Release Date: January 01, 2008
Publisher: Walker Books
Age Group: Young Adult
Pages: 357

Description:

A modern tale of star-crossed lovers with a fresh urban twist.

At Fairfield High School, on the outskirts of Chicago , everyone knows that south-siders mixing with north-siders can be explosive. So when Brittany Ellis and Alejandro “Alex” Fuentes are forced to be lab partners in chemistry class, this human experiment leads to unexpected revelations – that Brittany ’s flawless reputation is a cover for her troubled home life, that Alex’s bad-boy persona hides his desire to break free from gang ties, and that when they’re together, life somehow makes more sense. Breaking through the stereotypes and expectations that threaten to keep Brittany and Alex apart, Perfect Chemistry takes readers to both sides of the tracks in a passionate love story about looking beneath the surface.

My Review:

Once I started reading this book I could not put it down, I read it in a couple of hours, I loved it. The book alternates between Brittany and Alex’s perspectives so we get to understand what both characters are thinking and going through. At first it appears that Brittany and Alex have nothing in common, Brittany is from a wealthy family and is popular whilst Alex is a gang member from the wrong side of town. However it becomes apparent that they have more in common than either of them realizes. Both Brittany and Alex are projecting a façade of what people think they should be or are. Because of this Brittany doesn’t really have anyone to confide in about her problems, except for her best friend but even then she doesn’t tell her everything. Alex also doesn’t have anyone to confide in either, he has chosen his path and is stuck, he cannot leave his gang and is worried his brothers will become apart of this world. When Alex and Brittany are thrown together as lab partners they don’t get along as each have preconceptions about the other however slowly they realise they are more similar than either one ever though possible.

Alex, Alex *swoon* what can I say about Alex, there was much more to Alex than just being a gang member, he was a complex character who projected a tough image but deep down he was a caring person which is evident by the way he treats his mother and brothers and later Brittany. At first I wasn’t to enamored with Alex for agreeing to the bet with his friend, what female would, but later when we got to know more about Alex I forgave him, I mean who wouldn’t. Simone Elkeles did an excellent job with Brittany who could have easily turned into a one dimensional character but Elkeles constructed a character with depth who was dealing with real family issues that many people go thorough. Oh and the chemistry between these two is intense.

I probably should mention that there are some violent parts in the book which is unavoidable as Alex is in a gang, Elkeles does not sugar coat what being in a gang means, but don’t be put off because at the heart of this book is a beautiful love story. Towards the end of the book I was on the edge of my seat wondering what was going to happen to both Alex and Brittany. Some parts were hard to read but were a necessary part of the book, but in the end it all came together. The ending was handled well especially the epilogue I loved it, what can I say I’m a sucker for a good romance. I highly recommend this book so get your hand a copy stat! I can’t wait to get my hands on a copy of rules of attraction which follows Alex’s younger brother Carlos.