Rules of Attraction by Simone Elkeles (QR)

Title: Rules of Attraction
(Perfect Chemistry #2)
Author: Simone Elkeles
Publisher: Walker Books
(April 13, 2010)

(spoilers if you've not read Perfect Chemistry - highlight with caution)

Carlos Fuentes idolized his older brother, Alex, when he was a member of the Latino Blood. So when Alex chose to get jumped out of the gang for a chance at a future with his gringa girlfriend, Brittany, Carlos felt shocked and betrayed. Even worse, Alex forced Carlos to come back from Mexico to join him on the straight and narrow path. Trouble is, Carlos just wants to keep living on the edge. And ties to his Mexican gang aren't easy to break, even hundreds of miles away in Colorado.

In Boulder, Carlos has to live with a college professor--and he feels completely out of place. He's even more thrown by his strong feelings for the professor's daughter, Kiara, who is nothing like the girls he's usually drawn to. But Carlos and Kiara soon discover that in matters of the the heart, the rules of attraction overpower the social differences that conspire to keep them apart.*

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The quote at the top of the inside jacket of the hardcover reads, "If you loved Alex Fuentes, wait until you meet his brother Carlos..."

So true. Rules of Attraction was very similar to Perfect Chemistry. It had a lot of the same ideas and same storyline, but with a few different twists. Because of these similarities, I don't have a significant amount to say about it (hence the quick review). (You can really just look at my Perfect Chemisty review, and you'll get basically the same idea of the book.)

Rules of Attraction is narrated in two points of view: Carlos and Kiara. They trade back and forth, one starting where the other leaves off. I love the variety of two narrators, and how much I came to understand each character through it.

A similar but excellent sequel to Perfect Chemistry. I now look forward to book number three: Chain Reaction. 

*from inside jacket of hardcover

Perfect Chemistry by Simone Elkeles

Title: Perfect Chemistry
(Perfect Chemistry #1)
Author: Simone Elkeles
Publisher: Walker Books for
Young Readers (Dec. 23, 2008)

Fairfield High School. A place where those from opposite sides of town don't mix. So when Alex Fuentes--Mexicano, gang member, south-sider, bad boy-- and Brittany Ellis--white as snow, head cheerleader, north-sider, seemingly perfect-- are paired up in chemistry, it's bound to turn into an experiment gone wrong.

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I started this at school yesterday, and, like Taken by Storm, read for a nice chunk of time after school to finish it. And finish it, I did. 

Perfect Chemistry is narrated from two points of view: Brittany's and Alex's. As one person stops telling the story, the other starts, exactly where the first left off. Because of this, you get almost the entire story in mixed perspectives. I loved hearing what each person was thinking throughout the story, as opposed to just one point of view. Alex would mix random Spanish in with his dialogue and narrations, which annoyed me a little bit, just because I really wanted to know what he was saying, but I got over it because it is, after all, the way he would talk/think. 

As I said above, I finished it after school, but that entire night, I couldn't help but think about it. It didn't matter how well our basketball team was doing or how much fun I was having, Alex and Brittany were still first on my mind. 

And although I wouldn't say that this is one of the best books I've read, it was still really good. A little predictable, sure, but still sexy (just look at that cover), fun, and amazing at the same time. I definitely suggest you add it to your reading list.