Jump to ratings and reviews
Rate this book

Mates, Dates

Mates, Dates: The Secret Story

Rate this book
At last the full story of Tony and Lucy’s romance can be revealed...LucyDad slowed down the car as the traffic lights changed and it was then that I saw him. A vision of boy babeness. Dark. Handsome. Chiselled jaw. My heart sped up. It did a boom banga bang in my chest.Tony‘So what do you think of Lucy and Izzie?’ asked Nesta.‘Sweet,’ I said.‘Both of them?’‘Which is which again?’Tony has no idea that he is about to fall for the lively, elfin Lucy. But the course of true love never did run smooth – and reading his side of the story as well as hers is an irresistible treat for all Mates, Dates fans.

196 pages, Paperback

First published April 24, 2009

45 people are currently reading
888 people want to read

About the author

Cathy Hopkins

135 books671 followers

Ratings & Reviews

What do you think?
Rate this book

Friends & Following

Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!

Community Reviews

5 stars
263 (45%)
4 stars
156 (27%)
3 stars
112 (19%)
2 stars
32 (5%)
1 star
9 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews
Profile Image for Gracie.
44 reviews2 followers
January 12, 2016
Re-read this last night and my heart STILL swoons for Tony and Lucy six years later!
Every time I'm super happy when I start reading it and when it ends I just get filled with sadness... HOW CAN YOU LEAVE IT LIKE THIS, CATHY HOPKINS? I NEED M O R E.
This time whilst reading I spotted a few mistakes though (perhaps I got an old edition??), such as in a Tony Chapter he's talking with Nesta and then it goes: 'Tony held my hand' and I was like .... hmmm? Would have liked it a lot more if just parts of the other books were not just basically copy and pasted into this one... but regardless- still an awesome book with an awesome pairing who are the reasons for my tears.

Always a pleasure.
3 reviews2 followers
Read
October 13, 2012
The ending. Why? I cried! Cathy why?!?! She needs to write another book for Tony and Lucy because in my mind, the story isn't finished, and I really REALLY need to know the ending. (The ending that I want obviously.) Please! Write another!
1 review
January 1, 2012
This book was probably my favorite book from the whole Mates, Dates series. Lucy was always my favorite character (I always thought Lucy was the most down-to-Earth character from the series), so having a whole book from her point of view (and Tony's) about all the events from the series was a dream come true! I loved reading about Lucy and Tony's blossoming romance, not only was it fluffy, but it humored me quite a bit (the whole on-and-off relationship thing). I reeeeally adored this book!
4 reviews
October 29, 2025
I was so excited to read this book and I'd been waiting when I get to read this book about Lucy and Tony's love story. They are totally my roman empire! My favorite thing is that Lucy fell first but Tony fell harder!!! This book is definitely right person wrong time. I like this book because it doesn't have a single boring scene. The thing I love about this book is that there was also Tony's side of the story. I liked the ending too but I would have prefer that they would have gone back together. Even though they remained as friends I think that they are an endgame. I think that this book (and the series) is good for teens like me who loves romance and teenager books. I like that the books are no freaky. I love the Mates and Dates series. This book series is one oh my favorite series!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Emily.
27 reviews
August 12, 2011
This is my favourite book. I have read this book 7 or more times and I still LOVE it! It's one of those books where it doesn't matter how much you read it, it still doesn't get boring. Plus when you read it more you find that you missed some things the first time!
Profile Image for Sarah Bervoets.
205 reviews
October 22, 2009
This is such an Awesome book buti just think they carried on the whole Tony and Lucy thing a lttle too long and they shouldnt of made them just meet they should have had a longer relationship.
1 review
July 13, 2010
fun, bubly and very enjoyable book.
Profile Image for Courtney.
167 reviews40 followers
February 20, 2020
Nostalgia read! I loved the Mates Dates series when I was a teen. I quickly bought it when I saw this short story was finally available to buy. My favorite characters in the series were Lucy and Tony, so a whole story about them in their POVs 👍🏼. However, it did feel a bit like a recap of the entire series, but with more of a focus on their on/off again relationship.
2 reviews
October 28, 2018
I loved this book before I had read it!

I chose five stars because I thought it was an absolutely brilliant read. Within two days of purchasing this book, I had already read it twice!
1 review
April 3, 2019
OMG!! I loved this book so much, I literally read it like 4 times it really engaged me.. Thank you so much Lucy.
Profile Image for Munaza Kazmi.
76 reviews2 followers
September 23, 2021
I picked this book because of the vibrant pink, however I enjoyed reading it.
Profile Image for Georgia Bracci.
6 reviews
October 18, 2022
Loved this series as a young teen. This was by far my favourite book out of them all. Would like to re read as a young adult.
Profile Image for Flynn Rosslyn.
6 reviews
April 21, 2024
Could’ve done without the noncey storyline throughout (they could’ve been a year apart) but this is one of my favourite series ever from being a teen❤️
2 reviews1 follower
September 17, 2014
This book is somehow super important to me, probably my favorite book ever, even though I've read books that are in fact, better.

Lucy was always my favorite of the four girls and I had a huge crush on Tony when I read Mates, Dates, and Inflatable Bras (okay, I think I still do). Their romance was my all time favorite and I was super sad that we didn't see more of it in the series.

So when I found out about this book, I was very, very excited. And the book most definitely wasn't a disappointment. It was three years ago and now I've read this precious book about five or six times and I still adore it just as much as I did the first time.

I loved to read Tony's side of the story and even the ending is perfect (I must say though that I was quite shocked when I first read it). Lucy is adorable and, in my opinion, easy to relate to but I love the fact that she knows how to keep Tony on his toes.

The story probably isn't one of the mightiest love stories of the history or earth shattering in any way, but a girl like me who loves cute romance (or Tony and Lucy) will likely find it sweet and lovable.

Oh I don't know! I can't really put up coherent thoughts about this book or the characters since my love for them is way too enormous.
Profile Image for Katya A.
6 reviews
August 9, 2016
Oral Response review.
I decided to read this book because in the title it says: The Secret Story and it sounds interesting. It was a bit boring at the start but then it was so interesting that I couldn`t stop reading.
My favourite character is Nesta. She and Lucy (the main character) weren`t friends at first. The more Lucy, Nesta and Izzy (Lucy`s friend) did something together the more Lucy liked Nesta. I like Nesta because she is confident, not very talkative and always gave Lucy a very good advice. Lucy liked her because she could talk to her privately about her problems and discuss the solutions.
I don`t have a favourite quote in this book.
From this book I`ve learned that you should not be scared to make new friend even if you think that you are too shy and they are too cool to be friends with you. Lucy thought that Nesta is so cool and always so confident but she is not always confident. You can`t actually be perfect. Also I`ve learned that you should not be scared to change your appearance.
Profile Image for Ceri.
40 reviews3 followers
June 24, 2017
I love the whole series, especially Lucy’s books so this is like the perfect book. This book is sooo cute. My favourite genre is YA romance so well done to this book. I’ve read this book too many times over the last four years. I would probably say it’s in my five favourite books ever. The other books in the series are amazing too but you know
So yea anyway I like this book a lot because basically I don’t really have to think about what’s happening when I’m reading it or anything. Also it’s just really cute and ‘aww’ if that’s a thing. I like how it’s got bits from all the different books put together to make one story- that’s quite a good idea.
It’s really ‘girly’ and it’s good for people that want a quick read that’s not too depressing or anything. It has everything in it- so if you want to cry or laugh or whatever then you go read it. The characters are relatable and human so don’t worry about complicated vampire stuff either.
Profile Image for Doireann Mc Inerney.
4 reviews
March 9, 2014
I love this book I read it when I was 13 and I still find myself reading it if I'm bored or don't have anything else to read. I haven't read any of the other mates and dates books so I have nothing to compare it to , it is completely a teenage romantic cringe worthy book would recommend it highly .
Profile Image for Libby.
173 reviews
October 30, 2009
The Mates, Dates series are incredible! But The Secret Story is not. It is, quite simply, Lucy's story copied straight from the book, and some dodgy bits about Tony. I couldn't read much further than 10 pages, it was too dull.
Maybe the end was interesting?
But I couldn't get that far.
Profile Image for Liv 'Arrow' Avery.
1 review
October 30, 2013
This is truly one of the best love stories that I have ever read. It is full of humour and fun and what I like to call 'the vibe'. I recommend it to anyone who is just looking for a nice easy love story. Amazing book.
Profile Image for Jenn.
18 reviews7 followers
March 21, 2014
It was nice to revisit a series I quite enjoyed when I was in high school. Although I am a sucker for a happy ending, I feel like the ending of this "secret story" was more realistic than the alternative.
Profile Image for Lisa.
47 reviews4 followers
August 24, 2014
I loved this book! I read it in about year 10 as I think it was free with one of those world book day tokens! :D if I see this somewhere I might read it again as I remember really liking the story 4 or something years ago :P
4 reviews
November 15, 2011
my fave book ever so romantic love lucy n tony 2geter<3 love evey single part in it
2 reviews
January 31, 2012
I Loved It To Bit, Its Was Quite A While Ago When I Read It But I Still Remember It And I Want To Read It Again. Its Really Sweat
Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews

Can't find what you're looking for?

Get help and learn more about the design.