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Private #3
Untouchable
Cheating, partying, blackmail, and now...murder?
Can the Billings Girls remain untouchable?
Reed's boyfriend, Thomas Pearson -- the popular, easygoing, irresistibly handsome and charismatic boy she fell in love with -- is dead. No one knows how it happened, and everyone is after the truth. Or are they?
Life at Easton Academy begins to feel very different. Taylor is acting like the poster child for Prozac, Kiran is spiking her cornflakes, Noelle is being kind of...nice, and Arianna keeps floating along as if nothing has happened. Thanksgiving break arrives and Reed and Josh find themselves alone on campus. They are forced to confront the feelings they've been hiding. Those feelings combined with an empty campus result in the hottest hookup Reed could possibly imagine. But when Reed breaks the news about Josh to the Billings Girls, there's no fun game of tell-all. Instead, Josh begins to look like suspect No. 1 in the murder of Thomas Pearson.
The perfect life Reed has constructed as a Billings Girl begins to crumble. And as everyone becomes more convinced of Josh's guilt, Reed's private suspicions lead her somewhere she doesn't want to go.
Can the Billings Girls remain untouchable?
Reed's boyfriend, Thomas Pearson -- the popular, easygoing, irresistibly handsome and charismatic boy she fell in love with -- is dead. No one knows how it happened, and everyone is after the truth. Or are they?
Life at Easton Academy begins to feel very different. Taylor is acting like the poster child for Prozac, Kiran is spiking her cornflakes, Noelle is being kind of...nice, and Arianna keeps floating along as if nothing has happened. Thanksgiving break arrives and Reed and Josh find themselves alone on campus. They are forced to confront the feelings they've been hiding. Those feelings combined with an empty campus result in the hottest hookup Reed could possibly imagine. But when Reed breaks the news about Josh to the Billings Girls, there's no fun game of tell-all. Instead, Josh begins to look like suspect No. 1 in the murder of Thomas Pearson.
The perfect life Reed has constructed as a Billings Girl begins to crumble. And as everyone becomes more convinced of Josh's guilt, Reed's private suspicions lead her somewhere she doesn't want to go.
Audiobook
First published December 1, 2006
87 people are currently reading
3009 people want to read
About the author
Kate Brian
88 books2,311 followersKate Brian is the author of the SHADOWLANDS TRILOGY (SHADOWLANDS, HEREAFTER & ENDLESS), as well as the New York Times bestselling PRIVATE and PRIVILEGE series, and the wildly popular MEGAN MEADE'S GUIDE TO THE MCGOWAN BOYS. She also writes teen fiction under the name Kieran Scott.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 305 reviews
November 15, 2016
This was a YA contemporary story, with a bit of a murder-mystery going on.
Reed was an okay character in this, although I was surprised at how she stood up to Noelle. I did feel sorry for her though following Thomas’ death.
The storyline in this followed on from the previous book, with Reed understandably upset over her boyfriend’s death, and we had the question over how Thomas had ended up dead – was he murdered? And if so, by whom? This was an entertaining read though, and I liked the little twist we got thrown at the end.
6.5 out of 10
Reed was an okay character in this, although I was surprised at how she stood up to Noelle. I did feel sorry for her though following Thomas’ death.
The storyline in this followed on from the previous book, with Reed understandably upset over her boyfriend’s death, and we had the question over how Thomas had ended up dead – was he murdered? And if so, by whom? This was an entertaining read though, and I liked the little twist we got thrown at the end.
6.5 out of 10
November 24, 2015
Okay, honestly, Reed is such a brat. I forgot how naive she was.
July 23, 2016
All the Private books have something in common: they are all addictive with plenty of mystery and suspense and a equally mysterious cast of characters. Untouchable attained all these attributes, and now, in this moment, I want the next one.
November 8, 2025
This series is my ultimate guilty pleasure. I occasionally check to see if the author wrote any more that I have not read. I binged the whole series in a week or two. And I miss it!
January 8, 2019
**Find this and other reviews, plus fun stuff, on my blogs! Booklikes or Blogspot**
Previous Book(s) in this Series:
Private (Private #1)
Invitation Only (Private #2)
Basic Info
Format: Audio.
Pages/Length: 6 hrs
Genre: Young Adult; Chick Lit; Trash.
Reason For Reading: Rage the fuck out.
At A Glance
Love Triangle/Insta Love/Obsession?: Triangle, but a different boy then the last book's triangle.
Cliff Hanger: no
Triggers: n/a
Rating: 1 Star
Score Sheet
All out of ten
Cover: 4
Plot: 3
Characters: 0
World Building:5
Flow: 6
b>Series Congruity: 7
Writing: 6
Ending: 3
Total: 3/10
In Depth
Best Part: ha!
Worst Part: ha, where to begin.
Thoughts Had: I want you to die.
Conclusion
Continuing the Series:Yes, i need the rage outlet.
Recommending: Fuck no.
Short Review: Again, how can anyone like these books?! The MC gets dumber and dumber in each book. So book 2 ends SPOILER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! with Thomas' body being discover. *cue dramatic music* So you would think the MC who was so in love with this kid, never mind the fact that she date another guy with Thomas was still "missing", would be so distraught and a mess right? Meh she was upset for a bit, and by a bit i'm talking like a week at max, then she was moving on to his best friend/roommate, yah you read that right. And the fucker did the whole line "Thomas never know what he had when he had you...". So our MC basically jumps into bed with this dude, A WHOLE FREAKING WEEK AFTER HIS BODY WAS FOUND. WHAT THE FUCK times 3.
Misc.
Book Boyfriend: PASS PASS PASS
Best Friend Material: PASS PASS PASS
September 22, 2018
This series is reminding me more and more of pretty little liars, the tv series more so than the books, with each book being the next episode and more explosive than the one before and with a new twist or turn or revelation. In this episode book, Reed and the other Billings girls find out that Thomas' death was not accidental and he is in fact been murdered and reed finds out that her 'friends' are still keeping secrets from her.
I found i didn't dislike Reed as much in this one as previous books though i still didn't like her per se and finally she seems to not blithely go around believing everything everyone tells her and started thinking for herself...well for a little bit anyhow.
As mentioned there were some new twists and revelations in this book which kept the storyline ticking over and I found it still a quick and entertaining read and now I am off to pick up book 4
I found i didn't dislike Reed as much in this one as previous books though i still didn't like her per se and finally she seems to not blithely go around believing everything everyone tells her and started thinking for herself...well for a little bit anyhow.
As mentioned there were some new twists and revelations in this book which kept the storyline ticking over and I found it still a quick and entertaining read and now I am off to pick up book 4
December 11, 2017
Totally unbelievable and way too much drama, but whatever, I’m hooked.
January 6, 2025
4,5⭐️
I read this book in only one day, it was so addictive with so many suspense. My heart was beating so hard and so fast that I thought I was going to have a heart attack 🤯 I can’t wait to read the 4 th one and to have the answers to the plots of this one
I read this book in only one day, it was so addictive with so many suspense. My heart was beating so hard and so fast that I thought I was going to have a heart attack 🤯 I can’t wait to read the 4 th one and to have the answers to the plots of this one
August 20, 2018
This book was ok. I just felt like the author is trying to set up a particular character, when it’s pretty obvious that character didn’t do it. There is no way a person would kill two roommates and expect to get away with it. 🙄 I don’t want to say too much without spoiling the book, so here is the link to my updates on the buddy read thread.
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 31, 2010
OH MY GOSH!!! Thomas is dead, Reed likes Josh, and now the Billings Girls are acting strange. No one knows how Thomas died and everyone wants to know. Taylor is constantly crying, Kiran is spiking almost everything she comsumes, Arianna is living like absolutely nothing happened, and Noelle is being...NICE?!
Soon, Reed is finding out about things she doesn't want to know about. All of the Billings Girls' "secrets" are being discovered by Reed as she cleans their rooms. They are also telling her that Josh is bad news. Josh's old roommate from his previous school, which he was kicked out of, also died. Josh also takes loads of medications for multiple psychological issues.
Suddenly, after Thanksgiving break, Taylor isn't coming back. She left early and no one will tell Reed where she went. At the end of the book, Reed recieves an IM from Taylor telling her not to believe what the other Billings Girls have said about her sudden disappearence.
I was drawn into this book very quickly, though it seemed to have a repetitive draw back with the boy issues Reed had, because Thomas was a "bad boy" and apparently so is Josh. I still am anticipating the next book!
Soon, Reed is finding out about things she doesn't want to know about. All of the Billings Girls' "secrets" are being discovered by Reed as she cleans their rooms. They are also telling her that Josh is bad news. Josh's old roommate from his previous school, which he was kicked out of, also died. Josh also takes loads of medications for multiple psychological issues.
Suddenly, after Thanksgiving break, Taylor isn't coming back. She left early and no one will tell Reed where she went. At the end of the book, Reed recieves an IM from Taylor telling her not to believe what the other Billings Girls have said about her sudden disappearence.
I was drawn into this book very quickly, though it seemed to have a repetitive draw back with the boy issues Reed had, because Thomas was a "bad boy" and apparently so is Josh. I still am anticipating the next book!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 13, 2016
and it keeps getting better!
it feels like a mix of gossip girl and Pretty Little Liars! I just can't stop once I start and is the definition of guilty gossipy pleasure.
I could so see this being a show and one I would probably watch.
They always end with a crazy event that just makes you want to jump into the next one!
Great quick read!
it feels like a mix of gossip girl and Pretty Little Liars! I just can't stop once I start and is the definition of guilty gossipy pleasure.
I could so see this being a show and one I would probably watch.
They always end with a crazy event that just makes you want to jump into the next one!
Great quick read!
May 22, 2015
this series is slowly getting less unbearable. it is extremely good gym noise.
January 19, 2021
Reed is having some back bone. I'm going to enjoy it for the very short period of time it lasts
Read
January 16, 2023Some meat to this one, finally.
Read
June 2, 2025So embarrassing!! This one ended in such a good way!! Now im hooked
June 18, 2025
Each of these books are so short but they really leave you with a cliff hanger that you want to read the next
November 17, 2018
This series is so enjoyable. I’m a sucker for stories about kids at a boarding school anyway, and this one is great. Reed feels so real, from the way she looks at things, to her flaws, to the array of emotions she feels. She’s not a flat character at all. In fact, none of the characters are. They feel completely real.
August 19, 2018
Wow what another intense ending! The billing’s girls are getting more and more suspicious as the books go on. Josh being arrested for Thomas’ murder and Taylah sending Reed the IM to be careful. I need the next one to know what’s going to happen! Love how these books pack a punch!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 20, 2023
Why I´m still reading this series is still a mystery to me as well. I think it just reminds me of the Pretty Little Liars series and I just enjoy the person´s voice as well as how expected the plot is.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 27, 2011
"Untouchable" has Easton Academy burying one of their students, Thomas Pearson, Reed Brennan's first lover and boyfriend. Then there's Taylor who seems to be overly affected by Thomas' death despite her obvious dislike for Thomas prior to his death, she now can't stop breaking down. Then there's Josh Hollis, Thomas' room mate and bestfriend who doesn't seem to be affected by the death at all.
There are so much mystery in this book that people that have classified the Private series to be the same typical boarding school story is so wrong. The story is very fast paced and as usual it ends on a cliff hanger. I read this book in 2 sittings.
I wasn't that thrilled with "Private" book 1, I just didn't really get into the story. The story seemed bland and typical and the Billings Girls, equivalent of the Mean Girls, seems so much more meaner than what I could imagine teens to be, then there's our main character, who I could not relate to. Seriously, how can you let people treat you that badly and you still continue to try and be their friends? However, I'm now nearly in my 30s so that maybe things I've learnt as I've grown up, that people like that are simply not worth your time.
From Book 2, "Invitation Only" and now with "Untouchable" I'm starting to actually like the series. If you are looking for deep meaningful story this isn't the series, but it's well written, entertaining and easy read with lots of twists and turns in the story. I think that's the main thing for the "Private" series, it's not really about imagination it's meant to simply be entertaining and intriguing and a great past time read. If that's all you expect from the books, a trashy, secret pleasure, you will thoroughly enjoy the books. It's like an "OK" magazine, you know it's trashy gossips but it's still entertaining.
There are so much mystery in this book that people that have classified the Private series to be the same typical boarding school story is so wrong. The story is very fast paced and as usual it ends on a cliff hanger. I read this book in 2 sittings.
I wasn't that thrilled with "Private" book 1, I just didn't really get into the story. The story seemed bland and typical and the Billings Girls, equivalent of the Mean Girls, seems so much more meaner than what I could imagine teens to be, then there's our main character, who I could not relate to. Seriously, how can you let people treat you that badly and you still continue to try and be their friends? However, I'm now nearly in my 30s so that maybe things I've learnt as I've grown up, that people like that are simply not worth your time.
From Book 2, "Invitation Only" and now with "Untouchable" I'm starting to actually like the series. If you are looking for deep meaningful story this isn't the series, but it's well written, entertaining and easy read with lots of twists and turns in the story. I think that's the main thing for the "Private" series, it's not really about imagination it's meant to simply be entertaining and intriguing and a great past time read. If that's all you expect from the books, a trashy, secret pleasure, you will thoroughly enjoy the books. It's like an "OK" magazine, you know it's trashy gossips but it's still entertaining.
May 9, 2009
Untouchable is the 3rd book in the Private series. The book opens with Thomas’s funeral. There are still unanswered questions surrounding his death. Everyone has different theories on why Thomas died and each thinks he was murdered. As the police continue to investigate, more and more details are revealed about Thomas’s life.
Reed is trying to move forward after her first real loss. She doesn’t know what to do as everyone is constantly watching her every move and commenting on everything she does. She does find solace in her friendship with Josh, Thomas’s best friend.
With Untouchable, the plot thickens and at times I found it difficult to believe what anyone said. I knew the Billings Girls were still keeping secrets from Reed, however were they protecting her or themselves? Their “friendship” felt more forced to me in this book than the previous novels. Reed appeared to feel this way as well, however she continued to make excuses to remain friends with them. Secrets, lies and cover-up continue to be the themes of this series.
Now that a “suspect” has been arrested, I wonder will the details of Thomas’s death finally be revealed. I guess I’ll have to read Confessions to find out.
Reed is trying to move forward after her first real loss. She doesn’t know what to do as everyone is constantly watching her every move and commenting on everything she does. She does find solace in her friendship with Josh, Thomas’s best friend.
With Untouchable, the plot thickens and at times I found it difficult to believe what anyone said. I knew the Billings Girls were still keeping secrets from Reed, however were they protecting her or themselves? Their “friendship” felt more forced to me in this book than the previous novels. Reed appeared to feel this way as well, however she continued to make excuses to remain friends with them. Secrets, lies and cover-up continue to be the themes of this series.
Now that a “suspect” has been arrested, I wonder will the details of Thomas’s death finally be revealed. I guess I’ll have to read Confessions to find out.
June 20, 2019
3.5/5
This series, along with the TV shows Gossip Girl and Pretty Little Liars, is a guilty pleasure of mine.
I was in middle school the last time I read the first few books of this series and I still remember the funeral party scene. Honestly, I think that was the most memorable scene in this whole series (although there is one other that I can remember from later on in the series. It was a cliffhanger. No spoilers).
In case you’re wondering what I’m talking about:
At the end of the previous volume, Invitation Only, we find out that Thomas is dead. In this volume, we realize that Thomas was actually murdered *gasp*. When a suspect was arrested, the students decide to throw a party to celebrate Thomas’ life (the iconic funeral party scene). But then, turns out the wrong person was arrested and that the murderer could most likely be a student at Easton *dundundun*.
This series, along with the TV shows Gossip Girl and Pretty Little Liars, is a guilty pleasure of mine.
I was in middle school the last time I read the first few books of this series and I still remember the funeral party scene. Honestly, I think that was the most memorable scene in this whole series (although there is one other that I can remember from later on in the series. It was a cliffhanger. No spoilers).
In case you’re wondering what I’m talking about:
At the end of the previous volume, Invitation Only, we find out that Thomas is dead. In this volume, we realize that Thomas was actually murdered *gasp*. When a suspect was arrested, the students decide to throw a party to celebrate Thomas’ life (the iconic funeral party scene). But then, turns out the wrong person was arrested and that the murderer could most likely be a student at Easton *dundundun*.
August 22, 2018
Second time reading, and it was another quick read, but the ending was just as good as all of the other endings! I swear it's the end that makes the books good :p All the stuff in the middle is just fluff, it's the ending that's super intriguing. That cliffhanger! I'm not sure what to think about I also don't like the way Can't wait to see where this one takes me next!
October 23, 2015
I have to be completely honest, I have not read a series that had me so completely hooked, in A very long time. I mean are you kidding me with the ending of this book??? How can I possibly not read the next book??? These girls are high drama, I bitchiness, and terribly entertaining! I'm super curious to see where the next book in the series takes me. I mean who really did kill Thomas? And where is Taylor? And what does she mean by it is all a lie? Yikes!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 12, 2015
It took me a little while to really get back into this book because it has been soooooo long since i've picked up this series but once I got re-familiar with the characters and storyline the mystery and characters drew me back in and made me remember why i picked up this series in the first place. Need to pick up the next book soon!
November 15, 2016
Just like the first two books, the characters weren't ones that I was a massive fan of.
This was an okay read, although it did struggle to keep my interest at points. I enjoyed it about the same as book two though.
Overall, An okay read.
This was an okay read, although it did struggle to keep my interest at points. I enjoyed it about the same as book two though.
Overall, An okay read.
December 27, 2010
omg can there be so much drama in one book!!!!!!!!??? Loved it! Amazing! love thomas and reed!
May 12, 2011
This book is really really good. I was reading it every night. and Every night before going to sleep, I would make myslef stop reading it.
I will be continuing this series... XP
I will be continuing this series... XP
April 17, 2015
Dang now I have to keep reading. Everything feels like the big fall is coming for noelle so we shall see.
October 31, 2016
I don't want to give anything away but I am really enjoying this series.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 305 reviews