Book Review: Perfect Chemistry by Simone Elkeles

December 23rd, 2008
Walker Books for Young Readers
360 pages (Paperback)

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. (From GoodReads)

My senior chemistry teacher made us sit in alphabetical order too, but this never happened to me.  And I almost went to University for chemistry.  And I almost changed majors to chemistry this past semester.  I was very wrong in thinking nursing involve chemistry...

This book was fabulous and adorable and all-things wonderful.  I sat in the sunshine and read the whole thing and enjoyed every page.  The pace was good.  The relationship had just enough tension to keep me intrigued, without annoying me too badly.  I'm a sucker for a good starcrossed lovers tale.  And there was violence.  My cup of tea.

My only complaint would be the Spanish.  Yes, it's essential to the book, and I'm not saying it shouldn't be there.  But I don't know any Spanish.  Some days I can barely handle English (don't even get me started on French...).  The Spanish was getting on my nerves, because I had no idea what it meant and wasn't about to look it up each time.  Random question: Are there any eReaders with Translators in them?  My Kobo has a dictionary, but no translator.  Just curious.

Much love, Samantha