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A review by jabenny
Perfect Chemistry by Simone Elkeles
3.0
Summary: Told in two perspectives, alternating between Brittany Ellis and Alex Fuentes, Perfect Chemistry tells the story of two individuals from different backgrounds falling in love. While at first it is just a partnership in Chemistry class, the two soon realize they have developed feelings for one another while neither wish to admit it. Alex because of his gang ties, and Brittany because she must keep the perfect image of being head cheerleader. Delving into the lives of teenagers this book offers a light hearted look on teenage romance that is silly and unrealistic. Mainly due to the dialogue.
I rated this book three stars only because I wanted to see what else Goodreads would recommend for this book. The sub plot that goes along with this book was intriguing to me, Alex Fuentes being part of a fearsome gang. I think the problem I had with this book was that I was expecting something different. If you love the Fluff and cutesy ‘sexual aspect’ of teenage romance go ahead and read this book if you have no problem with swearwords and sexual business go ahead and read this book.
Those were problems that I had with this book, I don’t like reading excessive swear words, it makes me uncomfortable and I just don’t like it. I was really hard to ignore them in this book. I also don’t like reading about sex. I just don’t think it is good literature. Sure I like the occasional kiss and make-out scene but nothing to detailed, that’s just the way I am. And a lot of the sexual innuendos were not to my taste. I am tolerant to a point, but I feel like this book crossed the line for me.
Character development. Brittany, I feel, had too much going on. The author wanted Brittany to have the stereotypical ‘blonde haired blue eyed cheerleader’ persona, which she definitely achieved. Brittany’s snarky, perfect attitude was easy to spot and well played. It is understandable how Brittany must put on a façade for her mother and be the perfect daughter where Brittany’s sister cannot. This is where I don’t agree with how Elkeles creates Brittany. Brittany says she loves her sister and would do anything for her and isn’t ashamed of her, but she cannot seem to tell everyone about it. It has to be kept secret. If you are truly not ashamed of something there is no reason to hide it. If Elkeles was trying to make this point it was not reached.
Alex as a character was interesting. I don’t know much about Hispanic heritage, but I think Elkeles did a good job on providing a look inside the family. Alex is protective of his brothers and feels he must provide for his family after his father’s death. As I said earlier I do not like swearing or ‘sex talk’, but Elkeles, to me, got inside the head of a teenage boy. Some of the thoughts that ran through Alex’s head were believable. I see a lot more development in Alex then I do Brittany. Alex realizes many things about himself and the kind of person her wants and needs to be and makes those changes/decisions.
Supporting characters- Most to all of them were crap. I hate using such unprofessional language in reviews, but it is true. They were terribly developed. Yes, they are the supporting characters and not the most important people of the novel, but being able to relate to them and understand them and how they change in a novel helps us see the main characters more personally and relate to the plot of the novel. Most of the side characters were hard to see and understand and want to get to know.
Dialogue- Gag me with a spoon. Again I hate using such unprofessionalism, but seriously. It’s a good this I already return the book to the library. For those of you who have read the book I hope you understand where I am coming from. While I know the main premise of the book was romance that is no excuse to use cheesy, cliché, and such common dialogue exchanges. The last few pages of the book, when/if you get there you’ll understand. I am not kidding you when I say I made sounds of disgust and some of the stuff the characters said to each other. Insert eye-roll.
I’m thinking I should have just given the novel to stars. I really didn’t like it all that much to the point that I may return the second book to the library without reading it. I am trying to broaden the kinds of books I read and these realistic books intrigue me, not the best way to open my mind to a different genre.
I rated this book three stars only because I wanted to see what else Goodreads would recommend for this book. The sub plot that goes along with this book was intriguing to me, Alex Fuentes being part of a fearsome gang. I think the problem I had with this book was that I was expecting something different. If you love the Fluff and cutesy ‘sexual aspect’ of teenage romance go ahead and read this book if you have no problem with swearwords and sexual business go ahead and read this book.
Those were problems that I had with this book, I don’t like reading excessive swear words, it makes me uncomfortable and I just don’t like it. I was really hard to ignore them in this book. I also don’t like reading about sex. I just don’t think it is good literature. Sure I like the occasional kiss and make-out scene but nothing to detailed, that’s just the way I am. And a lot of the sexual innuendos were not to my taste. I am tolerant to a point, but I feel like this book crossed the line for me.
Character development. Brittany, I feel, had too much going on. The author wanted Brittany to have the stereotypical ‘blonde haired blue eyed cheerleader’ persona, which she definitely achieved. Brittany’s snarky, perfect attitude was easy to spot and well played. It is understandable how Brittany must put on a façade for her mother and be the perfect daughter where Brittany’s sister cannot. This is where I don’t agree with how Elkeles creates Brittany. Brittany says she loves her sister and would do anything for her and isn’t ashamed of her, but she cannot seem to tell everyone about it. It has to be kept secret. If you are truly not ashamed of something there is no reason to hide it. If Elkeles was trying to make this point it was not reached.
Alex as a character was interesting. I don’t know much about Hispanic heritage, but I think Elkeles did a good job on providing a look inside the family. Alex is protective of his brothers and feels he must provide for his family after his father’s death. As I said earlier I do not like swearing or ‘sex talk’, but Elkeles, to me, got inside the head of a teenage boy. Some of the thoughts that ran through Alex’s head were believable. I see a lot more development in Alex then I do Brittany. Alex realizes many things about himself and the kind of person her wants and needs to be and makes those changes/decisions.
Supporting characters- Most to all of them were crap. I hate using such unprofessional language in reviews, but it is true. They were terribly developed. Yes, they are the supporting characters and not the most important people of the novel, but being able to relate to them and understand them and how they change in a novel helps us see the main characters more personally and relate to the plot of the novel. Most of the side characters were hard to see and understand and want to get to know.
Dialogue- Gag me with a spoon. Again I hate using such unprofessionalism, but seriously. It’s a good this I already return the book to the library. For those of you who have read the book I hope you understand where I am coming from. While I know the main premise of the book was romance that is no excuse to use cheesy, cliché, and such common dialogue exchanges. The last few pages of the book, when/if you get there you’ll understand. I am not kidding you when I say I made sounds of disgust and some of the stuff the characters said to each other. Insert eye-roll.
I’m thinking I should have just given the novel to stars. I really didn’t like it all that much to the point that I may return the second book to the library without reading it. I am trying to broaden the kinds of books I read and these realistic books intrigue me, not the best way to open my mind to a different genre.