Paradise by Judith McNaught

I have previously posted a review of this book on my blog. But I felt like writing a fresh review as I reread the book.

My previous can be read here.

Goodreads synopsis

Corporate raider Matthew Farrell had come a long way from the poor, scruffy kid of Indiana’s steel mills. A long way from the country club where, feeling like an outsider, he had dared to fall in love with a beautiful blonde named Meredith Bancroft, and known a once-in-a-lifetime passion and betrayal that still haunted his memory… Now world leaders courted him, the media watched his every move, and he was ready to move in on the Bancroft empire.

A cool, poised executive in her family’s legendary department store chain, Meredith had once defied her father for the sexually magnetic, intense Matt Farrell — and their brief, ill-fated marriage was the disastrous outcome. Now, as the Bancroft firm is threatened by a hostile takeover, Meredith is forced to confront Matt. As tensions build between them, bittersweet memories rise to the surface, leaving them suspicious, restless, and uncertain. Will they be able to believe in each other — and grasp the tender miracle that is before them?

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What's the perfect accompaniment for a perfect reading experience? For me, it changes according to my mood. This particular evening, with its exceptionally warm weather, it's Coca Cola I chose for a refreshing experience as I continued with this intensely moving romance by Judith McNaught. What are you reading as the weekend comes to a close? #Bookgram #Bookstagram #igreads #igreadspk #BookstagramPk #BookgramPk #BookPhoto #BookPhotography #HandmadeBookmark #BookmarkLove #Paradise #JudithMcNaught #CocaCola #ZaalimaCocaColaPilade #Romamce #ReadingRomance #FavouriteBook #Chicago

A post shared by Hina Tabassum Khatri (@khatrihina) on Apr 15, 2018 at 5:17am PDT

Rating

Review

I am not a fan of Second Chances and nor do I believe in them for the most part. But, these two, Matt and Meredith, are few of the people who actually deserve a second chance because not being together was not their decision. Was rather forced onto them without them knowing any better or be in a place to do anything about it.

So many important things to talk about.

McNaught’s writing style has, and will always be, a class apart when it comes to writing romance. At least as far as I am concerned. And this book, in my opinion, is one of her best works in the contemporary genre. I like others too, but none beat this one. She creates a scene in a way that the reader is not left floundering with missing details.

The characters are all multi-dimensional with their stories all tying up in the main plot of the story. McNaught knows the art of making you fall in love with her characters and making you hate some of her characters. Though you hate some characters, she also makes you understand why they did, what they did. And, that humanises the characters for her readers.

As if all that was not enough for an entertaining read, she throws in some very real life problem that we face in our daily lives. I am going to talk about a couple of them in here.

 

Women and the Glass Ceiling

The issue that Meredith faces in the story, where her own father does not want her to claim her birthright only because she was born a daughter instead of a son, is faced by many a women the world over. Not only does a woman have to work harder than a man to prove herself capable, she is not even paid at the same pay scale. Women are paid less for the work they do when compared to men being paid for the same job. I am not saying that is a rule of thumb per se because there are exceptions, but, for the most part, women are subjected to this disparity.

Meredith faces it and understands it. What I love is that she still perseveres because when she  is finally in that seat of the president, she will be in a position to do something about the problem. Even if that won’t the problem for women across the world.

Concept of Love

Many may not understand where I am coming from when I say this, but I have seen this happen too much for my liking. A thought process which is inculcated in people from childhood that even if someone is not doing something for you or hurting you somehow, they are doing it out of love. No, I do not believe in that kind of love. Because when you really truly love someone, you do not make them miserable. You let them make their mistakes and then stand by them when they work to get their life together. You let the people you love, be happy. You let them choose what they want for themselves.

I’d sign off with saying that the book is worded in a way that it touches you deep down. You root for characters and there are times you want to smack them too. But, that is part of life.

This book is one of my all time favourites, and will remain so.