Paradise of Lies by Brittany Amara

A while back, I finished reading a friend's novel. I went into it not knowing what to expect. However, I was fully prepared to be blown away. I shared a creative writing professor with Brittany so I knew whatever I was getting myself into was going to be immersive, beautiful, and extremely well-written.

Indeed, I was blown away. This book exceeded my expectations in so many beautiful ways. First things first, Brittany writes so descriptively that you can't help but feel like you're right there in the story. You genuinely feel the burning intensity of love Slater has for Evangeline and her minty-green eyes. You internally scream in terror with Evangeline's subconscious as Dr. Blithe's "paradise" sinks it's fangs into her. It's hauntingly beautiful prose.

Regardless of its horror, a romance always implies two parties come back home to each other. Yet, this novel had me clutching my pearls. It gets so chilling at certain points that I genuinely questioned where the ride would take me. I felt a real fear that the world would prove too cruel to let these two people come back together.

At its core, this book feels like a story of hope. It reminds us that even in our darkest moments, through the most tragic curve-balls, it remains our choice to hold on to hope. Evangeline and Slater both do, no matter how dark it gets... or how literally gory it gets.

I won't spoil this majestic ride for anybody but this novel also makes beautiful parallels between it's protagonists and Dr. Blithe and his lost love. We see through the majority of the book how much Slater let's Evangeline do with her life as she wishes. It is hers to live as recklessly as she wants. It is hers to be in control of. That is real love. Anything opposed to that would be defined as a selfish act to feel in control.

This book unlocked something within me. I think it'd unlock something within any reader that picks it up. You'll cry. You'll want to throw your book at a wall. You'll question your own reality. And, then you'll cry again, this time joy-filled tears. So, the moment it gets published, RUN to go buy it. You won't regret it.

The level of interest with which I read Paradise of Lies

Thank you Brittany for writing this. Thank you Brittany for letting me be one of the first to read it. Thank you Brittany for inspiring me to choose hope amidst all of the darkness.

Sending you a million tight hugs & hoping to see your name where it belongs:

New York Times Best-Selling Author!