My Beautiful Disaster

Review by Jill Williamson Dixie didn't used to be popular. But when she got the chance to hang out with Heather and Tammy a few years back, she jumped at the chance. Ever since she's been a part of the in crowd. The girls who matter. Her life is filled with shopping, parties, and gossip. She might have to bend the rules every now and then, but that's just the cost of cool, right? At least that's what Dixie tells herself when Heather and Tammy talk her into getting a fake ID. The girls sneak into a bar to see a local band and Dixie falls in love instantly with the band's lead singer: the handsome, mysterious, and talented Vince. There is nothing Dixie won't do for Vince because she knows that this is true love. But before long, things start to change. Dixie's fun isn't so fun anymore. Vince doesn't give her as much attention as he used to. A creepy guy keeps hanging around. And what's with Vince and that new lead singer, Pamela? Dixie is sweet, naive, and totally loveable. At first it annoyed me that she hung around with Heather and Tammy, who were not the best of friends even when they tried. But as Dixie experienced heartbreak, I fell in love with her humanity. None of us are perfect and every girl is looking for true love. Dixie's journey is a real eye-opener for girls to get to know a guy before they allow their heart to attach. If now, they might find out the hard way that they didn't really know him at all. If you haven't read Ms. Buckman's first in this series, be sure to check out Maggie Come Lately (The Pathway Collection #1).

Dixie was just a normal teenage girl who had her life all figured out. Have fun, shop, skip homework whenever possible, and spend all her free time hanging out with her best friends Heather and Tammy. Then she meets Vince Evans, lead guitarist in a hot new band. Dixie falls hards. She is a romantic, believing in love at first sight, and she wants Vince.But how high a price will she have to pay to be his girl, and does he really love her as much as she loves him? Michelle Buckman is a terrific writer, and her teen books are serious, intriguing, with fascinating characters. My Beautiful Disaster, teaches a very important lesson, without being preachy. I passed my copy on to my niece, with instructions to read it. She reported that she had a waiting list of friends who wanted to read it next. I wish every teenage girl I know could read this book, it's that good. This one is strongly recommended.

I love it when books are enjoyable to read, but I love it even more when, during the reading, you learn a little something about yourself, about life, and about others. In "My Beautiful Disaster", Michelle Buckman has created a character that literally leaps out of the pages and into your heart. I guarantee...you won't be the same after reading this book. Mothers and daughters alike should read this amazing series. After reading Dixie's story, I realized just how easy it is for me to be like the members of Dixie's former church. I realized just how much I don't know about girls in Dixie's position, and just how easy it is to go from good girl to wounded with just one casually made decision. I love that Michelle let's us inside Dixie's head. We get a front seat as Dixie works through the steps that lead her to where she ends up. The mental talking to and convincing she goes through reveal a lot about the inner workings of today's teen girls. It isn't enough to preach to them and try to convince them of God's truth...we must understand them as well. And books like "My Beautiful Disaster" are excellent tools to bridging the gap between knowing and believing. Not only is this a wonderful book for moms, youth leaders, and anyone who works with teens and preteens to read, but it would be a wonderful gift for your teen aged daughter, niece, granddaughter or friend. I only caution you on this...if the maturity level or age level is below 16, pray about it and read it first. Michelle's books are real, gritty, and don't hide from life's toughest questions. The Pathway Collection is blazing a new trail in Teen-Lit, and I for one think it's about time we got real with our girls, and using these books will help our girls get real about God. My Beautiful Disaster" reveals to teens that they are rough cut jewels...because all of our girls and guys need to know they are precious jewels in God's crown...just needing a few rough edges smoothed out. And pray that they all let God do the smoothing...because the world can leave them feeling jagged and torn.

Having been outside enviously looking at the in crowd, Dixie Chambers feels she has made it when she gets to join the popular kids and attend the best parties. Life has never been better for Dixie until she meets rock and roll singer Vince Evans. She vows to do whatever it takes to make him her boyfriend even if it does not feel right. However, once he gets what he wants from her, he ignores her. When Dixie learns she is pregnant, Vince could not care at all as that is her foolish problem. Feeling all alone and afraid to tell her parents, Dixie blames God for her current mess. Although she realizes that Vince and her new pals will not be there for her; her former best friend who she dumped would stand by her as a BFF does and so will the Lord if she embraces him. The Pathway teen tale (see Maggie Come Lately; not reviewed) is a fascinating character study starring a young girl who just wanted to be in, but faces the complex issue of pregnancy. Michelle Buckman makes her case that even in the darkest moment faith in God helps an individual confront their demons. This is a well written inspirational young adult tale that will have readers think about their choices while giving hope even if the selection turns out wrong. Harriet Klausner