Pefect Chemistry by Simone Elkeles

My Review:
I really enjoyed this book! Once I decided to read the first page I had a hard time putting it down. Simone Elkeles has a gift of looking at both sides of the story which is why her style of switching back and forth between her male and female characters works. I kept thinking about West Side Story throughout this book because it’s about two people with different lives trying to move forward in life hiding behind the image they show the world. I loved the Hispanic flavor brought by Alex’s character and found him easy to like. He is a guy who is smart, brave, and trying to protect his family and give his brothers a chance to have a better life than ending up in a gang like him. Brittany was equally likeable because even though she came from a life of wealth and luxury, those were not the things that mattered to her. She wanted her parents to say they love her, be present in their family, and love her for who she is even if she makes mistakes. Brittany also cares deeply about her older sitter with a disability and took care of her when she could and wanted her parents to acknowledge her as a person and not a problem.
I will say I found the end a little cheesy since everything wrapped up way too nicely. I am not saying I like dramatic or unhappy endings. Just ones that continue with the theme of the book and this one almost did not seem realistic. But no matter, I smiled when I read the last page and enjoyed the whole book cover to cover.