Rules of Attraction (Perfect Chemistry, #2)

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Rules of Attraction (Perfect Chemistry #2)

4.27 of 5 stars 4.27 · rating details · 34,828 ratings · 2,501 reviews

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’ wi...more

Paperback, 326 pages

Published April 27th 2010 by Walker Childrens

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Aug 31, 2012 Elle rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2011-read, heart-fluttering, own-read, elles-reviews

SIMONE ELKELES: Hola, Elle!

ELLE: Oh. Hi Simone Elkeles.

SIMONE ELKELES: WTF, Elle? You gave my first book in the series, Perfect Chemistry, only two stars? Explain yourself, Senorita.

ELLE: Well, Simone Elkeles, I just thought it was a bit...

SIMONE ELKELES: I know, I know. I hear you, cariño. It was too intensely POWERFUL a novel for your mind. I accept.

ELLE: um, actually, no... it was more that I...

SIMONE ELKELES: Si, chica. I feel you. I suspect the hot-teen-sex-on-filthy-garage-floor scene wa...more

315 likes · like · see review

Jan 01, 2011 Katie rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: read-in-2010

Before I read the book

Anyone else agree that after this she should write a third book about the youngest Fuentes, Louis?

-----------------------------------------------------

Yay, she is writing another book about Louis!

-----------------------------------------------------

Review Time (I like to give pointers on how I like my reviews to be read in brackets, feel free to ignore my suggestions)

Aaahhh, my Fuentes boys, could you be anymore perfect? (Yes, I am referencing Chandler). Perhaps it is a lit...more

77 likes · like · see review

Jul 24, 2010 Kristi (The Story Siren) rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: own-arc, bea-2010, books-i-own, signed-books

Rules of Attraction is the companion novel to Perfect Chemistry. The main characters in Perefect Chemestry are Alex and Brittany, the main characters in Rules of Attratction are Carlos (Alex's little brother) and Kiara. That being said, you don't necessarily have to read Perfect Chemistry first.

I loved Perfect Chemistry, there is something about it that is so very addictive, so when I heard that Elkeles was writing another novel about Alex's little brother, I knew I was in for a treat. Perfect...more

34 likes · like · see review

Mar 23, 2011 Lady Jayne *~*The Beach Bandida*~* rated it 4 of 5 stars Recommends it for: Adults who enjoy YA Romance and Older Teens

Recommended to Lady Jayne *~*The Beach Bandida*~* by: Having loved Perfect Chemistry

Shelves: young-adult, owned-read, reviewed

...more

4 Stars - Also reviewed at: Lady Jayne's Reading Den

(This is an Adult-who-enjoys-reliving-the-stirrings-of-first-love-and-self-discovery-during-the-teen-years-through-YA books review)

**CONTENT WARNING - Since this is a YA book I will include a warning that this book contains some Sexual, Drug and Alcohol, Course Language and Violent Content - Recommended for Older Teens and Adults who enjoy YA books**

Rules of Attraction is the sequel to Perfect Chemistry, and the second book in the “Fuentes Brothers Trilogy”.

I really love the cover of this book - Very HOT and romantic! I don't know what it is about kissing in the rain... *shivers* ^_^

Perfect Chemistry was one of my favourite reads of 2010. I just absolutely adore Alex and Brittany!

In Rules of Attraction, author Simone Elkeles once again uses the formula of “bad-boy” from wrong side of the tracks meets middle-class “good girl”. However, while I really enjoyed this book, it lacked that sizzling, combustible magic that was Perfect Chemistry, for me.

Carlos Fuentes is a rebel who loves living on the edge. He is forced to move to Boulder, Colorado, to live with his older brother, Alex, to finish off his senior year of high school. One his first day of school, Carlos gets assigned to Kiara Westford, who is to be his “peer guide”. Kiara is an avid hiker, dresses in baggy T-shirts and hiking boots, and is wholesome – definitely not Carlos’ type.

When Carlos ends up getting into some trouble, he moves in with the Westford family, as part of the REACH program. Through living in close proximity to each other, Carlos and Kiara get to know each, and well, much to both their surprises, sparks eventually fly and they end up falling for each other. Hey, this is a YA Romance! ^_^

Like in Perfect Chemistry, I really enjoyed the alternating point-of-views that allows the reader into both Carlos’ and Kiara’s heads. Simone Elkeles is really connected with her “inner teen”. Her writing keeps me engaged and makes me remember what it was like to be a teen falling in love.

I didn’t like Carlos much from the snippet I got in Perfect Chemistry and wasn’t sure how much I would like this book, but ended up really enjoying it. The reason I love Alex so much more is because he didn’t want to be in a gang, but felt he had no choice. He wore a “mask” to convince others he was bad, yet longed for something more in his life. His internal struggle moved me so much…plus, he was so gosh-darned sexy! ^_^ Whereas, while Carlos was a hottie, too, I felt that he had an attitude problem and enjoyed being a “badass”. I really enjoyed watching Carlos’ growth throughout this book. Though at the end of the day, Alex is still my numero uno Fuentes brother, mi corazon. Aahh…Alex… *sighs*

I loved Kiara. She is the kind of girl I could see myself having been friends with in high school. She is smart, funny, strong, determined and caring. Though, actually, her love of cars and hiking wouldn’t have aligned with my interests of reading and talking about hot guys, at that age. Oh, wait, those are still my interests! LOL

I really liked Kiara’s best friend, Tuck, and her adorable younger brother, Brandon.

The epilogue was sweet but was a little corny.

But what I most especially loved, was getting more of Alex and Brittany in this book and seeing them in college, even though things were not smooth sailing. I loved the realism of their relationship. They are one of my favourite YA couples. I just love them!

All in all, Rules of Attraction was funny, romantic, angsty, and tugged at my heartstrings, just at the right moments. I happily recommend this YA series for adults who enjoy reading YA and want a sexier, grittier read, and for older teens.

I'm looking forward to the youngest Fuentes brother's (Luis') book, out on ~~24th May 2011~~ 16th August 2011:

Love the cover! It seems that in this 3rd book, Luis Fuentes is the "good boy" with big dreams who falls for the "wrong" girl. And I already have a cutie image of "my Luis", so bring on Chain Reaction! ^_^

I originally had Mark Salling, who plays Puck on Glee (Love Glee!), in my mind as Carlos, as he has the same sort of attitude. But Mel, who commented on my Perfect Chemistry review, led me to a new Carlos (Thanks, Mel!).

My Carlos (Marlon Teixeira)

My Kiara (Hayley Erin)

Some of my favourite quotes/scenes:

“We kiss all the time." I clear my throat, then add, "We just...do it in private."
"A smug expression crosses his face. "I don't buy it for a second, 'cause if you were my girlfriend and a stud like me was livin' in your house, I'd kiss you in front of the guy every chance I got as a reminder."
"A reminder of w-w-what?"
"That you were mine."
…

"Tell me somethin’ you do that would shock me.”
She sits back on the couch. “Shock you?”
“Yeah. Shock me to the core.”
She sits up on her knees and leans toward me. “I’ve thought about you, Carlos,” she whispers in my ear.
“At night, in bed. I think about kissing you, our tongues sliding against each other’s, while your hands are buried in my hair. When I think about feeling those ripples in your naked chest I touch my—”
“Here’s more popcorn!” Westford says, barging into the room with two big bowls filled to the rim with freshly popped popcorn.
“Kiara, what are you doing?"
…

"You know about fixing cars, you're athletic, and you know when to shut up."
"That last one isn't a skill."
"Honey, trust me. It's a skill."
…

"La cucaracha, La cucaracha, Ya no puede caminar, porque no tiene, porque le falta, I don't know the rest, la la la la!"
...

“K, The lady at the store said yellow means friendship and red means love. The Rosary is the only thing I own that has value to me. It’s yours. I’m yours. C.”
...

Reading Order for the series:

1. Perfect Chemistry - Review here
2. Rules of Attraction
3. Chain Reaction - Review here

COPYRIGHT DISCLAIMER: I do not hold the copyright to any of the images used in this review. They are posted to add visuals to the review and for fun. If any of these images are yours and you would like me to remove them, please let me know, and I will do so as soon as possible. If I can identify the copyright, I will do so.

(less)

30 likes · like · see review

Jan 18, 2011 Flannery rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: audiobooks, young-adult-teen, read-in-2011, kcls, i-wouldnt-read-on-the-t, reviewed-2011

This book has a lot of similarities to the first in the series, Perfect Chemistry--at the beginning, it felt like the only difference was that Kiara had a stutter. After finishing it, I still feel it was substantially similar in characters and plot but I don't give a crap. I still really liked it.

In other news, I know some people are fans of the cover art in this series but I think it is pretty mortifying. After Perfect Chemistry's cover, where Alex and Brittney are laying on each other in the...more

50 likes · like · see review

Apr 17, 2010 Arlene rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: favorites, read-2010, ya-contemporary, autographed, cover-pda-fave, young-adult

I loved Perfect Chemistry by Simone Elkeles, so when I heard about this sequel needless to say, I picked it up as soon as it hit the stands. I was not disappointed… NOT.ONE.BIT! Rules of Attraction is funny, romantic, edgy and unforgettable! I loved the dialog, pranks and slapstick funny scenes throughout the novel, but most of all, I loved the sincere moments between bad-boy Carlos and goodie two shoes Kiara. It’s a page turner that will leave you sad at the end, but only because you’ve finishe...more

22 likes · like · see review

Dec 29, 2010 MelissaB rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2010-reads, kindle, young-adult, first-person-pov, bad-boys-like-good-girls

Rules of Attraction was a good story that I enjoyed reading but I didn't think Carlos and Kiara had the crazy chemistry that Alex and Brittany did. So the romance wasn't as satisfying and electric. Carlos was also not as sympathetic a character as Alex because I felt like Alex only did bad things because he had no other choice while Carlos acted like a punk just because he wanted to. But overall the story was a good read that I enjoyed a lot.

We got to see more of Alex and Brittany as they are bo...more

23 likes · like · see review

Jan 24, 2012 Nina ♥ rated it 4 of 5 stars

~~AHHH! This sounds even better than the first book! YES!~~

Carlos, you smexy pie, come here, LET ME LOVE YOUUUUUUU!!!

I can't believe I just said that. ~~God, he's such a hottie stud muffin.~~

Okay, I'm clearly still in fangirl mode, so. I'll come back later. :3

13 likes · like · see review

Nov 04, 2010 Mahlet rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: romance, series, ya, eagerly-anticipating, library, interracial, favorites

Ooohhh!! Simone Elkeles posted 3 excerpts here: http://perfectchemistrythebook.com/ro...

Only 4 days until release! :)

I have a massive library fine now - why? Because I'm being selfish and don't want to give this one up. After reading

Perfect Chemistry (Perfect Chemistry, #1)

, I was excited about the change to a trilogy, but doubtful that one of my favorite YAs could be topped. I was pleased to be wrong - to echo a few friends who read this with me, Rules of Attraction was in a league of its own. This heroine, who wears odd clothing c...more

8 likes · like · see review

Dec 24, 2012 Book Chick City rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: young-adult, romance-contemporary

Reviewed by Laura for Book Chick City.

If you loved the first book in this series 'Perfect Chemistry' then without a doubt you're going to fall for this one too. The plot itself is pretty similar, bad boy falls for good girl. But this time with no star-crossed lovers quality.

Like his brother before him, Carlos is descending into the dark world of drugs, violence and gang crime. With an attitude the size of a small planet, he can't see what's wrong with his lifestyle. He's putting food on the tabl...more Reviewed by Laura for Book Chick City.

If you loved the first book in this series 'Perfect Chemistry' then without a doubt you're going to fall for this one too. The plot itself is pretty similar, bad boy falls for good girl. But this time with no star-crossed lovers quality.

Like his brother before him, Carlos is descending into the dark world of drugs, violence and gang crime. With an attitude the size of a small planet, he can't see what's wrong with his lifestyle. He's putting food on the table and preventing his mother from working like a slave. When his brother and Mum insist he moves to Colorado, enrol back in school and make a fresh start for himself, he's of course immediately resistant and inevitably falls straight in with the wrong crowd.

Kiara, is a good girl. I liked her more than I liked Brittany from 'Perfect Chemistry', she is a less conventional heroine. Her love for over sized t-shirts, shorts and hiking boots, the fact she doesn't even own a pair of high heels and her favourite past time is renovating old cars. She also has a stutter. All of this adds a touch of difference to her character.

I read this book pretty quickly, in about two days. It's a fun and engaging read. The romance between Kiara and Carlos develops at a nice pace. I liked the fact that beneath the tough, cocky exterior Carlos has a soft, vulnerable centre. Which allowed for some lovely tender moments.

This book is also surprisingly funny too. I shall just say look out for the gay Frisbee scene. :)

An issue I did have was that the ending does get wrapped up pretty quickly. There was more focus on the relationship between Carlos and Kiara and because of this things are tied up a little too easily for my liking. It felt like, ok they're in love now, now we need to find away to resolve this problem (not wanting to give too much away), which of course had been a huge part of the storyline.

It is interesting seeing Alex and Brittany again, two years on. While I know this was Carlos and Kiara's story, I would have liked to have seen a bit more of them. But I did certainly like seeing a wiser, more mature Alex.

I'm usually a fan of epilogues. I sometimes think if I could live in a Disney movie I'd be in heaven, I adore happy endings! But unfortunately Simone Elkeles can't seem to get the tone of hers right. The epilogue went beyond cheesy, and I hate to sound mean, but to pretty ghastly. My advice.... skip it.

VERDICT:

Despite the too easy wrap up I had fun with this book. Made up of great characters and with a romance that is very easy to get swept up in. Carlos is as dark, wild and handsome as his brother.

Also, what a fab cover!(less)

6 likes · like · see review

Dec 13, 2011 Jo rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: boy-crush, guilty-pleasures, ya, e

If you haven't read
Perfect Chemistry by Ms Elkeles... there may be spoilers ahead.

“Want to get in trouble with me, Carlos?”

Initial Final Page Thoughts.
OK, so I have to admit I originally picked this book up with every intention of laughing at it as opposed to with it.
But Ms Elkeles definitely got the last laugh because this book and I had a whale of a time together and I'm thinking of proposing soon.
Also:
Some Things I Will Never Understand.
Why some girls (and some boys…) where leggings as pa...more

24 likes · like · see review

Mar 18, 2010 Tatiana rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition Recommends it for: teens

Recommended to Tatiana by: Walker/Bloomsbury Publishers

Shelves: ya, drama, fiction, humor, romance, sexual-situations, interracial, friendship

Best romantic YA book of 2010! Simone Elkeles delivered again, with another rebellious, gorgeous and intelligent Fuentes brother stealing our hearts.

SPOILER ALERT!!! In this second installment of three in the "Perfect Chemistry" YA series, our favorite struggling couple, Alejandro "Alex" Fuentes and Brittany Ellis are back and are now 20 years old and still attending college in Colorado. A minor character in the first book now takes center stage - middle brother Carlos Fuentes, being sent back t...more Best romantic YA book of 2010! Simone Elkeles delivered again, with another rebellious, gorgeous and intelligent Fuentes brother stealing our hearts.

SPOILER ALERT!!! In this second installment of three in the "Perfect Chemistry" YA series, our favorite struggling couple, Alejandro "Alex" Fuentes and Brittany Ellis are back and are now 20 years old and still attending college in Colorado. A minor character in the first book now takes center stage - middle brother Carlos Fuentes, being sent back to the United States from Mexico by his mother and uncle to give him a chance to escape a life of crime and gangs.

In Fuentes style, Carlos immediately makes it clear to big brother Alex and saintly Brittany that he doesn't need them or their sympathy and help, and that he would rather be in Chicago or back in Mexico than see his complacent, do-gooder brother continue on the path of higher learning and a better life. Of course, Carlos doesn't have a choice in the matter, and begins high school immediately, where he meets Kiara, the daughter of Alex's professor. Kiara is a nature girl who gets high on walking, hiking, jogging and any physical activity that keeps her happy and healthy. Add to this, she has two idealistic and organic parents, and one nifty little brother - enough to make Carlos want to gag. Needless to say, Kiara and Carlos don't hit it off, despite poor Kiara's best efforts to be his school buddy his first week in classes. Carlos is soon lured back into bad habits by the disgustingly beautiful Madison, a girl who is nothing but trouble. No sooner than Carlos decides not to take up Madison's offers of her body, Carlos finds himself framed for possession of drugs at school. Before all else is lost and Carlos is headed for prison, in walks Kiara's family to the rescue, offering to take Carlos into their home and rehabilitate him.

"Rules of Attraction" follows a similar pattern of awkward friendship just like Alex and Brittany, but Kiara and Carlos blaze their own trail on the path to true love. Carlos finds and excellent father figure in Professor Westford, a man with his own shady past who has a beautiful family and a great career in academia. Although Carlos rails against the goodness of a family who don't know him but embrace him anyway, he begins to slowly make personal changes, and takes notice of Kiara. Kiara who is true to herself, has her own problems, namely battling with a stuttering problem, being dumped by her jerk of a boyfriend by text, not having any girlfriends to speak of, never has been to a high school dance, and gets picked on at school by the likes of the snobby Madison.

Kiara and Carlos through witty banter, close-up fights, and moments of closeness begin to understand each other better. The romantic scenes are tastefully done, and Elkeles makes sure the message of safe sex is there without hitting you over the head. Never too far away from Carlos' thoughts are his mother and little brother, and his longing for his country that is rife with the crippling problems of the drug trade. Carlos never dismisses his heritage, and his love for Mexico comes through in his shopping and cooking, sharing his culture with the Westfords through dinner. Carlos never denies his Latino heritage, but there is room in his heart for a girl from a vastly different background and color, and you can't help but root for them to find a way to be together forever, much like Alex and Brittany. I highly recommend this book for teenagers, grades 8 and up, especially for Simone Elkeles fans, and for teens looking for an intelligent romance book with enough humor and drama, and a realistic interracial couple that do get their happy ending. Another smash hit for Simone Elkeles!(less)

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Apr 28, 2013 Izia rated it 4 of 5 stars

I had a hard time deciding how many stars I would give this book,; However, after long and exhausting deliberation with myself, I decided that this book’s pros outweigh the cons so I settled with 4 stars.

What can I say? I love this book. I think I even love it more than Perfect chemistry . And that is saying something because Carlos seriously annoyed the sh*t out of me almost half of the book. That’s the reason why I dropped one star on my rating. Nevertheless, I still end up loving Carlos ev...more

5 likes · like · see review

May 02, 2012 Haleema rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: das-deep, disturb-me-and-die, must-meet-author, heart-wrenching, ninja-paced, i-am-in-love, i-knew-it, absolute-favorites, love-the-quotes, believable-characters, wish-i-wrote-this, da-hell-is-that-cover, hello-handsome, can-t-get-you-off-my-mind

I am not in love with Carlos Fuentes. I do not want him. I don't think about him all the time--

Just kidding.

Even though I do feel the same way about Carlos, I'm not going to mention it. I'm going to try to control myself this time.

TRY.

Miss Simone Elkeles is officially one of my favorite authors now. I love her damn work! I love her characters. I want to meet her so badly. That woman knows what she's talking about. I finished this whole book in one day. All 324 pages of it. I eat it all up, and t...more

11 likes · like · see review

Jun 30, 2011 Ren rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: family-theme, high-school-theme, young-adult, cant-wait-the-new-release, reviewed, 4-stars

Read my other review here : Smart Bitches Trashy Books
Because Rules of Attraction was chosen to be one of finalist for RITA award category Young Adults!
Yay! Go Me!! (and go Simone Elkeles, I hope your book win!!)

I dont know, why in this second book, the story is ordinary, than the first book

,

that really2 perfect (and perfect for me too, because I'm to amazed with Alex Fuentes, and forget to write the review *lol*)

But still, Carlos-Kiara's story is good

Carlos Fuentes is Alex's younger brothe...more

6 likes · like · see review

Aug 23, 2011 Mollie rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2010, may, ya, own

Rules of Attraction is the second book in Simone Elkeles' trilogy about the Fuentes brothers. I read the first book, Perfect Chemistry, in February and was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed it. I'd seen a lot of great reviews about it but for some reason I didn't think I'd like it. I was so wrong! So, I had high hopes for Rules of Attraction, but alas, I was disappointed in Carlos' story. I finished this a few days ago and have been trying to pin-point just what exactly I found wrong wi...more Rules of Attraction is the second book in Simone Elkeles' trilogy about the Fuentes brothers. I read the first book, Perfect Chemistry, in February and was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed it. I'd seen a lot of great reviews about it but for some reason I didn't think I'd like it. I was so wrong! So, I had high hopes for Rules of Attraction, but alas, I was disappointed in Carlos' story. I finished this a few days ago and have been trying to pin-point just what exactly I found wrong with the book; it boils down to the fact that I didn't connect with Carlos. There was something about his voice/point of view that lacked the spark I felt when reading Alex's book.

I like the alternating chapters with Carlos and Kiara's points of view. I really liked Kiara, she's a little out there, not your typical teenager always concerned about what others think of her, despite her stuttering problem. She really seemed to know who she was and wasn't looking to Carlos to "complete" her, even though in the end he did. She seems pretty secure in who she is, and I found that refreshing. I also enjoyed her family especially her father and little brother.

Carlos, oh Carlos. Why didn't you do it for me? Your brother Alex was AMAZING. You, on the other hand, were kinda "meh". I'm not sure how to explain what I thought was lacking. However, when I was reading there were several passages where I literally rolled my yes. What Carlos was expressing was, I assume, supposed to come off as profound and insightful but, to me, it came off as forced and insincere. For example the following excerpt, just doesn't ring true; to me, it felt inauthentic :

"I expect everyone in my life to leave me at some point. Since Destiny, I haven't allowed myself to get emotionally involved with anyone. If I let myself care about someone, they'll leave me, push me away, or die. That's the way it's been, and will always be."

I guess with Alex's book I really felt for him: he had the burden of being "the man of the house", he was trying to protect his brothers from falling prey to gangs, his struggles, both internal and external, felt flushed out and fully realized. I really felt Carlos's story lacked this intensity and development of character. It's not that I disliked the book overall, I was left slightly unsatisfied and felt that the spark from Perfect Chemistry was missing. Looking through the reviews/ratings on Goodreads, I seem to be in the minority. I wanted to like this one as much as Perfect Chemistry but Carlos just didn't do it for me.(less)

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Mar 31, 2011 Anne Osterlund rated it 4 of 5 stars

Carlos is trouble. He must be. Everyone wants to get rid of him.

Kiara is uncool—Miss Student Guide with her athletic build, giant t-shirts, and incapacity to utter a complex sentence under pressure without stuttering.

It wasn’t Carlos’s idea to have a student guide. Or to enroll in a school full of rich kids. Or to leave Mexico to move in with his reformed older brother in Colorado.

And it wasn’t Carlos’s idea to stick the drugs in his own locker.

But he can handle that.

What he can’t handle is Kiar...more

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Jul 23, 2012 Annejhoyce rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: favorites, heartbreaking, made-me-swoon

Okay, I was really excited starting this book as soon as I was done with Perfect Chemistry and I loved that book so I had high hopes for this one and the other one of the series. I admit, It wasn't easy to get into Carlos' situation since he felt different when I last read from him in PC. I really really thought the facade was stupid as hell but what can I say, bad boys got their secrets to protect.

At first, I don't understand it. As I said, It was different, somewhat, from Alex's struggles, ye...more

4 likes · like · see review

May 12, 2010 Nan rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition Recommends it for: Erin, Lisa Scott, Carrie Jadud

Recommended to Nan by: Angie

Shelves: favorites, family-fiction, romance, young-adult

I won this book from the Rules of Attraction Blog Tour Giveaway hosted at Angieville.

Angie is a longtime member here at goodreads, and it was through her positive review of Perfect Chemistry that I first gave Simone Elkeles a chance. And I'm glad I did. As I wrote in my review of that novel, Elkeles knows how to breathe life into the old star-crossed lovers storyline. She knows how to create characters that make readers care and that hum with life.

Perfect Chemistry told the story of Alex Fuentes...more I won this book from the Rules of Attraction Blog Tour Giveaway hosted at Angieville.

Angie is a longtime member here at goodreads, and it was through her positive review of Perfect Chemistry that I first gave Simone Elkeles a chance. And I'm glad I did. As I wrote in my review of that novel, Elkeles knows how to breathe life into the old star-crossed lovers storyline. She knows how to create characters that make readers care and that hum with life.

Perfect Chemistry told the story of Alex Fuentes and his relationship with Brittany. This book occurs two years after that first story. Carlos, Alex's younger brother, has gotten involved with gangs, and he's been sent to live with Alex in order to get him out of this bad environment. He arrives with an attitude, and he's determined to live without rules. Unfortunately, he quickly gets in trouble with the law and finds himself living with a college professor and his family.

Kiara is the professor's daughter, and she and her family believe that everyone should be given a second chance. Even though her first encounters with Carlos at school have not been pleasant, she's willing to welcome him into her home. She trusts that there's more to him than the tough guy that he plays at school. What she's not prepared for is that she'll be more and more drawn to him as she gets to know him better.

I loved this book, and I can't wait to reread it. It arrived via UPS at 3:30 or so, and I finished it by 10:30. I'll take it a little slower with my next read, but this time I just had to gulp it down.

As much as I loved Perfect Chemistry, I think I may like this book still more. The plot of the first novel had more tension, but I liked Carlos and Kiara more. Kiara is both vulnerable and strong; she's struggled with stuttering her whole life, and she's planning on making a fresh start in her senior year of high school. Through speech therapy, she's finally managed to conquer her stutter, and she plans to reinvent herself. Her plans are thrown out of whack by Carlos. He throws her out of balance quickly, but she refuses to back down. She's vulnerable, but powerful at the same time. Carlos has been abandoned by everyone that he holds dear, and he tries to push everyone away from him. He knows that if he holds himself back, he won't get hurt again. But Kiara, with her refusal to stand down, sparks a response in him that he can't ignore.

I could go on and on about how much I loved this book. That said, you'll want to start with the first book. Trust me, go out and get yourself a copy of Perfect Chemistry--and you might want to pick up Rules of Attraction at the same time. It'll save you that second trip to the bookstore.(less)

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Nov 25, 2010 Delphine rated it 5 of 5 stars Recommends it for: Perfect Chemistry lovers; romance lovers

Shelves: wishlist, favourites

"Rules of Attraction" was awesome. "Perfect Chemistry" had captured my heart and when I knew that Simone Elkeles was going to be writing "Rules of Attraction", I knew I had to read it. And after I read "Rules of Attraction", I was glad that it didn't disappoint me, in fact, it was seriously fantastic.

Carlos Fuentes lived his first part of his life idolizing his brother, Alex Fuentes, who was once in Latino Blood. But when Alex decided to get out of the gang for a future with Brittany, Carlos fel...more

3 likes · like · see review

Apr 16, 2010 Edna Lyn rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: 2010, young-adult, contemporary, 2012

Oh Simone Elkeles, how I love your work. Rules of Attraction was a great installment to the Perfect Chemistry trilogy. Carlos, Alex's younger brother, is carted off to Colorado after an incident in Mexico. Carlos happens to be a magnet for trouble and after unexpected circumstances occur, he's forced to live with Alex's former professor and his family which includes the tomboy-ish good girl, Kiara.

If you thought Alex and Brittany were good at bickering, watch out for Carlos and Kiara. They give...more

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Nov 09, 2012 Jennifer Wardrip rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: trt-posted-reviews

Reviewed by Randstostipher "tallnlankyrn" Nguyen for TeensReadToo.com

RULES OF ATTRACTION, the second novel in the PERFECT CHEMISTRY series, focuses on Carlos Fuentes, the middle child in the Fuentes family.

Even after his older brother, Alex, was jumped out of the Latino Blood so that he would not have to be a part of it, Carlos still wants to run his own life. Not one to be controlled by others or to follow rules, it's hard for Carlos to adjust to his new life, once he is sent to live with Alex....more Reviewed by Randstostipher "tallnlankyrn" Nguyen for TeensReadToo.com

RULES OF ATTRACTION, the second novel in the PERFECT CHEMISTRY series, focuses on Carlos Fuentes, the middle child in the Fuentes family.

Even after his older brother, Alex, was jumped out of the Latino Blood so that he would not have to be a part of it, Carlos still wants to run his own life. Not one to be controlled by others or to follow rules, it's hard for Carlos to adjust to his new life, once he is sent to live with Alex. New school, new people... same old Carlos.

Soon after his arrival, Carlos gets wrapped up in the wrong crowd and finds himself in the middle of a drug bust at school. To prevent himself from going to juvie, Carlos must move in with Professor Westford, Alex's old professor and father of Kiara, the annoying good girl who was designated to show Alex around school. Before he knows it, Carlos has to live in a home with two authority figures who both think they can change him - Kiara's annoying little brother pestering him, and Kiara herself, who for some reason he just can't get out of his mind.

Even after the way Carlos first treated her when they met, Kiara really wants what is best for him, even if it means him living with her. It sure doesn't hurt seeing Carlos with his shirt off, but what worries Kiara the most is how he can cause her to stutter and have her heart flutter. Sure, Carlos can be a jerk sometimes, but in his most vulnerable moments, Kiara is able to see his softer, sweeter side. However, getting too close to Carlos can be a risk for total heartbreak, especially when Carlos himself does not want to let anyone close to him.

Before we know it, readers are on a roller coaster ride with Carlos and Kiara. As Carlos tries to figure out who this drug lord is that wants him to be a part of his business, he must also figure out his feelings for Kiara, the ones he never thought he could ever have with someone like her.

With alternating narrations and cameos from our favorite couple Brittany and Alex, Simone Elkeles does not disappoint with this newest installment. Readers are once again graced with a heartwarming love story that is accompanied with some action scenes that can give any guy an excuse to be reading this novel. Ms. Elkeles once again is able to capture the essence of teens and their emotions.

Carlos is just another Fuentes brother that the ladies will find irresistible, and Kiara is that kick-butt female character who can drive any guy crazy with her soccer skills and her talents for fixing up cars. Both characters are such opposites of one another... that they fit perfectly together! (less)

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Dec 19, 2011 JoJo - JJJ (Jo Anna) rated it 5 of 5 stars Recommends it for: Older YA Readers and Adults

Shelves: favorite, own, books-everyone-should-read, crushing-on-him, bad-boys, luv-the-covrrrrrr, hawt, favorite-series-or-trilogy, read-in-2011

Absolutely AMAZING! I stayed up to the wee hours of the morning because I couldn't put the book down, I had to know how it ended. I am in love with the Fuentes brothers and can't wait to read the third book of this series. Simone did an amazing job. I was quite skeptical about reading this book at first because I didn't know how Rules of Attraction could measure up to Perfect Chemistry well it exceeded my expectations. I think I prefer Carlos to Alex. Carlos' character was amazing, his whit and...more

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Dec 31, 2011 Brenda Audiobooks Only rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: 2-audible-com-books, young-adult, audio-i-ve-listened-to

Narrated by Blas Kisic and Roxanne Hernandez - narration 5+* for both narrators. Roxanne Hernandez surpassed as Carlos for me in this one, something in the tone and attitude she gave him struck me, but both narrators are absolutely dead on with the humor and overall take with the whole book. Another win/win with this second YA (for me) narrated by this duo.

I have to say that Roxanne Hernandez picked up her game to match her co narrator in quality of voice and interpretation with the narration o...more Narrated by Blas Kisic and Roxanne Hernandez - narration 5+* for both narrators. Roxanne Hernandez surpassed as Carlos for me in this one, something in the tone and attitude she gave him struck me, but both narrators are absolutely dead on with the humor and overall take with the whole book. Another win/win with this second YA (for me) narrated by this duo.

I have to say that Roxanne Hernandez picked up her game to match her co narrator in quality of voice and interpretation with the narration of Rules of Attraction (in my ears) compared to the first book, Perfect Chemistry, in which Blas Kisic ruled.

This one kept me laughing, a lot. Although Carlos needed to be taken down a few pegs, his words along with his inner dialogue were hilarious! After wanting to kick him you can't help but fall in love with the boy as he opens up and you see underneath his "tough guy" as the story progresses. Kiara and her best friend Tucker are a riot, actually there is a whole cast of great characters in this book, from Kiara's parents and little brother to the reappearance of Alex and Brittany from the first book.

Carlos and Kiara together? Perfect, I loved listening to this book. It was priceless in the humor department. Yes, they're teenagers and Carlos is rude, possibly too crude for some, but so funny. Most of all, everyone's personality is enhanced and perfectly delivered by these narrators.

If this meeting between Carlos and one of his new teachers isn't your idea of funny you can pass on listening, although the written word doesn't compare with the narrators "take" with the addition of Carlos' accent with this scene ...

...... In class I wait for Ms. Shevelenko to look up from her desk and acknowledge me. She's on her laptop, sending what looks like personal e-mail. I clear my throat to get her attention. She glances at me, then changes programs. "Choose any seat. I'll call attendance in a minute."

"I'm new," I tell her. She should have figured that one out on her own because I haven't been in her class the past two weeks, but whatever.

"Are you that exchange student from Mexico?"

Not really. It's called a transfer student , but I don't think this woman cares about the details. "Yeah."

I can't help but notice the beads of sweat on her peach-fuzz mustache. I'm pretty certain there are, you know, people who can take care of that. My aunt Consuelo had the same problem until my mom got ahold of her and some hot wax and put them in the same room together......

I have to take a break before trying the third book in this trio, despite loving the narrators, there is no way it can live up to this one.(less)

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Sep 03, 2011 Jodie Riverina Romantics rated it 4 of 5 stars

Jodie @ Riverina Romantics

Another great read from Simone Elkeles.

I was yet again blown away at how much I enjoyed a YA novel. I don’t read them very often as I prefer more adult relationships, with the sizzling sex scenes, but Rules of Attraction had my attention from start to finish.

The long, slow simmer between Carlos and Kiara made it impossible for me to put the book down. I don’t know if it’s because I’m used to the hot and heavy of my usual books that the slow, sweet, schoolyard crush made...more

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May 23, 2011 Angela rated it 3 of 5 stars

This is the kind of book you read for fun in less than twenty four hours. This particular author is a great story teller and kept my attention throughout the novel.

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Jul 23, 2011 Vic rated it 5 of 5 stars

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

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Sep 20, 2011 Glass rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: chick-lit, favorites, love-the-cover, way-too-hot, romance, tanja-zemira-miss-glass-book-club

Damn you Latino boys... hot, tattooed, sweet-talking, Latino boys... Now, no one is going to be good enough!

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Dec 30, 2012 Roxana Florea rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: to-re-read

PC#2: Rules of Attraction
by SIMONE ELKELES

This is the second book of the "Perfect Chemistry" series written by Simone Elkeles. As we know, the first book of the series is about Alex(Carlos' elder brother), but now it's Carlos' turn. When he moves to Colorado to live with Alex, the atmosphere heats...
Sincerely, after reading the first book, I thought I could not read something better soon, but I was wrong. In my opinion, the story of this book is based on honesty, Kiara having an open relation...more

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Dec 11, 2012 Rachel rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2012-reads, favorites, lovey-love

Here's my advice: If you liked Perfect Chemistry, you'll like this book. If you didn't like PC, then don't bother reading this.

Let's be real- This book had an essentially identical plot to it's predecessor. Now for someone like me, who loved Perfect Chemistry, that's definitely not a bad thing. Harsh critics, however, might find it repetitive and unoriginal. I mean come on, social and societal barriers preventing two people from being together after they fall in love against all odds...hmmm that...more

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Crazy for Young A...: Rules of Attraction by Simon Elkeles → Start Date: January 13th, 2013	28	48	Feb 01, 2013 07:34pm
Perfect Chemistry 1 or 2?	80	270	Jan 07, 2013 10:12pm
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Young Adult Conte...: #4: Rules of Attraction by Simone Elkeles (Oct 15-21)	59	57	Oct 24, 2012 03:40pm
Do you think the third book in the Perfect Chemistry series is too much?	20	188	Aug 03, 2012 04:13pm

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About Simone Elkeles

Simone Elkeles is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of novels for teens. Simone’s books have won many awards including being YALSA Top Ten Quick Picks for Reluctant Young Adult Readers, being named to the YALSA Popular Paperbacks and Teens Top Ten lists, and added to the Illinois “Read for a Lifetime” Reading List. Simone also won the coveted RITA award from the Romance Writers of...more

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“You’re dangerous,” he says.
“Why?”
“Because you make me believe in the impossible” — 1,739 people liked it

“Fifty percent of all doctors graduate in the bottom half of their class - Hope your surgery went well!” — 688 people liked it

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Rules of Attraction (Perfect Chemistry #2)

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