Blog Tour/Review & Giveaway: Elements of Chemistry: Attraction (Hypothesis #1) by Penny Reid

Elements of Chemistry: ATTRACTION is the first part in a three part series; it is 45k words; and it ends with a cliffhanger.
Part 1 (Attraction) will be released April 9, 2015
Part 2 (Heat) will be released April 30, 2015.
Part 3 (Capture) will be released May 16, 2015.

One week.
Private beach.
Invisible girl.
Jerk-faced bully.

What’s the worst that could happen?

Kaitlyn Parker has no problem being the invisible girl, which is why she finds herself hiding in various cabinets and closets all over her college campus. Despite her best efforts, she can’t escape the notice of Martin Sandeke—bad boy, jerkface bully, and the universe’s hottest, wealthiest, and most unobtainable bachelor—who also happens to be Kaitlyn’s chemistry lab partner.

Kaitlyn might be the only girl who isn’t interested in exploiting his stunning rower’s build, chiseled features, and family’s billionaire fortune. Kaitlyn wants Martin for his brain, specifically to tabulate findings of trace elements in surface water.

When Kaitlyn saves Martin from a nefarious plot, Martin uses the opportunity to push Kaitlyn out of her comfort zone: spring break, one week, house parties, bathing suits, and suntan lotion. Can she overcome her aversion to being noticed? Will he be able grow beyond his self-centered nature? Or, despite their obvious chemistry, will Martin be the one to drive Kaitlyn into the science cabinet of obscurity for good?

Review:

I received an ARC in exchange of an honest review.

For all those who already follow my blog, you would know the happy news that I am on this author’s ‘Always ARC” List. That means that I (YES ME!) always get an ARC of her books before they are released 😀

Am I bragging? Hells yeah! I sorta kinda love this weird author’s books. I really really do. And I have been waiting for this book, ever since I read the sneak peak in The Hooker and The Hermit.

“People, especially people my age and especially other girls, made very little sense to me. I didn’t see the value in spending hours in front of a mirror when I could be playing video games, or playing the guitar, or reading a book instead.”

This is the story of Kaitlyn Parker and Martin Sandreke. One is a nerd, and the other is considered to be an arrogant asshole. They are both, however, laboratory partners in Chemistry and one overheard conspiracy to drug and rape one of them, gets the whole ball rolling.

“You promised.”

“Under duress.”

“I wasn’t holding a gun to your head.”

“No, just holding yourself to my body. That’s quite enough to put me in a state of duress.”

Kaitlyn Parker is an “unapologetic nerd” (her own words). She is smart, like scary smart and understands formulas and periodic table better than she understands relationships or even opposite sex. Told in her POV, we have the front row seat to how she acts like a fangirl (inside her own head, of course), everytime she encounters Martin. Saving Martin from a drug induced sexual encounter that would end up with him paying child support, is the only reason she ventures out of the safety of her own room (and head, of course).

She might be inexperienced (emotionally and otherwise), but there is a connection between her and Martin, that even she is unable to deny. She understands Martin like no one ever has before, and that’s one of the main reasons why he wants a chance of a real relationship with her.

“I realized I’d been acting like a crazy person. Proximity to Martin made me lose my sense. I’d been senseless. Without sense. Not any sense. No sense.

Nonsense.”

“I can’t be held responsible for my reactions—what I say or what I do—when faced with a real life Martin Sandreke. He’s the man equivalent of a gun to the head, except without the fear for my life aspect.”

Martin Sandreke is the quintessential manwhore. He is the son of a rich father, and is used to getting what he wants. In fact, he usually demands it. And he gets it. And the only female who doesn’t even notice him (fat load he knows!) is Kaitlyn. He is arrogant, he is a jerk and he is a bully. But he is a straight forward bully. With the rest of the world, what you see is what you get.

He seems an enigma, throughout the book. But he seems the most consistent. He would be adorable, actually downright cutie patootie pie, if I could have only read his POV.

“Are you going to hit me?”

“I don’t know,” I answered honestly. “It depends on if you take your pants off again.”

“You’ll hit me if I take my pants off?”

“Yeah…I might give you a junk punch.”

But their interactions – Kaitlyn and Martin together? Too freaking amazing. They are so freaking adorable together. Reading this book reminded me of the times in high school science class, where I had no idea what was really going on. I was so lost, but frankly, with this book I was lost for a good reason. Best part – I understood more science in this book than I ever understood in high school 😀

Best reason to Penny Reid’s books 😉

“You are too fucking cute.”

“You too.”

He exhaled a disbelieving breath, and swallowed. “I’m cute?”

“As a button.”

The only thing lacking was that it was a single POV. Penny Reid’s books always have double POV. I would have loved to know what was going in Martin Sandreke’s head. I found that it was only half the story I was getting. Only Kaitlyn’s side. And yes, I know it is still a perfect story, but for me it is half the story.

And let’s not even talk about the CLIFFHANGER! NO, PENNY!! YOU DO NOT END A BOOK ON THAT NOTE. NO PENNY, YOU DON NOT DESTROY THE READER’S ABILITY TO EVEN THINK BEYOND GETTING THE NEXT PART!!

YOU MIGHT BE ADORABLE, PENNY BUT HOW AM I SUPPOSED TO EVEN THINK COHERENTLY AFTER THE STUNT YOU PULLED??

(To be honest, I have read all three parts. But this really was my reaction after getting the first ARC! :P)

“We have nothing in common. You’re in a fraternity, go to parties on purpose, own a yacht, and are the king of the universe.” I pressed both of my hands to my chest. “And I’m an unapologetic nerd who thinks it’s fun to spend Saturday nights playing my guitar and writing music. I like arguing about Doctor Who episodes, and whether Samwise Gamgee or Frodo Baggins was ultimately responsible for the destruction of the ring. I play video games. I limit myself to three cookies, but then always cheat and have seven. Meanwhile you look like you’ve never had a cookie in your life. I’m a virgin and you’re only the second boy I’ve kissed… We just don’t fit.”

Rating:

4.5 / 5 Stars

Recommendation:

Read this part, if you love cliffhangers. And arrogant hero, whom a nerdy heroine brings to his knees 😉

Now For The Prizes:

Click on the image below to enter for prizes that include not only a print copy of Attraction, but also for books by Colleen Hoover, April White and many more ❤

About The Author

SEX! It all started with sex, between my parents. Personally I don’t like thinking about it, but whatever works for you is a-ok with me. No judgment. The sex happened in California and much of my life also occurred in that state until I moved from the land of nuts (almonds), wine, silicon… boobs, and heavy traffic to the southeast US. Like most writers I like to write, but let’s get back to sex. Eventually I married and gave birth to 2 small people-children (boy-6, girl-4 as of this writing).By day I’m a biomedical researcher with focus on rare diseases. By night I’m a knitter, sewer, lino block carver, fabric printer, soap maker, and general crafter. By the wee hours of the morning or when I’m intoxicated I love to listen to the voices in my head and let them tell me stories. I hope you enjoy their stories.

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