Customer Reviews
I'm so irritated after reading this book. At the 30% mark I knew I was reading it just to find out how it would end and I also knew I would regret investing that time.This book felt like if Little Rot and The White Lotus had a baby - but not in a good way. Every character except for Vida got on my nerves. The social commentary and critique of tourism was so heavy-handed and made the dialogue feel unnatural at times. The book is billed as kind of a thriller but that's not quite what this is - in fact I felt like it wanted to be so many things so it failed to be anything good. The suspense was high but the pacing was off. The last 10% of the book felt never ending. The book switched POVs in ways that didn't often push the narrative forward as well as it could have.Honestly, the suspense/desire to know if anyone would pay for their bad behavior was the only thing that held the whole book together. The unrealistically tidy and cheery ending really was the nail on the coffin for me. This book was not for me.
The Grand Paloma Resort is a masterful novel that keeps readers on edge, constantly guessing what will happen next; only to be completely surprised when the story takes unexpected turns. Just when you think you know where it’s going, Natera flips the script, making this book impossible to put down.The brilliance of the novel lies not only in its unpredictable plot but also in the way the stories of its characters are intertwined so seamlessly. Each storyline feels essential, every character richly layered. Attentive readers will notice the clever intentionality behind the characters’ names; symbols that hint at their roles and deeper meaning in the narrative. Set against the backdrop of a luxury resort, Natera pulls back the curtain to reveal what goes on behind closed doors, both among the wealthy guests and the families working tirelessly in the shadows. Themes of racism, classism, sexism, and LGBTQ issues are confronted with nuance and honesty, giving the novel both social weight and emotional resonance. The result is a story that not only entertains but challenges readers to reflect on their own experiences and the world around them.The prose itself is vivid and transporting; Natera’s descriptions of the resort and its surrounding environment make you feel as though you’re standing there, immersed in the sights, sounds, and textures of the Caribbean. The characters are equally alive, so much so that you will find yourself saying, I know someone exactly like this or even, this could be me. And then, there’s the ending. Without giving anything away; it’s the kind of finale that you’ll want to talk about with someone immediately, but you’ll stop yourself because you know they need to experience it firsthand. Ultimately, The Grand Paloma Resort is thrilling, thoughtful, and deeply human. It has the sharp social commentary of a modern classic while delivering the page turning intrigue of a suspenseful drama. Frankly, even though this novel was written before HBO’s White Lotus which I think they should take note; this novel has all the makings of a perfect season.
📕TITLE: The Grand Paloma Resort✍️AUTHOR: Cleyvis Natera💫GENRE: ThrillerA beautiful luxury resort in the Dominican Republic sets the stage for this twisty, high-stakes thriller. At its core are two sisters: Laura, the older and responsible one, and Lena, the 17-year-old recent graduate who is unraveling. Lena’s impulsive choices quickly spiral out of control, endangering not just herself but three children in a matter of hours.When I say I was an anxious wreck flipping through these pages, I am not exaggerating—this read was INTENSE! Bad decisions pile on top of worse ones, with weather emergencies, lurking predators, and tension at every turn.This book packs in a lot. It explores how the way we treat others has consequences, highlights the contrast between tourists and permanent residents, and layers in themes of children in peril, terrified parents, neglectful parents, and even revenge. There’s so much more, but I can’t sum it all up without giving away spoilers.Overall, this was a solid ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ read for me. I loved the variety of perspectives the author wove in, and I think it would spark hours of discussion as a book club pick!Thank you Ballantine Books, NetGalley and author Cleyvis Natera for access to an advanced copy of this e-book. All opinions shared are my own.
The early reviews for this one let me know I was in for a fab thriller. I love this cover, too. Beautiful but ominous.Vida is a pregnant curandera, which is a healer. She’s called to the local resort to treat a sick child, but her own situation and some other details have her holding back.Laura is a mid-level manager at the resort. She’s worked very hard to get where she is with the company, and she’s close to a promotion that will change her life. Her sister, Elena, is a problem, though.Elena works as the resort childcare, but she struggles with drugs and partying. The child who is passed out may be due to her negligence. At the same time, she runs into the father of the child who is up to no good…The Grand Paloma Resort takes place over seven days. It’s so much more than a thriller in how it addresses class and tourism, as well as the intricacies of family dynamics. It shows that paradise always has much more lingering beneath the surface. I loved the secrets and how this story kept me guessing throughout with its deeply flawed characters and multi-layered story. The author, Cleyvis Natera, has penned a stunning and compulsively readable literary thriller.I received a gifted copy.
