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Carter House Girls #4
Viva Vermont!
Mix six teenaged girls and one ’60s fashion icon (retired, of course) in an old Victorian-era boarding home. Add guys 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! Christmas is coming and Mrs. Carter treats the girls to a weekend trip to General Harding’s luxurious Vermont ski lodge. Naturally, she has no idea that Taylor has invited some guys to follow them―boys who have a different type of adventure in mind. As usual, Mrs. Carter does not pay close attention to the girls’ activities. When a dinner outing and small accident keep her away overnight, DJ, Eliza, Taylor, Kriti, Rhiannon, and Casey are quickly in over their heads. As a party gets completely out of hand, only God’s help can get the Carter House girls out of this gigantic mess.
206 pages, Paperback
First published October 5, 2008
25 people are currently reading
436 people want to read
About the author
Melody Carlson
418 books3,241 followersMelody 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.
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.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
August 19, 2016
At A Glance
Genre: Young Adult; Christian
Love Triangle/Insta Love/Obsesion?: Triangle.
Cliff Hanger: No
Rating: 2 Stars
Score Sheet
All out of ten
Cover: 7
Plot: 5
Characters: 5
World Building: 6
Flow: 4
Series Congruity: 7
Writing: 6
Ending: 6
Total: 5
In Dept
Best Part: Good intentions
Worst Part: Pity parties.
Thoughts Had: bored; more bored.; who cares.
Conclusion
Continuing the Series: eh.
Recommending: eh.
Short Review: I feel like i'm just reading a PSA. and the pity party this girl threw was crazy, then she gets out of it in like a 30sec conversation with a sick little girl. WTH
Review in GIF Form:
Genre: Young Adult; Christian
Love Triangle/Insta Love/Obsesion?: Triangle.
Cliff Hanger: No
Rating: 2 Stars
Score Sheet
All out of ten
Cover: 7
Plot: 5
Characters: 5
World Building: 6
Flow: 4
Series Congruity: 7
Writing: 6
Ending: 6
Total: 5
In Dept
Best Part: Good intentions
Worst Part: Pity parties.
Thoughts Had: bored; more bored.; who cares.
Conclusion
Continuing the Series: eh.
Recommending: eh.
Short Review: I feel like i'm just reading a PSA. and the pity party this girl threw was crazy, then she gets out of it in like a 30sec conversation with a sick little girl. WTH
Review in GIF Form:
March 12, 2019
2.5 stars
Reeeeeally high on the angst and drama. I find I’m liking Conner more than in previous books. Taylor and Casey are up to their old tricks. DJ seems to have a good head on her shoulders and I like Rhiannon. The grandmother, however, I don’t care for at all. She’s a terrible guardian to the girls.
Reeeeeally high on the angst and drama. I find I’m liking Conner more than in previous books. Taylor and Casey are up to their old tricks. DJ seems to have a good head on her shoulders and I like Rhiannon. The grandmother, however, I don’t care for at all. She’s a terrible guardian to the girls.
September 19, 2016
About this book:
“Christmas is coming and Mrs. Carter treats the girls to a weekend trip to General Harding’s luxurious Vermont ski lodge. Naturally, she has no idea that Taylor has invited some guys to follow them—boys who have a different type of adventure in mind.
As usual, Mrs. Carter does not pay close attention to the girls’ activities. When a dinner outing and small accident keep her away overnight, DJ, Eliza, Taylor, Kriti, Rhiannon, and Casey are quickly in over their heads. As a party gets completely out of hand, only God’s help can get the Carter House girls out of this gigantic mess.”
Series: Book #4 (of eight) in the “Carter House Girls” series. (Book #1 Review Here! #2 Here! #3 Here!) {Another series by this author, “On the Runway” mentions these characters after the final book. {Read #1 of that series review Here!} I personally would read the CHG series then the OTR series. :) }
Spiritual Content- Quite a few Prayers; A few Scriptures are mentioned & read; Bible reading; ‘H’s are not capital when referring to God; Mentions of youth group & Bible reading; A few mentions of God.
Negative Content- Minor cussing including: a ‘darn’, a ‘sucks’, a ‘sheesh’, a form of ‘wimp’, two ‘freaking’s, two ‘idiot’s, three ‘dumb’s, four ‘duh’s, and fifteen forms of ‘stupid’; Taylor curses (said, not written); Sarcasm, sass & eye rolling; Girls clash and there’s some fighting & slapping involved; Girls (not DJ) get hung-over (up to semi-detailed); Taylor drinks & smokes; A party with alcohol & drunks; Mentions of underage drinking; Mentions of drinking, booze & beer; Mentions of drugs, pain & Casey going to counseling; Mentions of throwing up (up to semi-detailed); Mentions of a girl who tries to kill herself (up to semi-detailed); A couple mentions of drowning someone;
*Note: Mentions of Victoria’s Secret; Set near/on Halloween (can mention creepy/spooky things, up to semi-detailed).
Sexual Content- Touches (barely-above-not-detailed); a ‘babe’, a ‘skanky’, two ‘witch’s, thee ‘hot’s and four ‘sexy’s; Taylor is called “the evil seductress”; DJ sees Taylor & her boyfriend “going at it on Taylor’s bed” (no details); DJ & Conner share a bed, but nothing happens (mentions of what could/could have happen/ed, but nothing did); Mentions of Conner saying that Haley wanted to have s*x, but he didn’t; Mentions of couples at parties in bedrooms (no details); Mentions of seductive smiles; Mentions of seeing couple making out; A mention of Book #1’s steamy car make-out session; A mention of Book #2’s Myspace mess; A mention of a harem; A mention of a brothel; Lots of boys, boyfriends & girlfriends, dating, breakups, exes, & all that drama;
*Notes: Taylor wears clothing that shows her ample cleavage; Taylor dresses up as a “sexy, seductress type of witch” for Halloween; Mentions of Taylor getting Casey to buy a lingerie set (she also buys one, up to semi-detailed); Mentions of guys in speedos & girls in swimsuits; Mentions of eating disorders.
-Desiree Jeanette “DJ” Lane, age 16
P.O.V. of DJ
206 pages
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Pre Teens- One Star
New Teens- One Star
Early High School Teens- Two Stars
Older High School Teens- Three Stars
My personal Rating- Two Stars (and a half)
{Add 1-2 stars for girls in Public & Private School}
This one was never my favorite in this series, personally. Never quite sold on Conner. ;)
Link to review:
https://booksforchristiangirls.blogsp...
*BFCG may (Read the review to see) recommend this book by this author. It does not mean I recommend all the books by this author.
“Christmas is coming and Mrs. Carter treats the girls to a weekend trip to General Harding’s luxurious Vermont ski lodge. Naturally, she has no idea that Taylor has invited some guys to follow them—boys who have a different type of adventure in mind.
As usual, Mrs. Carter does not pay close attention to the girls’ activities. When a dinner outing and small accident keep her away overnight, DJ, Eliza, Taylor, Kriti, Rhiannon, and Casey are quickly in over their heads. As a party gets completely out of hand, only God’s help can get the Carter House girls out of this gigantic mess.”
Series: Book #4 (of eight) in the “Carter House Girls” series. (Book #1 Review Here! #2 Here! #3 Here!) {Another series by this author, “On the Runway” mentions these characters after the final book. {Read #1 of that series review Here!} I personally would read the CHG series then the OTR series. :) }
Spiritual Content- Quite a few Prayers; A few Scriptures are mentioned & read; Bible reading; ‘H’s are not capital when referring to God; Mentions of youth group & Bible reading; A few mentions of God.
Negative Content- Minor cussing including: a ‘darn’, a ‘sucks’, a ‘sheesh’, a form of ‘wimp’, two ‘freaking’s, two ‘idiot’s, three ‘dumb’s, four ‘duh’s, and fifteen forms of ‘stupid’; Taylor curses (said, not written); Sarcasm, sass & eye rolling; Girls clash and there’s some fighting & slapping involved; Girls (not DJ) get hung-over (up to semi-detailed); Taylor drinks & smokes; A party with alcohol & drunks; Mentions of underage drinking; Mentions of drinking, booze & beer; Mentions of drugs, pain & Casey going to counseling; Mentions of throwing up (up to semi-detailed); Mentions of a girl who tries to kill herself (up to semi-detailed); A couple mentions of drowning someone;
*Note: Mentions of Victoria’s Secret; Set near/on Halloween (can mention creepy/spooky things, up to semi-detailed).
Sexual Content- Touches (barely-above-not-detailed); a ‘babe’, a ‘skanky’, two ‘witch’s, thee ‘hot’s and four ‘sexy’s; Taylor is called “the evil seductress”; DJ sees Taylor & her boyfriend “going at it on Taylor’s bed” (no details); DJ & Conner share a bed, but nothing happens (mentions of what could/could have happen/ed, but nothing did); Mentions of Conner saying that Haley wanted to have s*x, but he didn’t; Mentions of couples at parties in bedrooms (no details); Mentions of seductive smiles; Mentions of seeing couple making out; A mention of Book #1’s steamy car make-out session; A mention of Book #2’s Myspace mess; A mention of a harem; A mention of a brothel; Lots of boys, boyfriends & girlfriends, dating, breakups, exes, & all that drama;
*Notes: Taylor wears clothing that shows her ample cleavage; Taylor dresses up as a “sexy, seductress type of witch” for Halloween; Mentions of Taylor getting Casey to buy a lingerie set (she also buys one, up to semi-detailed); Mentions of guys in speedos & girls in swimsuits; Mentions of eating disorders.
-Desiree Jeanette “DJ” Lane, age 16
P.O.V. of DJ
206 pages
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Pre Teens- One Star
New Teens- One Star
Early High School Teens- Two Stars
Older High School Teens- Three Stars
My personal Rating- Two Stars (and a half)
{Add 1-2 stars for girls in Public & Private School}
This one was never my favorite in this series, personally. Never quite sold on Conner. ;)
Link to review:
https://booksforchristiangirls.blogsp...
*BFCG may (Read the review to see) recommend this book by this author. It does not mean I recommend all the books by this author.
January 7, 2010
Yes! The fourth book in the carter house series has come! Mrs.Carter is taking the girls out for a ski trip in vermount but is unawere that the girls have brought some boys along. This makes Mrs.Carter a little curious as to why the girls act so strange. Mrs.Carter cannot have the girls goofing around at a time like this especially when she is visiting the Genral! Will D.J. be able to help the girls stop all this foolishness and be young adults for once? Can she also help Mrs.Carter show that she can handle these crazy girls? All is what the girls need now is God`s help.
December 26, 2018
This was the fourth book in an entertaining series of Christian YA novels, which thankfully I was able to get from the library unlike the second and third books of the Carter House Girls series. Like the first three novels, this one was also well written, and I enjoyed seeing how the characters were developing. I am so glad I started this cute series.
May 24, 2024
The comment about why would anyone want to text when calling is quicker and easier did earn a chuckle, but also aged the book. Nothing else stands out to comment on though. Everything seems rushed though.
October 7, 2018
Read 6 chapters and gave up. Shallow, silly, and just kind of boring.
July 1, 2025
These girls can sure find trouble
November 1, 2018
Very wholesome book. Not for everyone but I really enjoyed it. Although it does deal with some heavy topics.
February 13, 2011
Here is everything about this book:
Characters:
My favorite was Mrs. Carter,I somehow liked her personality (though I'm betting you a hundered bucks you don't agree with me). She is very straight forward and knows what she wants,I just can't believe the girls weren't more afraid of her. I saw D.J. as a good character, but there were a whole lot of characters in this book and I would have liked it better if there were less. I don't know what to think about Taylor, she was just too bratty and spoiled and kind of made me want to throw down the book- hard .
Plot:
The plot was interesting but there wasn't much progress, not only on the christian side of their lives but on their modeling career and everything else too. I can't say I loved the plot here, could have been a lot better,... The author wasn't really trying to make it into something good, I don't admire such slow going books. The characters almost didn't mature at all during the book, staying pretty much the same which was disappointing.
Writing:
I can't say a lot about writing, especially since this is my first time reading a book by Melody Carlson but it would have been even better if she thought more about what her readers where expecting to read... She put in christianity a few times at the beginning but it would have made more sense to keep it up till the end (after all, isn't that the main cause of her novel or what?)
Depending on the person, I would recommend...
Interest level: Medium
Reading level: Easy
Characters:
My favorite was Mrs. Carter,I somehow liked her personality (though I'm betting you a hundered bucks you don't agree with me). She is very straight forward and knows what she wants,I just can't believe the girls weren't more afraid of her. I saw D.J. as a good character, but there were a whole lot of characters in this book and I would have liked it better if there were less. I don't know what to think about Taylor, she was just too bratty and spoiled and kind of made me want to throw down the book- hard .
Plot:
The plot was interesting but there wasn't much progress, not only on the christian side of their lives but on their modeling career and everything else too. I can't say I loved the plot here, could have been a lot better,... The author wasn't really trying to make it into something good, I don't admire such slow going books. The characters almost didn't mature at all during the book, staying pretty much the same which was disappointing.
Writing:
I can't say a lot about writing, especially since this is my first time reading a book by Melody Carlson but it would have been even better if she thought more about what her readers where expecting to read... She put in christianity a few times at the beginning but it would have made more sense to keep it up till the end (after all, isn't that the main cause of her novel or what?)
Depending on the person, I would recommend...
Interest level: Medium
Reading level: Easy
July 12, 2015
SUMMARY: Mix six teenaged girls and one ’60s fashion icon (retired, of course) in an old Victorian-era boarding home. Add guys 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! Christmas is coming and Mrs. Carter treats the girls to a weekend trip to General Harding’s luxurious Vermont ski lodge. Naturally, she has no idea that Taylor has invited some guys to follow them―boys who have a different type of adventure in mind. As usual, Mrs. Carter does not pay close attention to the girls’ activities. When a dinner outing and small accident keep her away overnight, DJ, Eliza, Taylor, Kriti, Rhiannon, and Casey are quickly in over their heads. As a party gets completely out of hand, only God’s help can get the Carter House girls out of this gigantic mess.
REVIEW: Good read for young girls probably 14-16. Shows both the wild side of teenagers as well as those who are trying to follow God's will for young people. Did find DJ annoying but typical in that she didn't want to be a whistle blower on the shenanigans going on behind her grandmother's back. But at least she and her friends did stand up for what was right in the end. I did like that she realized that she had to continue to pray for the girls who were causing her problems even though she still didn't like them.
REVIEW: Good read for young girls probably 14-16. Shows both the wild side of teenagers as well as those who are trying to follow God's will for young people. Did find DJ annoying but typical in that she didn't want to be a whistle blower on the shenanigans going on behind her grandmother's back. But at least she and her friends did stand up for what was right in the end. I did like that she realized that she had to continue to pray for the girls who were causing her problems even though she still didn't like them.
July 1, 2016
5 Stars! The fourth installment of the Carter House series.This book continues on with the journey of the carter girls. This book picks up the day after DJ is crowned homecoming queen and so happens to be the day of the fashion show. The fashion show turned out successful even with the chaos on the runway. The girls convinced grandmother to host a halloween party and the party got out of control. The girls continue their life at school and of course there is drama! Connor breaks up with Hayley and wants to be friends with DJ again. This creates enough drama at school. DJ is being threatened and receiving some nasty texts messages. DJ's leg is healing and she still swims after school. She is a natural swimmer and she decides to join the swim team from the invitation of the coach. Mrs. Carter treats the girls to the General’s ski lodge in Vermont. The girls are excited. The boys were invited by Taylor to go on this trip along with them. They have a weekend filled with fun, parties, skiing, and drama. It is interesting the friendships and relationships that are forming in the Carter House. This is a great book in the series. I really recommend this series for teen girls! Love the Christian aspect to the book. It has the perfect touch. 5 stars!
July 31, 2010
Sometimes it seems like certain people will never learn from their mistakes...and then they often drag other people into their messes. Luckily, DJ is able to hold her own and rallies up some of the other girls to put a stop to the wild behavior displayed by Eliza and Taylor. This series has done a swell job of keeping me riveted to the story and wanting to know what is going to happen next. I also feel like Melody Carlson accurately portrays a new Christian who is struggling to find a balance between sharing her faith with others and deciding when she needs to just focus on her own salvation. I'd recommend this series.
*Taken from my book reviews blog: http://reviewsatmse.blogspot.com/2010...
*Taken from my book reviews blog: http://reviewsatmse.blogspot.com/2010...
March 2, 2012
I often sound like a broken record when I review books in this series, so, let me be brief and honest: Viva Vermont! is yet another episode in the tale of six girls in a boarding house owned by a former model that deals with serious issues in a tasteful yet effective way. What brings this down is some suggestive details (albeit ones that probably wouldn't bother most female readers) and the usage of crude terms such as "skanky" and "brothel," which would probably confound teens who have been largely sheltered; I know, I was one. Still, I'm waiting to see what happens in the final two installments.
January 2, 2010
Okay, a lot of this book had a plot line that irritated me. I am totally over underaged drinking and so glad I'm out of high school (not that I even knew it was going on) and college and not near it anymore.
I liked some of the other plotlines and the book moved at a pretty fast clip. I like how this series moves together well. The first chapter of this book took place the day after the last page of the last chatper of the last book in the series. Good continuity.
I liked some of the other plotlines and the book moved at a pretty fast clip. I like how this series moves together well. The first chapter of this book took place the day after the last page of the last chatper of the last book in the series. Good continuity.
December 12, 2011
This is probably my least favorite of Melody Carlson's teen series. They're just so short and frivolous. This one, though, was the worst. I can't believe DJ just let Haley and her friends harass her. The first time they called her a boyfriend stealer, she should have thrown it back in their face. HALEY came back into town and stole DJ's boyfriend. Then Connor broke up with her and started hanging out with DJ and now DJ "stole Haley's boyfriend?" UGH! This whole book irritated me.
June 9, 2010
Hmm. I think I'm gonna stop reading this series. DJ is SO flaky. "I'm a Christian. But I'll follow God ooooooonly when I feel like it."
And okay, I know some OCD people. Some people can be REALLY obsessive compulsive. But it doesn't lead to suicide!!!
And okay, I know some OCD people. Some people can be REALLY obsessive compulsive. But it doesn't lead to suicide!!!
September 4, 2014
Sigh.... why do I keep reading these? xD
October 9, 2009
this book is the best book so far out of this series.
Read
March 22, 2010F CAR chg bk.4
May 16, 2010
really great book!!!!
September 27, 2010
Pretty good, I'm glad Elisa learns some stuff, not that she really changes much...
March 9, 2012
Like the books before this, I really liked it. Right&Wrong and Good&Bad influences are questioned when the Carter House girls go to Vermont for a weekend.
November 24, 2012
Omg love this book series
July 12, 2013
These books keep me guessing, and I like it. It is a good book! It has many meanings, and I enjoy reading this series.
Read
January 11, 2015It was exciting!
June 10, 2015
good book
December 21, 2011
I love this series!
March 24, 2012
Really good!
Read
January 10, 2013Highly Recommed it!!!! Evety girl needs to read this book
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews