Perfect Summer

Sweet Valley High Super Editions #1

by Francine Pascal (Creator)

Geared up for adventure. . .

It's summer in Sweet Valley, and the Wakefield twins and their friends are taking a bike trip up the beautiful California coast. What could be more exciting than four weeks of glorious sunshine, sandy beaches, and endless fun at every stop?

But the dream of a perfect vacation soon fades. Elizabeth Wakefield is about to break up with her boyfriend, Todd, over another girl. Her twin, Jessica, chases after sexy Robbie October, who ignores her. Bruce Patman is mean to his cousin Roger, Lila Fowler holds a grudge against Ms. Dalton, and Ms. Dalton is barely speaking to Mr. Collins. Can this feuding group unite when an unexpected disaster threatens their lives?

Join the Sweet Valley gang as they find love and adventure on the road in Perfect Summer.

Genres: Young Adult, Fiction, Childrens, Romance, Summer, Teen, Ebooks

249 pages, Paperback

First published July 1, 1985

About the author

Francine 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.

Reviews

[Tara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Has anyone else ever wondered about the fact that one of the main characters in this series is a guy named Bruce, a guy who is rich, dark-haired, and has a penchant for top-of-the-line, wicked fast black cars?



I mean, I’m just sayin.

[Alex · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm finally feeling better, but I had to squeeze in one more Sweet Valley re-read. =)

I barely remembered this one, but I actually really enjoyed it. Courtney is basically Suzanne Devlin, which is always fun, and the Mr. Collins/Ms. Dalton drama is all kinds of ridiculous. Plus, the idea of this bike tour is actually really cool, and I liked living vicariously through their trip.

However... I always adored Liz and Todd as a kid, but whenever I read a book like this I'm pretty appalled at my younger self for thinking they were so perfect. Todd is pretty terrible most of the time, Liz is ALWAYS cheating on him (not in this book, though, which is a miracle) and their relationship is just so dysfunctional. He's particularly awful in this book, but Liz just up and forgives him at the end without even pausing to wonder if she deserves better. Why was THIS the relationship all of us loved?

[Chrissy R · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved the "Super Edition" releases of the SVH series. My best friend and I anxiously waited, saving our allowances and babysitting money, to buy the SVH books on their exact release dates. We each have the complete SVH collection and were so elated out daughters also enjoyed reading them as much as we did. We were a little jealous, however, as our daughters did not have to wait for the next book upon finishing one. :)

[Kristina · Rating 3 out of 5]

Basically Courtney is an uber bitch and Jessica is a boy crazy ho. Liked the premise of the bike trip, however far fetched it is lol

[Tamara York · Rating 1 out of 5]

I just finished this trip down memory lane and I have some thoughts! Liz, Jessica, and the gang are going on a weeks-long summer biking trip with their school (already, I have questions...was this a normal field trip option in the 80's?!). Everyone is beautiful, with perfect features, and slender frames...great for readers' self-esteem. Barry, a new boy is joining them who is (gasp) capital-R Rich, but he turns out to be pale, chubby, and clumsy (the unforgivable trifecta for the Sweet Valley crowd), so everyone treats him horribly until he saves the day and redeems himself. Courtney also joins the group. She is a deceitful, spoiled, rich, beautiful girl who has her eye on Liz's boyfriend. I also have thoughts about Jessica. She is one of the twins/main characters but is such a selfish, boy-crazy, mean girl. Is the reader really supposed to root for her?! There is peril and mystery at the very end, but terrible, terrible writing throughout.

I remember loving these books when I was in middle school. After rereading one, I can only attribute that to the fact that there wasn't much else for tweens/teens to read and the delicious drama of beautiful people. The writing is truly awful and the characters are one-dimensional and completely vapid. I did some research on the series (went down a whole rabbit hole) and discovered that Francine Pascal lived in Queens, had never been to California when she wrote the books set there, and only wrote the first 12 books...in the 144 book series. After the first ones, she had a team of ghost writers that worked from her outlines and character descriptions. This book definitely read like something written following a basic outline. I am so glad that there are better offerings out there for tweens and teens now. Next time I complain about YA angst and romance, I will remember Sweet Valley High and just be grateful.

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

For a SVH book, this one was fun- lots of drama, including a Liz and Todd break up, a Jessica-in-mortal-danger scene, a subplot about Mr. Collins and Ms. Dalton, extra insight into minor character Annie (basket case), and a couple of new characters added as an antagonist and unlikely hero.I didn't remember this story really at all, though I know I read it as a kid. I can't imagine high schoolers being allowed to go onna cross country weeks-long bije trip these days, though it does sound like a very fun way to soend a summer. Oddly, this book makes no mention of the fact that the characters would all be aging, that they'd be starting thwir senior years soon after the story ends. Lucky for us, time stood still in Sweet Valley, CA, and the Wakefields et. al, will remain 15 for at least another hundred books or so. Super Special indeed. Three stars.

[A · Rating 5 out of 5]

I only liked the super editions of these books, and I remember reading this one multiple times.

[Tiffany Spencer]

Perfect Summer
The twins are going on a bike trip up the coast of California. They worry about Mr. Collin’s and Mrs. Dalton who seemed so in love but then broke up. Mrs. Dalton is now dating George Fowler again. Lila now has in IN for Mrs. Dalton. Liz can’t see what Mrs. Dalton sees in George. DUH! Jess reminds her he has MONEY! Liz says Mrs. Dalton doesn’t strike her as the type and that Lila should make an effort to be nice to her. Jessica says not likely. Mr. Fowler has pressured her to go on the trip to get to get to know his girlfriend better. They also talk about it's as likely as Bruce trying to accept Roger. But Olivia will be going on the trip so that will take some of the sting out of Bruce’s attitude.

At the school, they all arrive at the school. To Jessica’s disappointment, Barry Cooper is pudgy. Liz writes to Enid (whose back at Sweet Valley working at Casey's). She says on the first night they camped out. She and Olivia were in charge of making dinner. They all switch tasks. She says everyone’s behaving. Lila even tried to start a fire. Mr. Collins gave a lecture on fire safety and Bruce cleaned pots with no complaints. Then she vents a little about how hard cycling is Then she rants about Barry Cooper. He’s fat, slow, and incompetent. Worse of all he’s crushing on Jess.. There’s someone else named Charlie Markus (who’s a friend of Bruce’s) who's crushing on Annie Whitman. But she’s more into the scenery. Jessica and Lila meet two boys, but as they’ll be leaving the next day it’s on to the next one. Mr. Collins and Mrs. Dalton are just avoiding one another.

Next 3 days they’ll be staying with friends of the Patman. Then they’ll be back to staying on the campgrounds. At the Thomas mansion, They meet Courtney Thomas. Jessica isn’t impressed. That makes double for Courtney who acts like showing the group around is a HUGE inconvenience! She shows then where to set up thirteenth. Then her boyfriend Nolan comes riding up on his bike and Courtney gets on the bike and they take off. (She has on nothing but a skimpy bathing suit). Liz and Todd talk about it later. Liz feels sorry for Courtney and her father. Todd doesn’t and said if she’s not happy then she’s just CRAZY. They then make out.

The next day, Mr. Thomas makes Courtney show them around. She takes them to a restaurant but she gives them the slip and again takes off with Nolan on his bike. Mr. Thomas vents to Nora and Roger and then asks if they can take Courtney with them (instead of oh IDK being a PARENT and KICKING HER BEHIND OUT IF SHE WONT OBEY HIS RULES. He’s scared of the influence Nolan will have. He’s already gotten in trouble for drugs and petty theft.

The next day out of the blue Courtney apologizes to the others and invites them inside for blueberry muffins. She seems to be nicer and the others are warming up to her. She’s laying on the charm thick with Todd and tells them her father wanted her to come to toughen her up. Liz, Jessica, and Lila tho aren’t buying it. Their teachers give each other looks and Liz wonders what they aren’t saying. The next day they go to Disneyland. Liz voices her concern to Todd but he says that they should give Courtney the benefit of the doubt (isn’t that what Liz always says). But at Disneyland Courtney is all over Todd. They leave early due to Barry getting sick on a ride, but Courtney takes a cab to go say goodbye to a friend before she has to leave.

Jessica says that since Courtney’s father sent her on the trip to be around people like them, they shouldn’t live up to his expectations and then she’ll want to go home and Liz will stop worrying. (Doesn’t Jessica ever do anything new to run people away? She’s like a one-trick pony)

At the next stop, they’ll put something cold and clammy in her bag. Lila continues to rant about Mrs. Dalton but Jessica says she should use this trip to get to know their teacher. But she says she’s not soft enough to take it easy on Courtney. Liz witnesses Courtney again with Todd after making a food run with Barry and Annie. Annie cooks up a delicious lunch of cheese fondue and chocolate strawberries. Charlie compliments her on it but Bruce snubs her on just one of her talents (referring to her sexual past) which makes her upset. Liz is upset for her and because of the attention he’s been paying Courtney but he comes over to her and lets it be known she’s the only girl on the trip he’s interested in. Charlie also tells Bruce off for insulting Annie, Barry, and Roger so Annie is now happier.
At a hostel Jessica becomes intrigued by the sight of a curly-haired boy She finds out from one of the girls staying there that they’re brothers (Robbie and Danny October) and they’re somewhat bad boys (they got kicked out of a previous hostel for throwing beer bottles out the window) Courtney writes a letter to her boyfriend Nolan telling him about her plan to use Todd to get her father to send her home. That night, Jess tries to wait up for Robbie but he doesn’t return and she’s sent to bed. Liz tries to talk Jessica into believing that maybe they should give Courtney a chance but Jessica tells her she has plans for her and she shouldn’t worry about her spending more time with Todd than her.

The next location is a beautiful campground in Santa Barbara. Everyone starts dancing. Courtney pulls Todd to her for a dance while there. Liz notices Lila and Jessica sneak out. Liz finds out they tried to put lime jello in Courtney’s bag but they make a mistake and put it in Nora Dalton’s. This incident causes a moment between Mrs. Dalton and Mr. Collins. But it quickly ends and he scolds the students for the prank. Lila and Jessica argue over whether the “accident” was intentional. The next day Mr. Collins singles out Lila. Lila tells Jessica next time to leave her out of her plans. But then Jessica manipulates Lila by saying that Courtney’s jewelry is better and she knows this hits the spot. In Santa Barbara, they all go to dinner one night, but Courtney says she’s sick and will stay behind. Todd offers to stay with her, but she insists he go.

Mr. Collins checks up on her and one of the employees says he saw her using the phone. When she comes back she says she got lonely and tried to call her father. But Mr. Collin’s wonders if it was Nolan. HE also worries about Barry, Liz, and Roger. That night, Liz and Todd get into another argument about Courtney. Todd says that Courtney told him her father has a drinking problem. Liz finds this hard to believe, but Todd keeps taking up for her and accuses Liz of not liking Courtney. Todd says Courtney just wants to be her friend but again Liz says she doesn’t know what to believe. But she says *SHES* not the one Courtney wants to make *friends* with. Then he accuses her of acting like Jessica. Todd has a funny image of Jessica helping an old man and they both laugh and make up.

Lila and Jessica have a plan to tell Courtney the hostel is haunted and that weird things have been happening since a teenage girl went missing. Lila says she’s changed her mind. Then she tells Jessica what she overheard Liz telling Olivia. But then she hears who told Liz and doesn’t believe it. Then Robbie comes in and sees him heading for the side door. She can’t let him get away again so she goes after him. She hugs him pretending he’s someone named “Bart”. Then she apologizes. He shrugs it off, says he doesn’t know the guy and gives his name. He then again starts to leave and say he’s going to a bar with his brother. When he finds out she’s with a group he takes distaste in it and says he was once in a group but never again (too many rules). Jessica agrees and is trying to get to the bar by making it seem like she can walk out if she feels like it but is interrupted by Bruce who she’s supposed to cooking dinner with. Jessica tries to get Robbie to stay by saying itll only take her a minute to finish. She doesn’t have to eat with them, but Robbie gets impatient and leaves. Jessica is upset the rest of the night.

Lila meets two guys (Pat and Don) who say Nora Dalton look like an old teacher of there’s named Beth Curtis that disappeared and she taught French. The next stop is a greenhouse. That night Lila drops the name Beth Curtis to Mrs. Dalton who looks TERRIFIED! Lz hears crying in the middle of the night and finds out it's Courtney. But then she realizes Todd has already gone to her Later, Liz then sees their hands entwined while sleeping. Jessica starts noticing Lila suddenly has a strange power of Mrs.Dalton.

Liz is crying. Annie comes over crying, she says she overheard Bruce bad-mouthing her again. Charlie defends her at first. Bruce asks what makes him think people “like that” change. Charlie says maybe your right. At the State Park, Courtney is hanging all over Todd, and Liz walks away to be by herself. Barry joins her and tells her he’s quitting the trip. Liz tho tries to encourage him to stay. Jessica comes across Robbie again. She makes plans to sneak out after midnight to see a waterfall

. Nora Dalton is so deep in her thoughts that she doesn’t notice a stingray and freaks out. Mr. Collins rescues her and as she presses herself to him all his feelings come rushing out. Until they notice everyone watching (including Lila). She walks away. Jessica then apologizes to Lila. Lila asks if that means she’ll be friends with Courtney. But Jess says she’s not ready for all that. When Lila wakes up, Jessica still hasn’t returned from her date. Everyone is ready to go. Jessica still isn’t back. Lila doesn’t want to snitch on her friend but ends up confessing to Mr . Collins. He tells Liz and Todd to go search on one of the paths and he’ll go search on the other. Courtney comes with them.. Bruce asks Annie why she’s being a bitch to him and she reminds him of the conversation he had with Charlie. He tells her that if she’d stuck around she would have heard Charlie say “Maybe you're right but I don’t think so.” He even convinced Bruce to give Annie another chance. Courtney sees a snake and starts to freak out and says she’s also catching a cold. They need to go back. Todd asks if she really cares about Jessica but Courtney says she does but she thinks they should let the officials handle it. Todd wants to go back with her but Liz says she’s not giving up. Courtney says they should keep looking. She’ll find her way back. Todd says he doesn’t want her wondering around and Liz sees the other group and tells him to go back with Courtney. She walks off. Courtney walks off. Todd is still standing there.

Robbie gets them lost and now they’re trapped in a bear cave. The bear babies are in the cave. The mother is aware of them. They pretty much hate each other and are arguing. Then she hears Barry calling for her. She wants to yell back, but Robbie stops her and says the bear will charge. She yells. The bear lunges. Barry calls out. The bear changes directions and goes for him. Then he starts to run but the bear stays put. He runs to Liz and Mr. Collins. They all follow him to the cave. Then they hear the bear and its facing them. The bear gets confused and snarls at the rescue party than at the trapped ones at the cave. Charlie tries to fling a rock, but Barry seizes his arm. Barry points out that its just trying to protect her babies. He says the bear isn’t violent unless confronted. Liz is impressed. The bear is getting agitated. Charlie tries again to throw a rock, but Barry gets in front of him. The Bear starts to chase Barry and Robbie and Jessica are able to escape. The Bear is hot on Barry’s tail. They hear a noise in the cave and the bear turns back. It’s one of the babies crying. Now they’re able to get away from the cave. Jessica kisses Barry on the cheek. Annie and Charlie make out and makeup.

Lila and Jessica take a walk and Lila tells her about Beth Curtis who was a French teacher in Arizona that was married to a guy that killed himself and she disappeared. It was always said that someone had something to do with the killing. Lila plans to reveal her. She thinks she has the same plan for her father. She points out that this is why Mr. Collin is keeping his distance but Jessica reminds her of the stingray incident. Courtney meets Todd outside with a sob story that she’s worried about her dad and she’ll have to go back home. She convinces him to leave the trip and come with her. Then a fire breaks out. Surprisingly Roger wants to help, but Bruce says they can only sacrifice one Patman and steps in and takes charge. Liz tells Jessica she it was her fault because she was supposed to put the fire out, but she’s leaving the trip and going back home. Don’t try to stop her. Beth finally tells Mr. Collins the truth about her husband and how his family drove her away. Her husband had major depression, was a extreme alcoholic, violet, and abusive. His family knew but she didn’t know until she married him. Her family said they’d make her life hell if she told so she changed her name and moved. But after she left he committed suicide. Only Mr.Fowler does business with her in=laws and figured out who she was and blackmailed her to dump Mr.Collins and date him. Mr. Collins encourages her to tell the students and it will all be ok.

HE then sees Liz running away because Courtney has announced Todd is running away with her. He also encourages Liz to follow Nora’s example by fighting for what she believes in (just like Nora will fight to stay in Sweet Valley). Then he corrects what she heard about Courtney’s dad drinking being the reason she’s there. Liz goes back to apologize to the group because she thinks she started the fire, but then Todd realizes Courtney was smoking at the same spot. She also tells everyone the truth about Courtney. Courtney spits at her and they all burst out laughing. Everyone goes home and Liz tells Enid about the trip. Enid has news of her own a new guy that came in Casey that she’s fallen hard for.

My Thoughts:
This was WAAAAY TOO LONG! I felt like *I* was the one going on a month-long trip. I guess because I started it and then I paused on because in October I don’t watch or read anything that doesn’t have anything to do with fantasy or magic or scare. (Everything else gets put on hold). This review is even too long and believe me I tried to shorten it. First of all, Robbie October sounds like a stripper name and Jessica was ridiculous because she got way too invested in this guy and I even think she forgot her own rules about playing it cool and being indifferent because she actually gets upset over him. Then she tries too hard to track this guy down and it is HD 4D CRYSTAL CLEAR this guy isn’t interested in her. Weirdly he’s more interested in running up behind his “brother” than her. Which to me would be a little concerning truthfully. Then Todd is just an IDIOT! What Liz sees in this fool I will NEVER know. Are you REALLY so STUPID that 1 you don’t see this girl is USING you. Ok, but then I take it back. Some of the smartest men lack in COMMON SENSE when it comes to women. Then 2 Do you really not see that by running all up on this chick’s backside how this would make your GIRLFRIEND feel and how she’d take this. Then who just runs off to live with someone they meet on a bike trip? But you know what again my ex let a female live with him that he’d meet ONE TIME at a grocery store. So again, men (and I’m not saying all and if you don’t fall in that category and your male and your reading this but are one step ahead of some women trying to play you I have all the respect in the world for you) can just be either just really really DUMB or really really SLOW (maybe both). Todd clearly falls into both of those categories. Courtney’s father was also really DUMB to me because rather than inflicting these strangers with his manipulative daughter he himself doesn’t have the balls to do what needs to be done and the next time she rides off on this guys bike whenever the hell she got back all the locks would be changed and then we’d see how much she loved this guy and hopefully he could support her and take care of her and my guess is that she’d get bored of him quick because he couldn’t give her the lifestyle she was so accusmed to we’d see how quick she can crying back. But like the punk, he is he gives his problem to someone else and expects them to handle it. I thought at first the bit about Nora Dalton was gonna be a little bit darker like maybe it was leading to her actually killing him or paying someone to kill him and *then* she kipped town and maybe it *was* going in that direction. But when it didn’t complete it just kind of went flat. It was ALMOST THERE. Why would George Fowler blackmail her for (or rather how could) blackmail her for just leaving a bad situation? Unless there was suspicion? I think of all the ones I read so far I enjoyed this one the least.

Rating: 6 It had a hint of intrigue with the “Nora Dalton” Beth Cooper plot line but I would have rather it would have been about that than more drama with Todd and Elizabeth over the random females that keep popping up.

[kylajaclyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

"This Is How Love Goes in Sweet Valley"

Oo, Barracuda.
Someone's after Todd Wilkins;
It's his turn to cheat!

Quotes:

Jessica: Steve, why don't you make like a seafood special and just clam up?!
[Wow, Jess. How positively insulting.]

"Barry Cooper had just emerged from the tent he had shared with Mr. Collins, and was trying, without much luck, to stuff his sleeping bag - as bulky and inappropriate for camping as Barry himself was - into a sack made for a much sleeker kind of sleeping bag."
[You heard it here first, folks: fat people have no business camping.]

"But in all his years of teaching high school, he had never seen a case quite like Courtney's."
[Um, yes you have Mr. Collins. Jessica Wakefield.]

Jessica writing to Cara: Barry can't do anything right. Last night at dinner he cut one of his fingers trying to crack open a lobster claw!
[Okay, I made lobster tails for my family last Christmas, and that shit is not easy. Nor is cracking open crab legs. So shut your big fat mouth, Jess.]

Mr. Collins: Don't you trust the people you've met in Sweet Valley, Nora? Do you really think we'd let someone destroy you?
[Oh, Mr. C, do you mean like how Jess destroyed Annie Whitman? Or Robin? Or everyone cracking jokes about Barry on this trip? Or how awful everyone found Tricia Martin's family? No, of course they wouldn't destroy anyone.]

[Mara Borkan · Rating 3 out of 5]

So this was a book that took me 30 years to complete. I was a huge Sweet Valley High fan when the series was first published in 1983. Unfortunate back then I was not a big reader. I did read at least three or four of the series but it took a long time for me to get through each book. I don't remember if I bought Perfect Summer or it was given to me, but I know I tried to read it at least a half dozen times and I never made it past chapter one.

My sister, whom I share a house with, loves this series and so I have been inspired to read some of the books again. The only problem is that it is darn near impossible to find the original 1980s editions. The Sweet Valley High series had been rereleased with modern day objects such as cell phones and CDs. For the new generation of Sweet Valley High fans that is fine, for those of us in our forties reading about Jessica talking on her cell phone to any one of her friends just seems wrong. I would love to one day own the complete SVH series but they would all have be from the 80s with the 80s cover art.

[Tara Calaby]

Sweet Valley really pulls out the drama stops in the first super edition. Liz and Todd are on the rocks, Jess and Lila are fighting, the teachers are more focused on their own drama than chaperoning, and there's a brand new character to despise in Courtney, who makes Jess look a saint in comparison.

On the down side, there's a huge amount of padding here. There are letters from several of the characters to people back home, and they don't tend to add anything at all, but rather just reiterate what's already happened. There are a few chunks of character musings as well, that are similarly pointless. I got the impression that they were really pushing for a particular wordcount, instead of for the right amount of pages for the story.

[Hil · Rating 1 out of 5]

Truly a very dull book - the last 3 chapters were fairly good. The rest was just padding. It did contain the line "feeling as low as a munchkin in a submarine" though, which was a particular highlight.

[Sarah Kelleher · Rating 3 out of 5]

I want to find this estival masterpiece and read it again. That new girl with the dark curly hair was pure evil.

[Jodie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I just simply adore this series. There is not a thing that I did not love about the Wakefields and thier lives. I lived vicariously through them as a pre-teen.

[anolinde · Rating 3 out of 5]

More like 2.5.

This was published after Runaway, but it doesn't really seem to fit in the timeline (or whatever there is of one with these books). Like I thought Nora Dalton and Roger Collins had already gotten back together, but here Nora's still dating George Fowler? And I thought the twins were applying to be tour guides over the summer? Very confusing.

I had to laugh, though, at this comment from Jessica about Courtney:

"Liz, you might think this whole thing is a joke, but that girl just assumes she can be as horrible as she likes and that we'll all forgive her the moment she smiles. Are you going to let her get away with that?"

Well, gee, Jess, considering she lets you get away with that all the time, I don't know what you expect from her now!

[Serena · Rating 4 out of 5]

A super fun time!
Love, deceptions, and tons of drama, what more could you ask for in a Sweet Valley High book? And this one just took it to the max! I did find Todd to be a little dense in this one however but one could argue he’s not really the sharpest tool in the shed at the best of times. But I still adore his character. I enjoyed pretty much all the side stories, I think this would be a perfect read for those wanting to dive into the world of Sweet Valley, it’s quintessential SVH and keeps you on edge wanting to know what’ll happen. Totally recommended.

[Laura Miller · Rating 4 out of 5]

A childhood favorite! These books are a nostalgic guilty pleasure. I was so happy when my husband got his hands on a few from a used bookstore as a fun gift to me. Rereading them brings back memories. Perfect Summer is from the super edition collection. This one is filled with drama as usual including a break up between Liz and Todd. Newcomer Courtney stirs things up on the summer bike trip and teacher Ms. Dalton is keeping her own secrets.
Oh what fun!

[Stephanie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was the first “super edition” of the SVH series I’ve read and I enjoyed how the book followed Liz, Jessica and a small group of students on biking trip up the California coast — only for hi-jinx (naturally) to ensue. We’ve got teachers with secret identities, bear attacks, a camp fire burning out of control, and Liz and Todd potentially breaking up over the manipulative bad girl Courtney. This was an enjoyable read for me over Labor Day weekend as I close out my own summer of fun.

[Felicity · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a reread after probably 30 years. I was surprised how short and simple it was. I enjoyed the beautiful people and the lovely setting and the simplicity of it all. I can understand why child version of me loved these stories but I am glad I progressed to other more complex stories. It was a fun revisit and it reflected the 1980s well.

[Kristin · Rating 1 out of 5]

One of the worst Sweet Valley Super editions. Overlong and just boring. Very little about biking. I just can’t believe a bunch of high school kids would have this much stamina to do all that biking and that their parents would let them go with only two chaperones.

[Marsyee · Rating 4 out of 5]

This super edition was a little slower than their other super edition stories. I expected a lot more, especially when Pascal/William's specials are usually more fun and challenging for the residents of Sweet Valley.

[Piper · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a fun read as the twins head out with their friends on a bike trip for the summer. And Jessica got a bit of a break from being the really bad villain with the introduction of Courtney. But Todd, really how can you be so naïve?!

[Reading with Cats · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is hilariously batshit crazy. All the stars!

[Lizzie the Book Hoarder · Rating 3 out of 5]

Jessica, Liz and their friends bike ride up the coast of California and find love, adventure and betrayal along the way.

[Sara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Flashback to reading this in my high school days. Fun, easy read.

[Ginger · Rating 1 out of 5]

Interesting to read a book series from the 80's that I loved as a middle schooler and young high schooler. Definitely not the quality I once thought it was !! 🤣🤣

[Rachel]

Me and Courtney would have thrown hands.

Lila is still a pyscho.

and a bear redemption arc.

I love this series so much.

[Swankivy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Even though I had no interest in reading Sweet Valley High, I'm almost certain this is a book I read when I was a kid because it was in my house. I seem to remember glossing over most of the relationship stuff because it was boring, though admittedly that might be because this is a series and there was history that I was missing because of not having read other Sweet Valley High books. I remember the twins camping and I remember someone starting a forest fire with a cigarette (which Elizabeth thinks is her fault because she was supposed to make sure the campfire was out). There was also some kind of mystery about a teacher who disappeared a long time ago and might be living under an assumed identity. Obvious, automatic disappointment is shoveled into the narration when a rich boy is revealed to be overweight and not cute, which I guess is par for the course with superficial teenage girls, but I hate when books reinforce this "oh, he's not interesting then" message and then end up "redeeming" the not-hot character by having him do something worthy of admiration or something--as if not being a model is something people necessarily need to make up for in order to be afforded basic human respect. And . . . a bear stalked one of the twins. It never ceases to amaze me how often these people are in mortal danger and yet don't seem to suffer from PTSD. Maybe because they seem to forget the horrors they have been through by the time the next book starts, requiring them to re-learn the same lessons every few books and continue to keep the trust of people who should have lost their faith in them ages ago.

[Julie Decker · Rating 2 out of 5]

Elizabeth and Jessica are on a camping adventure, and so much can go wrong--try forest fires, bear attacks, secret identities, and extreme discomfort. Isn't camping supposed to be fun?

I had no attachment to these characters because they were often so vapid. Especially how there was so much anticipation over the new guy in the picture--WHO WAS RICH, OH MY--and how disappointed the superficial girls are when they find out the rich boy is fat. Guess that completely rules him out as potential date material. Good thing he knows his place and just acts nice to them anyway and they decide they can at least be friendly to him. (You see, if you are not hot in a Sweet Valley book, you have to do something major to make up for it, like save someone from a major camping scrape.) Most of the problems in the book were disconnected from each other and difficult to imagine being executed. It felt lukewarm throughout.

[Lydia Rose · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was okay... Jessica does some nutty things and there's a lot of hard feelings between the kids, but it also has some fun, interesting parts, too. It always seems like Todd and Elizabeth can't figure themselves out, though, and it gets a little redundant. But I always enjoy reading Sweet Valley books, even the meh ones, at least once. They usually are close to real life, and there's always funny parts in the books, despite the rough plot lines or characters.

(Warning: Possible Spoiler)
I'm not sure when in the series this was written, but one thing I always tell everyone is that Elizabeth should've stayed with Jeffery. He was so kind and, honestly, one of my fictional heroes. But later in the series, after Todd comes back, he just disappears. Elizabeth sure didn't deserve him, but I wish he had stuck around longer than he did. Francine seemed to forget all about him. I think that was one of the biggest bad choices Elizabeth made, but I guess if she's happy...