Sunday, February 5, 2012

Book Review: Perfect Chemistry by Simone Elkeles

Title: Perfect Chemistry

Author: Simone Elkeles

Synopsis: 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:


a.) Characters: 4/5 score.  From Brittany’s home life with a messed up family and her sister Shelley to Alex’s gang related neighborhood and protecting his family- these characters were real, with real problems and real feelings, no matter the masks they wore to their friends.  I kind of wish I could’ve seen more than just Brittany and Alex.  However, I loved getting in each character’s head, the reactions they had with each other and those around them.

b.) Plot: 5/5 score.  Plot was AMAZING!  I thought Elkeles did a fantastic job at balancing it out.  Alex’s gang parts were nasty and gritty; Brittany’s private life made sorrow blossom.  The collision of these two worlds was breathtaking, and with each page turned, I couldn’t get enough.  I had to keep reading to know what-next, what-next, what-next! It was a piece of art.  

c.) Writing style: 4/5 score.  The every-other-chapter was so creative, but I also sometimes would get so wrapped up in the plot that when a chapter made a switch I was confused needing to reread the first part.  The writing took the story to a whole new level.  Because of the writing, you could really get into the head of Brittany/Alex.  I definitely will read the next ones as well as try any other books put out by Simone Elkeles.  

Rating: 13/15 total


 OMG OMG OMG!  This was more than I expected it to be.  I was worried about the gang violence being too much, and worried that Brittany wouldn't feel real enough- but within the first couple chapters, Simone put all doubt out of my mind.  I was pleasantly shocked by the beauty of this story.  When I read the last word on the last page, I immediately flipped back to my favorite parts to reread (including but not limited to the steamy make-out scenes). 

2 comments:

  1. ugh i loved the plot tooo i wish the series would continue

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    1. There is Rules of Attraction and Chain Reaction. They are of Alex's two other brothers also falling in love (I believe). I have yet to read them and am really eager to hunt them down. I know in the back of Perfect Chemistry, there chapter that was from Rules of Attraction and you do get a glimpse of Alex and Brittany's life together.

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