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Sweet Valley High #51
Against the Odds
Ronnie Edwards is having the time of his life. By betting successfully on high school sports, he's made more money than he knows what to do with. He's even offered Jessica Wakefield a loan. Unfortunately, he hasn't been keeping up with payments to his bookie, Big Al. When Big Al decides to collect, Ronnie's out of cash. So Big Al offers him another option: if Ronnie can fix the state championship soccer game, Big Al will forget about Ronnie's debt.
Ronnie turns to the only friend he has-Elizabeth Wakefield's boyfriend, Jeffrey French, star soccer player for Sweet Valley High. A college scout is coming to see the game, and if Jeffrey doesn't play his best, he'll jeopardize his future. But if he doesn't help Ronnie out, his friend may not have a future.
Ronnie turns to the only friend he has-Elizabeth Wakefield's boyfriend, Jeffrey French, star soccer player for Sweet Valley High. A college scout is coming to see the game, and if Jeffrey doesn't play his best, he'll jeopardize his future. But if he doesn't help Ronnie out, his friend may not have a future.
151 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published December 1, 1987
27 people are currently reading
378 people want to read
About the author
Francine Pascal
1,139 books1,844 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 - 21 of 21 reviews
June 3, 2020
Title: Against the Odds
Series: Sweet Valley High #51
Author: Francine Pascal/Kate William
Source: Kindle Unlimited
Although this book was arguably less tedious to read than some of the others, it still got under my skin. In this book Ronnie has been flaunting his new found wealth he's gained by betting and borrowing money on high school football games, and after a few wrong moves he has a mob after him. The B plot is that Jessica is trying to sell some jewelry to make her millions. Okay so here's my problem. You would think somebody who is $2000 in debt at 16 would be a bit politer to his friends to whom he's asking money from. But no. Ronnie goes into every situation just expecting people to give it to him, and when he exploits the kindness of Jeffrey French (you know...Liz's dreamy football boyfriend) he takes it too far by asking Jeffrey to throw a game that may determine his way into college. And JEFFREY OBLIGES. If it was me I'd just tell him to call the police tbh.
Another issue is that Liz also gets like half kidnapped and it's just never mentioned again...Like...Am I the only one who thinks that is a little messed up?
Series: Sweet Valley High #51
Author: Francine Pascal/Kate William
Source: Kindle Unlimited
Although this book was arguably less tedious to read than some of the others, it still got under my skin. In this book Ronnie has been flaunting his new found wealth he's gained by betting and borrowing money on high school football games, and after a few wrong moves he has a mob after him. The B plot is that Jessica is trying to sell some jewelry to make her millions. Okay so here's my problem. You would think somebody who is $2000 in debt at 16 would be a bit politer to his friends to whom he's asking money from. But no. Ronnie goes into every situation just expecting people to give it to him, and when he exploits the kindness of Jeffrey French (you know...Liz's dreamy football boyfriend) he takes it too far by asking Jeffrey to throw a game that may determine his way into college. And JEFFREY OBLIGES. If it was me I'd just tell him to call the police tbh.
Another issue is that Liz also gets like half kidnapped and it's just never mentioned again...Like...Am I the only one who thinks that is a little messed up?
March 15, 2020
SVH book 51
Drama. Intrigue. Silly Jessica subplot. This book had everything I like about the sweet valley high series. Of course I recommend reading the series in order but this could conceivably be read as a stand alone.
Drama. Intrigue. Silly Jessica subplot. This book had everything I like about the sweet valley high series. Of course I recommend reading the series in order but this could conceivably be read as a stand alone.
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August 1, 2013Graded By: Erin
Read the drinking game and review here.
Read the drinking game and review here.
February 27, 2025
Against the Odds
Ronnie Edwards has all of a sudden come up. He’s dressing better, driving a nice car, and throwing money around like it ain’t no thang. Could it be drugs? That’s what I initially thought but no. His side hustle is gambling (beating on high school games). But because he’s being showy at the Dairi Burger and flashing his cash all around -offering to buy the bar uh table- he attracts the attention of 3 guys that take him out back. SMH! If you have ends you can NOT be doing all that showing off! If this was today he’d probably be all over FB taking pics.
So before the guys can whoop his tail Jeffry shows up and scares them off-which I call BS on because what a bunch of PUNKS letting a 17 year old boy run off 3 grown men that should have been armed but whatever-. Ronnie is so grateful that he confides in Jeffry that his money has come from getting in with a guy by the name of Big Al who takes beats on games, and he got good at it and started to do more and more as a way to help out his father. Jeffry really doesn’t approve, but what can he do about it. It’s Ronnie’s life and they really aren’t friends. Ronnie really isn’t anyone’s friend. (Remember he was the asshole that Enid dated in Secrets). So now that he has a little money, he’s trying to buy his way into the kid’s hearts at SVH- and it works with everyone of em-.
He basically turns himself into Jeffry’s best friend and starts hanging out with him more and more which interferes with his quality time with Elizabeth. Who gets upset. Ronnie runs off his mouth again at lunch about his new found wealth and Jessica decides to take him up on his offer. Her newest scheme is making and selling earrings. Which I can just see in my heads as those big, colorful, plastic, numbers back in the 80’s. Only Her’s seem to have gems on them. (Wish we could have gotten a cover picture).
Jessica talks a trendy boutique into buying all the pieces she has. This means she has to make some more pieces and get the material. Alice says she’ll help her out by investing 200.00, but when she tries to order the material it comes to over 900.00 to get it all in bulk. Thinking Ronnie is gonna help her out-because he promised he would, Jessica goes ahead and orders the materials. However Ronnie is now behind on paying up on a debt and is trying to collect money from his frat brothers. They don’t give him a dime. Other than Jeffry who gives him 25.00 and he’s thousands in the hole.
Ronnie tells Jeffry that if he can win the game by only 2 points that would score the debt but Jeffry doesn’t feel right about getting involved. Big Al is not a patient man and sends his thug to “give Ronnie a warning” (aka a beating). Jessica approaches Ronnie and he tells her he doesn’t remember making the promise. So she goes to her mother and convinces her to give her a credit card because she needs a little more money (that’s when she tricks her into charging 200.00). The night of the game the boutique calls Jessica and basically tell her they aren’t interested in cheap jewelry anymore and the store is just gonna sell clothes.
Big Al’s men grab Ronnie at the game and take him for a ride. There’s also a big college scout in the stands that will be checking Jeffrey out. Elizabeth follows Ronnie and the man and, in a rookie, move makes to much noise and gets tied to a chair with Ronnie. Ronnie is able to escape and hits the man over the head. They drive off and find a phone. The police arrive at the game and take in Big Al and Ronnie -who the thug has told on. Jeff’s mind is now able to focus on the game and he get’s the attention of the scout who tells him he’d better apply next year. Mr. and Mrs Wakefield find out about the charge on there credit card for 900.00 and lose their minds. They make Jessica apply to the store she lost the sale of her earrings too.
My Thoughts:
Even in the SVMS series I never liked Ronnie Edwards. He was the one that was tight with the sexiest teacher in (Boys Against Girls) if I remember correctly. He was one of his biggest supporters. But I can see the appeal of a high school guy to get involved with something that will have you dressing nice, with money, and a nice car. I thought it was gonna go in the direction of having Jeff try to throw the game, but it went with him winning it close. Part of me really didn’t see what there was to debate. Even though Ronnie wasn’t that much of a friend (and yes it was his mess) I still wouldn’t have wanted to see him die. He didn’t tell Jeff to *lose* the game. I just didn’t see the big deal over winning by 2 points. I know Jeff didn’t want to get involved-and he shouldn’t have to-. But it was 1 game. And it was kind of amusing to have him snap at Elizabeth. Speaking of Elizabeth, NO! You don’t chase after a man whose beat the crap out of somebody and could possibly have a knife or a gun (or both) to a unknown location. Then we you get there go stomping around outside. If you gonna be that dumb then yeah you deserve to be caught and tied up to a chair. The right thing to do would have been to call the police not after but BEFORE when you were at the game and still saw the thug with Ronnie-and maybe they could have gotten there in time-. Or how bout told the one at the game? Or was my high school the only one that had security guards at the entrance? I think what dragged the most for me is that this book was larger based on a soccer game. Books with play by play action of any sports activity tend to lose my interest REALLY quickly and stay there the rest of the book. So, this one really lagged for me.
Rating: 5
Ronnie Edwards has all of a sudden come up. He’s dressing better, driving a nice car, and throwing money around like it ain’t no thang. Could it be drugs? That’s what I initially thought but no. His side hustle is gambling (beating on high school games). But because he’s being showy at the Dairi Burger and flashing his cash all around -offering to buy the bar uh table- he attracts the attention of 3 guys that take him out back. SMH! If you have ends you can NOT be doing all that showing off! If this was today he’d probably be all over FB taking pics.
So before the guys can whoop his tail Jeffry shows up and scares them off-which I call BS on because what a bunch of PUNKS letting a 17 year old boy run off 3 grown men that should have been armed but whatever-. Ronnie is so grateful that he confides in Jeffry that his money has come from getting in with a guy by the name of Big Al who takes beats on games, and he got good at it and started to do more and more as a way to help out his father. Jeffry really doesn’t approve, but what can he do about it. It’s Ronnie’s life and they really aren’t friends. Ronnie really isn’t anyone’s friend. (Remember he was the asshole that Enid dated in Secrets). So now that he has a little money, he’s trying to buy his way into the kid’s hearts at SVH- and it works with everyone of em-.
He basically turns himself into Jeffry’s best friend and starts hanging out with him more and more which interferes with his quality time with Elizabeth. Who gets upset. Ronnie runs off his mouth again at lunch about his new found wealth and Jessica decides to take him up on his offer. Her newest scheme is making and selling earrings. Which I can just see in my heads as those big, colorful, plastic, numbers back in the 80’s. Only Her’s seem to have gems on them. (Wish we could have gotten a cover picture).
Jessica talks a trendy boutique into buying all the pieces she has. This means she has to make some more pieces and get the material. Alice says she’ll help her out by investing 200.00, but when she tries to order the material it comes to over 900.00 to get it all in bulk. Thinking Ronnie is gonna help her out-because he promised he would, Jessica goes ahead and orders the materials. However Ronnie is now behind on paying up on a debt and is trying to collect money from his frat brothers. They don’t give him a dime. Other than Jeffry who gives him 25.00 and he’s thousands in the hole.
Ronnie tells Jeffry that if he can win the game by only 2 points that would score the debt but Jeffry doesn’t feel right about getting involved. Big Al is not a patient man and sends his thug to “give Ronnie a warning” (aka a beating). Jessica approaches Ronnie and he tells her he doesn’t remember making the promise. So she goes to her mother and convinces her to give her a credit card because she needs a little more money (that’s when she tricks her into charging 200.00). The night of the game the boutique calls Jessica and basically tell her they aren’t interested in cheap jewelry anymore and the store is just gonna sell clothes.
Big Al’s men grab Ronnie at the game and take him for a ride. There’s also a big college scout in the stands that will be checking Jeffrey out. Elizabeth follows Ronnie and the man and, in a rookie, move makes to much noise and gets tied to a chair with Ronnie. Ronnie is able to escape and hits the man over the head. They drive off and find a phone. The police arrive at the game and take in Big Al and Ronnie -who the thug has told on. Jeff’s mind is now able to focus on the game and he get’s the attention of the scout who tells him he’d better apply next year. Mr. and Mrs Wakefield find out about the charge on there credit card for 900.00 and lose their minds. They make Jessica apply to the store she lost the sale of her earrings too.
My Thoughts:
Even in the SVMS series I never liked Ronnie Edwards. He was the one that was tight with the sexiest teacher in (Boys Against Girls) if I remember correctly. He was one of his biggest supporters. But I can see the appeal of a high school guy to get involved with something that will have you dressing nice, with money, and a nice car. I thought it was gonna go in the direction of having Jeff try to throw the game, but it went with him winning it close. Part of me really didn’t see what there was to debate. Even though Ronnie wasn’t that much of a friend (and yes it was his mess) I still wouldn’t have wanted to see him die. He didn’t tell Jeff to *lose* the game. I just didn’t see the big deal over winning by 2 points. I know Jeff didn’t want to get involved-and he shouldn’t have to-. But it was 1 game. And it was kind of amusing to have him snap at Elizabeth. Speaking of Elizabeth, NO! You don’t chase after a man whose beat the crap out of somebody and could possibly have a knife or a gun (or both) to a unknown location. Then we you get there go stomping around outside. If you gonna be that dumb then yeah you deserve to be caught and tied up to a chair. The right thing to do would have been to call the police not after but BEFORE when you were at the game and still saw the thug with Ronnie-and maybe they could have gotten there in time-. Or how bout told the one at the game? Or was my high school the only one that had security guards at the entrance? I think what dragged the most for me is that this book was larger based on a soccer game. Books with play by play action of any sports activity tend to lose my interest REALLY quickly and stay there the rest of the book. So, this one really lagged for me.
Rating: 5
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 7, 2022
This was better than average. The idea that a high school student could be so wrapped up in a big time gambling situation seemed weird but kept me entertained. A couple of things were unrealistic per usual with SVH. First, the way Ronnie immediately latched on to Jeffery was weird. The way Elizabeth risked her life for Ronnie seemed unnecessary and suddenly made this a suspense novel lol. Jessica’s B plot was the least important in this book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 2, 2019
Abysmal
What an absolute pile of rubbish.
This is one of the most ludicrous ones I’ve read.
That’s all there is to say other than I wish I could see the earrings Jess had created! Shame Etsy wasn’t around! 😂
Can’t wait to listen to the Double Love podcast for this. Expecting so much OTG (old timey gangster).
God, that was abysmal.
What an absolute pile of rubbish.
This is one of the most ludicrous ones I’ve read.
That’s all there is to say other than I wish I could see the earrings Jess had created! Shame Etsy wasn’t around! 😂
Can’t wait to listen to the Double Love podcast for this. Expecting so much OTG (old timey gangster).
God, that was abysmal.
September 30, 2021
This was the first book centered mainly on Ronnie and it was quite irritating, reading about how careless and arrogant he was but by the end of the story, I grew fond of him the way I am about the other characters in SVH.
He made the mistake of going into gambling and owing people money. The terminally seriousness of it all was horrifying and as the plot grew, it had me by the edge of my seat.
He made the mistake of going into gambling and owing people money. The terminally seriousness of it all was horrifying and as the plot grew, it had me by the edge of my seat.
January 30, 2023
4 stars for the telegram alone
This was fun, not quality, just fun. Implausible, excellent, mock worthy fun. If you’ve ever enjoyed giggling your way through SVH this one is for you. It has ridiculous danger and a sub plot to be enjoyed by my Etsy friends: Jessica getting in debt to launch her latest get rich quick scheme, selling handmade jewellery.
This was fun, not quality, just fun. Implausible, excellent, mock worthy fun. If you’ve ever enjoyed giggling your way through SVH this one is for you. It has ridiculous danger and a sub plot to be enjoyed by my Etsy friends: Jessica getting in debt to launch her latest get rich quick scheme, selling handmade jewellery.
July 23, 2023
A perfectly 80s plot, deeply ridiculous, with scenes screaming out to be dramatized in an after-school special. The foray into the seedy side of town makes me wish the series took us there at least as often as the mall. The warehouse. The noose. The car chase. The back alley fight. The fat bookie. The scramble to the phone booth. Just so wonderfully terrible.
November 15, 2025
I never read this one as a kid because it looked boring. I should have listened to kid me but I'm on a quest to finally read every book in this series. This one was wild lol it reminded me how I had an unnatural fear of loan sharks breaking my legs amd quicksand. Product of growing up in the 90s I guess.
December 15, 2021
Ronnie Edwards has gotten himself into gambling problems and is relying on Jeffery French to help him out, despite them not being good friends. Liz meddles and gets herself kidnapped for her troubles.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 19, 2024
Two words:
Big Al.
Big Al.
May 11, 2025
Utterly ridiculous (but also bonkers fun).
2.5 stars
2.5 stars
March 24, 2017
As always, Jessica's random subplots steal the show! It also occurred to me in this book that Jessica is always hanging out with Lila, Cara and Amy, and they seem like real friends. However, Liz never just hangs out and has fun with Enid. No wonder everyone thinks Enid is boring!
Also,
Also,
February 9, 2020
As I was reading about Ronnie and his gambling problem, and how nobody actually likes him, I couldn't help but remember when Brandon Walsh also had a high school gambling problem, and I think I remember a Saved By the Bell episode AND an afterschool special show about gambling. I went to a fairly large metropolitan high school, and I'm fairly certain nobody in my 400+ graduating class in 1996 ever had a bookie after them. Why did writers in the 1980s seem to think high school gambling was so pervasive? I'll tell you what was pervasive thats rarely shown in SVH- sex, drinking, swearing, lots of weed, tons of lying to the parents, but not so much with gambling and bookies. But anyway-- this book was kind of all over the place and I never was able to suspend my disbelief enough to enjoy it, probably because EVEN readers in the middle of this book kind of WANT Ronnie to get his ass beat. The subplot, where Jessica designs hideous earrings and then wracks up a bunch of credit card debt on her mother's card was way better. The fact that her "creations" are so universally thought of as ugly/terrible yet nobody ever actually TELLS her how fugly they were was the most satisfying part of the book. 2 stars.
January 2, 2010
Oh, Jessica. You always make any book with a B-plot concerning you that much better. This time she's making big, ugly, 80's jewelry and naturally she manages to overspend like crazy.
Jeffrey reminds us he has more depth than he's given credit for by standing up to Liz. A lot. Weird considering that when looking back on Liz's big loves, Jeffrey is always seen as her yes-man, but the boy never seems to have any problem telling her when to stop being so judgmental.
Jeffrey reminds us he has more depth than he's given credit for by standing up to Liz. A lot. Weird considering that when looking back on Liz's big loves, Jeffrey is always seen as her yes-man, but the boy never seems to have any problem telling her when to stop being so judgmental.
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March 1, 2015Sports, gambling, and big ass eighties jewelry - shit yes Sweet Valley. Shit yes.
December 16, 2021
Ronnie has been betting on sports and got in deep with is bookie. Can he get out of trouble before its too late?
Jessica sets her sights on being a jewelry designer.
Jessica sets her sights on being a jewelry designer.
October 24, 2010
I loved the girl drama, I loved the teen angst. I loved Jessica and Elizabeth's zaney antics...
June 21, 2013
I remember the cover just not the story.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews