Customer Reviews

Where Do I Go? (Yada Yada House of Hope Series, Book 1)

5 star:		(44)
4 star:		(13)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Half a million people, according to Amazon.com, read the yada yada prayer group series books. So did I.

So, I wondered whether I would enjoy a second series. Yes! This book (the first in the series) introduces readers to a somewhat depressed woman who seems to be casting about for meaning in her life. She moves to a new city with her husband. Their children are back east, finishing the school year at a private school. No friends. No contacts.

And, as the author moves into the story, the husband reveals himself as critical and self-absorbed.
At first I felt annoyed at Gabby, the main character. I thought, "stop being such a wimp." Then, I realized that Gabby was trapped in a marriage with a verbally and emotionally abusive husband. Suddenly, I didn't feel so annoyed by her inability to stand up for herself. I began to see the spirit-crushing, self-esteem destroying effects of emotional and verbal abuse. Her story began to look more and more like the stories of so many women I've met during years of pastoral ministry. I began to be on her side - wishing I could take her out for coffee and say, Gabby, you deserve to be treated with love.

This book is long overdue in Christian literature. Emotional and Verbal abuse is rampant - and often women don't understand that the criticism, silent treatment, name-calling or dismissing of their presence and words is actually abusive behavior. * Neta Jackson has opened a window into this reality for all of us and for the Christian community.

What I love about this book is the unexpected places where Gabby does find love. The doorman in their Chicago high-rise. A homeless woman who hangs out at the nearby beach. Then, a shelter for homeless women. A college-age Latino newlywed with a cute, anglo husband and an adopted baby.

These people change Gabby. They also prop her up during the tornado that happens when her abusive husband escalates his control of her and her entire life....I won't tell you how - read the book and find out!

This book moves beyond the Yada Yada Prayer Group series as we get to know someone seeking love and needing a place to stand that's safe and whole.

Once again, Neta Jackson uses music (the title is from a great song about "where do I go.....I go to the Rock."


* If this sounds all-too familiar, you might read The Verbally Abusive Relationship by Patricia Evans

When the storms of life assail you, when life seems to be no more than a juggling act out of control, when all else fails, Neta Jackson's book gently reminds you to "Come Home." The characters are real and the situations of life all too familiar. The story encompasses all of life's trauma: verbal spousal abuse, elder care, homelessness, adoptive issues, relocation, parenting, floundering faith, etc. Everyone can identify with something in this story, especially the basic need to "Come Home." I loved this book and can't wait for the next one in the series!

To the outside world, Gabby Fairbanks would seem to have it all - a wealthy, successful husband, a penthouse apartment, and two sons she loves, but appearances are not everything. She has just been uprooted to Chicago for her husband's new business venture, is having marital difficulties, and her children are hundreds of miles away at boarding school. She is lonely and lost. When she trips over Lucy, a homeless woman, at the beach, she is introduced to Manna House, a local homeless shelter for woman. She soon begins to spend more and more time there, to her husband's chagrin. The staff and residents there offer her acceptance and an outlet for her God-given talents. She also begins rediscovering a relationship with God. She is attempting to trust in God and do what God wants, but it isn't helping things go any smoother. Her marriage is even more on the rocks, her mother needs care, and her relationship with her sons is challenging at best. Gabby is a likable character and readers will truly care about what happens to her. It is a very enjoyable read. The only caveat in reading this book is that there is no definite resolution. As part of a series, readers will need to wait another year to find out what happens to Gabby. I'm looking forward to the next installment.

I did not finish this book because it just seemed to drift as the story materialized. I am a big advocate for helping the poor and homeless, but it just seemed bizarre how Gabby happened upon the homeless lady and what followed. I also thought that the husband, Phillip put himself and his "position in business" ahead of his wife and family. I would think that Gabby's first hint of discord between her beliefs and Phillip would be that their two boys are in a boarding school! It just seemed out of character to the real world. I bought this book based on the high ratings, but disappointed.

Although this book is one of a series, it is a stand-alone read. I have not read any of the Yada Yada books, and yet I read this one without having any missing pieces. The protagonist, Gabby, is a likeable mother-of-two whose successful husband lands her in a high-rise luxury apartment in Chicago, right on Lake Shore Drive. Gabby's a free spirit--someone who thinks that Lake Michigan is made for her to dance in. She enjoys the simple things in life. Unfortunately, her husband wants a corporate wife--someone who will help him move to the upper crust of society. They seem to be polar opposites.

And that's where there's conflict. Gabby's perfect world begins to crumble, and the reader witnesses her scrambling to keep it together. Does she succeed? I needed a tissue for this one. The end does not conclude as I thought it would. Oh, you must buy this xbook and find out!

Love Neta's writing. Not real deep and a true escape from my own reality. I love reading about other women and their life issues and how they allow God to be involved in their life and the lives of their loved ones. And, Neta weaves an intertwining story through SO many different people-types; earth suits of all colors and from all nations. Loved the Yada Prayer Group books and I'm going to love the House of Hope series just as much. Way to go Sis!!!

I do enjoy Christian fiction, but this story would appeal to even those who usually don't. The characters were well developed, and although I could guess where a few of the story lines were going, I was surprised by the (great) ending.....although I hope there's a sequel SOON. The book was a really fast read, in part because the characters were realistic and I wanted to learn more about each one as I read--well, except for the jerk husband of Gabby whom I wanted to slap!

I think one of the aspects I found appealing was that the novel took place over a short amount of time, so you really got in-depth details about the characters, story lines, etc.--yet not all at one time. The story unfolded like petals opening up on a flower.

I am SO glad I found this author and series and can't wait to read more!! BUY THIS BOOK - you will not be sorry, and neither will your friends you tell about it either.

When I started reading this book, I almost put it down after the first page because the first chapter read more like a dime store novel than I was ready for. But, give this book a chance and stick with it for another chapter. Because after the first chapter, the book was much more of what I expected and hoped for.

After reading through the entire book, I wonder if the author did that intentionally. A lot of marriage relationships have storybook, almost fantasy like beginnings when the man and woman fall in love and are head over heels in love. And then marriage comes and reality along with it--with plenty of challenges. And just like in reality, after the first few pages, the author deftly settles into the story about Gabby's move to Chicago and her new life there with her husband and the challenges she faces in her life and in her marriage.

I liked this book, but at times it was hard for me to read because it hit too close to home because of a dear friends' experience. Books are like that and it's one reason read them--to know that we're not alone in what we're experiencing or what our loved ones are experiencing.

Gabrielle Fairbanks has been a supermom to their sons and very supportive of her husband's career at a cost to her own identity. When Gabby and her spouse relocate to Chicago for his job, they agree to leave the kids at boarding school.

However, with the children away at school, Gabby suffers from empty nest syndrome, but is unsure what she wants to do. When she meets a homeless person, Gabby finds a calling and obtains work at Manna House Women's Shelter. However to her chagrin her husband opposes her work and the new friends she has made; he even has issues with her finding God in her life.

This direct sequel to the recently completed Yada Yada saga includes some of the cast and the beginnings of the same inspirational "House of Hope" messages of "to thine own self be true" by getting involved to help others through God's forgiveness. The spousal war over who Gabby should be and her asking herself the title question is well designed, but those needing closure will have to wait for the next novel. Fans of Neta Jackson will rejoice with the opening of her new series.

Harriet Klausner

I have not read any of the other Yada-Yada books. In fact when I read that this was a second series I wasn't sure if I even wanted to start it. I am so glad that I did. The story introduces us to Gabby. The Gabby that you get to know in most of the story is rich and pampered--but you get the feeling that she'd be just as happy to be middle class. Her husband is verbally abusive. Like the other reviewer, I really disliked Gabby. Get a backbone, leave, stand up for your family. And then you watch her change and grow--and you start rooting for her. As Gabby makes friends at the homeless shelter she becomes a well rounded character. I enjoyed all the other characters in the book too that she meets at Manna House. At first I thought there was a few too many names tossed about--and while trying to remember names you're trying to remember what is going on with that character--but in just a few more pages everyone settles down and it's easy to remember everyone. Since this book is in a series it wasn't surprising that it ended on a cliffhanger and I find myself actually wondering what Gabby will do. I suppose that's a testament to how far this book reaches. The author is also very real with what I think are good issues--how are we supposed to be thankful when we're in a pit, and how can I go to God when my problems are small compared to everyone else's--and how do we come back to God when it was us who left. That was the best part of the novel--watching Gabby come back. All in all an excellent book and I highly recommend it.