Review: Awkward

my thoughts in a few sentences: Awkward by Marni Bates is a delightful, short little thing that packs a punch that's gone epically wrong. HOLD ON. You’re probably like, was the book really that bad? The answer is NOT ON YOUR LIFE. What I mean by that statement: You ever witness someone TRY to punch someone else, but when it doesn’t work and their fist flops back leaving no marks, bruises, or internal bleeding, you have to laugh hysterically because they look ridiculous and don’t care. Like Kristen Stewart in that one movie where she played that girl in my favorite books-turned-movies, and she hit that guy, her best friend, the one that turns into a freakishly huge dog. Awkward made me laugh hysterically, and while the story is light and frivolous, the characters do leave a mark, but in a place where it’s not visible. HINT: That place beats.

hooking first line: "You probably think you know me... and I understand why."

Kensington • Borrowed • Contemporary Romance • 1/1/12 • $9.95

Review: Populazzi by Elise Allen

Populazzi

By Elise Allen

Get the Deets: Goodreads»»  
(What is Goodreads.com?)
Release Date: August 1, 2011
Publisher: Harcourt
Source: NetGalley/ARC
Purchase: Book Depo. | Amazon | Kindle
About the Book:

Cara has never been one of those girls: confident, self-possessed, and always ready with the perfect thing to say. A girl at the very top of the popularity tower. One of the Populazzi.

Now, junior year could change everything. Cara’s moving to a new school, and her best friend urges her to seize the moment—with the help of the Ladder. Its rungs are relationships, and if Cara transforms into the perfect girlfriend for guys ever-higher on the tower, she’ll reach the ultimate goal: Supreme Populazzi.

The Ladder seems like a lighthearted social experiment, a straight climb up, but it quickly becomes gnarled and twisted. And when everything goes wrong, only the most audacious act Cara can think of has a chance of setting things even a little bit right.

An all around fun read, I don't think I've laughed quite this much in a long, long time. Populazzi has a side-splitting humor at many points throughout so much so that I think the comedy will be the aspect that stays with me the most, making me smile every time I pass by this book. Cara, Claudia, and others in the book nearly had me choking because I couldn't seem to stop cracking up.

Cara and Claudia--these best friends made this book for me! I can't even totally consider Cara as the star of the show because Claudia was such an active and prominent part of the story. The things these two would say, think, or do... really just reminded me of my own experiences these past few years in high school. The stupid or girly things I push my friends to do with me, the overanalyzing me and my girlfriends do when it comes to boys, poring over the most natural encounters for signs of what the opposite sex involved is thinking. Allen must have a very clear, sharp image of what it was like in high school because she nailed it right on the head with her accuracy. And even though these two girls felt like me and my friends, interchangeable, they were still completely unique. I favor Claudia of the two to be honest, just because of her dramatic (and terribly hilarious), unconscious integration of Shakespearean works into her everyday life. But, don't get me wrong, Cara appealed to me, too. She was my former self--shy, nervous, and incredibly book-smart, afraid to step out of her shell, longing to belong. And because I recognized an intimate piece of myself in her, I relished her transformation by the end of the book.

And their tongue-in-cheek descriptions and classifications of the different "tiers" in the social hierarchy that make up high school was downright hysterical! Watching Cara navigate the tricky halls of high school while trying to accommodate Claudia's Populazzi plan had its funny and awkward moments that roused a number of different reactions ranging from head-desk to embarrassed giggles to bright blushing to goofy smiles. The kind of expressions that take over during my own high school experiences. And Cara taking on boys is a sight to behold, let me tell you. It helped me recall all the stupid things I did to get myself noticed and liked by guys.

Lucky for Cara, though, she managed to find one that was right for her all along. Of course, this book would not be complete without romance. Although Cara interacted with a few boys on this level, there really was only one boy that actually mattered. When it came to these two, Archer and Cara, I can't tell you how many times I wanted to put their heads through the wall. I forgot anxiety-ridden these romantic comedyish novels can be. It was no picnic for someone like me, who gets way TOO EMOTIONALLY INVESTED.

I was forced to skip over certain scenes, mostly because I couldn't take Cara's changing toward the end before the good started cropping up. I felt like I was in Claudia's shoes and I was the one being betrayed, so I couldn't even read it. Oh, and this book actually made me cry! Yup, I know, crazy. But, those tears were a mixture of frustration and hurt on Cara's behalf. I HATED HER PARENTS. Not the I Hate You While I Love You hate that only teenagers or married couples are acquainted with. No, this was pure rage and fury and raw loathing. Her parents, particularly her stepfather, were probably the most ill-suited, selfish, insecure, cowardly, and self-absorbed parents I'd ever had the displeasure of "encountering." I'd hate to be Cara in that respect.

I didn't expect Populazzi to play on my emotions so well or Elise Allen to so skillfully pull them out of me and direct them toward the characters in the story. From the authenticity of the high school experience to the flawed, lovable, TEENAGE characters (hated parents swept aside) to the adorable romance that ended up coming together at the end, concluding the book perfectly, I love to say it: Populazzi was a funderful, hilarious read that I couldn't put down and was so caught up in that when all the funny parts came up I turned heads (I imagine bursting out in random fits of giggles didn't go over so well with people--who, incidentally, MUST've been nonreaders, otherwise they wouldn't've looked so appalled). A perfect summer read and an overall fantastic debut!

---------------------------------------------------

"Come on, kids, this is the good stuff. This is Junior English. This is T.S. Eliot. Let's dive into this! What is Eliot doing with his images? Anyone: shout it out!"
I almost giggled when I realized I could now say this twice in one hour. "Um..." I began, "he's making them stand erect?"
"Yes!" roared Mr. Woodward, and this time Archer didn't hide his smirk. "You've almost redeemed yourself for being late..."
"Cara," I said.
"Cara," he repeated. "So each time, Cara, when his images are at the peak of their 'erection,' if you will, what does Eliot do to them?"
There was only one answer, and I wished I could say it without blushing. Still, I didn't hesitate. "He lets the images go flaccid."

I fell asleep counting not sheep but possible opening lines. Claudia must have done the same--I woke up to an email from her with a huge list of options.
"Really, Claude? 'Good pilgrim, you do wrong your hand too much?"
I had her on speakerphone as I drove to school...
"It worked for Juliet," Claudia said. "Romeo fell head over heels for her."
"You are aware that they both die at the end, yes?"
"Did you seriously just ask me that question?"
"Did I seriously ask it, or did I seriously think you didn't know they died at the end?"
"Fine. Forget Romeo and Juliet. Forget the centuries-old benchmark of true romance. How did you want to start?"
I took a breath, then offered up the best of my bunch. "Hey! Do you play Scrabble! 'Cause I had the best triple-word score last night!"
Claudia's silence was deafening. I couldn't blame her. Maybe I'd go with the good pilgrim thing after all.

When Archer and I went to the mall that day, I didn't even mention the weekend. I said neither the words "week" nor "end." I simply channeled all my concentration into the words "invite me," then shot them toward Archer in a continuous beam of psychic energy.
"Cara?" he finally asked.
Success!
"Yes?" I batted my eyes. No, really, I did.
"Are you okay? You're holding your head and your face is all scrunched up. Do you have a headache or something?"
"Oh. No. I just... precalc. Hard problem. I'm having tangent issues."
So much for psychic energy.

Review: Perfect You by Elizabeth Scott

Perfect You by Elizabeth Scott

Kate Brown's life has gone downhill fast.

Her father has quit his job to sell vitamins at the mall, and Kate is forced to work with him. Her best friend has become popular, and now she acts like Kate's invisible.

And then there's Will. Gorgeous, unattainable Will, whom Kate acts like she can't stand even though she can't stop thinking about him. When Will starts acting interested, Kate hates herself for wanting him when she's sure she's just his latest conquest.

Kate figures that the only way things will ever stop hurting so much is if she keeps to herself and stops caring about anyone or anything. What she doesn't realize is that while life may not always be perfect, good things can happen -- but only if she lets them...

Get the Deets: Goodreads»» (What is Goodreads.com?)
Source: borrowed/School library
Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository | Kindle
Others: Something, Maybe; Bloom

Great for summer reading, Perfect You is a touching, poignant story about the importance of family and letting go, fused with all of the grievances, tension, and sweetness that comes with first love. Light and funny, yet realistic and painful, Perfect You is authentic in the struggles Kate faces - her endurance of the loss of her best friend, the frustrations drawn out by her love-to-hate relationship with the super cute, cocky, surprisingly kind and lovable Will, and the current state of her home life - a life, incidentally, that is hampered down by her father's nonsensical ambitions resting with the Perfect You vitamins he sells!

Kate was miserable, lonely, and a bit of grouch when I first met her. Who could blame her though? First her best friend since diapers (well, maybe not exactly diapers, but close enough) has ditched her for the oh-so-enviable popular crowd after she transitions from chubby nerd to chic and pretty Miss Unattainable. Well, not precisely unattainable, because she does have a boyfriend (of course!) whom she adores and feels so lucky to be basking in his glory that she doesn't care to confront him about his cheating habits. Gag. I say good riddance, but that's easy for me, and other readers, to say. While it may have irritated me a few times to watch Kate pine over her lost friendship with this weak, malleable girl, I understood where she was coming from. Heck, I've been there. It's not easy to throw a life-long friendship to the winds, even if that friend continually hurts and betrays you! Still, I couldn't help but sigh with relief when the inevitable happens, when the truth crops up and punches Kate in the heart.

I liked watching her strength slowly emerge. Her whole issue with Anna only succeeded in helping her think better of herself and her life. And though I don't think her situation at home gives her an excuse to have let herself become so unhappy, her depression is warranted. I don't think I could've restrained myself the way Kate was able to when it came to her father. Her childish, selfish father. A father who willingly quit his job in favor of selling just-about-worthless Perfect You vitamins in the mall. Who wastes money on crap instead of worrying about keeping a roof over his family's head, helping his wife through their struggles. I. Was. Pissed. Off. I raged at this careless man, more than once. And yet his family's reaction to his behavior, his spendthrifty ways didn't set off annoyance. Rather, they were genuine. It was real in how Kate's mom tried to stick by her husband, even while he brought on more hardships, unwilling to leave him, real in how Kate didn't want to discourage her father for fear of hurting his feelings. How she didn't want to tell him to stop being so selfish because he seemed happy. The family dynamics were pure, as dysfunctional as any family can be.

And, oh how I adored the romance! It reminded me of The Duff by Kody Keplinger in particular. It's always fun, comical, and, depending, sweet or hot when two people argue and trade witty remarks like blows. Will Miller is definitely swoon-worthy. Like I said, the sarcastic banter was addictive. Though Will most certainly was teasing, Kate on the other hand has some bite in her comments. And the fact is, she can't stand that she's deep-down crushing on this guy and has been for some time. Making her reluctance and his inclination to... persuade her into his arms all the sexier! Oh, yeah, wish I was at liberty to make out with this notably gorgeous dude behind the mall. *sigh* Kate is so lucky - I'm pitifully jealous. Beneath that layer of hotness, however, lurks warmth and sweet, sweet insecurity. And that sent me in utter luuurve with Will. And besides the incessant, undeniably yummy smooching scenes, they were kind of mostly totally adorable together. Which encouraged my ceaseless cheering for this pairing to become Oh-fficial.

Although I would've liked the book to have closed out with one last smooch - just joking... or am I? *shrugs* I'm a hopeless, lustful teen with no propriety to speak of *grins*- I was content with it. So many good things happen, and Kate is evidently much stronger in comparison to the beginning of the novel. She and I bonded. I liked Kate. Was happy for her, smiled at her success. And if Scott's books are anything like this one (perhaps even better), then I'll certainly rummage through my library for more at the first opportunity.

Recommended?

If you're into books about life, love, and family this would be your next go-to book. Fans of Sarah Dessen might also enjoy this heartfelt story, especially those that liked Along for the Ride. The love/hate romance also brought back memories of the fun and delight I had reading The Duff by Kody Keplinger.

Will looked at them for a second and then turned back around again, whispering, "Kate don't be like that. You know I only did so well because I yearn--see, SAT word--to follow you to college and steal your heart."
"Uh-huh. Too bad for you I don't plan on attending clown college."
He grinned. "Only you would ignore the incredibly sweet thing I just said."
"Only you would describe one of your asinine comments as incredibly sweet." (16)

Review: Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins

A n n a  a n d  t h e  F r e n c h  K i s s by Stephanie Perkins

Release Date: 12/2/10 (Hardcover)

Publisher: Dutton

Upcoming: Lola and the Boy Next Door
& Isla and the Happily Ever After
Age Group: Young Adult (14+)

Pages: 372

Source: Own/got it for Christmas
Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository | Kindle
Word Blurb: Utterly and completely FANTASTIC!

"Anna is looking forward to her senior year in Atlanta, where she has a great job, a loyal best friend, and a crush on the verge of becoming more. Which is why she is less than thrilled about being shipped off to boarding school in Paris—until she meets Étienne St. Claire: perfect, Parisian (and English and American, which makes for a swoon-worthy accent), and utterly irresistible. The only problem is that he's taken, and Anna might be, too, if anything comes of her almost-relationship back home.

As winter melts into spring, will a year of romantic near-misses end with the French kiss Anna—and readers—have long awaited?" Goodreads»»

I'm in love with this book, like I haven't fallen in love with a book in a long time. The last time I can honestly say that I enjoyed a book THIS much was with Jandy Nelson's The Sky is Everywhere, aka my all time favorite young adult novel ever. And that's saying something. I've been kicking myself in the ass ever since I finished it for a) holding off on reading this one due to skepticism which was derived from reading mixed reviews and for b) holding off on reading it!

Gosh, it has everything! Intense romance...hilarious bits...awesome, comical characters... and it's in FREAKIN' PARIS for crying out loud! Paris! As in the French city, or the famous city in France. However you slice it, this novel is - again, I say this - in PARIS, FRANCE! I've always wanted to travel the world, but reading a novel like ANNA makes me want to sell my soul for airplane tickets (and other necessary accommodations, of course! Can't come back from Paris without some Mousse au chocolat. <-- indeed a necessity.) I can't tell you how bad I want to see all the huge and historically significant monuments (their beauty doesn't hurt either)... and I've seriously been craving croissants since I put this book down! It's not fair to tease a girl like that!

Review: Watch Me by Lauren Barnholdt

W a t c h  M e by Lauren Barnholdt
Release Date: July 6, 2010
Publisher: Simon Pulse
Other Titles: Two Way Street
One Night that Changed Everything
Age Group: Young Adult 
Warning: Some sexual references/content.
Pages: 304
Source: Local Library
Go Buy It: Amazon★Barnes&Noble
★BookDepository

Synopsis- "She thinks she has nothing to hide.


Ally has everything under control. She's about to move into a house full of strangers and have her life broadcast to the world, but as long as she still has her long-distance boyfriend, Corey, nothing can go wrong. Nothing, that is, until Ally starts spending time with her housemate Drew, the hot and sensitive guy who always seems to be around when she needs someone the most.


As suspicions and lies start pulling Ally and Corey apart, she's not sure if she can trust anyone, not even herself. Ally is about to learn the hard way that life is what happens when everyone is looking, and it doesn't always capture her good side."

Quick Thinking: This novel was a light and breezy read, something to have fun with. Amusing, authentic characters roam the pages of Watch Me, making mistakes and forging unexpected friendships.The story itself is intriguing, but may not be enough to completely captivate its audience's attention. And the romance springs up and fills the novel with a fluffy air, cuteness lighting up the pages. Watch as now-a-college-girl Ally allows the public to dip their hands in her personal life, as she learns the hard way that all isn't what it seems, that betrayal is never lurking too far behind, and that things don't always stay the same even when you want them to. Read while Ally learns that change might just be a good thing after all.

My Thoughts In-Depth: *Warning: May not be spoiler-free.* I really wanted to like this book. In fact, I was looking forward to this read immensely. And I ended up not enjoying it as much as I thought it would.

The first thing I noticed when I finished flipping the pages and moved onto another book was that by the time I finished the other book I couldn't remember the characters too well from Watch Me. That was a problem for me, the fact that the characters weren't fleshed out, didn't have any depth, and consequently remained non-memorable characters.

Review: Teen Idol by Meg Cabot

T e e n  I d o l by Meg Cabot (Twitter)

Release Date: 7/26/05 (Paperback)

Publisher: HarperTrophy

Age Group: Young Adult (13+)

Pages: 293 
Other Books: The Mediator series, The Princess Diaries, Avalon High...
Coming Soon: Abandon

Source: School Library

Go Buy It: Amazon★Barnes&Noble 

★BookDepository

Overall Feelings: Fun. Light. Fluffy.

Synopsis- "High school junior Jenny Greenley is so good at keeping secrets that she's the school newspaper's anonymous advice columnist. She's so good at it that, when hotter-than-hot Hollywood star Luke Striker comes to her small town to research a role, Jenny is the one in charge of keeping his identity under wraps. But Luke doesn't make it easy, and soon everyone—the town, the paparazzi, and the tabloids alike—know his secret...and Jenny is caught right in the middle of all the chaos." Goodreads»»

Quick Thinking: Teen Idol is most definitely an entertaining, satisfying novel, one that refused to go down the very predictable road as far as determining love interests go. It had well-developed, amusing characters, a not-so-original plot written in an appealing and clever way, and incorporates an ending that bestows The Reader with a warm, contented feeling. The heroine is "nice little Jenny Greenley, everybody's best friend" (286), so the story leans toward the comical when Jenny stops being the nice, sweet girl everyone expects her to be and instead morphs into the girl lingering inside waiting for the chance to emerge.

My Thoughts In-Depth: *Warning: May not be spoiler-free.* I picked this novel up assuming it was going be a typical celebrity-meets-girl-and-falls-in-love themed young teenage novel, but I was pretty far off. I mean, it was still a light and cute read, but it didn't head straight toward the utterly predictable which is probably what I like most about Teen Idol.

Review: Dash &Lily's Book of Dares by Rachel Cohn and David Levithan

Dash &Lily's Book of Dares

Authors: Rachel Cohn (Site★Facebook)

David Levithan (Site★Facebook)

Release Date: 10/26/10 (Hardcover)

Publisher: Knopf Books for Young Readers

Age Group: Young Adult (13+)

Source: Public Library (Local)

Go Buy It: Amazon★Barnes&Noble
★BookDepository

Overall Feelings: Fun, deep, &heartfelt!

---

(Summary) I have to say, beginning from page one, I cracked up alot, enjoyed myself.

The entire book is told between Dash and Lily's POV, so, for once, I truly lost myself in the first person narrative. The thing that really got me though, was that both these characters are deep and relatable people. I mostly resonated with Lily, but I sympathized with Dash also. It was a lovely, heartfelt combo.

Dash is not so much serious, more he's cynical and sarcastic and reserved, whereas Lily is quite the opposite. She's light and warm and optimistic. So, what makes these two mesh so well together? Well, while Dash may be one way, he still possesses a gleam of hope. And though Lily may be a very happy, caring girl she also has doubts, insecurities, and hurts. This provides them with a channel of similarity which they share. But, I wouldn't have grasped this had I not been inside their heads, had I not shared their every thought and feeling.

Cohn and Levithan did a fantastic job in bringing these two very different (yet similar) people together. The concept of the moleskine notebook filled with dares/challenges to pass back and forth between the two, for me, was fun, hilarious, and profound. I think I got to know Lily and Dash better when they began writing to each other, using the red moleskine as a medium. When they were without the journal, I had been immersed in their struggle. Dash explains it best: "When I got back to the apartment, I decided to write to Lily anyway. I fear you may have outmatched me, because now I find these words have nowhere to go. It's hard to answer a question you haven't been asked. It's hard to show that you tried unless you end up succeeding. I stopped. It wasn't the same without the notebook. It didn't feel like a conversation. It felt like I was talking to silence" (121). It had been nice to discover that while the book is downright entertaining and witty and side-splitting, there is some degree of seriousness, of depth.

I was pleased with the side characters, their roles in the storyline, their involvement in the red journal swapping between Lily and Dash. The correlation between Mark, Lily's protective cousin, and Grandpa, Lily's grandfather, is priceless. They are one defensive duo alright. I enjoyed Boomer, his weirdness, his insight, his ineptness. Langston, Lily's brother, and Benny, Langston's boyfriend, are a nice comical addition to the novel. I also liked Lily's strange family members, ESPECIALLY Mrs. Basil E. Oh, what a character she is!

A conversation between Mrs. Basil E. and Dash:
"'I need to gauge your intentions,' she said, 'before I can allow you to dillydally with my niece.'
'I can assure you I have neither dillying nor dallying on my mind,' I replied. 'I simply want to meet her. In person. You see, we've been--'
She raised her hand to cut me off. 'I know all about your epistolary flirtation. Which is all well and good--as long as it's well and good. Before I ask you some questions, perhaps you would like some tea?'
'That would depend on what kind of tea you were offering.'
'So diffident. Suppose it was Earl Grey.'
I shook my head. 'Tastes like pencil shavings.'
'Lady Grey.'
'I don't drink beverages named after beheaded monarchs. It seems so tacky.'
'Chamomile?'
'Might as well sip butterfly wings.'
'Green tea?'
'You can't be serious.'
The old woman nodded her approval. 'I wasn't.'

The romance aspect of the novel did not disappoint, thankfully. I'm very particular about how a romance evolves, and watching Dash and Lily get to know each other, dig down deep enough to find the core of each other, truly understand each other, had been incredibly rewarding. Their relationship gradually developed, then flourished by the end.

Ah, the end. The ending was just downright beautiful. A sensational, warm kiss impacted me unlike many other physical scenes I've read. //SPOILERISH//And then those last few paragraphs...Lily awakening Dash as someone who "was going to do her best to cherish this new person, whose name she finally knew" (260). Marvelous, just marvelous.

If you have a single funny, romantic bone in your body pick up Dash & Lily's Book of Dares.

Thanks for reading!

Review: Perfect Chemistry by Simone Elkeles

Perfect Chemistry (Book 1)

Author: Simone Elkeles (Website)

Release Date: 12/23/08

Publisher: Walker House

Age Group: Young Adult (14+)

Source: Borrowed (Public Library)

Go Buy It! Amazon/Barnes&Noble/BookDepository

Overall Feelings: A-class excellence! Terrific!


"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." (Goodreads)


Plot & Ending: I'm happy to report that Perfect Chemistry was another nearly perfect read. Geez, where to start on this one...


I know! Brittany Ellis and Alejandro Fuentes are far from perfect, far from being opposites though it would seem like they would be looking at the surface. Brittany comes from the Northern side of Fairfield, where the rich and upper-class society members reside. Alejandro comes from the opposite...Not to mention that he's in a gang, the Latino Bloods. 


You'd think two people from two totally different worlds would never work out as far as a relationship, even as far as a friendship, goes. But, these two soon come to find that there's a lot they're unaware of beneath the surface, that rumors and labels and racial differences and upbringing don't always factor in when it comes to identity. Each are good at putting up a facade, perhaps that's why they're perfect for each other...


Watching these two grow and face their problems with society and school and their parents and so on, really spoke to me. I was amazed by the two of them, overcoming these obstacles and hurdles for the sake of each other and to reclaim their identities. Learning about their friends, their everyday lives made me rethink some of the stereotypes I carried around inside of my head. When I thought rich girl, I thought excessive shopping for the hell of it and worrying over chipping a nail. With gang boy, I thought drugs and alcohol and jail time. I realized how very wrong I was to think that. It was an experience, learning a lesson, developing with the characters.

Emotions slammed into me from unexpected places in this novel. Two parents'  neglect of both their daughters, the state of the second daughter, the home life of a bad boy involved in unforgivable, unrelenting circumstances, the death of a best friend. I was taken on an emotional roller-coaster on full speed without a seat belt.


I was all smiles by the end. The closing of the last chapter and the epilogue pushed tears into my eyes, bright smiling, and giggles. I loved it. I loved this book. Check it out; it's called Perfect Chemistry for a reason.


Characters: Both Alejandro's and Brittany's characters have deep longings and deep-seated, pent up anger, resentment, bitterness, coldness, fear. All emotions that make them into unforgettable, real characters. Beneath the illusion, the facade each hold in place, they are remarkable people. One is soft, loving, attentive, and the other passionate, charming, and caring. I was moved by their characters, their relationship, their love. I appreciated the friends from both sides, also. Sierra, Doug, Isa, and Paco go out of their way for the couple, especially Paco, who tries his hardest to watch out, to take care of his best friend. How much Alejandro means to him is touching. I'd call all of these guys 3-D characters, ones I enjoyed learning about.


Cover: I adore the simplicity of this cover. The all black background, the bold whiteness of the title, and then the two lovebirds intent on each other, oblivious of the rest of the world's presence. You can easily see how vast the gap is between the two and imagine how hard each push to close it. As it turns out, it doesn't take much, at least for themselves, but when it comes to everyone else like parents, friends, neighbors, whatever, that's where it gets difficult. 

Again, I'm ticked off that I don't own this one, that I borrowed this from the library. But, sadly, funds are incredibly low right now so there's nothing I can do about that. Ah, well, I'm thankful I got to read Perfect Chemistry. Now, I'm encouraging you to go out and do the same: read it!