Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, Bookish Wisdom earns from qualifying purchases. This doesn't change our picks or your price.
Quick answer: If you loved Perfect Chemistry, read Simone Elkeles's Rules of Attraction and Chain Reaction, then Pushing the Limits, Eleanor & Park and Anna and the French Kiss. All are young adult romances about opposites who fall for each other and have to face their families and their pasts.
Simone Elkeles's 2009 novel follows Brittany, a perfect cheerleader, and Alex, a gang member, who are forced to be lab partners and slowly fall for each other. It is steamy, dramatic and surprisingly emotional. The books below offer similar teen romances with big feelings, family trouble and couples from different worlds.
Table of Contents
Quick Picks at a Glance
| Book | Author | Ages | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rules of Attraction | Simone Elkeles | Teen | the next book |
| Chain Reaction | Simone Elkeles | Teen | the third book |
| Pushing the Limits | Katie McGarry | Teen | damaged teens |
| Eleanor & Park | Rainbow Rowell | Teen | first love in the 80s |
| Anna and the French Kiss | Stephanie Perkins | Teen | study abroad romance |
| Along for the Ride | Sarah Dessen | Teen | summer at the beach |
| The Truth About Forever | Sarah Dessen | Teen | grief and love |
| The Sun Is Also a Star | Nicola Yoon | Teen | one day in New York |
| To All the Boys I've Loved Before | Jenny Han | Teen | love letters |
| Fangirl | Rainbow Rowell | Teen | college romance |
| Since You've Been Gone | Morgan Matson | Teen | summer to-do list |
| Emergency Contact | Mary H.K. Choi | Teen | modern romance |
| Gabi, a Girl in Pieces | Isabel Quintero | Teen | diary of a senior year |
| Just Listen | Sarah Dessen | Teen | trauma and music |
| Dreamland | Sarah Dessen | Teen | difficult relationship |
1. Rules of Attraction by Simone Elkeles
Alex's brother Carlos heads to Colorado and meets a girl who challenges him. The second Perfect Chemistry book.
Best for: the next book.
2. Chain Reaction by Simone Elkeles
Luis, the youngest brother, falls for a girl who makes him question his plans. Warm and fast.
Best for: the third book.
3. Pushing the Limits by Katie McGarry
A popular girl and a foster kid with a hard past are drawn together. Emotional and intense.
Best for: damaged teens.
4. Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell
Two misfits fall in love on a school bus. Tender and honest.
Best for: first love in the 80s.
5. Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins
Anna is sent to a boarding school in Paris. Swoony, funny and charming.
Best for: study abroad romance.
6. Along for the Ride by Sarah Dessen
A girl who cannot sleep spends the summer with a night-owl boy. Gentle and thoughtful.
Best for: summer at the beach.
7. The Truth About Forever by Sarah Dessen
A girl finds a new group of friends after her father's death. Heartfelt and funny.
Best for: grief and love.
8. The Sun Is Also a Star by Nicola Yoon
A girl and a boy fall in love on the day she faces deportation. Beautiful and moving.
Best for: one day in New York.
9. To All the Boys I've Loved Before by Jenny Han
Lara Jean's secret love letters get mailed out. Sweet, funny and cosy.
Best for: love letters.
10. Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell
A shy writer starts university and slowly opens up. Warm and bookish.
Best for: college romance.
11. Since You've Been Gone by Morgan Matson
A shy girl completes her best friend's list. Sweet and funny.
Best for: summer to-do list.
12. Emergency Contact by Mary H.K. Choi
Two teens connect by text. Realistic and sweet.
Best for: modern romance.
13. Gabi, a Girl in Pieces by Isabel Quintero
A Mexican American teen writes about family, friends and poetry. Funny and honest.
Best for: diary of a senior year.
14. Just Listen by Sarah Dessen
A girl rebuilds her life after something happened at a party. Moving and thoughtful.
Best for: trauma and music.
15. Dreamland by Sarah Dessen
A teenager falls for a charismatic boy with a dark side. Serious and honest.
Best for: difficult relationship.
How to Choose
To continue the series read Rules of Attraction and Chain Reaction. For emotional, tough romance pick Pushing the Limits or Just Listen. For sweeter couples choose Eleanor & Park, Anna and the French Kiss or To All the Boys I've Loved Before. For stories with cultural depth read The Sun Is Also a Star or Gabi, a Girl in Pieces. Perfect Chemistry deals with gangs, violence and difficult families, so check content notes for younger readers. The Perfect Chemistry books alternate between two narrators, so readers who enjoy that dual-voice style will find it in Eleanor & Park and Pushing the Limits as well.
Related: 15 Books Like Lessons in Chemistry You’ll Love · Lessons in Chemistry Book Club Discussion Questions (With Summary and Themes)
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Perfect Chemistry about?
A wealthy cheerleader and a gang member become lab partners and fall in love.
Who wrote it?
Simone Elkeles.
When was it published?
2009.
How many books are in the series?
Three Perfect Chemistry books, followed by related series.
Is it a clean romance?
No, it includes romance scenes and violence, so it suits older teens.
Is it a standalone?
The first book works alone, but the series continues with the Fuentes brothers.
What age is it for?
Young adult, usually ages 14 and up.
Is it similar to Romeo and Juliet?
It uses the theme of lovers from different worlds, but with a modern, American setting.
What should I read next?
Try Rules of Attraction or Pushing the Limits.
Which book here is best for first love in the 80s?
Try Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell, which suits readers looking for first love in the 80s.