Tea avec Books: Review: Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell [SPOILERS]

Title: Eleanor & Park

Author: Rainbow Rowell

Series: n/a

Format: Paperback (paid for myself)

Rating: 5/5

WARNING: This review contains spoilers!

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Goodreads description: When Eleanor first meets Park, she thinks he's obnoxious. When Park first meets Eleanor, he thinks she's weird. It is hate at first sight. But as they suffer each other's company in silence on the bus rides from and to home every day, Eleanor and Park realise that first impressions can be deceiving.

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Favourite quotes: 'Jesus. Was it possible to rape somebody's hand?'

"We're going to listen to music in my room." "Fine," his dad said from under the sink. "Just don't get anybody pregnant."

"I want to be the last person who ever kisses you, too... That sounds bad, like a death threat or something. What I'm trying to say is, you're it. This is it for me."

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My review: This book reminded me why I love to read although I was honestly a little worried whether I'd even like this book before I began it. I'd previously read two of Rainbow Rowell's books (Fangirl and Attatchments), both of which I loved and ended up being two of my favourite reads of last year, however the review from John Green on the front put me off a little. I was worried that Eleanor & Park might be quite upsetting and heavy going which are the type of books I usually avoid (sorry John Green). However, while some of the issues in this book were a lot heavier than Fangirl and Attachments, this was balanced out by the humour and the adorableness of Eleanor and Park's relationship. THEY WERE JUST SO ADORABLE. Rainbow Rowell does such an amazing job of creating characters that you fall in love with from the very first page. I loved all their quirks and the initial awkwardness of their relationship. They both felt like such realistic characters.

I also loved, loved, loved the ending. I was a bit worried when I saw how much of the book was left when Eleanor still hadn't made contact with Park but I think the ending was perfect for them. I don't usually like ambiguous endings but this seemed perfect for them. I started blubbering with happiness as soon as I'd read the last word!

Although I've currently got a TBR list as long as my arm I'm definitely going to make sure I get to Landline this year because if its anything like her other three books I know I'm going to love it.

Have you read any of Rainbow Rowell's books?