Paige, Spencer, and Madison have it all: the looks, the connections, the money, the boys. As the daughters of three of the most prestigious families on Philadelphia's Main Line (read: old money, and lots of it) and the ruling juniors at Bradford Prep, nothing can stand in their way....except, perhaps, their own dark secrets. When an old frenemy from Paige's hidden past shows up at Bradford and plays nice--too nice--Paige is desperate to smother the threat. How far will she go to silence the truth?
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- GoldenGirl (Bradford #1)
GoldenGirl (Bradford #1)
Author(s)
Publisher
Genre(s)
Age Range
14+
Release Date
January 27, 2009
ISBN
1416961186
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Editor reviews
2 reviews
Gossip Galore
Overall rating
4.0
Plot
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Characters
N/A
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In western Philadelphia, there's a wealthy area of suburbs called the Main Line in which the posh and the pretty play by day and party by night. Now, readers can journey there, thanks to The Bradford Novels by Micol Ostow. Set an a private school, these books are filled with blog entries brimming with gossip, secrets, and lies. Characters post entries in their private journals as well as their school blog.
The first book, GoldenGirl, introduces readers to Spencer Kelly. Rich, respected, and athletic, Spencer is fierce and poised on the field and off. Her best friends are Paige Andrews (aka FrontPaige) and Madison Takahashi (Madison_Ave). Popular Paige is hiding something that happened to her the previous summer, while Madison is busy designing clothes and playing the violin. Then a new girl named Regan and Spencer's old boyfriend Jeremy enroll, and things get really messy. Spencer finds herself drawn to Jeremy and considers breaking up with her current boyfriend Tyler. Meanwhile, Spencer befriends Regan, even though the California girl's rehab rep precedes her.
When Spencer writes in her personal online blog, All That Glitters, she tells all - but not for all to see. Each chapter is an entry marked with a privacy setting, so you know if it's public (for anyone to read), restricted (only her BFFs have access to posts marked "VIPs" - and they leave plenty of comments!) or private (posts marked "the vault" are for Spencer's eyes only).
With all of the frienemies and romantic entanglements, this series will definitely appeal to fans of Gossip Girl. It will also attract those who read the Pretty Little Liars books by Sara Shepard, which also take place on Philadelphia's Main Line.
The first book, GoldenGirl, introduces readers to Spencer Kelly. Rich, respected, and athletic, Spencer is fierce and poised on the field and off. Her best friends are Paige Andrews (aka FrontPaige) and Madison Takahashi (Madison_Ave). Popular Paige is hiding something that happened to her the previous summer, while Madison is busy designing clothes and playing the violin. Then a new girl named Regan and Spencer's old boyfriend Jeremy enroll, and things get really messy. Spencer finds herself drawn to Jeremy and considers breaking up with her current boyfriend Tyler. Meanwhile, Spencer befriends Regan, even though the California girl's rehab rep precedes her.
When Spencer writes in her personal online blog, All That Glitters, she tells all - but not for all to see. Each chapter is an entry marked with a privacy setting, so you know if it's public (for anyone to read), restricted (only her BFFs have access to posts marked "VIPs" - and they leave plenty of comments!) or private (posts marked "the vault" are for Spencer's eyes only).
With all of the frienemies and romantic entanglements, this series will definitely appeal to fans of Gossip Girl. It will also attract those who read the Pretty Little Liars books by Sara Shepard, which also take place on Philadelphia's Main Line.
User reviews
3 reviews
Overall rating
3.0
Plot
3.0(3)
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Scandal never signs off of this great novel
Overall rating
5.0
Plot
5.0
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Reader reviewed by Jessica
Scandal never signs off. This book had everything that makes, in my opinion, and amazing book. I can't wait to read the next instalment. Micol Ostow has such an amazing style of writing. The whole book is written as a computerized journal, complete with instant message and other posts. Set in my favorite setting, an exclusive prep school, Spencer deals with some serious drama. She has two distinct best friends, Madison and Paige. Madison was probably my favorite character, she is the bubbly girl who I couldn't help but love. Paige is the girl who I never knew if I liked. She's the on and off again friend. Finally there's Regan Standford, the frenemy? This girl knows some serious secrets. I love the website for this book. Looking for more Micol Ostow? The next book is Fashionista. There are also a few romantic books written for Simone and Schuster including: Crush Du Jour, Gettin' Lucky, and 30 Guys in 30 Days. Check out the website, http://www.bradfordprep.com/Welcome.html. Don't get discouraged it's not an actual school website, like I thought it was. I also love how I can also friend all of the characters on my facebook. Great from beginning to end. Bradford Prep, the secrets out.
Scandal never signs off. This book had everything that makes, in my opinion, and amazing book. I can't wait to read the next instalment. Micol Ostow has such an amazing style of writing. The whole book is written as a computerized journal, complete with instant message and other posts. Set in my favorite setting, an exclusive prep school, Spencer deals with some serious drama. She has two distinct best friends, Madison and Paige. Madison was probably my favorite character, she is the bubbly girl who I couldn't help but love. Paige is the girl who I never knew if I liked. She's the on and off again friend. Finally there's Regan Standford, the frenemy? This girl knows some serious secrets. I love the website for this book. Looking for more Micol Ostow? The next book is Fashionista. There are also a few romantic books written for Simone and Schuster including: Crush Du Jour, Gettin' Lucky, and 30 Guys in 30 Days. Check out the website, http://www.bradfordprep.com/Welcome.html. Don't get discouraged it's not an actual school website, like I thought it was. I also love how I can also friend all of the characters on my facebook. Great from beginning to end. Bradford Prep, the secrets out.
gossip lookalike
Overall rating
3.0
Plot
3.0
Characters
N/A
Writing Style
N/A
Illustrations/Photos (if applicable)
N/A
Reader reviewed by stephanie
I have to admit, when I was 10 pages in GoldenGirl, I really, really, really wanted to put it down. However, I didnt because I knew that I needed to finish this book so I could review it for you guys. :)
The writing style. I couldnt stand it. Maybe I just dont like the idea of having blogs tell the whole story but all I know was that after reading a few blog posts, my head felt like it was going to explode.
The characters Paige, Spencer, Madison and Regan were all very interesting. As the plot went on, I felt like Paige was becoming more and more psychotic. Not sure if it was the drugs that she was taking or something but I definitely felt like she was one dangerous girl. And thats not in a good way.
Spencer was the storys main perspective because we were basically following her blog throughout the entire book. I had expected her to be the typical rich girl where all she cared about was clothes and looks. I have to say, I was mistaken. She was actually the only girl in the book with a real personality. She was the one who had to decide whether she should do the right thing or not. She was the one who had to make the choices and the decisions. She was the one in a lingo, trying to win back her love and deciding whether or not to believe in her best friend.
Madison. For her, I felt like she was just an observer. She never really had any part in the book and when she did, they werent that interesting. I feel like Micol couldve really developed this character more.
Regan. Wow. Ok. She was the one who I was most confused about. I couldnt tell if she was supposed to be a good girl or a bad one; if she was the instigator or the victim. At the end of the book, I was glad to find out about her past and exactly what side shes on.
Overall, the book wasnt that bad, it was just the few fifty or so pages that totally made me want to throw the book out and refuse to read it any longer. The plot itself was the one thing that made me want to keep going and in a way, I was glad I did.
The writing style. I couldnt stand it. Maybe I just dont like the idea of having blogs tell the whole story but all I know was that after reading a few blog posts, my head felt like it was going to explode.
The characters Paige, Spencer, Madison and Regan were all very interesting. As the plot went on, I felt like Paige was becoming more and more psychotic. Not sure if it was the drugs that she was taking or something but I definitely felt like she was one dangerous girl. And thats not in a good way.
Spencer was the storys main perspective because we were basically following her blog throughout the entire book. I had expected her to be the typical rich girl where all she cared about was clothes and looks. I have to say, I was mistaken. She was actually the only girl in the book with a real personality. She was the one who had to decide whether she should do the right thing or not. She was the one who had to make the choices and the decisions. She was the one in a lingo, trying to win back her love and deciding whether or not to believe in her best friend.
Madison. For her, I felt like she was just an observer. She never really had any part in the book and when she did, they werent that interesting. I feel like Micol couldve really developed this character more.
Regan. Wow. Ok. She was the one who I was most confused about. I couldnt tell if she was supposed to be a good girl or a bad one; if she was the instigator or the victim. At the end of the book, I was glad to find out about her past and exactly what side shes on.
Overall, the book wasnt that bad, it was just the few fifty or so pages that totally made me want to throw the book out and refuse to read it any longer. The plot itself was the one thing that made me want to keep going and in a way, I was glad I did.
Don't Waste Your Time
Overall rating
1.0
Plot
1.0
Characters
N/A
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Illustrations/Photos (if applicable)
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Reader reviewed by Beth
This book was horrid. I really don't like chick-lit, but usually they have some redeeming qualities. This one did not. I didn't think that any of the characters were very interesting or well done. This plot was boring and superficial. I couldn't figure out what the point of the book was, or if it even had a point. I'm leaning to the latter assumption. Obviously, I didn't enjoy this book at all and don't wish to put others through reading it. My advice is to stay well away from this one.
This book was horrid. I really don't like chick-lit, but usually they have some redeeming qualities. This one did not. I didn't think that any of the characters were very interesting or well done. This plot was boring and superficial. I couldn't figure out what the point of the book was, or if it even had a point. I'm leaning to the latter assumption. Obviously, I didn't enjoy this book at all and don't wish to put others through reading it. My advice is to stay well away from this one.
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