CHG Homecoming Queen Book Review

Preview as Listed on the Back Cover:
{Mix six teenage girls and one '60s fashion icon (retired, of course) in an old Victorian-era boarding home. Add boys and dating, a little high-school angst, and throw in a Kate Spade bag or two...and you've got the Carter House Girls, Melody Carlson's new chick lit series for young adults!}

The Carter House experiences a shake-up as one of its own returns home after an unnerving disappearing act. Then, friction grows as a school homecoming queen race heats up, turning friends and housemates against one another. DJ, Eliza, Taylor, Kriti, Rhiannon, and Casey show they have plenty of lessons to learn as the votes roll in. Some grow smarter and closer to God, while others seem to make the same mistakes over again.

Despite all their differences and disagreements, the Carter House girls continue to grow together, forging a bond that strengthens through hardship. Hearts can change, and friendship paves the way for at least one girl to move closer to God.

The Story (Spoilers!)

Read my first book review here and my second book review here.

Guess who's back? Back again? Yep, Taylor. She just pops into DJ's/her room which cause DJ to throw an onslaught of questions at her. To which Taylor responds, "I'll talk about it more tomorrow." In the morning, everything sort of settles, though no one has any idea where exactly Taylor's been. Rumors fly around her return, but the most important thing is DJ trying to tell Taylor that Casey was behind the whole scandal. Taylor flips out and, of course, is going to press charges.
While Taylor was away, the drama class (which I'm fairly certain all the Carter girls are in) already had auditions for the rendition of South Pacific. Although Taylor's missed the auditions, the drama teacher allows her to audition for the lead, a role Rhiannon also auditioned for and did rather well at. Rhiannon is cast for the role, but she offers Taylor the role in exchange for Taylor not pressing charges against Casey. Taylor accepts, and everyone agrees that Taylor will keep her word.
After another typical day at school, one of Connor's friends Garrison starts flirting with Casey. DJ hopes to get them together on a double date to a movie with her and Connor, but while they are outside at DJ's car, DJ spots a little boy about to cross the street in oncoming traffic. Being the athletic, speedy Gonzalez that she is, DJ shoves the kid out of the way and is rammed by an SUV. After a visit to the hospital, DJ has broken her right leg and cracked a few ribs. This obviously devastates the athletic crazed DJ and draws quite a bit of local media attention, proclaiming her as a hero.
The newest word at school is that Haley, some girl who was Connor's ex-girlfriend, has moved back into town. While everyone insists that she is sweet and kind, DJ is a bit nervous about where she, Haley, and Connor all stand with one another. In an attempt to speed along her physical therapy/recovery, DJ arranges to do laps at the local pool. While there, DJ realizes that Haley is on the swim team so she practices at the same pool. The two get to talking where Haley admits that she moved on from Connor to another boy in the town she was living in. DJ understands that Haley really is as kind as everyone's been saying, and she even offers DJ rides to the pool.
While DJ is recovering, she's been taking Vicodin to numb the pain. However, DJ starts noticing that her pills are slowly disappearing. After accusing Taylor, and Taylor calmly denying that she has not be dipping into DJ's stash, Taylor confesses that she believes the culprit to be Casey. After DJ confronts Casey, Casey reacts too defensively, sparking an intervention from DJ, Rhiannon, and Taylor. Casey agrees to return DJ's remaining pills and attend a session with a drug counselor.
At the Carter House, Mrs. Carter has set up a fashion show for some unmentioned cause. The girls are all required to model (even "invalid" DJ) in the show and must take lessons at the house on being a professional, elegant model. The show even coincides with homecoming weekend, making it a well-attended event. Mrs. Carter hopes this show will launch Eliza and Taylor's careers into modelling (since that seems to be one of her main reasons for bringing the two into her boarding house program).
More news at school, the votes for homecoming queen are trickling in. Eliza, Taylor, and some snooty girl Madison have all been elected. Taylor decides to run the "do-nothing" campaign, while Eliza enlists Rhiannon and Kriti's help. Everyone is surprised, however, that DJ has been nominated as a write-in, probably because of her heroic act to save the little boy. Additionally, Connor and Haley have been spotted hanging out a bit too intimately - according to Taylor, they were even kissing in the parking lot. This leads DJ to break up with Connor, especially after talking to Haley, revealing that Haley does still like Connor.
It's the night of the homecoming game, and Eliza's parents have flown into town, certain that their daughter is going to snatch the crown. To everyone's surprise (or maybe not) DJ wins! It's mentioned that DJ's mother also held the homecoming queen crown when she attended school at the same high school, and she would be proud of who her daughter has become.
Personal Reflections and Opinions:
To address an earlier comment from a previous blog, Rhiannon has not decided to get back with Bradford. Not to say that she won't, but so far she's not willing to take him back yet. So, phew. Thank you, Lord.
I'm really starting to like Taylor. She makes a lot more sense to me now. She's pretty frank with everything, though sometimes she does hide things about herself, but usually only to make a point. Taylor is honest, which is weird to me. I think that might only seem weird because of how closed off she tends to be; I'm used to the transparent honesty.
Rhiannon's sacrifice for Casey is a smaller scale version of Christ's sacrifice for us. Casey owes Rhiannon like crazy, but Rhiannon's not going to force her to do anything to repay her. Same with Jesus. Jesus took the hit for us and gave up His life when we were the one who deserved it. A nice touch I think. Speaking of Casey, I still really like her too. She does own up to what she did to Taylor, and apparently gets very creative with her public apology. I only wish Carlson had written those specifics down.
Also, I think Taylor was behind the DJ write in campaign. Or maybe I'm giving her too much credit. Taylor is still frozen out by the rest of the girls, but they seem to be drawing together again. Inch by inch. Taylor and DJ have become quite good friends; I just hope this isn't all leading up to some massive betrayal plot twist.
DJ and Connor's relationship is annoying me. They're supposed to be so natural together, like they can talk about anything. But instead of talking, they both end up jumping to conclusions or just cutting each other out. I bet they hook back up in book four. And break up in book five. And so goes the pattern for the rest of the series.
Oh, and since Casey's kind of in a relationship, does that mean Kriti's going to meet someone? She's kind of out of the loop. I hope she does; I really like her, but I'm just not seeing enough of her! Where's her problems? Crushes, family drama, trouble at school? I hardly remember she's made the debate team. At least if she gets a guy, I'll read more about what their deal is. And Eliza too actually. Four girls down, two to read on about I suppose.
That's just about all I can think of for now. May be edited in light of new perspectives and opinions.
Happy Reading and God Bless,
EPD