Review: Troubles in Paradise by Elin Hilderbrand

This review is of the final book in a trilogy. If you haven’t read Winter in Paradise or What Happens in Paradise yet, this review may contain spoilers.

It’s no secret that the Winter Street series holds a lot of sentimental value to me so when it came to an end, I was excited for a new series by Hilderbrand. I didn’t love this one as much, but it has some mystery vibes and i like to dub it “thriller light.”

I feel kind of lukewarm about this book, and the series in general. As always, Elin creates a cast of characters that deal with Rich People Problems and writes in a compulsively readable way. Often, I can’t put her books down even I’m not * loving * what’s going on. This series has definitely made me want to visit St. John though.

Thank you to Little, Brown for my copy of Troubles in Paradise. All thoughts are my own.

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Synopsis: “After uprooting her life in the States, Irene Steele has just settled in at the villa on St. John where her husband Russ had been living a double life. But a visit from the FBI shakes her foundations, and Irene once again learns just how little she knew about the man she loved. With help from their friends, Irene and her sons set up their lives while evidence mounts that the helicopter crash that killed Russ may not have been an accident. Meanwhile, the island watches this drama unfold -- including the driver of a Jeep with tinted windows who seems to be shadowing the Steele family. As a storm gathers strength in the Atlantic, surprises are in store for the Steeles: help from a mysterious source, and a new beginning in the paradise that has become their home. At last all will be revealed about the secrets and lies that brought Irene and her sons to St. John -- and the truth that transformed them all.” —From the publisher

What I Liked:

  1. The Tribute to St. John and the Caribbean—The USVI were devastated by hurricanes Irma and Maria is 2017 and I love that Hilderbrand used this series to showcase their beauty the resilience of its people.

  2. The Writing—As I said, Hilderbrand’s books are always really readable. Even when the characters are behaving in ways I can’t get behind, I keep reading.

  3. The Side Characters—I loved the side characters in this book! I would have liked to see more of them.

  4. The Storm—I loved books that feature a storm and found the, centering on this experience, to be the most compelling part of the novel.

What Didn’t Work:

  1. One line about a white woman having dirty hair being “one day away from dreadlocks” really rubbed me the wrong way, as locks are not dirty but a style in the Black hair community. This is really inappropriate and unfortunate to see from a writer I’ve read for years.

  2. The plot—The plot of this one just kind of felt like…eh. It felt like nothing really happened and the climax of the story wasn’t met with an “aha!” moment I would have expected.

TW/CW: Death in a helicopter, infidelity, secret family, mention of loss of a spouse, unplanned pregnancy

Character Authenticity: 3/5 Steam Rating: N/A Overall Rating: 3/5