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Sweet Valley High Super Editions #3
Spring Break
Jessica and Elizabeth Wakefield are nearly bursting with excitement. Spring break has arrived, and the twins are off to the glamorous South of France! It's the vacation of a Elizabeth can't wait to practice her French, but Jessica's dying to meet those romantic French boys.
The Riviera turns out to be even more beautiful and wondrous than the twins had imagined, with its beach clubs, magnificent mansions, and the glittering Mediterranean Sea. But while the Frenchwoman with whom Jessica and Elizabeth are staying is a welcome hostess, her handsome son, Rene, is arrogant and rude. Can the twins figure out why Rene seems to despise them, or will he spoil their dream vacation?
The Riviera turns out to be even more beautiful and wondrous than the twins had imagined, with its beach clubs, magnificent mansions, and the glittering Mediterranean Sea. But while the Frenchwoman with whom Jessica and Elizabeth are staying is a welcome hostess, her handsome son, Rene, is arrogant and rude. Can the twins figure out why Rene seems to despise them, or will he spoil their dream vacation?
216 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1986
2 people are currently reading
306 people want to read
About the author
Francine Pascal
1,142 books1,834 followersFrancine Paula Pascal was an American author best known for her Sweet Valley series of young adult novels. Sweet Valley High, the backbone of the collection, was made into a television series, which led to several spin-offs, including The Unicorn Club and Sweet Valley University. Although most of these books were published in the 1980s and 1990s, they remained so popular that several titles were re-released decades later.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews
March 20, 2017
It's Sweet Valley Super Edition Pop Quiz Time!!
1. The twins are off to France. Where are they going? (Be careful, this one's a trick question!)
a. To Cannes, France.
b. To Paris, France.
c. Somewhere they can manipulate everyone into kissing their asses.
d. To Italy.
If you said A & C - right-o! The twins Cannes manipulate everyone in France (see what I did there?).
2. What is Jessica up to?
a. Pretending to be Liz so she can get her way.
b. Using men who don't know better.
c. Feeling no guilt whatsoever about her sister's feelings in the matter.
d. Getting herself into a dangerous situation and needing her sister to rescue her.
e. All of the above!
If you picked e. All of the above, you are really good at this (also, you know how to spot a sociopath, and that's an important skill!).
3. What is Liz doing?
a. Meddling in someone's business.
b. Ignoring having fun in favor of proving she is a good person.
c. Chatting with Enid.
d. Being mopey and missing Todd.
If you answered A & B, you are right on track.
4. Back in Sweet Valley, you can find Steven:
a. Obsessing over Tricia Martin.
b. Obsessing over the Ghost of Tricia Martin number one (Andrea) and pissing off Cara.
c. Obsessing over the Ghost of Tricia Martin number two (Ferney) and still pissing off Cara.
d. Obsessing over an unknown person he will surely mistake in the future for his dead former love, Tricia Martin.
Yes, you are right! The answer is C!
5. The Wakefield parents are:
a. Useless and crap, as per usual.
b. See above.
6. Enid is:
a. Irrelevant to the plot.
b. See above.
7. The danger in this book involves:
a. A psycho Wakefield look-alike named Margo.
b. The twin of the psycho Wakefield look-alike named Nora.
c. Evading someone their dad pissed off in court.
d. Getting trapped in the ocean.
You are correct in assuming D!
8. What stereotypes are rampant in this book?
a. A French man really hates Americans.
b. A French man is named Jean-Claude.
c. Americans save the day; prove to be amazing.
d. Thin people are mentioned ad nauseam.
e. All of the above.
Why yes, it is e. All of the above!!
Quotes:
"'Are you implying that I have to work to keep my perfect figure,'" Jessica asked, trying to keep a straight face.
(Gag me).
Jessica: For your information, Rene, I've never had any complaints about my shape. You're the first.
(Good Lord.)
Elizabeth: No, I know you think I'm like that, the kind of person to meddle in other people's business, but that's not true. I wish I could make you understand that.
Thank you for taking this Sweet Valley Super Edition Pop Quiz! For more Spring Break hijinks, stay tuned for the College Cruise SVU trilogy...
1. The twins are off to France. Where are they going? (Be careful, this one's a trick question!)
a. To Cannes, France.
b. To Paris, France.
c. Somewhere they can manipulate everyone into kissing their asses.
d. To Italy.
If you said A & C - right-o! The twins Cannes manipulate everyone in France (see what I did there?).
2. What is Jessica up to?
a. Pretending to be Liz so she can get her way.
b. Using men who don't know better.
c. Feeling no guilt whatsoever about her sister's feelings in the matter.
d. Getting herself into a dangerous situation and needing her sister to rescue her.
e. All of the above!
If you picked e. All of the above, you are really good at this (also, you know how to spot a sociopath, and that's an important skill!).
3. What is Liz doing?
a. Meddling in someone's business.
b. Ignoring having fun in favor of proving she is a good person.
c. Chatting with Enid.
d. Being mopey and missing Todd.
If you answered A & B, you are right on track.
4. Back in Sweet Valley, you can find Steven:
a. Obsessing over Tricia Martin.
b. Obsessing over the Ghost of Tricia Martin number one (Andrea) and pissing off Cara.
c. Obsessing over the Ghost of Tricia Martin number two (Ferney) and still pissing off Cara.
d. Obsessing over an unknown person he will surely mistake in the future for his dead former love, Tricia Martin.
Yes, you are right! The answer is C!
5. The Wakefield parents are:
a. Useless and crap, as per usual.
b. See above.
6. Enid is:
a. Irrelevant to the plot.
b. See above.
7. The danger in this book involves:
a. A psycho Wakefield look-alike named Margo.
b. The twin of the psycho Wakefield look-alike named Nora.
c. Evading someone their dad pissed off in court.
d. Getting trapped in the ocean.
You are correct in assuming D!
8. What stereotypes are rampant in this book?
a. A French man really hates Americans.
b. A French man is named Jean-Claude.
c. Americans save the day; prove to be amazing.
d. Thin people are mentioned ad nauseam.
e. All of the above.
Why yes, it is e. All of the above!!
Quotes:
"'Are you implying that I have to work to keep my perfect figure,'" Jessica asked, trying to keep a straight face.
(Gag me).
Jessica: For your information, Rene, I've never had any complaints about my shape. You're the first.
(Good Lord.)
Elizabeth: No, I know you think I'm like that, the kind of person to meddle in other people's business, but that's not true. I wish I could make you understand that.
Thank you for taking this Sweet Valley Super Edition Pop Quiz! For more Spring Break hijinks, stay tuned for the College Cruise SVU trilogy...
April 8, 2022
This was my favorite Sweet Valley high super edition that I’ve read. It was so much fun! I will say, I know cara wasn’t as major to this plot as the twins were, but she had so much more depth as a character than I thought she would and I’m excited to see more of her in the regular series. Also, Jessica makes me mad. Like, really really mad. I sort of had hope for Elizabeth and Jean-Claude to just be friends?? But of course, Jessica has to sink her talons into him. Ugh. The older I get the more mad Jessica makes me, but what can you do? Also, I thought we would find out why Ferney looked so similar to Tricia Martin? Maybe I was the only one who thought that, I don’t know. Oh! And Rene. I really, REALLY wanted him and Elizabeth to get together. I am glad that they were developed into at least friends by the end, though.
(Side note- I’ve been reading books from the sweet valley franchise since I was about seven, so I’ve been growing up on these books. I Will say it’s interesting to go from reading Sweet Valley kids, to sweet twins/junior high, to now sweet valley high. [I’m still reading sweet valley twins/junior high, I’ll just put that here] Their personalities have had the same qualities for years, but as the books progress, those characteristics of the characters just get stronger in them. And yes I know the books were written out of order, but it’s been cool to see these characters grow and just develop stronger personalities throughout the years.)
(Side note- I’ve been reading books from the sweet valley franchise since I was about seven, so I’ve been growing up on these books. I Will say it’s interesting to go from reading Sweet Valley kids, to sweet twins/junior high, to now sweet valley high. [I’m still reading sweet valley twins/junior high, I’ll just put that here] Their personalities have had the same qualities for years, but as the books progress, those characteristics of the characters just get stronger in them. And yes I know the books were written out of order, but it’s been cool to see these characters grow and just develop stronger personalities throughout the years.)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 19, 2025
I definitely enjoyed this book much more when I was 11-12 years old. Sadly, reading it 40 years later was not as fun. I always forget how horrible Jessica is in every way...irresponsible, selfish, greedy, vain and unkind. Elizabeth was my favorite, since she's more like me (except for the lovely figure and blond hair...lol!) in most ways.
Although Spring Break takes place in France (so awesome!), the unfair situations that continually kept happening to Liz just got me down. Rene was also horrible until the last few pages and I feel like Liz had a bit TOO much patience with his utter rudeness and sneering. I'm not sure I could have been as understanding as she was under the circumstances. Ugh.
It's sad to have such awesome memories of this series from my youth and then finding that reread them is not very enjoyable at all. I was looking forward to reading more of these Super Editions, but I'm not sure if I can face reading more. I'll have to think about it. The covers are just so tempting!
Many thanks to Liz (@pony.books on Instagram) for buddy reading another SVH book with me!!
Although Spring Break takes place in France (so awesome!), the unfair situations that continually kept happening to Liz just got me down. Rene was also horrible until the last few pages and I feel like Liz had a bit TOO much patience with his utter rudeness and sneering. I'm not sure I could have been as understanding as she was under the circumstances. Ugh.
It's sad to have such awesome memories of this series from my youth and then finding that reread them is not very enjoyable at all. I was looking forward to reading more of these Super Editions, but I'm not sure if I can face reading more. I'll have to think about it. The covers are just so tempting!
Many thanks to Liz (@pony.books on Instagram) for buddy reading another SVH book with me!!
August 9, 2023
Why are these teens so perceptive? They understand their feelings much too well an how to talk each other down (or up). Wish I knew of peers when I was that age that were this practical and insightful. Except, of course, Jessica. She is up to her switcheroo habits once again and causing chaos wherever she goes. And what 16 from the US is gonna run all over France by herself, taking multiple buses, etc alone in a foreign city?! Elizabeth apparently. And since we never get a mention of bus-lines and such in small, little Sweet Valley, how is she comfortable in this?! I liked the story but it did not feel at all real for their age and setting.
February 16, 2020
The twins head off to France forna spring break exchange student trip, and wind up staying with a single mom and her brooding, hot 18 year old son who is not immediately charmed by them- not because he's assessed them as silly girls who care way too much about spending time at the beach and making friends than exploring France, but because he hates Americans. But wait! There's a reason! His dad left his family for an American. He also hates the beach. Again, he has a reason! His best friend drowned there. So rather than leaving this dude alone, the Wakefield twins are nosy, find out about all his private business, and then use that knowledge to try to win him over. And people say Americans aren't busybodies! Huh. Also, Jessica makes friends with a really rich French guy who isn't cute and summarily ditches him when she has the chance to pretend to be Elizabeth and steal the HOT French guy that Liz made friends with. And back home, the girl who goes to stay with the Wakefield family as the French part of the exchange program looks just like the apparently very-common-faced Tricia Martin, which makes Steven turn into a dickface to Cara. For a super edition, this book was not as good as the Christmas one. Onward.
September 16, 2017
There is something awesome about the Super Editions! 💕💕
March 17, 2025
Was a good spring break story!,
Read
June 30, 2024Spring Break
Mrs. Dalton set it up so some of her students can go to Cannes for an exchange program so they can work on their French. Liz and Jess will be staying with the Glitz’s: Avery (the mother) and Renee (her son -whose the twin's age-_ and Ferney (the daughter). Ferney will be staying with the Wakefields. Elizabeth keeps looking at the letter and the picture they sent. Clearly, she has an attraction to Renee, but when Jessica tells points this out and points out it's been ages since she’s been with anyone since Todd moved to Vermont, she says the right guy just hasn’t come along yet.
When they touch down in Nice, Renee and Avery are there at the airport. Avery is friendly but Renee is surly. When he sees Liz, his expression softens for a moment. Then the scowl returns. On the way back to the Glize’s house, Avery makes an effort to get to tell the twins apart and then points out some of the sites. She mentions a location where the stars stay for the Cannes film festival (a hotel). She says Renee has a friend whose mom is over the screenings and he attended some of them this year. This gets Renee to open up a little but his tone is still biting with the twins. Renee takes offense to Jessica’s comment about being relieved he speaks French and uses it to bitch about Americans who expect them to speak English but can’t even be bothered to learn simple words in their language. Both the twins are pissed. Liz because he made an assumption about her and didn’t give her a chance to even try, Jessica because no one has the right to be rude to her.. Renee and Avery begin to argue in French. Liz doesn’t understand what’s being said but she picks up on the words my father and wonders what the absentee father has to do with anything. Avery apologizes for her and Renee (even though Liz says it's ok). She says they’ll have words later, but don’t let that stop them from enjoying France. There are so many things they’re gonna love (like the bakery) Liz decides she’s not going to let Renee spoil her trip.
After lunch and a nap, the twins want plan to spend the day doing separate things. Liz just wants to chill and take in the sunset over the Mediterranean. Jessica wants to explore the house while Avery and Renee are out. Jessica wants to get back at Renee. Liz thinks they should give him another chance. Jessica explores the house and finds a third extension on the phone and in Renee’s room a cube of pictures. One with his father cut out. She also finds something that shocks her and runs to tell Liz. Renee’s sister is the clone of Tricia Martin (rolling my eyes. Haven’t we read this storyline before. Andrea?) Meanwhile, Steve is becoming attracted to Ferney and feeling guilty about it because of Cara. But he tells himself Cara will just have to understand that because Ferney looks like Tricia and a part of him will always love Tricia then she’ll be cool with him just “being a good host”. Cara calls as he’s about to take Ferney to the beach and he tells his mom to tell her he’ll call her back.
Mrs. Glize has to work the next day and Jessica bitches about her being a bad host. So Liz convinces her to go jogging. But this doesn’t last because Jessica isn’t exactly the exercising type. So she tells Liz she’ll meet her back at the Glize’s house after some laps around the neighborhood. On the way back, she meets a guy named Marc after being impressed with seeing his house and Prrsche. So she gets him to take her to the beach. He’s not exactly her type in looks but he has money so she’ll let him accompany her. Besides he might have friends. Liz tries to lecture her about being materialistic but it goes in one ear and out the other. Meanwhile, Ned and Alice discuss the thing with Ferney and decide to just wait it because talking to Steve won’t really get them anywhere. Avery and Renne have an argument and Liz overhears it about being rude and taking her out for the afternoon. Once again someone is mentioned that Liz thinks might be Renee’s father. While out, he displays a split personality. Tehre are moments he’ll soften and act human and then the hard edge returns. Liz wants to go to the beach but he tells her he doesn’t swim (at least not anymore). Liz wonders if his father was an American and that’s why he has it out for her and Jess. They look as if they’re going to have a moment, but when he takes her to a café to meet his friends he changes the subject whenever they ask her something. So, she decides that like Jessica she’ll have to make other friends. She’s done making excuses and feeling sorry for him.
It's confirmed by his friends when he goes to the restroom that his father was American. The last straw for Liz was when he called the waiter over and told him to bring them some ketchup because they had an American guest and Americans like to groan their food in it because they can’t cook. His friends chastise him for being rude and he blames Liz. When she gets back, Liz wanders off by herself and writes in her diary on a countryside. A puppy wanders up to her and won’t leave so she finds out where it lives and returns it home. It belongs to a Countess and she and Liz spend the rest of the afternoon chatting and discussing sites in Paris. At dinner, she tells everyone that she’ll be going back tomorrow for tea. Jessica spend the day with Marc and his family (and it was on the boring side) but she did try sunbathing topless. Renee tries to jump on her case claiming Europeans are more comfortable with their bodies but soon finds himself arguing with Liz and Jess. He says they’re both the same (all American girls are the same). He’s nice when his mother is there but when she turns her back, he’s right back to being an ass. Jessica returns the favor.
When Liz goes to have tea with the Countessa, she introduces her to her grandson Jean Claude and they talk about what is and isn’t true about what he heard about California. Then he asks Liz out to take her see the sites for the day. They have a great day going to the observatory and playing outdoor bowling. They make plans to go to the beach the next day. Then the story about Renee’s friend’s accident comes back. Renee and his best friend were having a swimming race when his friend got a cramp, went under, and died before Renee could get to him. Liz thinks how horrible that would be if something like that happened to Enid and vows to call her to check on her. Enid meanwhile has run into Cara at Casey’’s whose miserable about Steve. Enid tells her to fight for him. Remind Steve that it's not the real Trish and he can’t date a memory.
Liz finds out Jessica ditched Marc when he comes by to invite her to an art gallery. He asks her instead and doesn’t believe she’ll accept but she does and Liz enjoys herself meeting the paintr and his daughter. Meanwhile, Jessica and Jean Claude go out sailing but get trapped on the sea when a bad storm hits. Renee and Liz save them just in time as the boat tips over. Liz hops in to save Jessica but finds her strength giving out. That’s when Renee jumps in and grabs Jessica and instructs Liz to get Jean Claude. Jean Claude (once their safe) sees the twins together and is confused. Liz introduces herself as “Jessica, Elizabeth’s twin.” Meanwhile, Steve has convinced Cara that she’s the only one and he’s learned his lesson. After this Jessica goes out with Renee (right after) and she wants Liz to tell her what to do about the Countess but Liz says NOPE! Your on your own. Renne apologizes for how he acted. Liz thanks him and tells him how brave she thought he was. He admits he was wrong. Liz then even gets him to agree to read the letter. He makes a deal with her he will if she’ll let him take her out the next day to the beach and dinner. Liz agrees and admits to him she was hoping they’d be “friends” and he says it’s not too late.
My Thoughts
Ok so how many Tricia Martin clones are wandering around in the world? Why was this EXACT plot repeated in two different books? If this one can first, was someone not keeping track of what happened in the series? If this one came second, why would repeat the same plot? Then if this came second Cara definitely should have dumped Steve. But then if this was the first book, and he got away with it once and Cara forgave him, no surprise that did the same thing and probably thought ok well she forgive me once she’ll probably do it again. But the odd thing is in the one in the series I remember reading there wasn’t any mention of Ferney which leads me to believe that *that* was the first time. I don’t know. I just thought WHY and haven’t we read this before? But much like in life, there are NO CONSEQUENCES these days. Steve didn’t get dumped like he deserved to. Jessica didn’t get dumped. Again WHY? Jean Claude pretty much deserves what he got. He feel in love quick (and that seldomly works out) and then finds out the girl’s a manipulative liar and what does he say? I LOVE YOU ANYWAY. I LOVE YOU ANYWAY?! The Countess laughs it off instead of looking at her great-grandson like “is that REALLY the kind of woman you want? One with such loose morals. Liz like the pushover she is TAKES UP FOR HER and goes along with it after saving her instead of making her TELL THE TRUTH says she’s Jessica. And OVER and OVER and OVER Liz again lets Jessica play her and does ABSOLUTELY NOTHING. Then there’s LIZ. I’m actually surprised she didn’t read Renee’s letter. Liz pokes her nose all in this family's business. Let me back up. It’s a foreign concept to me (and yes I have heard of exchange programs) but these days to even think about opening your home to local people much less people from another country. I remember when last year we had an event called “The World Games” where a bunch of (really odd sports) were played here in a newer stadium. Because so many teams were arriving from out of town, I heard that money was being offered to house the people that didn’t have homes. Which kind of rubbed me the wrong way because it felt like they were just trying to “clean it up” by “hiding” that there were homeless people there. But there are homeless people EVERYWHERE. Then I found out the accommodations for some of them were less than humane. But the thing is these days you just can’t trust opening up your home to people you don’t know. You see what Jessica did the first time she got a chance to have the house to herself. She snooped in Renee’s room. Would you really want someone you didn’t know snooping around in your room? Or worse. STEALING? Did Avery do a background check on the Wakefields? Then let’s talk about Avery. For someone who invited people to her house that she didn’t even know she was constantly gone. I don’t know how it works in France but here if you take time off, they shouldn’t call you in but then I also know that even though it’s not the year this book was written how short-staffed and tight things are today with the lack of works. So maybe I can excuse Avery being gone all the time but I think she was a little *too* trusting. I thought that I’d like this Super Edition because it *was* in Paris but actually it presented the most challenge for me to get through AND the little events that actually had to do with Paris just wasn’t enough and wasn’t what I thought I’d dbebe.
Rating: 5
Mrs. Dalton set it up so some of her students can go to Cannes for an exchange program so they can work on their French. Liz and Jess will be staying with the Glitz’s: Avery (the mother) and Renee (her son -whose the twin's age-_ and Ferney (the daughter). Ferney will be staying with the Wakefields. Elizabeth keeps looking at the letter and the picture they sent. Clearly, she has an attraction to Renee, but when Jessica tells points this out and points out it's been ages since she’s been with anyone since Todd moved to Vermont, she says the right guy just hasn’t come along yet.
When they touch down in Nice, Renee and Avery are there at the airport. Avery is friendly but Renee is surly. When he sees Liz, his expression softens for a moment. Then the scowl returns. On the way back to the Glize’s house, Avery makes an effort to get to tell the twins apart and then points out some of the sites. She mentions a location where the stars stay for the Cannes film festival (a hotel). She says Renee has a friend whose mom is over the screenings and he attended some of them this year. This gets Renee to open up a little but his tone is still biting with the twins. Renee takes offense to Jessica’s comment about being relieved he speaks French and uses it to bitch about Americans who expect them to speak English but can’t even be bothered to learn simple words in their language. Both the twins are pissed. Liz because he made an assumption about her and didn’t give her a chance to even try, Jessica because no one has the right to be rude to her.. Renee and Avery begin to argue in French. Liz doesn’t understand what’s being said but she picks up on the words my father and wonders what the absentee father has to do with anything. Avery apologizes for her and Renee (even though Liz says it's ok). She says they’ll have words later, but don’t let that stop them from enjoying France. There are so many things they’re gonna love (like the bakery) Liz decides she’s not going to let Renee spoil her trip.
After lunch and a nap, the twins want plan to spend the day doing separate things. Liz just wants to chill and take in the sunset over the Mediterranean. Jessica wants to explore the house while Avery and Renee are out. Jessica wants to get back at Renee. Liz thinks they should give him another chance. Jessica explores the house and finds a third extension on the phone and in Renee’s room a cube of pictures. One with his father cut out. She also finds something that shocks her and runs to tell Liz. Renee’s sister is the clone of Tricia Martin (rolling my eyes. Haven’t we read this storyline before. Andrea?) Meanwhile, Steve is becoming attracted to Ferney and feeling guilty about it because of Cara. But he tells himself Cara will just have to understand that because Ferney looks like Tricia and a part of him will always love Tricia then she’ll be cool with him just “being a good host”. Cara calls as he’s about to take Ferney to the beach and he tells his mom to tell her he’ll call her back.
Mrs. Glize has to work the next day and Jessica bitches about her being a bad host. So Liz convinces her to go jogging. But this doesn’t last because Jessica isn’t exactly the exercising type. So she tells Liz she’ll meet her back at the Glize’s house after some laps around the neighborhood. On the way back, she meets a guy named Marc after being impressed with seeing his house and Prrsche. So she gets him to take her to the beach. He’s not exactly her type in looks but he has money so she’ll let him accompany her. Besides he might have friends. Liz tries to lecture her about being materialistic but it goes in one ear and out the other. Meanwhile, Ned and Alice discuss the thing with Ferney and decide to just wait it because talking to Steve won’t really get them anywhere. Avery and Renne have an argument and Liz overhears it about being rude and taking her out for the afternoon. Once again someone is mentioned that Liz thinks might be Renee’s father. While out, he displays a split personality. Tehre are moments he’ll soften and act human and then the hard edge returns. Liz wants to go to the beach but he tells her he doesn’t swim (at least not anymore). Liz wonders if his father was an American and that’s why he has it out for her and Jess. They look as if they’re going to have a moment, but when he takes her to a café to meet his friends he changes the subject whenever they ask her something. So, she decides that like Jessica she’ll have to make other friends. She’s done making excuses and feeling sorry for him.
It's confirmed by his friends when he goes to the restroom that his father was American. The last straw for Liz was when he called the waiter over and told him to bring them some ketchup because they had an American guest and Americans like to groan their food in it because they can’t cook. His friends chastise him for being rude and he blames Liz. When she gets back, Liz wanders off by herself and writes in her diary on a countryside. A puppy wanders up to her and won’t leave so she finds out where it lives and returns it home. It belongs to a Countess and she and Liz spend the rest of the afternoon chatting and discussing sites in Paris. At dinner, she tells everyone that she’ll be going back tomorrow for tea. Jessica spend the day with Marc and his family (and it was on the boring side) but she did try sunbathing topless. Renee tries to jump on her case claiming Europeans are more comfortable with their bodies but soon finds himself arguing with Liz and Jess. He says they’re both the same (all American girls are the same). He’s nice when his mother is there but when she turns her back, he’s right back to being an ass. Jessica returns the favor.
When Liz goes to have tea with the Countessa, she introduces her to her grandson Jean Claude and they talk about what is and isn’t true about what he heard about California. Then he asks Liz out to take her see the sites for the day. They have a great day going to the observatory and playing outdoor bowling. They make plans to go to the beach the next day. Then the story about Renee’s friend’s accident comes back. Renee and his best friend were having a swimming race when his friend got a cramp, went under, and died before Renee could get to him. Liz thinks how horrible that would be if something like that happened to Enid and vows to call her to check on her. Enid meanwhile has run into Cara at Casey’’s whose miserable about Steve. Enid tells her to fight for him. Remind Steve that it's not the real Trish and he can’t date a memory.
Liz finds out Jessica ditched Marc when he comes by to invite her to an art gallery. He asks her instead and doesn’t believe she’ll accept but she does and Liz enjoys herself meeting the paintr and his daughter. Meanwhile, Jessica and Jean Claude go out sailing but get trapped on the sea when a bad storm hits. Renee and Liz save them just in time as the boat tips over. Liz hops in to save Jessica but finds her strength giving out. That’s when Renee jumps in and grabs Jessica and instructs Liz to get Jean Claude. Jean Claude (once their safe) sees the twins together and is confused. Liz introduces herself as “Jessica, Elizabeth’s twin.” Meanwhile, Steve has convinced Cara that she’s the only one and he’s learned his lesson. After this Jessica goes out with Renee (right after) and she wants Liz to tell her what to do about the Countess but Liz says NOPE! Your on your own. Renne apologizes for how he acted. Liz thanks him and tells him how brave she thought he was. He admits he was wrong. Liz then even gets him to agree to read the letter. He makes a deal with her he will if she’ll let him take her out the next day to the beach and dinner. Liz agrees and admits to him she was hoping they’d be “friends” and he says it’s not too late.
My Thoughts
Ok so how many Tricia Martin clones are wandering around in the world? Why was this EXACT plot repeated in two different books? If this one can first, was someone not keeping track of what happened in the series? If this one came second, why would repeat the same plot? Then if this came second Cara definitely should have dumped Steve. But then if this was the first book, and he got away with it once and Cara forgave him, no surprise that did the same thing and probably thought ok well she forgive me once she’ll probably do it again. But the odd thing is in the one in the series I remember reading there wasn’t any mention of Ferney which leads me to believe that *that* was the first time. I don’t know. I just thought WHY and haven’t we read this before? But much like in life, there are NO CONSEQUENCES these days. Steve didn’t get dumped like he deserved to. Jessica didn’t get dumped. Again WHY? Jean Claude pretty much deserves what he got. He feel in love quick (and that seldomly works out) and then finds out the girl’s a manipulative liar and what does he say? I LOVE YOU ANYWAY. I LOVE YOU ANYWAY?! The Countess laughs it off instead of looking at her great-grandson like “is that REALLY the kind of woman you want? One with such loose morals. Liz like the pushover she is TAKES UP FOR HER and goes along with it after saving her instead of making her TELL THE TRUTH says she’s Jessica. And OVER and OVER and OVER Liz again lets Jessica play her and does ABSOLUTELY NOTHING. Then there’s LIZ. I’m actually surprised she didn’t read Renee’s letter. Liz pokes her nose all in this family's business. Let me back up. It’s a foreign concept to me (and yes I have heard of exchange programs) but these days to even think about opening your home to local people much less people from another country. I remember when last year we had an event called “The World Games” where a bunch of (really odd sports) were played here in a newer stadium. Because so many teams were arriving from out of town, I heard that money was being offered to house the people that didn’t have homes. Which kind of rubbed me the wrong way because it felt like they were just trying to “clean it up” by “hiding” that there were homeless people there. But there are homeless people EVERYWHERE. Then I found out the accommodations for some of them were less than humane. But the thing is these days you just can’t trust opening up your home to people you don’t know. You see what Jessica did the first time she got a chance to have the house to herself. She snooped in Renee’s room. Would you really want someone you didn’t know snooping around in your room? Or worse. STEALING? Did Avery do a background check on the Wakefields? Then let’s talk about Avery. For someone who invited people to her house that she didn’t even know she was constantly gone. I don’t know how it works in France but here if you take time off, they shouldn’t call you in but then I also know that even though it’s not the year this book was written how short-staffed and tight things are today with the lack of works. So maybe I can excuse Avery being gone all the time but I think she was a little *too* trusting. I thought that I’d like this Super Edition because it *was* in Paris but actually it presented the most challenge for me to get through AND the little events that actually had to do with Paris just wasn’t enough and wasn’t what I thought I’d dbebe.
Rating: 5
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 22, 2008
According to the year this one was written, it takes place after book 27, which sounds about right... Todd has just moved to Vermont, Liz hasn't hooked up with Jeffrey yet, and Steven has only recently started going out with Cara. But as soon will become obvious - this book never happened!!!
The A plot: Elizabeth and Jessica Go To France Elizabeth and Jessica apparently take French at Sweet Valley High (am I the only one who wasn't aware of that? I don't remember it being mentioned elsewhere at all. If that's the case, I here present you with Exibit A that this book never happened), and because Ms. Dalton has arranged a language exchange, they're going to France for two weeks to stay together with Avery and her son, Rene while her daughter, Feney, is off to Sweet Valley to stay with the Wakefields. The book opens as Elizabeth and Jessica are on the plane en route to Cannes, France. They're discussing the letter and photo they were sent, and Elizabeth notices that Rene looks rather cute. Aware that Elizabeth needs somebody new in her life after Todd moved away, Jessica generously tells her to go for him. What? No sister-duel over who gets him? How boring!
Avery turns out to be a sweet and generous hostess, but Rene is sour and obstinate from the very beginning. It's obvious that he doesn't want to have anything to do with the twins, and would rather have that they had never come. The twins discover that Rene's father left them very abruptly when Rene was young. His father was American and therefore in Rene's eyes nothing good can ever come out of America, which is why he takes an instant dislike to the twins.
Rene is supposed to show the twins around Cannes, but takes off in a huff to Avery's embarrassment. Liz and Jess ensure her that it's no big deal and decide to go running (Exhibit B. I remember no other books (though they may exist) where the twins jog for recreation). Jessica quickly gives up - exercise just isn't fun when no guys nor cheerleading is involved. On her way back she bumps into a very kind but plain-looking guy getting out of his porche. Always the one to appreciate wealth, Jessica lets Marc talk her into taking her to his beach club that afternoon.
Meanwhile Elizabeth finds a dog that's run away from home. She finds its address on its tag and asks some neighbourhood kids how to find it. Turns out the dog is owned by a lovely old countess, whose son, Jean-Claude, just happens to be Elizabeth's age, and very willing to show her around the countryside.
When Jessica finds out how Elizabeth is spending the following day, she gets jealous. It's no fair that Elizabeth gets the guy who's both rich AND cute when hers is only rich! She claims to have a headache and gets Marc to take her home early, only to discover that Elizabeth isn't home, and there's a note on the door for Jean-Claude. Avery called while Elizabeth was home alone, trying to get hold of Rene, as she desperately needed some medicine for a patient of hers. Being ever the doormat sweet person, Elizabeth offered to take the bus and bring her the medicine instead. Unfortunately there was a traffic accident which made the bus home very late, so she wasn't there to greet Jean-Claude when he came to pick her up.
Jessica fully intended to tell Jean-Claude who she was - until she saw him, and fell head over heels in love with him. Better pretend to be somebody else and have a cute guy, than be yourself and leave him to your sister.
The next couple of days Jessica hangs out with Jean-Claude pretending she's Elizabeth, and they fall deeper in love with each other than ever before. Elizabeth wonders why on earth Jean-Claude doesn't return her phonecalls (not knowing that he did, but Jess picked up - nice sis there), but then shrugs, deciding he's not worth worrying about, and trying to make the most out of being in Cannes alone.
One day Marc comes around asking how Jessica is doing, as she'd - once again - canceled their plans on the grounds that she had a headache. Liz realizes that Jess has been neglecting poor Marc, and generously offers to go to the art gallery with him. Rene sees the two of them drive off, and comes with a jive about sisters stealing each other's boyfriends, which of course Liz understands nothing off.
Once back from the gallery, Jessica STILL isn't home. Elizabeth starts to worry, because even though Jessica never keeps a curfew (if that's the case, how come her parents keep letting her go out at night? Wouldn't breaking a curfew often enough be reason to be grounded? It would in my family...) she's never two hours late! A storm is brewing and she has no idea where to look for her. Finally Rene comes home, and sees how upset Liz is. For once he has no snarky comments for her, but tells her that he saw Jess and Jean-Claude head off together. Liz calls the Countess and is told that she and Jean-Claude were going out sailing.
Elizabeth has to get to the beach immediately, but Rene has no car, only a motorbike! Gasp! This is no time to follow rules though, so she puts on the helmet and they race to the beach, this time with nobody getting into an accident and developing amnesia/split personalities (Exhibit C). At the beach they see Jessica and Jean-Claude fight against the wind and waves. Jessica falls into the sea, and Liz rushes into the water to save her. But the wind is too strong and the waves too big. She'll never be able to make it! Until suddenly their hero Rene turns up next to her! He had been afraid of the sea ever since a friend of his drowned with him being unable to save him, but even so he was unable to stand by and watch while history repeated itself. Go Rene! Together they manage to save Jean-Claude and Jessica.
The story ends nicely wrapped up with Rene realizing not all Americans are bad and that Liz in particular is not, and Jessica admitting who she really is to Jean-Claude and he loves her anyway! To holiday romances, and neither is heard of again. How sad. (Exhibit D),
The B plot: Steve's An Idiot The B-plot is the hugest give-away that this book never happened. Rene's sister Feney is a dead-ringer for Tricia Martin, and naturally Steve falls for her, because even though she speaks only little English and he speaks no French whatsoever, he's convinced that not only does Feney LOOK just like Tricia, she IS just like her too. So obviously he learns nothing between this book and "The Ghost of Tricia Martin" OR this book never happened!
It's pretty much a repeat of TGoTM - Steve hangs out with Feney all the time, Cara gets hurt and is WAY too forgiving about it. Finally Steve introduces Feney to one of his friends who actually does speak French, and just like the similar plot line in "Two Guys, A Girl and a Pizzaria", he discovers that not only is Feney nothing like Tricia, she's actually really immature and he was much better off with Cara.
Steve, Steve, Steve... why couldn't you remember this 30+ books later? Cara too for that matter. Are you going to let him treat you like this EVERY time a Tricia-look-alike comes by? Apparently so.
The A plot: Elizabeth and Jessica Go To France Elizabeth and Jessica apparently take French at Sweet Valley High (am I the only one who wasn't aware of that? I don't remember it being mentioned elsewhere at all. If that's the case, I here present you with Exibit A that this book never happened), and because Ms. Dalton has arranged a language exchange, they're going to France for two weeks to stay together with Avery and her son, Rene while her daughter, Feney, is off to Sweet Valley to stay with the Wakefields. The book opens as Elizabeth and Jessica are on the plane en route to Cannes, France. They're discussing the letter and photo they were sent, and Elizabeth notices that Rene looks rather cute. Aware that Elizabeth needs somebody new in her life after Todd moved away, Jessica generously tells her to go for him. What? No sister-duel over who gets him? How boring!
Avery turns out to be a sweet and generous hostess, but Rene is sour and obstinate from the very beginning. It's obvious that he doesn't want to have anything to do with the twins, and would rather have that they had never come. The twins discover that Rene's father left them very abruptly when Rene was young. His father was American and therefore in Rene's eyes nothing good can ever come out of America, which is why he takes an instant dislike to the twins.
Rene is supposed to show the twins around Cannes, but takes off in a huff to Avery's embarrassment. Liz and Jess ensure her that it's no big deal and decide to go running (Exhibit B. I remember no other books (though they may exist) where the twins jog for recreation). Jessica quickly gives up - exercise just isn't fun when no guys nor cheerleading is involved. On her way back she bumps into a very kind but plain-looking guy getting out of his porche. Always the one to appreciate wealth, Jessica lets Marc talk her into taking her to his beach club that afternoon.
Meanwhile Elizabeth finds a dog that's run away from home. She finds its address on its tag and asks some neighbourhood kids how to find it. Turns out the dog is owned by a lovely old countess, whose son, Jean-Claude, just happens to be Elizabeth's age, and very willing to show her around the countryside.
When Jessica finds out how Elizabeth is spending the following day, she gets jealous. It's no fair that Elizabeth gets the guy who's both rich AND cute when hers is only rich! She claims to have a headache and gets Marc to take her home early, only to discover that Elizabeth isn't home, and there's a note on the door for Jean-Claude. Avery called while Elizabeth was home alone, trying to get hold of Rene, as she desperately needed some medicine for a patient of hers. Being ever the doormat sweet person, Elizabeth offered to take the bus and bring her the medicine instead. Unfortunately there was a traffic accident which made the bus home very late, so she wasn't there to greet Jean-Claude when he came to pick her up.
Jessica fully intended to tell Jean-Claude who she was - until she saw him, and fell head over heels in love with him. Better pretend to be somebody else and have a cute guy, than be yourself and leave him to your sister.
The next couple of days Jessica hangs out with Jean-Claude pretending she's Elizabeth, and they fall deeper in love with each other than ever before. Elizabeth wonders why on earth Jean-Claude doesn't return her phonecalls (not knowing that he did, but Jess picked up - nice sis there), but then shrugs, deciding he's not worth worrying about, and trying to make the most out of being in Cannes alone.
One day Marc comes around asking how Jessica is doing, as she'd - once again - canceled their plans on the grounds that she had a headache. Liz realizes that Jess has been neglecting poor Marc, and generously offers to go to the art gallery with him. Rene sees the two of them drive off, and comes with a jive about sisters stealing each other's boyfriends, which of course Liz understands nothing off.
Once back from the gallery, Jessica STILL isn't home. Elizabeth starts to worry, because even though Jessica never keeps a curfew (if that's the case, how come her parents keep letting her go out at night? Wouldn't breaking a curfew often enough be reason to be grounded? It would in my family...) she's never two hours late! A storm is brewing and she has no idea where to look for her. Finally Rene comes home, and sees how upset Liz is. For once he has no snarky comments for her, but tells her that he saw Jess and Jean-Claude head off together. Liz calls the Countess and is told that she and Jean-Claude were going out sailing.
Elizabeth has to get to the beach immediately, but Rene has no car, only a motorbike! Gasp! This is no time to follow rules though, so she puts on the helmet and they race to the beach, this time with nobody getting into an accident and developing amnesia/split personalities (Exhibit C). At the beach they see Jessica and Jean-Claude fight against the wind and waves. Jessica falls into the sea, and Liz rushes into the water to save her. But the wind is too strong and the waves too big. She'll never be able to make it! Until suddenly their hero Rene turns up next to her! He had been afraid of the sea ever since a friend of his drowned with him being unable to save him, but even so he was unable to stand by and watch while history repeated itself. Go Rene! Together they manage to save Jean-Claude and Jessica.
The story ends nicely wrapped up with Rene realizing not all Americans are bad and that Liz in particular is not, and Jessica admitting who she really is to Jean-Claude and he loves her anyway! To holiday romances, and neither is heard of again. How sad. (Exhibit D),
The B plot: Steve's An Idiot The B-plot is the hugest give-away that this book never happened. Rene's sister Feney is a dead-ringer for Tricia Martin, and naturally Steve falls for her, because even though she speaks only little English and he speaks no French whatsoever, he's convinced that not only does Feney LOOK just like Tricia, she IS just like her too. So obviously he learns nothing between this book and "The Ghost of Tricia Martin" OR this book never happened!
It's pretty much a repeat of TGoTM - Steve hangs out with Feney all the time, Cara gets hurt and is WAY too forgiving about it. Finally Steve introduces Feney to one of his friends who actually does speak French, and just like the similar plot line in "Two Guys, A Girl and a Pizzaria", he discovers that not only is Feney nothing like Tricia, she's actually really immature and he was much better off with Cara.
Steve, Steve, Steve... why couldn't you remember this 30+ books later? Cara too for that matter. Are you going to let him treat you like this EVERY time a Tricia-look-alike comes by? Apparently so.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 20, 2024
I wanted to participate in Garbaugust but I don't read actual smut... So I found the cringiest thing I could remember from childhood and read it straight through like it was 1988 again. I hadn't touched a SVH in 35 years, but it was just as scandalous as I remembered... Who lets 9 year olds read this stuff? 1980s public school librarians, that's who. Also, why does the artwork on these covers always make the girls look like middle aged moms? I remember growing up I thought Jessica looked like my aunt Barbara on this one. Aunt Barbara was like 40.
I was cringing by page 10, but it was fun being reminded of the days of gold lamé bikinis, smoking in plane cabins... and a whole lot of 90210 lite.
I was cringing by page 10, but it was fun being reminded of the days of gold lamé bikinis, smoking in plane cabins... and a whole lot of 90210 lite.
May 23, 2023
The Twins Super Editions have set the bar too high. The High ones are just "Twins go to [location] and have boy drama". A far cry from the middle school days of catching spies in consulates, having a theme park come to life (that one had a flying limo!), wishes coming true, or being stuck in time loops on Christmas day.
This was standard boy drama. Liz imprints on an incel and makes excuses for his shitty behaviour every step of the way. Jess steals the one boy that's being nice to her sister.
Boring af, to be honest, but still not the worst in the series. That dubious title goes to Perfect Summer.
This was standard boy drama. Liz imprints on an incel and makes excuses for his shitty behaviour every step of the way. Jess steals the one boy that's being nice to her sister.
Boring af, to be honest, but still not the worst in the series. That dubious title goes to Perfect Summer.
May 24, 2025
Rating from when I first read this as a teen - 5 stars
Rating now as an adult - 3 stars for the nostalgia factor
Combined average rating - 4 stars
I can't tell you how many weekends Elizabeth and Jessica got me through in middle and high school! These books are a solid foundation of my tween and teen years and reading them again is surreal. They definitely don't hold up in modern times...they are truly dated. That being said, there is a quality to these that make it easy to see why late 80s and early 90s me was so enthralled with them. Being back in Sweet Valley was a fun trip down memory lane!
Rating now as an adult - 3 stars for the nostalgia factor
Combined average rating - 4 stars
I can't tell you how many weekends Elizabeth and Jessica got me through in middle and high school! These books are a solid foundation of my tween and teen years and reading them again is surreal. They definitely don't hold up in modern times...they are truly dated. That being said, there is a quality to these that make it easy to see why late 80s and early 90s me was so enthralled with them. Being back in Sweet Valley was a fun trip down memory lane!
April 26, 2020
Not the most interesting Sweet Valley book ever in my opinion, in fact I found Steven’s side story to be far more intriguing than the main story with the twins. I guess what’s missing for me is the lack of fun reoccurring side characters. I suppose that’s why Steven’s parts were more interesting to me.
(His story is actually quite upsetting when you think about it)
As much as I love the twins, a whole book of just them isn’t as interesting without the regular supporting cast. But even the weakest SVH books are a fun time for me, I just love them!
(His story is actually quite upsetting when you think about it)
As much as I love the twins, a whole book of just them isn’t as interesting without the regular supporting cast. But even the weakest SVH books are a fun time for me, I just love them!
April 8, 2023
This was actually better than I remembered, enough so that I thought about rounding up to four stars. However the conflicts were solved in like 2 pages (to be fair, this is consistent with SVH books) and also I feel like the ending was kind of random (not plot wise).
May 20, 2018
More like 2.5.
June 21, 2019
The Wakefields are literally the worst. That is all.
April 11, 2021
Liked this one quite a bit. It’s up there with Jessica Takes Manhattan. Fun and frivolous. The ending a bit dramatic. Could’ve done without the B plot.
May 4, 2021
ok, I gotta say, Jessica gets. on. my. nerves. I think she's too sneaky.
May 27, 2021
In this Sweet Valley High book, the Wakefield Twins go to France as part of a student exchange. Jessica is at her worst in may ways. Fun, nostalgic reading.
April 23, 2024
Oh the memories. B
August 3, 2023
Jessica and Elizabeth have fun in France for spring break.
Jessica was her annoying self but I loved Elizabeth's storyline of helping Rene deal with his angry towards his father.
Also Steven falls for a girl the spitting image of his past love. Will he sacrifice his current girlfriend for a ghost from the past?
Jessica was her annoying self but I loved Elizabeth's storyline of helping Rene deal with his angry towards his father.
Also Steven falls for a girl the spitting image of his past love. Will he sacrifice his current girlfriend for a ghost from the past?
January 25, 2016
I loved these books in my early teen years and spent a lot of time with Jessica and Elizabeth. I recently found this book and reread it. The story moved quickly enough, but I found the characters much more shallow and their problems more of their own making then I had remembered. I will probably not reread any of these books again, but instead allow the Sweet Valley Twins to remain a warm memory.
May 11, 2007
1st, oh my god I'm a 30 something! Geez! That show was on when I wsa reading sweet valley high books, and teh peopel were SO old!
But the books...I loved these! I bought every one until they started over-publishing and my allowance couldn't keep up...and I turned 13. Just seeing the covers (the original ones) takes me backto those pre-90210 days!
But the books...I loved these! I bought every one until they started over-publishing and my allowance couldn't keep up...and I turned 13. Just seeing the covers (the original ones) takes me backto those pre-90210 days!
October 24, 2010
Jessica and Elizabeth, how I treasured our time together....the super editions were so much more to love. I really enjoyed this series, it never talked down to the insignificant problems of adolescence. Great stuff.
April 4, 2016
This was a reread for me, I picked it up at the thrift store and had to take it home as these were some of my favourite books as a preteen. Not quite as fantastic as I remember but still a fun childhood memory read.
June 12, 2008
LOVVVED IT!
September 20, 2008
Twin switcharoo in France.
June 29, 2011
just to get me in the mood! Thanks Jody!!
Just like I remembered!!
Just like I remembered!!
April 9, 2012
I loved reading these books when I was young!
April 11, 2013
Fun reading for the early teen years. Loved them from the age of 12 - 15
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