Private (Book 1)

Reader reviewed by the book muncher

Reed Brennans scholarship to Easton Academy is her ticket out of Croton, Pennsylvania, where everything is ordinary and boring, and where her pill-popping mom resides. To outsider Reed, Easton Academy is both sophisticated and intimidating, and its obvious that Reed doesnt fit in, but she refuses admit defeat and go home. And then she meets the Billings Girls, the most powerful, beautiful, smart, and successful girls on campus not to mention elite. These girls are envied by every other girl in the school, especially Reed, who vows to be accepted into their inner sanctum. But her crusade for acceptance isnt going to be easy, and any slipup on Reeds part may put Billings out of her reach forever.

At first glance, the Private series may appear to be just another lame story about over-spoiled girls and their exploits. However, I found Private to be much better than that. The plot is rich with suspense and intrigue as Reed navigates the socially dangerous territory at Easton, but what really separates Private from other Gossip Girl knockoffs, is that Reed actually has a conscience; shes not so ruthless as that she would do anything to get what she wants, and thats very refreshing. The private boarding school setting may seem overused, but its really the perfect place for this story. I really liked how there was always an element of danger to the story, whether it was being caught outside after hours or a secret on the verge of being spilled. Private and the subsequent books its series are sure to thrill readers with their drama, secrets, and peek into the private lives of the young and elite.

Strangely, though Private is the first book in its series, its the last one Ive read due to a bookstore mix-up when I first began reading this series (I started with the second book). I definitely recommend Private as well as the other books in the series as an intriguing and dramatic read.

reposted from http://thebookmuncher.blogspot.com

Reader reviewed by Jax

As a person who's always wanted to go to boarding school, Private totally rocked! Reed's story, and the suspenseful ending that left me wanting for the next book (which hadn't come out yet, I might add...so I was mad) which is pretty rare with me. Kate Brian created a bunch of believable characters and not so believable situations, like would a boarding school really let their students do such things? I mean, come on!

Great read for anyone who is sick of regular public school drama.

Reader reviewed by Maggie

Reed Brennan, a 15 year old girl, gets a scholarship to a school called Easton Academy. This was her way to get away from mother. Once Reed gets their she feels different from everyone because she doesn't have the money that everyone else does and she thinks she is not as pretty or sophisticated.

Reed is included as one of the outsiders. Until she meets the Billings Girls. They are considered royalty at the school and to be friends with them would make you accepted with everyone. This is what Reed figures so she vows to do whatever it takes for her to be accepted by them.

Reed changes herself to be just like them. And before she knows it, she hangs out with them frequently. Sooner then later does she realize that these girls are not the nicest people in the world and has done some pretty bad things to get what they want.