Chain Reaction (Perfect Chemistry #3) by Simone Elkeles

Published: August 16, 2011 by Walker Books
Received: bought from Barnes & Noble

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? {taken from goodreads.com}

I first met the Fuentes brothers over a year ago when I read Perfect Chemistry.  The oldest, Alex Fuentes, won my heart over immediately.  His cocky attitude and vulnerable heart was an instant win for me.  I loved that book so much, that I continued the story by reading Rules of Attraction that focused on Carlos Fuentes, the middle brother.  The storyline got changed up a bit, but in the end it was about a hard-ass boy softening up to the girl of his dreams.  When I learned there would be a third book in the series about the youngest brother, Luis, I was beyond excited to read his story.  Chain Reaction was a book I marked on my calendar and drove to the bookstore the day it was released.  Can you understand my excitement now?  So this is why it is very difficult to write this review.  Disappointment is the word that comes to mind.  And lots of it.

I'm not sure what I expected from Luis - the sweet, innocent brother of the three?  I am trying to remember the character that was depicted in the previous books and all I can think of is this little boy who was wide-eyed and eager.  I felt like the author attempted to create this character again for Chain Reaction, but a more "grown up" version.  Attempt is the key word.  I was constantly conflicted on who Luis's character was meant to be.  With that confusion, I found it difficult to connect to him.  I think I saw what he was meant to come across as, yet it didn't seem real to me.

I did, however believe Nikki's character.  She felt real to me.  Her reasons for holding herself back from Luis had validation.  However, her reasons were pretty heavy - a bit too heavy in parts, in my opinion.  What she went through must have been pretty devastating as a teenage girl.  I wasn't expecting something of that caliber in this type of book.  That element seemed to throw me off a bit too.

Chain Reaction felt like a melting pot of both Alex and Carlos, and their stories, mixed in to create a storyline for Luis.  It was all very predictable.  I caught myself rolling my eyes quite a few times at how cheesy the scenes were.  Aren't these suppose to be ex-gang hard-asses?  Why are they talking to one another like that?  And what dude speaks about their wife/girlfriend like that in front of their brothers?  I'm pretty sure they would have been given a hard time for it.  The dialogue over did it for me in parts, and I found myself rushing through a scene because I wanted it to end.  I'm noticing a trend with my reading tastes lately, I don't do cheese-fest well.  Give me something real, not something fabricated.

So you're probably wondering, what DID I like about this book?  Well, if you know me then you probably know my answer.  This book was quite steamy!  Probably the steamiest of the three.  That first "love" scene at the party, in the pool house - WOAH.  I almost second guessed this being young adult.  It's set to be dirty, raw, passionate, and emotionless, and it was just that.  Two people, throwing every thing aside and just listening to their body's urges.  There was definite fanning involved after I read that bit.

I may be in the minority when it comes to my thoughts on this book.  It's definitely my least fave of the bunch.  Will I recommend it?  Of course.  I know lots of people who did enjoy it, so I know my opinion differs from a lot.  Chain Reaction was a dud for me though, as hard as it is to admit that.  I guess we can't like them all.