My Review of The Paradise Problem analyzes this new book by fan-favorite writing duo Christina Lauren. This dynamic duo has written in many different sub-genres. What kind of story was The Paradise Problem and will you enjoy reading it? Let’s break it down!
Jen’s Quick Take on The Paradise Problem: An Overview
- A dual POV romance with a
- Marriage of convenience story AND
- A forced proximity aspect
- Plus some Evil Rich Family drama
- Add a fun destination wedding element
- Set on a private island
My Quick Summary of The Paradise Problem
The Paradise Problem by Christina Lauren. Published on May 7, 2024 by Gallery Books. Thanks to the publisher for the complimentary advance review copy.
Anna is a pink-haired medical school drop-out who struggles to support herself as an artist. Years ago, she agreed to marry West, a friend’s brother, so that he could qualify for UCLA family housing. Anna thought they’d divorced long ago but .. surprise!
Yes, not only are they still married, but West also needs to stay married to Anna a little longer to collect a huge inheritance. Oh, and he needs her to attend his sister’s lavish destination wedding.
Review of The Paradise Problem: My Analysis
Christina Lauren has written YA books, adult rom coms, angsty adult romance, an audiobook-only romance, adult fiction, romance with magical realism, and probably more.
I like authors who mix it up, but the sub-genre swapping can make it hard to figure out what you’re getting with each new book. Do you want humor? Spicy love scenes? A sweet romance?
The Paradise Problem has it ALL!
I’d describe The Paradise Problem as a mix of some of my favorite movies: a touch of Pretty Woman (as West pays Anna to attend the wedding and also funds a lavish shopping spree) a hint of The Proposal with Sandra Bullock and Ryan Reynolds (fake marriage rom com), and a little bit of Succession (West’s very competitive grocery tycoon family). I really enjoyed it!
Since The Paradise Problem is a book with a lot of elements and plot devices, I think one of the smartest moves Christina Lauren made was to trap all the characters together for the majority of the book. Most of the action takes place at West’s sister’s lavish destination wedding on a private island. This keeps everything on track, which I appreciate.
This “locked room” element serves to raise the tension, as Anna and West, who are technically married but barely know one another, are forced into close proximity with each other AND with West’s very wealthy, very dysfunctional family. AND they have to play a very happily married couple for ten days straight.
I also really enjoyed the emotional trajectory of the book. Often it’s the female character in a romance who shows the most emotional growth, but in this book it’s all about West valiantly trying to navigate his love/hate relationships with his controlling father and competitive brother. It’s a lose-lose situation, and I liked that the book didn’t sugarcoat it. Sometimes family members are hopelessly toxic!
I think The Paradise Problem makes a perfect summer read: a blend of armchair travel, a lavish wedding, a steamy romance, and some family drama.
If you’re looking for more Summer Rom Coms, here are some of my favorites!
If you love books with wedding themes, check out my:
Best Mysteries and Suspense That Take Place at a Wedding
I love that you name dropped all the same films CLo name dropped in the book. That means it must be accurate. (I have seen Pretty Woman and The Proposal and agree with the comparison.) That was a good point about the emotional journey really belonging to the hero. That definitely is less common, but he had so many years of damage to overcome. I loved the long epilogue and was really happy with where everyone was heading at the end.
Did I? lol!! I am a bit hit or miss with their books because they are so different from one another but I thought this one was great!