Stuck in Paradise with You by Laura Carter is an enchanting escape to a sun-soaked island, where romance and personal growth intertwine beautifully. The chemistry between the main characters is electric from the start, and their witty banter kept me thoroughly entertained. Carter’s ability to craft realistic, three-dimensional characters makes their journey from strangers to lovers all the more satisfying.

The setting is a character in itself, with the vivid descriptions of the island making me feel like I was right there with them, enjoying the warm breeze and stunning views. The story is a fun balance of humor, romance, and heartwarming moments, making it an easy and enjoyable read.

However, there were a few moments where the pacing felt a little slow, particularly in the middle where the plot could have moved forward quicker. A bit more tension or drama could have made the story even more engaging at times.

That said, the overall charm and feel-good nature of the story more than make up for this. Laura Carter has delivered a delightful, romantic getaway with characters you can't help but root for, and a setting that feels like a dream.

Absolutely fun! Romance is supposed to be a light read and enjoyable and this was it. Loved the atmosphere and the island!

I don't know even what to say about this book. I guess what I liked...I always like a tropical setting. I love a good enemies to lovers and forced proximity. This was not that unfortunately. The characters were really not well developed and you don't really know them outside of the story. The settings could have been described better. [ For about 80% of the book, the two main characters do not have banter but passive aggressive jabs. It isn't fun hate...but HATE hate to the point where you are like there is no tension here just resentment. Then, all of a sudden, it flips to them having a hook up. ( fade to black). The MMC fixates on why she blocked him out of his life after he left her for his pregnant wife, and then he was like I tried to explain after I found out my wife cheated on me and the baby wasn't mine...I wanted to come back to you ....just...no... this is not a romantic gesture. Them not communicating after he decided to resign is also very far fetched...it was just like pulling angst after angst that it took away from what could have been a playful teasing romance with some heavy stuff in between. Don't even get me started on a CAT 5 storm on an island in a storm cellar...

ARC Review: *Stuck in Paradise with You* by Laura Carter

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (5/5 stars)

Second-chance romance on a tropical island? Sign me up! *Stuck in Paradise with You* by Laura Carter delivers everything you could want from a swoony, sun-soaked escape—compelling characters, sizzling chemistry, and the kind of tension that keeps you turning the pages well into the night.

Carrie Briggs is on the verge of achieving her career dreams—just one more job, and she’ll finally make partner at her accountancy firm. The assignment seems perfect: a trip to a private Caribbean island, working for a world-renowned billionaire. Sun, sand, and a career high—what could go wrong? Enter Luke Chalmers, the CFO of the company… and Carrie’s ex-boyfriend, the one who shattered her heart seven years ago.

From the moment Carrie and Luke cross paths on the island, the tension is palpable. With a literal storm brewing outside and emotional storms brewing inside, the heat between them simmers until it’s impossible to ignore. Luke is determined to stay professional, but old feelings and unresolved emotions make things complicated—especially when it becomes clear that the spark they shared all those years ago never fully burned out.

*Microtropes:* *Second-Chance Romance*, *Forced Proximity*, *Stormy Weather = Stormy Feelings*, *Billionaire Employer*, *Heartbreak Healing*, *Tropical Paradise*, and of course, a heartwarming *Happily Ever After*.

Carrie is a strong and driven heroine who knows what she wants, and Luke is the brooding, emotionally complex hero who made a mistake and desperately wants to make it right. Watching them navigate old wounds and find their way back to each other is both heartbreaking and uplifting. The chemistry between them is electric, and the tropical backdrop only heightens the romance.

Carter does a fantastic job of blending humor, emotion, and steamy moments in this second-chance romance. The setting is lush and vibrant, the tension is spot-on, and the moments of vulnerability will make your heart melt. It’s the perfect beach (or cozy rainy-day) read for fans of Christina Lauren and Emily Henry.

*Stuck in Paradise with You* will have you dreaming of sun-soaked beaches, delicious tension, and the kind of love that deserves a second chance. 💖🌴🌞

Perfect for readers who love a tropical backdrop, characters with *history*, and a romance that makes you believe in do-overs. Highly recommend!

Thank you NetGalley and publisher for this arc!

I was so excited about this book after reading the blurb. The premise if this book is great and I really wanted to like this book but I just couldn’t. I was so annoyed with all of the bickering.

Laura Carter has done it again! She’s written a binge romance with a unique twist. Take cover, everyone! Hurricane on the way!

“You hit me like a hurricane, knew it was gonna be a long night from the moment we locked eyes over whiskey on ice, started talkin bout us again.” -Luke Combs

Seven years ago Carrie and Luke had a smoking hot relationship for six weeks. Then he suddenly up and left, leaving Carrie for his ex. She ghosted him, giving him no chance to explain. Both felt hurt and angry.

Now they unexpectedly meet again when Carrie is flown to a private island for work. Luke and Carrie are forced to work side by side. On top of it all, a serious hurricane is on the way. The hurricane on the island parallels the hurricane of their feelings. Will they come out unscathed?

How do I love thee? Let me count the ways…

I loved Joe. Mega billionaire, slightly crazy, down to earth, yet living in luxury.

I loved the setting. Can I please visit?! Sans hurricane though.

I loved the entire cast, actually. Each person was unique but completely realistic. Felt like a real bond was formed.

Lastly, I loved how much Luke loved Carrie.

I had high hopes for this one. What I wasn't expecting was this being a book about an affair going legit. The book is based on another woman and a man having an affair while he was still married. The author villainizes the wife later, though, so I guess she thinks that's cool.

But no, I don't want to read a romance based on an affair. I also hate that other infidelity is mentioned throughout the story.

If cheating is a trigger for you this will be a big turn off.

I just didn't like either lead either. They were immature, childish, juvenile, etc. etc. There was no character growth to be seen from any of them. And also, the actual children in the novel are written to have the vocabulary of someonw with their PHD and maturity of a teenager.

Overall, I'd avoid this one.

Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC.

This book had a cute premise and promising character, but I just personally didn’t vibe with the writing style. Dialogue felt awkward and some of the word choices felt out of place. A lot of the fights between Luke and Carrie felt superfluous and unrealistic. I just feel like this book wasn’t for me, but I’m sure someone else will really enjoy the read.
There were also a couple moments that took me out of the book- when the author says “like aluminum to a magnet, and “that coffee’s a strong antidiuretic”. I also thought that their reasons for not getting back together didn’t seem realistic and went on for too long to the point where I didn’t care anymore when they finally did get back together.

If you’re into two adults bickering like children throughout, then this one’s for you. Enemies to lovers is my kind of trope, hot, sexy UST and this ain’t it. Unfortunately not the fire I’m hoping for. The fighting just went way overboard and out of control, you start to doubt if there was even love in the first place. You can FEEL the hatred between them until maybe the final five chapters of the book.

The MCs didn’t click with me. Carrie was so good in jumping to conclusions, she could’ve won the world record in the Olympics for hurdles. Luke, on the other hand, was too busy playing victim for his decisions and the aftermath. This seven-year misunderstanding could have been an email, Luke! Or at least a text.

ARC provided by NetGalley. Much appreciated.

Easy read book about second chance love with a little enemies to lovers thrown in. Luke and Carrie dated seven years ago, but it had complications, namely they were coworkers and he was separated from his wife. Things ended badly for them and both moved on. Carrie, present day, is ready to make partner at her accounting firm when she gets assigned to go to a private island to discuss tax stuff. Her coworker was set to go but got sick last minute. She’s surprised when she arrived and the CFO is her ex Luke. It’s an awkward trip and Carrie wants to leave but there is a hurricane coming. I didn’t really love the Luke character as he didn’t understand why Carrie blocked all contact with him when they broke up (because it was the healthy thing to do??) I felt like he played the victim and was kind of whiny. Joe, the client, was problematic. In the end, I was just rooting for Carrie to get off the island, alone. Check out at your local library if you are looking for something.

Thank you Boldwood Books for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

Absolutely brilliant. The relationship drama between Carrie and Luke is gripping and most of the things they sniped at each other had me laughing.

Thank you Laura Carter, Boldwood Books and Netgalley for this ARC

A cute romance novel with an interesting premise. The book has the tropes of second chance romance, forced proximity and enemies to lovers. It has two strong leads, something that I liked about the book.

Loved the tension and slow burn as we get to slowly figure out what went wrong in the past. Their banter is fun and brought a smile. The supporting characters are fun and their strong rooting for the leads is cute. Overall a fun and light holiday read.

Thank you Boldwood Books and NetGalley for this e-arc in exchange of my unbiased review.

This book is ok but far too predictable and really slow moving. I found that I just didn’t care what happened and found myself skimming the story. Maybe I wasn’t in the right mood for this book but there are definitely better books with a similar trope out there.

Love this cute love story. Easy and quick read.

Enemies to lovers
I would recommend adults only

Stuck In Paradise With You by Laura Carter.
This was an enjoyable read. I loved the story which was easy to follow and it had a good cast of characters. The pacing was just right and I loved the place settings in the book. Overall, a good book that I would recommend to other readers.
❤️ Thank you to netgalley, the publisher and author for my arc ebook copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

This is the first book I’m reading from this author.

I started out enjoying this book. It had a good hook and a good angle.
Spice level 🌶️
There’s 1 spicy scene in this book.

The tropes in this book
Slow burn
Second Chance
Forbidden Romance (temporarily because of work place)
Lovers to enemies to lovers
Forced Proximity
He fell first and harder

I liked this book even though slow burns aren’t my thing.

I really liked the ending! I liked how it brought them full circle. He took what was an awful day for them both and made a better memory out of it.

I am so incredibly grateful to be granted access to this ARC! The cover is gorgeous, and design is so well done, and the plot looks just plain fun and silly. I am super excited for this feel good read!

Ok, so I have just finished this book. It's a fun, easy quick beach read.

What I loved:
-The setting - who doesn't want to read a book that takes place on an island? I am weirdly picky about the settings of my books since I see so many overdone. While there are a lot of books set on islands, this is fun!
-The writing style is beautifully done.
-Characters are fun. Spice is included,
-Cover is gorgeous. I feel like a good cover goes a long way.

What I didn't love:
-Pacing was not quite to my liking.
-I found myself not completely engrossed in this story, it was easy to put down. However, that might be a me thing as I gravitate towards fast paced books.
-Dynamic between the two main characters did not keep me enticed.

I would recommend this to anyone looking for a silly, fun beach read to take or read before bed even.

I really enjoyed this story and I thought that it was a really good read overall.

The book had a well developed storyline that was strong and I really enjoyed how the book was written.

I liked the character development and getting to know more about them as the book progressed.

A 'lost' love is found on a paradise island under difficult circumstances.

I thought that the story was romantic and sexy, heartwarming and homely.

It is 4 stars from me for this one - highly recommended!

Thank you NetGalley for this book in exchange for an honest review. Stuck in Paradise With You is a second chance romance, Luke and Carrie haven’t seen each other in 7 years and now they’re stuck on an island together, forced to be professional in front of a client (One island trope? Love it). This is a passionate enemies to lovers story. Both main characters have great personalities and better spice. My main issue is just a personal opinion, the miscommunication between the characters feels a little drawn out and unnecessary to move the plot forward. Otherwise, this is a fun read!

Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
*no spoilers*

Stuck in Paradise with You by Laura Carter is a delightful romantic escape that combines miscommunication with the perfect balance of humor and heart, creating the perfect storm of tension. Both Luke and Carrie carry scars from their past relationship and seeing each other again for the first time in 7 years brings a mixture of emotions.

Laura Carter masterfully weaves the push-and-pull dynamic of Luke and Carries relationship, giving readers the perfect mix of banter, charm, and emotional depth.

Overall, Stuck in Paradise with You is a feel-good romance filled with the right amount of angst, laughter, and heartwarming moments.