Review: Perfect Chemistry - Simone Elkeles
Release Date: December 23, 2009Age Group: Young Adult
Pages: 368
Rating: ★★★★★
A modern tale of star-crossed lovers with a fresh urban twist. At Fairfield High School, on the outskirts of Chicago , everyone knows that south-siders mixing with north-siders can be explosive. So when Brittany Ellis and Alejandro “Alex” Fuentes are forced to be lab partners in chemistry class, this human experiment leads to unexpected revelations – that Brittany ’s flawless reputation is a cover for her troubled home life, that Alex’s bad-boy persona hides his desire to break free from gang ties, and that when they’re together, life somehow makes more sense. Breaking through the stereotypes and expectations that threaten to keep Brittany and Alex apart, Perfect Chemistry takes readers to both sides of the tracks in a passionate love story about looking beneath the surface.
Let me start by apoligizing for the fact that I've literally fallen off the face of the Earth! You're going to laugh when I tell you this, but I couldn't get on because I forgot my password :$. Or maybe you didn't even crack a smile and you think I'm stupid...Anyways, I requested that they send it to my e-mail, but for some reason that didn't work. Whatever, I'm back and ready for action!
I went into this book expecting a lot. When I say a lot, I really mean it. Everywhere I turned, there was raving reviews about this novel and guess what? Here's another one. I loved it. No, I adored it. I finished it the day I bought it because even though it isn't fantasy or supernatural, or something like that (because I've been reading quite a bit of those lately) it was immensely engrossing.
I could feel everything between the characters, I could feel the passion and the pain and the wanting and the hatred. The feelings and emotions all blended together to create a medley of perfection. (Wow, nice words there, Dominique.) It was wonderful.
It was a book told from two perspectives, so I got to see Brittany and Alex's relationship develop from both point of views. I couldn't ask for anything more that a book where everything comes to life. Elkeles writing was so raw and true, that you were sucked into this world that was so much like your own, yet it was still fun to be there.
One of the best aspects of this books was that you could see that the "perfect characters" weren't so perfect after all. Brittany had a certain depth and personality that you can't find in too many books. She takes charge in situations, but sometimes she still feels helpless and ugly and flawed and insecure and I love that about her.
I went into this book expecting a lot. When I say a lot, I really mean it. Everywhere I turned, there was raving reviews about this novel and guess what? Here's another one. I loved it. No, I adored it. I finished it the day I bought it because even though it isn't fantasy or supernatural, or something like that (because I've been reading quite a bit of those lately) it was immensely engrossing.
I could feel everything between the characters, I could feel the passion and the pain and the wanting and the hatred. The feelings and emotions all blended together to create a medley of perfection. (Wow, nice words there, Dominique.) It was wonderful.
It was a book told from two perspectives, so I got to see Brittany and Alex's relationship develop from both point of views. I couldn't ask for anything more that a book where everything comes to life. Elkeles writing was so raw and true, that you were sucked into this world that was so much like your own, yet it was still fun to be there.
One of the best aspects of this books was that you could see that the "perfect characters" weren't so perfect after all. Brittany had a certain depth and personality that you can't find in too many books. She takes charge in situations, but sometimes she still feels helpless and ugly and flawed and insecure and I love that about her.
Elkeles also demonstrated something else that you can't find too much in the love world: a relationship that grew over time. She didn't just thrust Alex and Britanny together and have them fall in love with eachother, because that doesn't happen in the real world. They have to over come the words of everyone around them, the hateful eyes, the discouraging glares. Whether they do overcome it or not will remain a secret, for those of you who haven't read it.
It was entertaining to see both characters struggle in a life that seemed so easy on the outside. Alex was feared, Brittany was loved but they weren't being who they wanted to be.
This story may be a love story, but it is still about so much more. It's about highschool, friends, love, violence...It's about life.
Incase you didn't realize it, I definitely recommend this one.
It was entertaining to see both characters struggle in a life that seemed so easy on the outside. Alex was feared, Brittany was loved but they weren't being who they wanted to be.
This story may be a love story, but it is still about so much more. It's about highschool, friends, love, violence...It's about life.
Incase you didn't realize it, I definitely recommend this one.
I enjoyed this one too. Some of the books raved about really deserve it and like you said, this is one of them.
ReplyDeleteBrandi from Blkosiner’s Book Blog
great review!
ReplyDeleteplease check out my blog
http://theburstingbookshelf.blogspot.com/
Great review !! :), I have this book on my reading pile hope to read it soon, just found your blog , looking forward to stopping by often. I'm a new follower.
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