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A Map to Paradise

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A Map to Paradise

Written by: Susan Meissner
Narrated by: Lisa Flanagan
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About this listen

 1956, Malibu, California: Something is not right on Paradise Circle.

With her name on the Hollywood blacklist and her life on hold, starlet Melanie Cole has little choice in company. There is her next-door neighbor, Elwood, but the screenwriter’s agoraphobia allows for just short chats through open windows. He’s her sole confidante, though, as she and her housekeeper, Eva, an immigrant from war-torn Europe, rarely make conversation.

Then one early morning Melanie and Eva spot Elwood’s sister-in-law and caretaker, June, digging in his beloved rose garden. After that they don’t see Elwood at all anymore. Where could a man who never leaves the house possibly have gone?

As they try to find out if something has happened to him, unexpected secrets are revealed among all three women, leading to an alliance that seems the only way for any of them to hold on to what they can still call their own. But it’s a fragile pact and one little spark could send it all up in smoke… Friendship Genre Fiction Historical Fiction Women's Fiction

What the critics say

Praise for Susan Meissner's A Map to Paradise:

“A beautiful journey that explores the price of choices made in the heat of the moment, the importance of second chances, and the power of finding a place to belong.” – Lisa Wingate, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Book of Lost Friends

" A tale both tender and touching, about three complex and damaged women who despite their outward differences are all searching for that elusive thing called a home." – Kate Quinn, New York Times bestselling author of The Briar Club
All stars
Most Relevant
-- mainstream fiction
Completed: Apr. 11/25

Format: Audible audiobook
Narrator: Lisa Flanagan - excellent job all-around!

Well, it pains me greatly to rate this at 3.25 stars. This is my 15th novel by this author. I really enjoyed all of them, though I have my favorites. Her one before this was phenomenal. I rated a few with 4 stars but most with 4.5 and 5 stars.

I'll begin with my dislikes:
- This novel just didn't have the same engagement, emotion, or connection as the others have for me. It felt slow, a little repetitive, somewhat predictable.
- I did not care for the cursing at all, particularly taking God's name in vain. That was a huge disappointment. A well-written story doesn't need that. It can be expressed without the actual words in the applicable circumstances.
- Melanie didn't have much of a growth arc and was rather shallow and hypocritical. I liked June until I knew what she did and that it was essentially justified in the end. When it was compared to Ava's past situation, it bothered me. Those were VERY different circumstances. After all that, it was wrapped up in a shiny, red bow on a sequin dress like nothing happened.
- Though I appreciated reading from an era not written about much, the Hollywood scene is a fickle, selfish, and mean world.

My likes:
- Ava was easily the star of this book. Her back story, her undying love for her boyfriend from years before, her bravery and attitude, etc.
- The character of Elwood and the agoraphobia was quite interesting and I wish we learned more about him.
- I enjoyed aspects of the friendship between the three women but it felt as though Melanie and June basically went back to the same ol,' same 'ol but Ava went to the life of peace and love. I did love her ending even though I suspected it.
- The narrator was excellent!

Perhaps it's not completely fair to rate this book in contrast to all the previous 14 books I've read by this author, but how can I not? It simply didn't capture me like the others have.

3.25 stars - not as good as her other novels

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