Reviews

Six stars

This podcast is SUCH a fun listen. Marissa’s tone captures the youthful enthusiasm with which I originally experienced the series. Hurrah for schmaltzy soap-operatic YA, hurrah for 80s/90s nostalgia, hurrah for having a hobby and sharing it hilariously with the world. Thanks and keep going!

Jessica or Elizabeth
Sept. 23, 2023

Fantastic podcast and host

Marissa is the friend we all needed in the 80s/90s to guide us through the Sweet Valley universe. She’s smart, funny, and has become increasingly vulnerable over time in terms of how the gorgeous “perfect size six” twins affected her - and many of us. She does a great job with the recaps and analysis. My only slight critique (?) would be she doesn’t need a guest/co-host every time. Marissa, you got this. I like the banter, especially recently, but am also super happy to just listen to you ruminate on the latest book. Thank you for making this podcast!

Scp114
Aug. 10, 2023

So fun!

Love the hot takes on SVH! Total nostalgia for the books and the 80s, the fashion, the stories. I loved these books as a kid and an adult so really enjoy the recaps and the analysis.

coolakhani
Oct. 9, 2022

A perfect size six

I am foaming at the mouth waiting for the Jungle Prom.

Lolly the Janenius
Aug. 23, 2022

Great big dose of nostalgia!

Love the podcast, love Marissa and her guests, and love the trip down memory lane! I read most of these books in the 90s but I cannot believe how much I remember listening to these podcasts! Marissa and her guests are witty and entertaining and I’ve enjoyed listening to their commentary and comparing how these books would be so much different in todays times. Thank you Marissa for all of your hard work and dedication to bringing these books back to life!

SPIme
July 29, 2022

Very cool podcast

I love your story and keep it up

john loui
April 1, 2022

Are you a Jessica or an Elizabeth?!

I read these books in the 80s. I reread them in recent years realizing just how bonkers fun they actually are! Now having discovered Marissa Flaxbart’s indepth (yet light hearted) show- i’m loving the laughter and tears all over again. Marissa knows how to carry a show! It’s a Fun Listen and I’m hooked!

Roman Knows
Jan. 22, 2022

So much nostalgia!

I was absolutely obsessed with these books when I was a teenager and I recently bought a lot of books 1-91 and have decided to read them all in order. This podcast is the perfect companion to my endeavor. I’m only through book 5 but felt compelled to write a review because Marissa and her guests are so much fun to listen to. There’s just the right amount of snark but also just the right amount of discussion of the actual issues that the series brings up. Very thoughtful and very fun. This is the best SVH podcast out there. 10/10 would recommend.

chosenone76
Sept. 8, 2021

Guilty Pleasure

I am probably a bit older than most listeners of the podcast as I read the books in the mid to late 80s into the early 90s. If I’m being honest, I have to admit that I still pick them off my shelf and re-read them when I need some mindless entertainment! The podcast is great and I really enjoy the discussions surrounding the main stories and the B plots. I have found myself talking to Marissa and her guests reminding them that these books were written in the 80s when things were a lot different - when bullying wasn’t a big issue, mental health wasn’t something that was really discussed, etc. I do like the modern day take they have on these books and seeing how things have changed so much in 30 years. As a reader who grew up during this time, I take the books for what they are worth (no one was really reading Sweet Valley High for life lessons), but the fresh views are welcome and bring me out of the 80s mentality. If you were a fan of the Sweet Valley High series, this is a must listen! Marissa - I am always available if you’re looking for a new guest 😀

SScib
May 27, 2021

Sweet and enjoyable

This is what I think of as an “easy listening” podcast - always pleasant, not too serious, nice to have on while I’m doing something else. I really appreciate Marissa’s genuine enjoyment of the books, and she has some great, interesting guests!

Annesedz
May 11, 2021

What A Bright Little Corner in Pod-dom!

This pod got me through so many tough mornings during a very rough patch. The upbeat girly 80s theme song always made me smile, and was the teensiest bit of sunshine no matter how dreadful I felt. Marissa has a great rotation of guests - my favorite is her dad ! and I love when she brings in new readers who are discovering SVH for the first time. Those of us who have gotten a little too comfortable in the confines of Sweet Valley need the occasional reminder of truly bonkers it is to an outsider. She's sweet and earnest, and has a light touch even when picking up on the heavier themes in that 80s life. I'd love to say I'm Jessibeth...but who am I kidding? It's Enids all the way down over here...

VHong1882
May 6, 2021

TheSweetValleyUnicorn

I love this podcast! It’s my very first, and love how you and your peers go over each SVH book, even the special editions. I never read the book series accept to up book 12. I discovered the Sweet Valley world through the Sweet Valley Kids series, when I was seven. I also was a big fan of the television series.

Gqblatino
April 21, 2021

Definitely an Elizabeth...

Growing up I was always a Sweet Valley girl as opposed to the Babysitters Club. SWH never got the devotion and love it deserved (where is their Netflix reboot). I’ve been listening to this podcast for a few months on a recommendation, so I am no way caught up to date, but is is such a hilarious treat...love love love!!

Reed_NX01
March 22, 2021

Nostalgic fun. Just recommended this to my sister

My sister is a big fan of this series so when i listened i immediately shared it with her. Takes me down memory lane when i sued to steal one or two of her books and read. Great show Marissa

Chodogwu
Feb. 15, 2021

I’m ashamed ...

...I’ve been listening to this podcast for months and haven’t been smart enough to leave a review. And listen, Marissa is a SVH completist. She’s been immersed in this world through her blog and now podcast, and has really great insight, funny passage read alouds, and segments that breaks the books up into their hilarious tropes. Plus great guests too! Love it.

JenBooks12
Dec. 18, 2020

A fun trip down memory lane

I only read a handful of SVH books as a kid but this is a fun review of the books I remember and a good intro to those I never read. :)

sparklediamant
Nov. 20, 2020

Love this podcast!

Love the recaps! I was obsessed with all things Sweet Valley all through elementary school and junior high. The only thing I hate about the podcast is the breaks between seasons (not that I begrudge Marissa needing the time off!) because I’m unreasonably impatient for her to get to the point where SVH truly starts to get bananas, particularly the magnum opus of the SV franchise, The Evil Twin. So excited for this podcast to get to that era of the SVH novels especially since it sounds like it’ll be new material to the host since she said she’s only read the first 50. It’s going to be a long hard wait until we get there!

shriekingviolet
Nov. 20, 2020

So much fun!

Super funny recaps and discussions about these books so many of us grew up reading. I’ve loved catching up on old episodes! Engaging host with a lot of knowledge about the series, and I love listening to guests who are new to the world of Sweet Valley.

MeganBee1203
June 14, 2020

Witty Podcast!

I love this podcast! I laugh a lot!!

Anna Elizabeth Roy
March 28, 2020

Fun podcast

Takes on Sweet Valley with the right mixture of nostalgia & snark. Highly recommend!

Nora Bigs
Nov. 22, 2019

Come for the nostalgia, stay for the laughs and feminism!

A few episodes in and really enjoying this podcast--quality content, comforting, and entertaining. Thanks!

Erin Ber
Aug. 16, 2019

Love it!

I was born in 1982 and grew up with these books!

KeMurr
Aug. 1, 2019

Awesome podcast featuring awesomely bad books!

I love this podcast so much! I read some of these books as a middle schooler in the early 90’s (although I mostly read the “Twins” spin-off) so I was familiar enough with the characters to follow along. Plus Melissa and guests do a great job of filling in the plots before jumping into the “analysis” portion (i.e. pointing out how ridiculous most of them are), so you don’t need to actually read (or re-read!) in order to laugh along! Highly recommend!

anglmill
June 5, 2019

So much fun!

Marissa and her Selection of cohosts are always entertaining and make me laugh very hard. The nostalgia factor is there for me as I was a teenager in the 80s, and love these books more than life. While we all know the books are insane, they are reviewed in a loving way.

Big Skillet
April 11, 2019

Do You Love Sweet Valley

I read SVH back in the early 90s, and it’s so great to revisit those memories! Thanks, Marissa! Subscribe, you won’t be disappointed!!

Hihi!Jamie!
Jan. 27, 2019

Luv this podcast

When I was younger somewhere in the 3rd or 4th grade...the first books I’ve ever read was sweet valley twins and then I started to read sweet valley high.. and now in my 30’s and I’ve found this podcast and after I’ve listen to a few I find myself waiting impatiently for more 🤩🤩

Keenyaluv
Dec. 31, 2018

Loving!

I'm loving this more than I can say! So nostalgic, but relevant. It's snarky, but respectful. I'm loving the B story highlights, and the beautiful boy portion. Oh and I'd definitely say I'm an Elizabeth, but have grown into the self esteem of a Jessica.

ElisabetTX
Aug. 13, 2018

Where have these books been all my life?

I stumbled across this podcast over the summer, binge listened to the entire first season, and not so patiently waited for new episodes to premiere. As someone who missed the craze surrounding these books due to being a 90s baby, this was the perfect introduction to the series, and it left me wanting to know more. I'm getting ready to do some binge reading so I can catch up to the podcast and then read along with Marissa Flaxbart and her various guests as they dive into the beautiful insanity that is Sweet Valley High. I honestly can't recommend this podcast enough. Flaxbart makes the perfect host because while she's not afraid to shy away from talking about the problematic bits of this series, her humor and her critiques are the perfect fit, and they help to show why these books are so enthralling. Whether you've been a fan of the series for years or are a new reader like me, anyone who loves the cheesy goodness of a crazy teen drama will love this podcast.

SarcasticSlytherinPrincess
Aug. 11, 2018

Fun Nostalgia

Decent podcast, worth a listen. Both fun and nostalgic of the books I read as a kid in the 80s and 90s.

Foxfire01
May 19, 2018

Sweet Valley rides again

Marissa is one of the best podcast hosts I have ever listened to. She’s very cool and she doesn’t hesitate to be funny or cutting as required.

Alfrid the Oddball of Edoras
March 16, 2018