"What happens when the person who damaged you for life. . .becomes the person you trust the most?"
Enter Maggie Armstrong: Maggie just spent the past year going through intensive surgeries and physical therapy classes. Thanks to her accident she's missed out on junior year. Maggie is no longer the semi-popular girl who dominated on the tennis courts. No, now Maggie is the freak who limps in the halls and has no friends. But for Maggie nothing really matters anymore, the only thing that truly matters is being able to leave her suffocating hometown Paradise.
Enter Caleb Becker: Caleb just spent the past year in a juvenile detention center for drunk driving. Thanks to his accident he's missed out on junior year. Caleb is no longer the ultra popular hunk who dominated the social scene. No, now Caleb is the dangerous ex-con who knows exactly what goes on in jail. But for Caleb none of this matters anymore, the only thing that truly matters is being able to come back to his small hometown Paradise and fixing all of his wrongs.
Enter fateful night: The one thing that ties these two together? Maggie lost the use of her leg when she was hit by a drunk driver. Caleb went to jail because he hit Maggie while he was driving drunk and drove away. Now Maggie's going back to school and Caleb's being released from jail. Both the victim and the victimizer want nothing to do with the other. Which is going to be difficult seeing as how they live in the same town, go to the same high school, and just happen to be next door neighbors. After all of their time apart are they finally ready to face their demons? And more importantly face each other?
One word: WOW! Simone Elkeles? I beg you to never stop writing. To be completely honest when I first read about the plot for the book my first thought was: "Oh no that's just too dramatic for me". But for all of those faithful Elkeles readers who know that Simone never disappoints, I take my insulting first thought back. 'Leaving Paradise' wasn't just about "The Accident" or even what happened after "The Accident". No, 'Leaving Paradise' was about so much more. It was the story of two people who've made mistakes in their lives and need to resolve them. 'Leaving Paradise' is so much more than what happened that night. Maggie and Caleb are both two well-developed characters with secrets and guilts and insightful thoughts. As is Elkeles's style, the plot is overshadowed by the many sub-plots that run throughout the novel. Sub-plots such as Maggie's relationship with her mother and father. Mrs. Reynold's and her health issues. Caleb's family dynamics and relationship with his twin sister Leah. The kids at school and how they interpret the accident. Most times when any other author tries to pull this technique I instantly hate it. But Elkeles's has a way of taking a simple theme and making it more in depth and realistic. If you enjoy stories with more than meets the eye plots 'Leaving Paradise' is the book for you.
Cheers:5
Boos:0
Result: Must have
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