Perfect Chemistry by Simone Elkeles
Release Date: December 23, 2009
Publisher: Walker Books
Age Group: Young Adult
Pages: 368
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.
This novel was fantastic, it was wonderful, it blew me away! After I finished reading it, I wanted to read it again… something in the story just really got to me. If I had to describe it I’d say it’s like Pretty in Pink meets West Side Story. You know Pretty in Pink, awesome 80′s movie starring Molly Ringwald, rich guy falling for the poor girl on the other side of the tracks… West Side Story, forbidden love in the most extreme.
It’s obvious that Elkeles did her homework with this one. The gang dynamic is terrifyingly real. I will admit that initially I was worried. I didn’t think there was any way that she could spin a character that’s a gang member to be likable, a hero even. I mean when I think of gangs, it’s drugs, drive-by’s, you know extremely shady things, how can that be appealing at any level. And yet Alex was. He was a “good” guy, he was that tragic hero.
And Brittany, her character was even more complex that I think the novel even revealed. She seemed so real, it felt like I knew her, or someone like her. And despite the apparent differences between the two characters, they were so much more alike than I would have ever guessed. It still seems impossible and yet I’ve seen it!
The chapters are alternated between Alex and Brittany, and I was so happy for that. I loved being able to glimpse into each of their heads and really understand what they were thinking and how they were affected by each other. Had the story not been told that way, I don’t think I would have enjoyed it as much. I think that is what won Alex over for me, because I got to see how he struggled with the life that he didn’t want.
Elkeles writing was so smooth…. like butta. It just flowed right of the page, it was like I wasn’t even reading… I was there. I was Brittany, I was Alex. It was powerful. *goose bumps*
On the surface it may read like a love story but there is so much more going on. It’s a story of life lessons. Don’t judge a person by the color of their skin, don’t judge a person by the way that they look, talk, where they live…. I could go on. But I’ll stop there, and leave you with the recommendation to pick it up.
I’m really looking forward to what Elkeles has in store for us next.
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Sounds great! But I don’t like the cover =/
Your review just makes me want this book even more.
I’m excited for this one and do like the cover!
I saw the trailer for it and loved the whole concept.
Now your review has made this a MUSTREAD on my list. haha. =)
Ha. Just watched Pretty in Pink last night! I was trying to watch classics I hadn’t seen before.
Anyway, I really want to read this one! It looks great.
I cannot wait to read this book. The trailer was great, and it made me want to read it so bad!
~Meredith
I am a huge Pretty in Pink fan, and I can’t wait to read this!
~bella aire~
I saw the book trailer on Elkeles’s MySpace… it was really creative and made me want to read the book!
Great review… I want this book now.
I like a book and verybest
I really want to read this book… I love the cover and your review makes it sound fantastic!
i just finished the book literally 5 minutes ago and i absolutely LOVED it. i always love to read unconvintional love stories, well more along the lines of beauty and the beast meets west side story/pretty in pink…you get the picture. anyways, loved the book, sad it’s over, wish there was a sequal even though she left no room for one(she could write about what happened before the epologue, but that will probably never happen.
ps-i loved the cover, that’s what made me pick it up in the first place.
I grabbed perfect chemistry in a pile of other books a few weeks ago. I did not think I would like it, but was curious about the different characters. I fell in love with Brittney and Alex. I want to read everything by this author.
i absolutely loved this book i read it about 3 times and, i don’t like to read books at all but this book was great, i think she should turn this book into a movie it might sound crazy but it would be a great movie just like the book.
this book is amazazing! i finished it in less than twelve hours. i just couldn’t put it down. and the fact that it was written by a teen makes so much sense. she is an amazing author, and i am doing everything i can to find other books by her. if this book is turned into a movie, i will definately get a front row ticket to see it opening night!
THE BOOK IS SO AMAZING! If you liked Twilight this book will blow you away!
I loved the book, gosh it makes me wish i was back in high school and experiencing my first crush… But the first comment was right i dint like the cover either… the guy on the cover looks like Sanjaya from American Idol (LOL!)
really? because i found this one sappy and a bit ridiculous.
really? because i found this one sappy and a bit ridiculous.
I just bought this book and plan to read it soon.
I just bought this book and plan to read it soon.
Sounds really good. Which girl doesn’t love a Romeo & Juliet story. And I so understand the Spanish thing. I’m always distracted by things like that too.
Great review!
Sounds really good. Which girl doesn’t love a Romeo & Juliet story. And I so understand the Spanish thing. I’m always distracted by things like that too.
Great review!
This is a beautifully written review! I had mixed feelings about this novel, but you did a magnificent job of highlighting its strengths, especially the richness of the character development.