Thursday 18 March 2010

Leaving Paradise by Simone Elkeles

From Amazon:
Nothing has been the same since Caleb Becker left a party drunk, got behind the wheel, and hit Maggie Armstrong. Even after months of painful physical therapy, Maggie walks with a limp. Her social life is nil and a scholarship to study abroad—her chance to escape everyone and their pitying stares—has been canceled.

After a year in juvenile jail, Caleb’s free . . . if freedom means endless nagging from a transition coach and the prying eyes of the entire town. Coming home should feel good, but his family and ex-girlfriend seem like strangers.

Caleb and Maggie are outsiders, pigeon-holed as "criminal" and "freak." Then the truth emerges about what really happened the night of the accident and, once again, everything changes. It’s a bleak and tortuous journey for Caleb and Maggie, yet they end up finding comfort and strength from a surprising source: each other.


Considering how much I loved Perfect Chemistry I had to read this! I was not disappointed! Everything I loved about Simone’s writing in Perfect Chemistry is here too: a great plot, fantastic characters and brilliant romance.

In similar fashion to Perfect Chemistry we have a dual narrative so we get the story from both Caleb and Maggie’s point of view. This works wonders and I just love it! Both characters were brilliantly crafted and I completely believed in them. I loved how the two characters kept getting thrown together and I found myself completely invested in their relationship.

As for the story it’s just fantastic. I didn’t find it predictable at all and had no idea what direction the story would take. I loved that it completely surprised me. If I was in awe of Simone Elkeles writing after Perfect chemistry I am even more so now. I just loved it!

The only thing I found slightly disappointing is the ‘cliff-hanger’ ending. I loved the ending - it is just that there are so many things left unanswered at the end of the book it cries out for a sequel. Luckily there is one due at the end of this year – but as a book on its own it feels more like part one of a larger story. I think if I had read this when it was first published in 2007 I would be pulling my hair out by now. I really need the rest of the story and can’t wait for Return to Paradise to hit the shelves later this year.


10 comments:

Maria said...

I have never paid any attention to this book before, though I have read Perfect Chemistry, but you really opened my eyes! Thank you :) And great review btw.

So Many Books, So Little Time said...

Great review! I loved Perfect Chemistry so I should definitely check this out.

Unknown said...

i SOOO agree with everything you said - I CANT WAIT for the sequal even more so than the one for Perfect Chem. though I want them both LOL

Tales of Whimsy said...

O your review has me ready to pick this up ;)

Unknown said...

I so need to read Perfect Chemistry. Why do I have so many review books? Annoying. I can see that this is going to have me begging for the sequel. Maybe I should leave it until it is out in the UK. Great review!

Sarah said...

Fab review - I really loved Perfect Chemistry so I'm going to have to read this one! I might wait until the sequel is out though so I can read them both close together :o)

Jax said...

AT some time there is supposed to be a sequel to this book. But I have been anxiously awaiting any new on this for like over a year..... I can't take it... I loved this book!

Luisa at Chicklish said...

It's good to hear that this is as good as Perfect Chemistry, which I loved! Thanks for the review!

Lauren said...

I'm halfway through Perfect Chemistry right now and loving it, so it's great to see you reviewing this one. Sounds like more of the awesome same, although it's definitely lucky we don't have that long to wait for the sequel. Great review too.

Nayuleska said...

It sounds intriguing, having both the view of Maggie and Caleb explored.

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