Legacy by Kate Brian

      About the book: The price of power...
      After Cheyenne Martin's death, everyone at Easton Academy is struggling to recover from yet another tragedy--especially the girls of Billing Hall. With Cheyenne gone, they need to elect a new leader. And who better than Reed Brennan, the ultimate Billings Girls?
      As the new Billings president, Reed suddenly has access to power she never imagined. Gossip is reported to her immediately, she has first dibs on everything from dining tables to dorm rooms, and Billing's most powerful alumnae are at her beck and call. So when Easton's students discover they're the only prep school on the East Coast not invited to this year's all-inclusive Legacy party, everyone turns to Reed to get them back on the list.
      Reed is the most powerful girl at Easton.
      She revels in her newfound status, but knows better than anyone that the Billings leaders have a tainted legacy: Ariana was institutionalized, Noelle was expelled, and Cheyenne just died. History has a way of repeating itself at Easton, and now that Reed has everything she's ever wanted, she has everything to lose.

      My thoughts and opinion: First of all, I did not read the prequel, Last Christmas, because I just don't like to read about the past. Sequels I can do. Not prequels.
      Anyway, congratulations to Reed! She's the president of Billings. I can't believe she got all that cash and that purse! WOW! She is one lucky girl. However, Reed is a bit...dumb. She should NOT be emailing Dash. No matter how handsome Dash is or what he says in those emails. Emailing Dash = TROUBLE.
      And trouble there was.
      I hope Josh and Reed get back together...but Reed. IT IS HER FAULT! WHO DOES WHAT SHE DID WHEN YOU HAVE A BOYFRIEND? I really hate Reed in this book. She's so clueless! My gosh.
      But why did she need to go to the Legacy THAT BAD? Are the people there going to give her magical powers or something?? Attending that Legacy did nothing to help Reed.
      I kind of felt like Noelle was trying to become Billings president again. Like she wants Reed's spot. After all, Noelle was the person who bought the entry jewelry to go in the Legacy.
      Oh, and who knew Ivy was the one who hosted the Legacy? Hmm.
      This was a great book even if Reed made Josh and me angry at her, haha.
      Starving for Ambition next!

Inner Circle by Kate Brian

      About the book: Reed Brennan arrived at Easton Academy expecting to find an idyllic private school experience -- challenging classes, adorably preppy boys, and a chance to create a new life for herself. Instead, she discovers lies, deception, blackmail, and...murder. But thankfully, the killers were caught and the nightmare is finally over. Now, with a new school year ahead of her, Reed steps back on Easton's ivy-covered campus ready to start over. So when the headmaster announces that Billings is forbidden from holding their traditional, secretive initiation, Reed is relieved. She champions the new rules and the six new girls the administration has picked to live in Billings Hall: Constance, Missy, Lorna, Kiki, Astrid, and newcomer Sabine. But Reed's fellow Billings resident and new nemesis, Cheyenne Martin, believes the changes are a mockery of Billings history. Despite the new rules, Cheyenne vows to keep the old ways alive, no matter what --or who -- stands in her way...

      My thoughts and opinion: I really was happy for Reed because I thought since the killer is behind bars already, Reed will have a NORMAL school year. Guess not. I kind of liked the secret initiation though. It seems very cool and mysterious. Although, I guess if the Billings traditions were followed, Constance wouldn't be in Billings. That was because of Headmaster Cromwell. Hahaha, it was amusing to read about Cheyenne getting pissed! But really? Drugging someone else's boyfriend is a bit low. Even for Cheyenne. I mean what did she expect? That no one was going to find out that she did that? Did she really think that Josh wasn't going to have some problems in his body or whatever? And Cheyenne's death. Wow. WHY DID SHE COMMIT SUICIDE?!?!? WHY IS IT REED'S FAULT?! More and more drama. And I don't think it is going to stop in Legacy. Good book and now off to more reading!

The Extraordinary Secrets of April, May, and June by Robin Benway

      About the book: If there's anything stronger than magic, it's sisterhood.
      When they move to a new town after their parents' separation, sisters April, May, and June recover special powers from childhood--powers that come in handy when dealing with the living nightmare that is high school. The powers also help them cope with the hardest year of their lives. But could the magic have a greater purpose?
      April, the oldest, can see the future. Middle-child May can literally disappear. And the youngest, June, reads minds. But when April gets a vision of disaster, the girls must come together to save the day or risk falling apart forever.

      My thoughts and opinion: I want June's power THE MOST. Reading minds? Way cool. I'll know if my crush likes me back or not. I might not have to ever study for a test anymore. Sigh, powers like that are only in books though.
      So, I really liked this book. At first, I was kind of reluctant to read it because whenever I think of superpowers, I think of comic book heroes and geeky stuff. Oh boy, am I glad to have actually forced myself to crack open the book. Within the first few pages, I was instantly hooked. I admire Robin Benway's incredible writing skills and style. This book has April, May, and June's point of view! THREE GIRLS! THREE P.O.Vs! That's brilliant!
      This book was unique in that way, too. I like April the most, even if her powers kind of suck. She actually THINKS before doing something stupid like May and June. April & Julian forever! And also May & Henry forever! Poor June is forever alone, but she's too cute and outgoing to be alone for long. There really should be a sequel to this book. I KNOW I would finish the sequel in one sitting.
      Their father, however, is a....jerk. I really don't want to swear hahaha. But jerk will do just as well. Why would he even need to take back the T.V? Unless he already has a girlfriend or whatever.
      I hate Blake. What did Mariah even SEE in him? He is....another jerk! Blake and Avery can just go die in a hole. Mariah is a bit dumb, too. I mean, there is no possible way you can be crying and drunk AND driving at the same time. Mariah and June are bad choice/decision makers.
      But ignore my hatred because The Extraordinary Secrets of April, May, & June is absolutely, without a doubt, an awesome book.

The Sky is Everywhere by Jandy Nelson

      About the book: Seventeen-year-old Lennie Walker, bookworm and band geek, plays second clarinet and spends her time tucked safely and happily in the shadow of her fiery old sister Bailey. But when Bailey dies abruptly, Lennie is catapulted to center stage of her own life--and, despite her nonexistent history with boys, suddenly finds herself struggling to balance two. Toby was Bailey's boyfriend; his grief mirrors Lennie's own. Joe is the new boy in town, a transplant from Paris whose nearly magical grin is matched only by his musical talent. For Lennie, they're the sun and the moon; one boy takes her out of her sorrow, the other comforts her in it. But just like their celestial counterparts, they can't collide without the whole wide world exploding.

      My thoughts and opinion: First of all, I only read this because I need something less dramatic to read. (Sorry Reed and Josh and Noelle and....see what I mean?) and the cover looked cool. So, at the library, I was checking out more Private series books and saw this and I thought why not? BEST CHOICE OF MY LIFE. I only cry for a very few books; I cried a little reading this book. I guess all the overwhelming things going on Lennie's life made me teary. I don't know.
      So, Gram has got to be my favorite character. She is forgiving, but also has her rules and quirks. Even though she might be responsible for Lennie and Bailey's mom running away. I like Lennie and I don't like her. I like Lennie's mysterious habits of writing poems and conversations on random things and sticking, hiding, squeezing, covering them in different places. (But seriously, how could she NOT think someone would not see and pick it up and read the words?)
      I hate how Lennie plays with two guys. I mean, I get how grief and sadness is powerful, but SERIOUSLY YOUR SISTER'S BOYFRIEND? I don't blame her but out of all people? SHE IS VERY LUCKY THAT JOE UNDERSTOOD AND FORGAVE HER. If I were put in Joe's situation.....Lennie would be dead to me. Joe would be my second favorite character; ohhhhh his eyelashes ;-). And he plays guitar! How. Hot. Is. That. And Lennie still manages to hurt him.
      Toward the end of the book, I kind of forgave Lennie too though. The conversation she had with Gram after coming home from chopping Gram's roses away really was meaningful. (Yeah I kind of cried there too.) This book was not drama-free as I would have liked, but nonetheless, I still recommend this book for anyone who loves reading anything that could give them a new look on life.

Confessions by Kate Brian

      About the book: Sometimes the truth hurts....
      Reed Brennan came to superposh Easton Academy to make a brand-new life for herself. At first it seemed as though her dream had come true-she was living in the ultraexclusive Billings Hall, hanging out with the all-powerful Billings Girls, and dating the very hot Thomas Pearson. But Thomas turned out to be different from what she thought...and then he turned up dead. And if that wasn't twisted enough, Reed's new boyfriend, Josh Hollis, was arrested for Thomas's murder.
      Now everyone is back to worrying about the regular stuff, like how to sneak to the boys' dorms at night, whether two-ply cashmere is warm enough for fall, and whether to fly to London or Barcelona for Thanksgiving break.
      Everyone except for Reed.
      Reed is convinced that Josh is innocent, which means the killer is still out there. Now it's up to Reed to uncover the truth. But the deeper she digs, the more secrets she unearths and the closer she gets to the confession that will change everything..."if" she's alive to hear it.

      My thoughts and opinion: First of all, WOW. WOWOWOWOWOW. Wow. Who freaking knew it was Noelle, Kiran, Taylor, and Ariana who kidnapped Thomas and who knew Ariana loved him so much and who knew that she would turn out to be a psycho killer?
      I certainly did not.
      I think Ariana could have shut Thomas up some other way...not by beating him with a bat over and over again. I cannot imagine how Reed felt up on the roof. Did I mention that Noelle is one of my favorite characters? Yeah, she is. It takes a lot of guts and willpower to hit one of your best friend in order to save another friend. I don't think I could do what Noelle did.
      That is a very big bombshell. And since I am totally into bombshells and things that makes you gasp, Confessions was a very good book. Oh my goodness, a lot of things could happen now in Inner Circle!

Untouchable by Kate Brian

About the book: Cheating, partying, blackmail, and now...murder?
Can the Billings Girls remain untouchable?
Reed's boyfriend, Thomas Pearson -- the popular, easygoing, irresistibly handsome and charismatic boy she fell in love with -- is dead. No one knows how it happened, and everyone is after the truth.    Or are they?
Life at Easton Academy begins to feel very different. Taylor is acting like the poster child for Prozac, Kiran is spiking her cornflakes, Noelle is being kind of...nice, and Ariana keeps floating along as if nothing has happened.
Thanksgiving break arrives and Reed and Josh find themselves alone on campus. They are forced to confront the feelings they've been hiding. Those feelings combined with an empty campus result in the hottest hookup Reed could possibly imagine. But when Reed breaks the news about Josh to the Billings Girls, there's no fun game of tell-all. Instead, Josh begins to look like suspect No. 1 in the murder of Thomas Pearson.
The perfect life Reed has constructed as a Billings Girl begins to crumble. And as everyone becomes more convinced of Josh's guilt, Reed's private suspicions lead her somewhere she doesn't want to go.

My thoughts and opinion: How could they even think Josh murdered Thomas? They were best friends and roommates! And Reed! The thought did pass by in her head! So what if he had a suspicious past? PEOPLE CHANGE!!
Oh and...REED AND JOSH ARE MEANT TO BE! :-D But between Josh and Thomas....I don't know who I'd pick. Then again, Thomas is dead already....who else is there TO pick?
Oh my goodness, I NEED to know who really killed Thomas though. The anticipation.....:-). Untouchable was a good book. Onto Confessions.

Invitation Only by Kate Brian

      About the book: Reed Brennan's future is looking as bright as the two-karat diamonds in her new housemates' ears. Being accepted to the most prestigious private boarding school in the country wasn't enough for Reed. She had to break every rule to do it, but she has accomplished the impossible: Reed is a Billings Girl now.
And with her new status come respect, envy, and, most important, opportunity. Not to mention the parties. Unfortunately, at the next illicit party in the Easton campus woods, her roommate snaps some pictures of Reed in more than one compromising position. She uses the photos to blackmail Reed: Dig up dirt on the most powerful and popular Billings Girls or she will have Reed expelled.
And speaking of parties, the Legacy is coming up. It's the invitation-only Halloween party in NYC and it's rumored that Thomas -- Reed's MIA boyfriend -- will be making an appearance there. Too bad Reed isn't even close to invited.
Life as a Billings Girl is every bit as glamorous as Reed imagined. What she didn't bargain for is the tangled web of private lies these girls weave.

      My thoughts and opinions: First of all, YAY FOR REED! All those stupid assignments from Noelle, Ariana, Kiran, and Taylor finally paid off! But I'm a bit worried for Reed. The Billings Girls seem powerful and capable of doing anything they want. I just hope Reed is not going to talk back...too much.
And poor Constance. WHY REED WHY?? Sometimes, I think Reed does NOT think her actions through. I mean, there could have been OTHER ways to get into the Legacy instead of being Whit's date and breaking Constance's heart!
How could Reed not hear the pictures being taken of her and Whit though? I don't think Natasha is that sneaky. WAIT, HOW COULD REED NOT HEAR THE CLICK OR SEE THE FLASH? My goodness Reed. You drive me crazy. Then again, that's why I'm attached to this series as well. I am still shocked. Thomas died. But how? This is what I hate the most. I'm not able to read fast enough and there are just so many bombshells in just Private and Invitation Only. I liked this book very much. Cannot wait to eat up Untouchable.

Private by Kate Brian

      About the book: Fifteen-year-old Reed Brennan wins a scholarship to Easton Academy—the golden ticket away from her pill-popping mother and run-of-the-mill suburban life. But when she arrives on the beautiful, tradition-steeped campus of Easton, everyone is just a bit more sophisticated, a bit more gorgeous, and a lot wealthier than she ever thought possible. Reed realizes that even though she has been accepted to Easton, Easton has not accepted her. She feels like she’s on the outside, looking in.
Until she meets the Billings Girls.
They are the most beautiful, intelligent, and intensely confident girls on campus. And they know it. They hold all the power in a world where power is fleeting but means everything. Reed vows to do whatever it takes to be accepted into their inner circle.
Reed uses every part of herself—the good, the bad, the beautiful—to get closer to the Billings Girls. She quickly discovers that inside their secret parties and mountains of attitude, hanging in their designer clothing-packed closets the Billings Girls have skeletons. And they’ll do anything to keep their secrets private.

      My thoughts and opinion: It's funny how I found this series and how I started reading it. I actually saw Invitation Only (second book in this series) at the local library near my house and the cover looked very interesting. Along with that book, there were more books in the series. So, guess what I did? Yep, I checked them out. I was kind of wanting to read a series that was like the Pretty Little Liars series with suspense and drama and secrets and lies. All that wonderful stuff. Oh boy, was I surprised when I searched online to see how many books were in this series.....A LOT of books. Anyway, getting off topic. REED BRENNAN, I MILDLY DISLIKE YOU. Out of all the Billing Girls though, Noelle Lange spoke out to me the most. She has that powerfulness and leadership quality that I like. Constance is a nice girl. I kind of feel like she would be the best friend for Reed. The Billing Girls aren't that important... THOMAS IS YUMMY. When I was done with this book, I was very excited. Already the first book in the series and it is good. I highly recommend this for anyone that takes a liking to drama, suspense, mystery, lies, secrets, all in boarding schools, you know.