Wednesday, January 18, 2012

Review: Perfect Chemistry by Simone Elkeles

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.

Review:
I never thought I would be reluctant to dive back into a paranormal read, but after reading this book that is exactly how I feel. This is a contemporary book that is so amazingly sexy and sweet. I was burning through the pages to find out what would happen, but also feeling sad that it would end at some point.

The premise could be compared to a Romeo and Juliet type scenario. Two people from different worlds fighting for their love against all odds. I don't want Shakespeare fans to punch my face, but this book took that idea to another level.

I never knew how sexy a Spanish/English mix could be or someone being called 'mamacita', but, WHOA!! It really is. Alex is a gang banger that lives life as the bad boy. When he meets Brittany she awakens his inner softie, and he becomes SO . . . yum!

The chapters alternate their perspectives, and after I was introduced to each of them I felt this manic glee and tingly anticipation because I knew they would eventually get together...and I knew it would be a great ride. I was right :)

Do not miss out on this book. Read it right now and if you don't like it, I want to know why! :)

Publication Date: December 23, 2008
Genre: Contemporary, Romance, Young Adult
Source: My own tower of books

4 comments:

Jessi E. said...

I've already had this on my to read list for FOREVER, but your "glee" at reading it just bumped it way closer to the top!!! :)

Kim said...

I haven't read this yet, but I really want to after reading your review! It sounds like a really great contemp and I've been dying to read one after all the paranormal and dystopia's I've read recently :) Great review!

Kim @ The Paper Planes

Anonymous said...

I live in Mexico so my first lenguage is spanish, and I have to say that some times I HATE when people speak spanglish, but reading this book, wooowww, It make it sound sexy, and I have to say the spanish is very well used in this book, and that the spanglish is real and how real ¨chicanos¨ (chicanos are those whose parents are Mexican and they born in the U.S. and speak inglish, spanish and spanglish) speak

Unknown said...

This was a really good book! I think your review of it is spot on! Totally crushed on Alex and Brittany was easy to empathize with. Love how it ended but I was truly sad to see the story end and not have a sequel. :( It was akin to how I felt when I finished the last Hunger Games book. Thanks for the suggestion!