I LOVED this series. Older teens only, not a book for young readers as it deals with highschool issues. ( )

It was fluffy. The entire series seems to have candy in the title (and how sweet, the heroine's name is Candace) so I'm sure the sticky sweet stuff continues. Perfect for me as I alternate between writing a paper on PTSD and watching World Figure Skating Championship performances. You can read these books in an hour or two. ( )

Innuendo: This is a clean teenage romance book. Some kissing.

Violence: None

Swearing: I don't think there were any problems

Drinking, Drugs, or Smoking: None

Age Appropriate: 14 and up ( )

Quick, fun and light-hearted with the foundation of a solid Christian worldview. The author doesn't shy away from the messiness of teen friendships/relationships. Quality! ( )

Rating: B

A little while back I reviewed With This Ring, I'm Confused because I was looking to see how published authors did light-hearted stories that had characters with doses of morality; I did that book because I couldn't find any YA Christian literature. However, lucky for me, I was able to find this series (and another, The Carter House Girls series, that I'll review separately) that fits the YA Christian fiction bill.

These books were decent, I started to like the characters the further they went on--perhaps because this author is kind of new and maybe her writing is getting better each time. Whatever the cause, Candace (and her friends and boyfriend) became more likeable as time went on. What irritated me with this series though is the same issues I've had with Kristin Billerbeck (see the With this Ring... review linked above), Christian fiction is way too heavy-handed. If you want to make your message really clear, make it clear, but don't preach. I think the reason I find this so grating is because the target audience is very likely Christians, who could probably draw the conclusions themselves without having the author come right out and put in a little prayer. Call me crazy, but some times I like to actually have to think for myself when I'm reading.

That's not to say that when the final installment in the series, The Spring of Candy Apples, comes out in late February 2009, that I won't be picking it up. Maybe I'm a glutton for punishment, or I can't stand to not find out what school Candace ends up going to (although I'm pretty sure I could make a safe bet now), but I've got to close the loop on this series.

All in all, a decent series for young adult readers (I'd say maybe 14-17, any older than that and it might be too silly and saccharine). I gave it an B because, as I read the other YA series, I found that (even with its flaws), the Sweet Seasons series could have been worse. The B is probably relative. ( )