Title: Perfect Chemistry
Author: Simone Elkeles
Publisher: Walker Books for Young Readers
Pages: 360
Rating:
(out of 5)
(out of 5)Summary 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."
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."
I was very very very excited to read this book because I saw quite a bit of hype about it throughout the blogs I follow! And I have to say, it was just okay. The romance was certainly great, but I would have liked to see more of their life outside of each other and maybe just a bit more plot wise. I think that the gang that Alex was in would have definitely been interesting to hear more about too along with both of their friends and what was going on with them.
For the most part I liked both Brittany and Alex. You got to watch them change and become more confident through the book and you saw their struggles well because of the switching perspective (I love when authors use multiple perspectives). I would like to have seen more with Paco and Isabel (I think that's her name the book isn't here with me right now and I'm way too lazy to get up and get it, please forgive me). It would have been nice to see what was going on with their relationship because it was brought up a few times briefly.
The book was well written in my opinion and you really were able to connect to the characters and plot. I just wished that there was a bit more of both because it's definitely a book I wouldn't mind a lot more and I wouldn't mind to go into greater detail. Elkeles did an amazing job with the switching of the perspective, keeping it even and clear. Sometimes that can get kind of muddy but it worked great!
Overall, this book was great but I just wished it was more detailed!
