The Key to Everything by Paula Stokes

The Key to Everything

by Paula Stokes

College senior Oakland Fuller has always believed in signs and soulmates, so when both a therapist and a fortuneteller say that her repeated relationship failures are due to unresolved feelings for her high school boyfriend, Seth, Oakland tries desperately to get back in touch with him. Problem: Seth isn’t responding to her online messages.

To rescue Oakland from a pathetic Christmas break of sitting in front of the computer, her best friend Morgan books the two of them on a guided excursion of Thailand. When the girls meet a pair of American soldiers in Bangkok, Oakland takes Morgan’s advice and engages in a little harmless holiday hooking up. Sergeant Tyson Banks is the perfect mix of sexy and fun. Two weeks with him might just turn out to be the best relationship Oakland has ever had.

Until the day she spots someone familiar across a crowded temple complex—it’s Seth! Somehow the boy she’s been trying to reconnect with is in Bangkok too. If that’s not a sign, then what is?

Filled with friendship, romance, bromance, and gorgeous faraway settings, The Key to Everything is a story for anyone who’s ever dreamed of finding love when (or where) they least expected it. Recommended for ages 16+ Contains explicit material.

Reviewed by boghunden on

3 of 5 stars

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ARC provided by the author


You know how when you're reading a book by one of your favorite authors, you expect just a little bit more than what you normally would? That's the case with this book.

I love Paula's books and was stoked (pun intended) when I heard she was writing a new adult novel. I know she's capable of writing ya romance novels, and since I love new adult books, I couldn't be more excited.

I really liked this book, but I had a few problems:
¤ Oakland is 22 years old, but I felt like she was acting like she was 18. Her choices weren't all that mature. I get why she felt the way she did, but she didn't have to act on all of it imo.
¤ The sex scenes weren't as...delicate, I guess you could say, as I would have liked. What I mean is, it felt a bit forced. I haven't read descriptive sexscenes by this author before, and to me it just felt like she was trying too hard. Like she needed to practice just a bit more.
¤ The storyline was a bit predictable.

What I did like was the setting of the book. It's set in Thailand and it really made me want to go there. It's not a country I've taken any particular interest in earlier, so that's something.
This is also a book that I wouldn't have picked up, if I hadn't known the author. I'm glad I did though, because I really enjoyed it. I absolutely recommend this book to the new adult audience.

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Reading updates

  • Started reading
  • 14 January, 2018: Finished reading
  • 14 January, 2018: Reviewed