What do you think?
Rate this book
Holly's Heart #11-14
Holly's Heart, Collection 3: Freshman Frenzy/Mystery Letters/Eight is Enough/It's a Girl Thing
Thirteen-year-old Holly is dealing with the major concerns of every preteen and teenage girl: boys, family, and school. But with the help of her friends and her faith in God, Holly is able to survive her first boyfriend and her first breakup, a crush on her student teacher, and a new baby sister "invading" her house. Volume Three features Freshman Frenzy, Mystery Letters, Eight is Enough, and It's a Girl Thing.
447 pages, Paperback
First published October 1, 2008
46 people are currently reading
369 people want to read
About the author
Beverly Lewis
259 books3,031 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
Beverly Lewis, raised in Pennsylvania Amish country and both a schoolteacher and an accomplished musician, has been an award-winning author for over a dozen years. Her acclaimed novel, The Preacher's Daughter, was a 2006 Quill Book Award finalist in the romance category. Her books have appeared on numerous bestseller lists, including USA Today and The New York Times. She and her husband, David, live in Colorado."
Beverly Lewis, raised in Pennsylvania Amish country and both a schoolteacher and an accomplished musician, has been an award-winning author for over a dozen years. Her acclaimed novel, The Preacher's Daughter, was a 2006 Quill Book Award finalist in the romance category. Her books have appeared on numerous bestseller lists, including USA Today and The New York Times. She and her husband, David, live in Colorado."
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
December 10, 2022
Not the extremely unsubtle plugging of the Kissing Dating Goodbye book lmao aged like absolute milk
April 6, 2024
This book was amazing. I felt like I was growing up with her. I LOVE the Christian perspective on girl situations, it let me know what to do if I ever went through the situations or ones like it. Holly has an amazing story, and my favourite part was when her mom has another baby in the end. I just wish there was more. I have to confess that I ended up crying!! When her dad became a Christian, man,was I a basket case! Haha!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 5, 2012
Holly-Heart is finally in high school.
Freshman Frenzy--Holly is shocked when she learns that her school board is forcing her ninth-grade class to be transferred to the high school, where pranks and initiations are done by the senior class. Holly's best friend, Andie, is also running for class president. She enlists Holly's help, but Holly is enraged when she discovers that Andie is going around her back concerning the campaign. She soon encounters and decides to help Tina, a new student who is blind. Holly has to deal with changing frienships, new friendships, and adjusting to life in high school.
Mystery Letters--Holly is about to make her debut with her writing column in the school paper. However, she keeps receiving letters from a secret admirer--and they are driving her crazy. Meanwhile, Holly is shocked when Andie tries to get her to ditch her guy writing pal in California, Sean, thinking that she will somehow lose Holly. She pushes Billy Hill toward Holly, who apparently has a crush on her now. Holly is also failing algebra, and is repulsed at the idea of her younger brousin, Phil, tutoring her. I loved the mystery letters in this, but very much missed Tina. I am still not a huge fan of Andie, and thought she acted rather immaturely in this one. People aren't perfect, but Andie's mood swings make it hard to like her. I do like that things kind of worked out in the end. I can't believe Jared is going back after Holly again. I hope she keeps Sean in her life--he really does seem like a cool guy. I liked how Ryan redeemed himself in this one.
Eight is Enough--Holly cannot believe her ears when she learns that her mother is having a baby in a few months. She believes that eight people is enough for one family. She freaks out further when she learns that her bedroom might be used for the nursery, while she has to room with her little sister, Carrie, and little step-sister/cousin, Stephie, the biggest snoops in the house! Holly decides to consider joint custody, thinking of all the space that her dad has. Unfortunately neither of her parents like the idea of this. Her friends are just as sour about the possibility of her moving to California for part of the time. Holly finds herself rebelling not only against her family and friends, but God as well. To make matters worse, Jared keeps flirting with her. I could sympathize with Holly easily in this chapter. It's never easy to have to share a space that was once yours with a sibling. At the same time, I felt everyone (Holly included) wasn't being very ideal about the situation. I didn't much care for the plot, but I did like how Holly showed her rebellious side.
It's a Girl Thing--Holly is set to go to Washington, D.C., with her school choir, but when she learns that her baby sister might be coming earlier than planned, Holly's hopes are deflated when she discovers she may have to stay home to take care of her little sister and step-siblings. Even though her brousin, Stan, is sixteen, he refuses to take on the responsibility, insisting that taking care of family is "a girl thing." Holly also reads a book about letting God select her future husband.
I didn't like much of this one. For one, I thought it was a bit ridiculous for Holly's mother and stepfather to expect her to take care of her siblings rather than join her school choir, especially when Stan is older. I hope if I ever have more than one child that I will not always make the older siblings be in charge just because I decided to have another child. This was a very preachy book, especially concerning how young girls shouldn't date and should wait for the guy God brings around. Maybe it's just me, but I don't see anything wrong with dating and the tone of this book suggested that dating should be out of the question for serious Christians. Holly even felt bad about her former crushes. Former crushes is one thing I look back on fondly, even if the crush was silly. The book redeemed itself though, and I enjoyed the last part of it. It just got a little too preachy for my taste.
Overall, I didn't like this book as well as the two before. I was disappointed in the first part of the last story as well as the fact that Tina never re-appeared. I would have liked to see more of her and am a bit confused on why she was even introduced if we were only going to have her as a character for one book. Holly doesn't even mention keeping in contact with Tina. I really wish that there were more of these collections--up until Holly graduates, and then maybe a book about what happens to her as an adult. Holly is such an interesting and unique character that I've really grown attached to her. I've also grown attached to her hometown, family, and friends. What I like about the Holly's Heart series is how some real-life topics are approached that are sure to happen in the life of a young Christian.
Freshman Frenzy--Holly is shocked when she learns that her school board is forcing her ninth-grade class to be transferred to the high school, where pranks and initiations are done by the senior class. Holly's best friend, Andie, is also running for class president. She enlists Holly's help, but Holly is enraged when she discovers that Andie is going around her back concerning the campaign. She soon encounters and decides to help Tina, a new student who is blind. Holly has to deal with changing frienships, new friendships, and adjusting to life in high school.
Mystery Letters--Holly is about to make her debut with her writing column in the school paper. However, she keeps receiving letters from a secret admirer--and they are driving her crazy. Meanwhile, Holly is shocked when Andie tries to get her to ditch her guy writing pal in California, Sean, thinking that she will somehow lose Holly. She pushes Billy Hill toward Holly, who apparently has a crush on her now. Holly is also failing algebra, and is repulsed at the idea of her younger brousin, Phil, tutoring her. I loved the mystery letters in this, but very much missed Tina. I am still not a huge fan of Andie, and thought she acted rather immaturely in this one. People aren't perfect, but Andie's mood swings make it hard to like her. I do like that things kind of worked out in the end. I can't believe Jared is going back after Holly again. I hope she keeps Sean in her life--he really does seem like a cool guy. I liked how Ryan redeemed himself in this one.
Eight is Enough--Holly cannot believe her ears when she learns that her mother is having a baby in a few months. She believes that eight people is enough for one family. She freaks out further when she learns that her bedroom might be used for the nursery, while she has to room with her little sister, Carrie, and little step-sister/cousin, Stephie, the biggest snoops in the house! Holly decides to consider joint custody, thinking of all the space that her dad has. Unfortunately neither of her parents like the idea of this. Her friends are just as sour about the possibility of her moving to California for part of the time. Holly finds herself rebelling not only against her family and friends, but God as well. To make matters worse, Jared keeps flirting with her. I could sympathize with Holly easily in this chapter. It's never easy to have to share a space that was once yours with a sibling. At the same time, I felt everyone (Holly included) wasn't being very ideal about the situation. I didn't much care for the plot, but I did like how Holly showed her rebellious side.
It's a Girl Thing--Holly is set to go to Washington, D.C., with her school choir, but when she learns that her baby sister might be coming earlier than planned, Holly's hopes are deflated when she discovers she may have to stay home to take care of her little sister and step-siblings. Even though her brousin, Stan, is sixteen, he refuses to take on the responsibility, insisting that taking care of family is "a girl thing." Holly also reads a book about letting God select her future husband.
I didn't like much of this one. For one, I thought it was a bit ridiculous for Holly's mother and stepfather to expect her to take care of her siblings rather than join her school choir, especially when Stan is older. I hope if I ever have more than one child that I will not always make the older siblings be in charge just because I decided to have another child. This was a very preachy book, especially concerning how young girls shouldn't date and should wait for the guy God brings around. Maybe it's just me, but I don't see anything wrong with dating and the tone of this book suggested that dating should be out of the question for serious Christians. Holly even felt bad about her former crushes. Former crushes is one thing I look back on fondly, even if the crush was silly. The book redeemed itself though, and I enjoyed the last part of it. It just got a little too preachy for my taste.
Overall, I didn't like this book as well as the two before. I was disappointed in the first part of the last story as well as the fact that Tina never re-appeared. I would have liked to see more of her and am a bit confused on why she was even introduced if we were only going to have her as a character for one book. Holly doesn't even mention keeping in contact with Tina. I really wish that there were more of these collections--up until Holly graduates, and then maybe a book about what happens to her as an adult. Holly is such an interesting and unique character that I've really grown attached to her. I've also grown attached to her hometown, family, and friends. What I like about the Holly's Heart series is how some real-life topics are approached that are sure to happen in the life of a young Christian.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 10, 2016
Classic girl series
These books are truly amazing! With a story line that is easy to follow and get lost in, Beverly Lewis writes about a typical girl in middle school weaving in love, family, friends, and many others. The character, Holly Meredith, goes through sibling troubles, best friend issues, guy problems, and family drama. Any middle school aged girl and older will simply fall in love with the adorable Holy Meredith!
These books are truly amazing! With a story line that is easy to follow and get lost in, Beverly Lewis writes about a typical girl in middle school weaving in love, family, friends, and many others. The character, Holly Meredith, goes through sibling troubles, best friend issues, guy problems, and family drama. Any middle school aged girl and older will simply fall in love with the adorable Holy Meredith!
March 18, 2016
I <3 this book!!!!!
September 25, 2018
Next to Christy & Co., these books just aren't as good. But, I also think I'm a bit too old for them. They are nice books that I'm sure a lot of girls relate to really well.
I was super annoyed by all the drama (especially with the boys) because I never dealt with that. But it did get much better towards the end of the series.
Guys, in Sarah's world, Holly and Sean end up together. I kind of like the fact that we don't know because then my fairy tale ending can happen. Sean was maybe my favorite character. I just really liked him. I like it when guys and girls can be friends when they're young without being stupid. And, I mean, he clearly liked her but wasn't going to mess things up by getting serious while they were too young. He was great.
You might be wondering why on earth it took me so long to read this. Well, I've been binge watching photography videos while I have a 10-day free trial, so basically zero reading time :)
I was super annoyed by all the drama (especially with the boys) because I never dealt with that. But it did get much better towards the end of the series.
Guys, in Sarah's world, Holly and Sean end up together. I kind of like the fact that we don't know because then my fairy tale ending can happen. Sean was maybe my favorite character. I just really liked him. I like it when guys and girls can be friends when they're young without being stupid. And, I mean, he clearly liked her but wasn't going to mess things up by getting serious while they were too young. He was great.
You might be wondering why on earth it took me so long to read this. Well, I've been binge watching photography videos while I have a 10-day free trial, so basically zero reading time :)
May 11, 2024
Why was this over so fast? This was honestly probably my favorite collection in the Holly's heart series, and Holly has changed so much. And Jared and Danny have FINALLY changed for the good too. Which was really a relief. There was this weird faux love triangle thing going on for a while there, which no one likes. Including me. But I don't know how Beverly Louis does it, she manages to write love triangle without annoying the reader. And that twist at the end REALLY surprised me!! I should've seen it coming... but I didn't. I think its funny that me and holly have so much in common, too. We both have a lot of siblings, write books, read way too much, like to travel, and other stuff too. That helped me relate to Holly's story a little bit more. Beverley Lewis, if you're reading this, write the next book pronto.
September 14, 2019
Holly, the end of the story?
I loved this collection as much as the other two. It makes me look back and see times when I ran away from best friends because of feelings of insecurity and rejection. I might be 47, bit I’ve learned a lot from this book. I wish I could know about the rest of her high school years and college, too. Most of all, it was great to see how Jesus Christ was at the center of her Holly-Heart through it all. Very well done!
I loved this collection as much as the other two. It makes me look back and see times when I ran away from best friends because of feelings of insecurity and rejection. I might be 47, bit I’ve learned a lot from this book. I wish I could know about the rest of her high school years and college, too. Most of all, it was great to see how Jesus Christ was at the center of her Holly-Heart through it all. Very well done!
September 18, 2011
Holly's problems are definately realistic issues, and some important lessons are taught throughout this book. I think one of most important lessons is in the very last story. I would highly recommend that people read the last one. It would save a lot of broken hearts. I love the religious aspect of these books, and how her faith helps here to overcome all her obstacles. It is a worth-while Christian read.
December 13, 2013
I loved the book but I also love the series I just had to read one after the other after the other and when I was finished I almost cried because I did not know what to do after I finished the books oh
F holly's heart
F holly's heart
December 15, 2013
Holly's best friend is running for class president. She wants Holly to be her manager but then post secret meetings without her. Will they still be friends in the end? Also Holly's mom is having another baby. Now there will be nine people in the house. Holly wants to move out.
March 13, 2015
Omg
Fantastic. It was the most beautiful story I've ever read in my life. Everyone would probably like it buttons you I mean everyone that likes sweet christian stories that make you feel like you are the character. in here holly
Fantastic. It was the most beautiful story I've ever read in my life. Everyone would probably like it buttons you I mean everyone that likes sweet christian stories that make you feel like you are the character. in here holly
Read
January 10, 2022I read these as a teen and just loved them! I'm so excited about this republishing pack!
September 28, 2009
I also got the third collection! I'm still reading the second one, though.
Currently reading
April 15, 2011<3
March 8, 2013
Teaches you responsibility and friendship and what a real friend is.
March 4, 2014
It was a sweet collection of stories that I'm sure a lot of girls could relate to. It isn't my favorite Beverly Lewis book, but that is simply because I prefer her Amish novels to these.
February 22, 2015
I thoroughly enjoyed this book.
Read
August 6, 2016I loved the book great for preteen and early teen girls.
September 28, 2019
Read in 2004
September 22, 2010
I really liked this book!
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews