Mo's Reviews > Paradise

Paradise by Judith McNaught
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it was amazing
bookshelves: favourite-ever

As good, if not better the second (or maybe it is the third) time around. #Ilovemattfarrell.



EXQUISITE
TORMENTING
MAGIC

Yes, this book had it all. It was epic. Won’t say too much about it and won’t give too many quotes as it just needs to be read and felt…. This is my first contemporary by Ms McNaught. I have read her Historicals and they have been solid, five stars for me. This book was written nearly 25 years ago. Does it seem dated? A little bit, the fact that there are no mobile phones, some of the descriptions of the dresses etc. But it does not take away from the fantastic writing and characters in the book.

Loved the two main characters, Matt and Meredith.

Matthew Farrell, the farmboy, from Indiana, with his Irish roots …




Meredith Bancroft, the Princess, living in the mansion, attending the Country Club…


They meet, the attraction is instant. But theirs is not a straightforward Happily Ever After.

It is set in Chicago, actually the last few books I have read have been set in Chicago, is this an omen that I must return to visit this wonderful city!



This is their story, it spans about 12 years, from when she is 18 until she turns 30. It is a long book but well worth it. I would highly recommend it.



I have the strangest – the uneasiest – feeling,” she admitted, lifting her head and looking at him with unguarded candor, “that something is happening, or going to happen, and it’s terrible. Whatever it is, it’s terrible.”



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Quotes Mo Liked

Judith McNaught
“He will love only once - but it will be for always.”
Judith McNaught, Paradise

Judith McNaught
“Either give me your hand, or end it now, and put us both out of our misery”
Judith McNaught, Paradise

Judith McNaught
“If you'll kiss me back," he whispered huskily, brushing his lips along the curve of her jaw, "I'll make it six
million. If you'll go to bed with me tonight," he continued, losing himself in the scent of her perfume and the softness of her skin, "I'll give you the world. But if you'll move in with me," he continued, dragging his mouth across her cheek to the corner of her lips, "I'll do much better than that."
Unable to turn her face farther because his arm was in the way, and unable to turn her body because his body was in the way, Meredith tried to infuse disdain in her voice and simultaneously ignore the arousing touch of his tongue against her ear. "Six million dollars and the whole world!" she said in a slightly shaky voice. "What else could you possibly give me if I move in with you?" "Paradise." Lifting his head, Matt took her chin between his thumb and forefinger and forced her to meet
his gaze. In an aching, solemn voice he said, "I'll give you paradise on a gold platter. Anything you want— everything you want. I come with it, of course. It's a package deal." Meredith wallowed audibly, mesmerized by the melting look in his silver eyes and the rich timbre of his deep voice. "We'll be a family," he continued, describing the paradise he was offering while he bent his head to her again. "We'll have children ... I'd like six," he teased, his lips against her temple. "But I'll settle for one. You don't have to decide now." She drew in a ragged breath and Matt decided he'd pushed matters as far as he dared for one night. Straightening abruptly, he chucked her under her chin. "Think about it," he suggested with a grin.”
Judith McNaught, Paradise
tags: love

Judith McNaught
“Don't do this to us." He warned, his voice hoarse with angry desperation as he realize he was losing her. "You're letting eleven years of mistrust color everything you've discovered I've done".”
Judith McNaught, Paradise

Judith McNaught
“I'm thinking that it will be autumn soon," she said, lifting her gaze to his. "Autumn is my absolute favorite season. Spring is overrated. It's soggy and the trees are still bare from winter. Winter drags on and on, and summer is nice, but it's all the same. Autumn is different. I mean, is there any perfume in the world that can compare with the smell of burning leaves?" she asked with an engaging smile. Matt thought she smelled a hell of a lot better than burning leaves, but he let her continue. "Autumn —is thexincgitsinagre
changing. It's like dusk." "Dusk?"
"Dusk is my favorite time of day, for the same reason. When I was young, I used to walk down our driveway at dusk in the summer and stand at the fence, watching all the cars going by with their headlights on. Everyone had a place to go, something to do. The night was just beginning ..." She trailed off in embarrassment. "That must sound incredibly silly."

"It sounds incredibly lonely.”
Judith McNaught, Paradise

Judith McNaught
“You can't live your life to suit other people. The harder you try, the more restrictions they'll put on you just for the fun of seeing you jump through their hoops.”
Judith McNaught, Paradise

Judith McNaught
“Some people feel love in their hearts, Julie. Some of us feel it all way into our souls. We're the ones who can't forget.”
Judith McNaught, Paradise


Reading Progress

July 19, 2013 – Shelved as: to-read
July 19, 2013 – Shelved
January 9, 2014 – Started Reading
January 11, 2014 –
0.0% "Sometimes the older books just hit the mark where some of the new authors leave me cold .... no sex, I don't care, no tying up, I don't care, no whipping, I don't care.... just a good solid storyline!

"
January 11, 2014 –
0.0% "Someone is going to have a lot to answer for when this stuff comes out of the woodwork ....

"
January 11, 2014 –
0.0% "In the reflected light from the snow covered fields and the moon overhead, the barren trees in the yard were eerie, distorted versions of what they had been that long ago summer ... and Meredith felt a shiver of foreboding ....

"
January 11, 2014 –
0.0% "This is heartbreaking

"
January 11, 2014 –
0.0% "“Miss Stern?”
Teasingly, Matt asked, “Do you have a first name?”
“Certainly,” she replied, her eyes narrowing.
“May I use it?”
“Of course. Although, I don’t think Eleanor suits you quite as well as Matthew.”



LOVE IT
"
January 12, 2014 –
100.0% ""
January 12, 2014 – Finished Reading
June 18, 2016 –
100.0% "Maybe it's a bad idea to do a re-read but was just in the mood."
June 20, 2016 –
54.0% ""Go ahead and cry ... cry it all out."

"
June 21, 2016 –
60.0% "Heartbreaking.

"
June 21, 2016 –
70.0% "Seriously, Matt Farrell. I fucking love you.

"
June 21, 2016 –
90.0% ""I'm giving a party for the cast of Phantom of the Opera on Friday night."

"
February 7, 2020 – Shelved as: favourite-ever

Comments Showing 1-50 of 106 (106 new)


message 1: by Mo (new) - rated it 5 stars

Mo Jill wrote: "I enjoyed this years ago, but dare not re-read just in case. Great review, Mo!"

Well, this was a first time for me but I understand what you mean!! Thanks.


message 2: by Mo (new) - rated it 5 stars

Mo Soraya Naomi wrote: "This one is filled with angst?? I love angst.
Great review, M"


Yeah, there was angst, maybe not enough to satisfy you......
Thanks.


Crystal~BIG book addict~ Great review, Mo!! And yes, I would say that is a definite sign that you need to come to Chicago, preferably in May!! LOL!


message 4: by Mo (new) - rated it 5 stars

Mo Crystal~just another BIG book addict~ wrote: "Great review, Mo!! And yes, I would say that is a definite sign that you need to come to Chicago, preferably in May!! LOL!"

Thanks Crystal!!! May would be good, not TOO hot!!


Wendy'sThoughts Woman.....u read so fast.....700 pages just like that...wow. ..real review


Crystal~BIG book addict~ Mo wrote: "Crystal~just another BIG book addict~ wrote: "Great review, Mo!! And yes, I would say that is a definite sign that you need to come to Chicago, preferably in May!! LOL!"

Thanks Crystal!!! May wou..."


I'm sure we could find plenty to do to occupy our time!!


message 7: by Mo (new) - rated it 5 stars

Mo Wendy'sThoughts wrote: "Woman.....u read so fast.....700 pages just like that...wow. ..real review"

4 days, Wendy..... not that fast!!


message 8: by Ingie (new) - added it

Ingie Great review, Mo!


message 9: by • Lisa • (new)

• Lisa • WOW epic eh? Great sum up Mo x


message 10: by Mo (new) - rated it 5 stars

Mo Ingela wrote: "Great review, Mo!"

Thanks Ingela.


message 11: by Mo (new) - rated it 5 stars

Mo Lisa Jayne wrote: "WOW epic eh? Great sum up Mo x"

Thanks Lisa Jayne.


Denise Awesome review, Mo! I really enjoyed this one too!


message 13: by Mo (new) - rated it 5 stars

Mo Denise wrote: "Awesome review, Mo! I really enjoyed this one too!"

Thanks Denise.


message 14: by Christy (new)

Christy Wonderful review, Mo! :D


message 15: by [deleted user] (new)

great review Mo!

I'm thinking of going through my attic to dig out all my Judith McNaught books LOL!!


message 16: by Mo (new) - rated it 5 stars

Mo Christy wrote: "Wonderful review, Mo! :D"

Thanks Christy.


message 17: by Mo (new) - rated it 5 stars

Mo Gloria wrote: "great review Mo!

I'm thinking of going through my attic to dig out all my Judith McNaught books LOL!!"


... or maybe not!! If you loved it back in the day, it might seem a bit old fashioned now. Thanks.


message 19: by Mo (new) - rated it 5 stars

Mo Christine The Dark Romance Junkie wrote: "Great review Mo!"

Thanks, Christine.


Allison ❤️Will Never Conquer Her TBR❤️ Great review Mo. Give up on Raw?


Angie **loves angst** Awesome review Mo I haven't read Judith McNaught in quite a while, but she's always been a hit for me. Just added to my tbr.


message 22: by Mo (new) - rated it 5 stars

Mo Barbara wrote: "fabulous review, Mo :)"

Thanks Barbara.


message 23: by Mo (new) - rated it 5 stars

Mo Allison *Will never conquer her TBR shelf* wrote: "Great review Mo. Give up on Raw?"

Thanks Allison. I read another few pages again earlier and I just don't think it is going to work for me. I might finish it at some stage but if I am NOT loving a book I don't want to waste time on it especially as there are loads of other books out there that I will enjoy more....


message 24: by Mo (new) - rated it 5 stars

Mo Angie **loves angst** wrote: "Awesome review Mo I haven't read Judith McNaught in quite a while, but she's always been a hit for me. Just added to my tbr."

Thanks Angie, have loved some of her Historicals so this was a nice change.


message 25: by Debra (new) - added it

Debra Wonderful review, Mo! :-)


message 26: by Mo (new) - rated it 5 stars

Mo Debra wrote: "Wonderful review, Mo! :-)"

Thanks Debra. You were hardly born when this one was released I would say!!


message 27: by * Meli Mel * (new)

* Meli Mel * Wonderful review, Mo!! :))


message 28: by Mo (new) - rated it 5 stars

Mo Meli Mel *Ty and Zane's Creeper* wrote: "Wonderful review, Mo!! :))"

Thanks Meli Mel.


Duchess Nicole Fab review Mo!! I need to read more McNaught. I've only read the Westmoreland series but two went right to my all time faves shelf!!


message 30: by Mo (new) - rated it 5 stars

Mo Duchess Nicole wrote: "Fab review Mo!! I need to read more McNaught. I've only read the Westmoreland series but two went right to my all time faves shelf!!"

Thanks Nicole, yeah, it seemed a bit dated but still I enjoyed it very much.... Westmoreland series, sigh!!


Katy Loves Romance ❤️ Fantastic review Mo!! Looks good :)))


message 32: by Mo (new) - rated it 5 stars

Mo Katy wrote: "Fantastic review Mo!! Looks good :)))"

Thanks Katy.


message 33: by Glass (new)

Glass Great review, Mo. I always feel weird when I read books like this, contemporary romance but written over two decades ago. We are always rushing to read that book that should be published next year and we forget that there are a lot of really good older novels.


Myrna Beaini i'm so happy u enjoyed paradise. all has been and will be my favorite:-)


message 35: by Pam (new) - added it

Pam Great review, Mo :)


message 36: by Mo (new) - rated it 5 stars

Mo Glass wrote: "Great review, Mo. I always feel weird when I read books like this, contemporary romance but written over two decades ago. We are always rushing to read that book that should be published next year ..."

I could not agree with you more, Glass. Some of the best books I have read recently have been books published over 20 years ago....Linda Howard comes to mind.


message 37: by Mo (new) - rated it 5 stars

Mo Myrna wrote: "i'm so happy u enjoyed paradise. all has been and will be my favorite:-)"

Thanks Myrna.


message 38: by Mo (new) - rated it 5 stars

Mo Lisa wrote: "Lovely review, Mo! :D"

Thanks Lisa.


message 39: by Mo (new) - rated it 5 stars

Mo Pam wrote: "Great review, Mo :)"

Thank you Pam.


Carol (StarAngel's Reviews) Allen Awesome review Mo!! xo


message 41: by Mo (new) - rated it 5 stars

Mo Carol (StarAngel's Reviews) wrote: "Awesome review Mo!! xo"

Thanks Carol.


message 42: by Mo (new) - rated it 5 stars

Mo Carol (StarAngel's Reviews) wrote: "Awesome review Mo!! xo"

Thanks Carol.


Lana ❇✾DG Romance❇✾ Great review, Mo. Don't think I've read anything by this author yet. Need to look her up


message 44: by Mo (new) - rated it 5 stars

Mo Lkay ❇✾The one-click buy button addict❇✾ wrote: "Great review, Mo. Don't think I've read anything by this author yet. Need to look her up"

Thank You Lkay!!


Jx PinkLady Reviews ♡ Great review, Mo! One day I will go to Chicago too, hopefully!! Is that Chad up there?? He looks very lovely!! xxx


message 46: by Mo (new) - rated it 5 stars

Mo Jxxx ♥ Pink Lady ♥ wrote: "Great review, Mo! One day I will go to Chicago too, hopefully!! Is that Chad up there?? He looks very lovely!! xxx"

Yes, that is YOUR Chad. He does look lovely, thanks.


message 47: by Jx PinkLady Reviews ♡ (last edited Jan 13, 2014 02:39AM) (new)

Jx PinkLady Reviews ♡ Mo wrote: "Jxxx ♥ Pink Lady ♥ wrote: "Great review, Mo! One day I will go to Chicago too, hopefully!! Is that Chad up there?? He looks very lovely!! xxx"

Yes, that is YOUR Chad. He does look lovely, thanks."


Very, very lovely!!! x


message 48: by Sammy (new)

Sammy Loves Books Wow, this looks really good Mo, great review ;o)


message 49: by Mo (new) - rated it 5 stars

Mo Sammy wrote: "Wow, this looks really good Mo, great review ;o)"

Thanks Sammy.


message 50: by Kristen (new) - added it

Kristen Awesome review, Mo. They just don't write them like this anymore. I've had this book for ages. Looks like I need to pull out my old copy and finally give it a read. :)


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