Perfect Chemistry by Simone Elkeles

Summary Provided by Goodreads: 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: Perfect Chemistry is an excellent book. I thought it was just going to be a cute, simple love story about two people from completely different backgrounds, but it was so much more than that! The story, told through a dual-narration, is about Brittany Ellis, the stereotypical popular, blond, rich, cheerleader and Alex Fuentes, the Spanish gang member from the wrong side of the tracks. Brittany hides her family secrets with her perfect appearance, and Alex, who plays the part of the bad boy thug, is really a smart, caring person who is just trying to protect his family, and little brothers from gang life. I loved knowing both Brittany’s and Alex’s POV, because I love when the author goes beneath the surface of a character so the reader can find out who they really are. What I also really liked about Alex is he is so much more than a gang member, he’s loyal, and confident, and unlike many other gang members we see in movies, or read about in books, he knows what he is doing is wrong, and refuses to do certain things, such as dealing drugs. Alex struggles every day with his choices and doesn’t see a way out, until he meets Brittany.

I just really loved this book. As soon as I finished, I was ready to read it again. Right now I am reading, Rules of Attraction, which is about Alex’s little brother, Carlos, and I am loving is so far. Simone Elkeles just has a way with words that is absolutely perfect!

Love, Kristina