Book Review~Perfect Chemistry by Simone Elkeles

Title: Perfect Chemistry
Author: Simone Elkeles
Series: Perfect Chemistry #1
Publisher: Walker & Company
Pub Date: April 21st 2010
Format: ebook
Pages: 357
Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary, Romance
Links: Goodreads ~ Amazon ~ Book/Author Site

Synopsis: 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.

Rating: 9/10
Source: Bought

My Thoughts: This book was so sweet! I loved reading Alex's and Brittany's story. I think it's been a while since I've shipped a book couple so hard but I loved Alex & Brittany together!

Story: The story was really good and interesting. If I hadn't been reading this along with my friend I would've finished this in one go. It was the perfect blend of romance, tragedy, suspense and humor. I loved reading Alex's and Brittany's story and was rooting for them from the start. This book really drew me in and I got very much invested in the characters and their stories.

Writing: The writing was great, it always kept my interest. The pacing was perfect as well. I loved how well the author described the characters' emotions. Some dialogues were really cheesy and I don't think anyone talks like that in real life but that was okay, even kinda cute.

Characters: All the characters were well-written and seemed so real. I really liked Alejandro but as a friend. It really seemed like he was a good friend and I really wanted things to work out for him. I was always cheering him on and whenever he felt sad, I felt like giving him a hug.

I really liked Brittany. I loved how she changed over the course of the book. I really admired her love for her sister. Brittany was a strong girl and I really liked her for that.

There were many side characters but none of them were too important. They were important to Alex's and Brittany's story but they didn't have their own story so I'm not sure what I should say about them. I really didn't like Brittany's parents and whatever excuses they make aren't enough to convince me that what they did was okay. The sad thing is I have friends who have parents like this and it hurts how I can't really help them.

Romance: The romance was the favorite part for me about this book. It seemed so genuine and I was rooting for Alex and Brittany so hard! They were really cute together. I loved how each helped heal the other person, each helped the other person be a better version of themselves.

Overall: I really enjoyed this book! The story was interesting and really well-written. The characters were great and the romance was epic! Highly recommended to anyone in the mood for a sweet romance and an awesome story.

About The Author:

Simone Elkeles is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of novels for teens. Simone’s books have won many awards including being YALSA Top Ten Quick Picks for Reluctant Young Adult Readers, being named to the YALSA Popular Paperbacks and Teens Top Ten lists, and added to the Illinois “Read for a Lifetime” Reading List. Simone also won the coveted RITA award from the Romance Writers of America for her book Perfect Chemistry. Simone is especially proud of the fact that the Illinois Association of Teachers of English named her Author of the Year. 

Simone was born and raised in the suburbs of Chicago, where she still lives today. Simone went to the University of Illinois in Urbana-Champaign and received her Bachelor’s of Science there in Psychology in 1992. She continued her education at Loyola University-Chicago where she received her Master’s of Science degree in Industrial Relations while working for a manufacturing company creating diversity programs for their employees.

She loves animals (she has two dogs – a labradoodle and a German Shepherd), kids (she also has two of those) and her family. In her spare time she’s the Hockey Mom for her kids hockey teams and is an active Girl Scout leader specially trained in outdoor education. She also spends time mentoring other teen and adult authors. (She also loves sushi, which you can probably tell by reading her books.) Simone writes about teens because she was a teen in the 80’s (when spiked hair and blue eye shadow were “rad”) and she loves writing about those exciting teen relationships and romances.

Extras:

The song High Above The Ground by Daughtry really reminds me of this book and Alex's and Brittany's story. Listen to it below and tell me what you think.