It's Wednesday, I'm in Love...

It's Wednesday!  So that means we're already in the middle of the week, Hump Day, if you will.  Everyone needs a little pick-me-up around this time, right?  We decided that to help us get through the week we would share our favorite fictional love stories.  It can be a favorite of all time or from the book you're currently reading.  As long as it involves love, come on over and share!

This Wednesday, let’s discuss our favorite Opposites Attract couple.

Monica’s Choice

Since I just finished up Perfect Chemistry, I have Alex and Brittany on the brain.  At times, they are complete opposites, extremes on either end of the spectrum.  He’s super bad, she’s super good and they’ve both worked hard to maintain those images.  And that’s the thing, they both live a life contrary to what they feel is right for them.  They sacrifice what they want for family, although the reasons are different.  Alex doesn’t like Brittany and she doesn’t like him.  So why are they drawn to each other?  They’re not headed for a fairy tale, but what they feel for each other is real and raw.  It will open them up to hurt and vulnerability.  Will it be worth it? 

This is who I picture as Alex.  This is who I pictured as Brittany.    

Lindsey’s Choice

This week my choice is mostly based on a TV show and partly based on a book.  I first read The Vampire Diaries over 15 years ago (yikes!).  I loved it then but that was also around the time that I quit reading.  Thank goodness L J. Smith is still writing them (or at least for now, that's another post).  Within the past year I have started reading it again.  Now it is a series.  I don't even know where to begin describing the books other than Stefan and Damon are vampires.  While Stefan naturally tries to be good, Damon, his brother is naturally bad.  So it's the whole good vs. bad thing.  In the book I love Elena and Stefan together (for now at least), but I have to say I LOVE the chemistry between Elena and Damon on the show.  It's a show I watch with my sisters and only my sisters.  I live in Memphis, one lives in Arizona, and the other lives in Birmingham.  So you can guess how often I get to watch the show.  I LOVE it though.  I feel like I am betraying them if I ever watch it on my own.  Because of this, I have missed this last season.  I really want to catch up.  I really want Elena and Damon to get together.  Watch this clip and you'll see why,

Julianne’s Choice

Has a life and is gone for the rest of the week...

Who is your favorite Opposites Attract couple in love?

Perfect Chemistry Review

Perfect Chemistry by Simone Elkeles

4 Stars

Synopsis:

When Brittany Ellis walks into chemistry class on the first day of senior year, she has no clue that her carefully created “perfect” life is about to unravel before her eyes. She’s forced to be lab partners with Alex Fuentes, a gang member from the other side of town, and he is about to threaten everything she's worked so hard for—her flawless reputation, her relationship with her boyfriend, and the secret that her home life is anything but perfect. Alex is a bad boy and he knows it. So when he makes a bet with his friends to lure Brittany into his life, he thinks nothing of it. But soon Alex realizes Brittany is a real person with real problems, and suddenly the bet he made in arrogance turns into something much more.

Review:

This book alternates between the POV of Brittany and Alex, which I’m not usually a fan of, but it worked here for me.  I enjoyed being able to see what they thought of each other and certain situations.  Brittany and Alex couldn’t be more different, but they also couldn’t be more similar.  Each is living a life they want to escape, but can’t for the same reasons.  I instantly liked Alex and warmed up to Brittany very quickly, especially when seeing her interact with her sister.

Although this is YA, it is very gritty and Elkeles does not hold back.  The romance is a bit more mature than most YA.  The characters face very serious situations and the outcome isn’t always sunny.  I was expecting a fast, breezy read, this was anything but.  I went through it quickly, but only because I couldn’t wait to see how their stories ended.  I was not left disappointed.  

--monica

Blogger is not letting me upload images, so go here for a looksy at the book.