Perfect Chemistry is the first novel in the trilogy written by author Simone Elkeles and published by Walker Books for Young Readers in 2009 and also made it on The New York Times Best Seller list.

Perfect Chemistry is a part of the Young Adult genre because of the steamy high school romance Elkeles portrays in the novel.

Simone Elkeles has revealed in many interviews that she admits to writing Young Adult fiction Romance novels and with the Perfect Chemistry series she had to do large amounts of research to understand the cultural background of Alex's Mexican heritage.

Her parents are considering sending her sister away to a home for people with disabilities while her boyfriend is trying to convince her to do things that she doesn't feel ready for.

He struggles greatly with the murder of his father and will stop at nothing to prevent his younger brothers Carlos and Luis from entering the dangerous world of drugs, alcohol and gangs.

Alex once thought that he could protect his family with his own hands, but that was before his father's brutal murder twenty feet from his six-year-old face.

Mrs. Peterson – Alex and Brittany's high school chemistry teacher, who assigns them to be lab partners in her class.

[2] Perfect Chemistry fits into the romance, young adult, contemporary and urban genre categories in fiction.

A reviewer at Romantic Times Magazine described the novel as "Elkeles sure hits her stride in this story of star-crossed lovers.

This is not your typical romance novel because of its unique storyline when Elkeles adds in the gang ties throughout Alex's family and how his father's mysterious murder can come between his and Brittany's relationship when he must choose which would be more important to him.

The narrative has been described in a scholarly review as being "full of soap opera worthy melodrama" when Brittany stands up for her family and help Alex break free of his gang and have a happy ending.