Perfect Chemistry
Simone Elkeles
Series: Perfect Chemistry, #1
Released: December 23rd, 2008
Publisher: Walker Books
Rating: 2 stars
Word Rating: RAGE
Reviewed by: Melanie
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.
In a passionate story about looking beneath the surface, Simone Elkeles breaks through the stereotypes and barriers that threaten to keep Brittany and Alex apart.
C'mon, you guys saw this coming. Each time I read a book like this one, it gets worse. I have a feeling my bitch mode will unleash in a few reviews' time.
I give sincere apologies to Perfect Chemistry and Simone Elkeles. It's neither of your faults that a million authors decided to copy your ideas of a good girl, bad boy romance. It's not your fault that I read you after some better executed ones. It's not your fault that you got so popular. It's not your fault. It's a shame really, that I'm bringing it out all on you two, but LORD. This book left me fuming like a constipated walrus. (Sorry, bad example but same meaning.)
Is there something I'm missing out on? Or is it that authors are completely blind to realise that predictable love stories are COMPLETELY LAME AND MONOTONOUS AND ADSKL; My homework was more entertaining than this (even though it was a video about gastric frogs <-- really fascinating stuff there).
Going on, we have our cardboard selection of main characters. Brittany, white, rich and seemingly perfect, she gets sick of her up tight life and falls for bad, rebellious boy, and very Mexican Alex. "Then what?" You ask. Then nothing. It really is a bit like Taylor Swift's We Are Never Ever Ever (etc.) Getting Back Together. Dramatic, cliche and very annoying after a long time.
Some people enjoyed this novel. I get it, it's sweet and cute. Buts that's pretty much all there is to it. Being me, I enjoy contemporaries with a dark touch, and maybe even addressing a few messages or topics. The only one I can think of is: Don't judge a book by it's cover. Everyone has a different side to them. Even the most perfect girl in school. But then, that's been used a lot as well. In my little sister's picture books.
If you enjoy angst and steam and nothing else, this will be the book for you. If your like me, wanting more gritty issues and keep away from this book. If you have read this book and hated it, meet up at my place and we'll burn these stereotypical books and never see them again.
Nice blog.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SrzMdoKPPaA
ReplyDeleteconstipated walrus???? loloool.
ReplyDeletenot even as entertaining as gastric frogs?
It seems like you are coming up with some great taglines for this book.
I haven't read this one - have a few other Simone Elkeles books that I was given, though. Is the writing at least good, or was it the stereotypical plot and flatness of the story in conjunction with the bad writing that got you?
Makes me wonder... Did you like Pushing the Limits? I read this years ago but remember loving it, maybe I was v lucky to read it when I did. :-)
ReplyDeleteI loved PTL but I'm not sure if I'll enjoy this one if there isn't much of a back story and honestly, I don't think anything can be done twice in this subgenre. I don't like the sound of Brittany, she sounds stuck up.
ReplyDeleteLovely review, Mel
This WAS very dramatic and cliched, but, surprisingly, I still enjoyed it overall. The rest of the series was pretty much the first book written over and over though, just with different characters. Sorry this disappointed, but lovely review!
ReplyDeleteHaha, I kind of love this review, Melanie. If your HOMEWORK is more interesting than this one, then I'm passing this book up. Like you, I like my books with some grittiness (like Pushing the Limits!) and I like it even more when they're unpredictable and unique. This book seems like the exact opposite of all of that.
ReplyDeleteLovely review, Mel, and thanks for sharing! <3
Fantastic review, Melanie! Gotta love your reviews, I think I'll be keeping away from this one now.
ReplyDelete