Chain Reaction

I think in the end I'd give this book a high three star, almost a four. I didn't like the beginning of the book all that much - the character's annoyed me - but halfway through it got much better. The characters grew up a little and dare I say it, love prevailed. Nikki was my biggest problem for most of the book. After finishing the book I can see where it all stemmed, and it was a true rendition of a coping method gone wrong. The fact that her bitchiness got on my nerves says something about the realism the book has. I also thought Luis’s spiral into the gang could have been drawn out just a little more or explained more. There was one particular spot where I felt left behind in the dust. The romance is more of a PG-13 than a PG, definitely for those teenagers above the age of sixteen at least. Elkeles's books seem to always end happily so no worries there. I did like how Elkeles brought up the issues of gang violence and prejudice against Mexicans. They seemed to be handled well - not too much but not too little. I most likely will never read the book again but it was nice read nonetheless. ( )

Chain reaction is about Luis Fuentes the youngest son of the Fuentes family. He is known in previous books to be the innocent, goal oriented, dedicated son of the family. In this book though we see that Luis is one cocky SOB!! All three brothers have been famous for the drop dead looks and the known receiver of the double take from all the girls (and possibly some guys too). But Luis for me tops both Alex and Carlos. He is cocky, confident, passionate, and not afraid to flaunt it. His personality was more real to me then either one of other perfect chemistry books and I commend the author for that. He is so sweet to when it comes to Nikki that I just want to pinch his cheeks (or claim him for myself=p).

Now Nikki is not what I expected. From the synopsis of the story I gathered that she was supposed to be the bad ass, gang member in the relationship and she was going to be the one to corrupt Luis. We quickly find out though that, that's not the case. Luckily for me anyway, we find out that Nikki is a north sider with an attitude. Maybe it's the Latino in her coming to life. All I know is that I loved her character because she was cocky, smart aleck, and won't take crap from anyone. I admit that in the beginning I had my doubts about her but once Luis and Nikki's first introduction passes and we move onto the real story she became my absolute fave character next to Luis of course.

Luis and Nikki flowed easily together. There was actual chemistry between the two. And the inevitable declaration of love was more realistic. It wasn't some white knight, sweeped away to happily ever after crap. Instead it was semi-realistic sticking with how actual teenagers would profess their love for one another.

There was a couple of people I didn't like though. Cesar the cop/landlord who falls for their mom is stupid!! He serves no point to me. And honestly I kept waiting for him to slowly fade into the backdrop.*sigh* unfortunately that didn't happen and in the epilogue we find out he becomes their step-dad. YUCK!!!!

......Moving on this book was a fast romantic read and it kept me captivated for hours. I enjoyed it immensely and I would definitely, definitely, DEFINITELY recommend it to anyone who is apprehensive about the sequel. Or were as nervous to pick up the book as I was.

Seriously that cover was so erotic looking that I was semi-embarrassed and nervous to check it out at my school library. I kept waiting for them to scan it and mumble teenagers these days it's all about sex!

I will admit it was not my fav of the series but it is still worth reading!! ( )

GAAAH!! This book could have been double length! I totally loved Luis Fuentes' story. It had some twists I never saw coming, and he was so smart, even more so than Alex. And with moving back to Illinois, it was really fun to see some characters from the past Fuentes brother's books as well.

Luis had a hunger for adrenialine that had me totally flabbergasted in the very first chapter. Then, it only got worse; or better, depending on how you look at it. The book kept me on my toes on every single page, I never knew what would happen, apart from maybe thinking that Nikki and Luis might still make it...

And with the way it ended, there is even hope for another Fuentes book in the future, what do you say Ms. Elkeles? ( )

Not nearly as good as the first one. Elkeles should have quit while she was ahead. I didn't hate the book but the "chemistry" (sorry) of the first book is missing. Everything does not need to be a series. ( )

Chain Reaction was a fitting end to the Perfect Chemistry series. I loved seeing how things ended up for all the members of the Fuentes family at the end of this one. Parts of Luis's story didn't quite feel as developed as those of his older brothers, though, which is why it got four instead of five stars from me. In spite of that, though, this was still a wonderful series with characters you end up really caring about. I definitely recommend it, and am looking forward to reading more of Simone Elkeles's works in the future. ( )