Suspicion by Kate Brian

Book Synopsis:

Forbidden fruit...

Reed, Noelle, and former Billings Girls Kiran and Taylor have been living it up on St. Barths over winter break. The tropical sun has melted away all the tensions of last semester, and for the first time in months, Reed is happy. She's got her best friends by her side, she has a palatial suite with an ocean view, and she's landed Upton, the most sought-after guy on the island.

Reed is falling in love.

But dating Upton makes Reed St. Barths' highest-profile guest — and not in a good way. Upton has a dark past, and he's broken a lot of hearts. One of his exes still wants him. And she'll do whatever it takes to get Reed out of the picture.

My thoughts:
Suspicion begins where Paradise Lost ended. Reed is mysteriously pushed off a yacht during a party and is treading water. She's eventually rescued by Sawyer and later taken to the hospital for observation. Terrified that someone tried to kill her, she immediately decides to go home. However, Noelle talks her into staying for the remainder of their vacation. During this time, Reed's life is threatened again, she learns the secret that Upton has been keeping and the reader learns the identity of the person who wants Reed out of the picture.

I have to say this edition to the Private series was my least favorite. I thought it was mostly "a filler" book and found myself struggling to stay focused while reading. The saving grace was the last chapter when Reed and her friends returned to Easton Academy from winter break. The unexpected has happened to their beloved Billings House. Most importantly, there's a new student starting at Easton. Which will make for quite an interesting semester for Reed. Scandal, book eleven will be released on March 9, 2010.

Book details:
Series: Private #10
ISBN-13: 978-1-4169-5885-7
Pages: 211
Year Published: 2009
Genre: YA Fiction (Series)
Source: Library
Date Finished: October 30

3 Mini-Reviews

Well, once again I find myself behind in writing my book reviews. For the last week or so, I've been debating whether or not to write them or not write them. Decisions, decisions...

I finally decided to end my stress and post a mini-summary for each book. I hate getting behind on my reviews, but worse than that, I hate the stress that I feel when I get behind. I'm brainstorming ways to stay on top of reviews moving forward (especially in the new year). Hopefully I can find something that will work for me.


Title: After You
Author: Julie Buxbaum
Genre: Women's Fiction
Date Finished: September 16

Summary: When Ellie learns of her best friend’s, Lucy, tragic death, she puts her life on hold (including her own marital problems) to be with Lucy’s husband, Greg and daughter Sophie. As Ellie tries to cope with Lucy’s shortened life, she discovers Lucy’s hidden secrets that cause Ellie to question their friendship. After You is a book about personal healing after a loss. Whether it’s the death of a loved one, end of a relationship or the loss of innocence. After You explores the necessary steps to move forward and begin again where you are.


Title: The Neighbor
Author: Lisa Gardner
Genre: Mystery/Suspense
Date Finished: October 7

Summary: From a distance Jason and Sandra Jones appear to be the perfect couple. They have a beautiful daughter, a new house and are in the beginning stages of building a life together. Their perfect façade slowly begins to crumble with Sandra goes missing shortly after putting their daughter to bed. Jason immediately turns into the prime suspect when he’s aloof and uncooperative with the police. What exactly is he hiding? Does he want his wife to be found? If he didn't kill her, does he know who did? These questions are what Detective Sergeant D.D. Warren is determined to find out.


Title: Dying for Mercy
Author: Mary Jane Clark
Genre: Mystery/Suspense
Date Finished: October 17

Summary: Following the kidnapping of her daughter, Janie, Eliza Blake decides to rent a house in prestigious Tuxedo Park, New York. She’s invited to a party and before the night ends, the host commits suicide by stigmata. As Eliza and her colleagues, AKA the Sunshine Suspense Society, begin to investigate, they realize he left clues behind that will piece together a cover-up that happened years ago. Can Eliza and her friends find the killer’s identity before they become the next victims?

The Widow's Season by Laura Brodie

Book Synopsis:
Sarah McConnell's husband had been dead for three months when she saw him in the grocery store...

What does a woman do when she's thirty-nine, childless, and completely alone for the first time in her life? Does it mean she's crazy to think she sees her late husband beside a display of pumpkins? Or is it just what people do, a natural response to grief that will fade in time? That's what Sarah McConnell's friends told her, that it was natural, would last a season, and then fade away.

But what if there was another answer? What if he was really there? They never found the body, after all. What if he is still here somehow, and about to walk back into her life?

My thoughts:
What would you do if you saw your dead husband while grocery shopping? Would you chase after him demanding answers? Would you silently think you're losing your mind due to your grief? Or would you shake off the image as simply wishing it to be your husband, but knowing it is just a complete stranger?

Having read glowing reviews about The Widow's Season, I was eager to read it. Unfortunately, it fell flat for me. As I read Sarah's story, I realized I didn't feel anything for her...nothing. Here's a story about a woman who recently lost her husband and thinks she sees him and I don't feel any sympathy? Compassion?

The characters in The Widow's Season were hard to connect to. Sarah and her brother-in-law, Nate, seemed to be somewhat aloof. Perhaps it was their reaction to losing David and the events (which I won't share to avoid spoilers) that occurred after his death. Or maybe it was Ms. Brodie's intent to write the characters this way. To be honest, this was the third consecutive book I read dealing with the death of a love one. It's possible I just felt numb after reading two previous tragic stories.

I think The Widow's Season would be an excellent selection for a book club. I figured out the ending pretty early in the book and wondered what other readers thought as the story unfolded. I wanted a chance to speak with other readers about my feelings (or lack thereof) for these characters and hear their thoughts as well. Perhaps speaking with other readers would challenge my opinion about the novel. (If you're interested, the author provides a reader guide that could be used for a book club discussion.)

Despite my disappointment with this novel, I would recommend it to other readers. I enjoyed Ms. Brodie's ability to write in such a way that I could instantly see the scenes in my mind. I plan to read Ms. Brodie's future novels.

Recommended for: book clubs

Book details:
ISBN-13: 978-0-425-22765-7
Pages: 303
Year Published: 2009
Genre: Women's Fiction
Date Finished: August 28
Rating: B

Beautiful Disaster by Kate Brian

Book Synopsis:

She's Back....

After wasting away in a mental institution for a year and a half, Ariana Osgood is finally back where she belongs. She has a new look, a new name, and a new life -- all thanks to her former friend Briana Leigh Covington.

Now enrolled as a junior at the exclusive Atherton-Pryce boarding school just outside of D.C., Ariana sleeps in Frette sheets, flirts with the captain of the crew team, and gossips with the most beautiful girls on campus. She killed to get back her life of privilege. Just how far will she go to keep it?

From the author of the bestselling Private novels comes a series about the dark world of wealth, secrets, and privilege.

My review:
Ariana Osgood is settling in to Briana Leigh's life. She's now enrolled at a private school and is returning to the privileged life she's accustomed to. She was one of the popular girls at Easton Academy and she's determined to be the same at Atherton-Pryce Hall.

Things begin to quickly fall into place for Ariana, now known as "Ana". She's befriended the right clique and has tied up loose ends to her past. Or so she thinks. When her former crush and nemesis learns where she is, Ariana will stop at nothing to keep her new life.

Beautiful Disaster is the second novel in the Privilege series - the spinoff from the Private series. Ariana is a character readers will love to hate. At times, you will feel sympathy for her until she concocts a new plan to do away with the competition. Ariana is ruthless! I have to say, while reading the Private novels, Ariana had a quiet presence, a character that is easy to forget. Which made the truth behind Thomas's death that more shocking.

In Privilege, readers see the REAL Ariana and it's quite frightening. In Beautiful Disaster, Ariana is portrayed as paranoid. Her confidence is slipping as her life begins to slip out of control. I have to say, I was exhausted while reading about Ariana's scheming to keep her past hidden!

Beautiful Disaster ended on a cliff hanger, one that could possibly destroy Ariana for good. Fortunately readers won't have to wait long to see what happens next. Perfect Mistake, book three, will be released in October.

Book details:
Series: Privilege #2
ISBN-13: 978-1-4169-6760-6
Pages: 278
Year Published: 2009
Genre: YA Fiction (Series)
Date Finished: August 25
Rating: B

Last Christmas: Private Prequel

Book Synopsis:
Ariana Osgood has everything an Easton Academy girl could want: straight A's, the perfect boyfriend, and a coveted spot in exclusive Billings House. But on the first night of Christmas vacation, a blizzard traps her on campus with irresistible bad-boy Thomas Pearson. Alone. Instead of snuggling with her boyfriend next to a cozy fire in Vermont, she's huddling for warmth with Thomas in Ketlar House.

As the snow transforms Easton into a winter wonderland, Ariana finds herself falling for Thomas. But someone is watching their clandestine romance unfold, someone intent on turning their holiday weekend into a nightmare...

Last Christmas reveals the secret of what really happened before Private began -- and the shocking truth will change everything for fans of Kate Brian's bestselling series.

My review:
Before Reed Brennan started dating Thomas Pearson, Ariana had a relationship with him. Last Christmas is the story about their relationship and the aftermath that followed.

Easton Academy is preparing for winter break. Ariana is spending the holidays with her boyfriend's family in Vermont. She's fortunate to do so, however it just doesn't feel quite right. As she struggles with these feelings, her attraction towards bad boy, Thomas, grows. When she's forced to stay later on campus to finish an English paper, she learns Thomas has stayed as well. He taunts her about her "good girl" image and soon Ariana starts to behave in ways that both shock and excite her.

Last Christmas provides more insight about Ariana and the events that led to Thomas's death. It's also a good companion to the Privilege series. I especially like Thomas and now wish Ms. Brian didn't kill his character so early in the Private series.

Ariana Osgood is a character readers will love to hate. She fears becoming like her mother and has to be in control at all times. It's shocking to read how extreme she becomes when her perfect world is threatened. She's delusional, mentally unstable, but so put together it's quite scary. She knows what she wants, how to get it and won't allow anything or anyone to stand in her way.

What I liked best about Last Christmas was the focus was primarily on Ariana and Noelle wasn't as powerful as she is in later books. Last Christmas allows readers an up close and personal look into Ariana's history and current thoughts. If you're a fan of the Private and Privilege series, you will not be disappointed with Last Christmas.

Book details:
Series: Private (Prequel)
ISBN-13: 978-1-4169-1369-6
Pages: 263
Year Published: 2008
Genre: YA Fiction
Date Finished: August 24
Rating: B

Paradise Lost by Kate Brian

Book Synopsis:

Paradise awaits....

Now that Cheyenne's murderer has been revealed and Reed knows the truth about who's been stalking her, she's ready to leave the heartache and turmoil of last semester behind. And what better way to recover than a five-star Caribbean vacation?

Reed is reunited with former Billings Girls Kiran and Taylor, and she and her friends take over the exclusive island. They spend their days tanning on white-sand beaches and their nights partying on sixty-foot yachts.

It's heaven on earth.

But as they raise their champagne flutes to toast their friendship, Reed worries that it's all too good to be true. Because even in paradise, the Billings Girls are never far from trouble — and nothing's more dangerous than the calm before the storm....

My review:

It's winter break and Reed, her friends and their families head to St. Barths to spend the holidays. The students are still in shock after the latest tragic events on Easton's campus. Reed agrees to the trip as an attempt to move forward. While vacationing, she meets Upton, despite feeling reluctant about dating again, she soon finds herself falling for him. Once again, Reed finds herself surrounded by drama, jealousy and mystery.

Although I thought Paradise Lost was a quick read, it wasn't a favorite from the series. I did like that the story took place away from Easton, however I found myself quickly frustrated with how the other girls treated Reed. Reed considers Noelle to be her BFF, however since the start of this series, I've questioned the sincerity of their friendship. I would like Reed to develop an identity apart from the Billings Girls and not think she has to run to Noelle for everything.

Like the previous books, Paradise Lost ends with a cliff hanger. What happens next? To be continued in Suspicion, book 10, to be released in September.

Recommended for: readers of the Private series.

Book Details:
Series: Private #9
ISBN: 1-4169-5884-3
Pages: 243
Year Published: 2009
Genre: YA Fiction (Series)
Date Finished: July 19
Rating: B-

Privilege by Kate Brian

MOST GIRLS WOULD DIE FOR A LIFE OF PRIVILEGE.... SOME WOULD EVEN KILL FOR IT.

Ariana Osgood ruled exclusive Easton Academy — until she was arrested for murdering Thomas Pearson. She's spent the past two years at the Brenda T. Trumbull Correctional Facility for Women plotting her escape and is determined to get a second chance at the glamorous life she left behind. And Ariana will do anything to get her way....

My review:

Ariana Osgood is first introduced in the Privates series by Kate Brian. I strongly recommend you read the first four books (Private, Invitation Only, Untouchable and Confessions) prior to reading this book.

In the Private series, Ms. Brian hints that Ariana is a bit, well. . .unstable. In Privilege, she shows the reader how true this really is. (I find it hard to write this review without giving anything away!) When the reader is allowed to see Ariana for who she really is, well it's a bit scary.

Ariana wants to return to her life of privilege. The problem? She's locked up in a correctional facility. So, naturally, there's only one way for her to get what she wants. In order to do so, she must give up the life she knows in order to create the life that she thinks she's entitled to.

My only regret was that I didn't read Last Christmas, the prequel to the Private series, prior to reading Privilege. I believe certain characters and events are mentioned in this book that I was confused about while reading Privilege. Nevertheless, I was still able to follow the book. The ending had a shocking twist that left me wanting to immediately start reading Beautiful Disaster, book two. However, I will refrain until I read Last Christmas.

Recommended for: readers how have read the Private series and want an update about Ariana.

Book details:
Series: Privilege #1
ISBN-10: 1416967591
Pages: 291
Year Published: 2008
Genre: YA Fiction (Series)
Date Finished: July 9
Rating: B+

The Beach House by Georgia Bockoven

Synopsis:

The beach house is a peaceful haven, a place to escape everyday problems. Here, three families find their feelings intensified and their lives transformed each summer.

When thirty-year-old Julia, mourning the death of her husband, decides to sell the Santa Cruz beach house they owned together, she sets in motion a final summer that will change the lives of all the families who rent it year after year. Teenaged Chris discovers the bittersweet joy of first love. Maggie and Joe, married sixty-five years, courageously face a separation that even their devotion cannot prevent. The married woman Peter yearns for suddenly comes within his reach. And Julia ultimately finds the strength to rebuild her life—something she once thought impossible.

With equal measures of heartbreak and happiness, bestselling author Georgia Bockoven's unforgettable novel tells of the beauty of life and the power of love, and speaks to every woman who has ever clung to a child or loved a man.

My review:

I liked how the author wrote this book. The book is divided into parts; each part represents a summer month. During the month, different renters reside in the beach house and the reader is allowed a glimpse into their lives. Near month's end, the current renters prepare the house for the new renters, as everyone knows one another.

It was though I was reading three short stories in one book, however the author did a fantastic job of tying the renters' stories together. The Beach House is about picking up the pieces after a loss and beginning again.

Recommended for: anyone looking for a great read.

Book details:
ISBN-10: 0061727644
Pages: 379
Year Published: 2009
Genre: Fiction
Date Finished: July 5
Rating: A

Revelation by Kate Brian

The biggest mystery of all...and Reed is dying to learn the truth.

Two months after Cheyenne Martin was found dead in her Billings House dorm room, exclusive Easton Academy is rocked by another stunning revelation: Cheyenne was murdered. No one knows who the killer is, but everyone agrees that Reed Brennan, who took over Cheyenne's role as Billings's president, gained the most from her death. Once the most powerful girl on campus, Reed is now powerless to stop her classmates' accusing whispers. Rumors begin to swirl that she killed Cheyenne.

And just like that, Reed is kicked out of Billings.

She's lost everything -- her friends, her home, her boyfriend -- and Reed knows the only way to get it all back is to figure out who really murdered Cheyenne. And she has to do it fast because the killer is still out there. The more Reed investigates, the more she uncovers. And as any Billings Girl knows...secrets can be deadly.

My Review:
In Revelation, Reed finds herself ostracized from the Billings House. She now resides in a single room adjacent to her ex-boyfriend's current girlfriend. Reed is in disbelief with how quickly she has fallen. Once she had everything within her grasp and now, well now. . . she's an outcast.

I liked that Reed had the chance to escape the chains of the Billings House. Together, these girls are so one-dimensional that it's hard to like them. I thought Reed finally had the chance to discover her true self. She oscillated between grieving for her former life and taking a stand against those who doubted her involvement in Cheyenne's murder.

The only issue I had with the book was the author gave away the killer's identity in one innocent sentence. As soon as I read it, I knew this person killed Cheyenne. The sentence was so random, so innocent, that if the reader wasn't paying attention, he/she would have missed the clue. Now, on the other hand, the motive behind the murder and sending Reed those haunting e-mails, was a twist. I didn't see THAT coming at all.

Recommended for: for readers who enjoy young adult series.

Ambition

Title: Ambition
Author: Kate Brian
Series: Private #7
ISBN-10: 1-4169-5882-7
Pages: 279
Year Published: 2008
Genre: YA Fiction (Series)
Date Finished: June 27

From the back cover:

The higher you climb, the farther you have to fall....

Reed Brennan knew being elected president of exclusive Billings Hall would change her life. What she didn't count on was being dumped by her boyfriend, Josh Hollis, or being held responsible for a fire that destroyed Easton Academy's oldest building.

And now the administration wants to shut Billings down. Forever.

As president, it's up to Reed to save Billings Hall. What better way to win over the head­master than to host a glam fund-raising event in New York City? Everyone needs a date, and the newly single Reed is the most eligible girl on campus. All of Easton's hottest boys are angling to take her out, and for once, Reed's biggest problem is which one to choose.

Reed has never felt so popular or powerful — until the police start asking questions about Cheyenne Martin's death. Excited party buzz quickly turns to whispered rumors and dark moods, and one thing becomes clear: There is someone who wants to see Billings, and Reed, go down. And they will do anything to make it happen.

First sentence: I sat in the front row of folding chairs in the Great Room of Mitchell Hall and stared at the gray, unfeeling faces that hovered over the long table before me.


Ambition is the seventh book in the Private series. Reed finds herself up against the head-master and the Easton alumnae after a fire destroys one of the buildings on campus. A fire that occurred while Reed and other students were sneaking off campus to attend the Legacy, an annual, exclusive event.

Reed comes up with the idea of a fund raiser in NYC and asks several of her Billings sisters to assist her with the planning. One of which is Noelle. As Reed coordinates meetings and appointments, it appears as though Noelle is trying to sabotage her.

Meanwhile, everyone on campus is shocked to learn that Cheyenne’s suicide may have been a homicide instead. Another murder investigation on campus.

Just as things are starting to look up for Reed, the secret she’s been hiding since the Legacy, is revealed. One night, one mistake can change Reed’s life at Easton forever.

Like the previous novels in this series, Ambition is a quick read. While reading, I couldn’t help but feel this novel is more of a “filler” to prepare the reader for Revelation, where Cheyenne’s murderer is revealed. There are a lot of clues in this book and hints about what’s to come. I’m looking forward to reading the next book soon.

Legacy by Kate Brian

Title: Legacy
Author: Kate Brian
Series: Private #6
ISBN-10: 1416950427
Pages: 243
Year Published: 2008
Genre: YA Fiction
Date Finished: June 2

First sentences: Death. It wasn't supposed to happen this way.

Caution: This review contains spoilers!

Reed and the rest of the Billings Girls are back in Legacy, book six of the Private Series. They are mourning the loss of Cheyenne and trying to get answers to their questions surrounding her suicide. This is the second death on the Easton campus and the question is how can tragedy strike the sheltered and the elite?

Cheyenne was president of Billings House prior to her death. Now that the presidency is vacant, only one Billings Girl seems appropriate to replace her: Reed. The same day Reed accepts the nomination, a surprise awaits her. Noelle is back at Easton Academy.

Meanwhile, Halloween approaches and it's time for the Legacy. There's just one problem: the Easton students have been blackballed. And no one knows why. Now that Reed is president, it's up to her to get everyone invites. As much as she enjoys being president of Billings House, Reed also learns it comes with a price.

Inner Circle by Kate Brian

Title: Inner Circle
Author: Kate Brian
Series: Private #5
ISBN-10: 1416950419
Pages: 220
Year Published: 2007
Genre: YA Fiction
Date Finished: May 10

From the back cover: Last year was just the beginning. Welcome to the inner circle.

Reed Brennan arrived at Easton Academy expecting to find an idyllic private school experience -- challenging classes, adorably preppy boys, and a chance to create a new life for herself. Instead, she discovered lies, deception, blackmail, and...murder. But, thankfully, the killers were caught and the nightmare is finally over.

The old Billings Girls are gone.

Now, with a new school year ahead of her, Reed steps back on Easton's ivy-covered campus ready to start over. So when the headmaster announces that billings is forbidden from holding their traditional, secretive initiation, Reed is relieved. She champions the new rules and the six new girls the administration has picked to live in Billings Hall: Constance, Missy, Lorna, Kiki, Astrid, and newcomer Sabine.

But Reed's fellow Billings resident and new nemesis, Cheyenne Martin, believes the changes are a mockery of Billings history. Despite the new rules, Cheyenne vows to keep the old ways alive, no matter what -- or who -- stands in her way...

First sentence: An early morning rain had come and gone, leaving behind a wet sheen that shimmered on the trees alongside the road.

It's Reed's junior year at Easton Academy. She has returned to school determined to move forward after the tragic events of last year. Now that the Billings Girls are gone and a new headmaster has been hired, Billings House won't be the same. The new headmaster assigns six new girls to Billings, against the traditional process. This causes dissension among the current Billings Girls, which will eventually lead to an outcome that none of the girls will see coming.

Inner Circle introduces (and brings back) new characters that adds to the storyline. A former Easton Academy student returns, although not everyone is thrilled to welcome her back. After reading Confessions, I really wondered how the next book would be without the original Billings Girls. I like the direction the author is taking the series and am looking forward to reading book six. Just as each book before it, Inner Circle ends with a cliff hanger. To be continued in Legacy.

Confessions by Kate Brian

Title: Confessions
Author: Kate Brian
Series: Private #4
ISBN-10: 1416918760
Pages: 232
Year Published: 2007
Genre: YA Fiction
Date Finished: May 9

From the back cover: Sometimes the truth hurts. . .

Reed Brennan came to superposh Easton Academy to make a brand-new life for herself. At first it seemed as though her dream had come true-she was living in the ultraexclusive Billings Hall, hanging out with the all-powerful Billings Girls, and dating the very hot Thomas Pearson. But Thomas turned out to be different from what she thought...and then he turned up dead. And if that wasn't twisted enough, Reed's new boyfriend, Josh Hollis, was arrested for Thomas's murder.

Now everyone is back to worrying about the regular stuff, like how to sneak to the boys' dorms at night, whether two-ply cashmere is warm enough for fall, and whether to fly to London or Barcelona for Thanksgiving break.

Everyone except for Reed.

Reed is convinced that Josh is innocent, which means the killer is still out there. Now it's up to Reed to uncover the truth. But the deeper she digs, the more secrets she unearths and the closer she gets to the confession that will change everything...if she's alive to hear it.

First sentence: When faced with tragedy, we gather as many people around us as we possibly can.

Now that a suspect has been arrested for Thomas's murder, the student body tries to return to normalcy. Finals are coming up and everyone is looking forward to winter break. Everyone, except Reed. Reed doesn't believe Josh could kill his best friend. She takes matters in her own hands and starts her own investigation. When Reed discovers the truth about what really happened the night Thomas was killed, she will question her decision to come to Easton Academy.

Confessions is a quick read. When the killer's identity is revealed, we also learn the history between this person and Thomas. So, the question is, how does this affect the Billings Girls? Stay tuned for Inner Circle.

Untouchable by Kate Brian

Title: Untouchable
Author: Kate Brian
Series: Private #3
ISBN-10: 1416918752
Pages: 236
Year Published: 2006
Genre: YA Fiction
Date Finished: May 9

From the back cover: Cheating, partying, blackmail, and now...murder?

Can the Billings Girls remain untouchable?

Reed's boyfriend, Thomas Pearson -- the popular, easygoing, irresistibly handsome and charismatic boy she fell in love with -- is dead. No one knows how it happened, and everyone is after the truth. Or are they?

Life at Easton Academy begins to feel very different. Taylor is acting like the poster child for Prozac, Kiran is spiking her cornflakes, Noelle is being kind of...nice, and Arianna keeps floating along as if nothing has happened.

Thanksgiving break arrives and Reed and Josh find themselves alone on campus. They are forced to confront the feelings they've been hiding. Those feelings combined with an empty campus result in the hottest hookup Reed could possibly imagine. But when Reed breaks the news about Josh to the Billings Girls, there's no fun game of tell-all. Instead, Josh begins to look like suspect No. 1 in the murder of Thomas Pearson.

The perfect life Reed has constructed as a Billings Girl begins to crumble. And as everyone becomes more convinced of Josh's guilt, Reed's private suspicions lead her somewhere she doesn't want to go.

First sentence: My first funeral.

My thoughts: Untouchable is the 3rd book in the Private series. The book opens with Thomas's funeral. There are still unanswered questions surrounding his death. Everyone has different theories on why Thomas died and each thinks he was murdered. As the police continue to investigate, more and more details are revealed about Thomas's life.

Reed is trying to move forward after her first real loss. She doesn't know what to do as everyone is constantly watching her every move and commenting on everything she does. She does find solace in her friendship with Josh, Thomas's best friend.

With Untouchable, the plot thickens and at times I found it difficult to believe what anyone said. I knew the Billings Girls were still keeping secrets from Reed, however were they protecting her or themselves? Their "friendship" felt more forced to me in this book than the previous novels. Reed appeared to feel this way as well, however she continued to make excuses to remain friends with them. Secrets, lies and cover-up continue to be the themes of this series.

Now that a "suspect" has been arrested, I wonder will the details of Thomas's death finally be revealed. I guess I'll have to read Confessions to find out.

To read more about the Private series and its spin off series, Privilege, click here.

Invitation Only

Title: Invitation Only
Author: Kate Brian
Series: Private #2
ISBN-10: 1416918744
Pages: 257
Year Published: 2006
Genre: YA Fiction
Date Finished: May 6

From the back cover: Reed Brennan's future is looking as bright as the two-karat diamonds in her new housemates' ears. Being accepted to the most prestigious private boarding school in the country wasn't enough for Reed. She had to break every rule to do it, but she has accomplished the impossible:

Reed is a Billings Girl now.

And with her new status come respect, envy, and, most important, opportunity. Not to mention the parties. Unfortunately, at the next illicit party in the Easton campus woods, her roommate snaps some pictures of Reed in more than one compromising position. She uses the photos to blackmail Reed: Dig up dirt on the most powerful and popular Billings Girls or she will have Reed expelled.

And speaking of parties, the Legacy is coming up. It's the invitation-only Halloween party in NYC and it's rumored that Thomas -- Reed's MIA boyfriend -- will be making an appearance there. Too bad Reed isn't even close to invited.

Life as a Billings Girl is every bit as glamorous as Reed imagined. What she didn't bargain for is the tangled web of private lies these girls weave.

First sentence: It was a cold night.

My thoughts: Invitation Only is the second book in the Private series. Reed is finally a Billings Girl. Unfortunately for her, she has to clean their rooms, make their beds and wash their windows as part of her initiation. She accepts these chores because the prize of being their friend is worth it to her.

At one of their parties, she meets Walt Whittaker and soon finds herself in a compromising position. Someone else has witnessed their encounter and begins to blackmail Reed. Reed has to learn the truth behind the expulsion of a former Billings Girl or face being expelled herself. Seeing no other choice, Reed begins spying on the other Billing Girls and learns some interesting facts about each one. It's not until Reed learns the truth, that she realizes what it entails to be a Billings Girl.

Meanwhile, her former boyfriend, Thomas Pearson, is missing. The police have been called to investigate his disappearance and Reed fears she will become a suspect. Thomas's friends are nonchalant about his disappearance and believe he will attend the Legacy, an invitation only party in NYC. But when Thomas doesn't show, the severity of his disappearance becomes apparent.

Invitation Only begins where Private ended. I like that both books end with cliff hangers and immediately jumps right back into the story. I've found myself engrossed in the characters and wonder what will happen next.

Private

Title: Private
Author: Kate Brian
Series: Private #1
ISBN-10: 1416918736
Pages: 227
Year Published: 2006
Genre: YA Fiction
Date Finished: May 4

First sentence: Where I come from everything is gray.

Warning: Review may contain spoilers!

Reed Brennan desperately wants to escape her hometown of Crofton, PA. Her mother suffered a tragic accident and now pops pills and drinks away her pain. She takes most of her suffering out on Reed. Meanwhile Reed's father tries to hold the family together, but Reed knows this is a burden for her dad. When she's offered a scholarship to Easton Academy, she knows this is her opportunity to leave and live the life she's always dreamed about.

The first day she stepped foot on campus, she felt she was out of her league. The other students were different than her peers at her former high school. Suddenly doubts fill her mind and she begins to wonder if Croton, PA is her fate after all.

While walking back to her dorm, she meets Thomas Pearson, the most popular (and gorgeous) senior on campus. Reed is immediately attracted to him and secretly wishes she'll run into him again.

It's not until her chance glimpse of the "mysterious girls" that things start to turn around for Reed. She learns their true identities during a meal in the cafeteria: Noelle, Ariana, Kiran and Taylor AKA the Billings Girls.

Billings House is the dorm on campus. If you're fortunate to live there, then you are set for life. All the girls want to be a Billings Girls. Much to Reed's amazement, she wants to befriend them as well. These girls represent everything that Reed doesn't have: wealth, beauty, power, confidence and loyalty. Due to her home life, Reed isolated herself from her peers and did not have social relationships. Now that she's at Easton, she's realizing she has missed out on a major part of being a teenage girl.

The Billings Girls take an interest in Reed as well, and before Reed knows it, she has become part of their group (well on the peripheral). There is a price to be one of them. These girls begin to ask Reed to steal an exam, break up with a guy and any other demeaning task they can think of. As Reed struggles to belong to their group and do what's right, she begins to wonder if their friendship (if indeed it is friendship) is worth it.

Meanwhile, her relationship with Thomas develops and soon they become a couple. Things are going well with them, until Reed learns Thomas's secret. Devastated that he lied to her, she ends their relationship, but isn't sure if she did the right thing. He attempts to explain to her why he did not confide in her and wants to get back together. The Billings Girls tell her she's better off without him and makes her promise to have nothing to do with him. Reed finds herself torn between these new feelings for Thomas and wanting to secure her place with the Billing Girls.

Just as Reed makes her decision, Thomas goes missing and one of the Billings Girls is expelled from Easton for cheating. Which means there's a spot open. . . in the Billings House. Will Reed be the next Billings Girl?

I really liked this book! I was immediately hooked with Reed's humble background versus the entitlement of the Billings Girls. Although I didn't agree with the decisions that Reed made, it was hard not to empathize with her. Reed is so desparate to be a "normal" girl and leave her past behind, that this often clouded her judgment. Following her conscience repeatedly conflicted with the goal of becoming the next Billings Girl.

I liked that the book ended with a cliff hanger. So where is Thomas? Will Reed fill the open spot in the house? What was the real reason behind the expulsion of the former Billings Girl? To be continued in. . . Invitation Only.

Extracurricular Activites by Maggie Barbieri

Title: Extracurricular Activities
Author: Maggie Barbieri
Series: Alison Bergeron (Murder 101) #2
ISBN-10: 0312355386
Pages: 294
Year Published: 2007
Genre: Cozy Mystery
Date Finished: January 31

First sentence: I have two best friends; one is a nymphomaniac and the other is a priest.

My review: When we first met Alison Bergeron, she was the number one suspect in a college student's murder. Not only did Alison have a past with the victim's parents, her ex-husband had an affair with the student as well. Just clearing her name from one investigation, Alison soon finds herself involved with another murder. . . her ex-husband Ray. Ray's death has Peter Miceli's name written all over it, as his death was a signature Mob hit. As much as she despised Ray (after all he had numerous extra-martial affairs), Alison is stunned by his death and can't help but to play amateur sleuth once again.

Finding Ray's killer will also distract her from her on-again, off-again relationship with NYPD homicide detective, Bobby Crawford. Crawford has marital issues of his own: he's legally separated from his wife, however he failed to mention this at the start of his relationship with Alison. It's quite difficult for Alison to avoid Crawford because his partner is marrying Alison's best friend, Max, and he is best man while Alison is maid of honor. And not to mention, with all of Alison's snooping, she finds herself in situations that only a police officer can assist her with.

Overall, I enjoyed this book. Alison is an amateur sleuth with good sense. The plot at times is funny, but not over the top. The author provides enough twists and turns that will make the reader wonder who really is the killer. After the killer's identity is revealed, we learn why Ray was killed and how Alison is involved.

Alison's character is one the reader can relate to: she's hard working, trying to pick herself up after a bitter divorce while contemplating re-entering the dating scene. The reader will hope Bobby figures things out with his estranged wife before Alison moves on. The two definitely have chemistry and both deserve a second chance on love. If you're looking for a good cozy mystery, I recommend this series.