Scan barcode
outoftheblue14's review
5.0
I read this book a while ago, but since I just finished the series, I thought it would be nice to review the three books. So here we are with the first one, She' So Dead To Us.
When I first heard of the book, I thought it was paranormal YA about zombies or vampires, mainly because of the title and the cover, which isn't very telling. But it turned out to be contemporary YA, which is my favourite. The book description pitches it as "Desperate Housewives meets Gossip Girl". I'm not sure why, but then again, I've never watched Desperate Housewives, so I can't say whether it's appropriate.
Ally Ryan returns to Orchard Hill with her mother after almost two years of absence. They were a rich family, but then her father lost his clients all their money with some risky investments and then left his wife and daughter, forcing Ally and her mother to relocate. Now Ally's mother has received a good job offer in Orchard Hill, so they're back
Ally's former friends keep her at a distance. They're angry that her father practically bankrupted them, isolate her, and play pranks on her. Ally meets a new guy, Jake Graydon, who lives in what previously was her home. They're attracted to each other, but his friends (who used to be Ally's friends first) boycott the relationship and try to keep them apart. Their main issue seems to be that Jake's a "Crestie" (all the rich kids live on a "crest", thus the nickname), while Ally, formerly a Crestie, now lives with her mum in a small apartment in a lower-income neighbourhood and is now a "Norm" (how the working class kids are called).
The book is told from Ally's and Jake's alternating perspectives. It's YA chick-lit, so very light reading, but I guess it tries to make a point about social classes. I'm not sure why teenagers would be so concerned with social status as to exclude someone because she's not as rich as them or lives in a smaller house. Plus, it was not Ally who lost so much money from the Crestie families, but her father. Not that it seemed to make any difference in the mind of her ex friends.
Cover attraction: I found three different covers for this book. The first one has a broken pearl necklace on a baby blue background. It's pretty, and I guess hints at Ally being separated from her friends, but it's not very clear what the book is about. The second cover makes it more clear, and matches the covers for the following books. I'm not sure why there is a third cover, which looks similar to the second one, but more comic-book-like. Still, it seems the publisher is always the same, Simon and Schuster. I don't know if I like the first or the second cover best. The third one is not bad, but leaves me pretty indifferent.
When I first heard of the book, I thought it was paranormal YA about zombies or vampires, mainly because of the title and the cover, which isn't very telling. But it turned out to be contemporary YA, which is my favourite. The book description pitches it as "Desperate Housewives meets Gossip Girl". I'm not sure why, but then again, I've never watched Desperate Housewives, so I can't say whether it's appropriate.
Ally Ryan returns to Orchard Hill with her mother after almost two years of absence. They were a rich family, but then her father lost his clients all their money with some risky investments and then left his wife and daughter, forcing Ally and her mother to relocate. Now Ally's mother has received a good job offer in Orchard Hill, so they're back
Ally's former friends keep her at a distance. They're angry that her father practically bankrupted them, isolate her, and play pranks on her. Ally meets a new guy, Jake Graydon, who lives in what previously was her home. They're attracted to each other, but his friends (who used to be Ally's friends first) boycott the relationship and try to keep them apart. Their main issue seems to be that Jake's a "Crestie" (all the rich kids live on a "crest", thus the nickname), while Ally, formerly a Crestie, now lives with her mum in a small apartment in a lower-income neighbourhood and is now a "Norm" (how the working class kids are called).
The book is told from Ally's and Jake's alternating perspectives. It's YA chick-lit, so very light reading, but I guess it tries to make a point about social classes. I'm not sure why teenagers would be so concerned with social status as to exclude someone because she's not as rich as them or lives in a smaller house. Plus, it was not Ally who lost so much money from the Crestie families, but her father. Not that it seemed to make any difference in the mind of her ex friends.
Cover attraction: I found three different covers for this book. The first one has a broken pearl necklace on a baby blue background. It's pretty, and I guess hints at Ally being separated from her friends, but it's not very clear what the book is about. The second cover makes it more clear, and matches the covers for the following books. I'm not sure why there is a third cover, which looks similar to the second one, but more comic-book-like. Still, it seems the publisher is always the same, Simon and Schuster. I don't know if I like the first or the second cover best. The third one is not bad, but leaves me pretty indifferent.
sgreen2307's review against another edition
5.0
SPOILERS! My reviews are more for my summary of the book so I can remember what I read!
Ally Ryan and Jake Graydon. They break up at the end, and father shows up at the end. What will happen next?
Ally Ryan and Jake Graydon. They break up at the end, and father shows up at the end. What will happen next?
iceangel32's review against another edition
3.0
I was okay I think the ending sold it. I almost wanted to give it 4 stars just for the ending. However I enjoyed it. It was a quick read about a girl who moved back to her old town after she and her family lost everything. Her father lost all their money and the money of her friends. She meets the boy who lives in her old house and they fall for each other. The saving grace for this book is the lies and deceit. I am happy I have the next one to move right on to.
potinky's review
funny
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
stephxsu's review
3.0
SHE’S SO DEAD TO US is a perfect addition to the YA subgenre that consists of friendship drama, red-hot romance, and money troubles. Kieran Scott (who writes the Private series under her pen name) has introduced to us a new set of characters whom you’ll want to know every sordid detail about.
For a book in a genre with the potential for characters to fall unconvincingly flat and stereotypical, SHE’S SO DEAD TO US is, like Kieran’s other books, remarkable with its character development. Ally is rightfully the star of the show: she’s an appealing protagonist who refuses to let others walk over her. Whereas many MCs in other books like to brood endlessly about wrongs done to them, Ally will simply confront the person and let them know what she thinks. This kind of assertiveness is HOT, and it’s easy to see why the other characters either can’t help liking her or love to hate her.
SHE’S SO DEAD TO US is presented in Ally and Jake’s alternating first-person POVs. Normally male POVs written by female authors leave me unconvinced, but I found myself actually very much liking Jake here. Yes, he can be an arrogant hottie, but as we follow him and see how he gets to know Ally, we perfectly comprehend his mindset.
Plot-wise, the novel feels as though it’s been done before, but what makes this worth reading is how effortlessly we get sucked into these privileged suburban teens’ shenanigans. The book ends in such a way that I most definitely am going to pick up the next in the series. This is a must-read if you love these types of books, and for the rest of us, it’s also a easy and delicious read, perfect for those mindless days where we want to sink ourselves into other people’s petty problems.
For a book in a genre with the potential for characters to fall unconvincingly flat and stereotypical, SHE’S SO DEAD TO US is, like Kieran’s other books, remarkable with its character development. Ally is rightfully the star of the show: she’s an appealing protagonist who refuses to let others walk over her. Whereas many MCs in other books like to brood endlessly about wrongs done to them, Ally will simply confront the person and let them know what she thinks. This kind of assertiveness is HOT, and it’s easy to see why the other characters either can’t help liking her or love to hate her.
SHE’S SO DEAD TO US is presented in Ally and Jake’s alternating first-person POVs. Normally male POVs written by female authors leave me unconvinced, but I found myself actually very much liking Jake here. Yes, he can be an arrogant hottie, but as we follow him and see how he gets to know Ally, we perfectly comprehend his mindset.
Plot-wise, the novel feels as though it’s been done before, but what makes this worth reading is how effortlessly we get sucked into these privileged suburban teens’ shenanigans. The book ends in such a way that I most definitely am going to pick up the next in the series. This is a must-read if you love these types of books, and for the rest of us, it’s also a easy and delicious read, perfect for those mindless days where we want to sink ourselves into other people’s petty problems.
ameserole's review
5.0
I have no idea how long I've wanted to read this book but it felt longer than forever.
One of the reason's I wanted to read this book was because of the cover and another reason was because of the title. Both things automatically drew me in. HOWEVER, it's what was inside of this beautiful and amazing book that made me devour it.
She's So Dead to Us will definitely throw you for a loop. It was so freaking good! I didn't want to put it down! The characters were awesome. You definitely end up rooting for Jake and Ally the ENTIRE TIME. But of course things are always going to push the two people you ship the most away. ALL THE TIME.
Anyways, this book is from two pov's: Ally and Jake. They were both really good MC's. Ally was independent, likable, and didn't whine all the time like most MC's do. Then there's Jake who was arrogant but damn did he make your heart swoon. I mean Ally's heart. Seriously, I loved the romance between them!
Besides the two main characters, the supporting characters were good too! It's hard to pick a favorite but some of them reminded me of other characters from different books or even people I know in real life. I don't really have anything to complain about this book. I really need the second book though.
One of the reason's I wanted to read this book was because of the cover and another reason was because of the title. Both things automatically drew me in. HOWEVER, it's what was inside of this beautiful and amazing book that made me devour it.
She's So Dead to Us will definitely throw you for a loop. It was so freaking good! I didn't want to put it down! The characters were awesome. You definitely end up rooting for Jake and Ally the ENTIRE TIME. But of course things are always going to push the two people you ship the most away. ALL THE TIME.
Anyways, this book is from two pov's: Ally and Jake. They were both really good MC's. Ally was independent, likable, and didn't whine all the time like most MC's do. Then there's Jake who was arrogant but damn did he make your heart swoon. I mean Ally's heart. Seriously, I loved the romance between them!
Besides the two main characters, the supporting characters were good too! It's hard to pick a favorite but some of them reminded me of other characters from different books or even people I know in real life. I don't really have anything to complain about this book. I really need the second book though.
patke's review
5.0
Full review on Sniff Books, Not Drugs: http://tinyurl.com/6l7bv8q
To Sum It Up
-Sweet, funny read that deals with important issues of abandonment, mistakes and forgiveness.
-Wonderful cast of characters that are in sync with the drama-filled plot.
To Sum It Up
-Sweet, funny read that deals with important issues of abandonment, mistakes and forgiveness.
-Wonderful cast of characters that are in sync with the drama-filled plot.
hpitcher15's review
i dont know what to say about this book. the entire story kept me wanting more and more. i read the entire book in one afternoon. everything went great and all the lies and stuff finally came out but then it ends! so either there's a sequel or there are a lot of pissed off readers out there. still i think that the book could have had a bit of a better ending to it. but all in all the story line was amazing!