Status
Available
Call number
Genres
Collection
Publication
Walker & Company (2011), 272 pages
Description
Romance. Young Adult Fiction. Young Adult Literature. HTML: A move to a small seaside town gives Billie a chance at a new life and new love�??until the undertow of the past pulls her toward a shocking secret. When sixteen-year-old Billie Paradise unexpectedly inherits her grandmother's house, it couldn't come at a better time. With her stepdad abroad and her mom starting to lose it, moving from their cramped London apartment to an old house by the sea seems serendipitous. Maybe Billie, as she navigates the small-town social scene and falls for a certain intriguing older boy, can even find the father she never met. But her mom's remote childhood home, which she left in haste before Billie was born, harbors hints of suspicious long-ago deaths and family secrets. As Billie's story unfolds, flowing back and forth in time and through alternate points of view, it becomes clear that while people may die, the past lives forever.… (more)
User reviews
LibraryThing member booktwirps
When Billie Paradise receives a key to her grandmother's home, it seems things may finally turn around for her. What Billie doesn't understand is why her grandmother left the house to her seeing as how they'd never met. Billie's mother left home when she discovered she was pregnant and didn't
Billie is surprised to see how grand the house is. It's hard to believe that her mother could have grown up in the house seeing as how they've barely been able to pay rent or keep food on the table the last several years. As Billie begins to investigate her mother's past, she meets Danny and a sweet romance begins to blossom. But can Danny save her from the shocking truth of the family secrets she's about to uncover?
I wasn't sure what to expect when I picked up Paradise, but I must say I was very pleasantly surprised. Ms. Nadin's writing is beautiful, and after a while, I found myself so immersed in her prose that I probably would have kept reading even if the plot totally fell apart (which it didn't).
Another thing that Ms. Padin does effortlessly is alternate between past and present. The present is all told from Billie's POV, but the snippets of the past vary, giving us a glimpse into Billie's families past lives. This is where the mystery deepens, and where a lot of the juicy stuff happens. While I really liked all of the characters, I wish I had connected with Billie a little more. I almost felt like she was keeping me at a distance, which may have been considering her character. If this was Ms. Padin's intention, it worked brilliantly. My other complaint was the ending which felt more like a summary, and also felt a little rushed. I just didn't feel that it was as fleshed out as it could have been, though it is still satisfying.
This is a quick and easy read, perfect for a rainy day. It's a perfect blend of contemporary romance, family secrets and a mystery that didn't really feel like a mystery, but still held a nice punch when the reveal takes place.
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return. Even though she is reluctant to leave the flat in London and all of her friends, Billie knows that moving to the house might do her family some good. Her mother has changed -- dealing with her new husband who travels constantly has taken a toll on her. Getting away will be good for her mother and Billie's younger brother Finn. Billie sees this as a chance to not only help her mother, but maybe answer a few questions that have bothered Billie for years. Namely, who was her father, why did her mother leave her hometown, and how did her mother's brother, Will, die?Billie is surprised to see how grand the house is. It's hard to believe that her mother could have grown up in the house seeing as how they've barely been able to pay rent or keep food on the table the last several years. As Billie begins to investigate her mother's past, she meets Danny and a sweet romance begins to blossom. But can Danny save her from the shocking truth of the family secrets she's about to uncover?
I wasn't sure what to expect when I picked up Paradise, but I must say I was very pleasantly surprised. Ms. Nadin's writing is beautiful, and after a while, I found myself so immersed in her prose that I probably would have kept reading even if the plot totally fell apart (which it didn't).
Another thing that Ms. Padin does effortlessly is alternate between past and present. The present is all told from Billie's POV, but the snippets of the past vary, giving us a glimpse into Billie's families past lives. This is where the mystery deepens, and where a lot of the juicy stuff happens. While I really liked all of the characters, I wish I had connected with Billie a little more. I almost felt like she was keeping me at a distance, which may have been considering her character. If this was Ms. Padin's intention, it worked brilliantly. My other complaint was the ending which felt more like a summary, and also felt a little rushed. I just didn't feel that it was as fleshed out as it could have been, though it is still satisfying.
This is a quick and easy read, perfect for a rainy day. It's a perfect blend of contemporary romance, family secrets and a mystery that didn't really feel like a mystery, but still held a nice punch when the reveal takes place.
Show Less
LibraryThing member arlenadean
Author: Joanna Nadin
Published By: Walker & Company
Age Recommended: YA (some language)
Reviewed By: Arlena Dean
Book Blog For: GMTA
Rating: 4
Review:
"Paradise" by Joanna Nadin was a good contemporary fiction read. This author gave us a well written read that full of mystery, family secrets and even some
was her father", why did her mother leave her hometown, why did her mother's brother...Will die?, and just why the grandparents that were never spoken of? You will find that "Paradise" will take you on a wide up and down ride that will give you various points of views from Billie, her mother, grandmother Eleanor and also the cast characters from Alexander, Jonty, Tom and others in this good story. As Billie falls, in love...will her love be tested when the truth about her family starts to come out? This is where I say you must you must pick up "Paradise" to see all the what, where, why and how to this well written read. Yes, this may have been a little predictable with this dysfunctional family but it still was a good read that I enjoyed reading. Be ready for family secrets and lies that will all come out in the end.
If you are in for a good quick and easy read you have come to the right place for "Paradise" will give you that and so much more. Be ready for the big bang in the end only to give you the real truths about this family and yes, I would recommend "Paradise" to you as a good read for the YA.
Published By: Walker & Company
Age Recommended: YA (some language)
Reviewed By: Arlena Dean
Book Blog For: GMTA
Rating: 4
Review:
"Paradise" by Joanna Nadin was a good contemporary fiction read. This author gave us a well written read that full of mystery, family secrets and even some
Show More
romance in this well captivating read that moves from present to past. This novel was written very cleverly. You will only have to pick up this read to see what I am speaking of. Billie Paradise, a sixteen year old from London had inherited a house in Cornwall from her grandmother Eleanor...Now maybe Billie can get some question answered she had long wondered of ... namely just whowas her father", why did her mother leave her hometown, why did her mother's brother...Will die?, and just why the grandparents that were never spoken of? You will find that "Paradise" will take you on a wide up and down ride that will give you various points of views from Billie, her mother, grandmother Eleanor and also the cast characters from Alexander, Jonty, Tom and others in this good story. As Billie falls, in love...will her love be tested when the truth about her family starts to come out? This is where I say you must you must pick up "Paradise" to see all the what, where, why and how to this well written read. Yes, this may have been a little predictable with this dysfunctional family but it still was a good read that I enjoyed reading. Be ready for family secrets and lies that will all come out in the end.
If you are in for a good quick and easy read you have come to the right place for "Paradise" will give you that and so much more. Be ready for the big bang in the end only to give you the real truths about this family and yes, I would recommend "Paradise" to you as a good read for the YA.
Show Less
Language
Original language
English
Physical description
272 p.; 5.08 inches
ISBN
1406324744 / 9781406324747
Similar in this library
DDC/MDS
| 823.92 |