Eleanor and Park is a fictional story that intrigues from the start (because, hey, I'm not a big fan of contemporary stories so I always wonder how one ends). Then when it's time for the big reveal towards the end, it almost has my eye pop out. 
 Eleanor and Park played with my emotions. It's not often I get so emotionally vested in a story line. And the sentiments and thrills keep coming like the story got away from the author. And I've never wanted characters in a book to die so bad. But I liked it, anyway. 
 Okay, first of all, nobody died. (view spoiler)[ I just thought Eleanor would commit suicide because she felt like it was the dead end. If it was John Green, he would not hesitate to. But no, nobody died. I just wished someone did. At least. Her step-dad, perhaps? (hide spoiler)] 
 I am never a fan of contemporary pure romantic high school stories. It kills my mood. Not that I hate happy-ending stories, but reality check, we cannot guaranty it especially if you're young when you fell in love. 
 Anyway, characters. 
 I love the characters. We have the first Asian-male, Park, and Eleanor, a fat, or she thinks so, female protagonists. They were not perfect, they were flawed. They were the soft, strong and smart character. Soft enough to care, strong to handle the situations and smart when to walk away. (Okay, I got that quote from Tumblr. Or Twitter. I can't remember now. So ctto.) 
 I love Mindy. Ugh. I love her. She's clever, assertive, and sassy as a motherf*cker. Park's parent was so damn cool. I want to be like them I get old. Like legit. While Eleanor's parent were assholes. So her mom was so dumb for marrying her step-dad and so coward to report him and stand up on her own and family. Her step-dad was a total jerk. Her actual dad was an a-hole for leaving them behind. Like wth? It's ruined. 
 Plot and writing-wise. 
 Eleanor and Park was a deliciously well-written this book is. The heartfelt nature of this book made me feel it to the core. The writing is superbly done. The author weaves the story so incredibly well, that you really do not see the reveal coming. 
 Although the story was short, then again the literary standard and the layout of the work are nicely connected and have a smooth flow to it, there weren't any problems or issues that were really solved, right? Like what happened to Eleanor's family? Where have they gone? Step-dad should be in prison. Who bullied Eleanor and dumped her clothes in the toilet during gym class? And what the heck was the three words written on the post card? 
 The ending was what made this book heart-wrenching and a bit shocking. I actually had to re-read a part of the ending just to make sure I read correctly the first time - I did. Then, the last scene was just so bittersweet. 
 I don't know but the ending was just so relatable. You know how it feels to just give up on love by not trying, not opening your heart again after heartbreaks or just not trusting anyone you see because of your history? Like there's no one in the world for you and you just want to give up on love altogether. Yep, something like that. 
 It was actually an open ending, but I hope Eleanor found the courage to get up, change her life, and do things that gave her confidence and joy. Anyway, she's just 17 y/o. I hope she can just enjoy it.