(Oct. 1) At Fairfield High School, on the outskirts of Chicago, everyone knows that south siders and north siders aren’t exactly compatible elements. So when head cheerleader Brittany Ellis and gang member Alex Fuentes are forced to be lab partners in chemistry class, the results are bound to be explosive.
I have to admit I was a bit skeptical when I picked this book up to read. I’d looked at it a couple of times but decided I probably wouldn’t be that interested. I’m always worried about reading a book full of “teen speak”, just because I know me and I’d probably get bored and put it down.
That being said, I totally misjudged this book. It was amazing! I couldn’t put it down. And there was only one “ohmygod” moment. It was refreshing. It also had cussing throughout, which you will come to find I’m not a fan of. Not because I’m naive or whatever, I just usually find it not necessary to tell a story. It WAS crucial in this book. To make it believable, to make me see the characters as real people, in real life situations.
I also should mention that there are Spanish phrases throughout the book and although there were many times that I thought to myself either I really need to learn Spanish, or I really need to google that, I just took it in context hoping I kind of got what was meant and kept on. The fact that I can’t speak it didn’t detour me from continuing to read it or enjoying it.
The story kept my attention. It’s told in alternating chapters between the two main characters, Brittany and Alex. I really enjoyed that format for this story because I think if it had all been in Brit’s voice it wouldn’t have been as good.
I think my favourite character was Alex, because he is that bad boy that’s actually a good boy deep down. He cares a lot about his family, and friends. But he is also really smart and determined to be the first in his family to graduate high school.
Brittany is likeable, don’t get me wrong, she has a lot of guilt placed on her by herself, but also by her mom. She doesn’t have a perfect life even if she wants everyone to think so. She keeps a lot inside so no one can see it and I felt like screaming at the top of my lungs for her. Just to get it all out ya know? But by the end of the book I liked her a lot more. When she was finding herself.
I also liked many of the secondary characters like the chemistry teacher Mrs. P, Isa, and Paco, I liked what little we had of Doug too. I liked when he fell out of the window.
“What?”, you may ask, well I guess you’ll just have to go get your own copy.
I am going to be purchasing her first book, Leaving Paradise, as soon as I can get to the bookstore. Which may not be for a couple days yet. But, I suggest that you make Simone one of your picks if you’re out looking for a good read.
And now a few of my favourite quotes...
“Did I do anything stupid?” I ask.
Isa shrugs. “I’m not sure. Alex wouldn’t really let anyone get close enough to you. If you want to call passing out in his arms stupid, then I think you’ve managed it.”
All eyes are on me as I witness the vandalism to my motorcycle. They’re expecting me to be in a rage. After all, who would dare attach a pink tricycle horn to the handlebars and tape sparkling streamers from the ends of the handles? Nobody can get away with this s**t.
Except Brittany.
I want to know how to make this girl laugh. I want to know what makes her cry. I want to know what it feels like to have her look at me as if I’m her knight in shining armor.
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