Winter in Paradise

By: Elin Hilderbrand

Narrated by: Erin Bennett

Length: 10 hrs and 11 mins

Publisher's summary

A husband's secret life, a wife's new beginning: escape to the Caribbean with #1 New York Times bestselling author Elin Hilderbrand.

Irene Steele shares her idyllic life in a beautiful Iowa City Victorian house with a husband who loves her to sky-writing, sentimental extremes. But as she rings in the new year one cold and snowy night, everything she thought she knew falls to pieces with a shocking phone call: her beloved husband, away on business, has been killed in a helicopter crash. Before Irene can even process the news, she must first confront the perplexing details of her husband's death on the distant Caribbean island of St. John.

After Irene and her sons arrive at this faraway paradise, they make yet another shocking discovery: her husband had been living a secret life. As Irene untangles a web of intrigue and deceit, and as she and her sons find themselves drawn into the vibrant island culture, they have to face the truth about their family, and about their own futures.

Rich with the lush beauty of the tropics and the drama, romance, and intrigue only Elin Hilderbrand can deliver, Winter in Paradise is a truly transporting novel, and the exciting start to a new series.

"I will just say that, 24 hours after I started this book, I purchased its sequel, What Happens in Paradise, and I did not leave either book to be enjoyed by strangers at the end of my vacation."—Elisabeth Egan, New York Times

©2018 Elin Hilderbrand (P)2018 Hachette Audio

Critic reviews

“I will just say that, 24 hours after I started this book, I purchased its sequel, What Happens in Paradise, and I did not leave either book to be enjoyed by strangers at the end of my vacation.”—Elisabeth Egan, New York Times

"What do you do once you've become queen of the Summer novel and mastered the art of the Christmas novel? You start a new series, of course! This Fall, the incomparable Elin Hilderbrand brings us to St. John for the first novel in her new The Paradise series...Another compulsively readable hit by Hilderbrand."—Brenda Janowitz, PopSugar

"With great verve, [Hilderbrand] has done it again with her latest novel, WINTER IN PARADISE, the first book in a planned trilogy. She is witty and engaging, and keeps her readers intrigued with a memorable set of characters...As always, she delivers a story with much detail, weaving her characters and storylines expertly...Be prepared to read a fast-paced and entertaining novel for several hours, which will keep you longing for the second book in the series."—Bookreporter

ending let down

I am one of Elin Hiderbrands Biggest fans; However, this story had an awful ending. The novel only lacked with the end. Mrs. Hilderbrand always explains her stories all the way through. Not in this one. The whole book I was waiting for the reveal of this man's work and what was really up with his boss. At the end all you come to realize is his job was not legal and it even has you thinking worse. SO DISSAPPOINTED!!!!

Decent book - ending very unsatisfactory

Story line was decent. Really wish she would have closed the loop on a major part of the story....i was left feeling cheated

Not sure why this is under thrillers...

This story was kind of slow. Hopefully the next one in the series will be better. The only thing that moves fast was the characters’ ability to get over the father’s death and the ability for them to fall in love.

Huh?

Terrible ending - loved the story just felt like the ending was rushed and left undone.

Author just quit

I felt as if the first 3/4 of the book built the characters and then the last 1/4 Hilderbrand just quit writing. Lousy ending Hilderbrand just quit working on the story so just ended where she left it - sort of like a missed dirty sock kicked under the bed

Left with questions

Great story but I have a hard time when plots aren’t wrapped up neatly. Loves hearing about the US Virgin Islands though.

Wait! What?

It was going fine until the abrupt ending. Not even an ending more like stopping in the middle of the story. It's as though the author had somewhere to be and just wrote "and then they got on a plane and, um, The End". I thought the best part was yet to come. How did they handle everything? Did Irene come back? Did any of the Steele's come back to the island? I feel like asking for my credits back OR if she's angling for a sequel, I want it comped

Enjoyable listen, but...

Not crazy about the ending. This was an easy enjoyable listen, but it felt like it ended mid book. However... if there's a sequel, I will probably but it.

Non of characters are likable

Baker is a bullsh**t, he is Dishonest, he really needs to man up. Rather than tell Ayers the truth he lies than own up to who really he is and who his father is. He can’t be honest.
Cash is reckless he’s also a liar. He’s immature and still living in Baker’s shadow.
Irene ignored her husband for 13yrs. She is was more invested in remodeling
the Cape cod Russ has bought her. Six years in the making she only lived for the cash her gave her for the house. She never in 13 years ask Russ any questions about his job, never went with him on any trips never asked any questions. Russ is away more than he’s home yet Irene shows no curiosity about what up with him.
Russ is loss. He can’t man up and ask Irene for a divorce or drop Rosie. He’s content with things as is. 12 yrs he keep a mistress and a outside child. Russ rally didn’t want to end marriage or let side chick go. Russ doesn’t know what he wants in his life, but I think he wants out of his business dealings that is going to become problematic.
Ayers is feckless. She is all over the place. She likes Baker but Cash is more compatible. Hey what about her ex boyfriend Nick.
Don’t let me get started on Bakers soon to be ex-wife Anna and gal pal.
At the end of this story you ain’t gonna like anyone., including author as she hangs you up on a cliff as it gets really good!
Oh yeah I didn’t like Rosie, more about her after “What happens in Paradise “

Absolutely loved it!

I love St John & felt like I was there the entire story! I really loved this story and couldn’t stop listening to it! I love that Elin branched out to another place and especially one that I love so much! I cannot wait for the next book.