Giveaway: Perfect Chemistry by Simone Elkeles

Read my review here.

Description: A fresh, urban twist on the classic tale of star-crossed lovers. 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.

The Rules:

1. Open only to US residents.

2. All you need to do is post a comment here with your email address so I can contact you if you are a winner.

3. To receive an additional entry, post about the giveaway on your blog, facebook, Twitter, etc. and leave the link in a comment.  You will get an additional entry for each place you post.

4. Contest is open until May 31.

Perfect Chemistry by Simone Elkeles

I give this book a 4 out of 5 stars.

Description: A fresh, urban twist on the classic tale of star-crossed lovers. 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.

I really enjoyed this book and the more I read it sort of reminded me of S.E. Hinton’s book, The Outsiders.  Alex reminded me of the character Dallas from The Outsiders if Dallas had ended up having a relationship with Cherry.   I absolutely loved Alex’s character and it was heartbreaking to see what he had to go through to try and protect his family and the sacrifices his friends make for him.  Brittany’s character was also touching as you watch her love for her sister and it was great to see her realize that she did not have to be the “perfect” daughter and deny herself happiness.  I haven’t had any exposure to gang life and have not read many books about it so the look you get into the lives of the people who get sucked in and see what might have been if they had the chance to go straight or leave that life behind is eye opening.  It breaks the stereotype of what gang bangers are like.  This was an excellent book that I highly suggest, especially for those who loved The Outsiders.