Rules of Attraction

Title: Rules of Attraction
Author: Simone Elkeles
Genre: YA
Page Count: 324
Why I read it: 2nd in series
Grade: C

Synopsis:
When Carlos Fuentes returns to America after living in Mexico for a year, he doesn’t want any part of the life his older brother, Alex, has laid out for him at a high school in Colorado . Carlos likes living his life on the edge and wants to carve his own path—just like Alex did. Then he meets Kiara Westford. She doesn’t talk much and is completely intimidated by Carlos’ wild ways. As they get to know one another, Carlos assumes Kiara thinks she’s too good for him, and refuses to admit that she might be getting to him. But he soon realizes that being himself is exactly what Kiara needs right now.

My review:
I didn't like this one as well as Perfect Chemistry. It was basically the same story, but with less likable characters. While I thought Perfect Chemistry was masterfully written, this one had me rolling my eyes a bit.

I did not care for Carlos at all. I found him self-absorbed and whiny, with a poor me, nobody has ever had it as hard as me, nobody from my background could come out on top attitude. Even though, as we know from the first book in the trilogy, that's exactly what his ...more I didn't like this one as well as Perfect Chemistry. It was basically the same story, but with less likable characters. While I thought Perfect Chemistry was masterfully written, this one had me rolling my eyes a bit.

I did not care for Carlos at all. I found him self-absorbed and whiny, with a poor me, nobody has ever had it as hard as me, nobody from my background could come out on top attitude. Even though, as we know from the first book in the trilogy, that's exactly what his brother Alex did--rise above the life he was given. So, even with the inevitable turn around, I still didn't like his character, and felt that it was too rushed when he goes from complete jerk to sweet, caring guy in about 2 seconds.

And was any of it a surprise? Not really. Not only because the story isn't all that original in the first place, but because we'd already read it in the first book. I think Simone Elkeles is a good writer, but I wasn't impressed with this one.