Sigh.

After being cliffhanged on the last two books in the Paradise trilogy by Elin Hilderbrand, I finally have all the answers.

Was Russell Steele really a nefarious criminal mastermind?

Is Ayers going to cave and continue taking subpar Mick back, regardless of the fact that he sucks?

How will Irene feel if she ever gets her hands on Rosie’s diaries and reads the deepest truths of Rosie’s relationship with Russ, while also getting a snapshot of how Russ viewed her?

And, finally, is Maia’s relationships with her brothers going to take off and go the way I know I’m hoping it will?

All of these questions are tied up neatly in the third and final book in this beautiful trilogy, made relatable despite the financial bubble the characters in Hilderbrand’s books often reside in by how painfully honest the writing is. People are rarely fair to others when they’re hurt, confused, angry, or going through something and that raw humanity always shines through in every Elin book I have ever read- even when the subject matter is damned painful (as it is in her 2012 novel ‘Summerland’).

There is something just so lovable about characters (and real people) who are self aware enough to own their flaws, as Hilderbrand’s characters unfailingly seem to do; the most brilliant example in ‘Troubles’ being when Irene acknowledges that her anger at Huck over Rosie and Russ’s relationship is, simply, because he is the only one left to blame. There is beauty in knowing when you’re being unfair or selfish, and it is woven throughout this finale beautifully.

This, combined with a surprise appearance of a favorite character of mine from a past series made this my top book of summer that couldn’t be put down until I knew everything I needed to know.

‘Troubles in Paradise’ drops October 6th and is available for preorder here.