BOOK REVIEW: Chain Reaction (Perfect Chemistry #3) by Simone Elkeles

I finally decided to write a review on Chain Reaction by Simone Elkeles since I was able to finish it last night. To be honest, this might be my least favorite in the series but it's still better than other contemporaries so far.

To start with the, the reason why this became my least favorite is probably due to the fact that Nikki Cruz is the most frustrating  character I've ever read. I really wanted to pity or like her because of everything that happened to her in the past which led her to become the way she is but I just can't. Honestly, she was such a bitter character which turned her into the most cynical, pessimistic and definitely frustrating character I've read. I wanted to strangle her because of it. I really wanted to skip her chapters to be honest. Plus, the fact that she likes to stick her nose into her best friend's relationship is kinda' annoying really. She can't even give her best friend's boyfriend a chance because of her stupid beliefs even if she can't exactly prove her theories or whatever. I also think she's a racist and a hypocrite since I feel like every time she says "I'm American." is just a form of denial of her roots. Girl! You're Latina whether you want to admit it or not so yeah, whatever. Honestly, I think the only redeeming thing that she did happened towards the end and that's about it. I seriously wanted Luis to give up on her since she was just sooooooo frustrating. I wanted to pull her hair out or something.

We also have another Fuentes in the house and his name is Luis. The youngest brother is all grown up. I really liked him since he is a bit different from his brothers. He just had this triggering event that made him the way he is and got him into trouble. Anyway, I love the fact that he's just so cool and suave and the fact that he knows that he could get any girl that he wants is simply hilarious. I loved reading his chapters and is probably the only reason why I decided to finish the book in the first place. I really wanted to skip Nikki's chapters. Unfortunately, the novel wouldn't be complete without her POV and it would screw up everything. I love his interactions with everyone and his family values. His closeness to his brothers is something to envy as well.

For me, this is my least favorite among the 3 novels. The first and second books are definitely the best. I now think the Mexican family values are something to envy. They'd do anything in their power to protect their loved ones even if it means doing things you don't want to do from time to time. I honestly think that sometimes this isn't such a bad thing, you know? I love that Alex, Brittany, Carlos, Kiara and some more familiar faces were present in this third book. I think the conclusion of their stories is wonderful though. They all deserve to have their own happy endings after everything they've been through. Again, the development of the relationship between Luis and Nikki was written beautifully. It did border on insta-love though but other than that I think it was well-developed. I still don't like Nikki though. 

Rating: 3.75/5 stars

BOOK REVIEW: Rules of Attraction (Perfect Chemistry #2) by Simone Elkeles

As I have mentioned in my review of Perfect Chemistry, I managed to finish its sequel Rules of Attraction in the same day. And just because I feel like writing right now I'll post another review. The novel is written in the same format as its predecessor which means it's told in dual POV's. This time around Carlos, Alex's younger brother, and Kiara are the main focus of the novel wherein Alex and Brittany are side characters. It's picks up after two years from the previous novel.

To begin with, Kiara is the exact opposite of Brittany from the previous novel so it doesn't necessarily mean that it's just a copycat of the first one. Kiara is flawed and is most likely one of the least popular kids in school. She has a gay best friend called Tuck who happens to be so adorable btw. She has the perfect home life which is the exact opposite from Brittany's as well. Anyway, enough introductions. I really liked Kiara's character. I think she's one of those people who really needs to be educated on being bad. I do get the fact that she collaborated with Tuck to prank Carlos in the novel but other than that the girl is a saint. She always looks out for the welfare of everyone and she's just so lovable, down to earth and adorable. She does need a little help in the wardrobe department but other than that she's an awesome girl. The girl does not even have dark thoughts until she met Carlos and her world is turned upside down.

Moving on to Carlos. To be honest, I disliked Carlos a bit during the first few chapters of the novel. He had too much teen angst in my opinion. He lashed out at everyone even to those who are so nice to him and keeps on having these self-pity thoughts because of his Latino heritage (I honestly can't figure out why.) and his past while at the same time projecting a bad boy image which seems so contradictory. I really wanted to strangle him for being so mean to everyone. But as the story progressed I actually learned to appreciate him more. Though I'm still biased since I still can't get over Alex. But the fact that he had a change of heart made me love him towards the end. I think he developed into a well-written  character towards the end.

Overall, I also enjoyed this as much as the first one. I love the bickering between the characters though I still enjoyed Alex and Brittany's more since it was always two sided. There were times when Kiara is just stunned because she's intimidated by Carlos or something but other than that I enjoyed getting to know the younger Fuentes and Kiara. I enjoyed the parts where they were interacting in any way. I also appreciate the fact that Simone Elkeles does not seem to be a fan of the insta-love concept. That's just too stereotypical for YA novels nowadays. I like relationships that are well developed. It makes it more real to me. I love her writing style too. I can't explain what it is but I never came to a point there I got bored as I read. Again, an easy 5/5 stars for me.

BOOK REVIEW: Perfect Chemistry (Perfect Chemistry #1) by Simone Elkeles

It took me an entire year to be convinced to read Perfect Chemistry by Simone Elkeles but I am now a certified Simone fan. Honestly, I feel awful that I didn't get to read this earlier. Anyway, I actually finished this and Rules of Attraction in one day. So yeah, that made me lose sleep. It is told in dual POV's, Alex and Brittany's.

First of all, we have Brittany Ellis. She's "Little Miss Perfect| (Well, at least she pretends to be.) and everyone wants her or simply be her. She has the typical jock boyfriend who is an ass a lot of times and a home life that's far from perfect. Anyway, she's always managed to keep her guard up. She has always been able to maintain her facade until Alex Fuentes enters the picture. Honestly, I actually pitied her for having to pretend all the time. It's pretty exhausting and it will one day catch up with her. I really admired her for her love for her sister, Shelley though. I can't imagine sacrificing your own happiness for the sake of your loved one like that.

Then there's Alejandro "Alex" Fuentes. I never knew how sexy Latinos can be (I must admit that they've always been intriguing to me.) until I met Alex. *fans self because he's just too hot to handle* I really, really, really love the bad boy persona that he is projecting. He's dangerous and totally bad-ass. And as some of you might know, I have a thing for bad boys so yeah, he's pretty much up there in my Top Book Boyfriends. I really enjoying getting to know him despite his flaws and the fact that he values his family enough to give up everything is really admirable. The guy just made me want to take long cold showers since he is simply too hot to handle. Haha.

Obviously, I enjoyed reading this a lot since I managed to finish this and its sequel in one day. And yes, I didn't get enough sleep because of it. I loved Alex and Brittany's scenes together. They weren't the typical lovey-dovey couple that you'd just love to hate. The steamy scenes were awesome as well. I do love the fact that Simone Elkeles did not write this with the insta-love concept in mind. The development of their relationship was written beautifully and I just can't help but feel so happy for the both of them. This definitely deserves a 5/5 star rating from me.