My Paradise Book Review - No Spoilers
Plot Summary
Meredith Bancroft is the sheltered daughter of a Chicago department store magnate, carrying the heavy expectations of her powerful family. Matt Farrell starts with nothing, working hard for every break, pushing through a world that won't make room for people like him. When fate slams them together, their chemistry turns into a whirlwind romance. But the weight of old wounds, lies, and pride tears them apart. Years later, a business deal brings them face to face again. What follows is messy, passionate, and full of pain—two people trying to reconcile the past while figuring out if there’s a way forward. I found myself rooting for them in every scene, feeling every hit and every spark. The secondary characters and business intrigue add so much richness, and McNaught’s pacing and detail never let me down.
Why I Love This Book
I love the emotional tug-of-war between Meredith and Matt. Their pain and determination cut right through me, and I never felt like their struggles were forced or fake. I’m obsessed with stories where love isn’t easy, where characters have to claw through heartbreak and mistrust to find each other. That’s exactly what I got here. Their conversations are full of snark, regret, longing, and honesty. I can’t get enough of Meredith’s growth—how she finds her voice even when her world wants her to stay quiet. Matt’s journey from outsider to powerhouse is so satisfying but never erases his vulnerability. I get attached to all the side characters, too—the family drama, the business feuds, even the glimpses of healing and redemption for people around them. I read fast, desperate for them to figure it out. But I also wanted to linger, because the story lived in every tiny detail.
I love that this romance doesn’t shy from showing the ugliness of pride and the weight of family pressure. The grand gestures hit just as hard as the quiet moments. When Meredith and Matt are together—whether they’re fighting or loving—the chemistry jumps off the page. I will always have a soft spot for second chance romances, especially ones that respect the scars people carry. This book leaves me with hope, even after all the heartbreak. McNaught’s writing just works for me: it’s layered, vulnerable, and never rushed.
Who Will Like This Book
If you want a grown-up romance with complicated, flawed characters who have to earn their happy ending, Paradise will wreck you in all the best ways. You’ll love this if you crave family drama woven into love stories, or if you look for long, satisfying journeys instead of instant fixes. If you’re drawn to deep emotional scars, classic misunderstandings, and second chance love that actually feels earned, this is your kind of book. Fans of powerful heroines and self-made heroes who refuse to give up will eat this up. If you need a sweeping epic that goes beyond just the main couple and cares about the supporting cast, you’ll keep thinking about this story long after you finish.
Tagged As
contemporary romance, second chance romance, slow burn, emotional angst, family drama, business romance, enemies to lovers, billionaire romance, sweeping epic, strong heroine, self-made hero, dual POV, dramatic, found family, Chicago, alpha male, rich girl/poor boy, workplace, character-driven, indie romance, classic romance, series, HEA, kindle unlimited
Steam Level: 🌶️🌶️🌶️| Moderate
