HomeCookbooksMexican CookbooksChain Reaction (Perfect Chemistry Novels) |
|  | | | Customer Reviews: | | | Average Customer Review: ( 60 customer reviews )
Write an online review and share your thoughts with other customers.
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
14 of 15 found the following review helpful:
 The Irish Banana Review Aug 18, 2011
By Hannah @ The Irish Banana Review
For the record, I fully blame Simone Elkeles for my obsession with the young adult genre. Before I got my hands on a copy of Perfect Chemistry, I thought YA novels were strictly PG rated and the most passionate displays of affection was a line saying, "We made out last night." Nothing was ever discussed in detail, let alone the smoldering way Elkeles writes a love scene. As if that wasn't enough, she doesn't flinch when tackling tough subjects like gang violence and teen sexuality.
I fell in love with this series three years ago, and this final installment was just as hot and sultry as the previous two books. Luis, being the youngest, was so much fun. He didn't have the jaded cynicism his older brothers had going into this book. He was a reckless, fun guy who liked to make people laugh. This is what made the revelation about his past all the more saddening (sorry, that's all I'll say - read the book to find out what happens).
I wasn't all that crazy about Nikki. I understood she got hurt in a major way by a major creep, but I felt some times she took her mistrust in Luis too far. Towards the end I warmed up to her, but for a little while I thought she needed a good slap. I did, however, adore her friends Derek and Kendall. For some reason I looked forward to any scene they were in.
I felt parts of this book, especially the end, moved too fast. I would have liked a little more filling in the Latino Blood storyline and Luis's reactions to what he discovered. I felt that came and went too fast. Then again, it might just be me with a serious case of the Oliver Twists, making grabby hands and begging for some more because I knew this series was coming to a close.
It could be argued that Elkeles's books in this series are formulaic. After reading the first, the other two play out the same way, but I went in expecting that. There are no real surprised, but I recently saw on the news that people are almost 40% happier when they read a book or see a movie already knowing how it will end. This book is a classic example of that: I love knowing that in the Simone Elkeles's world love truly can conquer all.
8 of 8 found the following review helpful:
 Lackluster finish to a fun trilogy Aug 22, 2011
By Michelle E. Millet
"See Michelle Read"
As the youngest of three brothers Luis Fuentes knows what he wants in life: to someday work for NASA as an aerospace engineer. Which means he's got to work hard at school and stay far, far away from any kind of trouble like his two brothers got into. Luis is all set to see his dream come true when his mother decides to move back to Fairfield, Illinois which means Luis is now surrounded by memories of his past - and the Latino Blood gang. Also there to distract Luis is the prickly Nikki Cruz who, despite her Mexican heritage, wants absolutely nothing to do any guy from the south side of Fairfield - especially Luis.
Oh Luis! How I was hoping to fall for your story! Instead, I came away from Chain Reaction feeling as if the book had only been half-way written. Like I had ended up with the cliff notes version. It's almost as if in the midst of all the family secrets revealed, dangerous gang fights, and tying up of loose ends that Ms. Elkeles forgot to finish developing Nikki and Luis to their fullest potential. The story simply felt too stilted and predictable to be satisfying. Which doesn't make sense at all because Simone Elkeles proved with Perfect Chemistry and Rules of Attraction that she is genius at taking a formulaic story (bad boy meets good girl, sparks fly) and making it special. Neither of her two previous novels could ever be classified as campy or contrived, but that's the vibe I got from Chain Reaction.
For example (but without going into spoilery details) I have NO idea how Luis could ever think he needed to 'stick close' to the LB gang in order to 'protect' his family. Really? Doesn't he already have two prime examples in the form of his brothers Alex and Carlos on Why It's Always Smarter To Stay Away From Gangs? He's supposedly the smart Fuentes brother but all I saw was one stupid choice after another. And aside from one or two honest confessions, it seemed like the boy spouted lies continually - especially to Nikki, which frustrated me to no end. Numerous times she tries to explain to him that lies are a definite deal-breaker yet Luis continues to keep the truth from her. And in the end, it doesn't really matter to her! I suppose lust (since I never saw them develop any sort of real relationship) can make up for a lot of things. That's just one of my frustrations with Nikki and Luis as a couple.
Sadness. I wanted to love this book so much more than I did. I guess I'll just have to go and comfort myself with a much needed rereading of Perfect Chemistry.
6 of 6 found the following review helpful:
 The Gorgeous Fuentes Brothers are back!!!! Aug 16, 2011
By The Book Runner
Those gorgeous Fuentes brothers are back and all three of them get to be in this story! First Alex, then Carlos and now Luis is steaming up the pages with the one girl that is right for him, but struggling with his ties to the gangs. Once again we get to see the unbreakable family ties that bind this family together and experience the heartaches and difficulties that they try to overcome. Another winner from Simone Elkeles!
Luis and his mother move back to Illinois to be near Alex and Brittany after their marriage and first son is born. Luis is immediately sucked into the pull of the Latino Bloods when they threaten to harm his family if he doesn't join. He has finally got Nikki, a hot girl from school to start trusting him and going out with him, and he promises her that he won't get involved with the gangs like her previous boyfriend Marco did. Marco left her for the gang and she has trust issues and other past grievances against Marco and the gang. Unfortunately, Luis has lied to her and his family and is one more Fuentes boy caught in the gang's fist. This is an exciting, romantic read with a twist that makes it hard to put down until the very end.
Just a warning, but just like "Perfect Chemistry" and "Rules of Attraction", this story contains profanity, sensuality and sex. If you have never read Simone Elkeles before, you might be taken aback that this is rated YA even though it deals with realistic high school drama. Although these are stand alone stories, they are more enjoyable when read in sequence as they do refer to past events that we have read in previous books.
Would I/Did I buy it? Yes
Would I read it again? Yes
Would I recommend it to friends? Yes
2 of 2 found the following review helpful:
Hot and steamy to the end! Jan 21, 2012
By CJ Blake
Hot...steamy...and great chemistry between Luis and Nikki. Not as great as PERFECT CHEMISTRY (Alex and Brittany are still my favorite couple)... but this book and characters are a close second.
I have to say I love those Fuente's brothers...they have all the right moves (where were they when I was in high school?) and the plots are full of twists and turns.
I was pretty disappointed with RULES OF ATTRACTION and was not sure I wanted to continue with the series... but I am happy I did.
This book is another page turner with action, first love and great romance writing. Her books are a lot of fun. If you are looking for a great distraction and you love smokin hot first love romance books...this series is for you.
PG15 (at least)
YA Crossover
Sex, drugs and violence...always with a happy and satisfying ending.
Enjoy!
1 of 1 found the following review helpful:
The Little Engine that Stopped Giving Mar 20, 2012
By DreamWeaver
"Twitter: @js_orozco"
Perfect Chemestry, the first in what became a trilogy, was genius. It's miles ahead of classics like The Outsiders. As a Latino who grew up in this kind of environment, the story is not that believable. The Spanish translations are off the mark, but overall, it wasn't bad. Rules of Atraction, the second installment, felt too predictable but was still forgivable because the writing remained compelling. Chain Reaction, however, was clearly an attempt to prolong a good thing that should have been put to rest.
The plots are ttoo much of a mirror image. Gangster meets rich girl. Rich girl is told not to date gangster youth. The gangster goes for the gang despite his better judgment. Girl remains hopelessly devoted, and the happy couple survives despite the odds. Again, once is alright. Twice is pushing it. Third time was definitely not the charm.
I don't understand why Elkeles spent so much time on an epilogue when that space could have been devoted to tying loose ends like why the brothers' mother did what she did. How is it Luis came around to loving his family so soon after exploding and pretty much disowning them? On and on. In my opinion, read Perfect Chemestry and call it good. It stands alone as a good story.
See all 60 customer reviews on Amazon.com
|
| |
|
|
|
