REVIEW: Perfect Chemistry by Simone Elkeles

Perfect Chemistry is a stand alone young adult novel by author Simone Elkeles. Rules of Attraction is the sequel novel to Perfect Chemistry and is due out in May 2010.

Perfect Chemistry is a contemporary tale along the lines of West Side Story the musical meets The Outsiders novel by S.E. Hinton meets The ABC Afterschool Specials, with a happy ending. I usually try to avoid comparing written works like that, but in this case, the analogy just works so well. Plus I make this analogy with the utmost respect for all four works. So if you're familiar with those classic tales, you can pretty much predict the story line of Perfect Chemistry. Don't get the wrong impression, though. Although a bit predictable in story line, Perfect Chemistry is no less gripping and is definitely worth reading.

Brittany Ellis--the rich, popular, perfect pompom girl meets Alejandro "Alex" Fuentes --the poor, tough, gang banger boy from the other side of town. Each presumes to know all about the other one's stereotypical life, not even giving each other half a chance. Little do they realize, they're more alike than either would care to admit, as both Brittany and Alex live in a world of obligation to uphold this public facade of their stereotypical lifestyles.

Fate, or rather, their chemistry teacher, brings Brittany and Alex together and although at first they're both extremely full of contempt and disrespect for each other, in time they get to know each other and fall quite hard for each other. Of course, no one thinks they belong together and disapproval comes from just about everyone. But they have passion, understanding, and well . . . perfect chemistry and so despite the odds against them, they set out to prove their love for each other and try to break down the walls between their worlds. There is anger, betrayal and tragedy in Perfect Chemistry, but there is also strength, hope, courage and above all, love.

It's worth mentioning the format of this novel, because it's a format that isn't often used and I think it worked just brilliantly in Perfect Chemistry. Basically, the chapters alternate between Brittany and Alex's first person point of view throughout the entire novel. This method works so well because really it keeps the story moving at a fast clip, making you want to read "one more chapter" to see what the other one is going to think, say or do next. Scenes are never repeated from the other protagonist's perspective... the next chapter just picks up where the other left off. Not always at the same setting, mind you, but always keeping the timeline consistently moving forward. It's really a fun approach to telling a story and worked especially well for Perfect Chemistry in which both characters' perspectives are so crucial to developing the conflict.

Perfect Chemistry is a quick paced, highly addictive story. Both I and my teenage daughter had a difficult time putting the book down. In fact, we borrowed the book from the library on a Monday night and both of us had finished reading it by midnight on Tuesday.

Perfect Chemistry is a wonderfully written, intense and emotional story that tugs at your heartstrings as you watch these two star crossed lovers break down the social and racial barriers between their worlds, fighting for the happily ever after that they deserve.

You can visit author Simone Elkeles on her website at http://www.simoneelkeles.net/index-web.html.