Women’s Fiction (/Romance 😉)
Dynamic writing duo Christina Hobbs and Lauren Billings bring fans another exciting romcom with a complex and interesting cast of characters, two relatable protagonists, and laugh-out-loud moments. Let Christina Lauren take you on an adventure to Indonesia.
The Paradise Problem by Christina Lauren
Anna Green thought marrying Liam “West” Weston was just a means to an end—a quick path to subsidized housing while they were both at UCLA. She also believed they'd quietly ended things after graduation, signing divorce papers and moving on with their lives.
Fast forward three years: Anna is a struggling artist barely making ends meet, while West is now a Stanford professor—and one of four heirs to the Weston Foods empire. He has no interest in joining the cold, corporate world his family built, but he is interested in the hundred-million-dollar inheritance tied to it. The catch? A peculiar clause in his grandfather’s will that requires him to be happily married for five full years.
With the deadline approaching, West’s family insists on finally meeting his elusive wife, and he finds himself with no option but to call in a favor from the one woman he never expected to see again—his messy, outspoken, not-quite-ex-wife.
But once Anna is thrown into the elite world of West’s wealthy family, his concerns begin to shift.
Cocktail Pairing: Arrack Attack
Make your own version of delectable tropical drinks fit for a destination wedding in Indonesia. Try out the local flavors with an Arrak Attack cocktail, or indulge in fresh fruit with a Tropical Basil Bliss mocktail.
Arrack Attack
Ingredients
1 long slice peeled cucumber
35ml arrack
15ml lime juice
6 drops turmeric bitters
Ginger beer, to top
1 big mint sprig, to garnish
Directions
Put the cucumber slice in a tumbler, then pour in the arrack, lime juice and bitters. Add a big handful of ice, and top with ginger beer. Garnish with mint and serve.
Mocktail Pairing: Tropical Sunrise Spritzer
1 cup fresh pineapple juice
1/2 cup fresh pineapple juice
1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
2 tbsp. Grenedine Syrup
1/2 cup soda water
Pineapple wedge and/or Lime Wedge for garnish
Directions
Fill a glass with ice cubes. Pour fresh juices over the ice and stir. Gently pour the grenadine syrup over the mixture. Do not stir—to create the beautiful sunrise effect, let it settle at the bottom. Top with soda water for a gentile fizz. Garnish with a pineapple and lime wedge. Serve immediately and enjoy the tropical bliss!
To Cook
If you had to get a cookbook for your feisty, foul-mouthed, paint-splatter artist not-so-ex-wife (or husband), then this is the perfect book. Combine the art of Anna and the sophistication of Liam by combining modern art and baking
If you like The Paradise Problem or Christina Lauren, then you’ll enjoy these next reads!
Nonfiction: Indonesia Etc: Exploring the Improbable Nation by Elizabeth Pisani
Want to take your own trip to Indonesia?
Declaring independence in 1945, Indonesia said it would "work out the details of the transfer of power etc. as soon as possible." With over 300 ethnic groups spread across over 13,500 islands, the world's fourth most populous nation has been working on that "etc." ever since. Author Elizabeth Pisani traveled 26,000 miles in search of the links that bind this disparate nation.
New Releases: We All Live Here by Jojo Moyes
After enjoying the latest romance by Christina Lauren, you’ll be ready to pick up the news romance by popular romance author Jojo Moyes.
More Romance: Great Big Beautiful Life by Emily Henry
Of course what is a romance TBR list without the latest book by Emily Henry. But don’t worry about trying to figure out which heavy hitting romance author to read first (Lauren, Moyes, or Henry).
Named a Most Anticipated book by The New York Times ∙ Rolling Stone ∙ People ∙ USA Today ∙ Harper's Bazaar ∙ Marie Claire ∙ E! Online ∙ The New York Post ∙ Bustle ∙ Reader's Digest ∙ BBC ∙ PopSugar ∙ SheReads ∙ Paste ∙ and more!