CindyJean's Full Review: Neta Jackson - Where Do I Go?
INTRODUCTION
When I opened up a recent package from Wynn-Wynn Media I was a little surprised. I found a novel by Neta Jackson, and the first words I noticed on the cover were ‘Yada Yada.’ Why did that surprise me? Because not too many months ago I reviewed the final installment of the Yada Yada Prayer Group series.
When I looked at the cover a little bit closer I noticed that this wasn’t from the Yada Yada Prayer Group series, but in fact a new series called Yada Yada House of Hope. I was definitely interested, as I had enjoyed the prior Yada Yada series. Okay, who cannot love the name? When I saw that this new series was going to center around Manna House, the women’s shelter from the first series, I knew that it had some serious potential.
Where Do I Go?: A Yada Yada House of Hope Novel by Neta Jackson
Brief Synopsis Almost out of the blue Gabrielle Fairbanks’ husband moves them from their Virginia home to Chicago to start his own design business apart from the family business run by his overbearing father. Of course their sons weren’t quite finished with school yet, so they have stayed at their boarding school, since the Fairbanks men always go to that school. Gabby misses her boys and her husband is always either busy with work or busy criticizing her. A ‘chance’ encounter with a homeless woman leads Gabby to Manna House, and to the open position of program director that suits her educational background. Once again her husband isn’t happy with her, but she is finding fulfillment and really feels God pulling her in this direction. It’s the first time she’s listened to God since her first husband left her after only two years of marriage at the age of 20. To add to the chaos and stress of Gabby’s life, something is just not quite right with her mother. Phone calls start to sound a bit strange, and her mother is pretty regularly starting to call her the wrong name or forget basic things. What’s a woman to do?
I have to admit I was a bit disappointed with how the Yada Yada Prayer Group series ended. I would say that “Yada Yada Prayer Group Gets Decked Out” was the weakest of the series by far. So when “Where Do I Go?” came out I was hoping that it would be back to the great writing that I had come to love from Neta Jackson. I’m happy to say I wasn’t disappointed.
Gabrielle ‘Gabby’ Fairbanks is a character that I think a lot of women will be able to relate to, I know that I was able to relate to her quite easily. She is real, she is human, and even when she tries really hard she sometimes still ends up doing the ‘wrong’ thing—or at least what her husband would have her believe is the wrong thing.
Gabby’s husband Philip is a very real character too, but not in a good way. He’s your stereotypical jerk. When something goes wrong, it must be Gabby’s fault. He takes credit for Gabby’s good ideas, but blames her when even his own ideas go wrong. He’s self-centered and self-absorbed. However, when you read a scene that depicts Philip with his own father, you start to get a bit of understanding as to why he is the way he is.
I loved getting some additional time with the characters I’d come to love in the prior Yada Yada series, especially Edesa and Josh and their daughter Gracie. You will go through their emotional struggle along with them when Gracie’s biological father comes into the picture and tries to take her from the young couple.
CONCLUSION
I would definitely say that Neta Jackson is back on track with this new Yada Yada House of Hope novel. “Where Do I Go?” is touching, relatable, and has top-notch writing that will keep you turning the pages wanting to see how things get resolved.
Unfortunately, being the first book of a new series there are a lot of loose ends left untied in “Where Do I Go?” that will leave you wanting more. I guess that is one of the main points of a ‘first’ novel. It’s frustrating, but in a good way. You will be craving the second book by the time it finally hits the shelves.
I recommend “Where Do I Go?” very highly. I think that most fans of Christian fiction, especially those who’ve endured a ‘drifting away’ from God, will really be able to relate to this one.
Gabrielle Fairbanks has nearly lost touch with the carefree, spirited young woman she was when she married her husband fifteen years ago. But when the...More at Christianbook.com
Epinions.com periodically updates pricing and product information from third-party sources, so some information may be slightly out-of-date. You should confirm all information before relying on it.
- Add to My Yahoo!: 
- Add to Google Homepage: 
© 1999-2009 Shopping.com, Inc.