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mehsi's review against another edition
4.0
Wasn't sure what to expect from this book, but the blurb sounded awesome, so I tried it out. I only read one of her books, tried 1 or 2 others (but didn't like them).
There is two short stories.
The first is: Abbreviations & Alliterations. I would rate this story 4 stars out of 5.
The story was good, but I didn't like the main girl that much. I mean, girl code this, girl code that. Really? Sure I heard about the code and that you shouldn't date your friends exes. But hello? She only dated him like a week and ditched him. Also you could have just told her, I am sure she was ok with it. But luckily she changes and everything turns out alright. I loved the little Abbreviations she made, and how she denied saying them a lot.
The second story is: People Worth Knowing. I would rate this story 5 stars out of 5.
It was a little story about bullying and friendship. I really liked the story. Bailey was a good, strong character, and I can imagine how she feels when she has to do the good thing, but is afraid of the consequences. Luckily she has a good family, who helped her out. Though a bit contradicting, I hated both the bully and the one who got bullied. Bailey even went to apologize to the girl, and what did she get? A whole rant and no thanks. :\
In overall I would recommend this to everyone.
There is two short stories.
The first is: Abbreviations & Alliterations. I would rate this story 4 stars out of 5.
The story was good, but I didn't like the main girl that much. I mean, girl code this, girl code that. Really? Sure I heard about the code and that you shouldn't date your friends exes. But hello? She only dated him like a week and ditched him. Also you could have just told her, I am sure she was ok with it. But luckily she changes and everything turns out alright. I loved the little Abbreviations she made, and how she denied saying them a lot.
The second story is: People Worth Knowing. I would rate this story 5 stars out of 5.
It was a little story about bullying and friendship. I really liked the story. Bailey was a good, strong character, and I can imagine how she feels when she has to do the good thing, but is afraid of the consequences. Luckily she has a good family, who helped her out. Though a bit contradicting, I hated both the bully and the one who got bullied. Bailey even went to apologize to the girl, and what did she get? A whole rant and no thanks. :\
In overall I would recommend this to everyone.
aradhnak's review against another edition
3.0
This was way cuter than I expected, and also way shorter. Seeing familiar characters experience their own stories was a treat.
charms1976's review against another edition
4.0
Secrets & Lies features two short novella’s by author Kody Keplinger. If you are not familiar with this author in the young adult world, then I highly recommend that you start with The D.U.F.F. I will also warn you that this authors writing is highly addictive. Once you read one book by Ms. Keplinger, you will not want to stop at one.
Novella One: Abbreviations & Alliterations
The main characters featured in novella one are Casey Blithe and Toby Tucker. If you have read The DUFF then you know that Casey is one of Bianca’s best friends. Toby was a guy that Bianca briefly dated in The DUFF. With this short story we get to see both of these characters slowly fall in love with each other. Casey is also having a hard time admitting that she is falling for Toby and doesn’t want to let anyone know they are dating. She is afraid that Bianca will find out since there is the unspoken girl rule of not dating your friends ex. Toby goes along with it being a secret for a little while, but eventually he wants to know when they can tell everyone. Toby doesn’t understand why it has to be a secret since Bianca is happy now with Wesley and they only dated briefly. Eventually, this story plays out with Bianca finding out. There is drama, but not as big as it would be if it would have been a full length novel. I felt that this novella was beautifully done and Toby was sweet.
Novella Two: People Worth Knowing
In this novella we get to go back to Hamilton High that was featured in A Midsummer’s Nightmare. The main characters of this novella are Bailey and Brody. Bailey is the little sister from A Midsummer’s Nightmare and I am glad we got to see a little of her life in this one. Again, characters from the previously mentioned book are present and we get to reconnect with them as well. Bailey has had a crush on Brody Frasier for some time. He is smart, athletic and popular. When his sister Justine notices the crush, she lures Bailey into her circle of popular friends. Justine is not a nice person and she proves this on several occasions. Serious bullying is done and the author handled the touchy subject really well. I am glad that we got to see how strong Bailey can be for her age emotionally and mentally in this novella.
While I enjoyed both short stories in this book, I think the first novella was my favorite. Toby and Casey were fun to read about and I think it is mainly because I loved The DUFF so much. Revisiting those characters were wonderful. I still enjoyed the second novella but it had a feel of being for the younger group of teens. I personally can’t wait to see who the author writes about next!
Novella One: Abbreviations & Alliterations
The main characters featured in novella one are Casey Blithe and Toby Tucker. If you have read The DUFF then you know that Casey is one of Bianca’s best friends. Toby was a guy that Bianca briefly dated in The DUFF. With this short story we get to see both of these characters slowly fall in love with each other. Casey is also having a hard time admitting that she is falling for Toby and doesn’t want to let anyone know they are dating. She is afraid that Bianca will find out since there is the unspoken girl rule of not dating your friends ex. Toby goes along with it being a secret for a little while, but eventually he wants to know when they can tell everyone. Toby doesn’t understand why it has to be a secret since Bianca is happy now with Wesley and they only dated briefly. Eventually, this story plays out with Bianca finding out. There is drama, but not as big as it would be if it would have been a full length novel. I felt that this novella was beautifully done and Toby was sweet.
Novella Two: People Worth Knowing
In this novella we get to go back to Hamilton High that was featured in A Midsummer’s Nightmare. The main characters of this novella are Bailey and Brody. Bailey is the little sister from A Midsummer’s Nightmare and I am glad we got to see a little of her life in this one. Again, characters from the previously mentioned book are present and we get to reconnect with them as well. Bailey has had a crush on Brody Frasier for some time. He is smart, athletic and popular. When his sister Justine notices the crush, she lures Bailey into her circle of popular friends. Justine is not a nice person and she proves this on several occasions. Serious bullying is done and the author handled the touchy subject really well. I am glad that we got to see how strong Bailey can be for her age emotionally and mentally in this novella.
While I enjoyed both short stories in this book, I think the first novella was my favorite. Toby and Casey were fun to read about and I think it is mainly because I loved The DUFF so much. Revisiting those characters were wonderful. I still enjoyed the second novella but it had a feel of being for the younger group of teens. I personally can’t wait to see who the author writes about next!
ameserole's review against another edition
5.0
Ever since I read The Duff I have wanted to dive into this book.
One reason is because the first story has to deal with Casey, who is one of Bianca's best friends. She is dealing with a major conflict: dating Toby, who just happens to be Bianca's ex. Why is this a major problem for her? Because Casey feels like she is breaking some type of crazy girl code. In my opinion she isn't because Bianca is very happy with her boyfriend. So yeah, I didn't really care about her dating Toby or whatever but I just really wanted to read that short story, I was so freaking happy that I did and now my life is complete.
Then there's the second story that revolves around Bailey, who is Nathan's younger sister. She is dealing with the consequences of bullying. Now it's been a while since I've read a book that was about bullying so I was all for this. Plus you usually read books about the MC getting bullied not actually being the bully. So I really liked that this was the opposite of what I'm used to reading.
I enjoyed both books a lot and I can totally see myself rereading Secrets and Lies over and over again.
The second reason is because I just love Kody Keplinger has a writer and it's been a while since I've read one of her books. And no, I'm not counting my reread of The Duff last month because.. well.. it was a reread. I want to dive into the books I haven't read. I can't get enough of her books - I want them all!
One reason is because the first story has to deal with Casey, who is one of Bianca's best friends. She is dealing with a major conflict: dating Toby, who just happens to be Bianca's ex. Why is this a major problem for her? Because Casey feels like she is breaking some type of crazy girl code. In my opinion she isn't because Bianca is very happy with her boyfriend. So yeah, I didn't really care about her dating Toby or whatever but I just really wanted to read that short story, I was so freaking happy that I did and now my life is complete.
Then there's the second story that revolves around Bailey, who is Nathan's younger sister. She is dealing with the consequences of bullying. Now it's been a while since I've read a book that was about bullying so I was all for this. Plus you usually read books about the MC getting bullied not actually being the bully. So I really liked that this was the opposite of what I'm used to reading.
I enjoyed both books a lot and I can totally see myself rereading Secrets and Lies over and over again.
The second reason is because I just love Kody Keplinger has a writer and it's been a while since I've read one of her books. And no, I'm not counting my reread of The Duff last month because.. well.. it was a reread. I want to dive into the books I haven't read. I can't get enough of her books - I want them all!
jrrebecca's review against another edition
4.0
2 good short stories. Read on the train. Prefered the first one. Easy to read
vickyyyy's review against another edition
3.0
I loved the first story because Casey was great
in "The Duff". And Toby was fantastic in this story. The story also gives us some insight in Biancas and Wesleys story after The Duff which I loved :)
The second story was okay. I wanted to like it more since it deals with a very important issue - bullying but I did not feel as close to the characters as I did in the first story.
in "The Duff". And Toby was fantastic in this story. The story also gives us some insight in Biancas and Wesleys story after The Duff which I loved :)
The second story was okay. I wanted to like it more since it deals with a very important issue - bullying but I did not feel as close to the characters as I did in the first story.
spookysoto's review against another edition
3.0
Rating: I liked it 😊
Recommended: If you read and liked [b:The DUFF: Designated Ugly Fat Friend|6931356|The DUFF Designated Ugly Fat Friend|Kody Keplinger|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1271108843s/6931356.jpg|7162394] and [b:A Midsummer's Nightmare|12813860|A Midsummer's Nightmare|Kody Keplinger|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1327469139s/12813860.jpg|18066340].
2018’s Marvel-A-Thon, PHASE III: Spider-man, a YA book involving secrets.
This are two short stories taking place in the same town and with some of the characters from [b:A Midsummer's Nightmare|12813860|A Midsummer's Nightmare|Kody Keplinger|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1327469139s/12813860.jpg|18066340] and [b:The DUFF: Designated Ugly Fat Friend|6931356|The DUFF Designated Ugly Fat Friend|Kody Keplinger|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1271108843s/6931356.jpg|7162394].
I liked the first one, Abbreviations & alliterations better because I liked the Duff better. It was cute and fluffy, and we get to see Wesley😍.
The second one, People worth knowing, deals with a heavier topic — cyberbullying — and it’s about Bailey and a tough decision she have to make. I liked it, it is simple but powerful.
If you like Kody’s writing and the world she has created, I recommend it.
Recommended: If you read and liked [b:The DUFF: Designated Ugly Fat Friend|6931356|The DUFF Designated Ugly Fat Friend|Kody Keplinger|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1271108843s/6931356.jpg|7162394] and [b:A Midsummer's Nightmare|12813860|A Midsummer's Nightmare|Kody Keplinger|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1327469139s/12813860.jpg|18066340].
2018’s Marvel-A-Thon, PHASE III: Spider-man, a YA book involving secrets.
This are two short stories taking place in the same town and with some of the characters from [b:A Midsummer's Nightmare|12813860|A Midsummer's Nightmare|Kody Keplinger|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1327469139s/12813860.jpg|18066340] and [b:The DUFF: Designated Ugly Fat Friend|6931356|The DUFF Designated Ugly Fat Friend|Kody Keplinger|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1271108843s/6931356.jpg|7162394].
I liked the first one, Abbreviations & alliterations better because I liked the Duff better. It was cute and fluffy, and we get to see Wesley😍.
The second one, People worth knowing, deals with a heavier topic — cyberbullying — and it’s about Bailey and a tough decision she have to make. I liked it, it is simple but powerful.
If you like Kody’s writing and the world she has created, I recommend it.
ciocarlica's review against another edition
5.0
i needed this, a quick, funny, kody keplinger book to put a smile on my face.
jscarpa14's review against another edition
3.0
So this was a half and half thing for me. I liked the first story and the return to the characters of Duff, but I didn't really care for the second, it was a little bit too much high school drama for me. I mean the topic of bullying is important but I spent most of the story just sort of thinking these children are horrible. So it wasn't really my thing. I'm sure it will appeal to a lot of teen readers, which is the actual target audience, but not so much to me as an adult reader.
michellesantiago's review against another edition
4.0
Secrets & Lies contain 2 short stories Abbreviations & Alliterations and People Worth Knowing:
Abbreviations & Alliterations is a follow up to The Duff, the story is about Casey (Bianca's best friend--the tall, blonde one) and it is set after their first semester of college during winter break. Basically, Casey and Toby start to date and Casey hides it from Bianca because of she felt that she was betraying her for dating B's ex-boyfriend.
I never considered Casey and Toby when I read The Duff but they work. They were so cute together! Toby was a such a sweetheart. And while Casey's constant use of abbreviations (OMG, WTF, STFU, etc.) in everyday speech was a kinda silly (this habit of people drives me bonkers in real life--it did come to play in Casey's big gesture in the end that was just... cute, so I guess I can forgive her), I liked her too.
Even though the story was short, it was well-paced and satisfying. I also enjoyed "seeing" [still-cranky] Bianca and Wesley again. Overall, a great follow up to The Duff.
I was more to read more Casey, Toby, Bianca, Wesley and Jessica! I think Jessica needs an HEA too, Kody! Especially now that she may finally be "seeing the light" about Harrison Carlyle.
People Worth Knowing is about Bailey James, Whitley's stepsister in A Midsummer's Nightmare. We know that Bailey made the cheer squad at the end of AMS. But being a cheerleader and trying to become friends with the most popular girl in school was way more complicated than Bailey first thought. When she unintentionally helped said popular girl bully another classmate, she knew had to make things right again.
Bailey's story was more serious but just wonderful as Abbreviations & Alliterations. I really loved Bailey in AMS and it was fun reading more about her. How she handled the bullying situation with a little help from Whitley and Nathan--Go Bailey! The sort of twist in the end with the bullied girl was kinda unexpected. Kody Keplinger even managed to include an adorable "start of something" between Bailey and a cute sophomore. Great read!
Secrets & Lies is a must-read for fans of The Duff and A Midsummer's Nightmare or if you're new to Kody Keplinger's books, it will give you a taste of the awesomeness (though the stories can be read as standalones, they are better if you read The Duff and A Midsummer's Nightmare first). Despite the short length, both stories managed to be well-paced, satisfying and very enjoyable. More please, Ms. Keplinger!
Abbreviations & Alliterations is a follow up to The Duff, the story is about Casey (Bianca's best friend--the tall, blonde one) and it is set after their first semester of college during winter break. Basically, Casey and Toby start to date and Casey hides it from Bianca because of she felt that she was betraying her for dating B's ex-boyfriend.
I never considered Casey and Toby when I read The Duff but they work. They were so cute together! Toby was a such a sweetheart. And while Casey's constant use of abbreviations (OMG, WTF, STFU, etc.) in everyday speech was a kinda silly (this habit of people drives me bonkers in real life--it did come to play in Casey's big gesture in the end that was just... cute, so I guess I can forgive her), I liked her too.
Even though the story was short, it was well-paced and satisfying. I also enjoyed "seeing" [still-cranky] Bianca and Wesley again. Overall, a great follow up to The Duff.
I was more to read more Casey, Toby, Bianca, Wesley and Jessica! I think Jessica needs an HEA too, Kody! Especially now that she may finally be "seeing the light" about Harrison Carlyle.
People Worth Knowing is about Bailey James, Whitley's stepsister in A Midsummer's Nightmare. We know that Bailey made the cheer squad at the end of AMS. But being a cheerleader and trying to become friends with the most popular girl in school was way more complicated than Bailey first thought. When she unintentionally helped said popular girl bully another classmate, she knew had to make things right again.
Bailey's story was more serious but just wonderful as Abbreviations & Alliterations. I really loved Bailey in AMS and it was fun reading more about her. How she handled the bullying situation with a little help from Whitley and Nathan--Go Bailey! The sort of twist in the end with the bullied girl was kinda unexpected. Kody Keplinger even managed to include an adorable "start of something" between Bailey and a cute sophomore. Great read!
Secrets & Lies is a must-read for fans of The Duff and A Midsummer's Nightmare or if you're new to Kody Keplinger's books, it will give you a taste of the awesomeness (though the stories can be read as standalones, they are better if you read The Duff and A Midsummer's Nightmare first). Despite the short length, both stories managed to be well-paced, satisfying and very enjoyable. More please, Ms. Keplinger!