Playing with Fire

Sweet Valley High #3

by Kate William (Creator), Kate William

Watch out, Sweet Valley High! Once again, Jessica Wakefield has gotten her way. Fresh from her greatest social triumph, Jessica proceeds to sink her hooks into rich, handsome Bruce Patman, the most eligible, sought-after guy at SVH.

Or has Bruce gotten his hooks into Jessica? Elizabeth, Jessica's twin, notices a big change in her sister. Suddenly Jessica's following Bruce everywhere and dropping everything just to spend time with him.

Elizabeth doesn't trust Bruce one bit—he's arrogant, demanding, and way too fast. Jessica can usually hold her own with any guy, but this time Elizabeth's afraid her sister may be going too far...

Genres: Young Adult, Fiction, Romance, Childrens, Teen, Chick Lit, Middle Grade

149 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 1983

About the author

Kate William is not a real person and does not exist.

Kate William is the fake name that was created to represent the team of ghostwriters that wrote the Sweet Valley High series.

Reviews

[Nina (ninjasbooks)]

The drama continues, and this time it’s Jessica in the spotlight. The book describes a relationship that becomes emotionally abusive, so it was a bit darker than the two previous books.

[gremlinkitten]

SVH: WTF?

Cover Models: Bruce strangles Jessica while she tenderly touches his arm. Aww.

Page count: 149

Special Event: A dance contest at the beginning called, and I kid you not, Sweet Valley's Fifth Annual Rockin' Dance Party Contest. Wowzas. Bruce's 18th birthday party at the end.

Number of times "thirty-seven" or "a hundred and thirty-seven" was mentioned: None that I caught. It's possible I missed it though.

Mental Illness of the Week: Jessica, who completely changes her personality for Bruce "Patronizing" Patman. Also, Bruce is insane (see below).

New! Is Steven home from college this episode?: Shockingly, no.

New! Victim-O'-the-Week: Believe it or not, Jessica.

New! Was Mr. Collins a perv?: Nope.

New! New Character Introduction: Robin Wilson, SVH's resident "fatty." Because there can be only one, and who should always be pitied and ridiculed.

New! Subplot(s): With a new hot-shot manager, do The Droids make it to the big time? Or will all the in-band fighting lead to a group break-up? Will Robin become Jess's new BFF, despite the fact that she isn't thin?

Jessica's Bitchyness scale: ** (out of five) When she was bitchy, it lacked bite.

WTFery Meter: * star (out of five) Pretty tame stuff this time around.
-------------------------
Quotes & Snarky comments:

The Droids have finished up their set, and as the lights dimmed, Roger Collins bounded onto the stage. Looking as handsome as a rock star, but dressed conservatively [...]"
- page 8

Umm, since when did rock star equate with handsomeness? Has the writer ever seen the majority of rock stars?!

With conflicting emotions, Elizabeth had watched the scene unfold. Her sister did deserve to win, but it hardly seemed worth hurting Winston to get the prize.
- page 10

Why in sam hell does Jessica deserve to win exactly?

Even Jessica, who did very little studying but still got good grades in most classes , found it -- [...]
- page 44

Hold it just one cotton-picking minute! Jessica gets good grades?! You have got to be pulling the wool over my eyes. Are we talking B's or just a passing C?

Winston studied Elizabeth affectionately. "That was nice of you. But Robin...well, she's OK. We really don't have much in common, though. I get nervous around people who eat all the time."
- page 66

Oh, Winston, you jackass. Just because someone might not be the "perfect size-6" that the twins are, it doesn't mean they stuff their face every second of the day. Like you're a prize, jerk. And to think I actually used to like you.

On the way up the graveled path to the club's entrance, Todd paused to admire a motorcycle parked off to the side. "This Virago's a beaut, don't you think, Liz?"

Elizabeth frowned. "It's just a pile of metal. I don't think I'll ever understand what you see in these machines."

"Just wait, Liz. When I get my bike, you'll see how much fun they are."
- page 72

Foreshadowing Dangerous Love and its repercussions shown in Dear Sister? I didn't know SVH knew how. :/

"I know." She sighed. "But you don't know how awful it is to watch your sister go through all this and not be able to do a thing about it. She's heading for a disaster. I can feel it, and if I don't find a way to show her what's really happening, I'm afraid I'll lose the real Jessica altogether!"
- page 79/80

Yes, because that would be such a loss.

Bruce turned around, ready to give her a good-morning hug. But he stopped when he saw what she was wearing.

Jessica grew puzzled at the change in his expression. "What's the matter, honey?" she asked.

Bruce's scowl grew deeper. "What's the idea of that outfit?"

"You haven't gone blind all of a sudden, have you?" she teased. "It's my cheerleading outfit. I just had it cleaned. Doesn't it look nice? I wanted to look my best for the assembly and tonight's game." As soon as the words were out, Jessica realized she'd said something wrong. "What's the matter, Bruce? Haven't you ever seen a cheerleader before?"

"Who said you're going to the football game?"

Jessica looked at him disbelievingly. "It's the biggest game of the year. Of course I'm going."

"How come you didn't mention this to me?"

Jessica couldn't understand why Bruce was getting angry with her. "I-I didn't think it was necessary, honey. I mean, you know I'm on the squad, so I just assumed you knew I'd be there."

"Never assume anything with me, babe." Bruce's tone was harsh, unsympathetic. "I thought the two of us would take a drive down to the beach tonight."

"But what about the game?"

"Football bores me. And if you know what's right for us, you'll find a way to miss this game." He put his hands firmly on her shoulders. "Tell me, baby, who'd you rather be with? Me, or a bunch of chicks with fat thighs in short skirts?"

Jessica hated the hard look she saw in Bruce's eyes. Hesitating a moment, she ran her fingers nervously through her hair. "Well, if you put it that way..."
- page 89/90

Looks like Bruce goes to the same Future-Wife-Killers class as Ronnie.

Jessica pulled Robin's hair back from her face. Despite herself she admired the girl's clear complexion and fine bone structure. If Robin lost some weight, she might not be bad-looking, Jessica realized.
- page 92/3

Yes, because having some extra fat automatically means someone's ugly.

"No, it's a PBA teddy. I'd love to be in the sorority. What do you have to do to join?"

Jessica stared hard at Robin's reflection in the mirror. The girl can't seriously believe anyone would want a butterball like her as a sorority sister, Jessica thought.
- page 93

A heart of kindness this one has. Very early into the book she also called Robin Miss Tubby.

The crafty old Jessica simply didn't exist anymore. Instead, a meek, compliant young lady had taken over and was staring worshipfully at Bruce. The old Jessica would never have let a boy walk all over her like this, Elizabeth thought.
- page 139

I have to admit, the changed Jessica's behavior was rather disgusting.

As the two sisters entered the restaurant, they saw that the party was still going strong, and it looked as if they'd been the only ones to leave. Except for one person, that is, who'd also left and then returned. Only he'd brought along a visitor. Holding court at a table with Ken and John and their dates was Bruce -- and an attractive redhead.

Jessica glared at the table. For a split second Elizabeth was afraid Jessica might have gone into shock, and immediately she regretted the drastic step she had taken to make her sister see the light.

But Elizabeth had underestimated her twin. Jessica wasn't in shock at all. The fog she'd been enveloped by had simply lifted, and she was no standing there looking for the first time at the real Bruce Patman. As a sly smile slowly stole over her face, she mapped out the stages of her revenge. The old Jessica was back. And Bruce Patman was finally going to see her in action.
- page 143/4

The one time I'm happy about Jessica scheming. :D Although it ended up kinda disappointing.

New! Lesson Learned: Being fat is the worst thing to be in darling Sweet Valley High, which I'll probably reiterate on in the next edition of SVH: WTF? as it deals with Robin's fight to join Pi Beta Alpha, the snobbiest sorority on Earth in Power Play.

Final thoughts:
A rather ho-hum entry that still managed to have a few juicy bits thrown in.

Disclaimer: I am not a teenager or preteen, but an adult. Supposedly. Everyone keeps telling me I am but I'm not sure I'm buying what they're selling. Therefore my views are based from that perspective rather than someone in the target age range. I inhaled these suckers when I was young, hale, and hearty, so in an apparent moment of weakness have decided to re-visit one of my favorite old series in a fondly-remembered, tongue-in-cheek, and mostly sarcastic approach. So since I couldn't manage to devise a rating system for SVH books, I came up with this little way to have some fun, which is in the review form you've (hopefully) just read. Why else would you be reading this if you hadn't read all the way through anyway? Sometimes me not so bright. ;P

Previous review: Secrets
Next review: Still to come.

[Tara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jessica finally gets with Bruce Patman! As was foreshadowed in book 2:

“Lila’s brooding expression switched to a look of stunned happiness. First she hugged Cara, then Jessica, who squealed aloud in protest.
‘Hey, watch it! You’re going to smudge my masterpiece. I want to look absolutely perfect in case I happen to run into you-know-who.’
Cara cast Jessica a knowing grin as she waved goodbye to Lila. ‘You-know-who’s initials wouldn’t happen to be B.P., by any chance, would they?’
‘You’ve got it.’ Jessica giggled. ‘For Beautiful Person.’
‘Or maybe Black Porsche,’ Cara joked.
‘You have to admit,’ said Jessica, ‘there is something wildly sexy about a man in a black Porsche—especially if he’s six feet plus and has gorgeous blue eyes and is incredibly rich,’ she added.”

Beautiful Person!! 😂

[Oliver Clarke · Rating 4 out of 5]

I couldn’t put this down. Bruce is such a wanker.

[Marc *Dark Reader with a Thousand Young! Iä!* · Rating 3 out of 5]

Francine Pascal died July 28, 2024. I read this just in time.

****************

Oh, Jessica.

This was in my local Little Free Library box, I read it on a lark, plus to see for myself waaaaaayyyyy after the fact what the popular appeal was back in the day. It was definitely decently written, barring any criticism below, no shame to all the gaggling hordes that ate these books up in the 80s.

This particular book: great situation, terrible resolution. This applies to both the A and B plots. As for the C plot: OMG poor Robin. The fatphobia is strong with this one.

That A plot is: Jessica gets with her hot dream guy and he's a total controlling, insecure douchebag, but the threat of losing him leads Jessica to suppress all her own personality and talents and desires. Her twin sister learns she has to keep her mouth shut about it all or she'll push Jessica even further away. This situation remains static, then stays even more static, and finally is still static until the plot has to be resolved, so at hour zero Elizabeth acts on a hunch and leads Jessica to discover that the guy's seeing other girls too. Up to that point Jessica didn't push back; there was no progression except twice she started having angry thoughts, but she didn't act on anything until the final moment, then suddenly she's regular fierce and independent Jessica again just in time for the next book.

The B plot is: the SVH local teen rock band gets a manager and starts playing in shitty clubs, with promises that they'll make it big time. The band has internal strife around the manager communicating only with one girl in the band, and nothing changes until the girl tells Elizabeth at the end that the manager made a pass at her and he's actually all washed up and they dumped him. All that happens off-screen and is only mentioned after the fact. It could have been a good scene to actually play out on the page, but maybe that's not the SVH way.

And yikes, the C plot: Robin is an overweight girl and so of course everyone is repulsed by her based solely on that; she couldn't be more kind and a good friend to all.

I only have this one book so can't officially generalize, but that appears to be what Sweet Valley High is all about. Back into the Little Free Library this one goes.

[Erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Re-read 2023

Jessica Wakefield wants nothing more than to be seen on the arm of Bruce Patman, Sweet Valley High senior and a member of society's richest families. But is Bruce really the Prince Charming Jessica believe him to be? Twin sister, Elizabeth is not convinced and she grows increasingly concerned that she's lost her twin forever.

I can definitely see that the writing improved between the first two books and this installment. Less exclamation marks and a more clear moral warning young women about controlling boyfriends and not losing your whole identity.

There are other storylines involving SVH's popular band, The Droods getting a chance at the big time and new student, Robin hoping that Jessica will help her get into the local sorority. A little bit of fatphobia towards Robin. But I guess that's the 1980's calling as they sure were good at fat shaming in that decade. Robin seems to be the focus of book 4 so I am definitely going to watch out.

So Jessica and Bruce storyline was certainly 4 stars but Elizabeth, Jessica and Winston all being passive agressive to Robin -unforgiveable.


Goodreads review published 19/08/23

[jenn]

A truly pivotal entry in the SVH high series, as it marks the entrance of

1. naked boobs

and

2. blind hatred of fat people

into the world of Sweet Valley.

I read the 1983 version, because I am nothing if not a YA purist, but this is the first SVH that made me wonder about the updated version. Specifically, if the updated version gave any indication of how Jessica and Bruce spent their 8-hour make-out sessions, and if Liz did what I would do in the same situation - shove condoms into Jessica's pockets at every opportunity.

[Marynold · Rating 4 out of 5]

loving this series! can't wait to get my hands on the next book!

[Jerry (Rebel With a Massive Media Library) · Rating 2 out of 5]

A decent read, but a "PG-13" moment kind of ruined things for me. If the next book has such details, I'm giving up on the series completely.

[Ashley Scott · Rating 5 out of 5]

How many times were the words “black Porsche” mentioned?

[Abi · Rating 4 out of 5]

OMG the original toxic relationship, also Todd and Elizabeth were so cute in this one and I laughed out loud a lot

[Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jessica is head over heels for Bruce and he's more than happy to take advantage of that. Elizabeth does a piece for the paper and the side story about the rock band was entertaining.

[Shouty · Rating 5 out of 5]

WINSTON YOU LITTLE WEASEL, I EXPECTED THE FATPHOBIA OUT OF JESSICA BUT OUT OF *YOU*? YOU GET NERVOUS AROUND PEOPLE WHO EAT ALL THE TIME? WHAT THE ACTUAL FUCK?

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

Best of the series thus far, but YIKES, there's a lot of fat phobia here.

[Leigh · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book made me realize what trashy toxic people the Wakefield twins truly are. Jessica a sociopath possible psychopath even and Elizabeth who enables her and judges everyone around her like she's perfect and never made a mistake which to be fair she might not since she's a fictional character. This book is slightly different than the rest in that Jessica goes from evil bitch determined to destroy anyone even her own sister to get her own way, including accusing Liz's beloved Todd of rape, to clingy abused girlfriend. She finally lands her man getting the Bruce Patman. As expected Bruce is a total asshole and frankly I didn't feel bad for Jessica being abused because she's a horrible person. Todd also agrees that Jessica will be fine. But Liz keeps butting in when Jessica doesn't want her to. There's a side plot involving the Droids the school's only band thinking they've met a top music manager only to have it nearly break the band apart. This was a slow plot at points but a nice break from the perfect twins. There's fat shaming a girl named Robin who wants to be in a sorority but is too fat which is mentioned a lot. She's probably maybe a couple pounds overweight but they make her sound like she should be on My 600 Pound Life. Anyway Jessica finally sees Bruce for the asshole he is thanks to Liz. She humiliates him at the pizza place and heads out with Winston while everyone laughs at Bruce as they should. Liz vows to help Robin out with getting into the sorority which sets up the next book. These books are trash, but entertaining trash. I'm amazed I grew up okay considering how young I was when I first read these.

[Cate Marsden · Rating 4 out of 5]

Even having adjusted my standards to Sweet Valley levels, that was disturbing. Jessica erases her personality and ditches all her own interests to "date" Bruce Patman, even though dating him appears to consist of supplying sex (or, okay, kisses; "deep, passionate kisses" seem to be the SVH equivalent anyway) on the beach, and never getting taken anywhere fun or expensive or public.

I still don't understand why. Bruce is supposedly rich and handsome, but what good are either of those things to Jessica if all he wants to do is make out on deserted beaches in the dark? Chances are she can't even see him him half the time. She could be making out with a toned, fit Swamp Thing. Also, Jess is a "see and be seen" kind of girl, surely.

Bruce is friends with John Pfeifer in this, which makes sense in the creepiest of ways.

[Lara · Rating 2 out of 5]

Playing with Fire

This book is pretty
Much about Elizabeth
Worrying because

Jessica makes out
A lot with Bruce Patman and
Liz doesn't want Jess

To "get hurt". Did you
Know that, in Sweet Valley, that's
Synonymous with

"Get laid"? It is. SO.
Jess smooches Bruce lots. Bruce is
A controlling ass,

Which causes Jess to
Lose her je ne sais quoi and
Worry Liz to tears.

Also, there is some
Other crap plot line about
This band, the Droids, but

It is too dumb to
Repeat. AND, we're introduced
To new character,

Robin, who is fat.
The talk of Robin's fatness
Abounds and how it

Basically makes her
A loser nerd that no one
Wants to hang with. Yay,

Sweet Valley High! You
Do wonders for girls' body
Image! Rock on, yo.

[Jen · Rating 3 out of 5]

The writing style has started to improve here in book 3, but the story has such ridiculous elements in it considering the characters are in high school. But hey, that's what makes these books so great! Lol.

In this book we have Jessica falling head over heels for the richest and arguably best looking guy in school, Bruce Patman. Bruce is a grade A jerk, and Jessica undergoes a complete personality transformation.

We sadly see her become, albeit briefly, the victim of an abusive relationship. No, he doesn't hit her, but he is controlling and emotionally abusive.

Thankfully, Liz saves the day at the end by showing Jessica Bruce's true colors.

All in all, this was fairly enjoyable. It gets 3 stars from me. Onward to book 4!

[Kaitlyn Barrett · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think this is my least favorite so far, just storyline-wise. I like how these books are so short that they just feel like episodes of a show. I know there are some storylines coming up in the series that are more interesting but I think I’ll take a little break from these to read the rest of my summer tbr and then get started on my fall tbr!!
*the fatphobia was gross in this one.

[Dove Daniel · Rating 3 out of 5]

After the disappointment of the first two books, this one feels like an actual continuation of Sweet Valley Twins - yes, I know that High came first, and then Twins was written, but conceivably, they should have a flow, even if the continuity falls apart.

Check out SweetValley.Online for my full thoughts on this one.

[Colleen · Rating 2 out of 5]

Jessica Wakefield: not even a fun sociopath in this book.

[Lauren]

I’m now narrating these in my head with the voice of Charlize Theron in Young Adult.

[Angie]

I loved reading this series in my youth. I clearly recall reading this particular book in grade 5.. it was a long time ago but I remember there was a part of the book where they're swimming and there was some boob action?!?
Anyway I remember thinking it was very grown up material for my innocent age at the time.
Needless to say I went on to read every one of the book in this series.
Aaah such wonderful memories!!

[Tanya · Rating 3 out of 5]

These books are not exactly well written and are meant for pre-teen readers. I came across them by chance recently decided to take a trip down memory lane. I know they are not the greatest but I am having a nice giggle reading the books I thought were so scandalous as a child. As an adult reading these books I can say... Todd was not as bad as I thought (I always hated him-- he'suntrustworth, I feel it), Jessica has men issues (creepy and inappropriateseems to be her style), Jessica attracts certain friendships with people who are desperate for acceptance and Elizabeth is an enabler. In this book, I don't get how everyone stayed at the party and NOONE called Jessica to say he had returned... hmm, maybe Jessica is not as popular as she thinks...

[Mari · Rating 2 out of 5]

As always, I'll lead off by saying that this is children's literature and I am not a child. I'm a grown ass adult that reads children's book and makes fun of them for fun. Ahem.

Francine Pascal and her ghost writing collective continue to flesh out the "personalities" of the most hateful twins ever invented in the third Sweet Valley book.

In short, Jessica is a psychopath and Elizabeth is a judgy mcjudgerson, EXCEPT when it comes to Jess.

We're introduced to Robin Wilson in this book, Sweet Valley's first overweight character. Because the goal of all SVH books is to totally ruin all preteen views, lots of mean things are said about Robin because everyone in Sweet Valley knows fat people are gross.

Seriously, the fat girl in this book gets called Ms. Tubby and she's eating in 95% of her scenes.

We also get tons of really uncomfortable kissing in this book. I mean, at one point, Bruce takes off Jess' bikini top in the lake. WHAT. They also go off into the woods to presumably have sex, but I'm not sure if sex exists in Sweet Valley. We get told about the kissing and the heavy breathing but IS THIS SEX?

In the rest of the book, Jessica shows us just how bad her self esteem is when she puts up with Bruce's woman-hating shenanigans. Elizabeth makes it her life's mission to be nosey and butt in everywhere she isn't wanted.

Have I mentioned yet that my hypothetical future kids are never reading Sweet Valley books?

For the full recap, check out "Playing With Fire" And Seven Other Things More Fun Than Reading This Book.


Memorable quotes from that recap:

Sara: No way! They threatened to take away our dances all the time, too! (And they threatened to suspend students for dancing like hos, but I'm pretty sure that never happened.)

Lor: A HO SUSPENSION! I'm going to start using that in real life like all the time.

"If you have sex in Sweet Valley, you immediately get chlamydia. And die."

"They also kiss a whole lot. Jesus. Is this what 16 was like? I mean, don't get me wrong. I like kissing. I also like the dinner salad, as long as I'm getting the main course and dessert afterward, ifyouknowwhatImean."

"I feel like SVH is slowly messing up MY moral, ethical and conduct code. WE'RE ONLY THREE BOOKS IN."

[Sully · Rating 2 out of 5]

This review is also posted at http://readingnookandcranny.blogspot....


"Not all of us can walk around cheating and blackmailing and lying and not feel guilty about it."

Are there really people out there as stupid and annoying as Jessica Wakefield? I certainly hope not. She is the antithesis of a role model for young girls. She's conceited, self-centered, self-destructive, and she completely loses herself for a guy who - surprise, surprise - treats her like crap.

Here are just a few of the things she does in this novel:

- ditches Winston at the school dance competition (or whatever it was) to go hang out with Bruce

- ditches Robin time and time again, then only pays attention to her when she wants to use her to steal something at school

- cheats on her tests/quizzes

- bails on cheerleading to hang out with Bruce, who ends up canceling on her all the time anyway

- let's Bruce treat her like %&$^ over and over again, all the time telling herself she loves him.

I'm sorry, but in what universe is this love? What is the one character trait he possesses that she actually likes? Oh, right. His wealth, popularity, and good looks. Well, okay then. Excuse me while I sit here and roll my eyes and fake gag. I really don't understand these types of toxic relationships, or how people like Jessica let themselves think they enjoy this! I keep waiting for her to redeem herself in one of these novels, to show that maybe she isn't such a turd, but so far, still no luck.

Another thing that annoyed me was how Elizabeth and the others seem to blame Bruce for changing Jessica. I think that's utter BS. He didn't force her to change. Jessica made that decision entirely on her own. They should be pissed at her for not wanting to be the better person. They could be pissed at him, however, for how terribly he treats her throughout this entire novel.

The really sad thing is, I don't feel like there was even a moral or a lesson to this story. I doubt Jessica is going to learn anything from it, which may make it hard for young readers to either. I just don't know, fellow readers. I really don't know. But at least Liz and Todd are still cute together and not completely dysfunctional.

[star_fire13 · Rating 3 out of 5]

I know that we're supposed to be sympathetic of Jessica in this book, but really it just proves to me how much I hate her. She's so immature. She really needed to grow a backbone.

Then again, I usually complain that she just steps on everyone, so it was kinda nice to see her be stepped on. However, it was all at the expense of her still being a snob and still blowing off people she doesn't think are "cool enough".

I think there's something going on with Ned and Marianna. I know he and Alice don't get divorced, and they're always portrayed as the picture perfect parents and marriage, but I feel like at some point, Marianna causes trouble, and they hit a rough patch. I think what happens is that Marianna wants to have an affair with him, but he's all like, "Whoa there. I was just being nice to you. I love my wife and kids and yeah." and then he immediately rushes home to apologize to Alice for all the dinners he's missed, and she apologizes for having ever doubted him and they all live happily ever after.

The subplot in this book was Robin Wilson wanting to get into the sorority and basically being a hanger-on to Jessica, trying to be her friend, not realizing that Jessica was being a bitch like always and just using her.

Another subplot involved The Droids trying to make it big. I would've loved to have seen more of that. I know that these books centre on Elizabeth and Jessica and are widely told from their POVs, but I'd totes read a spin-off miniseries about The Droids and from their members' POVs. I see them (especially Dana and Emily) being like the California Diaries to Jessica and Elizabeth's Baby-Sitters Club. I would've liked to have read more about Dana getting hit on by that scuzzy manager. That whole subplot could've been really could from their POV and if it had been fleshed out more...

[Rachel Brand · Rating 3 out of 5]

Initially I liked the concept of this book. Jessica might well be the most popular girl in Sweet Valley, but she still has flaws - and one of those flaws is her crush on Bruce Patman. This means that when she finally gets him, she's willing to do anything to keep him, even give up her social life and hobbies. This was an interesting idea, but once I got further into the book I got a bit fed up. Jessica really wasn't acting like herself. Bruce wasn't a weakness; he completely changed her. For any other character this might have worked, but on Jess it didn't seem terribly realistic. I know, I shouldn't really be questioning the reasoning in these books! I'll give this 3 out of 5 as I liked the lesson that they tried to convey through Jess's actions, even if the execution wasn't brilliant. I'm tempted to try to find the fourth book now, since I've fairly enjoyed the first three. Good brain fluff!

[Jessica Meigs · Rating 3 out of 5]

Oh lol. My read-through of the currently available ebooks for SVH continues. I forgot how ridiculous these books are (and I don't remember ridiculous necessarily in a BAD way--just in a soap opera kind of way). Spent 90% of the book wanting to slap Jessica Wakefield. But what else is new?

[Amy Kitchell · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you're curious as to why I'm reading these books at the age of 43, please read my reviews of Double Love and Secrets, books one and two. It should clear up any curiosity for my desire to read Sweet Valley High. Haha

Now on to book four, Power Play!