perceptions of the world BECAUSE of our parents. I couldn’t put this book down & highly recommend.

I thought this book was really excellent. I loved the development of the main character. It was thriller, but much much more so. So many emotions and ideas. Coming of age. Father/daughter relationship. Community. Family. So very good.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House for the digital advanced reader copy.

I usually like Janelle Brown's books but the pacing felt off and it was hard for me to get into the book. I was not a fan of the father and that threw me off really wanting to like the book. It wasn't bad but it just wasn't for me.

Jane lives in an isolated world with her father. But when she learns the truth and leaves, she has to figure out things on her own.
The pacing was slow in the beginning but it keeps you moving through.

Thanks NetGalley for this ARC.