OnlineBookClub.org

[Following is the official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Paradise Bound" by Rafaële Désiré.]

Paradise Bound is a contemporary romance. I picked up this book and instantly became immersed in the story. I read it in a few days. It really was so captivating that I didn't want to put it down. Although Rafaele De'sire' has written short stories and poems, this is the author's first novel.

Natalie Dorel has just completed her residency as a surgeon in a Paris hospital. The young, French doctor is stressed and begins questioning her choices in life. She is not quite ready to move in with her possessive boyfriend, Jean-Marc. She decides to take a long vacation and leaves Paris to stay with her friend, Simone, in Los Angeles, California. Simone is an aspiring actress and shows Natalie a totally new world of glamour and deception. Natalie meets Simone's cousin, Jerry. He is a talented artist and touches something deep in Natalie's soul that helps bring out her artistic and passionate side. Life becomes even more confusing for Natalie when she makes a connection with Simone's actor friend, Michael. They became close and he wants to take things to the next level. Natalie can have her choice of three different, yet compelling men. Through several twists and turns, Natalie finds what her heart has been searching for in both her career and love life.

Ms De'sire' has hit the bulls-eye with her first romantic novel. It is a multi-layered, beautiful story that shows the pursuit of one's dreams. It is a journey of learning to live in the moment while not worrying about the future.

The writing is well-paced and descriptive. The author takes us on an international tour that is vividly portrayed. Paris is described from the eyes of someone living there, instead of from a tourist's point of view. Then we are taken to the sunny, beautiful West Coast beaches. We also take a visit to the throbbing heartbeat of New York, when Natalie takes a short trip with Jerry. The author also includes glimpses of Martinique, the tropical home of Natalie's family.

The characters are all different and have great depth to them. They are so real, I felt as if I knew them. The protagonist, Dr. Natalie Dorel, is a beautiful, brilliant, caring doctor. Her boyfriend, Jean-Marc, is a handsome airline pilot who tends to be very possessive of Natalie. Her friend, Simone, has became shallow and jaded since living the Hollywood lifestyle. Natalie learns the hard way about deception and loss of truth. Yet within the struggles and heartaches, she finds friendship, passion and a new outlook on life. The passionate artist, Jerry, and the caring actor, Michael, both show her different views of life.

Paradise Bound is one of the most enjoyable and well-written romance novels I have ever read. The author shows us a passionate, heated love story while remaining tasteful. I rate this novel 4 out of 4 stars. I highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a beautiful love story that also teaches us life lessons. I will definitely be looking for future novels by this author.

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Paradise Bound
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This is a really good review and you did a good job at summarizing the book! I love contemporary romance novels and this sounds really good!

The review sounds great and has peaked my interest for sure!! Thanks for sharing!!

Great review! This book sounds intriguing, congrats to the author on a positive review!

I enjoyed reading your review! It sounds like the author has written a great story, particularly impressed for a debut novel. Well-developed characters, vivid descriptions, well-paced, passionate but tasteful romance - all the ingredients for a great book!

This book sunds intriguing even though romance is not my go to genre. Great review.

Romance is not my typical genre, but I will go wherever well developed characters can be found. Nice review!

I love romance novels and the way you have described the book has really drawn me to the book. Thank you for a great review and congratulations to the author for this positive review.

"It is a journey of learning to live in the moment while not worrying about the future."
This line really hits me close to home for me and is what most struck a chord with me in your review! Thank you so much for sharing your views on this book. It sounds like the author really made a strong impression on you! I love when that happens!

Sounds like a cute story with an add bonus of complex characters.

Congratulations to the author on the great review and on being Book of the Day!

Thanks for the review!

Congrats to the author on receiving a glowing review and being Book of the Day! It's particularly nice for a debut novel to get 4 stars. I enjoy books with strong settings and characters and this one fits the bill.

Hahaha, I came back because I forgot to mention congrats for BOTD in my previous comment, but others already beat me to it!

This seems interesting! I always love well-paced novels + diverse characters!

The settings and scenery sound fantastic, and the main character sounds like an admirable person I'd like to know in real life. However--to be honest--I despise romance books.

Though as a person who loves Paris, I'd like to see how the author of Paradise Bound describes the city, and how her descriptions vary from my own experiences. That always interests me. (But I won't pay just to do it.)