Review: Perfect Chemistry by Simone Elkeles

Perfect Chemistry by Simone Elkeles

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Summary: 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.

This book is le meilleur!

“[Life]It is what you make it. If you think you can't change the world, then go on and follow the path already carved out for you. But there are other roads to choose, they're just harder to trudge through. Changing the world isn't easy, but I sure as hell am going to keep trying. Are you?” 

The story is not your typical corny, played out love story. I've heard it called a modern West Side Story. Personally, i think Perfect Chemistry is better, but I know that is sacrilegious to some so I'm going to back myself up.

Note: The POVs alternate between Brittany and Alex.

Alex Fuentes is hilarious! He acts like the bad boy who doesn't care, but he's only in the gang to protect his family. He'll fight for the people he loves.  Warning: You will fall in love with him.

Brittany seems like the obnoxious, perfect girl that you just want to hate, but she turns out to be much more. She's actually pretty smart and very caring, especially for her sister.

Wanna see who reminded me of Brittany and Alex?

Alex and Brittany shouldn't be together, coming from different social and economic backgrounds. Society wants them apart, but they defy what they "should" be and follow their hearts. This book challenges the molds that we are all supposed to fit, truly giving the deeper message of not "judging a book by its cover."

It's starting to sound all mushy gushy, so I'll tell you that there is DRAMA! There's a lot of drama with Alex's gang, so get ready for the danger. And you know the friends and family of the two lovers will not be in favor of their being together.

There's a bit of Spanish in this book, much more than the amount of French in Anna and the French Kiss, but you will get the gist of what the characters are saying. When in doubt, just assume that it's probably something inappropriate and insulting that's being said. That being said, there's a significant amount of profanity in this.

Would I recommend this to a friend? Oh my goodness, yes! Go get your copy now! This book is so much more than meets the eye. It truly has a deeper message that everyone should receive.

This rap is awful! Do not base your decision about whether or not you should read it on this, but I got a good laugh from it:

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