3 stars
When Entangled first send the list for ARC to be reviewed, I think that Deadly Chemistry is a PNR book (or Sci-Fi) just based on the cover and its title. Turn that the first installment of Sex, Lies and Science Geeks series and also Ms Stanley debut is romantic suspense. Beside PNR, RS is one of my favorite genre and so I request this. Aside from the yummy cover of course..
Deadly Chemistry is story about Lauren Kane, a scientist and Mike Gibson ex-cop turn to be maintenance man. Mike try to trace some drug that lead him into the university where Lauren's lab reside. Like the title, the chemistry here do not refer to Lauren and Mike's relationship but to drug that Lauren create that indeed deadly. There are some family drama, angst, chemical terms here and there and some suspense as well.
What I like is the background about drug and science. Also Mike's step sibling, Evan and Dylan. I think that Mike sometimes can be jerk, even he can be charming. But guy must loosen up a bit, for Mike while he just want to protect his little brothers, sometimes he have a hero complex. Like all weight in the world rest in his shoulder. Lauren sometimes can be cute, awkward. But I will not said that she is a nerd or geek. I mean, even it's normal for woman to lust after Jason Statham or The Rock, but as nerd, uhmm, nerd women will choose another option. And this is because I'm a nerd, so I can said about that, lol! I don't get what the appeal of The Rock and Jason Statham and believe me, I watch their movies.
Because Deadly Chemistry is book #1, I wonder if there will be book #2. I hope that Evan will have his own story, for I like his stoic and devil-may-care attitude. Make him more interesting than Mike that soo predictable. Deadly Chemistry is well written, even there are some cliche that kinda overused. Like why Lauren try to track her lost notebook, ALONE, after her lab had been vandalized. That make no sense for me, because if Lauren indeed smart, she will call police. Not try to investigate by herself (even she did have a reason. But still). The ending also kinda cliche, but still imho, well written.
I will recommend Deadly Chemistry if you search for a fun, light RS with a little bit family drama.
e-ARC provided by Entangled for honest review