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Thursday 9 June 2011

A review for Leaving Paradise (Leaving Paradise #1) by Simone Elkeles

Posted by Donna
Published Date: April 1st, 2007
Finished Date: June 8th, 2011
Source: Brought from Amazon
Format: Paperback
Pages: 303 

The Blurb from Goodreads: 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.

The Review: After reading Simone Elkeles Perfect Chemistry series, I've been itching to find something just as good. And while I have read a few books that have been really good, nothing had been better than Perfect Chemistry. Well……that is until Leaving Paradise completely surpassed all my expectations and blew me completely away!

Both Maggie Armstrong & Caleb Becker's lives changed one fateful night after Caleb accidently ran over Maggie while drunk driving. While leaving Maggie for dead and with a permanent limp for life, Caleb has spent the last year in a juvenile jail. When Caleb is finally released, he and Maggie both try to move on with their lives but it’s hard when fate seems to have other plans for them……leaving them to both fighting their attraction for one another.

When I started reading this book, admittedly I thought it was a little slow to start off with….but….don’t let that put you off from reading it. While reading it, I realised that we were slowly starting to find out how both, Caleb and Maggie felt about that fateful night. Not only did we find out what they felt but also that they both have different views of it too. With the story alternating from different point of views, you really get inside these characters head and really see them for who they really are. I honestly love two different views and I wish all books would do it.

Caleb and Maggie were both great characters. Yes, they have a lot baggage but it’s nothing they can’t work through. While the chemistry between them is so undeniable, I honestly sat on the edge of my seat while reading it. The suspense, the heat and attraction is just skimming on top of the surface and you’re just waiting for it to burst out. Simone Elkeles has done a fantastic job while she tells a hard story bringing together the two people that it has affected the most. She also writes raw, passionate and intense scenes that leave the readers wanting more and more. Oh…..and when you think you know the full story.....wham! A massive shocker is thrown into the story.....that I for one, WAS NOT expecting! Wow! Just wow!

Overall….Leaving Paradise left me needing to find out more about our characters that I’m headed for book two straight away. Read this book guys…I promise you won’t be disappointed. 

8 comments:

Tiffany said...

I have this one on my shelf but I haven't read it yet. I'll have to get to it soon. Great review!

Diana said...

better than Perfect Chemistry??? ahhhhhhh! no freaking way! I'm definitely going to have to check this one outtt! thanks for the recommendation...

Diana

Book Passion for Life said...

Ha ha Diana...I think its because I've read book one and two together but I just need to review book 2....was awesome though :)

Elodie said...

I'm glad you liked this one !! I love Simone Elkeles' writing ..
I read this one a while ago and really enbjoyed it. I have the second book in my pile but have yet to read it.
Great review Donna ;)

Anonymous said...

This book sounds awesome and I love how much your love of it comes across in your review. For some reason this book has just never grabbed at me. I don't know why because I can tell from the great reviews that it must be pretty amazing.

Anonymous said...

Great Review!

I love anything written by Simone!! She writes such captivating novels, I wish she had more out!

Jess :)

Anonymous said...

Love your review - I'm a big fan of Simone - and just love Perfect Chemistry - this is on my list to read while I'm waiting for Chain Reaction to come out! :)

Book Passion for Life said...

If you guys haven't read it then you should! Simone's style of writing is amazing and Yes, Amy.....I can't wait for Chain Reactions too :)

 
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