REVIEW Rules of Attraction (Perfect Chemistry 2) Simone Elkeles

Author: Simone Elkeles

Pages: 324

Genre: Young Adult

Walker and Company

From the Blurb.

When Carlos Fuentes returns to America after living in Mexico for a year, he doesn’t want any part of the life his older brother, Alex, has laid out for him at a high school in Colorado . Carlos likes living his life on the edge and wants to carve his own path—just like Alex did. Then he meets Kiara Westford. She doesn’t talk much and is completely intimidated by Carlos’ wild ways. As they get to know one another, Carlos assumes Kiara thinks she’s too good for him, and refuses to admit that she might be getting to him. But he soon realizes that being himself is exactly what Kiara needs right now.

REVIEW: 4 our of 5 Stars

Rules of Attraction is the sequel to Perfect Attraction, the story of Carlos Fuentes, Alex's younger brother which also follows a similar storyline - boy from the wrong side of the tracks meets good girl from a middle class respected family.

Carlos Fuentes is a teen with a care factor of zero & a cocky bad attitude, He is forced to move to Boulder, Colorado to live with his older brother Alex & to finish off his senior year of high school; after getting framed for drug possession, he is moved into the REACH program & also in with the Westfords.

Kiara Westford is Carlos's school peer guide; she is a good student, enjoys fixing  cars, playing sports, has a stutter & a best friend who is gay, she is not Carlos's type whatsoever but they soon get to know one another & Carlos actually enjoys having Kiara around; she seems to understand him & see's through his attitude ridden facade.

Carlos didn't think he would amount for anything in his life & seemed to want to run rather than try. Because of his gang affiliations in Mexico, he is forced into a situation that he can’t say no to. His life, as well as the lives of those he loves, depends on his participation in a high risk, illegal activity but thanks to the help of relative strangers  as well as his brother he is able to move past his troubles & on to a promising future.

Seeing the way Carlos & Kiara's relationship progressed was sweet & believable, he genuinely seemed to enjoy her company and care about her as did she.

I really enjoyed the secondary characters; Tuck was hilarious! Mr & Mrs Westford treated Carlos as if he was one of their own - they were the most down to earth parents & Brandon, Kiara's younger brother was adorable! It was also nice to catch up with Alex & Brittany again & nice to see their relationship progressing.

Like in Perfect Chemistry, I enjoyed the alternating POV's that allows the reader into both Carlos’ and Kiara’s heads.

An excellent continuation of the Fuentes brothers, I didn't enjoy it as much as Perfect Chemistry but it was still a great read. I look forward to Luis's story.

My favourite quotes:

Carlos - "I want to make sure Kiara's got a boyfriend who has more to offer than a hot bod and a face that could make angels weep'

Carlos - Did I tell you it’s annoyin’ that you hardly say anythin’ to me anymore? You’re like a mute who doesn’t use any hand gestures. I mean, seriously, it’s irritatin’ the hell outta me. Don’t you think I have enough to deal with, bein’ framed, arrested, and havin’ to go to that stupid REACH program? 

There is just something about the way Simone Elkeles writes that has me completely hooked on to every single word.