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?
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?
Newsletter Signup
By clicking ‘Sign Up,’ I acknowledge that I have read and agree to Hachette Book Group’s Privacy Policy and Terms of Use
Reviews
It has everything a book written by her always has: sexy boys, a place where everyone would like to live or spend the summer, romance and a moving story.
Each chapter is a revelation into the experiences of youth.
I can't wait to see where Duggan goes with the story next!
review
... this story hooked me.
Paradise City left me gasping for more.
I loved every moment. Uniquely Australian, Paradise City was simply brilliant. C. J is a born storyteller that breathes a realism into her characters and situations that we've all found ourselves in.
If you're looking for your next book boyfriend, look no further my friends. Ballantine will make you swoon all over the place. I would recommend this book to anyone looking for a cute coming of age book that will make you chuckle and grin.
CJ Duggan writes with such passion, creating such a beautiful sense of imagery, I could smell the salt air, feel the sun beat down on my face, I was easily lost in Paradise City
a really promising start to a new series
I loved this book - it's the perfect beach read
Duggan doesn't disappoint with adding another swoon-worthy book under her belt.
a great first book of the Paradise series
Paradise city gripped me from the beginning, the storyline flowed well and was easy to relate too. A book about adjusting to adulthood, self-discovery and first love!!
Paradise City is the same brand of feel good, fun and sexy romance that I have come to love from this author.
Another fantastic book from C.J. Duggan!
It is a fun read with lots of teenage angst, misunderstandings and turmoil
Paradise City is the same brand of feel good, fun and sexy romance that I have come to love from this author
Included in 'Great Mother's Day Picks'
review
a fast paced read with so many steamy situations
... really held my attention and I look forward to reading the next part
Paradise City hooked me,
Duggan's writing is addictive, and I really didn't want to put this book down.
Paradise City is the same sort of feel good, sexy romance that we've come to know from C.J. and her other books.
quality that means you can never just stop reading... I just had to finish it once I started.
Review
What should be your number one reason for reading Paradise city by C.J. Duggan? Luke. Ballantine. A sexy, bad boy surfer who does bad in such a sexy way.
convincing and authentic ... Perfect for fans of Abbi Glines and Anna Todd, Paradise City is a fun and exciting read about love, family and surviving high school
Again Ms Duggan had created a winner. Paradise City was a perfect introduction to the series and characters. I was left needing more and it had so much laugh-out-loud fun. This really did have everything from intrigue to addiction, realism of high school antics, steamy sizzles and fast paced readability. I am certainly hooked and desperately want more of all these characters. I highly recommend this to all new adult readers, fan-bloody-tastic!
Review
-
Duggan's writing is beautiful; fresh, humorous, full of heartache and yet full of hope ... I am internally chucking a full blown teenage tantrum that I have to wait until September to find out what happens next in the world of Lexie. Five Stars.
I will be waiting anxiously for Lexie and Luke and their steamy hot, first love romance on August 28th in Paradise Road. I highly recommend Lexie and hottie Luke and their Paradise City romance as a must read.
This series mixes bad boys and beaches - perfect for readers who love a local flavour to their romance reading.
Paradise City is going to be on my mind until I can get my greedy eyes on Paradise Road. I need that book yesterday!
guaranteed her readers will come back for more
... I laughed, I got mad and my heart ached
This is my first taste of Duggan's work and it won't be the last...It's a story that will have you coming back for more.
This was a fun read.
can't wait to read the next book
review
Duggan is a good writer
I can't wait to see what happens in the next book
C.J. Duggan is an author on my watchlist now
A great new adult book and a great start to a new series!
This is what a teenage romance or a teenage story should be like: with its ups and downs, always keeping the reader invested in the story and enjoying the characters.
Review
I wasn't expecting a cliffhanger. What?! The wait for the next book will be impossible.