Book Review: Rules of Attraction by Simone Elkeles

Rules of Attraction by Simone Elkeles
Genre: Young Adult Fiction
Release Date: April 13, 2010
Publisher: Walker Books for Young Readers
Pages: 336
Received From: Store Bought

Summary: Carlos Fuentes doesn't want any part of the life his older brother, Alex, has laid out for him in Boulder, Colorado. He wants to keep living on the edge, and carve his own path?just like Alex did. Unfortunately, his ties to a Mexican gang aren't easy to break, and he soon finds himself being set up by a drug lord. When Alex arranges for Carlos to live with his former professor and his family to keep him from being sent to jail, Carlos feels completely out of place. He's even more thrown by his strong feelings for the professor's daughter, Kiara, who is nothing like the girls he's usually drawn to. But Carlos and Kiara soon discover that in matters of the heart, the rules of attraction overpower the social differences that conspire to keep them apart. As the danger grows for Carlos, he's shocked to discover that it's this seemingly All-American family who can save him. But is he willing to endanger their safety for a chance at the kind of life he's never even dreamed possible?

My Review: When I first heard about Rules of Attraction I didn't know what to expect. Perfect Chemistry is one of my favorite books and I didn't think it needed a sequel. However, I was pleasantly happy with the outcome. The second book had great characters, interesting plot and yet again a badass who you can't help but swoon over. The only thing that annoyed me was the beginning. The epilogue of Perfect Chemistry does not continue with Rules of Attraction. So when you start reading the sequel, forget about the twenty-years later part (Perfect Chemistry fans will understand, readers that haven't read it yet, don't worry that wasn't a spoiler,) Brittany and Alex are still twenty years old. After I got over my little annoyance, I couldn't put the book down.

Carlos, our rebel, who is pretty much angry at the world for having to move to Colorado was a spinning image of Alex. Honestly, I thought he was worse than Alex. He didn't take authority very well. Kiara, was Brittany's total opposite, her wardrobe and persona never gave away that she was indeed wealthy. I really loved Kiara's attitude, she was down to earth and very likable. Also, Kiara's best friend is hilarious, I enjoyed their goofy relationship. I loved the blossoming relationship between Kiara and Carlos. Boy was it steamy at times, Simone really knows how to excite her readers hehe. Overall, in my eyes it's pretty much a second Perfect Chemistry but with other characters and glimpses of Alex and Brittany. I still am in love with Simone's writing, especially her sarcasm. I thoroughly enjoyed it, however Perfect Chemistry still remains my favorite. On the other hand, the cover of Rules of Attraction is so romantic, I love it!

My Rating:
Author's Info:
Simone Elkeles has written five young adult novels, including Perfect Chemistry and Leaving Paradise, and was recently named Illinois Author of the Year by the Illinois Association of Teachers of English. She received her Master's of Science degree in Industrial Relations and also spends time mentoring other teen and adult authors.

For more info on Simone, visit her site(s):
Website: http://www.simoneelkeles.net
Myspace: http://www.myspace.com/simonebooks
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Perfect-Chemistry-by-Simone-Elkeles/56381232566?ref=ts
Perfect Chemistry Website: http://www.perfectchemistrythebook.com
Good Reads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/274533.Simone_Elkeles

Other Books By Simone:

-Perfect Chemistry (Book #1)
-Leaving Paradise (Book #1)
-Return to Paradise (Book #2) - 9/1/10
-How To Ruin A Summer Vacation (Book #1)
-How To Ruin My Teenage Life (Book #2)
-How To Ruin Your Boyfriend's Reputation (Book #3)

Wanna enter the Perfect Chemistry or Rules of Attraction trailer contest?

Create your own trailer for Perfect Chemistry or Rules of Attraction.
The author herself will judge, and two grand prize winners will receive:

• A Flip Mino video recorder

• Signed copies of all Simone’s novels published by Walker

PLUS, the first 100 contestants will win a sneak peek of Simone’s next novel, coming
in 2011.

How to enter:

1. Create a book trailer based on Perfect Chemistry and/or Rules of Attraction. There’s no official limit to the length, but we suggest you not go past two minutes. You can submit more than one trailer, if you’re feeling extra inspired.
2. Upload your book trailer to YouTube and add it to the “Rules of Attraction Trailer Contest Group” at http://www.youtube.com/group/RoATrailerContest.
3. Please email teen.publicity@bloomsburyusa.com, listing the following information:

• Your name
• Your age
• The link to your book trailer
• What inspired you to make this trailer?

We will not post your trailer on the group page until we receive your information.

And don’t forget to check out http://www.youtube.com/group/RoATrailerContest to view the contenders!

Grand prize winners will be selected by Simone from entries received between April 1, 2010 and December 31, 2010

Visit Simone's site here for further details!

Contest is open to legal residents of the United States and Canada (excluding Quebec, Puerto Rico, Guam, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and where prohibited by law) to persons thirteen (13) years of age or older.