Sunday, April 18, 2010

Leaving Paradise

Leaving Paradise (Leaving Paradise, #1)


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.



LOVED this book it was fantastic. Caleb and Maggie were both so awesome I can't complain about either one of the characters. Mrs. Reynolds the old lady they both work for had me rolling on the floor laughing. Maggie's struggle added a serious note though her limp made me feel sorry for her, but then I figured with Maggie's attitude she certainly doesn't want me to feel sorry for her. Then Caleb I wanted to shake every member of his family they were all very selfish but kept calling him the selfish one for hitting someone on accident. Caleb's sister Leah I didn't understand her actions at all, but then everything made sense to me in the end. I liked the relationship between Maggie and Caleb I thought it developed really nicely. A few times I wanted to smack Caleb or just take control of his life and make his decisions for him, but he eventually got it together. Maggie made me laugh most of the time her attitude was great she seemed so tough but she was just a forgiving softy when it came down to it. I sometimes watch this show called Locked Up and they do a Juvenile episode once and a while and Caleb's stint in jail reminded me of this show. Caleb is honestly the least selfish person I know I think the decision he made in the end was the only thing he did for his self in the entire book. Maybe before the accident he might have been a jerk, but he seemed like a selfless kind of overly nice person to me..at times. I really loved this book I am so excited for the sequel Caleb and Maggie are so addicting. Such a strong story full of self discovery, I thought Caleb and Maggie were so cute I wanted to make a silly mushy noise every time they came in contact.

5 comments:

Carrie at In the Hammock Blog said...

Awesome review!! I'm glad you liked it so much!

Simcha said...

This sounds like a really great book. I've added it to my list. Thanks for the review!

Christine said...

Hey Caitlin,
I just bought this one AND Rules of Attraction for my daughter for her birthday last week. I can't wait to read them!

We both read Perfect Chemistry last summer and ADORED that story too. We refer to it and talk about it all the time. I have a feeling it is going to be the same with this one.

Thanks for the review! :)

Christine said...

p.s. I just noticed the two books you are currently reading. I just finished The Girl Who Chased the Moon last night and loved it!!! I also just saw that my library finally got The Iron King in... I'm getting on the list for that one. I'm looking forward to your thoughts on it.

Katy said...

I love Perfect Chemistry and can't wait to read Rules of Attraction..Leaving Paradise was just as great, I am loving The Girl Who Chased The Moon, but am only like three pages into Iron King I'm juggling them both.