Sweet Valley University #23: Sweet Kiss of Summer
by Laurie John
Well, summer break has come to a close for the Sweet Valley gang. It’s Labor Day weekend at the beach—this is the ‘90s and school starts after Labor Day—and the lifeguards gear up for the end of summer triathlon, and everyone gets ready to say goodbye. Will any of the friends or romantic partners stay in touch when the kids go back to school? You’ll have to read on in the series to find out.
In a way, this volume feels like the end of the series, because it’s the end of a precious era to teenagers: summer vacation. Everyone hugs and kisses their friends goodbye, sheds tears and promises to keep in touch; if you shed a tear alongside them, I won’t blame you. This is a very heartfelt volume of the Sweet Valley series, and while I’ve lost all credibility saying, “This is one of my favorites!” because there are so many books I love, this is a particularly lovely one.
Just a warning, though. The next book in the series is a Thriller Edition, and the book after that—both of which I’ve read by now—doesn’t address any of the characters from these summer books. Laurie John is always wonderful at recapping all the characters’ journeys, but for some reason, in SVU #24: His Secret Past, she acts like they never went on summer vacation at all! I was a little shocked, so I think it’s a good warning to pass along.
More Sweet Valley University reviews here on Hot Toasty Rag!
In a way, this volume feels like the end of the series, because it’s the end of a precious era to teenagers: summer vacation. Everyone hugs and kisses their friends goodbye, sheds tears and promises to keep in touch; if you shed a tear alongside them, I won’t blame you. This is a very heartfelt volume of the Sweet Valley series, and while I’ve lost all credibility saying, “This is one of my favorites!” because there are so many books I love, this is a particularly lovely one.
Just a warning, though. The next book in the series is a Thriller Edition, and the book after that—both of which I’ve read by now—doesn’t address any of the characters from these summer books. Laurie John is always wonderful at recapping all the characters’ journeys, but for some reason, in SVU #24: His Secret Past, she acts like they never went on summer vacation at all! I was a little shocked, so I think it’s a good warning to pass along.
More Sweet Valley University reviews here on Hot Toasty Rag!