If This Is Paradise, I Want My Money Back: A Novel

I always enjoy books by Claudia Carroll and this was one that I hadn't got around to reading so when it got to the top of my to-read list I was very excited! I just love the title and the blurb sounded lots of fun too, I couldn't wait to dive in.

The book began with Charlotte in a coma but very aware of her surroundings, I loved how the author made this serious subject so light-hearted and I found myself chuckling regularly. Straight away I got a bad impression of James (her boyfriend/ex-boyfriend, I wasn't too sure at this point) and I was hoping she would get the chance to repay him for the horrible way he had treated her.

A couple of twists later and Charlotte found herself facing an afterlife assessment followed by angel training, she was understandably confused and rather overwhelmed by everything but I found it highly entertaining especially with all the one-liners she kept coming out with. I couldn't wait for her to head back to earth and begin making mischief .

Once on earth Charlotte had lots of fun messing around with James and I absolutely loved this part, I think I would have done the same if I had been in her shoes and his reactions to what she was saying was hilarious! My favourite moments included a shock on the loo and an important but disastrous meeting.

It wasn't all about revenge though, Charlotte also wanted to help those who had been important to her in life. I didn't think she went about it in the best way but her intentions were pure and I liked her for it. This part really got me thinking - I couldn't help but imagine what I would do if I were in Charlotte's position.

When everything came crashing down Charlotte found herself in trouble and had to make things right again, I could tell that her mindset had changed by this point and I wondered how she would do things differently. Then came a really unexpected twist and by the end I just wanted to know more - I would love a sequel to this book!

This was a great book filled with funny one-liners and a storyline that pulled me in and wouldn't let go.

Up until the end of the book I was undecided between three and four stars, but the end left me undecided between two and three. Why?
Because:
The end is sort of a cliffhanger, but there’s no follow up book. It was unsatisfactory... the three main stories get wrapped up by the head angel in a very, very short chapter and that’s it. Also, there is no romance for the protagonist, Charlotte. The book is all about her getting over her ex and the lives of her best friend, Fiona, and sister, Kate. And I know that she’s an angel, but the author could have slipped in a fellow training angel and make them bump into each others during their training/angelic duties, right? And finally the amount of back-story, conversations with the dad, and descriptions of heavenly offices or so are simply too much and too long.

On the positive side the book has some funny moments, and the idea of having uncensored access to your ex is great and was the best part of the book.