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Holly's Heart #1
Best Friend, Worst Enemy
Holly Meredith is turning thirteen on Valentine's Day, and she can't wait! Maybe this will be the year to visit her dad in California, where he moved when her parents divorced several years ago. Since then, Holly has grown very close to her mom and little sister, and she has a best friend she can share everything with and tell everything to…well, almost everything. Holly and her best friend, Andie, were having a great seventh-grade year. But now a new boy in their class has them fighting over him--and this is one thing the girls can't share! According to the Loyalty Papers they created a few years ago, one of the girls has to back off. Should Holly forget about Jared to save her friendship with Andie? Or should she force Andie to stay away? When Holly's secret plan backfires, she discovers the true meaning of friendship--and learns the miracle of forgiveness.
158 pages, Paperback
First published April 1, 1993
6 people are currently reading
297 people want to read
About the author
Beverly Lewis
259 books3,021 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
Beverly Lewis, raised in Pennsylvania Amish country and both a schoolteacher and an accomplished musician, has been an award-winning author for over a dozen years. Her acclaimed novel, The Preacher's Daughter, was a 2006 Quill Book Award finalist in the romance category. Her books have appeared on numerous bestseller lists, including USA Today and The New York Times. She and her husband, David, live in Colorado."
Beverly Lewis, raised in Pennsylvania Amish country and both a schoolteacher and an accomplished musician, has been an award-winning author for over a dozen years. Her acclaimed novel, The Preacher's Daughter, was a 2006 Quill Book Award finalist in the romance category. Her books have appeared on numerous bestseller lists, including USA Today and The New York Times. She and her husband, David, live in Colorado."
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
April 24, 2022
About this book:
“Holly Meredith is turning thirteen on Valentine's Day, and she can't wait! Maybe this will be the year to visit her dad in California, where he moved when her parents divorced several years ago. Since then, Holly has grown very close to her mom and little sister, and she has a best friend she can share everything with and tell everything to...well, almost everything. Holly and her best friend, Andie, were having a great seventh-grade year. But now a new boy in their class has them fighting over him--and this is one thing the girls can't share! According to the Loyalty Papers they created a few years ago, one of the girls has to back off. Should Holly forget about Jared to save her friendship with Andie? Or should she force Andie to stay away? When Holly's secret plan backfires, she discovers the true meaning of friendship--and learns the miracle of forgiveness.”
Series: Book #1 in the “Holly’s Heart” series.
Spiritual Content- A few Scriptures are read & quoted; Talks about God & forgiveness; ‘H’s are capitalized when referring to God; Church going & going to youth group; Holly goes to church and the Pastor talks about forgiveness which she doesn’t want to hear, so she tunes him out and another time doesn’t listen because she’s thinking about something else; Mentions of God & Jesus; Mentions of Bibles, Bible reading, & devotionals; Mentions of prayers, praying, & blessings over food; Mentions of churches, church going, Sunday school, youth group, a church choir, hymns, services, pastors, & sermons; Mentions of a missionary & faiths; Mentions of Christians & becoming a Christian; A couple mentions of those & events in the Bible; A couple mentions of being concerned about someone’s salvation; A mention of Holly struggling to remember to read her devotion every day.
Negative Content- Minor cussing including: a ‘rats’, a ‘stupid’, and three ‘dumb’s; Eye rolling, Sarcasm, & Sass; A boy asks another boy if he would call a teacher “the B word” (which the another boys says “do you mean…blob?”, they both get in trouble); Holly talks back to her mother with an attitude (she apologizes once because she knows she’s in trouble); When she’s mad at her mom, Holly keeps a secret and thinks that she doesn’t need to know about it; Holly sneaks out to an event that her mom said she can’t go to (& while she gets grounded for doing that, she still thinks that is was worth it but by the end realizes that it wasn’t); Holly’s best friend offers her $20 to do a writing assignment for her (but Holly refuses as that’s being dishonest); Holly & her best friend don’t talk to each another for the first part of the book (because she won’t tell her something that happened, so Holly won’t talk to her) and they argue and are mean to each other for the majority of the book; Mentions of a family member dying from cancer; Mentions of injuries & pain (barely-above-not-detailed); Mentions of Holly’s classmates being caught smoking; Mentions of Holly’s parents’ divorce & how that they haven’t seen her father since (barely-above-not-detailed); Mentions of jealousy; Mentions of lies, lying, & deceit;
*Note: Going to Disneyland & mentions of the characters and places there; A mention of Dairy Queen; A mention of the movie Ever After.
Sexual Content- Blushes; Holly can come across as boy crazy and has a crush on at the new boy at school; Holly and her best friend like the same boy which causes troubles in their friendship & Holly not wanting to be her friend anymore; Holly isn’t allowed to date *Spoiler* ; Mentions of Holly receiving mouth-to-mouth resuscitation & her friend saying the boy was jumping at the chance to get near her lips (which Holly is concerned that it was kind of her first kiss, the boy later says that her lips were soft and they could try it again, barely-above-not-detailed); All about many mentions of boys, cute boys, & crushes; Mentions of a two-timing boy that makes many girls believe they’re an item (he says that the Bible says we should love everyone, so he’s doing the best he can to be a loving Christian, Holly tells him that he’s leading girls on); Mentions of dates, dating (which Holly isn’t allowed to do yet), & girlfriends/boyfriends; Mentions of flirting; Mentions of blushes & winks; Mentions of jealousy; A few mentions of a little sister teasing her older sister about a boy; A couple mentions of seeing two young teens playing footsie; A couple mentions of hands touching;
*Note: Holly is self-conscious about being thin, but when a boy tells her she’s perfect and that he likes tall, thin girls, Holly is happy to hear that because her best friend is short and a little chunky; Holly is hoping her figure will develop by her thirteenth birthday (this brings mentions of skinny girls/women, other girls Holly’s age changing and developing); A few mentions of Holly noticing her classmates’ figures (including Holly seeing a curvaceous classmate and thinking that someday she’ll look like that; A mention of Holly and her mom having their first talk about womanly things.
-Holly Meredith, age 12-13
1st person P.O.V. of Holly
150 pages
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Pre Teens- Two Stars
New Teens- Three Stars
Early High School Teens- Three Stars
Older High School Teens- Three Stars
My personal Rating- Two Stars
{Add a full star for girls in Public or Private school.}
Okay, so I’m not the target age for this series. Which is normally fine, but Holly frustrated me a lot through out this small book. She is in public school so Homeschoolers probably won’t be interested in this book, just because Holly’s life is centered around school and boys in this book. Public school girls around the Pre Teen and New Teens may like this book because it focuses on boy drama and friendship drama, especially if they’re going through one of those situations.
Link to review:
https://booksforchristiangirls.blogsp...
*BFCG may (Read the review to see) recommend this book by this author. It does not mean I recommend all the books by this author.
“Holly Meredith is turning thirteen on Valentine's Day, and she can't wait! Maybe this will be the year to visit her dad in California, where he moved when her parents divorced several years ago. Since then, Holly has grown very close to her mom and little sister, and she has a best friend she can share everything with and tell everything to...well, almost everything. Holly and her best friend, Andie, were having a great seventh-grade year. But now a new boy in their class has them fighting over him--and this is one thing the girls can't share! According to the Loyalty Papers they created a few years ago, one of the girls has to back off. Should Holly forget about Jared to save her friendship with Andie? Or should she force Andie to stay away? When Holly's secret plan backfires, she discovers the true meaning of friendship--and learns the miracle of forgiveness.”
Series: Book #1 in the “Holly’s Heart” series.
Spiritual Content- A few Scriptures are read & quoted; Talks about God & forgiveness; ‘H’s are capitalized when referring to God; Church going & going to youth group; Holly goes to church and the Pastor talks about forgiveness which she doesn’t want to hear, so she tunes him out and another time doesn’t listen because she’s thinking about something else; Mentions of God & Jesus; Mentions of Bibles, Bible reading, & devotionals; Mentions of prayers, praying, & blessings over food; Mentions of churches, church going, Sunday school, youth group, a church choir, hymns, services, pastors, & sermons; Mentions of a missionary & faiths; Mentions of Christians & becoming a Christian; A couple mentions of those & events in the Bible; A couple mentions of being concerned about someone’s salvation; A mention of Holly struggling to remember to read her devotion every day.
Negative Content- Minor cussing including: a ‘rats’, a ‘stupid’, and three ‘dumb’s; Eye rolling, Sarcasm, & Sass; A boy asks another boy if he would call a teacher “the B word” (which the another boys says “do you mean…blob?”, they both get in trouble); Holly talks back to her mother with an attitude (she apologizes once because she knows she’s in trouble); When she’s mad at her mom, Holly keeps a secret and thinks that she doesn’t need to know about it; Holly sneaks out to an event that her mom said she can’t go to (& while she gets grounded for doing that, she still thinks that is was worth it but by the end realizes that it wasn’t); Holly’s best friend offers her $20 to do a writing assignment for her (but Holly refuses as that’s being dishonest); Holly & her best friend don’t talk to each another for the first part of the book (because she won’t tell her something that happened, so Holly won’t talk to her) and they argue and are mean to each other for the majority of the book; Mentions of a family member dying from cancer; Mentions of injuries & pain (barely-above-not-detailed); Mentions of Holly’s classmates being caught smoking; Mentions of Holly’s parents’ divorce & how that they haven’t seen her father since (barely-above-not-detailed); Mentions of jealousy; Mentions of lies, lying, & deceit;
*Note: Going to Disneyland & mentions of the characters and places there; A mention of Dairy Queen; A mention of the movie Ever After.
Sexual Content- Blushes; Holly can come across as boy crazy and has a crush on at the new boy at school; Holly and her best friend like the same boy which causes troubles in their friendship & Holly not wanting to be her friend anymore; Holly isn’t allowed to date *Spoiler* ; Mentions of Holly receiving mouth-to-mouth resuscitation & her friend saying the boy was jumping at the chance to get near her lips (which Holly is concerned that it was kind of her first kiss, the boy later says that her lips were soft and they could try it again, barely-above-not-detailed); All about many mentions of boys, cute boys, & crushes; Mentions of a two-timing boy that makes many girls believe they’re an item (he says that the Bible says we should love everyone, so he’s doing the best he can to be a loving Christian, Holly tells him that he’s leading girls on); Mentions of dates, dating (which Holly isn’t allowed to do yet), & girlfriends/boyfriends; Mentions of flirting; Mentions of blushes & winks; Mentions of jealousy; A few mentions of a little sister teasing her older sister about a boy; A couple mentions of seeing two young teens playing footsie; A couple mentions of hands touching;
*Note: Holly is self-conscious about being thin, but when a boy tells her she’s perfect and that he likes tall, thin girls, Holly is happy to hear that because her best friend is short and a little chunky; Holly is hoping her figure will develop by her thirteenth birthday (this brings mentions of skinny girls/women, other girls Holly’s age changing and developing); A few mentions of Holly noticing her classmates’ figures (including Holly seeing a curvaceous classmate and thinking that someday she’ll look like that; A mention of Holly and her mom having their first talk about womanly things.
-Holly Meredith, age 12-13
1st person P.O.V. of Holly
150 pages
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Pre Teens- Two Stars
New Teens- Three Stars
Early High School Teens- Three Stars
Older High School Teens- Three Stars
My personal Rating- Two Stars
{Add a full star for girls in Public or Private school.}
Okay, so I’m not the target age for this series. Which is normally fine, but Holly frustrated me a lot through out this small book. She is in public school so Homeschoolers probably won’t be interested in this book, just because Holly’s life is centered around school and boys in this book. Public school girls around the Pre Teen and New Teens may like this book because it focuses on boy drama and friendship drama, especially if they’re going through one of those situations.
Link to review:
https://booksforchristiangirls.blogsp...
*BFCG may (Read the review to see) recommend this book by this author. It does not mean I recommend all the books by this author.
July 5, 2022
Thoughts-
I really liked this book. It was a really good “tween” book, super dramatic though.
Characters-
I really like Holly and how she built her character up.
Andie kinda got on my nerves, she was pretty stubborn but I liked her at the end.
Jared wasn’t it, I’m glad that neither ended up with him.
Danny was so nice and kind I honestly want to meet him.
Overall-
I think it was a good easy read! Can’t wait to read the next one!
I really liked this book. It was a really good “tween” book, super dramatic though.
Characters-
I really like Holly and how she built her character up.
Andie kinda got on my nerves, she was pretty stubborn but I liked her at the end.
Jared wasn’t it, I’m glad that neither ended up with him.
Danny was so nice and kind I honestly want to meet him.
Overall-
I think it was a good easy read! Can’t wait to read the next one!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 14, 2013
Synopsis: Holly Meredith, aka Holly-Heart, has fallen in love for the first time...but Andie, her longtime best friend, has fallen for the same guy! When their mutual crush starts to come between them, Holly begins to notice how friendly the object of her infatuation is with every young lady he meets...but Andie refuses to accept the truth. Will the two friends ever reconcile matters? Will the casanova be exposed for what he really is?
Story: 4/5
Such a plot has been seen before, but, really, are there any storylines these days that are even close to being new? The tween drama actually isn't over the top or annoying, as it would be in some cases. (As Told By Ginger, anyone?) The fact that Christian elements are brought into the mix makes matters even better.
Writing: 4.5/5
Easy to read, easy to understand, easy to follow, and appropriate for its intended audience. What more could you ask for?
Moral Content: 5/5
This book may be about a girl who is nearly thirteen years of age, but it's as squeaky clean as an episode of Lizzie McGuire; so much so that it would even be appropriate for pretty much anyone who is old enough to read it. However, I doubt most young guys would enjoy something like this, though I did.
Conclusion: After blowing through the Sierra Jensen and Christy Miller series, I needed another one to enjoy, and, between this one and Bill Myers' Forbidden Doors, I've found two! Seriously, I'm excited to read all of the following volumes; look for the reviews soon!
Score: 4/5
Story: 4/5
Such a plot has been seen before, but, really, are there any storylines these days that are even close to being new? The tween drama actually isn't over the top or annoying, as it would be in some cases. (As Told By Ginger, anyone?) The fact that Christian elements are brought into the mix makes matters even better.
Writing: 4.5/5
Easy to read, easy to understand, easy to follow, and appropriate for its intended audience. What more could you ask for?
Moral Content: 5/5
This book may be about a girl who is nearly thirteen years of age, but it's as squeaky clean as an episode of Lizzie McGuire; so much so that it would even be appropriate for pretty much anyone who is old enough to read it. However, I doubt most young guys would enjoy something like this, though I did.
Conclusion: After blowing through the Sierra Jensen and Christy Miller series, I needed another one to enjoy, and, between this one and Bill Myers' Forbidden Doors, I've found two! Seriously, I'm excited to read all of the following volumes; look for the reviews soon!
Score: 4/5
February 6, 2024
Read in 2004, 2009, 2014, 2019, 2024.
Per My Original Review i still fell the same way about this book.
Rating: 5 Stars!!
Review:
This was the 4th time ive read this book and series and its still My Favorite Preteen Christian Fiction Series from my childhood.
The Characters were fun and enjoyable to read about. Holly, Carrie and their Mom is still my favorite. I didnt care for Tom Sly and Andie as they came off as troublemakers and felt they took advantage of Jared and Holly in more ways then one because of their jealousy toward them.
The Setting was beautifully described which made me feel like i was actually in Dressel Hills Colorado while reading especially when the scenery was described.
Overall an enjoyable Book 1 in this YA Christian Fiction Series by Beverly Lewis. Can't wait to read the other books in the series very soon!!
Per My Original Review i still fell the same way about this book.
Rating: 5 Stars!!
Review:
This was the 4th time ive read this book and series and its still My Favorite Preteen Christian Fiction Series from my childhood.
The Characters were fun and enjoyable to read about. Holly, Carrie and their Mom is still my favorite. I didnt care for Tom Sly and Andie as they came off as troublemakers and felt they took advantage of Jared and Holly in more ways then one because of their jealousy toward them.
The Setting was beautifully described which made me feel like i was actually in Dressel Hills Colorado while reading especially when the scenery was described.
Overall an enjoyable Book 1 in this YA Christian Fiction Series by Beverly Lewis. Can't wait to read the other books in the series very soon!!
January 19, 2019
I thought Best Friend, Worst Enemy was a really good book that encompasses all the struggles of middle school. This book only got 4 stars because I just didn’t feel like the characters had any real depth. It certainly didn’t help that Holly and Andi bickered like a pair of toddlers the whole book! However, I appreciated how much Holly relies on God to help her through this stage in her life. Also, I am a HUGE Disney fan, so I loved the appearance of Disneyland in the book.
May 21, 2013
Best Friend, Worst Enemy, the first book in the series, is a book about what every teenage girl goes through, their first crush. What makes it even worse is that her best friend likes the same hunky guy. With her strong faith in God and her cuddly cat, Goofy, she can get through it. I recommend this book because it is about a normal Christian teenage girl going through her first crush. Though a rough journey, her friend didn't make it any easier, Holly comes out with a stronger relationship with The Lord and... A best friend or boyfriend? You will have to read and find out!
Read
April 5, 2010F LEW hh bk.1
June 5, 2025
"I like this book because it shows that even if your best friend's with someone for a long time, it doesn't mean you will fight less." -Cadee, age 13
January 3, 2026
This juvenile Christian fiction book was okay. There were parts I liked, and I really enjoyed seeing the spiritual growth in the main character, Holly, towards the end.
I tried to remember what it was like when I was 12 or so, with my best friend. We were as close as Holly and Andie, and even though my bf and I never went rounds over liking the same boy, we had our share of jealousy and arguments.
I had a hard time with Andie. She was mean. Like, really mean. Outwardly. I guess maybe that was something different because my best friend of that age was more passive aggressive, and so was I.
Twelve is such a special age, and a really trying age for a girl. I thought Beverly Lewis did a good job capturing that.
I will say that I was very disappointed that there was literally ONE page left, in which we glimpse a renewed friendship, after Andie came to her senses.
Still, a book I would recommend to tween and young teen girls.
I tried to remember what it was like when I was 12 or so, with my best friend. We were as close as Holly and Andie, and even though my bf and I never went rounds over liking the same boy, we had our share of jealousy and arguments.
I had a hard time with Andie. She was mean. Like, really mean. Outwardly. I guess maybe that was something different because my best friend of that age was more passive aggressive, and so was I.
Twelve is such a special age, and a really trying age for a girl. I thought Beverly Lewis did a good job capturing that.
I will say that I was very disappointed that there was literally ONE page left, in which we glimpse a renewed friendship, after Andie came to her senses.
Still, a book I would recommend to tween and young teen girls.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 19, 2023
what a hoot
October 18, 2016
This review is required for Dr. Sykes' READ3307 course at the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor. The Holly's Heart series by Beverly Lewis is a very good series for Christian girls to read as it discusses many different struggles surrounding the walk of faith. Best Friend, Worst Enemy is the first book in the series. This book gives a lot of background information and foundational plot while focusing on themes like the importance of friendship and forgiveness. Set in Dressel Hills, Colorado, Holly and her best friend Andie both have a crush on a boy named Jared, but in anticipation of moments like this, they had signed Loyalty Papers and so one of the friends had to back off. Which will it be?
Throughout the book, the author uses great characterization and readers see the growth in the beautiful blond girl named Holly. This is just a foundation for the rest of the series, but overall the book is well written and engaging. It is written from a first person point of view giving the reader insight into Holly's thoughts and feelings. The whole series captures the readers heart and takes readers on an emotional journey. Beverly Lewis, as with all of her books, puts a great deal of emphasis on the cultural importance of books like this and discusses the real struggle of overcoming a broken home, learning to live within a blended family, and most importantly growing up Godly.
Throughout the book, the author uses great characterization and readers see the growth in the beautiful blond girl named Holly. This is just a foundation for the rest of the series, but overall the book is well written and engaging. It is written from a first person point of view giving the reader insight into Holly's thoughts and feelings. The whole series captures the readers heart and takes readers on an emotional journey. Beverly Lewis, as with all of her books, puts a great deal of emphasis on the cultural importance of books like this and discusses the real struggle of overcoming a broken home, learning to live within a blended family, and most importantly growing up Godly.
January 15, 2008
I think this book was really good. Best friends worst enemy is the first book in the series. this book is about the importance of friendship and shows that a boy is not worth having if you lose your bestfriend. This book is about two girls that are best friends named holly and andie, they both like the same guy named jared. they almost lose their friendship when they both decide to like him.
In this book I didnt really think there was anything wrong with it. I have the first seven books. But when I read these I just wanted to keep on reading them. I think the book was great just how it was.
In this book the mood was like sad but exciting. She was sad that she was losing her friend but at the same time the person reading it was getting ancsious to read the next chapter. I know I was. Also in this book the tone was like the same as the mood the auther wanted you to be ancsiousn and want to read the next chapter. This book really makes you want to keep on reading. I would recomend this book to girls. I rate this book a 4 out of 5 stars.
In this book I didnt really think there was anything wrong with it. I have the first seven books. But when I read these I just wanted to keep on reading them. I think the book was great just how it was.
In this book the mood was like sad but exciting. She was sad that she was losing her friend but at the same time the person reading it was getting ancsious to read the next chapter. I know I was. Also in this book the tone was like the same as the mood the auther wanted you to be ancsiousn and want to read the next chapter. This book really makes you want to keep on reading. I would recomend this book to girls. I rate this book a 4 out of 5 stars.
August 26, 2009
Holly's Heart is a great series for Christian girls to read. I didn't just read Holly's First love, I read the entire volume 1! The books are about a girl in middle school who deals with divorced parents, first crushes, her mom's strict boyfriend, her dad's new life, a wedding, and more! But with the help of her mom, her friend Andie, her family, and her faith in God, Holly gets through it all. Holly is a lot like me. Her birthday is Valentine's Day, she loves to sing, and she's in middle school. I guess that's why I love this book!
September 20, 2012
Holly learns a difficult lesson while approaching her 13th birthday. Forgiveness is hard. So does she let a boy come between her and her best friend, or let true friendship take priority, especially when the boy is less than noble. I think I will enjoy this little series about Holly and her heart, the girl born on Valentines.
June 4, 2022
2 of 5 stars
I skim-read this one, and I didn't enjoy it. It was written in a way that I thought it would be more of a children's novel, but then we dealt with more YA subjects. It definitely wasn't as good as Beverly Lewis' Amish novels, and Holly was not a very good role model.
I skim-read this one, and I didn't enjoy it. It was written in a way that I thought it would be more of a children's novel, but then we dealt with more YA subjects. It definitely wasn't as good as Beverly Lewis' Amish novels, and Holly was not a very good role model.
Read
October 11, 2007Lewis, Beverly
May 8, 2009
Very good!!!
June 20, 2011
It's was sweet
June 24, 2017
I read it ironically, I swear.
December 27, 2014
Although Holly is a relatable character, she is a boy-crazy spoiled brat. She is a girl no young lady should adopt as a roll model.
November 22, 2015
It's good book. It's about teeneger life story: love, friendship, family relationships, and also Her faith in God.. It's light story. Entertaining words, good to read while have short free time.
December 22, 2015
I love these books! They are a must read!
January 18, 2016
Best friends fall for the same guy and the friendship pact they made is in jeopardy.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews