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Paradise Lost (Private #9)

4.12 of 5 stars 4.12 · rating details · 3,465 ratings · 132 reviews

Paradise awaits....

Now that Cheyenne's murderer has been revealed and Reed knows the truth about who's been stalking her, she's ready to leave the heartache and turmoil of last semester behind. And what better way to recover than a five-star Caribbean vacation?

Reed is reunited with former Billings Girls Kiran and Taylor, and she and her friends take over the exclusive isl...more

Paperback, 243 pages

Published February 24th 2009 by Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers

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Nov 06, 2012 Jennifer Wardrip rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: trt-posted-reviews

Reviewed by Jaglvr for TeensReadToo.com

With the debacle of Sabine finally behind her, Reed finally hopes that life at Easton will quiet down. People are starting to talk about her having a bad vibe around her. Bad luck happens to those that come close to Reed. For now, Josh is sitting beside Ivy's hospital bed. When Josh saved Reed from the bullet, it hit Ivy, instead.

With Christmas break looming, Reed can't face going home to Pennsylvania. She knows she will be hounded by the news after the la...more Reviewed by Jaglvr for TeensReadToo.com

With the debacle of Sabine finally behind her, Reed finally hopes that life at Easton will quiet down. People are starting to talk about her having a bad vibe around her. Bad luck happens to those that come close to Reed. For now, Josh is sitting beside Ivy's hospital bed. When Josh saved Reed from the bullet, it hit Ivy, instead.

With Christmas break looming, Reed can't face going home to Pennsylvania. She knows she will be hounded by the news after the latest drama at school. It's Noelle who comes to Reed's rescue. She invites Reed to holiday on St. Barth's (yes, this is how it's spelled in the story) with the rest of her family and a small private group. At first Reed hesitates, knowing she can't afford to go. But Noelle insists, and Reed's spirits soar. She's accepted by the Billings girls again, and she'll get to see Kiran and Taylor at long last.

Arriving on the island, Reed gets caught up in the island spirit. Kiran will not take no for an answer when she insists on outfitting Reed for the holiday. Kiran has a company account to shop and spend, so how can Reed say no?

Reed quickly learns of the "Upton Game." The game is simple. Who will be the first to kiss Upton this year? Upton Giles is apparently the most gorgeous, sought after guy on the island. Even Noelle finds him attractive. Reed is intrigued but vows to avoid all boy complications on this holiday. Nothing will make her happier than lying in the sun getting a tan and hanging out with her friends.

But once Reed lays eyes on the infamous Upton, she understands the infatuation with him. He is truly the most spectacular guy she's ever seen. But she still insists she wants no part of the game. The holiday gets hard for Reed though, because Upton has noticed her and also doesn't take no for an answer.

Will Reed be able to resist Upton's advances? Will there be rivalries for Upton's affections? Will the introduction of some new characters (mainly Poppy) wreak more havoc in Reed's life?

Ms. Brian takes a simple pleasure of a vacation holiday and turns it into a crazy, adventurous getaway. For fans of the PRIVATE series, PARADISE LOST almost feels like a holiday, as well. Removed from the boarding school setting, PARADISE LOST is a guilty pleasure that everyone will enjoy.

But, if you're like me, I can't wait to have Reed return to Easton Academy and Billings and find out what happens next!

(less)

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Feb 18, 2011 Maddie :) rated it 4 of 5 stars

This book was excellent. It was about the begining of Reed's vacation the the all exclusive St. Barths! She is swept away by the all lovely guy named Upton Giles. He is the hottest male at the beach and all the girls are falling for him and it just so happens that Reed gets him! But she doesn't need to worry about the other girls tryin gto steal him because she needs to worry about keeping herself safe.
I liked this book because it was really romantic and the author, Kate Brian, was very descri...more

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Jul 24, 2009 Shonda rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: read-2009

It’s winter break and Reed, her friends and their families head to St. Barths to spend the holidays. The students are still in shock after the latest tragic events on Easton’s campus. Reed agrees to the trip as an attempt to move forward. While vacationing, she meets Upton, despite feeling reluctant about dating again, she soon finds herself falling for him. Once again, Reed finds herself surrounded by drama, jealousy and mystery.

Although I thought Paradise Lost was a quick read, it wasn’t a fav...more

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Jun 17, 2009 Ashley rated it 3 of 5 stars Recommends it for: 13 - 16

This book had a very slow start to it. If you have read all the others as I have you know that Reed has had her fair share of drama, love, happiness, self pride and much more. In this book though, Upton was a boy Red meets and likes though she does not want to admit it. I think the ending was capturing and it really made me want to read the next book, at first I thought Kate Brian had let me down but, she never lets me down and she didn't that time either. I would give it a 3/5 though for its sl...more

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May 05, 2009 Lena rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: junioryear

This is the ninth book of the Private Series, which is one my of favorite series I have read. At first by reading the blurb, and the ending I received from the previous book, I thought the next book would be somewhat like the previous few, but it is a little bit different. I did enjoy this book and it was entertaining to read. It wasn't like a book where things were obvious which I hate. I hated how the book ended because the ending of the book left me hanging and since this book just came out,...more

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May 03, 2009 Noemi claudine rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: 7th-grade-ir-books-jen

In this book Reed gets back into Billings and is invited to go to Saint Barth’s with all her friends. She is having such a great time. Then she starts to fall for Upton, said to be the most beautiful boy to ever step foot on earth. But Upton has a reputation of being a player. Then he breaks her heart. She also finds out that she has a stalker. AGAIN. But when she returns to school nothing will be the same..
I think this is very much like the 5 the book in the series. It’s all about having fun w...more

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Mar 31, 2009 Chelsea Foster rated it 4 of 5 stars

Paradise Lost, by Kate Brian, is book nine of the Private series, my favorite series of all time, but I was not that impressed with this book. You see, The Private Series is a romance/murder mystery series that I have been reading since I was 12. I buy the new book the day it comes out, I read Kate Brian's blog for updates, I am pretty much addicted to this series and expect to be highly entertained with every book. I hate to say it, but I was disappointed with this one.
These books have all bee...more

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Feb 28, 2009 Katie rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: own

Reed Brennan is a magnet for trouble. It seems that everywhere she goes murder and mayhem follow. After the revelation at Kiran's pre-birthday bash, the Billings girls decide that maybe they should leave Easton a little early for their holiday plans.

The Billings girls, along with Gage, Dash, and a few others head to St.Barth's for Christmas break. Reed is the only newcomer to the islands so the girls decide to introduce her to their favorite pastime,the Upton Game. Upton Giles is labeled the hot...more

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Jun 23, 2011 Destiny rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: the-private-series

I thought this was an okay addition to the Private series. After the reveal of the Cheyenne's murderer in the previous novel, I was really looking forward to this one. I mean, I was really excited for it, after the cliffhanger at the end of Revelations. (view spoiler)...more

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May 03, 2009 Marian rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2009, private-series, readit

Two things really stand out for me in Paradise Lost.

One- Reed no longer makes me want to whack my head against the nearest desk or wall. I don't know if she's finally maturing or if it's just something that happens once you take her out of the immediate setting of Easton, but whatever it is, I approve.

Two- The writing style is off and is only really noticable when certain phrases are spoken by characters who really, really wouldn't say them. I'm not entirely sure how to explain it other than to...more

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May 20, 2010 Kari Anderson rated it 4 of 5 stars

We finally know who killed Cheyenne Martin and it’s time to get a little R&R. So instead of going home for Christmas, where Noelle points out Reed will be mobbed by the media, they all are going Carribean. This is a Christmas tradition for Noelle and the gang, but Reed isn’t sure what to expect.

We see a lot of old faces on the island including Kiran and Taylor, Amberly and Tiffany. We also meet new, gorgeous ones including the Ryan twins, Sawyer, Poppy and the most beautiful man alive, Upton...more

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Oct 15, 2009 PurplyCookie rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: book-series, bitch-lit, guilty-pleasure, young-adult, boarding-school, revenge

Reed reunites with Taylor and Kiran and meets old Billings girls on the island. She even meets Upton, a hot guy who, though every girl on the island is after him (as they play the "Upton Game" of their childhood days), seems to have the hots for no one but her. But Reed is unable to escape her past. Even in paradise, she is stalked and threatened, and meets a flock of new enemies that would prove to be as dangerous as Ariana and Sabine.

From a writer's point of view, it's hard to keep a reader's...more

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Apr 10, 2011 Janelle Dazzlepants rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: chick-lit, mystery, young-adult, murder-mystery, whodunnit

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. Finally we get a book set outside Easton! Just when I thought I couldn't handle another year at Easton, Kate Brian gives us a book entirely set in St. Barths. :D

I really didn't see the change of location coming at all, but it was a welcome change nonetheless. The new setting completely changes the dynamic, making for a much more relaxed and less emotionally exhausting text - you can practically feel how laid back everyone is! The new setting also paved the way for the introduction of a whole hos...more Finally we get a book set outside Easton! Just when I thought I couldn't handle another year at Easton, Kate Brian gives us a book entirely set in St. Barths. :D

I really didn't see the change of location coming at all, but it was a welcome change nonetheless. The new setting completely changes the dynamic, making for a much more relaxed and less emotionally exhausting text - you can practically feel how laid back everyone is! The new setting also paved the way for the introduction of a whole host of new characters. If this book had been set at Easton the whole series could've easily stagnated, because there's only so much you can do in the school setting with this small group of characters. And if the author had randomly decided to have all these new students come to Easton, that just wouldn't have worked. I think the change of scenery was a wise choice on the part of the author, and a welcome decision on the part of the readers.

This is the Private series though, and this is Reed we're talking about, so of course she still manages to get stalked and nearly murdered while she's in paradise. I loved the drama with Ariana and Sabine, but why is Poppy the only one to notice that Reed inevitably leaves a trail of disaster and death in her wake? How is it that her boyfriend is dead, her dorm-mate is dead, and two people have tried to kill her? I should feel sorry for her and her awful luck, but instead I'm more frustrated and aggravated. Having someone stalking or trying to murder Reed every semester is getting a little old.

Regardless, I am intrigued to find out who's stalking Reed this time. Despite how much Noelle and the girls try to convince Reed that she's just being paranoid, I don't buy it. The spooking of the horse was suspicious enough, then came the tampering with the jetski, the mysterious figure in the photo and the grand finale, someone attacking and pushing Reed off the boat. The simple answer is Poppy since she's definitely pissed at Reed for stealing Upton, but I think (or hope!) it's a little more complicated than that. The Ryans are acting bizarre and Mrs. Ryan's hatred for Reed seems unfounded and irrational.

I also think it may have something to do with Jen Hathaway and her death. The girls only found out she was dead when they asked after her on the island, and the explanation about her death was conveniently interrupted. Noelle's dad and Mr. Hathaway are also acting bizarre and evading questions, when they're ~supposedly only talking about the open headmaster position at Easton. Upton also skeeves me out and I don't buy his omg-I-used-to-be-a-player-but-now-I-only-have-eyes-for-you-Reed act, but I doubt he's secretly trying to kill her.

Overall: Paradise Lost features a welcome change of scenery, leaving behind the stifling, oppressive air of Easton for the cool, calming ocean air of St. Barths. We're also introduced to a whole host of new characters, opening up the floor for new relationships and new drama. Reed's ability to attract stalkers and murderers at every turn is getting old though, and you may find yourself headdesking as she continues to be tormented in the Caribbean. (less)

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Jun 13, 2009 Telka rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: 7th-grade-ir-books-deborah

After all the drama at Easton Academy, Reed feels much better. Especially now that she knows who the killer is. But meanwhile she is worrying about Ivy and Josh. Stressed out about everything, Reed starts to pack her bags, heading home to Pennsylvania for Christmas, until Noelle persuades her to come to a carribiean island with her. On the island, Reed feels the best she ever felt in ages. With Upton Giles, the hottest male on the planet, and her BFFS, she has the best Christmas ever.....until...more

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Jan 02, 2010 Justine Sof2014 rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: grade-8-ir-books-nicole

It’s winter break and Reed, her friends and their families head to St. Barths to spend the holidays. The students are still in shock after the latest tragic events on Easton’s campus. Reed agrees to the trip as an attempt to move forward. While on vacation, she meets a guy named Upton, despite feeling reluctant about dating again, she soon finds herself falling for him. Once again, Reed finds herself surrounded by drama, jealousy and mystery.

I can connect to this book whenever I'm alone I would...more

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Feb 28, 2009 Maggie rated it 3 of 5 stars

ehh it's ok totally liked reed better when she was with josh

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Oct 11, 2009 Vivian Luo rated it 3 of 5 stars

i love that kiran and taylor are in this book!
but upton... i don't really like him, and how reed cant stop marvelling about his hotness! i like josh and besides i don't get how upton seems to be 'falling in love' with reed when he's been a player all his life! it just seems unbelieveable and his character is pretty two-dimensional.
and i think it started from revelation but i started getting really annoyed at reed's character! How she wants to be in billings so much and looks up to all the othe...more

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Feb 28, 2011 Sarah-J. rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: 12-17-ans, english, chick-lit, young-adult

Kate Brian, Paradise Lost, 243 pages, Simon & Schuster, 2009

Cette année, Reed passera le temps des fêtes avec Noelle sur une ile paradisiaque des Caraïbes. Depuis qu'ils sont jeunes, plusieurs élèves de Easton s'y retrouvent à chaque année. Fêtes, plage et alcool sont bien sûr au rendez-vous... Mais également le fameux Upton Game qui consiste à séduire le beau Upton Gilles. Toutes les filles sont prêtes à mettre le grappin dessus. Mais à quel prix?

Même si l'histoire se passe à l'extérieur d'...more

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Feb 08, 2011 Giselle rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: contemporary

Why always the cliffhanger ending? Why?? :)

This was different from the rest as it doesn't happen at Easton, but at St. Barths with Noelle and a few others over Christmas break. It wasn't as good as the previous books in my opinion. It had a slow start and I didn't like how Reed was treated by a lot of the girls and especially Mrs Ryan. What's up her butt anyways? I also found that no loose ends were tied. There was the blur/stalker, the weird Ryan family, Poppy's disappearance, nothing was solve...more

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Apr 22, 2013 Merary rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: ya, mystery-and-or-murder, backstabbing-fun, mean-girls, activate-insta-love, oh-no-that-didn-t-just-happen, boarding-schools, guilty-pleasures, chick-lit, rich-and-or-famous, boring-bland-main-characters, i-was-expecting-better

After the reveal of Cheyenne's murderer and an unfortunate victim of the murderer getting hospitalized, Reed Brennan just wants to get a break from all this drama.
And what better place to relax than the Caribbeans?

Reed and the Billing girls spend their vacation getting into the best clubs, going to expensive yachts, sunbathing on white-sand beaches, and roasting marshmallows on an open fire while Noelle tells a story about that time she killed a dog because it pleased her.
Okay, the last one is...more

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Mar 10, 2009 Ella Perkins rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: 7th-grade-ir-books-deb-sadok

Reed was not a typical girl. After everything that happened to her you’d think that a vacation would be good. But sometimes good isn’t good for everybody. When they go on a Caribbean vacation, everything goes wrong. Like when your there you should have fun but when new boy she thinks is gorgeous and her friends and suddenly enemies that’s when conflicts occur.

I can make a text to self-connection because when I went to summer sleep away camp I thought that every thing would b good. Bt when I got...more

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Jun 18, 2009 Tiny Pants rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: fiction, young-adult, series

After the cliffhanger ending of the 8th book, I was REALLY excited for this one -- but it was a bit of a let-down. I read the back of the book, which I should NOT have done as that alone provided too much resolution (and I HATE having anything spoiled for me!). But of course, I plowed on anyway, 'cause I've enjoyed most of the other entries in this series quite a bit.

This one though? Eh. I've never liked Reed, and she's not growing on me here. The whole "she's the only one who doesn't try or kno...more

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Oct 11, 2010 Angelia Fransisca Rusli rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: ya

Uh-kay, so Paradise Lost is definitely not the best book in the Private series.

I've never liked a vacation books & after the whole Cheyenne incident, Noelle invited Reed to St Barths to spend Christmas there with her family & others.

Reed found a new love interest & he just happens to be the hottest guy ever - even hotter than Dash. There are so many new secondary characters here, most of them I kinda disliked. I kinda like Sawyer's character, though. Like, he's totally gonna share s...more

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Oct 27, 2010 raiza rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: young-adult

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

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Oct 27, 2009 Stef rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: grade-8-ir-books-chris

Were going to St.Bart! Billings Girls go on vaction to Saint Barts. Josh Reed and Ivy are still all together. While Ivy and Reed's friendship is progessing someone met a new lover in St.Barts but who is that someone. That is Reed who is loving Uption. The internal conflict is who should Reed love. The external conflict is whether Reed should have do stuff with Uption and unsure if she should tell Ivy and Josh because she feels guilty yet again they wont found out another way.
I can connect to t...more

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Apr 28, 2010 Karlie Morris rated it 5 of 5 stars

This is one of my favorite books of all time! I just love this series. It's a drama but it always has a lot of mystery considering there are crimes committed all the time. The one thing I really like about this author is that I never want to put her books down because there is something exciting happening on each and every page! I would suggest this book to any girl who loves murder mysteries but also likes shows like gossip girl! My favorite character would have to be Reed because she is so dow...more

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Nov 02, 2011 Angela rated it 2 of 5 stars

Ok seriously!? ANOTHER perfect guy loves Reed?
My friends and I have decided that she is similar to Bella from Twilight. She seems to have very little personality, is guy obsessed, and yet someone all of the guys love her. She's plain and yet somehow she gets everything she wants and the guys cant' stop drooling around her. She comes from an area where she is unnoticed to a new area and it's like shes a drug. (not intending to quote Twlight) Sorry for a rant, but it's starting to irritate me.
Just...more

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Jan 06, 2011 Meghan Agar rated it 5 of 5 stars

I have recently become very interested in the Private series by Kate Brian. Her writing is AMAZING, and she is my new favorite author.

This book is about Reed, the main character, and her friends going to this island for Christmas break. There is also a few extra people, it's like a tradition for this group to go down every year. While on the island Reed gets involved with Upton, the star of the "Upton game", whoever "hooks up" with him first, wins. At first Reed isn't in it, but then she see'...more

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Jun 09, 2012 Andrea rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: teen-fiction-series, series-started

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

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Jan 17, 2010 Christine rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: grade-8-ir-books-sam

It’s winter break and Reed had been trying to get over the things that happen in the past, her friends recommended Reed to go on a vacation to St Barths with them. The Easton's students are still in shock about the tragedies that happened on Easton’s campus. Reed agrees to the trip as an attempt to move forward. While vacationing, her former best friends Noelle,Kiran,and Taylor were playing the Upton game. Upton was some guy who have a whole amount of crushes. As Noelle, and Taylor describe the...more

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About Kate Brian

Kate Brian is the prolific author of many books for teens including the Private series, the new Privilege series, and Sweet 16. She lives with her husband in New Jersey. She writes under the pseudonym Kate Brian, instead of using her real name: Kieran Scott.

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Paradise Lost (Private #9)

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