Breaking Away

Sweet Valley University #37

by Francine Pascal (Creator), Laurie John

Is this the beginning of the end?

Elizabeth Wakefield is leaving SVU! She and Scott Sinclair have been accepted to a journalism program that will take her far away from Sweet Valley...possibly forever. Does Elizabeth really want to go? Or is she hoping that someone will stop her?

Jessica Wakefield will do anything to keep her twin sister from leaving SVU—including impersonating her! Is Jessica good enough to fool Tom Watts into believing he and Elizabeth still have a chance?

The last thing Dana Upshaw wants to see is Tom and Elizabeth back together. She knows Scott feels exactly the same way. When these two schemers hook up, will every last lingering feeling between Tom and Elizabeth be destroyed?

Genres: Young Adult, Chick Lit

230 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published February 9, 1998

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

[Nicky (burialshroud) · Rating 3 out of 5]

At the end of Breaking Away Jessica pretends to be Elizabeth and makes out with Tom. It's a classic Jessica scheme to get Tom to think he has a chance with Elizabeth so that he'll convince her to stay in Sweet Valley rather than go off to Denver. Elizabeth spots them kissing and is shocked/outraged/definitely leaving.

Why are you surprised Elizabeth? Jessica has done this with EVERY SINGLE ONE of your boyfriends since you were born, and what's more you've kissed most of her boyfriends too.

As for Jessica, stop kissing Elizabeth's boyfriends and pretending it's a supreme sacrifice and the only way to get things done. You are the woman who absolutely, positively has to kiss every motherfucker in the room. Accept it, own it, live it.

Pair of weirdos.

[E.H. Nolan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love that the Sweet Valley University series balances both the unrealistic and the totally relatable. Yes, we all love reading about a bunch of moody college kids with bottomless bank accounts and beautiful tans as they hang out at the beach instead of studying for class—all the while they’re running for their lives being chased by a psychotic killer with a crazy ex-girlfriend! But, it brings us down to earth to read about a problem we might have faced ourselves.

In the current timeline of Sweet Valley University, the beautiful, kind, understanding Denise finds herself in a mountain of debt. She signed up for a credit card, not understanding the fine print, and went on an insane spending spree to feel like she fit in with her sorority sisters. Now, she has no way to pay it and is afraid of prison, her parent’s disappointment, and expulsion. As luck would have it, her dad’s a gourmet chef and has passed his talent down to her. She’s scraped together a catering company (with herself and her klutzy boyfriend Winston as the only employees) to get some quick cash. In a hilarious episode, Winston leaves the expensive lobster in the backseat of the car and it all spoils; he runs to the store and grabs a hunk of tofu to fix it! Denise sautés the tofu and covers it with spices and paprika, miraculously (and unrealistically) fooling all the guests at the party!

All in all, Breaking Away continues the Elizabeth and Tom drama that’s a bit long in the tooth, as well as the Jessica and Nick drama that’s sad but predictable. Denise’s floundering in the kitchen and her worries about the bills piling up are the best part. But it’s a big part, so enjoy!

http://hottoastyrag.weebly.com/svu-37...

[Sheila Read · Rating 5 out of 5]

I remember the cover just not the story.