Perfect Chemistry

Perfect Chemistry
By Simon Elkeles
Walker, 2009. 360 pgs. Fiction

Alex and Brittany couldn't be more different--or so they think. Alex is a Mexican American gangbanger living on the south side of town. Brittany is the head cheerleader and has a seemingly perfect life--fancy car, designer clothes, and anything money can buy. When they're assigned to be chemistry partners, neither is particularly happy about. However, they soon find that they're each hiding behind a front, and when they start getting to know each other, they're undeniably attracted to each other.

This book is pretty raw--intense emotions, plenty of language, and some adult situations. The West Side Story type plot moves pretty well, but I couldn't help but feel that the ending was a little cheesy. That said, I'd recommend this book to those who love the bad-boy-with-a-soft-side type of hero; Alex is pretty yummy. Those who get hooked on the first book will want to move on to the sequel, Rules of Attraction.

AE