What do you think?
Rate this book
My Novel Year
Analena has mapped out her dream, but when do those ever go accordingly?
For the last decade, Analena has dreamed of writing a novel. She also dreams of getting away from her ex-husband, who doesn’t seem to understand they’re no longer in love. After saving and planning, she’s finally ready to take the leap. But she can’t write in Nevada; that’s not the perfect setting, so she rents a condo for a year in Ocean Cove, Washington, to live out her dream.
But her new neighbors and their love of pets, which petrify Analena, makes her relocation less dreamlike than she’d hoped. She soon learns that life has a way of unraveling and throwing wrenches into your plans when you least expect or need them. And a year goes by a lot faster when your dream is on a deadline.
Will this end up being the novel year Analena wanted, or will it transform her in more ways than the words between the lines?
*Annually, 10% of the proceeds from the sale of this book, and all Savannah’s books are donated to dog rescue organizations
For the last decade, Analena has dreamed of writing a novel. She also dreams of getting away from her ex-husband, who doesn’t seem to understand they’re no longer in love. After saving and planning, she’s finally ready to take the leap. But she can’t write in Nevada; that’s not the perfect setting, so she rents a condo for a year in Ocean Cove, Washington, to live out her dream.
But her new neighbors and their love of pets, which petrify Analena, makes her relocation less dreamlike than she’d hoped. She soon learns that life has a way of unraveling and throwing wrenches into your plans when you least expect or need them. And a year goes by a lot faster when your dream is on a deadline.
Will this end up being the novel year Analena wanted, or will it transform her in more ways than the words between the lines?
*Annually, 10% of the proceeds from the sale of this book, and all Savannah’s books are donated to dog rescue organizations
261 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 1, 2026
7 people want to read
About the author
Savannah Hendricks
30 books370 followersREADING IS BETTER WITH A DOG
Annually, 10% of the proceeds from the sale of Savannah's books are donated to dog rescue organizations. Additionally, in memory of Mac, 5% of the proceeds from the sale of THE ALBUM will be donated to AKC Canine Health Foundation on a semi-annual basis to support canine epilepsy research.
Savannah is a short & sarcastic, award-winning author & social worker. She DOESN'T use AI or other technology to create her stories, she writes them from scratch.
Request a personalized autograph: http://savannahhendricks.com/
Annually, 10% of the proceeds from the sale of Savannah's books are donated to dog rescue organizations. Additionally, in memory of Mac, 5% of the proceeds from the sale of THE ALBUM will be donated to AKC Canine Health Foundation on a semi-annual basis to support canine epilepsy research.
Savannah is a short & sarcastic, award-winning author & social worker. She DOESN'T use AI or other technology to create her stories, she writes them from scratch.
Request a personalized autograph: http://savannahhendricks.com/
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
Read
January 2, 2026I can't believe I finished writing this book and that it finally made it out into the book world today. Many times I didn't know how I was going to finish on time (because of my injury). This book is full of humor, heartfelt moments, overcoming fears, and thought provoking scenes. I hope you'll give it a read and come back and let me know if you enjoyed it. Happy reading.
January 10, 2026
This story brings to light the dream of a young woman to become an author. She moves away from her home for a year - her novel year - to concentrate on writing her first novel. The move has its’ ups and downs and in the end, she finds her place in the “now”, without dwelling on the past or focusing too much on the future. I can’t imagine how hard this dog loving author must have worked to write a character that is not a dog lover! Nicely done, Savannah!
January 30, 2026
Review of My Novel Year by Savannah Hendricks
Ms. Hendricks writes from a place of deep compassion, and it shows on every page. Her novels are stories I always love to read because they consistently touch my heart in meaningful ways. This was a great read. The characters felt real to me—like people I could sit beside and truly know. Analena’s struggles and self-doubts stirred my heart; I found myself yearning for her to find peace and confidence in her own becoming. Todd was such a gift of a character—his quiet humor brought lightness, but it was his gentle compassion that stood out most. He knew when to step in and when to give Analena the space she needed, and that grace felt honest and true.
I especially enjoyed the addition of her dog character, Whidbey, whose presence added warmth and heart to the story, as well as the touching mentions of Ms. Hendricks’ own personal dogs woven into the book. My Novel Year is a beautiful reminder that plans don’t always unfold the way we imagine, but somehow, they often end exactly where they’re meant to—guided by growth, patience, and the unseen hand shaping our journey.
I want to thank Ms. Hendricks for the privilege and honor of reading this book. All opinions and views in this review are my heartfelt own.
Ms. Hendricks writes from a place of deep compassion, and it shows on every page. Her novels are stories I always love to read because they consistently touch my heart in meaningful ways. This was a great read. The characters felt real to me—like people I could sit beside and truly know. Analena’s struggles and self-doubts stirred my heart; I found myself yearning for her to find peace and confidence in her own becoming. Todd was such a gift of a character—his quiet humor brought lightness, but it was his gentle compassion that stood out most. He knew when to step in and when to give Analena the space she needed, and that grace felt honest and true.
I especially enjoyed the addition of her dog character, Whidbey, whose presence added warmth and heart to the story, as well as the touching mentions of Ms. Hendricks’ own personal dogs woven into the book. My Novel Year is a beautiful reminder that plans don’t always unfold the way we imagine, but somehow, they often end exactly where they’re meant to—guided by growth, patience, and the unseen hand shaping our journey.
I want to thank Ms. Hendricks for the privilege and honor of reading this book. All opinions and views in this review are my heartfelt own.
Review of advance copy received from Author
my novel year.
Savannah Hendricks
what a Beautiful story.
sometimes taking time to write is more than just about a book. theres life involved.
a dog. walks on the beach ⛱️.
a really nice neighbor named Todd.
Annoying Exs that won't go away.
unexpected things happen, but in the end everything ends perfectly.
and falling for a dog is not as bad as one might think. 🐾
the perfect story right here.
this has been my favorite book by this author.
thank you Savannah.
Savannah Hendricks
what a Beautiful story.
sometimes taking time to write is more than just about a book. theres life involved.
a dog. walks on the beach ⛱️.
a really nice neighbor named Todd.
Annoying Exs that won't go away.
unexpected things happen, but in the end everything ends perfectly.
and falling for a dog is not as bad as one might think. 🐾
the perfect story right here.
this has been my favorite book by this author.
thank you Savannah.
January 20, 2026
I have been a loyal fan of Savannahs Books and her love of dogs for many years ! I finished this book in two days , great story of following your goals and dreams and learning lessons and bring brave along the way! Good reminder to step out of your comfort zone and fully embrace life's new adventures!
January 15, 2026
I loved this story! But of course I love all her books! Had some laugh out loud moments! Loved the dogs and characters! Pawsome book! 🐾
January 23, 2026
Really good read where main character is trying to write her novel but is dealing with a lack of self confidence in herself in different ways. It was good to see her grow and not give up! I liked the outcome at the end.
February 1, 2026
Another great book by Savannah! I really loved this book. It is filled with a roller coaster of emotions along with some humor. Analena is a very likable character that I could relate to, especially in her push through self-doubt to follow her dreams.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I loved this book! Analena faced a lot of challenges in her novel year that took a lot of courage to get through. She learned a lot about herself and life throughout the year. This is so well written and kept me interested from start to finish! It also allows you to connect with Analena because her life feels just like how life can go for everyone!
February 3, 2026
Savannah has done it again! Her books never disappoint. Annalena moves away from Nevada for a year, taking a sabbatical to try and write a book. Moving to Washington state. Total different climate, knowing nobody she rents a condo for the year. No spoilers from me, I'm just saying read it!
Review of advance copy received from Author
The premise of "My Novel Year" by best selling author, Savannah Hendricks is about the reality of chasing one's long-time dreams. In Analena's case (the main character) it's actually the reality of chasing her long-deferred dream.
Analena took a year off of her job in her hometown of Nevada to rent a condo in Ocean Cove, Washington hoping to live out her dream of writing a novel.
Analena's a wonderful person, her character is steadfast, determined, unwavering and she's very strong willed. One thing I feel Analena lacked though is self esteem. She seems to live a secluded life away from people, maybe because she's trying to write her book and feels she doesn't have time to be around others, most of all, Analena is petrified of animals! Little did she know the condo she rented in Ocean Cove is surrounded by not only people but people with pets.
The lovely people that live in this condo development try their best to befriend Analena and help her get over her fear of pets. Even when Analena isn't very friendly at first, they don't give up, even the good looking young man with the dog that's almost as big as Analena!
As her year is coming to an end, did she finish her novel, did she make any long lasting friendships or better yet "man friendships" and mostly did she get over her fear of animals before returning to her hometown in Nevada? I implore you to pick up this book and find out!
I loved this story, it's about fresh starts and self-discovery. As always, Savannah's books hit me at my core being.
This is the 14th novel I've read from this best selling author and I'm looking forward to reading many more. Thank you Savannah for providing me with an E-ARC of this 5 star book.
Analena took a year off of her job in her hometown of Nevada to rent a condo in Ocean Cove, Washington hoping to live out her dream of writing a novel.
Analena's a wonderful person, her character is steadfast, determined, unwavering and she's very strong willed. One thing I feel Analena lacked though is self esteem. She seems to live a secluded life away from people, maybe because she's trying to write her book and feels she doesn't have time to be around others, most of all, Analena is petrified of animals! Little did she know the condo she rented in Ocean Cove is surrounded by not only people but people with pets.
The lovely people that live in this condo development try their best to befriend Analena and help her get over her fear of pets. Even when Analena isn't very friendly at first, they don't give up, even the good looking young man with the dog that's almost as big as Analena!
As her year is coming to an end, did she finish her novel, did she make any long lasting friendships or better yet "man friendships" and mostly did she get over her fear of animals before returning to her hometown in Nevada? I implore you to pick up this book and find out!
I loved this story, it's about fresh starts and self-discovery. As always, Savannah's books hit me at my core being.
This is the 14th novel I've read from this best selling author and I'm looking forward to reading many more. Thank you Savannah for providing me with an E-ARC of this 5 star book.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Ending 2025 right. This was a story of hope, dreams, and determination and I absolutely enjoyed it! Grab this tomorrow on JAN 1, 2026!!
Analena has always dreamed of writing a novel. She’s finally saved up enough money to make it happen and decides to spend a year on the Washington coast writing. The residents in the condo that she meets are interesting, spunky and dashingly handsome. Things don’t turn out the way she thought they would and she ends that year disappointed. But, that’s where the magic of the book happens – the magic of other people and characters sharing things that we don’t always realize.
This book was the perfect ending to 2025 and it resonated with me in the way I’ve dreaded school work and other things and it makes me think of the country song “You’re gonna miss this”. I should be grateful I even get to go to grad school. We spend so much time thinking about how things should be versus how they turn out in reality. Nothing will ever be perfect but, it’s recognizing those moments that are perfect and living for the days. Being grateful for those moments. I loved this read – 5️⃣⭐️‼️ Let’s geaux into 2026 with a grateful heart and just live for the moments!
Analena has always dreamed of writing a novel. She’s finally saved up enough money to make it happen and decides to spend a year on the Washington coast writing. The residents in the condo that she meets are interesting, spunky and dashingly handsome. Things don’t turn out the way she thought they would and she ends that year disappointed. But, that’s where the magic of the book happens – the magic of other people and characters sharing things that we don’t always realize.
This book was the perfect ending to 2025 and it resonated with me in the way I’ve dreaded school work and other things and it makes me think of the country song “You’re gonna miss this”. I should be grateful I even get to go to grad school. We spend so much time thinking about how things should be versus how they turn out in reality. Nothing will ever be perfect but, it’s recognizing those moments that are perfect and living for the days. Being grateful for those moments. I loved this read – 5️⃣⭐️‼️ Let’s geaux into 2026 with a grateful heart and just live for the moments!
January 14, 2026
Everyone has that dream of what they want and goals that they want to achieve. Well Analena is no different. We get to see how being a writer can be tough. Especially with the writers block they get. Ways they can get distracted, and also trying to do this while working a normal 9-5 job, or taking a leave of absence from their job and try to survive on what money they have saved just to reach that goal or dream. Sometimes you have to make sacrifices to try to reach your goals. Analena does just that. She seems to lack confidence, and is a hermit, not a pet lover until she meets Todd, who, slowly breaks her out of her shell. Well Savannah hit this one out of the park. It is another fabulous book of hers that shows just that. Get your copy today, you will not be disappointed.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
I read this in one sitting, a first for me. While I've been a fan of Savannah's books for years, this one was extra special. It felt raw and honest, funny, and uplifting. I was delighted to get an ARC of this novel. While I don't know if it's a favorite from this author (I loved The Christmas Rental & I Adopted My Mom at the Bus Station, the most) It's sure up there.
Review of advance copy received from Author
My Novel Year by Savannah Hendricks, was a beautifully written book.
Analena has a dream to follow. She has carefully planned and saved for this curated dream. Nothing was getting in her way. She had 1 year and would not fail. She just has to do it while avoiding animals!
Todd has been working hard, he lives as much in the present as he can. Then this shapely woman author falls into his life, he has not rules or plans for life, just lives.
The story of these 2 finding a balance and friendship is a story no one wants to miss. Each character is so well developed and written.
I identified with Analena's struggles in life as a middle aged woman.
Thank you Savannah for writing a story I literally could not put down!
Analena has a dream to follow. She has carefully planned and saved for this curated dream. Nothing was getting in her way. She had 1 year and would not fail. She just has to do it while avoiding animals!
Todd has been working hard, he lives as much in the present as he can. Then this shapely woman author falls into his life, he has not rules or plans for life, just lives.
The story of these 2 finding a balance and friendship is a story no one wants to miss. Each character is so well developed and written.
I identified with Analena's struggles in life as a middle aged woman.
Thank you Savannah for writing a story I literally could not put down!
January 1, 2026
I enjoyed Analena's story that was full of planned and unplanned adventures, self-doubting, hopeful, healing, learning to love oneself, and embracing changes!
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews