Paradise Lost (Private, Book 9) (Paperback)

by Kate Brian (Author)
Key Phrases: jet ski, Upton Game, Upton Giles, Casino Night (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Paradise awaits....

Now that Cheyenne's murderer has been revealed and Reed knows the truth about who's been stalking her, she's ready to leave the heartache and turmoil of last semester behind. And what better way to recover than a five-star Caribbean vacation?

Reed is reunited with former Billings Girls Kiran and Taylor, and she and her friends take over the exclusive island. They spend their days tanning on white-sand beaches and their nights partying on sixty-foot yachts.

It's heaven on earth.

But as they raise their champagne flutes to toast their friendship, Reed worries that it's all too good to be true. Because even in paradise, the Billings Girls are never far from trouble -- and nothing's more dangerous than the calm before the storm....

About the Author
Kate Brian is the author of the NY Times and USA Today best-selling Private series and it's spin-off series, Privilege. She has also written many other books for teens including Sweet 16 and Megan Meade's Guide to the McGowan Boys.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Young Adult
  
• Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing (February 24, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1416958843
• ISBN-13: 978-1416958840
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.5 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.4 out of 5 stars See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #15,447 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Summer filler, March 7, 2009

By	Blackacre (Las Vegas, NV USA) - See all my reviews

On many levels this book felt like the sit-com summer vacation shows. If anyone remembers, think "Saved by the Bell-Hawaii." It may have effects on the rest of the story line (without a doubt because of the ending), but is also complete fluff. Maybe that's why the ending felt so wrong. The rest of the book was meaningless, but the ending has to tie in to the next book. Like some others, I will look forward to the next book, but I have luke-warm feelings about it. Another suggestion for readers might be to wait until you're off on your own tropical vacation this summer (or spring break) and read it then. Maybe it will be more effective.

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Jumped the shark..., March 2, 2009

By	CoffeeGurl (MA) - See all my reviews (TOP 100 REVIEWER)

The moment Reed Brennan entered the Easton Academy, her life has not been the same. Falling for Thomas Pearson got the attention of the Billings girls, turning her into a member of the elite group, only to discover that one of the girls, Ariana Osgood, wanted her dead. After Ariana is taken away for murdering Thomas, Reed feels the worst is over -- only to encounter even more tragedy. After the events in Revelation, Reed is depleted of hope, which is why Noelle convinces her to join her and a few of the Billings girls to a Christmas vacation in St. Barths. What could be better than a vacation in paradise? Reed reunites with Taylor and Kiran and meets old Billings girls on the island. She even meets a hot guy who, though every girl on the island is after him, seems to have the hots for no one but her. But Reed is unable to escape her past. Even in paradise, she is stalked and threatened, and meets a flock of new enemies that would prove to be as dangerous as Ariana and Sabine.

To me, this series has jumped the shark. Why? Well, even though this series has never been realistic, it was nevertheless entertaining and intriguing, keeping me looking forward to the new installment. But now this series has gone from unrealistic to downright ridiculous. Reed has turned into a one-woman circus. She attracts jerks, jealous psychos, murderers and stalkers like moths to a flame. Am I expected to suspend this much disbelief? I'm surprised Noelle, Tiffany and the others would want to remain friends with someone who leaves nothing but bad luck and death in her wake. Even though one of the new characters acknowledges Reed's flair for drama by calling her "Hurricane Reed," it is not enough. The book would have been boring without the mystery and the drama, which is why I think Kate Brian should consider wrapping up this series before it gets even more over the top. I am considering abandoning this series, something that I hadn't considered before, that's how bad things have gotten. I'll await the second installment of the Privilege series. At least that one shows some potential.

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Not meeting the bar, March 3, 2009

By	S. Bray - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I love Kate Brian... I stalk out Amazon weeks before hand hopefully the book will be released early so I can find out what's going on with Reed... but this book disappoints! Maybe it was slow b/c a new story arch is starting and everything needs to be set up? I'll give Kate the benefit of the doubt and stay a loyal reader since it was a good book, but it definately wasn't a "page turner", "can't put it down" type of book. I'm sure I'll read the next book when it comes out, but I most likely won't be biting at the nail like I have been for other Private books.