Falling for Lucas

Sweet Valley High Super Editions #7

by Francine Pascal (Creator)

Jessica's ski vacation goes from fun to fantastic when she takes lessons with ski instructor Lucas King. There's only one problem--her best friend. Lila Fowler, has fallen for him, too. Jessica's determined to keep Lucas out of Lila's clutches, even if she has to risk life and limb to do it. Meanwhile, Elizabeth joins the rescue team looking for Todd, lost in an avalanche.

Genres: Young Adult, Fiction

231 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 1996

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

[kylajaclyn · Rating 2 out of 5]

Welcome to "Todd is Hormonal, Jessica and Lila are Frenemies, Elizabeth is a Prude and Enid is Sassy" or SVH Super Edition #7, "Falling for Lucas."

So, despite all of the aforementioned in my fake title, this book is hella boring and circular. Obviously, if you read SV enough, you know that none of the main characters will die (meaning Jess, Liz, Winston, Lila, Enid, Bruce)... everyone else is fair game (Poor Regina!). So, yes, Todd is caught in an avalanche, as stated on the back. But does he die? Of course not. Surprisingly, the front cover is Liz and Todd, not Jessica and Lucas. More on that in a minute.

Todd/Liz:
So, Todd wants sex, because he is 16 and hormonal. The gang is headed to Colorado on a ski vacation, and Todd has worked out a system with Winston in which he lets Todd have the room to himself (and Liz) when he hangs the Do Not Disturb sign on the door. But first, Todd tries to put the moves on Liz on the bus. He climbs into her bunk (fancy bus!) and wraps his arms around her. When Liz wakes to find Todd next to her, she flips her shit. So she is already not too happy with him when they arrive at the lodge and he tries to use the Do Not Disturb sign trick. Once again, she gets even more ticked off and cannot believe that Todd expects to pop her chiz-erry. Geez, Liz, he's only your boyfriend of forever. It's not so much to ask. So Todd goes skiing after her to warn her of the treacherous mountain conditions and gets caught in an avalanche, natch. Lesson to all you 16 yr old horny gentlemen: don't lust after your girlfriend, or try to have sex, or you will get caught in an avalanche and (maybe) die! He gets trapped in a rescue cabin with 30-something Cassandra who - wait for it - is lusting after Todd! A SIXTEEN YEAR OLD. Yep. Colorado in SV's world is crawling with pedophiles. So she alternately massages his shoulders and tries to shove her pussy in Todd's face while he rejects her advances (crazy, because not even 24-hours-ago he was so super horny). So the book is supposed to be "suspenseful" as we await the verdict on whether Todd will be saved, but of course he is and Winston throws a welcome back party. They try to create a little more drama by letting Liz catch Todd kissing Cassandra and Todd catch Liz kissing Dirk but (for once) neither of them initiated the cheating. So they talk and all is happy again blah blah.

Jessica and Lila:
How does Jessica celebrate the death of her "forever love" Christian Gorman in the previous book? By making a bet with Lila over ski instructor Lucas to see who can kiss him first. Loser has to ski the double black diamond "Devil's Run." Except for a few winsome remarks by Lila in the first few chapters, this is the most boring part of the entire book. I don't even think this bet deserves the title (since the cover has nothing to do with Jess & Lucas anyway). It just goes back and forth between Jess & Lila constantly one-upping each other and both pretending to be awful skiers to win the love of Lucas. Spoiler: Lila *Gasp* wins the bet by kissing Lucas first. Jessica skis Devil's Run and fractures her ankle (bahahahahahaha). But she, of course, doesn't give up, and uses being crippled to win herself a kiss with Lucas. What a player this guy is, because at the end of the book, after Jess & Lila have spectacularly humiliated themselves in front of him, they see Lucas being fed marshmallows by Enid. Bahahaha. So epic.

Enid:
Enid isn't really an insufferable whiner, like so many other SV characters, but in this book she's a little down on her luck with guys (hey, daps, girl! I can relate), so she buys a book entitled "101 Ways to be Sassy on the Slopes" in a ski shop. The best parts of Falling for Lucas entail her hilarious attempts at trying out the "Methods" listed in aforementioned book. While trying out one of these methods, she accidentally hits on Winston, who has lied and said that he's a good skier when he's actually not. Since she wants to hide her sassiness methods from her friends, and he wants to hide his rotten ski skills, they decide to help one another get better. The Enid/Winston friendship is very endearing, and so much more fun to read about than Jess/Lila/Todd/Liz.

[Jen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having never read this in its initial run, this is one of the most entertaining SVH books I've read in my read-through. Brace yourselves - the Wakefield twins and friends actually talk about and allude to sex on several occasions throughout this book. You have been warned!

Jess, Liz, Todd, Winston, Lila, Enid and a few other SVH students are off to Colorado for a ski trip. Jess is still sad about her man Christian dying in the last book, but she seems to get over it pretty quickly when she and Lila spot a gorgeous ski instructor named Lucas. They make a bet about which one of them can kiss him first. Cue the shenanigans! It's quite entertaining to see how they can one-up each other in the manipulation department. The loser has to ski Devil's Run, the experts-only ski slope.

Meanwhile, old Toddy boy - you know, the one Jessica refers to as so boring that butter wouldn't melt in his mouth? - is acting like a normal hormonal teenager for once in his life, but Liz is not having it. It starts on the bus ride to Colorado. They are apparently in this fancy bus with bunks to sleep in. Todd sneaks over to Liz's bunk and tries to get cozy with her. Liz is mortified when Mr. Collins tells Todd to go back to his bunk. Strike one, Todd!

Liz is so mad at Todd, but don't worry - Todd has a plan! He is bunking with Winston at the ski lodge, and he works out a system. If Winston comes up to the room and sees the Do Not Disturb sign on the door, then that means he and Liz are getting freaky and Winston is supposed to go sleep on the couch in the lodge downstairs.

Todd tries this, and, surprise! Liz is absolutely disgusted that he could possibly think she would want to do things with him. I mean, the poor guy has about 15 years of blue balls going here, with all of their rendezvous to Millers Point and whatnot, but I digress.

Perhaps the funniest side story of this book is about Enid. Usually I am not a fan of hers, but I quite like her in this one. She buys a book at the souvenir shop (the name escapes me at the moment) that is supposed to help her be a ski bunny who can land a man. Something about flirting and whatnot, and it has all of these ridiculous ideas that she valiantly tries, but don't work. More on this later.

Liz is still pissed at Todd, and he notices she is skiing in the wrong direction towards a dangerous area. Naturally, an avalanche happens at that exact moment. Todd and this woman named Cassandra, who they have made a point of telling us about several times already as being this sexy older woman (i.e. she's like 30), get trapped in a remote area and are lucky enough to make it to one of the abandoned cabins that is stocked with supplies. As they await rescue, Cassandra puts the moves on Todd SEVERAL times, and he is mortified at the thought - which makes no sense to me because he's been so horny lately but whatever. (Nobody seems to think it odd that this 30-year-old has the hots for a 16-year-old boy).

Naturally, Liz thinks it is all her fault and camps out at the station where the rescuers will be. She gets mad that they won't start searching until the morning, but this guy lets her stay (more on this later).

After they are trapped for two days, they are finally rescued, and it just so happens that when the cabin door is swung open, Cassandra is putting the moves on Todd again and she sees them kissing. I dunno about you, but I'd be pretty pissed if I just spent two days worrying about my man and immediately found him in the arms of another woman. Of course, Liz doesn't let him explain.

Then, back at the lodge, a similar situation happens. I read this two weeks ago so I already forgot his name, but let's just call him Bob. Bob is the guy who was so nice to Liz and helped with the rescue and whatnot. He tells Liz that Todd does not deserve her, blah blah blah, and he kisses her just as Todd walks up. Todd also won't listen to reason. Naturally.

They finally realize that they were both being silly and make up with each other, and Cassandra and Bob also hook up, so that makes it less awkward for these 16-year-old heartbreakers.

Lila technically wins the bet, even though both she and Jess end up kissing Lucas several times. So Jessica valiantly skis Devil's Run. She was doing just fine until Lucas showed up and thought he had to be the hero. He distracts her and she goes flying, and they smash into each other. Jess breaks her leg and he sprains his ankle.

These girls are still competing over this dude, for what reason I don't know. They end up getting into a huge argument in front of him, and he realizes he has been played all week. He quietly exits on his bum leg.

Last but not least, after Enid has valiantly tried almost everything in this 101 ways to be a ski bunny book and failed, Liz reads to her idea #101, which is to just be herself. She realizes she has been craving s'mores and decides to make them in the lodge. Much to Jess and Lila's dismay and to my hysterical laughter, they come upon Enid in the lodge making s'mores and feeding them to - you guessed it! - Lucas! OMG I laughed so hard! Good one, Enid!

So all in all, this had a slightly different vibe than the regular SVH books, but not in a bad way. It was very entertaining if I may say so. Like a soap opera train wreck that you can't stop watching!

[Tiffany Spencer · Rating 2 out of 5]

Falling For Lucas
The twins are going on a ski trip to Colorado. Lila and Jessica are worried about who’ll have the sexiest ski outfit and getting the hottest guys. Liz is worried about Enid who just broke up with her boyfriend and isn’t confident like Lila and Jessica and is insecure that she can get a guy in Colorado to look at her. Jessica and Lila give Liz a hard time about her being alone with Todd in the mountains. But Liz points out they won’t exactly be alone. They’ll have chaperones.

On the bus, Todd sneaks over to Liz’s bunk so he can get some late-night lovin (that is kisses). Liz scolds him and then he gets caught and has to return to his own bunk. He thinks this isn’t what he had in mind for a romantic mountain trip. Liv ditches her roommate (Caroline) and has breakfast with Liz and Enid. But Caroline is eating with Jessica and Lila. Liz worries that she’s providing a lot of material for their rumors. Enid whines that atleast she’s got something for this to gossip about. Liv tells her not to worry about it. Everyone knows she’ and Todd aren’t like that and that soon everyone will be talking about whatever Lila and Jessica will no doubt get into. We find out from a conversation with the waitress they’ll be going to Snow Mountain. They’ve already singled out a handsome guy at one of the tables. Liz says she can’t believe Todd wanted to have breakfast w her alone.is upset with Todd because he embarrassed her in front of everyone on the base. She then tells them what Jessica told her about guys not having any respect for women and they’re all the same. Liv says some guys are like that but she thinks most guys want something more meaningful. Enid says she doesn’t know if that’s true or not but she plans to become an expert on relationships and she’s trying to come to a decision about relationships but she’ll let her know. Liv says that what she and Harry have is deeper than that. She says she and Todd do too. Enid tells her to lighten up on Todd.

Jess and Lila lust over the ski bum. Then they each argue over which one he belongs to. Enid visits a bookstore and is recommended a book about how to pick up guys on the slopes. She purchases the book. Jessica and Lila name the guy “Rex” and find out he’ll be going to Snow Mountain. Lila and Jessica wait for Rex to approach them, but instead, he kisses the waitress and they notice his wedding band. They both vow to get the next one. Liv and Enid manipulate things so Todd and Liz have to sit by each other on the bus. He asks to talk to her and she remembers what Liv told her. She says only if he’ll kiss her first.

Winston confides to Todd that he’s a bad skier. Todd reminds him that he said he wanted to ski the double diamond expert run. But he says he only said that to impress Maria. Winston reminds him of the deal they made that if he wants to be alone with Liz, he’ll put a do not disturb sign on the door. Todd agrees that in return he’ll give him some skiing lessons. Winston asks what:iz thinks of the idea and Todd thinks she’ll love it. Winston reminds him she was steamed about the bus but he says that’s only because they weren’t by themselves. Claire challenges Winston to race down the mountain but he says maybe later (and Mr. Collins says they might want to start with the easier slopes first *directing this to all the students*) So, she says they can race an easier one, but Winston makes up an excuse that he’s hungry. Liz asks if he (Todd) and Winston will be having dinner, but Todd says he’d rather ski with her (then tells Winston he can’t hide forever). Jessica and Lila check out the guys for a potential fling. They’re looking so hard they fall off the ski chair. On a moonlight ski, Todd tries to put the moves on Liz, but her mind is on skiing. When Jessica and Lila look up there’s a handsome skier looking down at them. He suggests lessons and says his name is Lucas and he’s a ski instructor. He tells them to use the green chairs and then tells them they should try the bunny trails for beginners. If they need more lessons ask for him. Jessica decides that even though she’s a great skier she might just need some more lessons. Lila and Jessica again argue about who’ll get him. So, Lila makes a wager She’ll kiss Lucas before her, and if she does Jessica will have to ski Devil’s Run. Jessica agrees. They both agree not to tell anyone.

The first tip in Enid’s book is too use colorful sun block. So she picks neon green. Immediately she meets a guy that comments on her sunblock matching his hair. He has a nose ring (this doesn’t work for her). When he invites her to go on a ski run with him she turns him down, wipes off the sun book, and then moves on to tip two. An older woman comes up to Todd. She’s attractive but Todd’s mind is on Liz. He tells her he’s waiting on someone. She tells him not to wait too long. It’s cold. This unnerves him. The second tip is to use her skill to her advantage. If she sees someone that needs help don’t be scared to go up to them and help them. Lila and Jessica are together on the slopes and Jessica sees Lucas and she flies off after him, leaving Lila by herself. Jessica pretends to be a crummy skier and tries not to get upset that he asks about Lila but then she finds out he doesn’t even remember her name. He suggests a couple of hours of lessons. She however, suggest a whole day (even though he warns her it could get expensive).

Liz tries to show something in a magazine (ski goggles) but he’s thinking about getting “some rest”. Once on his floor, he wants to show Liz his room. Lila confronts Jessica about not being able to book a ski lesson because she blocked her. Lila demands to share the day. Jessica tells her she’s welcome to come with them on the bunny trial. She says even with them both their Lucas will choose her. Liz says the room looks like hers and then tries to leave to go to her room, but Todd kisses her. He thinks this is more like it. Only Liz tells him to cool it. She doesn’t think *this* is a good idea. Todd says she doesn’t have to worry about Winston. He’s arranged for him to sleep elsewhere. Liz goes into the bathroom, gets a glass of water, and dumps it all over him. She then leaves slamming the door. Jessica tells Lila she and Lucas will be meeting up at 9. Lila calls the front desk and asks for a wake-up call. Jessica pays Liz a visit and tells her to tap on the door when she wakes up at 7 (but donm’t wake Lila).

Winston and Todd argue because Todd forgot to tell Winston that he could come back in the room and he had to sleep on a hard couch. Lucas is impressed that Jessica picked up so much in a day. She asks about the double Diamonds and he tells her it's dangerous and he suggests she stick to the beginner’s run. She feels bad about having to go down them, but she thinks oh well. Lila finds out that Jessica called and cancels the wake-up call when no one calls her. Enid sees a cute guy and decides to try tip two but then Liz interrupts her. Enid brushes her off and goes after the boy but finds him with his girlfriend. She then decides to try her luck on the harder trials. She feels guilty about not telling Liz but she isn’t ready yet. She vows to find another klutzy skier. Lila tries to find Jess and Lucas and finally, she spots them. Jessica resting her head on his shoulder. Lila comes up with a scheme of laying in the snow (the next day) and Lucas goes over to help her. She pretends to sprain her ankle. L ucas tells her he admires her strength for getting back on the slopes. Lila tells him it already feels better. He offers her a private lesson tomorrow. Jessica sidesteps her and says SHE needs more lessons. With a joint lesson, she can keep her eye on her.

Todd finds Liz alone and wants to talk to her but it turns into an argument. Liz accuses him of making assumptions that they wanted the same thing. She tells him she’ll talk to him later and ski’s off. Enid sees a guy on the slopes having trouble and goes over to him, but then finds out it's Winston. Enid swears that Winston was a good skier. He blames it on the skates. Enid realizes that Winston can’t ski and just doesn’t want anyone to know. Winston then sees her book and she says it’s a gag gift. But they both silently agree to keep each others secrets. As: Liz leaves Todd worries that she’ll get back to the lodge so he follows her. Jessica almost kisses Lucas before Lila pulls her lil act. Lila later shows her newest purchase a expensive outfit to ewar for Lucas. On the way back Liz sees Todd and curses him for following her. Shortly after an avalanche hits which makes Liz slip down the slope. She realizes Todd must have got stuck in the avalanche and it’s all her fault. Caroline wonders why Winston spend the night on the couch, but Liv says they were playing a trivia game and he dozed off. She also wonders about Todd and Liz, but Enid says there’s nothing funny going on there. Tip 3 te;;s Emid announces she needs a seat mate and a “jovial” man offers her to be his. Method 4 is going up to a guy and asking him to dance. Enid thinks she might be able to help on Method 6 talk about sports. Todd falls but finds the older woman so he follows her. Liz is able to make it to the ski patrol and she gets them to put out a search for Todd.

This isn’t all that clear but I think Todd and the woman find a log cabin but the door is frozen shut. Todd gets it open. The woman introduces herself as Cassandra. The lady is clearly attracted to Todd which makes him uncomfortable. Todd finds a CB radio inside the cabin and uses it to call for help. The ski patrol gets the msessage and Todd says they’re fine. Then the radio cuts off. Liz decides the ski patrol aren’t doing enough (they want to wait until morning) and tries to go off on her own to find Todd. But Dirk goes after her. He tells her the weather is just too dangerous and he leads her back inside. News of the avalanche gets to the cabin, but Mr. Collins encourages them to try to have fun. Lila and Jess call a truce, but when they find out Liz is ok the war is back on. Even tho Cassandra doesn’t make it a secret she’d appreciate the Do Not Disturb sign, Todd takes the couch and lets her sleep in the bed. Todd dreams of Liz but wakes up to Cassandra. But he tells her he’s in love with his girlfriend and sdnds her back to her bed. Enid tells Winston that she went to the bar and asked three guys to dance but after the dance she got nothing. She asks Winston what’s wrong with her. He says nothing if he wasn’t with Maria he’d be interested. She says she’d be interested too, They blush. Enid tells her she has more methods to go. Winston suggests combining two skating and wearing cool ski goggles.

She catches the attention of a dark-haired guy but he has a girlfriend. Then he catches the attention of the green ponytail guy. He wants her to slam skate with him. She says that Winston is her boyfriend and he can be violent. The guy takes off. Winston gives Enid his new Colorado hate for luck. She decides to ditch the shades. Luc invites a new girl to join Lila and Jessica (Karen) and she really can’t ski. Winston tries to convince Liz, Todd will be alright. He then has the idea to throw a welcome-back party for Todd. Lucas gives Lila his attention during the lesson and tells Jessica to work with Karen. Lila and Lucas get extremely close to kissing but someone (one of the other instructors) interrupts wanting to know if he’s coming to a party. Lila thinks to herself she’ll definitely be there. Jessica then tries to get in on Lucas’s attention. They somehow fall together in the snow but Karen interrupts. Jessica begins to think she’ll never get him alone and he might not even be worth it. But she can’t let Lila win. Todd isn’t back by the party. Liz decides to go up the tram to be closer to where Todd, She makes Jessica promise not to tell. But Jessica can’t keep her mouth shut and tells Winston and Enid. Enid said Lila already left the dance 40 minutes again. Winston asks if his hat brought any luck, but the only thinks she says she attracted was guys who only know how to talk about sports. Then she attracted a gay guy. When she tried to find a non conformist.

Lila finds her way to the party where Lucas will be. Todd keeps trying at radio until finally, he reaches someone. All the while Cassandra is getting more touchy and Todd is starting to like it. Still, he continues to push off her advances. Jessica sees Lila and Lucas walking back from the party and they kiss. She dumps snow on Lila’s head. Meanwhile, Dirk has agreed to let Liz go with him and the search party because the snow was too bad to find him when they went out. Lucas finds out from Karen that Jessica is headed toward Devil's run and takes off after her. Lila then chases after him so he won’t be alone with Jessica, Things are looking bad for Todd and Cassandra, food is running out, the firewood is almost gone, and the roof is about to collapse. Jessica tries the Double Diamond and tumbles. Lucas finds out from Karen and goes running after her. Todd embraces Cassandra as the roof collapses. She tries to kiss him. Liz rushes in just then and finds Todd’s arms around another woman and his lips on hers. She runs out the door into the storm. Todd rushes after her. He pleads with her it’s not what it looks like. In the helicopter, she sits by the pilot so Todd can’t sit by her. They make it back and Todd is rushed in to be examined and then to give a report of what happened. Liz is almost in tears. Drik pulls her close and tells her she’s ten times more beautiful. Then she runs into her room. Lucas sprains his ankle trying to rescue Jessica. They get the news Liz and Todd are back. Lucas wants to know who they are but Jessica tells him she’ll tell him when she takes care of him. He says he’ll be in a hotel and can take care of himself (npw distant). Jessica has to have a wheelchair and then crutches, Jessica realizes they’re being stupid fighting over a guy. She tells Lila this but her fingers are crossed behind her back. Dirk tries to console Liz, but then goes in for a kiss. Todd catches her and walks off furiously. Enid confesses to Liz about the book. Enid makes her realize that she and Todd are doing the same thing (making assumptions and not talking to each other). Liz makes Enid to promise to do method 101 just do what makes her happy. She says what she wants to do is toast marshmallows.

Jessica gets Lucas to kiss her. Lila realizes what’s going on when she doesn’t see Jessica in her room. When she gets there Jessica closes the door on her. Lila bribes a busboy to bring Lucas lunch. Lila then surprises Lucas by jumping out from under the lunch table. She then locks Jessica in the bathroom. After she’s let out Lila and Jessica argue and Lucas leaves. Liz and Todd make up and apologize. Dirk and Cassandra find them and seem happy to see them together. They say they’re going to skip the welcome-back party.. Jessica and Lila catch Lucas on the couch with Enid feeding each other marshmallows. They agree to just go to the party and say they both dumped Lucas first.

My Thoughts:
I didn’t really have any thoughts for this one. Lila and Jess’s war was like YWANS. What else is new? They’re at it again. MOVING ON! With Enid did she not see this guy with Jessica and Lila all the while she was there? Why would she even *want* him? But then again other people’s leftovers seem to be Enid’s thing as we find out in the next books. Then there’s more Liz and Todd drama. So YES Liz. Todd is 18. When guys are 18 and you're going away on a ski trip without parents DUH. They’re gonna think about sex! It’s hormones! It happens. But Liz is so stupid she thinks oh no not Todd. Todd is somehow immune I guess. Tho, trying to get some in front of all those people on a bus was I admit it VERY bold. And then the only bus I heard that gives you bunk beds is the Knight Bus (from Harrry Potter). Are there really buses that have beds? I mean I know that when you watch some movies like Selena the tour buses have bunk beds. But a regular bus? I couldn’t believe that Liz acted like this was such a shock that her boyfriend would try to push up on her on a trip where they have their own rooms. Then if she didn’t want to maybe she should have talked to him about this BEFORE the trip. “Uh you know that we’re not gonna be doing *that* on this trip right?” But then since it wasn’t even a thought in her head he’d want to be a little physical. SMH! Liz is SO NAÏVE!

Rating: 5

[Barrie · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 stars for the subplot about Enid reading the book 101 Ways To Be Sassy On The Slopes and trying out several of the methods.

[Alex · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m pretty sure I’ve only read this book once, and I remembered almost nothing about it except for Todd being shot down by Elizabeth. Also, that the cover makes it seem like it’s one of the thriller books, even though it’s not. (I mean come on, doesn’t it look like someone is about to attack one of the twins behind the door?!)

Despite me not remembering much, though, I really enjoyed reading it now.

[Sheila Read · Rating 5 out of 5]

I remember the cover just not the story.