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Sweet Valley High #15
Promises
Steven Wakefield is crushed when his girlfriend, Tricia, dies after a tragic illness. The only things that keep him going are the memory of their love and his promise to Tricia to take care of her sister, Betsy, after she's gone.
Betsy Martin's wild exploits with drink, drugs, and boys have left her with the worst reputation in Sweet Valley. But when Steven takes her into the Wakefield home, Betsy makes a promise to change. And as her goodness grows, so does her love for Steven.
Jessica, Steven's conniving younger sister, doesn't like this one bit. She makes a little promise of her own to get Betsy out of the house and out of Steven's life... forever!
Betsy Martin's wild exploits with drink, drugs, and boys have left her with the worst reputation in Sweet Valley. But when Steven takes her into the Wakefield home, Betsy makes a promise to change. And as her goodness grows, so does her love for Steven.
Jessica, Steven's conniving younger sister, doesn't like this one bit. She makes a little promise of her own to get Betsy out of the house and out of Steven's life... forever!
125 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1984
About the author
Francine Pascal
1,149 books1,886 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 58 reviews
February 25, 2023
“Tricia kept right on smiling in the face of death and showed the courage of a female Luke Skywalker.”
January 14, 2024
Re-Read 2024
Steven Wakefield's girlfriend, Tricia Martin dies from leukemia and the Wakefields accept her older sister, Betsy, into their home. But Jessica doesn't like it and does some fairly evil stuff to get rid of her. It's baffling that she never faces any consequences for her cruelty. Instead there's always a party at the end of the book. Yet I keep getting sucked into these nostalgic reads.
Goodreads review published 14/01/24
Steven Wakefield's girlfriend, Tricia Martin dies from leukemia and the Wakefields accept her older sister, Betsy, into their home. But Jessica doesn't like it and does some fairly evil stuff to get rid of her. It's baffling that she never faces any consequences for her cruelty. Instead there's always a party at the end of the book. Yet I keep getting sucked into these nostalgic reads.
Goodreads review published 14/01/24
January 22, 2019
I read somewhere that some of the SVH books had been updated to today's technology, etc. Obviously this is not one of them since it references Bo Derek movies. I'm fairly certain today's teenagers have no idea who Bo Derek even is.
I just read a review of the first Sweet Valley Twins book and the reviewer called Jessica a total sociopath. It hit me when I read it, that description is dead on accurate. She manipulates everyone to get what she wants, even faking tears when necessary. She has her sister completely snowed. She constantly takes advantage of Elizabeth and uses her whenever it's convenient. The fact that she takes all of Elizabeth's clothes, even new things she's never worn yet, is just one small example of her having Liz wrapped around her little finger.
Sometimes I think her parents are on to her but then they end up relenting too. Jess got an F in math in the last book. That was supposed to get her kicked off the cheer squad and grounded and yet neither of those things happened. And the way she treats Betsy in this book is so nasty and judgmental. She can't even let the girl grieve for her dead sister before she starts plotting against her.
Regardless of the fact that I can't stand Jessica, these freaking books are like potato chips and I can't read just one! On to the next...
I just read a review of the first Sweet Valley Twins book and the reviewer called Jessica a total sociopath. It hit me when I read it, that description is dead on accurate. She manipulates everyone to get what she wants, even faking tears when necessary. She has her sister completely snowed. She constantly takes advantage of Elizabeth and uses her whenever it's convenient. The fact that she takes all of Elizabeth's clothes, even new things she's never worn yet, is just one small example of her having Liz wrapped around her little finger.
Sometimes I think her parents are on to her but then they end up relenting too. Jess got an F in math in the last book. That was supposed to get her kicked off the cheer squad and grounded and yet neither of those things happened. And the way she treats Betsy in this book is so nasty and judgmental. She can't even let the girl grieve for her dead sister before she starts plotting against her.
Regardless of the fact that I can't stand Jessica, these freaking books are like potato chips and I can't read just one! On to the next...
November 15, 2025
I always thought Tricia died off screen or page in this case. The previous book left off with the twins rushing to her bedside as the end was near. We open with everyone at the bedside, at least the Wakefield clan. Tricia's family are no where to be found. Tricia makes Steven promise to look at her sister Betsy and then dies. Soon after as the family leaves the hospital Betsy arrives and is hysterical. The Wakefield's take her home to stay with them.
This could've been a book to go over teenaged grief, but it's mostly Jessica being a selfish bitch. I'm tired of girls like Betsy and Annie being painted as sluts while Jessica goes after every boy in town and has a squeaky clean reputation when the girl is pure evil in my mind. Jessica is the perfect 1980s soap opera villain which is basically what these books are.
Tricia does grieve her sister through her art work and develops a crush on Steven and us weary of other men who are trying to help her, namely Jason who wants to get her into art school.
The b plot involves Winston trying to win a pizza eating record and falling just short. In small town fashion even the damn news turns out for this.
And a sort of c plot that basically sets up the next book Roger Barrett's mom has a heart attack and the Patmans pay for her to be flown out and operated on at one of the best hospitals which sets the rumour mill running. The book ends with his mother dying and everyone learning that his father was Bruce's much richer now dead uncle.
This one was interesting. It had the potential to look at grief and grieving in teens and sort of did but Jessica as always ruins everything. Lord I hate her.
This could've been a book to go over teenaged grief, but it's mostly Jessica being a selfish bitch. I'm tired of girls like Betsy and Annie being painted as sluts while Jessica goes after every boy in town and has a squeaky clean reputation when the girl is pure evil in my mind. Jessica is the perfect 1980s soap opera villain which is basically what these books are.
Tricia does grieve her sister through her art work and develops a crush on Steven and us weary of other men who are trying to help her, namely Jason who wants to get her into art school.
The b plot involves Winston trying to win a pizza eating record and falling just short. In small town fashion even the damn news turns out for this.
And a sort of c plot that basically sets up the next book Roger Barrett's mom has a heart attack and the Patmans pay for her to be flown out and operated on at one of the best hospitals which sets the rumour mill running. The book ends with his mother dying and everyone learning that his father was Bruce's much richer now dead uncle.
This one was interesting. It had the potential to look at grief and grieving in teens and sort of did but Jessica as always ruins everything. Lord I hate her.
May 11, 2021
there's an eating contest at a PIZZA PARLOR? that alone makes this worth the price of admission. I don't know if I'll actually get through....ALL of these? But I'm gonna see how far I can get.
May 4, 2022
2.5 stars
Jessica made me feel sick in this one! Why does she always meddle even when EVERYONE else around her says not to?! She is so selfish. Steven had to be mature beyond his years and even in his own grief, stay strong for others. I had such mixed thoughts on Betsy. Overall, the flow of this one wasn't my favorite. It just felt boring for the most part. Stupid high school conversations that really have nothing to do with much of anything.
Jessica made me feel sick in this one! Why does she always meddle even when EVERYONE else around her says not to?! She is so selfish. Steven had to be mature beyond his years and even in his own grief, stay strong for others. I had such mixed thoughts on Betsy. Overall, the flow of this one wasn't my favorite. It just felt boring for the most part. Stupid high school conversations that really have nothing to do with much of anything.
July 29, 2014
I want to reread this series from my childhood, hopefully will review this then.
January 22, 2018
This book was better than I thought it would be. It was my first SVH book. I can see why it was all the rage back in the day. It was nice and quick.
This book was about the Wakefields and a girl named Betsy. Betsy's sister Tricia was dating the son of the Wakefields named Steven when she died. Before she died she had Steven promise to take care of Betsy, who was on a destructive path. Steven took his promise serious but Betsy started to crush on him. It goes on from there.
This book was about the Wakefields and a girl named Betsy. Betsy's sister Tricia was dating the son of the Wakefields named Steven when she died. Before she died she had Steven promise to take care of Betsy, who was on a destructive path. Steven took his promise serious but Betsy started to crush on him. It goes on from there.
December 22, 2025
good series
October 2, 2021
I read these books when I was in elementary school. They are worse than I remember, and I remember them being pretty bad.
Jessica Wakefield is terrible, it is so bizarre that these books present any of these characters as likable.
Jessica Wakefield is terrible, it is so bizarre that these books present any of these characters as likable.
February 28, 2015
Source: I borrowed this book from a family member.
Cost: Free
Title: Promise
Series: Sweet Valley High #15
Author: Francine Pascal/Kate William
Overall Rating: 3 stars
Although this one was definitely better than the last, it still was lacking in the whole compassion side of things and the only reason I think I liked it was because Steve was quite prominent in it. I hated it because of Jessica, Betsy had just lost her sister to cancer but of course it's all about Jessica.
Self-centred little troll.
Cost: Free
Title: Promise
Series: Sweet Valley High #15
Author: Francine Pascal/Kate William
Overall Rating: 3 stars
Although this one was definitely better than the last, it still was lacking in the whole compassion side of things and the only reason I think I liked it was because Steve was quite prominent in it. I hated it because of Jessica, Betsy had just lost her sister to cancer but of course it's all about Jessica.
Self-centred little troll.
Read
January 30, 2015Don't you worry: I had some stuff to take care of, but I haven't forgotten SVH! I believe this is the episode, err book, where the 'Beach Disco' was introduced. I think we'll get some tread out of that one - unless there is a dance Saturday night (and Jessica is just DYING to go with...whomever).
August 3, 2020
This book is about grieving and scheming. Jessica showcases her complete lack of empathy in a major way when come hell or high water she will get Betsy Martin (who has just lost her sister, and her father is MIA) out of her family's home. Betsy's presence represents a direct threat to her security and dreams of upward mobility in the Sweet Valley class system. There were potentially powerful moments of shared grief between the characters which could have made for many dynamic scenes, but these moments were largely breezed through in favor of the details of Jessica's plotting.
However! This book wins the award for most bizarre subplot in Winston Egberts world record pizza eating attempt. Also, a one page diatribe on the merits of Guido's Pizzeria and it's brick oven pizza and tomato sauce made me feel like this was a #ad. "Promises" sponsored by Guidos.
--
**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.
However! This book wins the award for most bizarre subplot in Winston Egberts world record pizza eating attempt. Also, a one page diatribe on the merits of Guido's Pizzeria and it's brick oven pizza and tomato sauce made me feel like this was a #ad. "Promises" sponsored by Guidos.
--
**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.
February 3, 2019
Promises
Plot: On his girlfriend Tricia’s death bed, Steven makes a promise to her to watch out for her out of control younger sister Betsy. The Wakefield’s feeling bad for her because she has no where else to go (seeing that her father is an alcoholic) decide to let Betsy stay with them for a little while. Long enough for her to get herself to together. Jessica of course -ever the bitch she is-starts to think about how Betsy’s staying with them will mess up the perfect Wakefield reputation. And it’s not long before she’s plotting on ways to get her out. The subplot was about Winston trying to set a record for eating the most pizza’s in a sitting.
My Thoughts: I didn’t have that many thoughts for this one. I felt bad for Steven because I know what how gut-wrecking and heart breaking it is to lose someone you love to not just an illness, but *anything*. I’ve seen it happen. It’s happened to me. It’s happened last year to my mother. I was happy to see Betsy get a second chance in life and that being art. Art has played an important role in my life as well. And I liked Jason for her. It was actually kind of HOT how he fought for her in the end. Now if she wasn’t feeling him after that... Bottom line is everyone deserves a second chance. And why is it that Betsy’s the town tramp because she’s dated two guys at the same time and she likes to drink, but Jessica’s gone through how many guys in this series so far -and in books to come-.
Rating: 5
Plot: On his girlfriend Tricia’s death bed, Steven makes a promise to her to watch out for her out of control younger sister Betsy. The Wakefield’s feeling bad for her because she has no where else to go (seeing that her father is an alcoholic) decide to let Betsy stay with them for a little while. Long enough for her to get herself to together. Jessica of course -ever the bitch she is-starts to think about how Betsy’s staying with them will mess up the perfect Wakefield reputation. And it’s not long before she’s plotting on ways to get her out. The subplot was about Winston trying to set a record for eating the most pizza’s in a sitting.
My Thoughts: I didn’t have that many thoughts for this one. I felt bad for Steven because I know what how gut-wrecking and heart breaking it is to lose someone you love to not just an illness, but *anything*. I’ve seen it happen. It’s happened to me. It’s happened last year to my mother. I was happy to see Betsy get a second chance in life and that being art. Art has played an important role in my life as well. And I liked Jason for her. It was actually kind of HOT how he fought for her in the end. Now if she wasn’t feeling him after that... Bottom line is everyone deserves a second chance. And why is it that Betsy’s the town tramp because she’s dated two guys at the same time and she likes to drink, but Jessica’s gone through how many guys in this series so far -and in books to come-.
Rating: 5
August 11, 2020
I love this because Betsy Martin needs help.... and not all the Wakefields are inclined to give it (head's up: Jessica alert!) Betsy is the troubled sister of that saintly dying girlfriend of Steven - who croaks touchingly at the start of this book. Now he's stuck with Betsy who is all kinds of messed up because dying saint made Steven promise to make her his new project to take under his wing and look after even though he's reeling and not up to the task. Luckily Betsy has a talent... and that as we know in Sweet Valley is the key to transforming someone into a model citizen so all her childhood neglect, grief over the death of her sister, drug and alcohol issues, and extreme distrust of boykind vaporises in time for a magical Sweet Valley happy ending. Except Saintly Girlfriend is still dead.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 19, 2024
The efforts they go to, to make Betsy seem 'bad' - CRINGE! I think the best example is when she gushes that she has some 'dynamite pot'. I'm not sure which part of that is worse: the anticlimactic mention of pot rather than something actually scary like heroin, or the use of the word 'dynamite'. And look at that cover - that Martha Stewart dress! She certainly does look like a boozy floozy!
You gotta hand it to the geniuses behind this series for undercutting the tragedy of a teenager dying of leukaemia and the family / loved ones trying to grieve...with Winston attempting to break the world record of seven extra-large pizzas eaten in one sitting. Pure class, that was. With that kind of action, it's easy to forget about poor Betsy. Hell, even the TV prime time NEWS showed up for that pizza event - and he didn't even break the record!
You gotta hand it to the geniuses behind this series for undercutting the tragedy of a teenager dying of leukaemia and the family / loved ones trying to grieve...with Winston attempting to break the world record of seven extra-large pizzas eaten in one sitting. Pure class, that was. With that kind of action, it's easy to forget about poor Betsy. Hell, even the TV prime time NEWS showed up for that pizza event - and he didn't even break the record!
December 16, 2019
I definitely had this book mixed up with another one in my head. I thought this was the one where Betsy keeps guilting Steven into doing nothing but moping around about Tricia but it’s not. I guess that one happens later in the series, when he’s starting to get interested in Cara I think.
Anyway, this one was fine I guess. Even as a kid I was skeptical of Betsy’s miraculous turnaround, especially because she was even known as “bad” way back in middle school according to the Sweet Valley Twins series. Also, Jessica is even worse than usual in this book, and her treatment of both Tricia and Betsy is hard to read about. Honestly, this book in general is just kinda boring.
Still, I’m glad I can cross this one off my never-ending “re-read list”.
Anyway, this one was fine I guess. Even as a kid I was skeptical of Betsy’s miraculous turnaround, especially because she was even known as “bad” way back in middle school according to the Sweet Valley Twins series. Also, Jessica is even worse than usual in this book, and her treatment of both Tricia and Betsy is hard to read about. Honestly, this book in general is just kinda boring.
Still, I’m glad I can cross this one off my never-ending “re-read list”.
November 25, 2017
Classic SVH, where the all-wonderful Wakefield family bands together to help Betsy Martin, older sister of tragically dead Tricia, Steve's girlfriend. All of the Wakefields except for Jessica, of course, because she's a sociopathic nightmare of a human being, who continually calls Betsy a tramp and trash and is just appalled that the girl is staying in her house, as though slut cooties may rub off on her. Probably one of the best SVH books in the series at this point, and one that makes clear that Jessica is an honest to God narcissist. So so bad, but so so good.
January 23, 2018
screaming @ this:
Ooh, you're a wild girl, Betsy Martin!
Also, I know Jason was just supposed to be ~misunderstood~ and Betsy was just ~lashing out~ because of her past experiences with guys, but dude, she literally told you that guys are only nice to her because they want something from her, and then you go right ahead and ask her out! Not once, but twice! I was totally on Betsy's side here, how was she supposed to know he was actually a "nice guy"?
"In fact"--she lowered her voice--"Charlie here just got his hands on some dynamite pot."
Ooh, you're a wild girl, Betsy Martin!
Also, I know Jason was just supposed to be ~misunderstood~ and Betsy was just ~lashing out~ because of her past experiences with guys, but dude, she literally told you that guys are only nice to her because they want something from her, and then you go right ahead and ask her out! Not once, but twice! I was totally on Betsy's side here, how was she supposed to know he was actually a "nice guy"?
December 5, 2017
There are three things I hate about this book:
1. The invisible problem- What’s wrong with Steven’s promise to Tricia?
2. The weird subplot- No, just no.
3. Jessica’s insensitive, inappropriate comments about Betsy.
But Jessica was right about one thing though: Betsy shouldn’t have been drinking and smoking while Tricia was dying, and it’s going to take time to accept Betsy’s new reputation.
1. The invisible problem- What’s wrong with Steven’s promise to Tricia?
2. The weird subplot- No, just no.
3. Jessica’s insensitive, inappropriate comments about Betsy.
But Jessica was right about one thing though: Betsy shouldn’t have been drinking and smoking while Tricia was dying, and it’s going to take time to accept Betsy’s new reputation.
July 10, 2021
This Sweet Valley High book was decent and I enjoyed the Betsy Martin drama, especially since it focused on a bit more serious things such as drug and alcohol abuse. I feel like the pizza-eating competition was quite outlandish though and definitely appeals more to the children whereas Trica's and Betsy's stories were more for the young adults. Decent book overall though.
October 13, 2021
Steven promises Trisha he'll look after her troubled sister Betsy when Trisha is on her deathbed. Unfortunately this results in Betsy moving in with the Wakefields and developing a crush on the heartbroken Steven.
Jess is determined to get rid of Betsy, and will do almost anything to get the girl out of the house and away from her brother
Jess is determined to get rid of Betsy, and will do almost anything to get the girl out of the house and away from her brother
October 30, 2024
Sweet Valley High #15
Book #15 of the series sees Tricia Martin die and then Steven take on Betsy whilst Jessica is still the most vile person on the planet and worse than any of the people she considers bad, the fact that her dopey sister keeps defending her makes the book lose credibility. Anyway for this kind of guff it was ok.
Book #15 of the series sees Tricia Martin die and then Steven take on Betsy whilst Jessica is still the most vile person on the planet and worse than any of the people she considers bad, the fact that her dopey sister keeps defending her makes the book lose credibility. Anyway for this kind of guff it was ok.
February 8, 2025
TRICIA'S BODY IS NOT EVEN COLD AND IN THE GROUND BEFORE JESSICA IS WORRYING THAT HER GRIEVING BROTHER IS FALLING FOR TRICIA'S SISTER; THAT TRICIA'S SISTER WILL *NEVER* LEAVE THE WAKEFIELD HOUSE; THAT WINSTON WON'T BE ABLE TO EAT SEVEN PIZZAS AND BREAK THE RECORD -- LIKE CAN WE GET A SINGLE FUCKING MOMENT OF SILENCE FOR POOR DEAD TRICIA?!?!?!
July 30, 2025
This storyline felt more boring to me than the others and dragged on a bit. Sadly, Tricia dies and Steven is left to look after the “town tramp” Betsy, Tricia’s sister. Along with the sub plot line of Winston and the pizza eating contest, this one felt like a snooze fest. I needed some “dynamite pot” to get through this one.
May 30, 2026
To reread these books after basically 30 years is so enjoyable. They are fast and short.The topics are very real to life topics. Tricia does and Betsy her sister has been spiraling out of control. Tricia makes Steve promise to watch over her. Better begins to let her guard down and believe in herself.
July 25, 2020
Random reread of a book from the series I loved in 6th grade. I read the original version, not the updated one.
Completely unrealistic and delightfully trashy. Even though the details are outdated, the teenage melodrama is timeless.
Completely unrealistic and delightfully trashy. Even though the details are outdated, the teenage melodrama is timeless.
July 7, 2017
Very good book
Loved the story. The author made me feel like I was right there with the character
in the book! Loved it!
Loved the story. The author made me feel like I was right there with the character
in the book! Loved it!
July 14, 2018
I liked the story line with Besty trying to change but for once I would like for Jessica to get what is coming to her.
February 1, 2021
An ok addition to the SVH line up. I couldn’t get behind Betsy as a character she just bothered me, and Jessica was as sociopathic as always. Can’t wait to read the next one though.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 58 reviews