Book Review: The Yada Yada Prayer Group

Author: Neta Jackson
Title: The Yada Yada Prayer Group
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
Publish Date: May 29, 2007
Buy: Amazon
Book Blurb: What do an ex-con, a former drug addict, a real estate broker, a college student, and a married mother of two have in common?

Nothing, or so I thought. Who would have imagined that God would make a prayer group as mismatched as ours the closest of friends? I almost didn't even go to the Chicago Women's Conference--after all, being thrown together with five hundred strangers wasn't exactly my "comfort zone." But something happened that weekend to make us realize we had to hang together, and the "Yada Yada Prayer Group" was born! When I faced the biggest crisis of my life, God used my newfound Sisters to show me what it means to be just a sinner saved by grace.

Review: There aren't many books I don't finish, that said, this is one of the books that almost made it to that pile. I enjoy Christian fiction from time to time, when written by a good author. There is nothing wrong with faith in my reading. However this book took faith to the point of being obnoxious.

The group of women meet at a Women's Conference in Chicago. The premise is awesome except these women come across as sanctimonious, holier than thou, grinning Jesus freaks.

Jodi Baxter is one of the most unlikable heroines I've ever encountered. My hatred for Bella Swan is now at an end. This book made me want to read TWILIGHT! Yeah, that's how bad this character is. She won't let her husband have beer, because her father was an alcoholic. (And OMG what would their teenage children think!!!) But having wine is acceptable? WTF!

The thing that really got me was how stereotypical Neta made the characters. The former drug addict who lost custody of her children? You guessed it! African American. That really pissed me off. The ex-con? You see where I'm coming from?

I kept reading in hopes that it would get better. That Jodi would become less obnoxious.

I also have to admit all the "Praise Jesus," stuff bugged me.

Then there is the car accident at the end of the book. Tossed in so Jodi can have some more drama! Puhleese! The last 40 pages just didn't feel right and giving it a happy ending was a cop out! This book is part of a series that I definitely won't be reading anymore of.

Rating: 1 flower