Steven's Bride

Sweet Valley High #83

by Francine Pascal (Creator), Kate William

When Cara Walker announces that she and her mother are moving to London, no one is more shocked than Steven Wakefield. After losing his first love, Tricia Martin, to leukemia, Steven can't bear the thought of losing another girlfriend. Jessica Wakefield knows a way for Cara to stay in Sweet Valley—as her brother's bride!

Steven thinks an elopement is the perfect solution, and at first Cara agrees. Then Cara begins to wonder if she's ready to sacrifice her future to stay with Steven now. Does Cara have the courage to follow her heart—no matter what it's telling her?

Genres: Young Adult, Fiction, Teen, Childrens, Young Adult Romance

154 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published February 1, 1992

About the author

Francine Paula Pascal was an American author best known for her Sweet Valley series of young adult novels. Sweet Valley High, the backbone of the collection, was made into a television series, which led to several spin-offs, including The Unicorn Club and Sweet Valley University. Although most of these books were published in the 1980s and 1990s, they remained so popular that several titles were re-released decades later.

Reviews

[Belle Lumiere · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is one of the books from the series that I never got around to reading as a teenager, I think I stopped being interested in the high school stories at around the book 50-60 mark, and had moved on to Sweet Valley University. So it was exciting for me to pick up a book that I hadn't actually read yet. New (old) Sweet Valley? Yes please!

This book was a pleasant surprise for me, because it's one of the only Sweet Valley High books I've read where the characters make level-headed decisions, and actually think things over (even if it was after the fact for the most part). The basic premise is that Cara Walker's mother gets a promotion that would see them both move to London. Both Cara and her boyfriend Steven Wakefield are upset at this news, because it means the end of their relationship. It's amazing how much has changed since then. I mean, long distance relationships are hard but certainly not impossible in this wonderful age of technology that we live in.

Seeing Steven upset at the news, World's Worst Friend Jessica Wakefield comes up with the brilliant idea that they get married, so Cara won't have to leave. What could possibly go wrong? after impusively making this decision, they both spend two weeks feeling anxious about it. Because marriage is actually a Pretty Big Thing, as it turns out. I mean, when one of the reason's you're excited about getting married is because it means you can "stay up as late as you want", it's a concern. Anyway, World's Worst Friend Jessica Wakefield tells everyone (except any adults of course) about the secret engagement, life goes on and Cara's friends throw her a bridal shower. Included in the gifts are a VCR tape from WWF Jessica. What a gift. She also gets some sexy lingerie which makes her pretty nervous. Also Lila makes some snide comment about not being rich enough to buy Cara a TV and VCR for a present and I call shenanigans because she's pretty damn rich.

Meanwhile, Cara's father comes to visit (her parents are divorced) and announces his engagement to his auburn haired girlfriend that Cara has never heard of, Julie. Cara was convinced her parents who live in two different states and barely talk to each other were getting re-married (thus confirming she has no idea how an adult relationship works), so she's pretty cut about the news. She also thought this would mean she'd get to stay in Sweet Valley but NO now she has to marry Steven and keep the damn lingerie.

Steven gets into law school but lies to everyone about it so they don't pressure him to accept the offer. He instead bails on his life dream of becoming a lawyer and gets a job waitressing at Pedro's. Jessica finds out and suddenly decides them getting married is a BAD idea, and does everything in her power to stop it, including telling Cara that Steven was accepted into law school.

Cara sits down with her mum (finally!) to discuss everything that's going on. Cara's mum is a #bossbitch and explains to Cara that although it's difficult seeing her ex-husband re-marry, she's feeling confident in her new life as a single woman and is proud of how she's making good decisions for herself (you know you're getting older when you can really relate to the adults in a story like this). Cara sort of listens to her advice, but goes off to get married anyway.

At the last minute, Jessica and Elizabeth spill the beans to Ned and Alice Wakefield who grab Cara's mum and race to the chapel in Nevada where the couple are getting married. They are just in time to see Cara say "I do NOT!". Steven throws a major hissy fit and storms out, refusing to talk to Cara. This right after he was ready to marry and spend his life with the poor girl which is a bit of a quick turnaround if you ask me.

Again, life goes on and Cara is getting ready to leave for London. Steven is still in A Mood and refuses to talk to her. Elizabeth has taken her brother's side and doesn't attend Cara's going away party, but Cara decides to meet up with Elizabeth to tell her why she made the smart and level-headed decision not to get married at age 16. Because although Elizabeth was against the wedding from the start, she is angry that this is how things played out. Elizabeth finally understands, and goes to tell Steven what Cara had to say. Of course Steven listens to Elizabeth rather than being a man and listening to Cara when she tried to explain things to him, and races off to the airport to farewell Cara. Alls well that ends well, and the pair part on good terms. PHEW.

I was surprised at how kind and considerate Cara's friends were in this book, considering how they're total mean girls. Jessica putting someone else's needs before her own was also something new... maybe she's settled down since meeting her steady boyfriend Sam? Who seems adorable btw. The two joke about Jessica dying suddenly which is a bit awkward because Sam dies suddenly at some point later in the series. Oh, and speaking of the twins and their boyfriends, Todd Handbrake Wilson is a total downer about the whole marriage and commitment thing which has made Mates For Life Elizabeth very nervous.

The cover of this book is extremely awkward, it looks like Cara is standing next to a mannequin. Also strange for me because Steven looks a lot like my friend's husband, although a lot more mannequin-like.

3/5

[Jenn N · Rating 4 out of 5]

Steven feels he can't get married and commit to law school simultaneously. I feel yo, bro.

[Tara · Rating 5 out of 5]

I never thought I gave a shit about Steven and Cara. This book really proved me wrong! 😭

[Tiffany Spencer]

Steven’s Bride
When the book starts, Steven is having a cookout and the usual gang is there (the twins, Cara, Amy, Lila, Todd). They all tease Steven about being pale. HE’s been spending a lot of time studying into a law program that will get him into law school (or finish it) in sixd of seven. Talk turns to Cara’s upcoming trip to London. Everyone seems to ency her but Cara seems a little irritable about it. Steven has a alone moment with her in the house and asks her what’s wrong but she says nothing. We find out that this is a business trip that Cara will be taking with her mother.

On a Thursday, Cara shows up at Steven’s school and confesses to him that the business trip was more than she said. Her mother was being considered for a new promotion to head the London office and she got accepted. So, they’ll be moving to London. (Haven’t I JUST heard this plot?)

Jessica, Lila, and Amy help Cara pack up her things and the reminisce about some of the times they’ve shared. Cara’s mom comes in briefly to offer them a snack, but leaves quickly when she sees Car isn’t speaking to her. She admits she’s mad at her because this is *her* fault. Amy says it really isn’t tho. They suggest maybe Cara can move in with her dad and brother (Charlie)-who moved to Chicago after Cara’s parents got a divorce-. Cara says this really wouldn’t be much better than moving to London. Amy says then she’ll just have to make do. Later at the Beach Disco, Cara and Steven share a slow dance and remincse about the first time they went out. Steven admits he didn’t think he’d like her that much but Cara says she’s always had a crush on him. Cara (I think) says he’ll find another girl but Steven tells her no one will ever replace her. Liz tries to make him see that if Todd’s family could come back then there’s a chance that Cara might come back for college. But Steven (who’s dumb) says she’s just a junior. STEVEN THAT’S JUST A YEAR. He says once she’s gone, it’ll be forever.

Jessica is watching Love Story and she gets an idea. If Cara and Steven were married, they couldn’t be sperated. So, she tells Steven and he rushes right over to Cara’s and proposes-without a ring-. Cara has the usual hesitations (she’s still in high school, they haven’t known each other long enough, her parents’ marriage) but Steven paints this picture of how he can get an apartment, and a job, and then when she’s in college they can help each other through school). So, Cara falls for this ideal picture of what their marriage will be like (never knowing that one day that Steven will turn out to be GAY) and plus it appeals to her that she’ll get to live her own life so she says yes. They decide to do it in a couple of Saturdays before Cara’s mom moves.

When Steven gets back, Jessica has already checked out locations for them to gte married and a jewelry store to get the rings. Steven makes her promise that she won’t tell anyone-not even Sam or Liz-. He says he’ll tell everyone they’re going away on a ski trip. Jessica says everyone will be so happy for them. Steven knows this isn’t true. His parents won’t but Jessica says they won’t be able to do anything about it. The next day at school, Jessica comes so close to being on the verge of telling everyone that Cara has to tell her to chill. Liz notices Jessica is acting suspicious and tries to corner her to get her to tell her what’s up. She knows that it has something to do with Steven’s ski trip (well she guesses) but Jessica says she doesn’t know anything. Liz finally gets the truth out of her when someone calls from North’s about the wedding rings Steven’s ordered.

Lila, Amy, Jessica and Cara meet at Guido’s. Jessica tries to whisper to Cara that Liz is in on the secret but Lila hears. Jessica decides she’s tired of keeping the secret so she tells about the engagement. They all congratulate Cara but Amy and Jessica agree it couldn’t be them-not now anyway-. Lila and Amy decide since they can’t come to Nevada, they’ll throw Cara a secret bridal party which gets her all in her feelings. Cara attends her “secret” party -only not so much- and sees half of her sorority sisters there. She’s already having doubts but freaks when she sees a negligee Lila got her. She might actually have to HAVE SEX with Steven-a thought that never once struck her-. Later when she gets home her father calls and says he and Charlie will be coming down for the weekend and he has a surprise for her. Cara wants him to ask her to stay with him, but more than that. She gets it in her mind that he and her mother are getting back together and will be having a wedding of their own. This will solver all her problems! She and Steven won’t have to get married after all.

Meanwhile Steven goes apartment looking. Their all too small and too expensive but finally he finds one in their budget. Something holds him back from taking it tho. He tells the lady he’ll get back to her after he talks to Cara. He’s intended to go look for work but he’s tired and heads back to the school. Some friends ask him to play football but he turns them and thinks about how he won’t have time in the future when he’s a husband. Liz stopped by previously-this was when Amy, Jessica and Lila were planning to give Cara a party- and she reminded him of his plans for the program. He told her he wouldn’t get in. But he gets a letter that says he made the program.

Liz tells Todd and Sam about the engagement and Todd is adamantly against the marriage-which surprises Liz. Steven comes to get Cara from the DB and takes her for a walk on the beach. He decides not to tell her about the program accepting him and that he’ll just have to take night classes and take a little longer to get through law school. As long as he has her that’s what matters. Steven at dimmer tells his parents and sisters he wasn’t ace[ted to the program. Cara finds out that her father is marrying another woman named Julia and has brought her to dinner. Her mom didn’t know but she seems ok with it and this angers Cara whose fed up with her parent’s decisions affecting her life.

Jessica sees Steven’s acceptance letter in his room and tells Liz and Todd about it. She then starts to see what a sacrifice marriage will be, but she has a plan. Liz is supposed to baby sit for the Martin family -who have three kids- Jess offers to take the job, but then she makes up an excuse and gets Cara to take the job-saying it will be good practice for her-. The kids are bad as hell and Cara starts to rethink what being married will mean. She doesn’t want to have kids right away but as Jessica said -accidents can happen-. Jessica is happy part 1 of her plan worked.

Jessica invites Cara to go to the mall after hearing Cara laugh off the ob. She drags her to look at boring this like household appliances and furniture. She also fills Cara’s head with not having time for her own interest, friends, or traveling. She also puts it in her head Steven will expect her to change her last name to Wakefield. Although when he sees her, he said if she keeps her name, they won’t be any less married.

Jessica comes to see her off and give her something new and blue (a satin ribbon) and something old and borrowed (her lavilere). She also tells her Steven got accepted to the program but he turned it down. Now Cara feels guilty. She talks to her mother and she says even tho it was difficult to see her ex with someone else she knew their marriage won’t work and she’s happy for him. In Nevada, when the justice of the peace starts the vows, Steven says “I do.” Cara says she doesn’t. Then there parents bursts through the doors. Steven throws down the rings and walks out.

At first, Stevem wont speak to Cara, but she talks to Liz -after talking to Jessica at Lila’s going away party= and she tells Liz she couldn’t let Steven give up his future for her (and be a wiater which is the job he found to support her). So Liz tells Steven this -who has to admit to himself he had reservations also- and he rushes to the airport in time to say goodbye to Cara. They promise they’ll love each other forever and he gives her the wedding rings.

My Thoughts:
While I kinda knew they *wouldn’t* get married and what happened *would* happen I know that Cara and Steven *do* get married and I wondered which book *do* get married (and would this be the book). Because I know also that they get married, I wondered which of these books Cara comes back. Then I JUST read this same plot in a Fabulous Five book. The Fabulous Five Minus One where Christy’s father gets a promotion to be the head of the London office. No marriage proposals in that one but there is a guy-isn’t there always a person getting left behind-. And Steven is so dumb. Liz is telling him Cara could come back to go to college and he makes it seem like she’s a freshman. She’s a JUNIOR so that’s what a year. They’ve been juniors forever so long in this series it’s hard to know if they just started junior year or in the middle or at the end. I guess it would seem like forever if you were in a junior year that never ended.

Rating: 5

[Nell · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 1/2 stars.

This was very romantic and dramatic and desperate, and while I’m not a super big fan of Steven, I enjoyed this book. It was a bit silly, but hey, they’re teenagers. A fun read nonetheless that built into the storyline for the next book with Todd and Liz.

[Kerri · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one really meant a lot to me as a kid. Still love it.😊

[Susan · Rating 1 out of 5]

1. Steven Wakefield is a gross character, whose only redeeming qualities seem to be being vaguely attractive and a sibling to the twins. Over the past 80 some books, he's shown himself to be emotionally unstable and unavailable, prone to cheating with anyone who may resemble dead Tricia, allergic to everything, more than a tad guilty of making dumb blond jokes and misogynistic comments, and on top of that stellar resume? He's dull.
2. But because of those vague good looks and Wakefiled last name, Cara is considering marrying him rather than risk losing him by moving to FREAKING LONDON FOR A YEAR.... Because that makes sense. They're so in love. They have so much in common. Like brown hair!
3. This book stunk because Steven stinks.

[SweetAileen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Can we all agree that Steven is bae?

[Doris Ware · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book

[K.L. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cara is about to move to London! Steve proposes (after a suggestion from Jess) and she accepts, but are they REALLY ready to tie the knot??

[Alex · Rating 4 out of 5]

Re-read June 2025

It still bugs me that Cara is never mentioned again after this book. Also, I love Sam so much.



Original review 5/6/20:

Okay seriously, why does Steven look like a robot on every single cover he appears on? This one might be the worst of them all, though.

Anyway, I loved this one. I only read it once as a kid, but it’s the first book recapped in “Jessica’s Secret Diary 3”, which I’ve read an embarrassing amount of times, so I knew the whole story. It was nice getting some insight into Cara’s mind, though, because I only knew the story through Jessica’s point of view.

By the way - is Cara ever mentioned again? Like, does Jessica write or call her? I know she doesn’t visit her, even after going to London about 15 books after this one, but does she even think about her again?

[Jodie · Rating 4 out of 5]

The brother I always wanted and Francine Pascal was the reason....I was okay with reading about an older brother and not having one in real life, this was the next best thing. I loved this series then and I still do today.

[Sheila Read · Rating 5 out of 5]

I remember the cover just not the story.

[Ashley Murphy · Rating 2 out of 5]

The one where...I just can't with this one.

[Amanda]

juicy af