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Sweet Valley High #13
Kidnapped!
A living nightmare . . . Elizabeth Wakefield never imagined that her evening of volunteer work at Sweet Valley's hospital would turn into the most horrifying night of her life. But when a strong hand clamps a chloroformed rag over her mouth and she is pulled from her car, Elizabeth's hellish ordeal begins. When she regains consciousness, Elizabeth finds herself tied to a chair in an isolated shack. She has been kidnapped by Carl, a lonely and disturbed orderly from the hospital. Elizabeth doesn't know what Carl wants from her, but it's clear he's on the brink of insanity. Somehow Elizabeth must escape before it's too late!
97 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 1, 1984
223 people are currently reading
843 people want to read
About the author
Francine Pascal
1,139 books1,843 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 - 29 of 95 reviews
September 16, 2023
I was so excited to stumble upon the news that the popular 1980's teen series Sweet Valley High was available on Kindle. This title was always a favorite. I think it ignited my passion for reading books of suspense. Also for over the top storylines!
Some of the highlights
-Elizabeth Wakefield has been kidnapped. It's up to Jessica, Todd and the rest of her friends to find her.
-Nicholas and Regina Morrow are introduced and I instantly recalled they were two of my favorite characters.
-All the drama as Elizabeth lay wondering if anyone would find her. Also, enjoyed how Jessica and the others captured her captor.
Stay tuned for more nostalgic reviews.
Goodreads review published 16/09/23
Some of the highlights
-Elizabeth Wakefield has been kidnapped. It's up to Jessica, Todd and the rest of her friends to find her.
-Nicholas and Regina Morrow are introduced and I instantly recalled they were two of my favorite characters.
-All the drama as Elizabeth lay wondering if anyone would find her. Also, enjoyed how Jessica and the others captured her captor.
Stay tuned for more nostalgic reviews.
Goodreads review published 16/09/23
October 3, 2011
Celebrity Death Match Review style (I'm a Johnny come lately. Or a Mariel come lately. Anyway, idea totally ripped off of Paul Bryant, Manny and co. I always try to be more like those goodreads gods.)
Sweet Valley High vs. Flowers in the Attic.
Why do I always let Jessica pull me into her brain addled schemes? One toss of her sun blessed blonde hair is all it takes. I'm sunk. Shiny... blonde hair... One hundred and one strokes of the hair brush. Pretty, pretty blonde hair... Swing to side to side, sun shining through the follicles, not split at the ends, but ending in a rainfall of gentle curls.
She said it would just be for the summer. We'd get away from all of that awful California sunshine and live it up with rich relatives, drive a different fancy sports car for every day of the week and meet enough boys that Jessica wouldn't know which were mine to steal away from me. One hundred and twenty... Sooooo pretty.... Did you know that a prefect golf swing can be accomplished with morning, day and nightly rituals of hair brushing?
Her eyes were whirl pools that hypnotized me like that snake in Disney's The Jungle Book. They weren't the same cerulean blue but swirling pools of sea green and aquamarine. I flush the toilet again. "Trust me," is what the backstabber said. My back wasn't even turned. She hypnotized me into shutting my eyes so she could stab me straight in the chest. Direct to the heart. And I'm to blame. I should be going down the drain with that blue toilet stuff. I would, if she flushed me.
Aunt's rich husband didn't know that Jessica had a twin. Jessica said she was an only child to collect double on birthdays and Christmas money cards! No wonder she could afford all of that vidal sassoon. Just like that she got rid of her twin sister and our brother, Steven. Triple toil and trouble. Steven wouldn't be surprised. He's not as trusting as I am. Jessica already ruined his life when she made out with his girlfriend on a dare (I'm wondering now if she didn't initiate that dare with that purpose in mind. I touch my lips). "Just trust me. What could go wrong? You can hide in the attic until Uncle Eustace transfers to the cancer ward. Who wants to party around a dying old dude, anyway?" I wanted to get straight out of there. Or take care of the man. It would look good on a transcript and I'm always looking for ways to be better than Jessica. She turned on the eyes again. My hair should be three minutes more dead than hers. Longer and more beautiful. I stare at the clock. Three minutes... Brush...
I've been in this attic for three months. It's the best diet I've ever been on. Summer is almost over. I'm missing out on early campaigning for homecoming queen. Jessica will surely beat me if someone doesn't come to let me out of here soon. Aunt Jill caught me touching my blonde body hair (I am truly magnificently blonde all over my tan and lean body that is model tall without diminishing a man's need to tower over his lady) and accused me of some kind of twincest. Jessica has been trying to get away from this parasite and win homecoming queen and butter queen the same year running (those are my winning streaks! Mine!). I must admit that she has some kind of power over me. I've been staring into the mirror and brushing my hair to pass the time. Every time I've resolved to walk out of the unlocked door I see my sister's face looking back at me and telling me to trust her. It could still be the best summer ever. I wish I had my homecoming tiara already to wear. My hair is falling out. I haven't had anything to eat in ages. The soap cakes tasted funny. Maybe I shouldn't have eaten those... I feel strange...
I shouldn't have used all of my toilet paper to write this. S.O.S...
Sweet Valley High vs. Flowers in the Attic.
Why do I always let Jessica pull me into her brain addled schemes? One toss of her sun blessed blonde hair is all it takes. I'm sunk. Shiny... blonde hair... One hundred and one strokes of the hair brush. Pretty, pretty blonde hair... Swing to side to side, sun shining through the follicles, not split at the ends, but ending in a rainfall of gentle curls.
She said it would just be for the summer. We'd get away from all of that awful California sunshine and live it up with rich relatives, drive a different fancy sports car for every day of the week and meet enough boys that Jessica wouldn't know which were mine to steal away from me. One hundred and twenty... Sooooo pretty.... Did you know that a prefect golf swing can be accomplished with morning, day and nightly rituals of hair brushing?
Her eyes were whirl pools that hypnotized me like that snake in Disney's The Jungle Book. They weren't the same cerulean blue but swirling pools of sea green and aquamarine. I flush the toilet again. "Trust me," is what the backstabber said. My back wasn't even turned. She hypnotized me into shutting my eyes so she could stab me straight in the chest. Direct to the heart. And I'm to blame. I should be going down the drain with that blue toilet stuff. I would, if she flushed me.
Aunt's rich husband didn't know that Jessica had a twin. Jessica said she was an only child to collect double on birthdays and Christmas money cards! No wonder she could afford all of that vidal sassoon. Just like that she got rid of her twin sister and our brother, Steven. Triple toil and trouble. Steven wouldn't be surprised. He's not as trusting as I am. Jessica already ruined his life when she made out with his girlfriend on a dare (I'm wondering now if she didn't initiate that dare with that purpose in mind. I touch my lips). "Just trust me. What could go wrong? You can hide in the attic until Uncle Eustace transfers to the cancer ward. Who wants to party around a dying old dude, anyway?" I wanted to get straight out of there. Or take care of the man. It would look good on a transcript and I'm always looking for ways to be better than Jessica. She turned on the eyes again. My hair should be three minutes more dead than hers. Longer and more beautiful. I stare at the clock. Three minutes... Brush...
I've been in this attic for three months. It's the best diet I've ever been on. Summer is almost over. I'm missing out on early campaigning for homecoming queen. Jessica will surely beat me if someone doesn't come to let me out of here soon. Aunt Jill caught me touching my blonde body hair (I am truly magnificently blonde all over my tan and lean body that is model tall without diminishing a man's need to tower over his lady) and accused me of some kind of twincest. Jessica has been trying to get away from this parasite and win homecoming queen and butter queen the same year running (those are my winning streaks! Mine!). I must admit that she has some kind of power over me. I've been staring into the mirror and brushing my hair to pass the time. Every time I've resolved to walk out of the unlocked door I see my sister's face looking back at me and telling me to trust her. It could still be the best summer ever. I wish I had my homecoming tiara already to wear. My hair is falling out. I haven't had anything to eat in ages. The soap cakes tasted funny. Maybe I shouldn't have eaten those... I feel strange...
I shouldn't have used all of my toilet paper to write this. S.O.S...
Read
January 10, 2023When Love Dies finished on a cliffhanger almost big enough to rival the one at the end of Dear Sister. Elizabeth has been kidnapped by Creepy Carl, an orderly at Fowler Memorial Hospital. That'll teach her not to volunteer as a candy striper or be nice to weirdos.
Creepy Carl will go down in history as the first of the many creepers, psychopaths and werewolves that the twins encounter over the various Sweet Valley series. He's one of the most boring, as well, given that there's nothing very dramatic about Elizabeth sitting on a couch reading books about farm animals. Really, it has to be one of the most innocuous kidnappings in fiction history. He's desperately in love with Liz (of course), but at no point is there any suggestion that he might try to do anything untoward to her. She's faced much more rapey behaviour at the hands of Bruce Patman. Instead, he buys her books and cardigans and lovingly feeds her cold fast food. What a charmer.
Meanwhile, Jess is off at the home of Sweet Valley newcomers Regina and Nicholas Morrow. The Morrows are filthy rich, so of course our resident gold-digger Jessica falls in love with Nicholas before she's so much as laid eyes on him. Luckily, he turns out to be handsome as well as loaded. He's also way too serious and responsible for Jessica, but it's hard to see clearly when you have dollar signs in your eyes. Jess is so busy throwing herself at Nicholas that she doesn't notice how late Liz is to the party, instead lying to Todd when he questions her about Liz's whereabouts. Eventually, she can drag herself away from Nicholas's conversation about computers for long enough to realise that hey, maybe something bad might have happened to perfectly punctual Liz, and she flees the party with Todd, clad in nothing but a bikini.
Insert montage of searching, worrying and Liz remaining kidnapped.
Before the kidnapping, Liz had planned to meet Max Dellon to tutor him in English, and he immediately becomes suspect number one, because he's a guitarist (and thus a rebel who can't be trusted) and also foolish enough to search her car when he finds it abandoned at the hospital, instead of calling the police like an upstanding non-guitarist would have done. This leads to Todd punching him without provocation at school the next day, because hitting people is pretty much all Todd's good for. Despite that, he seems to be convinced that “fighting was not his style”. By this point in the books, Todd has punched Rick Andover, Bruce Patman (knocking him unconscious) and Max Dellon, and has also threatened to punch Bruce on another occasion. He's basically the poster boy for anger management issues. I hate to think what he'd be like if fighting was his style.
Anyway, in the end,
For a book about a kidnapping, this isn't one of the most exciting Sweet Valley High books. The parts of the book that centre around Liz are about as dull as her time spent locked in Carl's house must have been. The most enjoyable bit is Jess and Todd teaming up. I always like the books where this happens.
Moral of the Story? Don't be nice to creepy men.
[re-read - previously read around 3 times]
Creepy Carl will go down in history as the first of the many creepers, psychopaths and werewolves that the twins encounter over the various Sweet Valley series. He's one of the most boring, as well, given that there's nothing very dramatic about Elizabeth sitting on a couch reading books about farm animals. Really, it has to be one of the most innocuous kidnappings in fiction history. He's desperately in love with Liz (of course), but at no point is there any suggestion that he might try to do anything untoward to her. She's faced much more rapey behaviour at the hands of Bruce Patman. Instead, he buys her books and cardigans and lovingly feeds her cold fast food. What a charmer.
Meanwhile, Jess is off at the home of Sweet Valley newcomers Regina and Nicholas Morrow. The Morrows are filthy rich, so of course our resident gold-digger Jessica falls in love with Nicholas before she's so much as laid eyes on him. Luckily, he turns out to be handsome as well as loaded. He's also way too serious and responsible for Jessica, but it's hard to see clearly when you have dollar signs in your eyes. Jess is so busy throwing herself at Nicholas that she doesn't notice how late Liz is to the party, instead lying to Todd when he questions her about Liz's whereabouts. Eventually, she can drag herself away from Nicholas's conversation about computers for long enough to realise that hey, maybe something bad might have happened to perfectly punctual Liz, and she flees the party with Todd, clad in nothing but a bikini.
Insert montage of searching, worrying and Liz remaining kidnapped.
Before the kidnapping, Liz had planned to meet Max Dellon to tutor him in English, and he immediately becomes suspect number one, because he's a guitarist (and thus a rebel who can't be trusted) and also foolish enough to search her car when he finds it abandoned at the hospital, instead of calling the police like an upstanding non-guitarist would have done. This leads to Todd punching him without provocation at school the next day, because hitting people is pretty much all Todd's good for. Despite that, he seems to be convinced that “fighting was not his style”. By this point in the books, Todd has punched Rick Andover, Bruce Patman (knocking him unconscious) and Max Dellon, and has also threatened to punch Bruce on another occasion. He's basically the poster boy for anger management issues. I hate to think what he'd be like if fighting was his style.
Anyway, in the end,
For a book about a kidnapping, this isn't one of the most exciting Sweet Valley High books. The parts of the book that centre around Liz are about as dull as her time spent locked in Carl's house must have been. The most enjoyable bit is Jess and Todd teaming up. I always like the books where this happens.
Moral of the Story? Don't be nice to creepy men.
[re-read - previously read around 3 times]
August 2, 2022
Hey Gen Xers! Wanna know how we got all our weird phobias, not dealing with traumas and lessons about appropriate relationships? Let me introduce you to Sweet Valley High. All the books we read in our impressionable years. Holy crap these are awful. Makes me appreciate the honestly and quality of the YA books my teen has access to in 2022. Re-reading this explains a lot.
May 3, 2011
Full review here: http://notmytypewriter.com/2011/05/03...
While Kidnapped was completely predictable and lacked any real elements of suspense, it was enjoyable poolside reading. It certainly didn’t live up to my feminist ideals, framing each twin negatively (and two dimensionally) — Elizabeth as a helpless victim and Jessica as boy crazy and self-absorbed — yet somehow, likely the nostalgia factor, it was perfect reading for a mind that was slightly clouded by banana daiquiris and excess exposure to sun.
While Kidnapped was completely predictable and lacked any real elements of suspense, it was enjoyable poolside reading. It certainly didn’t live up to my feminist ideals, framing each twin negatively (and two dimensionally) — Elizabeth as a helpless victim and Jessica as boy crazy and self-absorbed — yet somehow, likely the nostalgia factor, it was perfect reading for a mind that was slightly clouded by banana daiquiris and excess exposure to sun.
August 8, 2019
I want to reread this series from my childhood, hopefully will review this then.
February 16, 2021
Jessica is a real piece of work. Wow.
April 1, 2021
all of the sweet valley high books from 13 on are on kindle unlimited. I have a grand plan to read them all but we'll see how far I get !
November 7, 2025
This one was pretty good and I'm not just saying that cause I actually remember most of it. At the end of the last book Liz stupidly got out of her car to talk to creepy Carl and got herself kidnapped. Do they not teach stranger danger to these kids? That was huge in the 80s and 90s when I was a kid. Anyway she's locked away in an isolated boarded up house. Carl plans to take her to a place in the mountains where she will fall in love with him. Because that's how love and romance work in his mind. Selfish Jessica goes to a party and the Morrow's house and flirts shamelessly with Nicholas who was one of the few decent guys in this series. Todd literally shoves her into the pool to get her to realize her dear sister could be in danger. Max Dellon is incredibly stupid when he finds the car and begins going through it and half the town thinks he took her though where he'd put her I don't know. The solution is kind of dumb but also plausible I guess depending on the mental state of Carl. The book ends with Nicholas falling in love at first sight with Liz to set up the next book where we can hope in vain she'll dump Todd for him. But Liz is stupid so that won't happen. Can't believe I liked Todd and Liz ad a couple when I was a kid. Still it was a more exciting and quick read.
December 24, 2015
Source: I borrowed this book online via OpenLibrary.
Cost: Free
Title: Kidnapped!
Series: Sweet Valley High #13
Author: Francine Pascal/Kate William
Overall Rating: 3 stars
This book was nothing special.
I love a good kidnapping, believe me, I've seen every episode of Criminal Minds, Law and Order, CSI and NCIS. But this book lacked the suspense and the drama that I wanted and it even managed to make the twins even more flat. Jessica lost her spunky personality and Liz just became a victim rather than trying to escape.
Also, the bit with Steve and the dress was a bit too weird, they're brother and sister for god's sake!
Cost: Free
Title: Kidnapped!
Series: Sweet Valley High #13
Author: Francine Pascal/Kate William
Overall Rating: 3 stars
This book was nothing special.
I love a good kidnapping, believe me, I've seen every episode of Criminal Minds, Law and Order, CSI and NCIS. But this book lacked the suspense and the drama that I wanted and it even managed to make the twins even more flat. Jessica lost her spunky personality and Liz just became a victim rather than trying to escape.
Also, the bit with Steve and the dress was a bit too weird, they're brother and sister for god's sake!
Read
November 12, 2019I'm not sure how to rate this ridiculous, sometimes shallow teen soap opera of a book but it was quick, nostalgic fun.
Read
March 9, 2024these are even more unhinged than I remembered
November 30, 2024
Edge of your seat-worthy stuff over here 😂
November 30, 2025
Excellent series
February 3, 2014
Read more of my Reviews at : http://babysittinginsweetvalley.blogs...
Although it failed to triumph the greatness of the previous book in the series (see my review) it was still one of the best Sweet Valley High books because of it's stellar ingredients : drama, far-fetched plot, a crazed stalker on the loose and Jessica's seductive flirting - which just about puts her on the same wave length in craziness and danger as the stalker.
The plot continues directly from the previous book :
Elizabeth has been kidnapped by a mental orderly, Creepy Carl, at the hospital where she's working as a candy striper.
Unaware of these events, Jessica leaves for the rich,new and attractive Morrow's party where she meets Regina. She's the only Sweet Valley High character I know with a disability (she's deaf) and the star of a similar Sweet Valley High book #26 - Hostage which is just as good.
There's also Nicholas, her brother whose in college who Jessica has her sights set on - don't get your hopes up a Jessica, have you read the plot of the next book ?
After days in darkness and days of Jessica crying, Elizabeth is saved due to a slip up at the hospital where Carl mistook Jessica for Elizabeth - yet more proof why being a twin is better.
The novel ends with Elizabeth meeting Nicholas who gazes at her adoringly upon sight and Liz knows she's in for trouble.
Basically, it was like a slightly inferior version of my favourite Sweet Valley book - Sweet Valley High #7 - Dear Sister.
Another thing that made me love this book even more was that it's got me obsessed with the Sweet Valley High tv show because the three part episodes of this were absolutely amazing.
They add in the additional story of Carl (or as he is known in TV show, Peter) escaping from prison after being arrested for kidnapping Liz and kidnaps Jess. Still not as good as the books though but equally satisfying.
Can't wait for #14 - Deceptions !
Although it failed to triumph the greatness of the previous book in the series (see my review) it was still one of the best Sweet Valley High books because of it's stellar ingredients : drama, far-fetched plot, a crazed stalker on the loose and Jessica's seductive flirting - which just about puts her on the same wave length in craziness and danger as the stalker.
The plot continues directly from the previous book :
Elizabeth has been kidnapped by a mental orderly, Creepy Carl, at the hospital where she's working as a candy striper.
Unaware of these events, Jessica leaves for the rich,new and attractive Morrow's party where she meets Regina. She's the only Sweet Valley High character I know with a disability (she's deaf) and the star of a similar Sweet Valley High book #26 - Hostage which is just as good.
There's also Nicholas, her brother whose in college who Jessica has her sights set on - don't get your hopes up a Jessica, have you read the plot of the next book ?
After days in darkness and days of Jessica crying, Elizabeth is saved due to a slip up at the hospital where Carl mistook Jessica for Elizabeth - yet more proof why being a twin is better.
The novel ends with Elizabeth meeting Nicholas who gazes at her adoringly upon sight and Liz knows she's in for trouble.
Basically, it was like a slightly inferior version of my favourite Sweet Valley book - Sweet Valley High #7 - Dear Sister.
Another thing that made me love this book even more was that it's got me obsessed with the Sweet Valley High tv show because the three part episodes of this were absolutely amazing.
They add in the additional story of Carl (or as he is known in TV show, Peter) escaping from prison after being arrested for kidnapping Liz and kidnaps Jess. Still not as good as the books though but equally satisfying.
Can't wait for #14 - Deceptions !
June 19, 2015
I actually read this a few days ago, but didn't have a chance to blog about it until now, so my feelings are kinda blasé now.
I'm really confused about Carl. In some ways, he's portrayed as an innocent mentally disabled person, who doesn't know how to act/treat people. Elizabeth is nice to him, so he thinks that must mean she loves him, so obviously he wants to love her, and when people are in love they run away to be together forever, so he can take care of her and live happily ever after. That's the kind of thing that would get him caught in a heartbeat. Elizabeth would've only been kidnapped for a few hours. She might not have been kidnapped at all: Carl might have just gone around telling everyone about his "new girlfriend Elizabeth", and people would've figured out what was going on and put a stop to it right away. But then they have him chloroforming her, and he's careful to keep going to work so as not to arise suspicions, and he knows not to buy stuff from the hospital itself. This sounds much more like a mentally capable creepy adult man, who wants Elizabeth for his own nefarious means. You can't really have it both ways, and I'm kinda pissed that they tried.
I want to know how long Elizabeth's been volunteering for. I know the last book took place over the span of like, a week. So is this next week? Has Carl only been watching Elizabeth for two weeks? Cuz if so, I can see why she hadn't said something. But has she been volunteering for a month? Cuz a month of Carl being creepy is definitely cause for concern.
Again, I hate Jessica. She had no real reason to lie to Todd about where Elizabeth was. All she had to say was, "I don't know! I'm not my sister's keeper! Maybe she got held up at the hospital or at Max's. Why don't you try calling those places?" Then afterwards, Todd would have a serious case about why they should be concerned about Elizabeth's whereabouts and Jessica could either be mature or immature.
I'm really confused about Carl. In some ways, he's portrayed as an innocent mentally disabled person, who doesn't know how to act/treat people. Elizabeth is nice to him, so he thinks that must mean she loves him, so obviously he wants to love her, and when people are in love they run away to be together forever, so he can take care of her and live happily ever after. That's the kind of thing that would get him caught in a heartbeat. Elizabeth would've only been kidnapped for a few hours. She might not have been kidnapped at all: Carl might have just gone around telling everyone about his "new girlfriend Elizabeth", and people would've figured out what was going on and put a stop to it right away. But then they have him chloroforming her, and he's careful to keep going to work so as not to arise suspicions, and he knows not to buy stuff from the hospital itself. This sounds much more like a mentally capable creepy adult man, who wants Elizabeth for his own nefarious means. You can't really have it both ways, and I'm kinda pissed that they tried.
I want to know how long Elizabeth's been volunteering for. I know the last book took place over the span of like, a week. So is this next week? Has Carl only been watching Elizabeth for two weeks? Cuz if so, I can see why she hadn't said something. But has she been volunteering for a month? Cuz a month of Carl being creepy is definitely cause for concern.
Again, I hate Jessica. She had no real reason to lie to Todd about where Elizabeth was. All she had to say was, "I don't know! I'm not my sister's keeper! Maybe she got held up at the hospital or at Max's. Why don't you try calling those places?" Then afterwards, Todd would have a serious case about why they should be concerned about Elizabeth's whereabouts and Jessica could either be mature or immature.
January 22, 2019
I read pretty much every SVH book I could get my hands on back in the late 80s, early 90s. I honestly don't remember if I ever read this one but I came across it available on Kindle Unlimited and decided to revisit Sweet Valley for a little while. It ends in a cliffhanger that picks up in chapter 1 of the next book.
November 8, 2023
Was good but scary.
March 10, 2016
It's been over 20 years since I've read Sweet Valley High, was so happy to see it available on kindle, really enjoyed Kidnapped, brought back memories!
June 19, 2020
The First 48 Hours: Sweet Valley Edition: That pretty much says it all. Elizabeth is kidnapped by an obsessed orderly who is in the process of taking her to a remote cabin in the woods, never to be heard from again (very similar to another Elizabeth, Elizabeth Smart). Meanwhile, Jessica can't be bothered to realized Elizabeth has gone missing because she is laser focused on Nicholas Morrow, son of the now richest family in Sweet Valley. When she finally does notice, it's all hands on deck (except for the police who are convinced Elizabeth has run away). Will they find her in time!!??
Appreciated the series' first foray into the thriller genre and as a true crime fan, I found myself chuckling at the classic investigation mistakes (Stop getting your DNA all over the crime scene!).
--
**Review Note - I have been re-reading the Sweet Valley High series one book at a time for my podcast, “Lessons From Sweet Valley.” The following is the unique SVH rating system that I use on goodreads for these books alone…
5 Stars - The book is worthy of being read outside of the series purely as an exemplary example of YA fiction.
4 Stars - The book contains an element, storyline or theme that sets it apart from your average SVH tome.
3 Stars - The book adequately meets the expectations of an SVH book as it exists in the Sweet Valley universe.
2 Stars - The book falls below the SVH standards in terms of subject matter, characters or overall story.
1 Star - Offensive by SVH standards! Any of those re-reading the series should skip entirely.
Appreciated the series' first foray into the thriller genre and as a true crime fan, I found myself chuckling at the classic investigation mistakes (Stop getting your DNA all over the crime scene!).
--
**Review Note - I have been re-reading the Sweet Valley High series one book at a time for my podcast, “Lessons From Sweet Valley.” The following is the unique SVH rating system that I use on goodreads for these books alone…
5 Stars - The book is worthy of being read outside of the series purely as an exemplary example of YA fiction.
4 Stars - The book contains an element, storyline or theme that sets it apart from your average SVH tome.
3 Stars - The book adequately meets the expectations of an SVH book as it exists in the Sweet Valley universe.
2 Stars - The book falls below the SVH standards in terms of subject matter, characters or overall story.
1 Star - Offensive by SVH standards! Any of those re-reading the series should skip entirely.
April 27, 2025
I was browsing Kindle Unlimited and when I noticed a Sweet Valley High book I had to read it for the nostalgia, I used to love reading them in my childhood.
Elizabeth and Jessica are sixteen year old identical twins with very different personalities. Jessica is outgoing and loves to be the centre of attention, whilst Elizabeth is more reserved and studious. Jessica is waiting for Elizabeth to give her a lift to a party they’re going to, but when she doesn’t show, she gets a lift from a friend and doesn’t think any more of it. When no one has seen Elizabeth, Jessica and her family begin to worry.
This was a nice short read but a bit darker than I remember. The story opens with a scene from the kidnapping and alternates between Elizabeth and Jessica’s points of view.
As the book was written in 1984 I wasn’t sure if it would feel dated, it didn’t, but there is an obvious lack of technology. One of the characters is deaf and it mentions her ‘handicap’ which is outdated language now but they were different times.
For a quick read I enjoyed this and I might read some more from the series.
Elizabeth and Jessica are sixteen year old identical twins with very different personalities. Jessica is outgoing and loves to be the centre of attention, whilst Elizabeth is more reserved and studious. Jessica is waiting for Elizabeth to give her a lift to a party they’re going to, but when she doesn’t show, she gets a lift from a friend and doesn’t think any more of it. When no one has seen Elizabeth, Jessica and her family begin to worry.
This was a nice short read but a bit darker than I remember. The story opens with a scene from the kidnapping and alternates between Elizabeth and Jessica’s points of view.
As the book was written in 1984 I wasn’t sure if it would feel dated, it didn’t, but there is an obvious lack of technology. One of the characters is deaf and it mentions her ‘handicap’ which is outdated language now but they were different times.
For a quick read I enjoyed this and I might read some more from the series.
December 19, 2024
I have always liked the Morrows as a character addition to the series. I don't think I read this one, as a kid, though.
I spent a lot of his book thinking really?? The police would just abandon the case before it got started and write it off as a runaway? But then I remember all those old Lifetime films about how hard girls / women had to fight to get things like stalking made illegal, and how much serial killers managed to get away with in the '80s, and I realise the scariest thing about this book is that, yes, the police very well might have acted that way.
It may be a silly book with a ridiculously easy resolution, but I give it points for bothering to highlight the consequences of misogyny, and for teaching girls that if they get a bad vibe off a man watching them, it should NEVER be shrugged off as paranoia. It's an important lesson in any decade.
I spent a lot of his book thinking really?? The police would just abandon the case before it got started and write it off as a runaway? But then I remember all those old Lifetime films about how hard girls / women had to fight to get things like stalking made illegal, and how much serial killers managed to get away with in the '80s, and I realise the scariest thing about this book is that, yes, the police very well might have acted that way.
It may be a silly book with a ridiculously easy resolution, but I give it points for bothering to highlight the consequences of misogyny, and for teaching girls that if they get a bad vibe off a man watching them, it should NEVER be shrugged off as paranoia. It's an important lesson in any decade.
July 1, 2019
Title: Kidnapped!
Author: Francine Pascal, Kate William
Series: Sweet Valley High, 13
Format: ebook
Length: N/A
Rating: 3 stars
Synopsis: A living nightmare . . . Elizabeth Wakefield never imagined that her evening of volunteer work at Sweet Valley's hospital would turn into the most horrifying night of her life. But when a strong hand clamps a chloroformed rag over her mouth and she is pulled from her car, Elizabeth's hellish ordeal begins. When she regains consciousness, Elizabeth finds herself tied to a chair in an isolated shack. She has been kidnapped by Carl, a lonely and disturbed orderly from the hospital. Elizabeth doesn't know what Carl wants from her, but it's clear he's on the brink of insanity. Somehow Elizabeth must escape before it's too late!
Favourite character: I want to say Carl, I really do.
Least favourite character: N/A
Mini-review: And yet again, a new dramatic chapter in the SVH saga. Surprise, surprise.
So Elizabeth has been kidnapped. Not surprising. But why does the big scary stuff happen to Elizabeth? Like we're not even 20 books in and Liz has been nearly killed and kidnapped, and all Jessica does is bully people to the point of suicide attempts. Hmm...
So Jessica is too busy throwing herself at new boy, Nicholas Morrow's feet to notice that her twin hasn't showed up to the party, and Elizabeth who is early for everything is an hour and a half late. Todd throws a fit (and Jessica into the pool). Understandable on both fronts.
Fan Cast:
Elizabeth Wakefield/Jessica Wakefield - Lili Reinhart
Todd Wilkins - Blake Michael
Carl - Caleb Landry Jones
Max Dellon - Ross Lynch
Ned Wakefield - Patrick Warburton
Alice Wakefield - Laura Dern
Steven Wakefield - Timothée Chalamet
Regina Morrow - Zendaya
Nicholas Morrow - Keiynan Lonsdale
Cara Walker - Sofia Carson
Mr. Collins - Armie Hammer
Caroline Pearce - Shannon Purser
Lila Fowler - Danielle Campbell
Enid Rollins - Joey King
Author: Francine Pascal, Kate William
Series: Sweet Valley High, 13
Format: ebook
Length: N/A
Rating: 3 stars
Synopsis: A living nightmare . . . Elizabeth Wakefield never imagined that her evening of volunteer work at Sweet Valley's hospital would turn into the most horrifying night of her life. But when a strong hand clamps a chloroformed rag over her mouth and she is pulled from her car, Elizabeth's hellish ordeal begins. When she regains consciousness, Elizabeth finds herself tied to a chair in an isolated shack. She has been kidnapped by Carl, a lonely and disturbed orderly from the hospital. Elizabeth doesn't know what Carl wants from her, but it's clear he's on the brink of insanity. Somehow Elizabeth must escape before it's too late!
Favourite character: I want to say Carl, I really do.
Least favourite character: N/A
Mini-review: And yet again, a new dramatic chapter in the SVH saga. Surprise, surprise.
So Elizabeth has been kidnapped. Not surprising. But why does the big scary stuff happen to Elizabeth? Like we're not even 20 books in and Liz has been nearly killed and kidnapped, and all Jessica does is bully people to the point of suicide attempts. Hmm...
So Jessica is too busy throwing herself at new boy, Nicholas Morrow's feet to notice that her twin hasn't showed up to the party, and Elizabeth who is early for everything is an hour and a half late. Todd throws a fit (and Jessica into the pool). Understandable on both fronts.
Fan Cast:
Elizabeth Wakefield/Jessica Wakefield - Lili Reinhart
Todd Wilkins - Blake Michael
Carl - Caleb Landry Jones
Max Dellon - Ross Lynch
Ned Wakefield - Patrick Warburton
Alice Wakefield - Laura Dern
Steven Wakefield - Timothée Chalamet
Regina Morrow - Zendaya
Nicholas Morrow - Keiynan Lonsdale
Cara Walker - Sofia Carson
Mr. Collins - Armie Hammer
Caroline Pearce - Shannon Purser
Lila Fowler - Danielle Campbell
Enid Rollins - Joey King
April 16, 2021
This was an oddly written book. Steve and Jessica? Umm what was that. An awkwardly written interaction, that's what. Todd pushing Jessica into the pool to get her attention... really was there no other way? Elizabeth more worried about her kidnappers living arrangements rather than being kidnapped... huh? The kidnapping itself didn't even make sense. Both Jessica and Elizabeth worked as Candy Stripers and he watched Elizabeth and didn't figure out she had a twin sister? Hmmm. Elizabeth, after being kidnapped goes home, has a party and then finds a dude who's into her ... What???? When I read this at 12, I remember this being one of my favourites because it was such a thriller. Yikes!!
July 21, 2025
Despite the premise, this isn't one of the most exciting Sweet Valley books. The more ludicrous, the better with this series, and this one is fairly straightforward. The plot centres around the Wakefield twins: Elizabeth who has been kidnapped and the ever-selfish Jessica who at first is too busy flirting at a pool party to notice her sister is missing. It was a short, nostalgic read that I found on Kindle Unlimited. I've read a lot of the later, more fantastical books in the series, so this is my first time reading Kidnapped! It's clear to see this was a series still finding its feet at such an early stage in its development.
April 2, 2020
I returned to my childhood for this book. I grew up in the '80s reading The Sweet Valley Twins series, but never got around to reading about Elizabeth and Jessica in Sweet Valley High, so this was a treat. I wanted something light, but this was the first book in the series that is available on KU. As it goes, the book certainly took me back to my times reading about the twins and the adventures they got themselves into. I don't remember so much head-hopping POV, but it was so long ago.
December 15, 2022
Made me smile and giggle just like old times
I felt like going back and reading some of the series from my childhood that I remember would take up a lot of my time in Imagination land. This series as well as the babysitters club and also countless Judy Blume books are on my list of reads for 2023 I am going to have a throwback year of reading. This took me back. It is Young Reading but still will make you laugh at how immature teenagers can be.
I felt like going back and reading some of the series from my childhood that I remember would take up a lot of my time in Imagination land. This series as well as the babysitters club and also countless Judy Blume books are on my list of reads for 2023 I am going to have a throwback year of reading. This took me back. It is Young Reading but still will make you laugh at how immature teenagers can be.
January 30, 2025
I’m not actually sure if I’d ever read this one, but I did watch the TV episode it was based on over and over again. (It threw me that Max was the one who found her car here, not Winston!)
Jessica is such a sociopath, and the scene with her and Steven in the beginning was creeeeeeepy.
Also, Todd saying that fighting is “not his style” might be the funniest thing I’ve ever read in these books.
Jessica is such a sociopath, and the scene with her and Steven in the beginning was creeeeeeepy.
Also, Todd saying that fighting is “not his style” might be the funniest thing I’ve ever read in these books.
June 14, 2020
I really liked it!! Finished it in two days, since they're pretty easy reads. Even got my heart pounding a bit when Pascal described Elizabeth's attempt at getting away. Super great, really enjoyed it! And oh that snobby Jessica returning at the end, getting jealous of Elizabeth getting news coverage, haha.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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