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Back for Good
Sasha Denning doesn’t ask for anything—ever. Feeling unappreciated and stuck in a crumbling marriage with her husband, Mark, she’s suddenly given a dramatic a near-death experience. Returning to life with a mission to help others, Sasha is thrust into a series of challenges that range from comical to heart-wrenching.
Zinnia, her determined but rule-bound trainee spirit guide, wants to help Sasha mend her life and marriage. But with The Spirit Guidance Rule Book restricting her every move, Zinnia faces her own struggles to prove she’s ready to qualify. When disaster looms, Zinnia must decide what matters most—her mission, her career, or Sasha and Mark’s future.
Zinnia, her determined but rule-bound trainee spirit guide, wants to help Sasha mend her life and marriage. But with The Spirit Guidance Rule Book restricting her every move, Zinnia faces her own struggles to prove she’s ready to qualify. When disaster looms, Zinnia must decide what matters most—her mission, her career, or Sasha and Mark’s future.
384 pages, Paperback
Published July 21, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
March 8, 2026
Here is a first class brilliant new author with an amazing page-turning novel where Sasha has her life flash before her very eyes. I loved every page. My favourite book and now my favourite author!
Sasha has an out body experience, floating above her car accident, accessing what is happening.
She watches and hears a kind lady phoning for police and an ambulance.
It seems Sasha has had a near-death experience with a guardian angel, looking after her.
I couldn’t stop turning the pages to find out what happens to Sasha with her guardian angel.
The author has an interesting imagination with the idea of The Spirit Guidance Rule Book.
It appears that Sasha has had her fair share of troubles.
Can everything turn around for Sasha or will she have more upset?
I literally can’t wait for book 2
Sasha has an out body experience, floating above her car accident, accessing what is happening.
She watches and hears a kind lady phoning for police and an ambulance.
It seems Sasha has had a near-death experience with a guardian angel, looking after her.
I couldn’t stop turning the pages to find out what happens to Sasha with her guardian angel.
The author has an interesting imagination with the idea of The Spirit Guidance Rule Book.
It appears that Sasha has had her fair share of troubles.
Can everything turn around for Sasha or will she have more upset?
I literally can’t wait for book 2
February 23, 2026
I’ve been reading some quite dark books lately so Back For Good was the perfect palate cleanser with its uplifting, positive story. The story resonated with me, as I remember those days of juggling motherhood with other demands only too well. And as a survivor of a very aggressive breast cancer, I experienced things that science simply can’t explain during my treatment. So my disbelief was left at the door as I immersed myself in Sasha’s story.
I found it a bit difficult getting into the rhythm of the book at first with Zinnia’s narration popping in repeatedly but as the passages with each character grew longer, I got used to the spirit guide’s interjections and settled into it.
As Sasha came to terms with her near death experience and the changes it had left her with, she began to witness flashbacks of lives of people she encountered. Sometimes heartbreaking, sometimes heartwarming, Sasha gradually learned to trust her gift and use it to bring peace to people.
And not just people - when Sasha saw Georgie the cat’s trauma, I had to go and snuggle each of my four cats.
But Sasha’s psychic abilities also brought her images she didn’t want to know and she had to question what she thought she knew about some people in her life.
As a Reiki Master, I loved the healing that Sasha experienced and experimented with, although I wish I was able to heal bones too!
The end of the book had me holding my breath to see what would happen, which was almost a shock to the system after the gentle ride I’d been on throughout Sasha and Zinnia’s story!
This is a book that will feed your soul, especially if you can read it with an open mind about the more spiritual elements of our existence.
I found it a bit difficult getting into the rhythm of the book at first with Zinnia’s narration popping in repeatedly but as the passages with each character grew longer, I got used to the spirit guide’s interjections and settled into it.
As Sasha came to terms with her near death experience and the changes it had left her with, she began to witness flashbacks of lives of people she encountered. Sometimes heartbreaking, sometimes heartwarming, Sasha gradually learned to trust her gift and use it to bring peace to people.
And not just people - when Sasha saw Georgie the cat’s trauma, I had to go and snuggle each of my four cats.
But Sasha’s psychic abilities also brought her images she didn’t want to know and she had to question what she thought she knew about some people in her life.
As a Reiki Master, I loved the healing that Sasha experienced and experimented with, although I wish I was able to heal bones too!
The end of the book had me holding my breath to see what would happen, which was almost a shock to the system after the gentle ride I’d been on throughout Sasha and Zinnia’s story!
This is a book that will feed your soul, especially if you can read it with an open mind about the more spiritual elements of our existence.
March 1, 2026
Thank you @zooloosBT For letting me be part of this tour and reviewing this book. Back for Good is a contemporary genre and is 384 pages long. I love the front cover; it’s bright and colorful, and I like how her hair mixes in as the main feature of the cover. The story is about Sasha, and she doesn’t ask for a lot and feels unappreciated in her marriage, but then something happens to her that makes her life change, and then there is Zinnia, who is a trainee spirit guide that wants to help Sasha sort her life out. For me, this is the kind of story that I love, especially about spiritual areas. I instantly loved the book and was drawn in by the story and the plot. The writing is beautiful. Back for Good is easy to get into and a heartwarming story. You won’t be able to put it down. The story is at a reasonable pace for you to keep up with, which I liked. I really liked the characters and felt a bond with them and felt like I could relate to them. This is an engaging and unique read from start to finish, and I absolutely loved it. Five stars.
March 6, 2026
When Sasha has a near death experience her life changes forever. With her Spirit Guide Zinnia and a new purpose it’s time for Sasha to help those in need.
This was a really different and unique read. I really liked the concept of the story and the addition of spirit guides. The storyline was about second chances, making changes and valuing life.
Sasha's world changes in a big way when she’s in a car accident. One of the things that came across at the beginning of the story is that Sasha is struggling. She is juggling being a mother and a wife. Her marriage is also in trouble as she and her husband Mark are no longer communicating.
The car accident not only changes Sasha’s life but gives her a new perspective. She now has a psychic healing ability that means she can see how other people are feeling and can see their secrets and their past. She uses this knowledge to help others. What Sasha doesn’t realise is that she’s not alone. She has Zinnia, her Spirit Guide who is watching over her and giving her a nudge along the way. Zinnia too is struggling especially because she is bound to a rule book and what she really wants to do is go off script and help Sasha more that she is meant to.
It was really interesting to see Sasha adapt to her new healing psychic ability. In some ways she took to it naturally like it was a gift she was always meant to have. I really liked the dynamic between Sasha and Zinnia. One of the things that Sasha and Zinnia have in common is that they both lack confidence and it takes them a while to find the strength in themselves to follow their instincts.
A brilliant read.
This was a really different and unique read. I really liked the concept of the story and the addition of spirit guides. The storyline was about second chances, making changes and valuing life.
Sasha's world changes in a big way when she’s in a car accident. One of the things that came across at the beginning of the story is that Sasha is struggling. She is juggling being a mother and a wife. Her marriage is also in trouble as she and her husband Mark are no longer communicating.
The car accident not only changes Sasha’s life but gives her a new perspective. She now has a psychic healing ability that means she can see how other people are feeling and can see their secrets and their past. She uses this knowledge to help others. What Sasha doesn’t realise is that she’s not alone. She has Zinnia, her Spirit Guide who is watching over her and giving her a nudge along the way. Zinnia too is struggling especially because she is bound to a rule book and what she really wants to do is go off script and help Sasha more that she is meant to.
It was really interesting to see Sasha adapt to her new healing psychic ability. In some ways she took to it naturally like it was a gift she was always meant to have. I really liked the dynamic between Sasha and Zinnia. One of the things that Sasha and Zinnia have in common is that they both lack confidence and it takes them a while to find the strength in themselves to follow their instincts.
A brilliant read.
March 2, 2026
Devoured this in one sitting!
I have a thing for books that have anything mystical, witchy or occult in their plot lines and this newest release by Jacob’s really hit the spot for me. Following our Fmc as she comes back from a near death experience reading this book really has you thinking what you would do different if you were given a second chance at life.
From its fun and heartwarming plot line to characters you can’t help but love this read truly has it all, this lighthearted book had me devouring the whole thing in hours unable to part with Sasha and her new life. Truly a must read if you’re looking for your next one sitting read!
I have a thing for books that have anything mystical, witchy or occult in their plot lines and this newest release by Jacob’s really hit the spot for me. Following our Fmc as she comes back from a near death experience reading this book really has you thinking what you would do different if you were given a second chance at life.
From its fun and heartwarming plot line to characters you can’t help but love this read truly has it all, this lighthearted book had me devouring the whole thing in hours unable to part with Sasha and her new life. Truly a must read if you’re looking for your next one sitting read!
February 25, 2026
Sasha Denning experiences a near death experience from a car accident. She survives but is set a series of challenges to help others by Zinnia, a trainee spirit guide who wants to help Sasha mend her life and marriage. In the meantime, as well as her shaky marriage, Sasha’s mum is receiving medical treatment. There is a lot going on for Sasha! Despite this she takes on the missions in this both serious and lighthearted plot. I found this Milton Keynes set contemporary book to have a full on plot - Sasha’s near death experience, the missions, following The Spirit Guidance Rule Book, reading people’s minds and passing on information. I mentioned Sasha has a lot going on! I really enjoyed the book because it was something different and, for me, that made it a refreshing change. I loved the karma ending.
March 1, 2026
This book gave me the warm furry feelings like a warming hug, a cosy enjoyable read.
I love this kind of book and nice easy read, a book you just get lost in and forget the world for a bit. It was really written and I found it funny and was engaged throughout, great characters and I loved the concept of a spirit guide and it dealt with realistic relationship issues.
A great read
I love this kind of book and nice easy read, a book you just get lost in and forget the world for a bit. It was really written and I found it funny and was engaged throughout, great characters and I loved the concept of a spirit guide and it dealt with realistic relationship issues.
A great read
February 25, 2026
❤️ Blurb -
Sasha Denning doesn’t ask for anything—ever. Feeling unappreciated and stuck in a crumbling marriage with her husband, Mark, she’s suddenly given a dramatic a near-death experience. Returning to life with a mission to help others, Sasha is thrust into a series of challenges that range from comical to heart-wrenching.
Zinnia, her determined but rule-bound trainee spirit guide, wants to help Sasha mend her life and marriage. But with The Spirit Guidance Rule Book restricting her every move, Zinnia faces her own struggles to prove she’s ready to qualify. When disaster looms, Zinnia must decide what matters most—her mission, her career, or Sasha and Mark’s future.
💙 Review - This was such an enjoyable and entertaining read. I was hooked from the very first page and I kept reading until the end as I wanted to know what happened. I really enjoyed this heartwarming read and I did find myself laughing at times. I also loved the author's writing style and there was a great cast of characters. I loved Sasha and Zinnia's characters and loved following their journeys through the book. Overall, a brilliant novel that I highly recommend to other readers. I look forward to reading more by the author.
💝 Thank you to Zooloobooktours, the author Jay Jacobs and The Book Guild for my copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
Sasha Denning doesn’t ask for anything—ever. Feeling unappreciated and stuck in a crumbling marriage with her husband, Mark, she’s suddenly given a dramatic a near-death experience. Returning to life with a mission to help others, Sasha is thrust into a series of challenges that range from comical to heart-wrenching.
Zinnia, her determined but rule-bound trainee spirit guide, wants to help Sasha mend her life and marriage. But with The Spirit Guidance Rule Book restricting her every move, Zinnia faces her own struggles to prove she’s ready to qualify. When disaster looms, Zinnia must decide what matters most—her mission, her career, or Sasha and Mark’s future.
💙 Review - This was such an enjoyable and entertaining read. I was hooked from the very first page and I kept reading until the end as I wanted to know what happened. I really enjoyed this heartwarming read and I did find myself laughing at times. I also loved the author's writing style and there was a great cast of characters. I loved Sasha and Zinnia's characters and loved following their journeys through the book. Overall, a brilliant novel that I highly recommend to other readers. I look forward to reading more by the author.
💝 Thank you to Zooloobooktours, the author Jay Jacobs and The Book Guild for my copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
December 8, 2025
This book is really unique, both in the way it tells the story (using the spirit guide's point of view but showing us the life - and near death - of Sasha) and in the story itself. NDEs are a source of endless fascination for a lot of people but rarely explored in fiction. It is an intriguing and uplifting read.
And - two reviews in one - a relative of mine borrowed the book on holiday and couldn't put it down. He wanted to add the following:
"I thoroughly enjoyed this book as it reminded me of many experiences I have gone through in the past 40 years. I have been a faith healer and can easily identify with the way you wrote about spirit guides and some of the descriptions of NDE. Also really enjoyed the characters in the story."
And - two reviews in one - a relative of mine borrowed the book on holiday and couldn't put it down. He wanted to add the following:
"I thoroughly enjoyed this book as it reminded me of many experiences I have gone through in the past 40 years. I have been a faith healer and can easily identify with the way you wrote about spirit guides and some of the descriptions of NDE. Also really enjoyed the characters in the story."
September 19, 2025
The spirit guide made this book something a bit different and special. How the protagonist engaged with her guide was sweet and often funny, showing an interesting response to her near death experience. A fun, well written book with a bit more depth than you might expect.
March 2, 2026
Here is my review for Back For Good by Jay Jacobs
I really enjoyed this story which I found fascinating and totally intriguing. Sasha is feeling very unappreciated, has three young children and is unhappy with her marriage. She is on the way to the hospital to pick up her mum when she is in a car accident and has a near death experience. Zinnia, her trainee spirit guide, wants to help Sasha but finds she is hindered by The Spirit Guidance Rule Book. Can Zinnia lead Sasha to do the right thing? I quite liked the ‘near death experience’ and all the explanations. I enjoyed the idea of a spirit guide and the whole aspect of it. For me, it was a great story that is totally out of my normal genres but it was an easy read. I liked the author’s writing style as well. I think it's possible the author may have done some research before writing this story and it shows in the information contained in the story. I would like to read more books by this author in the future.
Blurb :
Sasha Denning doesn’t ask for anything—ever. Feeling unappreciated and stuck in a crumbling marriage with her husband, Mark, she’s suddenly given a dramatic escape: a near-death experience. Returning to life with a mission to help others, Sasha is thrust into a series of challenges that range from comical to heart-wrenching.
Zinnia, her determined but rule-bound trainee spirit guide, wants to help Sasha mend her life and marriage. But with The Spirit Guidance Rule Book restricting her every move, Zinnia faces her own struggles to prove she’s ready to qualify. When disaster looms, Zinnia must decide what matters most—her mission, her career, or Sasha and Mark’s future.
I really enjoyed this story which I found fascinating and totally intriguing. Sasha is feeling very unappreciated, has three young children and is unhappy with her marriage. She is on the way to the hospital to pick up her mum when she is in a car accident and has a near death experience. Zinnia, her trainee spirit guide, wants to help Sasha but finds she is hindered by The Spirit Guidance Rule Book. Can Zinnia lead Sasha to do the right thing? I quite liked the ‘near death experience’ and all the explanations. I enjoyed the idea of a spirit guide and the whole aspect of it. For me, it was a great story that is totally out of my normal genres but it was an easy read. I liked the author’s writing style as well. I think it's possible the author may have done some research before writing this story and it shows in the information contained in the story. I would like to read more books by this author in the future.
Blurb :
Sasha Denning doesn’t ask for anything—ever. Feeling unappreciated and stuck in a crumbling marriage with her husband, Mark, she’s suddenly given a dramatic escape: a near-death experience. Returning to life with a mission to help others, Sasha is thrust into a series of challenges that range from comical to heart-wrenching.
Zinnia, her determined but rule-bound trainee spirit guide, wants to help Sasha mend her life and marriage. But with The Spirit Guidance Rule Book restricting her every move, Zinnia faces her own struggles to prove she’s ready to qualify. When disaster looms, Zinnia must decide what matters most—her mission, her career, or Sasha and Mark’s future.
September 14, 2025
I've seen this book from early draft, through various revisions and now it is published, I can hold it in my hands, which is a real treat.
This is a relatable story of a young mother, Sasha, struggling with three young children and a husband who's not pulling his weight. Sasha is involved in a car crash and has a near-death experience (NDE) in which we meet her quirky spirit guide, Zinnia.
Zinnia provides much of the humour in this novel as we see her watching Sasha as she comes to terms with life after her accident and the new insights and powers she develops. Zinnia is a trainee spirit guide, very much bound by the rules and her frustration at not being able to intervene to help provides laugh out loud moments.
Sasha herself grows in confidence as the novel progresses as she navigates her way through a deterioration in the relationship with her husband and her mother's illness, whilst also meeting new people and people from her past, as she tries to fulfil the mission given to her during her NDE.
There are many likeable characters in 'Back for Good' and funny moments, but it also addresses day-to-day challenges with which any woman with young children, parents who need help or a husband who could be more engaged, will be familiar.
This is a relatable story of a young mother, Sasha, struggling with three young children and a husband who's not pulling his weight. Sasha is involved in a car crash and has a near-death experience (NDE) in which we meet her quirky spirit guide, Zinnia.
Zinnia provides much of the humour in this novel as we see her watching Sasha as she comes to terms with life after her accident and the new insights and powers she develops. Zinnia is a trainee spirit guide, very much bound by the rules and her frustration at not being able to intervene to help provides laugh out loud moments.
Sasha herself grows in confidence as the novel progresses as she navigates her way through a deterioration in the relationship with her husband and her mother's illness, whilst also meeting new people and people from her past, as she tries to fulfil the mission given to her during her NDE.
There are many likeable characters in 'Back for Good' and funny moments, but it also addresses day-to-day challenges with which any woman with young children, parents who need help or a husband who could be more engaged, will be familiar.
March 10, 2026
Ive been very confused by this book. Its writing style is really good, it flows well and i liked the use of different fonts to differentiate between Zinnia and Sasha talking. But i got to 196 pages into the book and i still wasnt sure if i liked it, which i know sounds strange to be so far into a book and not know if i like it.I think my problem is that this book has alot going on and it almost feels like too much, we not only have Zinnia and Sasha as out main two voices but we've also had at least half a dozen others being given a chapter at least from their point of view and it feels much like Sashas life, Busy.
Ive really enjoyed Jay Jacobs writing style though i think she has a really good way with writing people that you can connect with, anyone with children thats trying to keep a house running can easily see themselves in Sasha, even to the point of getting annoyed with their husband over not helping even though youve not asked them to. Their all very relatable characters who i have enjoyed getting to know, i just think theres a little too much happening to Sasha all at once. Its a well written book and ive found it very easy to read, if a slight bit chaotic for my mind.
Ive really enjoyed Jay Jacobs writing style though i think she has a really good way with writing people that you can connect with, anyone with children thats trying to keep a house running can easily see themselves in Sasha, even to the point of getting annoyed with their husband over not helping even though youve not asked them to. Their all very relatable characters who i have enjoyed getting to know, i just think theres a little too much happening to Sasha all at once. Its a well written book and ive found it very easy to read, if a slight bit chaotic for my mind.
August 12, 2025
This was such a fun, surprisingly realistic read!
We meet Sasha Denning, who’s basically the queen of never asking for anything. She’s stuck in a crumbling marriage, feeling invisible… until she has a dramatic, near death experience that flips her perspective completely.
Now she’s on a mission to help others. But life, of course, is not making it easy.
Enter Zinnia, her trainee spirit guide (interesting right?), who’s determined but hilariously bound by The Spirit Guidance Rule Book (seriously, the rules are half the fun).
Zinnia wants to help Sasha fix her life and marriage, but she’s also trying to prove herself worthy of full spirit guide status.
We have heartwarming moments, comedic mishaps, and a few “uh oh” situations that made me wonder if either of them can pull this off.
It’s heartfelt, a little chaotic, and packed with relatable moments about love, second chances, and finding your own voice.
Totally worth picking up if you like your life lesson stories with a dash of supernatural charm and plenty of humour.
We meet Sasha Denning, who’s basically the queen of never asking for anything. She’s stuck in a crumbling marriage, feeling invisible… until she has a dramatic, near death experience that flips her perspective completely.
Now she’s on a mission to help others. But life, of course, is not making it easy.
Enter Zinnia, her trainee spirit guide (interesting right?), who’s determined but hilariously bound by The Spirit Guidance Rule Book (seriously, the rules are half the fun).
Zinnia wants to help Sasha fix her life and marriage, but she’s also trying to prove herself worthy of full spirit guide status.
We have heartwarming moments, comedic mishaps, and a few “uh oh” situations that made me wonder if either of them can pull this off.
It’s heartfelt, a little chaotic, and packed with relatable moments about love, second chances, and finding your own voice.
Totally worth picking up if you like your life lesson stories with a dash of supernatural charm and plenty of humour.
March 1, 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
This book wasn't what I expected (in a good way) and overall, I liked it, I just don't think the writing style was my cup of tea. We follow Sasha through a really interesting experience and then on a really mysterious journey afterwards (can you tell I hate to spoil plots in any way), and I really enjoyed that storyline, but I found it quite hard to follow whose thoughts we'd suddenly jumped to and it felt quite choppy to me. But this could well be a me issue with life being too busy at the moment.
It's definitely an enjoyable read and quite easy to binge, and in places I felt like I was flying through it. All the components of it should be great, it just requires a bit too much brain power for me at the moment.
It was exactly the right length for the story (and I don't say that about many books over 320 pages), and I really liked the characters. The cover is also fantastic. I didn't rate the ending though; it was very abrupt.
This book wasn't what I expected (in a good way) and overall, I liked it, I just don't think the writing style was my cup of tea. We follow Sasha through a really interesting experience and then on a really mysterious journey afterwards (can you tell I hate to spoil plots in any way), and I really enjoyed that storyline, but I found it quite hard to follow whose thoughts we'd suddenly jumped to and it felt quite choppy to me. But this could well be a me issue with life being too busy at the moment.
It's definitely an enjoyable read and quite easy to binge, and in places I felt like I was flying through it. All the components of it should be great, it just requires a bit too much brain power for me at the moment.
It was exactly the right length for the story (and I don't say that about many books over 320 pages), and I really liked the characters. The cover is also fantastic. I didn't rate the ending though; it was very abrupt.
August 10, 2025
Really enjoyed this book from Jacobs, very unique storyline. Don’t usually go for this genre, but you get drawn in so quickly and by chapter 2, I was hooked. Good character development. Even though it’s a complicated world, Jacobs makes it an easy to understand concept. I really like the relationship between Zinnia and Sasha, reflecting the inability to communicate how we feel about others. It’s honest and raw about relationships, how they need patience and attentiveness to thrive. A really good book, unputdownable. Hopefully there’s more to come from this new author!!
March 3, 2026
This is a super fast paced (really short chapters) read that I thoroughly enjoyed! I have always loved shows like Ghost Whisperer or the YA series - The Mediator by Meg Cabot. Anything to do with ghosts and healing is a bit of me 😍. I loved Sashas character who's such a loving person to her children and parents- even though she could do better at communicating with her husband! I also really enjoyed her spirit guide- although I would have liked more interaction between the two! I do feel the ending left me with a few questions (e.g Clive???) But overall a great read 📚
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews