Book Trailer of the Month: Rules of Attraction by Simone Elkeles

You have all probably seen this by now but I just love it! Er... especially around the 1:25 mark:) It's a great trailer and I love who they cast as Alex and Carlos! Can't wait to read this one:)

Leaving Paradise by Simone Elkeles

From Amazon:
Nothing has been the same since Caleb Becker left a party drunk, got behind the wheel, and hit Maggie Armstrong. Even after months of painful physical therapy, Maggie walks with a limp. Her social life is nil and a scholarship to study abroad—her chance to escape everyone and their pitying stares—has been canceled.

After a year in juvenile jail, Caleb’s free . . . if freedom means endless nagging from a transition coach and the prying eyes of the entire town. Coming home should feel good, but his family and ex-girlfriend seem like strangers.

Caleb and Maggie are outsiders, pigeon-holed as "criminal" and "freak." Then the truth emerges about what really happened the night of the accident and, once again, everything changes. It’s a bleak and tortuous journey for Caleb and Maggie, yet they end up finding comfort and strength from a surprising source: each other.

Considering how much I loved Perfect Chemistry I had to read this! I was not disappointed! Everything I loved about Simone’s writing in Perfect Chemistry is here too: a great plot, fantastic characters and brilliant romance.

In similar fashion to Perfect Chemistry we have a dual narrative so we get the story from both Caleb and Maggie’s point of view. This works wonders and I just love it! Both characters were brilliantly crafted and I completely believed in them. I loved how the two characters kept getting thrown together and I found myself completely invested in their relationship.

As for the story it’s just fantastic. I didn’t find it predictable at all and had no idea what direction the story would take. I loved that it completely surprised me. If I was in awe of Simone Elkeles writing after Perfect chemistry I am even more so now. I just loved it!

The only thing I found slightly disappointing is the ‘cliff-hanger’ ending. I loved the ending - it is just that there are so many things left unanswered at the end of the book it cries out for a sequel. Luckily there is one due at the end of this year – but as a book on its own it feels more like part one of a larger story. I think if I had read this when it was first published in 2007 I would be pulling my hair out by now. I really need the rest of the story and can’t wait for Return to Paradise to hit the shelves later this year.

Perfect Chemistry by Simone Elkeles

Published: Simon & Schuster 1 April
From Goodreads: 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. 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.


I don’t think words can describe how much I loved this book! Well, actually, two would probably sum it up... Alex Fuentes! Joking aside, there is much more to this novel than just Alex but I don’t think I’ve come across a character I have enjoyed more.

I loved the dual narrative. As I have said in previous reviews this has fast become my favourite style of narration as not only do we get inside the head of each character but we get to see them from each other’s point of view. I adored Alex – hot, sexy, tough, yet at times, sensitive and sweet - and Brittney was incredible sweet too. You could understand her need to be perfect and I loved that she was more than she appeared to be. I especially loved how her relationship with her sister was portrayed. There were many other characters, all of them fleshed out enough to really pull you into the story.

The story itself was really enjoyable. Kind of predictable but in an unpredictable way –you have a good idea of where the story will end up but the journey itself takes you in directions you don’t see coming. I loved it and want to read it again and again.

Simone Elkeles has really impressed me. If I’d had any idea it was going to be this good I would have tried to get my hands on a copy ages ago. If you love romance try this. You won’t regret it!

A massive thank you to Jenny @ Wondrous Reads for sending me a copy to review:)