Stealing Bradford

Young Adult edgy Christian fiction is fast becoming one of my new favorite genres. I am enjoying reading about teens in real situations who act like how teens really would act. I sometimes get tired of reading about Christian teens who are always doing the right thing. Yes, we are supposed to stand out and not be a part of the world but at least show how hard it is to confront your peers. This series continues to show that very struggle that happens within a boarding house modern day setting. Taylor keeps shocking me with her everything she does. She is the girl who you hated in high school because she could get away with everything and never got caught. DJ's grandmother is really starting to get on my nerves. I cannot understand what is going on in her head. She seems to care way too much on appearances and favoring those who hide their true intentions and suck up to her. Those that are true to themselves either get ignored or reprimanded. I'm hoping for the day when she finally decides to open her eyes and grows up. Some people might complain about how this book focuses too much about boys and dating and is inappropriate for young teens. I feel however that this book is targeted at older teens who are dating and experiencing the same thing the Carter House girls are going through. For fans of Gossip Girl and other secular teen lit, this is an example of the perfect alternative for them. It's Christian fiction, but it's not preachy, it's fun and hip, and has characters and situations they will be able to relate too. Liking boys is a natural part of a teen girl's life and this book shows the negative consequences of what happens when you let them take over your life. I've also been hearing that this series is in talks to be optioned as a TV show. I think this will be an excellent idea if it happens and as long as they keep the story and characters intact, I will be eager to watch it. I hope it will be able to introduce more readers to Melody's books as well.

Overall I enjoyed this book. Stealing Bradford was an easy read like the first story in the series. I'm not sure I enjoyed it as much, though. I appreciated how the issues with Connor and DJ were worked through, but since this is part of a series it's still unresolved at the end, which is okay, but I don't like too many loose ends. There was a big loose end that is sort of dealt with because you see the first chapter for the next book at the end of this one, but that's the only reason. Without that you'd be left hanging. It seems like the characters are becoming more three dimensional as the series progresses, which is good. I like how gradually the deepening issues with Taylor are emerging and being peeled away like layers from an onion. It's great how the author shows that when you attempt to get to know people who you don't like, you will often see that their pain drives them to act the way they do. That's definitely the best part of this story. The scenario with Taylor at the school reminded me of A Walk to Remember's conflict, almost as if it had been taken from that story. And last, I don't know why I kept seeing Taylor as a blonde in my mind's eye, then to find out she has a totally different parentage kind of threw me. Maybe I just missed that in the first book.

STEALING BRADFORD is the fast-paced follow-up to Melody Carlson's MIXED BAGS, the first book in the Carter House Girls series, and it doesn't lose a beat or its momentum. Beginning the morning after the party where she was dissed by boyfriend Connor, and then does some real soul-searching and invites Christ into her heart and life, DJ wakes up anxious for her first day at Crescent Cove High School. Getting ready, she deals with a jumbled-up mess of emotions and confusion about what just transpired between her and Connor the previous evening. Why did he reject her? Didn't he care? Is he interested in the high-strung, flirtatious Taylor now? Suddenly, DJ remembers Rhiannon's words to pray when you're in trouble and don't know what to do. So she does --- in the car on the way to school --- and can't believe that, despite the troublesome circumstances, she has peace inside her heart. Too bad the entire first day of school isn't such smooth sailing for her. DJ sees Connor, who abruptly excuses himself from her company. Lunch brings extra tension to the situation when DJ feels his rejection more keenly than ever and runs out of the cafeteria. As she retreats the emotional scene, DJ prays some more and tries to settle down. Ironically, God gives her plenty of opportunity for distraction from her own problems by offering her immediate challenges to love her friends (and enemies) in numerous practical ways. First, roomie Casey, with her Goth/Punk look, is receiving the wrong kind of attention at school. Not only does she get pushed into a locker, she is about to get beaten up while trying to sneak a smoke. DJ thinks fast and saves Casey from a real physical assault that finally begins to thaw the ice between the two former best friends. Feeling somewhat better after making a small impact on Casey, DJ is then thrown into the middle of another relational battleground --- this time between the snooty Taylor and DJ's Christian friend Rhiannon, and Rhiannon's boyfriend, Bradford. DJ must draw her own battle lines and try to get others to see past their own personal perspectives while she tries to figure out what she believes is right in this tangled trio of lost and newfound love. She does the noble thing and changes rooms at Carter House, saving Rhiannon from having to room with Taylor after Bradford breaks up with Rhiannon. In typical DJ style, she confronts Taylor and the two hash it out. Trying to see both sides is almost a full-time job for DJ, and she is relieved when she and Connor do their own "hashing it out" and work out their differences. Still, others at Carter House are not so forgiving. And when Taylor's MySpace page gets sabotaged with soft porn, she disappears. Now DJ and the girls must figure out where Taylor is, who is to blame, and what to do next. With its believable dialogue and highly comical teen situations, Carlson's readers will eager await book three in the Carter House Girls series. --- Reviewed by Michele Howe

Exactly how does someone steal a boyfriend? Doesn't the guy have complete control over who gets his heart no matter how alluring the temptation? That's precisely Taylor's point. The classic mean girl with an attitude kick starts a series of lessons we can all learn. I confess I jumped to the same conclusion as DJ when Bradford showed up to watch a movie at Carter House. Falsely accused, Taylor had it right. Things aren't always what they seem, and it's wrong and dangerous to make prejudiced assumptions. To DJ's credit, as she steps forward to walk out her faith, did seek out the truth and have the humility to apologize. Friendship and compassion take on deeper dimensions as Stealing Bradford invites the Carter Girls to look beyond the surface and embrace the true beauty hidden behind the mask. Both Goth Girl Casey and Terrible Taylor find safety and support as they open up and reveal the aching heart they've been covering. Tucked beneath the layers of protective competition, stay-away-from-me façade, and putting your best face forward are lessons only life can teach. The girls learn through bittersweet experience that manipulating a situation can backfire, mercy and forgiveness make friendship grow, fair trial precedes good judgment, you never know the pain someone is hiding, revenge is not sweet, and taking things to God takes the pressure off of you. When some trashy but phony pictures of Taylor flash across the internet, things take a dramatic twist and the moment of truth surfaces for the girls as they team up to find the disappearing diva en route to who knows where on her motorcycle in the rain... Stealing Bradford leaves you hanging onto a thread of hope while dangling at the edge of a cliff squinting to catch the slightest glimpse of what will happen next. To find out, stay tuned for Book 3, Homecoming Queen coming Sept 19.

Stealing Bradford by Melody Carlson is the second book in the Carter House Girls series. The personalities of the girls have been well established in the first book, now we get to see how they react to high school. Rhiannon and long time boyfriend Bradford seem perfect for each other until Taylor sets her sights on him, setting up the title of the book. When they split up, all of the other girls of Carter House set their sights on bringing Taylor down. Taylor is an over-the-top witch with a b, but as DJ spends more time with her, her vulnerability begins to show through, and it forces DJ to step forward in her faith. DJ's growing faith is refreshing and makes a nice addition to the series. Because she didn't grow up in a Christian home, everything about Christianity is new to her, and some of the toughest lessons for teens (or anyone): judge not, lest ye be judged, and love your neighbors and your enemies are struggles for her. My one disappointment for this book was the ending. Having recently read I Heart Bloomberg, I was surprised to find that Carlson had used an almost identical plot device in that book. While the two books have different audiences, it's not a good practice for an author.