Chemistry by Rachael Sommers is an ice queen, enemies-to-lovers romance that was really entertaining and had me turning pages until I, unfortunately, reached the end. There are light and funny moments, but there’s also a great thread for Eva that is poignant and heart-felt and shows the reader the way a person acts can stem from a great challenge to help the people they love.
Lily Cross is the newly minted chemistry teacher. She’s young and has fresh ideas bursting from her brain and excited to put them into practice. Her excitement is derailed when she inadvertently gets on the bad side of the resident biology teacher, Eva Thomas, on her very first day. Now she not only has to win over the students but also her colleague.
Eva never imagined she’d wind up as a teacher in her hometown, but when a personal crisis requires her to move back home, she’s willing to make the sacrifice. Plus, she’s introducing kids to the wonderful world of biology, and some even find it interesting. Her world is simple and private, so when a new teacher has more energy than a puppy, Eva is certain she’s not going to like her. Eva’s life is hard enough with all her responsibilities to her students, her principal, and her family. She has no interest in making friends—or making nice. Unfortunately for her, Lily Cross doesn’t know how to give up.
Their constant clashing leads to an insane physical attraction that flares up at the worst possible times. It also doesn’t help that fate has plans to get these two women to see each other as something more than rivals, even if it does involve a little trickery. Soon, arguments give way to sweet conversations. Forbidden passion leads to untapped longing. Eva and Lily could have something really great, but they’ll need to get out of their own ways first.
Pros And My Favourite Parts
I loved Sommers debut novel, but this one really showcases her growth. She writes Eva and Lily on totally opposite sides of the spectrum when it pertains to their personalities. This extreme makes it hard to believe they could eventually end up together, but Sommers does this successfully in two ways: 1) She fully illustrates just how thin the line between hate and lust truly is. And let me just say that as much as Eva and Lily butt heads and argue, their sexual chemistry is puts them in precarious positions. 2) Sommers adds a wrinkle, a secret admirer-type scenario, that allows Lily and Eva to learn about each other without dissolving into an arguments or ripping each other’s clothes off. It also highlights Eva’s humanity in a very organic way that I’m sure a lot of people can relate to.
Cons And Heads Up
I didn’t really find anything wrong with this book. It was light yet dramatic in all the right places. A great read for anyone looking for something fun but not heavy.
The Conclusion
I loved this story. It came to me at a time when I could really relate to Eva and her predicament, but it also made me laugh. The humor and drama, a great combination if you need an escape from life. I look forward to seeing more from Sommers, cause if it’s stories like this, then I’m all for it.
Excerpt from Chemistry by Rachael Sommers
Lily sought Eva out in the crowded cafeteria. She patrolled the perimeter, eagle-eyes scanning the room, waiting to pounce on any poor unwitting soul that stepped out of line.
Eva didn’t even acknowledge Lily until she was right in front of her.
She received a glare, no greeting. Lily’s first clue this was a bad idea.
“I, um, brought you a coffee.” She held the disposable cup toward her, and Eva looked at Lily’s outstretched hand with distaste. “It’s not poisoned.”
Eva didn’t crack a smile.
“Uh, do you not want it? It’s the same brand I saw you using the other day.”
Eva folded her arms across her chest and tilted her jaw. “Have you been stalking me?”
Lily snorted, but her amusement faded as she watched a sculpted brow inch toward Eva’s hairline. “Of course not. Is this because I saw you over the weekend?” Seeing Eva while running errands with Daisy hadn’t been how Lily had expected her Saturday to go, although she felt like she knew Eva better…
One: Eva liked strong, bitter coffee with enough caffeine in it to incapacitate a small child, which Lily didn’t find too surprising. Two: when she wasn’t at work, she still dressed like she worked for a fashion magazine…Three: she wasn’t completely soulless, bantering with the woman she’d been with, a fond look in her eye. Lily assumed it was her mother, and she wondered if she had anything to do with the reason Eva had swapped Georgetown for Greenfield.
Not that she’d ever dare to ask, considering Eva was giving Lily daggers over a beverage.
“Yes. And you’re offering me weirdly specific coffee.”
“I didn’t realize it was weirdly specific to notice things about other people,” Lily said. “Of course I’m not stalking you. I thought it would be a nice gesture –”
Eva cut her off. “It’s not. It’s weird.”
“Right. I’ll take this coffee and be on my way, then.”
“By all means.”
“Have fun spending another lunch alone.” Lily spoke more viciously than intended and had to bite back the apology that threatened when Eva blinked at her in surprise. Turning on her heel, Lily retreated to the safety of the other side of the cafeteria. Not wanting to let the coffee go to waste, she drank from both cups as she watched the kids, washing the bitter taste of Eva’s away with a sip of her own.
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Bits and Bobs
ISBN number: 978-3963246791
Publisher: Ylva Publishing
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