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Yada Yada Brothers #1
Harry Bentley's Second Chance
HARRY BENTLEY'S SECOND CHANCE "To be a father like God, to have God as his father ... perhaps Harry was being given a chance at both." Retired Chicago cop, Harry Bentley, was lying low. He'd blown the whistle on a gang of rogue cops and was awaiting the day when Internal Affairs would call him to testify and help put their leader, Lieutenant Matty Fagan, behind bars. His cover was working as a doorman in a luxury highrise on Chicago's lakefront. Then Gabby Fairbanks and her husband moved into the building's penthouse. She brought home a bag lady, got a job at the Manna House Women's Shelter, found her life falling apart, and managed to entangle Harry in the whole affair. (Gabby's story is in Neta Jackson's parallel novel, WHERE DO I GO?) But there was an upside. Through Gabby, Harry meets the Yada Yada brothers and the classy Estelle Williams and envisions a second chance at romance. The Yada Yada brothers provide a new circle of friends to replace his old CPD cohorts. But when Harry discovers he has a grandson he didn't know about, will he find the faith to take on the boy as a "second chance" to be the father he'd failed to be to his own son-even when the boy creates new dangers in Harry's fight against corruption, and may derail his "second chance" at love? Dave Jackson and his wife, Neta, are the award-winning authors of the 40-volume Trailblazer series. The phenomenal popularity of Neta's Yada Yada Prayer Group series inspired them to write "parallel" spin-off novels, two stories taking place in the same context ... just the way it happens in real life. They live in the Chicago area, where these stories are set.
336 pages, Paperback
First published December 8, 2008
15 people are currently reading
389 people want to read
About the author
Dave Jackson
234 books71 followersDave and Neta Jackson are a full-time husband/wife writing team who have authored and co-authored many books on marriage and family, the church, relationships, and other subjects. Their books for children include the TRAILBLAZER series and Hero Tales, volumes I,II, III, and IV. The Jacksons make their home in Evanston, Illinois.
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
December 26, 2011
I got through this book in 2 days, couldn't put it down! It is a companion book to the House of hope books I read earlier, from the men's perspective, written by the first author's husband. You can also read them independently and understand either story. It was fun to get "the other side of the story" though. They are one of the first author couples to do this. Can't wait to read the next one...
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July 22, 2024I love the YadaYada Series by Neta and Dave Jackson...I can't get enough of their writing voice. The characters are so real to me as if I know the characters personally. I'm even thinking about going to Chicago to see some of the places they talk about in the stories. I have to admit it...I am obsessed with their books.
October 23, 2025
I sure enjoyed this yada yada brothers book by Neta Jackson's husband. Dave. I enjoyed seeing the male perspective.. It was a treat to see many of the yada yada sisters and brothers. I'm looking forward to more yada brothers in the next book.
December 13, 2011
This book was just okay. I read the House of Hope series first, but probably should have read this book simultaneously with that series. By reading House of Hope, you pretty much know what is going to happen with this book so the ending is not a surprise. However, if someone doesn't read House of Hope first/at the same time, certain things that are thrown into the book, like the interactions with Mrs. Fairbanks, will seem so random and incomplete. For this reason, I don't think this is a good stand alone title, so reading Neta Jackson's books is pretty crucial in my opinion.
I also felt as though the author didn't do enough to really develop the characters and the main relationship component of the book between Mr. Bently and DaShawn seeemed unrealistic. I just thought it was kind of weird that Harry and his 9 year old grandson didn't even know each other existed, but after meeting once, they are great friends and his grandson wants to live with him. More time should have been taken out to develop that relationship to show how both parties had to really adjust in order make their circumstances seem real. I have similar feelings when it came to Harry and Estelle, and enough attention wasn't given to their interactions to make the budding relationship realistic or even significant in the book. Although, I was familiar with the main characters from Neta Jackson's books, I couldn't really connect with them in this one.
However, despite some of the negatives, there were some interesting parts of the book, such as the Matty Fagan ordeal, that kept me reading until the end.
I also felt as though the author didn't do enough to really develop the characters and the main relationship component of the book between Mr. Bently and DaShawn seeemed unrealistic. I just thought it was kind of weird that Harry and his 9 year old grandson didn't even know each other existed, but after meeting once, they are great friends and his grandson wants to live with him. More time should have been taken out to develop that relationship to show how both parties had to really adjust in order make their circumstances seem real. I have similar feelings when it came to Harry and Estelle, and enough attention wasn't given to their interactions to make the budding relationship realistic or even significant in the book. Although, I was familiar with the main characters from Neta Jackson's books, I couldn't really connect with them in this one.
However, despite some of the negatives, there were some interesting parts of the book, such as the Matty Fagan ordeal, that kept me reading until the end.
July 18, 2010
The author Dave Jackson writes this in accompaniment to his wife Neta's "The House of Hope" series.
Harry recently retired from his job as a Chicago cop after turning in a rogue cop. Now Matty is threatening Harry over the phone.
Harry doesn't like the conditions his grandson is living in. DaShawn's father is in jail and his mother is a heavy drug-user living in a not-so-nice neighborhood. Things go badly for Harry when he tries to get DaShawn out from living with his mother. He's not sure he is capable of being a father to the young 9-year old. Before he he gets the chance to find out though, DaShawn is taken away and put into temporary foster care again.
Harry's mother who lives by herself, needs more care than she's getting. Now Harry is called from his job because it appears something happened to her. The folks in the high-class high-rise he works in, aren't the friendliest bunch of folks. Except for the new tenant Gabby whom he calls "Firecracker" who invites him to a Fun Night at the shelter where she now works. There he meets Carl, Peter, and Estelle, to name a few. Little does he know how their lives will become entwined.
Harry runs into some intense tension (as does the reader) when he tries something less than intelligent. For an retired cop, he's not too bright with some of the bone moves he pulls. In fact, it seems he spends his time planning stupid and the rest of it, being stupid.
You know...I couldn't decide between a 3 or 4 stars. 3 1/2 seems about right.
Did I like the book? Ya, pretty much. :D
Harry recently retired from his job as a Chicago cop after turning in a rogue cop. Now Matty is threatening Harry over the phone.
Harry doesn't like the conditions his grandson is living in. DaShawn's father is in jail and his mother is a heavy drug-user living in a not-so-nice neighborhood. Things go badly for Harry when he tries to get DaShawn out from living with his mother. He's not sure he is capable of being a father to the young 9-year old. Before he he gets the chance to find out though, DaShawn is taken away and put into temporary foster care again.
Harry's mother who lives by herself, needs more care than she's getting. Now Harry is called from his job because it appears something happened to her. The folks in the high-class high-rise he works in, aren't the friendliest bunch of folks. Except for the new tenant Gabby whom he calls "Firecracker" who invites him to a Fun Night at the shelter where she now works. There he meets Carl, Peter, and Estelle, to name a few. Little does he know how their lives will become entwined.
Harry runs into some intense tension (as does the reader) when he tries something less than intelligent. For an retired cop, he's not too bright with some of the bone moves he pulls. In fact, it seems he spends his time planning stupid and the rest of it, being stupid.
You know...I couldn't decide between a 3 or 4 stars. 3 1/2 seems about right.
Did I like the book? Ya, pretty much. :D
January 26, 2010
An enjoyable book that unfortunately suffered from being compared to its compagnion novel.
Harry Bentley's Second Chance is a well-written Christian novel. If I'd read it as a stand-alone, I'd have enjoyed it greatly. It's an interesting story with believable characters and a sweet love story.
Unfortunately it just doesn't measure up to its companion novel ("Where Do I Go?" by Neta Jackson) in poignancy, and therefore unfairly falls flat, where it'd have been enjoyed more in its own right. If you haven't read either, I recommend reading this one first in order to do it justice.
Harry Bentley's Second Chance is a well-written Christian novel. If I'd read it as a stand-alone, I'd have enjoyed it greatly. It's an interesting story with believable characters and a sweet love story.
Unfortunately it just doesn't measure up to its companion novel ("Where Do I Go?" by Neta Jackson) in poignancy, and therefore unfairly falls flat, where it'd have been enjoyed more in its own right. If you haven't read either, I recommend reading this one first in order to do it justice.
September 3, 2013
I like the fact that the Jackson's have written several books that take place at the same time from two different perspectives. However, I struggled with this book. There were times that I found the situations they were in a bit unbelievable and that they would just clear up. However, the concept of the story of second chances, was nice. The male characters from the Yada Yada stories seemed flat.
September 19, 2011
This book is part of the "Yada Yada" group of books. Though I'm sure it would be enjoyable by itself, it wouldn't make as much sense without reading the "Yada Yada Prayer Group" and "House of Hope" books first or at least at the same time. I love that we get a better look at Harry Bentley and see how he ticks. It adds depth that one wouldn't see just by reading the other books. I really enjoyed the book and look forward to reading the next one.
August 4, 2015
Second Chance
Everyone deserves another chance to get things right. We all make mistakes. When Harry finds out he has a grandson, he has to make a decision. Is this his chance to be the father he should have been the first time?
This story parallels the House of Hope series. I hear Harry's side of what he observed with Gabby.
Through unusual circumstances and events Gabby & Harry's lives are intertwined. A lifetime friendship is developed.
Everyone deserves another chance to get things right. We all make mistakes. When Harry finds out he has a grandson, he has to make a decision. Is this his chance to be the father he should have been the first time?
This story parallels the House of Hope series. I hear Harry's side of what he observed with Gabby.
Through unusual circumstances and events Gabby & Harry's lives are intertwined. A lifetime friendship is developed.
April 30, 2011
Christian Fiction....The story of a black 58 year old retired Chicago police officer who may get stuck with his 9 yr old grandson permanently because the boy's father is in jail (policeman's own son) and the mother is an addict. The officer is a whistle blower on a corrupt cop on the force. Great story of love and redemption.
May 23, 2011
Compared to Neta Jackson's House of Hope novels, it was not as good. Maybe that's just because I relate more to the women then the men. It was fun to see the parallel story, and overall it was worth the read. I will definitely be reading the second in the series, and any more to come.
October 9, 2011
This was a very interesting read as a parallel novel to the Yada Yada books. This from a male perspective and another perspective to the story. It changes your perspective of the character. It was sprinkled with just a few of the same scenes from the Hope series.
December 19, 2011
This is a companion book to Neta Jackson's "Where Do I Go?" -A House of Hope Novel. This book focusses in on a retired Chicago policeman who gets a second chance to raise his grandson but he has to figure out how to escape an assault charge first.
An interesting read.
An interesting read.
June 27, 2020
I love all the books by Dave & Neta Jackson. It was fun to read this one after having read all the companion novels. It was great to gain a new perspective on some old characters. A great escape read.
March 25, 2015
Great book! Love that it involves more characters from the Yada Yada House of Hope series. It lets us know Harry much better instead of being just a side character in the series. We get to know more of Estelle as well. These people are real, and encounter Jesus every day just like we do.
July 25, 2015
Really interesting to read a parallel novel! Loved seeing a familiar plot through the mind of another character. Both Dave and Neta Jackson are excellent at writing books that show spiritual growth in ordinary characters, which therefore cause me to desire a closer walk with Christ!
August 14, 2015
Well Dave Jackson can intrigue you too
This was a great book! Held my attention from beginning to end. So good to learn how men think and how they pray. What sometimes is easy for women is so hard for men...keep up the good writing Dave!!!!
This was a great book! Held my attention from beginning to end. So good to learn how men think and how they pray. What sometimes is easy for women is so hard for men...keep up the good writing Dave!!!!
January 30, 2009
i loved it!!!
February 18, 2009
I liked this book but it was not as good as Where Do I go by Neta Jackson. I do like the idea of parallel stories.
June 20, 2019
I wasn't a fan of this book because of the vernacular. It grated on me and I just wasn't as enamored with this addition to the series as I was with the Yada Yada books and their other spinoffs.
May 28, 2009
Great book. I love that Dave and Neta decided to write 2 book happening at the same time this was great. I love how the characters tied in from the Yada series.
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December 1, 2009Love the parallel novel idea...
September 7, 2011
TOTAL PAGE-TURNER!!! Loved this book!! Fast, easy read . . .
June 21, 2012
Rating. 2.5-3 stars
This is decent book. I prefer the Yada Yada & House of Hope series.
This is decent book. I prefer the Yada Yada & House of Hope series.
November 3, 2012
What a great parallel to the House of Hope series. I've never read two different books with the intertwining that Dave and Neta have done. Thanks for such great wholesome entertainment.
March 17, 2015
abandoned could not get into
January 25, 2016
Interesting to read! It's a parallel novel with the Yada Yada House of Hope series. You know the story but you are following different characters! Fun!
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews