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Book
Where Do I Go?

Author
Neta Jackson

The Review
You know those movies that leave you dangling at the end with a cliff hanger? The ones where you know there will be a sequel or a part two and you leave the theater satisfied that you saw a good show but irritated that you have to wait months for the next one to come out so you can see where the story goes next? That described my feelings to a "tee" when I finished reading Where Do I Go?

The fact is, I loved the story line and I really related to the main character, Gabrielle "Gabby" Fairbanks. She's a compassionate, caring woman I immediately liked and recognized. She's in her early forties, which to me at least, is a plus because it's nice to read about women my age going through some of the same things I am (as opposed to novels simply focused on young women all in search of Mr. Right), and she's at a pivotal point in her life. Gabby has followed her husband and his dreams from day one, including making a cross-country move from Richmond, Virginia, to Chicago, Illinois, to live in a high-rise penthouse she didn't pick out (and she's afraid of heights!), without their two sons who are enrolled in a prestigious boarding school back in the south and whom she misses terribly, and all to support her husband's new business venture. But frankly, he doesn't seem to even recognize that she's made any sacrifices at all and he seems to expect her to act like a trophy wife―hosting dinner parties, appearing at his beck and call, and letting him call all the shots about―well, virtually everything in their lives!

It's refreshing to read about Gabby's life because it feels "real." Her marriage obviously has issues, she's struggling to find herself in the midst of all the changes she's made to accommodate her husband, she's searching for meaning in her life, and she wants to make a difference in the world. She knows something is missing in her life, and she's re-discovering her faith in a whole new way and learning to lean on God to get her through day by day―and the faith lessons she's learning all begin with a most unlikely source: a homeless woman she befriends (or does the homeless woman befriend her?) not far from her high rise building and brings home with her, only to face her husband's uncompromising wrath. Despite trying to do all the "right" things, it seems Gabby is always letting everyone down―perhaps most of all, herself. But she's determined to make some changes for the better―and she takes steps to bring some changes about.

Gabby's husband is anything but supportive, and things continue to get more complicated in Gabby's life as she grows to love and cherish her new friends at Manna House, a Chicago shelter for homeless women, and she begins to discover God may have a purpose for bringing her to the windy city that has absolutely nothing to do with adorning her husband's arm and being his cheerleader. This novel is thoroughly interesting and a great read. Gabby deals with real life issues like non-communicative teenagers, estranged siblings, and an aging parent―the kinds of things many of us cope with every day. And she has daily struggles―managing her schedule, her emotions, and her husband's expectations―just as we all do.

I just wanted to keep reading and reading.

Like I said, the downer for me was when the book ended―leaving far too many issues unsettled and obviously about to embark on a whole new chapter in Gabby's life. I wanted to keep going―to immediately pick up the next volume and read on. But the next book in the series, Who Do I Talk To? isn't due to be released until next year. How will I ever wait an entire year to find out what happens next?

Order Where Do I Go? today!

Disclosure: The reviewer received a complimentary copy of the book to review.