Simone Elkeles – American contemporary author, best known for the YA bestsellers Perfect Chemistry and Rules of Attraction. Her novels mix romance with cultural barriers, forbidden love, and humour, earning her a devoted teen readership worldwide.
✨ Grew up in a Jewish family in Chicago, often feeling caught between identities. 📖 Started writing while teaching teens, aiming to “speak their language”. 🏆 Won the prestigious RITA Award for Perfect Chemistry. 🌍 Her books have been translated into many languages and gained fans from Europe to Latin America. 🎓 Studied psychology, which shaped her realistic, emotionally complex characters. 📚 Frequently tackles issues of prejudice and stereotypes. 🖋️ Her style is fast-paced, witty, and cinematic. 👩👧 She has two children who, she jokes, are her toughest critics. 🎭 Many scenes are so visual they feel like movie scripts. 🎶 Inspired by ’90s music and teen TV shows. 😄 A group of fans once surprised her with a “Mrs. Fuentes” T-shirt, referencing her beloved book hero.