Sweet Valley High #65 Trouble at Home, Bruce's Story, and #66 Who's to Blame?

In Sweet Valley High #65, Trouble at Home, both Mr. and Mrs. Wakefield have worked long hours recently.  They no longer take time to talk, and they have arguments constantly.

Jessica sees a commercial for a teen party line, so she calls the 900 number.  She makes no note of the charges, and she immediately falls for a boy named Charlie who has a sexy voice.  Jessica calls the party line each night so that she can talk to Charlie.

Maria Santelli's father is running for mayor, and he is forced to drop out of the race after he is accused of accepting a bribe.  Mr. Wakefield runs for mayor in Mr. Santelli's place.

This book ends with all of the plots lines unresolved, since the story arc continues for two more books.

I enjoyed this story.

In Sweet Valley High Super Star, Bruce's Story, Grandfather Patman comes to stay with the Patmans for six weeks.  Grandfather sets up a contest between Bruce and Roger.  The two boys are given $2,000 each, and they are forced to give their grandfather all of their checks, credit cards, and other money.  After two weeks, whichever boy has more money will inherit all of Grandfather Patman's estate.

On page 13, Bruce reflects that "there was nothing better in the whole world than being Bruce Patman."  Nobody would accuse Bruce of being modest.

Apparently many people do not like this book because they do not like Bruce.  He's arrogant as usual, but he's not awful like he is in other books.  I found him interesting and amusing.  I enjoyed his viewpoint and the story.

In Sweet Valley High #66, Who's to Blame?, the Wakefield family is in turmoil after Mr. and Mrs. Wakefield separate.  Mr. Wakefield continues to run for mayor as Mrs. Wakefield throws herself into a design project.  Jessica blames Elizabeth for their parents' separation, and all of the Wakefield children argue constantly.  In short, nobody is happy.

Just like the story in which Jessica runs away, the title and cover art are totally misleading.  Liz doesn't decide to run away until near the end of the story, and she just goes over to Enid's house.  Liz spends the night with Enid, then she returns home.  That's hardly running away.

On page 41, when Jessica sees that Steven is home from college yet again, she asks, "Aren't you getting kind of worried that they might kick you out of school if you don't spend more time there?"  Jessica has a point.  Not only does Steven spend weekends in Sweet Valley, but he is frequently at home during the week and often comes home for several weeks at a time while college is in session.

I enjoyed this book.