REVIEW: Sisters In Paradise by Carolyn Brown

Sisters In Paradise by Carolyn Brown: Ophelia Simmons has come back to her small hometown in Texas. She wants to take some time off to plan what she wants to do next. Her stint in the military has left her with nightmares. Maybe a summer with her chaotic family will be just what she needs. She also wants to help with her sister Luna’s wedding. Ophelia is one of six sisters raised in a big house called Paradise since it was once a brothel. Her mother raised them on her own until Jo Clark came along and became “Daddy” to them after their biological father left.

Two of the sisters are just home for the wedding, but may also come home in the near future. Ophelia’s Great-Aunt Bernie is truly a force of nature with no filter. Her new goal is to be a matchmaker for Ophelia and her sister Tertia. Ophelia ends up with a summer job with Jake Brennan who is working to establish a winery in the area.

Tertia is looking for a new job after leaving teaching and coaching behind. She decides, in spite of Aunt Bernie’s warnings, to take a job helping Noah Sullivan start a cafe’ in the small town in hopes it will revive things. Years ago, Tertia had given Noah a black eye after he gave her a hard time. Will she be able to work with him on a regular basis?

There is romance in this charming novel, but even more emphasis on family. These people are there for each other with unconditional love. The whole small town seems to be that way, too. It’s hard to find that closeness in today’s world. If it’a found the results are heartwarming. I liked all the characters as they went through suspenseful events and the chaos of everyday life. I would love to be at one of their meals. They remind me of ones with my late grandmother and her extended clan.
I haven’t read book #1 in this series. I will definitely have to go back and spend more time with this fun family.

My favorite character was Aunt Bernie. She is unafraid to say out loud what many of us think. I also loved that several characters were authors, especially mother Mary Jane with her romance novels.

If you want an uplifting, entertaining tale, look no further than the lovely Carolyn Brown. It is easy to see why she is so beloved by her many fans. I’m surely one of them

Book Info:

Publication: May 7, 2024 | Sourcebooks Casablanca | Sisters In Paradise #2

Sometimes the only way to find true happiness is to go back home.

Ophelia Simmons is back home at the Paradise—the former brothel where her mom raised her and six sisters—contemplating her next career move and dodging Great Aunt Bernie’s matchmaking attempts. She is about to meet her match in Jake Brennan, the ruggedly handsome owner of a local winery where Aunt Bernie convinces her to take a job for the summer. At first Ophelia and Jake’s personalities clash, but soon enough sparks start flying.

Meanwhile, older sister Tertia Simmons also returns home to look for a new job. Tertia never thought she’d work for, let alone fall for, Noah Sullivan—the boy who once taunted her when they were kids. But when he offers her the job of her dreams in his new café, Tertia finds herself torn between her head and her heart.

As the sisters navigate the ups and downs of love and career with the help of their outrageous great aunt and the rest of the close-knit family, they learn that love can be found in the most unexpected of places—including their own hometown.

Praise for New York Times and USA Today bestseller Carolyn

“Fans of beloved Southern films will flip for this charming small town tale.” —Woman’s World for The Sisters Café

“Brown’s characters easily inspire readers to care what happens to them.”—Publishers Weekly for Bride For a Day

“Fresh, funny, and sexy tale filled with likable, down-to-earth characters.”—Booklist for Love Drunk Cowboy