Perfect Chemistry [Kindle Edition]

Simone Elkeles (Author)

Book Description

A fresh, urban twist on the classic tale of star-crossed lovers. 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.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 10 Up—Told in alternating narratives, Perfect Chemistry portrays a romance between two unlikely lab partners. Brittany is her Chicago high school's "golden girl" but few of her friends know that her parents are totally dysfunctional and that she is highly invested in caring for her physically and mentally disabled older sister. Alex is a member of the Latino Blood, but he wishes he could leave gang life and pursue a college career. The plot thickens as Alex accepts a bet from a friend that he cannot bed Brittany by Thanksgiving. Smoldering doesn't quite do justice to the romantic banter that sparks between them. As the story unfolds, Alex is incarcerated and later hospitalized. Raw language and Spanish phrases that Anglo readers might feel obligated to investigate further are peppered throughout. The pace picks up too quickly at the end, leaving readers wondering if they missed something as time that has previously been marked day by day begins to clip along in five-month increments. Overall though, this is a solid romance that's suitable for reluctant readers.—Leah Krippner, Harlem High School, Machesney Park, IL
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From Booklist

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. Grades 9-12. --Daniel Kraus

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• File Size: 455 KB
• Print Length: 368 pages
• Page Numbers Source ISBN: 0802798225
• Publisher: Walker Childrens (April 21, 2010)
• Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
• Language: English
• ASIN: B003I55BIA
• Text-to-Speech: Enabled
• X-Ray: Enabled
• Lending: Enabled
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #6,709 Paid in Kindle Store (See Top 100 Paid in Kindle Store)
  • #47 in Kindle Store > Kindle eBooks > Teens > Literature & Fiction

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

55 of 56 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars The perfect element for an enoyable reading experience December 26, 2008

By The Compulsive Reader VINE™ VOICE

Format:Paperback

Alex Fuentes is gang member from the south side of Fairfield, and Brittany Ellis is a privileged girl from the north. Each have a status and a reputation to uphold at Fairfield High, but they also have secrets--for Alex, it's the desire to break free from the Latino Blood gang and his tough image and succeed in life. Brittany's life may look perfect from the outside, but at home, her parents are struggling to deal with Brittany's handicapped sister.

Brittany and Alex are on the opposite ends of the social scene spectrum, but that doesn't stop their chemistry teacher from making them lab partners. It's hate at first sight for both, but as they learn more about each other and slowly move beyond the stereotypes, they'll discover completely new people.

Perfect Chemistry is the classic love story of two utterly different people falling for each other, despite their initial loathing. Elkeles breathes new life into the old tale, giving it a fresh teenage perspective by interchangeably writing in both Alex and Brittany's point of view, keeping Perfect Chemistry fresh and evenly paced. The plot is realistic and sweet without being cliché, and the dialogue is perfect; gritty, and genuine. Each side is portrayed objectively, and though Alex and Brittany's relationship does move at a fast pace, their thoughts, insecurities, hang-ups, and urges all ring true and are easy for nearly any teen to identify with.

Though it is an important part of the book, the romance doesn't dominate it: strong themes of acceptance, diversity, courage, and independence are also present, making for a powerful read that boldly faces the consequences of gang life, and offers an unflinching look at how difficult it is to extricate oneself from it. Elkeles has created a riveting and strong novel with an important and relevant message and a romance hotter than any exothermic reaction.

19 of 19 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Classic Bad Boy Meets Good Girl February 11, 2009

By Tiffany

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

I really enjoyed this novel by Simone Elkeles. It was essentially a story of forbidden love, an almost epic romance, but put into a YA novel. There is the "bad boy" Alex, who lives in a lower income area and is a member of a gang. He has his issues in his life, but has a tough/bad reputation at school. Then, there is the "Golden Girl" Brittany, who seems to have the perfect life, but really, she doesn't. And, unlike some girls in her positions, she is not spoiled or self-centered. Of course, they are made for each other.

I am a sucker for these kind of stories, loving Veronica Mars and Logan Echols kind of pairings (from the TV show Veronica Mars). So, even though it has a fairly predictable plot, if it's what you want to read, pick this up!

The characters are really well done, in my opinion. I do not personally know any Spanish speaking gang members, but I do know that some of the Spanish in the book should not be repeated in a polite setting (so, there is a feeling of realism in the book). I thought both Alex and Brittany were very well-developed characters who grew with each other in the book.

The writing style is easy to read and very engaging. I picked up the book and could not put it down, finishing it in one night.
There are some sad/hard/slightly graphic parts to read in the book, but it is expected. I had fairly high expectations for this book, having read Leaving Paradise, and felt they were exceeded. While it is not an original idea, I loved it and would recommend it to anyone wanting to read a very well done teen romance.

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Addictive and Unforgettable April 2, 2009

By Jenny, Wondrous Reads

Format:Paperback

Sigh. I'm in love with yet another fictional male character: Alejandro Fuentes. As a Mexicano gang member with a desire to make something more of himself, he's your typical bad boy trapped in a life he doesn't want. Enter Brittany Ellis: head cheerleader with a seemingly perfect life, who ends up falling for Alex against her better judgement.

Could I put this book down? Even for five minutes? No, I could not.

I'm a sucker for epic, forbidden love stories, so it's no surprise that I loved Perfect Chemistry. It's like a modern Romeo & Juliet, only with gangs and high school. Simone Elkeles has a brilliant writing style that hooked me from the first page, and there's no way for me to describe it other than compelling and addictive.

I love Alex and Brittany, and I seriously didn't want the book to end. I even liked the epilogue which was a bit cheesy, yes, but oh so satisfying. The classic love story is one we've all seen before: two people from different worlds meet, and, against all odds, fall madly in love with each other. Elkeles has mixed this one up a bit, and has added depth and intrigue to her characters, making them both immensely likeable and realistic.

Perfect Chemistry touches upon some important messages and themes, including race, disability, and acceptance. Each character confronts their imperfections, learns what it means to be in love, and how to deal with the consequences and sacrifices that inevitably accompany it.

I can't think of anything else to say here, as I've still got that 'wow' feeling you get after reading a great book. If you're a fan of the romance genre, I highly recommend you get yourself a copy of this. You won't be disappointed!

More About the Author

Simone Elkeles was born and raised in the Chicago area. She loves writing books for teens and enjoys hearing from her readers. In her spare time (which she has less and less of these days), she loves hanging with her friends and going out to movies. Go to her website to learn more about her at www.simoneelkeles.com!