Where Do I Go?

Yada Yada House of Hope #1

by Neta Jackson

Sometimes you find hope in the last place you look. Gabrielle Fairbanks has nearly lost touch with the carefree, spirited young woman she was shen she married her husband sixteen years ago. But when the couple moves to Chicago to accommodate Philip's ambition, Gabby longs for the chance to find real purpose in her own life. A chance encounter with a homeless woman suddenly opens a dooor she never expected. The women of Manna House Women's Shelter need a Program Director--and she has the right credentials. Gabby's in her element, feeling God's call on her life at last, even though Philip doesn't like the changes he sees in her. But she never anticipated his quit your job at the shelter or risk divorce and losing custody of our sons. In this moment, Gabby's entire foundation shifts. She must find refuge, as in the song they sing at Sunday "Where do I go when there's no one else to turn to . . . I go to the Rock I know that's able, I go to the Rock." For everyone who loves the best-selling Yada Yada Prayer Group novels comes a brand new series sprinkled with familiar faces and places from the Yada Yada world. It's the perfect novel to start with--or to meet friends from past Yada stories.

Genres: Christian Fiction, Fiction, Christian, Inspirational, Contemporary, Faith, Audiobook

386 pages, Paperback

First published December 9, 2008

Reviews

[Mandy J. Hoffman · Rating 4 out of 5]

It felt so good to reconnect with old friends in this book (original yada yada members) but this book didn't have a tidy ending like most books do. I assume that Gabby's story will play out in more books to come but through this I realized again how real life is just like...not always tidy. It was encouraging to see God tugging at Gabby's heart through the trials of life.

[Claudia Burgin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book! Spin-off from the Yada Yada Prayer Series. If you haven't read that series, I recommend it highly. I stayed away from the series for a long time. I mean, "Yada, Yada?" - isn't that, well, superficial? But it turned out to be a great series. It's about a group of ladies from very different backgrounds who live in Chicago and come together in a prayer group at a Women's Conference. They end up meeting, praying and supporting one another in all kinds of crises. One is a completed Jew, another a native-born African, another a school teacher, etc.

The Jewish lady brings everyone's attention to the word Yada. It's actually a Hebrew word meaning close, intimate relationship with the Lord. Isn't that wonderful!

This series starts off with a new character Gabrielle, but you'll recognize the Yada ladies in different segments. It's like seeing your old friends again.

The ending left me hanging off the cliff and wishing that I had waited for the second book before reading this one! Yikes. Can't wait until the new one comes.

[Leslie · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you read the Yada Yada Prayer Group series, this is a must read. (Read the others first, though...don't start with this one!) This is a new series by Neta Jackson called A Yada Yada House of Hope, which focuses on Manna House.

Excellent...just like all the others! Once I started reading, I couldn't put it down. Jackson continues to address some of the same issues: our preconceptions about race, our perspective on situations around us, etc.

[Kayce · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow!!! I loved this book and was sad to see it end! I enjoyed the story so much and the author leaves you with SUCH a cliff hanger at the end! Which is why it's good there is a follow up ("Who Do I Talk To?") coming out at the end of the month! Can't wait to continue the story.

I appreciated the fact that the story was set in Chicago, with other settings in Virginia and North Dakota. It seems like ALL of the fiction novels I read this summer by the pool were set in New York City and after a while, I was getting tired of the SAME setting... So this was a much appreciated breath of fresh air!

This was the first book I read by Neta Jackson and based on this, I can't wait to read more by her! I loved her exploration of a woman seeking God through the chaos of her circumstances. She developed the character so well that it was very easy to empathize with her thoughts and feelings. I'm very much looking forward to finding out what happens next in Gabrielle's journey...

[Lora White · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoy this author. Christian fiction book but was touched by the wife in this book and the struggles with finding something meaningful to her life. She ends up getting a job working at a shelter for women out on the streets, dealing with drugs, etc. The whole book made me wonder what I was doing that was meaningful in my life and was somewhat jealous of her and what she was doing. Made me think of my sister and the good work she is doing with hospice and the elderly.

[Laura F. · Rating 5 out of 5]

At first I didn't know if I would like this book, but then I really enjoyed it. It absolutely warmed my heart to hear her sing the different hymns. How many times in our life have we found ourselves in a place where God is saying "Come to me." and we pass it off or don't respond. I can not wait to read the next book "Who Do I Talk To?" I highly recommend this book to anyone.

I really hope I can find the Yada Yada Prayer Group books after I finish this series.

Great Book!

[Deb · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is interesting as well as easy to read and follow. I do not like the way it ended though, too many open ends.

[Loraine · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Yada Yada sisterhood is once again helping others through tragedy and struggles. One of my favorite series.

[Melanie Demyer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved this entire series by Neta Jackson! Very inspiring for women who have to start their lives over, (and over) again.

[Karen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really like this series. Always funny and charming and easy to read. I like the faith element in them.

[Andrea Horton · Rating 3 out of 5]

It took me awhile to read this book. It was good, but a bit slow, and it eventually started picking up. Good book.

[Cheyenne G. · Rating 5 out of 5]

this book was about a women named Gabrielle (Gabby for short) struggling in life with her husband,her children, and god. One day when at the beach she finds herself being helped by a homeless lady and bringing her to her penthouse. Just this homeless lady brings Gabby back to God. Soon Gabby is having more problems than she can take and tries talking to god for answers. When Gabby is in trouble with her husband by screwing things up at his job she finds herself being kicked out of his life. She now has to find a way to keep her job, take care of her mom, and find a place to live. Can Gabby do this with the help of God? Or will she become homeless and never regain her life again. Gabby ia a very strong kind women who cares about what she does and the people around her. she helps every one she knows but sometimes can be a little forgetful and make her husband upset.She wants to remember her old life with God and seek to find answers. when having trouble doing that she has to also keep her new busy life ahead. Unlike Gabby her husband Phillip is very rude and disrespective to Gabby. He cares nothing about what she's doing unless his buisness invites her and him. He only wants Gabby to be a normal wife and help him succeed in his life, but Gabby wants something else other than Phillip's buisness. My favorite character is Gabby because she is the type of person who can get brainwashed ,but she can also take hold of herself and follow what she wants to do in her life other than worry what others think about her. She acts as if she can do what she wants the way she does it and not anyones other way. still she can have a hard time staying on focuse so she has problems a lot. I suggest this book to people who are having problems in their life just like Gabby or if they are in some situation where they need guidence. I suggest this to them because many people in the world are sometimes stuck in a knot or don't know what to do so they use some kind of way to get away from their problems and they need to find a solution other than bad behavior.

[Maria Elmvang · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is my second attempt at reviewing this book, because I don't think I did it justice the first time around.

At a first glance the book was a huge disappointment. I'd come to it expecting warmth and comfort, I left it crying of frustration and hopelessness. Any book powerful enough to do that to me deserves more than the original three stars I have it - for writing, even if it doesn't for plot.

And the plot was very unpleasant to read. Instead of starting with a person who was ill off and whose circumstances improved through the book, we're here presented with a person whose life at the outlook seems... if not great, then at least satisfactory, but whose circumstances deteriorate through the book, leaving her with the rug pulled out from underneath her at the last page.

It's the first few chapters of Job, before God stepped in.

What really annoyed me about the book was that this was where it ended. There was no resolution, no last-minute waving of a magic wand (which is good, I guess - I don't like last-minute wavings of magic wands in an otherwise realistic book). All there was was an incredibly open ending, and a woman whose life had suddenly hit rock bottom.

This is where my thoughts were at last night, and why I wrote the review I did.

Now that I've slept on it and thought about it some more, I've realised that my mistake was in assuming it was a self-contained novel. If instead I view it as an introduction or a prequel to the series, it changes from being frustrating an disappointing to being incredibly powerful and captivating. What I wrote yesterday (review saved here for reference) still stands, but my perspective has changed. It'll be interesting to see where Neta Jackson takes the series from here.

I guess I'll know come September.

Reread 2015: It was with some trepidation that I picked up this book for a reread - I remembered only too vividly how I'd felt on first reading it. Fortunately, knowing what was coming made it a lot easier to stomach, and the later books definitely make up for it. Still, I had to put it down from time to time, when I knew something unpleasant was coming up :-P But the end was not nearly as much of a shock to the system when I could go straight over to my shelves and pick up the next book.

[Jennifer Fischer · Rating 4 out of 5]

I absolutely loved the original Yada Yada series and was saddened when I reached the end of the series...I felt like I had genuinely gotten to know the characters and I was sad to see their journey end. I wasn't sure what to expect from the Yada Yada House of Hope series, but I hoped that the characters from the original series would play a more prominent role. Some of the characters to make an appearance in Where Do I Go? so maybe they will be important as the story progresses.

Overall, I did enjoy this book, but it's really hard for me not to compare it with the Yada Yada Prayer Group series (perhaps because of the name of the series). Gabrielle is a character that makes mistakes, which allows me to think of her as being a real person. I often find that fictional characters, especially in Christian novels, are too often portrayed as having perfect lives (with minimal challenges) and that makes them difficult to relate to (nobody is perfect!). I find it refreshing to read about characters whose struggles could occur in real life. I especially appreciate that the ending of the book isn't a neat and tidy ending...it gives me a reason to read the next book in the series and find out what happens.

I've rated this book four stars for now simply because, while I enjoyed the story, it doesn't feel like it's on the same level as the Yada Yada Prayer Group series. I may change my mind as I get to "know" the characters better. I will definitely be getting the next two books from the library ASAP!

[Lynda · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book begins another chapter in the Yada Yada series focusing on Gabby Fairbanks, who has recently relocated to Chicago with her husband Philip. Their children stayed back in Virginia with their grandparents to finish the school year. Philip has bought a penthouse apartment despite the fact that Gabby dislikes heights. While Philip is busy establishing a new business, Gabby has left her job, her children and her identity behind. While out running, Gabby meets a homeless woman, Lucy, which eventually leads Gabby to the familiar Manna House shelter. Gabby soon finds her place by becoming the recreation director for Manna House but this leads to several conflicts with Philip and many questions for Gabby. I enjoyed this book as much as the other yada yada novels. However, Gabby tends to ignore potential problems every time in a Scarlett O'Hara mode thinking I will deal with that later or maybe Philiup won't notice, etc. This gets old very quickly. Gabby is different from Jodi and the prayer group in the earlier series because she has grown away from God and her faith. Although slightly predictable I was completely surprised by the last chapter's developments which set up the next book in the series.

[Fantastic · Rating 5 out of 5]

A story of seeking-and finding-God's will in unlikely places.

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 couple moves to Chicago to accommodate Philip's business ambitions, Gabby finds the chance to make herself useful. It's there she meets the women of Manna House Women's Shelter; they need a Program Director-and she has a degree in social work. She's in her element, feeling God's call on her life at last, even though Philip doesn't like the changes he sees in her. But things get rough when Philip gives Gabby an ultimatum: quit her job at the shelter or risk divorce and losing custody of their sons. Gabby must take refuge, as in the song they sing at Sunday night worship: "Where do I go when there's no one else to turn to? . . . I go to the Rock I know that's able, I go to the Rock."

[Elaine · Rating 2 out of 5]

This being the first in the Yada Yada House of Hope novels, doesn't hold the interest of the reader as did Neta's Yada Yada Prayer Group series. It's slow and none of the many characters are well-defined, making it difficult to remember who's who except for the main character, Gabbie. We pretty much know that she is married to a self-centered spoiled jerk and that she is unhappy and bored with staying home while her penthouse is, without her wanting it to be, being cleaned by a maid and her two young boys are away at school and being cared for by her husband Philip's parents (also without her wanting that). She has to ask Philip's permission to do stuff while he belittles her.

This isn't enough to hold the reader's interest. It's a tough-to-pick-back-up book but it does have the advantage of Neta Jackson being its author. And there's the draw.

Toward the very end the story gets somewhat better, enough so that I purchased the next in the series.

[Mary M · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was overjoyed when I picked up the four books in the series. I loved the Yada Yadas and wanted to see where Neta Jackson was taking Manna House.

I liked Gabby immediately. Having read the backs of the four books, I kind of knew from the beginning what she was in for but still had the uncomfortable sensations of watching her marriage disintegrate and all the burdens that came to sit on her shoulders in this first book.

Horrifying. It really brought to mind what some people face in their relationships and how few resources some women have at the ready even when they seem financially comfortable.

There were a lot of secondary characters and it was a bit hard to read as fast I wanted to see what happened to Gabby, while still remembering who was who on staff and in residence at Manna House, but I managed.

A good start to a solid series.

[Kristine · Rating 2 out of 5]

When I got this book, and realized it was a "religious" one, I wasn't all that excited about it. I have to admit, it wasn't as bad as I thought it was going to be. It was written well enough to flow nicely. It was not a difficult read at all. While I did disagree with the authors message of religion and faith, it wasn't so inhibitive that I couldn't read the story. However, overall, it wasn't very imaginative - the story takes place in Chicago, and when the author briefly describes Soldier Field, she describes it exactly as they did in the local papers when the remodeling was done a couple of years ago. And the ending was just horrible. The ending is basically why I gave this book such a low rating - she did not wrap up or resolve anything!

[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Yads Yada prayer group books were great, so I was excited that Neta Jackson started a new series using some of the Yada Yada ladies as minor characters, and introducing a new group of main characters. The book is good, but nothing is wrapped up at the end; you are left waiting for the next book in the series to be written. My view of Gabby, the main character, changed as the book progressed. At first I was frustrated with her and felt she needed to do more to change her situation, and then began feeling sorry for her as her husbands uncaring, elitist, and controlling ways became more apparent. It will be interesting to see how God works in Gabby's life in the remainder of the series.

[Teesa · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like this series more focused on an individual's struggle, Gabby Fairbanks. A woman whose charmed life falls apart as she finds herself among the Manna House women's shelter. I agreed with some of the other reviews that as a singular story the characters are not well defined unless you are up to date on Yada Yada Prayer Group series. Gabby and her husband are a little too cliched for me but the story held up from the perspective of we're all on our own individual journey and struggling with a number of issues at once and the day to day demands on our time.

[Karen Rowe · Rating 5 out of 5]

I listened to this book a second time.

Philip is selfish, self-centered, and spoiled. Gabby is so naïve. She believes Philip and stands by him. Philip didn't want her to take the new job because it would take her away from him.

Both of them have a communication problem. Philip should have told Gabby he needed her to network for him and that while he gets his new business off the ground they needed the boys to stay with him parents. Gabby should have told him that she was feeling empty and needed something else to do.

This is real-life.

[Jennifer Brown · Rating 3 out of 5]

I checked this book out at the library and read it a long time ago. I realized that after I downloaded a free (or 99cent) version for my kindle and started reading it. I couldn't remember the ending so reread it. Well, I must not have finished it the first time and I'm so glad I reread it. This is the first book by this author I have read and I really enjoyed it. I'd give it a 3.5 if you could give 1/2 stars on goodreads! I'll read more from this author!

[Leigh Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very good fast read that I couldn't put down and had me going straight into the 2nd one in the series.
The basic story line is a lady who moves with her husband to Chicago and ends up getting hired by a homeless
center and then loses her husband, sons and home just as her mom moves in with her! Does she have the strength to handle this crises? I love the characters in this book, this author makes you feel like you know them personally.

[Carol · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first of the yadayada Houseof hope series. It was great but I was surprised at the ending. Luckily the story will continue in the next book. The story revolves around a homeless shelter for women and a gold coast penthouse apartment in Chicago. If you ever wondered how people become homeless this is a good example of one woman's trip down that road.
I liked the characters and will surely read the next one -Who Do I Talk To

[Sarah Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you love the Yada Yada Prayer group series you will love Yada Yada House of Hope series. This book brings back some of the favorite Yada Yada's for a whole new outlook. It shows that they are still around and helping others but it ties into a different story. This book had me loving some characters yet disliking others and has a roller coaster of emotions. This was a very easy read and flows together perfectly.

[Lisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Formerly from the Chicago area and now living near Phoenix, AZ, the Chicago setting of Neta’s books attracted my attention. This is the second of her books I’ve read and the first in the “House of Hope” series. I found it a good read with a good hopeful message. I’m looking forward to the rest of the series and to reading Neta’s other Yada Yada books. I liked the main character, Gabby, and look forward to seeing what happens in her life after the surprise ending.

[Kelly Logan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Have you ever been betrayed by a person of faith and turned from God? Have you ever felt lost or insignificant? In this novel we explore the life of a young woman who feels lost and unfulfilled. Though her husband's life provides everything she can buy, she begins to long for that which nothing can buy. This is a novel of pain, heartbreak, misunderstanding all leading to hope. It does end in a cliffhanger but you'll be longing for more.

[Teresa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I didn't read the series that came before this. I wish I had, simply because I have come to adore the characters in this book. I intend to rush to the library and get the next book because I need to know what happens next. Such good truth from God in this book. We need Him. He pursues us, even when we don't see it. He is always right there, waiting for us. He hears us. Truths I need reminded of again and again.

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was glad I had book 2 sitting on the coffee table when I finished this book at 2am. More than a cliff-hanger, this book seems to stop at the end of a chapter with no resolution to any of the situations presented.
Obviously - I was interested enough to keep on reading, but would have been frustrated if I had to wait for the next book to be published