Review: Perfect Chemistry

Perfect Chemistry
by Simone Elkeles
Series: Perfect Chemistry #1
Release Date (First published): December 23, 2008
by Walker Books for Young Readers

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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.

*A copy was provided by Walker for review purposes*

After hearing so many awesome things about this book, I decided that I wanted to give it a try. The summery sounded amazing, and the cover is really pretty, so I picked it up… and was pretty much blown away.

This book is unlike any I’ve read before. It kind of reminds me of The Outsiders because of the gang aspect thrown in. Plus, I really enjoyed The Outsiders. There were a few things that were kind of off though. One was the fact that in the beginning, when Brittany is paired with Alex, Elkeles spends like twenty pages making Brittany complain about it. It was kind of annoying and drawn out. Also, over the course of the book, once the romance started heating up, there was no mention of chemistry class, school, or how much time had passed. And one last thing, the important scenes weren’t really described very well. Like the fight scene, or romance scene. But those are kind of just minor mistakes.
Other than that, this book was perfect. I loved the writing and staging. I haven’t laughed when reading a book in a while, but this one had me cracking up almost the entire way through. The idea is really great too, and the story line led up to a superb ending. This ending gives a new meaning to “Happily Ever After.”

I have to say, I freaking LOVE these characters.
Alex cracks me up. He doesn’t know when to shut up, is cheeky, funny, and totally cute and sexy. I would totally date him, if he wasn’t messed up with a gang. I’m sorry, but I don’t care how cute or nice a guy is, if he’s in a gang, smokes, has tattoos, and does drugs, I will run screaming in the other direction. But, other than that, LOVED ALEX!
I also really liked Brittany. Kind of. She had a lot of things going on, but in the beginning she did come across as kind of a bitch. I didn’t like the way she treated Alex at all, but I’m glad she shaped up in the end. So I ended up liking her pretty well.
This is such a great cast, so I can’t finish without mentioning Paco. He’s not a major character in this book, but he was so freaking funny, I just have to mention him.

I’ve heard that this is a series, but I honestly don’t see how Elkeles can build off of this book without making the whole series seem like reading the same book over and over, but I will definitely read the next books.

5 PINK FLOWERS