In this fun and tropey vacation romance novel, readers will love the adventures of Dee Donovan, the “wild” twin desperate to prove her father and her sister’s business partner Jem wrong. Convincing Jem to be her fake boyfriend to seal a business deal in Greece, Jem and Dee have to figure out if they can even stand each other for twenty-four hours that soon turns into days when a storm traps them on the island and forces them to deal with their good and bad feelings for each other. As their relationship changes and their time on the island runs out, Dee and Jem have to figure out what this relationship means for them when they return to reality. Spicy, steamy, and entertaining, Christy McKellan has once again brought some fantastic characters to life in this new romance novel. Her characters are, of course, the stars of the book, and their changing relationship and chemistry pulls readers into the story. The setting and tropes are great additions to their relationship, and the drama is absolutely perfect in ways which readers will love. Spicy and entertaining, romance readers will absolutely love this new book from Christy McKellan and be immersed in the characters’ changing relationship.

Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for this e-arc in exchange for my honest review.

A very short (too short for any real developments) summer romance - 2 strangers are stuck together in a hotel room because of a storm... and well, they hooked up and so on. I cringed more than I laughed, and I can't even remember a character name so this obviously wasn't the book for me.

Delve into this quirky romantic escape...with Greece as it's beautiful backdrop, this is a lovely little holiday read.

I just finished The Paradise Hook-Up and I really enjoyed it! The story is set in Greece, and you can really feel it—the sun, the sea, the beach… it immediately pulls you in.

The plot follows Dee and Jem, who pretend to be a couple to secure a business deal. Of course, things don’t go exactly as planned, and sparks start flying between them. I really enjoyed the chemistry between the characters, and the flirty tension made it so addictive to read.

What I loved most is that it stays light and fun while still having moments of warmth and emotion. It’s not a super deep book, but it was exactly what I needed to escape into a summer story.

The only thing I didn’t love as much was that some parts of the ending felt a bit rushed, and I sometimes wanted to know more about the characters’ backgrounds. But overall, that didn’t take away from my enjoyment of the book.

All in all, I’m giving this book four stars. It’s a fun, light romcom that’s perfect for a relaxing afternoon or a vacation read. I’d definitely recommend it if you like tropical settings, flirty romance, and a bit of humor.

When I started this book, I did wonder if I'd picked up the wrong thing. Don't get me wrong, Bath, where this begins, is lovely, but it's not exactly Paradise. It's not long before our couple, Dee and Jem find themselves on a beautiful island.
I loved Dee and Jem as a couple. It was a refreshing change to have the hero as the inexperienced one and it worked really well here. Jem is a bit of an annoying idiot at times, but things come right in the end and I really enjoyed following their story.
I received a complimentary copy of this book through NetGalley. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own and given voluntarily.

3.5 stars

This is a delightful enemies-to-lovers meets fake dating romance that makes for a fun and breezy summer read. Both Dee and Jem are well-drawn characters with meaningful backstories that add emotional depth. Dee’s desire to establish her own identity apart from being an identical twin felt particularly relatable, while Jem’s role as a long-time caregiver offered insight into his guarded nature.

Although I appreciated the character development, the story overall felt a bit rushed—I would have loved a little more time for the relationship to fully unfold. I also found myself wishing for an epilogue to offer closure and a glimpse into their future, but unfortunately, one wasn’t included.

Still, it’s an enjoyable read with heart and charm, especially for fans of classic romantic tropes with a bit of substance.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC.

A sweet and wonderfully written story, perfect for summer! The story is beautifully written and humorous, with a great setting and endearing characters. I really liked that the book was written from the perspective of Dee and Jem, and I loved their chemistry together.
Thank you to NetGalley, Boldwood Books, and Christy McKellen for this ARC.

Thanks for the ARC from Netgalley.

This is a short romance read that I quite enjoyed, due to the hunk who has not had a girlfriend before ever and ends up being trained by the "evil" twin sister of the girl he has a crush on. How .... messy. But luckily there is no messy plot in the end, because the girl he has a crush on was just a one-sided admiration situation until he encountered some real, physical action and he gets to know the twin sister more and realises she is more than who he thought she was.

Being trapped in a storm on an island is a good way to force them to get to know each other - it either becomes a murder or a romance.

Good for a summer read by the poolside!

Having met Dee's twin sister, Bea, in the other book in this series,' Best Mistake Ever', it was fun to see what happens to Dee in this book. Forced to spend time with Bea's business partner, Jem and her Dad, who doesn't seem to value her, on a private island, she wants to prove her worth, and not just to her Dad. There is a slow-burning chemistry between Dee and Jem, which sizzles and leads to spicy romance. The emotional commitment is slower to take hold because both have issues, but proximity and a gradual understanding of the other prevail, and love wins. I like the characters, the conflicts and the island setting, giving this a holiday feel.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher.

The Paradise Hook Up by Christy McKellen is a fun beach read.

Delilah has a twin sister, Bea. Delilah is used to being the wild twin, but after a fashion mishap she breaks her foot and comes to stay with her twin sister Bea. With Delilah's job on the line, Bea pretends to be Delilah in order to save her job. Meanwhile Delilah is recovering on Bea's couch, and bothering Bea's business partner Jem. To say Jem dislikes Delilah is an understatement.

When her dad shows up unexpectedly and finds Jem and Delilah in a compromising position, they decide to keep the fake dating ruse going not only to her dad but also to his work colleagues. What was supposed to be a super short trip is extended when a storm rolles in and they are unexpectedly stuck.

Overall I found this book to be a light beach read, I thought the enemeies to lovers went way to quickly and that there wasnt enough enemies part first. If you dont mind that and enjoy the hot and cold of a fake relationship then this may be the read for you.

I received an advanced reader copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion and review.

This is a fun, flirty, and trope-filled romantic escape. Set against the backdrop of a sun-soaked Greek island, it brings together Dee—the bold, carefree twin—and Jem, her sister’s straight-laced business partner, in a delicious enemies-to-lovers, fake-dating setup. Their chemistry is immediate, and the forced proximity and one-bed situation only intensify the slow-burn tension in all the right ways. Dee’s confident charm and Jem’s buttoned-up reserve clash and spark with every interaction, making for entertaining banter and steamy build-up.

While the story doesn’t stray far from familiar romantic beats, it delivers exactly what it promises: lighthearted, fast-paced fun with plenty of spice and heart. It’s a great pick for readers looking for a quick, escapist read with humor, heat, and satisfying romantic payoff—plus, no frustrating third-act breakup. If you love vacation romances with big personalities and even bigger sparks, this one's worth picking up.

The Paradise Hook-Up by Christy McKellen is a scorching enemies-to-lovers romance set against the sun-soaked backdrop of Greece. Dee Donovan, the rebellious “wild” twin, enlists her sister’s business partner, Jem, to fake a relationship in order to secure a crucial deal. What starts as a 24-hour charade quickly becomes complicated when a storm traps them together, forcing them to confront years of simmering tension in one bed. McKellen skillfully blends humor, heat, and heartfelt moments, creating a dynamic that is both playful and emotionally satisfying.
The novel shines in its witty dialogue, engaging forced proximity setup, and the unique twist of a teacher-student dynamic in the bedroom. Dee’s confidence contrasts perfectly with Jem’s surprising inexperience, adding layers to their evolving connection. For fans of Tessa Bailey, Christina Lauren, and Ali Hazelwood, this novel delivers the perfect mix of spicy romance, fun banter, and a stunning Greek setting. It promises to be a standout release for 2025 in the contemporary romance category.

An unexpected love story from the enemies-to-lovers trope. Delilah and Jem hate each other. Delilah doesn’t like Jem because of his arrogant nature toward her, and Jem hates Delilah because he believes she takes advantage of her sister Bea’s helpful nature.

Delilah (Dee) had a rough life at home, her parents divorced, and the sisters were separated. Dee stayed with their mom, while Bea lived with their dad. Dee’s father has always favored Bea more.

One day, Dee sprains her ankle, and Bea being a good sister, offers to fill in at Dee’s workplace since they’re identical twins. Meanwhile, Dee is staying at Bea’s home, which is more convenient. Bea’s office is also in her house, where she and Jem work together. Now, Dee and Jem are forced to spend time together.

Things get interesting as their mutual hatred slowly evolves into a fake relationship, making it an engaging and entertaining read.

4.5/5
The Paradise Hook-up
By Christy McKellen

This summer enemies to lovers set on a greek island. I ate this book up could not put it down. It was funny and spicy at the same time. Dee is trying to prove everybody wrong especially her father, so she ships off to help close a business deal but has a pretend boyfriend Jem. I love that they got trapped in paradise and it really forced them to become closer. I truly didn’t want this book to be over because it was such a good read.

Thank you NetGalley and Boldwood Books for this ARC in exchange for my honest review. All words are my own.

Who doesn't love a cover like this for summer reads?! This kind of fell flat for me and maybe it was just the timing that I read this book. Will check out the audio version to give another honest review.

Thanks to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This was fun and quick read with an enemies to lovers storyline - I breezed through it in one sitting.

Loved this book. Thanks for the arc copy. Can’t wait to post more about this closer to release date. Look for the review on my Instagram.

The Paradise Hookup by Kristy McKellen had an interesting premise, but the romance felt a bit forced and overly guided just to make the story work. The plot flipped the usual roles—with the FMC being the experienced one and the MMC a virgin—which was a refreshing twist, but the way the relationship developed didn’t quite land for me.

At times, the FMC’s insistence on pursuing the MMC felt hard to relate to and, honestly, even a little uncomfortable or awkward. The emotional connection just wasn’t there in a way that made the romance feel believable.

That said, it's a short, light read—good if you're just looking for something to pass the time without expecting too much depth or excitement.

McKellen does a great job of being able to incorporate multiple tropes into one novel. They do blend together well. It is refreshing to have a work where the male main character is the inexperienced partner. I enjoy the depth she gives to both Dee and Jem. What I would have absolutely loved would have been a chapter from Dee's sister. Dee is not my favorite literary character but I do enjoy Jem and how he has dealt with the challenges in his life. Jem is my favorite part of this book!

This was, sadly, a miss for me. I am by no means looking for high brow with my romances, but this just felt rushed and unrealistic. (Based on the authors mentioned in the blurb here, I thought I would be into this! I absolutely LOVE Ali Hazelwood and always have a good time reading a Tessa Bailey or Christina Lauren book.) Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC!