Leaving Paradise by Simone Elkeles

Summary: 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.

My Thoughts: Wow! Wow! Wow! As you may have noticed I'm a huge Elkeles fan! I adored The How To Series and this was just as great! We meet Maggie who was hit by a car driven by Caleb. Maggie has always had a thing for Caleb and of course Caleb was too blind to really notice her. She was his twin sister's best friend and the girl next door. Caleb was popular, hot, and had the girlfriend everybody wanted. One night during a party Maggie was at the wrong place at the wrong time and all bets were off. Ever since that night, Maggie has suffered. She has a limp now and had to spend months in recovery trying to get past the accident and still has the scars to remind her. Caleb had spent the last year in juvie trying to make up for his sins.

Caleb and Maggie get back out in the real world, school, work, and just basic life. They are bound to run into each other. Maybe even more than they realize. Nobody really understands what either of them has gone through and because of this, their relationships with other people are hurt.

I really loved this book. Love is an understatement here. I can't wait to read Return To Paradise. I instantly fell in love with Caleb, maybe it was his tough outer-shell but I knew deep down he had to be a sweetheart. Caleb, his having spent time in jail appealed to me even more because he had that bad boy aroma that I always tend to like. I also really liked Maggie, there was something soft about her that made her a wonderful character. Throw in all the side characters and Leaving Paradise is a real winner and a treat to read.

Overall: Loved it. From the first page I was instantly hooked, and stayed up way past my bedtime to keep reading. The attic scene was sweet! If you haven't picked this book up, run out and buy it now!

Cover: Really like it a lot. I like the hand holding and the tattoo on his arm. Totally fits the book.

What I'd Give It: