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Savannah #1
Savannah from Savannah
When 24-year-old Savannah learns her mother arranged for her to win a fiction contest, she decides that her mother’s drastic meddling calls for drastic countermeasures. Though first place in a fiction contest guarantees that 24-year-old Savannah Phillip's novel will be published, she soon discovers that her mother—Savannah, Georgia's most charming, if diva-like citizen—is behind her literary win. So, mortified and furious, she resolves to give up her dreams of literary fame. Savannah rejects the coveted publishing contract and returns to her hometown, to prove to her parents, her city, and herself, that she is someone who shouldn't be messed with. Someone who's someone, without her mother's assistance. Someone who can write an unforgettable story all by herself, thank you very much. Following in the footsteps of her career hero, a columnist for The Savannah Chronicle , Savannah gets a job at the paper and sets out to take the journalism world by a storm. Her very first assignment is a quest for truth, investigating what appears to be a rigged beauty pageant. Journey with Savannah as she forges new dreams, uncovers the heartache of loss, and comes to terms with her unique calling.
336 pages, Paperback
First published June 28, 2004
26 people are currently reading
1173 people want to read
About the author
Denise Hildreth Jones
22Ìýbooks240ÌýfollowersDenise Jones is a southern girl who loves Jesus, SEC football, family, friends, good food and cold Coca-Colas. She is the mom of one shih-tzu, the bonus mom to five kiddo's and the husband of one Mr. Jones. She spends her time leading Reclaiming Hearts Ministries in her home of Franklin, TN. And every now and then she writes a few books.
You can email her at:
[email protected]
You can email her at:
[email protected]
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 146 reviews
February 25, 2020
About this book:
“I'm coming home to prove something...to my city, my mother, and myself.
It is a place known to most as Savannah. It is a place known to me as home. I wish I could tell you it was my love for this city that precipitated my return. But I did not return out of a mere longing for home. I returned because I have something to prove to home. I am Savannah...from Savannah.�
Series: Book #1 in the â€ÂÙ²¹±¹²¹²Ô²Ô²¹³óâ€� trilogy.
Spiritual Content- Prayers, Blessings over food, & Thanking God; Church going; Sermons & Talks about God; ‘H’s are capitalized when referring to God; Mentions of God & Jesus; Mentions of prayers & praying; Mentions of Bibles, those in the Bible, & Bible studies; Mentions of churches, church going, sermons, & pastors; Mentions of a Methodist evangelist & Catholics;
*Note: A mention of a family being like gods in their city; A mention of a judge referring to himself as a god of the pageant; A mention of Hades; A mention of a sin city; A mention of a ghost.
Negative Content- Minor cussing including: a ‘blah, blah, blah�, a cut-off ‘sucks�, a ‘wimpy�, two ‘oh my word’s, two ‘screwed up’s, two ‘shoot’s, four ‘dumb’s, six forms of ‘stupid�, and eight ‘idiot’s; A bit of eye rolling & sarcasm; Mentions of slaves, slavery, & racism in current America; Mentions of criminals & burglars; Mentions of jail & breaking and entering; Mentions of alcohol, being drunk, & singles� bar; Mentions of gossip & rumors; A few mentions of a murderer & murders; A few mentions of killers & possible killers; A few mentions of a drunk who beats his wife and children; A few mentions of blackmail; A few mentions of cigarettes; A few mentions of lies & lying; A couple mentions of (teasingly said) killing someone;
A mention of wars; A mention of a wife leaving her husband; A mention of a woman who cusses like a sailor & smokes like a forest fire;
*Note: Mentions of TV shows, celebrities, & politicians (including a mention of a biography of Hillary Clinton that Savannah’s mom wouldn’t let her keep and a George W. Bush one she bought to replace it); Mentions of movies, books, characters, & authors; Mentions of singers & songs; Mentions of car brands; Mentions of designers, brand names, & stores; A mention of a football team’s cheerleaders; A mention of Girl Scouts.
Sexual Content- a ‘floozy�; Savannah comments on her ex’s fiancé negatively (such as calling her a floozy once and mentioning that she must has fake beauty); Mentions of dates, dating, guys, & an ex; A couple mentions of a first kiss & a first love;
*Note: Mentions of pageant girls making snide/rude comments about others (we see that a bit from different side characters); Mentions of pageants where girls prance around in their skivvies, swimsuits, & cleavage; Mentions of behinds & kicking butts (including a hint about where to pull something out of); A few mentions of the birds-and-the-bees talk & behavior; A few mentions of plastic surgery; A couple mentions of a clothing store called ‘Jezebel�; A mention of the Lord knowing what goes on inside a massage parlors; A mention of adult entertainment; A mention of a hickey; A mention of men’s boxers; A mention of Savannah commenting that it was sick of a man (23-years-old) to snatch up a 17-year-old as his wife in the 1950s.
-Savannah Phillips, age 24
1st person P.O.V. of Savannah
324 pages
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Pre Teens- One Star
New Teens- One Star
Early High School Teens- Three Stars
Older High School Teens- Four Stars
My personal Rating- Three Stars (and a half)
When I first read this book in 2013, I enjoyed “Savannah from Savannah� for its wit and southern charms all throughout the plot. It’s overall pretty clean for older high school girls, but I do remember not enjoying the rest of the series as much as this first book. It is quite nice though that it is not romance based! Savannah mentions her former boyfriend and we see him a bit, but a romance story is definitely not the point of this book and I so appreciate that. I wish there were more stories in the Christian Fiction like this book in that regard. Some readers might find this book a little slow/not interesting due to this fact, though. While I enjoyed this novel, it did feel a little long at some points.
Link to review:
*BFCG may (Read the review to see) recommend this book by this author. It does not mean I recommend all the books by this author.
“I'm coming home to prove something...to my city, my mother, and myself.
It is a place known to most as Savannah. It is a place known to me as home. I wish I could tell you it was my love for this city that precipitated my return. But I did not return out of a mere longing for home. I returned because I have something to prove to home. I am Savannah...from Savannah.�
Series: Book #1 in the â€ÂÙ²¹±¹²¹²Ô²Ô²¹³óâ€� trilogy.
Spiritual Content- Prayers, Blessings over food, & Thanking God; Church going; Sermons & Talks about God; ‘H’s are capitalized when referring to God; Mentions of God & Jesus; Mentions of prayers & praying; Mentions of Bibles, those in the Bible, & Bible studies; Mentions of churches, church going, sermons, & pastors; Mentions of a Methodist evangelist & Catholics;
*Note: A mention of a family being like gods in their city; A mention of a judge referring to himself as a god of the pageant; A mention of Hades; A mention of a sin city; A mention of a ghost.
Negative Content- Minor cussing including: a ‘blah, blah, blah�, a cut-off ‘sucks�, a ‘wimpy�, two ‘oh my word’s, two ‘screwed up’s, two ‘shoot’s, four ‘dumb’s, six forms of ‘stupid�, and eight ‘idiot’s; A bit of eye rolling & sarcasm; Mentions of slaves, slavery, & racism in current America; Mentions of criminals & burglars; Mentions of jail & breaking and entering; Mentions of alcohol, being drunk, & singles� bar; Mentions of gossip & rumors; A few mentions of a murderer & murders; A few mentions of killers & possible killers; A few mentions of a drunk who beats his wife and children; A few mentions of blackmail; A few mentions of cigarettes; A few mentions of lies & lying; A couple mentions of (teasingly said) killing someone;
A mention of wars; A mention of a wife leaving her husband; A mention of a woman who cusses like a sailor & smokes like a forest fire;
*Note: Mentions of TV shows, celebrities, & politicians (including a mention of a biography of Hillary Clinton that Savannah’s mom wouldn’t let her keep and a George W. Bush one she bought to replace it); Mentions of movies, books, characters, & authors; Mentions of singers & songs; Mentions of car brands; Mentions of designers, brand names, & stores; A mention of a football team’s cheerleaders; A mention of Girl Scouts.
Sexual Content- a ‘floozy�; Savannah comments on her ex’s fiancé negatively (such as calling her a floozy once and mentioning that she must has fake beauty); Mentions of dates, dating, guys, & an ex; A couple mentions of a first kiss & a first love;
*Note: Mentions of pageant girls making snide/rude comments about others (we see that a bit from different side characters); Mentions of pageants where girls prance around in their skivvies, swimsuits, & cleavage; Mentions of behinds & kicking butts (including a hint about where to pull something out of); A few mentions of the birds-and-the-bees talk & behavior; A few mentions of plastic surgery; A couple mentions of a clothing store called ‘Jezebel�; A mention of the Lord knowing what goes on inside a massage parlors; A mention of adult entertainment; A mention of a hickey; A mention of men’s boxers; A mention of Savannah commenting that it was sick of a man (23-years-old) to snatch up a 17-year-old as his wife in the 1950s.
-Savannah Phillips, age 24
1st person P.O.V. of Savannah
324 pages
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Pre Teens- One Star
New Teens- One Star
Early High School Teens- Three Stars
Older High School Teens- Four Stars
My personal Rating- Three Stars (and a half)
When I first read this book in 2013, I enjoyed “Savannah from Savannah� for its wit and southern charms all throughout the plot. It’s overall pretty clean for older high school girls, but I do remember not enjoying the rest of the series as much as this first book. It is quite nice though that it is not romance based! Savannah mentions her former boyfriend and we see him a bit, but a romance story is definitely not the point of this book and I so appreciate that. I wish there were more stories in the Christian Fiction like this book in that regard. Some readers might find this book a little slow/not interesting due to this fact, though. While I enjoyed this novel, it did feel a little long at some points.
Link to review:
*BFCG may (Read the review to see) recommend this book by this author. It does not mean I recommend all the books by this author.
January 20, 2011
Cute read about one of my favorite cities...
November 7, 2017
I started this book and put it down about half way through. I wasn't going to finish it. But I had nothing else to read and so I picked it up again about a month later. Luckily the second half of the book was much better then the first half. Nothing happened in the first part. It took FOREVER to set up the story and then it just felt like "ok, it's set up now-let's get going" but the whole middle was just like...treading water-nothing happened. Anyway the second half was pretty good and kept me picking up the book. I just didn't really like Savannah as much as I should have. And I get that her liking Coke is a cute character trait but you don't have to mention her going to get a Coke on every single page, even if she does drink it that often, we don't have to read about it. Also, for Savannah and every relationship she has to completely change and evolve in one day was just a little stretched for me.
Anyway, I did like that it was based in Savannah, which did have a lot of charm. I liked that this whole experience did change Savannah and help her to mature a lot. Boy, did she need it!
Anyway, I did like that it was based in Savannah, which did have a lot of charm. I liked that this whole experience did change Savannah and help her to mature a lot. Boy, did she need it!
June 21, 2011
Savannah from Savannah is a cute story, and was kind of a carefree poolside summer read for me. The story follows Savannah, a recent Master's graduate and writer. In order to prove something to her mother, she gives up a publishing contract for her book and instead moves home to write for the local newspaper. Her mother, Victoria, is an overbearing former beauty queen, and she basically runs the city of Savannah with an iron fist. There's nothing that gets by Victoria Phillips without her reacting to it. In Savannah's investigations of a human-interest story to write, she uncovers a few shocking secrets about her mother's beauty-pageant past. The secrets she uncovers could ruin her relationship with her mother, and make her the laughingstock of the city. I won't spoil the ending, but a lot of lessons were learned in this book. The reader learns about loss and sacrifice, and what it does to a person. Very interesting read, light, and airy and fun.
November 22, 2023
Such a fun read set in Savannah, GA and referencing many landmarks there.
“I have never passed a bookstore without going inside; it’s sacrilegious� (57).
“Sometimes we think things should happen at a certain time, in a certain way, but there is a master plan. So we brush ourselves off and learn from our mistakes, and try not to make the same ones again, all the while doing what we feel it is we’ve been called to do� (235 & 236).
“We all have moments of disappointment…But we don’t experience defeat until we invite disappointment to stay with us� (290).
“To lose is only to begin something new, to discover something you would have missed had success taken you down a different path� (305).
“I have never passed a bookstore without going inside; it’s sacrilegious� (57).
“Sometimes we think things should happen at a certain time, in a certain way, but there is a master plan. So we brush ourselves off and learn from our mistakes, and try not to make the same ones again, all the while doing what we feel it is we’ve been called to do� (235 & 236).
“We all have moments of disappointment…But we don’t experience defeat until we invite disappointment to stay with us� (290).
“To lose is only to begin something new, to discover something you would have missed had success taken you down a different path� (305).
July 7, 2011
Only made it to page 277 out of 342. I couldn't take the endless pontificating. This book started with potential, but quickly became full of phrases and "life lessons" that have been overplayed in plot lines for years. I gave up because the drama queen exchange between mother and daughter was irritating to me, not enlightening. This book is about a 24 year old, straight out of college, trying to "find herself" in the hometown she great up in. The book is full of sterotypical characters and minor plot lines. I had hoped this would be a fast read, but it failed to hold my attention for more than 2 chapters at a time (and they aren't long chapters). Also, at times this book felt preachy. I am not a believer in organized religion so the tie back to popular Christian teachings and thinkings was redundant and unoriginal.
April 1, 2012
I really enjoyed this series of books. Savannah is a good girl from Georgia who just finished college and must go out and make her way in the world. She is cautious and undriven, just a nice, ordinary girl next door. Savannah is a so likeable and reminds me of myself at that age. I think this is a great snapshot of what life is like for girls this age. Savannah is a positive heroine and I would suggest all young women read this series of books.
August 8, 2012
I think I've finally found my literary crush.
Though Savannah from Savannah may just be a fictional character, this spunky heroine seemed to leap from the pages into my heart. Great story, crazy-yet-lovable characters, wonderful writing...what's not to love? Anyone who even marginally likes Christian fiction should definitely read this one.
Though Savannah from Savannah may just be a fictional character, this spunky heroine seemed to leap from the pages into my heart. Great story, crazy-yet-lovable characters, wonderful writing...what's not to love? Anyone who even marginally likes Christian fiction should definitely read this one.
October 7, 2012
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It presented a wholesome young lady intent on making her place in the world. I was nicely surprised that the heroine is a Christian - hard to find in a mainstream book. A book I would recommend even to our church youth group members. I'm hoping there's another book to come...
September 10, 2015
This is an interesting story of a hometown girl from Savannah, also named Savannah, and her post-college return to a town that she thought she wanted only to escape from. She lands a job on a local newspaper, tries to solve a decades-old cheating situation, and in the process, realizes that she is not the person she thought she was, nor is her mother.
April 12, 2009
I enjoyed the Savannah series very much. The characters are quirky and keep your interest. I especially liked how Savannah had a strong affinity for Fountain Cokes... :-) probably because I share this affinity.
September 26, 2009
I read this book a few summers ago, and laughed aloud all the way through it!
And then I forgot who wrote it and what it was called and have been trying to find it ever since-
and now there are MORE! it's a series!
And then I forgot who wrote it and what it was called and have been trying to find it ever since-
and now there are MORE! it's a series!
December 5, 2023
This is a story I reread every couple of years. It’s both humorous and poignant. Savannah is someone I would love to sit down and enjoy a BLT and chocolate shake with. I would read every article she wrote and then discuss it with her over Cokes at Jakes coffee shop. And I would definitely want to try her mother’s biscuits and chocolate gravy!
Savannah is a young woman who wants to influence change through her writing. She also wants to prove something to her mother � and maybe herself. But the change happens for her and her perspective more than anyone else.
It’s an easy beach read that will make you laugh out loud and maybe tear up a little. The Christian theme isn’t heavy but it’s there. In this life, we will face disappointment, hurt, and failure. But we have an eternal hope in Jesus Christ.
Savannah is a young woman who wants to influence change through her writing. She also wants to prove something to her mother � and maybe herself. But the change happens for her and her perspective more than anyone else.
It’s an easy beach read that will make you laugh out loud and maybe tear up a little. The Christian theme isn’t heavy but it’s there. In this life, we will face disappointment, hurt, and failure. But we have an eternal hope in Jesus Christ.
June 26, 2019
This is the second or third book that I have read by Ms. Hildreth Jones. I have previously really enjoyed what I have read and that is why I purchased . Honestly it was just okay and I was disappointed with it. There is nothing wrong with the book it just wasn't what I expected from my previous experience with the books.
I would recommend this book to people who are looking for a quick read with a bit of mystery mixed with a dysfunctional mother-daughter relationship and a few good laughs. Just not my cup of sweet tea right now ...
I would recommend this book to people who are looking for a quick read with a bit of mystery mixed with a dysfunctional mother-daughter relationship and a few good laughs. Just not my cup of sweet tea right now ...
July 22, 2019
I loved this book! Savannah from Savannah was a wonderful experience as you find yourself in the middle of Savannah's life after college. The author does an amazing job of bringing you into the life Savannah and her family and friends. She is a feisty, independent, and ready to conquer the world...at least without her mother's influence!
The characters in this book are fun, quirky, and full of life. You will find yourself laughing, moaning in exasperation at the behavior of some characters, and sighing with a sense of satisfaction. This is a book that will leave you with a warm feeling and a love for Savannah and her sense of compassion and thrill of accomplishment.
Can't wait to read the second book in this series!
The characters in this book are fun, quirky, and full of life. You will find yourself laughing, moaning in exasperation at the behavior of some characters, and sighing with a sense of satisfaction. This is a book that will leave you with a warm feeling and a love for Savannah and her sense of compassion and thrill of accomplishment.
Can't wait to read the second book in this series!
February 8, 2018
I bought this book while waiting to get my dog back from the vet. It had a great start and kept it up pretty well throughout the book. Savannah is a likable character and we get to know her and her friends and family as she does a lot of growing up after leaving college and tries to make her way in the real world. I'd probably enjoy a book like this more if I had any interest in beauty pagents. It's not the most entertaining Christian fiction I've read but there are a few chuckles to be had here and it can hold its own.
March 4, 2021
Savannah From Savannah was a fun quirky read for me and a nice change from some of the heavier non-fiction books I have been reading. This is the first of a 3 book series about a recent Masters Graduate who takes a job as a Human Interest Writer in her hometown of Savannah, GA. For her first story, she gets a lead on how the Miss GA pageants have been rigged. Her escapades to cover this possible story leads to her learning many life lessons as well as her beliefs, desires and purpose for life. I recommend if you are looking for a mindless book to entertain you.
February 5, 2018
There was a lot to like about this book but quite a few rough edges as well. I did not feel any interest in one of the topics of the book (beauty pageant winners and losers) but that was not the main story. It provided direction for the story. But I did like the understory, especially the main character, Savannah. She was intriguing to me. She grew on me. I liked her enough to give the second book a try. We will see how it goes.
May 8, 2017
This book was interesting to me since many of the places in Savannah that were mentioned were places I had been, but the story was rather contrived and did not flow. The main character was a little too good to be true - too perky, too lucky, and too quick to lecture from her limited years and experience. I will probably read the next book in the series and hope it improves.
January 14, 2018
I picked this book up on a used book store for the title alone. Savannah draws me in like a warm spring day with azaleas blooming. This book brings out the charm of Savannah and tells a cute coming of age story of a girl named Savannah. If you like a sweet southern read or sweet southern charm this book is for you.
October 29, 2022
This was not a good book. I knew I would be critical of any book based on Savannah but the minute she misspelled Forsyth Park, it was never coming back. The plot and characters were a mess but it was fun trying to piece together where certain places were in Savannah. And to revisit what the early 2000s were like.
August 8, 2020
A quirky, heartwarming story about a girl learning her place in the adult world and how what she says and does affects those around her. A neat read if you've visited and/or are familiar with the Savannah area - lots of name dropping!
July 3, 2017
Kristin, Central patron, July 2017, 5 stars:
This is a reread of one of my all time favorites. I'm not sure why I love this book but I do, every time.
This is a reread of one of my all time favorites. I'm not sure why I love this book but I do, every time.
August 24, 2017
Really delightful and cute and witty. Nice to stumble on a clean book at the big book sale!
December 8, 2017
This book was okay, but the story wasn't strong enough to pull me to it. I didn't find myself looking for opportunities to read. I did enjoy the Savannah setting.
September 23, 2018
Excellent book! Made me laugh. Made me cry. Made me think and get introspective. Loved how this series ended!
June 17, 2021
I thoroughly enjoyed the setting and the humorous, unique characters. The story drug a little at times and I think could’ve benefited from some more editing, but overall I enjoyed it.
October 10, 2022
Not overly bad, but not overly good either. Stilted writing.
May 6, 2023
Took awhile to get through, it dragged on a little, but in the end it was a sweet book.
May 21, 2023
This book is a sweet story about coming into your own after college. I enjoyed the read, but wanted a little more meat to the story.
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