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Sweet Valley High #39
Secret Admirer
A little too personal...
Sweet Valley High is in a frenzy when the school newspaper begins to run personal ads. Even Penny Ayala, the shy, serious editor of the paper, decides to place an ad, and a boy named Jamie responds. His letters are witty and sensitive just like hers, and he seems to be Penny's perfect match.
Elizabeth Wakefield encourages Penny to pursue her secret admirer. But when she overhears a group of boys laughing about "Jamie," she realizes that Penny's perfect match is only a joke—"Jamie" doesn't even exist! Can she stop the boys from breaking Penny's heart?
Sweet Valley High is in a frenzy when the school newspaper begins to run personal ads. Even Penny Ayala, the shy, serious editor of the paper, decides to place an ad, and a boy named Jamie responds. His letters are witty and sensitive just like hers, and he seems to be Penny's perfect match.
Elizabeth Wakefield encourages Penny to pursue her secret admirer. But when she overhears a group of boys laughing about "Jamie," she realizes that Penny's perfect match is only a joke—"Jamie" doesn't even exist! Can she stop the boys from breaking Penny's heart?
153 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1987
About the author
Francine Pascal
1,149 books1,853 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 - 30 of 31 reviews
September 9, 2021
So you can only be academically inclined OR romantically inclined, apparently!! Choose one!
Poor Penny Ayala just doesn't see the need for a social life, let alone a boyfriend, when she has the school newspaper to run and all her homework! But she gets cajoled into writing a Personals ad anyway for the school paper. Lo and behold, she gets a witty, charming and thoughtful reply from a mysterious "Jamie".
But it's actually douchebag Kirk Anderson and his cronies playing a cruel prank on her 😭😭😭
The sweet letters by "Jamie" are actually written by secret nice guy Neil Freemount, who just wants to fit in with the cool crowd (LAME). Douchebag Kirk makes "Jamie" arrange a meeting with Penny at the mall bookstore (I totally pictured B. Dalton), just so the dudes could go and laugh at her 😡😡😡 Neil feels awful but can't stand up to his douchey friends...until later when he finally reveals his true identity to Penny and tells Kirk to go kick rocks.
Smart girls get the guy at the end after all! Even if the guy is douche-adjacent, but HEY, he's reformed now!
P.S. Kirk is described as dark haired and blue eyed, and so smarmy and arrogant that even Jessica "boy crazy" Wakefield wouldn't touch him with a ten foot pole. I totally pictured him as Ian Somerhalder...am I the only one?? 🤣🤣🤣
Poor Penny Ayala just doesn't see the need for a social life, let alone a boyfriend, when she has the school newspaper to run and all her homework! But she gets cajoled into writing a Personals ad anyway for the school paper. Lo and behold, she gets a witty, charming and thoughtful reply from a mysterious "Jamie".
But it's actually douchebag Kirk Anderson and his cronies playing a cruel prank on her 😭😭😭
The sweet letters by "Jamie" are actually written by secret nice guy Neil Freemount, who just wants to fit in with the cool crowd (LAME). Douchebag Kirk makes "Jamie" arrange a meeting with Penny at the mall bookstore (I totally pictured B. Dalton), just so the dudes could go and laugh at her 😡😡😡 Neil feels awful but can't stand up to his douchey friends...until later when he finally reveals his true identity to Penny and tells Kirk to go kick rocks.
Smart girls get the guy at the end after all! Even if the guy is douche-adjacent, but HEY, he's reformed now!
P.S. Kirk is described as dark haired and blue eyed, and so smarmy and arrogant that even Jessica "boy crazy" Wakefield wouldn't touch him with a ten foot pole. I totally pictured him as Ian Somerhalder...am I the only one?? 🤣🤣🤣
May 2, 2019
4.5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This is a great one!
Sweet Valley High is awash with personal ad fever, and as ever there is chaos with Jess and Liz being condescending.
Luckily, Penny becomes the focus of this instalment, which offers a nice change and gives an insight into how someone whose life doesn’t solely revolve around boys survives in SV.
There are some pretty mean trucks going on in this one!
It also has some serious foreshadowing for the next book.... EFF YOU BRUCE AND AMY, EFF YOU!
This is a great one!
Sweet Valley High is awash with personal ad fever, and as ever there is chaos with Jess and Liz being condescending.
Luckily, Penny becomes the focus of this instalment, which offers a nice change and gives an insight into how someone whose life doesn’t solely revolve around boys survives in SV.
There are some pretty mean trucks going on in this one!
It also has some serious foreshadowing for the next book.... EFF YOU BRUCE AND AMY, EFF YOU!
February 20, 2026
An improvement on the last book and a very dated one at that. The Oracle has decided to run personal ads, the precursor to internet dating and dating apps. And much like the current dating options you never know what you are going to get when you sign up or answer someone. You're gorgeous 20 year old hunk could be an overweight middle aged man, the pretty lady who likes hiking and the outdoors could be a high maintenance princess who thinks camping is staying in a luxury cabin by the lake.
So personal ad fever has hit Sweet Valley and Lila and Jessica compete to see who can get the most and best replies and dates. Jessica thinks she's landed the man of her dreams, but he's fat and even though he seems like a nice guy but oh dear she can't be seen with a fat guy no matter how sweet he is.
Our main character is Penny someone else we have hardly ever seen and won't see again no doubt. She's smart and if you are smart you can't date anyone. Sort of like in 90s movies when the girl with glasses takes them off and suddenly everyone is in love with her cause a girl with glasses is ugly I guess. Anyway she places an ad and gets an answer from Jamie. They arrange to meet but he stands her up and it turns out it was a group of guys playing a prank. Liz gets revenge on the worst of the pranksters by creating a fake super model cousin. Penny ends up with another of the pranksters Neil who enjoyed reading Penny's letters and stands up to his awful friends. An okay book, nice and light considering how dark and out there the next book is. Poor Regina.
So personal ad fever has hit Sweet Valley and Lila and Jessica compete to see who can get the most and best replies and dates. Jessica thinks she's landed the man of her dreams, but he's fat and even though he seems like a nice guy but oh dear she can't be seen with a fat guy no matter how sweet he is.
Our main character is Penny someone else we have hardly ever seen and won't see again no doubt. She's smart and if you are smart you can't date anyone. Sort of like in 90s movies when the girl with glasses takes them off and suddenly everyone is in love with her cause a girl with glasses is ugly I guess. Anyway she places an ad and gets an answer from Jamie. They arrange to meet but he stands her up and it turns out it was a group of guys playing a prank. Liz gets revenge on the worst of the pranksters by creating a fake super model cousin. Penny ends up with another of the pranksters Neil who enjoyed reading Penny's letters and stands up to his awful friends. An okay book, nice and light considering how dark and out there the next book is. Poor Regina.
December 2, 2019
Ah the 80s- before the internet, people, apparently even high schoolers, placed public personal ads to find true love. I almost gave this book one star because of how heavy handed the idea that smart girls don't attract boys is- that pissed me off a lot- especially since Penny, like nearly everyone in Sweet Valley, is totally hot. Oh well, in a SVH-esque way things work out, even if she is clearly way too good for the boy in the story. Two side plots in this one- Jess and Lila have a contest to see who can get the best response from their own personal ads, and they both end up not too happy with their results (shocker). In the other side plot, Amy Sutton is making a play for Bruce Patman, despite him being in a serious relationship with Regina- it was the side plot that made me read the next book immediately after finishing this one because its one of the few SVH books that I actually vividly remember, so I had to finish it. Also is the last one that I have from my Xmas stack of these books that I allow myself to buy/collect each year (ordered the next 15 on Black Friday- woot!). 2 stars, but barely.
May 16, 2020
I'm glad Penny found her man. Jessica needs to quit fat shaming people.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 25, 2021
Jessica is a garbage human and I hate her. That is all.
September 30, 2023
One of the most SVH-ish SVHs I've ever read <3
August 9, 2024
The students of Sweet Valley High try personal ads and Elizabeth wants to help Oracle editor, Penny find a good match. Too bad some of the boys in the school think it's all fun and games. I like how Elizabeth schemes to get her revenge.
Meanwhile Jessica and Lila decide to have a little wager going about who can find true love in the personals. I totally saw where their storyline was headed but it was still enjoyable to read.
The next book promises to be a very intense read as Regina and Bruce experience difficulty in their relationship.
Goodreads review published 08/08/24
Meanwhile Jessica and Lila decide to have a little wager going about who can find true love in the personals. I totally saw where their storyline was headed but it was still enjoyable to read.
The next book promises to be a very intense read as Regina and Bruce experience difficulty in their relationship.
Goodreads review published 08/08/24
December 15, 2021
The Oracle is running personal ads, and Penny Ayala decides to give it a go - she meets a perfect match, but doesn't realise she's being pranked a group of guys, except that Neil realises... he actually likes this girl... oh noes, whatever will he do when Penny finds out the truth??
December 19, 2024
I laughed alllll the way through. This was such an entertaining one, from start to finish. I love Jess and Lila's 'friendship'.
A good laugh before the total misery that's coming in the next instalment.
A good laugh before the total misery that's coming in the next instalment.
January 15, 2026
2 1/2 stars … i love these books from a nostalgia standpoint but re-reading them has been eye opening. The timelines are so unrealistic - will they stay 16 forever?! But this one, the comments jessica makes about not being able to be seen with someone fat. It’s so cringey. Yikes
July 17, 2018
Penny finds love.
November 29, 2021
Definitely one of the better books so far in this series. Jessica isn't too over the top, and Penny is actually a nice character.
March 27, 2024
Great book
I loved reading the book. It's so interesting and enjoyable. Funny and sweet. And a great story line.. might want to read again.
I loved reading the book. It's so interesting and enjoyable. Funny and sweet. And a great story line.. might want to read again.
July 10, 2024
Amazing. Awful. Really, really bad. Fully recommend.
September 2, 2024
Nostalgic!
May 24, 2025
So much fun.
February 1, 2025
A better one I have read lately. Prior to this, I barely knew Penny so it was nice to finally get some of her story. she deserved better that the prank the boy splay on her. Jessica and Lila both get theirs in this with they little competition for the hottest date. But seriously, what this one guy does is NOT okay, and while he may have been clueless, his partner wasn't and that makes it worse! Kirk is nasty and deserved so much worse than what he gets by the end.
October 11, 2022
Secret Admirer
Penny Ayala is the editor of the Oracle-the Sweet Valley High- newspaper. And there’s a new column started by Lynn where students can put in personals.
Elizabeth thinks Penny’s self-confidence could use a boost so she suggests she put in an ad. Penny thinks it over and agrees. Only she puts in a humorous ad and calls herself “The Hunchback”.
She gets three responses. Two or duds. The third is from a witty guy that calls himself “Jamie”. And they start corresponding back and forth. Only “Jamie” turns out to be three SVH guys playing a prank (Kirk Anderson, Michael Harris, and Neil Fredmount). Only Neil is really starting to build an attraction to Penny through her letters.
They all agree to meet with the mystery lady. Only when they find out its Penny, they all ditch her and leave her standing there waiting for “Jaime”.
Neil feels horrible when he realizes how witty and clever Penny is and he gets her to give “Jaime” a second chance. Only when he gets to the Dairi Burger his friends are there. He finally stands up to them and meets with Penny. He tells her the truth about his identity and what happened. She’s about to walk away from him realizing the joke was on her, but then she sees he really is sincere. They kiss. He asks her to the Spring Fling dance.
Kirk though isn’t doing so good in the ladies department. Elizabeth decides to prank him back for what he did to Penny. She tells him her cousin is a model and she’ll be at SVH the time of the dance. (She picks a random model from a magazine). Kirk is so sure she won’t be able to resist his charms he tells her to set the date up. She tells him she’s flaky but this doesn’t phase him. On the night of the Spring Fling, the nonexistent cousin leaves him hanging.
Jessica and Lila also have a contest with writing an ad and seeing what kinds of guys they can get. The best one wins. The first one Jessica gets is overweight. She ditches him pretty quickly. Then she gets one that seems to be interested in her. When she arranges for him to meet Lila and her friends at a concert, it’s the same guy Lila wants to bring. And a ton of other girls. Turns out he already has a girlfriend and is studying the effects personal ads have. He’s a psychology student.
My Thoughts: You just never know what you get when you fool with personal ads. Today it’s online dating. SO MANY people LIE their faces off about who they are and what they can deliver and then they fall short. Your damaged and hurt. They’re vanished off the face of the planet and are on to the next victim. I wouldn’t advise it. Even though Neil came correct to Penny, this is NOT always the cause. So you REALLY have to be careful and not invest too much too quickly when doing something like this. Something that put me off about this book was I’m noticing that every damn body (female) at SVH has to have a male match. WHY? Penny was NOT interested in getting hooked up. Even though it tried to force it into the character by making her seem lonely and slightly jealous. But up until Elizabeth stuck her nose in (as she does book after book after book) dating seemed to be the last thing on Penny’s mind. And that was *ok*. It was good (yet convenient) that Neil accepted her for herself and I guess that’s a good message. However, it does NOT make up for the underlying message these books have that every female needs a match. And these books are also starting to be predictable. I guessed right off Lila and Jessica were dating the same guy. And not all a bright one to be a psychology student. He shows up at a concert that he’s made dates with a whole bunch of girls too. His girlfriend just laughs it off. Even she knew he was a dumb ass.
Rating: 6
Penny Ayala is the editor of the Oracle-the Sweet Valley High- newspaper. And there’s a new column started by Lynn where students can put in personals.
Elizabeth thinks Penny’s self-confidence could use a boost so she suggests she put in an ad. Penny thinks it over and agrees. Only she puts in a humorous ad and calls herself “The Hunchback”.
She gets three responses. Two or duds. The third is from a witty guy that calls himself “Jamie”. And they start corresponding back and forth. Only “Jamie” turns out to be three SVH guys playing a prank (Kirk Anderson, Michael Harris, and Neil Fredmount). Only Neil is really starting to build an attraction to Penny through her letters.
They all agree to meet with the mystery lady. Only when they find out its Penny, they all ditch her and leave her standing there waiting for “Jaime”.
Neil feels horrible when he realizes how witty and clever Penny is and he gets her to give “Jaime” a second chance. Only when he gets to the Dairi Burger his friends are there. He finally stands up to them and meets with Penny. He tells her the truth about his identity and what happened. She’s about to walk away from him realizing the joke was on her, but then she sees he really is sincere. They kiss. He asks her to the Spring Fling dance.
Kirk though isn’t doing so good in the ladies department. Elizabeth decides to prank him back for what he did to Penny. She tells him her cousin is a model and she’ll be at SVH the time of the dance. (She picks a random model from a magazine). Kirk is so sure she won’t be able to resist his charms he tells her to set the date up. She tells him she’s flaky but this doesn’t phase him. On the night of the Spring Fling, the nonexistent cousin leaves him hanging.
Jessica and Lila also have a contest with writing an ad and seeing what kinds of guys they can get. The best one wins. The first one Jessica gets is overweight. She ditches him pretty quickly. Then she gets one that seems to be interested in her. When she arranges for him to meet Lila and her friends at a concert, it’s the same guy Lila wants to bring. And a ton of other girls. Turns out he already has a girlfriend and is studying the effects personal ads have. He’s a psychology student.
My Thoughts: You just never know what you get when you fool with personal ads. Today it’s online dating. SO MANY people LIE their faces off about who they are and what they can deliver and then they fall short. Your damaged and hurt. They’re vanished off the face of the planet and are on to the next victim. I wouldn’t advise it. Even though Neil came correct to Penny, this is NOT always the cause. So you REALLY have to be careful and not invest too much too quickly when doing something like this. Something that put me off about this book was I’m noticing that every damn body (female) at SVH has to have a male match. WHY? Penny was NOT interested in getting hooked up. Even though it tried to force it into the character by making her seem lonely and slightly jealous. But up until Elizabeth stuck her nose in (as she does book after book after book) dating seemed to be the last thing on Penny’s mind. And that was *ok*. It was good (yet convenient) that Neil accepted her for herself and I guess that’s a good message. However, it does NOT make up for the underlying message these books have that every female needs a match. And these books are also starting to be predictable. I guessed right off Lila and Jessica were dating the same guy. And not all a bright one to be a psychology student. He shows up at a concert that he’s made dates with a whole bunch of girls too. His girlfriend just laughs it off. Even she knew he was a dumb ass.
Rating: 6
December 23, 2011
When Penny Ayala, the studious and shy editor of school newspaper, The Oracle, decides to set up a lonely hearts column it becomes an immediate hit with the students of Sweet Valley High. Seeing this as an opportunity to improve her own love life, she sends out a personal ad herself, after being persuaded by her friends Olivia and Elizabeth.
After receiving a few out-there replies, Penny becomes fond of a guy who wishes to meet her at the mall. Taking care with her appearance, Penny waits in vain for her dream guy, who stood her up. The next day, the ever-helpful Elizabeth is on hand to solve the mystery as she realizes that a seemingly nice guy called Neil Freemont and arrogant Kirk Anderson (along with a few of Kirk's cronies) were behind this hoax. She was surprised to see Neil going along with Kirk's plans but it seems that secretly, Neil does have a crush on Penny but is too shy to reveal it since he's afraid of what the guys will think.
Neil does hit it off with Penny at the end of the book. It's just that he was such a loser since he has a funny way of showing how he aims to win Penny over. Well, boys will be boys. They can't ever appear to be emasculated in any possible way.
More of Purplycookie’s Reviews @: http://www.goodreads.com/purplycookie
Book Details:
Title: Secret Admirer (Sweet Valley High #39)
Author: Francine Pascal
Reviewed By: Purplycookie
After receiving a few out-there replies, Penny becomes fond of a guy who wishes to meet her at the mall. Taking care with her appearance, Penny waits in vain for her dream guy, who stood her up. The next day, the ever-helpful Elizabeth is on hand to solve the mystery as she realizes that a seemingly nice guy called Neil Freemont and arrogant Kirk Anderson (along with a few of Kirk's cronies) were behind this hoax. She was surprised to see Neil going along with Kirk's plans but it seems that secretly, Neil does have a crush on Penny but is too shy to reveal it since he's afraid of what the guys will think.
Neil does hit it off with Penny at the end of the book. It's just that he was such a loser since he has a funny way of showing how he aims to win Penny over. Well, boys will be boys. They can't ever appear to be emasculated in any possible way.
More of Purplycookie’s Reviews @: http://www.goodreads.com/purplycookie
Book Details:
Title: Secret Admirer (Sweet Valley High #39)
Author: Francine Pascal
Reviewed By: Purplycookie
November 9, 2018
This book is really, really good! Warning, *Spoilers!*
Penny is the editor for the school newspaper, so she keeps very, very busy. She uses it as an excuse when people ask her about her datelessness, but secretly, she'd like someone.
Elizabeth and Enid get Penny to take up an ad in the newspaper. It's a new fad at Sweet Valley High, you put an ad in and people send their letters to the column manager (Lynne Henry) and she passes/sends the people who put the ads in their letters. Even Jessica and Lila do it, only they're looking for hot collage guys.
Penny gets three answers, but only one of them is good! She begins writing back and forth with 'Jamie', and gets pretty attached. Soon, they set up a time and place to meet.
But Penny doesn't know that it's a joke. 'Jamie' is just a group of nasty boys who are playing with her. When they find out it's her, they all laugh and leave her waiting for a long, long time in front of the book store, hoping he'll show up. Only one feels bad and doesn't laugh. The one who wrote the letters.
Neil feels terrible, and sets up another meeting with her to apologize without his ex-friends knowing. He just hopes she'll forgive him.
It's a good and funny book. Jessica's dating adventures don't turn out so great, though. Poor Jess. :P I really like this book!
Penny is the editor for the school newspaper, so she keeps very, very busy. She uses it as an excuse when people ask her about her datelessness, but secretly, she'd like someone.
Elizabeth and Enid get Penny to take up an ad in the newspaper. It's a new fad at Sweet Valley High, you put an ad in and people send their letters to the column manager (Lynne Henry) and she passes/sends the people who put the ads in their letters. Even Jessica and Lila do it, only they're looking for hot collage guys.
Penny gets three answers, but only one of them is good! She begins writing back and forth with 'Jamie', and gets pretty attached. Soon, they set up a time and place to meet.
But Penny doesn't know that it's a joke. 'Jamie' is just a group of nasty boys who are playing with her. When they find out it's her, they all laugh and leave her waiting for a long, long time in front of the book store, hoping he'll show up. Only one feels bad and doesn't laugh. The one who wrote the letters.
Neil feels terrible, and sets up another meeting with her to apologize without his ex-friends knowing. He just hopes she'll forgive him.
It's a good and funny book. Jessica's dating adventures don't turn out so great, though. Poor Jess. :P I really like this book!
October 23, 2016
Source: I own this book.
Cost: unknown
Title: Secret Admirer
Series: Sweet Valley High #39
Author: Francine Pascal // Kate William
Overall Rating: 3 stars
It's hard to believe that I still have like 100 books in the main series to go, this one wasn't the worst out of the 39 that I've read so far but it definitely wasn't the best. I liked the whole idea of the boys playing a joke on Eden and Liz trying to help out her friend but it was a pretty douchey move on behalf of the boys, do people actually play tricks like that?
On another note, Jessica didn't annoy me in this book, hurrah!
Cost: unknown
Title: Secret Admirer
Series: Sweet Valley High #39
Author: Francine Pascal // Kate William
Overall Rating: 3 stars
It's hard to believe that I still have like 100 books in the main series to go, this one wasn't the worst out of the 39 that I've read so far but it definitely wasn't the best. I liked the whole idea of the boys playing a joke on Eden and Liz trying to help out her friend but it was a pretty douchey move on behalf of the boys, do people actually play tricks like that?
On another note, Jessica didn't annoy me in this book, hurrah!
July 10, 2016
The Oracle launches a 'lonely hearts' column. Some kids write fake adverts; others write fake responses; a college student responds to 7 different girls as a 'sociology experiment'; and Jess and Liz seek revenge on Kirk the cocky new boy by setting him up a date with their beautiful cousin, who is in fact a model from a magazine. Entirely pointless, except for Penny and Neil, who find true love. Ahh. Bleaugh. Oh, and Mr Collins is entirely inappropriate with the students as usual.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 13, 2011
Ugh, peer pressure.
October 24, 2010
I just loved the storylines and the characters and the entire Wakefield universe. Good stuff from start to finish. I wouldn't have missed it for the world.
June 21, 2013
I remember the cover just not the story.
Read
August 1, 2013Graded By: Erin
Read the drinking game and review here.
Read the drinking game and review here.
March 1, 2015
My fist SVH book
June 28, 2015
One of my all-time favorites and the reason I decided to name my (imaginary) future daughter Penny. She is studious and wears cute headbands.
November 2, 2023
Still one of my favorites in the series!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews