Liam Weston and Anna Green were the perfect fake married couple, together just long enough to take advantage of married housing at UCLA but were actually little more than strangers. After graduation, they both went their separate ways until 3 years later when Liam contacts Anna and tells her that there was no divorce, and he needs her to be his fake wife for a while longer so he can claim his inheritance. All she has to do is accompany him to an isolated island for his sister's wedding, but when they get there, Anna realizes that she may be in over her head as family backstabbing takes center stage.

The Paradise Problem is an enjoyable story that tackles some serious issues, but also engages the reader with lots of fun, quirky characters and an abundance of humor. While the plot raises questions about the super rich, and how they spend their money, it also contrasts that with the daily struggles of average people just trying to make ends meet. Even though this aspect of the story works well, it does get a bit overdramatic by the end, focusing on an over-the-top villain. However, the comedic parts of the narrative, particularly the character of Anna, makes this book well worth the read. Overall, The Paradise Problem is an extremely good novel that will probably be overlooked in a spring filled with so many outstanding romance releases. ( )

Three years ago Anna and Liam entered a marriage of convenience so they could both utilize the family housing at their university. When it was time for Liam to graduate, they would divorce and move on with their separate lives. Easy.

Except, when Liam shows up at her door again, it quickly becomes apparent that all was not so easy. Turns out, his family still believes they are married and in order for Liam to gain the full extent of his trust, they must show a united married front. Meaning, Anna must accompany Liam to his sister's lavish destination wedding in four days time.

The last few years have been hard for Anna. In dealing with her father's medical bills and her art career going nowhere, to top it all off, she just got fired from her dead-end job. So when Liam offers to pay her for her time, there's no way she can turn it down.

However, Anna was not prepared for the full extent of the family dysfunctionality she was walking into. As she and Liam play their parts, she finds she might just be falling for her husband.

I missed the last Christina Lauren release so getting into the this book was such a treat and reminded me why they are such a great romance duo.

The tropes are ones we've read before in different iterations, but in Christina Lauren's hands it's fresh.

The idea of this idyllic setting juxtaposed with the toxic family dynamic is at times startling. But I think it says a lot about what is perceived on the outside and what is really underneath. It's a theme that runs throughout the story. Anna sees Liam and his money and assumes he's just another rich kid who is looking to gain his inheritance. Also, Liam looks at Anna with her go-nowhere job and assumes she's a lazy slacker. The best part is seeing them discover each other's true selves.

It's been awhile since I've read a romance with such a raw sexuality about it. The chemistry between Liam and Anna is palpable and maybe made even more sexy because of the conflict of it all. I mean, Anna is technically only supposed to be around until after the wedding. He's literally paying her to be there. Afterward they're supposed to go their separate ways until they're able to divorce and Liam's inheritance is secured. Then they begin to feel like they want more yet they're so seemingly different. The back and forth in regards to their feelings toward each other as well as what each of them is dealing with in their personal lives is handled really well.

It's all at once juicy and heartening. I really enjoyed this one. I really didn't want it to end. I never felt like the book was dragging or losing momentum, but I equally felt like the right amount of time was taken to fully address all issues. ( )

Rom-com heroines tend to be a spunky, sassy bunch, but even among her compatriots Anna Green stands out. She's self-aware, determined to be true to herself, and totally unimpressed with the opulence with which she finds herself surrounded. Not only is she one of the few willing to speak truth to power, but she's determined to save her partner from his family. This being a romance novel, it spoils nothing to say that she succeeds quite nicely. Going along for the journey is a real treat.

FTC Disclaimer: I received this book from the publisher in exchange for this review. ( )