What do you think?
Rate this book
Sweet Valley High Magna Editions #11
The Fowlers of Sweet Valley
Discover the sweeping, romantic history of the men and women who made Lila Fowler who she is today!
Beautiful sixteen-year-old Lili de Beautemps is rescued from guillotine during the French Revolution by a dashing young man--but he disappears before she can even thank him. Will Lili ever see him again?
While working as a maid in the Marquis de Bocage's chateau, Celeste Chardin unexpectedly wins the love of the Marquis's son, Marc. Will Marc give up his family riches to be with her?
Wild and reckless Rose de Bocage grew up with Pierre Oiseleur in the turbulent 1890s. But when Pierre declares his everlasting love for Rose, she tells him she'll never settle down. Will she regret that decision forever?
Isabelle Eastman thought her true love, Jacques Oiseleur, had been killed in World War I. But he miraculously survived. Jacques returns to Isabelle--only to learn she has married his best friend.
In 1968, George Fowler falls in love with Grace Doret, the daughter of his parents' archenemies. Against all odds, he must transform into the man of her dreams. . . .
Beautiful sixteen-year-old Lili de Beautemps is rescued from guillotine during the French Revolution by a dashing young man--but he disappears before she can even thank him. Will Lili ever see him again?
While working as a maid in the Marquis de Bocage's chateau, Celeste Chardin unexpectedly wins the love of the Marquis's son, Marc. Will Marc give up his family riches to be with her?
Wild and reckless Rose de Bocage grew up with Pierre Oiseleur in the turbulent 1890s. But when Pierre declares his everlasting love for Rose, she tells him she'll never settle down. Will she regret that decision forever?
Isabelle Eastman thought her true love, Jacques Oiseleur, had been killed in World War I. But he miraculously survived. Jacques returns to Isabelle--only to learn she has married his best friend.
In 1968, George Fowler falls in love with Grace Doret, the daughter of his parents' archenemies. Against all odds, he must transform into the man of her dreams. . . .
343 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published November 1, 1996
5 people are currently reading
395 people want to read
About the author
Kate William
236 books31 followersKate William is not a real person and does not exist.
Kate William is the fake name that was created to represent the team of ghostwriters that wrote the Sweet Valley High series.
Kate William is the fake name that was created to represent the team of ghostwriters that wrote the Sweet Valley High series.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
August 14, 2018
I am basing my rating on when I first read this book in the Saga series which was when I was 16 years old I think. I only read this book and the 'Wakefield's of Sweet Valley' in the Saga series and between the two this was my favourite...the Fowlers really had an eventful and interesting timeline.
October 26, 2013
Yeah, I'm 31 and just read this book. So? It came out in 1996 and I somehow missed it and the Patman Saga too. Thinking I will have to hunt down the other one now. lol
I am a sucker for anything dealing with historical time periods(even "history" like this). As far as the book goes, it wasn't that bad. I think I may have even cried at one point. ;)
I am a sucker for anything dealing with historical time periods(even "history" like this). As far as the book goes, it wasn't that bad. I think I may have even cried at one point. ;)
July 19, 2016
(RATED ACCORDING TO MY OPINION WHEN I WAS 12)
I read this when I was about 12 or 13 and I remember really enjoying it. It was fun, exciting and the romance seemed swoon-worthy enough ( if I read it now I'd probably roll my eyes at it, but back then it felt swoon-worthy), and overall, I had a good time reading it.
I read this when I was about 12 or 13 and I remember really enjoying it. It was fun, exciting and the romance seemed swoon-worthy enough ( if I read it now I'd probably roll my eyes at it, but back then it felt swoon-worthy), and overall, I had a good time reading it.
May 12, 2017
A book I found in my stocking at Xmas, along with several other nostalgic SVH gems, it has been sitting in my bedside table for months. I read it in a couple of hours and it was terrible and awesome and just the light hearted distraction I needed. These "saga" editions are even cheesier and more terrible than the typical 80s YA pulp fiction, in that they're filled with implausible romantic coincidences, odd historical inaccuracies, and incredibly detailed descriptions of the ancestors of our beloved SVH characters. These books are the Coca-cola of reading. Zero nutritional value and by all accounts terrible for the body, but sometimes all you want is exactly that oversweet crap. 2 stars.
October 24, 2016
This book made me ask myself several times, “Is this almost over?” which is a sad question to ask of any written work. It seemed like every time I got to another generation of characters, I just lost more interest. I know this was supposed to be a quick backstory on how the characters of Sweet Valley High came to be…but I can’t help feeling the author could have spent a little more time and gotten more books out of this plotline.
Each generation’s story felt so condensed… while we were given a taste of something possibly great, it was watered down into a synopsis of a few chapters that lacked substance. This book had the potential to be an incredible mini-series, or several small editions similar to the “Dear America” series.
Take a look, for example, at the 1865 generation, Rose:
“A spirited debate ensued, with Rose finally persuading Pierre that while the sexes had a long way to go before they’d be equal, better education for women would start the transformation. Pierre conceded that Rose was as smart as any of his male schoolmates. He was happy to grant the point because he wanted to steer the conversation in a more personal direction.”
I know some people want to get straight to the point where two characters kiss passionately, but when this whole book is nothing but the characters kissing, it starts losing its feeling and meaning. A great romance has buildup, such as when Jane Eyre finally kisses Mr. Rochester, my heart was racing! But here, there wasn’t really any buildup, and that excerpt could’ve been more than a paragraph, that could’ve been a WHOLE CHAPTER!!!! Why was Rose as smart as any of his male schoolmates?
“Ha!” Rose blurted. “Simply because I’m capable of having a baby and you’re not, you think I should be restricted to a domestic role?”
Apart from this line, we don’t get any of their argument or justifications; we have to take the author’s word for it. This part could’ve benefited SO much if it had been elaborated!
To be honest, this book would have gotten a three star review, if the final generation hadn’t been so stupid. I may not have ever experienced a divorce, but honestly…
Grace’s workaholic husband who isn’t ever home, tells her that she cannot go and see her family (because of longtime feud which they “supposedly” ended when they got married because it was “in the past” and “Didn’t matter anymore”) because he says so. Also, he becomes livid when she goes to stay with her family because her grandmother died and she wanted to attend her funeral. Grace says, (I quote from the book here) “You and I need some time to think about what we can do to make this marriage work.” THEN on the day of the funeral the workaholic husband sends divorce papers, and he not only wins sole custody of their daughter Lila he also takes away Grace’s visitation rights! Fast forward 14 years… now the workaholic husband can’t help his daughter Lila cope (she needs a mother), he decides to call up Grace (basically a STRANGER to her daughter now…but we are supposed to ignore that). What I can’t ignore is that 1) a woman who hasn’t seen her daughter in 14 years gets along perfectly with her daughter upon first meeting. 2) She remarries the husband… In case you think you misread that, SHE REMARRIES HIM! (WHY?!) I get that they’re older now, but even if he HAS changed in certain areas, he is still a workaholic (which is one of the major problems she had with him the first time) and he has also robbed 14 years that Grace should have had with her daughter.
She never asks if this time around she’ll get to see her parents who are getting older, as a matter of fact, they’re not even mentioned! And they decide to remarry after only being together for a few weeks, A FEW WEEKS!
I understand that the workaholic husband is a descendant of Georges Oiseleur and she is the descendant of Lili de Beautemps and seemingly they were meant for each other. This is apparent as their descendants had crossed paths, fallen in love (though never getting married) only to be tragically torn apart…finally ending up with Grace Doret (descendant of de Beautemps) and George Fowler (once Oiseleur). NO, no, it STILL isn’t romantic; it is just a bad relationship.
One mistake in the book: In 1971 when Grace and George meet, they elope sometime in the fall of 1971. Then the next chapter is titled “A Number of years later. Sweet Valley” when Lila is born, okay…
Then next chapter is dated in 1975 and Lila is two…
I’m not great at Math but I think I can figure out that two years prior to 1975 is 1973, so instead of “A number of years later”, the author should’ve put 1973! Perhaps an editing error before the timeline was established for the book but definitely one of those things that scream at you!
Overall, I can’t recommend it. The storyline is tiresome and I felt like I hadn’t accomplished anything by reading it except the uneasy sensation that I wasted my time.
Each generation’s story felt so condensed… while we were given a taste of something possibly great, it was watered down into a synopsis of a few chapters that lacked substance. This book had the potential to be an incredible mini-series, or several small editions similar to the “Dear America” series.
Take a look, for example, at the 1865 generation, Rose:
“A spirited debate ensued, with Rose finally persuading Pierre that while the sexes had a long way to go before they’d be equal, better education for women would start the transformation. Pierre conceded that Rose was as smart as any of his male schoolmates. He was happy to grant the point because he wanted to steer the conversation in a more personal direction.”
I know some people want to get straight to the point where two characters kiss passionately, but when this whole book is nothing but the characters kissing, it starts losing its feeling and meaning. A great romance has buildup, such as when Jane Eyre finally kisses Mr. Rochester, my heart was racing! But here, there wasn’t really any buildup, and that excerpt could’ve been more than a paragraph, that could’ve been a WHOLE CHAPTER!!!! Why was Rose as smart as any of his male schoolmates?
“Ha!” Rose blurted. “Simply because I’m capable of having a baby and you’re not, you think I should be restricted to a domestic role?”
Apart from this line, we don’t get any of their argument or justifications; we have to take the author’s word for it. This part could’ve benefited SO much if it had been elaborated!
To be honest, this book would have gotten a three star review, if the final generation hadn’t been so stupid. I may not have ever experienced a divorce, but honestly…
Grace’s workaholic husband who isn’t ever home, tells her that she cannot go and see her family (because of longtime feud which they “supposedly” ended when they got married because it was “in the past” and “Didn’t matter anymore”) because he says so. Also, he becomes livid when she goes to stay with her family because her grandmother died and she wanted to attend her funeral. Grace says, (I quote from the book here) “You and I need some time to think about what we can do to make this marriage work.” THEN on the day of the funeral the workaholic husband sends divorce papers, and he not only wins sole custody of their daughter Lila he also takes away Grace’s visitation rights! Fast forward 14 years… now the workaholic husband can’t help his daughter Lila cope (she needs a mother), he decides to call up Grace (basically a STRANGER to her daughter now…but we are supposed to ignore that). What I can’t ignore is that 1) a woman who hasn’t seen her daughter in 14 years gets along perfectly with her daughter upon first meeting. 2) She remarries the husband… In case you think you misread that, SHE REMARRIES HIM! (WHY?!) I get that they’re older now, but even if he HAS changed in certain areas, he is still a workaholic (which is one of the major problems she had with him the first time) and he has also robbed 14 years that Grace should have had with her daughter.
She never asks if this time around she’ll get to see her parents who are getting older, as a matter of fact, they’re not even mentioned! And they decide to remarry after only being together for a few weeks, A FEW WEEKS!
I understand that the workaholic husband is a descendant of Georges Oiseleur and she is the descendant of Lili de Beautemps and seemingly they were meant for each other. This is apparent as their descendants had crossed paths, fallen in love (though never getting married) only to be tragically torn apart…finally ending up with Grace Doret (descendant of de Beautemps) and George Fowler (once Oiseleur). NO, no, it STILL isn’t romantic; it is just a bad relationship.
One mistake in the book: In 1971 when Grace and George meet, they elope sometime in the fall of 1971. Then the next chapter is titled “A Number of years later. Sweet Valley” when Lila is born, okay…
Then next chapter is dated in 1975 and Lila is two…
I’m not great at Math but I think I can figure out that two years prior to 1975 is 1973, so instead of “A number of years later”, the author should’ve put 1973! Perhaps an editing error before the timeline was established for the book but definitely one of those things that scream at you!
Overall, I can’t recommend it. The storyline is tiresome and I felt like I hadn’t accomplished anything by reading it except the uneasy sensation that I wasted my time.
August 16, 2017
Always and will be my favorite, ever.
June 24, 2019
Not only does this book bring back ALL the memories from my adolescent years, it was also one of the first ones which cemented my love for generational and family sagas, where characters and events are interconnected, with some of these connections only becoming apparent in hindsight.
These stories also appealed to me individually for various reasons.
Although the first story did much to set-up those following it, it was also actually the most forgettable for me, despite the interesting choice to set the action around the effects of the French Revolution.
As a bit of a sucker for cross-class love stories, the second addition to this collection was everything my romance-loving heart looked for. I also adored that it included the promise of a future relationship for the governess, and the male lead from the first book finally gets his happy after.
The third entry stuck with me primarily because of the surprising turn the story took, with it ending up sort of treading the same territory as My Best Friend's Wedding.
The next one was ABSOLUTELY channelling Pearl Harbour though, and while the angst was real, it also didn't really have much in the way of genuine romance.
Finally, the last book focusing on Lila's parents is another study in a Romeo and Juliet type relationship sort of like the second story and, while no one died, it still resulted in a lengthy separation period for the central couple I wasn't thrilled about.
So, in conclusion, though I've never really read any of the Sweet Valley High books outside of this one, it still brings back fond memories and features some of my most favourite tropes.
These stories also appealed to me individually for various reasons.
Although the first story did much to set-up those following it, it was also actually the most forgettable for me, despite the interesting choice to set the action around the effects of the French Revolution.
As a bit of a sucker for cross-class love stories, the second addition to this collection was everything my romance-loving heart looked for. I also adored that it included the promise of a future relationship for the governess, and the male lead from the first book finally gets his happy after.
The third entry stuck with me primarily because of the surprising turn the story took, with it ending up sort of treading the same territory as My Best Friend's Wedding.
The next one was ABSOLUTELY channelling Pearl Harbour though, and while the angst was real, it also didn't really have much in the way of genuine romance.
Finally, the last book focusing on Lila's parents is another study in a Romeo and Juliet type relationship sort of like the second story and, while no one died, it still resulted in a lengthy separation period for the central couple I wasn't thrilled about.
So, in conclusion, though I've never really read any of the Sweet Valley High books outside of this one, it still brings back fond memories and features some of my most favourite tropes.
July 16, 2020
I would have liked to have given this book 4 stars since Sweet Valley always takes me back in time and fills me with great memories, but I cannot do that. Once we reach the final saga in the book, which is specifically Lila's parents, it becomes horrible. I understand that each love story needs some form of conflict and angst, but they took it way too far in the last one. It was downright abusive at points. The way the character George Fowler was written will cement how I look at him forever now. Especially considering to the horrible things he did to Lila's mother. This was cruelty at it's finest, and i'm honestly disappointed in Pascal for allowing this to happen to her amazing SVH creation.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 2, 2021
The only one I missed of the four Sweet Valley Sagas when I was a tween/teen. What satisfaction to own and have read them all now!
(I wish we had ended with Celeste’s generation though, so I knocked off a star. )
But did I still enjoy it? 💯
(I wish we had ended with Celeste’s generation though, so I knocked off a star. )
But did I still enjoy it? 💯
February 1, 2019
One of the best sagas.
Lila is aristocracy through and through!
Lila is aristocracy through and through!
February 17, 2017
I remember how the Sweet Valley Family Saga series were written in almost the same league as V.C. Andrews. The stories were more dramatic and more towards adult more than YA, as far as I can remember. Unfortunately, I could no longer remember the story of the Fowler family; just like most of the Sweet Valley books I've read in grade school to middle school.
March 31, 2013
As Lila was one of my favorite supporting characters after Elizabeth and Jessica, this is a beautiful novel telling the reader how the women of the Fowler lineage made Lila the strong, independent, sometimes bossy, leader of her group of friends. I think the greatest thing the writer did here was connect the timeline of this story with that of the novel in which Lila finds herself feeling more alone then ever. (I don't want to spoil the ending for younger readers) It made it all the more believable and showed it wasn't a biography with Lila finding out about her past working on a school project. It was real.
April 21, 2022
Nostalgia read on 04.20.22.
I updated the rating to three stars because the story was fairly enjoyable after all this time. The family saga stories were always among my favorite Sweet Valley books and when I saw I could collect them used, I went ahead and did it.
Here we have the story of Lila Fowler’s ancestors and how everyone came together. From the French Revolution to World War 1, we visit the men and women who “made Lila who she is.” The romances were admittedly cheesy but rereading this was fun.
I updated the rating to three stars because the story was fairly enjoyable after all this time. The family saga stories were always among my favorite Sweet Valley books and when I saw I could collect them used, I went ahead and did it.
Here we have the story of Lila Fowler’s ancestors and how everyone came together. From the French Revolution to World War 1, we visit the men and women who “made Lila who she is.” The romances were admittedly cheesy but rereading this was fun.
Read
August 28, 2009Book Details:
Title Fowlers of Sweet Valley (Sweet Valley Saga Series)
Author Francine Pascal
Reviewed By Purplycookie
francine pascal, purply's library, sweet valley, chick lit, purply's reviews, books
Title Fowlers of Sweet Valley (Sweet Valley Saga Series)
Author Francine Pascal
Reviewed By Purplycookie
francine pascal, purply's library, sweet valley, chick lit, purply's reviews, books
September 3, 2012
I based my rating on what I felt on the age and time that I read this book. It does not matter much anymore if the book, (if ever re-read) does not qualify my adult standards anymore. It has set up it's own standard which only a younger, naive, and easily deceived me has the right to revoke.
January 30, 2013
I've always known Lila Fowler and Bruce Patman's family had a past. Both of them cone from wealthy families. Both kids turned out snooty and snobbish.
The book also deals with the marital affairs of the Fowlers and Lila's family secrets.
The book also deals with the marital affairs of the Fowlers and Lila's family secrets.
December 10, 2008
One of my favorite series when I was younger!
April 10, 2009
I read this book in 5th grade, I love Sweet Valley High books. It was very intriguing to find out about all the women Lila comes from. I carried it around everywhere!
July 29, 2009
This was actually good!
August 5, 2009
SO good. Had the most heartbreaking stories.
June 22, 2016
Read this when I was young and adored it. Have read it several times over the years and I continue to enjoy it every time. Lovely book
January 8, 2013
Good Series
July 8, 2013
I have read so many of these books I can't remember all of them.
Read
November 25, 2013loved these books. Still have my origingal copy
August 2, 2015
Oh my gosh!!! I LOVE THE ENDING. I was just so frustrated with Charles, though. I really hate him!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
November 20, 2016
It's always interesting to read the family tree of a character from Sweet Valley. But overall, so-so.
January 3, 2013
Nostalgia. As a child, there was something magic about these short love stories.
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews