Perfect Chemistry -Review

Have you ever seen/read West Side Story? Perfect Chemistry reminded me in several ways of Grease, only in a more modern, unique way. Basically it is a classic love story, with a seemingly perfect “good girl” and the rough, rugged gangster “bad boy.”

One of my favorite things about Simone Elkeles is the way she writes her characters Perfect Chemistry is no different – this book (along with the other’s I have read written by Simone) is written in the alternating perspective’s of Brittney and Alex, as such, I felt like I really knew each of them, their struggles as well as their loves…when they struggled I felt as though I was struggling, when they made a bad decision, or at least one that felt wrong, I got upset! I could sympathize with them, love with them and laugh with them.

Brittney, like I said “looks” perfect from the outside – she’s got a façade going and everyone is convinced, Brittney’s life IS in fact perfect. She looks perfect, acts perfect, gets good grades; she’s even dating the captain of the football team. However, inside Brittney is not so perfect (who is) - she’s struggling to keep up the façade but…it’s crumbling and when she becomes Chemistry partners with Alex Fuentes, she is just SURE he’s going to prevent her from getting a good grade in the class – and her mother’s going to blame HER – again!

Alex is keeping a façade of his own, that of the rough, bad boy who no one can touch. He after all he IS a Latino gangster from the “wrong side of the tracks.” No one knows what he wants out of his life, since he has no choice, what does it even matter. Alex’s father dies suddenly when he’s only 6 – it’s then up to Alex to protect this family, the only way he knows how! Being partnered with the uptight, “perfect” Brittney is NOT in his plans…

As the two are drawn more and more together…they find their defenses going down, soon finding it impossible to deny the obvious attraction they are feeling for one another…however, being together is complicated, and could very well be dangerous for them both. Are they willing to risk their reputations, their families and maybe even their lives for a chance at being together?

Perfect Chemistry is a griping tale of love, finding yourself, and learning to trust not only yourself but those you love. Beautifully written, with unique characters, which made the story for me, the way Simone writes makes you almost forget you’re reading a book, she draws you into the story in such a way you begin to believe your right there, watching the story unfold.

I found myself never wanting to put Perfect Chemistry down (much like I was with Leaving Paradise), but not wanting to read it so fast, because I was not ready for it to be over. Simone is my new favorite author, I can NOT wait to pick up another book written by her…she just has a unique “real” way of telling a story…allowing you to “feel” what’s going on, creating real, unique characters in a very normal everyday setting.

I give Perfect Chemistry 5 stars – and cannot wait to read the next installment Rules of Attraction, which is about Alex’s little brother Carlos – it looks like an amazing read!

Perfect Chemistry
Written by: Simone Elkeles
Published: January 1, 2008
357 Pages