The Answer Is Yes: A Novel

Rating:
Summary: fun, enthralling story that made me finish it in a day!
Review: After reading reviews about 'happy story' and 'uplifting characters' I was a little weary of what I might be in-store for when I started this book.

It is a fun, light but touching story about a woman who finds herself - mostly thanks to the Institute of Affirmation. I finished this book in less than 24 hours - I couldn't put it down.

Whether you are trying to find yourself or just want to enjoy a book without having to worry about figures in history or geographical data - this is a great book for you... highly recommend.

Rating:
Summary: Open your heart- you won't regret it!
Review: From the thoroughly engaging cover design, to the last loopy course description at the Institute of Affirmation, I loved everything about this book. I normally do not fall for uplifting and positive books, (I tend toward obsessed, psychotic themes as a rule) but Sara Lewis captures me. She manages to present characters who at first glance seem nice and easy, but gives them such a warm depth that they stay with me. (Her previous book But I Love You Anyway still has me pining for a cozy, drive through copy shop geared towards moms with small children!) Unlike the earlier post who forgot everything after reading it, I find myself coming back to some of the ideas months after I read the book. I was prompted to write a review because I just sent The Answer is Yes to a friend who needs to hear YES and I remembered reading a dismissive review when I first ordered it. I felt I should speak up for those of us on the other side. It is a lovely book that worked its way into my heart. Let it work its way into yours.

Rating:
Summary: The Answer Is Yes.. I loved It!!
Review: I read this book in a 3 days course. I liked all the funny clases, and they were so cheap. Wish I could have jumped into the book and taken a few for my self. At first didnt think Todd was right for Jenny. I hated his character. I wished they would break up. Micheal, I was for sure she was gonna hook up with him, but we all know why they didnt. Weird!! I'm glad her little notebook of 3 miracles came ture for her. Good book but it kind of dragged the last few pages. Nice read on a rainy day or to cheer you up.

Rating:
Summary: A very uplifting and "feel good" read!!!
Review: I thoroughly enjoyed this book, I think we should all have the chance to attend some of those classes!!! I also feel anyone who is married knows that married life can be quite the roller coaster, I was so pleased at Jenny's choice. She didn't give up. I loved the mix of characters, kinda like real live. This book came to me a really sad time in my life and it made me smile. I wonder if there is some magic to "Miracle Book" idea? Might have to try it :-) Thanks Sara!!!

Rating:
Summary: The oddball "Institute of Affirmation"....
Review: is the real star of this book by author Sara Lewis. Lewis uses fiction to present positive, self-help ideas that do make you feel good about reading her works. When you are done, you still like or love the book, despite the fact that you can't believe her heroine would wind up on the wrong side of a love triangle. Jenny's such a heroine -- you don't know why she resists the pull of the "Institute of Affirmation" for so long, and step by step, you long for her to find independence from a relationship that is all wrong for her. Even though the plot
twists in ways you might not want, the book is worthy because the quirky idea behind the adult school is just too good to ignore!

The Institute encourages anybody to teach a course that will give a positive skill to the participants. Fees are minimal, and the prerequisite is that the instructor believes in what he or she is teaching. The key to the tone and culture of the school are the course catalog descriptions, which are the frontspieces of every chapter. A couple of them, which will make you smile, include:

""Diary In Reverse -- Wouldn't you love to look back at your thoughts on your twelfth birthday, remember what you did three days before your wedding? It's not too late! In this class you'll have the opportunity to work backward from today and create diary entries for your grandchildren to cherish. Can't remember? We'll show you how to invent days you'll be happy to share! Who's going to know? 6 Wednesdays, 7-9 pm.""

""Bad Habits Support Group -- Are you a seriously messy and disorganized person? Join a group and spend some quality time with others like you! For one peaceful hour a week, don't fight it! Lay your burden down. We promise not to try to change or improve you. Sundays 2-3p.m.""

Just the laughs from these and other courses alone will make you smile through the book. And, although Jenny is somewhat one dimensional, you'll find yourself in her corner, and recalling this read with great fondness!

Rating:
Summary: A Great Book!
Review: The Answer is Yes by Sara Lewis is an emotional story of Jenny Brown and her preoccupied husband, Todd Brown, which run into everyday life situations. However, Todd is too distracted to be concerned with their problems, and Jenny tries to satisfy her life without the help of her husband. Jenny finds herself returning to the Institute of Affirmation where she learns to cope with her problems. I really enjoyed discovering how much this institution helped contribute positively to Jenny's life. I liked reading this book because I learned about the different things that people resort to deal with their lives. I also enjoyed this book because it was an easy- to- read and inspiring book. Jenny's character is reflected right from the first page of the book. "Many tings that were meant to move here didn't, like the knob I was fighting with; other things that weren't supposed to move did, such as the ladder I was standing on (page1)." This quote reveals Jenny's character right from the start of the book because things would happen to her when she least expected them to happen, and when she wanted for something to work out, the wrong thing would turn out.

The theme of this book is that there are problems in everyone's life and these problems need to be handled with some confidence and hope because everything will eventually turn out for the better, and the worst mistake to make is to quit. I agree with the theme of the book because I can relate it to my life and I know that if I strive to do something in my life, I can achieve it by attempting to fix it rather than quitting.

This is an excellent book to read if you're sitting at home on a rainy day and you need to brighten your mood up. I really enjoyed reading this book and I would recommend it because it is inspiring and uplifting.

Rating:
Summary: The most creative book I've ever read!
Review: The beginning of each chapter tells of a fantasy class, from writing a diary backwards to making wishes come true! This book proved to be a life-altering experience for me. A tale of serendipitiously finding a school that affirms the creativity in everyone and validates secret passions is a splendid concept. Lewis takes her reader to a place we all strive to find, both in our loves and life choices. I loved the book. This literary masterpiece is a journey that all dreamers need to embark upon!

Rating:
Summary: The answer is 5 stars!
Review: This was the first of Sara's books that I read, since it was selected by my book club. When we met to discuss it, Sara was nice enough to join us by speakerphone, and that made it the best meeting ever! We rated the book highly, finding it much more uplifting and happy than some of the usual dark novels we tackle. I then read all her other novels...

"The Answer is Yes" was delightful, easy to read and full of humor. Just reading the class descriptions, at the Institute of Affirmation, was great fun. Like others have said, I'd love to find the institute and take some classes.

Have to admit that Jenny's husband, Todd, was the kind of person I'd like to avoid... at least for a good part of the book. Jenny deserved better. Her adopted mother, as well as her friend Michael and others from the Institute of Affirmation made up for Todd's lack of attention to her. Of course, Jenny loved him and was able to stick with him long enough to see things turn around. Yay, Jenny!

This is a great read, and I might have to read it again. At the end, I was wishing there was a sequel, since there were so many more stories that could emanate from Jenny or others at the Institute. However, some characters in Sara's other novels have attended the institute, so it is still subtly present.

Rating:
Summary: positive
Review: This wasn't the worst book I have ever read, but it was far from being one of the best. It tried so hard to be so syrupy sweet and good and wholesome, but I just didn't buy into it. I felt absolutely no sympathy for the main character, Jenny, who seemed to stumble through life with no direction just accepting what ever was dished out to her. That her life could miraculously change by attending some classes at a school of affirmations was to me just a little too crackpot to fall for. That it all came to an end in a neat happy little bundle with very little struggle or sacrifice makes this a quick read that you really do not even need to concentrate on. The whole "let's put on a play" theme reminded me of too many sappy Andy Hardy and Judy Garland movies. I am not a grumpy, cynical person. Rather, I am pretty much happy go lucky all the time but this was too much even for me to take.

Rating:
Summary: Such a Great, Positive Book!
Review: What a wonderful book! The story is about a young married woman (Jenny) with no children who yearns for both friends in her new neighborhood and for finding her purpose in life. One day, while taking a walk, she stumbles upon "The Institute of Affirmation", which is really a set of adult education classes taking place in an abandoned elementary school. After finding herself returning several times, getting to know some of the regular students, and taking part in a school production, her world suddenly goes awry, and mysterious changes begin to happen.

Jenny is a wonderful character- both mature in her experiences and innocent in that she views the world with fresh eyes. I love the way Sara Lewis writes her (especially the little jokes about Jenny's braid).

I read this book in several hours, and could not put it down. It was such an upbeat novel. "The Answer is Yes" is really about how following your heart and believing in simple things can change your entire life. While it's fiction, I learned more from this book than almost every self-help book I have ever read. There is not an ounce of preach in it- instead, we learn through Jenny.

My review cannot do this book justice. If you are looking for a read that will inspire you to change your life, this is it. If you are looking for a read to get you through a weekend, this is it. If you are looking for a well-written piece of modern fiction, this is it. I almost wish there would be a sequel, or Lewis would write another book based upon a different character's experience with the "Institute".

Buy this, read this, love this. Then hope that an "Institute of Affirmation" opens near you.