Paradise by Judith McNaught

Paradise (1991) (Pocket Books)
Judith McNaught
Grade: A
Genre: contemporary romance / light suspense
Sex scenes: mild
Source: own
Second Opportunities: (1) Paradise, (2) Perfect

Romance RBC 2014: A classic romance

Young Meredith Bancroft should have it all: heiress to the Bancroft & Company empire that is Chicago’s biggest and most loved department store, she’s at the best schools and should have access to everything she desires. But her jealous and controlling father is convinced that Meredith is destined to follow in her lying and cheating mother’s footsteps, and he’s determined to oversee every aspect of her life in order to prevent this, stealing her childhood in the process. It isn’t until Lisa Pontini joins Meredith’s school that she learns what it’s like to have a true friend.

Carnal Innocence by Nora Roberts

Carnal Innocence (1991)
Nora Roberts
Grade: B
Genre: romantic suspense
Sex scenes: mild
Source: own

Fucking hell. I mean, just ... fucking hell. There are no other words. I saw it coming all along, but just ... I have to say, this is the most twisted NR book of all that I've read - which is a LOT. A lot being 136, according to my Shelfari shelf, which is generally correct considering how anal I am about recording everything that I read.

Carnal Innocence reminded me a lot of Unfinished Business: successful world-class musician returns home to recuperate after a gruelling tour/health scare/intense pressure. What makes Carnal Innocence a different and (IMO) a more exciting read is that it's romantic suspense, as opposed to Unfinished Business' straight contemporary.