Sweet Valley High #10: Wrong Kind of Girl

Front Cover: Watch it, Annie Whitman! Jessica's out to get you!

Back Cover: Jessica's at it again!

Jessica Wakefield has sworn never to allow Annie Whitman onto the Sweet Valley High cheering squad. Annie may have the teauty, talent and spirit to be a cheerleader, but she also has the worst reputation in school. She goes out with a different boy every night, and all the kids call her "Easy Annie" behind her back. Jessica's pulling every devilish trick to keep Annie from ruining the cheerleaders' image.

Only Elizabeth, Jessica's twin, knows what Annie's really like. But can she change her sister's mind before Jessica shatters Annie's dreams?

I definitely have never read this one before. It was pretty good, but nothing great. I feel like the only reason why Jessica has it out for Annie is because Annie is so similar to Jessica. Subconciously, Jessica probably feels threatened by Annie. Story of my life right now haha

Apparently Annie had no idea what people were saying behind her back, which I find hard to believe. There's gotta be jerks who call her "Easy Annie" to her face. I mean, there would be in a normal high school.

It kind of makes me sad that Annie's been going out with all these popular guys, mostly jerks who just want to get laid, when all she wants is a meaningful relationship. She's just going about life the wrong way.

Jessica gets off way too easily. She essentially bullies Annie (because yes, exclusion is now a form of bullying) and causes her to commit suicide. All Jessica has to do is sob and say that Annie is now on the cheerleading squad for everything to be put right again. Maybe I'm just petty, but if I were Annie, I would not be letting Jessica go so easily. Like jfc, what if Annie had actually died? This isn't the first time Jessica has potentially ruined someone's life, and we're only 10 books in! Yes, it always works out in the end, but just once I'd like to see it come crashing down around her and for shit to get real and her have to face some real consequences.

There was no real subplot in this one. Elizabeth works to help Annie get her grades up and comes to her own conclusions about Annie and her life. Omg Johnny, Annie's mother's boyfriend, was the creepiest guy ever. I would've loved to have seen more of him and Annie's homelife. You totes know that he creeps into her room at night and touches her.

Hook: Both twins get more than they bargained for...

So this was brought up briefly in this one that their father's friend from New York is planning on sending his daughter to Sweet Valley for two weeks, in exchange for one of the twins. I've already been spoiled that the twin that gets to go is Jessica, and that the daughter, Suzanne Devlin is not the picture perfect daughter she leads everyone to believe, so yeah.

Sweet Valley High #9: Racing Hearts

Front Cover: Can Roger melt Lila's icy heart?

Back Cover: Love on the run...

Roger Barrett has always had a hopeless crush on glamourous, wealthy Lila Fowler. The only attention Lila ever pays to him, though, is to make fun of him in front of her friends. But why shouldn't she, he thinks. After all, he's clumsy and shy and works secretly as a janitor after school.

When Roger wins the qualifying heat for a big race, he becomes a school celebrity overnight. And to his surprise, even Lila starts to chase after him. But Roger knows if he runs in the race finals, he'll lose his job. Will Lila still notice him when he's no longer a star?

So in this one, the conflict actually ran through the entire novel. Of course, it didn't have to if Roger had just asked his boss in the first place if he could run in the race, or if Roger had just straight-up told the coach why he couldn't run. Although, I have to admit, I think it's a bit realistic of Roger to been too shy and eager to please to tell the coach the truth. Of course, Roger in the end gets to race and keep his job, and he wins the scholarship, so everything works out great for him.

I would've liked this book a whole lot more if it had been from Roger's POV the whole time. It kinda gets tiring always having everything come back to Elizabeth, and to a lesser extent Jessica. I would've liked to have seen more of Roger's home life. All we learn is that his father's a drunk, and his mother is on disability and no longer able to work. I would have been interested in seeing more of this, like just how bad life was at Roger's, and did his parents know/care/realize what he was doing for them.

Obviously Lila was just a bitch and only wanted Roger for his fame and new-found popularity. I'm not surprised by that at all. It would've been nice to have seen some character development from her, but I know that that's asking for too much from these books haha

The subplot in this one was that Jessica decided it was time to take a look at her future, and started volunteering at her father's lawfirm. Of course, since she's just a 16 year old girl, they had her started on just photocopying things. If it were me, I'd have been pretty happy with that, but of course that's just too slow for Jessica. Luckily, she met a boy there, so that helps. Not gonna lie, that'd help me too xD haha

She thinks Dennis is in college, but he confirms that he's in high school - he just goes to El Carro, the rival school. In the end, Jessica finds out that Dennis is actually only 15, but that he turns 16 in two months. That's a total dealbreaker for Jessica, who breaks things off and runs away crying.

I don't get what the big deal is. Unless he was a grade below her, two months shouldn't really make a difference. Are you saying none of her friends are born later in the year than her?? They make it seem like Dennis was just some lowly little 9th grader in the end, but if Jessica is a junior at age 16, then he should at least be in grade 10. I do understand the stigma of dating someone a grade lower than you though. I'm just pissed because Jessica never even stops to consider that, hey, he might be in her grade, just born later in the year!

Another thing that pisses me off is that Jessica originally thinks he goes to college, so that he's probably 18. There's a pretty noticeable difference between a guy who is 15, who is 18 and even who is 20. Unlike girls, who especially with make-up, can pass for anywhere between 14 and 20, guys tend to look more different at each of those stages in their lives. So unless Dennis was on steroids, Jessica should have at least figured he was in high school.

Hook: What trouble is in store for Annie?

I'm guessing Jessica is going to spread all sorts of vicious rumours around about Annie, and get her into trouble. Maybe even make her super-depressed. Then it'll turn out that Annie really isn't that easy, that it's just the rep that she has. That she's no more different than Jessica, who also dates a new guy every week (and I'm pretty sure doesn't actually sleep with many, if any, of them). So Jessica will feel super-guilty and decide to let Annie on the cheerleaders, her reputatio will be cleared up, and she'll live happily ever after haha

Sweet Valley High #8: Heart Breaker

Front Cover: Will Jessica break Bill's heart, too?

Back Cover: Catch a wave...

The surf's up in Sweet Valley, and gorgeous Jessica Wakefield is making a big splash with Bill Chase, the hottest surfer in town. But after she tricks him into falling madly in love with her, she ignores him completely. 

To complicate matters, she, quiet DeeDee Gordon is also after Bill. But Jessica has the upper hand. If Bill even looks at DeeDee, Hurricane Jessica blows him off his board and back into her arms. Can Bill escape Jessica's undertow, or is he in over his head?

Again, another book highlighting what a bitch Jessica is! Although, to be fair, I've done similar things as her, just not quite to her extent. But I'm no stranger to stringing guys along and playing a few mind games with them...

The fact that Jessica and Bill were starring in the school play together just came out of nowhere! These books seem to act as if very very very little time has passed between them, so the idea that they were full-blown into production with no mentions of anything in the previous book just seemed abrupt. Then again, I guess most people don't read these for continuity. I used to read them out of order, whenever I could get my hands on them. And I've definitely not read every single one. I'm pretty sure this was my first time reading this one.

The subplot in this one involved Elizabeth getting jealous over Todd's ex-girlfriend having moved back into town. I know there's about a bajillion continuity errors between Twins and High, to the point where each series is essentially meant to be independent of each other (both of them rehashing pretty much the same themes and similar plots, just targeted at slightly different age groups), but now I'm wondering if Patsy was mentioned Twins. I'm thinking not, because I don't remember her at all.

I hate how half of Todd and Elizabeth's fights stem from Elizabeth being stupid and not just TALKING TO TODD to clear the air! Then again, I can't really speak...

Hook: Roger and Lila have big surprises in store for them

Pretty much the weakest hook ever, but then again, this book actually tried to set things up for it in advance. Elizabeth finds out that Roger works as a janitor in her father's building, not just to make extra money, but because his family is so poor, they wouldn't even be able to afford rent without him working. Of course, Roger has a crush on Lila, who is filthy stinking rich. So I'm guessing the next novel will either have Roger somehow working in Lila's house, thus exposing his secret, or Lila will somehow fall for him, Roger will try to keep his secret, but it'll get out and Lila will ruin him. Either way, Roger's secret will get out and Lila will ruin him and then see the error of her ways and then it'll all be back to status quo haha

I would really like a story about Roger and his background, so I'm looking forward to reading the next one.

Sweet Valley High #7: Dear Sister

Front Cover: Can Jessica face life without Elizabeth?

Back Cover: A senseless tragedy...

Sweet Valley is stunned by the news: Beautiful young Elizabeth WAkefield lies in a coma, on the brink of death after a horrible motorcycle accident.

Elizabeth's boyfriend Todd is consumed by guilt; he was driving and escaped unharmed. He feels totally helpless. All he can do is wait for a change in Elizabeth's condition - a change that might mean the loss of the only girl he's ever loved.

But no one is more shattered than Elizabeth's twin, Jessica. As she keeps watch over the silent body of her sister, she's overwhelmed by despair. Without Elizabeth, can life go on?

I didn't really like this one. Obviously Elizabeth wasn't ever going to die. I like the twist that the bump in the head/PTSD has turned her irresponsible, and has her not acting like herself, but I wish they would've done more with it. Had more people concerned with her or questioning her or something. What I hate most is that the next book will probably not address it at all. I would've liked to see Elizabeth having to deal with the fallout. Even if the doctors explained it away and everyone easily forgave Liz, I would've like for her to have to had a few confrontations/apologies with people.

Ned and Alice are easily the worst parents ever. At first, I was like, "How can they not notice that they're daughter is acting very very very wrong??" But then I realized that they were probably just so relieved at her being alive and awake in the first place, that they probably didn't care/glossed over any changes for now. I'm sure if this had persisted for months instead of just weeks, they might have eventually clued in.

But then it's like, okay, but then how do you explain them leaving so soon after Elizabeth's accident?? You'd think they'd never want to let her out of their sight! I'm not entirely sure if her parents left, or if they were just busy with work or what not, but yeahhhh....

There weren't any subplots in this one really. Jessica had to baby-sit for these 11 year old twins a bunch of times, and eventually she went out on a date with Bill Chase, who thought she was Elizabeth. That was mostly to tie-in with the next book.

Hook: Is Bill Chase caught in Jessica's trap?

Yes. I'm sure he's going to be like, "Oh! Wow! Maybe you're more sensitive than I realized!" and start dating her, but then tell her he's not really ready for something serious and explain how his last girlfriend, the love of his life, died. Jessica will then spread that around for everyone to hear, and Bill will realize that Jessica really is just a giant bitch, and be all crushed and heart-broken. But this will lead him to meet his new true love.

Sweet Valley High #6: Dangerous Love

Front Cover: Are Elizabeth and Todd heading for disaster?

Back Cover: The end of the road for Todd and Elizabeth?

One of the strictest rules in the Wakefield house is "No motorcycles". Ever since their cousin was killed in a crash, Elizabeth and Jessica have been forbidden to go near them.

So when Elizabeth's boyfriend Todd drives up on a shiny new Yamaha, she knows there's trouble ahead. She can't ride Todd's bike, but other girls can - and do. And the sight of those girls riding with their arms around Todd is making Elizabeth crazy with jealousy.

Todd tells her not to worry, but Elizabeth's scared of losing him. Will Todd's new bike drive them apart?

Obviously Todd would never leave Elizabeth because she can't ride his motorcycle, but as someone who is extremely jealous and possessive, I can understand Elizabeth's fear. I'm surprised she went riding with him in the end though. That definitely seemed more like a Jessica thing to do. I'm surprised she didn't cite all the times Jessica's broken rules when she did this.

I hate how Jessica is now like, "Omg I've taken my sister for granted! I'm going to be a better person!" when we all know that we'll be lucky to see this last an entire book.

The subplot in this one was Enid having a sweet sixteen party. I had no idea that she had skipped a grade. I'm surprised her stint with drugs didn't end up setting her back a grade, thus putting her right back on track. She also mentions that George is a freshman in college. I find that incredibly funny, seeing as we've just had a book about how Jessica shouldn't date college guys cuz they were too old for her. I mean, George is probably 18, and with Enid now 16, that really isn't too bad. But she was just 15! How weird is that??

The character profile in the back of my book is about Mr Collins. Again, his life story sounds way cooler than anything ever! I want to know more about his crazy ex-wife. I'm hoping there will be a book where Jessica is baby-sitting for him, gets distracted by a boy, and then his son gets kidnapped by the ex again. That would make my life! I like that he's dating Ms Dalton now. I totally knew they'd hook up when she was mentioned before. I just hope Jessica doesn't ruin things for them, although you totes know she would =(

Hook: Will Elizabeth live or die?

Obviously Elizabeth will live haha but I wonder if people originally had any doubt. I wonder what it'd be like reading this one, and then having to wait a month or so to find out what happened next. Can you imagine if Elizabeth survived, but had severe brain damage? The rest of the series could be from Jessica's POV, and it'd be super-depressing to hear about how she couldn't go out because she needed to take care of Elizabeth. Or if Elizabeth was only brain-damaged in the part of her brain that controls certain muscles. So then we could have books where Elizabeth is frustrated at having to walk with crutches and going to physical therapy, or having to use a wheelchair, or being unable to write anymore because her right side doesn't function properly anymore.

Sweet Valley High #5: All Night Long

Front Cover: Is Jessica as grown-up as she thinks she is?

Back Cover: Has Jessica gone too far?

Elizabeth Wakefield knows her beautiful twin can handle almost any guy - most boys are just no match for Jessica's seductive charms. But Scott Daniels, Jessica's latest love, is more of a man than a boy, much older and much more experenced than anyone Jessica's ever dated.

 When Jessica sneaks off to a college beach party with Scott, Elizabeth's afraid of what could happen. And when her twin isn't back by morning, Elizabeth's fear turns to alarm. Where's Jessica? Why has she stayed out all night long?

I'm pretty sure I've never read this one before. Not much about it stuck out or seemed particularly deja-vu.

So this one had a really short time line: only a week. It started on a Sunday and was over on the following Saturday. Not that that's really relevant to anything, but I just thought it was neat.

This book was also over way too fast. Like, Jessica pretty much figured out that Scott was no good almost immediately. The bulk of the novel was then Elizabeth trying to cover for Jess, as Jess waited things out and made her way back home. Then there was some aftermath on that.

What pissed me off most about this book was Jessica and Elizabeth. Elizabeth is such an enabler and a pushover. She shouldn't constantly cover for Jess, and then take her bullshit. Elizabeth is way too nice and trusting when it comes to her sister, and it pisses me off that she's the only one who doesn't see that Jess basically just uses her, would never do the same for her, and it essentially just a selfish bitch. It's so frustrating hearing Todd and Enid try to set Elizabeth straight, only for her to be so blind.

Jessica of course, was a dumb selfish bitch as always. She could have maybe come off as merely immature, but her attitude about everything is the worst. She blames Elizabeth for her being in her predicament, all because Elizabeth should have apparently tried harder to talk her out of her bad behaviour. Then she gets pissed when Elizabeth ends up failing the test she wrote for her - the test that she should have failed anyways because she wasn't even around to write it! She doesn't even bother asking Elizabeth what's wrong or seeing what's going on in her life. Elizabeth has the worst fight and the worst guilt ever at Jess's doings, and Jess just doesn't even care enough to notice.

The subplot in this novel was the big surf competition that Bill Chase was competing in. This was such a tiny subplot. We don't even see Bill for most of it. People just talk about him and it.

My copy of the novel has extra stuff in the back, including character profiles on Bill and Lila Fowler. Bill's got an interesting backstory: his parents are divorced, his girlfriend was destroyed in a drunk driving accident, he hasn't been able to date since (although we're assured he'll get a new girlfriend soon, so I'm interested in seeing when that comes up and reading it) and he's just generally quiet and mysterious because of all the shit he's been through. Lila's backstory wasn't really anything I didn't already know. Although, I did get the fact that Lila's father isn't actually her father, and that it's an open secret in her family. Poor Lila. I'd be so afraid of not making him proud and him disowning me and forcing me to move away with my just-as-neglectful mother. At least in Sweet Valley, she's got her friends. I wonder if we'll hear or see more about Lila and her father and her paternity in the future. I'm thinking yes.

Hook: Will Todd's motorcycle drive them apart?

I'm guessing no. Elizabeth will finally tell him that her parents won't let her ride, but she'll also explain how it's because her cousin died riding one. Todd will be understanding. There will be some tension for awhile, but eventually Todd will get into an accident. He'll realize that a motorcycle is too dangerous and that Elizabeth is more important, and he'll put his bike away until he's older and they'll all live happily ever after haha

Sweet Valley High #4: Power Play

Front Cover: The Wakefield twins have taken sides - against each other!

Back Cover: Elizabeth and Jessica in a tug of war...

Chubby Robin Wilson has been following Jessica around for months. First she wanted to be her friend - now she wants to join Pi Beta Alpha, Sweet Valley High's snobby sorority.

 When Elizabeth, Jessica's twin, nominates Robin for the sorority, Jessica is furious. Robin may be friendly and smart, but she's certainly not beautiful or popular enough to be a Pi Beta. Jessica's determined to find a way to keep Robin out.

 But Elizabeth is just as determined to make Robin a sorority sister. Soon the twins are locked in a struggle that develops into the biggest power play at Sweet Valley High...

Okay. First of all, that description makes the book sound a lot more action-packed and exciting than it really was. It was mostly just Jessica making Robin do hard pledge tasks and Elizabeth encouraging her. The synopsis made me think that an all-out war started in the school with people taking sides and shit like that. But nope, it was pretty tame and isolated.

In fact, the whole concept of Robin trying to get into the sorority is pretty much done with as of halfway through the novel. The rest of the novel is Robin "acting strange", which was her getting into shape and dieting and undergoing a transformation. The Pi Betas do pop up again, trying to capitalize on Robin's newfound popularity and beauty, but Robin turns them down and says she doesn't need them. She's finally figured out what bitches they all were.

The subplot involved Jessica coming home with all sorts of expensive items, claiming they were gifts from Lila, rejected items from her aunt. While at the mall, Elizabeth finds the store that the items came from and hears that they've been having a serial shoplifter around. At first, Elizabeth thinks Jess is the one shoplifting, but eventually it's discovered that it was Lila. She was bored and desperate for daddy's attention, so yeah. Lila gets busted, but Elizabeth agrees to cover for her and keep it from Jessica. Lila temporarily gets the love and attention she so desperately wanted from her father, but it's implied that it won't last long.

This novel probably has the longest timeline of all the novels. It's insinuated that Robin's transformation was over the course of at least month, if not two or three. Of course, none of that will matter in future novels, as the girls are perpetually stuck in the 11th grade at age 16, but yeah. Even though we should be well near the end of the school year by now, I'm guessing it'll be at least another 4 novels before we hit summer vacation and repeat the 11th grade again haha

Lila trusts Elizabeth, but not Jessica, with her secret. It makes me wonder why Lila is friends with Jessica, when she knows that Jessia is a bitch and/or immature and/or only looking out for herself. I guess we most often hang out and associate with people who are like us, not neceassily the ones who are the best. It makes me almost wish that there was more between Lila and Elizabeth. Like, that Lila would in the future turn to Elizabeth in times of need or advice or what not.

Something that bothered me with this one was Jessica's attitude about Bruce Patman. Although she's no longer mooning over him after what happened in the last novel, the fact that she was jealous of Robin surprised me a bit. I mean, wouldn't she be like, "Hahaha omg joke's on her! He's a fucking douchebag!" and then just sit back and smile smugly, hoping that Robin will get taken advantage of? Or something? I dunno. I know that the lessons the characters learn in each book are pretty much always forgotten and no one ever really evolves, but because Jessica's encounters with Bruce were literally LAST BOOK, I just don't buy that she's already quick to accept him again. I know she always admires him and has a thing for him in all the future books though.

Hook: Jessica with a college guy? Elizabeth fears her twin has gotten in over her head this time. Is she right?

Omg how is this any different from when she dated Bruce? Only maybe much worse?? I'm guessing that instead of this college guy being a creep, he's going to be a genuinely nice guy, but way too mature and intellectual for Jessica. She'll try to keep up, but fail. He'll either know right off the bat that she's still in high school (but she'll probably try to play it off like she's 18 at least, or a senior) and only think of her as a kid sister or friend (which will of course piss her off and humilate her), or he'll genuinely think she's a college freshman and have no idea how creepy and illegial he's potentially being. Either way, Jessica will be heartbroken at some point and realize that she shouldn't try to grow up so fast or pretend to be something she's not.