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Gossip Girl #0
It Had to Be You
Welcome to New York City's Upper East Side, where my friends and I live in luxe Fifth Avenue apartments and attend Manhattan's most exclusive private schools. We're smart, we've inherited classic good looks, we wear fantastic clothes, and we know how to party. We can't help it-we were born this way.
Our story begins with three inseparable, completely gorgeous fifteen-year-olds, Serena van der Woodsen, Blair Waldorf, and Nate Archibald. Blair's loved Nate and his glittering green eyes since she was in Bonpoint onesies. Too bad Nate wishes Blair's beautiful best friend, Serena, was the one with the crush. And Serena has a secret she's keeping from them both. Hmmm, something tells me these best friends may not be as close as we thought. . . .
How do I know all this? Because I know everything-and lucky for you, I can't keep a secret. So sit back while I untangle this messy little tale and tell you how it all began.
Admit it, you're already falling for me.
You know you love me.
gossip girl
Our story begins with three inseparable, completely gorgeous fifteen-year-olds, Serena van der Woodsen, Blair Waldorf, and Nate Archibald. Blair's loved Nate and his glittering green eyes since she was in Bonpoint onesies. Too bad Nate wishes Blair's beautiful best friend, Serena, was the one with the crush. And Serena has a secret she's keeping from them both. Hmmm, something tells me these best friends may not be as close as we thought. . . .
How do I know all this? Because I know everything-and lucky for you, I can't keep a secret. So sit back while I untangle this messy little tale and tell you how it all began.
Admit it, you're already falling for me.
You know you love me.
gossip girl
416 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2007
272 people are currently reading
8961 people want to read
About the author
Cecily von Ziegesar
105 books2,967 followersCecily von Ziegesar is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Gossip Girl novels, upon which the hit television show is based.
Cecily von Ziegesar was born in New York City. Her childhood dream was to grow up to be a ballerina; she began lessons at age 3 and auditioned for the School of American Ballet at age 8, but was rejected.
As a teenager, von Ziegesar commuted to Manhattan at 6 a.m. to attend the Nightingale-Bamford School. After graduating from Nightingale, von Ziegesar attended Colby College before spending a year in Budapest working for a local radio station.
Von Ziegesar returned to the United States to study creative writing at the University of Arizona, but dropped out shortly thereafter.
Back in New York, while working at book-packaging firm Alloy Entertainment, von Ziegesar became inspired to create the Gossip Girl series, which follows the lives of privileged teenagers in New York. The series climbed to the top of The New York Times best-sellers list in 2002. A spin-off series, The It Girl, made the list in 2005.
The Constance Billard School for Girls in Gossip Girl is based upon an exaggerated version of von Ziegesar's alma mater, Nightingale. She also culled events from the book from the lives of her extremely wealthy friends, as well as her own life as a perpetual gossip.
She lives in Brooklyn, New York with her family.
Cecily von Ziegesar was born in New York City. Her childhood dream was to grow up to be a ballerina; she began lessons at age 3 and auditioned for the School of American Ballet at age 8, but was rejected.
As a teenager, von Ziegesar commuted to Manhattan at 6 a.m. to attend the Nightingale-Bamford School. After graduating from Nightingale, von Ziegesar attended Colby College before spending a year in Budapest working for a local radio station.
Von Ziegesar returned to the United States to study creative writing at the University of Arizona, but dropped out shortly thereafter.
Back in New York, while working at book-packaging firm Alloy Entertainment, von Ziegesar became inspired to create the Gossip Girl series, which follows the lives of privileged teenagers in New York. The series climbed to the top of The New York Times best-sellers list in 2002. A spin-off series, The It Girl, made the list in 2005.
The Constance Billard School for Girls in Gossip Girl is based upon an exaggerated version of von Ziegesar's alma mater, Nightingale. She also culled events from the book from the lives of her extremely wealthy friends, as well as her own life as a perpetual gossip.
She lives in Brooklyn, New York with her family.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 448 reviews
November 9, 2016
This was an okay contemporary story, but it felt really long.
The characters in this were all okay, and it was nice to see them before the events in the series, but the storyline just felt rehashed and kind of redundant. We had Vanessa shaving her head and meeting Dan, Jenny growing massive boobs, and Blair’s father announcing that he was gay, but as we already knew all this stuff, it seemed like there was nothing new going on at all.
We also got the start of the love triangle between Blair, Nate and Serena, and I did get a bit annoyed at the way Nate strung them both along just so that he’d finally lose his virginity. He really did come across as thinking that whoever was closest would do.
6 out of 10
The characters in this were all okay, and it was nice to see them before the events in the series, but the storyline just felt rehashed and kind of redundant. We had Vanessa shaving her head and meeting Dan, Jenny growing massive boobs, and Blair’s father announcing that he was gay, but as we already knew all this stuff, it seemed like there was nothing new going on at all.
We also got the start of the love triangle between Blair, Nate and Serena, and I did get a bit annoyed at the way Nate strung them both along just so that he’d finally lose his virginity. He really did come across as thinking that whoever was closest would do.
6 out of 10
January 22, 2009
I really enjoyed this book because it is so unlike my life!
This is the prequel to the "Gossip Girl" series. (So its what happened before all the stuff in the series).
I haven't read any other ones besides this one, and now I want to read the rest of them.
But someone said that I shouldn't read the prequel before the whole series because it gives something away...but I understood everything and stuff so I was fine...but I guess it might ruin the rest of the series a little...but probably not.
I really liked this book and would recommend it! Although there is a lot of sex and drugs in stuff in it!
This is the prequel to the "Gossip Girl" series. (So its what happened before all the stuff in the series).
I haven't read any other ones besides this one, and now I want to read the rest of them.
But someone said that I shouldn't read the prequel before the whole series because it gives something away...but I understood everything and stuff so I was fine...but I guess it might ruin the rest of the series a little...but probably not.
I really liked this book and would recommend it! Although there is a lot of sex and drugs in stuff in it!
December 27, 2008
This book is about how Serena van der Woodsen started falling for Nate and what led to their affair, and why she left Constance Billard School for Girls. When Blair Waldorf began to like Audrey Hepburn and when her dad left her mom for another man, when she first fell in love with Nate, and what caused her to have bulimia. How Nate Archibald came between Blair and Serena. When Nate first learned how to do drugs. How Vanessa got into film making and when she shaved her head to make sure she had little to do with the girls at her school. Jenny, before her "growth spurt" kicked in. And of course, when Dan started his caffeine and cigarettes addiction and when he wrote his first poem.
My text to self connection is how me and Blair both love Audrey Hepburn and I just got the DVD for christmas! I really love the movie Breakfast and Tiffany's!!!!
I give this book ***** 5 stars! It was so great and entertaining and especially fun to read. It's defiantly a must read after the series itself!
My text to self connection is how me and Blair both love Audrey Hepburn and I just got the DVD for christmas! I really love the movie Breakfast and Tiffany's!!!!
I give this book ***** 5 stars! It was so great and entertaining and especially fun to read. It's defiantly a must read after the series itself!
August 16, 2008
This was interesting as it was the first GG book I had read for the first time after seeing the tv show, so I kept seeing and hearing the characters as they are on TV (which obviously does not work well for Rufus or Vanessa, for example, nor really for Jenny). It's quite entertaining, and actually does tie pretty well into the rest of the series -- they make very few mistakes with events, chronology, etc., which is pretty impressive given that the quality of the ghostwriting (or in some cases just with the editing) in that series has not always been especially great.
The one thing that is weird in this book, which is weird in all the Gossip Girl books, is that even though the books take place over the course of a year (and in the case of this one, a year and a half before that year even!), they came out over the course of seven years -- and everything from the clothes to the booze is always current with the year the book came out. Thus in the prequel, the characters have access to more advanced technology than they do a year and a half later in book one! Now, I know I'm a big nerd that I even think about stuff like this, but I do. And since I've always found the constant brands in the books distracting, when they also just seem wrong, they're doubly so.
The one thing that is weird in this book, which is weird in all the Gossip Girl books, is that even though the books take place over the course of a year (and in the case of this one, a year and a half before that year even!), they came out over the course of seven years -- and everything from the clothes to the booze is always current with the year the book came out. Thus in the prequel, the characters have access to more advanced technology than they do a year and a half later in book one! Now, I know I'm a big nerd that I even think about stuff like this, but I do. And since I've always found the constant brands in the books distracting, when they also just seem wrong, they're doubly so.
Read
July 6, 2011I read some of the Gossip Girl series when they first came out, and then stopped. I've completely forgotten everything about them, and when venturing to the library with my grandma, I saw the prequel & decided I might as well read it, then begin to re-read the series. . . I have never seen a single episode of the show, and have no idea what has gone on. But, I love the writing style the author brings to the table. She gives a very objective, clear omniscient view, followed at the end of paragraphs by snippy remarks, saying what we're all thinking, or clarifying what should be gathered. The spying "Gossip Girl" herself is just a way to be caught up on the boring, yet suggestive parts of all the lives you follow. the story itself has substance, and tangled, surprising tales that keep your interest. Serena, a golden-hair "goddess" & "angel", who is trying to keep from leaving her home for boarding school. Blair, a spunky, crazy pretty girl, who has always lived in her angelic friend's shadow, while now dealing with some. . . daddy issues. Both girls are in love with Nate, their strapping best friend, who discovers a new hobby, and with a twist, is in love with them both as well. (definitely not getting the short end of the stick) But, it looks like he may be in love with one a little bit more. Then Vanessa, an off the wall artistic type who comes to find herself in love with a younger man, Dan, who is working on his struggling, tortured, bound-to-die-young artist image. Dan's younger sister is also a subject of the novel, who ends up feeling a little . . . left behind, so she buys some . . . supplements and has quite a big. . . problem. I'm exciting to begin reading the series again, just to see where it all pans out.
November 2, 2022
This book took me so long to finish istg.For most of the time it was really boring and dull.I feel like I got to know more of the characters wardrobes instead of their personalities.The whole plot revolved around Nate,who did nothing instead of smoking weed and being horny,while Serena and Blair chased him and making it their main personality trait to be with him.Also I really got annoyed on how Blairs dad suddenly transformed from this alpha male typa guy,who is a powerful lawyer,into a feminine gay guy that shops all day, in one night.Honestly Dan and Vanessa where more intresting as a duo and I would like to have seen more of them in the book.In my opinion Jenny was the best character,cause we got to see her struggles (being abandoned by her mother,seeing her body change,trying to improve her art talent and dealing with the bs of the men in her life).It would have been nice if we got more of her.
September 29, 2025
Got this in a charity store for 50p and I can see why. I have watched Gossip Girl but it was years ago and I barely remember it.
It just read so cringe and teenagey and most of the text was brand names. Will not be continuing the series.
It just read so cringe and teenagey and most of the text was brand names. Will not be continuing the series.
April 16, 2008
Yes, I am embarrassed to admit that at my age I bought this book! I fell in love with the tv series (yes embarrassed) but what can I say, I am hooked! This book, however, promises to reveal what happened before the tv series started and it revealed literally nothing new.... nothing! It was also very full of weird things like three best friends (one male and two female) who slept in each other's beds (nonsexually of course) constantly since like elem school - what??? This book in No WAY compares to the tv series. If you are looking for secrets - look elsewhere!
April 29, 2015
Actual rating: 2,5 stars
October 13, 2014
Annnd I'm finally done. Not going to read anymore of the series. Nothing happens, I don't care about high school drama, and half the book is brand names.
June 26, 2018
I'm so glad it's over. It gave me a headache. Obviously not my favorite.
November 18, 2021
What a waste of time.
November 25, 2021
r.i.p. my sanity, I'm so sorry for all the torment and trauma during these books
May 21, 2024
definition of brain rot, the sex scene wasnt even worth it.
September 7, 2016
Ovaj serijal je moj "guilty pleasure" i nemam srama.
April 21, 2021
This book is the prequel to Gossip Girl and you get to find out all of the drama that went down before Serena left and came back to New York. If you like Gossip Girl and/or stories about dramatic rich teens, you will enjoy this.
Things I liked:
- Lots and lots of drama.
- I liked the narrator's comments that pointed out how messed up their behavior is.
- I loved all the French that was included in the book.
- I loved the literature references, especially The Little Prince/ Le Petit Prince because I am currently reading it.
- I loved the Arctic Monkey's reference- Mardy Bum.
Things I didn't like:
- Nate. He body shames women, promotes ridiculous beauty standards for women, cheats, is incredibly selfish.
- Sometimes it feels as if the eating disorders and the body shaming is glamorized.
- Jenny and Dan are weirdly obsessed with Serena, to the point where they stalk her and fantasize about her life all day long.
- Vanessa has stalker tendencies too, so I guess her and Dan would be a great match.
- Serena is such a bad friend. She should have told Blair right away about her feelings for Nate, rather than letting Blair be in love with Nate.
- The girls are so infatuated and obsessed with these average/most-of-the-time-horrible guys that only care about hooking up and it is so cringy.
- Chuck. He is a gross pervert/rapist. Ew. His character is the worst.
- Blair's dad is awful.
- Jenny and Dan's relationship is weird and uncomfortable.
Things I liked:
- Lots and lots of drama.
- I liked the narrator's comments that pointed out how messed up their behavior is.
- I loved all the French that was included in the book.
- I loved the literature references, especially The Little Prince/ Le Petit Prince because I am currently reading it.
- I loved the Arctic Monkey's reference- Mardy Bum.
Things I didn't like:
- Nate. He body shames women, promotes ridiculous beauty standards for women, cheats, is incredibly selfish.
- Sometimes it feels as if the eating disorders and the body shaming is glamorized.
- Jenny and Dan are weirdly obsessed with Serena, to the point where they stalk her and fantasize about her life all day long.
- Vanessa has stalker tendencies too, so I guess her and Dan would be a great match.
- Serena is such a bad friend. She should have told Blair right away about her feelings for Nate, rather than letting Blair be in love with Nate.
- The girls are so infatuated and obsessed with these average/most-of-the-time-horrible guys that only care about hooking up and it is so cringy.
- Chuck. He is a gross pervert/rapist. Ew. His character is the worst.
- Blair's dad is awful.
- Jenny and Dan's relationship is weird and uncomfortable.
February 7, 2021
Ugh! Nonono I don't even know where to start
First of all, all ALL the characters are really gross and bad
I don't know how to described Blair, she seem like twelve years old, she just have ONE! thing in her mind, N A T E That's it she just live for him
Serena, omg, you little slut, man she doesn't care about her best friend, she's like I love Nate, and we're gonna be together like what? Bitch!
Nate, OMG! This is it, this is the worst characters I have no freaking idea why they love him, he's such a white man, like yeah I can sleep with the two of them because I want to, he does what he freaking wants, it's just UGH!
Dan is a psycho yeah, she is way worse than Blair, she have a freaking wall just for Serena, he just watch a picture of her and OMG, he can't control himself
Jenna is kinda the only "relatable" character but still I don't like her
It's not even the first book and I already hate it I really hope this is not a really bad series
First of all, all ALL the characters are really gross and bad
I don't know how to described Blair, she seem like twelve years old, she just have ONE! thing in her mind, N A T E That's it she just live for him
Serena, omg, you little slut, man she doesn't care about her best friend, she's like I love Nate, and we're gonna be together like what? Bitch!
Nate, OMG! This is it, this is the worst characters I have no freaking idea why they love him, he's such a white man, like yeah I can sleep with the two of them because I want to, he does what he freaking wants, it's just UGH!
Dan is a psycho yeah, she is way worse than Blair, she have a freaking wall just for Serena, he just watch a picture of her and OMG, he can't control himself
Jenna is kinda the only "relatable" character but still I don't like her
It's not even the first book and I already hate it I really hope this is not a really bad series
July 2, 2023
The show is better, dan’s character is still putrid
September 12, 2024
OBSESSED! I can’t wait to read the next books 😋
I live for gossip and shopping so Gossip Girl is literally made for me.
I live for gossip and shopping so Gossip Girl is literally made for me.
April 8, 2016
*** SPOILER ALERT***
Hey people!
Ever have that totally freakish feeling that someone is listening in on your conversation, spying on you and your friends while you sip latters on the ivory-colored steps of the metropolitan Museum of Art, following you to premieres and parties, and just generally stalking you? Well, they are. I am. And the truth is. I've been here all along, because I'm one of you. One of the Chosen Ones. Don't get out much? Hair so processed it's fried your brain? Perhaps you're not one of us after all and you have no clue what I'm talking about or who "we" are. Allow me to expound. We're an exclusive group of indescribably beautiful people who happen to live in those majestic, green-awninged, white-glove-doorman buildings near Central Park. We attend Manhattan's most elite single-sex private schools. Our families own yachts, estates, and vineyards in various exotic locations through out the world. We frequent all the best beaches and the most exclusive ski resorts in Austria and Utah. We're seated immediately at finest restaurants in the chicest neighborhoods with nary a reservation. We turn heads. But don't confuse us with Hollywood actors or models or rock stars-those people you feel like you know because you read so much about them in the tabloids they sing. There's nothing boring about me or my friends, and the more I tell you about us, the more you'll be dying to know. I've kept quiet until now, but something has happened, and if I don't share it with the world I'm absolutely going to burst. The genre of this book is Young-adult fiction. My favorite part of this book was when in the book cover it said that " Our story begins with three inseparable, completely gorgeous fifteen-year-olds, Serena van der Woodsen, Blair Waldorf, and Nate Archibald. Blair's loved Nate and his glittering green eyes since she was in Bonpoint onesies. Too bad Nate wishes Blair's beautiful best friend, Serena, was the one with the crush. And Serena has a secret she's keeping from them both. Hmmm, something tells me these best friends may not be as close as we thought. . . . How do I know all this? Because I know everything-and lucky for you, I can't keep a secret. This was my favorite part because I can't keep a secret, well I can but it depends on who the person who is telling me the secret it. Also, that was my favorite part because when I was picking a book I saw that one and got my attention, then I started reading the book cover ( the little summary they give about the book, and I read it. When I was done reading it I was left with a curious feeling...) So, then I read it.
This book is about three inseparable, completely gorgeous fifteen-year-olds, and When Serena and Nate accidentally kiss one night while in the same bed as Blair, things begin to get complicated for the threesome. How will they tell their best friend that their relationship has been taken to the next level? Serena begins to feel more and more guilty when Blair confesses to Serena how in love with Nate she is. Her best friend’s life is falling apart. How can Serena steal a guy from her, too? But maybe Serena doesn’t need a guy. Dan would gladly take Nate’s place in her life. If only poor Vanessa, who is quickly falling for him, knew that. After she and Dan share an awkward first kiss in his apartment, she’s smitten, but she doesn’t realize that the poems of his she keeps reading are meant for Serena. The setting of this book is in New York (United States). This prequel to the Gossip Girl series reveals how Serena left Constance Billard School for Girls after falling in love with Nate. The story also explores Blair's obsession with Audrey Hepburn, and how Nate came in between best friends Serena and Blair. And it revolves around the lives and romances of the privileged teenagers at the Constance Billard School for Girls, an elite private school in New York City's Upper East Side. The books primarily focus on best friends Blair Waldorf and Serena van der Woodsen, whose experiences are among those chronicled by the eponymous gossip blogger. The novel series is based on von Ziegesar's experiences at Nightingale-Bamford School and on what she heard from friends. The theme of this book is friendship/ romance because in the book it says that "Too bad Nate wishes Blair's beautiful best friend, Serena, was the one with the crush." And "three inseparable, completely gorgeous fifteen-year-olds, Serena van der Woodsen, Blair Waldorf, and Nate Archibald."
The author’s word choice makes the story more understandable for example these lines "three inseparable, completely gorgeous fifteen-year-olds." those lines help me understand that they are very good/close friends. and these lines too "Nate wishes Blair's beautiful best friend, Serena, was the one with the crush." those lines help me understand that the story or that that piece of writing is talking about romance and that's one of the reasons why I chose to read this book.
I liked the way the author wrote this book because I really enjoyed it because when I was reading the romance parts I felt like I was the one falling in love. And I really like these lines " I live in luxe Fifth Avenue apartments and attend Manhattan's most exclusive private schools. We're smart, we've inherited classic good looks, we wear fantastic clothes, and we know how to party. We can't help it-we were born this way." I like those lines because I want to be like them, like wear fantastic clothe, or how they know how to party...
I rated this book 4 stars because I really liked it and I thought it was interesting and wonderful. I would recommend this book to people who like books about romance/friendship because I thought it was mostly about that. Have you ever thought, do friends last forever? Would we be able to fall in love or date/marry someone you really love? Do love ones last for long time...?
Hey people!
Ever have that totally freakish feeling that someone is listening in on your conversation, spying on you and your friends while you sip latters on the ivory-colored steps of the metropolitan Museum of Art, following you to premieres and parties, and just generally stalking you? Well, they are. I am. And the truth is. I've been here all along, because I'm one of you. One of the Chosen Ones. Don't get out much? Hair so processed it's fried your brain? Perhaps you're not one of us after all and you have no clue what I'm talking about or who "we" are. Allow me to expound. We're an exclusive group of indescribably beautiful people who happen to live in those majestic, green-awninged, white-glove-doorman buildings near Central Park. We attend Manhattan's most elite single-sex private schools. Our families own yachts, estates, and vineyards in various exotic locations through out the world. We frequent all the best beaches and the most exclusive ski resorts in Austria and Utah. We're seated immediately at finest restaurants in the chicest neighborhoods with nary a reservation. We turn heads. But don't confuse us with Hollywood actors or models or rock stars-those people you feel like you know because you read so much about them in the tabloids they sing. There's nothing boring about me or my friends, and the more I tell you about us, the more you'll be dying to know. I've kept quiet until now, but something has happened, and if I don't share it with the world I'm absolutely going to burst. The genre of this book is Young-adult fiction. My favorite part of this book was when in the book cover it said that " Our story begins with three inseparable, completely gorgeous fifteen-year-olds, Serena van der Woodsen, Blair Waldorf, and Nate Archibald. Blair's loved Nate and his glittering green eyes since she was in Bonpoint onesies. Too bad Nate wishes Blair's beautiful best friend, Serena, was the one with the crush. And Serena has a secret she's keeping from them both. Hmmm, something tells me these best friends may not be as close as we thought. . . . How do I know all this? Because I know everything-and lucky for you, I can't keep a secret. This was my favorite part because I can't keep a secret, well I can but it depends on who the person who is telling me the secret it. Also, that was my favorite part because when I was picking a book I saw that one and got my attention, then I started reading the book cover ( the little summary they give about the book, and I read it. When I was done reading it I was left with a curious feeling...) So, then I read it.
This book is about three inseparable, completely gorgeous fifteen-year-olds, and When Serena and Nate accidentally kiss one night while in the same bed as Blair, things begin to get complicated for the threesome. How will they tell their best friend that their relationship has been taken to the next level? Serena begins to feel more and more guilty when Blair confesses to Serena how in love with Nate she is. Her best friend’s life is falling apart. How can Serena steal a guy from her, too? But maybe Serena doesn’t need a guy. Dan would gladly take Nate’s place in her life. If only poor Vanessa, who is quickly falling for him, knew that. After she and Dan share an awkward first kiss in his apartment, she’s smitten, but she doesn’t realize that the poems of his she keeps reading are meant for Serena. The setting of this book is in New York (United States). This prequel to the Gossip Girl series reveals how Serena left Constance Billard School for Girls after falling in love with Nate. The story also explores Blair's obsession with Audrey Hepburn, and how Nate came in between best friends Serena and Blair. And it revolves around the lives and romances of the privileged teenagers at the Constance Billard School for Girls, an elite private school in New York City's Upper East Side. The books primarily focus on best friends Blair Waldorf and Serena van der Woodsen, whose experiences are among those chronicled by the eponymous gossip blogger. The novel series is based on von Ziegesar's experiences at Nightingale-Bamford School and on what she heard from friends. The theme of this book is friendship/ romance because in the book it says that "Too bad Nate wishes Blair's beautiful best friend, Serena, was the one with the crush." And "three inseparable, completely gorgeous fifteen-year-olds, Serena van der Woodsen, Blair Waldorf, and Nate Archibald."
The author’s word choice makes the story more understandable for example these lines "three inseparable, completely gorgeous fifteen-year-olds." those lines help me understand that they are very good/close friends. and these lines too "Nate wishes Blair's beautiful best friend, Serena, was the one with the crush." those lines help me understand that the story or that that piece of writing is talking about romance and that's one of the reasons why I chose to read this book.
I liked the way the author wrote this book because I really enjoyed it because when I was reading the romance parts I felt like I was the one falling in love. And I really like these lines " I live in luxe Fifth Avenue apartments and attend Manhattan's most exclusive private schools. We're smart, we've inherited classic good looks, we wear fantastic clothes, and we know how to party. We can't help it-we were born this way." I like those lines because I want to be like them, like wear fantastic clothe, or how they know how to party...
I rated this book 4 stars because I really liked it and I thought it was interesting and wonderful. I would recommend this book to people who like books about romance/friendship because I thought it was mostly about that. Have you ever thought, do friends last forever? Would we be able to fall in love or date/marry someone you really love? Do love ones last for long time...?
September 25, 2024
so fun! so scandalous! so silly! exactly what I needed at this moment in time, and honestly I just could not put it down. Some of the words used are very outdated (think 2007) which was a little shocking. The pacing was a bit wonky and I was honestly just waiting for some of the iconic gossip girl back story from the show to come into play but of course, the book predates the show so it had very little of the show in it!
March 28, 2021
I definitely enjoyed this prequel more than the actual series. Makes us understand why Nate is so indecisive, why Serena is so in love, why Blair is Blair. Dan and V, totes irrelevant and I hardly read the chapters about them lol. And Jenny and her boobs, I can’t 😂
April 8, 2024
Was curious to see if the GG books held a candle to the show and it sure as shit did! My head read these all in the actors/actresses voices and I had so much fun with it. A lot of dialogue that doesn’t withstand the 2024 political correct standards but it was a different time I suppose!
abandoned
October 11, 2019This was crap. Moving on.
March 16, 2023
why am I doing this to myself
September 16, 2023
Probably the nostalgia that made me rate it like this but gg fan till I die
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January 29, 2024It Had to Be You
It starts with Sirena and Nate fooling around in the snow. While going inside for a snack Sirena announces her mom wants her to go to boarding school next year. Her parents want to travel more. Nate pleads with her to stay and Sirena tells him she loves him. Nate thinks about how hard it is to be best friends with too such hot girls such as Blair and Sirena. Meanwhile Blair plans to go over to Nates and hopefully the sight of her hot pink bra will make him realize he wants her and realize that he’s as in love with her as she is with him. Before she leaves Blair catches her father on the phone having a sexy conversation with someone. She storms over to Nates, just missing them cuddling and rants to them about what she just heard. Sirena says maybe it was just her mom, bu Blair says it was definitely another woman. Sirena, suggest they watch movies and have popcorn. Nate all of a sudden wants to kiss Blair. So, they go in Nate’s parents’ room and Sirena tries to find a DVD and Blair secretly lusts over Nate. They decide on “Breakfast at Tiffanys” Blair decides from then on to be like Audrey Hepburn.
Meanwhile, Vanessa vents to her sister Ruby about having to go to Constance. Ruby tells her she needs to get a hobby. She might even meet a boyfriend. She decides to use the school’s resources to start a art magazine. Jenny has her absent mother on her mind, but Dan thoughts are on Sirena. He thinks about a particularly wild party (thrown for him for his thirteenth birthday that was alcohol friendly thinks to Rufus) penny told him who she was. She’s even more obsessed with Sirena than Dan is. She suggests they make a collage of her whole life as they imagine it. Dan says no but secretly he thinks it’s the most wonderful idea he ever heard. Jenny finds a picture of Sirena in a white dress(that looks like a wedding gown) and makes up a scenario that could be “on their wedding invitation. Rufus suggests Dan write her a letter or a poem. Dan writes something tha that Rufus says is way too dark but then he’s never written a poem. Dan decides then he’ll be a poet and Sirena will be his muse.
Nate, Sirena, and Blair have watched “Breakfast at Tiffany’s” twice. Sirena says if she ever makes a movie that’s the kind she wants to direct. Nate thinks (says). Not him. He’s a sailor. Blair images (like in the scene from the movie) bumping into Nate coming from a cab in the rain. Nate also thinks about (again) how he’s tired of being in the middle of a friendship with Blair and Sirena. Nate and Blair both fall asleep and Sirena takes in the picturesque moment (sad) because she doesn’t want to leave either of them. She cries because she’s happy. Or is she crying because she can’t bear the thought of Blair and Nate snuggling on his mom’s bed without her?
Nate invites Blair and Sirena to a party of one of the Seniors. In photography, Blair is paired with Vanessa and Sirena with Connie. Blair is about to object, but Sirena tells her it’s ok. Secretly she wants to go to pick an outfit for the party without Blair there to turn it into a competition. Sirena finds Dan’s note in her locker. She’s flattered even though the poem is morbid and she has no idea who wrote it.
While waiting for Vanessa to be done filming a wad of gum, Blair takes a call from her mother and blurts out what she heard. Eleanor tho says she’s sure she misheard. Blair then catches up with Vanessa whose made her way to a barbershop to have her head shaved. Blair, suggest she save it for kids who have leukemia. Vanessa suggests she take pictures. Blair has to admit she has a nice head. Vanessa is satisfied she’s created her own alter ego. Plus she’s made Blair hate her which is her goal for all the Constance girls.
Jenny finds some pills online that claim to make your breasts grow when the teacher shows her something about an art contest. Mrs. Monet tells her to submit some of the pictures of the angles she drew (Sirena) and some of her calligraphy. Dan finds out about the party from Chuck. He also realizes he needs to upgrade his wardrobe. Vanessa decides to call her magazine “Ranker”. Vanessa hates Valentine and parties but decides to go to the Senior party to piss everyone else off. Blair and Sirena both wear short dresses with no underwear. They have heart tats on their butts. When they get to the party, Nate is dragged away but a busty ex named E Ren. Filled with absentee, Sirena waits for a good time to tell Blair about boarding school. El Ren introduces Nate to his first experience with smoking pot. Then she takes off her dress and kisses him. Weirdly Vanessa finds herself taking pictures of Sirena and Blairs’s butt’s while Nate ignores them for El Ren.
At the party, Dan becomes so entranced with Sirena he’s frozen. He meets Vanessa whose gotten locked out and he lends her his coat(Chuck has locked Dan out for not speaking). . Then introduce themselves but seconds later Vanessa has already forgotten his name. Dan thinks she’s as beautiful as Sirena. They play “Spiderman” and Dan decides it’s more fun than obsessing over Sirena at the party. Dan likes her since of humor and they leave the party together. Chuck gets Sirena and Blair to bursts into the room with Nate and El Ren. It’s clear they had sex. They both stare at him thinking how could you. Sirena and Blair get him out of there and they go home. He tells them he misses them and they wonder how he can be adorable and an ass at the same time. Sirena, Nae, and Blair end up in the bed together and Nate and Sirena end up kissing while Blair is sleeping next to them.
Vanessa calls Dan after thinking about him all night. Rufus answers and mistakes her for Sirena and invites her over to dinner. He tells her its good she and Dan finally meet. A beautiful girl could probably pull Dan out of his shell. Ironically after this, she looks at pictures she took of Sirena and Dan at the party. Blair wakes up, sees Sirena snuggled up with Nate, and kicks him. When their all up, Blair suggests they do something amazing that summer. Then they all discuss summer plans. While they do, Nate receives a steamy invitation from El Ren. Blair and Sirena see it and Blair answers back. Interestingly El Ren uses Gossip Girls phrase “You know you love me”. Sirena asks for a word with him Blair says if they have something to talk about, she wants to hear it. Sirena wants to tell her about Nate but she wants to talk to Nate first. Nate then makes his escape and leaves. Sirena thinks about the second poem she received from her admirer. Then she gets her nerves together to tell Blair everything.
The pills Jenny bought begin to work. Sirena starts the talk and asks Blair if she’s ever thought of kissing Nate and Blair surprises her and tells her she’s in love with Nate and even thinks of marrying him. Blair confesses She confesses she told El Ren he’d take her to the debutante ball, but they have to stop him and then she has to tell him. Sirena says she’ll help her of course. Nate decides he likes being stoned so much he wants to be high the rest of his life. He makes friends with Anthony, Jeremy, and Charlie (three other stoners). Nate surprises Sirena at school with a boat (that he made) and a kiss on the ips. Sirena asks when they’re going to tell Blair. Nate says he’d rather she do it. Sirena asks if he’s really going to take El Ren to the dance and he says yeah, he guesses he has too. His three new friends have told him to just do it with El Ren and not wait around to be in love with someone. Go for the sure thing! Meanwhile, Blair tries to come up with schemes to get Nate out of going with El-Ren.
Sirena screws up an interview for boarding school by acting indecisive but her father seems to understand and says she doesn’t have to go to boarding school. She should have just said so. So, now she can’t wait to tell Nate. She ignores a text from Blair talking about buying sexy underwear for him. Vanessa stops by Dan’s. She and Jenny have a talk about her breast supplement pills and Vanessa suggest she stop then for a week. They seem healthy enough but she suspects Jenny is just developing on her own. She also suggests Dan submit some of his poetry to her art magazine after she reads some of his poems and thinks they are about her. (Even though he mentions someone with blond hair). Vanessa decides she likes Dan’s family. Blair’s father moves out and gives her a kitten as a present. (She names it Kitty Minky). Sirena catches her purging and holds off again on telling her about her and Nate. Sirena sends Nate an email that says she thinks they should wait to tell Blair (which he reads along with the one E-Ren sends him in front of his new friends). Blair calls him from the dressing room and tells him she’s naked and then that she and Sirena want to help him get dressed for the party. Blair and Sirena to plow Nate with aphrodisiacs to make him forget about the ball. Sirena hopes Blair will get drunk and pass out. Then she can have him to herself. While she’s with Nate, Blairs dad tells her he wants her to come to the hotel he’s staying at and meet his new partner Giles. Her father is gay! Sirena again catches Blair retching. Sirena knows she can’t take Nate away now. Or can she?
Jenny’s breasts continue to grow. She can now fit a bra of Sirena’s she stole. Sirena and Blair coax Nate into the turb but then he gets back out and says he can’t do this a. Blair and Nate kiss, but he’s thinking of having sex with Sirena later that night. Sirena makes up an excuse and tells them she wants to kiss Chuck and goes to find him, (And she actually does). It’s pretty revolting! Nate thinks WTF and tries to leave, but Blair begs him not to Nate realizes he must have had the wrong girl all along and kisses Nate. She tells him she loves him and they continue to kiss. He decides kissing Blair is ok and he guess he won’t be going to the dance. Sirena meanwhile is angry with herself and leaves. Jenny meanwhile is downloading pictures of her stages to GG and Dan is snooping through Vanessa’s camera after he saw the pictures of Sirena at the party (but not having much luck). Vanessa again has He downloads the ones she has. After his he passes out. After he comes to Vanessa leaves. He’s such a light weight. Vanessa thinks it’s romantic!
Blair gets Nate into bed, but tells him she’s not ready to have sex yet but she will be soon. She does remove her bra tho. She tells him she loves him. He says he loves her too. Chuck shows up at Sirena’s and declares after last night, she’s the one he loves. She sends him on his way and he says he’ll call. Blair calls and ells her not to forget to make the plans for the summer. Sirena can’t hold back her tears. Nate is still there sleeping. Nate runs into Blairs dad and his lover downstairs and decides to “rescue” Blair and get her outta there. He stops by a jewelry store and buys her a lopsided heart on a black chain that accentuates her chest. He then takes her to the zoo where they run into Sirena. Sirena makes her excuse and leaves them it feels for the last time.
Nate, Sirena, Blair and her dad take a trip to Sun Valley at a ski resort. Giles comes and so does Tyler. Sirena immediately meets a guy who offers to show her the trails. The only thing Blair looks forward to is hitting the sheets with Nate. After a bad day on the slopes for Blair but Nate is patient with her, Nate expresses his desire to have sex., Stil, she tells him not yet. Instead, she gives him a gift a cashmere green sweat). She’s taken the heart he gave her and sewn it unto the sleeve of the sweater. A lone, Sirena sits in the bar thinking how she will not be going on a summer trip with Nate and Blair. Dan gets drunk off sake and passes out. Vanessa snaps a picture. She finally sees the pictures of Sirena on Dan’s computer. She also sees Jenny’s drawings and realizes Dan is a Sirena stalker, When Dan wakes up his pants and hands are wet and Vanessa is gone. He sees Sirena’s bare butt on his screen.
Sirena tells Blair she can’t go with them this summer because she wants to go to a acting class. Blair calls her a flake. Blair goes into the bathroom again and starts to retch. Sirena just packs her things and boat, She’s been sleeping with it under her pillow. Nate finds out he can’t go to Europe and emails Blair. His dad wants him to stay and work on the boat. This puts Blair in a bad mood. Blair blames Sirena. If she would have went Nate’s dad would have let him go. Now they can’t have sex on the train like she fantasized. Sirena is hopefully hearing that they haven’t had sex yet. She apologizes but Blair stalks out. Sirena stops by Vanessa’s table and compliments her on her magazine. Vanessa thinks how dumb she was. He just used her to get his poems in her magazine so Sirena would read them. Sirena tells her says someone sent her anonymous poems and she thinks it was the same person whose poems were in the magazine. Dan goes to make up with Vanessa, but then when he sees Sirea he can’t stop staring at her unhappy expression. Jenn and Vanessa realizes he’s not over her. Just like she isn’t over him. Jenny comes out excited because she won the contest and because everyone is saying Sirea is the one who wrote the poems because she’s heartbroken that Blair now has Nate (in otherwords she’s gay).
Before Nate goes away, he surprises Blair with a gorgeous ruby ring. Nate tries to get some from Blair but she says she thinks they should wait until she gets back from Scotland. Jenny goes to sleepaway camp. Vanessa gets a job (fish market?). Sirena visits Eric on his college campus. Jenny learns it’s not always a good thing to have big breast when she meets a guy, she likes named Matt who gives her her first kiss, but it turns out he’s seen her boobs online and that was the only reason. Nate asked Sirena to meet him when she gets home. Dan shows up at Vanessa’s job and they make up. Sirena and Nate end up making love at his place. But then Blair comes back from Scotland and Sirena is able to hide all evidence in time. Nate is conflicted. He wants to tell Blair he and Sirena are in love but he still loves Blair. Sirena decides to just go away to boarding school so they won’t have to see her again (or her them).
My Thoughts: Since I’m reading this book out of sequence, I think at this point I’m starting to tire of these characters but I’m trying to hang in there until I finish at least this series. I think my biggest problem with these characters are from book to book they’ remain one dimensional. Jenny is going to go on and on and on about her breasts. The only difference in this one was it was lack of. Nate is gonna **** up and sleep with someone other than Blair all the while trying to convince himself (and us) that he loves Blair. Dan is gonna write some god awful poem (or poems) and **** up with Vanessa (all the while like Nate trying to make himself believe he loves Vanessa). Then there’s Blair whose going to go through the book thinking of either marrying someone or having sex with someone (occasionally Nate). Then there’s Sirena who just drifts throughout the whole book. Honestly this isn’t a good series. Both tv versions were WAY better! The books are very mediocre.
Rating: 5
It starts with Sirena and Nate fooling around in the snow. While going inside for a snack Sirena announces her mom wants her to go to boarding school next year. Her parents want to travel more. Nate pleads with her to stay and Sirena tells him she loves him. Nate thinks about how hard it is to be best friends with too such hot girls such as Blair and Sirena. Meanwhile Blair plans to go over to Nates and hopefully the sight of her hot pink bra will make him realize he wants her and realize that he’s as in love with her as she is with him. Before she leaves Blair catches her father on the phone having a sexy conversation with someone. She storms over to Nates, just missing them cuddling and rants to them about what she just heard. Sirena says maybe it was just her mom, bu Blair says it was definitely another woman. Sirena, suggest they watch movies and have popcorn. Nate all of a sudden wants to kiss Blair. So, they go in Nate’s parents’ room and Sirena tries to find a DVD and Blair secretly lusts over Nate. They decide on “Breakfast at Tiffanys” Blair decides from then on to be like Audrey Hepburn.
Meanwhile, Vanessa vents to her sister Ruby about having to go to Constance. Ruby tells her she needs to get a hobby. She might even meet a boyfriend. She decides to use the school’s resources to start a art magazine. Jenny has her absent mother on her mind, but Dan thoughts are on Sirena. He thinks about a particularly wild party (thrown for him for his thirteenth birthday that was alcohol friendly thinks to Rufus) penny told him who she was. She’s even more obsessed with Sirena than Dan is. She suggests they make a collage of her whole life as they imagine it. Dan says no but secretly he thinks it’s the most wonderful idea he ever heard. Jenny finds a picture of Sirena in a white dress(that looks like a wedding gown) and makes up a scenario that could be “on their wedding invitation. Rufus suggests Dan write her a letter or a poem. Dan writes something tha that Rufus says is way too dark but then he’s never written a poem. Dan decides then he’ll be a poet and Sirena will be his muse.
Nate, Sirena, and Blair have watched “Breakfast at Tiffany’s” twice. Sirena says if she ever makes a movie that’s the kind she wants to direct. Nate thinks (says). Not him. He’s a sailor. Blair images (like in the scene from the movie) bumping into Nate coming from a cab in the rain. Nate also thinks about (again) how he’s tired of being in the middle of a friendship with Blair and Sirena. Nate and Blair both fall asleep and Sirena takes in the picturesque moment (sad) because she doesn’t want to leave either of them. She cries because she’s happy. Or is she crying because she can’t bear the thought of Blair and Nate snuggling on his mom’s bed without her?
Nate invites Blair and Sirena to a party of one of the Seniors. In photography, Blair is paired with Vanessa and Sirena with Connie. Blair is about to object, but Sirena tells her it’s ok. Secretly she wants to go to pick an outfit for the party without Blair there to turn it into a competition. Sirena finds Dan’s note in her locker. She’s flattered even though the poem is morbid and she has no idea who wrote it.
While waiting for Vanessa to be done filming a wad of gum, Blair takes a call from her mother and blurts out what she heard. Eleanor tho says she’s sure she misheard. Blair then catches up with Vanessa whose made her way to a barbershop to have her head shaved. Blair, suggest she save it for kids who have leukemia. Vanessa suggests she take pictures. Blair has to admit she has a nice head. Vanessa is satisfied she’s created her own alter ego. Plus she’s made Blair hate her which is her goal for all the Constance girls.
Jenny finds some pills online that claim to make your breasts grow when the teacher shows her something about an art contest. Mrs. Monet tells her to submit some of the pictures of the angles she drew (Sirena) and some of her calligraphy. Dan finds out about the party from Chuck. He also realizes he needs to upgrade his wardrobe. Vanessa decides to call her magazine “Ranker”. Vanessa hates Valentine and parties but decides to go to the Senior party to piss everyone else off. Blair and Sirena both wear short dresses with no underwear. They have heart tats on their butts. When they get to the party, Nate is dragged away but a busty ex named E Ren. Filled with absentee, Sirena waits for a good time to tell Blair about boarding school. El Ren introduces Nate to his first experience with smoking pot. Then she takes off her dress and kisses him. Weirdly Vanessa finds herself taking pictures of Sirena and Blairs’s butt’s while Nate ignores them for El Ren.
At the party, Dan becomes so entranced with Sirena he’s frozen. He meets Vanessa whose gotten locked out and he lends her his coat(Chuck has locked Dan out for not speaking). . Then introduce themselves but seconds later Vanessa has already forgotten his name. Dan thinks she’s as beautiful as Sirena. They play “Spiderman” and Dan decides it’s more fun than obsessing over Sirena at the party. Dan likes her since of humor and they leave the party together. Chuck gets Sirena and Blair to bursts into the room with Nate and El Ren. It’s clear they had sex. They both stare at him thinking how could you. Sirena and Blair get him out of there and they go home. He tells them he misses them and they wonder how he can be adorable and an ass at the same time. Sirena, Nae, and Blair end up in the bed together and Nate and Sirena end up kissing while Blair is sleeping next to them.
Vanessa calls Dan after thinking about him all night. Rufus answers and mistakes her for Sirena and invites her over to dinner. He tells her its good she and Dan finally meet. A beautiful girl could probably pull Dan out of his shell. Ironically after this, she looks at pictures she took of Sirena and Dan at the party. Blair wakes up, sees Sirena snuggled up with Nate, and kicks him. When their all up, Blair suggests they do something amazing that summer. Then they all discuss summer plans. While they do, Nate receives a steamy invitation from El Ren. Blair and Sirena see it and Blair answers back. Interestingly El Ren uses Gossip Girls phrase “You know you love me”. Sirena asks for a word with him Blair says if they have something to talk about, she wants to hear it. Sirena wants to tell her about Nate but she wants to talk to Nate first. Nate then makes his escape and leaves. Sirena thinks about the second poem she received from her admirer. Then she gets her nerves together to tell Blair everything.
The pills Jenny bought begin to work. Sirena starts the talk and asks Blair if she’s ever thought of kissing Nate and Blair surprises her and tells her she’s in love with Nate and even thinks of marrying him. Blair confesses She confesses she told El Ren he’d take her to the debutante ball, but they have to stop him and then she has to tell him. Sirena says she’ll help her of course. Nate decides he likes being stoned so much he wants to be high the rest of his life. He makes friends with Anthony, Jeremy, and Charlie (three other stoners). Nate surprises Sirena at school with a boat (that he made) and a kiss on the ips. Sirena asks when they’re going to tell Blair. Nate says he’d rather she do it. Sirena asks if he’s really going to take El Ren to the dance and he says yeah, he guesses he has too. His three new friends have told him to just do it with El Ren and not wait around to be in love with someone. Go for the sure thing! Meanwhile, Blair tries to come up with schemes to get Nate out of going with El-Ren.
Sirena screws up an interview for boarding school by acting indecisive but her father seems to understand and says she doesn’t have to go to boarding school. She should have just said so. So, now she can’t wait to tell Nate. She ignores a text from Blair talking about buying sexy underwear for him. Vanessa stops by Dan’s. She and Jenny have a talk about her breast supplement pills and Vanessa suggest she stop then for a week. They seem healthy enough but she suspects Jenny is just developing on her own. She also suggests Dan submit some of his poetry to her art magazine after she reads some of his poems and thinks they are about her. (Even though he mentions someone with blond hair). Vanessa decides she likes Dan’s family. Blair’s father moves out and gives her a kitten as a present. (She names it Kitty Minky). Sirena catches her purging and holds off again on telling her about her and Nate. Sirena sends Nate an email that says she thinks they should wait to tell Blair (which he reads along with the one E-Ren sends him in front of his new friends). Blair calls him from the dressing room and tells him she’s naked and then that she and Sirena want to help him get dressed for the party. Blair and Sirena to plow Nate with aphrodisiacs to make him forget about the ball. Sirena hopes Blair will get drunk and pass out. Then she can have him to herself. While she’s with Nate, Blairs dad tells her he wants her to come to the hotel he’s staying at and meet his new partner Giles. Her father is gay! Sirena again catches Blair retching. Sirena knows she can’t take Nate away now. Or can she?
Jenny’s breasts continue to grow. She can now fit a bra of Sirena’s she stole. Sirena and Blair coax Nate into the turb but then he gets back out and says he can’t do this a. Blair and Nate kiss, but he’s thinking of having sex with Sirena later that night. Sirena makes up an excuse and tells them she wants to kiss Chuck and goes to find him, (And she actually does). It’s pretty revolting! Nate thinks WTF and tries to leave, but Blair begs him not to Nate realizes he must have had the wrong girl all along and kisses Nate. She tells him she loves him and they continue to kiss. He decides kissing Blair is ok and he guess he won’t be going to the dance. Sirena meanwhile is angry with herself and leaves. Jenny meanwhile is downloading pictures of her stages to GG and Dan is snooping through Vanessa’s camera after he saw the pictures of Sirena at the party (but not having much luck). Vanessa again has He downloads the ones she has. After his he passes out. After he comes to Vanessa leaves. He’s such a light weight. Vanessa thinks it’s romantic!
Blair gets Nate into bed, but tells him she’s not ready to have sex yet but she will be soon. She does remove her bra tho. She tells him she loves him. He says he loves her too. Chuck shows up at Sirena’s and declares after last night, she’s the one he loves. She sends him on his way and he says he’ll call. Blair calls and ells her not to forget to make the plans for the summer. Sirena can’t hold back her tears. Nate is still there sleeping. Nate runs into Blairs dad and his lover downstairs and decides to “rescue” Blair and get her outta there. He stops by a jewelry store and buys her a lopsided heart on a black chain that accentuates her chest. He then takes her to the zoo where they run into Sirena. Sirena makes her excuse and leaves them it feels for the last time.
Nate, Sirena, Blair and her dad take a trip to Sun Valley at a ski resort. Giles comes and so does Tyler. Sirena immediately meets a guy who offers to show her the trails. The only thing Blair looks forward to is hitting the sheets with Nate. After a bad day on the slopes for Blair but Nate is patient with her, Nate expresses his desire to have sex., Stil, she tells him not yet. Instead, she gives him a gift a cashmere green sweat). She’s taken the heart he gave her and sewn it unto the sleeve of the sweater. A lone, Sirena sits in the bar thinking how she will not be going on a summer trip with Nate and Blair. Dan gets drunk off sake and passes out. Vanessa snaps a picture. She finally sees the pictures of Sirena on Dan’s computer. She also sees Jenny’s drawings and realizes Dan is a Sirena stalker, When Dan wakes up his pants and hands are wet and Vanessa is gone. He sees Sirena’s bare butt on his screen.
Sirena tells Blair she can’t go with them this summer because she wants to go to a acting class. Blair calls her a flake. Blair goes into the bathroom again and starts to retch. Sirena just packs her things and boat, She’s been sleeping with it under her pillow. Nate finds out he can’t go to Europe and emails Blair. His dad wants him to stay and work on the boat. This puts Blair in a bad mood. Blair blames Sirena. If she would have went Nate’s dad would have let him go. Now they can’t have sex on the train like she fantasized. Sirena is hopefully hearing that they haven’t had sex yet. She apologizes but Blair stalks out. Sirena stops by Vanessa’s table and compliments her on her magazine. Vanessa thinks how dumb she was. He just used her to get his poems in her magazine so Sirena would read them. Sirena tells her says someone sent her anonymous poems and she thinks it was the same person whose poems were in the magazine. Dan goes to make up with Vanessa, but then when he sees Sirea he can’t stop staring at her unhappy expression. Jenn and Vanessa realizes he’s not over her. Just like she isn’t over him. Jenny comes out excited because she won the contest and because everyone is saying Sirea is the one who wrote the poems because she’s heartbroken that Blair now has Nate (in otherwords she’s gay).
Before Nate goes away, he surprises Blair with a gorgeous ruby ring. Nate tries to get some from Blair but she says she thinks they should wait until she gets back from Scotland. Jenny goes to sleepaway camp. Vanessa gets a job (fish market?). Sirena visits Eric on his college campus. Jenny learns it’s not always a good thing to have big breast when she meets a guy, she likes named Matt who gives her her first kiss, but it turns out he’s seen her boobs online and that was the only reason. Nate asked Sirena to meet him when she gets home. Dan shows up at Vanessa’s job and they make up. Sirena and Nate end up making love at his place. But then Blair comes back from Scotland and Sirena is able to hide all evidence in time. Nate is conflicted. He wants to tell Blair he and Sirena are in love but he still loves Blair. Sirena decides to just go away to boarding school so they won’t have to see her again (or her them).
My Thoughts: Since I’m reading this book out of sequence, I think at this point I’m starting to tire of these characters but I’m trying to hang in there until I finish at least this series. I think my biggest problem with these characters are from book to book they’ remain one dimensional. Jenny is going to go on and on and on about her breasts. The only difference in this one was it was lack of. Nate is gonna **** up and sleep with someone other than Blair all the while trying to convince himself (and us) that he loves Blair. Dan is gonna write some god awful poem (or poems) and **** up with Vanessa (all the while like Nate trying to make himself believe he loves Vanessa). Then there’s Blair whose going to go through the book thinking of either marrying someone or having sex with someone (occasionally Nate). Then there’s Sirena who just drifts throughout the whole book. Honestly this isn’t a good series. Both tv versions were WAY better! The books are very mediocre.
Rating: 5
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 26, 2023
It’s exactly like the show I love it
(except for the Red Sea comment…..❓❓🤨)
(except for the Red Sea comment…..❓❓🤨)
March 1, 2013
Over time I've grown to known and love our favorite Upper East Side scandal-makers. We have followed their every move - thanks to the help of a little birdie named Gossip Girl - and accompanied them as they played the field, played hard to get, broke hearts, found love, shopped 'till they dropped, and partied until the sun came up. The one thing we were never privy to, however, is how it all began. How they came to love -- and hate -- one another; and why their relationships were so tumultuous. But now, we get to go inside their private world, and see just how our favorite socialites became so fabulous. "It Had To Be You: The Gossip Girl Prequel" takes readers back to a time before Nate Archibald hat taken his first hit. Before Serena van der Woodsen abandoned her cushy life in the city for boarding school living with her older brother. Before little Jenny Humphrey was burdened by an over-large chest. Before Blair Waldorf's father came out of the closet. It provides answers to our questions, except to the one thing I'm curiously about: who exactly is Gossip Girl?
At fifteen-years-old, Blair Waldorf, Serena van der Woodsen, and Nate Archibald were basically attached at the hip. The Three Musketeers-esque clique did simply everything together - from partying to sleepovers, and everything in-between. Both Serena and Blair had been madly in love with Nate, and his hypnotizing green eyes, since they were in diapers. The only question that remained was who would be the lucky girl to snag him as their boyfriend; and who would end up the odd woman out.
"It Had To Be You: The Gossip Girl Prequel" paints each character in a different light. Serena displays such an uncanny amount of vulnerability, loneliness, and sadness throughout the story, that you can't help but love her, and want to see things work out in the end. Blair, on the other hand, comes off as being completely self-centered and self-absorbed. However, the underlying family problems she finds herself going through, and the fact that she is struggling with an eating disorder - even if she refuses to come to terms with it - show just how much she is crying out for attention; which actually makes you feel badly for her. Nate, as always, is so dashing and adorable. However, his penchant for being totally out of it in just about every situation makes him seem like a total waste of a life. I will admit, though, that his looks make up for whatever his personality happens to be lacking.
Without a mother to care for them, Dan and Jenny Humphrey simply had each other to rely on. And, without any known friends, it was essential that the two stuck close to one another. Luckily, they both had one very important thing in common: their unhealthy obsession with the ethereal Serena van der Woodsen. While neither had ever spoken to Serena, they both admired her from afar, and watched her every move - like sibling stalkers.
Vanessa Abrams was always an off-the-wall girl. However, with her flowing black hair that reached past her waist, she had the potential to be beautiful; if only she would take up a new hobby. When she shaves her head completely bald, she finally gets the recognition she wants - especially from Dan Humphrey. Unfortunately, he seems to be more after her friendship than her body; and would rather spend his days mooning after Serena - much to Vanessa's chagrin. But she knows that, with a little effort, she may just be able to snag his heart - before it's too late.
Book Details:
Title It Had To Be You: The Gossip Girl Prequel (Gossip Girl Series)
Author Cecily von Ziegesar
Reviewed By Purplycookie
At fifteen-years-old, Blair Waldorf, Serena van der Woodsen, and Nate Archibald were basically attached at the hip. The Three Musketeers-esque clique did simply everything together - from partying to sleepovers, and everything in-between. Both Serena and Blair had been madly in love with Nate, and his hypnotizing green eyes, since they were in diapers. The only question that remained was who would be the lucky girl to snag him as their boyfriend; and who would end up the odd woman out.
"It Had To Be You: The Gossip Girl Prequel" paints each character in a different light. Serena displays such an uncanny amount of vulnerability, loneliness, and sadness throughout the story, that you can't help but love her, and want to see things work out in the end. Blair, on the other hand, comes off as being completely self-centered and self-absorbed. However, the underlying family problems she finds herself going through, and the fact that she is struggling with an eating disorder - even if she refuses to come to terms with it - show just how much she is crying out for attention; which actually makes you feel badly for her. Nate, as always, is so dashing and adorable. However, his penchant for being totally out of it in just about every situation makes him seem like a total waste of a life. I will admit, though, that his looks make up for whatever his personality happens to be lacking.
Without a mother to care for them, Dan and Jenny Humphrey simply had each other to rely on. And, without any known friends, it was essential that the two stuck close to one another. Luckily, they both had one very important thing in common: their unhealthy obsession with the ethereal Serena van der Woodsen. While neither had ever spoken to Serena, they both admired her from afar, and watched her every move - like sibling stalkers.
Vanessa Abrams was always an off-the-wall girl. However, with her flowing black hair that reached past her waist, she had the potential to be beautiful; if only she would take up a new hobby. When she shaves her head completely bald, she finally gets the recognition she wants - especially from Dan Humphrey. Unfortunately, he seems to be more after her friendship than her body; and would rather spend his days mooning after Serena - much to Vanessa's chagrin. But she knows that, with a little effort, she may just be able to snag his heart - before it's too late.
Book Details:
Title It Had To Be You: The Gossip Girl Prequel (Gossip Girl Series)
Author Cecily von Ziegesar
Reviewed By Purplycookie
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