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Sweet Valley High Magna Editions #8
Jessica's Secret Diary: Volume II
Jessica Wakefield always thought Todd Wilkins was cute but kind of dull--perfect for Elizabeth. But since Todd moved away, he's been writing her letters. At first, Todd just wanted Jessica's boyfriend's address, but now the letters are becoming more and more romantic. Todd wants to come for a secret visit--but what will Jessica tell Elizabeth?
329 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published July 1, 1996
1 person is currently reading
222 people want to read
About the author
Francine Pascal
1,139 books1,851 followersFrancine Paula Pascal was an American author best known for her Sweet Valley series of young adult novels. Sweet Valley High, the backbone of the collection, was made into a television series, which led to several spin-offs, including The Unicorn Club and Sweet Valley University. Although most of these books were published in the 1980s and 1990s, they remained so popular that several titles were re-released decades later.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
September 1, 2024
I became a Sweet Valley fan around age 10 or 11 and while I read some of the regular series books, these Secret Diaries and the other magna editions were my favorites. The drama was over the top when reading about it in a "greatest hits" format like this. This was such fun to reread.
Even as a kid I thought it was odd that Elizabeth had the stereotype of being the faithful one-man-woman when all she did was serially cheat on her long-term boyfriends. At least Jessica was honest and just played the field without making any bones about what she was up to - well, excepting all of the times she cheats with whoever Elizabeth is dating at the time.
Even as a kid I thought it was odd that Elizabeth had the stereotype of being the faithful one-man-woman when all she did was serially cheat on her long-term boyfriends. At least Jessica was honest and just played the field without making any bones about what she was up to - well, excepting all of the times she cheats with whoever Elizabeth is dating at the time.
August 9, 2021
Was a good enough book for me to finish- usually when I don't like a book I just forget about it in the middle of the story. This book is definitely for teens, unlike the Unicorn series and when the twins are already adults. The romance was obviously some type of puppy love, which is extremely common on teen fiction series- so I cant really blame it. Still, this wasn't something memorable, just a quick read if you have nothing else to do/read.
August 7, 2023
These diaries seem to exist only to change the background stories of the twins. Jessica and Todd having a clandestine affair through mostly snail mail during Todd's brief move to Vermont? I don't buy it. Two stars for entertainment factor.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 17, 2013
JESSICA'S DIRTY LITTLE SECRETS (especially the big one!): PART II by Dane Youssef
I have to say… this was really one of the better books in the entire series. Some of them were pretty bad. One of the best, really. In this humble fair-weather fan and reader’s opinion, anyway.
And this one somehow.... just makes all the sense in the world. Well, at least in the universe of ”Sweet Valley”… yes. It was so. Todd and Jessica were together. On and off for a while, I believe.
It was a big thing in the books. Jess was always kinda jonesin’ for Todd. Her and Liz. From day one. Check out the series premiere--"Double Love." But Todd has his eye on ”the good girl.” Liz committed many infidelities.
As did Todd. Maybe that was the sign that they were made for each other. But one of those was with her sister–-”the bad twin.” And it was going on behind her back for some time. They didn't want to hurt Liz, the ”righteous twin.” But of course, they do anyway. And perhaps they must. If you read the book series quite religiously, much of the series’ dramatic theme (FAR TOO MUCH, in my opinion) was Elizabeth was how often Liz was unfaithful.
Jessica was always the she-devil. The evil vamp shrew. Dominique Deveraux of "Sweet Valley." But here, we see there’s a lot going on with her. She has soul and in her heart. Jessica kind of surprises all of us. Even the most arrogant and callow of us… can have layers. Layers that go on forever and ever. And while her sister is more well-read and versed in tomes and works of literature, Jessica seems to know more about how the world itself works. How people work. How life is. And she comes away with a lot of really bright observations about the way things are. We all really should listen. We can all learn something… from the likes of her.
And I’m not especially ashamed to say that I myself was rooting for them to find that true love that everyone always talks about, everyone looks for… in each other’s arms. Elizabeth was really something… but while we’re reading this, we can start to believe that there’s something there between them. Something real. Something that just goes beyond shared interests. Something neither of them ever expected…
Maybe not even us. They both just seem to genuinely need something that they may only be able to get from each other. Their past history, their personal connections and the rest of the world be damned. If they can get what they need most from each other. The more they learn about each other, the more they find out that they may be just very well be.
Todd and Jessica are exact opposites just as Elizabeth and Jessica are. But… maybe that’s not what matters most.
And yes, once again… this was one of the better books. And some of them were pretty bad.
And to the hallowed and esteemed Blogmaster General Shannon… to say that--in her words: "I hate the diaries for that very reason. None of this ever happened.”
Shannon, goddess... NONE of this really happened… is more than just a little ridiculous. These books are all FANTASY. ALL. None of them ever really happened.
But… in the universe of ”Sweet Valley”… yes. It was so. Todd and Jessica were together. On and off for a while, I believe. It was a big thing in the books. Jess was always kinda jonesin’ for Todd. Her and Liz.
But Todd has his eye on ”the good girl.” Liz committed many infidelities. Todd committed only a few. But one of those was with her sister–”the bad twin.” And it was going on behind her back for some time. They didn't want to hurt Liz, the ”righteous twin.” But of course, they do anyway. And perhaps they must. If you read the book series quite religiously, much of the series’ dramatic theme (FAR TOO MUCH, in my opinion) was Elizabeth was how often Liz was unfaithful.
Todd poked around too, but maybe not enough.
Check out “Confidential”… written by the founder of The Valley, Ms. Francine Pascal herself… Almighty. Todd not only hooked up officially with Jessica. He wound up walking down the altar with her. And… Liz was her maid of honor. Eventually. To those who grew up with the books… your head is just spinning more than a little, isn't it?
‘Still can’t believe she killed Winston off. Still, she didn't just have him get hit by a car or choke on a chicken bone. She gave him a legitimate walk-off. The sweet lovable class clown really wanted to be loved at heart and after a lifetime of not being taken seriously… no one looking at him as the kind of person who can be loved.
He acquired great wealth and women flocked to him, looking at him only as a meal ticket. He turned into a modern-day Ebenezer Scrooge and grew more and more internally hateful, angry. And vindictive. He also turned into a raging alcoholic, and… well, all this is all-too true and possible, is it not? I felt like there was a message here. His death should not be in vain. Even if he was simply a creature of pure, pure fantasy.
Todd and Jess deserve their happiness as much as… Winston does. And so does Liz, no matter who with…
–For All of Them In The Valley, Dane Youssef
I have to say… this was really one of the better books in the entire series. Some of them were pretty bad. One of the best, really. In this humble fair-weather fan and reader’s opinion, anyway.
And this one somehow.... just makes all the sense in the world. Well, at least in the universe of ”Sweet Valley”… yes. It was so. Todd and Jessica were together. On and off for a while, I believe.
It was a big thing in the books. Jess was always kinda jonesin’ for Todd. Her and Liz. From day one. Check out the series premiere--"Double Love." But Todd has his eye on ”the good girl.” Liz committed many infidelities.
As did Todd. Maybe that was the sign that they were made for each other. But one of those was with her sister–-”the bad twin.” And it was going on behind her back for some time. They didn't want to hurt Liz, the ”righteous twin.” But of course, they do anyway. And perhaps they must. If you read the book series quite religiously, much of the series’ dramatic theme (FAR TOO MUCH, in my opinion) was Elizabeth was how often Liz was unfaithful.
Jessica was always the she-devil. The evil vamp shrew. Dominique Deveraux of "Sweet Valley." But here, we see there’s a lot going on with her. She has soul and in her heart. Jessica kind of surprises all of us. Even the most arrogant and callow of us… can have layers. Layers that go on forever and ever. And while her sister is more well-read and versed in tomes and works of literature, Jessica seems to know more about how the world itself works. How people work. How life is. And she comes away with a lot of really bright observations about the way things are. We all really should listen. We can all learn something… from the likes of her.
And I’m not especially ashamed to say that I myself was rooting for them to find that true love that everyone always talks about, everyone looks for… in each other’s arms. Elizabeth was really something… but while we’re reading this, we can start to believe that there’s something there between them. Something real. Something that just goes beyond shared interests. Something neither of them ever expected…
Maybe not even us. They both just seem to genuinely need something that they may only be able to get from each other. Their past history, their personal connections and the rest of the world be damned. If they can get what they need most from each other. The more they learn about each other, the more they find out that they may be just very well be.
Todd and Jessica are exact opposites just as Elizabeth and Jessica are. But… maybe that’s not what matters most.
And yes, once again… this was one of the better books. And some of them were pretty bad.
And to the hallowed and esteemed Blogmaster General Shannon… to say that--in her words: "I hate the diaries for that very reason. None of this ever happened.”
Shannon, goddess... NONE of this really happened… is more than just a little ridiculous. These books are all FANTASY. ALL. None of them ever really happened.
But… in the universe of ”Sweet Valley”… yes. It was so. Todd and Jessica were together. On and off for a while, I believe. It was a big thing in the books. Jess was always kinda jonesin’ for Todd. Her and Liz.
But Todd has his eye on ”the good girl.” Liz committed many infidelities. Todd committed only a few. But one of those was with her sister–”the bad twin.” And it was going on behind her back for some time. They didn't want to hurt Liz, the ”righteous twin.” But of course, they do anyway. And perhaps they must. If you read the book series quite religiously, much of the series’ dramatic theme (FAR TOO MUCH, in my opinion) was Elizabeth was how often Liz was unfaithful.
Todd poked around too, but maybe not enough.
Check out “Confidential”… written by the founder of The Valley, Ms. Francine Pascal herself… Almighty. Todd not only hooked up officially with Jessica. He wound up walking down the altar with her. And… Liz was her maid of honor. Eventually. To those who grew up with the books… your head is just spinning more than a little, isn't it?
‘Still can’t believe she killed Winston off. Still, she didn't just have him get hit by a car or choke on a chicken bone. She gave him a legitimate walk-off. The sweet lovable class clown really wanted to be loved at heart and after a lifetime of not being taken seriously… no one looking at him as the kind of person who can be loved.
He acquired great wealth and women flocked to him, looking at him only as a meal ticket. He turned into a modern-day Ebenezer Scrooge and grew more and more internally hateful, angry. And vindictive. He also turned into a raging alcoholic, and… well, all this is all-too true and possible, is it not? I felt like there was a message here. His death should not be in vain. Even if he was simply a creature of pure, pure fantasy.
Todd and Jess deserve their happiness as much as… Winston does. And so does Liz, no matter who with…
–For All of Them In The Valley, Dane Youssef
May 7, 2020
Really cute book, it made me laugh and smile. Romance was cute in this and Jessica’s perspective made me laugh multiple times. It was a fun and quick read!
February 1, 2008
This was just like Elizabeth's diary but a opposite side but still it was a really awesome book. Also Jessica and Elizabeth are 16 year old twins. (if u got confused) And they have troubles along the way just being twins.
July 9, 2013
I have read so many of these books I can't remember all of them.
October 6, 2016
Good enough, tho the Todd/Jessica romance was implausible.
August 5, 2009
Jessica and Todd!?!
Read
January 7, 2019Good
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews