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Journey to the Heart #2
East in Paradise
When an entrepreneur and an Army reservist end up in their own reality show fauxmance, they have to decide whether their love exists just for the cameras...or if it’s for real in this warmhearted romance, perfect for foodies and wine lovers!Bryn Aquino, the former manager of a Filipino restaurant, knows the value of hard work. With a shiny new MBA in tow and an investor, she’s ready to start her own a culinary retreat where visitors can relax, cook, and enjoy life’s simple pleasures. Dubbed Paraiso Retreats, she leases the childhood home of army reservist Mitchell Dunford—who returned from Afghanistan to revive his family’s vineyard—but finds herself in a bind when her investor pulls out of the business. When the retreat catches an internet live stream producer’s eye through social media channels, Bryn is offered the opportunity of a lifetime—to document her journey in exchange for a hefty paycheck. Excited, Bryn happily agrees to the arrangement...only to find out that she’s going to have to fake an onscreen romance with her indifferent landlord in order to keep her audience interested. As Mitchell and Bryn put on a show for the cameras, they find their romance isn’t hard to fake. They’ve got more in common under their bluster, banter, and doubts. As their relationship heats up and the cameras keep rolling, the line between show and reality blurs. And when the pressures of family, business, and the audience stack against them, will their romance survive internet stardom? Or was it just for show?
390 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 4, 2017
13 people are currently reading
407 people want to read
About the author
Tif Marcelo
33 books759 followersTif Marcelo is a veteran US Army nurse and holds a BS in Nursing and a Master’s in public administration. She believes and writes about the strength of families, the endurance of friendship, heartfelt romances, and is inspired daily by her own military hero husband and four children. She hosts The Stories to Love Podcast, and is the USA Today bestselling author of In a Book Club Far Away, Once Upon a Sunset, The Key to Happily Ever After, which was a Target Diverse Book Club pick, The Holiday Switch, and the Heart Resort and Journey to the Heart series. She and her books have been featured in The Today Show, Shondaland, Real Simple Magazine, The Asian Journal and more! Her website, which includes a link to her newsletter, is www.TifMarcelo.com
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 46 reviews
September 25, 2021
East in Paradise by Tif Marcelo
Journey to the Heart book 2. Contemporary romance. Television show fake troupe. Can be read as a stand-alone.
Bryn leases a building from Mitchell for a new business. For help with funding renovations the two agree to a reality type show that covers the rehab of both her restaurant / retreat and his vineyard. They fake a relationship to increase viewership and potential revenue.
Of course the relationship turns to a real romance and conflicts erupt from family and his PTSD. There was a fair amount of angst in the up and downs of their relationship where I wanted to shake them. “He can’t read your mind!” and “tell her!”
In the end it’s a romance so all is resolved.
Both this book and the prior feature military men either before or after service or as a reservist.
Journey to the Heart book 2. Contemporary romance. Television show fake troupe. Can be read as a stand-alone.
Bryn leases a building from Mitchell for a new business. For help with funding renovations the two agree to a reality type show that covers the rehab of both her restaurant / retreat and his vineyard. They fake a relationship to increase viewership and potential revenue.
Of course the relationship turns to a real romance and conflicts erupt from family and his PTSD. There was a fair amount of angst in the up and downs of their relationship where I wanted to shake them. “He can’t read your mind!” and “tell her!”
In the end it’s a romance so all is resolved.
Both this book and the prior feature military men either before or after service or as a reservist.
August 14, 2017
ARC provided by author in exchange for an honest review
East in Paradise by Tif Marcelo was one of those reads that had so much potential to be a great book but fell short in many ways. I liked the concept of the story of an independent woman wanting to venture off and try to make a name for herself with her culinary retreat. The idea sounds great but when the heroine is supposed to be perceived as strong, independent, and sassy but fails to come across that then as a reader I fail to connect with her. Personally the heroine was someone I found to be annoying with how she interacted with the hero. I loved that the author made the heroine a Filipino American, who has a strong sense of culture but when the author constantly reminds readers of that, it gets a bit too much especially for me and I am part Filipino.
This attraction is a conflict of interest, and all wrong. But the electricity between us—it’s palpable. ”
In the beginning, the interaction of Bryn Aquino and Mitchell Dunford was sweet and adorable and I found myself looking forward to whenever these two made an appearance but as I read further along the book, I found myself only wanting to know Mitchell, the landlord who leased out the culinary retreat house to Bryn. I found Bryn to be someone unapproachable and stubborn which was a major distraction for me especially when I wanted to see the author showcase more of a romantic undertone than a heroine who is always complaining about her business and the insertion of Bryn’s sister was somewhat irrelevant, hence another filler distraction.
East in Paradise was overall an okay book. Writing was good but the storyline could have been condensed.While this book didn’t live up to my expectation as it did with the first book I will for sure give the third book a shot and hopefully the author can showcase more of a love story that will connect with the readers. I do applaud the author for making a story of a heroine of a different ethnicity and so major props for her that.
Tif Marcelo
East in Paradise by Tif Marcelo was one of those reads that had so much potential to be a great book but fell short in many ways. I liked the concept of the story of an independent woman wanting to venture off and try to make a name for herself with her culinary retreat. The idea sounds great but when the heroine is supposed to be perceived as strong, independent, and sassy but fails to come across that then as a reader I fail to connect with her. Personally the heroine was someone I found to be annoying with how she interacted with the hero. I loved that the author made the heroine a Filipino American, who has a strong sense of culture but when the author constantly reminds readers of that, it gets a bit too much especially for me and I am part Filipino.
This attraction is a conflict of interest, and all wrong. But the electricity between us—it’s palpable. ”In the beginning, the interaction of Bryn Aquino and Mitchell Dunford was sweet and adorable and I found myself looking forward to whenever these two made an appearance but as I read further along the book, I found myself only wanting to know Mitchell, the landlord who leased out the culinary retreat house to Bryn. I found Bryn to be someone unapproachable and stubborn which was a major distraction for me especially when I wanted to see the author showcase more of a romantic undertone than a heroine who is always complaining about her business and the insertion of Bryn’s sister was somewhat irrelevant, hence another filler distraction.
East in Paradise was overall an okay book. Writing was good but the storyline could have been condensed.While this book didn’t live up to my expectation as it did with the first book I will for sure give the third book a shot and hopefully the author can showcase more of a love story that will connect with the readers. I do applaud the author for making a story of a heroine of a different ethnicity and so major props for her that.
Tif Marcelo
September 7, 2017
Mitchell Dunford has finished his tour in the army and has become a reservist. He has moved back to his family’s home estate – which includes a winery and a large house he has decided to lease out. When his grandfather owned the property, amazing wine was bottled here. But, that slowly went away as the years passed, and now they just sell some grapes. Mitchell would love to get the estate up and running again and to start making wine – but that takes money he doesn’t have. There is a nice, large house on the property he has leased to a woman named Bryn – and she has big plans as well.
Bryn’s passionate vision for the house she has just leased is to make it into a culinary retreat. She wants to include a state of the art kitchen, homegrown vegetables, and a place where people can come eat, cook and relax in style. Bryn grew up working in her family’s Filipino restaurant and now that she has her MBA, she is ready for this next step. When her business partner abruptly decides not to be a part of this, money for Bryn becomes a big problem too. She needs to renovate and get guests in as soon as possible, so she can make payments on her new lease on time. When a producer who runs live-stream events on the internet approaches her with an idea – Bryn is all ears. For a few hours a day, Bryn will be live-streamed – her journey from leasing this house to opening the culinary retreat. She will get paid for it, which will lessen her money worries
Mitchell is upset that Bryn allows this filming without asking him first. But when the producer comes to Mitchell with the idea that him and Bryn could have a fake romance develop – which would greatly increase viewership and profit….he decides he could live with that for a few weeks.
I struggled with Bryn a little in this book – I didn’t dislike her but she frustrated me. Her and Mitchell are both well developed characters. – this author does a nice job allowing the reader to get to know them intimately. Nothing is rushed and she sets the scene up really well. I enjoyed the first book in this series and felt the same through a lot of this book. But, Bryn did get on my nerves at times. I know I I’m harder on heroines than heroes…but I like what I like, and I don’t like what I don’t like, and some of Bryn’s actions really grated on me. Like when she first meets Mitchell:
I want to prove him wrong, just because.
Yes, it’s irrational. It’s stupid.
It sure didn’t help his cause that he initially treated our meeting with an easygoing attitude, a hands-in-his-jeans-pocket-aw-shuck vibe people like me abhor. People like me who scrubbed floors, washed dishes, waited tables, cooked food, and took our jobs seriously.
She doesn’t know anything about him or the life he has lived.
I learned that she hates to lose control. She is the one that decides to film her life for all the internet to see, without asking Mitchell. Yet, when Mitchell talks to the producer and is arranged into something, she gets so upset and lashes out. When she meets Mitchell’s brothers, and she can’t control their reaction to her, she lashes out. I feel like if the situation had been reversed, and Mitchell treated Bryn’s sister the way she treated his brothers, she would have lost her mind.
I’m all about her spirit of getting this huge business off the ground and running – basically on her own. It’s a learning experience and of course she will have ups and downs. But I just felt like she acted selfish at times. I got tired of reading about it and when I picture them ten years in the future, I can’t help but see a lot of fights between them.
And I know I’ve dumped on Bryn this entire review – and yet this book is still a solid read. I honestly do like this author’s voice – in a time where I feel like I read so many books that feel rushed and details glossed over, she gives us stories that feel very full and vibrant. I enjoyed the journey of getting the house and estate up and running again. Mitchell deals with some PTSD lingering and his journey of acclimating back to civilian life is well done. There are times that the two of them made me smile.
He leans, lips grazing against my neck, against my tattoo. “What kind of flowers are these?”
My body leans into him as his tongue trails up to my earlobe, betraying my brain. What was I mad about again? “Sampaguita. The national flower of the Philippines.”
“Sampaguita,” he repeats in a perfect accent. His hand moves up the inside of my thigh. Not gonna lie, that and the fact that he cares enough not to butcher the word causes me to shiver.
I breathe out a response. “It’s the from the jasmine family. It’s supposed to represent simplicity and humility.”
“So basically, the complete opposite of you?” he whispers into my neck.
I push him away, laughing. “Jerk.”
I wanted to root for them!
I loved book one, if you haven’t read it yet.
Grade: C+
Bryn’s passionate vision for the house she has just leased is to make it into a culinary retreat. She wants to include a state of the art kitchen, homegrown vegetables, and a place where people can come eat, cook and relax in style. Bryn grew up working in her family’s Filipino restaurant and now that she has her MBA, she is ready for this next step. When her business partner abruptly decides not to be a part of this, money for Bryn becomes a big problem too. She needs to renovate and get guests in as soon as possible, so she can make payments on her new lease on time. When a producer who runs live-stream events on the internet approaches her with an idea – Bryn is all ears. For a few hours a day, Bryn will be live-streamed – her journey from leasing this house to opening the culinary retreat. She will get paid for it, which will lessen her money worries
Mitchell is upset that Bryn allows this filming without asking him first. But when the producer comes to Mitchell with the idea that him and Bryn could have a fake romance develop – which would greatly increase viewership and profit….he decides he could live with that for a few weeks.
I struggled with Bryn a little in this book – I didn’t dislike her but she frustrated me. Her and Mitchell are both well developed characters. – this author does a nice job allowing the reader to get to know them intimately. Nothing is rushed and she sets the scene up really well. I enjoyed the first book in this series and felt the same through a lot of this book. But, Bryn did get on my nerves at times. I know I I’m harder on heroines than heroes…but I like what I like, and I don’t like what I don’t like, and some of Bryn’s actions really grated on me. Like when she first meets Mitchell:
I want to prove him wrong, just because.
Yes, it’s irrational. It’s stupid.
It sure didn’t help his cause that he initially treated our meeting with an easygoing attitude, a hands-in-his-jeans-pocket-aw-shuck vibe people like me abhor. People like me who scrubbed floors, washed dishes, waited tables, cooked food, and took our jobs seriously.
She doesn’t know anything about him or the life he has lived.
I learned that she hates to lose control. She is the one that decides to film her life for all the internet to see, without asking Mitchell. Yet, when Mitchell talks to the producer and is arranged into something, she gets so upset and lashes out. When she meets Mitchell’s brothers, and she can’t control their reaction to her, she lashes out. I feel like if the situation had been reversed, and Mitchell treated Bryn’s sister the way she treated his brothers, she would have lost her mind.
I’m all about her spirit of getting this huge business off the ground and running – basically on her own. It’s a learning experience and of course she will have ups and downs. But I just felt like she acted selfish at times. I got tired of reading about it and when I picture them ten years in the future, I can’t help but see a lot of fights between them.
And I know I’ve dumped on Bryn this entire review – and yet this book is still a solid read. I honestly do like this author’s voice – in a time where I feel like I read so many books that feel rushed and details glossed over, she gives us stories that feel very full and vibrant. I enjoyed the journey of getting the house and estate up and running again. Mitchell deals with some PTSD lingering and his journey of acclimating back to civilian life is well done. There are times that the two of them made me smile.
He leans, lips grazing against my neck, against my tattoo. “What kind of flowers are these?”
My body leans into him as his tongue trails up to my earlobe, betraying my brain. What was I mad about again? “Sampaguita. The national flower of the Philippines.”
“Sampaguita,” he repeats in a perfect accent. His hand moves up the inside of my thigh. Not gonna lie, that and the fact that he cares enough not to butcher the word causes me to shiver.
I breathe out a response. “It’s the from the jasmine family. It’s supposed to represent simplicity and humility.”
“So basically, the complete opposite of you?” he whispers into my neck.
I push him away, laughing. “Jerk.”
I wanted to root for them!
I loved book one, if you haven’t read it yet.
Grade: C+
September 2, 2017
East in Paradise is the second book in the Journey to the Heart series, but this book can be read as a standalone. I read this book as a standalone novel, but now I REALLY want to go back and read book one! East in Paradise was such a delightful novel full of heart, humor, family ties, food, and swoons. I had a smile on my face the entire time I was reading this book! There were emotional moments too that made my heart hurt, but the happy moments healed my aching heart. Some moments of this book felt a bit slower, but the book was well paced as a whole.
Bryn, the main female character, was a headstrong, determined, and opinionated woman. Bryn wasn't afraid to fight for what she believed in and she always tried to get the last word in her arguments. I also loved how business oriented Bryn was and how she worked hard for everything in her life. She also watched Gilmore Girls and loved food, so it was hard to NOT love Bryn.
The main male character, Mitchell, was such a romantic, kind, and strong man. Mitchell was a nature lover, and it made my heart so warm. I loved the fact that the author delved into his PTSD and really discussed how it affected him in his life. It was great to see PTSD discussed so openly in a book. It felt like an important topic and it didn't get thrown to the back burner because of the romance. I have no experience with PTSD, but I felt like ti was represented in a realistic and positive manner.
The romance in this book made my heart swell three times in size. BRYN AND MITCHELL ARE SO FREAKING CUTE TOGETHER. The chemistry between Bryn and Mitchell was off the charts and I literally started shipping them from the moment they met. They had such a funny and adorable meet-cute that I couldn't help but ship it right away! The progression of their romance was slow burning and delicious. Their banter was hilarious and I liked how the romance never completely took over the plot of this book.
ALSO, THIS BOOK MADE ME SO HUNGRY. THE FOOD AND WINE SOUNDED AMAZING. I WAS NOT PREPARED TO CRAVE SO MUCH FOOD AND WINE.
East in Paradise was an addictive, charming, and adorable book. This book is one that will suck you in and make you really care about every character. I would recommend this book and series to all romance lovers!
4 / 5 Fangs
*This ebook was given to me in exchange for an honest review. *
MrsLeif's Two Fangs About It
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Bryn, the main female character, was a headstrong, determined, and opinionated woman. Bryn wasn't afraid to fight for what she believed in and she always tried to get the last word in her arguments. I also loved how business oriented Bryn was and how she worked hard for everything in her life. She also watched Gilmore Girls and loved food, so it was hard to NOT love Bryn.
The main male character, Mitchell, was such a romantic, kind, and strong man. Mitchell was a nature lover, and it made my heart so warm. I loved the fact that the author delved into his PTSD and really discussed how it affected him in his life. It was great to see PTSD discussed so openly in a book. It felt like an important topic and it didn't get thrown to the back burner because of the romance. I have no experience with PTSD, but I felt like ti was represented in a realistic and positive manner.
The romance in this book made my heart swell three times in size. BRYN AND MITCHELL ARE SO FREAKING CUTE TOGETHER. The chemistry between Bryn and Mitchell was off the charts and I literally started shipping them from the moment they met. They had such a funny and adorable meet-cute that I couldn't help but ship it right away! The progression of their romance was slow burning and delicious. Their banter was hilarious and I liked how the romance never completely took over the plot of this book.
ALSO, THIS BOOK MADE ME SO HUNGRY. THE FOOD AND WINE SOUNDED AMAZING. I WAS NOT PREPARED TO CRAVE SO MUCH FOOD AND WINE.
East in Paradise was an addictive, charming, and adorable book. This book is one that will suck you in and make you really care about every character. I would recommend this book and series to all romance lovers!
4 / 5 Fangs
*This ebook was given to me in exchange for an honest review. *
MrsLeif's Two Fangs About It
August 11, 2017
Book 2 for me was just like book one. I am learning this author is not for me. I don't think I will read book 3.
September 4, 2017
Love this book!! <3 Funny, sexy, and full of culinary flair, EAST IN PARADISE is a delicious treat from start to finish.
September 4, 2017
I had my doubts with this one. I'd seen Nick saying she wasn't Bryn's biggest fan because she was mean so I went in with a couple of reservations. At first I agreed, Bryn was mean and quick to judge when she didn't know everything. She wasnt willing to let folks close to her and needed control. And then Mitcj looked like he was going to grow closer to Bryn with this livestream and not mention his ulterior motives and when he cared for her. I should've known there was no need to be worried. Did North To You teach me nothing? Marcelo knows what she's doing.
Mitch and Bryn were very different and they didn't get off to the best start. He did spill his coffee all down her and then he ended up being her landlord. There were sparks from the start, though. No one is that bothered by someone and doesn't have an interest in them.
Mitch was the easier character to like. He was a war veteran and suffering from insomnia and PTSD. He had things mostly under control and he was working to make his families vinewayd a success once more. He was a genuinely nice guy and he was so easy to fall in.lobe. Bryn was not. She was harsh in North To You but in this her determined personality shone through. She was focused and independent and that did make me like her but, like Mitch, I had to get past those walls she built to see what she was really like. Once she released a bit and got to know Mitch that was one I really started to like her.
There were several ups and downs in this book. I really enjoyed it, though. I also loved that it was a fake relationship book, except that it wasn't a fake relationship. They were taking a fake relationship and that was a good twist on a common (and far-fetched) trope.
Mitch and Bryn were very different and they didn't get off to the best start. He did spill his coffee all down her and then he ended up being her landlord. There were sparks from the start, though. No one is that bothered by someone and doesn't have an interest in them.
Mitch was the easier character to like. He was a war veteran and suffering from insomnia and PTSD. He had things mostly under control and he was working to make his families vinewayd a success once more. He was a genuinely nice guy and he was so easy to fall in.lobe. Bryn was not. She was harsh in North To You but in this her determined personality shone through. She was focused and independent and that did make me like her but, like Mitch, I had to get past those walls she built to see what she was really like. Once she released a bit and got to know Mitch that was one I really started to like her.
There were several ups and downs in this book. I really enjoyed it, though. I also loved that it was a fake relationship book, except that it wasn't a fake relationship. They were taking a fake relationship and that was a good twist on a common (and far-fetched) trope.
May 6, 2018
I found that I was more interested in the renovation/business aspects of this than the showmance turned real, which should have been amazing. And it was fine--I am willing to believe that Bryn and Mitchell will be happy together forever, but I didn't particularly connect with it either.
But man, I really want to visit that vineyard/cooking retreat.
But man, I really want to visit that vineyard/cooking retreat.
September 4, 2017
I've read and loved thousands of romance novels for over thirty years. My biggest complaint and the reason I'm writing my own series is that I hadn't read MY story yet. Right now, I can honestly say Tif Marcelo's East in Paradise, Book 2 of her Journey to the Heart series, has come the closest.
A Filipino-American heroine. Check. Military Veteran hero. Also check. Heroine has a younger sister. That's me as well. Our first date was at Napa Valley, quite similar to the setting of Paraiso Retreats.
I can say though that you don't have to be a Filipino to relate to the characters and enjoy this book. East has a feisty, resolute heroine in Bryn, who has a goal and knows what she has to do in order to achieve it. It has an admirable hero in Mitchell, who served his country and has a great sense of responsibility towards his family's legacy. This book is about dreams, family, and love.
The conflicts are very current, very real in the world we live in today. The secondary characters are well-rounded with both good and bad mixed in. The hero and heroine are characterized realistically with strengths and weaknesses.
Where it might have faltered for me a bit is when Bryn appeared to be too aggressive and Mitch didn't assert himself fast enough. I knew they were going to get their happily-ever-after eventually, but it was an uncomfortable feeling reading it so close to the end without their final and most explosive conflict being resolved.
Overall, I enjoyed East in Paradise, especially the celebration of Filipino culture in the food and relationships. I give it four solid stars.
Note: I received this ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
A Filipino-American heroine. Check. Military Veteran hero. Also check. Heroine has a younger sister. That's me as well. Our first date was at Napa Valley, quite similar to the setting of Paraiso Retreats.
I can say though that you don't have to be a Filipino to relate to the characters and enjoy this book. East has a feisty, resolute heroine in Bryn, who has a goal and knows what she has to do in order to achieve it. It has an admirable hero in Mitchell, who served his country and has a great sense of responsibility towards his family's legacy. This book is about dreams, family, and love.
The conflicts are very current, very real in the world we live in today. The secondary characters are well-rounded with both good and bad mixed in. The hero and heroine are characterized realistically with strengths and weaknesses.
Where it might have faltered for me a bit is when Bryn appeared to be too aggressive and Mitch didn't assert himself fast enough. I knew they were going to get their happily-ever-after eventually, but it was an uncomfortable feeling reading it so close to the end without their final and most explosive conflict being resolved.
Overall, I enjoyed East in Paradise, especially the celebration of Filipino culture in the food and relationships. I give it four solid stars.
Note: I received this ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
August 29, 2017
Thank you, Tif Marcelo and Pocket Star, for my ARC of East in Paradise. I received this ARC in exchange for an honest review; this does not affect my opinion. Any quotes mentioned below are taken from the ARC and are subject to change upon publication.
East in Paradise is the standalone sequel to North to You. The book follows Bryn Aquino, a Filipino business woman, and Mitchell Dunford, army hero, and an expert in all things agriculture and vineyards. East in Paradise takes you on a journey where you are swept away by reality TV, fake dating, delicious food and wine, raw emotions and lots of laughs. If foodie romances, as well as strong and vulnerable heroes and heroines, are your thing, then your next book purchase should be none other than East in Paradise by Tif Marcelo.
This attraction is a conflict of interest, and all wrong. But the electricity between us–it’s palpable. It has both a negative and a positive charge that draws me to him and pushes me away, though equally powerful. And I know he feels it, too.
I love how sweet the romance between Bryn and Mitchell is, their banter is A+ and they really have to work to get their happily ever after. They both have walls that need to be torn down and I loved to see that happen little by little. The end result was that much sweeter because of the hard work and ups and downs Bryn and Mitchell had to get through to get their happy ending. This book has both fake dating and reality TV and I love these tropes so much. Moreover, I love how the story is about more than just the romance between Bryn and Mitchell. Both of them are also trying to start businesses and that’s a whole process, and I like how we get to see that. There is a lot riding on the success of their businesses and we get to see them on every step of the way: the good and the bad, the rewards and the setbacks.
Damn, the woman won’t stop. Her attitude won’t quit; she refuses to submit.
And it fucking turns me on.
Bryn is a remarkable heroine, I love her so much. She is energetic, and always wants to fight and have the last word in discussions and arguments. I’m so glad she was portrayed the way she was because I think it’s rare to see headstrong and opinionated women get celebrated. I relate to her so much, so definitely give me more gutsy, vulnerable and stubborn women in romance. I love it when we see women going after what they want and not being afraid to do it. Furthermore, what I love about Mitchell is the fact that he’s kind, is in love with all things nature, and totally has a green thumb. There is also the fact that he’s a soldier, a captain. Mitchell has PTSD and I loved the way that was shown and handled. We see how he deals with both his anxiety and insomnia and how he gets treatment for his PTSD as his symptoms begin to worsen. I love how this book called out a lot of the stigma that exists surrounding soldiers with PTSD and I’m glad something so significant was brought up in a skillful way that in no way diminishes its importance. Mitchell and Bryn are both fully fleshed out characters that I think many will enjoy reading about and getting to know them.
Another aspect of East in Paradise I loved was the family vibes. We get to see both Bryn’s and Mitchell’s family, and despite none of them being perfect, I love how authentic it feels to see them come with their two cents about the entire ordeal of the plot. It’s also very clear how much Bryn and Mitchell care about their families and thus also care about what the other’s family thinks of them. Another plus was the main characters Camille and Drew from North to You made multiple cameo appearances (which was not surprising considering we were introduced to Bryn in North to You since she’s Drew’s cousin). As for future installments, the information about who the third book is about is still unknown. However, I’d really like to see the next book be about Victoria (Bryn’s sister) or Cody (Mitchell’s brother) since I fell in love with them both from what we saw in East in Paradise.
All in all, I love how Tif Marcelo has brought us two amazing foodie romances that will make you swoon. East in Paradise has the best romance and an amazing cast of characters to get invested in. I love how this book is both light and funny yet still manages to tackle important topics that I can imagine are often just brushed over. If you’re a lover of romance, food, wine and that classic “and they lived happily ever after” then you need East in Paradise on your TBR. Nothing beats a really good romance read and this book is definitely it.
East in Paradise is the standalone sequel to North to You. The book follows Bryn Aquino, a Filipino business woman, and Mitchell Dunford, army hero, and an expert in all things agriculture and vineyards. East in Paradise takes you on a journey where you are swept away by reality TV, fake dating, delicious food and wine, raw emotions and lots of laughs. If foodie romances, as well as strong and vulnerable heroes and heroines, are your thing, then your next book purchase should be none other than East in Paradise by Tif Marcelo.
This attraction is a conflict of interest, and all wrong. But the electricity between us–it’s palpable. It has both a negative and a positive charge that draws me to him and pushes me away, though equally powerful. And I know he feels it, too.
I love how sweet the romance between Bryn and Mitchell is, their banter is A+ and they really have to work to get their happily ever after. They both have walls that need to be torn down and I loved to see that happen little by little. The end result was that much sweeter because of the hard work and ups and downs Bryn and Mitchell had to get through to get their happy ending. This book has both fake dating and reality TV and I love these tropes so much. Moreover, I love how the story is about more than just the romance between Bryn and Mitchell. Both of them are also trying to start businesses and that’s a whole process, and I like how we get to see that. There is a lot riding on the success of their businesses and we get to see them on every step of the way: the good and the bad, the rewards and the setbacks.
Damn, the woman won’t stop. Her attitude won’t quit; she refuses to submit.
And it fucking turns me on.
Bryn is a remarkable heroine, I love her so much. She is energetic, and always wants to fight and have the last word in discussions and arguments. I’m so glad she was portrayed the way she was because I think it’s rare to see headstrong and opinionated women get celebrated. I relate to her so much, so definitely give me more gutsy, vulnerable and stubborn women in romance. I love it when we see women going after what they want and not being afraid to do it. Furthermore, what I love about Mitchell is the fact that he’s kind, is in love with all things nature, and totally has a green thumb. There is also the fact that he’s a soldier, a captain. Mitchell has PTSD and I loved the way that was shown and handled. We see how he deals with both his anxiety and insomnia and how he gets treatment for his PTSD as his symptoms begin to worsen. I love how this book called out a lot of the stigma that exists surrounding soldiers with PTSD and I’m glad something so significant was brought up in a skillful way that in no way diminishes its importance. Mitchell and Bryn are both fully fleshed out characters that I think many will enjoy reading about and getting to know them.
Another aspect of East in Paradise I loved was the family vibes. We get to see both Bryn’s and Mitchell’s family, and despite none of them being perfect, I love how authentic it feels to see them come with their two cents about the entire ordeal of the plot. It’s also very clear how much Bryn and Mitchell care about their families and thus also care about what the other’s family thinks of them. Another plus was the main characters Camille and Drew from North to You made multiple cameo appearances (which was not surprising considering we were introduced to Bryn in North to You since she’s Drew’s cousin). As for future installments, the information about who the third book is about is still unknown. However, I’d really like to see the next book be about Victoria (Bryn’s sister) or Cody (Mitchell’s brother) since I fell in love with them both from what we saw in East in Paradise.
All in all, I love how Tif Marcelo has brought us two amazing foodie romances that will make you swoon. East in Paradise has the best romance and an amazing cast of characters to get invested in. I love how this book is both light and funny yet still manages to tackle important topics that I can imagine are often just brushed over. If you’re a lover of romance, food, wine and that classic “and they lived happily ever after” then you need East in Paradise on your TBR. Nothing beats a really good romance read and this book is definitely it.
September 14, 2017
3.5/5
After absolutely LOVING Tif Marcelo's debut novel, North To You, I was really excited to give East in Paradise a try. I'm going to admit right away that I didn't love this book as much as I adored the first, mostly due to my irritation towards Bryn, the female protagonist. However, I still recommend this book because it had some many other elements that were written absolutely brilliantly. Tif Marcelo is a talented author, and even though East in Paradise is only her second book, I'm completely in love with her writing.
As I said, I did not get along with Bryn. She's fiercely independent, bullheaded and goal-oriented, which aren't qualities that I look down on. However, I felt like she sometimes took it a little far, so much so that she had this tunnel-vision that led to her hurting people. She could be really over the top and I never really saw much growth in her character until the end. For instance, on her first meeting with Mitchell, he accidentally spills coffee on her while she's on her way to an important meeting. The guy is a total gentleman, and even buys her a replacement t-shirt, but she makes up her mind about him, and is downright mean to him. When she finds out that he's the landlord of the property she wants to start her cooking retreat, she's even meaner to him. She gets upset and defensive anytime he expresses concern about some of her renovation plans on HIS property. I just didn't understand why she was so callous and prickly around him, especially because he 100% did not deserve any of that coldness. Mitchell, on the other hand, I loved from the beginning. He is just back from deployment, and is suffering from a PTSD-related sleeping disorder. He tries to work with his mental health by going to see a therapist, as well as taking medications for his condition. Let me just say, I was really impressed and thrilled that Tif Marcelo made East in Paradise a therapy-positive one. Besides dealing with his PTSD, Mitch is also trying to turn his parents vineyard around to get it to be as successful as it was in the old days. Mitch is so kind and caring, he's impossible not to love.
Though he and Bryn don't start off on the right foot, there's no denying that the spark that ignited from their first meeting. Add to that the fake-relationship they decide to engage in to bring in more viewers to Bryn's live-stream, their relationship is certainly tumultuous. Tif Marcelo's writes their relationship beautifully though. As they begin to get to know each other, Bryn starts to loosen up, and be more of herself around him. It's a sweet romance, with lots of chemistry, proving that Tif Marcelo excels at writing sweet and swoony romances that give you all the butterflies. I will say that I was just a bit let down by the reason for the big breakup/misunderstanding towards the end because it felt like Bryn regressed back to her cold self, but then the way Mitchell tries to win her back just about made me melt, so I really can't complain. Like North to You, East in Paradise is also a foodie romance, so you get lots and lots of description of food that will make you so hungry - definitely keep food nearby when reading this one! Family plays a big role again here, which I absolutely loved. Bryn's Filipino family are loud, boisterous and completely supportive of each other, and Mitch's brothers are meddlesome, but love their brother like nobody's business.
Bryn might have prevented me from loving East in Paradise as much as I loved North to You, but it is still a fantastic romance novel, with a lot of lovely elements that work well together. I can't find out whose book we're going to get next! Tif Marcelo is an author to keep on your radar!
May 29, 2020
3.5 stars! Cute premise and romance, and I enjoyed the characters (main and secondary) a lot. Plus, it did some interesting things with the conflicts between our couple that surprised me.
December 24, 2019
J'avais lu et aimé le 1er tome de cette saga rafraîchissante en juin dernier et j'ai donc dévoré ce 2ème tome où on retrouve la même ambiance que pour le précédent tome. Tif Marcelo va nous faire découvrir deux nouveaux personnages qui n'ont pas fini de nous régaler avec leur joutes verbales.
un deuxième tome toujours aussi frais et divertissant. La saga Flirt & Food est vraiment une saga sympathique qui nous offre de bons moments de lectures. Tif Marcelo nous offre certes des intrigues dont on peut deviner le dénouement mais on passe de bon moment avec ses personnages et on en redemande.
Chronique complète : https://thelovelyteacheraddictions.bl...
un deuxième tome toujours aussi frais et divertissant. La saga Flirt & Food est vraiment une saga sympathique qui nous offre de bons moments de lectures. Tif Marcelo nous offre certes des intrigues dont on peut deviner le dénouement mais on passe de bon moment avec ses personnages et on en redemande.
Chronique complète : https://thelovelyteacheraddictions.bl...
September 23, 2017
I wanted to love East in Paradise because I liked the first in the series, North to You, but, unfortunately this second story didn't work for me.
Mitchell is now in the Army reserves and in charge of his family's land, a vineyard, and has decided to lease it out in order for it to make them some income. That's where Bryn comes in. She wants to lease his property and put in a culinary retreat on it. She, along with her investor, have decided to lease it because it fits perfectly into her vision. Unfortunately, her investor pulls out and Bryn is stuck until Mitchell comes up with a plan.
Their relationship starts off as fake but soon becomes real, but how can they make a relationship work when Bryn is so closed off and when their relationship started off as fake?
The main reason, OK, the only reason, East in Paradise didn't live up to my expectations is because the heroine, Bryn, drove me nuts. She was so closed off and rude and mean that I couldn't connect with her. On the other hand, I love Mitchell. He's sweet and sexy and adorable and really could have done much better than Bryn. And it's sad that I didn't like Bryn or connect with her, because I wanted to. She's Filipina, for one, and it is very rare for me to read of heroines or heroes of my ethnicity in romances. She's also in the culinary world, which is something I love reading about. Unfortunately, she's written in such a way that I just couldn't connect with her or bring myself to like her.
Other than her character, though, East in Paradise is enjoyable. It's well written and the premise, Mitchell, the diversity, all are good things. If not for Bryn, I would have definitely rated it 4 stars. I am still interested in this series, and am planning on reading the next story, West Coast Love.
I received an ARC through NetGalley for an honest review.
Mitchell is now in the Army reserves and in charge of his family's land, a vineyard, and has decided to lease it out in order for it to make them some income. That's where Bryn comes in. She wants to lease his property and put in a culinary retreat on it. She, along with her investor, have decided to lease it because it fits perfectly into her vision. Unfortunately, her investor pulls out and Bryn is stuck until Mitchell comes up with a plan.
Their relationship starts off as fake but soon becomes real, but how can they make a relationship work when Bryn is so closed off and when their relationship started off as fake?
The main reason, OK, the only reason, East in Paradise didn't live up to my expectations is because the heroine, Bryn, drove me nuts. She was so closed off and rude and mean that I couldn't connect with her. On the other hand, I love Mitchell. He's sweet and sexy and adorable and really could have done much better than Bryn. And it's sad that I didn't like Bryn or connect with her, because I wanted to. She's Filipina, for one, and it is very rare for me to read of heroines or heroes of my ethnicity in romances. She's also in the culinary world, which is something I love reading about. Unfortunately, she's written in such a way that I just couldn't connect with her or bring myself to like her.
Other than her character, though, East in Paradise is enjoyable. It's well written and the premise, Mitchell, the diversity, all are good things. If not for Bryn, I would have definitely rated it 4 stars. I am still interested in this series, and am planning on reading the next story, West Coast Love.
I received an ARC through NetGalley for an honest review.
February 12, 2018
This was cute & made me want to eat Filipino food for dinner as a result. Nice balance of angst & non ridiculous shennanigans, though I kind of was expecting a bit more Drama with the set-up & climax? Only thing missing was a bit more time with the family/supporting characters, I think, but I shipped the romance pretty hard.
October 11, 2017
*3.5 stars*
September 26, 2021
East in Paradise is a romance about a fake relationship that becomes real with a bit of an enemies to lovers vibe thrown in. The two main characters have great chemistry. It was fun to watch them spar and flirt. The story ends with a very satisfying HEA and the epilogue is great.
August 1, 2017
I read North to You and was surprised by how much I enjoyed it, so I jumped at the opportunity to read a review copy of the second book in the series. I really liked Bryn in the first book and was eager to read a book with her as the main character. Marcelo is a strong writer and I liked this book. I just didn't love it. We are told repeatedly that Bryn is a strong, independent woman. To me she seemed more hot-headed and irrational. I wish that Mitchell had been a stronger character. There was a lot in his back story that I would have liked to see explored but he was more just a generic nice guy. There is a lot of drama in their relationship mostly centered around their businesses that was more distracting than enhancing. My expectations may have been too high for this one.
September 15, 2017
Mitchell tells his grandmother he doesn’t much like going into town anymore as it causes too much of a whirlwind that his presence now causes. From the second he returned to Golden two weeks ago it has been a fiasco as far as Mitchell is concerned. Mitchell has learned the more affable and cool Mitchelle was the faster he could grab his coffee and get on with his day. Also Sam Cornelius is like family and gave Mitchell his first taste of coffee at twelve but now always announced Mitchell’s presence when he arrived as was a home hero who had been in the Army. Mitchell realizes he is not the same person who left for the Army. Mitchell was alone up at the big house but he does have King Lear a sixteen year old vineyard cat that had adopted Mitchell’s family. King Lear also announces visitors like Simba from Lion KIng. Mitchell is determined to get the family vineyard up and running again. Mitchell knows it is going to take more than awareness to make a success out of that is hanging on by the last of its roots. Mitchell is leasing some property at the vineyard - Lavenderhill. Mitchell still hasn’t figured out how to tell his brothers strangers will be living on their land. Now that Golden have become to a tourist town it doesn’t feel like home to Mitchell or his brothers anymore. Bryn has managed the restaurant True North for several years now she will have her own business Then Bryn was told the higher up gravel road from Lavender Hill was Mountain Ridge and that was where Mitchell lived and he was her landlord. Mitchell didn’t know the woman he spilled coffee all that morning over was his new tenant with a five year lease and she would be living right below him. Pete Luna was Bryn’s silent partner. Bryn decided to call her business Paraeso - Paradise for her culinary retreat Bryn then received a call from her silent partner Pete who can no longer send her money or be her partner as he is broke and his wife is pregnant. Bryn just signed an expensive five year lease. Mitchell suffers from insomnia - four weeks of insomnia or interrupted sleep and Mitchell wasn’t sure how much longer he could keep this up. His body was beat after tending the vines.Bryn had a black thumb instead of a green oe yet she needed to grow the garden for fresh produce. So she will need help there. Bryn meets Joanie who is Mitchell.s and she told Bryn to ask Mitchell for help with the garden. Then Bryn gets a call from Laurel and she was an online producer for the website Food Right Now and she said they wanted to stream her renovations and the opening and maybe more and Bryn would be paid as well as get the involuable exposure. Bryn signed a contract but found there was a lot involved. Then after a sprinkler incident Bryn has to tell. Mitchell about the live feed onto the internet Mitchell finds out he has to replant a bunch of vines but he nor his brothers have the money. Mitchell finally called Adam his brother’s best friend who was also a licensed psychologist for the insomnia. Bryn knows she has to play nice so he doesn’t stand in the middle of the potential income from the live stream. Mitchell said he hadn’t agreed to the cameras especially as coming home was about having peace. To heal through the grapevines Dunford was suppose to help heal Mitchell.
I didn’t really care for this story and it was because I couldn’t stand Bryn. I swear it’s okay for her to do things but heaven help if the actual land owner does the same thing and she pulls all kinds of BS on him yet the network she never said anything to and it was their idea to not tell Bryn the truth but Mitchell was an honest man not dirty like Bryn or the network as Bryn would not have told Mitchell with the live tape if she could have got away with it. She paid a high lease but she is the one who agreed to it so that us her problem. I didn’t like what she pulled on Mitchell when he told her what was going on like she was owed if it wasn’t for Mitchell they would have dumped her as the audience wasn’t very interested apparently until Mitchell showed up so she wouldn’t have got that much without him. I just felt she used Mitchell and it just totally took all interest in this story for me. Bryn didn’t tell Mitchell when her partner backed out and she worried she could meet the lease. She didn’t tell Mitchell about the live cast until Bryn knew she had to and she was already benefitting but don’t let anyone one else. Well I ranted enough I had liked this book but Bryn rubbed me wrong for awhile before the incident so anyway I don’t recommend this but I am sure others will like this story a lot.
I didn’t really care for this story and it was because I couldn’t stand Bryn. I swear it’s okay for her to do things but heaven help if the actual land owner does the same thing and she pulls all kinds of BS on him yet the network she never said anything to and it was their idea to not tell Bryn the truth but Mitchell was an honest man not dirty like Bryn or the network as Bryn would not have told Mitchell with the live tape if she could have got away with it. She paid a high lease but she is the one who agreed to it so that us her problem. I didn’t like what she pulled on Mitchell when he told her what was going on like she was owed if it wasn’t for Mitchell they would have dumped her as the audience wasn’t very interested apparently until Mitchell showed up so she wouldn’t have got that much without him. I just felt she used Mitchell and it just totally took all interest in this story for me. Bryn didn’t tell Mitchell when her partner backed out and she worried she could meet the lease. She didn’t tell Mitchell about the live cast until Bryn knew she had to and she was already benefitting but don’t let anyone one else. Well I ranted enough I had liked this book but Bryn rubbed me wrong for awhile before the incident so anyway I don’t recommend this but I am sure others will like this story a lot.
September 11, 2017
East in Paradise is another delicious treat from author Tif Marcelo. I loved this book!
Bryn Aquino has always been a hard worker. She worked hard to earn her MBA and as a manager for her uncle’s restaurant. Now it is her time to pursue her dream of starting a business. A culinary retreat where visitors can relax and cook is Bryn’s dream, inspired by her Mother. Finding the perfect location is key and Bryn has her sights on a family vineyard, owned by Mitchell Dunford. Mitchell is an Army reservist finally home after years of service to our country. Being home is a blessing but the vineyard has been neglected and Mitchell has a lot of work ahead to bring their family business back to life. The moment Bryn and Mitchell meet there is tension but beneath it is an attraction they try to ignore. Starting their business relationship as landlord and tenant is rocky, but the opportunity to star in an internet reality show is the answer to save both of their dreams. But faking a relationship in front of cameras is hard, especially when their feelings for each other are real. How can Bryn and Mitchell save their dreams and their hearts in front of millions of watchers? You’ll have to read East in Paradise to find out how!
I loved everything about East in Paradise! Bryn and Mitchell are great, together and as individual characters. They have heated arguments but beneath that is a strong connection. Their banter is sexy and funny. Bryn and Mitchell are both loyal to their families but find the courage to stand up for their dreams. They make mistakes along the way but their honest and open communication makes their relationship strong. Their love story is full of passion and romance. I fell in love with Bryn and Mitchell.
Along with the romance there is a story about family. Just as in the first book, North to You, author Tif Marcelo shows readers the strong bonds Filipino families have. As a Filipina-American I’ve made a strong connection with the characters of this series. This series Journey to the Heart has been a journey to my past. As I read these books I relived my childhood memories of my family and the love poured into our meals. I remember the special care my Mom and Lola (Grandmother) took in preparing our meals with a side of motherly advice. My Mom has become ill (with early signs of dementia) and my Lola has passed away, so I cherish those memories. Author Tif Marcelo touched my heart and I can’t wait to read more from her.
East in Paradise is a must read. There is romance, family and food! It’s a perfect blend to warm your heart.
I received this book as a member of the XOXperts, XOXO After Dark’s official street team, in exchange for an honest review. Visit XOXOAfterDark.com for the best in romance, urban fantasy and women’s fiction.
Bryn Aquino has always been a hard worker. She worked hard to earn her MBA and as a manager for her uncle’s restaurant. Now it is her time to pursue her dream of starting a business. A culinary retreat where visitors can relax and cook is Bryn’s dream, inspired by her Mother. Finding the perfect location is key and Bryn has her sights on a family vineyard, owned by Mitchell Dunford. Mitchell is an Army reservist finally home after years of service to our country. Being home is a blessing but the vineyard has been neglected and Mitchell has a lot of work ahead to bring their family business back to life. The moment Bryn and Mitchell meet there is tension but beneath it is an attraction they try to ignore. Starting their business relationship as landlord and tenant is rocky, but the opportunity to star in an internet reality show is the answer to save both of their dreams. But faking a relationship in front of cameras is hard, especially when their feelings for each other are real. How can Bryn and Mitchell save their dreams and their hearts in front of millions of watchers? You’ll have to read East in Paradise to find out how!
I loved everything about East in Paradise! Bryn and Mitchell are great, together and as individual characters. They have heated arguments but beneath that is a strong connection. Their banter is sexy and funny. Bryn and Mitchell are both loyal to their families but find the courage to stand up for their dreams. They make mistakes along the way but their honest and open communication makes their relationship strong. Their love story is full of passion and romance. I fell in love with Bryn and Mitchell.
Along with the romance there is a story about family. Just as in the first book, North to You, author Tif Marcelo shows readers the strong bonds Filipino families have. As a Filipina-American I’ve made a strong connection with the characters of this series. This series Journey to the Heart has been a journey to my past. As I read these books I relived my childhood memories of my family and the love poured into our meals. I remember the special care my Mom and Lola (Grandmother) took in preparing our meals with a side of motherly advice. My Mom has become ill (with early signs of dementia) and my Lola has passed away, so I cherish those memories. Author Tif Marcelo touched my heart and I can’t wait to read more from her.
East in Paradise is a must read. There is romance, family and food! It’s a perfect blend to warm your heart.
I received this book as a member of the XOXperts, XOXO After Dark’s official street team, in exchange for an honest review. Visit XOXOAfterDark.com for the best in romance, urban fantasy and women’s fiction.
September 4, 2017
My Review:
This is the first book I've read by Tif Marcelo, and overall it was a good experience. This book has a unique idea.
Mitchell is one of three sons that own a vineyard, but he's the only one available to get it back up and running. It's sat vacant for a year and is close to being unsalvageable so he decides to lease out part of the property.
Bryn is looking for a place to set up as cooking retreats. The property Mitchell is offering is perfect...or at least it will be after some renovations. So, she signs a five year lease which Mitchell is thrilled about. His two brothers are less so, but the guideline is...whichever brother is there is the one in charge. That's Mitchell right now.
Then things happen and a lot of Bryn's funding disappears, so when a reality show comes to her offering her a lot of money to stream her renovations, she jumps on the opportunity. But things really become complicated when Mitchell shows up in the live stream and the chemistry between the two of them shows up. The fans want more of Mitchell and then the vineyard becomes part of the show, too.
Overall, this was a GREAT read. I loved Mitchell. Bryn is a little bit more difficult to get attached to...she's a character who keeps things very close to the chest. She's hard and no-nonsense. But I really liked the setup for the story. It provided some great ambience and setting for the whole premise. I also really enjoyed the whole military backstory to Mitchell.
What I didn't like was Levi, Mitchell's oldest brother...but in this story, I wasn't supposed to like him. He's the guy screwing everything up. But I don't mind a good, well-written bad guy. Levi wasn't that guy. I didn't understand his motivation and why he was such a jerk...just for the sake of doing so. Also, in the background was a very loose plot line about his wife (who's never in the book) and how she doesn't want him there (they live across the country). It just didn't all meld together right and that story line really needed a hard hand from an editor...because Levi's motivation for all his actions just didn't gel with the rest of the story which I felt was really rather tight and well-written.
So, a minor niggle, but overall, I did really enjoy reading this book. I think I need to find time to go back and read book #1 (although all the books in the series are standalones). And I definitely look forward to seeing where the series goes next.
I received a complimentary copy of this book in return for an honest review.
This is the first book I've read by Tif Marcelo, and overall it was a good experience. This book has a unique idea.
Mitchell is one of three sons that own a vineyard, but he's the only one available to get it back up and running. It's sat vacant for a year and is close to being unsalvageable so he decides to lease out part of the property.
Bryn is looking for a place to set up as cooking retreats. The property Mitchell is offering is perfect...or at least it will be after some renovations. So, she signs a five year lease which Mitchell is thrilled about. His two brothers are less so, but the guideline is...whichever brother is there is the one in charge. That's Mitchell right now.
Then things happen and a lot of Bryn's funding disappears, so when a reality show comes to her offering her a lot of money to stream her renovations, she jumps on the opportunity. But things really become complicated when Mitchell shows up in the live stream and the chemistry between the two of them shows up. The fans want more of Mitchell and then the vineyard becomes part of the show, too.
Overall, this was a GREAT read. I loved Mitchell. Bryn is a little bit more difficult to get attached to...she's a character who keeps things very close to the chest. She's hard and no-nonsense. But I really liked the setup for the story. It provided some great ambience and setting for the whole premise. I also really enjoyed the whole military backstory to Mitchell.
What I didn't like was Levi, Mitchell's oldest brother...but in this story, I wasn't supposed to like him. He's the guy screwing everything up. But I don't mind a good, well-written bad guy. Levi wasn't that guy. I didn't understand his motivation and why he was such a jerk...just for the sake of doing so. Also, in the background was a very loose plot line about his wife (who's never in the book) and how she doesn't want him there (they live across the country). It just didn't all meld together right and that story line really needed a hard hand from an editor...because Levi's motivation for all his actions just didn't gel with the rest of the story which I felt was really rather tight and well-written.
So, a minor niggle, but overall, I did really enjoy reading this book. I think I need to find time to go back and read book #1 (although all the books in the series are standalones). And I definitely look forward to seeing where the series goes next.
I received a complimentary copy of this book in return for an honest review.
October 2, 2017
I read the True North and I fell in love with Tif Marcelo.
When I saw at the Netgalley that there was a new story from her, I immediately asked for ARC and I was very happy that they granted my request.
Mitchell is such a likable character. He is gorgeous, true to his word and his love for his family and obligation is remarkable. His honesty with his feelings with Bryn is amazing.
I read Bryn from True North and I'm glad that she is given a chance to own the spotlight. She is very organized, knows priority and she would do everything to follow her dreams.
There are two souls that needed one another and their heartwarming stories touch me.
I can't wait for Vic's story! :) Thank you Netgalley and Pocketstar for the ARC!
When I saw at the Netgalley that there was a new story from her, I immediately asked for ARC and I was very happy that they granted my request.
Mitchell is such a likable character. He is gorgeous, true to his word and his love for his family and obligation is remarkable. His honesty with his feelings with Bryn is amazing.
I read Bryn from True North and I'm glad that she is given a chance to own the spotlight. She is very organized, knows priority and she would do everything to follow her dreams.
There are two souls that needed one another and their heartwarming stories touch me.
I can't wait for Vic's story! :) Thank you Netgalley and Pocketstar for the ARC!
December 24, 2017
This if the first book I have read by Tif Marcelo. I didn't read the first book in this series. This book didn't seem to require reading the first book. I really enjoyed the book and it had an easy and flowing story. The storyline was very interesting and entertaining. Tif's development of the characters where well done. The only thing that was annoying was the Amazon Alexa didn't provide voice reading for this book so that I could listen to it while making dinner. This is why it took me so long because most days I only have 15 minutes to read. Tif Marcelo is definitely an author where I will be checking her other works.
October 16, 2017
This was so sweet! I loved how the two character had to find healing with each other. Marcelo manages a magnificent conglomeration of tropes (think reality TV plus going viral plus business/personal conflicts plus fake relationships) but despite this, East in Paradise still managed to be less predictable than North To You, and it was pretty gripping. I loved the focus on food/business too. I would read West Coast Love, but read the chapter at the end of this one and realised that the love interest is another soldier and I'm glad that soldier get love stories but two was enough and I'm just too much of a pacifist for this.
October 17, 2017
Ever since Trump ruined everything I've been doing anything in my power to make the world a better place. Okay, that's super broad but still true. Part of the work I'm putting into my personal growth is to read more books written by and about different people of different cultural and racial backgrounds from my own. That's somewhat easier to do in nonfiction writing, but sometimes a girl just needs a HEA and a hot romance. Tif Marcelo's East in Paradise gave me both. I appreciated the slight glimpse into filipino culture, a biracial relationship, the military angle and the hilarious dynamic between Mitchell and Bryn. But I also just really loved their love story.
July 27, 2018
I loved this continuation of the Journey to the Heart Series. I particularly like how the author weaves the military and the real-life problem of PTSD (which isn't confined to the military, of course) into the plot. It wasn't intrusive, but it was portrayed in a realistic manner.
I couldn't put it down. When I finished it part of me wanted to savor it, but another part wanted to jump into Book 3. Of course, I jumped!
Kay Elam
I couldn't put it down. When I finished it part of me wanted to savor it, but another part wanted to jump into Book 3. Of course, I jumped!
Kay Elam
September 20, 2017
A comedy of misunderstandings, a host of past traumas and relatives galore. This is a great book to read. What I loved the most is the matter of fact way the trauma of PTSD is simply a well written part of the story. The couple was endearing and their families very real. I will be reading more from this author.
September 26, 2017
DNF at 30%
I've been trying to finish this for a month now but I really, really don't like Bryn and it's messing with my reading, and life's too short to keep reading books you don't like.
I hope North to You is a better fit for me.
E-ARC is received thanks to the publisher via Netgalley.
I've been trying to finish this for a month now but I really, really don't like Bryn and it's messing with my reading, and life's too short to keep reading books you don't like.
I hope North to You is a better fit for me.
E-ARC is received thanks to the publisher via Netgalley.
February 23, 2019
Bryn decided to venture out and start a culinary retreat. As she is looking for real estate to start this business she runs into Mitchell in passing and he spills his coffee all over her shirt. Little do they know, their paths will cross again... Cute story line, I would like to read the first book.
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