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Mates, Dates #3
Mates, Dates and Portobello Princesses
Nesta has met the perfect good-looking, fun, sweet boy. But there are problems too. Simon's from a rich, upper-class background with a lifestyle to match and it's difficult for Nesta to keep up. And then there's Simon's friend Cressida. The ice queen. The Portobello Princess. Not one to give in, Nesta is determined to impress the new crowd, but finds herself out of her depth. Luckily she has Lucy and Izzie to help her reassess what really matters...
160 pages, Paperback
First published September 27, 2001
19 people are currently reading
1066 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 75 reviews
April 18, 2015
This book was so much fun to reread, and I flew through it in only an hour or two. Nesta is such a funny character, and the friendship between the girls is what makes this series so great. When I was about about 13, this was my favourite ever book series. Now, 7 years on, i still enjoy it. It's just a great story for girls of all ages.
May 3, 2022
I liked this book more than the last one in the series so I give it 2.5/5 stars. I thought the plot was okay but I felt that Nesta was whiny and I didn't really like her. I appreciated that Nesta's struggles with racism were brought up and addressed in this book as I feel it's a very important topic. However, I wished that they had spoken about it more instead of briefly mentioning it as a problem she'd faced and then never talked about again.
March 19, 2021
It’s nice to be able to read a short, easy-going book after being in such a groove of reading horrors and thrillers. I haven’t read this book since middle school and I forgot how much I loved the series. The message the book sends is cute and I can’t wait to see if my library has more from the series.
June 8, 2018
Oh teenage girls. Sometimes you just need a light book - nothing to serious unless you are a teenage girl- then everything is serious
March 14, 2017
This was definitely my favourite so far. I loved the different themes explored in this book, and how Nesta grew as character. I will definitely read this one again. I can't wait to continue with the series.
July 15, 2007
Mates, Dates, and Designer Divas is Nesta's book. She falls in deep smit with Simon, who is definetely upper crust. Nesta's used to being the "rich" one amongst her set, but Simon's world is one of riding and designer duds. Mainly, his sister's friend is a straight up racist bee-otch and Nesta's having a major crisis of self-esteem. And Izzie's singing with Ben's band, which is pretty neat-o. Nesta also gets wasted, which is funny. But this is where the first "translation" issues really become apparent. As you are probably aware, in England, a public school is what Americans would refer to as a private school. In dealing with Richie Rich and his gang, Nesta says she also goes to a public school because, as she later tells the girls, the public is allowed at their school. HA HA HA HA. At least, I think that's what she said, because they translated the public school to a private school to make sense to American audiences, making the next few lines of the book make absolutely NO sense.
December 29, 2016
Collective Review
I first read a couple of these books in 2006. I had a long bus trip and grabbed a couple of the series from a local bookstore. I had no idea they were part of a huge series. Over the years I had forgotten the names of the books but every now and then would try to find them. I finally found them this year from a ŷ list. Yay!
I really enjoyed this series. I think the main reason is because the books were released in 2001 and the girls are 14. I was 13 in 2001 so can connect with a lot of the pop culture aspects mentioned throughout the series. Even though the series is based in England I still feel a sense of nostalgia while reading it.
I really love the girls and their friendship. I never had a close knit group of friends like this when I was younger so I liked reading about it. They are a bit too boy crazy for my liking but I really did love this series.
I first read a couple of these books in 2006. I had a long bus trip and grabbed a couple of the series from a local bookstore. I had no idea they were part of a huge series. Over the years I had forgotten the names of the books but every now and then would try to find them. I finally found them this year from a ŷ list. Yay!
I really enjoyed this series. I think the main reason is because the books were released in 2001 and the girls are 14. I was 13 in 2001 so can connect with a lot of the pop culture aspects mentioned throughout the series. Even though the series is based in England I still feel a sense of nostalgia while reading it.
I really love the girls and their friendship. I never had a close knit group of friends like this when I was younger so I liked reading about it. They are a bit too boy crazy for my liking but I really did love this series.
October 29, 2014
The main character of this book is Nesta, different from Mates, Dates,#2. She falls in love with a good-looking boy Simon who is rich and the background is better that Nesta's. His friend Cressida doesn't like Nesta and alway say something bad to her. At the end they break up and Cressida isn't Simon's friend anymore.
The book is interesting and I enjoy reading it.
The book is interesting and I enjoy reading it.
January 27, 2009
This is a really good book for girls ages 11-16. If you like girl drama/gossip you will love this book.
August 18, 2012
This book was a little better I liked that it was from Nesta's point of view.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 5, 2016
This might appeal to teenage girls, but it did nothing for me. I found Nesta absolutely annoying.
February 27, 2021
I thought Nests was the sh@t when I was a kid. Now I can see that she was a terrible person 😂
July 11, 2022
Buenos días!
¿Cómo están? Yo estoy muy feliz porque pude terminar un libro después de muchísimo tiempo. Si bien es un libro cortito, se siente como un logro muy grande.
Este libro llegó a mis manos en mi cumpleaños cuando unas amigas, a quienes quiero un montón, me lo regalaron.
Nunca había leído nada de Cathy Hopkins, y me pareció una lectura muy ligera e, incluso, inocente. La historia se centra en Nesta, una adolescente que está transitando esta etapa como puede, y que a veces se deja llevar por querer más.
La historia es entretenida. Si bien habían partes en las cuales yo pensaba "no puede ser que esté leyendo esto", ya que habían partes que yo consideraba inapropiadas. El libro salió en 2009 y al saber esto, pude entender mejor algunos aspectos de la historia.
La historia deja un mensaje hermoso de apreciar lo que tenemos; y que la gente que en verdad nos quiere, nos quiere por quienes somos, y no por lo que podemos dar.
Siento que es un buen libro para introducir a niños de 12 en adelante, a la lectura. Claro, siempre y cuando se tengan en cuenta los aspectos con los cuales no estamos de acuerdo y abordemos eso de manera correcta (como los comentarios sobre los cuerpos ajenos que aparecen a lo largo de las páginas).
Disfruté mucho de la lectura de este libro, y me hizo bien para desconectarme y viajar, mentalmente a Londres, y presenciar lo que le sucedía a la protagonista.
¿Cómo están? Yo estoy muy feliz porque pude terminar un libro después de muchísimo tiempo. Si bien es un libro cortito, se siente como un logro muy grande.
Este libro llegó a mis manos en mi cumpleaños cuando unas amigas, a quienes quiero un montón, me lo regalaron.
Nunca había leído nada de Cathy Hopkins, y me pareció una lectura muy ligera e, incluso, inocente. La historia se centra en Nesta, una adolescente que está transitando esta etapa como puede, y que a veces se deja llevar por querer más.
La historia es entretenida. Si bien habían partes en las cuales yo pensaba "no puede ser que esté leyendo esto", ya que habían partes que yo consideraba inapropiadas. El libro salió en 2009 y al saber esto, pude entender mejor algunos aspectos de la historia.
La historia deja un mensaje hermoso de apreciar lo que tenemos; y que la gente que en verdad nos quiere, nos quiere por quienes somos, y no por lo que podemos dar.
Siento que es un buen libro para introducir a niños de 12 en adelante, a la lectura. Claro, siempre y cuando se tengan en cuenta los aspectos con los cuales no estamos de acuerdo y abordemos eso de manera correcta (como los comentarios sobre los cuerpos ajenos que aparecen a lo largo de las páginas).
Disfruté mucho de la lectura de este libro, y me hizo bien para desconectarme y viajar, mentalmente a Londres, y presenciar lo que le sucedía a la protagonista.
November 16, 2021
Anh vẫn muốn được gặp lại em dù em có kinh khủng, cộc cằn và đại ngang bướng. Anh cũng có những ngày cảm thấy như vậy mà. Anh đồng ý chân thật là tất c� trong một mối quan h�. Chấp nhận nhau không ch� là những mặt tốt.
Có l� do mình đã � quá xa cái tuổi mộng mơ ngây thơ này rồi nên đọc cuốn này có hơi lâu chút :D
Hóa ra "những nàng công chúa Portobello" không phải là đ� ám ch� b� ba Nesta, Lucy và Izzie. Nhưng các cô gái nh� ấy, dù gì cũng đã sống kiêu hãnh không khác chi những nàng công chúa cao quý, đem đến những tình cảm tốt đẹp cho mọi người xung quanh.
Những cô bé tuổi teen đọc b� sách này s� nhận ra mình trong từng nhân vật, từng câu chuyện thú v� mà b� ba cùng nhau trải qua, hẳn s� đạt được s� thấu cảm nhiều hơn mình :')
-----
Btw, bạn nào muốn mua sách đẹp với giá hợp lí thì ghé page mình xem nha :") <3
Có l� do mình đã � quá xa cái tuổi mộng mơ ngây thơ này rồi nên đọc cuốn này có hơi lâu chút :D
Hóa ra "những nàng công chúa Portobello" không phải là đ� ám ch� b� ba Nesta, Lucy và Izzie. Nhưng các cô gái nh� ấy, dù gì cũng đã sống kiêu hãnh không khác chi những nàng công chúa cao quý, đem đến những tình cảm tốt đẹp cho mọi người xung quanh.
Những cô bé tuổi teen đọc b� sách này s� nhận ra mình trong từng nhân vật, từng câu chuyện thú v� mà b� ba cùng nhau trải qua, hẳn s� đạt được s� thấu cảm nhiều hơn mình :')
-----
Btw, bạn nào muốn mua sách đẹp với giá hợp lí thì ghé page mình xem nha :") <3
Read
July 16, 2023#1 mates, dates, and inflatable bras unrated
#2 mates, dates, and cosmic kisses unrated
#3 mates, dates, and designer divas unrated
#4 mates, dates, and sleepover secrets unrated
#5 mates, dates, and sole survivors unrated
#6 mates, dates, and mad mistakes unrated
#2 mates, dates, and cosmic kisses unrated
#3 mates, dates, and designer divas unrated
#4 mates, dates, and sleepover secrets unrated
#5 mates, dates, and sole survivors unrated
#6 mates, dates, and mad mistakes unrated
May 13, 2018
I really enjoyed these books when I was younger. I’ve definitely matured, and not sure I’d enjoy them too much now. But great for younger readers, say about 11-14? Silly and fun but you get to love the main characters
July 7, 2017
Prevazila ovakve knjige, ali morala sam da procitam nastavak. Simpa je bas. Opis gde Nesta ulazi u sobu svojih drugarica na kolenima i prica da nije vredna klanjajuci se, urnebesna.
October 20, 2019
Such a cute book. Nesta is such an interesting character to hear her side is refreshing
June 9, 2020
Quick Review:
Utterly adorable YA teen romance from the early 2000s.
Utterly adorable YA teen romance from the early 2000s.
October 20, 2020
So so quick & easy to read!
In this book we join Nesta on her journey of being broke, finding love, making time for her long standing friends & dealing with racism.
In this book we join Nesta on her journey of being broke, finding love, making time for her long standing friends & dealing with racism.
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August 9, 2022No me gustó mucho . El hecho de que ella saliera con un mayor es como mmmm.
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June 2, 2023Same 2011 cache of books.
June 11, 2024
Mi fav de la colección 💝 cutie
June 13, 2025
Such a fun read!
September 3, 2016
"you Know what I really admire about you? Your amazing attitude. You Don't let anything faze you. It;s the kind of attitude we're always being encouraged to have at School. You're one of life's winners. other people give up before they've even begun but not you. you go for it."
Another Mates and Dates book, this time we got to learn more about the Fashionasta of the Group Nesta. Nesta is experiencing some "In-built Free-floating Depression" as she likes to call it as she learns the fine fashion of balancing the art of being broke, dating boys, dealing with emotions and trying to maintain relationships with her mates Izzie and Lucy.
Nesta also has to deal with Racism but I like how the Mates Dates took the approach. It's very subtle in the way that the plot addressess it however it's probably quite outdated in terms of plot approach when you take into account the Youth of today and how topics like Race is currently being addressed in today's Young Adult fiction.
Again I quite like the mates and dates series by Cathy Hopkins. They are quick reads with each novel focusing on some really good insight into the struggles of being a teen. If you really think about what you are reading the books can help you figure out who you are too. However they keep it light and keep it fun and if you can get past the British Slang which may even be outdated in regards to the British Youth of today, they really are a fab read.
Merged review:
I registered a book at BookCrossing.com!
Another Mates and Dates book, this time we got to learn more about the Fashionasta of the Group Nesta. Nesta is experiencing some "In-built Free-floating Depression" as she likes to call it as she learns the fine fashion of balancing the art of being broke, dating boys, dealing with emotions and trying to maintain relationships with her mates Izzie and Lucy.
Nesta also has to deal with Racism but I like how the Mates Dates took the approach. It's very subtle in the way that the plot addressess it however it's probably quite outdated in terms of plot approach when you take into account the Youth of today and how topics like Race is currently being addressed in today's Young Adult fiction.
Again I quite like the mates and dates series by Cathy Hopkins. They are quick reads with each novel focusing on some really good insight into the struggles of being a teen. If you really think about what you are reading the books can help you figure out who you are too. However they keep it light and keep it fun and if you can get past the British Slang which may even be outdated in regards to the British Youth of today, they really are a fab read.
Merged review:
I registered a book at BookCrossing.com!
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September 9, 2009 I read Mates, Dates, and Designer Divas as an IR book. This was about how Nesta was trying to keep up with a boy who she liked but couldn't keep up with his life. She met him on the train when it was jammed.packed and wound up falling on his lap. Basically he was rich to her. At the same time she kept getting bullied by Cressida. That fact is can Nesta catch up with him.
One connection i have is an text-to-movie. Once i saw in a movie that Mary in Another Cinderella Story said she was falling for a guy who she wasnt meant for sort of like Nesta. She didnt seem she thought she was right for him niether Mary. So they connect.
I rate this book stars. I rated it 5 stars because the moments where Cressida said stuff the plot escalated to something even more interesting. Like when she said things like simon just wanted to show her off things got interesting. I coulsnt put the book down. So as always i recommmend this book to someone who likes this series.
One connection i have is an text-to-movie. Once i saw in a movie that Mary in Another Cinderella Story said she was falling for a guy who she wasnt meant for sort of like Nesta. She didnt seem she thought she was right for him niether Mary. So they connect.
I rate this book stars. I rated it 5 stars because the moments where Cressida said stuff the plot escalated to something even more interesting. Like when she said things like simon just wanted to show her off things got interesting. I coulsnt put the book down. So as always i recommmend this book to someone who likes this series.
October 7, 2015
I really liked this book. This is by far one of my most favorite book series i started to read. One message of the book that stuck out to me, is when one of the main characters named Nesta decided to act like she was rich or had "style" to impress her soon to be boyfriend.He then found out and told her he liked her the way she was, rich or comfortable. The characters are around my age and they live in North London. I like how the book takes place in North London because sometimes you can imagine yourself reading the words with a British accent. i mistakenly read this book out of order of the series but i took my time to understand it and this book is great. I would definitely recommend this book to teenage girls out there because the way the author uses the drama of everyday in the teen life, Hopkins still makes the book fun and that is why i loved reading Mates, Dates, and Designer Divas.
January 2, 2010
Nesta meets a boy named Simon. He is from a completely different world. Simon comes from a rich family. He has an easy life, he could spend money whenever he wants and doesn't have to worry about it. Nesta is the total opposite. So she does whatever she can to keep up with him. There was an external conflict between Lucy and Izzie with Nesta. The main characters are Nesta, Lucy, and Izzie. The setting is in London.
Text to Self. In this book Nesta changed herself to impress the guy she really liked. She did almost anything to "fit in" with him and his friends. I could connect to this because I changed just so I could keep a guy I really liked interested in me.
I gave this book 4 stars because this book is a resonable fairy tale ending type of book. It isn't incredibly fairy tale, but it ends happy in a different, more real-world type of way.
Text to Self. In this book Nesta changed herself to impress the guy she really liked. She did almost anything to "fit in" with him and his friends. I could connect to this because I changed just so I could keep a guy I really liked interested in me.
I gave this book 4 stars because this book is a resonable fairy tale ending type of book. It isn't incredibly fairy tale, but it ends happy in a different, more real-world type of way.
Read
January 19, 2010 I read this book as an IR book. This book was another sequel to Mates Dates series. Again its about their life style and how they make it through living like princesses. Not really princesses but acting like one. They go through the book dealing with boys, their friendship and of course living like a princess.
I can relate to this book by a text-to-self connection. I can connect this to myself because when i was little i wanted to be a princess. I loved all the Disney characters and pretended to act like one sometimes. But they were older and it wasnt exactly like princesses.
I gave this book stars. I give this book 5 stars because i like this series. I love how it relates to real life. And how it relates to a real teenagers life. How it goes through boys, friendship etc. I recommend this book to someone who likes this series and real life.
I can relate to this book by a text-to-self connection. I can connect this to myself because when i was little i wanted to be a princess. I loved all the Disney characters and pretended to act like one sometimes. But they were older and it wasnt exactly like princesses.
I gave this book stars. I give this book 5 stars because i like this series. I love how it relates to real life. And how it relates to a real teenagers life. How it goes through boys, friendship etc. I recommend this book to someone who likes this series and real life.
July 10, 2017
This book is from Nesta's point of view and talks about some serious issues: prejudice, open-mindedness, elitism, the real value of money, appreciating what's really important in life, honesty in relationships.
Nesta learns we don't have to belong to a certain social class to fit in, that just because we belong there it doesn't mean all of us encompass its full characteristics.
We also get a follow-up on Izzie's and Lucy's developments, road to aspirations and relationships.
Personally, I liked the fact that Nesta always considers getting things for her friends and helping them achieve their dreams, in her own dreams of being rich.
Nesta learns we don't have to belong to a certain social class to fit in, that just because we belong there it doesn't mean all of us encompass its full characteristics.
We also get a follow-up on Izzie's and Lucy's developments, road to aspirations and relationships.
Personally, I liked the fact that Nesta always considers getting things for her friends and helping them achieve their dreams, in her own dreams of being rich.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 75 reviews
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