Release date: January 1, 2008
Number of pages: 357
Publisher: Walker BFYR
From: Bookstore
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.
*****
Perfect Chemistry is one of those books that pretty much everyone has heard about, if not read. It’s basically a modern day Romeo and Juliet story. I read tons of great reviews for it but it didn’t live up to my expectations. It was good but not as good as I hoped it would be.
Alex and Brittany were pretty good characters. They were both hiding the truth behind acts of being perfect or being tough. They were completely different but they ended up working great together. Sadly they weren’t the best characters in the book. I actually found some of the background characters to be more entertaining and likable such as Paco, Sierra, and Doug. They always made me laugh. Brittany and Alex were just a bit too cheesy for me.
The plot of the story was fantastic though. There were things I didn’t like about Perfect Chemistry but this was not one of them. The story drew me in from page one and I didn’t want to stop reading. The book had it’s flaws but the plot made up for them.
Overall, Perfect Chemistry is a great romance story. If you don’t mind some super cheesy lines go ahead and pick it up, if you haven’t already. I have high hopes for the next two books in the trilogy. =]
First line: Everyone knows I’m perfect.
Writing: 5/5
Characters: 4/5
Plot: 5/5
Ending: 4/5
Originality: 4/5
Overall: 22/25=B+
Cover: 4/5=B-
Links go to Amazon.com and are affiliate links. If you buy something using this link I may get a small percentage. This does not affect my opinions on the books.
I’ve read so many reviews about this one too, but I always forget whenever I’m at the bookstores. I need to pick it up next time. I love cheesy =) Great review!!
A friend of mine read this, and she said she liked it. But like you, she said there was some cheesy stuff. This sounds a lot like “Romeo + Juliet” with Leo DiCaprio and Claire Danes.
I really loved Perfect Chemistry so I’m sorry you didn’t enjoy it as much as you hoped you would. I’m glad you didn’t hate it though LOL :o)
Fantastic honest review, Katie! I haven’t read this one yet, but I am looking forward to reading it. I’ve read many, many reviews on this one, so it has definitely peeked my interest =)
Only I know how much I have been dying to read this book!! Awesome review!!