Book Review and Giveaway: Sweet Valley Confidential

By Melissa Amster

**Giveaway is now closed**

Since I was among the many devoted "Sweet Valley High" fans when I was growing up, I was eagerly anticipating the release of "Sweet Valley Confidential: Ten Years Later," which was written by the same Francine Pascal who brought the Wakefield twins into our lives many years ago. I even went to a website where I could read a short synopsis of each book, thus allowing me to remember some of the characters a little better before delving in to this new story.

"Sweet Valley Confidential" opens with Elizabeth refusing to answer a phone call from Jessica after a huge betrayal. We are then taken through the steps leading up to the betrayal through flashbacks from the twins and some other major players in their lives, while also learning what is happening to everyone in the present. Elizabeth, meanwhile, is deciding whether or not she wants to see Jessica again and how she will avenge such a betrayal. It leads to some major drama between the sisters and their loved ones. Will Elizabeth ever forgive Jessica? And what happened to the gang at Sweet Valley High over the last ten years?

Have no fear...Ms. Pascal answers both of these questions throughout the story. In the meantime, she takes her readers through some interesting experiences and adventures in the twins' lives. She even tosses in some twists I never would have seen coming, keeping me guessing at every page turn. Her use of description makes it easy to visualize the characters and settings. She easily takes us back to the stories from the series so that there's a smooth transition from one to the other, through reminders about who the characters were back then.

However, I do have some critiques. My main concern was audience confusion. I wasn't sure if this was written for her fans from the 1980's who are now adults or her current fans, adolescents reading the series for the first time in this new decade. The use of curse words and sexual terms would tell me it was for the former, while the somewhat simplistic language and Jessica's constant use of the word "like" would say it is for the latter. It was also wrapped up a little too neatly. Either Ms. Pascal wanted quick closure or this was another case of audience confusion. It just seemed like there was a big build-up to get to the drama but then it quickly subsided and became lighthearted again. There is not much room left for a sequel, unless she wants to expand on what had already happened in this novel. Aside from that, there were some grammatical and spelling errors that could have been easily caught before going to print.

Overall, this was a fun story that will satisfy a thirst for all "Sweet Valley High" fans of then and now. It had a CW feel, as I could see it fleshed out into a television series on that channel. I enjoyed it and found it easy to follow. I was thrilled to be reunited with characters I loved so much as a pre-teen. Maybe Ann M. Martin will follow Ms. Pascal's lead and do the same for "The Babysitter's Club."

Thanks to St. Martin's Press for the review copy. They also have three audio books to give away to anyone in the US or Canada. In the meantime, listen to chapter one.

How to win "Sweet Valley Confidential" (audio):
Please comment below with your e-mail address.
(Please note: Entries without an e-mail address will NOT be counted. You can use AT and DOT to avoid spam. Or provide a link to your facebook page or blog if you can receive messages there.)

Bonus entries (can be listed all in one post):
1. Please tell us: If SVC were to be a show on the CW, who would you cast as the twins? (You can double one person like in "The Parent Trap.")
2. Please tell us: For which book series would you like to see a reunion?
3. Follow this blog and post a comment saying you are a follower (if you already follow, that's fine too).
4. Post this contest on Facebook or Twitter or in your blog, and leave a comment saying where you've posted it.
5. Join Chick Lit Central on Facebook. (If you're already a member, let us know that too.)

US/Canada only. Giveaway ends Sunday, April 17th at midnight EST