Perfect Mistake by Kate Brian

Book Synopsis:
Ariana Osgood, now known as Briana Leigh Covington ("Ana" to her friends), finally has the life she has carefully constructed. She's attending Atherton-Pryce, an elite boarding school, moving into the most coveted dorm on campus and her crush has just broken up with his long-time girlfriend. Now he's available to date her! What more could Ariana ask for? Just as things are starting to fall into place for her, her nemesis, Kaitlynn, is now a student at Atherton-Pryce. Will Kaitlynn reveal Ariana's secret?

My thoughts:
Ariana Osgood is a character most readers would love to hate. Actually, I don't. I admit I have a strong dislike for people who cheat, lie, manipulate or do whatever it takes to get what they want. Ariana is guilty of all three and she even killed her namesake to steal her life (and money). Despite knowing these things, there's still a part of me that just likes Ariana.

In the first two books of the series, we learn more about Ariana's reasoning for wanting revenge (which actually started to develop during the Private series with Reed). In Perfect Mistake, Ariana struggles against resorting to her old behavior now that she finally belongs. But Kaitlynn's return makes it quite difficult for her.

Kaitlynn is ruthless. Actually, that's putting it mildly. What's worse than ruthless? EVIL?!? She's the type of girl who will stab you in the back (literally) and then go on a shopping spree as if nothing happened. Kaitlynn's one goal is to make Ariana's life miserable and naturally she succeeds. She threatens to harm Ariana's friends if Ariana does not submit to her demands. Fed up, Ariana tries to take matters into her own hands, however Kaitlynn is always one step ahead of her and foils her plans.

To make matters worse, both girls have been tapped for the secret society on campus. Problem is there are four openings and five girls. Kaitlynn wants Ariana to make sure she is one of the chosen or else. Ariana feels she has no choice but to given in to Kaitlynn.

Honestly, it must be hard to be Ariana. She's trying to maintain her 4.0 GPA, plot and scheme to get her enemy off her back, hook up her best friend with a new guy so she can date her former boyfriend and maintain her deadly secret. Whew! How exhausted she must feel. Would her exhaustion be her downfall? Only time will tell.

True to Ms. Brian's style, Perfect Mistake ends with a cliffhanger. One that made me want to immediately pick up the fourth book. Unfortunately I will have to wait until June 8th to find out what happens, when Sweet Deceit is released.

Fans of the Privilege series will not be disappointment with this third installment.

Here's hoping...
Before the end of the two series, I would like for Ms. Brian to reunite Ariana with the Billings Girls: Noelle, Reed, Taylor, Kiran, etc. to make both series come full circle. I want to know what Noelle would do if she learns Ariana is still alive...

Book details:
Series: Privilege #3
ISBN-13: 978-1-4169-6761-3
Pages: 231
Year Published: 2009
Genre: YA Fiction (Series)
Source: Library
Date Finished: December 13