Review | Perfect Chemistry

Title: Perfect Chemistry
Author: Simone Elkeles
Publisher: Walker Books
Pages: 360
Rating 5/5

"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."

Perfect Chemistry is a heartfelt, amazing novel that took my breath away from the first page. It's more than a star-crossed love story. It goes deeper than that and it's portrayed well in this novel.

Both Alex and Brittany's connection and chemistry felt so real. There was no Boom-I'm-In-Love-With-Him moment, it grew over time and flourished. Just as the characters did. Each of the characters, even the secondary ones, were well developed and rounded. Brittany wasn't just your snotty, rich kid. Alex wasn't just your typical gang member. Shelley wasn't just the older sister with cystic fibrosis. Each character had many layers underneath their exterior and I loved that. The alternating chapters between Alex and Brittany was perfect as well. It gave you views into what was going on in each of their lives, what they thought about each other. It was amazing.

I was blown away with everything about this novel. I found myself laughing with the funny parts, swooning with the A & B interaction, and wincing with every thing gang related. Heck, I even teared up a couple times. And the ending, oh the ending, was perfect in every single way possible! This is definitely one of my most loved books now. It's that good, people. Meaning you should go read this NOW. Now, I tell you.