Imagine running into a high-school friend 10 years later. Theres a sudden rush of nostalgia,a jolt down memory lane,that awkward feeling of I-knew-you-once mixed with what-have-you-turned-into. Thats quite what you feel upon reading Sweet Valley Confidential,an update on the Sweet Valley series. The Wakefield twins Elizabeth and Jessica from Sweet Valley High are back. Its the same silky golden hair,piercing aquamarine eyes and perfect Size 6 figure. Only now theyre 27. Not much has changed its still a morality battle between the good one (Elizabeth) and the bad one (Jessica). But the 10-year hiatus has complicated the narrative. One-time best friends (though often at each others throats),Lizzie and Jess are now embroiled in a feud. As predictable as it maybe,the catalyst is none other than Todd Wilkins. Sweet Valley fans will be transported back to the high school years,when the sisters first fought it out in Elizabeths First Kiss and again in Double Love. Both confessed their love for the boring yet strikingly handsome Todd. But back then Todds devotion to Miss goody-two-shoes Elizabeth was the only constant in the fast-paced lives of teenagers with Porches,Gucci bags and more. Fast-forward to now,and its the same catfight. The twins are now as separate as they once were inseparable and the reason is as predictable (yet twisted and convoluted) as Sweet Valley can get. Jessica,the man-eating predator has gobbled her sisters fiance in a betrayal so deep it somehow parallels Caesars et tu for Brutus. The punch line,like much of the book,is at best,childlike I see something I never saw before. They are standing together,she and Todd. More than just near each other. Together though Francine Pascal has tried to spice it up. The raciest it gets is when Elizabeth finally has sex. Gently,he unbuttoned her silk blouse,She didnt move. he just stared at her. Still she didnt move. One wonders,why she doesnt move. Casual sex,excessive martini drinking and cheating spouses are reserved for Sweet Valley where the usual suspects (read Lila Fowler,Jessicas stinking rich best friend) get all the action. Curiously,Jessica is well and truly reformed,spear-heading the Fowler Cosmetics Empire and in love. The climax,the confrontation between Jessica and Elizabeth,is shoddy. The two face-off at their grandmothers 80th birthday only to later reconcile in typically Sweet Valley happy-ending kind of way. Jessica,desperate for her sisters touch,boards a plane to New York leaving Todd behind. The two hug and make-up; Lizzie understands and is the maid-of-honour at the wedding. The only real mild shocker is Bruce Patmans (yes,the same Porche-driving snob) reformed character and love for Elizabeth. Sweet Valley Confidential does succeed in doing what it has been legendary for: leaving the reader a bit curious. Todd sends Elizabeth a letter when shes in New York and just whens she ready to open it,the book comes to a close. However,the new world of Sweet Valley does leave a bitter taste in the mouth: it just isnt what it used to be.
