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Sweet Valley University #33
Out of the Picture
Is it really over?
Elizabeth Wakefield never wants to see Tom Watts again. She's even left SVU! Elizabeth loves her new job as a reporter for the Sweet Valley Gazette. But now that Tom's out of her sight, she can't get him out of her mind!
Todd Wilkins is in a state of shock following the tragic death of Gin-Yung Suh. Will his grief lead him back to Elizabethor will it push him away?
When detective Nick Fox is on the case, Jessica Wakefield isn't far behind. But if Nick can't keep his new assignment from her, will it be his last?
Elizabeth Wakefield never wants to see Tom Watts again. She's even left SVU! Elizabeth loves her new job as a reporter for the Sweet Valley Gazette. But now that Tom's out of her sight, she can't get him out of her mind!
Todd Wilkins is in a state of shock following the tragic death of Gin-Yung Suh. Will his grief lead him back to Elizabethor will it push him away?
When detective Nick Fox is on the case, Jessica Wakefield isn't far behind. But if Nick can't keep his new assignment from her, will it be his last?
- GenresYoung AdultChick Lit
229 pages, Paperback
First published September 1, 1997
2 people are currently reading
208 people want to read
About the author
Francine Pascal
1,139 books1,847 followersFrancine 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.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
July 3, 2020
2.5 Stars
Todd and Elizabeth broke up and I’m pressed, they just got back together a few books ago and it was ruined. I hope they eventually get reunited and she doesn’t go back to Tom, I’m sick of him tbh. So whiny and annoying. And Scott, I feel he may end up with Dana based on a line of Dialogue near the end but I’m definitely not feeling this extremely forced “romance” between him and Elizabeth. The only parts of this one I was interested in was Bruce and Lila’s story but even then, not much was going on.
Definitely not the best Sweet Valley book I’ve ever read....
Todd and Elizabeth broke up and I’m pressed, they just got back together a few books ago and it was ruined. I hope they eventually get reunited and she doesn’t go back to Tom, I’m sick of him tbh. So whiny and annoying. And Scott, I feel he may end up with Dana based on a line of Dialogue near the end but I’m definitely not feeling this extremely forced “romance” between him and Elizabeth. The only parts of this one I was interested in was Bruce and Lila’s story but even then, not much was going on.
Definitely not the best Sweet Valley book I’ve ever read....
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 11, 2021
In Out of the Picture, the Sweet Valley gang is done with summer vacation and is taking a break from the Thriller Editions. You don’t have to have a good memory to pick up where the last linear book left off, because as usual, Laurie John includes a good recap in the beginning.
This book starts at the funeral, but thankfully, readers are given a bit of a break in the Kleenex department, since the last three linear books were sad enough. I found this volume sad in its own way, with the type of romantic mess Elizabeth has gotten herself into. She’s still involved in the Tom-Todd triangle, and Tom is revealed to be such a horrible bully, I don’t see how we’re supposed to be rooting for a reconciliation.
After all he put her through—public humiliation, deliberate cruelty, disbelief in her exposing claim—he’s finally realized that he was wrong, still loves her, and wants her back. He doesn’t tell her about his revelation in person because he fears getting laughed at but instead writes her a letter. When she doesn’t respond to his letter, he gets furious—so, how sorry was he in the first place? If his go-to emotion was anger that she didn’t take him back, he must not have thought what he did was unforgivable. Then, when he finally does get the opportunity to talk to her in person and make amends, he reverts to his bullying behavior of previous books: in public, he calls her a coward, immature, inconsiderate, and a bad journalist. What’s Liz’s reaction? “A twinge of guilt nagged at her. . . . Had she really abandoned Tom and the station at a time when they really needed her?”
In short, Elizabeth and Tom’s relationship is sick and controlling. Tom is emotionally abusive and resorts to the gaslighting tactic to make her doubt and blame herself. I’m older than this college gang, and I’ve lived through enough to recognize the signs of such a toxic relationship, but I fear the younger, innocent girls reading this book won’t realize what Tom is doing. I certainly hope this book is intended to be a warning, not encouraging a reconciliation.
http://hottoastyrag.weebly.com/svu-33...
This book starts at the funeral, but thankfully, readers are given a bit of a break in the Kleenex department, since the last three linear books were sad enough. I found this volume sad in its own way, with the type of romantic mess Elizabeth has gotten herself into. She’s still involved in the Tom-Todd triangle, and Tom is revealed to be such a horrible bully, I don’t see how we’re supposed to be rooting for a reconciliation.
After all he put her through—public humiliation, deliberate cruelty, disbelief in her exposing claim—he’s finally realized that he was wrong, still loves her, and wants her back. He doesn’t tell her about his revelation in person because he fears getting laughed at but instead writes her a letter. When she doesn’t respond to his letter, he gets furious—so, how sorry was he in the first place? If his go-to emotion was anger that she didn’t take him back, he must not have thought what he did was unforgivable. Then, when he finally does get the opportunity to talk to her in person and make amends, he reverts to his bullying behavior of previous books: in public, he calls her a coward, immature, inconsiderate, and a bad journalist. What’s Liz’s reaction? “A twinge of guilt nagged at her. . . . Had she really abandoned Tom and the station at a time when they really needed her?”
In short, Elizabeth and Tom’s relationship is sick and controlling. Tom is emotionally abusive and resorts to the gaslighting tactic to make her doubt and blame herself. I’m older than this college gang, and I’ve lived through enough to recognize the signs of such a toxic relationship, but I fear the younger, innocent girls reading this book won’t realize what Tom is doing. I certainly hope this book is intended to be a warning, not encouraging a reconciliation.
http://hottoastyrag.weebly.com/svu-33...
March 23, 2007
Only 50 cents at the Shelter Rock UU church sale! Vera was perusing the mystery section when I found this morsel. When I left the series in 1992 there was a rift in the Wakefield twins' relationship caused by the involuntary manslaughter charges against Elizabeth (allegedly driving drunk) for causing the accident that killed Jessica's boyfriend. The relationship righted itself after they were hunted by a lookalike trying to install herself permanently as one of the sisters. In "Out of the Picture" Elizabeth is coping with losing her once-again boyfriend Todd Wilkins* to depression following the death of his ex-girlfriend Gin-Yung Suh (the girl he recently betrayed in order to reconnect with Elizabeth) to a brain tumor. Jessica is dating a cop and Lila Fowler's PTSD flares up as Gin-Yung's funeral triggers repressed memories of her late husband Tisiano, "the handsome young Count di Mondicci" killed in a JetSki accident. Curious? The real mystery for all you Bennington grads and literati is why the ghostwriter dedicated this volume to EDWARD HOAGLAND.
*if you recall, they were highschool sweethearts. they broke it off after their first year at SVU (Sweet Valley University) because Todd was "pressuring" Elizabeth if you know what I mean. And I think you do.
*if you recall, they were highschool sweethearts. they broke it off after their first year at SVU (Sweet Valley University) because Todd was "pressuring" Elizabeth if you know what I mean. And I think you do.
June 11, 2014
Gin-Yung is finally laid to rest after a four-book stint in the morgue. During the funeral Lila is overcome with memories of her exploded Italian husband Tisiano, memories that quickly recede at Bruce's suggestion of a day at the Verona Springs Country Club. The rest of this instalment is dedicated to contriving to bring the rest of the SVU gang to the country club in order to solve a murder mystery. Oy. I've looked at the back of the next few SVU novels and it looks like they're going to flog the country club murder angle until it's as dead as the poor caddy who was probably cannibalised in some rich people ritual (or rich-ual, if you will). There, case closed.
July 9, 2024
"Sometimes, the heart doesn’t follow the path of reason. It leads us to places we never expected to go, for reasons we don’t always understand."
"Out of the Picture" by Francine Pascal is a whirlwind of emotions, heartbreak, and thrilling adventures. Elizabeth tries to escape her feelings, Todd grapples with loss, and Jessica dives headfirst into danger
"Out of the Picture" by Francine Pascal is a whirlwind of emotions, heartbreak, and thrilling adventures. Elizabeth tries to escape her feelings, Todd grapples with loss, and Jessica dives headfirst into danger
June 22, 2013
I remember the cover just not the story.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews