College Girls

Sweet Valley University #1

by Francine Pascal (Creator)

Jessica and Elizabeth Wakefield are about to begin the most exciting year of their lives....

Jessica has everything she's dreamed of: freedom, independence, and all the guys on campus - except the one she wants.

Elizabeth hopes college will be just like high school - only better! Her longtime boyfriend, Todd Wilkins, wants their love to go further. Can their relationship survive freshman year?

Enid Rollins, Elizabeth's high-school best friend, is glamorous Alexandra now: party girl, sorority pledge - and no friend of Elizabeth's.

Winston Egbert vows to be taken seriously at college. But he's been registered as "Winnie" and put in an all-female dorm!

Elizabeth, Jessica, and their friends from Sweet Valley head for their wildest adventures ever - at Sweet Valley University.

Genres: Young Adult, Fiction, Childrens, Romance, Teen, Chick Lit, Ebooks

235 pages, Mass Market Paperback

Published September 1, 1993

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

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ridiculous. And amazing. My college experience was so boring compared to SVU...

[Lindsey · Rating 2 out of 5]

I can’t believe I’m admitting that I’m reading this book. I was bored in a waiting room and surfing open library when I found several SVU books. This one was available so I checked it out.

I read a lot of Sweet Valley books as a youngster, and I remember thinking I should save them so I could share them with my own daughter one day. However, I don’t think I’d want to share this book with my daughter.

So far there’s been a healthy dose of sexism, elitism, and racism. The focus on looks and boys is driving my crazy. And as a higher education professional, I can say that the staff at SVU really need to get their shit together.

All that being said, I’m still reading the book. I haven’t rolled my eyes hard enough to put it down. It’s kind of fun reading a 90s book with a 2019 lens. The writing is terrible, but I’m equal parts annoyed and entertained. I might make this a fun supplementary reading game this year.

Update:

This book was a completely silly waste of time, but it was a super easy read during a busy week. I’ll likely read some more of these just for the nostalgia and the so-bad-it’s-good laughs.

[Elise Wareing · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read this book in one sitting! The Wakefield twins are my Roman Empire I swear !

[Jacky]

I’ve luckily been able to read these SVU (in my opinion, far superior to SVH) through a lens of nostalgia rather than an adult-with-an-English-degree present-day lens. When I was in high school in the early to mid Nineties, I was so embarrassed but would still stealthily buy these books at Walden’s at the mall, (ie, if I didn’t see anyone i knew, and the sales associate was a middle aged man versus a fellow teen). I now am in my mid forties and started rereading the new used ones I stealthily have been purchasing in small bundles from abebooks. I may be embarrassed when my kids clean out my belongings for an estate sale after I die, but these books have been such a comforting, nostalgic, albeit campy trip down memory lane…when life was still analog, carefree (beyond adolescent angst), and just on the precipice of just “really” starting (graduating, going off to college, and the whole blank slate behind that). With the heaviness of adulthood, it’s been a treat to put on my readers at bedtime, brew a cup of peppermint tea, and escape to an alternate nineties youth in Southern California each night before bed.

[Hope Burmeister · Rating 4 out of 5]

Though this book was easy reading, full of typical high school (college) drama and highly predictable, I found myself enjoying it as I read it. Elizabeth's ordeal was painful, and as I read, I could actually feel her pain. That is good writing! And again, although it was predictable and in some ways, not cleverly surprising, I did like the story as a whole. But one thing I'll point out- some, if not all of these characters are hopelessly naive (ahem, Jessica).

[Felicia Moore · Rating 5 out of 5]

As good as I remember!

[Regine Celina · Rating 2 out of 5]

It's been two decades since I first read this and it's interesting how much has changed. I didn't enjoy this as much as I did the first time. I guess it helps to have read better books since then.

[Shhhh... Books · Rating 5 out of 5]

I remember these books being very dirty for a sixth/seventh grader to read. I love the $#!t out of them.

[ThymeOperator · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read all these back in 5th grade and in light of the new SV book put out in March this year, I've been inspired to go back and reread all of these. They really are still entertaining today! For one thing, they're so dated, it's adorable. For another, the writing is purposely and genuinely very funny. The stories are just ludicrous enough to be fun, but the characters are somehow believable despite that. I always found this book difficult to handle because it's heartbreaking, that moment when you have to start growing up and everything changes, friends are lost, etc. I think this book picks up on that nicely, for what it is. Obviously it took only a few hours to get through it because it's such a low reading level, but these books are still excellent for their target audience, I reckon. And SV will always hold the title of being the series of books that first got me really excited about reading, as a little girl.

[Laura McGee · Rating 1 out of 5]

Oh BOY, well I forgot some things about the college years. But just like high school they deal with all serious issues terribly and send some bizarre messages in the process.
Biggest takeaways are obviously that Liz and Todd break up because she is such a prude (don’t you feel guilty Todd, you did what you needed to do), Enid changes her name to Alexandra and is super over Liz and her bullshit and tells her as much, and Jessica meets what is the 589th love of her life and is ALSO done with Liz because Liz is “the biggest drip since the invention of water” (mic drop). BUT this new love is special because it’s Michael McCallary who everyone remembers will end up being shot by her brother in a few more books! (Don’t worry, he lives).
LIKE SANDS THROUGH THE HOUR GLASS, this is Sweet Valley….the University years!
Recommend it to all your friends.

[Lindsey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Psycho killer? Qu'est-ce que c'est?

I loved this. Honestly this opener was sooo much better than SVH! Maybe it’s because we’ve got hunks galore, Todd is in the trash, Enid is rebranding, and there’s people running around smoking and sexing it up. And maybe there’s a psycho killer! Or at least a few stalkers. Oh, and Winston takes the entire book to realize maybe he should find it cool to live in the girls dorm.

[david · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought I was done with these insufferable twins, but they’re back and in college! Jessica is still a sociopath, Elizabeth still a whiny, entitled pain in the ass, and somehow the ghostwriter ripped off Melrose Place. Now there’s secret societies, racial tensions, and *gasp* people having sex. Still the same cheesy, campy, terrible writing, but I live for it.

[Elizabeth Mckernan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good Book

[Carolyn M L · Rating 4 out of 5]

I actually really enjoyed this book. Oh, the shame!

[Emma Francois · Rating 3 out of 5]

A really nice quick read. I remember my Auntie giving me theses books at high school. Really cool experience to read them again

[Doris Ware · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun series

[Ann Williams · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was a lot more complex than I remembered. Wow!! We had hazing, racism, sexual pressures, responsibility versus frivolity. This was a very good read!!

[Reading with Cats · Rating 3 out of 5]

Welcome to Sweet Valley University where racism, misogyny and fat phobia are rampant & every adult has apparently given up to let these idiot children run feral.

[MissNYix · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love this book cause it reflects the transition of being a teen to a young adult/adult. This is reflected especially in the main characters, Elizabeth, Jessica and "Enid" Alexandra Rollins.

Spoilers*:

What are you going to do? Will you choose your former best friend (which you hate spending time with her now , because you find out that she could be such a drag to be with) or your new lifestyle that you love? Alexandra has to face her guilty conscience or ignore it. She chose the latter. Alexandra is now a star of her own (she claims to be Elizabeth's shadow in SVH) and she outshines natural "star," Elizabeth.

Meanwhile Elizabeth is facing her worst of the worst nightmares when her former-best friend, "Enid" is giving her the cold shoulder. She too has to deal with a new "irresponsible" room mate after her sister, Jessica, (left to join Isabella who is now her new room mate) who finds her to be "unbearable." Not to mention, Todd, who's spending less time with her. And after that "incident", she discovers that they are no longer the "sweethearts" so many people longed for.

Another reason why I love this book is because it shows that life... is not all "perfect." Some times, you make enemies and other times...well, you meet the most horrible or the very nicest people in a new environment where you're not sure if others will stand up for you or go against you.

On the other hand, the book also shows that growing up could be a very confusing time since, it's the time where you have to choose (a path) between being yourself or being someone else... but then again, what's the definition of "being yourself."

I mean... Who are you exactly? I guess you have to re-discover (and add a little more details onto your character as you grow up) who you are and without a doubt, there will be some changes along the journey of self-rediscovering.



Yup, this book is packed with a lot of toned-down (not so dramatic) drama. (If you get what I mean).

[MissNYix · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love this book cause it reflects the transition of being a teen to a young adult/adult. This is reflected especially in the main characters, Elizabeth, Jessica and "Enid" Alexandra Rollins.

Spoilers*: What are you going to do? Will you choose your former best friend (which you hate spending time with her because you find out that she could be such a drag to be with) or the new lifestyle you have and love?

Alexandra has to face her guilty conscience or choose to ignore it. She chose the latter. Alexandra is now a star of her own (she claims to be Elizabeth's shadow in SVH) and she outshines natural "star," Elizabeth.

Meanwhile Elizabeth is facing her worst of the worst nightmares when her former best friend, "Enid" is giving her the cold shoulder. She too has to deal with a new "irresponsible" room mate after her sister, Jessica, (left to join Isabella who is now her new room mate) who finds her to be "unbearable." Not to mention, Todd is spending less time with her.

And after that "incident", she discovers that they are no longer the "sweethearts" so many people longed for/believed they were.

Another reason why I love this book is because it shows that life... is not all "perfect." Some times, you make enemies and other times...well, you meet the most horrible or the very nicest people in a new environment, a place where you're not sure if others will stand up or go against you.

On the other hand, the book also shows that growing up could be a very confusing time since, it's the time where you'll have to choose (a path) between being yourself or being someone else... but then again, what's the definition of "being yourself."

I mean... Who are you exactly? I guess you have to re-discover (and add a little more details onto your character as you grow up) who you are and without a doubt, there will be some changes along the journey of self-rediscovering.

Yup, this book is packed with a lot of toned-down (not so dramatic) drama. (If you get what I mean).

[Jess · Rating 4 out of 5]

feeling nostalgic.

[E.H. Nolan · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a little girl, I grew up alongside Jessica and Elizabeth Wakefield. Yes, there were other series I read, Babysitter's Little Sister, Pony Pals, etc, but Sweet Valley Twins were always my favorite. I kept all my childhood books in hopes that one day they would give my daughter the same joy they gave me. I grew up, and unfortunately skipped the twins' middle school and high school years, but as soon as I discovered their adventures continued in college, I bought up a bundle of 50 SVU books on Ebay and started reading!

In this first installment, Jessica and Elizabeth, still as different and lovable as ever, head off to Sweet Valley University. I felt like I was reuniting with all my old childhood friends, and I loved that all the characters were included and, remarkably, going to the same college. A quick, highly enjoyable read that gives readers a taste of everyone in the SVU gang's first few days of college. There is an equal amount of humor and seriousness, absurdity and reality, in this series. Everyone can find someone to relate to, whether you longed for a fresh start or a continuation of high school, were serious about your studies or your sorority, or ever had an adolescent doubt in your college career.

Even if you've never heard of the Wakefield twins, pick up a copy used from Amazon or Thriftbooks and start reading. You won't be able to put this series of 50+ books down--I know I can't!
http://hottoastyrag.weebly.com/svu-1-...

[Michael · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Wakefield twins are heading to College after one hundred and eighty-something books and four-or-more summers. I wasn't born when this book came out, surprisingly but I saw it had to deal with College and read saying it was a lot better then the Valley High series. I decide why not?

The book starts with the gang heading to SVU. From the start, Elizabeth finds it's a lot whole different from High School. Enid Rollins, her best friend now change her name to Alexandra and pledges to a popular-sorority. While Todd right off the bat, is now buddies with the top guys and on the Basket ball team. Winnet, I think that's his name? or now Winnie is hoping his High School days are over but realized his dorm is an all-girls dorm and he is stuck living in there. Jessica befriends a bunch of popular girls one of them named Isabella. I didn't bother finish reading the guys part, since they were boring.

The book is actually pretty-boring, it's neither good or bad. It's just okay, I feel bad for Liz in some parts, but she can be completely boring and I just wish they get rid of her, I rather much read about Jessica. I dislike Celine, I didn't bother reading her parts. Overall, I won't be continuing reading the series. Definitely boring.

[Kris (My Novelesque Life) · Rating 5 out of 5]

SWEET VALLEY UNIVERSITY
Written by Francine Pascal
General Review for series as I cannot remember each novel.

I read Sweet Valley University when I was in junior high school to high school. While there is sexual content it is very mild (not explicit) compared to teen books today. If you like the Sweet Valley High you will love this series as it continues with the twins' story as they attend University and are away from their parents. I am not sure how they would relate to teens today as this was before cell phones were common and social media. They are fun teen romances with "real-life" situation. I did not complete the series as I started to save for school so I wasn't able to collect them any further (they are out of print). I still have the books I bought and may try to read one again (I did reread the series a few times).

[Kimber · Rating 4 out of 5]

i loved these

[Awi]

I remember being excited about the release of this series. I was kinda getting bored with the whole plot of the twins in high school, not moving on from living their junior year.

For once, one of the twins was depicted as not being perfect. It's just so sad that it's Elizabeth, because for once I wanted Jessica to be put in her place. And at that time I felt a bit sad for Liz breaking up with Todd, but since I was bored with their relationship and university ought to offer more choices, I embraced the fact that SVH's perfect couple broke up in college.

[Kirsty · Rating 4 out of 5]

From what I can remember, I read most of the books in this series, but didn't enjoy them quite as much as the SVH series. I seem to remember enjoying the 'mystery' themed books in the series (I think I recall a good one that focused more on Lila?). Still a great series, but without the 'innocence' of the SVH series.

[Cassie]

Kind of really Disappointed to not see any of the new characters from Sweet Valley High: Senior Year series. I don't get it. i went through Sweet Valley High. Then through Sweet Valley High: Senior Year. Which was after the earthquake, and now in the SVU series there is no mention of Senior year, no Conner, Tia, Andy....anything. disappointed.

[Stef Rozitis · Rating 1 out of 5]

For some reason I read this as an adult hoping for something more than the original series. I was very disappointed.

Actually going to university is less boring than reading about two still very boring and shallow girls having their fashion and love-life misadventures.

I didn;t have high hopes for this book but I was disappointed

[Molli Moran · Rating 2 out of 5]

The first novel in the Sweet Valley University series. I was 11 or 12, and these books changes my way of reading. :) Great times, awesome memories. I always wanted to be a little bit like Elizabeth, and a little bit like Jessica.