Review: Leaving Paradise by Simone Elkeles

My Rating: E, R, B

Published: 2007
Publisher: Flux

Author's Website: simoneelkeles.net

Purchase @ Amazon.co.uk Amazon.com

Caleb Becker spent the past year in juvenile detention.

Maggie Armstrong spent the past year in hospitals and physical therapy.

Two teens who are scarred one fateful night are going to have to face their greatest challenge yet – meeting up with each other again.

Leaving Paradise is the first book in the Leaving Paradise series by Simone Elkeles.

Maggie has just started back at school after the accident. Not only does she have schoolwork to deal with but she has everyone staring at her because of her limp. She can’t think her life could get any worse, but then Caleb is released from juvenile detention is back at school. Maggie is furious that the boy that left her for dead is being allowed back to the same school. So she does everything to stay out of his way. But their paths cross when Maggie gets a job with Mrs. Reynolds. Caleb turns is working at Mrs. Reynolds house as part of his community service which Maggie is not happy about but unwillingly lets him stay. They slowly get past the accident and start to grow closer together and form a relationship.

I think this book was so lovely. There were moments when I wanted to cry alongside Maggie and wanted to scream at Caleb but at the same time I was sad because their life-long friendship had been ruined by one horrible night gone wrong. I felt a bit sorry for Caleb too as he wasn’t exactly welcomed home with open arms once he was released but at the same time I thought he deserved not to be able to waltz back into everyone’s life as if nothing was wrong.

There are hints throughout the story that the accident isn’t exactly as it seems. Life is not as that straight forward and some people are keeping their secrets hidden.

My favourite part of this book was the fight at Mrs. Reynolds house as this was the turning point for the whole story. This is where we see Maggie and Caleb starting to put the past behind them and work towards a better future for both of them. At the end of the book I was so sad because when it all seemed to be working out for them both; one of them has to leave Paradise as they can no longer see a future there for themselves.

Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this book and can’t wait to read the sequel, Return to Paradise. Hopefully everything is sorted out in the next book and we see a bit more of a happy ending.

Disclaimer: I own this book and I have not been paid to review this book. Everything I have said is of my own honest opinion.

Review: Perfect Chemistry by Simone Elkeles

My Rating: E, R, B

Published: 2010
Publisher: Simon and Schuster

Author's Website: simoneelkeles.net

Purchase @ Amazon.co.uk Amazon.com

Brittany Ellis seems to have it all; wealthy parents, the perfect boyfriend and the “right” group of friends. But when Brittany is forced to become lab partners with Alex Fuentes, a gang member from the wrong side of town, her perfect life starts to unravel. Alex is a bad boy, and he knows it, so when he makes a bet with his friends to lure Brittany into his life, he thinks nothing of it.

But as Alex and Brittany grow closer, sparks begin to fly and they both realise that sometimes appearances can be deceptive. Will their emerging feelings be enough to keep them together when the world is determined to tear them apart?

Perfect Chemistry is the first book in the Perfect Chemistry series by Simone Elkeles. This book is aptly titled but there is a lot more going on than just the chemistry between our main characters.

Brittany Ellis gives off the impression that she is ‘little miss perfect’ but this is far from the truth. Alex is the total opposite from Brittany, he is from the other side of the town which is gang territory but he is safe most of the time as he is part of a gang. He does this to keep his family safe so they can have a better start in life than he did. Soon Brittany and Alex are falling in love but they have so many obstacles to overcome including Alex’s bet to get her into bed.

I had seen a few reviews about this book and thought I would give it a try and I was not disappointed. I was hooked from the first page and was very reluctant to put it down to put it down to do anything. As you can tell I loved this book and would highly recommend this book to teenagers and adults alike.

I had so many favourite scenes in this book that I can’t possibly list them all but I absolutely loved it when Alex spoke Spanish because at the same time they read/sound so exotic and I have no idea what they mean so can only imagine which makes it a bit more exciting. It makes me want to learn Spanish just so I can know what he was saying.

The characters were so compelling in this book. Brittany who comes from the rich side of the town that looks to have everything and Alex, who is part of a gang that has nothing compared to Brittany and they both overcome everything to be together. I just think it’s a great message that it doesn’t matter who you are or where you come from as long as you are willing to work hard at what you want then you can make your dreams come true.

Overall, I loved this book and I don’t think I can say much more about this book if I could try without repeating myself. Did I mention that Alex is hot and has a motorbike?

Disclaimer: I own this book and I have not been paid to review this book. Everything I have said is of my own honest opinion.

In My Mailbox...(10)

In My Mailbox is a meme that is hosted by The Story Siren every Sunday.

Right, this week I think I am going to do this a bit different as I have quite a few books from before I went on holiday. I never had time to write them up in the last IMM post.

Bought

Eternal Kiss of Darkness by Jeaniene Frost - bought via Amazon.co.uk - Review is here
Leaving Paradise by Simone Elkeles - bought via The Book Depository
Perfect Chemistry by Simone Elkeles - bought via The Book Depository

Recevied for Review

Matters of the Heart by Danielle Steele - Received from Transworld as part of their Summer Reading Challenge, find more info at Between The Lines

Borrowed from Library

Bloody Bones by Laurell K Hamilton

Won

I won these three books as part of an ARC giveaway over at READFREEK REVIEWS.
Images of book covers taken from author's websites; Kira Morgan's Website and Dee Davis' Website.