Brittany Ellis seems to have it all; wealthy parents, the perfect boyfriend and the "right" group of friends. But when Brittany is forced to become lab partners with Alex Fuentes, a gang member from the wrong side of town, her perfect life starts to unravel. 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 as Alex and Brittany grow closer, sparks begin to fly and they both realise that sometimes appearances can be deceptive. Will their emerging feelings be enough to keep them together when the world is determined to keep them apart?
Perfect Chemistry is out in the UK on 1st April 2010
Sequel Rules of Attraction is released on 27th April 2010 in the US & 6th Jan 2011 in the UK
For more information visit Simone Elkeles' website
Review:
By first appearances Brittany and Alex couldn't be more different and don't appear to have even the slightest thing in common. Brittany is from the rich side of town - she is a beautiful, popular cheerleader who is dating the captain of the football team. She wears designer clothes, drives an expensive car and seems to have the perfect life. Alex is from the poor side of town - a frightening gang member with a reputation for drugs and violence, he fits the bad boy image perfectly.
But appearances can be deceptive and neither of them is quite what they seem. Brittany is hiding secrets behind her perfect life facade - life with a disabled sister & a mother constantly on the verge of a nervous breakdown is hard. Alex isn't as tough as he likes to make out, in fact the only reason he joined his gang in the first place was to protect his family. Now, no matter how much he'd like to escape, there is no way out without putting everyone he cares about in danger.
I can't tell you how much I enjoyed this book - I've read a lot of YA romance over the years but this has got to be one of the best. The story is told from both Brittany and Alex's point of view in alternating chapters which means you get a fantastic insight into each of the characters. They are both incredibly real & take you on a gritty journey with them that you don't want to end. This book is about so much more than romance though, you also get a terrifying insight into what life must be like for an inner city gang member. So many of the YA romances I've read recently seem to be based purely on lust rather than any real connection between the characters so this was a refreshing change from the norm.
Simone Elkeles has done an amazing job with this book & I was so excited to find out that a sequel - Rules of Attraction - is due out soon. I'll definitely be reading the sequel and checking out more books by this author. I'd highly recommend Perfect Chemistry to any fans of the YA romance genre.
Source: Recieved for review from publisher Simon & Schuster
Other Reviews:
Once Upon a Bookcase
Hooked on YA Books
Wondrous Reads
Confessions of the Un-Published
I Want To Read That
Maria the Bookworm
I Was A Teenage Book Geek
Girls Without A Bookshelf
The Bookette
Katie's Book Blog
Story Wings
Portrait of a Woman
If you have reviewed this book on your blog please leave a link to your review in the comments & I'll add the link here.
I honestly cannot wait til this book comes out! Lucky you for the ARC!
ReplyDeleteI've just read this and loved it! I've also read Leaving Paradise which I loved too - she is an amazing author and I can't wait to read more of her books. Thanks for a great review:)
ReplyDeleteAwesome review, Sarah! I agree with you completely; so much more, and so better, than your average YA romance! I loved - probably not the right word, but you'll know what I mean - reading about gang life. Just so... scary! I don't know whether you're aware or not, but the April release for Rules of Attraction is the US release. It'll be released in the UK at a later date (though I don't know when).
ReplyDeleteThanks to linking to my review! I've done the same :)
@ Dwayne - I was so excited to get this one for review :o) Definitely a fab read - I hope you enjoy it!
ReplyDelete@ I want to read that - Thanks for the recommendation for Leaving Paradise, I'll have to check that one out :o) Let me know when you post your review & I'll add your link
@ Jo - Thanks for the link :o) I know what you mean - it was scary to think how many people are living in the gang culture, it's something I've not had much experience with or read much about before. I got the release date from Amazon UK but it wouldn't be the first time they've got it wrong LOL! I'll have to make a note of it.
I have only heard good things about this book... So I don't think it's any bad.
ReplyDeleteGreat review! I didn't love this one as much as most people did, but it was a good read.
ReplyDelete@ Raila - I've only read positive reviews for this one too - I'd definitely recommend it :o)
ReplyDelete@ Stephanie - Sorry you didn't enjoy it as much as I did, I'm glad you didn't hate it though :o)
This is on it's way to me now. I actually expected it to arrive this week. I wasn't expecting it until April (when it's released in the UK) so was so thrilled when it came into stock last week! Fab review I cannot wait to read it!
ReplyDeleteI can't wait to read this one...great review Sarah (and the fact you stayed up all night to read it definitely convinced me when I saw that on twitter!)
ReplyDelete@ Aye.Me? - Perfect Chemistry only comes out in the UK on April 1st but it does seem to be available early on Amazon UK. I'm not sure what the release date is in Australia but it might not be out yet? Hope you manage to find it soon though :o) Thanks so much for the award - I've been a bit behind posting my awards this month but I'll get to it soon LOL
ReplyDelete@ Leah - I noticed that Amazon seemed to have this one available early :o) I hope you enjoy it - please let me know what you think of it!
@ Rhiana - I'm sure you'll love this one :o) I think I ended up staying up until about 7am with this one, I could barely keep my eyes open but I HAD to know how it ended LOL!
I just read this book today. I was amazing!
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad you liked this one Sarah! I can't wait for Rules of Attraction!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteI've added a link to your review :o)
omg omg omg omg!!!! i read this book on the weekend and it was sooo amazing!!!!!
ReplyDeletei got through it in like 3 hours which was soo cool...im still thinking about it!!!
I'm so glad you enjoyed it Amanda! I can't wait to read Rules of Attraction!!!!! I'll be looking forward to reading your review :o)
ReplyDelete