Review: Perfect Chemistry

 I have been on this kick lately with YA books that portray their character's sexuality in a realistic fashion. As readers, teachers, and parents we like to think (or more likely, hope) that our youth doesn't experience the very real conflict of coming into their own sexuality. I like these books for two reasons, one being that I love a little steam in my books, it drives me crazy when all that happens is a chaste kiss...I mean come on! The other reason is that it helps teens and really any reader come to terms with their own sexuality and experiences. Isn't that the purpose of all literature? It makes us feel connected and it shows us a different worldview-we don't often get to escape our own existance and books allow  us to without any fear. The reason I picked up Perfect Chemistry is kind of a funny story. I was book conferencing with one of my ninth graders for her independent reading requirement and fell in love with the storyline. A small group of voracious readers in my second period class had all devoured this book so I was excited to read it myself. I am always on the lookout for a book that not only has a realistic story line, but also embraces the diversity of its characters. Simone Elkeles's Perfect Chemistry fit the bill, well, perfectly.

Brittany Ellis is the reigning queen of Fairfield High. She is everything you would expect in a queen bee, beautiful, smart, rich and popular. On the surface she has everything the average girl could want, but at home she faces controlling parents who are unable to deal with her younger sister's disability.  Enter Alex Fuentes. Alex is known by the student population as a dangerous member of the Latino Bloods Gang. However, what people don't see is Alex's incredible intelligence and his desire to make something more of himself. When Brittany and Alex are assigned as lab partners neither are all too thrilled.  But what starts out as a deep loathing transforms into something more. The question is, can their relationship escape the brutal realities of being in a gang and the cultural differences between their families? Told in alternating narratives, Elkeles weaves a beautiful tale of diversity, courage, romance and ambition.

The romance and relationship in Perfect Chemistry will not surprise you. The good girl meets bad boy is a storyline that has been rewritten by authors for hundreds of years. However, Elkeles rendition of this story is made unique by allowing us into the minds of both Brittany and Alex. While Brittany's chapters are heartfelt and the realistic portrayal of her sister's Cerebral Palsey is moving, it is really Alex's chapters that will draw in readers.  His story is vividly painted for the reader, his dialogue interspersed with Spanish, and his tenderness and love for those around him contrasts with the necessary tough exterior he wears for the gang. You will absolutely fall in love with him. As a bonus, he is absolutely gorgeous with a rocking body, no wonder Brittany fell for him! The epilogue is sweet albeit cheesey, and readers will be happy to know that Elkeles has two more books about Alex's younger brothers for readers to indulge in.

Highly reccomended, enjoy the steamy romance, contemplate the cultural differences and enjoy!