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Young, Loaded & Fabulous #1
Pretty on the Outside
Alice and Tally have always been the queens of St. Cecilia’s. Between jet-setting to Rome and Paris on the weekends and sneaking out of their London boarding school for late night trysts, what’s not to love? Enter Dylan, the New York City girl who had a summer fling with Alice’s best friend (and new crush) Tristan. Now, the girls must defend their status as their charmed lives spiral into broken hearts, jealousies, and the most vicious of revenge plots.
320 pages, Paperback
First published March 19, 2009
5 people are currently reading
262 people want to read
About the author
Kate Kingsley
20 books22 followersKate Kingsley has lived on both sides of the Atlantic, spending time in New York, London, Paris, and Rome - so she's more than qualified to chronicle the jet-set lives of the YOUNG, LOADED & FABULOUS girls.
Kate also writes for magazines such as GQ in New York, where she's had the enviable task of interviewing fashion designers like Paul Smith, and celebrities like James McAvoy. She's currently hard at work on her next book about the YL&F crew.
Kate also writes for magazines such as GQ in New York, where she's had the enviable task of interviewing fashion designers like Paul Smith, and celebrities like James McAvoy. She's currently hard at work on her next book about the YL&F crew.
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
November 16, 2022
Tristan rolling the perfect joint was a random piece of information I didn’t know I needed in my life but it has added so much, also I was expecting a lot more hooking up.
July 3, 2023
This is like Elite (the series) or the new Gossip Girl. I do not enjoy that kind of theme so it made sense that I dislike this book.
It irks me how teenage guys objectify women. Tristan is a gaslighter and it's so ironic how two girls argue over that kind of guy. smh
It irks me how teenage guys objectify women. Tristan is a gaslighter and it's so ironic how two girls argue over that kind of guy. smh
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 19, 2024
i was obsessed with this series as a teenager so i’ve charged up my old kindle and indulging in a bit of nostalgia for the next few reads
June 5, 2016
Toujours dans ma période relecture, je vous présente un livre qu’on ne publie plus trop aujourd’hui à cause de son ambiance gossip-girl garantie. C’est loin, hein ? ^^. Je dois avouer que si à 14 ans ça avait un gros coup de cœur, je suis nettement moins fan maintenant : puérilité, invraisemblance, irréalité sont au rendez-vous. Malgré tous ces problèmes, ce livre a le mérite de nous faire rêver sur la vie en internat.
Alice est LA fille populaire qui dirige l’établissement d’une main de fer : mode, garçons, amitiés, tout passe par elle. La seule chose après laquelle elle court désespérément, c’est son meilleur ami. Or, Tristan semble lui préférer l’américaine Dylan durant l’été. Qu’à cela ne tienne. L’Amérique c’est loin quand on vit dans un internat anglais, elle va le récupérer c’est sûr. Enfin, jusqu’au jour où Dylan débarque dans ledit internat…
Bon, voilà pour l’intrigue principale. Se greffe à celle-ci les histoires des copines d’Alice et de Tristan : Sonia amoureuse de Seb et qui tente de devenir la numéro 2 de la bande d’Alice, Mimah l’ange déchue du groupe, George amoureux de Tally qui elle-même est folle de son prof… Des histoires entre amis mélodramatiques, pas bien originales mais pour lesquelles ont est toujours autant passionné(e). Notre esprit affamé de ragots se régale tout comme notre côté peste. L’ambiance est très girly, quoiqu’un peu misogyne et idéalisée, mais cela semble inévitable dans ce genre de récit. L’ambiance d’internat me tente toujours autant, surtout que l’on alterne avec les points de vue ce qui permet de varier les aventures, il est dommage que l’on ne fasse pas plus d’incursions dans la tête des garçons qui apportent une vraie bulle d’air dans cette école remplie de filles. Je n’irais pas jusqu’à vous recommander cette lecture si vous avez passé le stade de la 1ere car les personnages peuvent être exaspérants et puérils. Au alentour des 14 ans, je pense que ce livre a encore du potentiel et peut en séduire certains, surtout en cette période de printemps qui nous éloigne petit à petit des cours.
Retrouvez un extrait ici : http://lecturesdunenuit.blogspot.fr/2...
Alice est LA fille populaire qui dirige l’établissement d’une main de fer : mode, garçons, amitiés, tout passe par elle. La seule chose après laquelle elle court désespérément, c’est son meilleur ami. Or, Tristan semble lui préférer l’américaine Dylan durant l’été. Qu’à cela ne tienne. L’Amérique c’est loin quand on vit dans un internat anglais, elle va le récupérer c’est sûr. Enfin, jusqu’au jour où Dylan débarque dans ledit internat…
Bon, voilà pour l’intrigue principale. Se greffe à celle-ci les histoires des copines d’Alice et de Tristan : Sonia amoureuse de Seb et qui tente de devenir la numéro 2 de la bande d’Alice, Mimah l’ange déchue du groupe, George amoureux de Tally qui elle-même est folle de son prof… Des histoires entre amis mélodramatiques, pas bien originales mais pour lesquelles ont est toujours autant passionné(e). Notre esprit affamé de ragots se régale tout comme notre côté peste. L’ambiance est très girly, quoiqu’un peu misogyne et idéalisée, mais cela semble inévitable dans ce genre de récit. L’ambiance d’internat me tente toujours autant, surtout que l’on alterne avec les points de vue ce qui permet de varier les aventures, il est dommage que l’on ne fasse pas plus d’incursions dans la tête des garçons qui apportent une vraie bulle d’air dans cette école remplie de filles. Je n’irais pas jusqu’à vous recommander cette lecture si vous avez passé le stade de la 1ere car les personnages peuvent être exaspérants et puérils. Au alentour des 14 ans, je pense que ce livre a encore du potentiel et peut en séduire certains, surtout en cette période de printemps qui nous éloigne petit à petit des cours.
Retrouvez un extrait ici : http://lecturesdunenuit.blogspot.fr/2...
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November 17, 2010Alice and Tally have it all; looks, money, and a great social reputation for being totally and utterly fabulous. Being the most popular girls in school, life is perfect for them: they have glamorous parties to attend, plenty of handsome boys to flirt with, and everybody wants to be their friend.
Then American new girl Dylan is on the scene, and when it appears that Dylan has her eyes on Alice's best friends and current boyfriend Tristan Murray-Middleton, things start to get out-of-hand.
With all of the drama and scandal, the novel teaches you quite a lot about life for these very privileged teens. Just because these guys are rich, it doesn't necassarily mean that they are happy in their position. They feel to me as the kind of children that get ignored by their parents a little bit, but I do admire the amount of freedom the get. Just a little bit. Maybe because I want that kind of freedom. But not too much. I'm waffling now. Oops.
I liked that the story was focused mainly on friendships and backstabbing- that sort of thing, because some books get too overpowered by the romance, but this wasn't one. There was an exciting range of different subjects highlighted. I won't list them, but it's very juicy :P
Young, Loaded and Fabulous is entertaining, insightful, extremely well-observed and written. The writing style used is compelling and fun. The characters are well-formed, complex and enticing. The story line is not only very intrigue. A must read for (older) teenage girls!
Fans of Gossip Girl will adore the YLF series. It's a contemporary novel of gossip, scandal and friendship. The story is thrilling and it really leaves you wanting more. I'm looking forward to reading the next book in the series, Secrets and Lies, which was released July 2009.
Then American new girl Dylan is on the scene, and when it appears that Dylan has her eyes on Alice's best friends and current boyfriend Tristan Murray-Middleton, things start to get out-of-hand.
With all of the drama and scandal, the novel teaches you quite a lot about life for these very privileged teens. Just because these guys are rich, it doesn't necassarily mean that they are happy in their position. They feel to me as the kind of children that get ignored by their parents a little bit, but I do admire the amount of freedom the get. Just a little bit. Maybe because I want that kind of freedom. But not too much. I'm waffling now. Oops.
I liked that the story was focused mainly on friendships and backstabbing- that sort of thing, because some books get too overpowered by the romance, but this wasn't one. There was an exciting range of different subjects highlighted. I won't list them, but it's very juicy :P
Young, Loaded and Fabulous is entertaining, insightful, extremely well-observed and written. The writing style used is compelling and fun. The characters are well-formed, complex and enticing. The story line is not only very intrigue. A must read for (older) teenage girls!
Fans of Gossip Girl will adore the YLF series. It's a contemporary novel of gossip, scandal and friendship. The story is thrilling and it really leaves you wanting more. I'm looking forward to reading the next book in the series, Secrets and Lies, which was released July 2009.
December 17, 2014
I had such a BLAST reading this book! When I pick up a book, I hope to feel that blast. It's a great feeling which I also got reading and finishing After Dark by Murakami and Oyasumi Punpun.
I didn't expect anything, so I was deliciously surprised!
The book felt like a fanfiction, only with different characters than I'm used to. That's a good thing! It was a very nice rich girls!au. I really want to read book 2 of the series.
I had to get used to the names of the characters first, but after a while I could tell everybody apart.
I liked Tally's love story the most. I'm curious about what's going to happen next with her and Mr. Logan. I didn't see Mimah pranking Dylan coming..
I like the happy ending. Alice, the bitch, is kind of happy and Dylan, the kind girl, is also happy with Jasper, I guess.
The comprehensibility was refreshing. Reading this book was exactly what I needed.
The humor is also great. While I read, I laughed a lot. The Man Muncher? Even I, someone who loves innuendo, wouldn't be able to come up with something like that.
Pretty on the outside is a YA book, but I liked it. I tend to hold a grudge against YA books, because of the kind of YA that glorifies introverts (The fault in our stars). I'm an introverted person myself and The fault in our stars is in retrospect disgusting. I also hate dystopian YA. I gave The hunger games a chance, but it wasn't any good for me. I think this kind of YA, the Mean Girls-ish kind, rather fits me well.
I didn't expect anything, so I was deliciously surprised!
The book felt like a fanfiction, only with different characters than I'm used to. That's a good thing! It was a very nice rich girls!au. I really want to read book 2 of the series.
I had to get used to the names of the characters first, but after a while I could tell everybody apart.
I liked Tally's love story the most. I'm curious about what's going to happen next with her and Mr. Logan. I didn't see Mimah pranking Dylan coming..
I like the happy ending. Alice, the bitch, is kind of happy and Dylan, the kind girl, is also happy with Jasper, I guess.
The comprehensibility was refreshing. Reading this book was exactly what I needed.
The humor is also great. While I read, I laughed a lot. The Man Muncher? Even I, someone who loves innuendo, wouldn't be able to come up with something like that.
Pretty on the outside is a YA book, but I liked it. I tend to hold a grudge against YA books, because of the kind of YA that glorifies introverts (The fault in our stars). I'm an introverted person myself and The fault in our stars is in retrospect disgusting. I also hate dystopian YA. I gave The hunger games a chance, but it wasn't any good for me. I think this kind of YA, the Mean Girls-ish kind, rather fits me well.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 14, 2012
Reviewed by Angela S. for TeensReadToo.com
**Previously published in the U.K. as SECRETS & LIARS
PRETTY ON THE OUTSIDE is a scandalous read.
This book follows the lives of a group of popular, rich girls and guys at St. Cecilia's, a prestigious prep school in England.
The leader of the group is Alice Rochester. She is the most popular girl in school and everyone wants to be friends with her. The one girl she hates is Dylan, an American, who followed Alice's ex, Tristan, back to school after summer break.
Alice will do anything to take Dylan down. But is Dylan really as bad as she seems? Plus, Tally Abbot has a crush on her teacher, and while they are on a class trip she kisses him - and things get complicated. Also, Alice meets a guy named Boy, who is a real jerk and just stringing her along, which she finds out when they all go to Rome for her cousin's wedding.
With all the drama and backstabbing, this is one novel that takes you on a wild ride through the lives of England's most privileged kids, and makes you realize that though they may seem to have it all, that doesn't necessarily mean they're happy. Their parents are mostly too busy to bother with them and they have so much freedom that it sometimes hurts them.
This is a really excellent read, and a great start to the series now released in the U.S.!
**Previously published in the U.K. as SECRETS & LIARS
PRETTY ON THE OUTSIDE is a scandalous read.
This book follows the lives of a group of popular, rich girls and guys at St. Cecilia's, a prestigious prep school in England.
The leader of the group is Alice Rochester. She is the most popular girl in school and everyone wants to be friends with her. The one girl she hates is Dylan, an American, who followed Alice's ex, Tristan, back to school after summer break.
Alice will do anything to take Dylan down. But is Dylan really as bad as she seems? Plus, Tally Abbot has a crush on her teacher, and while they are on a class trip she kisses him - and things get complicated. Also, Alice meets a guy named Boy, who is a real jerk and just stringing her along, which she finds out when they all go to Rome for her cousin's wedding.
With all the drama and backstabbing, this is one novel that takes you on a wild ride through the lives of England's most privileged kids, and makes you realize that though they may seem to have it all, that doesn't necessarily mean they're happy. Their parents are mostly too busy to bother with them and they have so much freedom that it sometimes hurts them.
This is a really excellent read, and a great start to the series now released in the U.S.!
July 10, 2010
THIS IS NOT A REVIEW. THIS IS MY SUMMARY. PLEASE DON'T READ.
This book was about Alice and Tally, who are friends at this boarding school in England. Dylan, a New Yorker, had a summer fling with Tristan. Alice likes Tristan. After Dylan and Tristan broke up at the end of summer, Alice and Tristan started going out. They broke up because Tristan thought he felt trapped. The juniors, Alice's, Tally's, and Dylan's grade, are throwing a charity show 'Pashminas to the Rescue' where they wear Pashminas. The boys boarding school was invited too. Dylan and Mimah, her only friend but also an ex-friend of Alice and Tally, were dancing but Mimah threw a prank. Mimah did this to be funny but she wanted to be 'popular' again. Jasper was nice to Dylan after her embarassment. DETAILS: Tristan and his friends wanted to start a band. Mimah is in love with Seb, Tristan's best friend (besides Alice). An Indian friend of Alice, Sonia, threw the show 'Pashminas to the Rescue'. The prank was where Dylan was overexposed. Dylan hates her new dad and he is the reason she came to London. A lot of people hate their parents in this book.
This book was about Alice and Tally, who are friends at this boarding school in England. Dylan, a New Yorker, had a summer fling with Tristan. Alice likes Tristan. After Dylan and Tristan broke up at the end of summer, Alice and Tristan started going out. They broke up because Tristan thought he felt trapped. The juniors, Alice's, Tally's, and Dylan's grade, are throwing a charity show 'Pashminas to the Rescue' where they wear Pashminas. The boys boarding school was invited too. Dylan and Mimah, her only friend but also an ex-friend of Alice and Tally, were dancing but Mimah threw a prank. Mimah did this to be funny but she wanted to be 'popular' again. Jasper was nice to Dylan after her embarassment. DETAILS: Tristan and his friends wanted to start a band. Mimah is in love with Seb, Tristan's best friend (besides Alice). An Indian friend of Alice, Sonia, threw the show 'Pashminas to the Rescue'. The prank was where Dylan was overexposed. Dylan hates her new dad and he is the reason she came to London. A lot of people hate their parents in this book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 27, 2011
This book is about a girl who live in London named Alice have a normal girl life. Her dad is rich so wherever she goes people will look at her. Alice got a crush on this boy named Tristan which Alice knows him pretty much earlier during her whole life. They went to Italy together and from that time Alice that Tristan and Alice could have a relationship but it is not really easy. Tristan's old girlfriend named Dylan(a New York City girl) keeps on f=getting close to Tristan and because of that there's no way that Dylan could hangout with him. Then one day Dylan invited Alice's best friend and Tristan to her fling party. Now because of that Alice and her best friend becomes enemy. Will Alice get Tristan back and will Alic becomes friend with her best friend?
January 10, 2010
I normally don't read books like this, but i'm soo Glad i did because this book was sooo awesome!!! just the way the characters are depicted alone made me fall in love with this book, they're cruel but you cant help but love them Eg. Alice Rochester. Haha I actually like Dylan she doesn't seem that bad! I thought Tristan and Alice together were so Cute!!! Eew and Victor Delgiesh sounds soo gross!!! agh!! haha shame poor Dylan!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 23, 2014
Really intricate and juicy read. I spent 2 nights reading this and couldn't put it down.
I also enjoyed how Kingsley included the different perspectives of the characters (not
just Alice), and the distinct cultures of them. Since they are all in a boarding school,
and it is quite different to what many readers are used to, it's captivating! I would
recommend this book to anyone interested in a summer read, light, full of gossip, and
enjoyable.
I also enjoyed how Kingsley included the different perspectives of the characters (not
just Alice), and the distinct cultures of them. Since they are all in a boarding school,
and it is quite different to what many readers are used to, it's captivating! I would
recommend this book to anyone interested in a summer read, light, full of gossip, and
enjoyable.
October 8, 2016
What made me originally get this book was actually the cover! However the inside is just as good. There were characters that were legit bullies but then we got in their point of views and they really weren't! There was one main storyline but then other little storylines running through the plage of the book as well. This book had a very addictive quality as well. I would definitely give this book a try!
January 3, 2013
I LOVED the 1st book, but then it became too gossip-girl like
I don't know, maybe I grew up and got tired of all the "I'm rich and reckless" behavior.
If you like Gossip Girl, you'll definitely LOVE this one.
I don't know, maybe I grew up and got tired of all the "I'm rich and reckless" behavior.
If you like Gossip Girl, you'll definitely LOVE this one.
October 7, 2010
Boring to read.
January 16, 2011
Loving this series!! Great read, so funny. Definitely for OLDER YOUNG ADULTS!!! Talk about scandalous and juicy! :):):D
December 18, 2011
Fucking high-larious shit --pretty good :D
January 5, 2012
This is the best book I have read except for the twilight series.
January 6, 2013
Most amazing book for a teenager, took me 2 days to finish it and was so hard to put down. Upsetting when I finished it but well worth the read :)
April 3, 2015
I found the main characters very annoying. The writing is good it took me back to my confusing (and wild) teenage years.
May 9, 2015
I love trashy novels and this was one of the best ive read in ages
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews