When last DJ Lane went to bed, her roommate Taylor was still missing. Not knowing what has become of her after she disappeared, DJ is awakened by noise in the middle of the night. The door softly closes and DJ screams out her roommate's name, demanding to know where she has been. With promises to tell all the following morning, DJ is partly enraged and partly relieved. At the least, Taylor is now safe. Thank you, God.

So begins the newest adventures of the Carter House Girls. Melody Carlson spins another fun-spirited, sometimes teenage angst-ridden story in which a small group of unlikely girls must share bed and board without tearing each other apart. The owner of the fashion-oriented establishment is DJ's retired fashion model grandmother, whose priorities are frequently as shallow and changeable as the newest fashion rag. Still, DJ, a new Christian, is discovering how God can and does make Himself known in both small and large ways.

DJ continues to try to mend the fences between Taylor and Casey (whose online character slandering has her in deep trouble with Taylor) when she plays the hero and throws herself in the way of an oncoming SUV that almost hits a little boy. She lands herself in the hospital with a broken leg and bruised ribs, which just about does her in emotionally as she's always been the strong, independent, athletic one. After undergoing surgery, DJ returns home and finds herself the center of the town's attention and being lauded as a hero. Despite all the fanfare, she struggles day to day to overcome her injuries through physical therapy and re-entering school despite her pain.

While Taylor plays nurse to her, DJ isn't completely trusting of Taylor's motives. When her pain meds come up missing, she accuses Taylor of taking them. Taylor denies it and then hints that she knows who did steal them. Not convinced, DJ hides them again in a different spot yet finds more missing. Finally believing Taylor, she and the others confront Casey, who admits to stealing the drugs. While the truth is out, what to do about it is another matter. The girls are already on opposite sides of the homecoming queen competition, so getting them to agree on anything is almost impossible.

Then Connor's old girlfriend moves back to town, and Haley, as sweet as she can be, tries to befriend DJ. Tensions and emotional doubts run sky-high as DJ confronts her own insecurities about their budding relationship. Drama, as always, makes its daily appearance, and she is challenged to trust God with her physical limitations and the changing face of her relationships.

As is her custom, Carlson concludes HOMECOMING QUEEN on a high note but with the promise of upcoming antics that will surely include how the teens see themselves both inside and out.

   --- Reviewed by Michele Howe, Single Parenting Expert (www.Bizymoms.com)