Title: Perfect Chemistry
Author: Simone Elkeles
Pages: 360
Publisher: Walker Books for Young Readers
Publisher: Walker Books for Young Readers
Publication Date: January 1, 2008
My Edition: Bargain Paperback
Reading Level: YA, Ages 14+
Bought from: Amazon
Summary from Goodreads:
A fresh, urban twist on the classic tale of star-crossed lovers. When Brittany Ellis walks into chemistry class on the first day of senior year, she has no clue that her carefully created “perfect” life is about to unravel before her eyes. She’s forced to be lab partners with Alex Fuentes, a gang member from the other side of town, and he is about to threaten everything she's worked so hard for—her flawless reputation, her relationship with her boyfriend, and the secret that her home life is anything but perfect. Alex is a bad boy and he knows it. So when he makes a bet with his friends to lure Brittany into his life, he thinks nothing of it. But soon Alex realizes Brittany is a real person with real problems, and suddenly the bet he made in arrogance turns into something much more.
In a passionate story about looking beneath the surface, Simone Elkeles breaks through the stereotypes and barriers that threaten to keep Brittany and Alex apart.
Review:
Whoa, Perfect Chemistry was so much substantial and amazing than I could have ever imagined. I started it late one night and had to force myself to stop because I had to wake up early in the morning, but when I got home I rushed up to my room to devour more. I finished almost all of it in just a couple of hours and just truly adored the ending as well as the whole book. The story is very like Romeo and Juliet but with a modern twist which was done very nicely. The characters were really easy to relate to, and the Spanish used sporadically made the Latino and Mexican culture very realistic. My favorite part of the book was the alternating chapters between both characters' point-of-views because it was interesting to know what each one was thinking and also to see how different their worlds were compared to one another.
Simone Elkeles didn't downplay and hold back on describing their very complicated lives: Alex's messy gang life or Brittany's screwed up family life. She wrote their story with such beauty and truth and even the sex scene and some steamy moments weren't portrayed as skanky or dumb but as just the true experience between two unexpected lovers. Brittany did get a little annoying at times, but I felt compassion for her as she tries to keep up her perfect persona while inside she's ripping apart trying to take care of her sister while thoughts of Alex keep creeping in. Alex on the other hand has to keep up his tough, bad-boy persona while in the inside he can't stand that his gang life can harm him or his family and also can't stop thinking about untouchable Brittany. Brittany's boyfriend was beyond stupid and irritating, so I couldn't wait for the moment Brittany ditched him and would finally get together with Alex.
All throughout there was tons of drama, conflict, and romance, and by the ended it all multiplied with some very sad and teary parts. The ending was absolutely the perfect ever after for the couple, and the epilogue was really funny and cute. I absolutely loved the first book that I've read from Elkeles, so I can't wait to get my hands on a copy of Rules of Attraction: Perfect Chemistry 2 and to read her other YA novels! If you were like me a week ago (which is a small few since I'm probably one of the last to read it) and haven't read Perfect Chemistry, than you need to pick it up right away and read it now because you will definitely not regret it.
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