Private (Book 1)

Reader reviewed by Megan

Fifteen-year-old Reed Brennan has never known a happy childhood. For one, her mother is bitter and nasty who likes to chase her sorrow with pain killers, and rain unhappiness on the entire family. And two, she's never had the money to make a better name for herself. That is, until she's accepted into Easton Academy, a prestigious, private boarding school that houses some of the most privileged and intelligent students in the country. Suddenly, Reed realizes that she's not in Kansas anymore, and is quickly sucked into the gorgeous, sophistication and wealth that surrounds her at Easton. Then she realizes something even more treacherous, just because she's been admitted to Easton, doesn't mean the students have truly accepted her. Then she meets the Billings Girls. The Billings Girls are the most talented, beautiful, intelligent, confident girls on campus. They also hold the power that Reed so badly craves. So when she finds herself being permitted into their little clique, she will do anything they want to be accepted - from stealing to acting like their slave. But soon, amidst all their glamorous, secret parties, and attitude, Reed discovers that the Billings Girls aren't exactly what they seem. In fact, they're completely different than they appear from the outside, giving great use of the phrase "looks can be deceiving." For, the Billings Girls have skeletons in their closets. Skeletons that they will do anything to keep secret, and locked away. In private.

Kate Brian never ceases to amaze me regarding the creativity and imagination that she uses to weave remarkable, enjoyable stories. And that creativity and imagination is certainly not lost on PRIVATE. The fact that Brian combines privilege, power, mysteries, and money together to create this exhilarating new novel is only the icing on the cake. Reed is an intriguing character, whose cravings for something beyond her boring suburban life are impeccably described, leaving a taste in the readers mouth that indicates exactly how much Reed wants to be one of the "It" girls; while the supporting characters around her - Noelle, Ariana, Taylor, Kiran, and the at-times adorable Thomas - make the story that much more exciting and enjoyable, while at the same time presenting a very "real" vibe that brings the characters to life. PRIVATE will send readers racing to the closest bookstore, in an attempt to learn about the secret world that the over-privileged inhabit; while at the same time craving an invitation of their own. As addicting as hot chocolate on a cold, winters day.

Reader reviewed by Megan

Fifteen-year-old Reed Brennan has never known a happy childhood. For one, her mother is bitter and nasty who likes to chase her sorrow with pain killers, and rain unhappiness on the entire family. And two, she's never had the money to make a better name for herself. That is, until she's accepted into Easton Academy, a prestigious, private boarding school that houses some of the most privileged and intelligent students in the country. Suddenly, Reed realizes that she's not in Kansas anymore, and is quickly sucked into the gorgeous, sophistication and wealth that surrounds her at Easton. Then she realizes something even more treacherous, just because she's been admitted to Easton, doesn't mean the students have truly accepted her. Then she meets the Billings Girls. The Billings Girls are the most talented, beautiful, intelligent, confident girls on campus. They also hold the power that Reed so badly craves. So when she finds herself being permitted into their little clique, she will do anything they want to be accepted - from stealing to acting like their slave. But soon, amidst all their glamorous, secret parties, and attitude, Reed discovers that the Billings Girls aren't exactly what they seem. In fact, they're completely different than they appear from the outside, giving great use of the phrase "looks can be deceiving." For, the Billings Girls have skeletons in their closets. Skeletons that they will do anything to keep secret, and locked away. In private.

Kate Brian never ceases to amaze me regarding the creativity and imagination that she uses to weave remarkable, enjoyable stories. And that creativity and imagination is certainly not lost on PRIVATE. The fact that Brian combines privilege, power, mysteries, and money together to create this exhilarating new novel is only the icing on the cake. Reed is an intriguing character, whose cravings for something beyond her boring suburban life are impeccably described, leaving a taste in the readers mouth that indicates exactly how much Reed wants to be one of the "It" girls; while the supporting characters around her - Noelle, Ariana, Taylor, Kiran, and the at-times adorable Thomas - make the story that much more exciting and enjoyable, while at the same time presenting a very "real" vibe that brings the characters to life. PRIVATE will send readers racing to the closest bookstore, in an attempt to learn about the secret world that the over-privileged inhabit; while at the same time craving an invitation of their own. As addicting as hot chocolate on a cold, winters day.

Reader reviewed by graceface

Romance, scandal, money, mystery...a chance to live the high society life...
When 15 year old Reed Brennan wins a scholarhip to Easton Academy, an elite boarding school for the nation's most privileged children, she feels a little apprehensive about leaving her old life in the suburbs of Pennsylvania and her dad alone with her drug addict mother. Her first few days of school do not go well-she goes from star pupil and athlete to receiving C's and D's, she met a guy, named Thomas Pearson, but is he really interesed in her, or just fooling around? And some of her roomates are just plain mean and snobby. Reed is starting to regret coming to Easton, that is, until she meets the Billings Girls, the most beautiful, popular, and smartest women on campus. To be a Billings Girl means everything...but how much is Reed willing to sacrifice to become one of them?
This book is so good. And its such a quick, fun and easy read; I finished it in one day and can't wait to read the next book in this series. Kate Brian did another awesome job and I think the Private series have the potential to become the next Gossip Girl.

Reader reviewed by Sami

My 1st review! Whoo-hoo! Ok, so Private starts out w/Reed Billings (main character) and her dad on the road to Easton Academy. She desperately wants to get away from her blah-gray town. She comes into the parking lot and is immediately enveloped in Louis Vuitton, limos, and beautiful people of all sorts. She doesn't belong and she knows it. She's a scholarship student from Pennsylvania with a wardrobe from Wal-Mart and a scratched Subaru. However, she wants to fit it and she makes a sort of an effort. That night she is looking out her window homesick and sees the Billings Girls across the quad in their dorm. The four of them are mesmerizing and she can't look away. A couple minutes later, one of them notices her and looks straight at her. Reed looks down, embarrassed, until she can no longer stand the tension. She raises her head and sees the face of that magnificent girl. She smiles and closes the curtains.
The following day, those four girls spot her in the cafeteria. The (obvious) leader, Noelle, calls Reed a glass-licking 'Peeping Tom' and asks her not to spy on them anymore. That doesn't sound that harsh, right? Well, when the person saying it to you has a snotty attitude and everybody is watching, it's pretty much public humiliation. With that embarrassment, the fact that none of the teachers seem to like her, and she still can't figure out this mysteriously dangerous boy who may like her and she might possibly like him, the year isn't really getting off to a terrific start.
Surprisingly, later in the book, the girls don't hate her as much as she thinks, she actually gets the boy, and with a friend's help, she's able to do better in school. The book then turns for her and everything she thought was different. Read the book if you want to figure out where Reed ends up. I thought it was good. She is a strong character if she feels like it, but she's very relatable and you find yourself hoping that she gets ahead. You, yourself, can't decide between the boy and the friends. Read it; you won't be sorry.

Reader reviewed by Shelby

To start, if you like The Clique, Gossip Girl, It Girl, and The A-List, you'll love this series.

The main character is Reed Brennan, who comes to the notorious Easton Academy on a scholarship. On the first day she attracts the attention of cute senior, Thomas Pearson. Along with his attention comes the Billings Girls, the most powerful girls in the school. Of course, when Thomas accuses her of using him to get to the Billings Girls, he is somewhat right about that. The conclusion leaves plenty of questions including where Thomas has disappeared to.

I loved the mystery and the drama in this book. It's a very short and fast read but FILLED with details.

Reader reviewed by Alexis

This was an amazing book! I thought that I liked the IT Girl series, but this is just as good. Reed tries to fit in with the Billings Girls. She gets a boyfriend and makes a few friends. She convinces her dad to stay home over Parents weekend. She has it made. Until her boyfriend wants her to meet his parents. She agrees and when the time comes he is no where to be found. Where did Thomas go is what I want to know! I can't wait to read the next book!

Reader reviewed by Mary

Reed's has finally got the chance of a lifetime. She's got into a private boarding school. Reed wants to be someone. And being someone, in Reed's eyes, means becoming friends with the Billings girls. And she will do anything for that chance....


Reed is an interesting character but at times the story seems unbelievable as Reed goes to such enormous lengths to be friends with the Billings girls. The book seems almost like a satire. It's very entertaining...

Reader reviewed by Ash

This book to me was a book about a girl who just wants to fit in, but with a drug addict mother and a deppressed father that is some what inpossible. So she thinks if she gets to go to a private school away from her parents she might have a chance. But she has know idea what is about to come her way. So she meets this boy Thomas Pearson he is her soon to be Boyfriend, all his secrets will affect her life big time though. She also needs to get into The Billings House, she thinks that is the best way to gain popularity. But her life is about to be turned around by the next book.