Stealing Bradford (Carter House Girls, Book 2) (Paperback)

by Melody Carlson (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
The Carter House girls are divided when two of them go after the same guy. Rhiannon and Taylor are at serious odds, and before it’s over several girls get hurt.

From the Back Cover
The Carter House girls are just getting to know one another when the subject of boys comes up. Rhiannon’s dating Bradford, the most popular jock in school, Eliza’s seeing Harry, and even DJ has dated Conner, although now he acts as if he doesn’t like her. Boys aren’t always easy to understand, but every girl in the house wants a boyfriend—and will do just about anything to get one. So when Taylor decides to put the moves on Bradford, Rhiannon is shocked and hurt. Mistakes are made and feelings battered … there is forgiveness for some and bitterness for others … but at the end of the day, the girls learn a valuable lesson about what it means to be a family.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Young Adult
  
• Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: Zondervan (May 1, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0310714893
• ISBN-13: 978-0310714897
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.4 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #108,279 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Trouble With Boys, May 31, 2009

By	Deborah "Books, movies, and Chinese Food" (Reston, VA) - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)

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.

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars 2nd books in series more YA drama, June 16, 2008

By	Christina Lockstein "http://christysbookblog.... (Oconto Falls, WI USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)

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.

4.0 out of 5 stars A decent sequel, but not as good as the first book., April 4, 2009

By	Michelle Sutton (Arizona) - See all my reviews

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.