Invitation Only

Private #2

by Kate Brian

Reed Brennan's future is looking as bright as the two-karat diamonds in her new housemates' ears. Being accepted to the most prestigious private boarding school in the country wasn't enough for Reed. She had to break every rule to do it, but she has accomplished the impossible:

Reed is a Billings Girl now.

And with her new status come respect, envy, and, most important, opportunity. Not to mention the parties. Unfortunately, at the next illicit party in the Easton campus woods, her roommate snaps some pictures of Reed in more than one compromising position. She uses the photos to blackmail Reed: Dig up dirt on the most powerful and popular Billings Girls or she will have Reed expelled.

And speaking of parties, the Legacy is coming up. It's the invitation-only Halloween party in NYC and it's rumored that Thomas -- Reed's MIA boyfriend -- will be making an appearance there. Too bad Reed isn't even close to invited.

Life as a Billings Girl is every bit as glamorous as Reed imagined. What she didn't bargain for is the tangled web of private lies these girls weave.

Genres: Young Adult, Mystery, Fiction, Contemporary, Romance, Chick Lit, Boarding School

257 pages, Paperback

First published November 1, 2006

About the author

Kate Brian is the author of the SHADOWLANDS TRILOGY (SHADOWLANDS, HEREAFTER & ENDLESS), as well as the New York Times bestselling PRIVATE and PRIVILEGE series, and the wildly popular MEGAN MEADE'S GUIDE TO THE MCGOWAN BOYS. She also writes teen fiction under the name Kieran Scott.

Reviews

[Sarah Elizabeth · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a YA contemporary story, set at a private boarding school.

Reed was put in a hard position in this, and didn’t seem to be able to find her way out of it. I was glad that she did eventually work out what do though.

The storyline in this continued with the Billings Girl’s making Reed do stuff for them and treating her like Cinderella, we also got a bit of blackmail happening, and an exclusive party that Reed was desperate to go to. We also got a bit of romance, with a different boy this time, although it seemed like Reed was mainly using him for what he could get her.

The ending to this was quite surprising, and was the best part of the book for me.



6.5 out of 10

[Ashley ❣️ · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book it was quick fun read lol. The ending shocked me like fr I did not expect that but then I kinda saw it comming and yes lol it was great

[Chelsea (chelseadolling reads) · Rating 2 out of 5]

Rereading this series for a video that I'm putting up on my channel at the end of the month. This one in particular wasn't quite as enjoyable as the first volume, but I remember the third one being mega scandalous. Like I said before, these books aren't exactly very good but they are like book crack and I can't stop. Ha

[Lady Entropy · Rating 2 out of 5]

There is something VERY VERY disturbingly wrong with the main character.

She sees abuse as "friendship". Her relationship to the Billings girls is pretty much "Oooh, they're awesome, and my life sucks, thus I need to be their friend to have a bright future."

Wait. Scratch that.

Now, that is the problem. She doesn't NEED to be their friend. No, that'd actually make the book good and the character deeper. She WANTS to. Oh, sure, she moans and complains about her mom and her life back home, but most of the time, she sees those abusive bitches as friends. And she wants to be their friend.

I really wish that the character started with loathing them but needing to hang out with them to get access to a good future...and slowly find their human side and starting to care for them. But nope. Reed seems to be a masochist, dead set in taking abuse after abuse. Maybe it's an american thing, I don't know -- I heard that hazing and pledge week and all sort of that stuff can be very intense and people are still glad to go through it.

In my country, there is an incredibly old and strict university hazing tradition -- so it's not the initiations rituals that bother me. It's how the main character is a spineless chump.

[Bren fall in love with the sea. · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Highlights, lowlights, dermabrasion, seaweed thigh wrap, eyebrow threading. Most of it sounded like torture, but apparently it all worked."

Invitation Only (Private, #2)
by Kate Brian

I had a field day with both the Private series. This is book two and it's a fun one. I first read the entire series many years back, binging on them and finishing in ab out a week. The Private series are just like chocolate, you binge and binge and binge and feel a little sick after..and then do it all again.

Spring cleaning led me to find some of my old Private novels and once again start the binge.

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh yes, I’m officially sucked in to the Private series. Invitation Only is the second book in the Private series and now that I’m finished, I’m anxiously awaiting the arrival of book 3 at my library. I’ve already ordered the 4th book, so I can keep reading once I finish the next one.

Invitation Only continues the story of Reed Brennan who has just been invited by the fabulous Billings Girls to be a part of their inner circle and live in Billings Hall. Reed is excited because now, she’s in!

Little does she know that being asked to move into Billings Hall was just to get her closer to the Billings Girls to do their chores and be available at their every whim. Still, Reed is thrilled because she wants so badly to be popular.

In book 1, Reed’s boyfriend Thomas goes missing. Book 2 starts off with Reed thinking about where he could possibly be and the police coming in for an investigation.

Now that she’s a Billings girl, Reed has a new roommate: Natasha. Natasha is angry because Reed is only her new roommate because her previous roommate Leanne got kicked out of Easton Academy for “cheating” though Natasha thinks the Billings girls were behind the whole thing. Natasha blackmails Reed with incriminating photos from a party and asks her to snoop around the Billings girls rooms to find any evidence that the got Leanne kicked out.

Boy troubles, friend troubles, and classes are not the only problem Reed has. There is an invitation only party that Reed desperately wants to go to because she thinks Thomas will be there. The Legacy party is epic in Easton history and Reed will do anything to get an invite.

I loved this book even more than the first installment. Now that I know all of the characters and the back story, I’m intrigued to find out more about their lives and who they really are. This book kept me on the edge of my seat as there was a bit of a mystery to be solved.

After reading the second book, I’m a certified Kate Brian fan. I love her writing style and the way she tells the story.

[murphy ✌ (daydreamofalife) · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 / 5

RTC

[Jacquelyn Simon · Rating 4 out of 5]

OMG. THAT ENDING THO!
*In a southern drawl* Oh my delicate nerves. I’m clutching my pearls!

This book definitely had a lot more going for it than the first book. It was a pretty steady book and it had me entertained.

The character of Whitaker made me cringe though. I can’t stand pretentious people.

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

The second installment of the Private series! Excellent series! Throwback to the days of Gossip Girl!

[Jennifer Wardrip · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reviewed by Randstostipher "tallnlankyrn" Nguyen for TeensReadToo.com

INVITATION ONLY, the second novel in the PRIVATE series, begins where we left off in the first book. Thomas went missing, one of the Billings Girls was expelled, and Reed Brennan finally moved into the dorm she had her eye on when she first came to the private school. But even though Reed was in the Billings house, that didn't exactly mean she was in the clique.

Turns out, the Billings Girls had a little hazing present for Reed that would keep her busy. That's right--Reed has to actually do the girls' beds every morning and clean up the dorm. Who knows exactly how long that will last.

But that's not the only thing on Reed's mind. Her boyfriend, Thomas Pearce, had just went missing during parents' weekend. And the only possible way that she would be able to see him again is at a social event called the Legacy, held in New York City that apparently Thomas is for sure making an appearance at. The only problem is that Reed has no idea what the Legacy is--but all she is worried about is getting there. Oh, and her new roommate took compromising photos of Reed and a certain someone, and is now using it to blackmail Reed.

From finding her boyfriend to overcoming her blackmailer to trying to officially become a Billings Girl, Reed has too much on her plate.

It seemed like it would be hard for Kate Brian to top the first book in the PRIVATE series, which was absolutely amazing, but no worries since she does not disappoint. INVITATION ONLY was even better than the first. With even more obstacles that Reed has to face, the story literally leaves the reader at the edge of their seat. And Kate Brian ends the story with another huge cliffhanger. This series definitely tops all the other series out there.

[Brooke ♥booklife4life♥ · Rating 2 out of 5]

Find this review, plus more, on my blog: Booklikes OR Blogger

Basic Info

Format: Audio
Pages/Length: 6hrs
Genre: Young Adult; Private/Boarding School
Reason For Reading: Gosh idk.

At A Glance

Love Triangle/Insta Love/Obsession?: Obsession
Cliff Hanger: Nah
Triggers: n/a
Rating: 2 stars

Score Sheet
All out of ten

Cover: 6
Plot: 5
Characters: 4
World Building: 4
Flow: 5
Series Congruity: 8
Writing: 7
Ending: 6

Total: 5

In Depth

Best Part: Ha.
Worst Part: The MC.
Thoughts Had: Shut the eff up please!

Conclusion

Continuing the Series: Maybe
Recommending: Eh.

Short Review: I think i might have read this a bit wrong, but Thomas is basically having sex with everyone at this thing they all go to.... and yet the MC is still "in love" with him. So the MC's roomies are using her as a slave, which she just takes because god forbid she has to live in a normal dorm at school. Then Thomas is missing, but legit no one gives a fuck and keeps saying oh he'll just show up... . The MC spends 98% of the book worrying about Thomas, longing for Thomas, but not any time actually looking for Thomas.... Girlfriend of the damn year.

Misc.

Book Boyfriend: Nope.
Best Friend Material: Nope.

Review in GIF Form:

[Sandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

what life could be with boyfriends por doquier and beer!?
I started to like this book.

Can't believe that someone buys your friendship.


This book has some words that I shouldn't be reading(especially the dark side...), but they teach me the way that some americans think and express...
now I know some of the meaning of them, and I must thank to my personal "esl tutor" (I won't say your name 'cause you know who you are)
Thank you,Thank you,Thank you,Thank you,Thank you,Thank you,Thank you,Thank you,Thank you,Thank you,Thank you,
Thank you,
Thank you,
Thank you,


the end?
I guess I missed an important part of it 'cause the last chapter doesn't make any sense to me, but still I liked it!

[Sparkles · Rating 4 out of 5]

„Weißt du, als ich dich das erste Mal gesehen habe, da dachte ich, ich hätte Glück gehabt. Weil ich so eine coole, normale und nette Mitbewohnerin bekommen habe. […] Aber das war alles nur gespielt, nicht wahr? Du hattest vom ersten Tag an nur vor, ins Billings-Haus zu kommen und mich zurückzulassen. Und jetzt bist du genauso oberflächlich und hinterhältig wie sie.“ (Constance zu Reed in Private – Spiel mit, wenn du dich traust)

Worum geht’s?
Die 15-jährige Reed hat es geschafft. Sie ist ins legendäre Billings-Haus gezogen. Doch zu welchem Preis? Plötzlich steht ihr Leben Kopf: Ihr Freund Thomas verschwindet urplötzlich und niemand weiß, warum und wohin. Die Billings-Girls zeigen Reed immer wieder, welche Rolle sie eigentlich im Haus spielt. Und dann tritt auch noch Natasha auf, die Reed durch Erpressung dazu zwingt, die Billings-Girls auszuspionieren. Wird Reed es schaffen, ihre Position an der Schule und im Haus zu behalten oder muss sie schon bald die Heimreise antreten?

„Private – Spiel mit, wenn du dich traust“ ist Band 2 der mehrteiligen Private-Reihe von Kate Brian. Das Buch ist nicht in sich geschlossen und die Geschichte wird in Band 3 fortgeführt. Zudem sind Vorkenntnisse aus Band 1 notwendig, da das Buch sich nahtlos an Band 1 anreiht.

Schreibstil / Gestaltung
Das Cover von Private wird erneut von drei jungen Mädchen geziert und passt zu Band 1. Man erhält auch den Eindruck von reichen, bösen Mädchen. Das Cover ist erneut weder aufregend noch etwas Besonderes.

Auch Band 2 besteht aus vielen kurzen Kapiteln, allerdings sind sie diesmal durchschnittlich länger als in Band 1. Es gibt wieder thematisch passende, teilweise spoilernde Überschriften, die leider teilweise etwas lächerlich geraten sind. Der Schreibstil ist erneut locker und flüssig, ich empfinde ihn sogar etwas ausgereifter und flüssiger als in Band 1. Auch in diesem Buch wird die Geschichte aus Reeds Sicht erzählt und es gibt keinen Erzählerwechsel. Das Buch lässt sich wie Band 1 schnell, locker und unkompliziert lesen und dürfte vor allem für die jüngere Leserschaft damit geeignet sein.

Mein Fazit
Dem zweiten Teil von Private habe ich ehrlich gesagt nicht wirklich entgegengefiebert, eher im Gegenteil. Band 1 konnte mich in vielerlei Hinsicht nicht überzeugen. Dies lag vor allem an der Charaktergestaltung, den Erlebnissen, einem fehlenden Spannungsbogen und dem teils weder altersgerechten noch realistischem Verhalten der Protagonisten. Dennoch wollte ich der Reihe mit Band 2 eine weitere Chance geben.

Band 1 hörte mit dem Einzug von Reed im Billings-Haus auf. Es war bei mir als Leserin so, dass ich den ganzen Roman durch nicht verstehen konnte, wieso Reed eigentlich zu den Billings gehören möchte – es sind jugendliche Biester, die keine Grenzen kennen und mobben, wo es nur geht. Dennoch war es quasi Reeds größtes Ziel, dazuzugehören. Und der erfüllte sich, allerdings mit dem Preis, dass eine andere Schülerin deshalb gehen musste. Zudem verschwand Reeds Freund Thomas, der auch nicht gerade als Sympathieträger bereitstand.

Band 2 erfindet das Rad im Verhältnis zu Band 1 nicht neu. Wir lernen neue Charaktere kennen, die oberflächlich bleiben und zu denen man keine Verbindung aufbaut. Die Billings-Girls lernt man zwar zeitweise etwas besser kennen, aber vor allem lernt man sie hassen. Reed wird von Tag 1 weiterhin schikaniert, wie Aschenputtel behandelt und obwohl sie das merkt und es sie stört, tanzt sie nach der Pfeife der Mädels. Diese krampfhafte Sucht, zu gefallen und dazuzugehören, gepaart mit einer immer wieder auftretenden Naivität von Reed haben mich stellenweise das Buch gegen die Wand werfen wollen.

Allerdings hat Band 2 im Vergleich zu Band 1 eine große Stärke: Spannung! Während Band 1 belanglos vor sich hin plätscherte, wird hier richtig aufgefahren: Erpressung, Reeds moralische Zwickmühle, die im Rahmen ihrer Recherchen gewonnenen Erkenntnisse über die Billings, ein neuer Verehrer, eine immer wieder erwähnte, elitäre, geheime Party und der verschwundene Thomas bringen einiges an Material mit sich. Allerdings wurde hier so viel auf den Tisch geworfen, dass man zwischenzeitlich fast überfahren wird. Jede Story wird immer häppchenweise vorangetrieben und verläuft sich meistens dann aber urplötzlich im Sande. Hier bleibt aber auch weiterhin das große Manko, dass die Verhaltensweisen teilweise für mich einfach absurd sind und Reed sich regelmäßig selbst widerspricht. Zugutehalten muss ich aber, dass die Story mich zeitweise überrascht hat, etwa als sich am Ende die Storyline um die Erpressung als etwas ganz anderes herausstellt und der Plottwist zwar komplett überzogen wirkt, aber zumindest überraschend kommt. Streng genommen ist er zum Buch sehr passend und spiegelt die unlogischen Verhaltensweisen sehr gut wieder. Das Buch endet dann passend mit einem schönen Cliffhanger, der mich tatsächlich interessiert und für den allein ich wohl Band 3 lesen werde.

Alles in allem ist also auch Band 2 kein Kunstwerk der Literatur und präsentiert weiterhin unsympathische Charaktere, egozentrische und zweifelhafte Verhaltensweisen gepaart mit fast schon grausamer Respektlosigkeit und fehlender Autorität seitens der eigentlich ja anwesenden Erwachsenden. Allerdings gibt es hier und dort spannende Storylines, die zumindest für eine gewisse Leselust sorgen. Im Ergebnis ist Band 2 lesenswerter als Band 1, aber schöpft erneut das Potenzial nicht aus und lässt den Leser regelmäßig kopfschüttelnd zurück.

[Diese Rezension basiert auf einem Rezensionsexemplar, das mir freundlicherweise von dem Verlag zur Verfügung gestellt wurde. Meine Meinung wurde hierdurch nicht beeinflusst.]

[Abi · Rating 3 out of 5]

I still wasn't a fan of the characters in this, but some of them were alright.

There were still parts of this which bored me, and it dragged in areas because of it. I actually enjoyed this one slightly more than book one though, as the ending was quite good.

Overall, An okay sequel.

[Corinna · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wie auch schon im ersten Band fand ich die Protagonistin selten dämlich...
Und trotzdem endet das Buch mit so einem Cliffhanger, dass ich sehe gerne weiter lesen möchte.

Dieses Buch ist voll Geheimnisse, Tratsch und hinterhältigen Aktionen...

[Jane]

Ok ok ill read the third one. The plot is actually getting a bit better

[Natalie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love this series! The characters and storylines are great. I think Noelle makes the series in a lot of ways. She’s a great secondary character, and even though she’s definitely flawed, she’s fiercely loyal and always ready with a witty comeback.

[Christina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reed Brennan is now part of the Billings Girls but her troubles are far from over. A handsy, bordering stalkerish guy enters the picture. Her new roommate Natalie blackmails her with incriminating photos. Her first ever friend at Easton is crushing on the guy who happens to be Reed's only ticket to the Legacy - an exclusive event, where Thomas, who disappeared, may or may not attend.

Invitation Only was as addictive and easy to read as Private. The story follows on seamlessly from Private. Majority of the events that occurred in the story were quite pointless Really? All that blackmailing was just a test of Reed's loyalty? And every thing was planted so we still know close to nothing about the Billings Girls. Also, it seemed highly unlikely Thomas would attend the Legacy if he was seeking help from professionals. but the cliffhanger somehow made it all worthwhile. The bitchiness and the scandals of the girls were still the main focus of the story, which makes it interesting! I don't trust the Billings girls and there's just something up with them that intrigues me. We're no step closer to finding out more about the girls or Thomas' disappearance and how he turned up dead but I hope to find out soon!

[Nikki the Sapphired Book Dragon AKA NixieNut · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wasn't sure I could dislike Reed more than I had in the first book but apparently I can. In book 2, Reed is now a Billings girl but she still continued to be naive, weak and totally self serving. And it constantly surprised me how Reed would automatically believe anything anyone told her even when they had lied to her multiple times before. I felt there was a little bit more in this storyline with the disappearance of Thomas, and the introduction of Whittaker. There was still plots within plots within plot, much conniving and characters i wouldn't trust as far as I could throw them however it was a still a pretty quick, addictive read and like a drug, I will be back to read book 3 very soon.

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is book two in the series and it's cheesy and yet very addicting all the same. I am not sure why I feel so compelled to keep reading this series but if you start them you will see what I mean.

Reed is still backboneless but I do like how in the end she stood up for herself FINALLY to Natasha and Lee Ann. I would have told Natasha what she could have done with that blackmailing thing a long time ago but then I guess we wouldn't have a book then would we.

I felt bad for Whit but he'll survive. He wasn't my favorite anyway.


I am liking the thing going on with Josh at the end of the party! That relationship I can get on board with.

[Rebecca · Rating 3 out of 5]

Reed seriously needs to start thinking for herself haha

[Brooke ♥booklife4life♥ · Rating 1 out of 5]

**Find this and other reviews, plus fun stuff, on my blogs! Booklikes or Blogspot**


Basic Info

Format: Audio
Pages/Length: 6 ish hrs
Genre: Young Adult; Chick Lit
Reason For Reading: Guess to just rage the f out.

At A Glance

Love Triangle/Insta Love/Obsession?: Triangle.
Cliff Hanger: no
Triggers: n/a
Rating: 1 Star

Score Sheet
All out of ten

Cover: 5
Plot: 2
Characters: 1
World Building: 5
Flow: 7
b>Series Congruity: 8
Writing: 5
Ending: 3

Total: 4/10

In Depth

Best Part: These are short
Worst Part: That MC.
Thoughts Had: You dumb slut.

Conclusion

Continuing the Series: Sure, i need a good rage out book series to be reading
Recommending: Nah.

Short Review: Can someone please explain to me how someone can like these books?! The MC is a freaking idiot, she's a slut, and she lets her "friends" fucking treat her like a fucking maid, and she thinks this is the life she wants!? WTFFFFFFFFF. So Thomas is missing so the MC shouldn't even be with Thomas, doesn't even seem to worry about it, yah she thinks about him sometimes, but doesn't do shit to look for him! Ugh. Then gets with another guy just so she can get entrance to a freaking party! Are you dense!? Then goes behind her "friends" back and looks through all their shit to get dirt on them, and comes clean about it and guess freaking what!? They set her up! Are you serious?! Just no, these books are so freaking dumb. I just can't.

Misc.

Book Boyfriend: Fuck no.
Best Friend Material: again, fuck no.

[Rebecca · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a pretty good second book in the series, but I am going to stop after this one and come back to the series at a later date.

The main character was again Reed and in this book she is part of the Billings (in slave format). Thomas, her love interest from the first book is missing and the Billings are pushing her to pursue another guy Whittaker.

The secondary characters are mainly the other Billings girls, and I suspect they will get more detail in future books

The storyline was OK, based very much for the teen readers making it a bit too young for me. The pacing was good and I will read more of this series just after a break

3 stars

[Samantha (WLABB) · Rating 4 out of 5]

These girls, this world - it's all so twisted!

As always, it's fun spending time with the young, wealthy, and privileged. The new romantic thread has me interested, while the ending left me floored. Can't wait to see what this all leads to.

BLOG | INSTAGRAM |TWITTER | BLOGLOVIN | FRIEND ME ON GOODREADS

[Janelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

I take it back. If you're going to read Invitation Only expecting a murder mystery, don't bother. Nothing happens until literally the last couple of pages, and you can get away with reading those 5 pages and skipping straight to the next book.

As a result, much like Private I can only review Invitation Only as a piece of chick lit, and in that respect it's quite fucking boring. Despite blackmail plots, lavish parties, an enigmatic new character and final confirmation of Thomas' death, this book felt really bloody dull. I forgave the author for a somewhat uneventful plotline in Private since I assumed she was setting the scene, but now I'm worrying that all her books are like this. For a murder mystery it's certainly light on the murder and mystery.

I think the author is failing at something that Pretty Little Liars author Sara Shepard managed to perfect. She was able to weave teenage issues and dramas together with a huge overarching murder mystery without either element feeling like it ever played second fiddle. Obviously I've only read two books so it's not an accurate reflection of the series, but it feels like the murder mystery takes a backseat 98% of the time. If the pace doesn't pick up in the next book I am going to be seriously disappointed!

I said in my review of Private that Reed annoyed me a little bit, but now it's escalated to me wanting to punch her through the pages. One of the things I hate most in book/film/tv show plots is when a character lies to the police to protect someone for trivial reasons, and Reed does exactly that in Invitation Only. She gets a note from Thomas saying he's in rehab, and she decides not to tell the investigating officer because it would mean that Thomas would get into trouble with his parents. Surely if your boyfriend had gone missing you'd prefer him getting into trouble with his parents to being potentially murdered?! Even though I'm certain the note was fake and could've lead the police on a wild goose chase it doesn't make me want to punch Reed any less.

I also hate how she used Walt Whittaker. She lead him on at his birthday dinner and blatantly used him to get into a private party, and I think it really shows she's meant to be a Billings girl. I get that she didn't want to disappoint him on his birthday and she really hoped to see Thomas at Legacy, but I still hate her for it. The author tried to make the reader sympathetic to Reed's cause, but it didn't work. On the other hand, if the author actually did it to show Reed's gradual transformation to a vindictive Billings girl, then it totally worked. I'm a bit worried about the next few books though, because I personally can't stand bitchy main characters. I loathed the Vampire Diaries books for this reason, so Reed better redeem herself or get her ass kicked!

Walt Whittaker was definitely an interesting character and odd addition to the story. I liked seeing how everybody falls all over him but none of the guys really want to be his friend. And Reed was initially attracted to him, but once they hooked up she was disgusted. I have to admit my opinions changed too, though not necessarily along with Reed's. I think he's enigmatic and I felt sorry for him for not having real friends and for being used by Reed, but then I was also disgusted by his conduct during the makeout scenes and in supporting the archaic "traditions" in the Boston restaurant.

I'm really intrigued to see where his story goes though, because he's such an odd addition to the story. I figure the author has to have a good reason for including such a unique character, right? Aside from getting together with Constance I'd like to see him have a big role in the story, hopefully in the murder mystery! I know I'll be terribly disappointed if the author is just like 'HERE HAVE THIS WEIRD CHARACTER' *does nothing with plotarc*

I also really like that the author included a lesbian couple in this book. A derogatory comment was made by a character in Private about it only being okay for lesbian couples to be out on campus if they were hot, and it really bothered me. Though it would've been better to not have that statement in the book in the first place, I'm glad that gay students aren't completely relegated to the sidelines. I also thought it was a cool juxtaposition to have Natasha's strict Republican parents be completely comfortable with her sexuality, and the partner being the one who can't come out. Granted we don't know anything about Leanne's backstory, but it was refreshing nonetheless.

I loved the blackmail plot too. I think it was quite well-written, because everytime Reed searched the rooms I was really worried that Noelle, Ariana, Taylor or Kiran would bust in and discover her. As a reader I practically listened along with Reed for footsteps whenever she went snooping. I didn't even consider that it could've been orchestrated by them until Natasha revealed everything (which made the subsequent reveal scene with the Billings girls totally redundant). I'm so excited to see what the girls are actually hiding, because girls that can orchestrate a blackmail plot and purposely plant 'secrets' have to be hiding even juicier ones.

Overall: If you enjoy the high school politics of Easton you might consider reading this book, but if you're just here for the murder mystery give it a miss. Read Private to set up the story and then read the last 5 pages of Invitation Only. You won't miss anything. ;]

[✨ Ljubica ✨ · Rating 3 out of 5]

im not sure how im just flying through these books but at the same time i do, theyre just so addicting.
ending was expected due to all the hints that were constantly dropped
on to the next one i go, wonder how many ill end up finishing today and with my weekend being free i just might complete the whole series

[Shae Petersen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow what an ending! Thomas is dead :O I need to know what happened! It is like he was murdered. I hope Reed and Josh get together. I really need to like Walt!

[John Garrison · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can't believe that Thomas is dead. I had hopes that he would recover. All in all this was an amazing book.

[Maggie Magnotta · Rating 2 out of 5]

Short and sweet with a great cliff hanger that will get me to continue the series

[Lisa Croci · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love every book in this series, reminds me of high school days back in private school in CT. Girls only, fun times.