Mini Review: Paradise City by C.J. Duggan

Paradise City
(Paradise #1)
Author: C.J. Duggan
Release Date: April 28, 2015
Publisher: Hatchette Australia
Source: Hatchette Australia
Review by: Nahomi

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, exciting doesn'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?

3 stars out 5 stars

         I love C.J. Duggan's stories but I have mixed feelings about Paradise City. I like the premise of the story and it was a decent read; but I found it difficult to get through because of the main character's voice. Gosh it was just so annoying especially in the beginning! I will say that I get where Lexie is coming from and that as the story progressed her voice got less annoying. Although I still found it really difficult to get through because I couldn't relate to Lexie.

         The story was good. I liked the setting and the supporting characters.  But there weren't any characters that I got attached to. Luke, the love interest was nice but not my cup of tea. There was a lot of drama going on and there were points in the story where I physically had to put the book down because I was so embarrassed for Lexie. Some of the situations she got herself into holy hell... By the end of the story I was cheering for Lexie survive the year and get her happy ending.

          Although I couldn't relate with Lexie and I found her voice annoying; I still want to know what happens to her after the book ended. There is a bit of a cliffhanger at the end, nothing too terrible though. Lets see what C.J. Duggan has in store for Lexie next.