Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this arc of the book!

This was such a cute holiday romance story set in Spain and Jamaica. Alejandro and Jasmine have both gone through life changing events, but have then each a different outlook on life. Alejandro wants to enjoy every moment he has because you never know when it will be your last. Jasmine is more on the guarded side and scared to bring her walls down. Alejandro was able to help her see the value in stepping outside of your comfort zone and he is the epitome of a green flag!

The chapters were on the shorter side, so it made the story move so fast that I read it in one sitting! I loved this book and will definitely read more from Olivia Spring!

*What Happens in Paradise* by Olivia Spring is the perfect getaway in book form—a fun, fast-paced romance set in two gorgeous locations: Spain and Jamaica. Right from the start, I was hooked. The story follows Jasmine, a guest relations manager at the Spanish Love Hotel, where she plays the role of a “Love Alchemist” by helping guests find their perfect matches. But while she’s great at matchmaking for others, Jasmine can’t seem to shake her growing attraction to Alejandro, the hotel’s sous-chef. The problem? Employees aren’t allowed to date, so their chemistry is basically forbidden.

What I loved about this book was how the tension between Jasmine and Alejandro gradually built. When Jasmine gets the opportunity to help open a new hotel branch in Jamaica, she’s thrilled. The distance will be just what she needs to put some space between herself and Alejandro—until she finds out he’s been assigned to the project too. Cue the tropical heat and the undeniable chemistry between them as they spend two weeks together in paradise.

I really enjoyed how fast-paced the book was. The chapters are short and easy to read, which kept the story flowing smoothly, and the alternating points of view between Jasmine and Alejandro made it feel balanced. There’s definitely a slow-burn romance happening here, which I totally bought into. I appreciated how their emotional baggage—especially from past relationships—made their dynamic feel more real and relatable. And, of course, there’s the forbidden romance element, which just adds extra tension. The "only one bed" scenario? A total classic, and it delivered.

That said, there were a couple of things that didn’t completely work for me. The writing, while easy to follow, could sometimes be a little too *on the nose*, especially when it came to describing the characters’ emotions. I found myself wishing the story would leave a little more to the imagination instead of spelling everything out. I like when there’s a bit more mystery in how characters feel. But honestly, it didn’t ruin the experience for me—I was still hooked.

At the end of the day, *What Happens in Paradise* is exactly what I needed when I was craving something light and fun. The romance is steamy, but there’s enough emotional depth between Jasmine and Alejandro to make the story feel meaningful. While it might not be the most complex romance out there, it’s a great choice when you want something quick, enjoyable, and full of romantic tension. If you're in the mood for a feel-good, escapist read with a side of sizzling chemistry, this book is definitely worth picking up.

This was a cute quick dual POV read that was medium paced. Slow burn, age gap, and forced proximity. If you’re looking for something cute and summery to read this is your book. There is a bit of a slow burn and slow build up to the romance. So if you don’t like slow burns then this book is not for you. I did appreciate the quick chapters and I always love a dual POV. The character growth was moderate and was some of the main focus of the book. It is the second book to The Love Hotel so some of the side characters are in this book. Overall, it was a fun read and would recommend.

This book is between a 3.5 and a 4 stars for me.

This is a dual POV, age-gap coworkers romance, set in both Spain and Jamaica.
It was a cute fun, quick read, set in some lovely locations. The chapters were short, which really kept the story moving along quickly, which I loved! I enjoyed that both characters were recovering from their own difficult past relationships, which affected their dynamics and what they wanted out of each other. A lot of the dialogue is sorta on the nose and everything is spelled out in detail (especially the flirting), but all in all that didn't affect my enjoyment of the book too much.

Overall, a cute romance story!

This was such a fun and spicy romance! Alejandro and Jasmine have clear chemistry from the get go and have almost a forbidden romance due to their working situation.

Firstly I loved the setting of this book - Spain and Jamaica are the perfect pick me up locations to read about in a very cold January.

I liked the slow burn and tension that built up between our two main characters, it felt very believable considering what we learn about there situations and love for the job they do.

Overall this book had all the best tropes - forbidden romance and only one bed, and a perfect swoon worthy MMC. I look forward to reading more from Olivia Spring.

Links to the review on Instagram and Goodreads are below. The review will also be posted on Amazon on release day.

What Happens in Paradise by Olivia Spring was the latest romance read I’ve finished. I loved it. Don’t skip this one.

If you're in the mood for a quick summer escape to a small-town romance, What Happens in Paradise by Olivia Spring might be just the ticket. This young adult romance offers a charming setting, relatable characters, and plenty of heartwarming moments.

The story has its strengths—it's easy to follow and delivers the comforting predictability often craved in summer reads. However, as I turned the pages, I found myself wishing for more room to immerse myself in the narrative and connect with the emotions on my own. The author’s detailed writing style leaves little to the imagination, spelling out every thought, action, and emotion for the reader. While this can make the story feel accessible, it also takes away some of the magic of discovering the characters' inner worlds for yourself.

That said, What Happens in Paradise isn’t without its charm. It’s a light, breezy read that might appeal to those looking for something simple to enjoy on a sunny afternoon. While it wasn’t a standout for me personally, I can see its appeal for readers who prefer an easygoing, straightforward romance.

Ultimately, this book may not make my list of recommendations, but it served as a reminder of the beauty of diverse reading tastes. Every book has its audience, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to step into Olivia Spring’s world.

What Happens in Paradise delivers a delightful romantic escape that perfectly balances humor, heart, and personal growth. The writing captures the essence of contemporary romance with relatable characters and an engaging story that kept me interested from start to finish.
The novel explores self-discovery, love, and taking chances, offering a refreshing take on other modern relationship books. While following familiar romantic comedy ideas, the book manages to feel fresh and authentic. The characters were well-developed, with enough depth to make their journey compelling and entertaining.

Decided to read this book on a whim (with no prior knowledge that it is a part of a series) and it has blown me out of the water. A complete delight for the readers- it is full of laughter and banter.

It can also be read as a standalone but i will be checking out the first book. There was equal amount of romance and heat. It definitely sets the mood for the holidays!