Review: Paradise by Jill S. Alexander

 

Paradise

Jill S. Alexander
Publisher: Feiwel and Friends
Publication date: July 2011

Format: ARC, 248 pp.

Genre: Young Adult Fiction (12 & up)


From the Publisher: 

Paisley Tillery is the drummer for a country rock band. If they can make it to the stage at the Texapalooza music fest, then Paisley will be closer to her dream of a career in music and a ticket out of her small Texas town.
Drumming and music are what Paisley has always wanted. Until the band gets a new lead singer, the boy from Paradise, Texas. With Paradise in her life, what Paisley wants, and what she needs, complicate her dreams coming true.

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This book caught my attention a lot quicker than I expected it to. I was engrossed from page one, and sped through the first half. I really enjoyed the way the characters were introduced and the glimpse into small-town Texas life. But, what I found interesting at first became almost unbearably frustrating about halfway through. The mother in the story is so unlikable and repetitive, I wondered how any of her family could even stand to be in the same room with her, let alone actually love her. Maybe it is because I'm not from the South, but I cannot imagine any teenager (let along two) allowing a parent to mess up their lives so much without fighting even a little bit. The romance was pushed way too fast without any depth added to the main characters feelings for each other. They barely have a conversation and then the reader is expected to believe they are so in love? It makes the ending seem falsely emotional. I did enjoy the main plot and its focus on the music. I believed in this band and was rooting for them to succeed. The book moved quickly and was broken up with song-lyrics, which helped to push the story along.

If you enjoy small-town romances (complete with purity rings!) and country music, you will probably enjoy this book. Everyone else should probably skip it.

Book: 2.5/5  Cover: 2.5/5

Note: I received a free ARC/uncorrected proof of this book in paperback from the publisher as part of the Goodreads "First-Reads" program.