Sep 6, 2010

Book Review:RETURN TO PARADISE

Author: Simone Elkeles
Rating: 5/5 Stars
Other Books by Author: Leaving Paradise (the first in this 2 part series) and Perfect Chemistry
Good if...you want something with raw emotions, high tension, and a whole bunch of heart-stopping moments

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 determined 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.

My Review:
OMG! OMG! OMG!  Simone Elkeles delivers once again!  So we rejoin Maggie and Caleb (in alternating chapters once again) after they've been apart for 8 months and right away the tensions are very high.  Maggie things she's over Caleb, moving on, and Caleb doesn't really know what he thinks--he's in trouble with the law again and forced on this trip--all he knows is that he can't go back to jail again.  I love the way Simone creates such high tension in her books.  Every moment I'm on the edge of my seat.  The dialogue is witty, funny, and snappy.  Elkeles creates sexual tension like you wouldn't believe.  And then, in the end, I very nearly cried.  It was the same emotional roller-coaster PERFECT CHEMISTRY took me on.  So here's the ultimate question in my mind:  Was this novel better than PERFECT CHEMISTRY?  And I think yes!!!  Maybe it's only because it's fresh in my mind right this moment, but I loved it even more than PERFECT CHEMISTRY and that was pretty much one of my favorite books of all time.

8 comments:

Miranda Hardy said...

I haven't read anything by Simone Elkeles. I kept going back to Perfect Chemisty at the book store. Maybe I will start in on this series. You seem to like it.

sarah darlington said...

JL--You've got to give it a shot. I don't think you can wrong with any of her books.

Anonymous said...

This is waiting for me when I get home from vacation and I can't wait. I loved Leaving Paradise (and every other Simone Elkeles book ever) and can't wait to plow into this one. I'm so happy to read positive reviews about it - I want it to be awesome so badly.

Megan @ Read It, See It

Anonymous said...

Hehe. ;) You make me want to read this one even more now if that's even possible! Simone is so great.

Jackee said...

I haven't read it yet, but it looks like I need to check it out! Thanks for the rec. :o)

Cheers,
Jackee

Stephanie said...

Okay, a combination of your enthusiasm and the COVER of this novel sent me to my library's website. And my local branch has a copy of Perfect Chemistry! I'll be checking that out on Wednesday. Thanks for the great reviews! :)

Swimmer said...

Ahhhh! I need this one I was rereading the first one, and it was amazing!

sarah darlington said...

Swimmer---I really wished I reread Leaving Paradise first. I mean enough was explained so I didn't need to, but I still wish I had. That's okay. I'll just reread them both again in a few months time.