The Yada Yada Prayer Group Gets Real

The Yada Yada sisters are back again. This time around the group is facing issues such as Avis dating again after being widowed, Stu moving in above Jodi and the two clashing over their personalities and Delores' son wanting to date Jodi's daughter. The group is also trying to help out the same woman who threatened their lives some months ago. While there is dispute over how the matter should be treated, the group still finds time to bond together, helping each other out in times of sorrow, distress, and happiness. This book is as real as real life is. I've never read a book where I feel like I'm actually living the lives of the characters. They have so much going on in their lives that I wish I could participate in. I really liked Amanda's quinceanera and what Denny did for her. I wish more father's were that loving towards their daughters, society would be so much better off if they did. I also liked the Polar Plunge opening in the beginning of the book. No way you would catch me doing that! The writing of this book immediately hooks you thus making the books very addictive. You can't stop reading because they are so much like a slice of real life. The news stories sprinkled throughout the book add to the realism. Even though the main character is Jodi, because the group is so diverse it is easy to find someone in the group you can relate to. Once again my only complaint about the book is the way the relationship with Becky is handled. Like I said before I have no problems with forgiving someone for the wrong they did to you and it's good of them to help her out. It just seems to me that in the book, the group members who feel uncomfortable around Becky or are still being affected by what she did to them are in the wrong and not as spiritually mature as the ones that have moved on. I have been in a similar scenario with Jodi and it took me a while to get over it but it wasn't because of weak faith. It just seems very unrealistic and makes the reader feel that you're not good enough of a Christian. But that just proves the power of good writing, if it makes you rethink about what you believe in.

The Yada Yada Prayer Group Gets Real by Neta Jackson is just as good as the previous two books, if not better. This is one of those rare series where the characters truly exhibit growth and the writing only continues to improve. Jodi Baxter is back with all the Yada Yada women. She's trying to grow in her faithwalk, but her rival Stu is moving in upstairs and Bandana Woman might be released from prison early! Jodi continues to struggle daily with thankfulness and grace, just like I do. She is such a real character; I identify with her closely. We learn more about Avis, Chanda, and Yo-Yo, even Jodi's children are growing and changing. Jackson does a terrific job juggling all of these different characters and keeping them vibrant. Reading a Yada Yada book is like balm to my soul. It feels like a long conversation with a good friend.

Christian fiction just does not get any better than this!!!! Chock full of prayer, scripture and real life situations. Great read!!!!

I have just finished this book tonight. It is the third one in a series. I think Yada Yada Gets Real was my favorite! As a matter of fact, I actually cried at the end(first because it was a very touching and emotional ending and secondly because well.....it was over until the next one comes out in October!) The title and cover almost gives the impression that these novels are "fluff" and sort of....lighthearted? But, nothing could be further from the truth! I find Jackson really has done an excellent job of developing the characters and creating a life that seems real. In fact, I keep catching myself thinking these women really exist somewhere in Chicago! I want to meet them! I have loved and enjoyed these novels and I am highly recommending them to my friends, however they had better not ask to borrow my copies of the books, because I don't want to give them up!!

I have never enjoyed an audio book so much. I read the first two Yada Yada's and found it hard to put them down. Bought the third one in audio to listen to on vacation. I found myself so involved...my husband would hear me chuckling as I listened to the reader changing voices and making the people seem so real. Having lived in Chicago for 4 years I found it easy to go back with the book. I felt some conviction regarding my own life and how easy it is for me to judge people and to not be open to people who worship in different ways. An excellent book for discussion, enjoyment and personal growth.