Park instantly thinks of Eleanor as odd. Eleanor considers Park to be rude. And yet somehow over the course they go from being uncomfortable strangers sharing a seat on the school bus to being the centre of the other's universe. 
 For me, books set in the not-so-distant past are often hit or miss. Eleanor and Park is a hit. Rainbow Rowell has a way of mentioning past events, pop-culture references and the way life was in the eighties that instantly felt authentic. Park with his comic books and cassette playing walkman is a kid who doesn't fit in because he's half-Korean but no one can touch because he's schooled in martial arts. With her eccentric outfits and crazy hair, Eleanor is misunderstood. 
 This book deals with some tough issues - Eleanor's home life is troubled - and I liked how Rainbow dealt with those. I loved the contrast between Eleanor and Park in nearly every aspect of their lives. The progression of their relationship was beautiful and different. It's a gradual progression where I felt like both parties were perfect for the other. The supporting characters are strong but didn't leave a lasting impact however they did a good job of carrying the plot along. 
 I think that Eleanor and Park will appeal to fans of quirky romances with tough issues. The setting adds to the plot and the music references just add to the enjoyment of the book.