Book Review: Chain Reaction by Simone Elkeles

Chain Reaction
Perfect Chemistry #3
Author: Simone Elkeles
Reading Level: YA
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Released: August 16th 2011
Review Source: Library
Available: Amazon

Summary: (from goodreads) Luis Fuentes has always been sheltered from the gang violence that nearly destroyed his brothers’ lives. But that didn’t stop him from taking risks—whether he’s scaling a mountain in the Rockies or dreaming of a future as an astronaut, Luis can’t stop looking for the next thrill.

Nikki Cruz lives her life by three rules—boys lie to get their way, don’t trust a boy who says “I love you,” and never date a boy from the south side of Fairfield. Her parents may be from Mexico, but as a doctor’s daughter, she has more in common with her north-side neighbors than the Latino Blood at her school. Then she meets Luis at Alex’s wedding, and suddenly, she’s tempted to break all her rules.

Getting Nikki to take a chance on a southsider is Luis’s biggest challenge, until he finds himself targeted by Chuy Soto, the new head of the Latino Blood. When Chuy reveals a disturbing secret about Luis’s family, the youngest Fuentes finds himself questioning everything he’s ever believed to be true. Will his feelings for Nikki be enough to stop Luis from entering a dark and violent world and permanently living on the edge?

There are very few books that I read in a day (without skimming through just to get to the end)...this was one of them. Yes, it was cheesy in parts and very similar to the other two in the series, but I still could not put it down. So there is something to say for that, is there not? The Fuentes brothers and the ladies who choose to love them, and put up with their stubborn attitudes and dangerous past times, have stories that invite the reader into their world in such a way that you find yourself turning page after page until you reach the end of the story, regardless of other boring daily tasks you "should" be doing. The cover of this book (and the other two in this trilogy)y are very steamy. **sigh** That in itself would make anyone want to read this book, dontchathink? ;)

In this final book in the Perfect Chemistry trilogy, Luis Fuentes' story is told. We heard about Alex and Carlos in the two previous books and now we get the low down on the "sweet, innocent, baby brother"...or so everyone thought. Luis is an adrenaline junkie and cannot seem to stay away from the next big thrill. He meets Nikki at his big brother's wedding and sees her as the next challenge. Nikki's story starts out with some heartbreak, and a life changing moment that defines her as a person and a young woman. She is jaded and doesn't want to give any guy the time of day because of what happened to her. I loved reading about these two throughout the book and living through the roller coaster ride of emotions their story brought on for me. There were definitely some twists and turns in this book that I just did not see coming.

I really like how Simone also weaves the stories of Alex and Brittany and Carlos and Kiara, and many of the other characters we've met in the previous two books throughout the series. For this book, and the other two, I loved the epilogue at the end of each book. They are kind of like a XXX years later style, but they made this "happily ever after-loving gal", well, happy. :) So if you are looking for some passion, a little romance, some ups and downs, and a few surprises, you should definitely give this series a try. I, for one, very much enjoyed this series and plan to re-read them often. :)