My Review: Perfect Chemistry by Simone Elkeles

 
From Goodreads: 

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.

                                  My Thoughts :

     Science  says that opposites attracts. Positive  attracts negative and concerning magnets North attracts South. That's what I am about to find out ...and something more  when I started reading this book.

      Brittany Ellis and Alejandro Fuentes are the two complete opposite of the magnet. North and South. Brittany is beautiful, rich, popular and the girlfriend of the Captain of their school's football  and the envy of all the  team , I know it sounds so cliche! ( it is!) . Looks like she got everything , right?  But then that  is how her parents want her to be.  Their Perfect daughter for the world to see. But that's not how it is home where her parents tried to keep their "secret" .. her older sister Shelly who has the disability that makes her  "not normal".

      Brittany has to keep this perfect facade all along specially at school. Everything  should be glitch-free , good grades, good friends, perfect boyfriend and pristine reputation. Because that was expected of her. Period. She has no idea that all this would start to change when Alex Lucas was assigned to be her Chemistry partner.  She cannot believe it! Of all the people why Alex???

    Who is Alex Fuentes ? His "Bad boy" reputation precedes him. Everyone at school avoid him like a plague specially the ones from the north side. Moreover, Alex is from the south side and a member of a notorious gangster?  Messing with them is a death wish.  But behind this hard and tough exterior is a son and a brother who would do anything to protect his family... and also the main reason why he joined the gang.

   Being Brit's Chem partner was far from his imagination. Sure , he thinks Brit is too pretty ( as all the guys thinks so! ) but he couldn't stand the way she  looks at him and treats him.. like a dirt! He thought Brittany's  a snob and a fake just like everyone else in north side. Looks like this two have their first impressions gone so wrong! Tsk. Tsk.

    So, when he and his south side friends dare him to get into Brit's pants in exchange for a car? ( Seriously?!) he took the Bet! At first, I was like, " Really , Alex? your'e such a douche!" IS there peer pressure involved here???? Unbelievable!

Alright then, the bet is on! If he wins he gets the car...if he loses his friend will have his Julio! ( Yes his bike??!- the love of his life at the moment?! ) So, he can't lose!

    What's the game plan? Seduce Brittany. It should be simple with his hot bod and bad boy good looks! But think again, Alex. 1. Brit  had a golden boy boyfriend  which would most likely kick your ass ( not a threat?!) and most importantly, 2. Brit HATES him! Uhmm,  this would be a challenge... unless you , Alex wants a tough one? Oh, so it is  "ON"?! Apparently it is, when he started to wonder what is really like to get to know Brittany.

“How the hell did I ever think I
could lure the very beautiful, very rich, and very white Brittany Ellis into my very poor, very Mexican, and very dark life”

     I love how Ms. Simone Elkeles wrote this book. I know , this sounds  like a typical bad boy meets good girl kind of story.. but the way it was written... is really , really good! Like you'll probably gonna know what will happen next but still you can't put it down? Because you just have to know  it yourself! To see it in your own eyes . Yes, I am truly drawn into the story and specially the characters. They are real. And what they are going through.. was really happening out there.

     I can't also help but to giggle and actually have fun with  Brit and Alex bickering in and out the chemistry class. Alex , no matter how he like to be mean / ass .. ended up really adorable ass! And when he start checking out Brit?  And Brit starting to notice his sexy features? Well, well... now it looks like the Law of Attraction was really  put into test?!

     When they are assigned to do a research on "hand warmers" ... oh ! I actually smirk! And yeah, what will happen next would surely be interesting! Like , as if they will need it  when ..a ( sexual -Uh-oh) tension comes along?! No choice but to hang out outside class ( or else fail chemistry?!)  Brit and Alex got to know each other and discovered that there's something more than meets the eye. That somewhat they are different but also the same.

“We're actors in our lives, pretending to be who we want people to
think we are.”

     When they peel off each layer, the more they become drawn to each other which I thought, was inevitable? How can Brit deny her growing attraction  for Mr tough guy? ( but a softie deep inside?! )  When she begun to wonder how it feels to be kissing Alex lips? Same thing was happening to Alex too. How soft was Brit's skin when he touches it..and her lips?  ...But then , the bet is still on?  was it? Or was they surprisingly begun to fall in love?

     Oh, I forget to mention, there are a lot of SWOON moments in this book! One of my faves was when Alex gave Brit a driving lesson.  A real driving lesson! ( I hope you don't have "anything else" on mind?! Haha. ) The way Alex "accidentally" brush his fingers  and held Brit's hands.... send shivers to my skin! Oh it feels real too me! Love, loved how you wrote that scene, Ms. Simone! And on desperately  kissing Alex on his bike..under the pouring rain??? Awwwwwww! I'm toast! I want to be kissed like that!  What's with this kissing under the rain??? I just love , loved it!   ( No further explanation required!)

    If you want a little action and suspense aside from the romance... this book still got it. Oh there are fist fights and guns .. what's a gangsta without some violence here and then? And when Alex had to choose between his "gang duties" and Brit? I almost hold my breath.. and it broke my heart just like Brit's. Sigh. It was a tough decision to make.

   I loved the ending. Everything turn out to be good for both Alex and Brit. The message was clear: Love conquers all. And this was specially true for both Alex and Brit.

 
                              My Playlist :

"The Way" by Ariana Grande http://youtu.be/2O3AOhEufyo

                     I'm giving this book :

             4 Perfect Chemistry stars!