Publisher: HarperCollins
Release Date: Already Released!
Number of Pages: 368 (Hardcover)
Purchase Links: Chapters/Indigo | River Run Bookstore (has signed copies!)
Book Description:
When Julia Buchanan enrolls at St. Anne’s at the beginning of junior year, Charlotte Ryder already knows all about the former senator’s daughter. Most people do... or think they do.
Charlotte certainly never expects she’ll be Julia’s friend. But almost immediately, she is drawn into the larger than-life-new girl’s world—a world of midnight rendezvous, dazzling parties, palatial vacation homes, and fizzy champagne cocktails. And then Charlotte meets, and begins falling for, Julia’s handsome older brother, Sebastian.
But behind her self-assured smiles and toasts to the future, Charlotte soon realizes that Julia is still suffering from a tragedy. A tragedy that the Buchanan family has kept hidden … until now.
Author Bio
Chelsey Philpot grew up on a farm in New Hampshire and now works as an editor and journalist. She's written for the New York Times, Boston Globe, Slate, and numerous other publications. Like her main character, Charlotte, Chelsey attended boarding school in New England. You can visit her online at www.chelseyphilpot.com or on Twitter @ChelseyPhilpot.
MY REVIEW
From the moment that I saw the cover and read the description, I have been wanting to read Even in Paradise. The premise of the story intrigued me, and I was excited see how the story fulfilled the pitch of "The Great Gatsy meets Looking for Alaska in this stunning debut novel." And now that I've read it, I have to agree with that very fitting description! It really does! :DEven in Paradise was beautiful, heart-wrenching, and above all else, it was an extremely enjoyable read! I loved the characters, the story, and how everything within the story was unveiled. It had a slightly mysterious undertone, and there were strong echoes of The Great Gatsy throughout the entire story, which I really enjoyed!
The best part of Even in Paradise had to be the main character Charlotte, or Charlie, herself though. I loved how free of judgment she was, and how she connected to people on such a deep level. I loved her creativity, and the way her character experienced life. She was amazing! I also loved the Buchanans! Julia, Sebastian, Cordelia, Boom, Theresa, Bradley, and nanny Sophie were all wonderful characters, too, and I was ridiculously impressed with how flushed out their characters were. Chelsey Philpot did an amazing job with her characters because they really did come right off of the page! :D Just like, Charlie, I totally fell in love with the Buchanans...and my heart broke for them throughout the story, too!
I also loved that Even in Paradise was about romance and friendship! It was really nice to see a story with such a unique contemporary perspective. After all, you don't often read books where the main character connects with an entire family! :D
Overall, I absolutely loved reading Even in Paradise! I only wish that the ending was a bit more conclusive. The story kind of comes full circle, so the possibilities seem infinite, and I kinda felt like I wasn't sure where Charlie ended up, which is both good and bad. I tend to like my stories tied up a bit tighter, so I wish it wasn't so open, but at the same time, I'm really glad Charlie has so much possibility ahead of her! I'd definitely be open to a short story just to tie it up a bit for me though, but even with the ending being so open, I still loved the story. :D
TOUR SCHEDULE
October 13th: Kathy - A Glass Of Wine - Interview
October 14th: Siobhan - Conversations Of A Reading Addict - Review
October 15th: Emilie - Emilie’s Book World - Guest Post
October 16th: Ambur - Burning Impossibly Bright - Review
October 17th: Lily - Lily’s Book Blog - Interview/Character Interview
October 20th: Shilpa - SukasaReads - Review
October 21st: Sabrina - Hiver et Café - Top 5 or 10
October 22nd: Ciara - Lost At Midnight Reviews - Review
October 23rd: Meaghan - Feeling A Little Bookish - Interview/Character Interview
October 24th: Jess - Read My Breath Away - Review
What do you think?
Does Even in Paradise sound like a book you'd like to read?
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