Pretty Little Liars (Pretty Little Liars #1)

After reading "Pretty Little Liars" by Sara Shepard, I was shocked. I had to admit that I had my doubts about this book. It just seemed like a book about 4 rich and preppy girls trying to hide a secret. But, there's so much more than that to the story. I could relate to the story so much with the main characters' problems. I was left feeling satisfied, yet unsatisfied. It was like the book had ended, but it was just the beginning to a whole new story. I loved this spooky, and mysterious theme. I really loved how I didn't foresee anything coming. The author really keeps everything hidden and doesn't say anything cliche. I would, no doubt about it, recommend this book to anyone who really wants to read something that leads them on and really makes you guess and keep guessing.

"Pretty Little Liars" by Sara Shepard, revolves around 4 girls, Aria Montgomery, Spencer Hastings, Emily Fields, and Hanna Marin and the aftermath of their ex-leader, Alison DiLaurentis. After she disappears, in 7th grade, the 4 girls begin to slowly drift apart and Aria goes abroad for the next 3 years. After 3 years had passed, Aria returns and the girls have completely drifted while changing. Aria changes from being the awkward Aria, to a gorgeous and artistic girl. Spencer is still the same competitive girl she was before and will stop at nothing to get what she wants. Emily Fields discovers a fervent passion for girls instead of guys and tries to find where she stands at this point. While Hanna Marin goes from the dork in school to queen bee. Each of these girls has a secret that they want kept and they start receiving text messages, emails, IMs, and other weird forms of communication from a person named A. Each message shows the girls that this person knows their deepest and darkest secrets and the girls are already worried that one person knows their secrets. Throughout the book, this theme of consequences and lying really play a big role in this book. Each person has done things that they don't want to confess about and this ultimately results in problems for them.

This book really kept me intrigued throughout the story. I didn't want to put the book down. The characters didn't just go through "rich girl problems" and they didn't have a perfect life. Some of the problems were really easy to relate to. The real story behind all of this is the fact that there's a message trying to come through. It was the message of not lying and just showing readers that the truth does come out whether you like it or not. I also loved how the tension and mysteriousness with the whole plot and who A is. It really blew my stereotypes away and I'd recommend this book to anyone 13 years or older.

This story is about four bestfriends who are all back in Rosewood dealing with these weird texts from someone who calls themselves -A and they're all freaked out by these texts because they're personal and threatening. I read the books before I saw the show and I have to say I was really impressed at how good this book was, I thought it was gonna be something totally girly but I would even recommend this to some guys I know!

Reader reviewed by Bangelfreak <3

Wow!
This was an unexpected book for me! I expected a lot of fluff, and it wasnt...so now I'm regretful for stereotyping it! It is about four best friends, who haven't kept their friendship going for four years, since the disappearance of their ultimate best friend, Ali.
   Suddenly they start getting these texts, letters, notes, emails, and IM's from someone only known as A, threatening to reveal secrets only Ali knew.
There is Spencer, who can't remember what happened that night Ali disappeared, and who would do anything to succeed, covets her sisters boyfriends, and was in a fight with Ali when she disappeared.
Then there is Aria, who moved away after Ali's disappearance, but has recently moved back to Rosewood. She has a close relationship with her teacher, and holds secrets about her father and how he gives extra credit.
Third, there is Hanna, who used to be the "ugly" girl of the group of best friends, and who was made fun of by Ali numerous times. She completely made herself over after Ali left, becoming the most fit girl in Rosewood, and befriended the girl her "clique" used to ridicule, Mona. She holds a terrible secret of how she stays thin and has issues with food.
Lastly, there is Emily, who loved Ali more than anything before she disappeared,and is involved in an interesting relationship with Maya, the girl who moved into Ali's old house. She used to love swimming,but doesn't even know why she does it anymore.

Enjoy the book, and remember -
NEVER TRUST A PRETTY GIRL WITH AN UGLY SECRET.
~Bangelfreak<3

Reader reviewed by fifi57

I thought this book was really good.  So addictive I can't wait to read the other books because i want to find out who A is ? The mystery draws you in and their secrets could cost them so much.
If you want to read something that will alter they way you look at your best friends read this.

Reader reviewed by keke

pretty little liars is a mystery about four girls who were friends with a girl that died named allison and there getting text from someone named a but the text are saying things onyl allison would know but shes suppose to be dead i think this book wouldnt be good for younger kids it might creep them out

Reader reviewed by KJ

"Never Trust A Pretty Girl With An Ugly Secret" - Pretty Little Liars

High school juniors Spencer, Aria, Emily, and Hanna all have deep secrets they'll do anything to hide. Spencer is after her sister's boyfriend, Aria's in love with her English teacher, Emily has a crush on the new girl, and Hanna will do anything to stay beautiful. These are just some of the dark secrets these girls are keeping since their best friend Alison disappeared. When the four girls begin getting threatening messages from someone known as "A", who knows all of their secrets, the girls have to act fast to make sure none of these secrets come to light...but they better hurry.

This book series is my absolute favorite. I couldn't put Pretty Little Liars down once I started. Each page is filled with new twists in the plot and the author keeps you guessing on what will happen next. A great series I would recommend to anyone.

Reader reviewed by trishalynn0708

I really enjoyed this book and can not wait to read the others in
the series. I would have to say that I related a little to all of the
girls in this book. Even Alison who disappears. All of the girls are
best friends until Alison vanishes and they drift apart from each
other. I related to this-not in the whole friend missing part-but with
being in school and putting up with all of the drama and not talking to
a certain friend for a while or getting a whole new clique and starting
over.

Reader reviewed by Reggie

Well for starts I thought that this book was amazing. Pretty little liars will take you to places some people might not have been before and it all starts will 5 teen girls in rosewood, America. It all starts when there best friend goes missing. Then they get these wierd texts,IM, and other messages about there past. It's a really good book that will keep you up the whole night just wanting to know what will happen next! A must read!

Reader reviewed by BooksObsession

I
have never really been the type of reader interested in those girly,
cliche series like Gossip Girl, Private, The Clique series, etc. So
when my two friends were urging me over and over to pick up a copy of Pretty Little Liars,
the first in the series, I have to admit that I wasn't convinced at
first. However, once I went to Borders to get some new books, I saw it
staring at me from the bookshelf...and what do you think I did next?
Yep, I bought it. (:

After
just reading the first chapter, I was HOOKED. Sure, even though it
seems like another typical girl series with the "rich/snobby/stuck-up"
characters, I really enjoyed this book. The author covered just about
every single problem/scenerio a lot of teenagers face in their lives:
body image and eating disorders, trying to figure out if you're
straight or lesbian, parent and family issues, finding love in all the
wrong places, cutting to deal with emotional pain, oh and your everyday
disapperance of your best friend.

.......

Yes
you read that right. After just the first chapter, Alison, the leader
of the seventh grade 5-girl-clique has gone missing. The girl who knew
everyone's secrets, and swore to take them to the grave. Meet Spencer,
Aria, Emily, and Hanna; four girls who were inseperable in middle
school but have long since moved on since their best friend Alison's
disapearance. But, life changes suddenly for all four of the girls once
they start getting strange emails and texts from someone anonymous, who
calls themself "A". With each chapter, readers will discover the truths
under each lie the girls have told inthe past, until all of them
somehow connect. Each girl has her own story and her own secrets, that
will leave you wishing for more. As soon as I finished the last page of
the book - which I loved the cliffhanger ending, by the way - I was
desperate to read the next book in the series. I like the variety of
plots going on; the storyline never bored me or dragged along. This is
definitely a girls' book though, I don't think guys would enjoy it too
much. The author doesn't hold back when describing make-out sessions,
and she introduces each chapter with the exact detail of what the
characters are wearing. There were some very awkward moments in the
book though while I was reading it in public - like at school - where I
was practically covering up the whole page with my hand so people
looking over my shoulder wouldn't be able to read it and ask what the
heck I was reading! (Yes, I get embarassed easily.) I think this is one
of those books that you either love or hate; and I fell into the "love"
category. My two friends who had orginally told me about this series,
were ecstatic to hear that I really liked it. This is just the
beginning of a great new series! :)

Reader reviewed by BooksObsession

I
have never really been the type of reader interested in those girly,
cliche series like Gossip Girl, Private, The Clique series, etc. So
when my two friends were urging me over and over to pick up a copy of Pretty Little Liars,
the first in the series, I have to admit that I wasn't convinced at
first. However, once I went to Borders to get some new books, I saw it
staring at me from the bookshelf...and what do you think I did next?
Yep, I bought it. (:

After
just reading the first chapter, I was HOOKED. Sure, even though it
seems like another typical girl series with the "rich/snobby/stuck-up"
characters, I really enjoyed this book. The author covered just about
every single problem/scenerio a lot of teenagers face in their lives:
body image and eating disorders, trying to figure out if you're
straight or lesbian, parent and family issues, finding love in all the
wrong places, cutting to deal with emotional pain, oh and your everyday
disapperance of your best friend.


.......

Yes
you read that right. After just the first chapter, Alison, the leader
of the seventh grade 5-girl-clique has gone missing. The girl who knew
everyone's secrets, and swore to take them to the grave. Meet Spencer,
Aria, Emily, and Hanna; four girls who were inseperable in middle
school but have long since moved on since their best friend Alison's
disapearance. But, life changes suddenly for all four of the girls once
they start getting strange emails and texts from someone anonymous, who
calls themself "A". With each chapter, readers will discover the truths
under each lie the girls have told inthe past, until all of them
somehow connect. Each girl has her own story and her own secrets, that
will leave you wishing for more. As soon as I finished the last page of
the book - which I loved the cliffhanger ending, by the way - I was
desperate to read the next book in the series. I like the variety of
plots going on; the storyline never bored me or dragged along. This is
definitely a girls' book though, I don't think guys would enjoy it too
much. The author doesn't hold back when describing make-out sessions,
and she introduces each chapter with the exact detail of what the
characters are wearing. There were some very awkward moments in the
book though while I was reading it in public - like at school - where I
was practically covering up the whole page with my hand so people
looking over my shoulder wouldn't be able to read it and ask what the
heck I was reading! (Yes, I get embarassed easily.) I think this is one
of those books that you either love or hate; and I fell into the "love"
category. My two friends who had orginally told me about this series,
were ecstatic to hear that I really liked it. This is just the
beginning of a great new series! :)