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.