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The Yada Yada Prayer Group #2
The Yada Yada Prayer Group Gets Down
A robbery, a lynching, and a mourning mother shake up the Yada Yadas. I had never felt so violated! The Yada Yada Prayer Group was "gettin' down" with God in prayer and praise one night when a heroin-crazed woman barged into my house, demanded our valuables, and threatened us with a 10-inch knife--a knife that drew blood. We wondered if we'd ever get back to normal after this terrifying experience. I assumed we would. After all, we'd started praying together at the Chicago Women's Conference last spring,and we'd been through a lot already as spiritual sisters. This was just one more hurdle to conquer, right? But then a well-meaning gesture suddenly incited a backlash of anger in the group, forcing us to confront generations of racial division, pain, and distrust--and stretching our friendship to the limit. And a shocking confrontation in my third-grade classroom forced me to face my own accountability and learn what true forgiveness really is.
392 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2004
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October 5, 2009
I feel like the first person narrative REALLY hurts this book. I want to know what the other women are thinking and feeling. I want to follow their lives every once in awhile. To be honest, I'm sick of Jodi. She seems judgemental, she almost always jumps to the worst conclusion first, and I want to get out of her head!
Other problems I had were: the character Ruth talks like Yoda. Says her sentences in the wrong order, she does. Every time she says anything in the book I hear Yoda's voice for her. I don't think that's what the author has in mind. Also, Jodi's whole family shares an e-mail address. That includes her, her husband, their 18 year old son, and 15 year old daughter. Come on, you can't tell me those kids haven't gotten their own e-mail address by now. These people aren't computer illiterate either.
But there were good things about the story. I like how the women turn to God when things get hard, and there is a nice variety of different characters. The author writes well, so that even when I'm rolling my eyes, at least it's not about bad dialogue or a boring plot. I'm interested enough in some of the characters that I'll keep reading the series, but will probably push it back and read other series first.
Other problems I had were: the character Ruth talks like Yoda. Says her sentences in the wrong order, she does. Every time she says anything in the book I hear Yoda's voice for her. I don't think that's what the author has in mind. Also, Jodi's whole family shares an e-mail address. That includes her, her husband, their 18 year old son, and 15 year old daughter. Come on, you can't tell me those kids haven't gotten their own e-mail address by now. These people aren't computer illiterate either.
But there were good things about the story. I like how the women turn to God when things get hard, and there is a nice variety of different characters. The author writes well, so that even when I'm rolling my eyes, at least it's not about bad dialogue or a boring plot. I'm interested enough in some of the characters that I'll keep reading the series, but will probably push it back and read other series first.
May 31, 2011
This is the second book in Jackson's Yada Yada Series. In the first book a group of 12 women are randomly placed in a prayer group while at a Chicago-area Christian women's conference, and after a series of life-changing events, the group decides to continue meeting after the conference is over.
The second book starts just after the action of the first. It's the end of summer and protagonist, Jodi "good girl" Baxter has almost fully recovered from her car accident (in which she accidentally killed a boy), but her husband still isn't sure if his coaching contract from last school year has been renewed. The other members of the group have their own issues as well - Hoshi, a recent convert to Christianity, suffers greatly after the visit from her parents still living in Japan doesn't go as smoothly as planned; Florida, an ex-con, still worries about her unemployed husband, who's mood has continued to decline; Adele, a sassy beauty shop owner, has confront demons of a racially segregated past; Nony, a South-Africa native and professor's wife, struggles with her desire to return to her homeland despite the wishes of her American husband; and a new woman enters the sisters' circle when she tries to rob them during a prayer group meeting.
The stories of this motley crew all border on the cliched, but somehow manage to stay just this side of believable. I'm also amazed at how much my mood has changed while reading this book. Suddenly, I find myself wanting to pray for everyone I meet, just like the sisters of the Yada Yada Prayer Group do. A really enjoyable faith-affirming read.
The second book starts just after the action of the first. It's the end of summer and protagonist, Jodi "good girl" Baxter has almost fully recovered from her car accident (in which she accidentally killed a boy), but her husband still isn't sure if his coaching contract from last school year has been renewed. The other members of the group have their own issues as well - Hoshi, a recent convert to Christianity, suffers greatly after the visit from her parents still living in Japan doesn't go as smoothly as planned; Florida, an ex-con, still worries about her unemployed husband, who's mood has continued to decline; Adele, a sassy beauty shop owner, has confront demons of a racially segregated past; Nony, a South-Africa native and professor's wife, struggles with her desire to return to her homeland despite the wishes of her American husband; and a new woman enters the sisters' circle when she tries to rob them during a prayer group meeting.
The stories of this motley crew all border on the cliched, but somehow manage to stay just this side of believable. I'm also amazed at how much my mood has changed while reading this book. Suddenly, I find myself wanting to pray for everyone I meet, just like the sisters of the Yada Yada Prayer Group do. A really enjoyable faith-affirming read.
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August 27, 2009As usual, Neta Jackson hit on the exact issues that I struggle with as a Christian. Whereas the Christian books I have been reading are just "clean" romances, the Yada Yada series is more like a devotional hidden in a story. This book is perfect fodder for discussion in a Christian book club, but the story doesn't have the stilted feeling of a story created just to teach a lesson.
I like the way that Jackson fleshes out the characters, as well. Even though one of the main story lines was about Adele, Jackson gave us enough new information about the other characters to keep this from reading like the Adele volume.
I like the way that Jackson fleshes out the characters, as well. Even though one of the main story lines was about Adele, Jackson gave us enough new information about the other characters to keep this from reading like the Adele volume.
May 9, 2008
I got really tired of the main character whining all the time! She really needs to loosen up or she's going to have a stroke over her husband having a beer with a friend...Seriously!
March 27, 2016
Enjoyable as always, with some thought-provoking issues in the middle of what is mostly Christian chick-lit. It is a light and easy read, but with an edge to it.
August 20, 2024
The Yada Yada Prayer Group Gets Down by Neta Jackson is the second book in the series and is written in the first person from Jodi Baxter’s point of view.
She had never felt so violated! The Yada Yada Prayer Group was “gettin’ down” with God in prayer and praise one night when a heroin-crazed woman barged into Jodi’s house, demanded everyone’s valuables, and threatened them with a ten-inch knife - a knife which drew blood.
Would they ever get back to normal after this terrifying experience? The women had started praying together at the Chicago Women’s Conference that spring and had been through a lot already as spiritual sisters. This was one more hurdle to conquer.
But then a well-meaning gesture suddenly incited a backlash of anger in the group forcing them to confront generations of racial division, pain, and distrust - stretching
their friendship to the limit. And a shocking confrontation in Jodi’s third-grade classroom forced her to face her own accountability and learn what true forgiveness really is.
I highly recommend that you read these books in order.
4.5 stars
She had never felt so violated! The Yada Yada Prayer Group was “gettin’ down” with God in prayer and praise one night when a heroin-crazed woman barged into Jodi’s house, demanded everyone’s valuables, and threatened them with a ten-inch knife - a knife which drew blood.
Would they ever get back to normal after this terrifying experience? The women had started praying together at the Chicago Women’s Conference that spring and had been through a lot already as spiritual sisters. This was one more hurdle to conquer.
But then a well-meaning gesture suddenly incited a backlash of anger in the group forcing them to confront generations of racial division, pain, and distrust - stretching
their friendship to the limit. And a shocking confrontation in Jodi’s third-grade classroom forced her to face her own accountability and learn what true forgiveness really is.
I highly recommend that you read these books in order.
4.5 stars
July 26, 2020
Brilliant book. The Yada Yada books speak straight to my heart. I'm challenged to pray, praise God and generally take a closer look at my relationship with God. Do I just pay Him lip-service - or do I actually practise what I preach?
"The YYPG Gets Down" is a fitting continuation of the first book, and it raises an interesting question of forgiveness. Do we forgive even if the other person doesn't repent? Can we repent for the sins of others? (Like the Germans asking the Jews for forgiveness for the Holocaust) How can we accept God's forgiveness and learn to live with what we've done? And how do we cope if somebody we've wronged won't forgive us.
A powerful book, and a breath of fresh air. I need to remember to turn to these books when I feel like my spiritual life needs a 'pick me up'.
But why does Ruth have to speak like Yoda? Talks like this she does. Takes some getting used to.
"The YYPG Gets Down" is a fitting continuation of the first book, and it raises an interesting question of forgiveness. Do we forgive even if the other person doesn't repent? Can we repent for the sins of others? (Like the Germans asking the Jews for forgiveness for the Holocaust) How can we accept God's forgiveness and learn to live with what we've done? And how do we cope if somebody we've wronged won't forgive us.
A powerful book, and a breath of fresh air. I need to remember to turn to these books when I feel like my spiritual life needs a 'pick me up'.
But why does Ruth have to speak like Yoda? Talks like this she does. Takes some getting used to.
November 5, 2009
Almost as good as the 1st in the Yada Yada series. Was hoping for each successive book to be told in the first person by each of the other characters,each one from a different race, religious, or ethnic background. Attended a wonderful book club with the author; found out she did not write sucessive books in the series from the multi-culturally varied characters' points of view because she felt she could not writing as authentically with the voice of a black woman, or a Jewish Christian woman, or a convict, or an Asian, or Filipino, or a Latin American, etc. She felt she couldn't do them justice. I respect that! While the characters in the Yada Yada Prayer Group are truly like a drawer of "mismatched socks" (thus the cover pictures of stocking feet), the view point of each character comes out more and more in each book. But the main character, the story teller, is Caucasian elementary teacher, Jodi. I'm looking forward to book 3.
February 17, 2024
The Yada Yada Prayer Group Gets Down by Neta Jackson
Yada Yada Prayer Group #2
561-page LP Hardback ends on 510
Genre: Christian Fiction, Women's Fiction
Featuring: Chicago, Illinois; Christian Women, Friendship, Prayer Group, Labor Day, 2002, Anniversary, Teachers, Principal, Spanish, Japanese Culture, Race Relations, Jewish Christianity, Hebrew, Steak 'n Shake, Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, Bakers Square, Teens, Des Moines, Iowa; 3rd Grade Classroom, Crime, Church, Prayers, Foster Care, Forgiveness, Celebrations, Recipes, Discussion Questions
Rating as a movie: PG-13
Songs for the soundtrack: "Mr. Tambourine Man" by Bob Dylan, "Melodies from Heaven" by Kirk Franklin & The Family, "Speak to My Heart" by Donnie McClurkin, "Say A Prayer" by CeCe Winans, "Shine Jesus Shine" by Graham Kendrick, "Victory Chant (Hail Jesus)" by Donnie McClurkin, "Leave It There" by Charles A. Tindley, "Stir Up the Gift" by Colorado Mass Choir and Joe Pace, "No Weapon" by Fred Hammond and Radical for Christ, "You Are" by Clint Brown, "Let Everything That Hath Breath" by Joe Pace, "Shout Hallelujah" by Clarence McClendon, "Doxology," "Amazing Grace" by Mahalia Jackson, "Trading My Sorrows (Yes Lord)" by Darrell Evans, "O Come All Ye Faithful" by Mahalia Jackson, "Do You Hear What I Hear" by CeCe Winans, "Go Tell It on the Mountain" by CeCe Winans
Books mentioned: Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl, The Gospel of Matthew, The Gospel of Mark, "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland" by Lewis Carroll, Book of James, The Epistle to the Philippians, Epistle to the Romans, Book of Isaiah, The Lord of the Rings series by J. R. R. Tolkien [John Ronald Reuel Tolkien]
My rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️🙏🙏🏻🙏🏼🙏🏽🙏🏾🙏🏿🤲🏽
My thoughts: 📖 Page 205 of 561 [17] - There are some poor choice of words but I'm somewhat enjoying the story.
📖 401 [33] - I'm acclimated to the story, there are real, faults, and everything, nice to have real issues to work through.
There were some issues with this story like referring to someone's hair as a bunch of used Brillo pads. Overall it toed the line,
The prison portion had some issues as well; prisoners don't wear jeans, tank tops, and makeup; they come to visitation in their prison uniform. I wasn't planning on reading Book 3, but since this story ended without finishing the majority of the storylines I may have to.
Recommend to others: Maybe. I think most people will enjoy this series. I don't love it, but it's good.
Yada Yada Prayer Group
1. The Yada Yada Prayer Group (2003)
2. The Yada Yada Prayer Group Gets Down (2004)
3. The Yada Yada Prayer Group Gets Real (2005)
4. The Yada Yada Prayer Group Gets Tough (2005)
5. The Yada Yada Prayer Group Gets Caught (2006)
6. The Yada Yada Prayer Group Gets Rolling (2007)
7. The Yada Yada Prayer Group Gets Decked Out (2007)
The Yada Yada Celebrations and Recipes (2018)
Yada Yada House of Hope
1. Where Do I Go? (2008)
2. Who Do I Talk To? (2009)
3. Who Do I Lean On? (2010)
4. Who Is My Shelter? (2011)
Yada Yada Prayer Group #2
561-page LP Hardback ends on 510
Genre: Christian Fiction, Women's Fiction
Featuring: Chicago, Illinois; Christian Women, Friendship, Prayer Group, Labor Day, 2002, Anniversary, Teachers, Principal, Spanish, Japanese Culture, Race Relations, Jewish Christianity, Hebrew, Steak 'n Shake, Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, Bakers Square, Teens, Des Moines, Iowa; 3rd Grade Classroom, Crime, Church, Prayers, Foster Care, Forgiveness, Celebrations, Recipes, Discussion Questions
Rating as a movie: PG-13
Songs for the soundtrack: "Mr. Tambourine Man" by Bob Dylan, "Melodies from Heaven" by Kirk Franklin & The Family, "Speak to My Heart" by Donnie McClurkin, "Say A Prayer" by CeCe Winans, "Shine Jesus Shine" by Graham Kendrick, "Victory Chant (Hail Jesus)" by Donnie McClurkin, "Leave It There" by Charles A. Tindley, "Stir Up the Gift" by Colorado Mass Choir and Joe Pace, "No Weapon" by Fred Hammond and Radical for Christ, "You Are" by Clint Brown, "Let Everything That Hath Breath" by Joe Pace, "Shout Hallelujah" by Clarence McClendon, "Doxology," "Amazing Grace" by Mahalia Jackson, "Trading My Sorrows (Yes Lord)" by Darrell Evans, "O Come All Ye Faithful" by Mahalia Jackson, "Do You Hear What I Hear" by CeCe Winans, "Go Tell It on the Mountain" by CeCe Winans
Books mentioned: Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl, The Gospel of Matthew, The Gospel of Mark, "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland" by Lewis Carroll, Book of James, The Epistle to the Philippians, Epistle to the Romans, Book of Isaiah, The Lord of the Rings series by J. R. R. Tolkien [John Ronald Reuel Tolkien]
My rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️🙏🙏🏻🙏🏼🙏🏽🙏🏾🙏🏿🤲🏽
My thoughts: 📖 Page 205 of 561 [17] - There are some poor choice of words but I'm somewhat enjoying the story.
📖 401 [33] - I'm acclimated to the story, there are real, faults, and everything, nice to have real issues to work through.
There were some issues with this story like referring to someone's hair as a bunch of used Brillo pads. Overall it toed the line,
The prison portion had some issues as well; prisoners don't wear jeans, tank tops, and makeup; they come to visitation in their prison uniform. I wasn't planning on reading Book 3, but since this story ended without finishing the majority of the storylines I may have to.
Recommend to others: Maybe. I think most people will enjoy this series. I don't love it, but it's good.
Yada Yada Prayer Group
1. The Yada Yada Prayer Group (2003)
2. The Yada Yada Prayer Group Gets Down (2004)
3. The Yada Yada Prayer Group Gets Real (2005)
4. The Yada Yada Prayer Group Gets Tough (2005)
5. The Yada Yada Prayer Group Gets Caught (2006)
6. The Yada Yada Prayer Group Gets Rolling (2007)
7. The Yada Yada Prayer Group Gets Decked Out (2007)
The Yada Yada Celebrations and Recipes (2018)
Yada Yada House of Hope
1. Where Do I Go? (2008)
2. Who Do I Talk To? (2009)
3. Who Do I Lean On? (2010)
4. Who Is My Shelter? (2011)
March 26, 2024
I'm seriously coming to love these ladies! After the first book, I was planning to push the next book back a bit before I started it but I kept thinking about the prayer group! I couldn't help but wonder what they would be up to in the next book. I love it that the story line picks up right where it left off, just in a new season!
In this book, there is a lot of racial tension that starts coming out after a series of difficult events. The realities and wounds of racism and the healing that comes with forgiveness was so incredibly well written. The deep work of God was rich and beautiful in this second book of Yada Yada.
We also got a glimpse of a budding romance, spent some time in Jodis classroom, and even spent Thanksgiving with the Baxters and a few others. Loved this one as much as the first one. Well done Neta Jackson!
In this book, there is a lot of racial tension that starts coming out after a series of difficult events. The realities and wounds of racism and the healing that comes with forgiveness was so incredibly well written. The deep work of God was rich and beautiful in this second book of Yada Yada.
We also got a glimpse of a budding romance, spent some time in Jodis classroom, and even spent Thanksgiving with the Baxters and a few others. Loved this one as much as the first one. Well done Neta Jackson!
August 3, 2016
Yada Yada Gets Down #2
Loved this book! Some good quotes from it & words/phrases to ponder & chew on....
Sometimes I wondered why it took a big crisis in my life to get some simple stuff straight, like not doing chores my kids should be doing.
Pray. That was it. Why did it take me so long to get the first line of defense when upsetting things happened? If girls were here they'd be circling our chairs like warriors doing battle w/fear, confusion, disappointment, anger.
I always thank God after he's answered my prayers but they thank God before He answers. 'Thank you Jesus bc we know it's already done.' 'Thank you for what You're going to do.'
Thank you Jesus that you have said You will never leave us or forsake us. We are bought with a price, therefore we glorify You in our bodies & in our spirits, which belong to You...'
Prayer...still a challenge to get beyond my laundry list of Dear God, bless so & so & do such & such, a prayer routine perfected by fam devotions as a kid. Praise Him with music!
Good thing God is God all by himself! -Florida (5 years saved & 5 years sober!)
Good ol James, a down to earth brother if there ever was one. Practical. Straight to the point. Unlike Paul, whose segments rambled on & on like a sweater unraveling, with just as many knots to untangle. (Love this analogy bc I love straight to the point James but I so love untangling Paul's kinks & knots :))
Confessing-it literally means to tell, to make known. The Word is what God says in the Bible. So we can either go around confessing, oh wasn't that awful or confessing the Word: I'm created in the image of Hod. God knows & cares even when a sparrow falls to the ground; how much more He cares about me! Rom 8:28 speak it out loud.
Fear, anger, etc-if I stay there in the natural, focusing on all my feelings Satan gets a foothold in my heart. I begin to doubt Gods love. My trust slips. I need to confess the promises of God right away. Satan you're a liar. God your ways are above my ways. So I trust you even if I don't feel like it. Bc that's the only way I can keep my feet on solid ground & my heart from giving in to fear.
When we holding to our anger, we allow the person who hurt us to keep hurting us again & again, every time we think about what happened. That gives s too much power. That's why Jesus way points us to reconciliation & forgiveness.
All right Jesus. We're asking for good weather all the way & we thank you in advance for whatcha gonna do.
If H didn't forgive BW she be lettin that woman hurt her all over again every time she thinks about it. But u watch. A little forgiveness goes a long way. Gonna take the sting out.
Bible sword drills, youth for Christ rallies-realized just how unprepared I'd been for how complicated & untidy the C life is.
Loved this book! Some good quotes from it & words/phrases to ponder & chew on....
Sometimes I wondered why it took a big crisis in my life to get some simple stuff straight, like not doing chores my kids should be doing.
Pray. That was it. Why did it take me so long to get the first line of defense when upsetting things happened? If girls were here they'd be circling our chairs like warriors doing battle w/fear, confusion, disappointment, anger.
I always thank God after he's answered my prayers but they thank God before He answers. 'Thank you Jesus bc we know it's already done.' 'Thank you for what You're going to do.'
Thank you Jesus that you have said You will never leave us or forsake us. We are bought with a price, therefore we glorify You in our bodies & in our spirits, which belong to You...'
Prayer...still a challenge to get beyond my laundry list of Dear God, bless so & so & do such & such, a prayer routine perfected by fam devotions as a kid. Praise Him with music!
Good thing God is God all by himself! -Florida (5 years saved & 5 years sober!)
Good ol James, a down to earth brother if there ever was one. Practical. Straight to the point. Unlike Paul, whose segments rambled on & on like a sweater unraveling, with just as many knots to untangle. (Love this analogy bc I love straight to the point James but I so love untangling Paul's kinks & knots :))
Confessing-it literally means to tell, to make known. The Word is what God says in the Bible. So we can either go around confessing, oh wasn't that awful or confessing the Word: I'm created in the image of Hod. God knows & cares even when a sparrow falls to the ground; how much more He cares about me! Rom 8:28 speak it out loud.
Fear, anger, etc-if I stay there in the natural, focusing on all my feelings Satan gets a foothold in my heart. I begin to doubt Gods love. My trust slips. I need to confess the promises of God right away. Satan you're a liar. God your ways are above my ways. So I trust you even if I don't feel like it. Bc that's the only way I can keep my feet on solid ground & my heart from giving in to fear.
When we holding to our anger, we allow the person who hurt us to keep hurting us again & again, every time we think about what happened. That gives s too much power. That's why Jesus way points us to reconciliation & forgiveness.
All right Jesus. We're asking for good weather all the way & we thank you in advance for whatcha gonna do.
If H didn't forgive BW she be lettin that woman hurt her all over again every time she thinks about it. But u watch. A little forgiveness goes a long way. Gonna take the sting out.
Bible sword drills, youth for Christ rallies-realized just how unprepared I'd been for how complicated & untidy the C life is.
October 31, 2020
This book is older, but I found it addressed some major issues of racism that often in our communities is missing. It addressed some hard topics like forgiving someone whom has truly wronged you as well.
October 1, 2012
The Yada Yada series is fabulous! The series addresses women and relationships. I found it an enjoyable as well as inspirational read :)
December 19, 2016
Book 2 with this amazing group goes deeper into each members life and real world struggles. The Baxters while leading ordinary lives realize that their interconnections in their daily walk.
October 26, 2024
Wow I read this one in nearly a day.
It felt more consistent than the first book in the events feeling like a believable growth pattern.
I loved the ways the husbands of the YadaYada prayer group came in as lesser characters. Especially Denny!
He comes along side Jodi, growing in his own walk with the Lord, and protects all the ladies of Yada Yada. Maybe my favorite part is how he comes alongside the husbands of Yada.
It felt more consistent than the first book in the events feeling like a believable growth pattern.
I loved the ways the husbands of the YadaYada prayer group came in as lesser characters. Especially Denny!
He comes along side Jodi, growing in his own walk with the Lord, and protects all the ladies of Yada Yada. Maybe my favorite part is how he comes alongside the husbands of Yada.
July 16, 2025
Love everybody in the series.
September 28, 2022
I have been surprised by how good these books are. The cover and the title seemed a little on the cheesy side, so I’ve never read them before. Someone was recommending them to another friend and I decided to try them and so far have really enjoyed them. They tackle some tough issues too, and I love that God is at the center.
They’re definitely dated, but if you want some womens-friendship-prayer-forgiveness fiction reading, I would recommend these books. I told my mom about them, and I think she’s read them all now.
They’re definitely dated, but if you want some womens-friendship-prayer-forgiveness fiction reading, I would recommend these books. I told my mom about them, and I think she’s read them all now.
March 1, 2018
Heavy. Hard. Uncomfortable. These are all words that come to mind as I try to think about this book. It was tough. But in such a good way. Good writing should make you think, examine yourself, and open your eyes. White people may read this book and brush it off. As a white mother to black children, I can't do that. I have to continually look closely at our world and see all the racial prejudice that still exists today and talk to my children about it. I have to prepare them to be called names, to be treated differently, to be stopped while "driving black". I have to prepare them that police will shoot first and ask questions later. Jodi had to see things from a different perspective too. She had to open her eyes to her own prejudices in her heart. The robbery in her home was tough to read. While I have never experienced this myself, the story telling here was so real that it haunted me. And Denny. Oh Denny, my heart breaks for you. To be accused of something that truly has nothing to do with you AT ALL. The weight of that burden was hard on him. He struggled under it. I love that the characters in this book don't shy away from the hard aspects of life. It's not all sunshine and roses.
Neta Jackson, thank you. While the topics in this book aren't ones I would have chosen to fill my free time with (I liked to read to relax and unwind - none of that with this book! LOL) they are essential to keep talking about them. And to talk about them from a Christian point of view, and hear what the Bible has to say about it, that is extra special. Great job!!
Neta Jackson, thank you. While the topics in this book aren't ones I would have chosen to fill my free time with (I liked to read to relax and unwind - none of that with this book! LOL) they are essential to keep talking about them. And to talk about them from a Christian point of view, and hear what the Bible has to say about it, that is extra special. Great job!!
September 24, 2009
i picked this one up on a whim. i got about halfway through, before i just decided to move on to something better.
i liked the premise of the book, and i liked the idea of a book about women finding their faith together.
what turned me off on the book - the writing. it was pretty juvenile. way too much "telling" and not enough description. i didn't feel too attached to the characters. i really didn't think they were developed well enough. i also didn't think the dialogue was very good.
this book reminded me of the stories i used to write when i was younger... they would go on and on with no plot!
i didn't find this book very interesting. i was really surprised to see that there were so many books in this series!!! i certainly couldn't get through all of them. :/
i liked the premise of the book, and i liked the idea of a book about women finding their faith together.
what turned me off on the book - the writing. it was pretty juvenile. way too much "telling" and not enough description. i didn't feel too attached to the characters. i really didn't think they were developed well enough. i also didn't think the dialogue was very good.
this book reminded me of the stories i used to write when i was younger... they would go on and on with no plot!
i didn't find this book very interesting. i was really surprised to see that there were so many books in this series!!! i certainly couldn't get through all of them. :/
December 9, 2014
I enjoyed this book almost as much as the first book. The characters have continued to grow in their faith. The concept that none of us are perfect, no matter how much we try, is proven time and time again. I appreciate the way that the author gives the characters real-life struggles, emotions, and thoughts. As much as Jodi tries to be the "good Christian girl" she does continue to judge others and doesn't even realize it most of the time. I'm waiting on her to have a major epiphany. It's pretty obvious that the story is not finished yet and I can't wait to read about what happens to these characters next.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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May 16, 2020Another good Yada Yada Book. Love how the characters support each other through thick and thin. The best part of this series seem to be at the end. There are always surprises in the story. The book makes me want to read the next one in the series to find out the what new adventures will happen to the the Yada Yada Prayer Group.
September 19, 2021
This series is just so good. Real women living in authentic Christian community, while tackling the ups and downs that life brings. I love how these books address real life issues of relationships, sin and forgiveness, and model how to encourage one another through fellowship, commitment and true friendship. This series is a repeat read. Highly recommend.
January 3, 2023
I liked this book a little more than the first one. I read it while the Holy Spirit was working on my prayer life and reading this on top of that was very impactful. I liked that we got to see more of Jodi’s day to day life and how she works on keeping God at the center of her busy life. I do not like how whiny she is, but then again, so am I sometimes 🫣
June 19, 2009
Like a visit with friends, some characters were a joy to return to while others were still annoying. As with any series, you learn details that explain personalities, so that makes the read interesting
September 6, 2012
Just as good as the first one if not better. I really like the characters and even though the situations they get in seem far fetched to me, I still can get myself into the book.
August 25, 2022
Another Neta Jackson 5 star book from this wonderful series
December 31, 2021
I enjoyed this book EXCEPT that I found the main character impossible to believe. She seems very unlikable to me. Otherwise an encouraging read.
November 5, 2024
Full of Bible truths, friendship, and great characters that everyone can identify with. Be ready for the ending of this one...it is deep!
*Love this series and am glad to be reading it again!
*Love this series and am glad to be reading it again!
July 21, 2025
Jodi and Denny’s romantic twentieth anniversary getaway is marred by a troubling encounter: on a visit Adele’s salon, M’Dear mistakes Denny for the man who lynched her brother. In the weeks after, tension grows between the Baxters and Adele, who refuses to talk about the incident. One afternoon during Yada Yada’s prayer meeting at Jodi’s house, a drug-crazed woman armed with a knife barges in and attempts a robbery. Though she fails and is ultimately arrested, the jarring encounter forces the women to wrestle with the concepts of trauma and forgiveness.
This was a quick read, with a fast pace, a colorful, fun cast of characters, and some thought-provoking points that MOSTLY avoided being too preachy. I would have enjoyed it more but for one fact: Jodi is absolutely awful. She is petty and judgmental and self-absorbed. I know the point is to see her growth over the course of the series, but I just hated being in her head. Any sympathy I might have had for her was lost when she showed her opposition to mixed-race couples. And not just her daughter; she assumed Avis's male friend was a romantic interest because he was the same age and race. She actually said that. Yuck. On top of that, I had major problems with the Baxters' solution to the situation with M'Dear. The ending, despite being powerful, was also a huge violation of boundaries. I don't want it to sound like I hated the book, because I didn't. Actually I loved most of the Yada Yada women. Unfortunately, the narrator herself made me want to scream.
This was a quick read, with a fast pace, a colorful, fun cast of characters, and some thought-provoking points that MOSTLY avoided being too preachy. I would have enjoyed it more but for one fact: Jodi is absolutely awful. She is petty and judgmental and self-absorbed. I know the point is to see her growth over the course of the series, but I just hated being in her head. Any sympathy I might have had for her was lost when she showed her opposition to mixed-race couples. And not just her daughter; she assumed Avis's male friend was a romantic interest because he was the same age and race. She actually said that. Yuck. On top of that, I had major problems with the Baxters' solution to the situation with M'Dear. The ending, despite being powerful, was also a huge violation of boundaries. I don't want it to sound like I hated the book, because I didn't. Actually I loved most of the Yada Yada women. Unfortunately, the narrator herself made me want to scream.
February 22, 2026
This was such a fun follow up to the first book. I honestly think I liked it better because I know the characters better and can keep them straight more. We still have Jodi as the main perspective and I love seeing how she is realizing her inherent privilege and racism. We also get the story of Florida who celebrates her 5 year sober anniversary and her quest for her daughter. Avis is still the strong and steady one and really steps into her role as principal supporting Jodi in some school drama involving a boy who has learning disabilities. We find out that he is the brother of the boy that Jodi accidentally killed in the first book and that creates a lot of PTSD and trauma. Adele is mostly missing from this book because Jodi is in the salon and her husband, Denny, comes to get her and Adele's mom has a PTSD response because she thinks he is the guy who killed her brother. She's getting senile but it really impacts Denny. There is still the drama over him having a beer now and then and I can't relate to that, but do understand something driving a wedge in your marriage. Finally, the ladies get robbed at Jodi's house during a Yada Yada meeting and they learn to pray and forgive the woman who did it because she was an addict who just needed a hit. They visit her in jail and make amends. One of the women also goes back to South Africa with her boys to visit her sick mom and theres some question of if they will come back, but I can't remember her name.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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