10 January 2012

Book Review: Return to Paradise (Leaving Paradise 2)



Book Details

Author: Simone Elkeles
Format: Kindle Edition
File Size: 1460 KB
Publisher: Flux (September 1, 2010)

Book Summary

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 dermined 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. 

The Sequel to LEAVING PARADISE From the New York TimesBestselling Author of RULES OF ATTRACTION 

Book Review


Rating: 5/5

Readers Return to Paradise eight months since Caleb left town, not only leaving Maggie broken hearted but keeping the secrets of that horrible night with him. Although they still wanted each other, the both of them have moved on with their lives – as much as they could. Maggie just finished high school and is finally leaving for Spain in a few months while Caleb is making ends meet in Chicago. 

However, another bad choice led the both of them back in each other’s company. Caleb was forced to come on a summer trip with four other teens whose lives were also changed by driving under the influence of alcohol. Now, being thrown together had the confuse and a lot of question stand in the middle of them: what-if Caleb never left? What if they get back together? what if Caleb finally tell the truth of what happened that night? 

What I like about a sequel novel is that I see how the characters developed and grows. While Maggie finally found the strength and courage to fear whatever that comes her way, Caleb on the other hand, became more brusque and confrontational, though you can actually see a lost boy underneath the strong façade. A bonus would be meeting brand new characters that would add spice to the story. In Return to Paradise, Maggie and Caleb are joined by Lenny, Matt, Julio, Erin and Trish – every one of them has their own surprising and interesting story to share. 

Simone Elkeles once again proved that she can make a wonderful love story interwoven with delicate issues faced by teens today. The issues may be sensitive- but she threads it lightly to a point that it will impact its readers. Return to Paradise is about second chances, about how a bad thing in life can turn out to be something good. 

Favorite Quotes


“If you tiptoe into cold water, you're missing out on the rush of plunging in headfirst.” 

“Love isn't about honesty. It's about protecting the people you love from things that will hurt them.” 

“Doing something positive will help turn your mood around. When you smile, your body relaxes. When you experience human touch and interaction, it eases tension in your body.” 

“Sometimes moving on takes effort. Sometimes moving on is harder than it looks.”
ChuCha

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