Pretty Little Liars (Pretty Little Liars #1)

Aria, Emily, Spencer, and Hanna are four girls with one thing in common - they were all friends with Alison DiLaurentis, who went missing. Now, several years later, in their junior year of high school, Aria returns from Iceland where her father moved their family right after Alison's disappearance. The girls have drifted apart, Hanna shoplifts, Spencer is an over-achiever and Emily is struggling with her relationship.

They begin to receive texts from someone who calls themself 'A'. And this 'A' knows about some of their most personal secrets, secrets that only Alison knew. But she can't be back, can she?

The thing that I liked the most about this book is the way that the chapters tell the stories of each of the four girls separately, yet describes the ways that they are still tied together. While in third person, the narration of some of their thoughts gave a great insight into how they were dealing with their various issues and where the story would go next.

However, I can't help but to think that this book seems almost unfinished. I understand that it's a series, but there wasn't a whole lot of action really going on throughout the book. There were smaller things, with personal tensions and a few more major incidents, but nothing too exciting or mysterious. Even the description of 'A's texts were disappointing. I was hoping for more thrills and more close calls, but this book didn't really deliver on that expectation.

It actually seemed almost like an extended beginning of a book, like a really long introduction. I can say, though, that the big reveal and 'A's message at the end definitely sets up some interesting ideas for the next book. For a short read, this was enjoyable, however I feel like it went too slowly and was too short.

Fans of contemporary YA novels will like this. If you're interested in YA mysteries this could be a good read for you.

This review can also be found at http://fortheloveofbooksreviews.blogspot.ca/2016/10/pretty-little-liars-by-sara-shepard.html

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 Ruthie

I actually watched the first season of the tv show before I decided to read the book. I was a little scared to read it and see how different it was. Honestly, though, I was surprised and I think they've done a great job. I loved reading about the characters just as much as I loved watching the show. Although in the book I thought the characters were a bit repetitive, each with their secrets and sharp attitudes, but I did feel sorry for them. With a friend murdered and their lives about to spiral out of control, who wouldn't feel bad? I'm extremely excited for season two of the show and I definitely plan on continuing the books. I just have to wonder....who is A really?

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 Connie

Pretty Little Liars is a very popular series about a group of girls and the trouble they get into for their lies. People rave about this series, which is why I was quite disappointed to read the first book. I have no intentions of reading the other books in the series.

This book did not seem believable to me. I couldn't understand some of the actions taken by the characters, as they seemed too far fetched for high school students (maybe that's changed). The girls came off as swallow, vindictative, and just not worth rooting for. I do give props to the author for creating a series that encourages young girls to read.

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.