What do you think?
Rate this book
Welcome to Paradise #1
Welcome to Paradise
Revenge can be sweet. Forgiveness is sweeter.
Welcome to Paradise, Book 1
Singing sensation Charlotte Hill can’t wait for her high school reunion. She’s out to give Nate Bishop—the man who walked away with her virginity—the sexiest ride of his life. Then give him a heaping dose of the same medicine he gave her fifteen years ago.
Stomp all over his heart as she walks out the door.
Nate has never forgotten the green-eyed redhead who set his body on fire, the one girl who saw past his bad reputation. The heat of those memories still warms his thoughts, even after all these years. After he did the right thing and let her go, rather than let his love chain her to a town she despised.
Now she’s back in Paradise looking sexier than ever, and Nate finds himself powerless to keep his distance. And Charlotte, in spite of her resolve, can’t believe she’s so easily falling under his spell. Yet mind-blowing sex doesn’t bury the past. It unearths painful emotions too long buried. Emotions that could stamp out rekindled love before it catches flame…
Contains a reformed bad boy and a newly minted bad girl with revenge on her mind, feuding families, dirty little secrets, and a lot of dirty sex.
Welcome to Paradise, Book 1
Singing sensation Charlotte Hill can’t wait for her high school reunion. She’s out to give Nate Bishop—the man who walked away with her virginity—the sexiest ride of his life. Then give him a heaping dose of the same medicine he gave her fifteen years ago.
Stomp all over his heart as she walks out the door.
Nate has never forgotten the green-eyed redhead who set his body on fire, the one girl who saw past his bad reputation. The heat of those memories still warms his thoughts, even after all these years. After he did the right thing and let her go, rather than let his love chain her to a town she despised.
Now she’s back in Paradise looking sexier than ever, and Nate finds himself powerless to keep his distance. And Charlotte, in spite of her resolve, can’t believe she’s so easily falling under his spell. Yet mind-blowing sex doesn’t bury the past. It unearths painful emotions too long buried. Emotions that could stamp out rekindled love before it catches flame…
Contains a reformed bad boy and a newly minted bad girl with revenge on her mind, feuding families, dirty little secrets, and a lot of dirty sex.
112 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 26, 2011
15 people are currently reading
1892 people want to read
About the author
Elle Kennedy
182 books88.1k followersA New York Times, USA Today and Wall Street Journal bestselling author, Elle Kennedy grew up in the suburbs of Toronto, Ontario, and holds a B.A. in English from York University. From an early age, she knew she wanted to be a writer, and actively began pursuing that dream when she was a teenager.
Elle currently writes for various publishers. She loves strong heroines and sexy alpha heroes, and just enough heat and danger to keep things interesting!
Elle currently writes for various publishers. She loves strong heroines and sexy alpha heroes, and just enough heat and danger to keep things interesting!
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 54 reviews
July 11, 2016
2.25/5
No groveling? No groveling! There was no groveling hero!
I'm upset!
Too bad, the first half of the book was so good, but in the second half things started to go downhill and finally ended up being something else, something even more exasperating and disappointing.
Nate hurt Charlotte badly fifteen years ago. Of course, he had his own reason...blah, blah, blah… When she came back to her hometown to attend the high school reunion, she planned her revenge on him, to break his heart the same way he did. So she seduced him and made him fall in love with her again. The more time they spent together, the harder it was for her to pretend that what happened in the past didn’t matter. Finally Charlotte asked Nate the reason why he had to hurt her and then he explained everything to her, and she then forgave him too easily! Well, I (pretended I) could get over this, but near the end when he found out that she lied to him about her intention of returning to him again, he was so angry and broke up with her though she tried to tell him the truth. Not cool, buddy, not cool. She was able to forgive him, so why wasn’t he? His character got zero star from me!
I expected Nate to grovel to get Charlotte to accept his apology, instead she had to ask him for forgiveness in the end. Seriously?! This didn’t work out the way I hoped it would. Damn, I’m so fed up!
No groveling? No groveling! There was no groveling hero!
I'm upset!
Too bad, the first half of the book was so good, but in the second half things started to go downhill and finally ended up being something else, something even more exasperating and disappointing.
Nate hurt Charlotte badly fifteen years ago. Of course, he had his own reason...blah, blah, blah… When she came back to her hometown to attend the high school reunion, she planned her revenge on him, to break his heart the same way he did. So she seduced him and made him fall in love with her again. The more time they spent together, the harder it was for her to pretend that what happened in the past didn’t matter. Finally Charlotte asked Nate the reason why he had to hurt her and then he explained everything to her, and she then forgave him too easily! Well, I (pretended I) could get over this, but near the end when he found out that she lied to him about her intention of returning to him again, he was so angry and broke up with her though she tried to tell him the truth. Not cool, buddy, not cool. She was able to forgive him, so why wasn’t he? His character got zero star from me!
I expected Nate to grovel to get Charlotte to accept his apology, instead she had to ask him for forgiveness in the end. Seriously?! This didn’t work out the way I hoped it would. Damn, I’m so fed up!
September 12, 2013
Cute book, with some really hot moments. Welcome To Paradise (that would be the small town of Paradise, Colorado) is the first in a new series by Elle Kennedy. I imagine the stories are going to revolve around the four Bishop brothers (bar owner Nate, construction company owner Owen, military man Jake, and photographer Austin) , this being the oldest brother--32-year-old Nate's story. The book spends some time setting up the series, introducing some town folk, some local businesses, and the cast of supporting characters.
Here's the plot: Small-town hunk Nate Bishop (dark hair, gray eyes, well-endowed) has a 15 year high school class reunion coming up. This is a big deal in the town--the event will be held outdoors in the town square. Will the town's most famous graduate show up? That would be Nate's first (and only) love, famous red-haired, green-eyed, petite folky-contemporary singer Charlotte Hill. Nate and Charlotte had a beautiful young romance going 15 years ago. Nate, wrongly considered one of the town's 'bad boys', and sweetly insecure Charlotte, illegitimate daughter of the town slut, were a perfect match in high school. He was her protector, her love, and the one person she could count on. Until the night he took her virginity, and then said something that he would live to regret afterward. Talented Charlotte left town soon after (she had a scholarship to the Julliard School in NY!), devastated and humiliated, but she never forgot her first love and found it impossible to move on with another man. Nate never forgot Charlotte either, and had similar troubles moving on with different women. Now their 15 year reunion is looming...and Nate would love another chance to make it right with Charlotte. Will Charlotte make a return trip to the town whose residents gave her a hard time growing up, and will she seek some closure from Nate? What if the only way to get closure is to do to Nate what he did to her--make him fall for her again and then cruelly dump him?
Nate...
Charlotte...
Ahh, sweet revenge...that always works, doesn't it? No spoilers here, but don't expect things to go as planned. Expect some hot times between the sheets for Charlotte and Nate, some butting in by Nate's best friend and Charlotte's nemesis Lexie, a side plot (left hanging) involving rich girl/ice princess Lexie and a sexy, wrong-side-of the-tracks guy, and lots and lots of views of small town life and all the done-me-wrongs against poor Charlotte. Really, the town of Paradise seems like it's filled with plenty of 'mean girls'. Anyway, it all works out in the end despite some speed bumps, Nate and Charlotte finally talk about what drove them apart, and try to start over.
Couple of things had me scratching my head in wonder: that Charlotte couldn't see what Nate was up to when he uttered those words that devastated her naive little heart; and that both of them, longing for the other, waited 15 years to iron this mess out. Jeez, 15 years...don't know what they were waiting for.
Not a bad start to the series--the first books are always the roughest--and it left me eager to find out more about the Bishop brothers, so I would consider this book a success. Nate and Charlotte were not the most exciting characters I've ever read about, but they were likable enough. I have a feeling that Nate's brothers are going to be a little more interesting than him--can't wait to see who book two will be about. 4 stars
Here's the plot: Small-town hunk Nate Bishop (dark hair, gray eyes, well-endowed) has a 15 year high school class reunion coming up. This is a big deal in the town--the event will be held outdoors in the town square. Will the town's most famous graduate show up? That would be Nate's first (and only) love, famous red-haired, green-eyed, petite folky-contemporary singer Charlotte Hill. Nate and Charlotte had a beautiful young romance going 15 years ago. Nate, wrongly considered one of the town's 'bad boys', and sweetly insecure Charlotte, illegitimate daughter of the town slut, were a perfect match in high school. He was her protector, her love, and the one person she could count on. Until the night he took her virginity, and then said something that he would live to regret afterward. Talented Charlotte left town soon after (she had a scholarship to the Julliard School in NY!), devastated and humiliated, but she never forgot her first love and found it impossible to move on with another man. Nate never forgot Charlotte either, and had similar troubles moving on with different women. Now their 15 year reunion is looming...and Nate would love another chance to make it right with Charlotte. Will Charlotte make a return trip to the town whose residents gave her a hard time growing up, and will she seek some closure from Nate? What if the only way to get closure is to do to Nate what he did to her--make him fall for her again and then cruelly dump him?
Nate...
Charlotte...
Ahh, sweet revenge...that always works, doesn't it? No spoilers here, but don't expect things to go as planned. Expect some hot times between the sheets for Charlotte and Nate, some butting in by Nate's best friend and Charlotte's nemesis Lexie, a side plot (left hanging) involving rich girl/ice princess Lexie and a sexy, wrong-side-of the-tracks guy, and lots and lots of views of small town life and all the done-me-wrongs against poor Charlotte. Really, the town of Paradise seems like it's filled with plenty of 'mean girls'. Anyway, it all works out in the end despite some speed bumps, Nate and Charlotte finally talk about what drove them apart, and try to start over.
Couple of things had me scratching my head in wonder: that Charlotte couldn't see what Nate was up to when he uttered those words that devastated her naive little heart; and that both of them, longing for the other, waited 15 years to iron this mess out. Jeez, 15 years...don't know what they were waiting for.
Not a bad start to the series--the first books are always the roughest--and it left me eager to find out more about the Bishop brothers, so I would consider this book a success. Nate and Charlotte were not the most exciting characters I've ever read about, but they were likable enough. I have a feeling that Nate's brothers are going to be a little more interesting than him--can't wait to see who book two will be about. 4 stars
October 12, 2011
The summary grabbed my attention so I bought it, but at 104 pages, I thought for sure I was going to end up not happy with it...most of you know I just can't seem to get enough out of most novellas.
Fifteen years ago, Nate thought he was doing what was best for Charlotte, but what he did was break her heart and ruin her for future relationships. He also broke his own heart in the process. Neither one have been in a successful relationship during the past fifteen years. When Charlotte comes back for their fifteen year class reunion, she feels instant heat the first time she sees Nate again. She wants him and realizes he still wants hers...so her plan for revenge should be easy. Until Charlotte finds out the reason Nate did what he did...Now revenge isn't looking so sweet. She plans on fessing up because Nate hates lies, but Nate's BFF Lexi interferes and gives him information about Charlotte that breaks Nate's heart...
Welcome to Paradise, kept me turning the pages, it is a great short story full of emotions, comedy and hot sex. I love the secondary characters and can't wait to read Owen and his assistant Maddie's story in Take Me Home Tonight.
Elle Kennedy has gives us the sexy Bishop brothers and even though we only meet Owen and Nate in WTP, I can tell she has us four super sexy brothers. BUT WAIT...there is the mysterious, uber sexy Cooper Grady as well and boy do I hope we get his story.
Welcome To Paradise is a fully fleshed short story that has me anxious to read the rest of the series.
Fifteen years ago, Nate thought he was doing what was best for Charlotte, but what he did was break her heart and ruin her for future relationships. He also broke his own heart in the process. Neither one have been in a successful relationship during the past fifteen years. When Charlotte comes back for their fifteen year class reunion, she feels instant heat the first time she sees Nate again. She wants him and realizes he still wants hers...so her plan for revenge should be easy. Until Charlotte finds out the reason Nate did what he did...Now revenge isn't looking so sweet. She plans on fessing up because Nate hates lies, but Nate's BFF Lexi interferes and gives him information about Charlotte that breaks Nate's heart...
Welcome to Paradise, kept me turning the pages, it is a great short story full of emotions, comedy and hot sex. I love the secondary characters and can't wait to read Owen and his assistant Maddie's story in Take Me Home Tonight.
Elle Kennedy has gives us the sexy Bishop brothers and even though we only meet Owen and Nate in WTP, I can tell she has us four super sexy brothers. BUT WAIT...there is the mysterious, uber sexy Cooper Grady as well and boy do I hope we get his story.
Welcome To Paradise is a fully fleshed short story that has me anxious to read the rest of the series.
August 7, 2011
Welcome To Paradise was a short read with some sexy scenes thrown and some coarse language but it was a decent read.
Charlotte is a big star now miles apart from the girl who was poor and made fun of because her mother was the town slut. Charlotte had a hard time in school and the only person good to her was Nate, but he took her virginity and broke her heart when he said something about her(in bed). So, Charlotte is talking with a friend about how it's been fifteen years but because of Nate her relationships don't work when her friend suggests she go to the re-union and then seduce and dump Nate, a drunken Charlotte agrees.
Nate is still considered the bad-boy though he wasn't. He is satisfied staying in Paradise and running the bar his drunk philandering father ran. He has never forgotten Charlotte and regrets what he did, but he did so that she could follow her dreams and not give them up for love. He is shocked to see her at the re-union and even more surprised when Charlotte acts as if the past doesn't matter and they can start something while she's in town.
Pretty soon they talk and Nate tells her the truth, by then Charlotte feels bad about what she was intending to do and doesn't know how to confess.
I found the book pretty okay though I didn't like Lexie(Nate's friend till the very end).
Charlotte is a big star now miles apart from the girl who was poor and made fun of because her mother was the town slut. Charlotte had a hard time in school and the only person good to her was Nate, but he took her virginity and broke her heart when he said something about her(in bed). So, Charlotte is talking with a friend about how it's been fifteen years but because of Nate her relationships don't work when her friend suggests she go to the re-union and then seduce and dump Nate, a drunken Charlotte agrees.
Nate is still considered the bad-boy though he wasn't. He is satisfied staying in Paradise and running the bar his drunk philandering father ran. He has never forgotten Charlotte and regrets what he did, but he did so that she could follow her dreams and not give them up for love. He is shocked to see her at the re-union and even more surprised when Charlotte acts as if the past doesn't matter and they can start something while she's in town.
Pretty soon they talk and Nate tells her the truth, by then Charlotte feels bad about what she was intending to do and doesn't know how to confess.
I found the book pretty okay though I didn't like Lexie(Nate's friend till the very end).
December 16, 2016
I am so disappointed man..I honestly love Elle Kennedy but this was such a disappointing read. I mean she had the plot, the characters and the emotional drama in the palm of her hands and she blew it. The pace was too fast, the ending was so wrong I mean seriously, no groveling hero? I just wanted MORE ya know?
I wish this book had been better written. I'd just watched a really shitty romantic comedy before i started reading this *The Perfect Match* and wanted to watch something feel good. Talk about a disastrous night!
I wish this book had been better written. I'd just watched a really shitty romantic comedy before i started reading this *The Perfect Match* and wanted to watch something feel good. Talk about a disastrous night!
October 22, 2015
Okay, so this wasn't the book I had set out to read.
Looks like my copy got corrupted or something, since I thought I was reading
and was thoroughly confused for the first couple of pages till I realized that it wasn't actually that book.
I pressed on reading.
Lexie. I don't like her. She has the nickname Ice Princess for a reason. She was a complete and total stuck up bitch.
Nate. A bit of a dumb ass, and full of pride.
Charlotte. I didn't like her either. I never really warmed up to her for the entire book.
I don't know if I actually want to read the rest of the series or not. Granted, they are quick reads. So I might just for when I need something short and quick. But I hope that they are better than this one, as I just really didn't like Charlotte or Lexie. I also didn't like Charlotte's assistant.
This wasn't just me being a woman hater. I really liked Nate's mom even though I don't agree with the fact that she stayed with her philandering husband just because she felt like she had no other choice.
3 stars because it WAS readable. And because it was set in Colorado, and so I give it a bigger benefit of the doubt due to that.
Looks like my copy got corrupted or something, since I thought I was reading
and was thoroughly confused for the first couple of pages till I realized that it wasn't actually that book.I pressed on reading.
Lexie. I don't like her. She has the nickname Ice Princess for a reason. She was a complete and total stuck up bitch.
Nate. A bit of a dumb ass, and full of pride.
Charlotte. I didn't like her either. I never really warmed up to her for the entire book.
I don't know if I actually want to read the rest of the series or not. Granted, they are quick reads. So I might just for when I need something short and quick. But I hope that they are better than this one, as I just really didn't like Charlotte or Lexie. I also didn't like Charlotte's assistant.
This wasn't just me being a woman hater. I really liked Nate's mom even though I don't agree with the fact that she stayed with her philandering husband just because she felt like she had no other choice.
3 stars because it WAS readable. And because it was set in Colorado, and so I give it a bigger benefit of the doubt due to that.
November 8, 2012
I love E Kennedy books. The 1st in the paradise series is a heartachly sweet with regrets, should have's and 2nd even 3rd chances at HEA. only thing that got to be was the disagreement between the bishops mother and her son. It's killing me not knowing what that's about. If u love romantic 2nd chances with beefy guys trying to do the right things, this is def your book.
June 10, 2013
I do not like stories of high-school sweethearts still carrying the torch years after.
However trying to forget this strong prejudice of mine, I rather liked this one, except for the last third, that felt a bit rushed and unbelievable.
However trying to forget this strong prejudice of mine, I rather liked this one, except for the last third, that felt a bit rushed and unbelievable.
April 4, 2015
I loved it!
If you're into romance with revenge as a twist, you're so gonna love this one. Sure, it's a bit too short for me but overall I enjoyed it. The drama is a satisfaction and I really love Elle Kennedy's style of writing. <3
Let's jump to book two, shall we? :)
If you're into romance with revenge as a twist, you're so gonna love this one. Sure, it's a bit too short for me but overall I enjoyed it. The drama is a satisfaction and I really love Elle Kennedy's style of writing. <3
Let's jump to book two, shall we? :)
December 12, 2012
Purty good. I was all for the revenge motivation in the beginning, but glad the truth came out and all was okay at the end.
August 24, 2013
Really good. Definitely want to continue reading more of this series.
August 16, 2014
I always love second chance loves and this has not only that, but giving some bad moments in high school a chance to be cleared.
July 2, 2016
My overpowering dislike for that interfering bitch Lexie Price drowned everything out.
Also didn't really feel any emotional connection or chemistry between the main characters.
Also didn't really feel any emotional connection or chemistry between the main characters.
May 8, 2017
Honestly I just couldn't get past the fact that he broke up with her in probably the worst way EVER and hurt her deeply but when he finds out she came back with the idea to hurt him and wasn't completely honest he gets mad and breaks up with her again! Really it was okay for you to hurt her and come on he could have found a better way to break up with her then to be cruel, callous and a complete jerk but he didn't. He should have had to grovel so the fact that it ends up being her who has to ask for forgiveness not only NO but Hell NO! I gave it two stars because I'm a big Elle Kennedy fan but this one just didn't work for me at all.
September 21, 2017
This is one of the problems when not reviewing a book as soon as you finished it, I barely remember the story and I certainly can't recall the characters very well. The fact I have no interest in reading any of the follow ups speaks for itself.
January 30, 2018
This was a pretty good book. I do agree with the other reviewers though; the lack of groveling by the hero was annoying. The lack of groveling was a reason for the 4-star rating as opposed to the 5. This is my first Elle Kennedy book so I look forward to reading her other novels.
December 5, 2021
Love love this author and her other series of her books
February 15, 2022
Nate please shut up challenge
March 11, 2024
DNF. Just no.
August 5, 2016
A few months ago, Jane from Dear Author recommended Elle Kennedy to me as an author she thought I'd enjoy. She'd just finished Ms. Kennedy's SEAL series, and thought I'd like them. I agreed I probably would, but hadn't bought any of her books. Then, when in Amazon the other day, I remembered the author's name and picked up Welcome to Paradise, her latest release.
Charlotte Hill is a successful singer. She left Paradise, the small town she grew up in, ostracized as the daughter of the town slut, but now she's an award winning singer and the toast of the town. She decides to go back to Paradise for her high school reunion for one reason, and one reason only -- to get back at Nate Bishop, the boy who took her virginity and broke her heart in the process. Nate never stopped thinking about Charlotte. He pushed her from his life with some hateful words because he was afraid she was going to give up her chance to go to Julliard in order to stay with him in Paradise. He loved her so much, he couldn't bear for her heartache to continue living in the small town. But he basically took her virginity and said to her, "I thought you'd be better at this, considering who your mother is" and crushed Charlotte's confidence altogether. So Charlotte's decided to come back and take her revenge on Nate for breaking her heart.
But when Charlotte gets back to Paradise, all of her feelings for Nate return. She's still completely attracted, and when he tries to apologize for hurting her, she rushes to change the subject. After a steaming hot night of sex, she is on the fence about whether or not she can take revenge on Nate. Even more so when he confesses that he still has feelings for her. Should Charlotte forgive and forget? Or will she make Nate pay for hurting her in the past?
I quite liked this book, even though the plot is flimsy at best. Look, we all get hurt during high school, or college, and sure, a part of us might like to tell off the person who did it. But mostly, as adults, we let that go. So Charlotte's reasoning behind going back to Paradise was flawed, and frankly a bit silly. But I kind of went with it, knowing that the author was using it as a plot device to get her back into Nate's arms. For his part, Nate is a really nice guy. A nice beta hero who I ended up kind of aggravated that Charlotte was so determined to hurt, especially because he tried multiple times to apologize. But in the end, two mostly nice people ended up together in a sweet is short story that made for an entertaining afternoon of reading. I like Ms. Kennedy's style quite a bit and will be following Jane's advice (which I should have done a while ago) and getting more of her backlist. But for now, I can assure you that this book is worth the $2.80 and is a sweet, quick read.
Final grade: B-/C+
Charlotte Hill is a successful singer. She left Paradise, the small town she grew up in, ostracized as the daughter of the town slut, but now she's an award winning singer and the toast of the town. She decides to go back to Paradise for her high school reunion for one reason, and one reason only -- to get back at Nate Bishop, the boy who took her virginity and broke her heart in the process. Nate never stopped thinking about Charlotte. He pushed her from his life with some hateful words because he was afraid she was going to give up her chance to go to Julliard in order to stay with him in Paradise. He loved her so much, he couldn't bear for her heartache to continue living in the small town. But he basically took her virginity and said to her, "I thought you'd be better at this, considering who your mother is" and crushed Charlotte's confidence altogether. So Charlotte's decided to come back and take her revenge on Nate for breaking her heart.
But when Charlotte gets back to Paradise, all of her feelings for Nate return. She's still completely attracted, and when he tries to apologize for hurting her, she rushes to change the subject. After a steaming hot night of sex, she is on the fence about whether or not she can take revenge on Nate. Even more so when he confesses that he still has feelings for her. Should Charlotte forgive and forget? Or will she make Nate pay for hurting her in the past?
I quite liked this book, even though the plot is flimsy at best. Look, we all get hurt during high school, or college, and sure, a part of us might like to tell off the person who did it. But mostly, as adults, we let that go. So Charlotte's reasoning behind going back to Paradise was flawed, and frankly a bit silly. But I kind of went with it, knowing that the author was using it as a plot device to get her back into Nate's arms. For his part, Nate is a really nice guy. A nice beta hero who I ended up kind of aggravated that Charlotte was so determined to hurt, especially because he tried multiple times to apologize. But in the end, two mostly nice people ended up together in a sweet is short story that made for an entertaining afternoon of reading. I like Ms. Kennedy's style quite a bit and will be following Jane's advice (which I should have done a while ago) and getting more of her backlist. But for now, I can assure you that this book is worth the $2.80 and is a sweet, quick read.
Final grade: B-/C+
November 23, 2014
Blue Ribbon Rating: 4 out of 5
Original Review Link
Fifteen years ago, Charlotte Hill lost her virginity to Nate Bishop…who promptly broke her heart. Even though she’s now a famous singer, Nate’s cruel words have haunted her. When she receives an invitation to her high school reunion, Charlotte decides she needs some closure and, perhaps, a little retribution. This time she’ll seduce Nate and break HIS heart.
Nate can’t believe Charlotte is returning to their hometown of Paradise. Fifteen years ago, he deliberately stomped on her heart so that she wouldn’t give up her dream of attending Julliard to stay with him in Paradise, where everyone looked down on her because of her mother’s actions. When Nate sees her again, he knows for sure that his love for her has never died. Things heat up quickly, but what will happen when Nate learns Charlotte’s reasons for returning to Paradise?
True love gets a second chance in the passionate WELCOME TO PARADISE. Nate and Charlotte are two people who are clearly in love with one another but have a lot of obstacles to overcome before they can reach “happily ever after.” Many of their trials are of their own making, but Elle Kennedy makes their mistakes understandable. Nate and Charlotte are honestly good people, but pain and miscommunication have a way of throwing even the best people off their stride. Ms. Kennedy had me caring about these two, which made WELCOME TO PARADISE impossible to put down.
WELCOME TO PARADISE is the first story in a series by the same title, and I can definitely say Ms. Kennedy has me impatient for more books. While the focus of WELCOME TO PARADISE is undoubtedly on Nate and Charlotte, Ms. Kennedy nevertheless brings the town of Paradise to life and introduces many characters that I am dying to know more about. I’m hoping Ms. Kennedy plans for this to be a long series because there are a plethora of men and women in Paradise that seem to be begging for a story.
Elle Kennedy’s stories are wildly addictive, and WELCOME TO PARADISE is no exception. It’s sexy, romantic, emotional and, ultimately, heartwarming. I adored WELCOME TO PARADISE, and I can’t wait for the next book in the series, TAKE ME HOME TONIGHT!
Note: My review was written for Romance Junkies and is cross-posted here courtesy of Romance Junkies.
Original Review Link
Fifteen years ago, Charlotte Hill lost her virginity to Nate Bishop…who promptly broke her heart. Even though she’s now a famous singer, Nate’s cruel words have haunted her. When she receives an invitation to her high school reunion, Charlotte decides she needs some closure and, perhaps, a little retribution. This time she’ll seduce Nate and break HIS heart.
Nate can’t believe Charlotte is returning to their hometown of Paradise. Fifteen years ago, he deliberately stomped on her heart so that she wouldn’t give up her dream of attending Julliard to stay with him in Paradise, where everyone looked down on her because of her mother’s actions. When Nate sees her again, he knows for sure that his love for her has never died. Things heat up quickly, but what will happen when Nate learns Charlotte’s reasons for returning to Paradise?
True love gets a second chance in the passionate WELCOME TO PARADISE. Nate and Charlotte are two people who are clearly in love with one another but have a lot of obstacles to overcome before they can reach “happily ever after.” Many of their trials are of their own making, but Elle Kennedy makes their mistakes understandable. Nate and Charlotte are honestly good people, but pain and miscommunication have a way of throwing even the best people off their stride. Ms. Kennedy had me caring about these two, which made WELCOME TO PARADISE impossible to put down.
WELCOME TO PARADISE is the first story in a series by the same title, and I can definitely say Ms. Kennedy has me impatient for more books. While the focus of WELCOME TO PARADISE is undoubtedly on Nate and Charlotte, Ms. Kennedy nevertheless brings the town of Paradise to life and introduces many characters that I am dying to know more about. I’m hoping Ms. Kennedy plans for this to be a long series because there are a plethora of men and women in Paradise that seem to be begging for a story.
Elle Kennedy’s stories are wildly addictive, and WELCOME TO PARADISE is no exception. It’s sexy, romantic, emotional and, ultimately, heartwarming. I adored WELCOME TO PARADISE, and I can’t wait for the next book in the series, TAKE ME HOME TONIGHT!
Note: My review was written for Romance Junkies and is cross-posted here courtesy of Romance Junkies.
May 11, 2015
3.5 stars
In Welcome to Paradise, by Elle Kennedy, you could tell from the get-go that Charlotte Hill’s heart was not really in her revenge plan to pay back Nate Bishop for taking her virginity and breaking her heart in one fell swoop. 15 years hasn’t healed the hurt for either of them, and they’re both keeping secrets.
I liked Charlotte. She had a vulnerability about her that made her easy to relate to. She certainly didn’t read like a famous musician. Nate didn’t really seem like a bad boy either, more of a keep-to-himself sort of guy that inherited a bad reputation from his sleaze of a father, and I liked Nate as well. The 2 had great chemistry and connection. Then coming together and deciding to let the other one in was my favourite part of the story. I also liked that even though they didn’t initially talk to each other about what broke them up, eventually they did.
What didn’t I like? The breakup of the relationship. I also didn’t like Nate’s best friend Lexie’s meddling. Her heart was in the right place but her actions felt more possessive, as though she had feelings for Nate which I don’t think she did. And Lexie’s relationship with Cooper felt wrong on so many levels. The guy gave me the creeps and brought an otherwise decent story down.
In Welcome to Paradise, by Elle Kennedy, you could tell from the get-go that Charlotte Hill’s heart was not really in her revenge plan to pay back Nate Bishop for taking her virginity and breaking her heart in one fell swoop. 15 years hasn’t healed the hurt for either of them, and they’re both keeping secrets.
I liked Charlotte. She had a vulnerability about her that made her easy to relate to. She certainly didn’t read like a famous musician. Nate didn’t really seem like a bad boy either, more of a keep-to-himself sort of guy that inherited a bad reputation from his sleaze of a father, and I liked Nate as well. The 2 had great chemistry and connection. Then coming together and deciding to let the other one in was my favourite part of the story. I also liked that even though they didn’t initially talk to each other about what broke them up, eventually they did.
What didn’t I like? The breakup of the relationship. I also didn’t like Nate’s best friend Lexie’s meddling. Her heart was in the right place but her actions felt more possessive, as though she had feelings for Nate which I don’t think she did. And Lexie’s relationship with Cooper felt wrong on so many levels. The guy gave me the creeps and brought an otherwise decent story down.
January 1, 2012
Origianlly posted at: http://whippedcream2.blogspot.com/201...
Charlotte Hill is now a successful singer but still remembers growing up in Paradise and being bullied and tormented at school, and also loved and dumped by Nate Bishop. When she returns to town for their high school reunion, she has one thing on her mind and that’s revenge.
Couples with a history reuniting is one of my favorite plots and this one didn’t disappoint me. Throw in some dirty secrets from the past and a main character with revenge on her mind and you’ve got the making of some interesting reading.
I did have mixed feelings about Charlotte, probably because Nate was introduced in the story first. I liked him a lot, he came across as a nice guy so, when I found out what he did to Charlotte I became more sympathetic to her, but at the same time felt uneasy because she’s about to go down a path she might later regret. The fact that she’s going to use Nate like he used her had me turning the pages to see if it was true he really isn’t the nice guy he seems, and what would happen to Nate when she does?
Once these two got together in some very steamy sex scenes, I had my doubts that Charlotte could actually go through with her plan. I had a feeling she was falling for Nate and, the way he’s portrayed, I couldn't blame her for rethinking her devilish plot.
I liked the secondary characters in this story, too, but have to say Nate came across as my favorite. His and Charlotte’s conversations are natural sounding and the plot is fast-paced enough to keep my interest.
If you like your stories packed with secrets, revenge and reading about two past loves rekindling their romance, I’d recommend this one to you.
Charlotte Hill is now a successful singer but still remembers growing up in Paradise and being bullied and tormented at school, and also loved and dumped by Nate Bishop. When she returns to town for their high school reunion, she has one thing on her mind and that’s revenge.
Couples with a history reuniting is one of my favorite plots and this one didn’t disappoint me. Throw in some dirty secrets from the past and a main character with revenge on her mind and you’ve got the making of some interesting reading.
I did have mixed feelings about Charlotte, probably because Nate was introduced in the story first. I liked him a lot, he came across as a nice guy so, when I found out what he did to Charlotte I became more sympathetic to her, but at the same time felt uneasy because she’s about to go down a path she might later regret. The fact that she’s going to use Nate like he used her had me turning the pages to see if it was true he really isn’t the nice guy he seems, and what would happen to Nate when she does?
Once these two got together in some very steamy sex scenes, I had my doubts that Charlotte could actually go through with her plan. I had a feeling she was falling for Nate and, the way he’s portrayed, I couldn't blame her for rethinking her devilish plot.
I liked the secondary characters in this story, too, but have to say Nate came across as my favorite. His and Charlotte’s conversations are natural sounding and the plot is fast-paced enough to keep my interest.
If you like your stories packed with secrets, revenge and reading about two past loves rekindling their romance, I’d recommend this one to you.
July 20, 2016
Charlotte Hill was always tormented in high school because she was poor and her mother was a stripper, who slept around. Her only friend had been Nate Bishop, the proclaimed bad boy. When he took her virginity and dumped her with cruel parting words, she ran away to start her life attending Julliard.
Now she's back, getting ready to attend her high school reunion. She's not the same girl anymore. For one, she's a famous singer, and she's hell bent on giving Nate Bishop a taste of his own medicine. She plans to seduce him until he falls in love with her, then she'll rip his heart out. Just like he'd done to her.
The plan goes awry when the truth surfaces, and she realizes she's still in love with him. But it could be too late for either of them for forgiveness and a second chance at love.
I found myself really frustrated with the plot. Are some adults really that stupid? From Charlotte to Nate to Lexie. Miscommunication and misunderstandings reigned over the entire story from beginning to end. At least each character finally came to understand something about themselves and the damage their thoughtless actions can cause, even if there were good intentions behind them.
I will still read the rest of the series though. Eventually.
September 14, 2011
I liked this a lot! Looks like what could turn out to be quite a charming series and I look forward to meeting more inhabitants of Paradise.
To be completely honest I would seriously liked to have seen Charlotte torture Nate a bit more and have him crawling back on his hands and knees, but maybe that's just me! I know he had a noble reason (ish), but did he really have to rip her heart out and stamp on it quite so violently back then? And to let people think badly of her over their breakup too was a bit weak. I know he's got the whole 'I'm a man and I don't talk about stuff' thing going on, but really Nate..come on now, are you a man or a mouse??
I was a bit annoyed that he had the audacity to be so outraged at Charlotte's 'lie' because it in no way compared to what he did to her years ago, good reason or no.
That aside, I enjoyed their story.
I know the relationship between Lexie and Cooper was a little unhealthy shall we say, but I was wildly attracted to Cooper for reasons that I really can not fathom!
To be completely honest I would seriously liked to have seen Charlotte torture Nate a bit more and have him crawling back on his hands and knees, but maybe that's just me! I know he had a noble reason (ish), but did he really have to rip her heart out and stamp on it quite so violently back then? And to let people think badly of her over their breakup too was a bit weak. I know he's got the whole 'I'm a man and I don't talk about stuff' thing going on, but really Nate..come on now, are you a man or a mouse??
I was a bit annoyed that he had the audacity to be so outraged at Charlotte's 'lie' because it in no way compared to what he did to her years ago, good reason or no.
That aside, I enjoyed their story.
I know the relationship between Lexie and Cooper was a little unhealthy shall we say, but I was wildly attracted to Cooper for reasons that I really can not fathom!
August 2, 2011
This is a solid 3 1/2 stars for me. Good characters, decent storyline, happy ending.
Is Lexie way too selfish in her relationship with Nate? Yep. Is Charlotte way too melodramatic? yep. Almost everything in this story is over the top, but it was less than 100 pages so you have to know that it is going to be slightly less than believable. But it didn't make it hard to read. It was nice. The chemistry was there, pretty quickly actually.
The whole Cooper/Lexie thing was weird but an obvious set up for a future story. It was intriguing though, and one I probably will read.
Are there better short stories out there? Yes. Is this a waste of money? Not really. A quick, light read for rush hour or waiting at little league. Hot enough to satisfy without making you uncomfortable if your kids are sitting next to you.
Is Lexie way too selfish in her relationship with Nate? Yep. Is Charlotte way too melodramatic? yep. Almost everything in this story is over the top, but it was less than 100 pages so you have to know that it is going to be slightly less than believable. But it didn't make it hard to read. It was nice. The chemistry was there, pretty quickly actually.
The whole Cooper/Lexie thing was weird but an obvious set up for a future story. It was intriguing though, and one I probably will read.
Are there better short stories out there? Yes. Is this a waste of money? Not really. A quick, light read for rush hour or waiting at little league. Hot enough to satisfy without making you uncomfortable if your kids are sitting next to you.
December 18, 2015
I didn't really care for this. Revenge plot is not my usual interest, but I've read other books by this author and figured she could pull it off in a way that would interest me. That wasn't the case. I think this must be some of her earlier work and that she's gotten better with time. Or something.
Georgia, Charlotte's assistant, only existed to egg her on in the revenge plot department. She seemed manipulative and way too familiar to be an employee. Charlotte was influenced way too easily. And Nate's character did not seem consistent. He was smart enough, as a teenager, to know that Charlotte needed to pursue her dreams, but he was SO freaking dumb in the way he went about making sure she did that.
This was a miss for me. I'm guessing the rest of the books in this particular series will be similar and I'll skip them.
Georgia, Charlotte's assistant, only existed to egg her on in the revenge plot department. She seemed manipulative and way too familiar to be an employee. Charlotte was influenced way too easily. And Nate's character did not seem consistent. He was smart enough, as a teenager, to know that Charlotte needed to pursue her dreams, but he was SO freaking dumb in the way he went about making sure she did that.
This was a miss for me. I'm guessing the rest of the books in this particular series will be similar and I'll skip them.
August 10, 2011
Cute start to new series by Elle. Charlotte and Nate are reunited fifteen years after he took her virginity and then dumpted her...but he had a good reason...she went on to Juliard to become a huge recording artist, but never found love again. They come together again at their fifteen year reunion and the sparks fly. What will happen between Charlotte and Nate once they see each other again? Read to find out!!
It was a little quick, like wham, bam...The End. I was expecting more....like more emotion, or something. It was cute and I will definately read the rest in the series, I just was left wanting...
It was a little quick, like wham, bam...The End. I was expecting more....like more emotion, or something. It was cute and I will definately read the rest in the series, I just was left wanting...
August 29, 2011
Pleasant, easy read.
I did have some issues with the logic behind some things in the storyline.
Just small things like if she were really that famous and recognized, wouldn't she live in a more secure building that didn't let strangers claiming to be friends up? (this was running through my head in the end)
and
If she really was that famous, wouldn't she have a phone with email so she wouldn't have to go to the library and check it? That's just me.
If you can overlook small flaws like that, this book is for you.
I did have some issues with the logic behind some things in the storyline.
Just small things like if she were really that famous and recognized, wouldn't she live in a more secure building that didn't let strangers claiming to be friends up? (this was running through my head in the end)
and
If she really was that famous, wouldn't she have a phone with email so she wouldn't have to go to the library and check it? That's just me.
If you can overlook small flaws like that, this book is for you.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 54 reviews