BOOK REVIEW: Return to Paradise (Leaving Paradise #2) by Simone Elkeles

I finally decided to make a review of Return to Paradise after 3 days I think. I finished reading this a few days ago and it got  me all mixed up. I was teary-eyed for quite some time and honestly I just needed the entire story to sink in. Gosh! Simone Elkeles is really awesome isn't she? How does she come up with these wonderful stories that really tear into out hearts?

First of all, I admire Maggie for growing up and becoming  more independent and less needy in this novel. She's one strong girl and I just admire her for that. She had a lot of growing up to do and I'm just glad that she finally learned how to stand up for herself and to actually fight for what she wants. I think the trip that reunited Caleb and Maggie is something that the two of them truly needed.

And as for Caleb. Hmm. Seriously, the guy is either unlucky or he just makes a lot of wrong choices. Anyway, he has an awesome heart. I think he needed Maggie to keep him grounded  most of the time. Maggie needed him in the first novel but he needed her more in this one. Everything just seemed so difficult for the both of them. The guy has a good heart. I guess he just feels like he can't really depend on anyone since his entire family was just so messed up. Anyway, I still think Caleb is such a dreamboat.

Overall, this is another one of Simone's awesome novels. Deym! She needs to write more. I just loved everything about this novel. The introduction of new characters were just so awesome and was much needed. I love the fact that Julio, who seemed so misguided when he first appeared in Leaving Paradise had a very important role in this one. Even Lenny who seemed like a douche from the very start contributed something. Everyone seriously had a role in making everything right and for some reason this made it all the more awesome. No annoying characters  here! I'm just really happy that they all got the ending that they deserve and that Caleb was able to start all over again. Anyway, Simone never fails to impress me and this is another two thumbs up for me She got me crying, smiling, laughing and everything. The steamy scenes between Caleb and Maggie were to die for as well. An easy 5/5 stars.

BOOK REVIEW: Twenty Boy Summer by Sarah Ockler

I finished reading Twenty Boy Summer by Sarah Ockler a few hours ago. This is meant to be part of my usual contemporary reads after reading a bunch of dystopians or paranormals. I usually shift to contemporary so as not to get tired of reading the same genre again and again. Anyway, I've heard great things about this novel and so I had it and Bittersweet reserved for me at FullyBooked.

I won't go into the summary of the story since I might just end up spoiling the entire novel but I just have to mention that it's about three friends. A boy called Matt, his sister, Frankie and Anna, their next door neighbor. Anyway, Matt and Anna sort of had a relationship but just when he was about to tell Frankie about it he dies. Anyway, I really liked Anna. For some reason, I liked the fact that she tried her very best to be strong for everyone especially Frankie. She's definitely a friend worth keeping. Her loyalty towards Matt and Frankie was definitely something that I admired. I really liked her for being an awesome friend even if Frankie did something cruel. Anyway, she's possibly one of those strong characters throughout the novel. And frankly, I just wanted to be there for her since no one seemed to even bother to ask her whether she's okay or not. Everyone just assumed that she was and she never complained or anything.

Then there's Frankie. To be totally honest, I found Frankie to be very superficial. I know for a fact that she was just trying to cope with her loss but she just seemed superficial to me. I really wanted to strangle her when she did what she did to Anna. Personally, I think Anna deserved someone better than her but alas, Anna is such an awesome person and I guess friendship really does prevail most of the time.

I really enjoyed reading this.  I thought I was going to get tired of it at some point but I never did. I really liked most of the characters. Matt and Frankie's parents, Red and Jayne, were probably two of my favorite characters in the novel. I really liked how perceptive Jayne was. Somehow, she always knew when something was up. And as for the Twenty Boy Summer title, it's titled as such because of the dare between Anna and Frankie. There were two constant boys throughout the novel though, Sam and Jake. I really liked Sam. I think he's an awesome listener and is probably the only person who even bothered to ask whether Anna is okay or not. Anyway, I think I devoured this novel. I thought it was going to be one of those sappy teen love novels but apparently it is something more. It made me cry. It made  me laugh. And for some reason it made me think that life is too short for us to let every opportunity pass us by. It was about letting go, moving forward and friendship. Anyway, I'd definitely recommend this to everyone.

RATING: 4.5/5 STARS