This is a captivating book that grabbed me right from the start, and my interest never waned. It’s a story about family, technology, and finding one’s way in the world when all you know is what you’ve been taught. It’s also partly a mystery with all details being explained by the end. I’ve read two other books by Janelle Brown, and this was by far the best. The storytelling is top-notch and never loses steam.

Thank you to Random House and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

4.5 Crazy story of a girl brought up by an anarchist, isolationist father who finally gets to enter the real world as an 18 year old. Her childhood is a mix of beauty and learning mixed with hardship. I couldn’t put it down when she started into the world and wanted so much more of her life when the story ended.

Jane and her father live an isolated existence in a remote cabin in the Montana wilderness. They subsist largely off the land, off the grid and with almost no connection to anyone beyond one another, save for a few places in town that Jane is permitted to visit with her father. Jane’s father is staunch in his view of the world and of the ways he believes a technology-centered society will be a harbinger of destruction for humanity.

Now on the brink of adulthood, Jane is curious about the world outside of their remote existence, especially as she starts to get a taste for it by helping her father publish his manifesto on the internet - namely Geocities, a site this millennial remembers in the 90s when internet proliferation really took off.

The series of events that follow the publication of his beliefs and a trip to Seattle with her father - her first foray into a big city - goes horribly wrong and sends Jane’s world into a tailspin.

This offers her the chance to forge her own path in San Francisco during the dotcom boom of the late 90s, deconstructing her indoctrination and developing her own view of the world, building relationships and community, and reconnecting with the past she had little idea existed.

What Kind of Paradise was a great read from start to finish. Thank you to Random House and Netgalley for an advanced copy. Strongly recommend readers (of any kind!) pick up a copy this summer.

This was an entrancing story. I loved the concept—it felt refreshingly different from the norm. I also really enjoyed the setting in the dotcom era; it added a nostalgic and unique backdrop. There are so many great quotes throughout, and at its core, this is truly a coming-of-age story.

Thank you to Netgalley and Random House. This is out now!
P.S. It is also a Book Of The Month Choice for June!

17-year old Jane has been raised by her father in a cabin in remote Montana. Jane’s mom died when she was 4 and her father is very mistrusting of the “feds” and of technology. He is a smart man and has degrees from Harvard in three subjects and has taught Jane everything he knows. But Jane is itching to do and see more outside of their secluded life. When she accompanies her dad to Seattle when he is seeing a friend, things go very wrong when she is attacked and shoots the guy in self-defense. But what her dad has done is much, much worse.

This was really good. There was kind of a before and after section where life was very different for Jane. I could even almost agree with parts of her dad’s anti-technology rants (with hindsight), but of course he takes it to an extreme. I maybe would have liked a bit more in the wrap-up at the end

I love anything Brown writes and this was no except. While different then other work of hers, this coming of age story was heartbreaking.

Thank you @netgalley for my copy!

I didn't really know what to expect from this book, but was drawn to the title and cover. I tried starting it a few times and was at first having trouble getting into it, the beginning had this impending sense of doom but slow build that made me start and stop. But, once I got passed the 25% mark I was thoroughly hooked and finished in a day. I liked the commentary on technology, parenting choices, and free will. I can see this being a polarizing read for some, but I liked it.

Thank you Netgalley & Random House Publishing Group - Random House | Random House for the advanced reader copy.

What kind of paradise is my favorite of browns yet and I think this should propel her to a different tier. Reminiscent of the last thing he told me, this book is about a complex family and their secrets during the Silicon Valley dotcom boom. Jane lives isolated from the world with her dad after the death of her mother reading 19th century literature and watching 90s sitcoms. Her father is an extremist protecting Jane from the threat he views of the growing technology crisis even going so far as to publish a manifesto against it. Jane is shocked when her dad decides to take her out of their rural utopia and take a road trip to the west coast-the heart of everything he views as wrong. Suddenly, Jane’s entire world opens up and everything she thought she know and realizes was a lie.

I loved this book-fast-paced but told with heart and depth. The plot is absorbing-not a thriller-but a psychological family drama. You will feel empathy for Jane and I loved the setting of the dotcom boom San Fran and tech dystopian feel of the novel. Really well done!

Really well-done and highly recommend!

Janelle Brown is one of my favorite writers. I’ve given all her previous novels 5 stars, and What Kind of Paradise is no exception, though it definitely feels like a departure from her usual work. This one is intense. It's more raw, more emotional, and somehow both a slow-burning character study and a pulse-pounding journey of self-discovery. I literally couldn’t put it down and read the entire thing in one sitting.

Jane’s story is heartbreaking and riveting, especially as she begins to unravel the truth about her past and her father’s carefully constructed world. The Montana wilderness setting is beautifully rendered, as is Silicon Valley in its infancy. I also loved all the discourse about the destructive side of technology and found a lot of the AI stuff to be a little concerning. Really interesting to read at this time in history.

Brown’s writing is as sharp and immersive as ever, and she handles this heavier material with grace and grit. This powerful, haunting story is going to stay with me for a long time. I'd give it more than 5 stars if I could.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Random House for gifting me a digital ARC of Janelle Brown's latest, and do I dare say, best, novel. All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 5 stars!

Jane grew up with her father in an isolated cabin in Montana in the mid-1990s. She knows nothing of the outside world, is homeschooled by reading complex philosophy books, and has been trained to believe that technology is bad. As she grows older, she begs to accompany her father when he takes occasional trips away from the cabin. One such trip ends in disaster, and causes Jane to face unimaginable decisions.

This was a fantastic book. I really enjoyed the settings - from the isolated cabin to the beginnings of the tech world in San Francisco. It was so intriguing to look back on those early internet days and see how opinions varied about its value and effects on society.. Not too much different from today, with some of those worries coming true with the expansion of AI into our world. But at heart, it's all about Jane. Growing up kept away from anything worldly, with only her father's viewpoints, only to be thrust into a world where she understands nothing. This is a beautifully-written, perfectly plotted book that will have you thinking about it long after you close it. Be sure to read the author's note at the end as well. Highly recommended!

Thank you NetGalley and Random House for the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

I have read other books by Janelle Brown and enjoyed them, and I was not completely aware of the premise of this book, but I am so glad that I read it.

The story of Jane, a teenage girl, living in a remote cabin in Montana with her dad. Jane has not known any other like than living off the grid. Her dad is conspiracy theorist, with a distrust of authority and technology. Jane only knows what her dad has told her; that her mom died in a car accident and that they used to live in the Bay Area of California. When her dad brings home a computer to spread his manifesto to a wider audience, Jane discovers the internet and begins to see more to the world out there. And she also begins to question some of the things that her dad has told her.

When Jane’s dad commits a crime and must go on the run, Jane finds herself alone with some new knowledge of her true past. She heads to San Francisco. And her world opens up.

This was a fascinating book. I really could not wait to continue reading. The nostalgia of the 90’s and the tech boom in CA was so interesting to me (I do live in Northern CA after all.) And seeing the influence of famous news stories from the past was equally interesting.

Rated it 4.5 stars.

QUICK GLANCE-
My format: e-book ARC
Other formats- 📖Physical (368 pages) 🎧Audio (11 hours and 41 minutes)
Spice: 🌶️(fade to black)
Language: 🤐mild/moderate

MY THOUGHTS-
What Kind of Paradise was nothing like I expected! Having read Pretty Things by Janelle Brown, I anticipated a dark, twisty mystery—but this felt almost like a memoir, threading personal identity, unconditional love, and the weight of secrets through its coming-of-age journey.

Where do we draw the line between protecting our children from the world and holding them captive? When do we break away from inherited beliefs to forge our own moral compass? Jane and her father unravel these complex questions in a gripping story that kept me turning pages way past bedtime. If you love thought-provoking narratives that stay with you long after the final page, this one’s for you.

READ IF YOU LIKE-
💗Coming of Age
📱 Technology Boom of the 90s
💿 Nostalgic
🐻Wilderness
🗺️ Living Off the Grid

This ARC was provided by the publisher via @netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

When I heard this l described this as reminiscent of Liz Moore’s The Unseen World (one of my all time favorites) it went right to the top of my TBR. The similarities are apparent: a single father raising a daughter, set in a previous time period (the 1990s this time) and involving computers and some sort of mystery. I absolutely loved this book and devoured it in a matter of hours. I honestly believe it’s best to go in blind knowing as little as possible so for the plot I’ll just say that it involves a father and daughter living in rural Montana and the early days of the internet. The daughter begins to realize she doesn’t know as much as she thinks she does about her father and high stakes drama ensues. A literary thriller, this is a bit “flashier” than The Unseen World but completely propulsive - a very worthy summer beach (or anywhere) read!

Very interesting story with mystery and nostalgia. The female main character was a fantastic narrator and character. Very engrossing with a satisfying end.

This is a slow burn coming of age mystery story taking place during the early years of the internet and approaching silicon valley boom.

A hermetic and paranoid father who believes technology is the bane of mankind and will ruin the existence of humanity. (Maybe not too wrong) lives in the woods where he raises his young daughter, Jane. However, as the years go by, he makes some big choices that flings his overly-sheltered daughter, who is now a teen, into some compromising situations, resulting in a journey of sudden independence and uncovering some dark truths about who she is.

This story explores themes of technological advancement and its impact on humanity, as well as identity, family, and friendship. I wish I could give more info, but this character study of a novel is best experienced with no spoilers. The writing was really great, which is how I always feel about Janelle Brown books. She's an autobuy author for me.

It's been awhile since I've read a book I couldn't put down but this was so well done and immersive that I couldn't stop! We first meet Jane as a 17 year old being raised by her Dad in a remote cabin in the woods in Montana. Her mom has died in a car accident and thereafter he decided to leave society behind. He's become a bit of a recluse since then, publishing a luddite newsletter that decries the use of technology and predicts that AI will rule all. It's a bit forboding if you look at today's society. He leaves Jane alone for a week at a time to go 'get supplies' and 'distribute his newsletter'.

One day she goes through his desk and finds paperwork that indicates her name is not really Jane and her mom might be alive. Thus begins her quest to escape and discover the real world. This book reminded me a bit of that show 'Hanna', without the violence. As Jane makes friends and enemies on her journey, you are rooting for her and frightened for her, as she is no naive and easily taken advantage of, yet so smart. Her father at this point might also be wanted by the police, so there's that. She finds good samaritans along the way and you can't stop reading this to find out if she makes it ok.

It's about relationships, society, trust, and so many other themes. I'm imaging this as a movie or series and it would be very entertaining and binge-worthy. It's a suspenseful page turner with captivating characters and story development. Highly recommended!

Growing up in an isolated cabin in Montana in the mid 1990's, Jane only knows the world they live in. With no technology, growing their own food, homeschooling and removed from most of the world. Her father is elusive about their past but Jane insists on going with him on one of his 'trips' one day and he reluctantly agrees. The trip opens up a whole new world to Jane and she realises that her devotion to her father has made her an accomplice to a horrific crime. As she searches for answers in San Francisco, secrets are uncovered and she must question everything she has ever known.

This was SO darned clever!! Living in the wilderness and essentially off-grid, wasn't a new concept, but as the story evolved, you begin to appreciate the set-up and the masterful way the author intertwines the past and present in the story. So many surprises and also so much to contemplate in this one.
A FABULOUS novel by the author and one I will be thinking about for some time to come.

This was my first time reading Janelle Brown, and it definitely won me over. The story follows Jane, who lives with her father in a remote Montana cabin, completely cut off from her past. All she knows is that they once lived in San Francisco and that her mother died in a tragic car accident. But as Jane grows older, doubts creep in about the version of her life her father has painted. When she discovers her dad’s criminal past, Jane makes a bold decision to flee to San Francisco to uncover the truth about her origins.

Brown’s writing is compelling and immersive—not in an overly ornate way, but with a clarity and emotional depth that pulls you in and won’t let go. The novel defies easy categorization, blending literary mystery, coming-of-age themes, and a touch of romance seamlessly. Beyond the plot, it raises provocative questions about the impact of technology and the internet on our lives, adding a modern layer of relevance.

The suspense is carefully and masterfully built, as Brown peels back the complex layers of family secrets with subtle precision. This isn’t just a thriller or mystery; it’s a poignant exploration of how parental choices ripple across generations and whether we can ever truly escape the shadows of our past. While the story unfolds at a measured, slow-burn pace, it’s a richly rewarding read that kept me engaged throughout. Plus, the nostalgic nods to the ’90s add a charming backdrop that fans of the decade will appreciate.

Thanks to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group for the eARC.

Wow.

This is the kind of book that deserves no spoilers. It is a story that will stick far beyond its end. It was so well done. 5/5.

Wow! My first book of the month and this one was awesome! From the beginning Janelle Brown had me hooked and I devoured every page after.

Saul and Jane, a father and daughter living off the grid in rural Montana have a peaceful existence, but that is soon to change . Jane, quickly becoming an adult, is anxious to venture out and see what all the world has to offer. Meanwhile, Saul is getting older and becoming more radical in his opinions about technology.

A former Harvard graduate and member of a group of brilliant Silicon Valley workers, Saul has raised Jane with lies, while at the same time filling her head with his beliefs about the danger of technology. When Saul decides to take a steps to advance his beliefs, he manages to get Jane tangled up in a dangerous crime.

Jane escapes from her father and begins to live her own life, while at the same time attempting to stop her father and do the right thing. Great story and wonderful ending!

Many thanks to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group-Random House for allowing me to read an advance copy. I am pleased to review this and recommend to other readers.