The characters in this YA novel are layered. It’s not long before we see behind MJ’s studious nature. Every overachiever and parent-pleaser (especially people of color) will understand the desire to choose a path your parents approve. MJ’s character growth is enjoyable to witness as she sees the need to appreciate different paths and stand up for her choices.

I especially liked that neither character played the manic-pixie-dream character. Both MJ and Luke open each other’s worlds in surprising, refreshing ways. Unlike the typical YA book with the “uptight girl” and “bad boy” trope, Luke doesn’t turn MJ into a bohemian princess. They make each other better versions of themselves and support each other in their individual pursuits.

Can’t Beat the Chemistry is a breath of fresh air in Young Adult literature, featuring a cast of dynamic characters you can root for. Full of chemistry, drive, and heart, this YA novel is perfect for fans of American Panda and The Beauty of the Moment.

This was an easy read and a cute, if mostly predictable story. It's set in Australia, which is a change of pace, And the backstories for M.J. and Luke are interesting and different, but the basic story of 2 completely different people who don't like each other but are thrown together by circumstances - in this case, tutoring - and then start to fall in love is the same.

The writing is good, though. The characters are mostly charming and it kept my attention. I finished it in a day.

Can’t Beat The Chemistry is an adorable #loveOZya story about two people, hyper-focused MJ & seemingly lax Luke forming an unlikely friendship as MJ becomes Luke’s reluctant tutor.

Luke is failing university chemistry, trying to balance other commitments but finding it difficult when his roommate, MJ’s brother recommends her to tutor him things are looking up but MJ has her own hands full with her overbearing mum, her uni sciences (though she’s still in high school), & her mission to make fellow science classmate Jason notice her as something more than just a study buddy. MJ is quick to judge Luke, assuming he’s a slacker more focused on his drumming-citing he must be out all night getting up to no good-instead of studying but quickly learns that just because she’s smart, MJ doesn’t know everything!

This isn’t your typical good girl falls for bad guy story but rather a story about the assumptions we make when we don’t know people, the value of being open minded & accepting, & how doing so can open your heart (& your mind!) to wonderful, important people you didn’t even know you needed being in your life.

What a book! I can't remember the last time I laughed so much because of a book. My thoughts are going wild right now, so I'll try my best to structure them a little bit.

1. Things that I personally really love:
MJs parents are chinese and norwegian (😏) and surprinsigly her norwegian mother is the "evil" parent. Her viking ancestors are to blame.
There is also a dog. He just says hi in a chapter, but even that makes me really happy 🧡
It's science related! I am not a huge chemistry fan (I enjoy physics a lot more) but the book still works for me perfectly. It's more about how hard it is to achive something in STEM and how people think in those fields.

2. Reasons why you should read this book:
It's a sweet and authentic lovestory. No hate to love story but a story between two differently thinking people who learn how to complement each other. It's not full off passion and more down to earth with getting to know each other without unnecassary conflicts.
The missing of a stupid plot twist: people, those books excist! Yes, there is a missunderstanding due to the lack of communication. But right after that incident they speak with each other in a civilised way and everything is all right.
The friendship between MJ and Sandy doesn't have much room to evolve, like the relationship between MJ and her brother Theo, but they're still a huge part of the story and great supporting characters. But there is still a little bit good old drama 😉
Last but not least: Luke and MJ. I love the alternating chapters between the two of them. They complement themself perfectly. Especially Lukes pov was an eye opener to me. His snarky thoughts commenting MJs behaviour are hilarous! I didn't find her way of thinking that shocking therefore it felt naturally to me as a physicist, but I can totally see why he is so confused and amused at the same time. I also love that he doesn't use this to his advantage and just enjoys it silently. Theo is right: Luke is a good one.

3. It reminded me a bit of Simone Elkeles' Perfect Chemistry which is more a classical love-hate lovestory with quite a lot unneccessary drama. In the end I would compare it more with Rainbow Rowells Fangirl. Take the fanfiction-stuff away and put science into it and then you have Beat the Chemistry. MJ has here awkward moments, too, but the difference is, she doesn't know.

MJ is very focused on her educational achievements. According to her everything can be learnt, predicted and organised. At least that's what she thought before she fell in love. Luke is a drummer guy who neglects his school work because of his lovely baby sister Rose. He spends every weekend taking care of her. Although MJ has already found a boyfriend material in Jason (who has as extraordinary scientific achievements as MJ), she suddenly falls for her brother's roommate Luke. They have nothing in common, at least that's what she thinks but as they get to know each other better during their tutor sessions it seems that they push each other to achieve more and to simply be better and happier. Will MJ find her own voice and stand up to her overruling mother and choose the love of her life or will she follow her mother's dreams? It's for you to find out!
I loved this book for it's humorous style, the exchanges between the characters were the best! I highly recommend it to every YA romance book lover, especially to those who enjoyed 'Why I Loathe Sterling Lane' by Ingrid Paulson.

I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

"Can't Beat the Chemistry" was a not-unwelcome break from the weightier nonfiction I've been reading lately: i's light, fluffy, and incredibly quick (I'm not sure of the page count, but I read it in only a few hours). It wasn't spectacular, but I enjoyed it enough. 

This book's main defect, which might be a detractor for other readers, was how utterly unlikeable the protagonist, Mackenzie "MJ" Olsen-Wang, started off. She's portrayed as off-the-charts smart and hardworking, but that comes with a shocking lack of social graces and a superior attitude that drove me nuts at first. (That was doubly uncomfortable for me, as a huge nerd, to read about, because I'm always afraid that I'll come across the same way.) Granted, she grows significantly and that's where most of the story's emotional punch lies, so there is a reason that she has to start that way. But in the half of the book it takes for MJ to mature, her supercilious attitude got on my nerves. I liked the love interest, Luke, quite a bit more - his passion for helping special needs students, musical skills, and commitment to his family were incredibly sweet - but before he and MJ learned more about each other, his characterization was rather flat. And the supporting cast was rather two-dimensional. There was no character whose characterization interested me from beginning to end, and that was perhaps the story's weakest point. 

Really, the second half of the book is what really shines. The opening one (I'd guess it would be about 150 pages) is a bit flat, repetitively hashing out the same painful discourse between MJ and the people in her life. Once she spends the weekend with Luke, the book picks up speed. That's where all of the endearing parts of Luke's characterization, and the struggles that begin to justify MJ's flaws, take the spotlight. From there on out, it was less of a painfully prickly series of interactions between characters who clearly aren't communicating well (I know that was the intention, but it was not pleasant). The romance really built up momentum in the second half, too. From there on out, it was a quick read, and one of which I genuinely wanted to know the resolution. And its message about reserving judgements, while timeworn, is timeless. MJ and Luke learn to shed their assumptions and see people through different eyes throughout the story, and the tutoring setup was a sweet take on a classic moral. Most YA novels don't bother with any sort of moral or message, so I loved that aspect.

Though it was not spectacular, Colmer's "Can't Beat the Chemistry" is a light, sweet, and surprisingly meaningful read, and a worthy use of a few spare hours. 

CLOSING TIDBITS

Six-Word Summary: people & chemistry are full of surprises. 

Recommended For: fans of light, fluffy contemporary stories with a moral backbone.

Avoid If: you can't deal with characters who start off unlikeable. 

Possibly-Objectionable Content: scattered uses of vulgar language. A good half of the parents in this book are either unhealthily controlling or overtly abusive. One kiss is described in detail.

Rating: 3.5 out of 5 Confused Llamas (round up to 4 for Goodreads)

I knew what this book was about right away. Girl thinks she wants the boy who's perfect for her in theory. She is forced to spend time with the wrong boy, who of course is the right one.

But I was wrong. This book was much more. It was so sweet, and heartwarming. It was about romance, but it was also about friendship, family and personal growth.

I loved the characters and hope there are more books with them. I would love to know more about her brother Theo, and her bff seems like she has her own story to tell.

I may or may not have teared up a little while reading this. I know I smiled.

Its been so long since a book kept me awake all night. I really loved reading about MJ and Luke. The narrative was very heartfelt and sweet. And the characters were very real and kind and adorable.
MJ is a straight A student who wants to score good grades to be accepted in one of the best medical institutes and get to know Jason, the stoic and intelligent lab partner more. She is good at everything that can be learned but not very good at social etiquettes or human emotions.
Luke, disorganised and not overtly ambitious, is a drummer who is failing chemistry and can use all the help he can get.
When they inadvertently start helping each other, their predestined paths seems to blur. Can MJ learn to fight for her own dreams!? Can Luke show himself more than others that he is worth it!?