Sweet Valley High #15: Promises

Front Cover: Somehow, Jessica will get rid of Betsy!

Back Cover: Bad girl in town...

Steven Wakefield is crushed when his girlfriend, Tricia, dies after a tragic illness. The only things that keep him going are the memory of their love and his promise to Tricia to take care of her sister, Betsy, after she's gone.

Betsy Martin's wild exploits with drink, drugs and boys have left her with the worst reputation in Sweet Valley. But when Steven takes her into the Wakefield home, Betsy makes a promise to change. And as her goodness grows, so does her love for Steven.

 Jessica, Steven's conniving younger sister, doesn't like this one bit. She makes a little promise of her own - to get Betsy out of the house and out of Steven's life... forever!

I like how this book doesn't hide the fact that Jessica is totally mean and a bitch. Betsy's sister just died, and Jessica is all "But what about me? ME!!!" I really wished people in the book called her out on her behaviour more often.

Even though Jessica and Elizabeth still feature prominently in this book, it's largely about Steven, which I really liked. I wish we got more books about him. I'm excited for all the books in the future that feature him being all creepy about Tricia haha

I wonder if anyone ever brings up the fact that Betsy's name must be Elizabeth. I mean, I suppose it's always possible that her parents just named her Betsy straight-up, but generally, "Betsy" is a nickname for "Elizabeth". Oh the irony!

Anyways, what basically ends up happening is that Betsy stays true to her word. It's not easy, and with Jessica's machinations, she very nearly decides to forgo it all and just resign her life to being poor white trailer trash. But of course, it wouldn't be a Sweet Valley book without everything ending up all hunky-dory in the end. Steven and his friend Jason Stone decide to enter Betsy in an art contest to get a scholarship at an art school. Of course, she wins, so I'm guessing that means we won't be seeing much of her anymore.

Jason Stone seemed like such a generic nice-guy. I'm guessing in the future, if he or Betsy ever get mentioned, it'll be that they're dating.

The subplot is that Roger Barrett's mom is dying, and Bruce Patman's father is being super-nice about it. In the end, we find out that Bruce's uncle, Paul, who died in a plane accident long long long ago, is actually Roger's father.

Hook: Now Roger is as rich as Bruce, but how muvh will he have to change to fit in to the Patmans' world?

I'm guessing that at first, Roger will be all like, "This doesn't change anything. I mean, I won't have to work so many hours and I won't have to worry about money for school, but I'm still the nice guy I've always been!" But then Jessica is going to sink her hooks into him, and convince him to change, and others will have an influence on him, and the next thing we know, he'll break up with his girlfriend, date Jess (who will realize that despite the money, she thinks Roger is the most boring person ever) and eventually realize that money can't buy happiness and that he was better off before. So even though he'll still have the money, he'll eschew the lifestyle and everything will pretty much be status quo haha

Sweet Valley High #14: Deceptions

Front Cover: Has Elizabeth found a new love?

Back Cover: A tangled web...

Elizabeth Wakefield is stunned when Nicholas Morrow asks her for a date. A newcomer to Sweet Valley, Nicholas is fabulously wealthy and extremely handsome. Even though Elizabeth would never cheat on Todd Wilkins, her steady boyfriend, Nicholas is so attractive and sincere that she agrees to go out with him just once.

To make matters worse, Jessica, Elizabeth's scheming twin, announces that Nicholas Morrow is the boy for her. Suddenly Nicholas is the only thing on Jessica's mind. Elizabeth is terrified to think what will happen if Todd or her twin finds out bout her date with Nicholas. But who can keep a secret from Jessica Wakefield?

Omg, this book bothered me so much. First off: Nicholas Morrow. No means no, dude! Like, it was actually kinda creepy how insistent he was on Elizabeth going out with him, and how much in love with her he was. HE LITERALLY JUST MET HER. If they had been older, Nicholas would've been seen as a crazy creep. This would not have gone over well if they were in college or at work. But because it was all like, "You're too young to be tied down to one guy: give me a chance!", it was suddenly played off as acceptable. It's no worse than trying to force someone to be your friend in high school. It just doesn't work like that.

Elizabeth totes should have sat down with her family and told them what was going on. That way, when Jessica goes off on how Nicholas was "hers", Elizabeth could be all like, "LOOK, TAKE HIM, I DON'T WANT HIM." and their parents would have to back her up on it. If they didn't, and were all like, "You really are too young to be tied down to just Todd, give Nicholas a chance." then they'd have to deal with Hurricane Jessica and set her straight. Either way, it would have solved a lot of Elizabeth's problems.

Also solving Elizabeth's problems would have been just being honest with Todd. God these people are stupid!

The subplot in this one was that Jessica was 1) failing math and 2) wanted to learn more about computers to impress Nicholas. It just so happened that the school was updated so that all the grades would be filed electronically, so Jessica sweet-talked computer-nerd Randy Mason into helping her out. Of course, they get caught and poor Randy feels guilty and wants to come clean. Elizabeth manages to get the two out of deeper trouble with their principal. I was happy about that, because Randy didn't deserve to get suspended and have this go on his permanent record, especially since this is the field he wanted to go into as an adult. But I still think Elizabeth should have told their parents what had happened. Ned and Alice need to get on Jessica and put a stop to her shenanigans. I think they let her get away with so much because Elizabeth covers up half the time, so they don't really know to the extent that Jess gets herself into trouble. They just shake their heads bemusedly like, "Oh that Jess. Well, teens will be teens!"

Hook: Is this really the end for Tricia Martin?

Yes, yes it is. We'll get a whole book of her dying, and Steven wanting to be forever devoted to her, and Jessica being like, "Well good riddance! Time to date better!" Eventually Steven will realize that Tricia would want him to keep living his life, but it'll be HIS life, and so he'll tell Jess off and get better.

But not really, because I know in the future there are all these books about him dating girls who remind him of Tricia and trying to replace her and what not. But in the meantime he'll be okay haha

Baby-Sitters Club #117: Claudia and the Terrible Truth

Front Cover: There are some troubles even the best baby-sitter can't fix.

Back Cover: Getting to know new kids and their families is one of the best parts of baby-sitting. So when Claudia goes to sit for the Nicholls kids, she's excited. Only something's not quite right at the Nicholls house. Joey and Nate are sweet, but they don't seem very happy. In fact, they seem... scared. Of their own father. Claudia thinks he's hurting them. But saying or doing the wrong thing will only make matters worse. And what if she's mistaken?

One thing is certain: Claudia needs to find out what's really going on. And if she's right, she needs to get help - fast. 

Okay, so I was planning on reading these books in order. At least, as much as I could. But when I found this in the used bookstore the other day, I couldn't help but start reading it on the bus ride home. I totally devoured it.

I only read it once before (I borrowed it from a friend who had THE ENTIRE FREAKING SERIES OMG), but I remember really liking it. I still look back fondly on it. I tend to really like the SERIOUS ISSUES books in the series.

So in this one, Claudia gets new charges who she thinks are being abused. It's all circumstantial, but it's pretty much all the signs people generally look out for. Claudia waits for ever before telling someone about it, but when she does, everything pretty much escalates and just happens.

I'm glad Claudia told her mom. I like seeing Claudia interact with her family more. She always acts like they're made of ice or something. It was nice seeing her realize how lovely her mother is. I always felt like Claudia's perceptions of her family were horribly skewed.

This book really makes me miss the California Diaries series. I feel like they would've handled this issue much better. Essentially this book takes place in the span of a month. In one month, they meet a new family, realize there's something wrong, convinces Mrs Nicholls to take the boys and run, and then they're out of there. Diaries would've probably introduced the family in an earlier book, and then the issue would've been the focus of one book, with the main conflict happening over the course of a month, and then they'd probably do some follow-up stuffs in a later book.I'm pretty sure the Nicholls never ever ever get mentioned again.

What I especially hate is how unrealistic it is. In reality, it would've probably taken another month (at least!) of prompting for Mrs Nicholls to admit that there's a problem, let alone for her to actually do something about it. And of course, there's no mention of all the times escaping tries to fail. I also would've loved to have seen Mr Nicholls harrass Claudia and her family more about it.

The subplot in this one is that St Patrick's Day is coming up, and the charges of course want to be in the parade. This sounds like the dumbest thing ever, but of course the BSC is full of saints, so they help the kids come up with an "Irish dancing" act and costumes and walk diligently beside them as the parade goes down main street. Baby-sitting is neither cool nor uncool; it's a way to make money and nothing to be ashamed of. Walking in a parade while your charges do a dumb, unrehearsed, poor planned, slapped-together act in front of everyone? Embarrassing haha

Sweet Valley High #13: Kidnapped!

Front Cover: Elizabeth's nightmare is about to begin...

Back Cover: A living nightmare...

Elizabeth Wakefield never imagined that her evening of volunteer work at Sweet Valley's hospital would turn into the most horrifying night of her life. but when a strong hand clamps a chloroformed rag over her mouth and she is pulled from her car, Elizabeth's hellish ordeal begins.

When she regains consciousness, Elizabeth finds herself tied to a chair in an isolated shack. She has been kidnapped - by Carl, a lonely and disturbed orderly from the hospital. Elizabeth doesn't know what Carl wants from her, but it's clear he's on the brink of insanity. Somehow Elizabeth must escape - before it's too late!

I actually read this a few days ago, but didn't have a chance to blog about it until now, so my feelings are kinda blasé now.

I'm really confused about Carl. In some ways, he's portrayed as an innocent mentally disabled person, who doesn't know how to act/treat people. Elizabeth is nice to him, so he thinks that must mean she loves him, so obviously he wants to love her, and when people are in love they run away to be together forever, so he can take care of her and live happily ever after. That's the kind of thing that would get him caught in a heartbeat. Elizabeth would've only been kidnapped for a few hours. She might not have been kidnapped at all: Carl might have just gone around telling everyone about his "new girlfriend Elizabeth", and people would've figured out what was going on and put a stop to it right away. But then they have him chloroforming her, and he's careful to keep going to work so as not to arise suspicions, and he knows not to buy stuff from the hospital itself. This sounds much more like a mentally capable creepy adult man, who wants Elizabeth for his own nefarious means. You can't really have it both ways, and I'm kinda pissed that they tried.

I want to know how long Elizabeth's been volunteering for. I know the last book took place over the span of like, a week. So is this next week? Has Carl only been watching Elizabeth for two weeks? Cuz if so, I can see why she hadn't said something. But has she been volunteering for a month? Cuz a month of Carl being creepy is definitely cause for concern.

Again, I hate Jessica. She had no real reason to lie to Todd about where Elizabeth was. All she had to say was, "I don't know! I'm not my sister's keeper! Maybe she got held up at the hospital or at Max's. Why don't you try calling those places?" Then afterwards, Todd would have a serious case about why they should be concerned about Elizabeth's whereabouts and Jessica could either be mature or immature.

Hook: Will Elizabeth leave Todd for Nicholas?

I'm guessing no, but she'll probably go on a few casual dates with Nicholas, trying to play it off all innocent like, "We're just friends; I'm allowed to hang out with guys, aren't I?" all the while knowing full-well that she hasn't made things clear to Nicholas. She'll probably feel guilty about it, but when confronted, she'll get all defensive, like she's done absolutely nothing wrong. It's a fine line, and theoretically it'd be possible for her to go out with Nicholas without her violating her relationship with Todd, but I'm guessing she'll cross the line and yeah. But everything will work out cuz she's a Wakefield haha

What I can't figure out is why Nicholas is so gaga over Elizabeth. Like, wtf, that escalated quickly. My guess is that he's smitten with their looks, but realizes that Jessica is too immature and vapid and irresponsible: so let's try the mature twin that Jessica's been singing the praises about!

Sweet Valley High #12: When Love Dies

Front Cover: What terrible secret is Tricia keeping from Steven?

Back Cover: The end of romance...

The Wakefield twins' older brother, Steven, is heartbroken. His girlfriend, Tricia Martin, no longer seems interested in him. She breaks their dates and doesn't return his calls. Steven can't understand why Tricia's feelings have changed so suddenly.

Jessica is thrilled that Steven isn't dating Tricia anymore. She sees it as the perfect opportunity to pair him with her best friend, Cara Walker. Elizabeth , Jessica's twin, thinks that scheming, gossipy Cara is all wrong for Steven. She's determined to find out the reason for Tricia's stranger behaviour - and horrified when she discovers the awful truth.

 Omg I hate Jessica so much!

So yeah, Tricia is dying of cancer, and she wants to spare Steven the pain of seeing her deteriorate. So she acts all distant and eventually they just break up. Steven is of course heartbroken, which is a foreign concept to Jess, so she tries hooking him up with Cara right away. Even if Steven was over Tricia, I hate Cara. She's so whiny and immature. She's actually worse than Jessica. Of course, Elizabeth figures out what's going on, and everything is fine in the end. Except that Tricia is still dying.

I hope we get to see her die in a book or two. I know she couldn't have possibly died in this book. She's near the end, but definitely has a few days, even weeks, left, especially if she's still going to school part-time. So unless she suddenly dies of cardiac arrest or something, she shouldn't have died yet.

The subplot in this one is that a TV host is in the hospital for a broken leg, so Jessica convinces Elizabeth that they should become candy stripers, so that Jessica has a chance to get close to him. Of course, it's Elizabeth who is assigned to his ward, and he loves her, because Elizabeth is all calm and mature and treats him like a human being, instead of a celebrity. Jessica eventually cons her way into his room, and is so starstruck that she acts like an idiot, is a total klutz, and just generally makes his life miserable. Of course in the end, everything comes up roses and Jessica gets to be interviewed and on TV.

Meanwhile, Elizabeth gets kidnapped by a creepy orderly. They rarely fully set-up plots in advance, so this was nice to see. Carl works at the hospital and is just generally weird and creepy. St Elizabeth, friends to all things, tries to be friendly, but even she admits to being creeped out by him. The last few pages has her getting kidnapped from the parking lot by Carl.

Hook: Will Elizabeth be saved?

Of course she will! It's funny, because at this point, the books were being released once a month, but according to my copy, readers would have to wait AN ENTIRE EXTRA MONTH to find out! I can't help but wonder how it would've been to be a preteen in the 1980s, eating this shit up like candy, anticipating the next novel. I'm sure I would've known that yes, Elizabeth would be fine in the end, but I wonder if I'd still be anxious just see exactly how and what unfolded. As it is, I'm pretty excited to read the next novel now haha

Sweet Valley High #11: Too Good to Be True

Front Cover: Is Suzanne as perfect as she seems?

Back Cover: A devil in disguise...

The Wakefield twins are wild with excitement. Glamorous, sophisticated Suzanne Devlin is coming to Sweet Valley from New York City. For two weeks, Elizabeth will show her around town while Jessica has the time of her life in New York.

At first, Suzanne seems to be the most perfect girl in the world. She's beautiful and friendly and not the least bit stuck-up. All the boys of Sweet Valley are absolutely crazy about her her. But when Suzanne accuses Mr. Collins of trying to seduce her, Elizabeth knows there's more to Suzanne than meets the eye.

Elizabeth really is too naive and trusting. I really wish she'd get mean and stop being stepped on.

Suzanne comes across as just some spoiled little brat who just wants attention. I mean, if her parents are as bad/neglectful as they came across when Jessica came over, I kinda get it. But still. She has no right to try and destroy Mr Collins's life and career like that.

I'm really pissed at Elizabeth for not taking his side right away. Also, didn't anyone interview Teddy? Teddy at least would have been a decent character witness, saying that Suzanne was mean and neglectful and not at all nice. I know they wouldn't be able to hang a judgment on that, but at least it would've raised awareness. People would have been all like, "Wait, that doesn't sound like the girl we met... what's going on?"

It's stuff like that that really makes me wary to be a teacher. I mean, luckily I'm a female, so it's unlikely a guy will rip his shirt and say I tried to attack him and take advantage of him, but yeah. It was just way too easy for Suzanne to cast doubt and cause havoc on Mr Collins's life. It makes me wonder if she's done this to boys her age too. I bet you if her boarding school is co-ed, she's probably tried a similar stunt to get guys kicked out.

I feel kinda bad that Jessica had such a terrible time in New York, but it doesn't excuse her behaviour. She knows that Pete is Suzanne's boyfriend, yet she still throws herself at him and tries to seduce him! I can understand flirting with him and what not, but she just keeps pushing and pushing, even though he says he's with Suzanne and that he loves her. It kinda shows how sad and pathetic Jessica's life is. She's so used to being flippant with guys and never getting into a serious long-term relationship, that she just expects guys to feel the same way. I bet you because she's always casually dated, meaning the guys were always technically allowed to date other girls, she just assumes that all guys want to date around.

Still. It really pisses me off that she can't understand and respect other people's relationships. Her meddling with Steven and his relationship with Tricia really gets to me! She blatantly lies and tries to manipulate him into breaking up with her!

Hook: What terrible secret is Tricia keeping from Steven?

I think she has cancer or some other terminal disease, and has been told that she only has 3 months or so to live. She probably wants to spare Steven the pain of watching her deteriorate and die, so she's hoping he'll lose interest in her and move on.

What I hate is Jessica always telling Steven that he can do better. Tricia has done nothing wrong. So what if she comes from a sketchy family?

Anyways, I feel like I've already read the next one, but I guess we'll see haha

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.

Sweet Valley High #3: Playing With Fire

Front Cover: Can Jessica play Bruce Patman's game and win?

Back Cover: Too hot to handle...

Watch out, Sweet Valley HihgF! Once again, Jessica Wakefield has gotten her way. Fresh from her greatest social triumph, Jessica proceeds to sink her hooks into rich, handsome Bruce Patman, he most eligible, sought-after guy at SVH.

 Or has Bruce gotten his hooks into Jessica? Elizabeth, Jessica's twin, notices a big change in her sister. Suddenly Jessica's following Bruce everywhere and dropping everything just to spend time with him.

 Elizabeth doesn't trust bruce one bit - he's arrogant, demanding, and way too fast. Jessica can usuallly hold her own with any guy, but this time, Elizabeth's afraid her sister may be going too far....

I know that we're supposed to be sympathetic of Jessica in this book, but really it just proves to me how much I hate her. She's so immature. She really needed to grow a backbone.

Then again, I usually complain that she just steps on everyone, so it was kinda nice to see her be stepped on. However, it was all at the expense of her still being a snob and still blowing off people she doesn't think are "cool enough".

I think there's something going on with Ned and Marianna. I know he and Alice don't get divorced, and they're always portrayed as the picture perfect parents and marriage, but I feel like at some point, Marianna causes trouble, and they hit a rough patch. I think what happens is that Marianna wants to have an affair with him, but he's all like, "Whoa there. I was just being nice to you. I love my wife and kids and yeah." and then he immediately rushes home to apologize to Alice for all the dinners he's missed, and she apologizes for having ever doubted him and they all live happily ever after.

The subplot in this book was Robin Wilson wanting to get into the sorority and basically being a hanger-on to Jessica, trying to be her friend, not realizing that Jessica was being a bitch like always and just using her.

Another subplot involved The Droids trying to make it big. I would've loved to have seen more of that. I know that these books centre on Elizabeth and Jessica and are widely told from their POVs, but I'd totes read a spin-off miniseries about The Droids and from their members' POVs. I see them (especially Dana and Emily) being like the California Diaries to Jessica and Elizabeth's Baby-Sitters Club. I would've liked to have read more about Dana getting hit on by that scuzzy manager. That whole subplot could've been really could from their POV and if it had been fleshed out more...

Hook: Can Liz outwit her scheming twin adn make Robin a Pi Beta?

I feel like the answer is yes. She'll help to makeover Robin, but in a subtle way, one that highlights her features and suits her personality. Not some flashy redesign. And then everyone will see that Robin is actually kinda pretty. Maybe Robin will go on a bit of a diet, or find a sport she likes, and she'll trim down a bit. She'll still be a bit "husky", but now in a sexy curvy way. Anyways, some of the more acceptable guys will start to dig her, she'll gain even more self-confidence, and I think in the end she'll be a Pi Beta, much to Jessica's chagrin. But then Jessica will somehow try to turn it around and take credit for everything haha hopefully Robin will see through Jess sooner than later.

Sweet Valley High #2: Secrets

Front Cover: What Jessica wants, Jessica gets - even if someone gets hurt!

Back Cover: Jessica would stop at nothing...

Beautiful and ruthless, Jessica Wakefield is determined to be chosen queen of the fall dance at Sweet Valley High. If she can win the contest, she's sure to win Bruce Patman, the most sought-after boy in school.

The only person standing in Jessica's way is Enid Rollins . When Jessica discovers the truth about Enid's past, she knows the crown is within her grasp. She doesn't care that Enid is her twin sister Elizabeth's best friend - or that revealing the secret may cost Enid both her reputation and the boy she loves.

Only Elizabeth can save Enid from Jessica's vicious gossip - but can she stop her scheming twin in time...

Again, I can't remember if I've read this one before, but I'm leaning more towards no. Enid's secret wasn't nearly as dark as I thought it would be. No one ended up dead! haha I'm guessing the first few novels aren't as dark as I remember the series turning. I'm PRETTY SURE it's in High that the characters eventually encounter suicides and drug addictions and sexual assaults. Might it might be that I have to wait for Sweet Valley High: Senior Year or even Sweet Valley University for that.

Again, omg, what a bitch Jessica is! She is definitely going out of her way to make people miserable. She did not have to do what she did to Enid! If Jessica had any sense or decency, she'd have been like, "I don't need to sabotage Enid; I'm fabulous all on my own!"

I knew Ronnie was going to dump Enid. I definitely remember George. I think he meets a tragic end eventually haha

I'm pretty pissed at Enid not believing Elizabeth. Like jfc, that's two books in a row where Elizabeth gets blamed for something Jessica did. I know this is a recurring theme and that I should be so shocked but ugh! haha

Also: when Elizabeth is pissed, she's so deliciously evil! I love how subtle she is in her manipulation and revenge. She is so sneaky and conniving, in a way that makes me respect her. I know a lot of people out there actually like Jessica better than Elizabeth, and think that Elizabeth is truly the bad one because she's such a hyppocrite (at least Jessica doesn't try to hide or pretend like she's better than she is), but I respect Elizabeth so much. I really admire her. She's my hero <3

The subplot in this book was super-minor: Ms Dalton was also the victim of vicious rumors and word spread that she was sleeping with Ken Matthews. Speaking of Ken Matthews, did we ever find out what happened to him? He disappears halfway through, presumably because of the scandal, but do we ever find out the truth about it??

Hook: Can Jessica play Bruce Patman's game and win?

I'm guessing no. This sounds like a Jessica-centric novel, so she'll probably come off as more sympathetic than she has been these past two books. But we'll see. I'm guessing she'll do some crazy schemes and play all sorts of games, but eventually realize that Bruce goes too far, and we'll see her draw a line in the sand and temporarily learn a lesson and see the error of her ways haha

Sweet Valley High #1: Double Love

Front Cover: Share the continuing story of the Wakefield twins and their friends - their laughter, heartaches, and dreams.

Back Cover: Will Jessica steal Todd from Elizabeth...

Elizabeth and Jessica Wakefield are identical twins at Sweet Valley High. They're both popular, smart, and gorgeous but that' where the similarity ends. Elizabeth is friendly, outgoing, and sincere - nothing like her twin. Snobbish and conniving, Jessica thinks the whole world revolves around her. Trouble is, most of the time it does. Jessica always gets what she wants - at school, with friends, and especially with boys.

This time, Jessica has set her sights on Todd Wilkins, the handsome star of the basketball team - the one boy Elizabeth really likes. Now it's a game of double love, with Todd as first prize. Elizabeth doesn't want to lose him, but what Jessica wants, Jessica usually gets... even if it ends up hurting her sister.

Meet the Wakefield twins, their guys, and the rest of the gang at Sweet Valley High...

I actually read Sweet Valley Twins and even Sweet Valley Kids more when I was growing up. I didn't start getting into Sweet Valley High until later, and my memories of it are spotty at best. Most of my head-canon comes from my memories of Twins. In Twins, Elizabeth is already pretty damn close to Todd, which is why it was weird for me to read this one and see that they don't even seem to know each other. I know that this series is the original, that Twins, then Kids, came later, but yeah. Weird.

I was PRETTY SURE I had read "Double Love" before, but I've read so many of these books over the years, and definitely not all of them, that it all blurs together. By the time I got to the end though, I was sure that I had read it before. I distinctly remember Jessica wearing green eyeliner and the swapping of the outfits and the tuxedo outfit.

Man, reading how perfect their family is in appearance is going to get old haha these guys were the original Mary Sues! I feel like it might not have been so bad in the 1980s when this was originally published, but now that we live in a world of fanfiction, we're over-saturated in bad bad Mary Sue descriptions haha

Maybe it's just the nostalgia talking, but I feel like these books definitely feel distinctly '80s, and I love it!

I love how trashy these are! So much drama! It's like a soap opera in book form. But not nearly as trashy or embarrassing as harlequinn romance novels haha

Jessica is a bitch. I hate her. I've always hated her. In Twins and Kids, she's just an immature disorganized brat, with a bit of a conceited snobby streak. In here, she's full-blown bitch. She does what she wants, gets what she wants, and doesn't care if anyone is standing in her way, even her own sister.

The two things she did in this book that I found particularly heinous was all the lying: the fact that she let everyone think it was Elizabeth who'd been in that bar and the fact that she straight-up told Elizabeth that Todd had assaulted her. The original incident of the mistaken identity is understandable; it all happened so quickly that I don't blame Jessica for freezing and not setting the record straight with the cop. But her actions afterwards really pissed me off.

I remember always being pissed off at Elizabeth for letting Jessica get away with all the bullshit she pulls. But I suppose that if Elizabeth were to get angry and vindictive, that would make her just as bad as Jessica, and we wouldn't root for her as much.

There's also a subplot about how their father might be having an affair, and how their brother might be dating a bad girl. I love the relationship between Elizabeth and Steven. Again, why do they put up with Jessica?? I knew that Ned wasn't having an affair, and I don't blame the girls for suspecting him of it, but when we got to the part where they were having a big family dinner, and their parents were both beaming about a "big surprise announcement", I really wanted to hit at least Elizabeth for still thinking that the announcement was a divorce. Even if you're happy to get a divorce, you're not gonna be BEAMING about it when announcing it to your kids!


Hook:

What is the dark mystery in Enid's past, and how does Jessica use it to her own advantage?

I love how the books try to foreshadow things and create a semblance of continuity. You can read them out of order, you can read them alone, but what I'm looking forward to is reading them in order. I can't remember what Enid's secret is. I think maybe it's something on the more serious side, like her younger brother drowned when she was supposed to be watching him, but that it's also something that wasn't her fault at all. I don't remember Ronnie, so I want to say that he gets pissed off when he finds out about her secret and dumps her permanently. Of course, Elizabeth will stay by her side and Jessica will be a total bitch about it. I hate hate hate Jessica! It's none of her business! And the fact that she tries to use it to her advantage? Ugh, what a bitch! haha