Saturday, May 15, 2010

Perfect Chemistry by Simone Elkeles

Book review #38
Perfect Chemistry by Simone Elkeles
Rating: Five stars (refer to the rating system on the right)

Summary: (taken from Goodreads)
  
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. 

Oh my goodness! Perfect Chemistry is talked about so much in the blogging community, but I never quite understood. I mean the summary sounds good, but not amazing. Let's just say it's pretty much beyond amazing. I'm in total awe, blown away, basically very happy with this book. I could describe Perfect Chemistry as having a unique twist on Romeo and Juliet added with that addictive heated romance from Twilight. I ripped through the pages, hungry for more. Never have a  read book without literally getting up for anything-not even a snack haha- until now! 

The tension between Brittany and Alex all began with a silly feud over  parking spot on the first day of school. Things start bubbling when the two discover they have to be lab partners for the next ten months. Things start out rocky with disputes and complete misunderstandings of each other. Brittany and Alex couldn't be more different, yet little do they know they share way more in common than anyone could imagine.

Brittany and Alex come from two different worlds, both having their own reputations. Brittany lives on the north side, she's rich, on the cheerleading squad, and dates the captain of the football team. She holds the reputation of being perfect, but that's all a show. Very few people know that in reality her family is messed up, she doesn't really like her boyfriend, and she lives trying to make up for her mentally ill sister. On the other hand there is Alex. He's poor, a member of the  gangs, and has the reputation of being the bad boy. Although he isn't a bad guy at all-he's smart, caring, and lives in the shadows of his dead father. To be together, Brittany would have to basically risk her life-disappointing her mother, risking her friendships, and losing her perfect image.

I actually really liked Brittany. I thought she was really sweet, espeically the way she cared about her sister. Yeah she had her issues, but I understood way she did the things she did. And Alex, I loved him! I wouldn't mind having Alex for myself. Together Brittany and Alex shared something extraordinary, perhaps something I've never seen before.  The romance, the chemistry between them was on fire! It was passionate, sizzling, and the best part about it was that the relationship wasn't even about that. The connection between them made this one of the best love stories I've ever read about.

The characters were amazing, the romance was powerful, but wait there's even more. The chapters alternate between Brittany and Alex giving you a male and female POV. I couldn't have been more grateful for this, it was so nice getting to go into both character's heads instead of just wondering what the other one was thinking. The mix of Spanish thrown into the mix, gave the book some spice, adding icing to the cake. Luckily I'm learning Spanish so I understood most of it.

Thinking about Perfect Chemistry makes me want to do a happy dance. It's just one of those books...that you completely fall in love with. I'm not really one to reread books, but immediately after finishing this one, I had a sudden urge to flip back to the beginning and devour it once again. Lucky for me I don't even have to wait for the sequel to come out. If you haven't read Perfect Chemistry yet and are wondering if it lives up to the hype...it most definitely does!

24 comments:

Adriana said...

Wonderful review! I felt the same way reading Perfect Chemistry. It really is an amazing book.

Lori L. Clark Art said...

100% agreed! I couldn't put this book down! It was my favorite read for 2009!

Christina T said...

I'm so glad that you loved this too! I loved Rules of Attraction also and I just read Leaving Paradise. That one is good too although it doesn't have quite the same intense romance (it wouldn't have worked in that book but it will probably be there in the sequel, Return to Paradise). Great review!

Vicki said...

Glad you enjoyed it. I was the same, I just couldn't put it down! Great review!

Tales of Whimsy said...

I continue to hear the best things about this book. Why haven't I tried it yet? ;)

Tynga said...

Glad you liked it! I have both books at home but haven't read them yet, my TBR pile is too huge o.0

I stopped by from The Saturday Network!

Blueicegal ♥ said...

arghhh! im so glad you loved perfect chemistry!! Alexxxxx mineminemine :)

prophecygirl said...

Yay, I'm so glad you enjoyed it! Brilliant review :D

Alex = epic swoonage!

Audrey (holes In My brain) said...

great review! I liked this one myself, and i loved the alternating chapters as well :) i'm looking forward to your thoughts on Rules of Attraction.

Emidy @ Une Parole said...

Amazing review, Sara! I haven't heard a bad thing about this book. I've got to read it!

Anonymous said...

Man, I love this book so much. Glad you do too. ;D

Erika said...

i'm so glad you liked it as much as i did! this book is one of my all-time favorites- it really is amazing :D you should give rules of attraction and leaving paradise a try, too :)

Emilyandherlittlepinknotes said...

What I would love now it's a movie based on Perfect Chemistry

Anonymous said...

you're in reality a just right webmaster. The website loading pace is incredible. It kind of feels that you are doing any unique trick. In addition, The contents are masterwork. you have done a excellent job in this topic!

Feel free to surf to my page: i want to buy instagram followers

Anonymous said...

Excellent blog here! Also your web site loads up very fast!
What host are you using? Can I get your affiliate link to your
host? I wish my website loaded up as fast as yours lol

My homepage - purchase instagram followers

Anonymous said...

Very good information. Lucky me I recently found your blog
by accident (stumbleupon). I have saved it for later!


Look at my web page how can i buy followers on instagram

Anonymous said...

An impressive share! I have just forwarded this onto a friend who has been
doing a little research on this. And he actually bought me lunch because I stumbled upon
it for him... lol. So let me reword this.... Thanks for the meal!
! But yeah, thanks for spending some time to discuss this issue here on your web page.


my site :: buy instagram followers for cheap

Anonymous said...

What's Taking place i'm new to this, I stumbled upon this I have found It positively useful and it
has helped me out loads. I hope to give a contribution & help other
customers like its aided me. Good job.

Here is my blog ... where to buy instagram followers

Anonymous said...

Way cool! Some very valid points! I appreciate you penning this article and also the rest of
the site is really good.

My web blog; where can i buy real instagram followers

Anonymous said...

Howdy! Would you mind if I share your blog with my facebook
group? There's a lot of folks that I think would really appreciate your content. Please let me know. Thanks

my site how to buy instagram followers

Anonymous said...

Hey I know this is off topic but I was wondering if
you knew of any widgets I could add to my blog that automatically tweet my newest twitter updates.
I've been looking for a plug-in like this for quite some time and was hoping maybe you would have some experience with something like this. Please let me know if you run into anything. I truly enjoy reading your blog and I look forward to your new updates.

Here is my weblog :: buy instagram followers fast

Anonymous said...

Very nice post. I certainly appreciate this website.
Keep it up!

My page - best place to buy instagram followers

Anonymous said...

My brother suggested I might like this web site. He was totally right.
This post truly made my day. You cann't imagine just how much time I had spent for this information! Thanks!

Here is my website :: purchase instagram followers

Anonymous said...

I think the admin of this website is actually working hard in
support of his website, since here every material is quality based
information.

Check out my web-site - best site to buy instagram followers