Ionic and covalent bonds are a piece of cake for MJ. But human bonds are a little harder ... There are only two things MJ wants in her final year of high school: 1) Glowing grades and ... 2) to convince uber-smart, chiselled-jaw Jason they’d be a winning team outside the science lab as well as in.
Tutoring deadbeat drummer, Luke, isn’t part of the plan. After all, he has average intelligence, takes disorganised notes and looks like a partied-out zombie at their study sessions! Not even his taut biceps will win MJ over. But MJ learns that she could be tutored in a few life lessons too: That sometimes there’s good reason to skip chemistry tutorials.
That intelligence is so much more than a grade average. And that sometimes you can’t beat the chemistry.
This is a bit of the classic good girl bad boy romance but it is Australian and has a contemporary feel. MJ is a super high achiever who is focused on her (or her Mum's) ultimate dream of becoming a surgeon. She hesitantly agrees to tutor Luke, her older brother's drummer friend, in Chemistry so that he would tutor her friend Sandy at drumming. Even if Sandy is much more interested in Luke than drumming!
MJ is sure that Luke is nothing more than a deadbeat drummer especially when he turns up late, unprepared and with eyes that look like he has had a big weekend. But first impressions are often wrong and as they start spending time together they soon realise just how wrong!
There are some great scenes and characters like Rosie, Luke's little sister who loves Patrick Swayze and has down syndrome. The times Luke spends with Rosie in the story are very special.
One of the things that I most love about this newish Australian publisher, Rhiza Press, is that they are getting great stories like this published without the need to have any swearing, drug use or overt sex. This is just good modern literature that everyone can enjoy reading.
Luke is a great guy who knows what is important in life but just needs someone to believe in him and give him a gentle nudge. MJ knows exactly what she wants until life and Luke start to show her different possibilities!
Suitable for all secondary school readers.
Reviewed by Rob