Review: Paradise City by C.J. Duggan

There's bound to be trouble in Paradise . . .

When her parents decide a change will be good for her, seventeen-year-old Lexie Atkinson never expected they'd send her all the way to Paradise City. Coming from a predictable life of home schooling on a rural Australian property, she's sure that Paradise will be amazing. But when she's thrust into a public school without a friendly face in sight, and forced to share a room with her insipid, hateful cousin Amanda, Lexie's not so sure.

Hanging out with the self-proclaimed beach bums of the city, sneaking out, late night parties and parking with boys are all things Lexie's never experienced, but all that's about to change. It's new, terrifying . . . and exciting. But when she meets Luke Ballantine, excitingdoesn't even come close to describing her new life. Trouble with a capital T, Luke is impulsive, charming and answers to no one. The resident bad-boy leader of the group, he's sexier than any boy Lexie has ever known.

Amidst the stolen moments of knowing looks and heated touches, Lexie can't help but wonder if Luke is going to be good for her . . . or very, very bad?

Expected publication: April 28th 2015 by Hachette

Terri's Thoughts

**I received an advanced copy of this book from the publisher Hachette via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.  The expected publication data is April 28th 2015**

OMG....I have to wait until September to read the next in the series?!?!  That is simply cruel that I can't get my next fix of the drama that is Lexie's life until then!

It is safe to say that this story hooked me.  I will admit to being a little bit surprised, I expected it to entertain me but not as much as it did.  This type of story is a guilty pleasure for me however I usually keep my expectations tempered.  This story changed up the formula for me.

I am not going to give spoilers but I am going to give my thoughts on where I see this story progressing going forward. I do not know how many books this series will amount to however it felt like this inaugural story was setting up a framework for things to come.

The chemistry between Ballantine and Lexie was evident from the beginning and there verbal sparring was entertaining.  I eagerly awaited each moment they had together to see where it was going to go.  I also sensed some chemistry between Lexie and a certain other character and I feel that it is setting the framework for a future plot twist.  Do I sense a love triangle in the future?  It certainly appears that way and the relationship between the characters certainly adds to the drama factor. 

That is all I am going to say.  I would recommend this to fans of NA and YA although there is a bit of sexual content so YA audience be warned (so maybe not).  This story to me seemed to fit outside of the usual formula of the genre and I found that refreshing.  I also think that the story was framed in such a way that several instalments could be made and it would still be compelling to keep wanting to come back for more.  I personally can not wait until the next book is out so I can find out what happens.

About the Author

C.J Duggan is an Internationally Number One Best Selling Author who lives with her husband in a rural border town of New South Wales, Australia. When she isn't writing books about swoony boys and 90's pop culture you will find her renovating her hundred-year-old Victorian homestead or annoying her local travel agent for a quote to escape the chaos.

Website:  http://www.cjdugganbooks.com/
Twitter:  CJ_Duggan