Perfect Chemistry
Author: Simone Elkeles
Series: Perfect Chemistry #1
Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary, Romance
Release Date: December 23, 2008
Publisher: Bloomsbury
Summary:
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 Sentence: Everyone knows I’m perfect.
My Review:
If you asked me for a list of my absolutely favorite books six months ago, Perfect Chemistry will definitely be included on the list. I remember when I first read it – I wasn’t blogging yet, but stalked Goodreads often and saw people praising the entire Perfect Chemistry series. I decided to give the series a try because back then, I desperately needed book recommendations, and the series gave me such a rush. However, when I became a blogger and my eyes opened up to all the books out there, I felt my love for the series die down more and more. I finally decided to give Perfect Chemistry a reread when I saw the new covers at Barnes & Noble to see if my love for the book has changed. Short answer: It did.
“This is Alejandro Fuentes,” she starts…”When he wasn’t hanging out on street corners and harassing innocent people this summer, he toured the inside of jails around the city, if you know what I mean. (28,29)
This time, reading Perfect Chemistry sadly didn’t give me any sort of rush at all. In fact, I was a bit bored reading it, which should be a normal since I practically memorized everything that had happened in the first third of the book. However, I forgot what had happened in the last two-thirds of the book, but I still felt a bit bored reading the last two-thirds of the book anyways. I wasn’t as invested in the book as I was the first time I read it.
Perfect Chemistry did make me tear up this time around though. This caught me completely by surprise – before rereading Perfect Chemistry, I remembered every detail of Brittany’s situation, so I didn’t expect to tear up when I read about it again because I already prepared for everything. I sadly don’t remember whether or not Brittany’s situation managed to make me tear up or cry the first time I read it, but I don’t think it did. Did I get more sensitive over time?
I sadly wasn’t as invested in the romance this time around because I know that in the end, Brittany and Alex will obviously get together (duh). I remember when I read Perfect Chemistry for the first time, I loved how Brittany and Alex’s relationship developed and how they got together. Sadly, this time around, the road to their romantic relationship didn’t amaze me or make me fall for it. Yes, I was still rooting for them, but it lacked the spark I felt when I read Perfect Chemistry the first time.
“This is Brittany Ellis,” I say, all eyes now focused on me. “This summer she went to the mall, bought new clothes so she could expand her wardrobe, and spent her daddy’s money on plastic surgery to enhance her, ahem, assets.” (29)
I also couldn’t but be annoyed at all the Spanish used in Perfect Chemistry. Yes, I know that Alex is Mexican so it makes sense for him to speak Spanish sometimes, but he and his friends spoke Spanish a little too much for my taste. Add the fact that most of it wasn’t translated into the mix and you get a very annoyed Kelly. The last time I took any Spanish classes was when I was in fifth grade, so there was absolutely no way I would understand anything besides “hola” and “si.” I was also too lazy to go on Google translate and look up what Alex and all his friends were saying; it’s not like I had an internet connection with me the entire time I was reading Perfect Chemistry anyways.
I still enjoy reading the epilogue of Perfect Chemistry and it still brought a very cheesy smile to my face. I kind of want to read the rest of the Perfect Chemistry trilogy just so I can read their epilogues too. The epilogue of Perfect Chemistry is definitely my favorite part of the book and it also happens to be the cheesiest part of the book.
Overall, I am sad that I don’t love Perfect Chemistry as much as I did the first time I read it about three years ago. It has sadly dropped down from my absolutely favorite list to just an it was good list. I will still definitely recommend Perfect Chemistry though, although not as much as I did back then.
Have you read anything by Katie McGarry, and if so how would you compare them?
Yes, I’ve read Katie McGarry’s books too and I prefer Katie’s more. Katie’s books dragged more tears out of me and makes you feel all the feeeeeeeels.
Kelly L. recently posted…Book Review: Perfect Chemistry – Simone Elkeles
I have read Perfect Chemistry a very long time ago…and at first I was kinda not into Brittany’s character but on the later part of the book i began to appreciate the differences between them and despite that they worked hard to work it out for a long term. I have read the rest of the series and I did enjoyed them all, not necessarily my all time favorite but I wasn’t disappointed either.
I read Simone Elkeles’s others series (The How to Ruin Series) and loved it. Sorry you don’t love it as much this time. It does really stink when upon reread you find the flaws in Your Absolutely Favorite Book.
Some books you just grow out of I guess… It’s a bit sad though. It makes me afraid to re-read books, just in case I won’t love it as much the second time around.
Cucie @ Cucie reads
Cecilie recently posted…Book Review: Rebel Belle by Rachel Hawkins
I’m sad with you, but this has happened to me to too. I don’t think it’s a matter of falling out of love with a book; it’s just that we change. What made you tingle two years ago is no longer a part of you. But the good news is that there are other parts of you, yet to be discovered, that WILL tingle when reading other books :) At least, that’s what I think.
Ramona recently posted…The Strange And Beautiful Sorrows Of Ava Lavender
Aw, hugs. I’m so sorry that you didn’t love this book anymore, like you used to :( That is so sad. But I also very much understand it. I used to love so many books before. Gave a lot of them 5 stars. But if I think about them now.. yeah. Not 5 stars anymore, lol. I’m not brave enough to re-read them to find out, though :p One day, maybe :D Anyway. I have not read this book before, but reading your review, I do not think it would be for me :( Sad face. Maybe one day ;) Gorgeous review Kelly. <3
Carina Olsen recently posted…The Infinite Blog Tour: Interview with Lori M. Lee + Giveaway
Oh my gosh I read this AAAAAGES ago! This brought back so many memories. Like you, I remember absolutely adoring this book (even though I never picked up the sequels). When I first started book blogging I considered re-reading it but I have a feeling I just won’t care for the story anymore. Also, I’m less of a contemporary fan now which would really stunt my love for this. :/
Lol at your comment about there being too much Spanish. I remember reading this the first time thinking “What are they even saying? How am I supposed to understand this?”
Sydney recently posted…A grand opening, my birthday, and a giveaway!
Haven’t read this; not a fan of retellings
I completely understand how you felt Kelly. Maybe not with this book, since I’ve never read it and don’t think I ever will, but when I’ve reread books the times I’ve gotten a chance to, I remember thinking that everything read so perfectly the first time. The second or whatever time it is reading that same book just doesn’t feel the same. Unless it was really good but that’s rare to experience nowadays. Either way, it’s kind of like learning something. Sometimes I also don’t remember certain things because maybe I missed it the first time around, but when you reread it again it feels like your putting together a puzzle because some things were skipped over the first time. Does that make sense? I hope it does…lol. My point is, yes, rereading a book can change the way you saw the book the first time. Maybe the romance seemed so cute the first time, but when you reread the story again it’ll seem cheesy and you just roll your eyes. That’s usually how I feel haha. :D
I can totally relate to this situation!My tastes and expectations in books have changed a lot,that I find myself having a different opinion when I reread books that I read long ago and loved.
I really loved Perfect Chemistry when I read it three or four years ago.And I loved the sequel,Rules of Attraction,even better.But I don’t think I’ll enjoy it as much as I did if I read it now.
Mishma @ Chasing Faerytales recently posted…Controversial and dark concepts in books
I actually read Perfect Chemistry a while ago too. And I think if I read it again, I wouldn’t like it. I do remember that there were quite a few tropes used in it but it didn’t bother m the first time. Little Nova probably loved the ideas and thought they were “oh so” original *BAHAHAHA*
I think it’s really interesting that you compared your reading tastes from before to now.
Nova @ Out of Time recently posted…3xA MA:Katie McGarry
I find when I read books I previously loved, my feelings go one of two ways. 1. Why haven’t I been rereading this more often?! or 2. I can’t believe I loved this… so predictable. To me, it sounds as if rereading this book sent you down path number two. Because of this change of heart I have discovered, I am currently making my way through rereading all my old favorites so that I’m not embarrassed when I list my top ten. I’ve discovered overused plots and themes and tiring story lines, but don’t give up hope. Through this process I have come to thoroughly appreciate the books for which my feeling do last because those reoccurring feelings mean that the book is nothing short of timeless.
Rachel Hinkley recently posted…Night (The Night Trilogy #1) By Elie Wiesel
This book has been on my shelf for ages and I constantly think about getting rid of it. Something tells me that now, at age 25, I won’t like it as much as I would’ve if I read it when I first bought it. It sounds like I may be right.
And ugh, I hate when books use other languages and just assumes the reader knows whatever languages are used in the book :/
Irene recently posted…Måneden i tal #3
I have heard good and bad about this series, but I have not took the plunge yet. I may very well check it out, but I am not so sure if I would love it!
Jaime Lester recently posted…Becoming Jinn by Lori Goldstein ~ Blog Tour Review & Giveaway ~ By Jaime!
Good review! I love Simone Elkeles. I have all her books; I love the way she writes and she uses some humor. How To Ruin My Teenage Life is a funny series of hers. :)
This book has on my TBR list for a LONG time, I really need to read it! Thank you for your honest review!