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At the Party #1
Telling Secrets
Brooke just wants to forget. About the weird stuff that’s going on with her family. About the fact that her best friend moved away right before their senior year. About the fact that lately, she hasn’t been able to feel much of anything.And that’s what Aiden helps her to do -- forget. So what if he’s kind of… unavailable? Everyone needs a bad boy, right?Ry just wants to be with Brooke. He had a chance a long time ago, and he’s been pining for her ever since. And when he sees her with Aiden, he decides that some things have been kept secret long enough…Told from both Brooke and Ry’s point of view, AT THE PARTY is a romantic novella from Lauren Barnholdt, author of TWO-WAY STRET and ONE NIGHT THAT CHANGES EVERYTHING.
31 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 29, 2010
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 58 reviews
October 1, 2011
3.5
Because it’s a novella, I am not going to bore you with a long review. So here is a quick one. This is the book-o-metre.
Characters: 5/10
Not all the characters annoyed me. Just Brooke (one of the main people). Cause I liked Ry just fine. There was something about Brooke that just pissed me off; maybe it was the way she treated her friends or how she acted with Aiden (total douche by the way)... But don’t let that put you off. Ry (the other main character) is super awesome and sweet.
Writing: 6/10
No comment.
Plot: 6/10
Pretty average, boy loses girl he really liked when he was young, tries to get her back because girl has moved on and is hooking up with another guy, but subconsciously she hasn’t moved on...
Enjoy-ability: 8/10
Light, fluff, not super moving and you’ll probably forget the book in a couple days but at the time, it is generally enjoyable.
Overall interestingness: 7/10
It will keep you reading, it wasn’t boring.
Because it’s a novella, I am not going to bore you with a long review. So here is a quick one. This is the book-o-metre.
Characters: 5/10
Not all the characters annoyed me. Just Brooke (one of the main people). Cause I liked Ry just fine. There was something about Brooke that just pissed me off; maybe it was the way she treated her friends or how she acted with Aiden (total douche by the way)... But don’t let that put you off. Ry (the other main character) is super awesome and sweet.
Writing: 6/10
No comment.
Plot: 6/10
Pretty average, boy loses girl he really liked when he was young, tries to get her back because girl has moved on and is hooking up with another guy, but subconsciously she hasn’t moved on...
Enjoy-ability: 8/10
Light, fluff, not super moving and you’ll probably forget the book in a couple days but at the time, it is generally enjoyable.
Overall interestingness: 7/10
It will keep you reading, it wasn’t boring.
August 20, 2011
It's more of a 1.5 star actually...
Reading this piece makes me feel like going through a brief daydream while doing people watching... you know those moments when you are bored out of your mind that you pass the time making up little stories in your head about the people you see around you just to make the passing of time bearable - stories that are so brief they are actually just plots with potential, stories with just enough details to make it a little bit interesting than staring off into space, but not enough to actually merit it as a good worthy story.
A glimpse, a moment, that's how it feels.
You can't really blame it, the shortness of the story is its weakness, not being able to explore or build enough to make an impression. It couldn't have made an impact even if it really wanted to.
I say it's okay, for an interesting plot line, but it's not really a story that's unique or different, or something that would be retained in the mind after reading it. It's just well, it's not sucky, it's not bad, but I wouldn't say it's good.
Reading this piece makes me feel like going through a brief daydream while doing people watching... you know those moments when you are bored out of your mind that you pass the time making up little stories in your head about the people you see around you just to make the passing of time bearable - stories that are so brief they are actually just plots with potential, stories with just enough details to make it a little bit interesting than staring off into space, but not enough to actually merit it as a good worthy story.
A glimpse, a moment, that's how it feels.
You can't really blame it, the shortness of the story is its weakness, not being able to explore or build enough to make an impression. It couldn't have made an impact even if it really wanted to.
I say it's okay, for an interesting plot line, but it's not really a story that's unique or different, or something that would be retained in the mind after reading it. It's just well, it's not sucky, it's not bad, but I wouldn't say it's good.
January 6, 2014
Do you know that Maroon 5 song, the one called She Will Be Loved?
If not, it's about 2 best friends (well, I hope they are - just ignore the music video please!). A guy and a girl. The girl is beautiful but she has self-esteem issues. The guy is always there for her and will do just about everything to make her happy. The guy is in love with the girl, you see. But the girl belongs to someone else. She has a boyfriend. Though her boyfriend always hurt her (emotionally or physically, I'm not sure, you be the judge) she chooses to stay in the relationship. And every time, it is the guy friend who picks up the pieces. When the girl and her boyfriend hit a rough patch in their relationship, they decided to end it. But the guy friend knows they are going to get back anyway, thus the line, "I know that goodbye means nothing at all". The guy friend don't mind, he just wants to see her happy and... uhm... Adam, you were saying?
Riiiiight.
A big aaaaaaaaaaawwwwww!
She Will Be Loved is my ultimate favorite Maroon 5 song. I mean, what's not to love? It gives me the feels. It's epic!
It talks honestly about love. It deals with the truth that...
Yeah, THAT and well... I just really wanna use another Adam Levine GIF.
UNHOLY UNICORN, WHAT IS THIS? WHAT DOES YOUR FAVORITE SONG HAVE TO DO WITH TELLING SECRETS?
Well, for starters, She Will Be Loved has nothing to do with Telling Secrets. Adam Levine didn't write the said book nor was the song mentioned in it. I just used that as my intro 'cause they have the same... I don't know... concept?
BUT THE EXECUTION! UGH!
This was kinda sweet but it has meh moments.
IF YOU LIKE THE CONCEPT SO MUCH, WHY THE 2 STARS?
1. Again, the execution.
2.Way too short. I mean, I know it's a novella but a few extra pages wouldn't hurt. I need my extra pages!
3. Some of the issues are not yet resolved. Um, maybe in book 2? I don't know.
4. I don't like the fake friends.
5. I don't like Brooke (our heroine). Do I have to have a reason? Can't I be a normal teenager and just hate random people or in this case, a fictional character? Hahaha! She's just annoying, I guess. VERY annoying. I love Ryan though.
6. Because it was really just that, it was okay. I hovered my mouse over the 2nd star and it was like the Goodreads goddess was speaking to me or something. So yeah, 2 stars.
If not, it's about 2 best friends (well, I hope they are - just ignore the music video please!). A guy and a girl. The girl is beautiful but she has self-esteem issues. The guy is always there for her and will do just about everything to make her happy. The guy is in love with the girl, you see. But the girl belongs to someone else. She has a boyfriend. Though her boyfriend always hurt her (emotionally or physically, I'm not sure, you be the judge) she chooses to stay in the relationship. And every time, it is the guy friend who picks up the pieces. When the girl and her boyfriend hit a rough patch in their relationship, they decided to end it. But the guy friend knows they are going to get back anyway, thus the line, "I know that goodbye means nothing at all". The guy friend don't mind, he just wants to see her happy and... uhm... Adam, you were saying?
Riiiiight.
A big aaaaaaaaaaawwwwww!
She Will Be Loved is my ultimate favorite Maroon 5 song. I mean, what's not to love? It gives me the feels. It's epic!
It talks honestly about love. It deals with the truth that...
Yeah, THAT and well... I just really wanna use another Adam Levine GIF.
UNHOLY UNICORN, WHAT IS THIS? WHAT DOES YOUR FAVORITE SONG HAVE TO DO WITH TELLING SECRETS?
Well, for starters, She Will Be Loved has nothing to do with Telling Secrets. Adam Levine didn't write the said book nor was the song mentioned in it. I just used that as my intro 'cause they have the same... I don't know... concept?
BUT THE EXECUTION! UGH!
This was kinda sweet but it has meh moments.
IF YOU LIKE THE CONCEPT SO MUCH, WHY THE 2 STARS?
1. Again, the execution.
2.Way too short. I mean, I know it's a novella but a few extra pages wouldn't hurt. I need my extra pages!
3. Some of the issues are not yet resolved. Um, maybe in book 2? I don't know.
4. I don't like the fake friends.
5. I don't like Brooke (our heroine). Do I have to have a reason? Can't I be a normal teenager and just hate random people or in this case, a fictional character? Hahaha! She's just annoying, I guess. VERY annoying. I love Ryan though.
6. Because it was really just that, it was okay. I hovered my mouse over the 2nd star and it was like the Goodreads goddess was speaking to me or something. So yeah, 2 stars.
March 10, 2011
Crazy quick read. So fast I couldn't believe that I hit the end all ready. It was more like reading a scene then a book. I'm not complaining because sometimes when I've finished a novel I need to just go for something simple and small. Well, this story definitely fit that niche. I have already bought the other books in the "at the party" series.
September 3, 2011
Lately I’ve been getting very good at the whole being angry for no reason thing, and so I say I’ll hold a grudge if I want.
- Brooke
It’s time like this that I wish I drank. Letting the party get all fuzzy around the edges and losing my inhibitions sounds kind of appealing right about now.
- Brooke
if he fucks with her even a little bit, I’ll fuck with him right back.
- Ry
Why should I get so worried about what’s she’s thinking, why should I even worry about her and what’s going on with her and her family when she obviously doesn’t even give a shit about me?
- Brooke
- Brooke
It’s time like this that I wish I drank. Letting the party get all fuzzy around the edges and losing my inhibitions sounds kind of appealing right about now.
- Brooke
if he fucks with her even a little bit, I’ll fuck with him right back.
- Ry
Why should I get so worried about what’s she’s thinking, why should I even worry about her and what’s going on with her and her family when she obviously doesn’t even give a shit about me?
- Brooke
February 9, 2012
It was a nice quick read, but nothing too good or too bad.
Just a nice romance with a happy ending.
Just a nice romance with a happy ending.
August 19, 2013
Hot cover wasted on meaningless and stupid "story"!
August 7, 2018
Tenía más potencial. Es una buena historia para salir de algún paró lector.
June 26, 2022
meh. you can tell this is one of her early early works.
love the author tho.
love the author tho.
January 3, 2012
Okay, so I accidentally read the 2nd book in this series first, which of course meant I had to go back and read the 1st to make sure I'm not missing anything. (I'm not). And, actually, I think it makes more sense to read #2 first, since #2 is the story of the girl having the party and #1 is the story of some random girl who comes to the party.
Anyways. This one is the story of Brooke, who is the girl Emily mentioned in book #2 as the girl who hated Emily for taking her boyfriend in 7th grade. (Who remembers that stuff by high school anyways? A boyfriend in 7th grade means you get a card on Valentine's and a date to the school dance -- nothing more. Not like you can drive!). So, Brooke just-so-happens to be in a similar situation as Emily, in that she's going to find looooooooove at the party, of course. Except, she's thinking it's going to be with Aiden, the super hot "bad" boy she's been "hooking up" with (which seems in this book to mean random make-out sessions, I hope, at least). Well, duh, Brooke is starting to think Aiden only wants her for "hooking up," and she's also beginning to suspend she only wants Aiden . Luckily, Brooke has a sweet, sensitive best friend who happens to be a boy who happens to love her. Of course.
Oh, and why did Brooke spend so much time talking about how she doesn't like these bimbo friends of hers? And how they force her to go to lame parties? Annoying, ANNOYING main character!
I think that other one (book 2) was better. I mean, this is just every convenient teen cliche thrown into one book. I don't even think my 12 year old self would be interested in this nonsense!
Anyways. This one is the story of Brooke, who is the girl Emily mentioned in book #2 as the girl who hated Emily for taking her boyfriend in 7th grade. (Who remembers that stuff by high school anyways? A boyfriend in 7th grade means you get a card on Valentine's and a date to the school dance -- nothing more. Not like you can drive!). So, Brooke just-so-happens to be in a similar situation as Emily, in that she's going to find looooooooove at the party, of course. Except, she's thinking it's going to be with Aiden, the super hot "bad" boy she's been "hooking up" with (which seems in this book to mean random make-out sessions, I hope, at least). Well, duh, Brooke is starting to think Aiden only wants her for "hooking up," and she's also beginning to suspend she only wants Aiden . Luckily, Brooke has a sweet, sensitive best friend who happens to be a boy who happens to love her. Of course.
Oh, and why did Brooke spend so much time talking about how she doesn't like these bimbo friends of hers? And how they force her to go to lame parties? Annoying, ANNOYING main character!
I think that other one (book 2) was better. I mean, this is just every convenient teen cliche thrown into one book. I don't even think my 12 year old self would be interested in this nonsense!
October 28, 2011
"Telling Secrets" was bitter but also sweet. I feel like the story connect to most people. A lot of thing can happen at the party...that's kind of brilliant for Lauren Barnholdt to make the simple event in our life into something that touchy and interested.
For characters, I will focus on two main characters since the story doesn't give much details on the others. I think I like Brooke and Ry but not that much. Brooke is a girl who afraid to get hurt and try to do everything to forget those pains in her heart. However, soon she's doubt that's what she really want. Ry is a sweet guy who's a crush on Brooke for a long time, but he doesn't have a courage to ask her out. Two of them make the story pace into a rhythm of love.
I give "Telling Secrets" three stars not for lack of something or not funny enough. However, it's because the story's too short and leave many things unclear for me.
For characters, I will focus on two main characters since the story doesn't give much details on the others. I think I like Brooke and Ry but not that much. Brooke is a girl who afraid to get hurt and try to do everything to forget those pains in her heart. However, soon she's doubt that's what she really want. Ry is a sweet guy who's a crush on Brooke for a long time, but he doesn't have a courage to ask her out. Two of them make the story pace into a rhythm of love.
I give "Telling Secrets" three stars not for lack of something or not funny enough. However, it's because the story's too short and leave many things unclear for me.
November 29, 2012
I didn't like it. Not even a tiny bit. And I'm totally disappointed, because I've read almost every Lauren Barnholdt's books and I loved them all!!!!
April 22, 2011
A good quick read.
The alternating POV was a nice touch to let us see a glimpse on how the characters feel about each other.
I liked Ry, he felt like a real person to me and he reminded me of one of my guy friends.
Brooke, on the other hand, is a very relatable character. She is a teenage girl going through a very tough phase in her life w/ her best friend being away and all, and her parents going through a divorce, Brooke might look like she's handling it all pretty well, but in truth, she isnt.
The whole scene was fast paced, and with how short this story was, Barnholdt did a good job in wrapping it up.
Like I said, it was a good quick read (like something you'd read in class out of boredom) and I'm looking forward to reading the rest of the series to see what else happens. :P
The alternating POV was a nice touch to let us see a glimpse on how the characters feel about each other.
I liked Ry, he felt like a real person to me and he reminded me of one of my guy friends.
Brooke, on the other hand, is a very relatable character. She is a teenage girl going through a very tough phase in her life w/ her best friend being away and all, and her parents going through a divorce, Brooke might look like she's handling it all pretty well, but in truth, she isnt.
The whole scene was fast paced, and with how short this story was, Barnholdt did a good job in wrapping it up.
Like I said, it was a good quick read (like something you'd read in class out of boredom) and I'm looking forward to reading the rest of the series to see what else happens. :P
December 7, 2015
I don't know if it was just me or if it's the story itself, but I found 'Telling Secrets' really hard to get into. The beginning was slow, Paige and Gab seemed so ditsy that they were almost stereotypical, and the ending was kinda disappointing. However, I did like Brooke and Ry's relationship, and though the story is short the main characters (Brooke and Ry) are fleshed out quite well, though the reader doesn't really learn much about Ry other than he is protective of Brooke, is good (or at least average) in school, and he's sweet. All in all, 'Telling Secrets' is a good book for anyone looking for a quick read.
January 9, 2011
I love Lauren Barnholdt's writing normally, but I was disappointed with this short novella (if you can even call it that - it was more like a high school essay.) First I feel it was way too short. Second it really needs to be edited - there are many missing or misplaced words that are very distracting from the story. It is almost like it was rushed on to an ebook format. I did like where the story was headed and the characters but I felt it ended abruptly. Have to say thought that I love the cover. Overall disappointing and too short!
March 7, 2011
This is the second book in the At The Party series by Lauren Barnholdt.
Again another short novella, which takes about 20 minutes to read. Great if you don't have much time, and want something that won't take long to get through.
We are still at Emily's party, but this time we are finding out the story of 2 different characters, Brooke and Ry, although Brooke has been spending time hanging out with Aiden recently, and Ry has always been in love with Brooke. In this book we see Brooke realise the truth about who and what she really wants.
Again another short novella, which takes about 20 minutes to read. Great if you don't have much time, and want something that won't take long to get through.
We are still at Emily's party, but this time we are finding out the story of 2 different characters, Brooke and Ry, although Brooke has been spending time hanging out with Aiden recently, and Ry has always been in love with Brooke. In this book we see Brooke realise the truth about who and what she really wants.
September 7, 2015
Telling Secrets is one of those novellas which have the potential of being started out to form a proper story but even if compact, they are fine to read. I finished it soon enough and it was a good past time read.
What really attracted me to it was the fact that all the novellas in the At The Party series happen simultaneously and it was good to read from different perspectives.
i liked Ry's character and though, the character of Brooke tried to go in deep, Lauren Barnholdt did an okay job of it. Overall, an okay past time read.
What really attracted me to it was the fact that all the novellas in the At The Party series happen simultaneously and it was good to read from different perspectives.
i liked Ry's character and though, the character of Brooke tried to go in deep, Lauren Barnholdt did an okay job of it. Overall, an okay past time read.
January 14, 2015
Y otro más con celos extremos y reacciones incorrectas. Fue más largo que el otro que acababa de leer, por lo que podía tener más contenido y trama, aunque tampoco demasiado. Ry me cae bien pero ha actuado como un idiota al chocar con Aiden (este ni tiene personalidad siquiera). Ni hablemos de Brooke, tendrá problemas adolescentes pero válgame que exagera.
Le doy dos estrellas solamente por el final, el "capitulo" de Ry.
Aun pienso si esforzarme por terminar los otros dos relatos o no, temo perderme algo entretenido, arriesgándome a sufrir otros dos iguales que los anteriores.
Le doy dos estrellas solamente por el final, el "capitulo" de Ry.
Aun pienso si esforzarme por terminar los otros dos relatos o no, temo perderme algo entretenido, arriesgándome a sufrir otros dos iguales que los anteriores.
March 27, 2011
Hmmm I do not know how I feel about this book. I quite like the fact that in all the books from the series the situations are all really down to earth. It did not matter whether the characters where popular or not, we all have been in the situation where a really close friend has been in love with us but we just did not figure it out. It was quite an interesting read not as good as the second one though.
February 26, 2013
I suppose this was an ok read for a short story, but it didn't live up to the title. There were no secrets. I thought something more exciting would happen with Brooke's "relationship" with Aiden. I won't be reading any more of these short stories.
May 12, 2013
I really do want to like the book. but to be honest I find it a bit boring and I don't like much the story and I find it weird that Brooke need to find a random place just to MAKE OUT with Aiden. if he is a bad boy player he won't settle for sonething like that and why did they need to hide? they are in a party anyways. people hooked up there randomly so no fuss about it the next day.
March 26, 2011
A cute short novella told in switched perspectives of Ry and Brooke, who happen to be bffs, only Ry is in love with Brooke, and Brooke seems to be spending all her time with bad boy Aidan. Takes place in the same setting as the other two novellas in the At the party series, at Emily's house.
March 29, 2011
Nice short story by Lauren Barnholdt, first novella in the At the Party series.
I really liked the characters and the setting, as well as the fact that the whole series takes place at the same party. I'll read the other books soon.
I really liked the characters and the setting, as well as the fact that the whole series takes place at the same party. I'll read the other books soon.
May 5, 2012
Another quick read with characters who have issues and are hurting. Brook's situation is relatable so it's more realistic than the first one. I also like how Brook and ry have a history together so their rekationship is more genuine.
June 23, 2012
I read book 1-3 this morning. Very quick read. Cute stories, nice characters, but do not expect to get totally invested. They are short, and end happy. Perfect for when you have a little downtime and you need a little escape.
February 25, 2013
I really love this series, I not the biggest fan of Brooke she kind of got on my nerves and I hate Aiden. But I love Ry and really wanted Brooke and him together just for him to be happy. I also liked Paige and Maci, I felt bad for Maci in the end of the book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 18, 2011
Nice short story if any of you have read the witches of santa anna series this book is about Brooke the bff of Natalia how she left at her old school.
April 30, 2011
Sweet, and yet still insightful about emotions.
April 4, 2012
Not such a big story.It's actually very short.If you have an hour or so and you don't have anything to do you can read this really short story.
May 10, 2011
I was surprised on how short this story is. It's like a chapter to other books. It's ok though. Nothing monumental but it can pass time.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 58 reviews