Chain Reaction by Simone Elkeles

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?

I’ve been waiting to read Chain Reaction ever since I turned the last page of book 2 in the Personal Chemistry series, Rules of Attraction. And let me just say that Chain Reaction delivered. I’ve been reading books by Simone Elkeles before I knew much about YA books and even back then, I loved her writing.

Each book in the Perfect Chemistry series follows the life of one of the three Fuentes brothers. In Perfect Chemistry, we followed Alex. He’s the oldest brother. In Rules of Attraction, we followed Carlos. The middle brother. In the last book of the Perfect Chemistry series, we follow Luis. The youngest brother. Even though I know that there can’t possibly be any more books, I can’t help but want there to be more. Simone Elkeles did an amazing job ending the series and I admire her for doing so, but over the past three books I’ve grown to love these characters and I’m just not ready to let them go yet. (But I guess that’s why I have the option to reread the books?)

Chain Reaction was incredibly addicting and well written. Both Luis and Nikki were both interesting and fully-fleshed out characters. Though the plot of Chain Reaction had some similarities to the previous books in the series, it was still interesting enough to continue reading without the similarities bothering me.

All in all, I really recommend Chain Reaction (and the previous 2 books in the series). You will be in for a nonstop thrill ride that is complete with fighting, dogs, and steamy kissing scenes!

FTC- Publisher.