Leaving Paradise by Simone Elkeles (2008) Paperback

When a drunk driving accident leaves Maggie scarred—both physically and emotionally—and sends Caleb to juvenile detention, their small town brands them as irredeemable: the victim and the criminal. But when Caleb returns home after a year away, he and Maggie find themselves unexpectedly drawn together as the only two people who truly understand the weight of that night's consequences. As they navigate the painful process of healing and confront the uncomfortable truths about what really happened, they discover that sometimes the person who hurt you most might also be the one who can help you move forward. It's a raw, emotionally complex journey about accountability, forgiveness, and finding unexpected connection in the darkest places.