Fred G. Baker’s The Other Side of Paradise kicks off with a classic mystery hook—a man wakes up on the side of a desolate road in France, bruised and bloody, with no memory, a gun, a suspicious amount of cash, and a copy of This Side of Paradise by Fitzgerald. From there, the novel unfolds into a tangled web of romance, danger, and slow-burning self-discovery, set against the backdrop of a dreamy yet oddly eerie French resort called Paradise. It’s part literary fiction, part espionage-lite, part sultry romance, and completely readable.

I got sucked in immediately. Baker doesn’t waste time. The first chapter is moody and vivid. Our nameless protagonist stumbles, bloodied and dazed, into what looks like a peaceful haven, only to be met with people who are a little too welcoming, a little too quirky. Maddy, the charming and complex woman he meets at the resort, becomes an anchor character. She’s playful, seductive, but also deeply wounded, especially in that scene where she confesses to losing her husband in a plane crash and then pivots straight into flirtation. It’s emotional whiplash and I was never quite sure who to trust, which felt exactly right given the main character’s amnesia. Even the setting is off-kilter in a fun way. Lush and idyllic on the outside, but kind of like a French Twilight Zone inside.

The prose is sometimes very detailed, particularly in descriptions of women or clothes, and there are moments where the dialogue feels a little too smooth for strangers dealing with a possible fugitive. But that also added a kind of surreal charm. Everyone speaks in this cool, slightly theatrical rhythm like you’re watching a Netflix noir. The party scene with the Swedish twins was wild, veering from comic to chaotic, and it somehow works. One minute, you’re laughing at Astrid and Birgitta skinny-dipping and collapsing in the grass, and the next, you’re piecing together whether our mystery man is a criminal, a spy, or just incredibly unlucky. There’s always a low hum of tension beneath the glossy surface.

I’d recommend The Other Side of Paradise to readers who like a good character-driven mystery with style and atmosphere to spare. If you’re into novels where memory loss isn’t just a gimmick but a way to explore identity, this one delivers. It’s perfect for fans of thrillers that flirt with romance, or romance that flirts with danger. Baker’s writing has that rare quality where even when you’re not sure where the story is headed, you definitely want to keep turning the pages.

Pages: 231 | ASIN : B0DZ3QNX8Q