Book: The Secret Valentine (2020)
Author: Melody Reed
Genre: Lower MG, Contemporary
Series: The Major Eights
Opening lines from the book …
Sweat dripped down my neck. It was freezing outside, but in here, my heavy coat made me hot. I swung my legs as Tyson and I waited.
WHAT I LIKED ABOUT THIS BOOK…
1) I really enjoyed the friendship between the four girls (the Major Eights). While I have not read the books leading up to this one, I could definitely see the bond they have in this one. And it made me want to be their friend, too!
2) There’s a fun competition with a battle-of-the-bands type event. A great goal for the story and our protagonists.
3) The big competition turns out to be a new rival musical act: Cassie and her sister and friend. Cassie, especially, is your classic mean girl. The girls you don’t want to triumph!
4) And then there’s Cassie’s sister. You see the struggle she has with being loyal to Cassie, but also wanting to reach out to the Major Eights.
5) I enjoyed the mystery of the valentines. There are a few nice misleads for Scarlet and the reader, and it was fun to guess!
THINGS THAT BOTHERED ME…
1) I didn’t really like the confrontation part at the end, especially with how (Spoiler!) everybody gangs up on Cassie. I felt bad for her that they did this in such a public way, especially Cassie’s own dad! (end spoiler)
FINAL THOUGHTS
A fun Valentine book. This one is definitely for a younger crowd!
YOUR TURN…
Have you read this book? What are your thoughts? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments!
Note: I’m posting this for Greg Pattridge’s Marvelous Middle-Grade Monday…
Of Maria Antonia 
This sounds like a perfect book for Valentine’s Day. I like that there’s a mystery to solve. Thanks for featuring it this week.
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I don’t see too many Valentine’s Day themed books on the shelf. This on will fill the void and provide young readers with a fun story. Thanks for featuring on MMGM.
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I agree. This one was cute. Definitely geared toward a younger audience. 🙂
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looks like a fun read for kids seeking something with a friendship theme and valentiny feel.
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Absolutely!
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It’s nice to see one review of a Valentine’s themed book today — you don’t see many in MG lit. I like the friendship among the four girls. Looks like a fun, feel-good read!
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Thoughtful review–I like how you pointed out the pro’s and con’s
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The confrontation sounds pretty ugly. Too bad, because the rest of this sounds good. Thanks for your honest review.
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