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asma_aj's review against another edition
3.0
When Ally's father made a bad investment and lost all the money from the Orchard Hill's residents, the only option for her family was to move away. A year and a half later, Ally returns to Orchard Hill. Her mother hopes for a new beginning, her father is missing, and Ally hopes she gets through her sophomore year without any drama. Unfortunately, her former friends declare war, and the new joiner of the exclusive gang, Jake, is quite a hottie. Survival is proving difficult already.
Starting this, I actually liked the book. It had a Veronica Mars/Suburgatory feel to it, and Ally's voice was quite entertaining. But when the chapters alternated to Jake, it just felt a little 'eh'. Especially because it feels like Jake doesn't have much character. Throughout the book, he does grow on me, but the evil rich friends becomes tedious at the end.
Still, I did enjoy this book, and I think I'll read the rest of the series to see what happens to Ally.
Starting this, I actually liked the book. It had a Veronica Mars/Suburgatory feel to it, and Ally's voice was quite entertaining. But when the chapters alternated to Jake, it just felt a little 'eh'. Especially because it feels like Jake doesn't have much character. Throughout the book, he does grow on me, but the evil rich friends becomes tedious at the end.
Still, I did enjoy this book, and I think I'll read the rest of the series to see what happens to Ally.
jacquelinec's review against another edition
4.0
You may have heard about my thing for the guilty pleasure reads that are Kate Brian's Private series. So it should come as no surprise that I did a little happy dance when I got this baby in the mail. Written under her real name, Scott has delivered all the over-privileged, teenage drama goodness that is her trademark with She's So Dead to Us.
Ally and her mother have returned to her hometown after a year of exile to Baltimore due to a huge financial scandal involving her (missing) father. Of course, since all of her former friends are spoiled brats and many several of them from families affected by the finance scheme-gone-wrong, Ally finds herself an outcast among people that she's known her entire life. There is an exception, however. Jake Graydon, the new "Crest" kid in town, is initially oblivious to the Ally-affair. He flirts with her only to later find out that his new friends deem her off-limits.
Oh, the tangled webs! I have to give it to Ms. Scott. Here she's once again brought us the Gossip Girl-ish, rich-kid spectacle when some new elements. Since this novel is set in a town (as opposed to a boarding school like her Private series) and revolves primarily around a group of tight knit families, the parents and there issues factor in largely with the plot and a lot of the teens' behavior. Ally and her mother find themselves longing for their former lives and relationships and dealing with the fallout of Mr. Ryan's scandal. Ally often bases her decisions on trying to keep her mom happy and oblivious to the poor treatment she receives from her old crew. The other teens, especially Jake and Shannon (Ally's former best friend and new enemy), are also contending with tough family issues that factor into their social and romantic lives. This serves to make these kids feel more realistic and their issues and more relatable, despite the fact that most of them are wealthy...
To continue reading this review, visit my blog The Eclectic Book Lover.
Ally and her mother have returned to her hometown after a year of exile to Baltimore due to a huge financial scandal involving her (missing) father. Of course, since all of her former friends are spoiled brats and many several of them from families affected by the finance scheme-gone-wrong, Ally finds herself an outcast among people that she's known her entire life. There is an exception, however. Jake Graydon, the new "Crest" kid in town, is initially oblivious to the Ally-affair. He flirts with her only to later find out that his new friends deem her off-limits.
Oh, the tangled webs! I have to give it to Ms. Scott. Here she's once again brought us the Gossip Girl-ish, rich-kid spectacle when some new elements. Since this novel is set in a town (as opposed to a boarding school like her Private series) and revolves primarily around a group of tight knit families, the parents and there issues factor in largely with the plot and a lot of the teens' behavior. Ally and her mother find themselves longing for their former lives and relationships and dealing with the fallout of Mr. Ryan's scandal. Ally often bases her decisions on trying to keep her mom happy and oblivious to the poor treatment she receives from her old crew. The other teens, especially Jake and Shannon (Ally's former best friend and new enemy), are also contending with tough family issues that factor into their social and romantic lives. This serves to make these kids feel more realistic and their issues and more relatable, despite the fact that most of them are wealthy...
To continue reading this review, visit my blog The Eclectic Book Lover.
jennifervu's review against another edition
4.0
I love drama in books. Now, not TOO much drama like Degrassi (shudders) but enough to keep me on my toes.
I honestly didn't see the romance between Jake and Ally. Jake was more attracted to Ally in a physical way.
I have to say, money has ruined us. That's what I learned from reading this.
I honestly didn't see the romance between Jake and Ally. Jake was more attracted to Ally in a physical way.
I have to say, money has ruined us. That's what I learned from reading this.
ashleyziegler's review against another edition
4.0
Poor Ally. She did not deserve everything that was thrown her way. Not one bit. And Shannen.... the ULTIMATE villain.
rosetyper9's review against another edition
3.0
Review in 5: Compelling, Dramatic, Addictive, Disappointing, and Definitely for Teenagers.
Review: I know my 'Review in 5' probably has you confused as heck. Let me explain in detail here, if you have the patience to keep reading. This book is definitely geared for a teenager. I don't think it is a YA book that transcends the age line to adults. I found the content addicting, yes, but also childish, whiny, and disappointing. I say these things as an adult though...as a teen I probably would have loved it and emailed the author for the date of the next release.
The book is like a Gossip Girl, all about where the parties are, who has money, and who people are hooking up with. I would have given it four stars had there been what I believe is a satisfying ending. I liked the book just fine until I got to the last page and found nothing more to read. The author writes very well, draws amazing pictures for the reader and does an excellent job at pinning down a teenager, as well as an excellent job of bringing out the teenage hormone, but I endured whining hormonal teens for an entire book and didn't even get a satisfying ending...what I want, I have no idea...but I just felt let down. The author is an excellent writer I just think this book was not for me specifically.
Review: I know my 'Review in 5' probably has you confused as heck. Let me explain in detail here, if you have the patience to keep reading. This book is definitely geared for a teenager. I don't think it is a YA book that transcends the age line to adults. I found the content addicting, yes, but also childish, whiny, and disappointing. I say these things as an adult though...as a teen I probably would have loved it and emailed the author for the date of the next release.
The book is like a Gossip Girl, all about where the parties are, who has money, and who people are hooking up with. I would have given it four stars had there been what I believe is a satisfying ending. I liked the book just fine until I got to the last page and found nothing more to read. The author writes very well, draws amazing pictures for the reader and does an excellent job at pinning down a teenager, as well as an excellent job of bringing out the teenage hormone, but I endured whining hormonal teens for an entire book and didn't even get a satisfying ending...what I want, I have no idea...but I just felt let down. The author is an excellent writer I just think this book was not for me specifically.
lbacon315's review against another edition
5.0
This book has so much drama. The things that happen are so intense that you have to see what happens at the end. I couldn't believe how it ended and was so frustrated because I thought that I didn't have the second or even knew that there was a second. So I was relieved when I found that I had it. Can't wait to see what happens to Ally and Jake next!
kricketa's review against another edition
3.0
ally was one of the it girls at school until her dad lost all of their money- and some of their friends'- in a bad investment. ally's family moved away, and her dad vanished. now ally and her mom are moving back to their former town to start over, but their old friends aren't ready to forgive and forget.
the story switches between ally's perspective and that of jake, the hottie who moved into her house when the ryans left. lots of fighting, drama, cruel pranks, etc.
i checked this out between books in the 'pretty little liars' series, looking for something to fill my addiction. for the most part, it worked. the ending is a total cliffhanger, so i'm expecting a sequel. not really sure yet if i'll read it.
the story switches between ally's perspective and that of jake, the hottie who moved into her house when the ryans left. lots of fighting, drama, cruel pranks, etc.
i checked this out between books in the 'pretty little liars' series, looking for something to fill my addiction. for the most part, it worked. the ending is a total cliffhanger, so i'm expecting a sequel. not really sure yet if i'll read it.
ellexa_'s review against another edition
5.0
I liked this book unexpectedly. I couldn't put it down and had the urge to just continue reading until I finished it :)