Reviewed by Randstostipher "tallnlankyrn" Nguyen for TeensReadToo.com

INVITATION ONLY, the second novel in the PRIVATE series, begins where we left off in the first book. Thomas went missing, one of the Billings Girls was expelled, and Reed Brennan finally moved into the dorm she had her eye on when she first came to the private school. But even though Reed was in the Billings house, that didn't exactly mean she was in the clique.

Turns out, the Billings Girls had a little hazing present for Reed that would keep her busy. That's right--Reed has to actually do the girls' beds every morning and clean up the dorm. Who knows exactly how long that will last.

But that's not the only thing on Reed's mind. Her boyfriend, Thomas Pearce, had just went missing during parents' weekend. And the only possible way that she would be able to see him again is at a social event called the Legacy, held in New York City that apparently Thomas is for sure making an appearance at. The only problem is that Reed has no idea what the Legacy is--but all she is worried about is getting there. Oh, and her new roommate took compromising photos of Reed and a certain someone, and is now using it to blackmail Reed.

From finding her boyfriend to overcoming her blackmailer to trying to officially become a Billings Girl, Reed has too much on her plate.

It seemed like it would be hard for Kate Brian to top the first book in the PRIVATE series, which was absolutely amazing, but no worries since she does not disappoint. INVITATION ONLY was even better than the first. With even more obstacles that Reed has to face, the story literally leaves the reader at the edge of their seat. And Kate Brian ends the story with another huge cliffhanger. This series definitely tops all the other series out there. ( )

Invitation Only is the second book in the Private series. Reed is finally a Billings Girl. Unfortunately for her, she has to clean their rooms, make their beds and wash their windows as part of her initiation. She accepts these chores because the prize of being their friend is worth it to her.

At one of their parties, she meets Walt Whittaker and soon finds herself in a compromising position. Someone else has witnessed their encounter and begins to blackmail Reed. Reed has to learn the truth behind the expulsion of a former Billings Girl or face being expelled herself. Seeing no other choice, Reed begins spying on the other Billing Girls and learns some interesting facts about each one. It’s not until Reed learns the truth, that she realizes what it entails to be a Billings Girl.

Meanwhile, her former boyfriend, Thomas Pearson, is missing. The police have been called to investigate his disappearance and Reed fears she will become a suspect. Thomas’s friends are nonchalant about his disappearance and believe he will attend the Legacy, an invitation only party in NYC. But when Thomas doesn’t show, the severity of his disappearance becomes apparent.

Invitation Only begins where Private ended. I like that both books end with cliff hangers and immediately jumps right back into the story. I’ve found myself engrossed in the characters and wonder what will happen next. ( )

Never thought Brian would be able to sustain the swirl of intrigue & deception that surrounds the esteemed Easton Academy and the beautiful people that graces it's halls.

It's a step further inside the inner workings of the Billings Hall as the reader gets to know what defines the Billings girls--what they're willing to undergo, to divulge, to sacrifice, to face up to--in order to protect those who are like them.

When I first picked up "Private" at the start of last year, thought it'll be another run-of-the-mill chick lit (you know the type) but later was able to realize the difference right away. Total bitch lit indeed.

Reed Brennan's future is looking as bright as the two-karat diamonds in her new housemates' ears. Being accepted to the most prestigious private boarding school in the country wasn't enough for Reed. She had to break every rule to do it, but she has accomplished the impossible: Reed is a Billings Girl now.

And with her new status come respect, envy, and, most important, opportunity.
Just what part of you (or will it be your whole being) that you'll be willing to sacrifice just to be in? And once you are like them, will it be worth it?

I'm crossing my fingers, hoping that the series will surpass C. von Ziegesar's "Gossip Girl" series, which was not able to sustain the bitchiness factor I'm so craving for. Who knew that there can be a place more sophisticated than NY's Constance Billard School for Girls?

Life as a Billings Girl is every bit as glamorous as Reed imagined. What she didn't bargain for is the tangled web of private lies these girls weave...

Book Details:

Title Invitation Only (Private, Book 2)
Author Kate Brian
Reviewed By Purplycookie ( )

In this sequel to Private, Reed Brennan has finally realized her dream to become one of the elite Billings Girls. But all is not as rosy as she had hoped - her boyfriend is missing, the girls of Billings have her working like a drudge doing their chores, and her roommate is using some compromising pictures to blackmail Reed into betraying the most powerful girls on campus. Not an easy situation. Plus, Reed somehow has to finagle an invite to the most exclusive Halloween party ever.

So Reed... she shows a little bit of misbegotten backbone. She shows some ounce of loyalty to her 'friends', of course, she shows it to the friends that use her, manipulate her and treat her badly as a test rather than to the friends who like her for who she is and are genuinely nice to her. So I'm not sure backbone is that much of an improvement. She uses one guy in order to get closer to another with few second thoughts other than how unpleasant the new guy can be. Schoolwork has gone completely out the window... she's just a mess.

So what pulled this one up the half-star (though still not anywhere near a good rating)? This time there was actually a little showing of the charms of the Billings life. The Legacy party really does sound wild and amazing - even fun. There were at least two likeable characters this time (Josh and Constance), and there was a serious cliff-hanger ending.

Reed is still obnoxious, materialistic and self-absorbed. Her 'great tragedy' of possibly being sent home still seems less heinous than what she has done (and undoubtedly will continue to do) in order to be in with the in-crowd. So this really showcases how nasty teenaged girls can be - and how other teenaged girls will just lap it up...

Also posted at my blog ( )