Book Releases
With the exception of the first Private novel, which debuted in Canada on June 27, 2006, releases of the US and Canadian editions have been simultaneous, generally followed by releases in the United Kingdom.
2008 saw the release of five books in the saga: three in the original series, the first prequel, and the first installment of the spin-off. Five novels were also announced for 2010: two in the original series, two in the spin-off series, and the second book in the Private prequel collection. In addition to release dates, the tables below account for New York Times Best Seller list peak numbers.
| Book # | Title | US release | UK release | New York Times peak | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Private | July 1, 2006 | February 5, 2007 | N/A | |
| Reed Brennan starts her sophomore year at Easton Academy. She meets Thomas Pearson and eventually the two start dating. She also observes the Billings Girls, the most popular girls on campus. Reed will do anything to fit in with them. The novel ends with Reed being initiated into Billings and Thomas' disappearance . | |||||
| 2 | Invitation Only | November 7, 2006 | July 2, 2007 | N/A | |
| The first continuation of the series, following Reed's ongoing journey as she discovers the fuller extent of what it means to be a Billings Girl, with the issue of blackmail entering the picture and secrecy becoming more prominent. Also, Reed finds out about an exclusive party called the Legacy and tries to find a way to get in. At the end, it is revealed that Thomas Pearson was murdered and his body has been found. | |||||
| 3 | Untouchable | December 26, 2006 | November 3, 2007 | N/A | |
| This edition focuses on the mystery surrounding the lost life of a major character. While dealing with the repercussions, Reed finds a new love interest, but is soon faced with an ethical dilemma as he becomes a suspect in the case. | |||||
| 4 | Confessions | April 24, 2007 | March 3, 2008 | 7 | |
| The fourth entry concludes Reed's first year at Easton, along with the series' first arc. Several revelations are presented surrounding the campus mystery of Thomas Pearson's murder. | |||||
| Book # | Title | US release | UK release | New York Times peak | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | Inner Circle | August 28, 2007 | June 2, 2008 | 3 | |
| The fifth installment marked a new beginning for the series, following the initiation of Reed's second year at Easton and giving greater prominence to supporting characters—namely Constance, Astrid, Missy, Kiki, and Lorna. The ambitious Cheyenne Martin rises to new heights on the social scene, putting her at odds with Reed due to differences over the fate of Billings House. Cheyenne is later murdered. Additionally, a newcomer named Sabine arrives at Easton, joining the campus conflicts. | |||||
| 6 | Legacy | February 19, 2008 | August 3, 2009 | 2 | |
| As life changes rapidly, Reed is promoted to Billings president—leaving her to reap the benefits of her new position, while being simultaneously challenged by the various duties and expectations it brings. A central focus of the book concerns Reed's increasingly troubled relationship with Josh. This matter is fueled by a number of factors, including her growing commitment to her new position, the return of Noelle Lange, and the romantic advances of Dash McCafferty, who flirts with Reed via email and eventually in person. | |||||
| 7 | Ambition | May 5, 2008 | August 3, 2009 | 3 | |
| After the dramatic events of the previous book, Reed, president of Billings, is now tasked with preventing her dorm from being shut down. As part of a deal with Headmaster Cromwell, Reed soon learns that she must raise 5 million dollars in only one month. During that time, the Billings Girls attempt to find ideas for a grand fund raiser. Also, Reed begins to find things such as black marbles and Cheyenne's clothes in her dorm room, leading her to suspect Ivy Slade—Josh's new love interest—of planting these artifacts. | |||||
| 8 | Revelation | September 16, 2008 | October 29, 2009 | N/A | |
| After being exiled to Pemberley after a video of she and Dash was spread to the entire school, Reed must grapple with becoming an outcast, being Ivy Slade's new neighbor, and getting back into Noelle's good graces. Above all, she is faced with finding Cheyenne's murderer before they come after her, or anyone else who she loves. | |||||
| Book # | Title | US release | UK release | New York Times peak | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9 | Paradise Lost | February 24, 2009 | October 29, 2009 | N/A | |
| Paradise Lost follows Billings Girls new and old on a vacation to St. Barth's. The story briefly touches upon the love triangle between Reed, Josh, and Ivy—now complicated by Reed and Ivy's budding friendship. While on vacation, Reed meets a popular young man named Upton Giles, who becomes her newest love interest. However, Reed's closeness to Upton sparks jealousy, and she eventually becomes the target of several stunts, ranging from harmless to dangerous. | |||||
| 10 | Suspicion | September 8, 2009 | February 4, 2010 | N/A | |
| Suspicion picks up where Paradise Lost left off. Reed is eventually rescued by Sawyer, and decides to stay on the island, despite the numerous attempts on her life. She is eventually kidnapped and left on a deserted island, where she remains for six days until Upton and the police arrive. She later discovers that the mother of a girl named Paige had attempted to murder her because of previous sexual relations with Upton. The book ends with Reed parting ways with Upton on good terms, and arriving back at Easton to find Billings gone. | |||||
| 11 | Scandal | March 9, 2010 | May 27, 2010 | N/A | |
| Reed returns for a new semester at Easton with new friend, Ivy Slade, and newcomers to the school, Sawyer and Graham Hathaway. The Billings Girls come back to find their house demolished, splitting them up and making them regular Easton students. Reed goes back into her room to find a mysterious gift. The gift contains a book outlining the rules of the Billings Literary Society (BLS), a secret society the women of Billings created a long time ago. Reed recreates it with Ivy Slade. Playing by the rules, they only allow eleven of the fifteen Billings girls in, creating a divide. The book ends with Noelle missing and a mysterious text message. | |||||
| 12 | Vanished | August 31, 2010 | Sept. 2010 | TBA | |
| Noelle disappears, and to get her back, Reed must comply with the demands of Noelle's kidnappers. Strange revelations about Reed's family are unveiled in the process. | |||||
| Book # | Title | US release | UK release | New York Times peak | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 13 | Ominous | February 22, 2011 | March 2011 | TBA | |
| The Book of Spells is discovered by Noelle and Reed, and they begin unraveling the mysteries of magic with the rest of the Billings girls. Their lineage proves important as one by one, the Billings girls go missing, and Reed has strange dreams connecting the present with the past. | |||||
| 14 | Vengeance | August 30, 2011 | Sept. 2011 | N/A | |
| The final Private novel. Reed is rebuilding Billings House. Someone is against the creation of Billings House. They will do anything to stop Reed. A mysterious person texts warnings to Reed and in the end the Mysterious Texter is revealed, the people who were trying to stop Reed, and a major shock. This is where the seniors graduate and a new beginning for Reed at Billings starts. | |||||
Read more about this topic: Private (novel Series)
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