YaYa House

by Judy Baker, Virtual Voice (narrator)

Four friends, a special house, and a journey into sisterhood.

In a blink, you stepped over that half-a-century mark, and then, before you knew it, you’re considered a senior. How did that happen? It did. Too fast. Along the journey you got married, you had children, they became adults, you became a grandmother, your parents grew old and passed away, and now, you’re next on the journey to the end.
All this is expected, except your relationship with a significant other. You’ve been a close couple for decades, then suddenly things change. Maybe with your significant other or you’re suddenly living alone. Nothing is the same. Whatever the reason, you wonder what’s left? Can you be more alive and not just living? Can there be more adventure? I’m here to say, yes, it can.

In this women’s fiction, Anne loved her life. She had a wonderful husband, children, and grandchildren. Suddenly, she was widowed and searching for something more...searching for herself.

When she sells her home and moves eight hundred miles away to her dream house on the beach, it will take the love and support of her sisters, her best friends, to help her convince those she left behind that she wasn't running away. She's running to a new life and new adventures.

Audible Audio

Published February 3, 2024

About the author

I write historical western romances under Judy Baker, and you will find all my contemporary novels under Anna Sugg.

I'm a southerner at heart and a westerner wannabe. Coming from Tennessee, I moved to the west to teach school and fell in love with the state of Nevada. Its desert colors, smell of wet sage after a rain, and the intriguing stories around ghost towns captured my heart. I'm a coffee drinker, love chocolate, hot weather, and sitting on the beach, staring at the ocean waves rolling in.

Reviews

[Sarah Patt · Rating 4 out of 5]

I finished Ya Ya House by Judy Baker today! 🙂 Anne and her three best friends she refers to as her sisters were all very relatable characters. This novel is about friendship, family, and new experiences.

[Staci Kauffeld · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved reading this book, it was awesome, I loved the detailed writing, and the emotions that were portrayed by the characters! I will definitely be adding Judy Baker on my must read authors list.

[Kathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a cute story! Four women who were friends as young girls have been meeting for a girls’ vacation every year leaving their families to spend time together. One lady, Annie, decides to buy a house by the ocean, a dream she has always had. She buys a house in a little town called Seaside in Oregon. Her three friends go out to spend time with her and all fall in love with the house. One by one, they all decide to stay and make this their home as the YaYa sisters. Some of their children do not agree and fight to make their mothers see how wrong this move is. The YaYa sisters is heartwarming, deals with aging, romance and family drama. I enjoyed this story!

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Anne was a very relatable character. Actually all of them were. Anne wanted to move to her dream house after her husband passed. Her children, who loved her dearly, thought she needed to be 'taken' care of. Unfortunately, Anne did not need their help. This book is about friendship, family, and new experiences. Creating boundaries for your loved ones. It's a great women's fiction. It's well written. As the subject matter hits home to me on so many levels I really enjoyed it. Great job Judy Baker!

[Susan Robinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this story. I felt very involved with the characters and was excited to turn the page and see where they were going next. It just seemed like a natural story between friends and how we can lift each other up in support and love. Just because you get older doesn't mean you've lost all sense and capabilities as Annie's children had to learn. I felt sorry for Lena and the hardships of her life but she seemed to get her spirit back after the support of her YaYa sisters gave her. Judy and Sherry bring their own drama. I hope there is a sequel so we can see how it all turns out. Fun story.

[Myrtle Murray · Rating 4 out of 5]

The overall story was great and the feeling of friendship among the women was wonderful. The virtual voice narration was lacking. I have listen to quite a few books with virtual voice and they were really decent. The virtual voice that was chose for this particular book had a lot of mispronounced words (thankfully I figured out what it was saying) and it had several areas where there was a rough start and stop. I do agree with other people that it would have been better read by a actual person.

[pamela blackburn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Real honest and endering

I live the honesty in this book about aging and wanting to be in affectionate relationship in senior life the truths about intimacy that keeps so many from having a relationship in our senior years the avoided conversations about issues of impotence and affection hugs kisses so many people stay lonely because men get so upset if they can't have sex and women can accept that but need affection but men get distant.

[Terri · Rating 5 out of 5]

Smiling

I really enjoyed this book, so much that I forced myself to stop reading a few times so it would last longer.
I do wish it was longer, or better still, a series, where everything that happened in this book took a few books to tell. With more love and laughter and heartache all through it.

[Fgl · Rating 5 out of 5]

YaYas Forever!

I have YaYas ,too! We’ve been going to Myrtle Beach for 35 years ,the weak after Labor Day. The stories we could tell! This book reminds me of
Us! I’m the oldest at 75 and I can tell you these YaYas are just like us. We rent a house every year and have a ball ! Thank you Judy for writing this book “ YaYa House”!

[JoAn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a special story about women who are "later in life" with strong friendships. They are determined to continue to live their best lives. I enjoyed every minute of reading about these women who are close to my age; and who have the love and support from each other. They are sisters in every sense of the word.

[Tami Baker · Rating 3 out of 5]

Easy, breezy story that I enjoyed reading. There was a lot missing, and the writing a bit simplistic. Judy Baker needs an editor! There were many errors in plain sight here. I might have given an extra star in my review, but perhaps the author could permit me to edit her future books before sending to the publisher. Grammatical errors drive me crazy!

[Cindy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great story

This was a story of four women and they called themselves the gays sisters. They all have different story's so you need to read the book to see how the gays House came to be

[Nancy Terwoord · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lovely read…..senior ladies…..very interesting conversations about sex later in life after losing your spouse……I’ve never really read a book that talks about this. I enjoyed it and recommend it! Plus I’d love to see that house! ❤️

[Janice Belanger · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Story

I really loved this book. Great characters with an original theme. What better way to enjoy your twilight years than with your best friends. It is hard to find books with mature women, real-life issues, and challenges after a certain age. Would recommend to friends.

[Patrice Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

A lovely, feel good story. Thoroughly enjoyed it. Really enjoyed the characters and the scenic view descriptions! A lot of what the senior ladies went through was very close to home and it really gets you thinking! Can’t wait for her next book.

[Stanalei · Rating 4 out of 5]

A heartwarming story of sisterhood and learning to age gracefully while enjoying all life has to offer.

[Linda dupire · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book

Loved this story about 4 60 something ladies who have been friends forever. I could.not lay this book down. Loved all the descriptions of Seaside.

[Melissa Rodacy Reynolds · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cute

Great story. Lots of typos that detracted from the story somewhat, but not enough to take away from the enjoyment of the yaya's. Author could do with an editor.

[Debi · Rating 5 out of 5]

A cute read, full of friendships and love.

[Dee Dobitz · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book's premise and characters had fabulous potential, however poor writing and even poorer editing made the contrived, abrupt ending welcome.

[Debbi Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lovely

I really enjoyed reading about women of a certain age in this endearing book. It will make you laugh, cry, and never put the book down!

[Beth Heggan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. When I started it, I thought it would be “romancy.” Almost as good as the original ya ya book!

[Med · Rating 3 out of 5]

Really wholesome but also a little sad. Made me hungry for seafood lol

[Sue Harris · Rating 4 out of 5]

A heartwarming reminder that life’s best adventures can start at any age. There is nothing better than true friendship.

[Jill Cohen · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was both good and bad. That's why my rating is right in the middle.
The Good:
Finally a book that shows mature women as they really are. Bright, confident and able. Even with some age related difficulties, they are still able to to have and fulfilling lives.
Topics that interest me, as a mature women.
The main character has a dog named Charlie. I have a dog named Charlie (ok...odd point)
Now for the down side.
I did not care for the writing style. It felt too immature for the topics it was presenting.
The book needed editing, not only for errors, but it was too long.
Towards the end of the book it seemed to lean towards religion.
Still I am recommending this book to others because of the topics it covers.