Are We In Love?

Sweet Valley High #94

by Francine Pascal

Love or friendship?
Annie Whitman's new stepsister, Cheryl, is finally having fun in Sweet Valley, thanks to the friendship of her neighbor Steven Wakefield. Soon everyone--even Steven's twin sisters, Jessica and Elizabeth--assumes that Steven and Cheryl must be a couple. After all, they're almost always together.
Cheryl and Steven decide that perhaps they should give romance a try. But are they dating for the right reasons? Or are they only trying to prove something to the town and to themselves?

Genres: Young Adult, Fiction, Romance

122 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 1, 1993

About the author

Francine 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.

Reviews

[Cher · Rating 1 out of 5]

This was one of the most unintentionally racist pieces of crap I've ever read. Everyone at Sweet Valley High is shocked when African American Cheryl lands herself the hot white jock. Tons of pressure is put on them to be the spokespersons for interracial couplehood. Ultimately, Cheryl realizes that she isn't all that into the white jock and was just staying with him because she felt she had to make a statement. She realizes this all while at a school dance when she sees an attractive African American guy, who just sort of comes out of nowhere in the Sweet Valley High world and is never seen again (from what I remember), because when he dances he's got MOVES. And when they talk (for all of three seconds) it all just seems so "right". The end. Everyone is relieved, but it is stated that racism is wrong. So basically this read to me as a tale about how people, while equal, should stay separated romantically along ethnicity lines. WTFever!

[Susan · Rating 1 out of 5]

If anyone ever needs an example of why "own voices" authors are SO vital in YA books, this hideous disaster of a book fits the bill. It's awful. Steven Wakefield, recently dumped by Cara for life in London has been giving driving lessons to new next door neighbor Cheryl- who (and this is important!) is black! When Steven experiences discomfort in the presence of racist skinheads (because Cheryl is black!), he reacts by kissing Cheryl, and their previous platonic friendship becomes a romance- or does it? It's really bad, even for Sweet Valley. Like... This book is racist- probably as bad as the Sandy/Manuel romance book back in the mid-30s SV books. Was painful to read. And there was no real side plot. Just a very cringe-y book. Skip this one.

[Jenn N · Rating 3 out of 5]

Apparently you're supposed to fall in love by the second date. Otherwise you're "just friends." LOL I guess that's life in Sweet Valley. The bright spots of this ridiculous plot was any mention of Sam - the best of the boyfriends. Maybe Sam was so great because he actually lived in Bridgewater 😂.

[Tiffany Spencer]

Are We in Love?
The first chapter is just a rehash of the last book. Steven is giving Cheryl another driving lesson. Then Jessica, Sam, Todd, Liz, Sam, and Cherly get together for a picnic and talk about the lesson. Then they talk about how Cheryl’s dad meet Mona and them setting the wedding date. Cheryl and Annie will be the bridesmaids. Liz wants to know if they’ll compose their own vows. Jessica wants to know what they’ll wear. Todd and Sam lose interest and go play in the pool. Cheryl says her dad isn’t interested in the details. So, she and Annie will do a lot of the planning.

Liz I think says it’s good that their getting a second chance at love. Then Steven’s almost marriage is brought up. Jessica says Steven’s been lonely and says she needs to set him up with someone. Then she gets all in Cheryl’s business and when she finds out she’s single she says she’ll have to set her up. Cheryl tho says she’s good. Her piano finally arrived so that’s all she needs.

Annie asks Tony to be her date for the wedding. Cheryl hasn’t been attracted to any of the guys at school but that doesn’t mean she doesn’t have time to find a date. She’s ok not having a boyfriend like she told Jessica. Still, she didn’t think about having a date for the wedding. She asks Steven to be her escort.

Amy, Jeffery, and Aaron tease Steven about being home so much and hanging out with them at the Dairi Burger. Cheryl sees Winston, Lila, Maria, and Jessica staring at them (and talking). Cheryl wonders if they’re talking about her or if they’re talking about Steven. Or maybe it’s about the two of them together. Lila is at another table and tells Jessica that Annie, Tony, Steven, and Cheryl look like a double date. Jessica dismisses this and says Steven and Cheryl are just friends. Lila says she thinks they’ve moved past that. Steven and Cheryl make a few innocent touchs, but they might as well in the eyes of the others be making out in public.

Then they see them eating off each other’s plates. Cheryl catches Jessica’s eye, but she looks away. Jessica says she should have known. Cheryl and Steven are falling in love right under her nose. At Lila’s table they all agree that Steven has been lonely and it’s been a minute. Plus, she is gorgeous. But Lila says she’s… Lila says they’re all thinking it. Jessica says her brother can date whoever he wants. Sam says let’s give them a break and they all drop it. Like I wish I could drop this book cause this topic is starting to annoy me HIGHLY!

The twins grill Steven when he gets home, but he says she’s just a good friend and tells them good night. Steven admits to himself she’s the first girl he’s liked to spend time with since Cara? Then why hasn’t he asked her out yet? He tells himself it’s not because she’s black. She’s younger than him but then so was Cara. She leans on him. Maybe when a little more time has passed. He thinks Jessica might be right about a potential romance tho.

There’s some more talk of the wedding at dinner and Annie tells her mom and Walter she’s invited Tony as her date and that Cheryl also has a date. Mona says Steven is handsome like his father and also wants to be a lawyer like him. Cheryl tho says they’re just friends. Annie says it seems like more to her and there’s been talk. Cheryl says they don’t know what they’re talking about. Annie asks if it’s because he’s a white boy and Cheryl says she’s never dated a white boy but it’s not because she has anything against them. It just turned out that way.

Annie asks if she’s open to it. She says something might could and she would be but it won’t come to that. Then she changes the subject. Steven is just a person. It doesn’t matter what his race is. She thinks what’s to stop it turning into more than friendship. It’s an intriguing possibility and she starts to think about dating him and kissing him.

Steven takes Cheryl on another lesson. After this they go to a restaurant and Cheryl notices people openly staring and they knows they assume they’re a couple and they don’t like it. Cheryl wonders if Steven notices. He does. The people go back to talking. A bunch of skin heads continue to talk loudly. Cheryl tries not to let it get to her. They’re small-minded. She can’t let that get to her. So, they order. A family leaves and the Skinheads come over with beer in their hands.

Steven is getting mad but tries to control himself. Cheryl wonders if this is what life will be like for Walter and Mona. The Skinheads start to snicker. The waitress asks what she’ll have. Cheryl starts to cry. Steven tells her lets get out of here. They’re almost to the door. One of the skinheads says I guess a California suntan isn’t good enough for him. He likes ‘em really dark. Stevem puts his arm around her shoulders and he guides her to the car. Steven just drives fast and furious.

Steven thinks he should have hit the guy and he would have if he wasn’t with Cheryl. But then if he wasn’t with her it wouldn’t have happened. They end up at the shore. Steven’s anger lets up and he holds Cheryl’s hand. He starts to apologize for the stuff he has no control over. He asks her what if they were a couple. What difference should it make if he’s white and she’s black. He just doesn’t get prejudice. So they embrace and then start kissing and holding each other.

Annie tells Cheryl when she gets home, she’s happy for her. She thought Annie needed a boyfriend and Steven is the perfect guy. Cheryl knows there will be talk but she really doesn’t care what people think. Annie says they’ll be fine. Cheryl knows this just isn’t true. Steven tells the twins the next day that he and Cheryl are romantically involved. Jessica is over the moon by this! Steven asks if the twins are really happy. A lot of people won’t be. They say they like Cheryl and they love him. He says people are going to talk but they’ll just have to rise above it.

Liz notices he’s not acting like a guy in love. It’s more like he’s got something to prove. Everyone is talking about it at school. Two sophomore girls are talking and one says she doesn’t see why Cheryl didn’t pick anyone … Jessica gets in their face but they say they just don’t see it. So, at the lunch table, Jean is happy for them and says they make a “glamorous couple”. Suzzane thinks they’d both be better with their own kind. Scott says Steven and Cheryl are “trailblazers”. Winston doesn’t see the big deal. Caroline thinks they’re asking for trouble and will never work. Jessica gets up and leaves and goes to sit with Cheryl. She starts giving Cheryl encouraging words about dating Steven.

Then they start talking again about the wedding. Jessica offers to bake them a wedding cake. Liz looks at her sister in amazement. Since when can she cook? I think Liz we all know she’s offering for YOU to do it. But Jessica claims she has a “flair” for wedding cakes. Cheryl looks dubious. Annie looks grateful. Jessica thinks anyone who starts something with Cheryl and her brother will have to go through her.

On the way home, Liz tells her she might have went a little overboard. Jessica tells her it’s all about loyalty. Liz wonders why she feels like its going to all go wrong. Later, Rosa and Cheryl are hanging out and Cheryl says she doesn’t really think Jessica is all that happy about her dating Steven. She’s just doing it to cover her prejudice of her. Rosa says she’s got to give Jessica the benefit of the doubt and all that matters is that she and Steven are happy not what other people think or feel. The kiss didn’t make her shiver but Cheryl thinks she WILL make this work and show everyone!
Mona tells Annie and Cheryl she wants them in the engagement pictures and she also wants each one to give a speech (at the wedding). Annie comes up with the perfect speech about love and happily ever afters. Cheryl tho isn’t finding it so easy. Steven gives her some good advice and she finishes her speech. But Steven says it doesn’t sound quite right for a wedding but it’s fine for a first draft. They sit silent for a moment. He tries to hug her but she recoils. When he kisses her she feels “distracted and weird”. The words ring in her head not quite right.

Jessica asks Steven what he has up for the weekend now that he’s officially in a relationship. He tries to make plans with both twins and their boyfriends but they each have other plans with friends. So, he calls his roommate (Bob) and asks him to get some friends together and they’ll all go out to the Beach Disco. Then he wonders why he organized a group outing and didn’t want to spend time alone with her. He thinks of the Skinheads and decides he doesn’t want to be in that situation. Then he wonders why he invited his black friend Martin. He tells himself he wants to show her off to his friends.

Cheryl finds herself attracted to Martin while dancing with him. They bond over a band (Express) and Cheryl finds out Martin plays the sax and says she’d love to hear him play. He says he’ll make she does when she comes to campus to visit Steven. They talk about her piano skills and he says they’ll have to do a duet. They part and drop hands lingering a second. Martin says it was fun. Cheryl says too much fun. While dancing with Steven she realizes she’s not attracted to him. Then she wonders is it because Martin is black and Steven is white. She tells herself it can’t be that. When they leave, Cheryl and Martin exchange eyes. Martin tells Steven he’s lucky and Cheryl feels guilty.

Steven comes back and for a minute Cheryl is annoyed because she’s made plans to study. He says he’ll miss her when he goes back and tries to touch her leg. Cheryl backs away and thinks this is wrong. Cheryl starts to tell Steven how she feels but Annie interrupts them and tells them Mona wants them to look at dresses for the wedding. Steven says they can squeeze in one more driving lesson before he goes back to campus. He asks what she wanted to talk about but she says she wanted to ask him to help her revise her speech.

Cherly and Steven go to Guido’s after she successfully parallel parks. He says soon she won’t need him. She’ll get her license and she can come see him on campus. They reserve some glances on the way to the table but Steven takes her hand. They decide to work on the speech. There’s an elderly couple listening. Cheryl makes a point of exclaiming loudly how it shouldn’t matter and then goes into the speech which is about how there’s not a problem with interactial marriages. It’s the people who have a problem with it. What matters is what *they* do and how they live.

At school, Lila is surprised to find that her friends ditch her to sit at the table with Cheryl. She says she doesn’t get it. It’s not like people are gong out of their way to invite them to parties. Like this weekend, Andrea is having this big party and it’s a test for Cheryl and Steven. Then she says since Andrea and Nicolas broke up now she has a thing for Bruce. Annie, Tony, Steven, and Cheryl go to a band concert. Annie and Tony are all over each other. Steven says he wishes it was rock. Cheryl thinks about someone who’d appreciate the music. Cheryl listens to Annie talk about how she and Tony choose each other and wonders if she and Steven fell or choose each other.

Then she tells herself she’s not trapped. She’s free. Right? Jessica and Liz do a tasting of their cakes for their boyfriends, Steven, and Cheryl’s. Jessica’s aren’t good. Steven notices how affection his sisters and their boyfriends are and realizes he and Cheryl never do that not even when alone. He also realizes it’s not like when he and Cara where together and that’s because he was in love with Cara. Jessica tells Cheryl they were invited to the party. Andrea just couldn’t reach her. She gushes to her parents the next day (Jessica) how Cheryl and Steven were the hit of the party and they’re crazy about each other. But that’s not how it seems to Liz. Jessica suggests they all go out to dinner to get to know Cheryl better.

Jessica suggest this fancy restaurant. Steven looks unenthusiastic. The Wakefield’s accept Cheryl. Steven’s the only one uncomfortable. During the dinner, Steven sees another set of brown eyes (Caras) and wonders how things ended up here. Then things get heavy and he starts picturing Cheryl in a wedding dress and wonders if that’s what he wants. Not that it has to go that far, but he really doesn’t want it to go anywhere. Then he starts having all these questions and wondering why his feelings changed that night. He wonders what he’s going to do now.

Steven drives home to break up with Cheryl but keeps getting interrupted. First it’s Jessica with questions about the cake and what filling they want. Then it’s Annie who drags Cheryl off to a last minute fitting. Cheryl says they can see each other again tonight. Mona and Walter have a shot and Annie and Tony and Annie have a date. Steven wonders now if the time will be right. Steven confides in Liz what happened at the restaurant. Liz tells him to listen to his heart. He’ll do the right thing. He says that’s the problem. His heart seems to be speaking a foreign language.

When he sees her, Steven just says he wanted to tell her he likes being with her. Cheryl says she feels the same and she’s looking forward to being with him at the wedding. They work on the toast, but it still doesn’t sound right. Cheryl doesn’t think it ever will. Mona tells Cheryl its wrong to date a person just to make a statement. It should be about who the person is. That’s why she marring Walter. One night, Cheryl sees Annie and Tony outside in the moonlight holding hands and realizes she’ll never feel like that for Steven. She gets a new state of mind and starts to write.

Before the wedding, Cherly does Annie and Mona’s hair. The girls make sure Annie has something blue (a handkerchief from Cheryl that belonged to her mom), borrowed (Annie’s pearl earrings), new (the dress) and old (jewerly her grandmother gave her when she was 16). Steven hears Cheryl’s about what love really is and gets it. He doesn’t have to say anything more. After this, they tell everyone at the wedding they’re just friends. Cheryl gets her license and drives to see Steven at school. They talk about how they were together for the wrong reason but they don’t regret the kiss. On the way out, Cheryl runs into Martin and he asks can he call her and she says she’d like that a lot.

My Thoughts:
There didn’t need to be two! There didn’t need to be a first! The dumb thing about this book was the book proved the OPPOSITE of what it was trying to prove and that was that mixed couples can work. When it came to Steven and Cheryl I don’t think that the reason they didn’t work was race. And no, I don’t think Cheryl’s attraction was so much that Martin was black. It was that Steven and Cheryl just weren’t a good FIT! Martin and Cheryl has the music thing in common and that’s a start but I just wonder if we’ll hear anymore about these characters and my mind is saying not likely. It kinda surprised me the attitudes of some of these characters. I didn’t like a WHOLE LOT of things about “Stepsisters” but what I did like was there were some characters that were prejudiced-there will always be some- but on the whole people mainly seemed to accept Cheryl and ot treat her any different. And it’s the characters that ought to be relationship wise ought to just be happy IF ANYONE picked them. So, they really can’t judge. Like Caroline. Didn’t she have to make up a PRETEND boyfriend? She couldn’t PAY a guy to pay her any attention. Lila is another one that’s really not having all that much luck. She hasn’t had a successful relationship this whole series. Then there’s Suzzane who I keep wondering is this the same girl that claimed Mr. Collins raped her. I wanna say it’s a different one but I can’t find anything on her. I just hope and pray that this is the last race themed book in this series.

Rating: 5

[K.L. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Steven starts dating Cheryl, Annie Whitmans new stepsister. They come under fire for being a mixed race couple, and soon have to decide of they're together because they actually care, or because they're making a statement

[Ashley · Rating 2 out of 5]

This looked so ridiculous that I had to read it. AND IT WAS RIDICULOUS so I got what I wanted.

[Alex · Rating 3 out of 5]

Yet another SVH re-read to tide me over while I'm sick.

Reading about Sam makes me so sad, though. =(

[Kendra Karvonen · Rating 5 out of 5]

amazing!i loved it so much

[Lizzie the Book Hoarder · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another enjoyable trip to Sweet Valley High. I like the book but it was not my favorite. Steven and Cheryl are good friends but everyone thinks something more is going on. After an incident of racism the become something more but do they really want to be.

[Sheila Read · Rating 5 out of 5]

I remember the cover but just not the story

[Martha Castillo · Rating 5 out of 5]

it's a good story!!!