Perfect Chemistry

By Simone Elkeles

Summary: 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: We are introduced to Brittany, the golden girl and Alex, the boy who everyone is afraid of. Brittany is pretty, popular, has the guy everyone at school wants, she is perfect to everyone. Alex, is a badass, a gang member, a thug. Brittany and Alex couldn't be more opposite, their personalities, their lives, their whole existence but underneath it all, they are more alike then they think. Brittany is from the rich part of town, Alex is from across the tracks. Brittany and Alex get put together as lab partners in chemistry. They despise each other. They want nothing to do with each other. They both have their own set of problems. Brittany is trying to lead her life making everyone think she is perfect, trying to make her boyfriend happy, trying to live up to every one's expectations while Alex is trying to take care of his family the only way he knows how. Brittany gets under Alex's skin so Alex makes a bet with a friend that he can get into Brittany's pants. But the truth of the matter is, Brittany is a virgin and sex is the last thing on her mind right now.

Alex and Brittany spend more time together, fighting, arguing, bickering, while the sexual tension is always on the back burner just waiting to make an appearance. Brittany and Alex both go through so many struggles that is breaks me heart because more than anything I want them to end up together but the problems that lay before them are not easy. They start to care about each other as more than lab partners but they both deny their feelings for each other for a long time. There are side characters to make things interesting as well. Alex ex girlfriend Carmen, his family, and Brittany's friends and family. I was a little wary of Brittany at first because she is the typical snobby rich girl but she grew on me. Now Alex, he was a whole different story. I have a thing for bad boys and him being in a gang (which is not a good thing haha) just adds to his sex appeal. He was so tough on the outside but I knew on the inside he had a big heart. The mention of his tattoos made me blush even more. Through smart comebacks and sassy wit I fell in love with Brittany and Alex as a potential couple.

If you want an epic love story that will leave you wanting to savor every page Perfect Chemistry is a hit you'll want to run out to the store to buy as quick as you can! Thankfully I already have Rules Of Attraction on my bookshelf.

Overall: Whoa. Another great book by Elkeles. How does this women write these amazing novels? I mean seriously? First she made me fall for Avi, than Caleb, now Alex. Her novels are like amazing chocolate chip cookies that you have to take a small bite but than gobble the whole cookie down before you know what hit you! I procrastinated on reading Perfect Chemistry because I had heard great things about it and I wanted to save it. But I eyed it on my bookshelf for a few weeks and decided to read it, but take it really slowly. Well, I ended up staying up till 3 AM to finish it because once I started it, I couldn't stop.

Cover: Really like it! And, look at his tattoo, oh baby! I have a thing for tattoos on guys! Ohhhhh bbbabbyyyyy!

What I'd Give It: