What do you think?
Rate this book
Little Secrets #1
Playing with Fire (Little Secrets
Hidden Pasts. Unexpected Betrayals. Twisted Friendships. Sweet Revenge. Her mother's in jail. Her best friend betrayed her. Who can Alison trust? Backstabber Kelly has the world at her feet. Who will she step on next? Sweet, handsome Chad seems like the perfect boyfriend...so what is he hiding? Tough-as-nails Zoey is out for revenge. Is she more vulnerable than she thinks? Loyal friend. Bitter rival. Which is the real Tom? Let the drama begin...
Unknown Binding
First published January 1, 2006
39 people are currently reading
584 people want to read
About the author
Emily Blake
54 books47 followersEMILY BLAKE lives on her family's estate in Northern California, and spends her summers in Malibu with her Pomeranian, Kiki. Asked where she gets the ideas for her books, Ms. Blake replied, "From my life, of course."
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 88 reviews
June 22, 2011
Okay so this was really awesome!! One of the best kids' book I've ever read!! Betrayal was pretty much the main thing in here!!! (I loved it all)
Want to read
November 5, 2012Reviewed by Randstostipher "tallnlankyrn" Nguyen for TeensReadToo.com
Survival of the fittest was always a theory that described nature. But for Alison, this theory is perfect for her family.
Alison thought she had a pretty good life, except for the parts where her parents hardly acknowledged her until they needed a favor. But then the FBI came knocking at her door and arrested her mom, accusing her of embezzlement. With her mom in jail, there is no one who Alison can turn to (like there was anyone before). With her dad left, who has no idea how to take care of the situation, aunts and uncles who only care about Grandma Diamond's fortunes, and a boyfriend who is becoming pretty distant, the only person Alison finds comfort in is her cousin, Lily.
Lily is pretty ecstatic that Alison's mom was arrested (of course, she would never say that to Alison). But the one thing that Lily wants the most is to see her perfect cousin get knocked off her high horse and become the biggest loser both at school and in the real world. It may take a while, but Lily is definitely ready to see her cousin go down, and her first move is Chad, Alison's boyfriend.
Chad is beginning to feel like his and Alison's relationship is drifting apart, and is seeing an opportunity to open up with her cousin, Lily. Not only would he be dating the hottest girl in school, but all the popularity and money that comes along with Lily is a pretty good incentive. Just as long as no one finds out about his financial status or what he has to worry about in his house. If he did start to date Lily, it would not only hurt Alison but also his best friend, Tom.
Tom has a huge crush on Lily (but of course it is a secret). With his twin sister, Zoey, back home, after being kicked out of her fifth school, Tom just wants to live his life without any inclusion of his father, and hopes that Lily sees how he would be a better boyfriend for her. It's not so easy, though, since his sister has gotten weirder and the reason why she got kicked out of the last school might just ruin his reputation.
Zoey is back and ready to take revenge on Alison, who she thought was her friend but betrayed her at the worst possible moment. But will Zoey really turn on Alison, since she is the only friend and ally she has?
Everyone has their secrets, and everyone has their strategies. Let the games begin.
Not only devious but also very entertaining, PLAYING WITH FIRE is one book that you will want to read. Just be glad that their secrets aren't your secrets, even if they may be little.
Survival of the fittest was always a theory that described nature. But for Alison, this theory is perfect for her family.
Alison thought she had a pretty good life, except for the parts where her parents hardly acknowledged her until they needed a favor. But then the FBI came knocking at her door and arrested her mom, accusing her of embezzlement. With her mom in jail, there is no one who Alison can turn to (like there was anyone before). With her dad left, who has no idea how to take care of the situation, aunts and uncles who only care about Grandma Diamond's fortunes, and a boyfriend who is becoming pretty distant, the only person Alison finds comfort in is her cousin, Lily.
Lily is pretty ecstatic that Alison's mom was arrested (of course, she would never say that to Alison). But the one thing that Lily wants the most is to see her perfect cousin get knocked off her high horse and become the biggest loser both at school and in the real world. It may take a while, but Lily is definitely ready to see her cousin go down, and her first move is Chad, Alison's boyfriend.
Chad is beginning to feel like his and Alison's relationship is drifting apart, and is seeing an opportunity to open up with her cousin, Lily. Not only would he be dating the hottest girl in school, but all the popularity and money that comes along with Lily is a pretty good incentive. Just as long as no one finds out about his financial status or what he has to worry about in his house. If he did start to date Lily, it would not only hurt Alison but also his best friend, Tom.
Tom has a huge crush on Lily (but of course it is a secret). With his twin sister, Zoey, back home, after being kicked out of her fifth school, Tom just wants to live his life without any inclusion of his father, and hopes that Lily sees how he would be a better boyfriend for her. It's not so easy, though, since his sister has gotten weirder and the reason why she got kicked out of the last school might just ruin his reputation.
Zoey is back and ready to take revenge on Alison, who she thought was her friend but betrayed her at the worst possible moment. But will Zoey really turn on Alison, since she is the only friend and ally she has?
Everyone has their secrets, and everyone has their strategies. Let the games begin.
Not only devious but also very entertaining, PLAYING WITH FIRE is one book that you will want to read. Just be glad that their secrets aren't your secrets, even if they may be little.
August 20, 2017
PERFECT SERIES OF BOOKS TO INTRODUCE PRETEENS TO READING. I can't seem to find any of the books in stores, it's such a shame. These are so fast moving and so fun to read! Every book ends at a cliff hanger, which sucks for me because I didn't have access to all the books when I first read them (in the 7th grade I think, not sure). Either way, these are bite size pieces of family drama, teen struggles, suspense and pure entertainment. Highly recommended to age groups 10-17 maybe?
Read
May 17, 2011Awesome start in the Series!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I loved it!!!
August 13, 2011
it cant end like that NEED TO READ THE NEXT ONE!!!!!!!!!
September 30, 2018
I liked this story and it didn’t feel like just middle grade anyone could enjoy this book or up in age.
The synopsis pretty much shares enough without giving away the whole story line but what I can share is Kelly you will probably dislike and Allison does not seem like the rest of the family in her thinking as though she can care and have real feelings. The Diamond Reeves family have a lot of money and they know it but most of all they are at each other’s throats about it.
This family has a lot of secrets and every family member seems out to get the other.
It definitely has its twists and turns, but keep in mind it’s a Five Book Series so all your questions won’t be answered right away.
The synopsis pretty much shares enough without giving away the whole story line but what I can share is Kelly you will probably dislike and Allison does not seem like the rest of the family in her thinking as though she can care and have real feelings. The Diamond Reeves family have a lot of money and they know it but most of all they are at each other’s throats about it.
This family has a lot of secrets and every family member seems out to get the other.
It definitely has its twists and turns, but keep in mind it’s a Five Book Series so all your questions won’t be answered right away.
June 10, 2021
I picked up this book because I thought it looked interesting, but didnt read it for a while. When I read it, I didnt realize how interesting it would be! It starts off by Alisons world falling apart when her rich mom is arrested for embezzlement. The main character who had everything, lost it all in a moment. Her best friend and cousin even betrayed her and started dating her boyfriend. It's very "high school drama," but still interesting. I think it is because Alison is an interesting character. If she was whiny or bratty, it would make the novel nauseating, but she's actually deeply humble. Reading her journey of navigating though these obstacles is interesting and not only that, the mystery of what really was behind her mothers arrest. Drugs-no drugs! Sex- no sex, I think her cousin and ex-boyfriend kiss but that is the most that happens. Language- no language! Violence- no violence. Rock and Roll- surprisingly no.
November 19, 2022
Idk if it’s because I was a middle school and I’m still a teenager, but this is one of my comfort reads. It’s just so unreasonably dramatic I LOVE IT. I don’t remember how far I got into the series, because there’s a lot of cliffhangers but I think I’m passing this one down to my kids. No philosophy, No psychology, No meaningful life lessons just a book for the Netflix drama lovers. Think gossip girl for 13 year olds (though again, I still love it as an almost 16 year old). I will say if you read it, make sure the have the latter books in the series handy, too. Mrs. Blake is very cliffhanger happy.
March 5, 2021
Rather than an actual review, I'll just say that I'm content to pretend that the story concludes with this book and to believe that almost everyone dies in the explosions. My only regret would be that Alison's parents and a few others weren't there too. Harsh, but they're all just horrible horrible people.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 12, 2023
I happened upon this book by accident, glad I checked it out. I’m a much older adult for this genre, yet I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. So much happens in such a small amount of pages. Loved the back and forth between Alison & Kelly & The cliffhanger has me wanting to read more. Hoping to continue to story.
January 19, 2024
A soap opera about the rich and conniving family. The end of the book felt like it should have been what this was about with that kind of cliffhanger. Instead it was typical teenage drama. Still, it was quick and easy reading. I already own the second one and will probably read it to see what happens.
June 19, 2018
Interesting and dramatic.
October 1, 2018
I love that the main character is a klepto and it BARELY effects her or the story! She has gone through so much as well, Allison is just an amazing character!
August 20, 2019
I read this way over ten years ago now and it was my absolute favourite series of books; maybe I should re-read to see how they stand up to my adult brain , but perfect for pre-teens !
October 26, 2020
Really good book, suspenseful and interesting!
August 16, 2024
Happened to read this book recommended by my niece and enjoyed it .Perfect suspense book for preteen’s .
January 11, 2025
Needed a small book to take a break. Finished in a day, though it's short and leaves on a HUGE cliff hanger. May continue reading the series.
August 18, 2016
The Little Secrets series is like a neutered Pretty Little Liars/Lying Game mixed with the inter-familial feuding of Dallas/Dynasty and Playing With Fire is episode one. Alison's mother has been arrested and her grandmother set her up. Alison's cousin, Kelly, has always been jealous of the relationship between Alison and her grandmother. Kelly wants nothing more than to take Alison down. Alison's boyfriend left her for Kelly and is hiding a big secret. Alison's former BFF is back from her fifth boarding school and she comes baring ill-will towards Alison and carries some secrets of her own. You see where this is going? Every character is falls somewhere on a scale of terrible person to absolutely diabolical sociopath and they all have their little secrets to hide. Everyone is frenemies and everyone wants to be at the top at any cost. Playing With Fire has some real promise as a nasty soap opera drama, but it is hampered by the intended audience; Playing With Fire is a Middle School novel. It's only 149 pages, so we don't get to move very far in the plot, but I can forgive that as it is only book one of a series. What I can't forgive is the thirst it gave me. Everything about the book screams for at least a YA book, but keeping is Junior High appropriate deprives me of anything really juicy! Everyone comes across as catty when you know they are meant to be Eric Cartman levels of evil. The story just begs from some hardcore throat slitting and sabotage. It's like if Scandal was a show on Nickelodeon named Rumor; we are left with a dire hunger for more substance. As it is, I love the nastiness and purely petty actions of the semi-fleshed out characters, but it needs so much more! Little Secrets is just that, little secrets, but it should be so much more! I want Colossal Life-Ruining Secrets! Playing With Fire is just a teaser and I am hoping book 2 is a lot more.
March 9, 2009
As Alison watches her grandmother walk into the pool house and as her grandmother is in the pool house it goes into flames. As Alison watches the burning pool house she’s hoping her grandmother is alright. This is the ending of the little secrets 1written by Emily Blake. Determining that this ending was effective is by not knowing what happened to Alison’s grandmother.
The character that was most opinionated about others is Tom. Tom is Chads best friend and Alison is Chads ex but Kelly is Chads girlfriend now. Tom is mad at Chad cause he thinks he’s always doing his homework and Tom thinks Chad doesn’t deserve Kelly since he’s has been in love with Kelly since forever, and tom thinks Zoey his twin sister is an idiot.
The piece of information that I found most interesting is about the Diamonds family. Alison’s grandmother is the cause for her mother being in jail.
Four words or phrases that would best describe this book with explanations on every thing that happens. One word is suffering because many people suffer in this book. Second word is suspenseful events on not knowing what’s going to happen next. Third word is wound’s ones feelings since many people get hurt in the book. The forth word is false face cause everybody is hiding what they are really feeling inside and pretending to act like someone else there not like they are wearing a mask
The character that was most opinionated about others is Tom. Tom is Chads best friend and Alison is Chads ex but Kelly is Chads girlfriend now. Tom is mad at Chad cause he thinks he’s always doing his homework and Tom thinks Chad doesn’t deserve Kelly since he’s has been in love with Kelly since forever, and tom thinks Zoey his twin sister is an idiot.
The piece of information that I found most interesting is about the Diamonds family. Alison’s grandmother is the cause for her mother being in jail.
Four words or phrases that would best describe this book with explanations on every thing that happens. One word is suffering because many people suffer in this book. Second word is suspenseful events on not knowing what’s going to happen next. Third word is wound’s ones feelings since many people get hurt in the book. The forth word is false face cause everybody is hiding what they are really feeling inside and pretending to act like someone else there not like they are wearing a mask
December 14, 2008
Little Secrets-Playing with fire is about a teenage girl named Alison. She struggles with her parents, family and her boyfriend. I really love the book because is very interesting in how Alison never gives up after all the thing she had to go throgh. During her mother's incarceration, Alison experiences more freedom to grow and solve her problems. At the end a naive Alison grows during the story to become a strong opponent. I think that if my book would liik like if it were mad into a movie it would be like a novel with a lot of drama. The setting would be in a big city where Alison has to learn how to manage herself. The casting the actors would be the same thing. Something I would like to change is that at the end her parents would change and tell Alison that there "sorry". I would like the audience to be all teenagers, so that they could see how life could be without their family and especialy without their parents.
July 10, 2010
The book Little Secret is about a girl name Alison. Alison had a wonderful life until her mom gets arrested. After that she went to her bestfriend for help and she betrayed her. Kelly which was her current bestfriend has the world at her feet. Alison boyfirend Chad seems like the perfect boyfriend untill Alison finds out he been sneeking around with that backstabber so called bestfriend. Alison world is not the same as she wants it to be so she has too go all out for it too be back the same. This book is a five star book because it had me stuck in the book and it felt as if i could relate to thaat book in some way. What i learned out of this book is you always no a real friend by what they say back out there mouth to you.
January 18, 2013
Little Secrets Playing with fire By Emily Blake .This book is about a teenage girl named Allison that is going trough so much trouble and problems she can't really fix or run away , she has to deal with her mom who is in jail, Family, boyfriend, and best friend problems this kind of problems make her want to have someone that she could trust someone that won't leave her by her self with all this problems. Allison just doesn't know who that someone is she goes trow so much lots of drama. This book is really interesting well thats my personal opinion this book will make you keep reading until the end yes this book is full of drama with lots of emotions and their might be another serious for this book , I totally recommend this book for the readers that like drama.
February 18, 2016
An absolutely terrible book.... a soap operish, gossipy, nasty story. But the worst of it is the horrendous characterization. Nobody has a personality that they stick with. In one chapter a character will be devious and bullying, and in the next she's soft hearted and has empathy for others. Complete garbage, but.... I think 7th and 8th grade girls will love it.
Product Description:
Her mother's in jail. Her best friend betrayed her. Who can Alison trust?
Backstabber Kelly has the world at her feet. Who will she step on next?
Sweet, handsome Chad seems like the perfect boyfriend. What is he hiding?
Tough-as-nails Zoey is out for revenge. Is she more vulnerable than she thinks?
Loyal friend. Bitter rival. Which is the real Tom?
Let the drama begin...
Product Description:
Her mother's in jail. Her best friend betrayed her. Who can Alison trust?
Backstabber Kelly has the world at her feet. Who will she step on next?
Sweet, handsome Chad seems like the perfect boyfriend. What is he hiding?
Tough-as-nails Zoey is out for revenge. Is she more vulnerable than she thinks?
Loyal friend. Bitter rival. Which is the real Tom?
Let the drama begin...
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Read
November 11, 2008When I first read the first one where Alison thought kelly
would be there for her but then kelly is betraying her and
stole her boyfriend and mostly having every one betraying
Alison. Zoey seems she is using Alison for Revenge but is
having second thought. When the Grandmother had that
bomb and didn't die? That was weird because she walked
right through it. When Alisons dad called and warned her
to stay there, Alison was worried. When she went home, her
dad was gone. When she opened the peice of paper her dad
left on the desk, a key fell out and the paper said nothing
on it.
would be there for her but then kelly is betraying her and
stole her boyfriend and mostly having every one betraying
Alison. Zoey seems she is using Alison for Revenge but is
having second thought. When the Grandmother had that
bomb and didn't die? That was weird because she walked
right through it. When Alisons dad called and warned her
to stay there, Alison was worried. When she went home, her
dad was gone. When she opened the peice of paper her dad
left on the desk, a key fell out and the paper said nothing
on it.
July 24, 2016
The first book in the Little Secrets series. Think Clique meets Mean Girls. This series focuses on two cousins and their extremely rich and nasty family. When Alison's mother is arrested for fraud (having been turned in by her mother) she believes she can turn to her cousin Kelley for support. Kelley uses the opportunity to steal Alison's boyfriend and leave her stranded in the middle of her time of crisis. Then there's Zoey who used to be Alison's friend and now only wants revenge. Let the drama and nastiness begin. Better than the Clique series, but with kids who are just as spoiled and in desperate need of parents.
September 30, 2009
Little Secrets: Playing with Fire, is about a teenage girl named Allison that is going through some hard times. She has to deal with family, friends, and boyfriend problems. She has come to the realization that she can only trust one person in her life, but who knows if that one person is going to betray her too? This is the kind of book that will keep you at the edge of your seat, because you never know what is going to happen next. I can't wait to go and get the second book to find out what is going to happen next.
December 15, 2009
This book is about how Allison is going through difficult times in her life. She thinks long and hard about who she can trust, but honestly, who can she trust in a family of traitors? Her best friend/cousin becomes her worst enemy, her mother goes to jail and her father is nowhere to be found. She has no idea where to look, and whatever happens seems to always have a side effect. What will Allison do? I reccomend this book to girls, not many guys would find it interesting; its is also a good independant read, since its so intriguing and random.
March 18, 2010
Alison mom is in jail. her best friend who is her cusen kelly. Kelly Backstabbes her. That was the only person that she could trust. kelly backstabs her by making her boyfriend brake up with her and date her instead. kelly is the perfect girl who is very popular. all of her fiends dont talke to her. zoe is back but she comes to do revenge. it all end with her grandmother stuck in a fire.
all of thise taeches how would be if i were rich and with so much drama in a family were evryone bacstabbs each other.
all of thise taeches how would be if i were rich and with so much drama in a family were evryone bacstabbs each other.
April 2, 2008
number of pagges were:106
skye
little secrets was a very in tresting because allions mom was put in prison for embezzlement,grand larceny and tax fraud, grandmother was the one who framed her mother , best friend/cousin stole her boyfriend at the time when she really needed him and her ex-best friend is back from her private school somewhere else so basically her whole life has fallen apart in a couple of weeksx
skye
little secrets was a very in tresting because allions mom was put in prison for embezzlement,grand larceny and tax fraud, grandmother was the one who framed her mother , best friend/cousin stole her boyfriend at the time when she really needed him and her ex-best friend is back from her private school somewhere else so basically her whole life has fallen apart in a couple of weeksx
October 19, 2008
Alison’s Mother is in Jail, Her father is no where to be found. Half her family doesn’t even like her. Her cousin Kelly seems like the perfect person. But as Kelly tries to steal her boyfriend and tries to turn everyone against her. Alison has no friends and is sleeping in her rich grandmother house. But as life goes on, Alison starts to see she was power also but as her grandmother dies in a fire, she wonders what happens next.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 88 reviews