Chain Reaction (Perfect Chemistry Series #3)

by Simone Elkeles

Overview

In the third book in Simone Elkeles' New York Times bestselling YA contemporary romance series, Luis Fuentes must choose--his family's past or a future with Nikki Cruz, the girl he loves.

Luis Fuentes has always been sheltered from the gang violence that nearly destroyed his brothers' lives, but that has never stopped him from taking risks to feed his craving for adrenaline.

Nikki Cruz lives 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. But when chemistry with south sider Luis becomes too hot to ignore, Nikki is tempted to break all her rules.

Then a disturbing revelation about Luis's family puts him in the sights of Chuy Soto, the new head of the Latino Blood, who is determined to draw him into the gang life his brothers left behind. Will Luis's feelings for Nikki be enough to stop him from entering a dark and violent world and permanently living on the edge?

Don't miss any of these other books from New York Times bestselling author Simone Elkeles:

The Perfect Chemistry Trilogy
Perfect Chemistry
Rules of Attraction
Chain Reaction

Better Than Perfect

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780802723444
Publisher:	Bloomsbury Publishing
Publication date:	08/16/2011
Series:	Perfect Chemistry Series , #3
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	336
Sales rank:	353,741
File size:	1 MB
Age Range:	14 - 17 Years

About the Author

Simone Elkeles is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of the Perfect Chemistry trilogy, all three of which have been YALSA-ALA Top Ten Quick Picks for Reluctant Young Readers, as well as Better Than Perfect. Simone was named Author of the Year by the Illinois Association of Teachers of English. Simone's funny way of looking at the world shines through in novels that are bursting with sarcastic wit, edgy characters, and exhilarating drama.

www.simoneelkeles.com
@SimoneElkeles
Simone Elkeles is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of the Perfect Chemistry series, Leaving Paradise series and How to Ruin series. She lives in Illinois with her family. www.simoneelkeles.net

Editorial Reviews

Gr 10 Up—Chain Reaction follows Perfect Chemistry (2009) and Rules of Attraction (2010, both Walker), a trilogy centered on the lives and loves of the Fuentes brothers. Luis, the youngest, is a smart, macho "adrenaline junkie" who has a way with the chicas. The story is told in alternating chapters by Luis, who opens with a rock-climbing stunt that lands him in the hospital, and by Nikki, 15, who opens intending to tell her boyfriend that she is pregnant. The importance of la familia is a thread throughout the story, and when the Fuentes family returns to Chicago's South Side, Luis finds himself drawn into the gang life that Alex and Carlos worked so hard to leave behind. Nikki, dumped by her boyfriend, has sworn off relationships, putting her energy into helping out at an animal shelter. The fast-paced story is a melodramatic roller coaster, with gangbanging, drug selling, steamy encounters in pool cabanas, and a shocking family secret revealed. The story is laced with Spanish words and phrases, four letter words, and up-front descriptions of loving teenage trysts. Derek shows some depth of character as a friend who stands up for Luis, as does Reyes, an ex-gang member turned cop. Most of the characters are clearly either good or bad, but this simplicity keeps the story moving briskly along. A no-loose-ends epilogue revisits the family 26 years later, to assure readers that all ends well. The books are best read in order and will find the strongest audience among fans of the first two installments.—Maggie Knapp, Trinity Valley School, Fort Worth, TX

School Library Journal

Fans of the series and other females will gobble up this exciting, suspenseful novel.” —VOYA on Chain Reaction

“Smoldering doesn't quite do justice to the romantic banter.” —School Library Journal on Perfect Chemistry

“Teens with a taste for romance will eat this up like ice cream on a hot day.” —Bulletin for the Center of Children's Books on Perfect Chemistry

“Elkeles pens plenty of tasteful, hot scenes . . . that keep the pages turning.” —Kirkus Reviews on Perfect Chemistry

“Elkeles once again delivers a steamy page-turner bound to make teens swoon.” —School Library Journal on Rules of Attraction

“Engaging characters, two of whom share a love that cannot be denied, along with more than a few humorous moments.” —VOYA on Rules of Attraction

From the Publisher