Book Review: Perfect Chemistry by Simone Elkeles

Summary: Tough guy Alex is primarily known by his classmates as a dangerous member of the Latino Bloods gang. He’s not exactly thrilled when Brittany Ellis, the school’s seemingly perfect beauty queen, is assigned as his lab partner—and the feeling is more than mutual. But Alex’s bravado works against him when he impulsively accepts a bet that he can get Brittany in the sack. The romance that follows will not surprise any reader, yet Elkeles gives it heart by constantly switching point of view from Alex to Brittany to provide dual running commentaries on their minute-by-minute insecurities and urges. Brittany’s controlling parents and sister with cerebral palsy are well drawn, but it is Elkeles’ rendition of Alex and his life that is particularly vivid. Sprinkling his speech with Spanish, his gruff but tender interactions with his family and friends feel completely genuine. An idealized epilogue drains away some of the book’s realism, but if the “romance” angle isn’t pushed too hard, this is a novel that could be embraced by male and female readers in equal measure.

My Review: I know most readers fell in love with Twilight right? Well, I've been looking for a book after Twilight to satisfy my void....so I decided to read this book and automatically fell in love with the story and writing style. Their is this cat and mouse theme between the two characters [which also reminds me of Bella and Edward] however, it's not so PG 13. Their is cursing, violence and hints of sex so I would not really recommend it for readers under 13 years old. But, it is also romantic, shocking and it will keep you wanting more.
My Rating: 4.5 out of 5
Author's Website: http://www.simoneelkeles.net/
Purchase at: Amazon.com