Review: Perfect Chemistry

Perfect Chemistry

Author: Simone Elkeles

Summary:

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.

Published 23 December 2008

*

One word to describe Perfect Chemistry would be just... Perfect. 

Mind-blowingly and poignantly perfect. 

It's the epitome of the clichéd and much overused star-crossed lovers storyline, but the fact that Simone Elkeles persisted in pushing each stereotype to its best made Perfect Chemistry the biggest star of its genre. It's as simple as that.

Brittany. She is the exemplar of Barbie-ness.

Alex. He is the Mexican bad boy oozing danger and appeal.

When their two vastly different worlds are forced to clash with a loud bang, clap your hands together for some fizzling hot sparks that will beat the likes of Tony and Maria from the West Side Story.

>:) Really!

When I first started reading this novel, there was no doubt that I was expecting a good old twist on the good girl and bad boy tale. And I got that. But, what I didn't expect was how Simone Elkeles delivered it with such raw intensity and pulsating emotions. She left out none of the crudeness that comes with the harsh reality of high school, she left out none of the bloodiness and cruelty of gang life, yet, at the same time, she left out none of the drama and sweetness in a fragile first love.

And that is how she won me over with her tale of two teens falling in love from two different worlds.

Because her story is grounded in reality, because the authentic voices of Alex and Brittany could shine through the predictable storyline, because of all that and more, Perfect Chemistry was so much more special and touching than any other novel on a star-crossed pair. 

Everything starts when Alex and Brittany are assigned as lab partners. From enemies to friends then falling in love, every step of their journey together is precious and heart-warming. From both of their perspectives, we see how their burning animosity turn to curiosity. We watch how they poke at each other's façade. We witness their precious friendship that is tested and challenged again and again by those around them.


Yet, against all odds, even when I thought that all that's going to be left will only be a distant memory of a bitter sweet first love, they made it to the end. 


And Simone Elkeles teaches us a good ol' lesson, of looking beneath the surface, of daring to venture beyond your comfort zone, and most importantly, of never letting go of what is dear to your heart.

Special mention goes to Simone Elkeles for having the most conversational style of writing I've ever seen. She writes the ways teens talk, and because of that, Alex's painful decision to protect his family by joining the Latino Blood gang is all the more tangible and Brittany's strong love for her disabled sister below her icy princess exterior can touch our hearts. That is why I find myself involved in their lives, more deeply than I ever thought was possible.  

So, in the end, Perfect Chemistry is a living proof that the age-old recipe of star-crossed love still tingles and delights. Well, as long as you can write like Simone Elkeles does.


Source: Birthday gift from Mother dear

xoxo,

Sel