Strangers in Paradise

Dunlop returns to Paradise, Alaska (first visited in Match Made in Paradise), in this passionate but uneven tale of unexpected love. Six years earlier, Hailey Barrosse moved to Paradise to be a bush pilot, flouting her wealthy family’s expectations. She’s pleased with her simple life until handsome businessman Parker Hall arrives in town hoping to invest in local businesses. Based on past experiences with her money-hungry family, Hailey fears that Parker is looking to cheat the locals and leave them with nothing. But Parker built his company from the ground up and his intentions are genuine. He’s all business when he arrives in town—but that changes once he meets Hailey. The pair clash instantly, but that doesn’t mean they don’t both feel the sparks. With such differing opinions, is investing in each other worth the risk? Dunlop nicely shades her characters, and their chemistry is undeniable, but their relationship is so on-again, off-again that it makes buy-in to the romance rather difficult. Still, the gorgeous setting will have readers considering a trip to Alaska. Agent: Laura Bradford, Bradford Literary. (May)