Book Review: Paradise City by C.J Duggan

---

Paradise City
Author: C.J Duggan
Reading Level: Young Adult
Genre: Contemporary | Romance
Release Date: April 28th 2015
Review Source: Hachette Australia | Netgalley

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?

After digging into Paradise City I realised it had been way too long since I’ve read a C.J Duggan novel. I’d forgotten how much I love her writing and her way with new adult novels. She has this way of writing entertaining and fun new adult novels which I always seem to love. She's a reliable author who will always deliver an enjoyable novel.

Lexie was the character I enjoyed the most. After living her life secluded, her town so small there wasn’t a school, Lexie has been sheltered from the normal activities a girl her age would usually experience.  Moving in with her aunt for the school term is probably the best thing to happen to her. Spreading her wings, she experiences things she’s only every thought about. That includes boys.  Out of everything she anticipated, Luke Ballantine wasn’t one of them.

She was a character which made me smile. Going to Paradise City for her was a huge culture shock. She had this naivety and excitement about her from experiencing all new and exciting things to her and it was enduring to witness. And Luke Ballantine was the cherry on the cake. Boy, you guys have to read this for yourselves to witness Luke and the gang.

The romance was cute and slow-building. The author definitely gave us plenty of anticipation and build up when it came to the relationship of Lexie and Luke. With the cliffhanger we were left with, I’m dying for Paradise Road! Paradise City is packed with the New Adult essentials of beaches, boys and plenty of drama. If beaches and bad boys are your thing, then waste no time adding this to your list.