| Title | : | Return to Paradise (Leaving Paradise, #2) |
| Author | : | |
| Rating | : | |
| ISBN | : | 0738718688 |
| ISBN-10 | : | 9780738718682 |
| Language | : | English |
| Format Type | : | Paperback |
| Number of Pages | : | 291 |
| Publication | : | First published September 1, 2010 |
| Awards | : | Romantic Times Reviewers' Choice Award (RT Award) Best Young Adult Novel (2010), Lincoln Award (2010) |
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.
Return to Paradise (Leaving Paradise, #2) Reviews
-
Sweet, fun, entertaining.. I'm glad I read it!
After reading "Leaving paradise" I was so disappointed that I didn't really want to read the sequel. The first book started so damn good but it was just ok by the middle (except some good parts), and then it ended in such a hurry - I understand why, but i still don't like it. I just couldn't relate to the story at all (I know a lot of people loved it, I just wasn't one of them).
But today I read (and finished) "Return to paradise" and it was really good. I can't think of a single thing I didn't like about this book. Short review: nice story line, better characters and lots of funny moments.
The story is really sweet after all the drama they had in the first volume and (as an improvement) the characters are stronger, making the sequel better. I like the new confident Maggie, I like the dialog between Maggie and Caleb, I like the hot-and-cold game they play and there are so many funny moments that my face hurts for so much laughing.. it's HILARIOUS! I love funny books and I love Lenny and Trish and the teasing between them (also between the main characters).. there was such a great chemistry in this book, and all the characters were so full of life! The action felt so natural page after page, I just felt I was part of the story, never getting bored, always wanting more.
It's a great book. If you like sweet-funny romances then you will love it too. I know I do :)
PS: This is my favorite book from Simone E. (after "perfect chemistry")
-
What to say, what to say . . .
I enjoyed Leaving Paradise, but not as much as I was expecting to. So, when starting this, my expectations weren't very high. And because of that, they were met.
I just don't like the characters or the story, for that matter, nearly as much as I do with Ms. Elkeles' other works (her Perfect Chemistry series is awesome!). It's not that I disliked this, but I won't be reading it or it's predecessor ever again. So, I guess take that how you want to.
I still love Simone Elkeles' writing, and I still love her other novels, just not these. And to whoever is interested in these two novels, I urge you to try them for yourself and not go by my review. Because I'm only one opinion.
(By the way, sorry for the short review, I'm just in a weird mood today.)
RATING: 2.5 stars. -
OMG! That was the most beautifully poignant book ever!!!! God, I'm such a cry baby!!! It ended perfectly! It had such a beautiful message and left you feeling so good. I am so happy for Caleb and Maggie!! Leah stepped up her game in this one and really surprised me! I loved her! I loved Lenny and Julio and Trish and Damon once again impressed me and Lou was awesome!! I loved everything about this book. I've been on such a Contemp kick that these stories move me beyond words. I am crying from happiness to such an aweful circumstance but I'm also crying because Maggie and Caleb's story has come to an end. They will remain in my heart forever! Caleb has become a top fictional boyfriend! He's perfect in everyway!!! This isn't my actual review. I just can't stop tearing up. So I shall return with a full review soon!
***********************************************************************
Okay, now that I am not such an emotional baby, I can continue with this review. First of all, I love this cover. It really fits this book kinda perfectly. I don't really like the girl that much but the guy is not too bad as my beloved Caleb.
LIKES:
Like I said, I love the cover. It is really romantic and sets the mood for this lovely sequel. One of the biggest things I liked about this book was the plot. The first one was very different from what I've read. It was unique and flowed very well. This is one was no different. In fact, it was better than the first to me! Again, I loved the book in both POV's.I LOVED the concept of the Re Start program and the trip they went on, and the fat that Maggie and Caleb were once again reunited!!! It was, so wonderful and I fell in love even more with them!!
We left off from Leaving Paradise where Caleb left Paradise again to go off by himself. His family never accepted him and he felt they were better off without him screwing everything up. His life fell apart the moment he was arrested for hitting Maggie with his car while driving home drunk. It was a really screwed up situation. But he got out of jail and did community service. He paid his dues. Then he and Maggie fell in love. She forgave him for everything, yet he wasn't convinced he was worthy of her or anyone else. So he left her and Paradise behind.
The beginning of Return to Paradise, he gets in trouble again. He is staying in a drug house because he has nowhere to go and his roommate gets busted for drugs. He didn't sell or do any but still took the blame, almost ended up in the slammer for the 2nd time in 2 years. Until, Damon comes to his rescue.....AGAIN! I gotta say, this guy is a saint! That is where the Re Start program comes into play. He makes a deal with Caleb that if he goes with him to a camp for a few weeks telling his story to troubled kids about the consequences of drinking and driving , then he wont go to jail. So, he obliges not knowing he would see Maggie on the same trip. Things get tense, old wounds open up, and Hell breaks loose here and there. But it never ceases to impress me. The writing is beautiful, poignant and easy to follow. It flowed so amazingly. It was hard to put the book down. I did however, force myself because I knew if I kept reading I would have finished it in one day. It made me sad and depressed to know their sweet love story was coming to an end.
I loved the new characters introduced in this book. My favorites were Lenny, although he annoyed me at the beginning but he totally got to me towards the end. I liked Trish, she was kind of a brat but I warmed up to her pretty quick. The rest of the characters were great. Lou was a great match for Maggie's mom. I was happy for them and for Maggie to actually have a father figure in her life! The whole concept was interesting and it made reading that much more fun. The witty and pissy banters between everyone was great! I laughed so much during most of Lenny's scenes, what a personality-sick and twisted but still pretty funny!
The end was just amazing!! I was worried at first that things weren't going to turn out the way I hoped. But Simone didn't disappoint!!! I cried the last few chapters, it was romantic and sad but happy at the same time! I loved it through and through!
DISLIKES:
The only thing I didn't like was that it was too short!! I would have loved to see more of Maggie and Caleb's future eventhough it was clear what their future looked like! I guess I just wasn't to let go of these awesome characters that touched my heart all the way to my soul. They will always be in my heart though and I may just read this series over and over again!! I highly recommend this series to those that have ever wanted to give up on life. It shows everyone deserves second chances and to not ever give up but fight for what you want!! Thank you Caleb and Maggie for being so amazing!! And giving me this wonderful story of hope and love!!! FIVE STARS all the way! -
I'm in the minority here, but this book was just okay. It's not that the writing was bad, but there wasn't much of a story. The same issues that we saw in
Leaving Paradise were re-hashed over and over again in this one. I'm not quite sure why there was even a second book. I love Maggie and Caleb but found myself getting annoyed with them and their lack of ability to commit.
My take...lengthen the first book by 50 pages or so and call it a day!
Love the author's writing style and I look forward to reading her Perfect Chemistry series. -
My first official read of 2017 (though technically speaking I started this last year). My overall impression is that this narrative had some good points and some very bad points (keywords: rampant cliches and overly drawn out drama), but overall left a neutral impression on me. I think once the story got back to the main plot conflicts, I found a path to follow through the novel to the very end. Plus the audiobook narration was very good on the parts of Elizabeth Cottie as Maggie, and Nicholas Mondetti as Caleb.
"Return to Paradise" begins a little bit where "Leaving Paradise" left off, and finds Caleb and Maggie reuniting in a by-chance scenario. Caleb's gotten in trouble with the law again, and under his parole officer's wing, finds himself traveling with a group speaking to different kid/teen groups about how he ended up in prison/getting in trouble with the law and how it changed his life, in addition to having to stay at a campsite for a time. Conversely, Maggie travels with that same group talking about her experiences and how she ended up with her life-changing injuries. Suffice to say - Caleb and Maggie having to actively tell two sides of the same story is awkward and creates tension between them given their history. Caleb did a complete progress reversal of character of sorts since the last novel. He became worse for wear - being physically/mentally/emotionally abrasive - with Maggie being fully subjected to that abuse and lashing out. I hate romances like this, because it's like "Dude, Maggie was hurt because of circumstances that you were a part of, can you be more selfish and manipulative with your affection/possession/jealousy of her?"
Ugh.
I started following the narrative better after two things happened: 1. When the cat was let out of the bag with regards to the accident's events and 2. when the book actually got back to Paradise, with Caleb and Maggie both having to wrestle with how people in Paradise had changed since they'd been away. I appreciated the attention on the family conflicts and relationships, with a keen eye on the difficulties of starting over. Yet I almost feel like things in this novel were too easily resolved with respect to the central conflict in the way it was presented. Not that I couldn't believe that this could/would happen with both families having to come to terms with the truth of events, but it was the way it was presented. I found that I liked some of the supporting cast of characters in the book, but feel like they still primarily served as catalysts for the relationship between the protagonists of the novel.
Overall, it's not one of my favorite series depicting this kind of subject matter with the romantic inclinations, but I was still able to appreciate parts of it.
Overall score: 2.5/5 stars. -
3.5/5 Stars
Unfortunately ‘Return to Paradise’ wasn’t any better than ‘Leaving Paradise’.
I still didn’t feel a connection towards the Maggie and Caleb and didn’t like how they behaved towards each other in this book.
But I really liked the ending, I found it very cute.
I did enjoy this book but I don’t love this series.
I would still read the ‘Perfect Chemistry’ series as I have heard a lot of good things about it but I did hear good things about these books as well and I was left disappointed, so I have been questioning myself if I should read Simone Elkeles others books. -
I loved this as much as the first book, but I'll admit there was some frowning when I found out Maggie and Caleb were in the same group (convenient much?)
I love this couple, they are so sweet and cute together and it almost makes my heart bleed. I want what they have, screw the cheesiness of the entire thing.
Oh and Simone: Please, never stop writing books. You never let me down. -
After becoming accustomed to brilliance from this author, this one was really disappointing.
I think what bothers me most about this sequel to the amazing Leaving Paradise, is that I don't think the author stayed true to the characters. Caleb was simply awesome in Leaving Paradise. Yes he had issues and was angry, but never with Maggie. He treated her with kindness, concern, and respect the entire book. It was his attitude towards her that melted my heart and allowed me to care about his character.
In Return to Paradise, both Maggie and Caleb's characters have changed so much that they are unrecognizable. Caleb is not a nice person for much of this book, even with Maggie. I found myself wondering who he was and wishing I could go back to the first book and remember him the way he was. Maggie is much stronger in this book, but I don't like the games she plays. One of the things I loved most about Maggie in the first book was her honesty and vulnerabiliy. In this book, she steps out of character many times and does things that really confused me.
I wish I wouldn't have read this. It had some great moments so I give it 2 stars, but overall I think this book taints my feelings about the characters that I really loved from Leaving Paradise. I guess that's the risk you take when reading a sequel. Too bad Caleb and Maggie didn't get a more fitting one. -
I don't know what it says about my attention span, but the one thing I am hung up on in this book is the phrase in the last chapter that reads: "Please wait until the aircraft has come to a complete stop before deplaning."
Deplaning..is a word?!
According to the dictionary before me, 'deplaning' is:
- a verb
- means 'to disembark from an aircraft'
But apparently only awesome people in Simon Elkeles' world get to here their flight attendants say the word 'deplaning'. I have been on approximately 14 airplane trips in my life and on NONE of them has anyone been cool enough to use fancy lingo. It's always "before exiting the aircraft", "disembarking" or "before getting off". Nice. Really snazzy. I feel SO loved.
Deplaning just sounds so...so...slick. And cool. And now I am going to stop obsessing over that one word and get onto obsessing over the cute mess that is Caleb and Maggie.
At first, all I wanted to do was punch Caleb's annoying (hot...mesmerising...chiselled...) face. Because heeeeeeeeello ladies - this dude is a heartbreaker! He deserted her! Yeah, he had good reasons (NB: in his head) but dude:
And that is NOT okay. *stares Caleb down*
But Maggie gets him back. They get stuck together in this program called ReSTART (I don't know why they capitalise the START and not the RE since the whole point is that they're REstarting their lives and helping others to do so, but anyways...) where people share their drink driving/stupid driving experiences with others youths around the country.
Kudos to Maggie for finding a way to get back at Caleb for dumping her in the lake for his own amusement. What does she do? Well, when he starts staring into her eyes, thinking about kissing her, she pretends she's going to...and then gets out and leaves him. Wanting her. Alone.
And yeah, Caleb's hot. But the one thing I H-A-T-E about him is his piggish, bullheaded attitude issues. Give. The girl. A break. You're a rollercoaster, dude, and you expect her to keep up with your mood swings?! That's a psychiatrist's job. Or your parents'. She loves you and you just treat her like dirt but expect her to wait for you like the horrible (hot...swoon-worthy...) jerk you are.
Shame. On. You!
So it shouldn't be much of a spoiler if I tell you all that:
1.) They kiss at least once in this book
2.) You do get to 'see' Caleb shirtless (always a bonus)
3.) There will be a 'crying I can't stand you leave me the hell alone' scene
4.) Shit will go down
5.) True love will conquer all (*sings* "LOVE LIFTS US UP WHERE WE BELONG!" (sorry, couldn't help it!!))
6.) Drink driving is condemned. Duh. -
1.5 stars
Honestly, I just didn't get what the point of this book was?
Really - why did there need to be a sequel when it had no strong plot? I would've preferred to just leave it at the first book without the last chapter that lead into a sequel.
I loved caleb in the first one - but in this I just didnt get him and his motivations at all. seemed contrived for the sake of drama. And despite being inside his head for most of the book - I still didn't get why he behaved how he did towards Maggie and I started not liking him and then at some point I really stopped caring about him (and Maggie), which was very disappointing as the reason I was so looking forward to this sequel was because of how invested I was in Caleb.
The plot meandered along relying on dragging out Caleb's attitudes/angst and Maggie's stubbornness. It felt like it was flailing around and often side-plots seemed thrown in to create drama rather than remaining true to the characters motivations.
A combination of the lack of tension and stakes that weren't continually raised and no strong premise to suck me in - meant other things I'd normally overlook started to bug me - the dialogue and cliffhanger chapter endings grated. The swearing and crude jokes did not humour me.
The teens who were from broken and rough backgrounds felt gimmicky and caricatured and unbelievable - even contrived to illustrate some kind of point?
Also, I loved the sexual tension in the first title but here I felt none of that at all.
I don't normally write detailed reviews for books that bombed out for me but I really feel disappointed with this title especially after loving the first one and recommending it to many reader friends. The first one had a great premise and twists and awesome stakes that were continually raised and the characters felt genuine. I was expecting a lot more from this and it surprised me how poorly written it was which makes me wonder if the first book was too but I overlooked it as the story sucked me in?
Unfortunately after reading this I am doubtful I will feel compelled to pick up another book by Elkeles. After this, I can say it's not really my kind of book - too melodramatic and soap-ish.
(although readers who are into drama and romance and angst may find something here to enjoy). -
I think Gayle Forman has ruined all other realistic YA fiction for me. I liked
Leaving Paradise well enough, because the idea of a girl forgiving a boy who hit her with a car is an interesting set-up...but after reading such beautiful, emotional books as
If I Stay and
Where She Went, Simone Elkeles' work feels fairly contrived and lacking in depth. A lot of this book just didn't make any sense to me, either--what kind of camp is this exactly where Caleb and Maggie are forced to be together? Where the cabins and bathrooms are co-ed and the entire program is just six kids and one counselor who also happens to be Caleb's transition counselor? It's all just too weird and unrealistic.
The relationship between the two characters is not shallow, exactly, but it's just not all that interesting either. It's probably not fair to read most books after experiencing the genuine depth and connection between the characters in Gayle Forman's books (even the secondary ones), but it's hard not to wish that other novels with similar subjects came even close to eliciting the same level of gut-wrenching response. -
A complete and utter travesty. 1.5 stars. Now, i'm not one to dislike books due to mature content, but I felt as if the only real purpose of this book was to let us all know how much Caleb and Maggie wanted to get into eachothers pants. Completley rushed, unnecessary characters and plot events were major problems and, to top it off, we had a constant ridiculous battle between the two - 'I love you', 'we can't be together','let's just have a quick snog before we go back to biting eachothers heads off'...
I am a huge fan of Simone Elkeles, with Perfect Chemistry being one of my favorite reads of 2010! When I read Leaving Paradise, it was a little different in tone but still retained that certain charm which I had come to love about Elkeles' writing. However, this book seemed as if it was written as a weak fan fiction. Both Caleb and Maggie were out of character and were, to be totally honest, infuriating.
BUT, (and a big but at that), the book wasn't all that horrific. There were funny elements to the book and some scenes did hold a certain shock-value, but as a whole, this book was thoroughly dissapointing and this is said by someone who had little-no expectations for the books events. -
For fans of Leaving Paradise that wished for an alternate ending, Return to Paradise is a must read. This second and hopefully final installment provided the ending that I felt Maggie and Caleb deserved in the first book.
There were parts of the story that felt a bit contrived, but despite the rough patches in this book, I really enjoyed it. The HEA did take a scenic route with poor moves and actions by both main characters, but in the end, it all came together quite nicely.
The book does contain a healthy dose of f bombs, which caught me a little off guard, only because I wasn’t expecting it from Elkeles, but it never really put me off. Either way, it was great to revisit Paradise with Maggie and Caleb eight months after the last book left off, and most of all it was great to meet a new set of secondary characters that made the story engaging and humorous, including loyal Matt, funny Lenny, sad Erin, and angry Trish.
The ending was spot on, the back-stories of some of the characters were full of depth and this book completed my journey with these characters in a way the first book never really achieved. I enjoyed it much! -
For Maggie, LOVE is. . .
"I don't want us to just 'want' each other. I want a real relationship with a guy. Love. And you don't even know what love is. Love is honesty. Love is a mutual respect for one another, something you and I don't have.
For Caleb, LOVE is. . .
Love isn't about honesty. It's about protecting the people you love from things that will hurt them. That's love.
I really enjoy myself reading this. (read my review for the first series of Leaving Paradise ,here :
Leaving Paradise,#1
After leaving Paradise, Caleb practically had nowhere to go, so he stayed at his friend's house where apparently being used to sell drugs. Not long after that, Caleb and his roommates got busted and he has to call someone to bail him out, otherwise he will be sent into jail like a year ago.
So he called Damon, his trasition counselor. Damon wants to bail him out for one condition. Caleb has to join Re-START. It's a group of kids whose lives have been affected by reckless teen driving. He has no choice to choose, because no way he wants to back into jail.
Then, he choose to join Re-START. There he was shocked to meet Maggie. Apparently Maggie also join the group. There are some mix up of emotion between two of them. Maggie wants to close the story from her past but she can't stop thinking about Caleb. And Caleb has many things to be worried about, like his parents,Leah, and Maggie. I wouldn't say what were all that about but I really like it, even when they were arguing about sth, it's still amazing.
Ah~~they also made some friends during their Re-START camp. Lenny,Erin,Trish, and Matt. Lenny is so disgusting, Erin never say a word, Trish's a cute chick but snoring loudly (OMG), and Matt lost one of his hand because of car accident. They're all there for one reason, to stay out from jail. They shared beds, stories, and they even went to jail to give some motivations for the residents. (make me get more information about jail thing)
I was giggling when Caleb hold Maggie to the lake and kiss her. mwahaha That part was so cute...
And For God's sake I can't help myself not to laughing so hard when I read this :
I instinctively throw what I'm folding. Oops. A pair of panties, which he catches in one hand and holds up. It's a neutral-colored pair, without any designs.
"Please tell me these are your mom's."
"They're mine."
One of his eyebrows go up. "Maggie,panties are supposed to be sexy. These aren't. I hope you have one of these in every color to bring to Spain."
I snatch them back and shove them to the bottom of the basket. "What's wrong with my underware?"
"They're not sexy."
"They're comfy."
OMG!!!
The ending was hillarious. I really love this series. Caleb and Maggie have a perfect chemistry (reminds me to Alex and Brittany), I think Caleb and Maggie have been through so many things (mostly were the bad ones), but they survived, they moved on, and the most important thing is they learned to forgive. Forgive their past. Forgive people who hurt them, and Forgive themself who once ever become so stupid.
I learned so many things from this book. J'adore everything!!
-
2.75/5
Cliché y previsible son dos palabras que describen bastante bien a este libro, y esas dos palabras son exactamente las que tenia en mente cuando decidí leerlo.
Si debo admitir que estoy apegada a los personajes y leer que tuvieran un cierre me gusto más que el final tan abierto que tuvimos en el primer libro.
No creo que este libro fuera absolutamente necesario pero tan poco estuvo demás. Al compararlo con el primero este no es tan bueno. Pero algo que tiene muy a favor es que se lee en unas pocas horas, así que es perfecto para aquellos que van atrasados en su Goodreads Challenge. -
I feel so much better now that I've read this book. I loved the first one but I was annoyed that we didn't get the closure that was very much needed.
This, was much better.
Caleb and Maggie never had the ideal relationship to begin with and things aren't looking to good when these two meet up again eight months later.
Feelings are hurt-repeatedly, Games are played-repeated and I really wanted to knock these two heads together-repeatedly.
Caleb, at first was pretty much your standard jerk with an extra side of attitude just for kicks, the boy has issues. Maggie isn't any better and she was borderline irritating.
At one point or another, both of them pissed me off, I wanted to slap Caleb and I couldn't believe Maggie went there.
Lots of drama, lots of angst but we also got a whole lotta smiles.
Simone Elkeles style continues to impress and amaze me. The women knows how to write and can really deliver high strung emotions to a seemingly impossible situation. Her books are always an eager must read then gone to fast. It's never enough and I always seem to want more.
Basically I just loved this book, I loved the new faces we meet, I love Caleb and Maggie and think they have such a wonderfully unique bond that just makes my insides want to gush.
Through trust and truth we finally get an ending that was long past due and so worth the wait.
Heartwarming and honest, Return to Paradise and fall in love with Caleb and Maggie all over again! -
I was so happily surprised (and intensely affected) by
Leaving Paradise that I couldn't wait to start in on the sequel, the inevitably titled RETURN TO PARADISE. Honestly, I loved Maggie and Caleb so much that I savored the thought of them back on the page together, dealing with the awkward and ambiguous place they were unceremoniously left in at the end of the first book. Naturally, snagging an ARC of RETURN TO PARADISE was pretty high up on my list of things to do at BEA. And I hadn't even read the first book yet! I have to say I'm not loving the cover, though. The newer cover of
Leaving Paradise struck just the right note, when it comes to the fear and pain and connection between these two characters. The cover of the sequel just doesn't measure up, in my opinion. It probably doesn't help that that's not how I picture either of them and that kissing under the moonlight by a lake (while it may happen in the book) just doesn't really encompass the whole of what's going on in this story. But enough about that. On to the insides.
Maggie has worked for eight grueling months to put Caleb Becker and his inexplicable desertion behind her. She's gone over and over it in her mind and come to the conclusion that if he wasn't willing to tough it out and stay and fight to keep what was between them alive, then she's not going to waste her life crying over the loss. And she's doing a fine job of moving on. Getting ready to leave for Spain on study abroad, Maggie is spending her summer participating in a teen outreach program wherein she travels with a group of other kids whose lives were altered by substance abuse or violence or unutterably bad decisions, giving talks to other teens who might be on the verge of trouble. Unfortunately, Maggie's resolve is put to the test when Caleb abruptly joins the group. Dragged back from wherever he'd disappeared to by his former transition counselor Damon, this trip is Caleb's last chance to redeem himself and avoid being sent back to jail for living with drug dealers for the last several months. Against their better judgement, Maggie and Caleb set out on the venture, unwilling and unhappy trip mates. Of course there are a few other misfits along for the ride and their stories get interwoven with this one, but the focus remains on the emotional damage these two have undergone in the last year and the large chasm that has cropped up between them when once they were so close.
I don't really know how to put this. But this book was a very big disappointment. Where the first was such a wonderfully absorbing surprise, this one meandered on and on until I had to force myself to finish it. The writing was simply not up to par with that of her previous books and this was one instance of the uncorrected mistakes in the ARC frequently distracting me. I realize these will be corrected in the final version. But the main problem I had with it were actually the odd changes in the two principal characters. Caleb was rough in the first book. As a direct result of spending a year in juvie, he was necessarily changed by the experience. But he was never mean. Coarse and frustrated and full to the brim with anger, yes. But never mean. In an unpleasantly snarky way. And certainly not to Maggie. That hesitant reserve he had when it came to her was such a highlight for me. But in RETURN TO PARADISE, he is mean. Downright lousy sometimes. I didn't buy it, I didn't like it, and it was painful to read not only because of how it affected the other characters but because it felt inauthentic to me as the reader. Maggie was vulnerable and afraid in the first book. As a direct result of the accident that left her maimed, she was understandably that way. And she does grow a spine in this book. Or at least we're to believe she has. But she seems to waffle back and forth all over the place when it comes to taking what Caleb deals her and that, too, felt wrong to me somehow. These two knew each other better than that. Their connection was real and fine and worth reading about before. And I know there needs to be conflict and tension to provide fodder for a sequel at all, but it just came off as messy and immature here. Which is such a shame, as I truly missed that breathtaking, organic connection from
Leaving Paradise. So definitely don't miss the first book. But unfortunately I'd recommend giving this one a pass and just imagining up the ending you'd like in your head instead. -
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After finishing Leaving Paradise I was so excited to start this book…. I headed for it straight away. I was really worried that I would be disappointed with it, just because I’d hear a few negative reviews but it’s safe to say……Simone Elkeles has done it again and completely blown me away again. Wow! Just wow!
Return to Paradise starts 8 months later meeting Caleb in trouble. When he’s been arrested and faces jail time, Caleb has known one else to turn to but his former mentor Damon. Damon can get him out of trouble providing Caleb joins a Re-Start Programme for kids affected by drunk driving. The morning of the trip Caleb finds himself face to face with Maggie…..who is also taking part in the programme. Thinking everything will be fine, both Caleb and Maggie fight their attraction for one another and both wishing they could finally reveal what really happened on the night of the crash.
I honestly have to say wow again! Honestly, wow! I thought the first book was fantastic but this was a completely different read. I’ve never been more on edge while reading a book; I just couldn’t keep my excitement in. You’re thrown into the lives of Caleb and Maggie from the first page and the passion of their relationship is just completely undeniable once again.
We get to see a whole new different side to both of the characters. They’ve both grown over the 8 months they been apart but they’ve both become stronger…Maggie especially. She finally comes out of the shell she has been living in since the accident and after losing Caleb, she finally starts trying to live her life with no regrets and really try to be a different person. Now Caleb…he’s had a hard time during the 8 months apart but my god, I’ve never meet anyone more stubborn all my life. I did sometimes want to give him a good shake but I’m glad he finally came to terms with everything that had happened since the accident. He did grow as a character by the end of the book and I loved that we got to see a different side to him.
I also really enjoyed the new characters that were introduced even though they were all battling their own problems, they all came together and were funny, caring and so much fun to read about. I loved that Simone managed to bring some of them back to Paradise and created a happy ending for them as she could of.
Overall, not only has Simone managed to write a fantastic sequel but she has managed to pack this story with even more emotion, more passion and more intense scenes that will leave the reader dying to finish the book. A fantastic end to a fantastic series and one I know I will read over and over again. Highly recommended to all. -
Ich hasse es wirklich, wenn Leute „Yolo" sagen. Aber für dieses Buch und seinen Vorgänger muss ich diesen Begriff, weil die Charaktere mir gezeigt haben, dass das Leben zu kurz ist, um es zu verschwenden. Caleb und andere Menschen in dieser Geschichte haben die Erfahrung gemacht, dass „Yolo" manchmal nicht die richtige Lebenseinstellung ist und manchmal genau die Richtige. Ich weiß, es hört sich verrückt an, aber es ist so. Diese Geschichte hat mich so viel über Liebe, Freundschaft, Familie und das Leben an sich gelehrt. Ich bin dankbar dafür, dass Simone Elkeles so viele wundervolle Bücher schreibt und ich hoffe, sie will noch viele mehr schreiben.
4.5/5 für die Fortsetzung.
4/5 für die komplette Dilogie. -
This was great! I had been a little disappointed in the first novel, so I'm really happy about this one. Luckily, what I was missing in Leaving Paradise was delivered by Elkeles in Return to Paradise. The tension between Maggie and Caleb was tangible and convincing. I finished the book within a few hours.
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I loved Leaving Paradise series more than Perfect Chemistry. I know,everyone is like "What?". I mean,I liked the bad-boys-Alex and Carlos,but still somehow this story was just more appealing to me.
I felt more connected to Caleb and Maggie and to their life.
S.E.writing is so beautiful. -
Liked the first one more but this was great
Rating: 5 Stars.
Steam: 5 out of 10.
Triggers:
Love Triangle:
Cheating:
HEA: -
No me ha gustado nada la historia de Maggie y Caleb. Estos dos libros han sido una decepción absoluta, una de las peores historias de amor que he leído. Me ha gustado única y exclusivamente como escribe Simone pero la trama de la bilogía y sus protagonistas no me han gustado nada, nada y nada. Me ha resultado odiosa esta obra. Es más, ha habido momentos del libro, escenas de Caleb con otras tías, donde he sentido auténtico asco. No suelo decir esto pero estos dos libros los habría echado a la hoguera, y a sus protagonistas también. Paradise y Retorno a Paradise es de lo peor que he leído. Simone escribe muy, muy bien, pero esa trama y esos personajes son ruinosos.
MI RESEÑA COMPLETA DE AMBOS LIBROS AQUÍ:
http://mayuamoraprimeravista.blogspot... -
This is an outstanding sequel to LEAVING PARADISE! I couldn't put this book down. I rarely would describe a novel as exquisite, but it fits. Once again, Simone Elkeles draws the reader in by alternating between Caleb and Maggie's narration, and it works beautifully.
RETURN TO PARADISE is a richly written, emotionally charged novel that will leave you satisfied, but also wishing that the last page didn't come so quickly.
What makes Simone Elkeles's books (including this one) so fabulous is the realistic portrayal of characters from all different life experiences. She doesn't shy away from the tough issues that teens face today. She seamlessly integrates sexuality, disabilities, race, religion and faith, love, family dynamics, drug use, and divorce. All of Simone Elkeles's main characters face difficult challenges and Caleb and Maggie are no exception. There is no sugar coating life, but love can make a person better, can help to overcome obstacles, and can give strength when you're feeling weak. -
— ¿Maggie?
— ¿Sí?
—Gracias.
— ¿Por qué?
—Por hacerme sentir vivo otra vez.
Yo tenía una gran necesidad de ver a Maggie y Caleb reunirse. Y aunque los secretos no hacían mas que separarlos, el destino los volvió a juntar, lejos de Paradise, donde no solo deben convivir, sino que tienen que enfrentar el hecho de abrirse, confiar en el otro y confesar realmente que pasó aquella noche tan fatídica.
Me gustó verlos crecer, fortalecerse y luchar contra y por su amor. Era hora de que fueran sinceros. Me dolió verlos así, enfrentados pero muriendo por estar juntos.
Un libro sobre la amistad, el amor y la lealtad. A veces, tenemos que decir la verdad, porque lo que ayuda a unos a otros los mata lentamente. No era cuestión de hacer pagar a alguien por algo, sino de hacer las cosas como son, la verdad ante todo. No por hacer justicia, sino por ser sinceros con nosotros mismos y con quienes mas amamos. Caleb y Maggie se merecían esa verdad.
A veces, las personas que menos imaginamos a veces son las que mas cerca nuestro están.
Hermoso final, para una gran historia. -
I finished this in one day just like the other one. I am so proud of myself.
There were some problems though.
Caleb royally annoyed me. He threw everything they did back at Maggie using the blowhorn. Jesus, who does that? He mocked everything and said they slept together.
Me: Can I slap him?
(I invisioned how to do it too)
He was such an ass in this book except for the ending though. He was much more cruel to Maggie in this book and it angered me. He wanted to end it with her even though she admitted everything and showed him her scars. They werent together and he was acting like she was his enemy.
Maggie, she is one of my favorite book characters. She's awesome, fantastic, brave, etc. I loved her.
I feel very sad that I can't learn more about whats going to happen with Caleb and Maggie. -
Meh...I guess I was expecting more romance and a grovelling Caleb after the way he left her in the last one and we didn't really get that. No it was all arguments and then apologies and then more arguments.
If I'm honest I was going to give it two stars up until the epilogue, and then one bit bumped it up half a star or so because Caleb from
Leaving Paradise appeared and made good on something he said in the first.
As for some of the other characters. They really grew on me, Lenny definitely had by the end after some of the stupid things he'd said and done in the first part of the book. Julio wasn't such a bad guy. Kendra...huh.
I wasn't all together impressed with this but there were some quite sweet bits and some rather hot bits that made it worthwhile if you want to read how Maggie and Caleb's story ends. -
This was a great conclusion. I enjoyed these books a lot and this wrapped up really well. I like that Maggie really comes out of her shell and stops pitying herself. She knows what she wants and she is working towards it. Caleb is trying to figure out his life and I think he matures a lot throughout this book. He takes responsibility for his actions and finally goes for what he wants. There is drama and hurt feelings, but the drama makes the romance that much better. This was a quick read and the audio was great.
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Fun fact about me: there is one book plot that I don't read. If a book contains it, I stop reading immediately, and this book contains it.
Boy and girl break up. Boy and girl want to be with one another but refuse to tell each other. Therefore boy decides the only way to get over girl is to have sex with every other girl he sees to help him forget. Girl is left heartbroken. (and here I'm assuming this will follow the pattern) Girl and boy end up together, girl having "forgotten" all the different women he slept with to get over her.
No thank you. -
Preciosa y emotiva parte final de la bilogía que ha cumplido con las expectativas. Gran saga. Ahora no dudaré en leer la de los hermanos.
