Pretty Little Secrets, by Sara Shepard

Pretty Little Secrets, by Sara Shepard
(Pretty Little Liars, #4.5)
Publisher: HarperTeen
Release Date: January 3, 2012
Hardcover: 450 pages
Genre: Young Adult Contemporary Mystery
Buy: Amazon
Read it in: 4 days
Source: Library
Challenge: TBR Pile
Rating:  
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Rewind to junior year in Rosewood, Pennsylvania, to a winter break no one has ever heard about. . . . 
Fat snowflakes fall onto manicured lawns, quilted stockings hang over marble fireplaces, and everyone is at peace, especially Hanna, Emily, Aria, and Spencer. Now that Alison’s murderer is in jail and A is dead, they can finally relax. Little do they know there’s a new A in town. . . . 
Rule number one of being an effective stalker: Get to know your prey. So I watch these liars day and night, keeping an eye on the trouble they get into, the messes they make, and the secrets they keep. Hanna’s desperate for a very personal session with her gym trainer. Emily is number one on Santa’s naughty list. Aria’s old flame from Iceland is about to land her in hot water. And Spencer’s resorting to some backhanded tactics to get what she wants. 
What happens on holiday break stays on holiday break—right? But guess what. I saw. And now I’m telling. 
Taking place between "Unbelievable" and "Wicked," "Pretty Little Secrets" is a very special "Pretty Little Liars" tale revealing the liars’ never-before-seen misadventures over their junior-year winter break. 

First off, I'd like to be honest and say that I'm really struggling with this review. I'm not completely sure how I feel about it. I love this series, but this one was my least favorite out of the other four that I've read. But, you know, it's kind of a set up novel. This is supposed to be read after Unbelievable--the fourth book in the series--and then be followed with Wicked. It's just a set up to fill you in on the things in between those times. Even though it was written AFTER these books. 


Thought it's not my favorite, it was still enjoyable to read. I flew through it, I probably would have finished on the second day reading it if I weren't in the middle of spring cleaning. Shepard's writing style and voice just makes you fly through without realizing it. Plus, all the drama in the girls' lives, oh my God!


I just can't believe all the situations they get themselves in. It's crazy! I can't wait to read Wicked. I'm glad this came out right before I was going to read it. I started this series late, after falling in love with the show, so this one came out just in time. =)


This book is told in different stories. It's not just a chapter for each character every now and again, if that makes sense. It's a whole story for each liar: Hanna, Emily, Aria & Spencer. I can't figure out which story was my favorite. I'm thinking Spencer's, but not sure. They were all filled with an interesting tidbit! 


Overall, I don't want to go into too much detail because I know if I do, I'm going to burst with spoilers. Just so much in these stories that I was just like "Oh my God, are you kidding me?!". I'm definitely going to get Wicked soon so I can go back to it being a little creepy, because A wasn't in this book much. I mean, she was there, but not really active. If you know what I mean. And I enjoy it when she's sending all kinds of messages. Also, this book is during their winter break! So it was fun to see them each in their own little heavens/hells for Christmas and New Years. =) I recommend it if you like the series, but it's not absolutely necessary. 

The fifth book in the series is called Wicked. It was released on November 25, 2008. 

Read my reviews for the rest of the series:

• Pretty Little Liars (#1)
• Flawless (#2)
• Perfect (#3)
• Unbelievable (#4) 

Unbelievable, by Sara Shepard

Unbelievable, by Sara Shepard
(Pretty Little Liars, #4)
Publisher: HarperTeen
Release Date: December 1, 2008
Paperback: 335 pages
Age Group: Young Adult
Buy: Amazon
Source: Library
Challenge: Support Your Local Library
Rating: 


 To learn more about my rating badges, click here!

Four pretty little liars' charmed lives have turned into living nightmares.Emily's been shipped off to Iowa to live with her überconservative cousins. Aria's boyfriend is behind bars—because of her. Spencer's afraid she was involved in Ali's murder. But Hanna's fate is far worse: She's clinging to life in the hospital because she knew too much.If these girls don't start listening to me, Hanna's going to look like the lucky one.

As some of you may know, I started this book right after finishing Perfect. I know I said that I thought Perfect was my favorite so far of the series, but I have found a new one. Unbelievable certainly lives up to its title. I just can't believe everything that happened in the fourth book. I'm still sitting here stunned, and all I'm going to say on that matter is 'A' is revealed in the fourth book. After learning who it was, I went through so many different emotions. Astonishment, victory of having this person on my suspect list, and then annoyance at thinking it was someone entirely different in the end before 'A' is revealed. 


Sara Shepard definitely knows how to throw you off the track.  She gives you clues here and there to make you suspect someone, who may or may not just be the person, but then she steers it toward someone completely different and makes you believe that this person could possibly really be 'A'. But then in the end it's the other person you may have suspected. It's very clever! 


I know a lot of people may think that this is just a girly, fluffy series. But it's not. It's full of mystery and suspense. Even though I'm still a little weirded out by how different, but sometimes how close, the series and books are together, I still love the books and they have become a favorite series of mine. 


In my opinion, I think this one is the most intense of the first four Pretty Little Liar books. In the beginning of this book, I thought I knew what to expect from this one. But I was wrong. I mean, some things I thought were going to happen, happened. But I never thought that maybe 'A' would be revealed, and even though I suspected the person who is revealed as 'A', at the same time I didn't think it could of been this person. 


Overall, this is a great series and I can't wait to continue the series. Even though 'A' is revealed in this book, the pretty little liars aren't being let off that easily just yet. There are more lies and mystery to be revealed. After all, who really killed Ali?

The fifth book in the series is called Wicked. It was released on June 1, 2009. 

Read my reviews of Pretty Little Liars (#1), Flawless (#2) and Perfect (#3)

Perfect, by Sara Shepard

Perfect, by Sara Shepard
(Pretty Little Liars, #3)
Publisher: HarperTeen
Release Date: May 27, 2008
Paperback: 298 pages
Age Group: Young Adult
Buy: Amazon
Source: Library
Challenge: Support Your Local Library
Rating:

 To learn more about my rating badges, click here!

In a town where gossip thrives like the ivy that clings to its mansions, where mysteries lie behind manicured hedges and skeletons hide in every walk-in closet, four perfect-looking girls aren't nearly as perfect as they seem.Three years ago, Spencer, Aria, Emily, Hanna, and their best friend Alison were the girls at Rosewood Day School. They clicked through the halls in their Miu Miu flats, tanned in their matching Pucci bikinis, and laughed behind their freshly manicured fingernails. They were the girls everyone loved but secretly hated—especially Alison.So when Alison mysteriously vanished one night, Spencer, Aria, Emily, and Hanna's grief was tinged with . . . relief. And when Alison's body was later discovered in her own backyard, the girls were forced to unearth some ugly memories of their old friend, too. Could there be more to Alison's death than anyone realizes?Now someone named A, someone who seems to know everything, is pointing the finger at one of them for Ali's murder. As their secrets get darker and their scandals turn deadly, A is poised to ruin their perfect little lives forever.

Wow, I'm not really sure what to say about this book. It's just so weird compared to the TV show. But in a good way, I think. It's starting to get where a lot of things are different in the books than in the TV show (Which always happens, but I can tell why.), but it's still addicting. 

I think I may have liked this one a bit more than the last two. They are getting better. I think I kind of wished now that I had read the books before watching the TV show, because of the fact that I keep getting confused when they describe a certain character and stop for a minute most of the time and go, "What?" because some of the descriptions are different in the TV show. And I keep picturing the actresses that play Aria, Spencer, Emily, Hanna and Alison. Ha! 

I think this is kind of funny. If you ask me who my favorite character is in the TV show, I would have to say Aria or Spencer. Though I like all the characters, but those are my top two favorites of them. But if you asked me the same question, but with the books, I honestly don't know. The characters are a bit more crazy in the books. If that makes sense. 

But anyway, I'm going to stop comparing the TV show and books. They are both great. The writing draws you in and keeps you reading. You can picture everything. At least I can. Normally I would have finished one of these books in a sitting or two in one day, but now I don't have much reading time. But I still can finish pretty quickly because of the writing style. It just flows. 

Overall, this was just as exciting and suspenseful as the last two. Even though I had originally planned to read another library book from my challenge list after finishing this book, I couldn't wait to start the fourth book and dove right in. So get ready for that review next! 

The fourth book in this series is called Unbelievable. It was released on December 1, 2008. 

Read my reviews of Pretty Little Liars (#1) & Flawless (#2)

Flawless by Sara Shepard

Flawless by Sara Shepard


Series: Pretty Little Liars, book #2
Next book in series: Perfect
Publisher: HarperTeen
Release Date: February 19, 2008
Paperback: 330 pages
Age Group: Young Adult
Buy: Amazon
Add to Goodreads
Source: Library
Challenge: Support Your Local Library
Overall: 4/5
Summary                                       

Spencer stole her sister's boyfriend. Aria is brokenhearted over her English teacher. Emily likes her new friend Maya . . . as much more than a friend. Hanna's obsession with looking flawless is making her sick. And their most horrible secret yet is so scandalous that the truth would ruin them forever.

And why shouldn't I tell? They deserve to lose it all. With every crumpled note, wicked IM, and vindictive text message I send, I'll be taking these pretty little liars down. Trust me, I've got enough dirt to bury them alive.

First Paragraph                                                                                       

You know that boy who lives a few doors down from you who's just the creepiest person alive? When you're on your front porch, about to kiss your boyfriend good night, you might glimpse him across the street, just standing there. He'll randomly appear when you're gossiping with your best friends--except maybe it's not so random at all. He's the black cat who seems to know your route. If he rides by your house, you think, I'm going to fail my bio exam. If he looks at you funny, watch your back.
My Thoughts                                                                                            
Oh. My. God! I can't believe I went through this book so fast! I mean, back in the old days when I really had nothing better to do (Ah, sometimes I miss those days where I could sit around and read all day and night! *sigh*) I would of finished this in about 2 hours or less, but now I can't do that. I have to split up times. But this went by surprisingly fast!


I love the TV show, and you know, the TV show does go by the books surprisingly well. I love reading through the book and reading the details of it--even though I saw it on TV--and going "Omg, I remember that!". But you know, like all book to movie/show adaptions there are some parts that are majorly different. Like something that happened in this book that certainly has not happened in the show and I really hope it doesn't or I'm going to cry! I'm not going to tell what, though! 


The details are awesome and so is the writing. Sara Shepard is awesome. End of story! The book is in different points-of-view, if you've watched the TV show, you know which four girls it is. =P If not, then Aria, Spencer, Hanna and Emily. Most of the time I absolutely hate switching points-of-view, but in Pretty Little Liars I don't. I LOVE it! 


I'll finish a chapter super fast and then can't wait to get back to a certain someone's chapter, depending on what happened in her chapter. If that makes sense at all!


It's hard to describe this series, I mean, it's light and fluffy but at the same time it's sooo mysterious! I'm always trying to figure out who A is. It drives me nuts! But I know once I do figure it out, I'm going to hate it and be really sad. Do any of y'all think that we know who A is, and maybe have it in the back of your brain somewhere, but just really can't spit it out? That's how I am. Especially with the last message A left for the next novel. Ahh!!


Overall, I'm really loving this series. Book AND TV show. If you are a huge fan of the TV show, fill in the times between episodes by reading the books! Holds back your lust a little bit. Just a little bit, ha-ha. 
Cover Love                                                                                              
I'm sorry, but I'm still not a fan of the dolls on the covers. I mean, sure, the doll's shirt is cute and her flats, but not the cover. Sadly. I hope they remake them one day. I love the movie-tie-ins though! I know, I'm horrible. 
Other Reviews for the Series                                                                
Pretty Little Liars, book #1

Pretty Little Liars by Sara Shepard

Pretty Little Liars by Sara Shepard


Series: Pretty Little Liars
Next book in Series: Flawless
Publisher: Harperteen
Release Date: October 1, 2006
Hardcover: 286 Pages
Age Group: Young Adult
Buy:Amazon
Add to Goodreads
Source: Library
Challenge: A to Z, Support Your Local Library, 
Overall: 4/5 

Three years ago, Alison disappeared after a slumber party, not to be seen since. Her friends at the elite Pennsylvania school mourned her, but they also breathed secret sighs of relief. Each of them guarded a secret that only Alison had known. Now they have other dirty little secrets, secrets that could sink them in their gossip-hungry world. When each of them begins receiving anonymous emails and text messages, panic, sets in. Are they being betrayed by some one in their circle? Worse yet: Is Alison back? A strong launch for a suspenseful series

First Paragraph: "Someone finally bought the DiLaurentises' old house," Emily Field's mother said. It was Saturday afternoon, and Mrs. Fields sat at the kitchen table, bifocals perched on her nose, calmly doing her bills. 

Okay, I have to admit that the first time I saw these books around the young adult fiction world; I wasn’t planning on reading them. Do you want to know why? The covers! You should never judge a book by its cover, I know, but I just was really put off by the Barbie doll looking covers.

When they first aired the trailer for the TV show, I was very intrigued and after the first episode, I was hooked! So I made it a goal to start the series as soon as possible this year.

Now I can’t wait to continue the series and can’t wait for season 2 to air! ABC Family really did a great job at following the books. I mean, of course there is a lot of stuff that is in the books that aren’t in the show, and vice versa, but the first book was amazing and the tv show is awesome!

But now I’m going to try and stop talking about the TV show now and continue on with my review of the first book in the series, ha ha.

Sara Shepard is a very good writer. I don’t know how she has so many main characters without getting confused! I’m a writer myself and I normally only have one main character perspective in my novels, sometimes two. But never four! And all four have very different personalities! So kudos to her!

Pretty Little Liars is also a very easy and short read. It’s another one of those awesome books that you can get through very fast because the words flow so well together.

I love the mix of drama and mystery. I know some people nearly consider them as part of the same genre, but not always. There can be a drama-mystery or just a plain mystery that just lurks on the mystery at hand and not a whole bunch of drama, if that makes sense at all.

I can’t wait to pick up the second book in the series, I am definitely ready to speed through it to and catch up with the books. I’m a bit worried, though, too. I don’t want to read the book and have an idea of what might happen in the show. It’s so complicated! Ha ha.

Overall, this is a really good read. If you love the TV show, definitely pick the books up! 

Cover: Like I said, I was definitely NOT a fan of the covers when I first saw them.