Mexico

Notes from a Spinning Planet #3

by Melody Carlson

Madison Chase’s holiday break is drawing to a close and she’s eager to leave the gray Washington winter and join her Aunt Sid on a warm vacation to Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. Maddie is pleasantly surprised when her good friend Ryan McIntire shows up to enjoy the trip with them, and she looks forward to spending time with him. But when Ryan runs into his high school crush, the beautiful Shelby Wagner, Maddie’s jealousy threatens to spoil their sun-drenched days.

Unsure of her relationship with Ryan, Maddie distracts herself by befriending a local girl, Francesca Tarrago, who is both intelligent and hardworking but lives in deep poverty. As Maddie does what she can to help Francesca, she discovers a secret that Shelby has been keeping from all of them. Can Maddie put aside her conflicted feelings and love Shelby enough to help her?

This third book in the Notes from a Spinning Planet series invites young women to the romantic beaches of Mexico to explore a love deeper than simple affection and the meaning of true sacrifice.

Genres: Young Adult, Christian, Fiction, Christian Fiction, Romance, Teen, Realistic Fiction

225 pages, Paperback

First published August 21, 2007

About the author

Melody Carlson is the award-winning author of over two hundred books, several of them Christmas novellas from Revell, including her much-loved and bestselling book, The Christmas Bus.

She also writes many teen books, including the Diary of a Teenage Girl series, the TrueColors series, and the Carter House Girls series.

Melody was nominated for a Romantic Times Career Achievement Award in the inspirational market for her books, including the Notes from a Spinning Planet series and Finding Alice, which is in production as a Lifetime Television movie. She and her husband serve on the Young Life adult committee in central Oregon.

Reviews

[Gabrielle McVay · Rating 5 out of 5]

REALLY good! I encourage many Christians to read this book because you’ll realize all Christians face challenges and there are good and bad ways to handle it🤠

[Pat · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an easy quick read about a young college student who was invited to travel to Cabo San Lucas with her aunt during her winter break. They are surprised to find that their Irish friends Ian and Ryan will be joining them. Then they run into a friend from Ryan's high school years - a beautiful girl. The plot thickens, as they say.
It was an easy read with some interesting info about Mexico, travel, and relationships.

[Melissa (Semi Hiatus Until After the Holidays) · Rating 3 out of 5]

OK young adult book, but not as good as some of her other series.

[Medomfo · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such a fun read, and I loved seeing how Madie helped her friends with their problems through faith and action.

[Danielle Turko · Rating 4 out of 5]

Maddy is thrilled to get away from the winter blahs in Washington, and join her aunt Sid in Mexico for a final vacation before she transfers to Seattle university and moves in her. Their dream vacation gets off to a bumpy start, with nearly missing their flight then a delayed landing and less than ideal resort. When Sid's friend Ian and godson Ryan join them, Maddie is sure the vacation is on an upturn with the hope that she and Ryan can take their friendship from Ireland and turn it into something more now. Those hopes are dashed when his childhood crush Shelby is staying at the same resort and Maddy suspects Ryan isn't as over Shelby as he claims. Another eye opened is just how truly different life is in Mexico when she meets a new friend Francesca who shows her just what real life problems can be.
This was the second book in a row I read by her that had an unusual ending for this author. It was almost like they ended in mid thought this time. I kind of think she was setting it up for a 4 book in the series but then never wrote it. I did read this book but not the second and had no confusion in this book so don't worry if you didn't read the others as you will still be able to read the books just fine

[Alex · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first book was only okay, but the second one was great and this last one was even better!

I’m really going to miss Maddie and her adventures.

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

had the perfect balance of everything I enjoy reading about: vacation, romance, new friends, personal issues, etc

[Jill Williamson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review by Jill Williamson

This time Maddie and Aunt Sid are on vacation. The timeshare Aunt Sid’s friend bought isn’t much of a vacation, though. Still, the ladies vow to enjoy themselves in beautiful Cabo San Lucas. In a surprise visit, Ian and Ryan show up. The guys have a great hotel, and Maddie is enjoying the visit when beautiful blonde Shelby—a girl from Ryan’s past—saunters into the picture. Maddie is jealous, but she and Ryan really aren’t a couple. So she preoccupies herself by helping her new friend Francesca find a better job.

This was a frustrating story! Shelby is annoying and she steals Ryan away from Maddie early on in the vacation. Maddie deals with it very well. She doesn’t go crazy with jealous anger, fits, or revenge. She simply goes on with her own life, trying to do what’s right and have fun. It isn’t easy for her, but any guy who has his priorities straight wouldn’t be blind-sighted by Shelby’s act for long. Ryan is no exception.

What I loved about this story was the fact that Maddie behaves so lovingly toward Shelby. It’s not only the right thing to do, but it’s attractive to Ryan because guys want a girl who is about something. Girls, if you want to catch a great guy, don’t chase him and put on an act. Be yourself. Maddie comes to the conclusion that if Ryan is really into Shelby and her wild ways, he really isn’t the guy for her. Too true. You’ve got to read this one to see how it all works out. Highly recommended.

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this addition to Carlson's Notes From a Spinning Planet series, Maddie and Aunt Sid take a vacation to Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, where they plan to have fun in the sun- and it seems to get even better when Ian and Ryan join them. But when things go amuck with their hotel and when Ryan bumps into his old highscool crush, things really look bumpy for Maddie. Will this vacation be a total disaster or is something special in store for her?
..........................................................................................
I really enjoyed reading this series and I hope Carlson continues writing about Maddie's adventures!

[Books and Literature for Teens · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this addition to Carlson's Notes From a Spinning Planet series, Maddie and Aunt Sid take a vacation to Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, where they plan to have fun in the sun- and it seems to get even better when Ian and Ryan join them. But when things go amuck with their hotel and when Ryan bumps into his old highscool crush, things really look bumpy for Maddie. Will this vacation be a total disaster or is something special in store for her?
..........................................................................................
I really enjoyed reading this series and I hope Carlson continues writing about Maddie's adventures!
REVIEW BY MORGAN

[Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was about a girl who went to Mexico with her aunt Sid. Then Sid's boyfriend and Mattie's really good friend came to Mexico too. Mattie was looking forward to spending a bunch of time with Ryan (because she had a crush on him). When Ryan's ex girlfriend showed up. It changed things for Mattie but it all turned out ok. Because mattie ended up making a friend named Francessca. She was so sweet and nice but her life was a little messed up. Without meaning to Mattie helped her set her life straight. The book ended up well. Everything turned out right. And Sid and Ian got engadged!

[Krista · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really didn't enjoy Maddie's judgemental attitude towards Shelby and her drinking. I mean at least in the end, she was supportive and tried to help Shelby but for the entire book, she was judging her for drinking. And not in the way of "hey isn't it a little too early to be drinking?" but more in "the girl is drinking, how horrible" I don't know I get that like she doesn't drink (even tho she doessss at some point the book) but doesn't mean you should judge each time someone else does. I loved Sid and Ian together, they like made the book.
4/5

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was not at all what I expected. I liked how it had one big story but the smaller stories it contained inside were what appealed to me the most. This book was not very long but because of the slow beginning took me longer to read. Once I got passed that it turned into a real quck read. I like how this book dealt with an alochol problem and also was about family and friendship with some culture thrown in there.

[Tessa Hall · Rating 4 out of 5]

What I liked: How it took place in Mexico on the beach, the well developed characters, the traveling theme, suspense. I also liked how the character had grown since the first book in the series.

What I disliked: I read this a while ago so I can't really remember the details that much, but there isn't much that I disliked about this book.

Other comments: I recommend reading in May or June since it made me so excited for summer :)

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book felt like a guide to Americans about how to travel to a different country and not be dumb.

It was a good wrap up book, and I'm glad I read it to finish the series. It kind of felt like there is going to be another book in the series, but I am guessing because the books didn't do so well, the author (or publisher) decided to scrap it. I'm kind of glad to see the series end.

[Kaite · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought this book was fantastic! I loved the ending. I think this series is one of the best Christian series that I've ever read. It shows more of what a real person would go through and do than just about any Christian books have that I have read. Everyone should read this series. This last book was the best, Paupa New Guinea 2nd best. Every book gets better than the last.

[Guitargirl · Rating 3 out of 5]

I maybe would have enjoyed it more if I realized it was in a series and it was the third book. But honestly along with all melody Carlson books the plot is not normally big and they are normally about drinking and super pointless things I don't really care about. I definitely don't blame Linz in this at all because I don't think she realized that it was in a series, I didn't.

[Aasha · Rating 4 out of 5]

i really liked this book, its about a girl who travels with her aunt. But i like these boks because God is so important to the main character. in this one she goes to mexico, this is also the last one of the three books, so im reading them backwards.

[Michelle Chase · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was great, along with the other two. I'm sad to think that this is the last one in the series. They mention New York at the end of the book, but I think Mexico is the last one. I wanted the series to last forever!!!!!!

[Jenna · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this one better than the previous book in the series, but still feel this isn't one of Carlson's best series. I'm finding that I like the new characters she introduces (Francesca, in this one) better than Maddie, and I could have done without Maddie's jealousy.

[Bethany · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well this book was ok, the only part I liked was when she got together with the guy.

[Kathryn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Better than PapuaNewGuinea but not as good as Ireland.

[The Third Place A Teen Library]

F CAR nfasp

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was just so so. A good way to show the priviledged American and how cultures are different and the importance of sensitivity in travel.

[Angela]

So far i think it has some good comedy and it is very nice of her to help the lady who works at the hotel find her family and allow her to spend time with her sisters.

[Kacie]

not as good as i remember the ireland one being.... but it was a fast read

[Brianna Moore · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was really good! I love'd the ending when Maddie and Ryan get together?

[April · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mad die and Sid go to Cabo for New Years. Ian and Ryan go to Mexico to be with them.

[Samantha · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was ok for me. I think I would have liked it a lot more if I had read the first two before this one. It kept me interested, even though it was very short.

[Serena · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really liked this one I am one for a love triangle like they have in this one. You have the jealousy and love triangle even though he doesn't know it.