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Leaving Paradise #1-2
Paradise
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 cancelled. 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. But despite the horror of their shared history, somehow Caleb and Maggie can't seem to stay away from each other, with the heat and attraction between them becoming undeniable to them both.
594 pages, Paperback
First published August 15, 2013
9 people are currently reading
978 people want to read
About the author
Simone Elkeles
31 books13.6k followersSimone Elkeles is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of novels for teens. Simone’s books have won many awards including being YALSA Top Ten Quick Picks for Reluctant Young Adult Readers, being named to the YALSA Popular Paperbacks and Teens Top Ten lists, and added to the Illinois “Read for a Lifetime” Reading List. Simone also won the coveted RITA award from the Romance Writers of America for her book Perfect Chemistry. Simone is especially proud of the fact that the Illinois Association of Teachers of English named her Author of the Year.
Simone was born and raised in the suburbs of Chicago, where she still lives today. Simone went to the University of Illinois in Urbana-Champaign and received her Bachelor’s of Science there in Psychology in 1992. She continued her education at Loyola University-Chicago where she received her Master’s of Science degree in Industrial Relations while working for a manufacturing company creating diversity programs for their employees.
She loves animals (she has two dogs – a labradoodle and a German Shepherd), kids (she also has two of those) and her family. In her spare time she’s the Hockey Mom for her kids hockey teams and is an active Girl Scout leader specially trained in outdoor education. She also spends time mentoring other teen and adult authors. (She also loves sushi, which you can probably tell by reading her books.) Simone writes about teens because she was a teen in the 80’s (when spiked hair and blue eye shadow were “rad”) and she loves writing about those exciting teen relationships and romances.
Simone was born and raised in the suburbs of Chicago, where she still lives today. Simone went to the University of Illinois in Urbana-Champaign and received her Bachelor’s of Science there in Psychology in 1992. She continued her education at Loyola University-Chicago where she received her Master’s of Science degree in Industrial Relations while working for a manufacturing company creating diversity programs for their employees.
She loves animals (she has two dogs – a labradoodle and a German Shepherd), kids (she also has two of those) and her family. In her spare time she’s the Hockey Mom for her kids hockey teams and is an active Girl Scout leader specially trained in outdoor education. She also spends time mentoring other teen and adult authors. (She also loves sushi, which you can probably tell by reading her books.) Simone writes about teens because she was a teen in the 80’s (when spiked hair and blue eye shadow were “rad”) and she loves writing about those exciting teen relationships and romances.
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
April 21, 2014
Paradise is a bind up containing both Leaving Paradise and Return to Paradise by Simone Elkeles. I'd already read Leaving Paradise a few years ago (see my original review here) but for some reason I never got around to reading the sequel. It's been a long time since I read the first book though so I'm glad I decided to reread it before continuing the series, there was so much I'd forgotten about and I enjoyed it just as much the second time around.
Caleb was convicted of drink driving and leaving the scene of an accident and sentenced to time in a young offenders institute. All he wants is to go home and get his life back on track but it isn't going to be quite as easy as he was expecting. Maggie is the girl who was injured in the incident, she has spent the last year suffering through multiple operations and gruelling physical therapy but still walks with a limp and struggles every day with the pain she is in. She is dreading the thought of Caleb, her neighbour and long time crush, coming home and just wants to get the heck out of Paradise before he is released. When Caleb is released early he does his best to avoid Maggie but they seem to find themselves constantly thrown together by circumstances beyond their control. As their attraction grows can Maggie find a way to forgive Caleb for his actions and can Caleb finally learn to put the past behind him?
I was really nervous about reading a story where the hero was someone who had been convicted of drink driving. I guess having a father who was a fire fighter and used to come home and tell me in great detail about the car accidents he'd been called out to (this was a great way to ensure that his teenage daughter NEVER drove drunk!) has ingrained into my head just how stupid and dangerous drink driving is. Before I picked up the book I was pretty convinced that I would never be able to fall for Caleb but I know people make mistakes and having really enjoyed Simone Elkeles's other books I trusted her enough to give this series a try. I'm glad I did because she tackles a difficult subject and does it in a way that makes you think. She never glorifies drink driving and she manages to give all the facts and dangers without sounding preachy about it which I think is important if you want your readers to listen to the message you're trying to give them.
I'm going to be upfront and tell you that Caleb's attitude stinks at the start of the book, he has a very negative outlook on the world and acts as if he is the hard done by party rather than Maggie. He has a major chip on his shoulder and it took a little while for that to wear off and for a more vulnerable side to him to shine through. As it turns out he has good reasons for feeling the way he does but Maggie is still the one who I felt most connected to. She has been through so much and she hadn't done anything to deserve it. Her whole life was changed in an instant and she has struggled to cope since the accident happened. She has locked herself away from her friends and tries to avoid going out because she is embarrassed about her limp. I could understand why she acted that way but I can't tell you how satisfying it was to see her start to come out of her shell and rebuild her confidence and Caleb played a big part in that. Once Caleb started to spend time with Maggie and realise just how hard things had been for her he became a much more likeable character and I grew to respect him in the end for the way he owned up to his actions and paid the price.
I don't want to say too much about the plot, especially for the second book, because if you read the bind up like I did then it would be too easy for me to spoil the first story for you. I will say that I loved the interaction between Caleb, Maggie and their various family members. The accident didn't just effect the two of them it also had a knock on effect on everyone they know and that is something that is shown really well here. The consequences of one stupid mistake cause so much damage to so many people and that is something that is explored even more in the second book. There is a lot more to the accident than originally meets the eye and that secret threatens to destroy everything that Maggie and Caleb have built between them.
Leaving Paradise and Return to Paradise are the kind of books that will make you think. They are hard hitting at times but they also contain humour, love, friendship and so much more. There are some fantastic side characters who add a lot to the story and there are a few that I would love to see get their own books in the future. Simone Elkeles is one of my must buy authors for teenage contemporary romance and I'd be happy to recommend this series to anyone who reads that genre.
Caleb was convicted of drink driving and leaving the scene of an accident and sentenced to time in a young offenders institute. All he wants is to go home and get his life back on track but it isn't going to be quite as easy as he was expecting. Maggie is the girl who was injured in the incident, she has spent the last year suffering through multiple operations and gruelling physical therapy but still walks with a limp and struggles every day with the pain she is in. She is dreading the thought of Caleb, her neighbour and long time crush, coming home and just wants to get the heck out of Paradise before he is released. When Caleb is released early he does his best to avoid Maggie but they seem to find themselves constantly thrown together by circumstances beyond their control. As their attraction grows can Maggie find a way to forgive Caleb for his actions and can Caleb finally learn to put the past behind him?
I was really nervous about reading a story where the hero was someone who had been convicted of drink driving. I guess having a father who was a fire fighter and used to come home and tell me in great detail about the car accidents he'd been called out to (this was a great way to ensure that his teenage daughter NEVER drove drunk!) has ingrained into my head just how stupid and dangerous drink driving is. Before I picked up the book I was pretty convinced that I would never be able to fall for Caleb but I know people make mistakes and having really enjoyed Simone Elkeles's other books I trusted her enough to give this series a try. I'm glad I did because she tackles a difficult subject and does it in a way that makes you think. She never glorifies drink driving and she manages to give all the facts and dangers without sounding preachy about it which I think is important if you want your readers to listen to the message you're trying to give them.
I'm going to be upfront and tell you that Caleb's attitude stinks at the start of the book, he has a very negative outlook on the world and acts as if he is the hard done by party rather than Maggie. He has a major chip on his shoulder and it took a little while for that to wear off and for a more vulnerable side to him to shine through. As it turns out he has good reasons for feeling the way he does but Maggie is still the one who I felt most connected to. She has been through so much and she hadn't done anything to deserve it. Her whole life was changed in an instant and she has struggled to cope since the accident happened. She has locked herself away from her friends and tries to avoid going out because she is embarrassed about her limp. I could understand why she acted that way but I can't tell you how satisfying it was to see her start to come out of her shell and rebuild her confidence and Caleb played a big part in that. Once Caleb started to spend time with Maggie and realise just how hard things had been for her he became a much more likeable character and I grew to respect him in the end for the way he owned up to his actions and paid the price.
I don't want to say too much about the plot, especially for the second book, because if you read the bind up like I did then it would be too easy for me to spoil the first story for you. I will say that I loved the interaction between Caleb, Maggie and their various family members. The accident didn't just effect the two of them it also had a knock on effect on everyone they know and that is something that is shown really well here. The consequences of one stupid mistake cause so much damage to so many people and that is something that is explored even more in the second book. There is a lot more to the accident than originally meets the eye and that secret threatens to destroy everything that Maggie and Caleb have built between them.
Leaving Paradise and Return to Paradise are the kind of books that will make you think. They are hard hitting at times but they also contain humour, love, friendship and so much more. There are some fantastic side characters who add a lot to the story and there are a few that I would love to see get their own books in the future. Simone Elkeles is one of my must buy authors for teenage contemporary romance and I'd be happy to recommend this series to anyone who reads that genre.
March 1, 2014
*This review also appears on the blog Chasm of Books*
Thank you to Simon and Schuster Australia for sending me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
With two books in one, Paradise by Simone Elkeles follows the journey of two teens who are trying to move on from the past and the accident that brought them together. Both Leaving Paradise and Return to Paradise are novels with some raw emotion and genuine characters.
Everything changed since Caleb Becker hit Maggie Armstrong with his car when drink driving after a party. He went to juvenile detention for a year to pay for his actions, but when he returns to their town of Paradise things just don't seem the same. To make matters worse, he lives right next door to Maggie, who was left with a limp for the rest of her life. To top it all off, his family life at home is more unstable than ever, with them trying to pretend that everything is perfect when in reality things are falling to pieces. However, making amends with Maggie is easier said than done, and Caleb needs to get his own life back on the right path.
What makes this book different and impacting on a reader is that it deals with an issue which does happen in everyday life. People do wrongly drink and drive after parties, and there are consequences of that. Lives are changed forever. Both of these books deal with the aftermath of one accident, and all the physical, social and emotional implications of that on both the victim and the driver. The dual POV's switch every chapter from Caleb to Maggie, and the reader really has an insight into how they are feeling and what is going on in their lives. I loved seeing how both characters developed and how their eventual understanding came to be.
For the most part, Maggie was definitely a strong character. She has to live with the impact of that accident with her leg every day but it doesn't break her character. Instead, she builds up a resilience and tough outer shell as protection so that she can't get hurt again - physically or emotionally by Caleb. She doesn't make it easy for him to make it up to her, but she does have a soft-spot and has the strength to forgive.
Caleb is a little 'rough around the edges' after leaving detention and finds it hard to fit back into normal life. However, he too undergoes a change and character development. He is a good guy at heart, and although he can still be a total jerk at times and makes some questionable decisions, you can't call him a bad person. He too has his own secrets to protect about what really happened that night. Simone Elkeles does a really great job of showing rather than telling the reader how everything has affected him and his reactions.
There were definitely some sweet moments in this book, but some of the tension and angst got a little annoying. Sometimes I wished I could just go right up to the characters and tell them what was really going on, but I suppose that's just part of the story. The relationship between Caleb and Maggie built up slowly and there were definitely some hurdles along the way. I found most things about it to be pretty realistic, as neither character was perfect.
*CONCLUSION
In conclusion, I Paradise was a great bind-up of two novels which have some good lessons to be learned about forgiveness and dealing with the consequences of your actions. I loved following Caleb and Maggie's story throughout both books, and I would definitely recommend this if you are a fan of contemporary YA.
Thank you to Simon and Schuster Australia for sending me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
With two books in one, Paradise by Simone Elkeles follows the journey of two teens who are trying to move on from the past and the accident that brought them together. Both Leaving Paradise and Return to Paradise are novels with some raw emotion and genuine characters.
I was accused of the crime, I did the time. It's over.
There's one glitch: Maggie Armstrong doesn't want to forgive me.
She said I haven't paid my debt to her.
Is there any end to this punishment I've put upon myself?
Everything changed since Caleb Becker hit Maggie Armstrong with his car when drink driving after a party. He went to juvenile detention for a year to pay for his actions, but when he returns to their town of Paradise things just don't seem the same. To make matters worse, he lives right next door to Maggie, who was left with a limp for the rest of her life. To top it all off, his family life at home is more unstable than ever, with them trying to pretend that everything is perfect when in reality things are falling to pieces. However, making amends with Maggie is easier said than done, and Caleb needs to get his own life back on the right path.
What makes this book different and impacting on a reader is that it deals with an issue which does happen in everyday life. People do wrongly drink and drive after parties, and there are consequences of that. Lives are changed forever. Both of these books deal with the aftermath of one accident, and all the physical, social and emotional implications of that on both the victim and the driver. The dual POV's switch every chapter from Caleb to Maggie, and the reader really has an insight into how they are feeling and what is going on in their lives. I loved seeing how both characters developed and how their eventual understanding came to be.
I'm feeling stronger than I have in...well, I can't even remember when. All I know is that I feel good. No, better than that. I feel strong.
For the most part, Maggie was definitely a strong character. She has to live with the impact of that accident with her leg every day but it doesn't break her character. Instead, she builds up a resilience and tough outer shell as protection so that she can't get hurt again - physically or emotionally by Caleb. She doesn't make it easy for him to make it up to her, but she does have a soft-spot and has the strength to forgive.
Caleb is a little 'rough around the edges' after leaving detention and finds it hard to fit back into normal life. However, he too undergoes a change and character development. He is a good guy at heart, and although he can still be a total jerk at times and makes some questionable decisions, you can't call him a bad person. He too has his own secrets to protect about what really happened that night. Simone Elkeles does a really great job of showing rather than telling the reader how everything has affected him and his reactions.
This is the girl I draw strength from. She's got more power than she thinks, and she taught me the definition of resilience.
There were definitely some sweet moments in this book, but some of the tension and angst got a little annoying. Sometimes I wished I could just go right up to the characters and tell them what was really going on, but I suppose that's just part of the story. The relationship between Caleb and Maggie built up slowly and there were definitely some hurdles along the way. I found most things about it to be pretty realistic, as neither character was perfect.
*CONCLUSION
In conclusion, I Paradise was a great bind-up of two novels which have some good lessons to be learned about forgiveness and dealing with the consequences of your actions. I loved following Caleb and Maggie's story throughout both books, and I would definitely recommend this if you are a fan of contemporary YA.
I love her for everything she is and wants to be. She challenges me to forgive others. She's my best friend. That thought is humbling
January 10, 2016
This is both books in one; leaving paradise and return to paradise.
*I would recommend you have both copies of these books before you start reading* I personally could not put it down and the end of the first book needs the second unless you like torturing yourself.
Maggie gets hit by a car and ends up in hospital.
Caleb goes to jail for drink driving. He hits Maggie with her car and damages her leg.
They both end up back in their small town but nothing's the same. No one understands. They are both alone and are drawn to each other because the other person is the only one who understands. This is captivating right from the start and held my heart in my hand. Loved it.
I'm a huge fan of Simone Elkeles and would recommend all of her books. I could literally live in her books.
*I would recommend you have both copies of these books before you start reading* I personally could not put it down and the end of the first book needs the second unless you like torturing yourself.
Maggie gets hit by a car and ends up in hospital.
Caleb goes to jail for drink driving. He hits Maggie with her car and damages her leg.
They both end up back in their small town but nothing's the same. No one understands. They are both alone and are drawn to each other because the other person is the only one who understands. This is captivating right from the start and held my heart in my hand. Loved it.
I'm a huge fan of Simone Elkeles and would recommend all of her books. I could literally live in her books.
January 3, 2017
*5 Stars*
Simone Elkeles can seriously do no wrong. I loved these two books. I loved both the main characters, Maggie and Caleb and I loved watching their journey. There were some great secondary characters in them as well. Some life lessons in these books too.
I highly recommend.
Simone Elkeles can seriously do no wrong. I loved these two books. I loved both the main characters, Maggie and Caleb and I loved watching their journey. There were some great secondary characters in them as well. Some life lessons in these books too.
I highly recommend.
August 8, 2013
The traumatic situation in this series really captures your heart as you read the journey that both characters went through as they found truth while falling in love.
April 22, 2019
I've been wanting to read Simone Elkeles for a while, and as a first experience of her writing, this was pretty much perfect.
Like all the best romances, there's chemistry, but there's also tension - and not just of the sexual variety. The 'impossible' romance between Caleb and Maggie is subject to so many twists and turns that more than once you're left wondering how they will ever manage to be together. The beauty of having both books in one is that you don't have to wait to find out.
There's such a depth of growth in both characters as their 'will-they-won't-they' relationship changes them for the better - something that can be surprisingly sparely applied in romance plots. Let there be more romances where the couple are stronger together, rather than one being repressed by the controlling nature of the other!
Honestly, I couldn't put this down. Tensions were so high, it was like I had to turn to the next page/chapter. I didn't have a choice. Brilliant writing, brilliant characters, creative romance and situations - definitely a five star worthy book!
Like all the best romances, there's chemistry, but there's also tension - and not just of the sexual variety. The 'impossible' romance between Caleb and Maggie is subject to so many twists and turns that more than once you're left wondering how they will ever manage to be together. The beauty of having both books in one is that you don't have to wait to find out.
There's such a depth of growth in both characters as their 'will-they-won't-they' relationship changes them for the better - something that can be surprisingly sparely applied in romance plots. Let there be more romances where the couple are stronger together, rather than one being repressed by the controlling nature of the other!
Honestly, I couldn't put this down. Tensions were so high, it was like I had to turn to the next page/chapter. I didn't have a choice. Brilliant writing, brilliant characters, creative romance and situations - definitely a five star worthy book!
June 28, 2017
What a brilliant duology. I love Simone Elkeles' books, although I've only read two of them. She just taps into teenagers' heads perfectly, and I loved Maggie, and I loved Caleb, and I loved how they tried to not talk to each other, since Caleb ran Maggie over with his car (it was an accident - probably), but they couldn't fight their feelings and I just nearly dissolved into a puddle of happy goo.
It just made me so happy. That's what I love about these light YA contemporaries, you can lose yourself in a book for a while without thinking *too* hard, and you just know it's going to make you smile and laugh and be happy.
I need to read the rest of Simone's books ASAP and hope she's working on new stuff, because reading Paradise reminded me of how much I *love* her books and her writing.
It just made me so happy. That's what I love about these light YA contemporaries, you can lose yourself in a book for a while without thinking *too* hard, and you just know it's going to make you smile and laugh and be happy.
I need to read the rest of Simone's books ASAP and hope she's working on new stuff, because reading Paradise reminded me of how much I *love* her books and her writing.
August 8, 2025
leaving paradise - 4 stars
feels weird to say but i had fun with this! it gripped me fully and i couldn't put it down until i finished it. it's a messy, sad book and i should be weirded out by it maybe a bit more but elkeles' characters somehow have an effect on me. the topics are what get me every time, even if some things are questionable.
return to paradise - 3.5 stars
although things actually wrapped up nicely for me, i can't help but feel like the addition of so many characters around caleb and maggie from camp wasn't really too necessary.
(did i also read these just bc i realised the male mc's name is caleb? maybe)
feels weird to say but i had fun with this! it gripped me fully and i couldn't put it down until i finished it. it's a messy, sad book and i should be weirded out by it maybe a bit more but elkeles' characters somehow have an effect on me. the topics are what get me every time, even if some things are questionable.
return to paradise - 3.5 stars
although things actually wrapped up nicely for me, i can't help but feel like the addition of so many characters around caleb and maggie from camp wasn't really too necessary.
(did i also read these just bc i realised the male mc's name is caleb? maybe)
November 3, 2017
The AudioBook was decent enough to keep me sane while working. Nothing super catching or compelling, but just your typical teen angst kind of stuff mixed in with overcoming changes after a life changing event.
I must say, the ending was meh. After all that build up between Caleb and Maggie.. ending it only with resolve between her and her best friend was unfulfilling.
I must say, the ending was meh. After all that build up between Caleb and Maggie.. ending it only with resolve between her and her best friend was unfulfilling.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 15, 2020
Great book! I couldn’t put it down, every day I had to read a few pages more just to find out what happened to these two teenagers.
October 1, 2021
It was meh for me. I appreciated the story line but there wasn't that chemistry I was really looking for especially after reading Simones other novels.
October 1, 2014
9/10.
I'd never heard of either of the stories contained in this omnibus edition, nor the Author and picked the book up on a whim from the Library and I'm glad that I did.
Paradise is an omnibus edition of Leaving Paradise and Return to Paradise. It's aimed at the YA market but I think it crosses over well. It's the type of book that made me smile when I picked it up to read as I couldn't wait to see where the stories took us.
In the first of the two stories we find out how Caleb Becker was convicted of drink driving one night and knocked over Maggie Armstrong in the process. Unfortunately Maggie's life is not the same, she was a promising tennis player but due to the accident that's all gone out of the window.
As Caleb is released from the young offenders institution and returns to Paradise. His family, Maggie and her family have to come to terms with the fall out from his return.
This is a coming of age story and the reader can see the attraction develop further between Caleb and Maggie. Told in alternate POV, we are drawn in and as secrets are revealed slowly we begin to piece together what actually happened the night of the accident.
In the second of the two stories Caleb Becker has been living close to the line and due to certain circumstances has another brush with the Law. He is offered the chance to go on a ReStart program, where by teenagers are taken on a trip and explain to other teenagers what has happened to them in the past due to drink, drugs and the like. The last person Caleb expects to see on the program is Maggie.
Told in the same alternate POV as before, we are again reading about the relationship developments between the two main characters but we have several secondary characters who provide a comedy side to the story.
I really enjoyed reading about Caleb and Maggie, and their on/off relationship. Caleb acted in good faith and you can't help feeling sorry for him. He was the one who made the decision he did and what happens as a result of this is down to him. Maggie was an innocent bystander who became involved due to the accident. They both suffer in different ways due to the accident and the fall out from it.
I loved the writing style and there was a great mix of narrative and dialogue. I think it's a very thought provoking book and wonder what we would have done had we been in their shoes, etc.
I look forward to reading more books by this Author.
I'd never heard of either of the stories contained in this omnibus edition, nor the Author and picked the book up on a whim from the Library and I'm glad that I did.
Paradise is an omnibus edition of Leaving Paradise and Return to Paradise. It's aimed at the YA market but I think it crosses over well. It's the type of book that made me smile when I picked it up to read as I couldn't wait to see where the stories took us.
In the first of the two stories we find out how Caleb Becker was convicted of drink driving one night and knocked over Maggie Armstrong in the process. Unfortunately Maggie's life is not the same, she was a promising tennis player but due to the accident that's all gone out of the window.
As Caleb is released from the young offenders institution and returns to Paradise. His family, Maggie and her family have to come to terms with the fall out from his return.
This is a coming of age story and the reader can see the attraction develop further between Caleb and Maggie. Told in alternate POV, we are drawn in and as secrets are revealed slowly we begin to piece together what actually happened the night of the accident.
In the second of the two stories Caleb Becker has been living close to the line and due to certain circumstances has another brush with the Law. He is offered the chance to go on a ReStart program, where by teenagers are taken on a trip and explain to other teenagers what has happened to them in the past due to drink, drugs and the like. The last person Caleb expects to see on the program is Maggie.
Told in the same alternate POV as before, we are again reading about the relationship developments between the two main characters but we have several secondary characters who provide a comedy side to the story.
I really enjoyed reading about Caleb and Maggie, and their on/off relationship. Caleb acted in good faith and you can't help feeling sorry for him. He was the one who made the decision he did and what happens as a result of this is down to him. Maggie was an innocent bystander who became involved due to the accident. They both suffer in different ways due to the accident and the fall out from it.
I loved the writing style and there was a great mix of narrative and dialogue. I think it's a very thought provoking book and wonder what we would have done had we been in their shoes, etc.
I look forward to reading more books by this Author.
August 1, 2013
4.5 Stars
Paradise is a collection of the Paradise duo: Leaving Paradise and Return to Paradise. Based around a tragic accident that has changed two teenagers' lives completely, we watch as their attraction to each other draws them closer together as they try to piece together the events of the accident and how to work through it. I enjoyed every moment in Paradise and devoured it in one sitting.
I just adored the idea for this book as soon as I read the blurb! A boy who makes a mistake and crashes into a girl, leaving her with a limp while he's locked up in juvie for a year. When he gets out, they come face to face and can't deny the attraction towards each other even after the accident... It sounded too romantic to miss.
I enjoyed the character of Caleb, who is strong and confident, arrogant at times but completely lovable on the inside. He certainly knows how to charm a girl! As for Maggie, she starts off a bit rocky; not quite sure of herself, but she eventually grows into someone stronger by the end, which I liked.
The relationship between Caleb and Maggie... Well, you might say that it was all a bit sudden, and I agree. But nevertheless, I loved how the two comforted and helped each other get through the difficulties that the accident has left them with.
I just need to thank all the stars that they have put these two books together because I don't I could have survived the wait to find out what happened in the second story! Caleb and Maggie's relationship is very easy to get addicted to!
I must say, I think Perfect Chemistry beats this because there is a bit more interesting storyline, the characters are definitely more developed, and the romance is slightly more exciting. Nevertheless, I did enjoy this duology and it reminded me of why I love Simone Elkeles so much.
Paradise is a collection of the Paradise duo: Leaving Paradise and Return to Paradise. Based around a tragic accident that has changed two teenagers' lives completely, we watch as their attraction to each other draws them closer together as they try to piece together the events of the accident and how to work through it. I enjoyed every moment in Paradise and devoured it in one sitting.
I just adored the idea for this book as soon as I read the blurb! A boy who makes a mistake and crashes into a girl, leaving her with a limp while he's locked up in juvie for a year. When he gets out, they come face to face and can't deny the attraction towards each other even after the accident... It sounded too romantic to miss.
I enjoyed the character of Caleb, who is strong and confident, arrogant at times but completely lovable on the inside. He certainly knows how to charm a girl! As for Maggie, she starts off a bit rocky; not quite sure of herself, but she eventually grows into someone stronger by the end, which I liked.
The relationship between Caleb and Maggie... Well, you might say that it was all a bit sudden, and I agree. But nevertheless, I loved how the two comforted and helped each other get through the difficulties that the accident has left them with.
I just need to thank all the stars that they have put these two books together because I don't I could have survived the wait to find out what happened in the second story! Caleb and Maggie's relationship is very easy to get addicted to!
I must say, I think Perfect Chemistry beats this because there is a bit more interesting storyline, the characters are definitely more developed, and the romance is slightly more exciting. Nevertheless, I did enjoy this duology and it reminded me of why I love Simone Elkeles so much.
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August 19, 2016I got about halfway through but had to DNF this one. It didn't have the same quality to it that the Perfect Chemistry series did. This book had a very slow pace that became boring. I didn't buy into the character development or relationship development, nor did I like any of the secondary characters. It felt like every person on the page had issues and wanted to cause drama (even the adults!). Overall, this book just didn't work for me.
July 24, 2014
So I actually liked this, I appreciate when authors get to the point and have strong characters...yes a few things I didn't care for... the high school drama part...but obviously it's great for teens, so I'm assuming that's where the fan base lies. . . guess I'm finally growing up. But I will read the next one.
July 25, 2015
5 stars for "Leaving Paradise" : A very touching and deep story with great characters (especially Caleb). The end made me cry but thank God there is a sequel!
3 stars for "Return to Paradise" : Good but not as great as Leaving Paradise. But at least the truth is out.
3 stars for "Return to Paradise" : Good but not as great as Leaving Paradise. But at least the truth is out.
August 11, 2013
*4.5 stars*
August 9, 2013
Please see individual reviews for full review of each book. Highly recommend!
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September 12, 2016This is in place of Perfect Chemistry (the first time I read it since you can't record rereads on here)
March 24, 2014
Too many loopholes..
January 17, 2023
Made my body tingle ✨ I want someone to build me a constitution 2
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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March 29, 2017it is amazing book
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