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Danielle Hearts Books

20-something student and avid reader, reading and reviewing anything and everything under the sun (although YA definitely dominates)

Book Review: Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell

Eleanor & Park - Rainbow Rowell

Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell

Release Date: 12th April 2012 

Publisher: Orion Books

Format: eBook
Pages: 252
Rating: 4.0/5.0

 

Summary from Goodreads:

"Set over the course of one school year in 1986, Eleanor and Park is the story of two star-crossed misfits - smart enough to know that first love almost never lasts, but brave and desperate enough to try. When Eleanor meets Park, you'll remember you own first love - and just how hard it pulled you under."

 

Review:

Overall, I enjoyed this, but I don't think it lived up to all the hype. 

 

So what did I like? Well, I thought the romance was super cute. I caught myself stupidly grinning to myself after reading something because it was just so. damn. cute. And I liked Eleanor's story. It's not something I've read a lot of, and it was interesting to juxtapose Eleanor's life with Park's. And also super cute that they found that connection, in spite of their different backgrounds. And I thought the ending was very fitting - bittersweet, maybe not what people wanted, but it fit with the story.

 

So what didn't I like? Well, the romance felt a little instalovey to me. Eleanor and Park hardly knew each other before they were declaring full blown love (well, at least one of them was). They basically started a relationship before they even started talking to one another. It just didn't feel like a natural progression. And on top of that, I was waiting for this OMG moment, which I assumed would happen because everyone raves about this book. And I think I know which moment that was supposed to be, but it wasn't an OMG moment for me. It was completely reasonable and not entirely surprising. Sad, yes, but surprising, no. 

 

Overall, I enjoyed this, but not as much as I thought I would. I enjoyed the plot and the dual perspective. But, everything was pulled down by the instalovey relationship that the story was centred on.