Searching for Paradise in Parker, PA: A Novel

From the bestselling author of The Sunday List of Dreams and Annie Freeman's Fabulous Traveling Funeral comes a poignant, funny, and uplifting novel of a.
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The thing is, women really don't spend so much time even talking about men let alone complaining and bashing them as the characters in the book do. Not only unrealistic but boring. Just went to check out the author's web site. Radish, your style just isn't my style.

PS I mostly wrote this as a reminder to myself to skip her other books in case one catches my eye. Other folks can just go right ahead and love this, five star away! I started, again didn't like it, was on a road trip so kept going but my initial review covers it. Oct 27, Sidna rated it it was ok.

I'm not particularly a fan of Kris Radish's writing, but I thought this book looked good. I didn't especially like her traveling funeral book or Dancing Naked on the Edge of Dawn. I'm not going to buy another one by her. The main characters are Addy and Lucky Lipton. They have been married 28 years and are unhappy, but neither one of them is doing anything about it.

Addy is a grade-school teacher This book should have been titled "Much Ado About Nothing," but Shakespeare already used that title. Addy is a grade-school teacher and Lucky is a salesman. When he wins a trip to Costa Rica, they hope their marriage will turn around. Unfortunately, Lucky hurts his back throwing the suitcases into the trunk of their car so they aren't able to go on the trip.

Searching for Paradise in Parker, PA by Kris Radish

Addy relies on her sister and her women friends, but the whole town knows she and Lucky are having problems. The only true note in this book centers around Addy and Lucky's son, who is a freshman in college. They adopted him as a baby. His birth mother contacts him and wants to meet him. Part of this story line is good, but it doesn't go anywhere which is true of most of the book. The cover notes always describe her books as being funny, but I have never found much humor in them.

I would not recommend this book, even for a light read. Sep 13, Maria rated it liked it. I liked this story, but I had a few issues with it. Her Parker was much more sophisticated, larger, and closer to Pittsburgh than the actual Parker is. As for the story and characters itself, it was a nice story line, I liked how she created a semi-realistic event that caused them to look closely at their life and what their expectations were, and how they had I liked this story, but I had a few issues with it.

As for the story and characters itself, it was a nice story line, I liked how she created a semi-realistic event that caused them to look closely at their life and what their expectations were, and how they had changed over the years. The relationship between Addy and Lucky was one that could take place anywhere, but I had a hard time relating to them through most of the story. Perhaps this is because the characters were much closer in age to my mom than to myself? The ending seemed a little forced pirates and wenches? Overall, it was OK, but perhaps not one I'd pick up again or recommend others to read.

Searching for Paradise in Parker P.A.

Nov 16, Amanda rated it it was amazing. Not my favorite book thus far of Radish, but still enjoyed!

Nov 24, Sterlingcindysu rated it did not like it. Just thinking of their garage crammed with Lucky's useless junk collection drives Addy dangerously close to plowing her car through it. But when Lucky wins a trip to Costa Rica Addy has a faint hope they may turn things around. This book was a disappointment to me. I felt as though the author was merely following an outline that had served her well in the past and was simply "going through After twenty-eight years of marriage to her husband Lucky, Addy Lipton feels anything but happily married. I felt as though the author was merely following an outline that had served her well in the past and was simply "going through the motions" with this one.

It has her usual cast of female characters, none of whom are particularly compelling, including Addy, the main character. There is the expected Radish theme of strong female friendships, but the basic premise of men taking women for granted isn't well-developed.

The plot seems contrived, is predictable and often is just plain silly. Oct 09, Avid Series Reader rated it did not like it Shelves: She has hopes a tropical paradise vacation will rekindle the spark Friends and family form an extraordinary kind and sympathetic support group as the troubled couple separate and begin reinventing themselves. The story drags on through all Lucky's failed attempts to win her back, while Addy stubbornly resists.

Addy organizes the women in town into a war Searching for Paradise in Parker PA by Kris Radish is a contemporary tale of a woman unhappy in her marriage. Addy organizes the women in town into a war against their husbands, fought primarily by staging scenes in costumes at themed community get-togethers. She has to cope with her adopted son seeking out and meeting his birth mother for the first time. Way too much melodrama for me, and too depressing, however frequently lightened with humorous touches, such as many scenes with her sister "Hell" at her sister's bar and tobacco lounge.

Feb 18, Sue rated it liked it. I love Kris Radish - she's one of my favorite authors - but this was my least favorite of her books. I can't even say what it was about the book that kept it lower than the others - and I can still say that I know just who I want to pass it on to wish I could get my hubby to read it! My first Radish book was "Annie Freeman" so it holds a special place in my favorite book list even though I thought the dialog sounded as though all the women in it spoke with the same voice.

Top of the list is probably "Elegant Gathering. Nov 05, Regina Spiker rated it really liked it Shelves: Married some almost 30 years, Addy Lipton is re-examining her marriage to Lucky. When her wil Married some almost 30 years, Addy Lipton is re-examining her marriage to Lucky. Crazy, zany characters with reminders of how easy it is to slowly allow your marriage, without realizing it, to grow stale and tired.

Aug 11, Pmcarver rated it it was ok. I listened to this book on CD and it was entertaining enough on driving trips but I found the main character, Addie, annoying. She was selfish, self-absorbed and showed indifference when she should have shown compassion. Furthermore, I'm admittedly a prude but I was put off by the casual and frequent use of expletives in the dialogue. I did like the author's technique of inserting the "What I should have said," or "What I meant to say. Apr 07, Maurean rated it really liked it. I picked up Searching for Paradise. Don't know if its because I related to the small town feel, or the wonderfully drawn female Okay; So, I've read all five of Radish's books because I luv, luv, luved The Elegant Gathering of White Snows Don't know if its because I related to the small town feel, or the wonderfully drawn female figures that Radish is so good at, but I think this is one of her best efforts yet!

Now, I'm again looking forward to her next one! Jul 17, JoDee rated it did not like it. When I was a kid they had a saying, "Gag me with a spoon!


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His self centered wife instead of using this time to reconnect, dumps him becuase he doesn't pay enough attention to her. Followed by page after page of "men ae the weaker sex" and "men have to be reshaped to meet the needs of women" direct quotes preaching. One phrase I picked up from this book is "Kingdom of Crap", but I doubt the author meant it to apply to her own c When I was a kid they had a saying, "Gag me with a spoon!

One phrase I picked up from this book is "Kingdom of Crap", but I doubt the author meant it to apply to her own creation. This was my first Kris Radish book and, I'm pretty sure, probably not the best one to start with, judging by the mediocre reviews. I liked the characters and cared about what happened to them. And I'm going to make a point of reading some of the author's other books because if t This was my first Kris Radish book and, I'm pretty sure, probably not the best one to start with, judging by the mediocre reviews.

And I'm going to make a point of reading some of the author's other books because if this is mediocre, then the others must be absolutely fantastic! Mar 30, Gloria rated it liked it Recommends it for: Middle-aged women who like humor. While this story definitely incorporates wry and even cynical humor, it contains a serious story line I didn't exactly expect. It provides a sympathetic ear and a wake-up call to women who are not satisfied at mid-life with a so-so marriage.

There's a bit of a belligerant tone that practically commands women to stand up for themselves and take care of themselves, all done with humor. There's clearly a positive message in all this, for both men and women. This story, however, has one too many dig While this story definitely incorporates wry and even cynical humor, it contains a serious story line I didn't exactly expect. This story, however, has one too many digressions and thus the conclusion is quite drawn out. Overall, generally fun read. Jul 03, Kendra rated it did not like it Shelves: I really intensely dislike this book. I have no idea why I kept reading it, because I feel like I've been torturing myself for at least two weeks now.

It's possible that I'd like it better if I was in my 50s instead of my 30s -- but I really don't think so, because I don't care for the author's style of writing at all, the main character annoyed me on every page, and I just found the whole thing to be ridiculous "krap. The best thing I can say about it is t I really intensely dislike this book. The best thing I can say about it is that the author did a pretty decent job with the very minor adoption storyline. Feb 21, Terri rated it liked it Shelves: This book was a great easy "read" in the car.

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The characters are lively and funny. A story of friendship and how no matter what life is throwing you, you can always rely on your best girls to pull you through, wipe your tears and make you laugh hard! Great summer read kind of book!

Kris Radish's other books are also in the same style! I read another of her's a long time ago and now am eager to explore the ones I missed in between! Apr 12, Ruth rated it liked it. Our library has limited books on c. I listened to this book and once I got started I had to hear how it came out. It waded through a lot of marital issues that were kind of depressing, but in the end I did feel more appreciation for my husband and a reminder that marriage is a 2-way streak and takes some effort. Doesn't sound profound, but had some value. Sep 11, Kristi rated it it was amazing Shelves: I always love Kris Radish's books.

Then again, so much of what she writes about seems to parallel with my life right now. That makes it very easy to identify with the characters, root for them, boo at them, feel their joy or their pain, to gather insight on my own self. I believe men and women alike can benefit from reading her books. I also think both can identify with her characters. I would recommend her to everyone. Feb 02, Kathi rated it really liked it Shelves: Kris Radish rarely disappoints me, and this delivery is no exception.

She has a unique way with words - at once funny and insightful, and some of the longest yet grammatically correct sentences I've ever read. I love her quirky characters and situations. Her books are always about situations most of us can relate to, but her characters usually have an much different approach than the rest of us. This is one author I'd love to meet in person!

Mar 27, Book Him Danno rated it it was ok. Interesting, but not really my thing. I found the book boring and I zoned off while I was reading. But when Lucky wins a trip to paradise—aka Costa Rica—Addy has a faint hope they may be able to turn things around.


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Either way, Addy never gets the chance to find out. On the morning of their departure, Lucky fractures his back tossing their luggage into his truck. With the love and support of her devoutly single sister Hell and her workout friends, the Sweat-hers, Addy begins a crusade to revive her dreams—and she takes the women of Parker along for the ride.

Filled with small-town characters and big-time soul searching, this sparkling and inspirational tale will hit you where you live—and show you that just as happiness can get buried beneath the jumble of years, it can be rediscovered…if you look hard enough for it within your heart.

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Searching for Paradise in Parker, PA: A Novel

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There was a problem filtering reviews right now. Please try again later. Radish tells the story of Addy and Lucky Lipton with a clever format in which Addy's story is told in third person narrative while Lucky's somewhat shorter alternating chapters are told in first person. This is an interesting way to let the reader see how Lucky feels while one might not get that from just reading the view from only Addy's part of the story.

The Liptons have been married for twenty-eight years and Addy, a school teacher, begins to feel very discontented with her boring existence. With one son in college, Addy is looking for more to life than what she has come to settle for. She wonders where and how things got so out of control in her married life. When did she become content to sit by and just settle for the static life they are now living and where is that romantic man she fell in love with?

As she looks around her home, she is especially bothered by the mess in their garage. Lucky collects odd trash heap items such as old bowling balls or a car he has worked on for over 19 years and yet it still doesn't run.

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Addy calls this junk filled garage, which leaves no room for Addy to park, the "Kingdom of Krap". Things come to a boiling point when Addy, having imagined just running her car straight into the garage and driving through until she hits the wall and destroys the mess within, just about decides to act on this idea. As fate would have it, and Addy is about to run her car into the "kingdom", Lucky rushes out to tell her that at work he has won a trip to Costa Rica. Lucky feels excitement at the prospect of a trip to paradise that might just be what this ailing marriage needs.

Both hope that this will help, but they never get to find out as when preparing to leave, Lucky seriously hurts his back packing the luggage into the car. Following his hospital stay, Lucky must rest and be waited on while he recuperates, and Addy questions if their marriage can also recover as her discontent mounts. Addy knows their marriage needs help and with a cast of supporters the likes of her sister Helen Hell who is single and very close to Addy, and her friends who workout together who are nicknamed the "Sweat-hers", she tries to revive a failing union.

As she does so, Addy's friends and sister become involved in an almost community effort to improve their love lives. With some unpredictable experiences and adventures, these gals take the small town and turn it upside down. However, as shown especially in Lucky's chapters, the men in the lives of these women realize that perhaps they need to change things as well. What the men do and how will it affect not only Addy, but also the other women in Parker, PA, is what brings humor as well as heartache to this story.

Readers like myself, may find their allegiance more at times with the men who really seem to be trying to figure out what their women want and how to please them. All the characters in the story with of course, Addy and Lucky in the forefront, must face the realities of what has become of their lives and what recourse they have to make things betterand decide IF they want to make things better or just move on.

With some unanticipated surprises and twists, including the part son Mitchell plays in his parents' story, this becomes a narrative that poses the questions so many people ask, and that is what does it really take to be satisfied? Can happiness and contentment be revived? What does it take and do Addy and Lucky finally capture that illusive goal?