Perfect Chemistry

Title: Perfect Chemistry
Author: Simone Elkeles
Genre: YA
Page Count: 357
Why I read it: heard it was good
Grade: A

Synopsis:
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 review:
I really didn't expect to like this one very much.  In fact, even after checking it out from the library, I almost didn't read it.  I mean, I'm a 30 year old woman, and this book is about two teenagers falling in love.  But I'd heard the writing is good, so I was willing to give it a try.  I'm so glad I did.  Simone Elkeles is one awesome writer.

You know how sometimes when you read a book, the dialogue just feels stilted and not true to life?  I've found that in a lot of books, and, as silly as it sounds, it reminds me that I'm reading a book.  Well, in Perfect Chemistry, the dialogue was flawless.  I never once thought, "nobody says that kind of thing".  I was just caught up in the story.

I absolutely fell in love with these characters and their story.  I really enjoyed going back and forth between the perspectives of Brittany and Alex.  It definitely enriched the story.  I loved the different cultures they came from, and felt like Simone Elkeles did an excellent job of writing both.     

I highly recommend this one.  There's swearing, and some of the characters treat sex very casually, so I wouldn't recommend it to younger teens, but to anyone else, it's a great read!  I will definitely be reading the next book in the series, Rules of Attraction.