Private

When I saw this at the bookstore, I honestly thought to myself, "Oh, great. Another story about snobby rich girls." However enjoyable these plots may be, I wanted something different. I totally underestimated this book at first glance. Boy was I wrong. Sure, this book has the usual teen angst & pressure to fit in, but it also has something else...mystery. Now, for all of you reading this, you're probably thinking "*yawn* If I wanted mystery, I'd go read some Nancy Drew." Well, don't think that way! This is a great series, & each book ends in a cliff-hanger. Take it from someone who's read all those other books, such as THE CLIQUE, GOSSIP GIRL, & THE A-LIST; this is def. worth a read! Just make sure to hold onto your couch...there are shockers ahead! The only downside to these books? You have to wait a few months to find out the conclusion of the newest twist. So, go ahead. Add this to your cart. I promise you won't be disappointed. =]

Gossip Girl, The A-List, The Clique. We've all heard of them. For those who are easily intimidated by the covers of those books, which seem to reflect a shallow story line thrown in with a few scandals, I was pleasantly surprised by this series. Though Private isnt as different as the others, this book is laced with the common essentials. -A new environment for the leading character -Who wants attention from the popular group of students who have it all -Thrown with a secret romance Familiar? Yet, Kate Brian managed to pull it off with vivid details and a setting of Easton Academy- a notorious boarding school complete with the ivy covered walls and the private campus. The main character, Reed Brennan, finds herself at Easton with high expectations, but is easily let down when she is lost in the schools high academic curriculum and the unaccepting social crowd. Of course, until she meets the Billing Girls- The Ruling Class over Easton Academy. These girls have it all, from the biggest and most spacious dorms on the campus, to an automatic spot in any of the Ivy League schools when they graduate. And I ask you, who wouldnt want to be a Billing? But as soon as Reed steps into their territory, she is greeted with scandal, blackmail, and threats against their secrets. For she knows too much, so she is automatically their property. This is a very fast paced novel which ends in a deathly cliffhanger, and I cannot wait to read the next book.

I normally don't read stuff like this, but one of the girls in my church's youth group was reading it, and I wanted to get a better idea of what some of my kids were reading. I must say that it was hard to put down! Reed Brennan is a new sophomore student at the prestigious Easton Academy, and she is captivated when she meets the Billings girls, a group of confident, self-assured young women who wear fancy clothes, carry stylish cellphones, and command respect from the rest of the student body. Reed finds herself becoming obsessed with winning the acceptance of the girls, and unfortunately, she is willing to prostitute herself to doing anything to get their approval (well, almost anything). In the meantime, she is struggling to keep up academically, as the school is much more rigorous than the public school from which she came. From a Christian perspective, I am disappointed that there really aren't any characters of high moral fiber in the novel. You will look in vain to find someone who you would want your kids to admire. But the story is written in an engaging style, and you will get lost in the storyline for a few hours. You will also encounter an occasional four letter word here and there, which may be normal for a young adult book, but it came as something of a shock to me because I am not really well versed in this kind of literature. But I thought it was a great story, and you will be pining away for the next volume in the series, slated to be released in November 2006. Rev. Marc Axelrod

Fifteen-year-old Reed Brennan has never known a happy childhood. For one, her mother is bitter and nasty who likes to chase her sorrow with pain killers, and rain unhappiness on the entire family. And two, she's never had the money to make a better name for herself. That is, until she's accepted into Easton Academy, a prestigious, private boarding school that houses some of the most privileged and intelligent students in the country. Suddenly, Reed realizes that she's not in Kansas anymore, and is quickly sucked into the gorgeous, sophistication and wealth that surrounds her at Easton. Then she realizes something even more treacherous, just because she's been admitted to Easton, doesn't mean the students have truly accepted her. Then she meets the Billings Girls. The Billings Girls are the most talented, beautiful, intelligent, confident girls on campus. They also hold the power that Reed so badly craves. So when she finds herself being permitted into their little clique, she will do anything they want to be accepted - from stealing to acting like their slave. But soon, amidst all their glamorous, secret parties, and attitude, Reed discovers that the Billings Girls aren't exactly what they seem. In fact, they're completely different than they appear from the outside, giving great use of the phrase "looks can be deceiving." For, the Billings Girls have skeletons in their closets. Skeletons that they will do anything to keep secret, and locked away. In private. Kate Brian never ceases to amaze me regarding the creativity and imagination that she uses to weave remarkable, enjoyable stories. And that creativity and imagination is certainly not lost on PRIVATE. The fact that Brian combines privilege, power, mysteries, and money together to create this exhilarating new novel is only the icing on the cake. Reed is an intriguing character, whose cravings for something beyond her boring suburban life are impeccably described, leaving a taste in the readers mouth that indicates exactly how much Reed wants to be one of the "It" girls; while the supporting characters around her - Noelle, Ariana, Taylor, Kiran, and the at-times adorable Thomas - make the story that much more exciting and enjoyable, while at the same time presenting a very "real" vibe that brings the characters to life. PRIVATE will send readers racing to the closest bookstore, in an attempt to learn about the secret world that the over-privileged inhabit; while at the same time craving an invitation of their own. As addicting as hot chocolate on a cold, winters day. Erika Sorocco Book Review Columnist for The Community Bugle Newspaper

then you'll definitely love this! I don't want to spoiler the book. The basic plot is similar to Prep & it girl (and if from the same company as it girl, Alloy). Poor girl gets scholarsip to exclusive east coast boarding school, meets cute guys and b*tchy friends. However i liked this book better than prep and it girl! where lee is whiny and insipid, reed at least gives herself a chance. she's more similar to jenny (but thankfully no 'jeepers' and no 34DD's.) this is the 1st book in the series & i can't wait for the rest!