Rules of Attraction by Simone Elkeles

Rules Of Attraction by Simone Elkeles
Title: Rules of Attraction
Author: Simone Elkeles
Series: Perfect Chemistry, #2
Genres: Contemporary Romance, Young Adult
Publisher: Walker Childrens (Imprint of Bloomsbury)
Date Published: April 13th, 2010
Edition: Hardcover
Rating:

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.

My Review:

After reading Chain Reaction, I was so happy to find a contemporary romance series that I love! I’m not big into contemporary romance all that much. I normally need something paranormal in my books, but I love this series. Simone Elkeles has struck gold with the Fuentes brothers and I love them to pieces!

Carlos, while still a bad boy, is very different from Alex in many ways. Whereas Alex was kind of pushed into a situation and a role that he never really wanted, Carlos is more the type of guy that runs head first into trouble. He’s hot-headed, egotistical, and can be a jerk at times (in the beginning). But, as the story goes on and Carlos starts to soften up a bit, I couldn’t help but love him all the same.

Kiara on the other hand, I loved from the beginning. I don’t know what it is about her. I think maybe it’s just that she’s true to herself and despite not being the prettiest most popular girl in school, she respects and accepts herself for who she is. Just when you think you have Kiara pegged as this sweet, innocent, and shy girl, she completely surprises you.

The story itself is somewhat similar to the first book, being bad boy meets good girl and all, but I think Elkeles did a good job in creating a different situation and characters with different personalities, and that prevented it from feeling so much like a carbon copy of Chain Reaction.

I must also say that it is so refreshing to read a young adult book that doesn’t have a love triangle in it. It seems like sometimes that the dreaded love triangle is part of the standard formula when writing a young adult book these days. It doesn’t have to be, but it seems like authors feel like that is the only way to create conflict in their relationship or something. But thankfully these books do not have that, and I love that. Another thing I love is the Epilogues. For Chain Reaction, and this one, she takes us many years into the future and I love the glimpse we get. The last sentence in this book was the best. So funny and ironic!

Overall, this was a really great book. I enjoyed it very much. It didn’t blow me away like Chain Reaction did, but then that book was pretty much one of a kind. It would have been hard to have this book be completely up to that standard. However, I did really enjoy this and I look forward to hearing about Luis’ story next in Chain Reaction!

PRE-REFORMED Carlos Theme Song

I actually almost didn’t post this for fear of people thinking I’m crazy. But you know what, whatever. This is my blog so I’ll post it anyways. lol Plus, I am crazy and as Zarek from Dark-Hunters would say, “I don’t suffer from my insanity, I enjoy every minute of it.”. :]

Okay, so bear with me here and this is a total adult moment. If you’re under 18, please do not listen to this song as I do not want to corrupt young minds more than they already are. lol

Anyways, I’ve been listening to ICP (Insane Clown Posse) lately on Spotify. Have I ever mentioned that I have a really WIDE range of music tastes? I’m talking, I could happily go from listening to say Demi Lovato – Skyscraper to well, the song I’m about to talk about. I like a lot of different stuff depending on my mood. Kind of like books. I guess I’m moody in general?

But anyways, I’m getting a bit off topic. I was listening to ICP and the song The Neden Game around the time I started reading this book. It’s a bit (okay a lot) psychotic (like most ICP songs are), but it’s also hilarious — at least to people with a sick sense of humor like me. lol

So the song The Neden Game by Insane Clown Posse makes me think of how Carlos’ attitude was when he first comes to Colorado. His bad attitude and hot-headedness was at an all time high at that point. So yeah, I could totally have seen Carlos playing all big and bad by saying he would do some of these things. I don’t think he actually would have. But, being that Carlos is sometimes all talk, that’s beside the point. ;)

4 Hearts More Reviews Goodreads | AmazonPurchase Links Amazon | Book Depository | Barnes & Noble

  • woman sitting on window reading book

    131 Most popular YA books of the last decade (according to Reddit)

    There are so many great YA novels to choose from, but sometimes it’s hard to pick favorites or figure out what ...
  • woman in black tank top and denim jeans reading a book

    Young adult literature: top 100 YA books of all time

    Young Adult Literature: The Best of the Best Hey fellow book nerds, if you’re looking for the best of the best ...
  • You Slay Me by Katie MacAlister

    Aisling Grey is a courier enjoying a free, work-related trip to Paris when she learns she's a Guardian. That's a keeper of the Gates of Hell, for those who don't know. She finds this out from Drake Vireo, who's scrumptiously sexy-at least in his human form. Now Drake has stolen the package Aisling was sent to deliver, and she must track him down, get the package, and try to resist the passion boiling inside her.
Load More Related Articles
  • You Slay Me by Katie MacAlister

    Aisling Grey is a courier enjoying a free, work-related trip to Paris when she learns she's a Guardian. That's a keeper of the Gates of Hell, for those who don't know. She finds this out from Drake Vireo, who's scrumptiously sexy-at least in his human form. Now Drake has stolen the package Aisling was sent to deliver, and she must track him down, get the package, and try to resist the passion boiling inside her.
  • Written in Red by Anne Bishop

    As a cassandra sangue, or blood prophet, Meg Corbyn can see the future when her skin is cut—a gift that feels more like a curse. Meg’s Controller keeps her enslaved so he can have full access to her visions. But when she escapes, the only safe place Meg can hide is at the Lakeside Courtyard—a business district operated by the Others. Shape-shifter Simon Wolfgard is reluctant to hire the stranger who inquires about the Human Liaison job. First, he senses she’s keeping a secret, and second, she doesn’t smell like human prey. Yet a stronger instinct propels him to give Meg the job. And when he learns the truth about Meg and that she’s wanted by the government, he’ll have to decide if she’s worth the fight between humans and the Others that will surely follow.
  • Wolfsbane by Andrea Cremer

    When Calla Tor wakes up in the lair of the Searchers, her sworn enemies, she’s certain her days are numbered. But then the Searchers make her an offer—one that gives her the chance to destroy her former masters and save the pack—and the man—she left behind. Is Ren worth the price of her freedom? And will Shay stand by her side no matter what? Now in control of her own destiny, Calla must decide which battles are worth fighting and how many trials true love can endure and still survive.
Load More By Sarah
  • Wicked Nights by Gena Showalter

    Leader of the most powerful army in the heavens, Zacharel has been deemed nearly too dangerous, too ruthless -- and if he isn't careful, he'll lose his wings. But this warrior with a heart of ice will not be deterred from his missions at any cost…until a vulnerable human tempts him with a carnal pleasure he's never known before. Accused of a crime she did not commit, Annabelle Miller has spent four years in an institution for the criminally insane. Demons track her every move, and their king will stop at nothing to have her. Zacharel is her only hope for survival, but is the brutal angel with a touch as hot as hell her salvation -- or her ultimate damnation?
  • You Slay Me by Katie MacAlister

    Aisling Grey is a courier enjoying a free, work-related trip to Paris when she learns she's a Guardian. That's a keeper of the Gates of Hell, for those who don't know. She finds this out from Drake Vireo, who's scrumptiously sexy-at least in his human form. Now Drake has stolen the package Aisling was sent to deliver, and she must track him down, get the package, and try to resist the passion boiling inside her.
  • Twice Tempted by Jeaniene Frost

    Dating the Prince of Darkness has its challenges... Leila's psychic abilities have been failing her, and now she isn't sure what the future holds. If that weren't enough, her lover, Vlad, has been acting distant. Though Leila is a mere mortal, she's also a modern woman who refuses to accept the cold shoulder treatment forever–especially from the darkly handsome vampire who still won't admit that he loves her. Like choosing between eternal love and a loveless eternity... Soon circumstances send Leila back to the carnival circuit, where tragedy strikes. And when she finds herself in the crosshairs of a killer who may be closer than she realizes, Leila must decide who to trust– the fiery vampire who arouses her passions like no other or the tortured knight who longs to be more than a friend? With danger stalking her every step of the way, all it takes is one wrong move to damn her for eternity.
Load More In 4 Hearts

Leave a Reply

Check Also

You Slay Me by Katie MacAlister

Aisling Grey is a courier enjoying a free, work-related trip to Paris when she learns she's a Guardian. That's a keeper of the Gates of Hell, for those who don't know. She finds this out from Drake Vireo, who's scrumptiously sexy-at least in his human form. Now Drake has stolen the package Aisling was sent to deliver, and she must track him down, get the package, and try to resist the passion boiling inside her.

Welcome to The YA Shelf

Helping you find the BEST young adult literature online! We're YA authors, readers and bibliophiles, who read everything and sometimes post book reviews and fandom summaries. Check out our "best books for teens" lists to see our favorites, or browse nearly 300+ book reviews!

Check out today's deals or See what's hot! Today's FREE books
Today's BestSellers


imlovingbooks

Top Posts & Pages

The Best YA Fae Fantasy Books
Sarah J Maas and YA cancel culture (what's up?)
The Best Angel and Fallen Angel Romances for Teens
The Best YA/Teen Fiction Books With Zombies
The Best YA Magic Academy Books
50 YA fiction tropes and cliches we can't get enough of!
Young Adult Bloggers, Sites and More
The Best Time Travel Books for Teens

Search

Category Posts