Review: Perfect Chemistry (Perfect Chemistry #1)

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Title: Perfect Chemistry

Author: Simone Elkeles

Series: Perfect Chemistry, #1

Age Group: young adult

Format: ebook

Pages: 361

Release Date: December 23, 2008

Publisher: Walker Books for Young Readers

Source: library

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.

Honestly, I don't know what to think of Perfect Chemistry. No matter how hard I attempted, I could not get attached to Alex or Brittany, for that matter. Sure, the book drew me in. I couldn't stop reading. But it wasn't in the "This is an amazing book, I can't stop reading!". It was more in the "I can't wait to stop reading so I can start another book!" kind of way.

Alright, now that I've stated that, let's move on to specific details. First we'll start with Alex. I couldn't help but disapprove of him. He's a gang member! Sure, I get it. He did it to protect his family, but that still doesn't make it right. No, I didn't like him. There were times when I felt a little bit of sympathy, but that fleeting emotion was usually overtaken by dislike.

Now, Brittany, she was okay, to say the most. Of course, she's blonde, blue-eyed, and a cheerleader. She's popular and her boyfriend is the captain of the football team, plus, she's rich. I liked how she was cold to the world and tried to be perfect. I can relate. But, I also liked how she treated her sister, Shelley, who wasn't quite right. But, still, I couldn't help but think that Brittany was a bit to vulnerable and willing to obey Alex for my liking. I like it more when heroines are headstrong and defiant, not meek and vulnerable. So, I still didn't like her.

Over all, I just couldn't approve of this book. There was a lot of drugs, weapons, sex, cussing, and teenage hormones involved. I know, I know. This is a real life kind of book, but it just wasn't my kind of book. The ending I think was the most entertaining. But, still, not enough to make me like Perfect Chemistry. I still haven't decided if I want to read the other two books in the series. I may read them if I never have anything to read one day.

If you asked me if I would recommend you this book, here's what I would say. No, I don't recommend it, but if you're stubborn, go ahead and read it(if you haven't already), but be warned about the drugs, sex, cussing, and weapons involved.

My Rating:

A Lesson Before Dying

Author: Ernest J. Gaines
Series: None
Age Group: Adult
Challenge: None
Format: Paperback
Pages: 256
Published: September 28, 1997(first published 1993)
Publisher: Vintage (a division of Random House)
Source: Bought
My Rating: *

A Lesson Before Dying is set in a small Cajun community in the late 1940s. Jefferson, a young black man, is an unwitting party to a liquor store shootout in which three men are killed; the only survivor, he is convicted of murder and sentenced to death. Grant Wiggins, who left his hometown for the university, has returned to the plantation school to teach. As he struggles with his decision whether to stay or escape to another state, his aunt and Jefferson's godmother persuade him to visit Jefferson in his cell and impart his learning and his pride to Jefferson before his death. In the end, the two men forge a bond as they both come to understand the simple heroism or resisting--and defying--the unexpected.

If you just want to get to the review, skip this paragraph. Okay, first of all, I owe my readers a sincere apology. I'm really and truly sorry. Although excuses are never enough, I will tell a little about what has been happening in my life. I have just entered high school as a freshman, and homework is piling up as big as my TBR pile(that is A LOT). Silly old me thought classes would be so easy, and this is why I foolishly entered all PREAP and AP classes. But, if I want to enter medical school, I have to stick with this vigorous schedule. Anyways, well, there goes my excuse, but I promise(SWEAR) to TRY to balance my homework and book reading to at least do one review every week. Now, I'm sorry to disappoint you, but the review this week is a book completely out of my genre, so sorry if I bore you. I will try harder next time.

Let's see...I hate being forced to read a book by another person. Sure, recommending is fine, constantly insisting me to read a particular book is fine, but forcing me to read a book I know I won't like, is NOT FINE. Which is what happened with A Lesson Before Dying. So, this is not the book's fault, but it just lost one star.

Well, Jefferson was a wimp, and apparently, a "hog." I didn't understand. All of a sudden, Grant has to teach Jefferson to behave like a human. Jefferson resists. Almost at the last chapter, Jefferson all of a sudden changes. Magical!

I detested Vivian, Grant's girlfriend. I mean, she keeps telling Grant she will not run away with him, because she does not want to lose the children, and yet she keeps hanging out with him. We NEVER even meet the kids!! What kind of a mother is she?

I could just keep ranting on and on about this book, but I'll just tell you here and now. DO NOT EVER READ THIS BOOK!! I detested A Lesson Before Dying, and the only reason I picked this book up is because I was forced to. Maybe there is a deeper meaning in it, but I will not be the one to figure it out. Besides, I have to do three long projects, which does not make for a happy me.

And I had been on such a good reading streak. So much for that. The last I will do is explain why this book went to one(1) star.
One(1) star for being forced to read it, one(1) for quality, one(1) for plot, and one because it put me in a bad mood/and I have to do homework on it.

About the Author:
Ernest J. Gaines was born on a plantation in Pointe Coupee Parish, near New Roads, Louisiana, which is the Bayonne of all his fictional works. His previous books include A Gather of Old Men, In My Father's House, A Long Day in November, The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman, Bloodline, Of Love and Dust, and Catherine Carmier. He divides his time between San Francisco and the University of Southwestern Louisiana, in Lafayette, where he is writer-in-residence.

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**P.S.-I promise to only review these types of genres when I am forced to read them in school**