I inhaled this book. So, so good. I grew up outside of SF in the '90s, and this was such a nostalgia-trip. It's incredible to me how deeply I related to Esme/Jane, given her circumstances. Brown was able to imbue what could have felt like a far-fetched premise with such realism and humanity. Plus, it was a totally fun ride. Genuinely didn't want to put it down.

Jane Williams is a teenager, living off grid with her father in the wilds of Montana in the mid 1990s. Saul Williams took Jane to Montana after the tragic death of his wife and her mother in a car accident, swearing to live a life free of technology and away from the outside influences of a world that he finds to be corrupt. Yearning for more freedom, and trying to understand her past better, Jane pushes at her boundaries with her father, until one day he allows her to come with him on one of his trips back to the world. However, Jane quickly learns that she doesn't really know her father as well as she thought, and new information about her own past comes to light as she flees from a horrible crime that her father committed. Jane finds herself in San Francisco, in a new world on the verge of a technological explosion as the World Wide Web and the internet tech bubble expands, while also trying to understand her own past and stay ahead of her father's choices.
This book was impossible to put down, with tense plotting and the single narrative of Jane as she lives with her father and then escapes from his world to make her own way in San Francisco. I very much enjoyed the nostalgia of a mid 1990s timeline, especially as it focused on the burgeoning world of internet tech. This book is also loosely based on a well-known crime from the time period, with the added twist of "what if the perpetrator had a daughter", and I found this book to be a very well thought out exploration of that concept. Overall, this is a high 4 star read for me!
Thank you to Random House and NetGalley for the electronic ARC of this novel for review.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC of What Kind of Paradise by Janelle Brown!

OK. Stop what you're doing and put this one on your To-Read list for June! What an interesting premise for a story. This one had me staying up late into the night telling myself "Just one more chapter!" because I had to keep reading.

I love a story that makes you question how you would respond to the situation a character was facing. This story had many twists and turns, several of them quite shocking. The main character is someone I was constantly rooting for but at times, yelling at. You could not predict at any moment what was coming and as someone who is constantly reading, I found that so refreshing.

I recommend this one for any type of reader. Engaging, suspenseful and an all-around fantastic novel! 4 very enthusiastic stars from me.

Excuse me while I pick up my jaw from the floor. 5 brilliant, blazing stars. Hands down one of the BEST books of the year. The writing was exquisite and immediately drew me in. The story centers around Jane who lives in a remote cabin in Montana with her reclusive father. As Jane gets older she starts asking questions about her mother, her fathers background, life before living in the cabin, and things aren’t adding up. Shocking secrets are revealed and a tragic event occurs that sends Jane on a quest to find out who she truly is. Centered around the time of the internet revolution that forever changed our world and the power it yielded for good and bad. Truly spectacular! Thank you NetGalley and publisher to this arc!

What Kind of Paradise is surely going to be one of my top books of 2025. Esme is a vivid and sympathetic character, with a strong voice and perspective. The plot is unique and creative, and the contrasting visions of the role technology will play in the future of humanity feel more relevant now than ever. I also wasn't expecting this book to make me reflect on parenthood in the way that it did -- what makes a good parent, the role parents play in our kids' lives, etc.

Overall, the book is eminently readable, with masterful storytelling, and I couldn't get enough of it. I'll certainly be checking out more of Janelle Brown's work in the future.

Jane has been raised way off grid by her father. He controls every bit of her life, from survival to what she reads. When you don't know what you're missing, and when all you know is what's been told to you, your entire life, you have no idea of how to function in society.

She starts to wonder what she might be missing, and it's difficult to tell if her dad has been protecting her, dealing with mental illness, or being selfish.

Circumstances lead Jane out on her own, trying to figure out what's right and wrong, or somewhere in between.

I loved this book, and like Janelle Brown. I would say this is one of her best, and it has a bit of everything. I couldn't stop reading it.

Thank you to Random House Publishing Group and NetGalley for a digital ARC of this title in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.

#NetGalley #WhatKindOfParadise #JanelleBrown #RandomHousePublishingGroup

3 ⭐️⭐️⭐️. This was my first book by Janelle Brown and sadly it was just okay to me. I think the synopsis is very intriguing but it was just a bit slow and a little boring with all the technology talk. I will say the second half was much better than the first. Also the ending was good. Didn’t hate this book, I just didn’t find it as exciting as I thought I would by reading the description.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review. Book will be released on June 10, 2025.

To see other reviews I’ve left; please check out my Instagram and Goodreads pages:
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Janelle Brown’s What Kind of Paradise is a mesmerizing, multi-layered novel that captivates from start to finish with its intricate plot, rich character development, and compelling themes. Brown crafts a deeply emotional and immersive story, blending suspense, family dynamics, and personal reinvention into a beautifully executed narrative.

The novel follows a woman named Kat, who, after a series of life-altering events, finds herself questioning everything she thought she knew about her life and identity. Set against the backdrop of a secluded, idyllic retreat in a remote paradise, Kat’s journey of self-discovery is filled with poignant moments, unexpected revelations, and emotional confrontations that resonate deeply.

Brown’s writing is exceptional, with lush descriptions that transport readers into the physical and emotional landscapes of the story. The setting itself, though beautiful and serene, serves as a reflection of the internal chaos that the characters experience, creating an atmosphere of tension and uncertainty. Every page is rich with atmosphere, perfectly capturing the push and pull between the peace of paradise and the unsettling truths that surface throughout the story.

The characters are complex and multi-dimensional, particularly Kat, whose inner conflict and evolving sense of self are explored with great depth. Brown does an excellent job of making readers empathize with her struggles while also challenging them to think about the complex nature of personal choices and the search for fulfillment. The relationships between the characters are equally nuanced, and their interactions are filled with emotional complexity that drives the plot forward.

The pacing of the novel is spot-on, maintaining a perfect balance between introspective moments and thrilling, tension-filled twists. The story builds steadily, each chapter revealing new layers and adding to the overarching mystery. There are unexpected twists that keep readers on the edge of their seat, making it hard to put the book down.

What truly sets What Kind of Paradise apart is its exploration of the deeper themes of self-worth, the pursuit of happiness, and the complex nature of human relationships. Brown doesn’t shy away from difficult questions about personal identity, grief, and the price of seeking redemption or transformation. The result is a novel that feels both deeply human and profoundly thought-provoking.

In conclusion, What Kind of Paradise is a stunning, emotionally resonant novel that showcases Janelle Brown’s exceptional storytelling skills. It’s a powerful, immersive experience that lingers long after the final page. For fans of richly layered literary fiction, this novel is a must-read—intelligent, compelling, and impossible to forget.

This is an interesting book about the role of technology on society. Is it destroying society’s ability to think and act freely? Or is it providing a means for society to grow and thrive?

I enjoyed the book. The characters were interesting and I was pulled into their dilemmas, especially Jane/Esme.

Much of the book was spent on intellectual discussions, sometimes requiring some deep thinking. I find myself somewhere in the middle. I like the many new ways to do so many of my daily tasks, especially those that are now so much easier. But I also see many of the very negatives that were part of the manifesto.

This was not my favorite book ever, but I am glad I read it and would recommend it. We all need to have some understanding of how technology is both good and evil, helpful and destructive.

Thank you to Net Galley for the copy to review.

I’ve become a big fan of Janelle Brown! This latest book of hers was, unfortunately, not my favorite. It had an interesting premise, but the story felt drawn out to me, and the characters irritated me with their poor decisions. I wish I had liked it more!

Thank you very much to NetGalley and Random House Publishing for the advanced reader’s copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

As always, Janelle Brown writes so that you enjoy every word! This one was a little different, not as much mystery or romance, but still excellent, and a must read!

Brown's storytelling is both suspenseful and thought-provoking, delving into themes of trust, autonomy, and the complexities of parent-child relationships. As Jane uncovers the layers of her father's deceptions, she grapples with the duality of seeking truth while forging her own path in an unfamiliar world.​

What Kind of Paradise is not just a coming-of-age story but also a reflection on the choices we make in the face of societal change and the personal revolutions that define us. Brown's nuanced writing invites readers to ponder the cost of progress and the enduring quest for personal freedom.​
amazon.com

Verdict: A richly woven narrative that combines elements of mystery, family drama, and historical reflection, What Kind of Paradise is a testament to Janelle Brown's storytelling prowess. Highly recommended for readers seeking an immersive and thought-provoking read.

another banger by janelle, had a great time as usual. tough to talk about without spoilers but suffice to say i will be tuning into whatever she writes next as well

Thank you NetGalley and Publisher for allowing me to read and review this book.

Like all of the other Janelle Brown books I have read, this was engaging from start to finish.

Jane lives in Montana cabin with her father. They live off the land and philosophy books her father teaches her in lieu of a formal eduction. As she grows into teenager years, she begins to wonder exactly why they live away from everything and where her father goes when he leaves her alone.

I loved this one and could not put it down for the beginning. It’s a coming of age story in an unusual situation, which is always appealing, but there’s so much more to it; crime (which feels like true crime because it’s so realistic), suspense, action, first romance, and unique family relationships, old and new. There’s also a lot of philosophy and conflict about the advantages, and perils, of technology during the dot com boom.

“Faith in the people you adore doesn’t disappear slowing, with each tiny disappointment; instead it collapsed all at once, like the final snowfall that triggers an avalanche when the weight suddenly becomes too much to bear.”

What Kind of Paradise comes out 6/10

FIVE HUNDRED STARS!!! This book is what so many other books strive to be. Hear that, Where the Crawdads Sing? This story is all the feels in the best ways! Every single page is worth reading. No dull, draggy parts. I am still not ready to say goodbye to Jane!! Jane grows up with her dad, mostly off the grid, in the woods of Montana. She has very little experience with the outside world. As she enters her teens, she gets more and more curious and begins asking some questions about where she came from, is her mom really dead, stuff like that. Her dad does something terrible and she becomes an unwitting accessory. What follows is a super-suspenseful thriller/coming of age story that I could not put down and want to pick back up and read again! I have been a huge Janelle Brown fan for a while, Pretty Things is one of my favorite books, but she knocks it out of the park with this one! As I said, I absolutely loved Jane! Each time she did or thought something that made think there was just no way, all was explained and made perfect sense. I rooted SO hard for her. Her father is written so well, that you can still feel for him and the futility of what he thinks he is accomplishing even as he does horrible acts. This story takes place in the early nineties as we are just beginning to experience the impact of the internet and that boundless technology. I was in my early 20's during that time and loved reliving that newness here. Many questions are brought up that I am finding myself asking now in my real life, such as how much AI is too much and how far is it going to go? This may be my favorite book of 2025, and it is only February. Do not let this book languish in your TBR pile!! READ IT!!

Thank you to #NetGalley, Janelle Brown and Random House Publishing Group for this much-loved ARC. All opinions are my own.

I will post my review to Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Instagram and other retail and social media sites upon publication day of June 10, 2025.

Very engaging and interesting read. Very well developed and ambitious. Will be recommending to library collection and patrons.

This is a hard one for me to rate. I really enjoyed the first half of this book which follows Jane into discovering her life isn’t what she thought it was. I was reminded of These Silent Woods in the first half but as Jane finds more of herself and connections around her it lost a little steam for me. I just didn’t love how it wrapped up and it missed bit of emotion that I think makes books 5 star vs 4 for me.

Can you ever escape legacy?
Jane has spent all the life she remembers in a cabin in the woods of Montana. Her father tells her very little about her late mother and their former life, instead focusing on homeschooling her in philosophy, survival skills, and self-reliance. He never tells her what he's doing when he goes away for days, but he constantly warns her about technology and its inevitable destructive force on humanity.
One day her father brings home a computer, hoping to use it to further his message, but inadvertently opens up a whole new world and skill and connections for Jane. At 17, all the questions in her mind come to a head, and she finally convinces her father to take her with him on one of his trips, and the trajectory of her life is changed forever.
At what point in trying to keep someone safe from what you believe to be controlling and destructive do you become controlling and destructive?
I absolutely loved Jane's strength and her determination to see things for herself. Jane's family was so broken, yet she always kept her own head above water and survived.
This was my first of Janelle Brown's books, but I will definitely be reading more. It's a brilliant read, that brought up so many questions on the effects pop culture and technology have on who we are as people. I will be buying a copy for my own library, and well as one to donate to the public library where I work. It is a must read.
Thank you to Netgalley and Random House for the ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This book takes you on a journey of a young woman who is raised by a man who she later comes to realize is not what he seems and there are many secrets he is keeping from her. This book delves into topics including inequality, the ethics of technological advancement, and the cost of chasing success and we see the consequences first hand through Jane's eyes. This was a thought provoking, emotional read that had me routing for Jane but also being distraught for her knowing that some of the scenarios she was being put in were not okay and she was oblivious to stop them.

This was definitely an interesting read for me in another way considering I worked at Microsoft for several years and while it wasn't during the time frame of this book, I found myself more invested in the story because of it.

This book reminded me of the book "The Mosquito Coast" by Paul Theroux in some parts so I suggest giving that one a read if you loved this book and are looking for something similar.

Thank you NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Random House | Random House for access to the ARC in exchange for an honest review.