Official Review: Paradise Bound

[kimmyschemy06]

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

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4 out of 4 stars

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Paradise Bound is a romance novel by Rafaële Désiré. As far as romance goes, this is the real deal. It is the kind of romance that you (or if not, I) would like to be in. Devoid of any explicit or graphic sex scenes, it is the kind of story that tickles the heart and leaves the reader daydreaming.

The story is about Dr. Natalie Dorel, a surgeon from the French Carribean island of Martinique, who has just finished her residency from Val Dieu Hospital in Paris. Depressed by her eventful last day at the hospital and confused by her own lack of enthusiasm about living together with her boyfriend, an airline pilot for Air France, Jean-Marc, Natalie admitted she needed a break. Consequently, she accepted an invitation from her friend Simone, a struggling actress in America, to stay with her in Los Angeles for a month.

In Los Angeles, Natalie found something that has been missing in her life for a while now, fun. In addition, she discovered something she did not know she had, passion for the arts. To top it all off, she met two very attractive men both vying for her affection. There was Jerry, a talented painter with a disturbing past. Then, there was Michael, an actor whose kindness went straight to Natalie’s heart.

With very limited time in her hands, Natalie, after realizing that she could no longer stand working in a hospital, had to decide what to do with her life. Would she pursue her medical career and live up to other people’s expectations or would she deviate from the convention and choose the exciting but uncertain life of an artist?

Besides the sweet and exciting romance, the book featured a very important issue in life, fear. It described how fear inhibits a person to do something different, to reinvent himself/herself, or to simply try. It showed how a person can be crippled by the fear of the unknown to be stuck in a life of bitterness and regret as a consequence.

The author described the challenges faced by struggling artists and the fame they dreamed of. She showed how insecurity can damage a long-standing friendship and how jealousy can destroy budding as well as long-term relationships. Most importantly, the author portrayed how family history affects the personality of a person and how he/she perceives life and romantic relationship.

Though the plot seems not out of the ordinary, the book is a treasure trove of lovable and relatable characters in addition to the backdrop of the beautiful and enchanting beach of Los Angeles and the busy and exciting streets of New York. The only problem I encountered, aside from a couple of typographical errors, was the phrases in French, which, I regret to say, I did not understand. Thankfully, there were only very few of them.

In view of the above, I rate this book 4 out of 4 stars. I recommend it to readers who appreciate pure and delicious romance, passion for art, self-searching and love triangle.

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Paradise Bound
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Like kimmyschemy06's review? Post a comment saying so!

[Cee-Jay Aurinko]

I can tell that you really enjoyed this book. Great review, Kimmyschemy!

[chytach18-]

"Besides the sweet and exciting romance, the book featured a very important issue in life, fear. It described how fear inhibits a person to do something different, to reinvent himself/herself, or to simply try. It showed how a person can be crippled by the fear of the unknown to be stuck in a life of bitterness and regret as a consequence." I loved that passage. Well done!

[kimmyschemy06]

I can tell that you really enjoyed this book. Great review, Kimmyschemy!

Thank you very much! I really did.

-- 12 Dec 2015, 06:00 --

"Besides the sweet and exciting romance, the book featured a very important issue in life, fear. It described how fear inhibits a person to do something different, to reinvent himself/herself, or to simply try. It showed how a person can be crippled by the fear of the unknown to be stuck in a life of bitterness and regret as a consequence." I loved that passage. Well done!

Thank you! The book is really more than a romantic novel.

[gali]

Nice review! I am glad you enjoyed the book.

[kimmyschemy06]

Nice review! I am glad you enjoyed the book.

Thank you!