Review: Perfect Chemistry by Simone Elkeles

Title: Perfect Chemistry

Author: Simone Elkeles

Series: 

Perfect Chemistry #1

Genre: Young Adult

Publisher: 

Walker Books for Young Readers

Release Date: 

December 23, 2008

Source: Bought

Buy the Book: Amazon

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.

I had heard so many good comments about this book and the series, that when I finally had it on my hands I was super excited and happy. "Finally!" I said to myself, and I started reading immediately. But the emotion and the happiness went away after reading some pages.

Don't get me wrong. The main idea is awesome and really different, unique I must say. This is the first YA book I read that talks about this topic. A white american girl with a not so white latino mexican. A rich girl, and a penniless boy, a cheerleader and a gang member. It was awesome, and I really enjoyed the first part of the book, specially when the reader  have the opportunity to see that they, Brittany and Alex have more in common than they think. She is not so perfect and he is not so bad.

But that is when I started seeing too many cliches, and some obvious and predictable scenes. Including the ending, with I liked but it was too predictable and too Disney, if you know what I mean. The epilogue was nice,  I really enjoyed it and it made me want to read more about that young boy called Paco Fuentes. 

Also there were some topics and scenes, that made me think that I was reading an adult book instead of a young adult book. And that surprise me a lot. But it made the book much more credible, because, that is what it happens in real life… 

I'm not saying I didn't like this book  or that I didn't enjoy it, because I did, but the only problem is that I was waiting for much more, and at the end I finished a little bit disappointed. I didn't like too much the characters, Alex was my favorite, I admit it! But I didn't like Brittany at all, and I hated Brittany's mother… well, I think everybody hates her. : )

This is the first book in the series, and even though I was waiting for more, I will continue with the series to see what happens with the other two Fuentes brothers. 

Happy Reading!

Good story!

Simone Elkeles was born and raised in the Chicago area. She loves writing books for teens and enjoys hearing from her readers. In her spare time (which she has less and less of these days), she loves hanging with her friends and going out to movies. To learn more about her and her books visit her Website