Perfect Chemistry by Simone Elkeles

Ok before writing this review, I must admit this is one book I’ve had on my TBR pile for a loooong time, but I shyed away from it because the cover seemed cheesy and the blurb made the book sound extremely predictable…. But I must say, it wasy far from what I expected.

Hardcover, 357 pages
Published December 23rd 2008
Walker Books for Young Readers
YA Romance
Perfect Chemistry #1

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.

*My Thoughts*
Ok so this book was so much more than I thought it would be. The chartacters Elkeles brought to life were so real to me. I would really love if it was made into a movie. I was so surprised how much I liked this book. I expected Elkeles to go overboard with the stereotypes of them, but she really “hit the nail on the head.” She portrayed Brittany as the “princess” of the school and Alex as one of the “head muchachos” in charge within his group of friends. This book was a very sweet tale of the classic “boy meets girl, boy loves girl, boy loses girl, boy gets girl again.” I loved how she made the novel unpredictable even if the concept had been done before. They end up realizing that although they have so many differences between them, they still have some things in common. As their world comes together they are faced with situations that challenge their love and somehow they overcome each obstacle. The very end of the book will surprise you. I won’t lie, I was in tears. This book is a definite must read.