Rules of Attraction by Simone Elkeles

• Paperback: 336 pages
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster Childrens Books (1 Oct 2010)
• ISBN-10: 0857070436
• ISBN-13: 978-0857070432

Carlos Fuentes isn't happy about leaving Mexico to start the "new" life his older brother, Alex, has planned for him. Carlos liked his freedom; living life on the edge - just like Alex did. Kiara Westford doesn't talk much; instead preferring to shut out the world. And when Carlos bounds into her life she struggles to understand him. Carlos is sure that Kiara thinks she's too good for him, which is just fine because he's not interested anyway, right? But when they finally open up to each other, the connection they feel shocks them both. Can they overcome their fears and realise that sometimes opposites really do attract?


After Perfect Chemistry managed to pull me away from the YA Paranormal Genre and consider other genres I couldn't wait to read the 2nd in Simone Elkeles's contemporary, realistic YA trilogy.


Cover:  Like the first book in this trilogy, Perfect Chemistry, Rules of Attraction has a cute, romantic cover with people that easily match the descriptions in the book but also the scene with the cars in the rain happens!!! And is one of my favourite scenes in the book, so for it to be on the cover is great.


Plot: Again the romance element is opposites attract.  Alex doesn't want his brother to end up in a gang like he did and so moves Carlos from Mexico into school in America.  Where he meets Kiara- the total opposite of what he would look for in a girl.  They play pranks on each other.  When Carlos is wrongly blamed for something he is forced to stay with Kiara and her family and they slowly start to fall for each other.


Characters:


Kiara-  I really Kiara as the lead female character, for me she stood out among other heroines.  She's scholarly and tomboyish and likes nothing more than tinkering with her car and hiking.  She stutters when she nervous.


Carlos- Sarcastic and moody bad boy.  Feels frustrated that Alex is making decisions for him and he feels that Kiara thinks he's not good enough for her.


Tuck- Kiara's gay best friend.  A really funny character who provides a lot of comic relief.


Alex and Brittany- It's great that you still get to see Alex and Brittany from Perfect Chemistry.


Brandon- Kiara's little brother, who is hilarious.


Madison- Evil, mean girl of the school who has her eyes on Carlos.


Writing Style: The same as Perfect Chemistry: fast paced-so much so that I read it in a day and again is told in alternating chapter perspectives of Kiara and Carlos.


Rating: 5/5 stars!  Perfect summer beach read and I would recommend for those looking for a cute, romantic, contemporary and realistic read.