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Book Two of the Girls of Spindrift. From the New York Times bestselling author of the Flowers in the Attic and My Sweet Audrina series, now Lifetime movies, continues a haunting new series featuring highly intelligent teenage girls who struggle to survive a specialized high school and find their place in a world that doesn’t understand them.
Such is the burden of being brilliant.
Being gifted is not something Donna ever wanted. It’s difficult enough to have a Latino father and Irish mother, and her genius only separates her even more from the other girls. They don’t say it, but they blame her for everything that goes wrong, just because she’s different.
And on the precise day she tries her hardest to fit in, everything turns out a disaster. A fight breaks out, and somehow Donna ends up in the middle. It’s not her fault, but it’s her word against theirs, and this time, the other girls aren’t going to stay quiet. The only solution might be to escape to the mysterious school her counselor is telling her about: Spindrift.
The four Girls of Spindrift novellas together form a prequel for Bittersweet Dreams—available now!
Such is the burden of being brilliant.
Being gifted is not something Donna ever wanted. It’s difficult enough to have a Latino father and Irish mother, and her genius only separates her even more from the other girls. They don’t say it, but they blame her for everything that goes wrong, just because she’s different.
And on the precise day she tries her hardest to fit in, everything turns out a disaster. A fight breaks out, and somehow Donna ends up in the middle. It’s not her fault, but it’s her word against theirs, and this time, the other girls aren’t going to stay quiet. The only solution might be to escape to the mysterious school her counselor is telling her about: Spindrift.
The four Girls of Spindrift novellas together form a prequel for Bittersweet Dreams—available now!
86 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 14, 2017
184 people are currently reading
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About the author
V.C. Andrews
371 books9,150 followersBooks published under the following names - Virginia Andrews, V. Andrews, Virginia C. Andrews & V.C. Endrius. Books since her death ghost written by Andrew Neiderman, but still attributed to the V.C. Andrews name
Virginia Cleo Andrews (born Cleo Virginia Andrews) was born June 6, 1923 in Portsmouth, Virginia. The youngest child and the only daughter of William Henry Andrews, a career navy man who opened a tool-and-die business after retirement, and Lillian Lilnora Parker Andrews, a telephone operator. She spent her happy childhood years in Portsmouth, Virginia, living briefly in Rochester, New York. The Andrews family returned to Portsmouth while Virginia was in high school.
While a teenager, Virginia suffered a tragic accident, falling down the stairs at her school and incurred severe back injuries. Arthritis and a failed spinal surgical procedure forced her to spend most of her life on crutches or in a wheelchair.
Virginia excelled in school and, at fifteen, won a scholarship for writing a parody of Tennyson's Idylls of the King. She proudly earned her diploma from Woodrow Wilson High School in Portsmouth. After graduation, she nurtured her artistic talent by completing a four-year correspondence art course while living at home with her family.
After William Andrews died in the late 1960s, Virginia helped to support herself and her mother through her extremely successful career as a commercial artist, portrait painter, and fashion illustrator.
Frustrated with the lack of creative satisfaction that her work provided, Virginia sought creative release through writing, which she did in secret. In 1972, she completed her first novel, The Gods of the Green Mountain [sic], a science-fantasy story. It was never published. Between 1972 and 1979, she wrote nine novels and twenty short stories, of which only one was published. "I Slept with My Uncle on My Wedding Night", a short fiction piece, was published in a pulp confession magazine.
Promise gleamed over the horizon for Virginia when she submitted a 290,000-word novel, The Obsessed, to a publishing company. She was told that the story had potential, but needed to be trimmed and spiced up a bit. She drafted a new outline in a single night and added "unspeakable things my mother didn't want me to write about." The ninety-eight-page revision was re-titled Flowers in the Attic and she was paid a $7,500 advance. Her new-generation Gothic novel reached the bestseller lists a mere two weeks after its 1979 paperback publication by Pocket Books.
Petals on the Wind, her sequel to Flowers, was published the next year, earning Virginia a $35,000 advance. The second book remained on the New York Times bestseller list for an unbelievable nineteen weeks (Flowers also returned to the list). These first two novels alone sold over seven million copies in only two years. The third novel of the Dollanganger series, If There Be Thorns, was released in 1981, bringing Virginia a $75,000 advance. It reached No. 2 on many bestseller lists within its first two weeks.
Taking a break from the chronicles of Chris and Cathy Dollanganger, Virginia published her one, and only, stand-alone novel, My Sweet Audrina, in 1982. The book welcomed an immediate success, topping the sales figures of her previous novels. Two years later, a fourth Dollanganger novel was released, Seeds of Yesterday. According to the New York Times, Seeds was the best-selling fiction paperback novel of 1984. Also in 1984, V.C. Andrews was named "Professional Woman of the Year" by the city of Norfolk, Virginia.
Upon Andrews's death in 1986, two final novels—Garden of Shadows and Fallen Hearts—were published. These two novels are considered the last to bear the "V.C. Andrews" name and to be almost completely written by
Virginia Cleo Andrews (born Cleo Virginia Andrews) was born June 6, 1923 in Portsmouth, Virginia. The youngest child and the only daughter of William Henry Andrews, a career navy man who opened a tool-and-die business after retirement, and Lillian Lilnora Parker Andrews, a telephone operator. She spent her happy childhood years in Portsmouth, Virginia, living briefly in Rochester, New York. The Andrews family returned to Portsmouth while Virginia was in high school.
While a teenager, Virginia suffered a tragic accident, falling down the stairs at her school and incurred severe back injuries. Arthritis and a failed spinal surgical procedure forced her to spend most of her life on crutches or in a wheelchair.
Virginia excelled in school and, at fifteen, won a scholarship for writing a parody of Tennyson's Idylls of the King. She proudly earned her diploma from Woodrow Wilson High School in Portsmouth. After graduation, she nurtured her artistic talent by completing a four-year correspondence art course while living at home with her family.
After William Andrews died in the late 1960s, Virginia helped to support herself and her mother through her extremely successful career as a commercial artist, portrait painter, and fashion illustrator.
Frustrated with the lack of creative satisfaction that her work provided, Virginia sought creative release through writing, which she did in secret. In 1972, she completed her first novel, The Gods of the Green Mountain [sic], a science-fantasy story. It was never published. Between 1972 and 1979, she wrote nine novels and twenty short stories, of which only one was published. "I Slept with My Uncle on My Wedding Night", a short fiction piece, was published in a pulp confession magazine.
Promise gleamed over the horizon for Virginia when she submitted a 290,000-word novel, The Obsessed, to a publishing company. She was told that the story had potential, but needed to be trimmed and spiced up a bit. She drafted a new outline in a single night and added "unspeakable things my mother didn't want me to write about." The ninety-eight-page revision was re-titled Flowers in the Attic and she was paid a $7,500 advance. Her new-generation Gothic novel reached the bestseller lists a mere two weeks after its 1979 paperback publication by Pocket Books.
Petals on the Wind, her sequel to Flowers, was published the next year, earning Virginia a $35,000 advance. The second book remained on the New York Times bestseller list for an unbelievable nineteen weeks (Flowers also returned to the list). These first two novels alone sold over seven million copies in only two years. The third novel of the Dollanganger series, If There Be Thorns, was released in 1981, bringing Virginia a $75,000 advance. It reached No. 2 on many bestseller lists within its first two weeks.
Taking a break from the chronicles of Chris and Cathy Dollanganger, Virginia published her one, and only, stand-alone novel, My Sweet Audrina, in 1982. The book welcomed an immediate success, topping the sales figures of her previous novels. Two years later, a fourth Dollanganger novel was released, Seeds of Yesterday. According to the New York Times, Seeds was the best-selling fiction paperback novel of 1984. Also in 1984, V.C. Andrews was named "Professional Woman of the Year" by the city of Norfolk, Virginia.
Upon Andrews's death in 1986, two final novels—Garden of Shadows and Fallen Hearts—were published. These two novels are considered the last to bear the "V.C. Andrews" name and to be almost completely written by
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews
August 6, 2017
Donna is a high school student has always had it a bit difficult being different from her peers since she has a Latino father and Irish mother. Add to the things for the other kids to hold against her Donna is also very gifted being smarter than all of the other kids and most adults.
Donna has never fit in and often gets blamed for all that goes wrong but she's taken upon herself to try at least to join in with the other kids her age. Donna's attempt at being a normal teenager however turns into disaster when a fight breaks out and it's her word against the others as to what happened.
Donna is the second book in the Girls of Spindrift series by V.C. Andrews. The series is a set of novellas that are prequels to the book Bittersweet Dreams which has already been published. I have not yet read Bittersweet Dreams myself but I don't believe it would necessary to have done so to understand this novella, it seems to be mainly some character building for what would be coming in Bittersweet Dreams.
As with the first novella in this series Donna's story seemed to be rushed through to fit into novella length leading me to wish the stories would be a bit longer and more detailed to get to know the characters. I suppose these fit as an OK introduction to characters that will be expanded on in the later book but the stories seem to jump into the event that sends the girls to leave for the school awfully quickly which leaves me wanting more into their lives and who they are.
I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.
For more reviews please visit https://carriesbookreviews.wordpress....
Donna has never fit in and often gets blamed for all that goes wrong but she's taken upon herself to try at least to join in with the other kids her age. Donna's attempt at being a normal teenager however turns into disaster when a fight breaks out and it's her word against the others as to what happened.
Donna is the second book in the Girls of Spindrift series by V.C. Andrews. The series is a set of novellas that are prequels to the book Bittersweet Dreams which has already been published. I have not yet read Bittersweet Dreams myself but I don't believe it would necessary to have done so to understand this novella, it seems to be mainly some character building for what would be coming in Bittersweet Dreams.
As with the first novella in this series Donna's story seemed to be rushed through to fit into novella length leading me to wish the stories would be a bit longer and more detailed to get to know the characters. I suppose these fit as an OK introduction to characters that will be expanded on in the later book but the stories seem to jump into the event that sends the girls to leave for the school awfully quickly which leaves me wanting more into their lives and who they are.
I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.
For more reviews please visit https://carriesbookreviews.wordpress....
August 24, 2017
An avid reader of V.C. Andrews books I can say I've read all the books by this author since the start with Flowers In The Attic when I was 13. Say what you want about these books but you either love this author's books or hate them. There is no middle ground here. All the books involve teenage girls involved in some sort of drama that makes you want to keep reading to see how it's resolved.
Pub Date 14 Aug 2017
Thank you to NetGalley and Gallery, Threshold, Pocket Books for a review copy in exchange for my honest review.
Pub Date 14 Aug 2017
Thank you to NetGalley and Gallery, Threshold, Pocket Books for a review copy in exchange for my honest review.
December 10, 2017
An introduction to a character in V.C. Andrews Girls of Spindrift series.
A quick read. Entertaining story about a teen girl who is a genius. Donna has trouble fitting in with her peers, but there is one boy interested in her. They go on a date that ends in disaster, resulting in Donna wanting something different than her current life.
This is the second book in the series. I haven't read the first book, Corliss, but the Spindrift school sounds like it may make an interesting series.
I won the Kindle version of this book in a Goodreads Giveaway.
A quick read. Entertaining story about a teen girl who is a genius. Donna has trouble fitting in with her peers, but there is one boy interested in her. They go on a date that ends in disaster, resulting in Donna wanting something different than her current life.
This is the second book in the series. I haven't read the first book, Corliss, but the Spindrift school sounds like it may make an interesting series.
I won the Kindle version of this book in a Goodreads Giveaway.
August 14, 2017
Better than Corliss!
Though this one also brought both novellas together.
I liked Donna. I like that she's a wiz. I like the sounds of Spindrift Academy too! Sounds like a school filled with the most interesting students and staff alike. So much so, that I can't wait to read more from this series.
A definite good start to the series!
4.5/5
Though this one also brought both novellas together.
I liked Donna. I like that she's a wiz. I like the sounds of Spindrift Academy too! Sounds like a school filled with the most interesting students and staff alike. So much so, that I can't wait to read more from this series.
A definite good start to the series!
4.5/5
August 11, 2017
Donna by V C Andrews.
A fantastic read with brilliant characters. This is a second book in a series. I loved corliss which was book 1. And donna was fantastic too. Donna is a gifted child. At school she is separated from the other girls. Her counsellor suggest her going to a mysterious school spindrift. I loved donna. But not the other girls. Can't wait to read more from this series. 5*. Netgalley and gallery, threshold, pocket books.
A fantastic read with brilliant characters. This is a second book in a series. I loved corliss which was book 1. And donna was fantastic too. Donna is a gifted child. At school she is separated from the other girls. Her counsellor suggest her going to a mysterious school spindrift. I loved donna. But not the other girls. Can't wait to read more from this series. 5*. Netgalley and gallery, threshold, pocket books.
June 5, 2017
I received a copy of this title to read and review for Wicked Reads
5 Gimme More stars
Young adult age-range: 12+ Kissing & violence.
Reading Donna on the heels of Corliss added to the overall experience. Donna's introduction flowed more smoothly with the added information from the first serial in the prequels.
Donna is other. That's the only way to describe it. Her mind works so differently than what society calls the norm, that there is no gauge of understanding. Legally obligated to go to school, Donna does independent study all day in a private room in the library, in what used to be the in-school suspension room (from what I gathered). She is more removed from her peers than Corliss was in this regard, as she goes all day without interacting with anyone.
Added to her otherness is the fact that she is mixed heritage- a Latina with an Irish mother. Not only is she fighting the fact that she doesn't have the foundation most teenagers do with their peer group- friends and classmates -she's not enough of either heritage to fit in, and is bullied because of it. Donna's classmates think she feels above them, but she doesn't. Her intelligence is a cross she bears- a curse.
Donna has a friend/savior/guy would wants to date her. He's sweet & genuine, and I felt the emotions Donna portrayed realistic, and not at all forced in so few pages. But, for Donna, there is a war waging between her mind and her heart. With an intellect so powerful, emotions confuse the teenage girl. Emotions aren't rational. Love can't be measured. In this prequel, that was a powerful message.
Life changes quickly in the blink of an eye, and this is no different for Donna. I was pleased that the reader was able to visit Spindrift for a few pages, as well as see Corliss there.
At the end, the overall emotion I am feeling is gimme more. But the other two serials aren't available, and it's going to take all of my self-restraint not to purchase Bittersweet Dreams, which is the full-length novel these 4 prequels are based upon. I will be patient. I will wait. I will read the prequels first for optimum reading fulfillment. Maybe.
5 Gimme More stars
Young adult age-range: 12+ Kissing & violence.
Reading Donna on the heels of Corliss added to the overall experience. Donna's introduction flowed more smoothly with the added information from the first serial in the prequels.
Donna is other. That's the only way to describe it. Her mind works so differently than what society calls the norm, that there is no gauge of understanding. Legally obligated to go to school, Donna does independent study all day in a private room in the library, in what used to be the in-school suspension room (from what I gathered). She is more removed from her peers than Corliss was in this regard, as she goes all day without interacting with anyone.
Added to her otherness is the fact that she is mixed heritage- a Latina with an Irish mother. Not only is she fighting the fact that she doesn't have the foundation most teenagers do with their peer group- friends and classmates -she's not enough of either heritage to fit in, and is bullied because of it. Donna's classmates think she feels above them, but she doesn't. Her intelligence is a cross she bears- a curse.
Donna has a friend/savior/guy would wants to date her. He's sweet & genuine, and I felt the emotions Donna portrayed realistic, and not at all forced in so few pages. But, for Donna, there is a war waging between her mind and her heart. With an intellect so powerful, emotions confuse the teenage girl. Emotions aren't rational. Love can't be measured. In this prequel, that was a powerful message.
Life changes quickly in the blink of an eye, and this is no different for Donna. I was pleased that the reader was able to visit Spindrift for a few pages, as well as see Corliss there.
At the end, the overall emotion I am feeling is gimme more. But the other two serials aren't available, and it's going to take all of my self-restraint not to purchase Bittersweet Dreams, which is the full-length novel these 4 prequels are based upon. I will be patient. I will wait. I will read the prequels first for optimum reading fulfillment. Maybe.
July 31, 2017
This is the second book in the Spindrift series! I received this book in exchange for an honest review.
I liked Donna a lot more than Corliss, she seems more like a V.C.A. character and the books gives you a tease of the older books, which can make you more frustrated at the end. Donna is pretty true to herself and doesn't try to put herself in toxic situations. I felt so bad for her friend Greg.
Book Blurb:
Book Two of the Girls of Spindrift. From the New York Times bestselling author of the Flowers in the Attic and My Sweet Audrina series, now Lifetime movies, continues a haunting new series featuring highly intelligent teenage girls who struggle to survive a specialized high school and find their place in a world that doesn’t understand them.
Such is the burden of being brilliant.
Being gifted is not something Donna ever wanted. It’s difficult enough to have a Latino father and Irish mother, and her genius only separates her even more from the other girls. They don’t say it, but they blame her for everything that goes wrong, just because she’s different.
And on the precise day she tries her hardest to fit in, everything turns out a disaster. A fight breaks out, and somehow Donna ends up in the middle. It’s not her fault, but it’s her word against theirs, and this time, the other girls aren’t going to stay quiet. The only solution might be to escape to the mysterious school her counselor is telling her about: Spindrift.
The four Girls of Spindrift novellas together form a prequel for Bittersweet Dreams—available now!
I liked Donna a lot more than Corliss, she seems more like a V.C.A. character and the books gives you a tease of the older books, which can make you more frustrated at the end. Donna is pretty true to herself and doesn't try to put herself in toxic situations. I felt so bad for her friend Greg.
Book Blurb:
Book Two of the Girls of Spindrift. From the New York Times bestselling author of the Flowers in the Attic and My Sweet Audrina series, now Lifetime movies, continues a haunting new series featuring highly intelligent teenage girls who struggle to survive a specialized high school and find their place in a world that doesn’t understand them.
Such is the burden of being brilliant.
Being gifted is not something Donna ever wanted. It’s difficult enough to have a Latino father and Irish mother, and her genius only separates her even more from the other girls. They don’t say it, but they blame her for everything that goes wrong, just because she’s different.
And on the precise day she tries her hardest to fit in, everything turns out a disaster. A fight breaks out, and somehow Donna ends up in the middle. It’s not her fault, but it’s her word against theirs, and this time, the other girls aren’t going to stay quiet. The only solution might be to escape to the mysterious school her counselor is telling her about: Spindrift.
The four Girls of Spindrift novellas together form a prequel for Bittersweet Dreams—available now!
August 4, 2017
"Donna" is the newest novella from the "Girls of Spindrift" series which are prequels to VC Andrews' "Bittersweet Dreams." Much like her predecessor's (Corliss and Mayfair), Donna is the smartest girl in her school - even smarter than her teachers. This fact sets her apart from her peers and even her family to a point. Tired of being left out, Donna impulsively accepts a date with one of her only friends. The date ends badly and no one will be left the same.
As this book was a novella, I finished this one in about an hour. There wasn't much development in the characters, and things happened very quickly. This didn't necessarily bother me, because it helped it from dragging and ending up like "Bittersweet Dreams" did. I thought Donna's parents really jumped the gun on sending her off, and it just seemed kind of an odd choice. I would have liked to see Donna back at her old school for a little bit to get the aftermath of everything, and give more meaning behind her departure. Overall I rated this one three out of five stars.
I received an ARC of this book through Netgalley.
As this book was a novella, I finished this one in about an hour. There wasn't much development in the characters, and things happened very quickly. This didn't necessarily bother me, because it helped it from dragging and ending up like "Bittersweet Dreams" did. I thought Donna's parents really jumped the gun on sending her off, and it just seemed kind of an odd choice. I would have liked to see Donna back at her old school for a little bit to get the aftermath of everything, and give more meaning behind her departure. Overall I rated this one three out of five stars.
I received an ARC of this book through Netgalley.
August 18, 2017
Disclaimer: I received an e-copy of this book on NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Just like the first book in this novella series this book deals with a girl that is very smart and ostracized for it. Donna spends most of her time in the library, studying advanced material since she knows everything the teachers want to teach her. Her peers hate her except for one guy, Greg. And then something happens at the beach.
There's a lot of foreshadowing to the thing at the beach, which makes it seem like Donna is far more involved than she actually is, which was quite surprising.
This novella is very similar to the first novella. The one thing that actually makes it stand out is the fact that we get to know more about the school Donna and the other girls will visit. I like how it was tied together, but sadly the part about Spindrift was also the most interesting part of the story.
All in all, a way too quick novella again, but there were some parts that were interesting and it definitely makes me very interested in reading the full book.
Just like the first book in this novella series this book deals with a girl that is very smart and ostracized for it. Donna spends most of her time in the library, studying advanced material since she knows everything the teachers want to teach her. Her peers hate her except for one guy, Greg. And then something happens at the beach.
There's a lot of foreshadowing to the thing at the beach, which makes it seem like Donna is far more involved than she actually is, which was quite surprising.
This novella is very similar to the first novella. The one thing that actually makes it stand out is the fact that we get to know more about the school Donna and the other girls will visit. I like how it was tied together, but sadly the part about Spindrift was also the most interesting part of the story.
All in all, a way too quick novella again, but there were some parts that were interesting and it definitely makes me very interested in reading the full book.
August 14, 2017
I received a book for my honest review. Donna is an extremely intelligent girl (think genius) who doesn’t feel she fits in at school. She’s smarter than everyone else at school and doesn’t make friends easily with one exception, Greg. When Greg asks her to a beach party one night, she responds yes without analyzing her response. This one night is life changing for the both of them.
I really enjoyed Donna – The Girls of Spindrift Book 2. I like the fact that the girls featured in this series are highly intelligent because it makes the series different than many others. The four Girls of Spindrift e-novellas together form a prequel for Bittersweet Dreams—a paperback which is available now!
I really enjoyed Donna – The Girls of Spindrift Book 2. I like the fact that the girls featured in this series are highly intelligent because it makes the series different than many others. The four Girls of Spindrift e-novellas together form a prequel for Bittersweet Dreams—a paperback which is available now!
July 8, 2018
I was given a copy of this book to read and review for Wicked Reads.
I read these three prequels back to back and I had the oddest sense of deja vu when I got to Donna’s book. From her slightly smug voice to her high school experiences pre Spindrift, there isn’t much that separates Donna’s story from Corliss’ story.
I did prefer Donna’s book. Her story is a little bit more developed and her experiences are slightly more nuanced. I enjoyed her reflections on being biracial as well as being super clever. Donna’s struggles to belong with the other Latino students were frustrating and her experience as a whole felt more real than Corliss’ strubbles.
This is a short story and it doesn’t really move the series story arc much further than Corliss’ book does. I haven’t been a fan of the writing style from the start of Corliss’ book and again, I didn’t engage terribly well with this story.
I read these three prequels back to back and I had the oddest sense of deja vu when I got to Donna’s book. From her slightly smug voice to her high school experiences pre Spindrift, there isn’t much that separates Donna’s story from Corliss’ story.
I did prefer Donna’s book. Her story is a little bit more developed and her experiences are slightly more nuanced. I enjoyed her reflections on being biracial as well as being super clever. Donna’s struggles to belong with the other Latino students were frustrating and her experience as a whole felt more real than Corliss’ strubbles.
This is a short story and it doesn’t really move the series story arc much further than Corliss’ book does. I haven’t been a fan of the writing style from the start of Corliss’ book and again, I didn’t engage terribly well with this story.
August 23, 2017
While the book was ok, I didn't realize that it was more of a short story/novella, and aimed for a younger audience. I read it mainly because of the author. I always hope to get the original V.C Andrews feeling when I read the books. I will continue to read them to chase that feeling, even though they have fell short in past few years. It is a book worth reading, and you d not have to read first one in series. I received this book through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
August 1, 2017
Too smart for her good Donna Ramanez tries to fit in, but to no avail. When Greg, a boy at school, takes an interest in her Donna is worried about what everyone else will think. When a trip to the beach goes horribly wrong, her parents and the school think it's time Donna go to a school where her talents can be used to stay out of trouble.
This was a very quick read, but it kept you on your toes. Donna's inner dialogue with herself made her seem like a typical teenager just curious about what life has to offer. The foreshadowing of something terrible happening at the beach made it seem like she was somehow more involved than she actually was, which was a bit of a let down (just for dramatic effect). I wish there was more of her story - she seems like an interesting character to develop. Overall, 4 stars.
(Read/Reviewed as a member of TDC Book Reviews)
This was a very quick read, but it kept you on your toes. Donna's inner dialogue with herself made her seem like a typical teenager just curious about what life has to offer. The foreshadowing of something terrible happening at the beach made it seem like she was somehow more involved than she actually was, which was a bit of a let down (just for dramatic effect). I wish there was more of her story - she seems like an interesting character to develop. Overall, 4 stars.
(Read/Reviewed as a member of TDC Book Reviews)
September 11, 2017
Thanks to NetGalley for the advanced copy. Donna is the second book in the Girls of Spindrift series, and one of the four prequels to the Bittersweet Dreams novel, which was previously published. I haven't read Bittersweet Dreams, but don't think that's necessary in order to read the prequels. Sometimes, I find that reading the prequels first helps me understand the thoughts and actions of the characters in the main novel.
Having been a reader of V. C. Andrews since the very beginning with Flowers in the Attic, I have seen a change in the tone and content of the books with the current author. I have also aged quite a bit since then, so it's understandable that the newer books don't strike me as being as fantastic as the earlier stories. The new books don't draw me in like the Dollanganger, Casteel or Landry series once did.
It is nice to read a book about intelligent young women, it's just a shame Donna and others are ostracized for being smart. All in all, this prequel is a quick read that might make reading Bittersweet Dreams more interesting with the fleshing out of each of the main characters.
Having been a reader of V. C. Andrews since the very beginning with Flowers in the Attic, I have seen a change in the tone and content of the books with the current author. I have also aged quite a bit since then, so it's understandable that the newer books don't strike me as being as fantastic as the earlier stories. The new books don't draw me in like the Dollanganger, Casteel or Landry series once did.
It is nice to read a book about intelligent young women, it's just a shame Donna and others are ostracized for being smart. All in all, this prequel is a quick read that might make reading Bittersweet Dreams more interesting with the fleshing out of each of the main characters.
July 26, 2017
**I received an ARC courtesy of NetGalley
I thoroughly enjoyed reading Donna, the second novella in the Spindrift Series by VC Andrews.
Donna, a naive high school student that struggled to fit in with her peers, was often referred to as a genious. Many picked on her or did their best to single her out because of her intelligence, when all she wanted was to be normal like everyone else. Greg, the one true friend of hers, ends up in a life threatening situation because of Donna, and she makes the decision to leave home so that Greg isn't put in harms way again.
Though this story is fast-paced, I could feel the tension and heartache of Donna. Her struggles were real and relatable. The development of her character is superb and I can't wait to read more about Spindrift, the new school that she'll be attending as well as the others that she'll meet there. I'm also curious to see how, or if, she is reconnected with Greg again as well as the outcome involving Greg's incident at the beach involving Mateo.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading Donna, the second novella in the Spindrift Series by VC Andrews.
Donna, a naive high school student that struggled to fit in with her peers, was often referred to as a genious. Many picked on her or did their best to single her out because of her intelligence, when all she wanted was to be normal like everyone else. Greg, the one true friend of hers, ends up in a life threatening situation because of Donna, and she makes the decision to leave home so that Greg isn't put in harms way again.
Though this story is fast-paced, I could feel the tension and heartache of Donna. Her struggles were real and relatable. The development of her character is superb and I can't wait to read more about Spindrift, the new school that she'll be attending as well as the others that she'll meet there. I'm also curious to see how, or if, she is reconnected with Greg again as well as the outcome involving Greg's incident at the beach involving Mateo.
October 13, 2023
A complete waste of time.
Was this "series" a writing exercise for 13yo girls?
A complete waste of time.
Was this "series" a writing exercise for 13yo girls?
A complete waste of time.
August 25, 2017
I enjoyed this one more than Corliss (Book 1) still not what I expect from this author. Maybe it is the length like there is not enough story? I will continue with the series and read the full length Bittersweet Dreams.
September 12, 2017
Good Read!!!!!
Liked it but it kept me hanging. Now I want it to continue. can't wait for the next sequel. I would definitely recommend this book to family and friends alike!!!!!!!!
Liked it but it kept me hanging. Now I want it to continue. can't wait for the next sequel. I would definitely recommend this book to family and friends alike!!!!!!!!
September 8, 2017
This was a great novella! It sucks you in from page one. The only problem is that you can't put it down and the next thing you know it is over. I really wish it was longer because I absolutely loved it!
September 6, 2017
*GIVEAWAY WINNER
Quick Easy Read to pass the time. Does not really differ from any other "VC ANDREWS" books since her death. Don't expect too much and you will be fine.
Quick Easy Read to pass the time. Does not really differ from any other "VC ANDREWS" books since her death. Don't expect too much and you will be fine.
June 15, 2017
eARC: Netgalley
I think The Girls of Spindrift is going to be a great new series! So far the characters are well developed, the writing is great, and the setting is intriguing.
Can't wait for the next one!
I think The Girls of Spindrift is going to be a great new series! So far the characters are well developed, the writing is great, and the setting is intriguing.
Can't wait for the next one!
June 10, 2017
Donna (Girls of Spindrift #2)
by V.C. Andrews
Another warning of ill spent youth. Donna is a genius, and has surpassed her classmates and teachers in her public school. She has spent her high school years performing her own diverse path of study. The school has even given her a small place in the school to study separately. But with great intelligence she has found that making those lasting connections is difficult, Until Greg comes to help her. Their first date ended in catastrophe so she opts to go to Spindrift. There she will find challenge and interests and other people just like her. A great short back story to the Spindrift character.
I will be excited to look into Spindrift and find out the challenges her and Corliss find in the secured walls of this elite school.
by V.C. Andrews
Another warning of ill spent youth. Donna is a genius, and has surpassed her classmates and teachers in her public school. She has spent her high school years performing her own diverse path of study. The school has even given her a small place in the school to study separately. But with great intelligence she has found that making those lasting connections is difficult, Until Greg comes to help her. Their first date ended in catastrophe so she opts to go to Spindrift. There she will find challenge and interests and other people just like her. A great short back story to the Spindrift character.
I will be excited to look into Spindrift and find out the challenges her and Corliss find in the secured walls of this elite school.
Want to read
September 2, 2017I received this book for free through Goodreads Giveaways. It is a Kindle book.
July 11, 2017
Donna is an okay story. Like the previous novella, the main character in this is pretty smart and many hate/envy her for it, which is something a lot of us can relate to. When you're smart you should never dumb down or change yourself to please anyone. And while Donna endured so much nonsense and struggled to fit in, I'm glad she stayed true to herself for the most part. In fact, I was liking the story up to the point where they met up on the beach. That whole ordeal just wasn't needed and I'm confused as to how it even started and why. With that aside, it was another quick intro to a smart character and it makes me a tad curious about the overall premise of Bittersweet Dreams and what this private school has in store for its students.
Read
January 21, 2018The thing that these girls have in common is their intelligence and the fact that they get picked on. Interesting how much they just try to either fit in or not be noticed. It saddens me that they get bullied because they are smart, but I know that is a jealousy thing on the others' part. I'm looking forward to seeing what happens to the girls when the reach this new school - Spindrift.
September 1, 2018
Not bad, but not great either. When I was younger I read VC Andrews, and started back up again a few months ago with the Spendrift series. They just don’t have the suspense or horror the old novels had. I know this is a ghost writer, but if you are going to use VC’s name, give me her style. I’m hoping the next book improves.
September 3, 2018
As is expected of a VC Andrews book, this follows a unique young girl and the drama that unfolds in her life. Short and sweet. Just a taste of what will come in this future series. For the most part this one was nothing particularly special, yet easy enough to read all the same. It was intriguing enough to make me want to read the others, so there's that.
May 15, 2018
I was getting interested in the story and it ended. I enjoyed the binding taking place between Donna and her date. Would love to know what happened after she arrived at the new school. Way it abruptly ended makes me think only the first few chapters were won.
February 21, 2018
Not my favorite of hers
It is definitely interesting and captivating; however, it isn't one of her better novellas. I was a bit disappointed, since I have enjoyed numerous books of hers in the past. This is a must read for true die hard fans of V.C. Andrews.
It is definitely interesting and captivating; however, it isn't one of her better novellas. I was a bit disappointed, since I have enjoyed numerous books of hers in the past. This is a must read for true die hard fans of V.C. Andrews.
October 6, 2017
Ok. I am ready to read Spendrift now.
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