Audiobook Sample
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- Title: Winter in Paradise
- Author: Elin Hilderbrand
- Narrator: Erin Bennett
- Length: 10:00:00
- Version: Abridged
- Release Date: 09/10/2018
- Publisher: Hachette Book Group USA
- Genre: Romance, Fiction & Literature, Contemporary, Contemporary Women, Family Life
- ISBN13: 9.78E+12
It’s not every day you stumble across an audiobook that feels like a plane ticket to somewhere lush and tangled with secrets. “Winter in Paradise” by Elin Hilderbrand, narrated by Erin Bennett, is one of those rare finds – a contemporary women’s fiction gem that whisks you off to the Caribbean island of St. John, where the sun shines bright, but the shadows run deep. I cracked this one open – or rather, pressed play – on a chilly evening last week, curled up with a cup of coffee that could’ve used a splash of rum to match the island vibe. And let me tell you, it unfolded like a road trip through a landscape you’ve never seen but somehow already know.
The story kicks off with Irene Steele, a woman whose life in Iowa City is as picture-perfect as a Victorian postcard – until it isn’t. A phone call shatters her world: her husband’s been killed in a helicopter crash halfway across the globe. Before she can even catch her breath, she’s on a plane with her two sons, chasing answers in St. John. What she finds isn’t just grief – it’s a whole other life her husband kept hidden. The premise hooked me right away. It reminds me of a time when I was trekking through Portugal’s Douro Valley, sipping wine with a local vintner who casually mentioned his second family in Lisbon. Secrets have a way of blooming in the heat, don’t they?
Hilderbrand’s knack for weaving family life with romance and intrigue shines here. The tropical setting isn’t just a backdrop – it’s a character, alive with swaying palms, salty air, and the hum of island gossip. You can almost taste the conch fritters and hear the waves lapping at the shore. The story unfolds like a slow unraveling of a hand-stitched quilt – each thread revealing a new pattern of betrayal, resilience, and unexpected connection. Irene’s journey from shock to strength pulled me in, her sons’ grappling with their father’s double life adding layers of raw, relatable emotion. It’s contemporary fiction with a pulse, perfect for anyone who loves a family drama laced with a little paradise.
Now, let’s talk about Erin Bennett’s narration, because this audiobook experience wouldn’t be the same without her. Her voice is like a warm breeze – inviting, steady, and rich with nuance. She captures Irene’s bewilderment and grit with such authenticity that I felt like I was sitting across from her, listening to her spill her story over a glass of something strong. The way Bennett shifts between characters – Irene’s quiet resolve, her sons’ frustration, the lilting cadence of the island locals – is a masterclass in storytelling. It took me back to those evenings in Oaxaca, where I’d sit spellbound as a grandmother spun tales with just the right pause, the perfect inflection. Bennett’s pacing is spot-on, letting the tension build without rushing the quiet moments. The audio quality’s crisp too – no crackles or dips to pull you out of the moment.
That said, it’s not flawless. The plot leans hard into melodrama at times – secret lives and helicopter crashes can feel a bit like soap opera territory. I found myself wishing for a touch more subtlety in the early twists, something to ground the wild ride. And while Bennett’s narration is a dream, a few of the minor characters’ voices blur together, lacking the distinctiveness I crave in a crowded cast. Still, these are small pebbles on an otherwise smooth beach.
What struck me most was how this story mirrored a memory from my own travels. Years ago, I was driving through Chile’s Atacama Desert, the stark beauty stretching out like a painting, listening to “One Hundred Years of Solitude”. The narrator’s voice wove magic into the dust and stars, much like Bennett does with St. John’s lush chaos. Both experiences left me feeling like I’d lived a little more, seen a little deeper. “Winter in Paradise” taps into that same wanderlust, that hunger for human connection amid the unexpected.
Compared to other contemporary women’s fiction, it’s got echoes of Liane Moriarty’s knack for domestic secrets with a twist – think “Big Little Lies” meets a tropical escape. But Hilderbrand carves her own path with the island’s vibrant pulse and the promise of a series to come. I’d recommend this to anyone who loves a good romance audiobook with a side of family drama, or anyone who’s ever dreamed of ditching the snow for sand. If you can snag it as a free audiobook – say, through a trial on Audiobooks.com – it’s an even sweeter deal.
For me, this listening experience was a reminder of why I chase stories. It’s not just about the plot; it’s about the voices that carry it, the places they take you, and the truths they unearth. “Winter in Paradise” isn’t perfect, but it’s a journey worth taking – especially with Erin Bennett guiding the way.
Until the next tale calls us out into the wild,
Marcus Rivera
