Review: Perfect Chemistry by Simone Elkeles

Title: Perfect Chemistry by Simone Elkeles
Publisher: Walker Childrens
Release Date: December 23, 2008
Genres: Romance, Drama, Action, Contemporary
Medium: Paperback, Bought

From the first page, Perfect Chemistry became one of my favorite novels. Ever. Along the lines of Pushing The Limits by Katie McGarry, this dramatic and romantic contemporary is completely realistic and believable. When 2 polar opposite Chicago teens are forced to come together as chemistry partners, drama and a Romeo & Juliet type romance is sure to ensue between the North and South sider.

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. -From Amazon.com
 

The plot is everything you can expect and so much more. You see the true reality of life in the big city; both the good and the bad. From the gang-inhabiting streets on the south side to the mansions housing "perfect" families on the north side, you see two completely different side of Chicago. This is both an eye-opening and definitely a mind-changing novel. You follow two polar opposite teens from the day they meet and watch as their paths cross is many unexpected ways. And yes, there is many plot twists to be found in this novel. It's one of the best dual-point-of-view novels I have ever read. There are no gaps in the writing and the plot flow effortlessly. Addictive and containing plenty of edge-of-your-seat action, this novel makes for a great novel unisex novel that will resonate with teenage readers everywhere. This novel is so realistic, it is impossible to not think this  novel was written from real experiences. It is that realistic. One of the best plots I have ever read.
 

Chloe and Alex are two characters I will never forget. Dynamic and emotional, they tell two very different stories from one another. Chloe resides in the north side of Chicago, living in a big house with hot-shot parents and an older sister with Cystic Fibrosis, who Chloe seems to be the only one to understand. Fighting to keep her parents happy and her sister out of a special care center, Chloe must put on the perfect façade everyday to make everyone happy. Everyone except herself, that is. And Alex... Oh. Alex is now one of my favorite characters of all time. He lives in the south side of Chicago, always out on the streets, apart of the Latino Blood gang so he can protect his family from the fate of his deceased father. Growing up poor and in a gang, Alex has a rough facade himself and a bad reputation. All until he meets Chloe, when the real side of him begins to show. So much character development takes place in this novel, it's had to describe.

The writing in this novel: tremendous. Some of the most natural, realistic, and flowing writing I have ever read. It is so very hard to stop reading. Literally, I read half the book in one sitting. And the other half in another sitting practically. It is so addicting and delicious. The drama is real, the action is edge-of-your-seat nail biting suspense, the emotions are raw, and the romance is so very sexy. I have literally no qualms with Elkeles' style of writing. I can say no words except 'perfect.'

This novel and series quickly became one of my all time favorites. It was emotional, raw, sensual, action-packed, and dramatic. I cannot wait to see where this series goes and I will definitely be getting a copy of the sequel as soon as I can get my hands on it. Five stars.