[Books] Leaving Paradise #2 - Return to Paradise by Simone Elkeles

Goodreads
Sept 2 - 10, 2013

Synopsis

Caleb Becker left Paradise eight months ago, taking with him the secret he promised to take to his grave. If the truth got out, it would ruin everything.

Maggie Armstrong tried to be strong after Caleb broke her heart and disappeared. Somehow, she managed to move on. She's determined to make a new life for herself.

But then Caleb and Maggie are forced together on a summer trip. They try ignoring their passion for each other, but buried feelings resurface. Caleb must face the truth about the night of Maggie's accident, or the secret that destroyed their relationship will forever stand between them. 

Review

Return to Paradise, the sequel to Leaving Paradise by Simone Elkeles, is about teenage drama, family drama, the typical love that a man and woman fight for. 

I started this book right after I finished writing the review for the first book (Leaving Paradise). I wanted to know what would happen next because I hate cliff hangers so much.

The book started off with the reckless Caleb and what his life has been since he left Paradise. I was okay with Caleb in the first book, he was like a lost confused puppy who doesn't know what he wants and doesn't know how to deal with his life after he got released. 

In this sequel, I have to say that I'm very proud of Caleb and how he's grown from a coward who runs away (literally runs away) instead of facing his problems head on into a mature independent man that would do anything for his girl. 

Maggie, I also have to say that I'm super duper proud of Maggie and how much confidence she grew. She's no longer the Maggie that was scared and hated how she looked because of her disability. She's stronger, proud and way more confident in herself. 

I enjoyed this book much more than the first. It made me giggle from the very beginning and that one person who made me burst out giggling (either than Mrs Reynolds, RIP) was Lenny. I found him gross at first, but I've grown to like him. He's so random and laid back. I love characters like him and Mrs Reynolds, they can always brighten up a book like this one. 

I am so happy that Elkeles wrote a sequel to Leaving Paradise.

This is a mild YA novel, it's a great book for when you just want to read something small that's out of your genre. It is filled with young adult drama, runaways, and lets not forget the thriving hormones (don't worry it's clean). It is also funny and heartwarming! 

[Books] Leaving Paradise #1 - Leaving Paradise by Simone Elkeles

Goodreads

August 25 - September 1, 2013

Synopsis

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.

Review

Drunk driving, teenage angst and drama, but as always, with a tiny pinch of humor on the side. 

Simone Elkeles is one of my favorite authors after I read the Perfect Chemistry series. I had some high hopes for this one. 

Maggie's leg was damaged in the car accident that was caused by Caleb. Which made her incapable of walking normally. She lacks so much confidence in herself that makes me want to slap her in the face and make her realize that she's good enough just the way she is despite her minor disabilities.

While Caleb, I honestly think Caleb is (excuse my language) majorly fucked up. He can be such a sweet boy with a good heart, but he's persistent and has major anger issues that needs to be resolved. As for his messed up family, they all need to have a family meeting for a couple of hours and talk it all out. 

Throughout the entire book, I only smiled about once or twice. Humor in books is one of the things that I look forward to when I start reading. Maggie was too depressing and Caleb was too confusing. The only character that I loved in this novel was Mrs Reynolds. She was such a sweet old lady who speaks her mind. It was Mrs Reynolds who made me giggle and also made me shed a tear or two. 

All in all. The book was alright. A little bit too angsty and depressing for my taste. 

I recommend this to those who enjoy reading Young Adult Teenage angst with a splash of family drama.