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London Confidential #4
Flirting With Disaster
In a shocking turn of events, all writers for the Wexburg Academy Times will cast their votes for next year's editor―and it looks like Savvy's vote will be the tie breaker! She must choose between a nasty-girl-turned-nice, with a sudden interest in letting Savvy get what she wants, and the prickly Hazelle, who promises nothing at all. Savvy then finds herself wrapped up in a new, seemingly innocent but potentially dangerous activity. It's all at risk in this her position on the paper, the boy she likes, the ministry she wants to go well. At a critical moment, Savvy must figure out how to rely on God rather than luck and to overcome temptation before it is too late.
London Confidential is a new series for young girls. In the series, British fashion, friendships, and guys collide as an all-American teen girl learns to love life and live out her faith. The series follows Savvy's entertaining attempts to fit in during her first year at a new school in a new country.
London Confidential is a new series for young girls. In the series, British fashion, friendships, and guys collide as an all-American teen girl learns to love life and live out her faith. The series follows Savvy's entertaining attempts to fit in during her first year at a new school in a new country.
256 pages, Paperback
First published October 1, 2010
11 people are currently reading
176 people want to read
About the author
Sandra Byrd
75 books1,013 followersThe author of more than fifty books, Sandra’s work has received many awards, nominations, and accolades, including a starred review-PW Pick from Publishers Weekly and multiple starred reviews and Best Book selections from Library Journal. Other awards include the Historical Novel Society’s Editor’s Choice, two Christy Awards nominations, a BookPage Top Pick for Romance, and inclusion on Booklist’s Top Ten Inspirational Books of the Year list.
A dedicated foodie, Sandra cooks through the topic and location of every book she writes. In addition, she collects vintage glass and service ware in her free time, loves long walks with her husband, and Sunday Suppers with her growing family.
Reach Sandra Here: https://linktr.ee/sandrabyrd
A dedicated foodie, Sandra cooks through the topic and location of every book she writes. In addition, she collects vintage glass and service ware in her free time, loves long walks with her husband, and Sunday Suppers with her growing family.
Reach Sandra Here: https://linktr.ee/sandrabyrd
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
October 18, 2019
Love this series. Perfect for young/teen Christian girls.
The things Savvy is going through are so relatable. Plus, we get to see a teenage girl living out her faith the right way.
I honestly wish there was another book to read after this one -- and then another!
The things Savvy is going through are so relatable. Plus, we get to see a teenage girl living out her faith the right way.
I honestly wish there was another book to read after this one -- and then another!
April 9, 2020
About this book:
“In a shocking turn of events, all writers for the "Wexburg Academy Times" will cast their votes for next year's editor—and it looks like Savvy's vote will be the tie breaker! She must choose between a nasty-girl-turned-nice, with a sudden interest in letting Savvy get what she wants, and the prickly Hazelle, who promises nothing at all. Savvy then finds herself wrapped up in a new, seemingly innocent but potentially dangerous activity. It's all at risk in this book: her position on the paper, the boy she likes, the ministry she wants to go well. At a critical moment, Savvy must figure out how to rely on God rather than luck and to overcome temptation before it is too late.
London Confidential is a new series for young girls. In the series, British fashion, friendships, and guys collide as an all-American teen girl learns to love life and live out her faith. The series follows Savvy's entertaining attempts to fit in during her first year at a new school in a new country.”
Series: Book #4 (of four) in the “London Confidential” series. Review of Book #1 Here, Book #2 Here, and Book #3 Here!
Spiritual Content- Matthew 6:4 at the end; Prayers & Thanking God; Scriptures are read & mentioned; Church going & going to youth group; Talks about God; ‘H’s are capitalized when referring to God; Savvy is baptized & shares how she became a Christian; Savvy has a misunderstanding that the phrase “God helps those who help themselves” is in the Bible; Mentions of God & Jesus; Mentions of prayers & praying; Mentions of Bibles, Bible reading, Bible studies, those in the Bible, events, & Scriptures; Mentions of churches, church going, youth groups, services, & pastors; Mentions of worship teams & worshiping; Mentions of Christians; Mentions of a Christian ministry; A few mentions of crosses;
*Note: Many mentions of horoscopes, superstitions, & luck/jinxing; Mentions of a girl saying she’s not interested in “religious stuff” in the prior book but later changes her tune when she needs something from Savvy in this book; A couple mentions of people thinking others are religious fruitcakes/nutcases; A mention of how close the word denim is to demon.
Negative Content- Minor cussing including: a ‘drat’, a ‘duh’, a ‘dumb’, and a ‘stupid’s; Some eye rolling; Many mentions of forward emails/messages (Savvy learns half-way that forwards promising luck are bad because of viruses attached to the messages); A few mentions of a plague & the symptoms; A few mentions of dislike/hatred; A few mentions of lying & lies; A few mentions of gas; A couple mentions of jealousy; A couple mentions of rumors; A mention of a drug addict;
*Note: Mentions of celebrities, singers, songs (Taylor Swift), TV shows; Mentions of designer names & shops.
Sexual Content- A barely-above-not-detailed kiss (Savvy says that until her wedding day, there’d be nothing more); A friendly hug; Noticing & Nearness; Savvy isn’t allow to date one-on-one until she’s 16; Savvy and her friend discuss boys’ body language & what they look like when he’s about to kiss you (mentions of this again later); Many mentions of boyfriends, girlfriends, couples, & dating; Mentions of kisses, kissing, & seeing couples kiss; Mentions of dances & dates; Mentions of crushes & blushes; A few mentions of winking;
*Note: A handful of mentions of a girl thinking her weight is heavier than other girls & making herself sick after eating.
-Savannah “Savvy” Smith, age 15
1st person P.O.V. of Savvy
256 pages
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Pre Teens- One Star (and a half)
New Teens- Two Stars (and a half)
Early High School Teens- Three Stars (and a half)
Older High School Teens- Three Stars (and a half)
My personal Rating- Three Stars
When I started this final book, I thought that it would probably be my least favorite in the series because of all the forwarding, superstitions, and horoscopes. Thankfully, it didn’t last the entire book and Savvy learns her lessons about those. I quite liked the ending and consider this one to be a good series for older preteens. :)
Link to review:
https://booksforchristiangirls.blogsp...
*BFCG may (Read the review to see) recommend this book by this author. It does not mean I recommend all the books by this author.
“In a shocking turn of events, all writers for the "Wexburg Academy Times" will cast their votes for next year's editor—and it looks like Savvy's vote will be the tie breaker! She must choose between a nasty-girl-turned-nice, with a sudden interest in letting Savvy get what she wants, and the prickly Hazelle, who promises nothing at all. Savvy then finds herself wrapped up in a new, seemingly innocent but potentially dangerous activity. It's all at risk in this book: her position on the paper, the boy she likes, the ministry she wants to go well. At a critical moment, Savvy must figure out how to rely on God rather than luck and to overcome temptation before it is too late.
London Confidential is a new series for young girls. In the series, British fashion, friendships, and guys collide as an all-American teen girl learns to love life and live out her faith. The series follows Savvy's entertaining attempts to fit in during her first year at a new school in a new country.”
Series: Book #4 (of four) in the “London Confidential” series. Review of Book #1 Here, Book #2 Here, and Book #3 Here!
Spiritual Content- Matthew 6:4 at the end; Prayers & Thanking God; Scriptures are read & mentioned; Church going & going to youth group; Talks about God; ‘H’s are capitalized when referring to God; Savvy is baptized & shares how she became a Christian; Savvy has a misunderstanding that the phrase “God helps those who help themselves” is in the Bible; Mentions of God & Jesus; Mentions of prayers & praying; Mentions of Bibles, Bible reading, Bible studies, those in the Bible, events, & Scriptures; Mentions of churches, church going, youth groups, services, & pastors; Mentions of worship teams & worshiping; Mentions of Christians; Mentions of a Christian ministry; A few mentions of crosses;
*Note: Many mentions of horoscopes, superstitions, & luck/jinxing; Mentions of a girl saying she’s not interested in “religious stuff” in the prior book but later changes her tune when she needs something from Savvy in this book; A couple mentions of people thinking others are religious fruitcakes/nutcases; A mention of how close the word denim is to demon.
Negative Content- Minor cussing including: a ‘drat’, a ‘duh’, a ‘dumb’, and a ‘stupid’s; Some eye rolling; Many mentions of forward emails/messages (Savvy learns half-way that forwards promising luck are bad because of viruses attached to the messages); A few mentions of a plague & the symptoms; A few mentions of dislike/hatred; A few mentions of lying & lies; A few mentions of gas; A couple mentions of jealousy; A couple mentions of rumors; A mention of a drug addict;
*Note: Mentions of celebrities, singers, songs (Taylor Swift), TV shows; Mentions of designer names & shops.
Sexual Content- A barely-above-not-detailed kiss (Savvy says that until her wedding day, there’d be nothing more); A friendly hug; Noticing & Nearness; Savvy isn’t allow to date one-on-one until she’s 16; Savvy and her friend discuss boys’ body language & what they look like when he’s about to kiss you (mentions of this again later); Many mentions of boyfriends, girlfriends, couples, & dating; Mentions of kisses, kissing, & seeing couples kiss; Mentions of dances & dates; Mentions of crushes & blushes; A few mentions of winking;
*Note: A handful of mentions of a girl thinking her weight is heavier than other girls & making herself sick after eating.
-Savannah “Savvy” Smith, age 15
1st person P.O.V. of Savvy
256 pages
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Pre Teens- One Star (and a half)
New Teens- Two Stars (and a half)
Early High School Teens- Three Stars (and a half)
Older High School Teens- Three Stars (and a half)
My personal Rating- Three Stars
When I started this final book, I thought that it would probably be my least favorite in the series because of all the forwarding, superstitions, and horoscopes. Thankfully, it didn’t last the entire book and Savvy learns her lessons about those. I quite liked the ending and consider this one to be a good series for older preteens. :)
Link to review:
https://booksforchristiangirls.blogsp...
*BFCG may (Read the review to see) recommend this book by this author. It does not mean I recommend all the books by this author.
September 7, 2016
I'm very happy with how this one finished out. Very clear, strong message. Beginning was a tiny bit frustrating, but she came to the right conclusions.
:)
:)
June 7, 2025
A great conclusion to the series, I loved how it was about fashion as a Christian I feel bad for liking things. It makes me realize God knows I don’t like fashion in an idol sense but as a good thing in this evil world to enjoy while living here on earth. I relate to the firewall due to my Grandmother’s being not tech savvy they fall for scams all the time. Looks like Savvy handled her tests as a new believer very maturely especially not writing for something she didn’t believe in. I like how Hazel saw Savvy as a writer in the end and hope they build a row to friendship in the future.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 31, 2020
Great!
I was a little nervous over Savvy’s poor choices toward the beginning. I even left my copy alone for a few days! But I had to find out what happened next - and I’m glad I did! A wonderful way to end the series, with each loop turning into a pretty bow at the end. I liked the happy ending! I’ll recommend this YA series to people who don’t want to read a whole lot about deep and heavy issues. High school has enough of those, and I’m glad Savvy made it!
I was a little nervous over Savvy’s poor choices toward the beginning. I even left my copy alone for a few days! But I had to find out what happened next - and I’m glad I did! A wonderful way to end the series, with each loop turning into a pretty bow at the end. I liked the happy ending! I’ll recommend this YA series to people who don’t want to read a whole lot about deep and heavy issues. High school has enough of those, and I’m glad Savvy made it!
November 22, 2010
Title: FLIRTING WITH DISASTER
Author: Sandra Byrd
Publisher: Tyndale
September 2010
ISBN: 978-1-4143-2600-9
Genre: Inspirational/young adult
Savvy’s friends are starting to send forwards—just the seemingly innocent ones that promise that if you send this to five things good things will happen and if you don’t bad things will happen. Savvy is drawn in when she doesn’t forward something and things go badly, and when she does, then good things did happen.
And then she catches a friend reading the horoscopes. Savvy is torn. She’d been trying to use the Bible to answer her Asking for Trouble articles, but then she made two mistakes. She didn’t pray over her answers and ended up giving bad advice.
When Savvy opens another forward a really terrible thing happens, and Savvy has to try to make it up. She possibly might even lose her hard-earned friendships.
FLIRTING WITH DISASTER is the fourth and final book in the London Confidential series. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this whole series, and getting to know Savvy and her friends better. I also enjoyed this visit to Great Britain, even if it was vicariously.
If you are looking for a great young adult series for your favorite girl, then make sure you pick up a copy of FLIRTING WITH DISASTER, and the other books in this series. $6.99. 250 pages.
Author: Sandra Byrd
Publisher: Tyndale
September 2010
ISBN: 978-1-4143-2600-9
Genre: Inspirational/young adult
Savvy’s friends are starting to send forwards—just the seemingly innocent ones that promise that if you send this to five things good things will happen and if you don’t bad things will happen. Savvy is drawn in when she doesn’t forward something and things go badly, and when she does, then good things did happen.
And then she catches a friend reading the horoscopes. Savvy is torn. She’d been trying to use the Bible to answer her Asking for Trouble articles, but then she made two mistakes. She didn’t pray over her answers and ended up giving bad advice.
When Savvy opens another forward a really terrible thing happens, and Savvy has to try to make it up. She possibly might even lose her hard-earned friendships.
FLIRTING WITH DISASTER is the fourth and final book in the London Confidential series. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this whole series, and getting to know Savvy and her friends better. I also enjoyed this visit to Great Britain, even if it was vicariously.
If you are looking for a great young adult series for your favorite girl, then make sure you pick up a copy of FLIRTING WITH DISASTER, and the other books in this series. $6.99. 250 pages.
July 21, 2011
Flirting with Disaster is book four of the London Confidential series by Sandra Byrd. Although I'm usually not much of a fiction fan, I devoured this series, and of course this book was no exception. I think one of Byrd's strongest points with her writing is her character development. Savvy's character is so well developed, I often feel as if she is a real person.
In this book, Savvy seems to mature a lot but yet the book isn't a preachy one. She ruins someone else's computer by opening a forwarded e-mail, deals with conflict on the newspaper staff, and learns the importance of making decisions as to where to help out when serving others.
Like the other books in the London Confidential series, there are always plenty of secondary story lines. Will she be able to keep her position on the newspaper staff if she refuses to write a horoscope? How can she have a fantastic article AND help out the ministry shop whose computer she ruined? How does Tommy's grandmother know who she is since he claims to have never mentioned her to his Gran?
I very much enjoyed this book and read it in an afternoon. While written for teens, it definitely held my attention even if it wasn't for my targeted age range.
In this book, Savvy seems to mature a lot but yet the book isn't a preachy one. She ruins someone else's computer by opening a forwarded e-mail, deals with conflict on the newspaper staff, and learns the importance of making decisions as to where to help out when serving others.
Like the other books in the London Confidential series, there are always plenty of secondary story lines. Will she be able to keep her position on the newspaper staff if she refuses to write a horoscope? How can she have a fantastic article AND help out the ministry shop whose computer she ruined? How does Tommy's grandmother know who she is since he claims to have never mentioned her to his Gran?
I very much enjoyed this book and read it in an afternoon. While written for teens, it definitely held my attention even if it wasn't for my targeted age range.
March 9, 2011
REVIEW
This adorable series was quick and fun to read. Savvy is the type of teen girl that I hope to be like. She is spunky, funny, and she never gives up. Savvy is a great role model for other girls to follow and I could relate to her.
There is plenty of London-speak in these books, and I could tell that Sandra Byrd had done her homework. The setting is so different from the United States, and I liked reading about Savvy’s school.
The plot moves nicely from one book to the other as Savvy adjusts to her new life in London. She works hard to get a job with the school newspaper, ponders a date for May Day Ball, and must overcome temptation.
The overriding theme of this Christian series is to be true to yourself. The message is delivered in a wonderfully fun story. Thank you to Sandra Byrd for sending these books for me to review.
RATING
4 Plot
4 Characters
4 Attention Grabbing
4 Girlie Meter
4 Ending
20 TOTAL
4 STARS
This adorable series was quick and fun to read. Savvy is the type of teen girl that I hope to be like. She is spunky, funny, and she never gives up. Savvy is a great role model for other girls to follow and I could relate to her.
There is plenty of London-speak in these books, and I could tell that Sandra Byrd had done her homework. The setting is so different from the United States, and I liked reading about Savvy’s school.
The plot moves nicely from one book to the other as Savvy adjusts to her new life in London. She works hard to get a job with the school newspaper, ponders a date for May Day Ball, and must overcome temptation.
The overriding theme of this Christian series is to be true to yourself. The message is delivered in a wonderfully fun story. Thank you to Sandra Byrd for sending these books for me to review.
RATING
4 Plot
4 Characters
4 Attention Grabbing
4 Girlie Meter
4 Ending
20 TOTAL
4 STARS
October 22, 2013
In the fourth outing for Savvy Smith in the London Confidential series, Sandra Byrd once again tackles relevant issues for young girls while making the topics fun, light, and Savvy is completely adorable. Though she is a great example for tweens who may be dealing with similar issues, I love that Byrd has not made Savvy perfect. She makes mistakes (some that make moms cringe) but she learns her lessons and always has a solid Biblical message to impart while she does.
Sandra Byrd’s clever twists and fun situations are a delight to read. At the same time, as a parent, I couldn’t be happier that my girls are excited about these books. They are as into Savvy’s adventures as I was and thankfully, I know that I can trust them to Sandra Byrd’s very capable tales.
If you have a tween, the London Confidential series is a solid series that honors God and shows young girls how to live their faith in even the most awkward situations. Bravo Sandra! I can’t wait to see what you have up your sleeve next!
*Review copy provided by Tyndale House Publishers.
Sandra Byrd’s clever twists and fun situations are a delight to read. At the same time, as a parent, I couldn’t be happier that my girls are excited about these books. They are as into Savvy’s adventures as I was and thankfully, I know that I can trust them to Sandra Byrd’s very capable tales.
If you have a tween, the London Confidential series is a solid series that honors God and shows young girls how to live their faith in even the most awkward situations. Bravo Sandra! I can’t wait to see what you have up your sleeve next!
*Review copy provided by Tyndale House Publishers.
November 20, 2010
Review by Jill Williamson
Savvy is almost a full-on member of the Aristocrats. Well, not really, since she doesn’t live on an estate or get rides to school from her butler. But she has several of the Aristocrats cell numbers and they’re texting her! Savvy gets so caught up in all the texting and forwards that she starts to forget who she really is. And then one of her forwards causes a major disaster that makes Savvy put down the phone and think. Is there any way to fix what she’s done?
A great end to the series. Savvy gets into her biggest disaster yet. All because she’s trying to do good—by her own standards. When she slows down and takes her own advice, she starts to realize she got caught up in something she didn’t believe in. Boy can I relate to that one! I loved how Sandra Byrd tied up all the loose ends with youth group, the clothing ministry, the Aristocrats, the paper, and the cute guy. Two thumbs up for this series. It’s brilliant, to say the least!
Savvy is almost a full-on member of the Aristocrats. Well, not really, since she doesn’t live on an estate or get rides to school from her butler. But she has several of the Aristocrats cell numbers and they’re texting her! Savvy gets so caught up in all the texting and forwards that she starts to forget who she really is. And then one of her forwards causes a major disaster that makes Savvy put down the phone and think. Is there any way to fix what she’s done?
A great end to the series. Savvy gets into her biggest disaster yet. All because she’s trying to do good—by her own standards. When she slows down and takes her own advice, she starts to realize she got caught up in something she didn’t believe in. Boy can I relate to that one! I loved how Sandra Byrd tied up all the loose ends with youth group, the clothing ministry, the Aristocrats, the paper, and the cute guy. Two thumbs up for this series. It’s brilliant, to say the least!
February 17, 2015
This is a really cute book! I'm not a Catholic, yet the Bible verses made sense. If only we stopped fighting in the name of religion and accepted that God is one, then we would have such a peaceful world. Hindus, Muslims, Jews, Christians, Buddhists, Sikhs, Parsis are all the same, they believe in their God. As long as they believed and worshipped, there shouldn't be anyone claiming theirs to be a superior religion.
Apart from the religious overtones, this book was really cute. I love Savvy and I just can't wait to read the next few books in this series. I hope the author releases them soon enough!
Apart from the religious overtones, this book was really cute. I love Savvy and I just can't wait to read the next few books in this series. I hope the author releases them soon enough!
June 18, 2012
A mediocre end to a mediocre series. I am still a bit annoyed that every single Christian fiction series I've ever read has the main character "come to Christ" at some point during the narrative. Why can't they just be Christian to begin with? Predictablyy, the main character just manages to get kissed before her sixteenth birthday. Ugh. Also, this series had so many factual errors and illogical plot points. That also seems to be a trend with Christian series. It's embarrassing, really. I need to write my Lutheran fiction series stat. LOL
June 19, 2013
This is the first book i read of the series. I really liked reading a book based off England. But I did have some problems with it. I felt like she spent to much time trying to fit in. I also didn't like that her "friends" walked over her, and didn't let her do what she wanted to do. I wish she stood up for herself.
I didn't feel like her trying to decide who she was voting for was the main problem. That part of the story confused me and I didn't feel it was necessary.
The texts was a very interesting problem, that I wasn't expecting.
I didn't feel like her trying to decide who she was voting for was the main problem. That part of the story confused me and I didn't feel it was necessary.
The texts was a very interesting problem, that I wasn't expecting.
January 19, 2012
This was a great book.
Savvy learned so much about her faith in God, and sticking up for what she believes.
I found myself learning right along with her.
Flirting with Disaster was a great book to close a great series.
Savvy learned so much about her faith in God, and sticking up for what she believes.
I found myself learning right along with her.
Flirting with Disaster was a great book to close a great series.
October 5, 2013
A great finale book to the London Confidential books.
August 5, 2013
This is my favourite of the series!
July 12, 2013
I was completely fangirling about her and Tommy! I'm not allowed to date until I'm 16 too so I can relate to her situation
December 26, 2015
It's easy to look for answers in all the wrong places, but they are only found in God. Savvy makes a big mistake and redeems it, and she makes some tough choices regarding the newspaper.
March 25, 2016
I'm so sad this quartet has ended! This is definitely one of my favorite series I've read!
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews