What do you think?
Rate this book
Scenarios #5-6
Swept Away
Decisions, decisions! How is a girl supposed to choose? Lessons of right and wrong are put to the test in the Scenarios series, where you can test your decision-making abilities in an eye-opening, but safe, way. Each book follows a character up to the point where she has to make an important, life-changing decision—then it’s your turn to choose. Will your choices lead to a happy ending?
- GenresYoung AdultFiction
384 pages, Paperback
First published April 1, 2011
2 people are currently reading
140 people want to read
About the author
Nicole O'Dell
41 books209 followersNicole O'Dell, Choose NOW Ministries
...battling peer pressure by tackling the tough issues
Youth-culture expert, Nicole O’Dell, resides in Paxton, Illinois, with her husband and six children—the youngest of which are toddler triplets. She’s the founder of Choose NOW Ministries, dedicated to battling peer pressure and guiding teens through tough issues while helping parents encourage good decisions, and host of Choose NOW Radio: Parent Talk and Teen Talk, where “It's all about choices!” On air, O’Dell covers peer pressure, dating, purity, drugs, alcohol, modesty, popularity, and anything else that comes up along the way. Nicole writes and speaks to preteens, teenagers, and parents about how to prepare for life's tough choices.
She’s author of YA fiction, including the popular Scenarios for Girls interactive fiction, which offers readers alternate endings, allowing them to decide what the main character does, and the Diamond Estates Series based on her experiences as a resident at Teen Challenge as a teenager. Her non-fiction for teens includes Girl Talk, 2/1/12, which she wrote with her two daughters based on their popular advice column.
Nicole’s desire to bridge the gap between parents and teens is evident in her parenting non-fiction like the Hot Buttons , series aimed at helping parents handle tough issues with their tweens and teens before they pop up in real life. Watch for Hot Buttons books on subjects like dating, Internet activity, sexuality, prejudice, friendships, politics, and many more.
For more information on Nicole O’Dell or her books, or to schedule Nicole for a speaking event or interview, visit http://www.nicoleodell.com. Podcasts of Choose NOW Radio are available at http://www.chooseNOWradio.com.
...battling peer pressure by tackling the tough issues
Youth-culture expert, Nicole O’Dell, resides in Paxton, Illinois, with her husband and six children—the youngest of which are toddler triplets. She’s the founder of Choose NOW Ministries, dedicated to battling peer pressure and guiding teens through tough issues while helping parents encourage good decisions, and host of Choose NOW Radio: Parent Talk and Teen Talk, where “It's all about choices!” On air, O’Dell covers peer pressure, dating, purity, drugs, alcohol, modesty, popularity, and anything else that comes up along the way. Nicole writes and speaks to preteens, teenagers, and parents about how to prepare for life's tough choices.
She’s author of YA fiction, including the popular Scenarios for Girls interactive fiction, which offers readers alternate endings, allowing them to decide what the main character does, and the Diamond Estates Series based on her experiences as a resident at Teen Challenge as a teenager. Her non-fiction for teens includes Girl Talk, 2/1/12, which she wrote with her two daughters based on their popular advice column.
Nicole’s desire to bridge the gap between parents and teens is evident in her parenting non-fiction like the Hot Buttons , series aimed at helping parents handle tough issues with their tweens and teens before they pop up in real life. Watch for Hot Buttons books on subjects like dating, Internet activity, sexuality, prejudice, friendships, politics, and many more.
For more information on Nicole O’Dell or her books, or to schedule Nicole for a speaking event or interview, visit http://www.nicoleodell.com. Podcasts of Choose NOW Radio are available at http://www.chooseNOWradio.com.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
May 13, 2011
A friend gave this book to me as a gift. From the moment I took it, I couldn't put it down. I finished it within one day. My only complain is that I wanted more...I didn't want the book to end.LOL
October 20, 2015
April 14,2014
I only read the first book in this double book.
October 15,2015
Read both books this time through. I absolutely love ANY book by this author. Definitely recommended! The second book in this double book is recommended to older girls.
I only read the first book in this double book.
October 15,2015
Read both books this time through. I absolutely love ANY book by this author. Definitely recommended! The second book in this double book is recommended to older girls.
August 11, 2011
What’s a girl to do when faced with big decisions?
High school seniors Amber and Brittany have been best friends forever, but only one of them can win the car for perfect attendance and top grades. At first the competition is good-natured, but Amber is determined to win. After all, their family car is on its last wheels and her dad lost his job. She needs the prize more than Brittany does. Why can’t her so-called best friend concede and let her win? When Amber discovers the perfect way to make it happen, what will she choose? High Stakes offers two endings as the reader follows Amber’s two possible choices.
In Essence of Lilly, no one understands sophomore Lilly like her boyfriend, Jason. Certainly not Lilly’s mom or stepdad. She begins pretending youth group activities so she can spend more time with her boyfriend. Soon she’s inventing a sleepover on a weekend when Jason’s parents are away. Will Lilly go through with it? Or will she choose purity after all? Again, the story offers two endings to explore the results of each choice.
These two novellas are offered in one volume as Swept Away, volumes five and six in the Scenarios for Girls interactive series. Four previously published stories have been re-released as two-for-ones as well. Dare to be Different contains the stories Truth or Dare and All That Glitters. Risky Business contains Magna and Making Waves. Each story deals with issues from self esteem to stealing to drugs to peer pressure in a format that allows tween/teen girls to see the repercussions of their choices–hopefully before they face similar situations in their own lives.
This is a totally unique fiction concept and, as one of Nicole’s critique partners, I’ve been thrilled to be part of the the journey with her. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend these stories to any tween/young teen girls.
High school seniors Amber and Brittany have been best friends forever, but only one of them can win the car for perfect attendance and top grades. At first the competition is good-natured, but Amber is determined to win. After all, their family car is on its last wheels and her dad lost his job. She needs the prize more than Brittany does. Why can’t her so-called best friend concede and let her win? When Amber discovers the perfect way to make it happen, what will she choose? High Stakes offers two endings as the reader follows Amber’s two possible choices.
In Essence of Lilly, no one understands sophomore Lilly like her boyfriend, Jason. Certainly not Lilly’s mom or stepdad. She begins pretending youth group activities so she can spend more time with her boyfriend. Soon she’s inventing a sleepover on a weekend when Jason’s parents are away. Will Lilly go through with it? Or will she choose purity after all? Again, the story offers two endings to explore the results of each choice.
These two novellas are offered in one volume as Swept Away, volumes five and six in the Scenarios for Girls interactive series. Four previously published stories have been re-released as two-for-ones as well. Dare to be Different contains the stories Truth or Dare and All That Glitters. Risky Business contains Magna and Making Waves. Each story deals with issues from self esteem to stealing to drugs to peer pressure in a format that allows tween/teen girls to see the repercussions of their choices–hopefully before they face similar situations in their own lives.
This is a totally unique fiction concept and, as one of Nicole’s critique partners, I’ve been thrilled to be part of the the journey with her. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend these stories to any tween/young teen girls.
July 20, 2016
Title: SWEPT AWAY
Author: Nicole O’Dell
Publisher: Barbour Books
April 2011
ISBN: 978-1616262525
Genre: young adult / scenerios
In High Stakes, seniors and best friends, Amber and Brittany, are neck and neck in a good-natured competition for a car being given away by a local business.
In Essence of Lilly, sophomore Lilly Armstrong is always looking for ways to escape the confines of her unhappy home. She “invents” youth group activities just so she can hang out with her boyfriend, Jason—the only one in Lilly’s life who makes her feel special.
What happens when Amber and Lilly are faced with making difficult choices? Will they allow themselves to be swept away? Readers help Amber and Lilly make the difficult decisions and see how their choices create consequences with life-altering results.
Decisions, decisions! How is a girl supposed to choose? Lessons of right and wrong are put to the test in the Scenarios series, where you can test your decision-making abilities in an eye-opening, but safe, way. Each book follows a character up to the point where she has to make an important, life-changing decision—then it’s your turn to choose. Will your choices lead to a happy ending?
I haven’t read any of the scenario books up until now and I wasn’t sure what to expect. What it is a partially written story the you chose the ending. Will the girl make the right choice? Or the wrong choice? What will be the possible ending to the story?
I have a twelve year old daughter and she was interested in reading this. I wasn’t real sure about whether or not I should let her – but both stories opened up opportunities for discussion.
If you are looking for a book that will hopefully teach your tween / teen girl how to chose the right choice and show her what might happen with the wrong choice, then SWEPT AWAY would be the perfect choice. $9.99. 377 pages.
Author: Nicole O’Dell
Publisher: Barbour Books
April 2011
ISBN: 978-1616262525
Genre: young adult / scenerios
In High Stakes, seniors and best friends, Amber and Brittany, are neck and neck in a good-natured competition for a car being given away by a local business.
In Essence of Lilly, sophomore Lilly Armstrong is always looking for ways to escape the confines of her unhappy home. She “invents” youth group activities just so she can hang out with her boyfriend, Jason—the only one in Lilly’s life who makes her feel special.
What happens when Amber and Lilly are faced with making difficult choices? Will they allow themselves to be swept away? Readers help Amber and Lilly make the difficult decisions and see how their choices create consequences with life-altering results.
Decisions, decisions! How is a girl supposed to choose? Lessons of right and wrong are put to the test in the Scenarios series, where you can test your decision-making abilities in an eye-opening, but safe, way. Each book follows a character up to the point where she has to make an important, life-changing decision—then it’s your turn to choose. Will your choices lead to a happy ending?
I haven’t read any of the scenario books up until now and I wasn’t sure what to expect. What it is a partially written story the you chose the ending. Will the girl make the right choice? Or the wrong choice? What will be the possible ending to the story?
I have a twelve year old daughter and she was interested in reading this. I wasn’t real sure about whether or not I should let her – but both stories opened up opportunities for discussion.
If you are looking for a book that will hopefully teach your tween / teen girl how to chose the right choice and show her what might happen with the wrong choice, then SWEPT AWAY would be the perfect choice. $9.99. 377 pages.
May 24, 2016
The book High Stakes by Nicole O'Dell tells the story of two best friends and how much you can really do for a person. The problem the characters encountered were when Amber, one of the best friends, cheated on her final exam to win a prize, a brand new car. Brittany is blamed for it and now Amber doesn't know whether to let her best friend take the fall or admit that she cheated and face the consequence. The best part of the book is when God accepts her apology and forgives Amber for her sins. I would recommend this book to children who love religious books and to people who don't know how to make a hard decision. I could definitely relate to the pain and guilt that Amber was going through. I recommend this book again for anyone who just wants a good book to pick up for no reason.
The book Essence of Lily by Nicole O'Dell is about knowing when to stop before the border line. In this book, a girl named Lily Armstrong would do anything she could just to sneak away with her Boyfriend Jason for a day. It soon became making up "youth' activities just to see him. This book is a little more personal than the first so read if you want. The problems the characters had tog o through was when Lily had to decide if she wanted to go further with Jason. Further as in "sleeping or hooking up" with him. The best part of the book was when Lily's parents went out of town. Jason has convinced Lily to lie to her parents about a church overnighter and now what will she do? Will she let things go far? Or no? You'll have to find out. I recommend this book for mature kids.
The book Essence of Lily by Nicole O'Dell is about knowing when to stop before the border line. In this book, a girl named Lily Armstrong would do anything she could just to sneak away with her Boyfriend Jason for a day. It soon became making up "youth' activities just to see him. This book is a little more personal than the first so read if you want. The problems the characters had tog o through was when Lily had to decide if she wanted to go further with Jason. Further as in "sleeping or hooking up" with him. The best part of the book was when Lily's parents went out of town. Jason has convinced Lily to lie to her parents about a church overnighter and now what will she do? Will she let things go far? Or no? You'll have to find out. I recommend this book for mature kids.
June 7, 2011
One of the things I loved about these books is the way you got to choose at the end of the book what the main character would do. I read the "wrong" choice first and then went back and read the right one. It's easy to say you would choose the right path when you aren't in the middle of it. But part of making the right choices is knowing how you would want to react before you have to make the choice. I think these books help with that process. If we know how we want to react to something ahead of time then when it comes up we don't have to struggle so much back and forth trying to figure out what we ought to do.
These are books that preteens and teens will enjoy and can relate to. It was nice to go back into that way of thinking because I have a young preteen that could be dealing with some of these very issues in the near future. I want her to be prepared with her answer before she has to make the decision.
The "wrong" choices led to some pretty hard consequences. But with Christ at the center of their redemption it showed how even when you make mistakes and have to live with the consequences there is life after those mistakes. You can still make the right choices and move on with your life. And it can be a good life even if it isn't the one you had planned before you made those mistakes. That is a good lesson for our preteens and teens, but also for us.
These are books that preteens and teens will enjoy and can relate to. It was nice to go back into that way of thinking because I have a young preteen that could be dealing with some of these very issues in the near future. I want her to be prepared with her answer before she has to make the decision.
The "wrong" choices led to some pretty hard consequences. But with Christ at the center of their redemption it showed how even when you make mistakes and have to live with the consequences there is life after those mistakes. You can still make the right choices and move on with your life. And it can be a good life even if it isn't the one you had planned before you made those mistakes. That is a good lesson for our preteens and teens, but also for us.
April 24, 2011
In Swept Away by Nicole O’Dell, you not only get two great stories in one, you also get to choose the ending for each. How fun and educational is that? I loved the concept of picking your own scenario, but what I hadn’t expected is the desire to read the other after you’d already made your decision.
O’Dell does a wonderful job in creating teenage characters with real life situations. Each story provides the reader with two choices and to discover the consequences of their decision. Both stories are perfect for pre and young teens.
In High Stakes, two best friends, Amber and Brittany are presented with a contest that puts their friendship to the ultimate test. When Amber is faced with the possibility for winning something she feels she deserves more than her friend, she puts their friendship and what’s right on the line, and her lack of faith in God is evident in the decision she makes.
In Essence of Lily, running from her unhappy home life, Lily makes a decision that could ultimately change her life forever. She soon learns life’s lesson that God is the only one that can fulfill the empty whole in one’s heart, and that lying and our choices can lead us into situations we find difficult to get out of, and could ultimately change our lives forever.
O’Dell does a wonderful job in creating teenage characters with real life situations. Each story provides the reader with two choices and to discover the consequences of their decision. Both stories are perfect for pre and young teens.
In High Stakes, two best friends, Amber and Brittany are presented with a contest that puts their friendship to the ultimate test. When Amber is faced with the possibility for winning something she feels she deserves more than her friend, she puts their friendship and what’s right on the line, and her lack of faith in God is evident in the decision she makes.
In Essence of Lily, running from her unhappy home life, Lily makes a decision that could ultimately change her life forever. She soon learns life’s lesson that God is the only one that can fulfill the empty whole in one’s heart, and that lying and our choices can lead us into situations we find difficult to get out of, and could ultimately change our lives forever.
April 4, 2011
I had already reviewed one of the other books in this series, Dare To Be Different.
Once again, even though it is touted as being interactive, the only interactive part is at the end of each story. You get to choose how they end. It would have been nice if you could have picked along the way so you can see how different decisions can affect things differently.
Even though this book is geared towards tweens, I felt that it might have been more towards actual teenagers. One of the two stories deals with premarital sex and how you get pressured into having it.
The lead characters are written in a way that the readers can identify themselves within them. It makes it easier to put yourself into the shoes of the character and try to figure your own way through the story.
These are definitely wonderful learning tools that can open up a dialogue on difficult subjects.
In conjunction with the Wakela's World Disclosure Statement, I received a product in order to enable my review. No other compensation has been received. My statements are an honest account of my experience with the brand. The opinions stated here are mine alone.
Once again, even though it is touted as being interactive, the only interactive part is at the end of each story. You get to choose how they end. It would have been nice if you could have picked along the way so you can see how different decisions can affect things differently.
Even though this book is geared towards tweens, I felt that it might have been more towards actual teenagers. One of the two stories deals with premarital sex and how you get pressured into having it.
The lead characters are written in a way that the readers can identify themselves within them. It makes it easier to put yourself into the shoes of the character and try to figure your own way through the story.
These are definitely wonderful learning tools that can open up a dialogue on difficult subjects.
In conjunction with the Wakela's World Disclosure Statement, I received a product in order to enable my review. No other compensation has been received. My statements are an honest account of my experience with the brand. The opinions stated here are mine alone.
April 12, 2011
I loved [Swept Away] and can hardly wait to get it into my granddaughter’s hands. It is so important for young girls to be able to read these books and see their options, BEFORE they are faced with the real issues in life. I believe reading the books will greatly influence their personal decisions and possibly divert them from a lot of hurt they might have experienced had they not read of consequences others had to deal with and the rewards received due to making good decisions. These books are a way of planting good seeds in their minds to prepare them for more joy and success in their futures and who of us do not want to do that for our loved ones?
I have thoroughly enjoyed the six books I have read of Nicole's, even though I am older. I have learned things from them as well. I look forward to her next endeavors.
April 15, 2011
You can't beat two books for the price of one, unless those two books are amazing stories of realistic teen drama. In High Stakes, ride along with Amber as she decides whether or not to fess up to cheating on her finals. Only you get to decide if she chooses to save her friend or save herself. Nicole O'Dell spins an interactive tale with two endings to choose from. Each with their own unique consequences and blessings.
In Essence of Lilly, you get to chose how far is too far for Lilly when she is faced with the decision to spend an overnighter with Jason, her boyfriend. Either choice will put you face to face with a real decision facing many teens today.
Nicole weaves identifiable characters into moral dilemmas with skill and knack. Her stories are easy to read and creative in their delivery. Pure entertainment with a life lesson tucked inside.
In Essence of Lilly, you get to chose how far is too far for Lilly when she is faced with the decision to spend an overnighter with Jason, her boyfriend. Either choice will put you face to face with a real decision facing many teens today.
Nicole weaves identifiable characters into moral dilemmas with skill and knack. Her stories are easy to read and creative in their delivery. Pure entertainment with a life lesson tucked inside.
May 17, 2011
This book has two book in one. While both books were different, both books taught good morals. And that is something you don't see in books often. I like how you can read these book and not only get to choose what paths the characters take, but you get a life lesson out of it.
The first book was based on cheating, Should you come clean or let your best friend take the fall for it. As always, I take as many paths as I can take to see the different outcomes. I was pleasantly surprised how pleased it all turn out. It had a happy ending with things coming out right.
The second book was based on having faith in God. Not all things work out and sometimes you must pray and wait. Not every family perfect either. We all make mistakes and we all do things that we regret. Remember: a family that prays together, stays together.
The first book was based on cheating, Should you come clean or let your best friend take the fall for it. As always, I take as many paths as I can take to see the different outcomes. I was pleasantly surprised how pleased it all turn out. It had a happy ending with things coming out right.
The second book was based on having faith in God. Not all things work out and sometimes you must pray and wait. Not every family perfect either. We all make mistakes and we all do things that we regret. Remember: a family that prays together, stays together.
June 21, 2011
This series is an amazing tool for opening dialogue with teen girls about serious moral issues and their repercussions. It provides the opportunity to "choose their own ending" in response to a moral dilemma. My daughter can't wait to get her hands on these books, and I welcome the opportunity to have discussion with her over the dilemmas presented. This volume discusses cheating on schoolwork/lying and pre-marital sex/purity. The books do a great job of showing that although all decisions have consequences, God can work with us where we are, even when we make mistakes. Excellent choice for pre-teens/teens. Read it with them and discuss! Thanks Nicole for another great tool!
April 2, 2011
Now, of the three of these two books in one volumes, I must say that I liked this one the best. It was closest in age to me, so that's probably why I liked it so much. The first book in this 2-in-1 deals with cheating and honesty--also loyalty between friends. It is a totally believable story and I felt like it could have been anyone I know. The second book in this volume deals with pre-marital sex. The story was perfect--just the way real teen relationships go. The choice endings in both stories really let me feel like I was living it out. I'd recommend this book to teens ages 12-18.
April 7, 2011
Nicole O'Dell captures the angst of teenage girls beautifully. She creates very real, likable young girls, with true-to-life dilemmas to face. A great read for teenage girls everywhere. The alternate endings are a fresh approach. I love the fact that when the girls make the wrong choice, there are consequences, but the reader is assured that all is not lost. There is still forgiveness, and hope. I wish these books were around when my daughter was a teen! I plan to pass Swept Away down to my teenage nieces, and I look forward to reading more of the series!
June 10, 2015
I loved this book soooooo much! I went to the Dollar Store near my house one day, and I saw it there sitting on the shelf and I felt like it was calling my name, so I bought it XD I. Could. Not. Put. IT. Down. So I didn't XD and I finished it in a matter of hours :P The next time I went to the dollar store, there were two other books by Nicole O'Dell "Risky Business" and "Dare to be Different", so I bought them XD I loved the all equally, and I highly recommend any one of her books. Go. Read. NOW! XD
November 29, 2012
okay this is an amazing book! i am serious i am in love with it. i have read it 2 times now :D Nicole O`Dell is one of my fav authors and always will be. she is awesome. This 2 in 1 book and the whole series helps christian teens and tweens make good decisions i absolutely love them! i would so recommend it! :D
October 27, 2012
THis was a good book with a great story line. I enjoyed the characters adn was pulled into the book. The plot was good and showed good taste and morals. I love a book that makes me feel like the people really care about what happnes to each other.
November 9, 2010
Christian fiction presenting moral dilemmas presented in a way that is reminiscent of choose-your-own-adventures. Review to come.
July 26, 2011
It was pretty good i think magna is still my favorite out of the series.
July 23, 2011
As well as the other books this author has written, this book was really good!
July 1, 2014
It was free.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews