Sweet Valley Confidential- The Sweet Life by Francine Pascal
Publisher: St Martin’s Press (October 2012)
Source: Publisher via Get Red PR
Formats Available: Hardcover, Kindle
Format Read: ARC
My thoughts: Like many in my generation I began my reading addiction with The Babysitter’s Club and later with the crew at Sweet Valley High. I remember waiting for my Scholastic Book order to arrive because it usually contained two or three volumes at a time. On book delivery day I couldn’t wait to get home so I could dive into the newest installment of my favorite drama.
Last year I had the opportunity to revisit the crew with my review of Sweet Valley Confidential: Ten Years Later. Even though I had a less than stellar experience with it, I was still excited when I saw that a serial was being released this summer.
The Sweet Life takes place three years after Sweet Valley Confidential: Ten Years Later so the crew has entered their 30′s. I was hoping to spend time with a more adult version of the twins. Like my experience with Ten Years Later, I didn’t find this to be the case.
It’s true, the characters have moved beyond high school in that they are in relationships or married and in some cases have children. They have the careers that they always dreamed about. They have somewhat moved on from the drama of three years ago. In many ways it seemed that it was the same old antics just a different decade. There was still a tremendous emphasis on high school. Who they were back then, what they did, how things were, etc. I found the comparisons to be incredibly tedious. Perhaps there are people in their 30′s who continue to compare their current situation to high school, I just don’t know of any (unless it is in jest).
That being said, as long as Pascal keeps putting out these “updates” on the twins and the rest of Sweet Valley, I will keep picking them up. I know they are going to be less than stellar reads and I’m okay with that. Reading them makes me feel a bit nostalgic and conjures up memories of simpler times.
The version I read was the serial that was split into six episodes with each concentrating on a completely different story. I’ve since discovered that they compiled those six installments and released a compilation.
Were you a fan of the Wakefield twins growing up? Have you read the latest installments of their escapades? I’m curious to see what others think.
© 2012, Teresa. All rights reserved.
Sounds ok for those who want the nostalgic feeling
Great honest review!
I was too old for the Sweet Valley books so I don’t think this would make me nostalgic. I’m glad you enjoyed it.
It sounds very interesting, and an additional part would also be appreciable.