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Sweet Valley High #45
Family Secrets
See no evil...Elizabeth and Jessica Wakefield are thrilled when their cousin Kelly Bates arrives in Sweet Valley. Kelly's mother is planning to remarry and hopes that living with the Wakefields for a while will prepare Kelly for life with a new stepfather and two stepbrothers.As soon as Kelly arrives she shocks her cousins by going out with troublemaker Kirk Anderson. Then she announces her plans to stay in Sweet Valley and live with her father. She says he's the perfect dad, but that's not the way it looks to the twins. Their cousin seems to have a blind spot when it comes to her father, as well as to Kirk. Will Kelly find out what's keeping her from seeing the truth?
101 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 1, 1988
35 people are currently reading
389 people want to read
About the author
Francine Pascal
1,139 books1,850 followersFrancine Paula Pascal was an American author best known for her Sweet Valley series of young adult novels. Sweet Valley High, the backbone of the collection, was made into a television series, which led to several spin-offs, including The Unicorn Club and Sweet Valley University. Although most of these books were published in the 1980s and 1990s, they remained so popular that several titles were re-released decades later.
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
January 4, 2022
So Kelly Bates, the twins' cousin who just so happens to look like a Wakefield triplet (Note the creepy cover) is staying at the Wakefield residence for a prolonged visit while her mom gets ready for her new husband and his 2 sons to move in. (Eww, 2 new stepbrothers!!)
Kelly sees her dad through the proverbial rose-colored glasses, blaming her mom for divorcing him and upending her life. Little does Kelly know that her dad was and IS an irascible scoundrel, a liar and a big cheat...her mom just didnt have the heart to poison Kelly's view of him by telling her why she left him.
Welllll, after a few days in town, whaddya know....Kelly falls for "Kirk the Jerk" Anderson who ALSO happens to be--YUP--an irascible scoundrel, a liar and a big cheat. But just like with her dad and all his empty promises, Kelly continues to turn a blind eye and make all the incessant excuses for Kirk. That is, until he completely loses his shit when Kelly refuses to put out and starts screaming and throwing beer bottles and Kelly runs off, completely traumatized.
I dunno, this was a bit of a sad tale for me, of being failed by your family...of a damaging legacy left by a fucked up blueprint of what relationships look like...of MEN WHO ARE IRASCIBLE SCOUNDRELS, LIARS AND BIG CHEATS.
You're probably thinking "Chill the eff out, Grace, it's only Sweet Valley High, not Wurthering Heights for pete's sake!" And I would concur and nod solemnly and blink back tears before booking my next therapist appointment 😭😭😭
3 out of 5 lame-o excuses why "Kirk the Jerk" stood you up again last night. GIRLFRAND. YOU ARE WORTH MORE THAN THIS. Kick this doucebag to the curb and lemme give you the number to a really great therapist...I think after this you're gonna need one. ❤❤
Kelly sees her dad through the proverbial rose-colored glasses, blaming her mom for divorcing him and upending her life. Little does Kelly know that her dad was and IS an irascible scoundrel, a liar and a big cheat...her mom just didnt have the heart to poison Kelly's view of him by telling her why she left him.
Welllll, after a few days in town, whaddya know....Kelly falls for "Kirk the Jerk" Anderson who ALSO happens to be--YUP--an irascible scoundrel, a liar and a big cheat. But just like with her dad and all his empty promises, Kelly continues to turn a blind eye and make all the incessant excuses for Kirk. That is, until he completely loses his shit when Kelly refuses to put out and starts screaming and throwing beer bottles and Kelly runs off, completely traumatized.
I dunno, this was a bit of a sad tale for me, of being failed by your family...of a damaging legacy left by a fucked up blueprint of what relationships look like...of MEN WHO ARE IRASCIBLE SCOUNDRELS, LIARS AND BIG CHEATS.
You're probably thinking "Chill the eff out, Grace, it's only Sweet Valley High, not Wurthering Heights for pete's sake!" And I would concur and nod solemnly and blink back tears before booking my next therapist appointment 😭😭😭
3 out of 5 lame-o excuses why "Kirk the Jerk" stood you up again last night. GIRLFRAND. YOU ARE WORTH MORE THAN THIS. Kick this doucebag to the curb and lemme give you the number to a really great therapist...I think after this you're gonna need one. ❤❤
July 14, 2017
Source: Kindle Unlimited
Title: Family Secrets
Series: Sweet Valley High #45
Author: Francine Pascal // Kate William
The twins cousin Kelly is coming to stay with the for a bit because she's a spoilt only child of a divorced couple who idolises her absentee father and can't deal with the fact her new stepfather has two children. She looks like the twins which is something that is mentioned a lot throughout this book, and Kelly has suppressed memories of her "perfect" father being aggressive and borderline abusive towards her mother which causes her to have nightmares every night. I actually felt really sorry for Kelly in this book because she couldn't see anything wrong with her father coming to see her on her birthday for half an hour without a gift, or the fact that he wouldn't let her move in with him when times were tough. She even falls in love with a boy called Kirk Anderson who basically tries to sexually assault her at one stage and gets really angry when she says no.
This was definitely a lot darker than some of the previous books in this series as it actually dealt with some serious issues, but all ends well in Sweet Valley.
Title: Family Secrets
Series: Sweet Valley High #45
Author: Francine Pascal // Kate William
The twins cousin Kelly is coming to stay with the for a bit because she's a spoilt only child of a divorced couple who idolises her absentee father and can't deal with the fact her new stepfather has two children. She looks like the twins which is something that is mentioned a lot throughout this book, and Kelly has suppressed memories of her "perfect" father being aggressive and borderline abusive towards her mother which causes her to have nightmares every night. I actually felt really sorry for Kelly in this book because she couldn't see anything wrong with her father coming to see her on her birthday for half an hour without a gift, or the fact that he wouldn't let her move in with him when times were tough. She even falls in love with a boy called Kirk Anderson who basically tries to sexually assault her at one stage and gets really angry when she says no.
This was definitely a lot darker than some of the previous books in this series as it actually dealt with some serious issues, but all ends well in Sweet Valley.
May 24, 2020
2.5 stars
October 1, 2022
In which poor, dim-witted Kelly makes every excuse in the book for the deeply shitty dudes in her life.
September 4, 2015
Rereading the series again for fun!
December 19, 2024
Modern readers are judging this by modern standards and saying Kelly should have kicked Kirk to the kerb sooner and where's her girl power! As someone who actually grew up in an abusive household, I can tell you that's not how these things work. In fact, it's pretty impressive that Kelly blew him off when she did, and that her mother left her abusive father before the violence could extend to herself or her daughter, rather than him just smashing up their home. In reality, ESPECIALLY in the 80s, that would have gone on way longer, and he definitely would have started beating up his wife, if not his daughter.
It's important to remember this stuff was only just starting to be talked about, in those days. Even as I write this in 2022, women still end up in abusive relationships and still keep it secret and allow it to continue, partly out of shame (mentioned in this book) but also because as Kelly says about her father, 'I love him.' But as Tina Turner said, 'What's love got to do with it?'
The drama with Kirk is this book's simplified way of showing that daughters in such families often repeat the mistakes of the past and end up with guys just like their fathers. They don't usually wake up to it as quickly as she did, but in this case, I accept the Sweet Valley Instantaneous Epiphany because they had to get across the point that this stuff is not clear-cut but you DO have the power to set your boundaries and walk away.
Could the book have been a little more brutal and detailed for added realism? Sure. But then, it had reading age parameters to stick to. For what it is, I think it was a bold and important move back in its day. Looking back, I wish I'd read it as a child. Maybe I would have spoken up sooner about what was happening at home. I hope it inspired other girls to speak out and get the help they needed.
It's important to remember this stuff was only just starting to be talked about, in those days. Even as I write this in 2022, women still end up in abusive relationships and still keep it secret and allow it to continue, partly out of shame (mentioned in this book) but also because as Kelly says about her father, 'I love him.' But as Tina Turner said, 'What's love got to do with it?'
The drama with Kirk is this book's simplified way of showing that daughters in such families often repeat the mistakes of the past and end up with guys just like their fathers. They don't usually wake up to it as quickly as she did, but in this case, I accept the Sweet Valley Instantaneous Epiphany because they had to get across the point that this stuff is not clear-cut but you DO have the power to set your boundaries and walk away.
Could the book have been a little more brutal and detailed for added realism? Sure. But then, it had reading age parameters to stick to. For what it is, I think it was a bold and important move back in its day. Looking back, I wish I'd read it as a child. Maybe I would have spoken up sooner about what was happening at home. I hope it inspired other girls to speak out and get the help they needed.
March 2, 2025
Family Secrets (Sweet Valley High)
Jessica and Elizabeth’s cousin Kelly is coming to stay with them for a while. Her mother Laura (Alice’s sister) is remarrying and Kelly isn’t taking the adjustment to well. She still blames her mother for divorcing her father (Greg) years ago and moving them away from Sweet Valley. In Kelly’s eyes Greg can do no wrong, although the twin’s have heard he’s done horrible things (violent temper, affairs with other women, etc). But they’re forbidden to say anything about it to Kelly (at Laura’s insistence).
Kelly instantly decides she’s not going back to her mother on the flight there. Everyone at SVH is amazed at how much Kelly favors the twins. She’s an instant hit and makes friends easily. Since she’s always loved writing, Elizabeth introduces her to the Oracle’s staff, and Penny immediately gets her to write a expose from a stranger’s POV-although she’s really not a stranger-.
Elizabeth and Jessica introduce her to Nick Morrow who’s instantly attracted to her and invites her to be his date at a costume party at the country club. Just as charmed with him as Liz and Jess she accepts. He teases them that they should come as a famous trio.
While playing tennis Jess and Kelly run into Kirk and Kelly falls for him instantly and he asks her to go out with him. Liz -unlike Jess- keeps her opinions to herself. (Kirk thinks she’s the cousin that stood him up although DUH she probably doesn’t look anything like Ericka-the model-).
Kirk of course starts being a douche and picking her up late and disappearing when he’s with her with another girl. But Kelly is blind to all these signs right in her face that Kirk isn’t about ish. She’s having nightmares and that’s also something no one wants to talk to her about. As well as how much she brags about her father.
Her mother has been calling, but Kelly refuses to speak to her. She has it in her mind that once she sees her father, she’ll say that she wants him to move back to Sweet Valley and they can always be together. Only on her birthday her father gets there late, doesn’t bring a present, and then leaves after a few minutes. The twin’s brilliant gift to her-beach stuff-.
Elizabeth is starting to realize Kirk is a lot like Greg and Kelly is following in the same shoes as her mother (Laura). There are rumors that Kirk is seeing his old girlfriend again, but when Kelly tries to bring it up he brushes her off and gives her those ol Dre lines in “No More Lies” “You’re the only girl for me. Your special. No I love you.” So, she dismisses it because Kirk is so sweet. He would never lie to her. He’s probably just being there for an old friend. Yup with his piece being the main ingredient that’s “there for her”.
I’m kinda surprised she doesn’t confront the girl. So on the night of the party she slips away with him and too NOONE’s surprise he starts pushing up on her for sex. She of course tells him to take her home and he gets mad. He starts throwing a bottle at some rocks and yelling at her and she tells him to stop. But he’s an ass and doesn’t. He tries to get her to get in the car and she keeps walking -it’s the scene from Clueless- and he peels off.
A repressed memory surfaces of why her mother left her father. He was acting just like Kirk screaming and throwing dishes. Jean and Tom find her and bring her home. Laura arrives and she and Kelly talk it out. Kelly tells the twins she hasn’t been fair to her mom and is going home with her. She still loves her Dad but the memory has given her something to think about.
My Thoughts:
Ok do I think it’s a little bit creepy Nick keeps attaching himself to Wakefield’s? YES! But then after this I wouldn’t want anything to do with another one of them. All of em are bad news Nick and clearly not to bright. Nick Morrow is one of the *best* guys in this series in my opinion!
Jeffrey is .. well he’s *okay* but is it just me or do he and Elizabeth just feel kinda lack luster to anyone else? They do cutesy couple-ish things and are flirty in the books but there just isn’t any FIRE.
Kelly chooses Kirk whose a complete ass hole. He goes off to be with another woman while he’s WITH her. And then there’s Jessica who seems to be the only one with any sense because she does want him. But I wouldn’t choose her either for him because she’s so damn flighty that you know if a new handsome face appears in the Valley she’s more than likely get bored with him-although he’s everything she says she wants-and be over him quicker than you can match up two more people in this series. So they’re all really (REALLY) stupid! Then to dump the guy after the wounds from his sister’s death are still there. Yup the Wakefield women are gonna ruin Nick and have him batting for the other team. Sorry Nick! I’d date you in a heartbeat!
Then there was the mystery of what happened with Kelly’s dad. I was just a *lil* disappointed. There was all this build up and then we find out he yelled and threw some dishes. (Sighing) I mean. Not that violent behavior should be looked at lightly. Not to say that Laura shouldn’t have left. That *was* smart! You’d be surprised at how many women would have just stayed for years and years and years. However, I thought it was going to be something a little bit more dramatic.
Like maybe he got drunk and locked Kelly in small space to punish her. Or maybe she walked in on him with another woman when she was with Kelly as a kid. Or maybe he was physically abusive to either her or Kelly. So you see when your expecting something big like that and you get he threw some dishes around. Did he throw a dish at Laura? I kinda think there was more to the story that Laura kept out. But I guess we’ll never get the *real* story of what happened with Greg and Laura.
And did anyone else think that the “business meeting” he had was probably with another woman It was interesting how they tied Kelly’s bad taste in men to a man that was similar to her father. When Elizabeth pointed that out it was like OH YEAH! I see it. Kinda glad she went with her mom. Two identical Wakefield’s in this series is ENOUGH!
Rating: 5
Jessica and Elizabeth’s cousin Kelly is coming to stay with them for a while. Her mother Laura (Alice’s sister) is remarrying and Kelly isn’t taking the adjustment to well. She still blames her mother for divorcing her father (Greg) years ago and moving them away from Sweet Valley. In Kelly’s eyes Greg can do no wrong, although the twin’s have heard he’s done horrible things (violent temper, affairs with other women, etc). But they’re forbidden to say anything about it to Kelly (at Laura’s insistence).
Kelly instantly decides she’s not going back to her mother on the flight there. Everyone at SVH is amazed at how much Kelly favors the twins. She’s an instant hit and makes friends easily. Since she’s always loved writing, Elizabeth introduces her to the Oracle’s staff, and Penny immediately gets her to write a expose from a stranger’s POV-although she’s really not a stranger-.
Elizabeth and Jessica introduce her to Nick Morrow who’s instantly attracted to her and invites her to be his date at a costume party at the country club. Just as charmed with him as Liz and Jess she accepts. He teases them that they should come as a famous trio.
While playing tennis Jess and Kelly run into Kirk and Kelly falls for him instantly and he asks her to go out with him. Liz -unlike Jess- keeps her opinions to herself. (Kirk thinks she’s the cousin that stood him up although DUH she probably doesn’t look anything like Ericka-the model-).
Kirk of course starts being a douche and picking her up late and disappearing when he’s with her with another girl. But Kelly is blind to all these signs right in her face that Kirk isn’t about ish. She’s having nightmares and that’s also something no one wants to talk to her about. As well as how much she brags about her father.
Her mother has been calling, but Kelly refuses to speak to her. She has it in her mind that once she sees her father, she’ll say that she wants him to move back to Sweet Valley and they can always be together. Only on her birthday her father gets there late, doesn’t bring a present, and then leaves after a few minutes. The twin’s brilliant gift to her-beach stuff-.
Elizabeth is starting to realize Kirk is a lot like Greg and Kelly is following in the same shoes as her mother (Laura). There are rumors that Kirk is seeing his old girlfriend again, but when Kelly tries to bring it up he brushes her off and gives her those ol Dre lines in “No More Lies” “You’re the only girl for me. Your special. No I love you.” So, she dismisses it because Kirk is so sweet. He would never lie to her. He’s probably just being there for an old friend. Yup with his piece being the main ingredient that’s “there for her”.
I’m kinda surprised she doesn’t confront the girl. So on the night of the party she slips away with him and too NOONE’s surprise he starts pushing up on her for sex. She of course tells him to take her home and he gets mad. He starts throwing a bottle at some rocks and yelling at her and she tells him to stop. But he’s an ass and doesn’t. He tries to get her to get in the car and she keeps walking -it’s the scene from Clueless- and he peels off.
A repressed memory surfaces of why her mother left her father. He was acting just like Kirk screaming and throwing dishes. Jean and Tom find her and bring her home. Laura arrives and she and Kelly talk it out. Kelly tells the twins she hasn’t been fair to her mom and is going home with her. She still loves her Dad but the memory has given her something to think about.
My Thoughts:
Ok do I think it’s a little bit creepy Nick keeps attaching himself to Wakefield’s? YES! But then after this I wouldn’t want anything to do with another one of them. All of em are bad news Nick and clearly not to bright. Nick Morrow is one of the *best* guys in this series in my opinion!
Jeffrey is .. well he’s *okay* but is it just me or do he and Elizabeth just feel kinda lack luster to anyone else? They do cutesy couple-ish things and are flirty in the books but there just isn’t any FIRE.
Kelly chooses Kirk whose a complete ass hole. He goes off to be with another woman while he’s WITH her. And then there’s Jessica who seems to be the only one with any sense because she does want him. But I wouldn’t choose her either for him because she’s so damn flighty that you know if a new handsome face appears in the Valley she’s more than likely get bored with him-although he’s everything she says she wants-and be over him quicker than you can match up two more people in this series. So they’re all really (REALLY) stupid! Then to dump the guy after the wounds from his sister’s death are still there. Yup the Wakefield women are gonna ruin Nick and have him batting for the other team. Sorry Nick! I’d date you in a heartbeat!
Then there was the mystery of what happened with Kelly’s dad. I was just a *lil* disappointed. There was all this build up and then we find out he yelled and threw some dishes. (Sighing) I mean. Not that violent behavior should be looked at lightly. Not to say that Laura shouldn’t have left. That *was* smart! You’d be surprised at how many women would have just stayed for years and years and years. However, I thought it was going to be something a little bit more dramatic.
Like maybe he got drunk and locked Kelly in small space to punish her. Or maybe she walked in on him with another woman when she was with Kelly as a kid. Or maybe he was physically abusive to either her or Kelly. So you see when your expecting something big like that and you get he threw some dishes around. Did he throw a dish at Laura? I kinda think there was more to the story that Laura kept out. But I guess we’ll never get the *real* story of what happened with Greg and Laura.
And did anyone else think that the “business meeting” he had was probably with another woman It was interesting how they tied Kelly’s bad taste in men to a man that was similar to her father. When Elizabeth pointed that out it was like OH YEAH! I see it. Kinda glad she went with her mom. Two identical Wakefield’s in this series is ENOUGH!
Rating: 5
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 27, 2017
This is my first-ever Sweet Valley High! I like the idea! I've always wanted some material which goes into the American teenage girls side, but, disliked the stuff I know about current years (the drugs, the drinking). This was perfect. I can see why my friend recommended these to me.
The twins are cool! They are a great mix of characters and Sweet Valley High is just perfect. It is a great scenario for 13 years and upwards to read and enjoy. This title is about a cousin of Liz and Jess who visits them. The duo become a trio, with Kelly looking a lot like them. A story of friendship and parental love combined is very rare, and this one has that.
Four stars because I did not like the abruptness of sentences used in the book sometimes.
PS : Parental advice necessary for Indian teenagers. It has some explicit content. I wouldn't worry much, but, would probably encourage a 15 years limit to start it.
The twins are cool! They are a great mix of characters and Sweet Valley High is just perfect. It is a great scenario for 13 years and upwards to read and enjoy. This title is about a cousin of Liz and Jess who visits them. The duo become a trio, with Kelly looking a lot like them. A story of friendship and parental love combined is very rare, and this one has that.
Four stars because I did not like the abruptness of sentences used in the book sometimes.
PS : Parental advice necessary for Indian teenagers. It has some explicit content. I wouldn't worry much, but, would probably encourage a 15 years limit to start it.
December 28, 2019
2.5 stars rounded up because this was one of the coolest covers to look at when I was a kid. The Wakefield twins' cousin Kelly who looks almost just like the twins comes to stay with them because her mother cannot deal with her bullshit. Shenanigans ensue and in a more serious turn this SVH becomes a "very-special-episode", a classic 80s entertainment trope, when Kelly uncovers repressed memories about her childhood (exceedingly tame by today's YA standards). I liked it.
December 15, 2021
The twins cousin Kelly has come to stay for a while and shocks them by going out with dodgy Kirk Anderson, she's also decided to move in with her dad rather than stay with her mom who is remarrying, Kelly discovers some unpleasant truths about her father, and has some difficult decisions to make
July 6, 2017
I actually forgot that I had read this one until they decided on their costume party costumes. Then just like Kelly's suppressed memories the whole ridiculous plot came flooding back. 🤣
September 14, 2020
Love it
Love every one of these books each time I read one it's like in back in time. I love diving into these books
Love every one of these books each time I read one it's like in back in time. I love diving into these books
August 10, 2022
Sweet valleys are always a good light read.
August 15, 2024
This is the first book where it made me think I actually like Liz and can see why all the other series are about her.
October 9, 2025
3.5 stars
December 15, 2025
Re-read November 2025
I forgot I had read this within the last decade, which just shows how forgettable this book is. Upon this (unintentional) re-read, I was super grossed out by the fact that Kelly looks “dreamily” at a picture of her father, and Jessica pouts that it’s a shame he’s too old for her. THIS IS HER UNCLE. Ewww.
Also, I remembered Kelly’s father being way worse, but all he really does is show up late for her birthday. If being late is considered the epitome of evil, what does that make Jessica?
Original review 3/14/17:
The only thing I remembered about this book before re-reading it today was the costume that Liz, Jess and Kelly end up wearing. It's kinda funny what sticks in your head and what doesn't! You would think I would remember Kelly's nightmare but nope, it's all about the monkey costume.
I forgot I had read this within the last decade, which just shows how forgettable this book is. Upon this (unintentional) re-read, I was super grossed out by the fact that Kelly looks “dreamily” at a picture of her father, and Jessica pouts that it’s a shame he’s too old for her. THIS IS HER UNCLE. Ewww.
Also, I remembered Kelly’s father being way worse, but all he really does is show up late for her birthday. If being late is considered the epitome of evil, what does that make Jessica?
Original review 3/14/17:
The only thing I remembered about this book before re-reading it today was the costume that Liz, Jess and Kelly end up wearing. It's kinda funny what sticks in your head and what doesn't! You would think I would remember Kelly's nightmare but nope, it's all about the monkey costume.
August 9, 2019
This one is pretty dull other than Lila’s incredible fancy dress outfit! (Princess Di!)
Kelly, the twins cousin comes to stay and people flip out because she looks so similar to the twins. Imagine, three beautiful blondes. What fun! 😂😳
There are some serious topics addressed in the book, however they seem to glossed over and no one seems to face any repercussions for their actions.
Overall the party (like the billionth party they’ve been to!) is the most exciting part of the book!
Kelly, the twins cousin comes to stay and people flip out because she looks so similar to the twins. Imagine, three beautiful blondes. What fun! 😂😳
There are some serious topics addressed in the book, however they seem to glossed over and no one seems to face any repercussions for their actions.
Overall the party (like the billionth party they’ve been to!) is the most exciting part of the book!
July 26, 2016
Some secrets are so painful that we tuck them deep inside and seem to forget about them, though they lurk in the dark corners of our being. Francine Pascal did a good job of portraying this in Family Secrets.
April 1, 2011
Never a dull moment in Sweet Valley, always great stories, great adventures and awesome characters. I loved it all.
June 21, 2013
I remember the cover just not the story.
Read
August 1, 2013Graded By: Erin
Read the drinking game and review here.
Read the drinking game and review here.
Read
February 22, 2015So this was weird: The twins went an entire book without plotting, scheming, offering unsolicited advice, or generally being awful. Huh.
February 5, 2023
The twins' cousin comes to visit, and she's got daddy issues, but it all comes out in the wash.
April 28, 2016
great
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews