Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell

Pages: 336
Released:  February 26, 2013
Publisher:  St. Martin's Griffin

Quick Recap:  Two teenagers that nobody would expect to form a relationship do just that - much to the chagrin of those around them.  It's a romance for those that love romance novels...and also for those that hate them.  No matter your background, this is one book you won't want to put down.

The Plot:  Red-headed Eleanor is an overweight, frumpy, disheveled mess.  She comes from an extremely broken home, and struggles to fit in anywhere.  She's basically Carrie without the telekinetic powers.  Park is a cool, music-and-comic-obsessed Asian dude who has a loving family and a place at the cool-kids table.  These two should not be together.  But through a series of events, they end up a couple, but everything seems to be working against them, and even they know deep down that this great romance is likely on borrowed time.

Thoughts:  For the record, I usually avoid romance novels like the plague.  I wasn't even crazy about the much loved John Green novel The Fault in Our Stars.  But Rainbow & Park was getting rave reviews from both critics, adults, and teens, so I figured I would give it a try.  So glad I did!  This story was virtually sap free.  Sure, some of the dialog was cutesy, but it was also believable.  The author, Rainbow Rowell, was not insulting to teens.  In my opinion, she has the teen voice down much better than John Green.  Throughout the novel, Rowell balances palpable tension with genuine joy, and for 95% of the book, it's entirely believable.  It's an emotional trek, but one worth taking.

Favorite Scene:  I really loved Park's parents, specifically his father in one scene that involved handling the news of a fight that broke out on the school bus.  While Park's mother flips out, his father almost seems to take pride in his son for defending the honor of his girlfriend.  I loved the interaction between Park and both of his parents in this scene, and it was just one of many moments in the Park house that brought a smile to my face.

If I Could Change Something:  Teens swear.  My word they do, I'm not ignorant.  But if the two F words on page one are any indication, the author isn't afraid to drive that point home.  I wish there had been a little more restraint with the profanity for the sole reason of making this book more accessible to younger teens.  Whether or not it's justified, I know a number of parents who would not allow their children to read this book due solely because of the constant cussing.  Also, the only time this book had a narrative misstep, for me, was near the end during a climactic scene where Park's father behaves in a way that I just cannot believe any rational adult would.  His father could have just stayed asleep and not gotten involved - if you've read the book, you'll know what that means.

Reluctant Reader Approved:  For the most part, yes.  I think readers of all ages will really be invested in the two leads, as well as the great supporting characters.  The character development is phenomenal, even on the level of the small supporting characters.

Overall Score:  I would give this book an 8 out of 10.  One of the year's best, for sure.