An Intricate Cinderella Story. Review on Paradise - Judith McNaught

''Paradise'' is a contemporary romance novel written by author Judith McNaught. I received a hard-cover copy of this treasured, timeless novel for a Christmas present from my father. It sits on a prime section of my bookcase shelf, to view and admire the blue and purple cover, or to gently take it and savour the pages of the dream aptly named ''Paradise''.

Characters

Meredith Bancroft is a wealthy, elegant, graceful and beautiful Grace Kelly look-alike. Daughter of socialite Philip Bancroft, her place in the elite upper-class society of Chicago had always been reserved. Happiness and success were assured for her, or they should have been. Growing up in a huge house, with everything a kid could want, Meredith had a horrible childhood. An only child, she was raised by her strict, traditional, overbearing father and basically punished because, first, she was a girl, and second, because her mother cheated on him and ran out on her family. Having overcome her ugly duckling syndrome, can she overcome the dictatorship of her father?

Matthew Farrell is a lower-class son of Irish immigrants. He works in a mill in a ''godforsaken place'' called Edmuntun, and has an awesome chance to work in Venezuela and collect a large sum of money as a bonus. Having a Masters degree in Business and an idea for starting his own business, he starts going after his goals. After he meets, Meredith Bancroft, he falls in love and his goals might be jeopardized by their situation.

Plot

This is the story of two very different people from very different worlds, who persevered against all odds to love each other, only to have fate cruelly rip them apart and scar their lives. Reunited (unwillingly) ten years later, they work to overcome the feelings of hate, hurt and devestation. In writing the book ''Paradise'', Judith McNaught has captured the essence of the wish of every woman's heart.

A one-night stand resulting in pregnancy sent Meredith driving to the poor, industrial town of Edmuntun, Indiana, looking for reassurance and help from Matt Farrell. Prince Charming that he is, he takes responsibility for their actions and marries Meredith. Together, they travel back to Chicago to face her father. Needless to say, her father is shooting daggers and Matt's heart is the target. He tries every bullying tactic in the book, from yelling at to threatening. The final straw comes when he tries to pay Matt $10,000 to leave his daughter alone. Our hero doesn't take it and leaves Philip Bancroft with an ultimatum of his own if he interferes in their marriage.

Matt travels to the oil fields of Venezuela to work on the rigs, hoping for the full-project bonus worth quarter of a million dollars. He has a vision for that money, and it includes giving Meredith the life she deserves and building his business empire. The two young lovebirds communicate through telephone and the post, but after a while, the mail stops coming. In the desk in Philip Bancroft's office, the mail to and from Venezuela stacks up, thanks to the help of a faithful butler. A few months to the due-date, Meredith miscarries and the confusion starts. From her bed in the Bancroft wing of the hospital (charitable donation), she writes to Matt, begging him to come home. In reply, she receives a telegram saying he is divorcing her. Meredith is devestated. In Venezuela, Matt receives a telegram saying that Meredith has gotten an abortion and is divorcing him. He goes back home to see his wife, but is barred by a restraining order signed by her, and resigns in anguish. And Philip Bancroft is happy, he got his way.

Ten years later, Meredith has a business degree from Northwestern University, is an executive of the family store Bancroft & Company, and is engaged to her childhood love, Parker Reynolds. Matt has cultivated his bonus from Venezuela into a multi-million dollar company called Intercorp, and has publicized romances with many women, including movie stars and royalty. They bump into each other at an opera benefit one night, and the race to get back at each other for the hurt and pain of their past starts.

Bancroft & Company is the target of a secret takeover. Someone is buying chunks of their stocks, for the purpose of owning a governing piece of the company. Alarm bells ring in Meredith's head when she finds out that Matt has bought the very same piece of property that she wanted to expand her company on, and will sell it back to her for more than the company can afford.

Remembering Matt's threat to Philip Bancroft after the marriage, is Matt behind the takeover of Bancroft and Company? Will the truth about Meredith's miscarriage come out? Will Matt believe it? Will their fated love rekindle, or was it never destined to be?

The Verdict Is...

This is my favorite book, the best book in my extensive library. The reader can identify with the characters and are instantly sucked into the story. I read this book often, and haven't gotten tired of it after six years. It is a romance, but it also tells a story of the evils of corporate takeovers and family skeletons. Read this book with a cup of tea and a box of tissues.