Customer Reviews

A Private Collection (Boxed Set): Private, Invitation Only, Untouchable, Confessions

5 star:		(4)
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It is not often that we are permitted entry into the PRIVATE world of the rich and beautiful. The girls who have the ability to purchase anything their heart desires; the guys who can whisk their friends off to a luxurious destination aboard their parents private jet at the drop of a hat. But Reed Brennan has managed to insert herself into this very privileged and PRIVATE world. The one thing she never anticipated was just how deadly it could be.

PRIVATE (Book 1) - 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. 5 stars.

INVITATION ONLY (Book 2) - Sophomore Reed Brennan can't believe her luck. After spending a mere few months at the posh Easton Academy, she has already become one of the illustrious Billings Girls. Her future couldn't be brighter. Sure, she had to break a few rules (lying, stealing, cheating), but it was all worth it, for now she has claimed a prize that every girl dreams of: acceptance. But that's not all, now Reed has first-hand access to the secret parties thrown late at night in the middle of the woods, and, while they sound more exciting with each whisper that passes, Reed is unfortunate enough to encounter her psycho roommate, Natasha, who just happens to be looking for a way to blackmail Reed into doing her bidding (i.e. digging up dirt on some of the most beautiful Billings Girls ever). And when Reed gets drunk at the illicit party, and ends up in a compromising position with someone other than her MIA boyfriend, Thomas, Natasha gets the act on tape, and holds it over Reed's head, insisting that she get evidence of wrongdoings of Kiran, Taylor, Noelle, and Ariana, or get her scholarship taken away and be shipped back to her crazy mother and father. Now, Reed is doing her best to hold her own, and avoid being caught as she snoops the hollowed halls of her dorm, while at the same time attempting to wrangle an invitation to The Legacy, one of the most exclusive Halloween parties in New York City. A party that Thomas is rumored to be making an appearance at, and which Reed knows that she can't miss for the world. A party that could change her life forever, and see just how lucky she is to be...a Billings Girl. 5 stars.

UNTOUCHABLE (Book 3) - Sophomore Reed Brennan thought that all of her worries were over the day she stepped out of Po-dunk, Pennsylvania, and into the glorious world of Easton Academy. And when she was accepted by the illustrious Billings Girls (Taylor, Kiran, Noelle, and Ariana) she felt that nothing in her life would ever be wrong again - perfection would follow her anywhere she went. But that all changed the day she found out that her MIA boyfriend and resident campus drug-dealer, Thomas Pearson, wasn't actually in a rehab center, but, rather, the victim of a brutal attack that left him dead. Now, everything around Reed seems to be part of a horrific fairytale. Suddenly, Reed wants nothing more than to feel numb. To have the ability to erase any and all thoughts about the guy she thought she knew and loved. But the people around her are making that more and more difficult as each day goes by. Noelle is being beyond nice, replacing Reed's old derogatory nickname of "glass-licker" by her true name; Kiran is drinking more than ever; Taylor won't pull herself out of her Prozac-nation rut of sobbing all the time; and Ariana is more haunting than ever. As if that weren't strange enough, the girls keep showering Reed with lavish gifts, from Dior, Coach, and everywhere in between. But when Thanksgiving weekend rolls around, and each of the Billings Girls make their way home to their upscale mansions and penthouse apartments, Reed finds herself one of the few students left on campus, along with Thomas' roommate, Josh Hollis. The chemistry between Reed and Josh is undeniable, and before Reed even has a chance to think twice, she's experienced one steamy hook-up with the hottie. But when she divulges the details about her romantic holiday weekend with Josh to the Billings Girls, Reed finds herself forced to suffer through a frightening game of tell-all. One that makes Josh look like the number one suspect in Thomas' murder. Now, Reed feels as if it's up to her to get to the truth. But the only way to do that is by getting past the Billings Girls. 5 stars.

CONFESSIONS (Book 4) - Fifteen-year-old sophomore, Reed Brennan, used to spend her days contemplating how, exactly, she would manage to escape her tiny hometown of Croton, Pennsylvania, along with her highly dysfunctional family. But now, after almost an entire semester of rubbing elbows with the young, beautiful, and elite at the prestigious Easton Academy, Reed has begun to wonder whether her old life was truly as horrible as she originally thought. Since her arrival at Easton not four months ago, Reed has found herself on a tumultuous roller coaster ride full of varying emotions, and a handful of tragedies that have left her perpetually scarred mentally, physically, and emotionally. Her acceptance into the ultra-exclusive Billings Hall dorm gave Reed the feeling of finally being accepted. But after a series of hazing activities, she began to wonder if being friends with the all-powerful Billings Girls was really as crucial as she believed. Of course, the answer to that was quite simple - yes. Once the hazing was complete, Reed found herself fully immersed in the Billings way of life, and loved the envy she saw in people's eyes when she entered the cafeteria surrounded by Noelle, Kiran, Taylor, and Ariana. It didn't hurt matters much that Reed was also the girlfriend of the totally handsome Thomas Pearson. But after a bumpy few weeks with Thomas, Reed was forced to come to terms with the fact that Thomas wasn't who she thought he was. In fact, he was something completely different. But all that doesn't matter anymore, for he turned up dead, leaving her free to do as she pleases. And what she wanted, oddly enough, was Thomas' best friend, Josh Hollis. Josh isn't like the other Easton boys. He's sensitive, kind, caring, and handsome all rolled into one. Reed is only too happy to make Josh her boyfriend. But once the deed is done, things take a turn for the worse, for Josh is hauled into the Easton Police Department, and charged with the murder of Thomas. Reed knows more than anyone that Josh had nothing to do with Thomas' untimely demise, and will do anything to clear his name. Unfortunately, Reed appears to be the only Easton student interested in saving Josh from his current predicament. While everyone else begins planning their Thanksgiving trips to Barcelona or Christmas getaways to London, Reed knows that the most exciting thing she can expect from the holidays is being picked-up in a station wagon and dragged back to Croton to force-feed cranberry sauce to her pill popping mother. Casting her holiday woes aside, Reed throws herself full-force into proving Josh's innocence to everyone around her - including the police. But the more digging she does to clear Josh's name, the more dirt she uncovers about the people she's considered her friends since day one. Dirt that gets Reed closer and closer to the truth that she's been searching for, for so long. But before she has the chance to hear the confessions that have remained hidden since Thomas's body was discovered, Reed will have to protect herself. For if she's not careful, she may just find herself six feet under before the semester is over. 5 stars.

Kate Brian has been one of my favorite authors for years, but the release of her PRIVATE series has managed to garner her a spot at the top of my list of best authors of the decade. Picking up on the private school craze, Brian has embellished the hot commodity by adding in a healthy dose of murder, and mystery. Her characters are eerie and interesting in the same breath; and each release is even better than the last. Reed Brennan is the shining star of the series, as she tries to muddle her way through a collection of some of the richest and fabulous girls on the face of the earth; however, even with her lack of money and spite, she manages to keep her head above water, and prove herself to be every bit as fabulous as her classmates. The Billings Girls, on the other hand, provide such an eerie sense of sinister plotting, and conniving ways, that you can't help but fear, and admire them, at the same time. This is one series that won't stay PRIVATE for long.

Erika Sorocco
Freelance Reviewer

I read the first 4 or 5 books in this series about a year ago. I was really into the young girl book series (Gossip Girl, It Girl, etc.). I expected this to be more like that, just kind of teenage drama, backstabbing, etc. It is like that, but I would consider this to be more of a mystery series (at least the first 4 books). It was very interesting, fun, and suspenseful.

These books suck you into the lives of the characters and are also a good exploration of ethical standings. Mostly they're a fun read.

These books are so amazing and wonderful!!! If u haven't read them u really need to start!! Once u pick one of these books up u won't want to put it down! Kate Brian is amazing!!