The Ultimate Test: The Lip Gloss Chronicles: Vol. 1

The ultimate test? Never dish on the same guy as your best friend. You know nothing good can come of it. It's the start of freshman year, and for some reason, Britney, Jasmine, and Sierra find themselves thrust into life at a public high school. The three girls have been attending private school since they were little, but all of their parents have decided they need to experience the public system now that they're starting high school. The girls know they're hip and all that, but when an older boy, DJ, starts showing interest in not just one of them, but two, attitudes erupt and tempers flare. Britney can see that DJ is a player, but Sierra and Jasmine are at each other constantly trying to gain DJ's attention. Britney is caught in the middle and doesn't know what to do. Then, Britney catches Marcus' eye. Marcus is DJ's cousin. He doesn't seem to be the player that DJ is, but can Britney trust him? As you can imagine, girl drama abounds in THE ULTIMATE TEST, the first volume in THE LIP GLOSS CHRONICLES. Britney has a great head on her shoulders and is a good role model for young girls reading this book. She's stuck in a situation that happens all the time in any school, urban or not. It takes a tough situation to make the girls come to their senses and realize that friends should always come before boys. THE ULTIMATE TEST is a fast read, but very relevant to teen life today. Except for some confusion over some of the city slang used in the book, this is a new series that is bound to please anyone that gives it a go. Reviewed by: Jaglvr

What does the "Lip Gloss" signify? Is it a stress buster, a nervous reaction or part of something bigger shared by three friends? As the story opens, Britney, Jasmine and Sierra are now in Plano High. This is a new playing field for the threesome, but they don't miss a beat. Clad in their latest fashion and flavor of lip gloss, the divas set out to mark their territory. Best friends since grade school, the challenges they face in High School will put a strain on their relationship that will have these young ladies at a cross roads. One will unwillingly become a mediator, another will forget the creed they vowed "All for One and One for All," while the other pulls away. I truly enjoyed Lip Gloss Chronicles Vol 1: The Ultimate Test by Shelia M. Goss and look forward to reading Vol 2: Splitsville and the third installment due out in 2010. Britney's story of her two best friends Jasmine and Sierra will remain with me long after I complete this review. Ms. Goss, thank you for reminding me about innocence and the flavors of life represented in the lip gloss. Reviewed by Missy for Urban Reviews

Ms. Goss has made her name as a bestselling author of `women's fiction'. With books like My Invisible Husband, His Invisible Wife, Roses are Thorns, Paige's Web and Double Platinum she's shown she can hold reader's interest in what some call `chick lit'. But now, she's branching out into something new... stories for and about Young Adults. Having read the drafts of this book and the upcoming books in the series I have to say, again, she's found her niche in this genre. Reading about these young girls and their trails you would swear that Ms. Goss was taking notes on her life while going through it so as to be able to tell these young girls the way it really is now. The pacing is flawless and the stories realistic and totally engrossing. Even if you don't have a teenage daughter but more importantly--if you do--don't miss any of the books in this series because the lessons taught here are not just for entertainment. Weight, peer pressure, teenage sex (should I, shouldn't I), fitting in and more--she covers it all in a clean refreshing way--no cursing and no graphic scenes. I would like to see the schools pick up these books for recommended reading... yes, I think they should.

The Ultimate Test by Shelia Marie Goss is the prolific author's first novel for and about young adults. From the first page, the reader is caught up in the flavor, authenticity, and language of young adults and how they feel, think, and respond to what goes on around them. Destiny Franklin is a young, beautiful, rich fly-girl. She and her friends, Sierra and Jasmine, have been girls since grade school and they share everything. The three of them are very excited about their freshman year at Plano High School. However, they are going to find out that with growing up comes growing pains. On the first day of school, the young ladies set their eyes on D.J. and immediately Sierra and Jasmine are smitten. Britney is not impressed with him and is amazed that her friends will potentially allow a boy to come between them. There are also other girls on the scene, such as Tanisha who is also interested in D.J. and will possibly fight for his attention but, surely these classy young women know better than that? The trio face other issues that are as important as boy troubles. Britney is horrified to discover her parents are expecting another child when she is a teenager and has been an only child. Sierra is dealing with weight gain and how that affects her self-esteem. And, though she will never admit it, Jasmine is dealing with jealousy of a friend. Will these young ladies be able to grow up and stay together or will the tests they face tear them apart? Ms. Goss answers these questions and more in her wonderful novel about young girls in today's world. I recommend The Ultimate Test to all readers. Teens will be able to relate and appreciate and older readers will reflect and remember. Angelia Menchan APOOO BookClub