Deceptions

Sweet Valley High #14

by Francine Pascal (Creator)

A tangled web ...

Elizabeth Wakefield is stunned when Nicholas Morrow asks her for a date. A newcomer to Sweet Valley, Nicholas is fabulously wealthy and extremely handsome. Even though Elizabeth would never cheat on Todd Wilkins, her steady boyfriend, Nicholas is so attractive and sincere that she agrees to go out with him just once.

To make matters worse, Jessica, Elizabeth's scheming twin, announces that Nicholas Morrow is the boy for her. Suddenly Nicholas is the only thing on Jessica's mind. Elizabeth is terrified to think what will happen if Todd or her twin finds out about her date with Nicholas. But who can keep a secret from Jessica Wakefield?

Genres: Young Adult, Fiction, Childrens, Romance, Teen, Chick Lit, Contemporary

137 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1984

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

[Tara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Computer nerds, computer hacking, secret dates at fancy French restaurants that go horribly awry when people’s interfering boyfriends show up unexpectedly and ruin everything (thanks a lot, Todd!), melodramatic moonlit reconciliations with soft, gentle breezes and equally soft, gentle kisses…this one really had it all! Definitely one of the dumber installments so far, but it was an adorably dumb one, and I had a total blast reading it.



Can’t wait to see what happens next in Sweet Valley!

[Ashley Murphy · Rating 3 out of 5]

The new rich boy wore an ascot on a date. A freaking ascot.

This was garbage.

I loved it.

[Erin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Re-read 2024

Well, I enjoyed re-reading books 1-13 in 2023 and since so many SVH are available on Kindle Unlimited, my Goodreads friends can anticipate more Sweet Valley titles this year.


Elizabeth has been saved from her kidnapper(see book 13) but she's got a serious problem when her sister's latest crush, Nicholas Morrow declares he's in love with her. Meanwhile Jessica almost tarnishes a fellow classmates school record by convincing him to hack the school computer system. What ensues are ridiculous antics that only work in the Sweet Valley world. But as always I continue to come back for more.


Goodreads review published 13/01/24

[Cindy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've got to be honest, rereading these books has reminded me how much I disliked Jessica back in the day. And Elizabeth is such a doormat. But despite those things, somehow I still want to know what happens next. This must be how they sucked me in when I was younger.

They're never going to be considered great literature but they are a nice way to pass an hour or so and as long as they are on KU I'll keep reading them. Or at least until Jessica pisses me off past the point of no return.

[Jamie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not one of my favorite books. And one in which I am disappointed in all the characters. Jessica is mischievous as usual but it is her character. Although with the stunt she pulls she should have been in more trouble than she was. Randy I both felt sorry for and annoyed with. But the biggest irk was Elizabeth. She is normally my favorite but her secrecy in this one I was less than pleased about. The pacing of this story was also a bit boring. I actually started to doze off twice. And it is a short book! SO far from a favorite in the series and very little impact. What I can say is I like Regina though. Her brother is on the fence with me.

[Tara Calaby]

When I was first reading these books, many moons ago, I used to think that Nicholas Morrow was pretty dishy. Perhaps it was because he's one of the few Sweet Valley Boys who actually looks pretty handsome on the book covers; perhaps I was just taught to lower my expectations by Todd Wilkins. Either way, I was all about the Nicholas, so it made perfect sense to me that Liz would agree to go on a date with him, despite being in an exclusive relationship with Todd.

Of course, as an adult, I look at things very differently. Let's see what really happens in this book:

* Nicholas apparently falls in love with Elizabeth at first sight, despite her looking exactly like her sister, whom he managed not to fall in love with, even when he was talking to her for hours.

* Nicholas pressures Liz into a date, not listening to her repeated attempts to fend him off and basically telling her that she's too young to make her own dating decisions... so he'll make them for her! (Nice boy, right? Give me Bruce's overt sleaze over Nicholas's nice guy tactics any day.)

* Liz knows that Jess is desperately head-over-heels for Nicholas. She's also blatantly aware of her own relationship with Todd. She's in love with Todd, remember. (It's not like we're told at least once per book.) She still decides to go on a date with Nicholas.

* Liz then proceeds to lie to Jessica and Todd about the date.

* Jess continues to pursue Nicholas. Liz doesn't bother to tell her that she's wasting her time because Nicholas is love with someone else—her.

* Liz heads off to her date with Nicholas, making sure to put way more effort than normal into her appearance. But she's not interested in him at all, guys! Really she's not!

* Oh no! Todd's out for dinner with his parents at the exact same restaurant that his girlfriend's on a date with another boy! Who could've seen That coming!

* Understandably, he's more than a little put out by bumping into Liz and Nicholas. Instead of trying to explain to Todd, Liz pretends to be Jessica, because what's a little more deception by this point in time?

* Todd heads to the Wakefield house to apologise to Liz for thinking ill of her. Jess answers the door in a towel, Todd smooches her, Jess corrects his misconception (after complementing his snogging skills) and The Truth Outs.

* Jess stays mad at Liz for about five minutes, because she's finally realised just how boring Nicholas is, but Todd resolves to break up with Liz and starts giving her the silent treatment.

* Liz mopes around the school and Todd almost blows the basketball championship because he's so upset about his girlfriend cheating on him.

* It all works out okay, though, because Nicholas goes in to talk to Todd at half time. Todd doesn't punch him (WHAT?) and actually listens to what Nicholas has to say. Once a boy tells him not to worry about the date and that Liz's purity remains intact, Todd perks up immediately and heads right out to win the championship single-handed. Nicholas has apologised for borrowing Todd's property, so that's what matters.

* Liz gets off completely scot-free.

Side plot: Jess flirts with Randy Mason and eventually convinces his Jess-struck self to change her math mark on the school's new computer. He has a near-immediate crisis of conscience and decides to confess to Chrome Dome Cooper. Liz discovers what's happened and forces Jess to face the music with him, because it's important that people admit their mistakes, apologise and make restitution.

UNLESS, OF COURSE, YOU'RE ELIZABETH WAKEFIELD.

Honestly, the way that Jess is punished heavily for everything she does, while Liz gets away with murder, is one of the hardest things to digest when it comes to these books.

Oh, and Nicholas Morrow is a paternalistic creep.


Moral of the Story? Elizabeth Wakefield can do no wrong. Especially when she does.

[re-read - previously read around 3 times]

[Leigh · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sort of a dull read. Nicholas Morrow is an aggressive rich jerk, like most of the guys in this series. He thinks he's in love with Elizabeth who literally just escaped a kidnapper and he pressures her to go out with him. While on their date she runs into Todd who is with his parents celebrating his mom's birthday. She pretends to be Jessica, he buys it, rushes to the Wakefield house to apologize to Liz and finds out the truth and everyone is mad at Liz and Todd who's the best basketball player of all time plays lousy as the championship game because of it. Of course things smooth out and Sweet Valley High wins cause that's the law and everyone is friends and lovey dovey. The sort of b plot involves Jessica trying to learn about computers and math to impress Nicholas. She cons computer nerd Randy into teaching her and it's hilariously dated. This is a floppy disk. I can see the commodore 64 graphics through the pages. And in a plot straight out of a 80s or 90s TV show or film she gets Randy to hack the school computer and change her grade. They get caught but nothing happens since it's Jessica and she gets away with murder. It ends with the girls learning that Tricia Martin is on her death bed in hospital leading into the next book.

[Susan · Rating 1 out of 5]

The worst SVH book yet, mostly due to complete lack of b-plot. Reading about Nicholas pressuring Elizabeth to go on a fancy date and her internal struggle about this, due to both her love for Todd and because her sister likes and has laid claim to him dragged throughthe entire book. And really, that's all that happens. Also, the cover pisses me off, as repeatedly, the young Mr. Morrow is described as having thick dark hair, whereas the illustration is sandy blond/light brown at best. A filler book in the series, probably just to highlight the new character. Just 1 star.

[Doris Ware · Rating 3 out of 5]

good series

[Danielle · Rating 3 out of 5]

Title: Deceptions
Author: Francine Pascal, Kate William
Series: Sweet Valley High, 14
Format: ebook
Length: N/A
Rating: 3 stars

Synopsis: Although Elizabeth Wakefield knows that Todd is the only boy for her, she agrees to go out with handsome, wealthy Nicholas. She later learns that Jessica is interested in Nicholas. Can she keep Todd and Jessica from finding out?

Favourite character: Regina
Least favourite character: Jessica

Mini-review: Elizabeth is "forced" to go on a date with new guy in town Nicholas Morrow. See, she says she was forced but she didn't put up that much of a fight. So like no Elizabeth, it's your fault, not Nicholas'. Todd, understandably, is angry about it and they break up for all of about five pages.
A very dramatic book.

Fan Cast:
Elizabeth Wakefield/Jessica Wakefield - Lili Reinhart
Nicholas Morrow - Keiynan Lonsdale
Todd Wilkins - Blake Michael
Randy Mason - Isaac Hempstead-Wright
Enid Rollins - Joey King
Cara Walker - Sofia Carson
Regina Morrow - Zendaya
Robin Wilson - Ariel Winter
Mr. Cooper - JK Simmons
Mr. Collins - Armie Hammer

[Eliza · Rating 1 out of 5]

Has not aged well

The new guy pressures Liz into going on a date with him; he insists when she says no, he insists again even when she says she has a boyfriend... And so on. Then when all he'll breaks loose, Liz blames herself but new guy to the rescue sorts out the issue with her boyfriend - who wouldn't give Liz a chance to explain. Nor is Todd concerned that the new guy pressured Liz into doing something against her will but suddenly pays new guy on the back, accepts him as a new buddy then runs back on court to win the basketball game!
The writing is awful, overwritten and overexplained. The POV constantly jumps around... And she let him order HER meal?!
Childhood ruined.

[Connie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Source: I borrowed this book online via OpenLibrary.
Cost: Free

Title: Deceptions
Series: Sweet Valley High #14
Author: Francine Pascal/Kate William
Overall Rating: 2 stars

This one was just awful.

If Liz thought that she and Todd are so perfect together, she shouldn't have really had a second thought or considered going on a date with Nicholas, never mind actually doing it. Also, I know Jess is really annoying at times, but she shouldn't have done that on her own twin.

This was just too stupid and predictable for me to enjoy.

[Lucy · Rating 5 out of 5]

One summer, I was stuck in a small town where the library had nothing good to read that I hadn't already read EXCEPT for the entire Sweet Valley High series. They completely sucked me in, although I think it's because I was very bored, and fascinated by the soap-opera americanness of Jessica and Elizabeth Wakefield's lives.

[Tiffany Spencer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Deceptions (Updated)
Nicholas Morrow arrives at a party Jessica is throwing in Liz’s honor. Liz goes to get Jessica but he stops her and stares at her. Liz looks into his eyes and can see he’s handsome, intelligent, and compassionate. Jessica has already fallen for him and gushes all over him immediately after she sees Liz after the kidnapping. She mentions his sister Regina (whose deaf but can read lips). Liz leads him into the party. Jessica heads for Nick but she has to get the doorbell. Nick then asks Liz to dance. He tells her the song is about her and she realizes Dana must have wrote it to welcome her back. He tells her she’s pretty and then she turns the conversation back to him and asks him about college. He confirms that he’ll be going next year and taking time off this year to learn his father’s business (computers).

She says *her spies* told her all this. He asks what else her spies have told her. But then she makes up an excuses that she hasn’t greeted Robin and Allen and leaves him standing there. But teasingly he tells her that she didn’t think he’d let her out of his sight, finds her and Robin, and jumps into their conversation about the Droid’s guitarist. She introduces him to Robin (who says they met). Then he pulls Liz back to the dance floor.

Jessica tries to get his attention, but he’s too taken with Liz. When the song is over, Liz starts to go to Todd, but Nick says he wants her to meet Regina. They find her hanging out with Lila and Cara. It’s clear that Nicholas is proud of his sister and brags on how friendly she is and can attract anybody. Liz is surprised at how pretty she is. He says he was worried at first but it looks like she’ll fit right in at SVH.

Regina asks Liz about the Oracle and “Eyes and Ears” and showers her with compliments on how talented she is. After this Liz leads Regina and Nick back into the party. Liz goes to answer the door to let Ken in. Nick is still at her side. Jessica spots them, gives Liz a look that says back off, and comes over to them and with the front of “everyone dying to meet him” she drags him off and gives Liz a look like “Score!”

Jessica introduces him to her parents and Steven, but she can tell his mind really isn’t on her because he keeps looking at Liz but he appeases her with a compliment. She gets him to dance with her, but again he’s distracted. After the dance, he says he has to call it a night. His dad is expecting some VIPS in the morning and he’s got to be there. He thanks her for a great time and leaves to say goodnight to Liz.

Todd is gone to get Liz some root beer, when Nicholas swoops back in. Liz sees he’s about to leave and asks can he stay longer. He agrees to and then says he has to tell her something. He apologizes for following her around, but he thinks he’s fallen in love with her. Liz is taken aback and says he just meet her. He says it doesn’t matter. He knew it the instant he meet her. She protest that she has a boyfriend Todd Wilkins.

Liz says she likes him but she could never be in love with him. He says she doesn’t know that. She doesn’t know *him*. Then he wonders is it his looks. Then he starts rambling off all these fictional monsters (Dracula, the Hunchback, Frankenstein). Liz teasingly says he’ll do. He asks then why won’t she give him a chance. She firmly says no. She’s with Todd but he says she’s 16 (too young to be so tied down). Some people leave the party and Liz goes to tell them good night,

When she gets back to him he tells her she’s just scared. She asks what about Todd. He asks what about him. Which confuses Liz because why should she be responsible for his happiness? She wants to be loyal to Todd but she also doesn’t want to hurt Nicholas. So, she agrees to have dinner with him. She decides to tell Todd as soon as possible. She sees Jessica talking to Randy and hears her saying how fascinated she is by computers and realizes she’s up to something. Nick and Liz make plans to go out Sunday. Liz has a premonition that nothing good will come of this date. She hopes she’s wrong. Jessica is going on and on about how bad she is at computers (and math). So, Randy offers to teach her about computers. Jessica acts thrilled about this. Liz meanwhile, tries to find Todd.

When she finds him, he isn’t happy about her spending time with him all evening and him not letting her out of his sight. She realizes he’s jealous. He says can you blame him. He’s rich and handsome and he’s going after her. Liz tho says he’s the only one she wants. After this, she decides not the best time to tell him. When they say goodnight, he kisses her like he has something to prove. While they’re cleaning up, Jessica tells Liz that … she’s in love with Nicholas Morrow and she thinks he’s in love with her. She finds out she was only taking to Randy because since Nicholas is interested in computers and he couldn’t possibly fall for someone who wasn’t well… she needs to be interested in them to *rolling my eyes*.

She says he’s the one she’s been waiting her whole life for and asks Liz if she can imagine going on a date with him. Liz realizes she can never tell Jessica about her date. She just has to make sure the restaurant they go to is secluded. On the way to school, Jessica is still talking about Nicolas. She comments that every time she mentions him Liz bites her head off. Liz just hopes she’ll forget him but that doesn’t look like it’ll happen any time soon. She tells Liz that after school she’s meeting up with Randy.

When they get to Randy’s he shows her his “work center”. Jessica plays dumb (or is she playing). He tells her about a floppy disk and shows her how to use it (while playing up her ego). She’s bored but attempts to learn enough to get Nicholas to ask him out. She actually does learn how to run a program. She says now if only he were the math teacher. He offers to help her with math but she says no one can help her with that. Liz is in a bad mood later when Jessica asks to borrow her turquoise jumpsuit but then apologizes. Jessica compliments her on her latest article for the Oracle about computers. On one hand it reminds her of Nicholas. On the other it reminds her she’s about to be kicked off the squad for failing math.

Then she has an idea. She’s also read about hackers. If they can plug into computers then shouldn’t Randy be able to. That night when she goes to the Dairi Burger with him. It’s clear he’s fallen for her pretty hard. He tells her she’s terrific and he’d do anything for her. She asks him if he’ll help her with math and get through the semester. He says that he can do and she says she’ll call him to set up a time. While at the mall, the twins run into Nick. Jessica is so busy talking up computers to him he doesn’t notice the looks he’s giving Liz. Liz is just praying he doesn’t bring up the date.

But he leaves and asks if he’ll see her again. Jessica indeed says yes and to call her. The gorgeous pink dress they were both staring at she says she’s gonna buy for when Nicholas asks her out. Randy calls and Liz feels sorry for him because she knows he’ll be crushed when Jessica drops him. Then she worries about Jessica and Todd finding out. She tells herself it’ll be alright, but what if it’s not. Nick calls to confirm the date and something tells Liz to say no but she says yes. He suggests a restaurant an hour away which is perfect.

Liz calls Enid and tells her about Nick and the date. Enid says she’ll just have to hope Jessica doesn’t find out but she should tell Todd. He’ll understand (snorts). Jessica goes over to Randy’s and they study math. Then they practice a little more on the computer (which Jessica is getting good at). She asks Randy can he plug into other computers and he shows her he can get into some data basis. She talks him into getting into the school’s computer and then changing her math grade from an F to a C-. He asks her out but she says she has to get home because she has studying to do.
Jessica worries -to Liz- that she’s losing her looks or charm. She says she feels like there are times when *no-one* cares about her Noone meaning Nick. She asks if she thinks he’s cruel of callous. Liz says not from what she’s seen of how he treats Regina. She says she’s called him a million times but he hasn’t called. Liz says give him time.

Randy calls and Jessica turns him down again for a date. He calls again and thinking Liz is Jessica he starts to ramble about how what he did by changing her grade could ruin his whole future as a system analyst and it wasn’t worth it. So, he tried to do the right thing and change her grade back, but he couldn’t. Someone changed the access code and he thinks they’re on to them. So, tomorrow he’s going to turn himself in and he wants her to go with him. Liz says she’ll be there. Then she storms into Jessica’s room.

Jessica acts like what she did is no big deal. Liz tells her she’s going with him and Jessica says she can’t. It’s not fair. Liz says life isn’t fair. SHES GOING! Liz takes her straight to “Chrome Dome” Jessica again doesn’t seem to understand what she’s done and says they were just “fooling around”. She asks is it a crime. Mr. Cooper says he should suspend them both and he might. Liz (and I) wonder how Jessica can be so dumb. Liz pleads with him to give them another chance. She pleads they just made a mistake and they’ll never do it again. They’ve learned their lesson. He says he’ll give them a chance but only because of Liz. When they get home, Jessica asks will Liz tell on her and she says no.

Todd and Liz go out to see a horror movie called “Teenage Terror” and then for a burger after. Betsy comes in with her drunk *friend* and when they find out there are no booths they get angry and leave. Liz decides since Todd’s in such a good mood she’ll bring up the date. She starts off talking about Regina and Todd says she is but he can do without her brother. Liz says he’s nice too and Todd says not from where he sits. So, Liz decides best not to tell him and hope he doesn’t find out about the date. Liz asks what they’ll do for his mother’s birthday but he just says they’re all going out to celebrate -and nothing else-.

When he takes her home, he says he’ll be tied up tomorrow and probably won’t even get a chance to call her. Liz thinks Jessica will be at Cara’s the evening of the date, but she comes home early. She slips out, covers up her dress with a jacket, and tells her she’s going to Enid’s. The restaurant is elegant and fancy. They have salmon, puffed potatoes, strawberry souffle and a couple of things I don’t know what they are. Nick says he prefers the Dairi Burger he has simple taste and then he talks about how its nice to have money but people have strange ideas about you that your stuck up. Some are unfriendly because of this. Some just want them for their money.

(Oh, steaks and green beans). Liz says she wants to know more about him. He says he likes to swim, play tennis, and ski. He likes Switzerland. He’s always loved fairy tales. He likes Hemmingway and a lot of mystery writers. In the future he’ll go to college and help grow his father’s computer business. At the end of the evening, she tells him she’s not in love with him but he’s one of the nicest people she’s ever meet and she hopes they can be friends. She then sees Todd coming into the restaurant and he’s coming toward her table. He must have splurged and taken his mother there for her birthday. Then she decides to pretend she’s Jessica. Todd is confused. He’s sure it’s Liz but she sounds just like Jessica.

She explains it to Nick who looks bewildered and he says she did what was right for the moment. Todd decides to apologize to Liz before Jessica tells her and heads to the Wakefields house. One of the twins comes to the door in a white, robe, and he waste no time taking her in his arms and kissing her. But it’s not Liz. He tells Jessica he went to the Cote D Or to take his mom for her birthday. Jessica replies sarcastically. Nice she wishes someone would take her. Then that’s when Todd sees it *WAS* Liz and she lied to him. Jessica is mad Liz made a play for the boy she’d claimed as hers. Todd storms off and says he’s going to tell Liz it’s over.

Jessica lets her know she knows as soon as she gets in and so does Todd. Liz tries to explain that she didn’t want to go out with Nick. She just felt she owed him. Jessica accuses her of being jealous. Liz says she likes Nick as a friend and she told him she’s not going out with him again. There’s nothing between them and there never will be. Jessica says she’ll forgive her this time. Liz starts to cry and Jessica comforts her. Jessica says she understands and it’s ok. She’s decided Nick isn’t really her type. He’s too interested in his father’s business and he didn’t want to stay to the party or even call. She says he’s as boring as Randy. Jessica says she has more bad news Tricia was raced to the hospital and in intensive car. Steve is at the hospital.

That night, Liz can’t sleep so she calls Todd. His mother says he’s gone to bed and asks not to be disturbed. She says it’s probably because of the game tomorrow. Liz wonders if he told his mom to tell her that if she called. Todd goes out of his way to ignore Liz the next day at school. Mr. Collins asks her to cover the big game. Liz tries to turn it down with the excuse of she’s not that interested in basketball. But Mr. Collins says its her chance to show how objective she is. Liz says she doesn’t think she can be objective. He says she’s a better reporter than that and she agrees to cover the game.

Todd is distracted during the game and keeps missing shots. Nick makes it right by going to Todd and telling him he’s the one Liz is really in love with. Todd lets out a whoop and everything is good again. Todd has a new fire and comes back out and wins the game.

My Thoughts:
It was just a little strange that Nick has never meet Liz and tells her he’s fallen for her after meeting her the first time at a party. But then I thought back and I said ok it *can* happen. But INFATUATION at first sight rarely last. Even if Nick has convinced Liz to stray from Todd -and I honestly think this would have been a come up- you really wouldn’t want someone who can be taken from someone so easily. NOT A GOOD SIGN!

It’s funny tho. In the series Liz is supposed to be “the good girl” but she was just as taken in by this guy as Jessica was. Why did she feel like she “owed him” anything? No one is “owed” kindness. Kindness is something that’s earned. And since when if someone *insist* something from you is this law? You can always RESIST?

I did like Nicholos tho. I liked that he was man enough to go to Todd at the end of the book and say hey. It was me. I kind of pushed that on her but it’s you she’s in love with. It showed he had character. He could have taken Todd’s calling it off as an opportunity to keep pushing up on Liz and talk trash about Todd to convince her that he really wasn’t the one for her anyway.
I think it goes without saying I don’t think much of Jessica for what she did and the dumb thing is she doesn’t even seem to REALIZE how serious what she did was. I just shook my head at that. And then it was really unbelievable that after what Randy and Jessica did that Liz because for no other reason that she’s Liz (and thus perfect) has this amazing hold on Mr. Cooper that she can just plead with him a few seconds and there’s no suspension. No expulsion! No NOTHING! FOR HACKING INTO A COMPUTER! REALLY?!

Rating: 6

[Kat · Rating 3 out of 5]

Elizabeth's people pleasing ways come back to haunt her in this book. Granted, Nicholas Morrow is an extremely pushy individual who is not used to hearing "no" for an answer, and apparently has a complete lack of awareness that Elizabeth is on the verge of tears when agreeing to go on a "date" with him. She finds herself dreading the date all week, while being tortured about finding the right time to tell her boyfriend Todd, which she absolutely has to do for this to be OK. I won't spoil the conclusion, but let me just say that I hope that Liz learned from this situation that honesty is the best policy, and that you do NOT need to agree to go on a date with a guy just so he can feel better about himself.

There is also a wonderfully vague hacking subplot which I did appreciated. All in all, pretty standard SVH fare here.
--
**Review Note - I have been re-reading the Sweet Valley High series one book at a time for my podcast, “Lessons From Sweet Valley.” The following is the unique SVH rating system that I use on goodreads for these books alone…

5 Stars - The book is worthy of being read outside of the series purely as an exemplary example of YA fiction.
4 Stars - The book contains an element, storyline or theme that sets it apart from your average SVH tome.
3 Stars - The book adequately meets the expectations of an SVH book as it exists in the Sweet Valley universe.
2 Stars - The book falls below the SVH standards in terms of subject matter, characters or overall story.
1 Star - Offensive by SVH standards! Any of those re-reading the series should skip entirely.

[ThymeOperator · Rating 4 out of 5]

What ISN'T there to love about this one? The disgusting hot clam special is back. Jessica flirts like crazy with a computer nerd in a way that could have only been pulled off in the '80s. ('This is called a floppy disk' - 'Oh, you're so smart, Randy!') And even better - Liz has JUST been saved from being kidnapped by a crazed, obsessive stalker and does she have PTSD? Nope! She just wants to 'forget about it' and have a party! A party where new boy Nicholas literally tells her he's fallen in love with her after having talked to her for...an hour, at the most - then follows her all over the house like a crazed, obsessive stalker and uses emotional blackmail to manipulate her into going on a date with him, even though she's told him over and over that she has a boyfriend...and she says yes! Because she'd hate to be responsible for his unhappiness over being turned down. Gosh, that just wouldn't be fair to him! And on their date, she gushes happily over him doing all her ordering for her straight away, like feminism never happened. And in the end, Nicholas just explains this to Todd ('It's not her fault, it's mine, because I put so much pressure on her - but I now know it's bad to do that to girls') and Todd instantly forgives and tells Liz what a great guy Nicholas is. This is the stuff of gold, people! Hi-lar-ious.

As an aside, my friend asked what teenagers gush over eating salmon. I would add to this by asking why they're all eating those clams at a burger joint!

[anolinde · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm just gonna quote straight from the back of the book:

Even though Elizabeth would never cheat on Todd Wilkins, her steady boyfriend, Nicholas is so attractive and sincere that she agrees to go out with him just once.

Am I taking crazy pills, or is going on a date with someone else other than your boyfriend not the exact definition of cheating?! Like, is there something I'm not getting about 80s dating norms??

I've said it before and I'll say it again: Todd deserves better than Elizabeth. He took her back! What a standup guy! Although I'm sure it'll be his turn to do something terrible soon.

[Starry · Rating 2 out of 5]

Oh God spare me, Liz doesn't have the balls to say no to the new boy in town who pesters her repeatedly for a date even though she has a boyfriend. How could she possibly refuse to dole out her so spectacular time and energy on someone who just needs it so much? It is practically written in the constitution that she has to oblige this guy at least once. But it has to be a secret from her boyfriend Todd. And nobody could possibly foresee trouble here, folks....

This book needs a pooper scooper. But I am still enjoying my time reliving these classic books. I can't bring myself to give it a higher star rating because plot wise... yikes!

[Autumn Quinn · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a decent book. Sometimes I just had to sit and slap my forehead at how stupid some of the situations were. I feel like Nicholas and Todd were a little too buddy-buddy too fast at the end, a bit unrealistic. But I guess that makes a happy ending. I liked the little spicy drama, but honestly Liz is far too fair, like what the crap? She's dating someone else, therefore do not go on a date with anyone else lol.

[Aurora Dimitre · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is one of the really bad ones, just because at least when people are getting kidnapped that means something is happening. All Liz had to do was say, "No" and actually mean it. I was way more into Jessica leading on Randy and making him change her math grade. That's at least fun.

[Natasha · Rating 1 out of 5]

I really don't understand why Nicholas was pressuring Liz to go out with him. He knew she had a serious boyfriend and he guilts her into having dinner with him. Liz actually thinks it was okay because she justified it by thinking it was dinner with a friend. God she's something else. She could be worse than Jess at times.

[Claire · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jessica’s got her sights set on the new boy in town Nicholas Morrow but he’s only got eyes for Elizabeth. Despite Elizabeth being in a relationship with Todd, Nicholas persuades her to go on a date with him to give him one chance. Elizabeth can’t bring herself to tell Todd so goes out with Nicholas and hopes Todd doesn’t find out.

[Stephanie · Rating 3 out of 5]

We’ve got computer hackers in this one! Granted we’re just changing school grades and not starting international chaos like in “War Games” — but it’s so 80’s and I’ll take it. There’s also Elizabeth having a secret rendezvous with the new hot rich boy in town. How dare she screw over Todd like that?!

[The Book Squirrel · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book comes after Elizabeth has been kidnapped, and the boy who was with Jess helping her look for her sister decides he's been with the wrong one.
I read a few of these when I was in high school and I liked them at the time. From what I remember looking back on them, though, I would put them in the trash as an adult and certainly not recommend them to teen girls.

[Faith Fawcett · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love how easy it is to get sucked into this town.

I just REALLY didn’t like Nicholas and how he pressured Elizabeth, only for her to be completely cool with it in the end. It was giving major red flag for both characters but I am trying to let them off since they are only sixteen haha 😆

[Angel · Rating 2 out of 5]

The whole reason Elizabeth went out with Nicholas seemed contrived.

[Jennifer · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read this from a sense of nostalgia and was so sad to find that neither of these twins are likable at all! Why did I like this when I was a kid? I remember really loving these books.

[Kodie · Rating 3 out of 5]

You know what I love about these books? How little they stand the test of time. Also how easy computer were back in the day. “Wanna run a program?” Smooth randy. Real smooth.

[Zoe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Why are these books so addictive. Super dated and slightly cringey but i am absolutely loving them and devouring them one after the other.

[Tanya · Rating 3 out of 5]

The author must have loved Todd... I never did but... oh well. And WOW! People fall in love fast in Sweet Valley! And Elizabeth, you bad girl... oh so sneaky... Loving this trip down memory lane.