Throwback Books is a theme centered around books in a series from a decade or more ago. To join TBB, choose a throwback series (for example, The Hardy Boys) and have fun reliving the past! Don’t forget to link back to A Simply Enchanted Life and Jami’s Words.

Last week, Jessica was Playing with Fire when she started dating (if you can call it that!) Bruce Patman!

Series: Sweet Valley High #3
Published by Bantam Books on 1983
Pages: 149

Watch out, Sweet Valley High! Once again, Jessica Wakefield has gotten her way. Fresh from her greatest social triumph, Jessica proceeds to sink her hooks into rich, handsome Bruce Patman, the most eligible, sought-after guy at SVH.

Or has Bruce gotten his hooks into Jessica? Elizabeth, Jessica’s twin, notices a big change in her sister. Suddenly Jessica’s following Bruce everywhere and dropping everything just to spend time with him.

Elizabeth doesn’t trust Bruce one bit – he’s arrogant, demanding, and way too fast. Jessica can usually hold her own with any guy, but this time Elizabeth’s afraid her sister may be going too far…

Warning: This post may contain spoilers about Playing with Fire (Sweet Valley High #3) by Francine Pascal.

Q: Was there anything you found alarming about this book and what would it be and how would you change it?

A: I was disturbed that Jessica’s personality changed so much for Bruce. While he may not have hit her, he was abusing and manipulating her. They were also moving entirely too fast. His untying her swimsuit top on the beach and the insinuation that they were doing more than making out—as an adult I find that alarming. Fast moving relationships often are nothing more than two people taking advantage of one another.

Q: What would your 12-year-old self have rated this book?

A: 4 star. I would have been put off by Bruce untying Jessica’s top. I’m not sure that I would have picked up on the subtle insinuation that more than making out occurred.

Q: Would you want your 13-year-old to read this?

A: I’m going to sound like a prude here but probably not. I know that makes me a hypocrite since I read these books but now that I’m a parent I shudder to think that I was reading this particular book at thirteen.

Go here to read Jami’s answers to the same questions!

Would you like to join us in delving into the Sweet Valley High books? We’d love to have you join in!

Join us for next week’s Throwback Books as we review the fourth book in the series–Power Play! Click on the book to purchase and have fun reading with us!

Power Play (Sweet Valley High #4) by Francine Pascal Amazon|Barnes&Noble|Goodreads Published by Bantam (December 1, 1984)
Pages: 250

The Wakefield twins have taken sides—against each other! Robin Wilson wants to join Pi Beta Alpha, Sweet Valley High’s highly selective sorority. She may not be beautiful or popular, but she’s friendly and smart. So when Elizabeth nominates her for the sorority, Jessica is less than thrilled. She is determined to find a way to keep Robin from Pi Beta. But Elizabeth is just as determined to make Robin a sorority sister, and the twins become locked in a struggle that develops into the biggest power play at Sweet Valley High. Who will prevail? Which twin will triumph? What happens when sisters go head-to-head? From bestselling author Francine Pascal.