Chelsea's dad drops two bombs on the same night. One, he has a new job and they're moving! And, two, he's getting married!

Chelsea groans --- and not too silently --- as she offers up plenty of outrageous disgust and does a pretty good job throwing a tantrum. Retreating to her room doesn't change the fact that within six weeks' time, she and her father will be relocating to San Jose, California, and soon thereafter welcoming Kate into their home as her new stepmother. 

Kate tries to understand Chelsea. She realizes Chelsea lacked self-esteem - a problem similar to what she endured as a teen. The now-perfectly beautiful Kate takes on the task of giving Chelsea, her wardrobe and attitude a complete makeover. When Chelsea starts school after vacations, it's like she's a completely different person--at least that's how people are treating her. With lots of mistakes and some humbling mishaps, Chelsea begins to understand that even beauty has a cost of its own, and she does some real soul-searching about who she truly is (inside and out).

The first book in Carlson's Life at Kingston High series is believable. She knows how to stir up those "wanting to be forgotten" moments of rejection and isolation everyone experiences, yet laces every heartache with hope, humor and lighthearted fun. This is a wonderful story for all ages, but highly recommended for teens. It will really make them think.

Melody Carlson is the award-winning author of over two hundred books with sales of more than five million. She is the author of several books including the bestselling The Christmas Bus, The Christmas Dog, and Christmas at Harrington's, which is being considered for a TV movie. She is also the author of many teen books, including Just Another Girl, Anything but Normal, Double Take, and the Diary of a Teenage Girl series.

She is the winner of the Romantic Times Career Achievement Award in the inspirational market for her many books, including the Diary of a Teenage Girl series and Finding Alice.