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Private Paradise
"A fan-favorite novella from #1" New York Times "bestselling author Debbie Macomber."
Widow Beth Graham is invited to stay on an island with friends. But when a last-minute accident keeps her friends from the island, Beth and her son end up sharing quarters with a handsome single father, John Livingstone, and his teenage daughter. Close quarters cause tempers to flare, but Beth and John just may manage to find love before the trip is over.
Originally published in the 2008 anthology "That Summer Place."
Widow Beth Graham is invited to stay on an island with friends. But when a last-minute accident keeps her friends from the island, Beth and her son end up sharing quarters with a handsome single father, John Livingstone, and his teenage daughter. Close quarters cause tempers to flare, but Beth and John just may manage to find love before the trip is over.
Originally published in the 2008 anthology "That Summer Place."
94 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 11, 2016
About the author
Debbie Macomber
905 books21.2k followersDebbie Macomber is a #1 New York Times bestselling author and one of today’s most popular writers with more than 200 million copies of her books in print worldwide. In her novels, Macomber brings to life compelling relationships that embrace family and enduring friendships, uplifting her readers with stories of connection and hope. Macomber’s novels have spent over 1,000 weeks on the New York Times bestseller list. Fifteen of these novels hit the number one spot.
In 2023, Macomber’s all-new hardcover publication includes Must Love Flowers (July). In addition to fiction, Macomber has also published three bestselling cookbooks, three adult coloring books, numerous inspirational and nonfiction works, and two acclaimed children’s books.
Celebrated as “the official storyteller of Christmas”, Macomber’s annual Christmas books are beloved and six have been crafted into original Hallmark Channel movies. Macomber is also the author of the bestselling Cedar Cove Series which the Hallmark Channel chose as the basis for its first dramatic scripted television series. Debuting in 2013, Debbie Macomber’s Cedar Cove was a ratings favorite for three seasons.
She serves on the Guideposts National Advisory Cabinet, is a YFC National Ambassador, and is World Vision’s international spokesperson for their Knit for Kids charity initiative. A devoted grandmother, Debbie and Wayne live in Port Orchard, Washington, the town which inspired the Cedar Cove series.
In 2023, Macomber’s all-new hardcover publication includes Must Love Flowers (July). In addition to fiction, Macomber has also published three bestselling cookbooks, three adult coloring books, numerous inspirational and nonfiction works, and two acclaimed children’s books.
Celebrated as “the official storyteller of Christmas”, Macomber’s annual Christmas books are beloved and six have been crafted into original Hallmark Channel movies. Macomber is also the author of the bestselling Cedar Cove Series which the Hallmark Channel chose as the basis for its first dramatic scripted television series. Debuting in 2013, Debbie Macomber’s Cedar Cove was a ratings favorite for three seasons.
She serves on the Guideposts National Advisory Cabinet, is a YFC National Ambassador, and is World Vision’s international spokesperson for their Knit for Kids charity initiative. A devoted grandmother, Debbie and Wayne live in Port Orchard, Washington, the town which inspired the Cedar Cove series.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
August 2, 2016
Great Easy Light Read! Was as big as a novella. Really enjoyed this book
August 1, 2026
A short story by Debbie Macomber. For those who read Debbie Macomber's books knows there is always romance.
Beth Graham and her son, Paul, is supposed to spend a month at the Rainshadow Lodge in Washington state with her friend, Mary Jane while the husband of Mary Jane works in the area. Her husband is injured after falling from a roof and his replacement is John Livingstone and his daughter, Nikki. Beth and John make an agreement for Beth and Paul to stay.
The month passes quickly with the bike rides, kayaking, beach walking and hiking.
Romance is in the air.
I enjoyed the short read and gave it a 4 star rating.
The story is in the book, That Summer Place where three authors, Jill Barnett, Debbie Macomber, and Susan Wiggs have short stories.
Beth Graham and her son, Paul, is supposed to spend a month at the Rainshadow Lodge in Washington state with her friend, Mary Jane while the husband of Mary Jane works in the area. Her husband is injured after falling from a roof and his replacement is John Livingstone and his daughter, Nikki. Beth and John make an agreement for Beth and Paul to stay.
The month passes quickly with the bike rides, kayaking, beach walking and hiking.
Romance is in the air.
I enjoyed the short read and gave it a 4 star rating.
The story is in the book, That Summer Place where three authors, Jill Barnett, Debbie Macomber, and Susan Wiggs have short stories.
October 9, 2020
Beth allows her best friend to talk her into going to a secluded island for a getaway that her hubby's company is paying for. It will give the ladies a chance to just relax together. However, he has an accident right before they are to depart so they cannot go. That just leaves Beth and her teenage son Paul. John, the hubby's business partner, must go in his place and brings along a very unhappy teenage daughter. Surprisingly, the teens get along pretty well and end up playing match makers to their parents. I thought it was a very cute novella and a fun read!
March 25, 2018
I really enjoyed this story. It was so hard to put down.
The next book in the set is Private Paradise. Another great book by Debbie Macomber. Beth has been widowed awhile and her friend Mary Jane suggests that Beth and her son Paul join them on a business trip to Spruce Island. Mary Jane's husband has to do some consulting work and Mary Jane thinks it would be great to spend some time with her best friend Beth and Beth's son Paul.
The next book in the set is Private Paradise. Another great book by Debbie Macomber. Beth has been widowed awhile and her friend Mary Jane suggests that Beth and her son Paul join them on a business trip to Spruce Island. Mary Jane's husband has to do some consulting work and Mary Jane thinks it would be great to spend some time with her best friend Beth and Beth's son Paul.
October 23, 2016
Truly enjoyed this book.
This was easy reading. Easy to keep y
Up with plot. Once started did not want yo stop reading
while we were
At sea made really good reading story was well written. It was a good love story about children's love for their parents and parents trying to protect children from hurtful things in life.
This was easy reading. Easy to keep y
Up with plot. Once started did not want yo stop reading
while we were
At sea made really good reading story was well written. It was a good love story about children's love for their parents and parents trying to protect children from hurtful things in life.
July 26, 2020
Beth and her son Paul are off to Rainbow Lodge. To meet up with her bestie, unexpectedly John and his daughter Nikki show up. Paul and Nikki come up with a plan to get their parents together. These two come up with some funny antics. Will it all pay off and all four of them become one blended family.
July 11, 2018
Relato corto, que logra entretener :)
July 16, 2020
Light summer reading just like always!
November 1, 2020
Unfortunately, not one of my favorite Debbie Macomber books. It was too short and too rushed. That was a shame too, because there was a lot of potential with Paul and Nikki and their shenanigans.
July 13, 2024
See review for “that summer place”.
March 11, 2026
I listened to this as part of the anthology titled "That Summer Place." My review for this book can be found in my review the full anthology.
March 12, 2026
A very captivating and realistically inspirational novella about forgiveness, redemption, and acceptance of love. Highly recommended
June 21, 2026
Good easy simple love story
September 10, 2023
good story
I enjoyed the book, but have a difficult time with believing that two children could make this happen. Kind of far fetched.
I enjoyed the book, but have a difficult time with believing that two children could make this happen. Kind of far fetched.
May 16, 2020
A good, short, quick read that is feel-good. Packed with emotion and character interactions. Highly recommend, especially to Macomber fans.
May 28, 2019
3.5 stars. This is a part of the "That Summer Place" anthology and I really liked it. I didn't think it was as good as Jill Barnett's story, but it was cute nonetheless. Similarly, it is set on an island off of Washington and features a widowed woman and her teenage son. They go to a summer house expecting to spend a few weeks there with her best friend, her husband and her kids, but something happens and she ends up spending the weeks with her friend's husband's coworker, John, and his 12 year old daughter, Nikki. It's an awkward situation, but it doesn't stay that way...
What I didn't like about this book is how much the 12 and 15 year old kids were in charge and puppeteered the whole thing like the parents didn't have a say. I also felt like we didn't get to know John nearly as well as I wanted to. Part of the problem is that it is a short novella, but I also would've loved to hear more about Beth's catering/cooking passion and I felt like all of the characters could've used a little more development.
SPOILERS AHEAD:
In this book, Beth has been widowed but her husband was cheating before he died and the relationship was strained. They have a 15 year old son named Peter who is very sweet and takes on the man of the house role well, despite being so young. They go to the summer house, but her friend, Mary Beth's, husband gets in an accident and they have to stay home. Since the husband's company is the one providing the lodging, they send another employee named John and his 12 year old daughter. John's cold and hard, but he agrees to let them stay until they can find somewhere else. They end up staying and the kids force them into a romance, even though neither really think they're ready. Near the end they decide to start dating and the kids push and so they get married, seemingly because their kids want them to. I didn't like that aspect at all and thought John's shift from cold to hot happened too fast and it wasn't explained enough to be believable.
What I didn't like about this book is how much the 12 and 15 year old kids were in charge and puppeteered the whole thing like the parents didn't have a say. I also felt like we didn't get to know John nearly as well as I wanted to. Part of the problem is that it is a short novella, but I also would've loved to hear more about Beth's catering/cooking passion and I felt like all of the characters could've used a little more development.
SPOILERS AHEAD:
In this book, Beth has been widowed but her husband was cheating before he died and the relationship was strained. They have a 15 year old son named Peter who is very sweet and takes on the man of the house role well, despite being so young. They go to the summer house, but her friend, Mary Beth's, husband gets in an accident and they have to stay home. Since the husband's company is the one providing the lodging, they send another employee named John and his 12 year old daughter. John's cold and hard, but he agrees to let them stay until they can find somewhere else. They end up staying and the kids force them into a romance, even though neither really think they're ready. Near the end they decide to start dating and the kids push and so they get married, seemingly because their kids want them to. I didn't like that aspect at all and thought John's shift from cold to hot happened too fast and it wasn't explained enough to be believable.
May 23, 2016
Private paradise plus two teenagers
A wonderful month long vacation shared between two long time girl friends changes totally because of family emergency. As things happen by the unexpected, two families deal with major changes greatly encouraged and two young matchmaker met new callings. I had a lot of fun watching the changes in the teen's behavior and their growing up. A heart warming, fun story as done so well by Debbie Macomber. Anxious to read her newest book.
A wonderful month long vacation shared between two long time girl friends changes totally because of family emergency. As things happen by the unexpected, two families deal with major changes greatly encouraged and two young matchmaker met new callings. I had a lot of fun watching the changes in the teen's behavior and their growing up. A heart warming, fun story as done so well by Debbie Macomber. Anxious to read her newest book.
August 3, 2024
Middle of the road for me here. Not bad, but not great. Meh.
Short story of a widower with a 15 yr old son and a divorcee with a tween daughter at a rental home on Spruce Island in the Puget Sound.
At least the kids weren’t annoying. I actually liked the kids best of all and that’s sad for a romance story.
Didn’t really feel a spark between the MCs. Just ho hum romance.
There was kissing, but no intercourse if anyone needs that info.
Short story of a widower with a 15 yr old son and a divorcee with a tween daughter at a rental home on Spruce Island in the Puget Sound.
At least the kids weren’t annoying. I actually liked the kids best of all and that’s sad for a romance story.
Didn’t really feel a spark between the MCs. Just ho hum romance.
There was kissing, but no intercourse if anyone needs that info.
August 7, 2016
Lovely Setting
As usual, we are not disappointed by the characters we find in Debbie's books Only this time they are on a lovely Island in the San Juans. Her descriptions of the scenery live little to the imagination. One can understand how relationships can flourish in such a beautiful place. Once more , I am swept away in romance.
As usual, we are not disappointed by the characters we find in Debbie's books Only this time they are on a lovely Island in the San Juans. Her descriptions of the scenery live little to the imagination. One can understand how relationships can flourish in such a beautiful place. Once more , I am swept away in romance.
June 5, 2016
Rainbow Lodge
A mother and her son are to stay with her high school friend and family for a month. Things change and a man and his daughter end up sharing the lodge. This was a good book but not the usual depth from this author.
A mother and her son are to stay with her high school friend and family for a month. Things change and a man and his daughter end up sharing the lodge. This was a good book but not the usual depth from this author.
June 17, 2016
VERY LIGHT HEARTED EASY READ
If you've read romance books before, this one won't surprise you. It's very light hearted, a quick read, and the fact two young teen children are involved, helps make it funny.
Great read for the beach, a hammock, or even a sofa.
If you've read romance books before, this one won't surprise you. It's very light hearted, a quick read, and the fact two young teen children are involved, helps make it funny.
Great read for the beach, a hammock, or even a sofa.
May 14, 2016
Great book!!
I just love Debbie's books because they are so easy to get lost in, makes you feel like your in the story!
I just love Debbie's books because they are so easy to get lost in, makes you feel like your in the story!
May 17, 2016
Love at Paradise
What a great love story. But I wouldn't expect any thing else from Debbie she us my very favorite author.
What a great love story. But I wouldn't expect any thing else from Debbie she us my very favorite author.
May 30, 2016
Quick read
The story was a very quick read. It held my interest but was too short. I would have liked the story to have developed further.
The story was a very quick read. It held my interest but was too short. I would have liked the story to have developed further.
July 2, 2016
Very good
I lived reading this book. I loved how the kids ended up putting the growth ups together. Definitely a good read.
I lived reading this book. I loved how the kids ended up putting the growth ups together. Definitely a good read.
July 7, 2016
This was a short book. I
July 8, 2016
Enjoyable beach read. Predictable but for one who loves the Northwest a fun read
August 26, 2016
Short, but sweet!
October 4, 2016
Good story
Good story felt as knew the people in the story. If only life could be like a story. Reason to keep reading.
Good story felt as knew the people in the story. If only life could be like a story. Reason to keep reading.
December 29, 2016
Short sweet story. It's a novella not some huge book like goodreads makes it look.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews