The narrative is refreshingly told by two unconventional leads - new-girl Eleanor, a chubby red-head girl, and Park, a half-Korean boy who likes wearing eyeliner. Their friendship begins tenderly on the school bus and quickly flourishes into first love. 
 I found this more relatable than most YA novels. Rainbow Rowell nailed all the concerns, fears, guilty thoughts you think and feel when entering a relationship, like Eleanor's jealously over Park's first girlfriend and Park admitting to himself that he doesn't want his first girlfriend to 'get over him'. I enjoyed these moments of honesty. 
 I also was absolutely enthralled with the intensity of feeling that was conveyed through the typical language teenagers use to express themselves. Their conversations, embarrassing moments, and especially the volume at which they love each other was so wonderfully familiar - exactly what you want from YA. 
 There is a bit of we-can't-be-together-just-because towards the end, but I guess it's hard to write a YA novel without it. 
 For those who are hesitant to pick up YA novels (i.e. me), I'd say try this one on for size.