Eleanor and Park is a teenage love story about two people from very different worlds.

I have one thing to say.

The feels are real.

[WARNING: SPOILERS INCLUDED]

My heart melted when they held hands for the first time.

When he would whisper to her on the bus.

When she rested her head on his shoulder and he held her hand against his heart.

Such a beautiful book. Rainbow Rowell. . . Rainbow Rowell can I be your best friend?

Please? I’m a joy, honest.

I did come into this book with a false impression of it being a “light, easy read”.

Megan is right, with just a peek at Eleanor’s life, I would not say this is a “light” read. Easy read, but a serious situation.

I can’t imagine what it would be like to be in Eleanor’s shoes. I honestly don’t want to. If your life is even a sliver of hers, I feel for you.

What makes this book so beautiful is that Park becomes her life and her joy. Ugh, did I mention the FEELINGS??

I absolutely love how real Rainbow Rowell made Eleanor. At the end, Eleanor thinks of her siblings and how bad it would be to leave them. But Eleanor calls it as it is. She says that if this were a hero story, she would return to save her brothers and sisters, even if it was in vain. But Eleanor knew it wasn’t a hero story, so she calls herself selfish and escapes alone.

Let’s talk about Park for a second.

Can we all take a moment to admit we love Park?

Rainbow Rowell, my gosh!

Favorite Park moments that make him so real to me (tell me yours in the comments):

– When he noticed Eleanor reading his comics, so he opens the pages a little wider.

– The eyeliner issue.

– When he gets mad that Eleanor fell asleep hours before they were going to say goodbye.

I’m that person everyone hates because I’m constantly trying to guess the ending of things: movies, jokes, books, etc.

I could not guess the ending of this book.

I thought:

Is it going to be a Romeo And Juliet? Are they both gonna die by the hand of Richie?

Is Eleanor’s family going to move their misery to the next town, leaving us all heartbroken for Eleanor and Park’s relationship and Eleanor’s family?

I was basically ready for someone to die or tragedy to become them all.

Instead, Eleanor just doesn’t write him back?

Someone please explain girl logic to me. However, it was 2am when I finished this book, I might’ve missed something.

Was she just scared? She was afraid of love?

I’M SO READY TO READ YOUR THOUGHTS IN THE COMMENTS.

I absolutely loved this book. I will be reading it again, it was that good.

My only issue I had was at the end, when Park says. . .

“Oh hey, Dad, Eleanor’s step-dad? The crazy drunk? He’s after her in a pervy-murderous way so I’m going to take my new license and drive her across state alone.”

Dad says there’s one condition. Good job, Dad, go with the teenagers! Don’t let them go alone! They’ll get stopped by the crazy man and he’ll kill them both! Or, Park will drive the car off a cliff and kill them both. No, Dad. YOU drive.

Dad: “Drive the truck, which is a stick-shift that you’ve never mastered, and then you can help your girlfriend run away from the crazy drunk who’s after her in a pervy-murderous way.”

And the #1 BEST DAD AWARD goes to. . .

Did anyone else take issue with this?

1. What were your favorite moments in the book?

2. Guys, did you fall in love with Eleanor the same way us girls fell in love with Park?

3. What do you think Rainbow Rowell was trying to convey in this story?

4. What do you think were the three words on Eleanor’s post card?

I love you. Let’s break up. Hate your guts. Dyed my hair. (I’m being facetious.)

I want to know your thoughts!

I give this book a four-point-five!

MORE FROM YOU GUYS!

Thanks for participating, everyone! Next month’s book is “Paper Towns” by John Green!