Review: Perfect Chemistry by Simone Elkeles

Released: December 23^rd, 2008
Published by: Walker Books for Young Readers
Series: Perfect Chemistry, Book 1
Star Rating: 4 out of 5
Source: Gift
Page Amount: 360
Age Group: Young Adult
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.

Review

I have heard many amazing things about this novel. I had started this novel before, but I put it down. I’m not one hundred percent why I actually put it down in the first place. I don’t think I was really getting into it. I don’t know what I was thinking! This book was amazing!

Brittany and Alex’s relationship developed nicely through the novel. It didn’t happen all too fast, nor did it happen at a strangely slow speed. I loved reading about their relationship and seeing how it progressed.
The supporting characters in this novel might possibly been the best thing about it. I loved Sierra, Brittany’s best friend. She was just so sassy and I just loved her. Probably because she has the same name as me. Also, Alex had some pretty awesome friends and family members also. I loved Alex’s two brothers, Carlos and Luis. They had the typical Latino family, large, loving and very protective.

I loved how Simone wrote Brittany’s family. If you didn’t know, Brittany’s older sister, Shelly, has mental issues. Things aren’t the greatest for her family. I loved how Simone wrote Brittany trying to pretend to have a perfect life when she really doesn’t. I think this is very relatable to a lot of people. I know for a fact that everyone wants to have a perfect life and a perfect family, when in reality that is almost impossible. Every family is going to have their issues. I found that interesting reading, I was interested in finding out how that was going to happen.

I’m really glad I gave this novel another shot. I really enjoyed it in the end, and I can’t wait to pick up the other two books.

Cover Comments

I’m not a huge fan of this cover. I usually love chick-lit covers, but I find this one a bit too cheese-y for my taste. Plus, I felt a bit weird having this at school. I got a lot of questions about it.