Private (Book 1)

If you like a fluff book, this is okay. But for a serious read? Not a chance.

Reader reviewed by gen08

Private was quite unlike any book I have ever read. With all the drama
and crime, it proves to be a suspenseful story about a girl trying to
fit in at a super posh boarding school. A definite read and all I can
say is thank goodness it's a series because I can't put them down!

Reader reviewed by Hannah

Follow Reed Brennan a sophomore as she moves from her shabby lifestyle to a new glamorus one. She gets a scholarship to do to a Private school. Where not only the work is harder. It's also harder to fit it. Reed fights to be part of the Billings girl. The A- list group at the school. I kept turning the pages because this book had me hooked!

Reader reviewed by LoR

Wow. I literally fell in love with Thomas Pearson just as Reed did. I've read the whole series, and guess which one I loved? This one. If I had enough money, I would buy everyone in the universe a copy of this book. Please, the cover looks girly, but this book is way deeper than the cover. This series will leave you hungry for more and you'll be turning pages at the speed of light! A must-read for all teenagers :)

Reader reviewed by Allire

Private is the first novel of the private series. In the book Reed, a sophomore, wants to attend a very expensive, well known boarding school. She has a hard family life, and just wants to get away. Her family can't afford to send her to the boarding school, but luckily she is able to go to the school through an academic scholarship.

Once she starts school at Easton Academy (the boarding school), Reed's life is turned upside down. She finds love. Makes friends. Makes enemies. And experiences a life that would only seem possible in a soap opera.

I LOVE this series. When I first started Private, I thought it would be a similar to gossip girl, and would be unoriginal. However, I was very wrong. It's so fast paced, unique and original. The book is completely unpredictable and it will have the reader begging for more.

Reader reviewed by Kiran

This book did not impress me all that much. The character mostly annoyed me. Especially Reed. She wanted so badly to fit in and for once be one of the "cool" kids. Gosh, I just thought she did such stupid things. I wanted to tell her to have some pride.
However, the end of the book and the disappearance of Thomas intrigued me, and I might read the next book.

Reader reviewed by Erica

This book is an outstanding first book to the series!! It captures your attention, and you don't want to put it down. I was walking around for 2 days with my nose in this book. This book at first seems lilke your typical girly school story, I was reluctant to read it at first because of this reason. but once I opened it, I was hooked. This books includes a bit of everything, humor, mystery, romance, you name it!

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 Musiclover

This book was in one word, amazing! It captivated me from start to finish! Its cliff hanger ending left the reader craving more! It grabbed the reader at the very beginning and didn't let go until the very end... of the series! The entire book keeps you on the edge of your seat and makes you hold your breath!

After living a childhood of a druggy mother and a life of boring ghetto suburb life, Reed Brennan heads to Easton Academy searching for a new life and a better education. But what she gets is a ton of drama! After meeting the Billings Girls, the most popular and privileged girls on campus, Reed is swept into a world of boys and prada bags! Things heat up as Reed tries to fit in with these upper classmen, but soon discovers that her new boyfriend, Thomas Pearson, has no interest in trying to be the BIllings girls friend. As Reed tries to keep her boy friend and new friends seperate, she discovers secrets that make her question her closest allies. This book is a book that ties the awe and wonder of riches to the drama and pain of being a normal teenager! This is a book you have to read now!