Review: Perfect Chemistry

Author: Simone Elkeles
Release Date: December 23, 2008
Publisher: Walker Books for Young Readers
Pages: 359
Series: Perfect Chemistry #1
Source: Bought
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Summary: 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.

My Favorite Lines:

“I want to know how to make this girl laugh. I want to know what makes her cry. I want to know what it feels like to have her look at me as if I’m her knight in shinning armor.”

 “[Life]It is what you make it. If you think you can't change the world, then go on and follow the path already carved out for you. But there are other roads to choose, they're just harder to trudge through. Changing the world is'nt easy, but I sure as hell am going to keep trying. Are you?”

“Music is my drug, the one thing that makes me numb.” 

Why I Loved It:  I've have recently decided that Simone Elkeles is amazing at creating the drool-worthy bad boys that win your heart and mind.  Alex is one of my top book boyfriends.  I mean seriously?  The boy is this gorgeous and confident Latino boy, with full bad boy swagger, intelligence, and a family loyalty that most girls crave in a guy.

The book had all the set-up that leads to cliche, but Ms. Elkeles missed cliche by a landslide.  I never expected Brittany's life to look like what I discovered throughout the book.  Alex had so much more depth than I was expecting.  The characters are just so relatable and likable which really helped.  By the time I reached the end, I was screaming NEXT ONE and started mentally crying because it was 2 in the morning and the library didn't open for another six hours.

So if for some reason you have not read this book, you are going to get on that.  Seriously.  I can't really explain just how vital that is.  Think Romeo and Juliet meets Latino gang in the modern time.... PLEASE READ IT!