Review for Leaving Paradise

Author: Simone Elkeles
Genre: YA
Barnes and Noble Synopsis:

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.

What happens when the person who damaged you for life becomes the person you trust the most? The whole book is about Caleb and Maggie learning to trust one another although they are the most unlikely people in the world to do that. I have to say I really enjoyed this book, it was a step away from the creepy stuff that I have been reading lately. I liked how each chapter switched point of views between Caleb and Maggie so the reader was able to see both of their inner most feelings. I also saw how both of them changed drastically compared to how they where in the beginning. Elkeles brought up a good point in this book to. She revealed that forgiveness and trust are what bring people together. Altogether a very good book....definitely recommend it to anyone. Both boys and girls may enjoy it.