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10th out of 75 books
—
10 voters
Paradise House
by
Erica James
Angel Sands is a traditional seaside resort of bed and breakfasts, cottages torent, and teashops. And with the best views of the tiny beach and surrounding coastline is Paradise House, home to the Baxter girls—or the Sisters of Whimsy as they're known locally. With their mother taking time out to find herself, it's down to Genevieve to maintain the smooth running of the fa...more
Hardcover, 416 pages
Published
June 1st 2004
by Orion Books
(first published January 1st 2003)
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I wanted to award this one 3.5 stars but will come down on the side of generosity!
Paradise House is the name of a bed and breakfast place owned by the parents of Genevieve Baxter, the main protagonist. Gen’s mother has swanned off to New Zealand, taking her mid-life crisis with her and her sisters and father are worse than useless at helping to run the business.
The beginning of the book concerns Gen’s childhood and her love for a deaf boy, Christian, whom she meets when on holiday in a Welsh se...more
Paradise House is the name of a bed and breakfast place owned by the parents of Genevieve Baxter, the main protagonist. Gen’s mother has swanned off to New Zealand, taking her mid-life crisis with her and her sisters and father are worse than useless at helping to run the business.
The beginning of the book concerns Gen’s childhood and her love for a deaf boy, Christian, whom she meets when on holiday in a Welsh se...more
The audio version is difficult. The actress is a slow reader and she reads the deaf character super slow like he's not right in the head rather than hard of hearing. I wish I had access to the print version so I could get through faster. I think I would have liked it more if I could have actually read it. That aside, it is a pretty good story. Everything is pretty neatly sewn up at the end. It would have been nice to have some idea (view spoiler)...more
t's an encouraging character-driven story featuring Genevieve Baxter. She's dyslexic, a recovered anorexic, and had her heart broken in her teens. She has two younger sisters who are also important in the plot. Genevieve runs Paradise House, her parents'hotel, after her mother took off to 'find herself' some months previously.
There's lots of potential here for a great novel, and I found the second half very well-written. Unfortunately the first part was too full of mini flashbacks and people 'te...more
There's lots of potential here for a great novel, and I found the second half very well-written. Unfortunately the first part was too full of mini flashbacks and people 'te...more
This is a light feel-good book. Slow to get going but I identified with the themes of dyslexia, needing to recover from traumatic experiences; cookery; home management; and a love of the coast.
It's a shame it is so wintery, otherwise this would have tempeted me to head off to the Pembrookshire coast!
My favourite character is the grandmother with a favourite quote being:"my brain's turned to quince jelly" p256
It's a shame it is so wintery, otherwise this would have tempeted me to head off to the Pembrookshire coast!
My favourite character is the grandmother with a favourite quote being:"my brain's turned to quince jelly" p256
A really nice feel good book. Genevieve is the main character in the book and she has moved back to Angel Sands where her family live. The reason she has moved back is to help her father in the running of the B & B other reasons are brought out as the book progresses. This gives the insight into other members of the family and friends and has a homely feel although there is an undercurrant of Genevieves past and her old boyfriend Christian. This is a good book to read and makes you feel part...more
Second chance love, Erica James does it again. Dreamy and engaging a story that I will treasure in my heart.
These stories never fail to pick up my book heart and demand that I fall in love. If this is your type of reading genre, you can't go far wrong than to pick up an Erica James novel.
Family drama, true love and forever type endings. It's a solid read that shows what true romance is all about.
These stories never fail to pick up my book heart and demand that I fall in love. If this is your type of reading genre, you can't go far wrong than to pick up an Erica James novel.
Family drama, true love and forever type endings. It's a solid read that shows what true romance is all about.
This book made me laugh aloud and it made me cry. Beautifully written, it kept my attention and I found myself wanting to read it at every opportunity. I especially like the author's use of structure - there are no redundant words and the endings of each chapter are dramatic without being cliched. If I had one complaint it would be the overuse of the ellipsis but that's a personal quibble of mine. I will definitely read more of her work.
Erica James is quickly becoming one of my favourite authors. Her books touch lightly and wittingly on every subject relating to one's personal life. Love, family, responsibilities, career, etc. This book is no exception. A lovely, light read for anyone looking for a relaxing book to read.
This is a light feel-good book. Not so profound, but that's alright. Teaches that time really does heal all wounds. I loved the that it is set in a quaint B&B..the description is quite vivid and makes me want to hop on a plane and spend a week in angel sands
A nice book to read, easy going, sad in parts but a lovely light book to read. Enjoyed it.
Have read this over and over. Very easy to get in to and very likeable characters
A story of a re-kindled teenage romance. Well written, and captivating.
easy to read nice character development, airport novel, very relaxing
Just the right book I need for a break after reading so many thriller books.
Nice book with a happy ending
Nice book with a happy ending
how dull...couldn't even force myself to finish it when I was BORED.
it was ok. certainly not one if her best. just felt a bit long winded and extremely cheesy. I normally find erica james a bit deeper than that.
Dull and predictable. A pageturner it isn't!
Vaquely enjoyable characters, but all too flawless and surreal.
No twists or turns, no surprises.
I struggled to finish it.
Vaquely enjoyable characters, but all too flawless and surreal.
No twists or turns, no surprises.
I struggled to finish it.
i fall in love with the character
Clumsy handling of issues
A pleasant bed-time read!
Loved this book. A chick-lit book that made me laugh, cry and sigh at happy ending! Erica James wrote a brilliant book, that definitely deserves five stars!
This book has a little of everything - dyslexic heroine, deaf hero, best friend who steals boyfriend and has sex with him, mother who has left the family and flitted off to New Zealand, picturesque guest house at the seaside run by heroine with minimal help from her sisters... Despite all those elements it doesn't seem as over the top as it sounds, and was a very pleasant bed time read.
In terms of trashy books I've read - this isn't bad. Easy holiday reading.
Perfect holiday read
Refreshing story which involves a character with a disability which is somewhat resourceful and a bit different. Thoroughly enjoyed it and would recommend especially as a summer holiday read /escapism...
Really enjoyed this book. Very light reading whizzed through it in no time. Great story and yuo just can not put the book down. Highly recommended.
Gave up after chapter 7
Jun 18, 2013
Jenny Worstall
marked it as to-read
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Erica James, née Sullivan was born in 1960 in Surrey, England, UK and she grew up on Hayling Island, Hampshire since 4 years. She began writing after attending a creative writing course at the Arvon Foundation, and published her first novel in 1996. In 2006, her novel Gardens of Delight won the Romantic Novel of the Year Award from the Romantic Novelists' Association.
Divorced, she has two grown-up...more
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Divorced, she has two grown-up...more
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