Over Yonder
- Judith D Collins
- Oct 5
- 5 min read
By: Sean Dietrich
Narrator: Sean Dietrich
Thomas Nelson Fiction
ISBN: 9781400235674
Publisher: Harper Muse
Publication Date: 10/07/2025
Format: Paperback
My Rating: 4 Stars (ARC)
It's never too late to find your purpose.
Woody Barker steps out of prison planning to live out his years on his houseboat docked on the Alabama Gulf Coast. As a defrocked priest with a heart condition and an ex-wife who still runs his life, he needs peace and a path to redemption.
Caroline Boyer is seventeen, pregnant, and stuck in a loop of bad choices. At her mother's deathbed, Caroline finds herself at the center of an unexpected plot that has the potential to turn her world upside down. At the funeral, she discovers a father she's never known . . . Whether she likes it or not, her life will never be the same.
Soon Woody, Caroline, and an emotional support goldfish named Gary are on a grand adventure through the Deep South. Chased by the men who are desperate to learn what Caroline's mother told her before she passed away, they use every skill they have as a new family to stay one step ahead of danger. To make it worse, former parishioners of the church that cast Woody out are determined to throw him a welcome home party. As Caroline and Woody look for answers and try to avoid disaster, they also learn how to redefine family, hope, and faith they thought they'd lost.
With dry humor and compassion, beloved writer Sean Dietrich highlights the good of humanity and the light that's always just around the corner.
My Reveiw
In his latest heartwarming tale, OVER YONDER, Sean Dietrich—better known as Sean of the South—returns with a delightful exploration of the human spirit.
Following the success of Kinfolk, this enchanting story introduces a colorful cast of misfits, each brimming with quirks and charm. Through moments of humor and profound compassion, they embark on a poignant journey in search of belonging and the true meaning of family. In the most unexpected places, they discover that love and connection can bloom, proving that home is often found where you least anticipate it.
About...
Woody Barker steps out of prison into the warm Alabama Gulf Coast sun, entering a world that feels both familiar and foreign. His dreams of peace rest on a weathered houseboat in the marina, a sanctuary for his aging spirit.
Once a respected priest, Woody now carries the weight of his past—a defrocked cleric burdened by regret, a heart weakened by both physical ailment and emotional turmoil.
His ex-wife, an ever-present shadow in his life, continues to pull the strings, complicating his desire for solitude. What he longs for is a place of peace where he can seek redemption and perhaps rediscover himself amidst the soothing sound of lapping waves and the salty breeze that whispers promises of a second chance.
Caroline enters the scene as a grown daughter her father was unaware of, and she may change both their lives. At seventeen, Caroline Boyer is an unmarried, pregnant teenager who has just escaped the foster care system and a world of hurt. She is currently in the hospital visiting her dying mother, Melinda Boyer. She holds more than one secret—she has a father Caroline never knew about, plus much more.
From one exhilarating adventure to the next, they race away from lingering secrets and a tumultuous past that haunts them. Yet amidst the chaos, they may discover something far more profound: the warmth of family, the light of hope, the beauty of love, the strength of faith, and the embrace of acceptance.
It's never too late to find your purpose.
My thoughts...
OVER YONDER is a deeply poignant, gritty, and raw Southern narrative that stirs a multitude of emotions, masterfully intertwining moments of humor with the weight of heartbreak. This evocative tale delves into the complexities of love, the ache of loss, and the possibility of redemption. The author paints a vivid portrait of the flawed, yet undeniably human relationships that shape our journeys, capturing the essence of resilience and the tender struggle for forgiveness along the winding road to healing.
Written beautifully by a masterful Southern storyteller, the narrative offers insightful, valuable lessons about love, family, second chances, grace, redemption, and living life to the fullest. It emphasizes that life is not about accomplishments, money, deeds, or fame, but rather about the people we love, as love is the only thing we can truly carry with us.
Immerse yourself in the warmth and authenticity of Dietrich's storytelling, where every page invites you to explore the complexities and charm of Southern life.
Recs...
Sean Dietrich is a captivating columnist, witty humorist, versatile multi-instrumentalist, and engaging stand-up storyteller, celebrated for his insightful commentary on the rich tapestry of life in the American South.
His latest work, OVER YONDER, will delight both devoted fans and newcomers alike. This collection is a perfect companion for readers who appreciate the heartfelt narratives of authors like Lauren K. Denton, Elizabeth Berg, William Kent Krueger, Fredrik Backman, and the earlier Southern tales crafted by Charles Martin. The novel is an ideal book club pick for further discussions.
Many thanks to Thomas Nelson Fiction and NetGalley for providing an advanced reading copy in exchange for my honest thoughts. Hopefully, the formatting issues will be corrected in the final copy.
@JudithDCollins | #JDCMustReadBooks
My Rating: 4 Stars
Pub Date: Oct 07, 2025
Praise
'A heart-pumping and heartwarming story of redemption--with car chases. This book was a sweet, sad ride, which is my favorite kind.'
-- Elizabeth Passarella, author of GOOD APPLE and IT WAS AN UGLY COUCH ANYWAY
'OVER YONDER is a story of deeply complicated people having a deeply human experience. It's a love story for the tender-hearted, full of unexpected grace. Sean Dietrich brings to life a cast of Southern characters searching for meaning--and finding it in the most unlikely places. I hugged every single page.'
-- Laura Kate Whitney, Editor at Large, Good Grit Magazine
'When Sean appeared at the (Grand Ole) Opry a second time, he followed Country Music Hall of Famer Bill Anderson . . . I encouraged Bill to stand side stage and watch Sean do his thing--tell tales of the South and tie them together with old-time favorites . . . In many ways, I'd describe Sean's latest work the way I described Sean's on-stage persona to Mr. Anderson that night. It goes without saying we'll be entertained. More specifically, we're introduced to characters we won't soon forget, we'll all likely both chuckle and tear up, and we could very well reflect on the purpose of our lives. I am convinced Mr. Dietrich has found his, both on the Opry airwaves and by sharing his written words, not the least of which are those in OVER YONDER.'
-- Dan Rogers, Executive Producer, Grand Ole Opry
About the Author
Sean Dietrich is a columnist, podcaster, stand-up storyteller, and novelist known for his commentary on life in the American South. His work has appeared in Southern Living, Good Grit, South magazine, and other publications, and he has authored fourteen books. Follow Sean’s daily writing at seandietrich.com or @seanofthesouth on Instagram.
