Notorious

The It Girl series continues with Notorious, following the students at elite Waverly Academy as they navigate social hierarchies, romance, and scandal. Tinsley Carmichael returns to school expecting to reclaim her position at the top of the social ladder, only to find the dynamics have shifted during her absence. Jenny Humphrey finds herself at the center of multiple conflicts as she tries to balance her romantic interests with her social standing at Waverly. Meanwhile, Tinsley launches an exclusive club called Cafe Society, using it as a tool to manipulate the social dynamics among her classmates. The story tracks multiple complicated relationships and rivalries as they intersect and evolve, including Callie's struggle to move past her former relationship, and Tinsley's calculated moves to regain control of her social circle. Former friendships are tested as new alliances form and dissolve. The novel explores themes of power, loyalty, and the price of popularity in the pressure-cooker environment of an elite boarding school. Through its interweaving storylines, it examines how the pursuit of social status can both create and destroy relationships.

Most readers found this book disappointing compared to von Ziegesar's Gossip Girl series. Multiple reviews note it feels rushed and lacks the depth of character development seen in her previous work. Readers appreciated: - The historical 1890s New York setting - References to real locations and society figures - Fast-paced plot twists Common criticisms: - One-dimensional characters - Predictable romance elements - Lack of historical accuracy in dialogue and behavior - Too many plot threads left unresolved Ratings: Goodreads: 3.1/5 (1,200+ ratings) Amazon: 3.3/5 (50+ reviews) "The characters talk and act like modern teens in period costumes," noted one Amazon reviewer. A Goodreads user wrote: "The murder mystery aspect felt tacked on and underdeveloped." Several reviews mentioned wanting more from the promising concept but feeling the execution fell short, with one reader calling it "Gossip Girl-lite in a historical setting."

The Lying Game by Sara Shepard Twin sisters, separated at birth, trade places until one disappears, setting off a chain of secrets and deception in their wealthy private school community.

Private by Kate Brian A scholarship student at an elite boarding school becomes entangled in murder investigations and dark society secrets.

Pretty Little Devils by Nancy Holder The new girl at Sycamore High joins an exclusive clique and uncovers dangerous truths about its members.

They Wish They Were Us by Jessica Goodman A student investigates her best friend's murder at their privileged prep school while navigating the politics of an elite secret society.

All Eyes on Us by Kit Frick Two girls from different social circles become caught in a web of deception and blackmail that threatens their carefully constructed lives at their prestigious high school.

🎭 The "Notorious" book is part of the "It Girl" series, which is a spin-off of the wildly successful "Gossip Girl" franchise 📚 Cecily von Ziegesar attended Nightingale-Bamford School in Manhattan, which served as inspiration for the fictional Constance Billard School in her Gossip Girl series 🏫 Waverly Academy, the setting of "Notorious," is modeled after various New England boarding schools, particularly those in the prestigious "Eight Schools Association" 👗 The author's own experiences in elite private schools helped shape the authentic details of social hierarchies and traditions depicted in the book ✍️ Von Ziegesar originally wrote under a pseudonym for the Sweet Valley High series before creating her own successful young adult franchises