Review: Perfect Chemistry

Perfect Chemistry by Simone Elkeles

Teaser from Barnes and Noble

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.


First Reaction 
My first thoughts of this book was that it seemed to be a modern day forbidden love that was able to happen unlike other books of forbidden love. That was the aspect that first drew me to the book, and now after reading, why I love this story. This story is also told in two points of view by alternating chapters, which I love about this book.

Characters

Brittany- The model perfect girl who feels and wants to be anything but. At home she faces disrespecting parents and her disabled sister who she loves dearly and at school she's the lead cheerleader and has the perfect boyfriend (or so she thought). When she comes back to school from the summer she wants nothing but to get through the year and make it perfect, but she's not so sure she can do that when she begins crushing on a gang member.
Alex- A gang member who has two goals: Protect his family, and keep his brothers from joining the gang. On the first day of school he ends up with the most popular girl in school as her partner, Pretty girl Brittany. But then he begins to fall for her, and he's not sure what to do.


Review:
This book I recommend for anyone 14+. This is one of the best versions of forbidden love I have ever read, and the most realistic. There is no magic here (except love of course!)
This story takes you though the twists and turns of an unexpected couple and an unexpected love.

One of the Best!