ARC Review: Paradise by Jill S. Alexander

      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.



           Paradise was not what I expected and that was definitely not a bad thing. Paisley is spunky and brave. She's funny and has a mixed personality: shy at times, but isn't afraid to speak her mind. Gabe is a Colombian, can't even describe how hot I think that is. He sweetly confident and forward with Paisley, which is exactly what she needs. However there is deeper message than the romance in Paradise. I think the message is to follow your dreams and as Paradise says, "Live wide open." Paisley and her sister, Lacey are intensely pressured by their mother. In their mother's eyes, she does what she does because she loves them, but at their second gig, surrounded by everyone else's family, Paisley never feels more alone.
      The ending of Paradise is so wonderful and fast. The sisters tell their mother everything and get to live their dreams. Paradise was such and inspiring story with wonderful supporting characters and love all around. I do admit that I don't listen to much country music, but with an accordion player like Paradise and friendships like Paisley's with Waylon and Levi, it could quickly become my favorite genre of music.