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Eleanor & Park ~ Recalling Your First Love

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First loves can be compared to a burning candle.  As bright as a first love can shine when it first is lit, when it dies or is snuffed out, it can truly burn out as quickly as that same candle was ignited when blown out.

I know I totally remember my first love.  And will tell you as glorious as this love felt as I was knee deep in it, when it was over, it was definitely over.

I recall those butterflies and how over the moon excited, I was by this person.  He literally put me on cloud nine and had all my nerve endings set ablaze.

Before him, I never knew these types of feelings were even possible, so this was truly foreign and new territory for me at that tender young age of my life.

I also will never forget wanting to spend every waking moment drinking in this feeling, as well as wanting to be with him always.

But once again when it ended, I definitely was like someone had deflated a balloon or indeed blown out that burring candle, because it was most certainly over and just like that I had somewhat landed back to earth.  Not that it didn’t hurt; it definitely did, but there was just no going back.

Well, when I read the Goodreads description for the book Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell, I truly was transported back, so to speak, to my own first love and all the wonderful, yet tragic circumstances surrounding it.

Eleanor & Park Book Cover

Here is the Goodreads Synopsis:

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 your own first love – and just how hard it pulled you under.

Here is the thing, the two characters are honestly nothing like that of me or my ex-first love.

I definitely wasn’t one of the popular girls, but I wasn’t an outcast like Eleanor and yet I could certainly relate to all of her emotions and feelings that she felt towards Park, because like Eleanor I was as I shared earlier definitely been there and done that.

And my first ex-love was not from a interracial marriage, but actually he was from a recently divorced family, which made him all that much more vulnerable and tragic of a figure in my teen years, as Park was to Eleanor.

But one thing that is certain, you do never forget your first love and reading this book certainly proves that, because as I was reading I surely did remember that time in my life fondly and must say the author captured first love perfectly and transports the reader back there in her very own book time machine.

So, the above description on Goodreads definitely was so very true.  I also want to add and share that, I read the sample first on my iPad and at first wasn’t totally sold on this book.  A few other bloggers shared their interest in this book and even how they read it, enjoying it.

I decided to give it a try then and as slow going as the lead-in and setup was in the sample, once the love story took off the book was fast paced and very entertaining.  I actually read and finished the book once I actually got into the main plot in less then two days time.

So, my final assessment is to give Eleanor & Park a whirl and don’t think you will be sorry, because I think we all have had that first love and this book surely will remind all of their experience indeed with their first loves.

Happy Reading!

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About Janine

Janine is a published author of the books, The Mother of All Meltdowns and Only Trollops Shave Above the Knee. She has been featured on The Huffington Post, Mamapedia, Today Parenting Team and SheKnows. She also runs her own graphic design company at J9 Designs.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  2. Leah says

    Sounds like an interesting book! I am watching my kids now as they start to have crushes and feelings… Not sure I’ll be able to handle their first love and heartbreak!!!

  3. tamaralikecamera says

    This is why we're twins – I started it two days ago! I'm into it, so far. I even have another of her (his?) books lined up to start after. My librarian gives me great recommendations and she gave me these.
    My recent post It’s In The Way That You Use It.

  5. Cathy says

    It sounds like a great summer read, Janine! No, you never forget your first love. Which makes our loving husbands all the more important (if the marriage is a good one) by showing us what REAL love is all about, eh?

    Thanks for the review!

    • Janine Huldie says

      I know so did I Katie and finally decided, I too had to read it. Hope you get to read this one soon, too 🙂

    • Janine Huldie says

      Kate, I have yet to read anything else by her, but will admit that it was a fun read, but have read others that have left me speechless – this didn’t but still enjoyed 🙂

  8. Rosey says

    Aww it is so nice to revisit happy feelings, I agree. 🙂 I remember my first love, I'm very very very glad that didn't turn into a long-term thing. 😉

  10. Billybuc says

    How weird. That's what my hub was about yesterday.

    Have a great day, Janine…the sun is shining and life is good.

    • Janine Huldie says

      I love when we are this in in sync, Bill and think great minds definitely do think alike!! Totally beautiful warm summer day here, too and hope you enjoy, as well now!! 🙂

  11. karenssoiree says

    Yay! I need a new book to read and I'm definitely going to get this book! When I think of my first love it reminds me what a different person I was back then. I stayed in that relationship way too long!
    My recent post Banana Ice Cream Recipe

    • Janine Huldie says

      Karen, I was the same way. Totally a different person and definitely it’s
      Stayed in the relationship way, too long myself. Hope you get to read soon and enjoy 🙂

  12. Undiagnosedbut says

    I liked Eleanor and Park. Like you, I read it because of someone else's recommendation. Glad you enjoyed it

    • Janine Huldie says

      I know it is hard to forget this part of our lives, but still just glad we got through it one piece. Enjoy your midweek, too and hope that you are feeling a bit better today 🙂

  19. dianeroark says

    Janine,

    This truly sounds like a great book. It reminds me of a good Hallmark movie which I love. My first love is now my husband. I would say he pulled me under.
    Thanks so much for sharing,
    Diane Roark
    My recent post Wonderful Wednesday Blog Hop #78

  20. day-with-kt.com says

    Sounds like a fun summer read – perfect for laying in the sun soaking up the heat and remembering a time from our past!!!
    My recent post Growing Up

    • Janine Huldie says

      Total beach, sun and summer read and hope you get to read soon and enjoy it now, Kim 🙂

  21. Nellie says

    You already know that I totally trust your book reviews!! Will add this to the list 🙂
    My recent post Weekly Wednesday Workout: Kneeling Rear Leg Raises

    • Janine Huldie says

      Aww, huge thank you for saying that and so glad you are adding this to your list now 🙂

    • Janine Huldie says

      I know the feeling and will tell you had I not had my heart broken in my early twenties, I too would never have met my husband either.

  23. vitatrain4life says

    Interesting. Of course I will never forget my first love – the joy and pain of it all – and would certainly not want to go back. But, if a good book can transport you? I'm down with that!! Thanks for the review. I'll have to add this to my LONG list…
    My recent post Fact or Fiction? Spain Edition

    • Janine Huldie says

      Happy to share my review and I am with you that I definitely wouldn’t go back per day, but the book did bring back some memories. Hope you get to read soon now 😉

  24. spiritedlife says

    Stop giving me books to read! LOL! My Goodreads list is getting longer and longer. I need to take some time to actually read the books on it. Thanks for keeping me up to date with some good ones! 🙂
    My recent post How to Get Fit After Having a Baby ~ Postpartum Fitness {Guest Post}

    • Janine Huldie says

      Sorry, but not sorry I gave you more to add to your reading list, April and let me know if you do read this one, what you think 😉

  25. gigigirl says

    First loves are very special. What amazes me is how you manage to read books with your busy schedule! This one sounds good. xxoo

    • Janine Huldie says

      Aunt Gloria, I read this book over a month ago and now I am lucky if I am reading a chapter or two a night with my crazy schedule!! 🙂 xoxo!!

  27. themomcafe says

    I love your honest take on the book Janine! That just speaks volumes about YOU and your character and proves how trustworthy you are. (This I already know!) The books really sounds good! And now I know that if I start it and don't 'feel' the pull- I will keep reading because it will eventually be a fulfilling read. Thank you for that!
    My recent post Love Cares, Love Helps, Love Lifts… The Weight We Bear

  28. Lauren says

    First loves. Ah. When I was growing up I thought I was "in love" all the time. Did you? I remember writing a letter to Jordan Knight from New Kids on the Block when I was in third grade or so. It started with, "I know you are 19 and I'm in 3rd grade, but I think this could work." Seriously. I was pretty determined.

    In any case–this looks like a great book!
    My recent post Summer days.

    • Janine Huldie says

      Melanie, I think you would like this book and I am like you about exploring outside my reading comfort zone. Hope you too are enjoying your day 🙂

  30. Alison says

    Ah, first loves. The first love I *thought* I had? Turned out he wasn't really someone I was in love with. Ah well. Live and learn.

  32. Amber says

    I want to read that book! It’s on my ToRead list. I recently finished Fangirl by the same author and really enjoyed it.

  36. Mrs. AOK says

    I totally have seen this book around and wondered about it, now I’m adding to my growing list. I remember those first love days, and sadly, I remember the deflation too…
    I guess it’s a good thing however, it will help me with the kids when they experience it too.
    XOXO

  37. Bev says

    My first love is actually getting married in a few weeks (and I’ll be attending his wedding, thankfully we stayed good friends, despite some heartbreak many, many years ago). This sounds like a great book…I’m always on the hunt for a good read!

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