I loved everything about this book! Family drama, religion (or lack thereof), prison, lost love, drugs, divorce, you name it, and I believe the author found a way to include it. This book focused on real-life problems, resiliency, and moving on with life after being dealt a crappy hand. It was engaging throughout the entire book, and I couldn't put it down!

Over Yonder is a story of redemption, found family, strong women, strong gentlemen, and knuckleheads. There is love, crime, small town drama... it's a great book. Listening to the author read his own work is a huge bonus!

Many thanks to NetGalley, Thomas Nelson Fiction, and Zondervan Fiction Audio for gifting me both a digital and audio ARC of this wonderful book by Sean Dietrich, with the audiobook perfectly narrated by the author. All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4.5 stars rounded up!

Ex-cop Woody Barker lives on a houseboat off the Gulf Coast and spends his days bickering/flirting with his ex-wife and attending doctor appointments about his malfunctioning heart. He gets the surprise of a lifetime when an old girlfriend reveals on her deathbed that Woody has a seventeen-year-old daughter he never knew, Caroline. Caroline is pregnant and trapped in an endless loop of bad choices. When her estranged dying mother begs her to go back to her singlewide trailer to dig up the bathroom vanity subfloor to "get something that needs to be gone yesterday," Caroline finds herself at the center of a very dangerous plot that--if she survives--has the potential to turn her world upside down.

I adored this book - I started listening to the audiobook and never even opened the digital, because the author's narration is pitch perfect. The dry humor that I love came across perfectly and I found myself laughing out loud often. This book shines with its characters - they really come to life and you'll find yourself rooting for second chances, rising up from tough places, and just a sense of community. This was fun from beginning to end.

Mr. Dietrich has written another classic. If you are not familiar with Sean’s writing, picture a modern day Mark Twain.

We start out meeting by meeting Woody Barker, a defrocked priest that is leaving prison. He just wants to get on with his life. But after a short period of time (where we get to meet all the other key players in this story) he finds himself on an adventure with a daughter he didn’t know he had, his very colorful dad, and an emotional support goldfish. And when I say adventure, they just want to survive a group of bad guys that are chasing them down.

I love a great story and could listen to true story tellers all day long. Sean Dietrich is a masterful storyteller and his dry sense humor will have you laughing.

I listened to the audiobook. Mr. Dietrich does the narration himself. And it is absolutely perfect.

Thank you to NetGalley and the Publisher for providing an ARC for an unbiased review.

This book much more than I expected. I loved the story and the narration was done by the author which was quite good.

Caroline has had a tough life. She was a crack baby and only has 20% vision in 1 eye. Her mother, all growing up, chose drugs and men over her and she mostly grew up in foster care. Now, she is in a pregnancy with a joke of a man. And so much more. But her mother died and on her deathbed she told her to get a "secret" from her trailer. She did this and she became hunted.

5 stars!!

Many thanks to Net Galley and Thomas Nelson and Zondervan Fiction Audio | for an audio ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Sean Dietrich never fails to impress and Over Yonder might be his best work to date. A cast of characters who are interwoven in ways that will surprise and delight you populate this novel that is both soul crushing and uplifting-don't miss it. The fact that Sean narrates, is the icing on the cake

Powerful, relatable, adventurous, and down right heartwarming is what this book is. This story brings up real issues and daily struggles that draw you in and want you to read more. The young woman in this story will forever live in my imagination and I will forever wish to know more about her life and how she is doing. I have so many questions and would love for this to be a series. (Hint hint) The story flowed and the characters were well placed. I could almost picture exactly what they looked like. I have not been excited about a story in a long time and this is in the top 3 for me. The audio version was great and I will be purchasing the physical book to add to my collection. Why is there only 5 stars?? This is a 10 star novel.

This is quintessential Sean Dietrich - full of heartfelt, soulful writing and charming characters. Sean is a master of real, raw, and perfectly flawed characters who make you feel deeply and empathetically. Sean choosing to narrate his own books lends to them a specific kind of depth and understanding. His delivery of the book is flawless and engaging.

Another terrific book through the eyes of Sean Dietrich!

We have a 60 year old man (Woody) who’s being released from jail. He has two ex-wives and a history of being a priest! He comes home to his 80+ year old Dad, and his ex-wife (#2), Elizabeth, who also happens to be a RN.
Which is good… because he also has a long history of heart problems… and he’s gonna need all the help he can get….

Additionally, he has a nine year old daughter with Elizabeth, AND, he’s just found out that he also has a 17 year old very pregnant daughter (Caroline) with his first wife (Melinda) too! One he knew nothing about. 🤔😮And his ex is VERY sick! And, not expected to live at this point…

And that’s when the whole saga really takes off…. Because, nothing is ever as it seems…

Caroline is told to go find ‘something’ in her Mom’s trailer that’s been hidden for years. What she doesn’t realize is that that ‘something’ is going to change her life in ways she could never have imagined! (And trust me, I have a pretty good imagination and I never saw ANY of this coming!)

You will laugh. You will cry. You might even find yourself outright blubbering at points. 🥹😢 😭You’ll definitely want to smack some heads together! And there’ll be yelling too! If you are like me, you are likely to be falling in love with many of the characters, while also trying to shed some light on some really bad decisions hat were made, too…

And the ending? Well, for me, it was very unexpected… but also perfect. 🥹

All the stars in the world for me! 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟✨✨✨✨✨💫💫💫💫💫.
Because yes, this one touched my very soul! ❤️❤️

Sean from the South has definitely done it again!!! Seems to me that he ALWAYS makes you smile while you are reading, especially as he is the one narrating with that Southern Drawl that I’ve come to love, and at the same time is literally RIPPING your heart out of your chest…

If you are up for that challenge, please don’t miss this one! It is very special indeed!

And, if you are a fan of his, like I am, look for him on Facebook. He has a terrific page where he shares some very inspiring stories too!

#OverYonder by @SeanDietrich and narrated by The Author!!

This one has already been released, but I was lucky enough to get a copy just before publication! Please 👀 look 👀 for it on shelves now!!

Thanks so much to #NetGalley, #ThomasNelson and #ZondervanFictionAudio for an ARC of the audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

You can find my reviews on: Goodreads,
Insta @BookReviews_with_emsr and/or
My Facebook Book Club: Book Reviews With Elaine

Thanks so much for reading! And if you ‘liked’ my review, please share with your friends, & click ‘LIKE’ below… And, let me know YOUR thoughts if you read it!! 📚⭐️

"Hope is the thing you find over yonder, usually after you've lost everything else."

When Woody Barker, a defrocked priest with a heart condition and a houseboat, walks out of prison, all he wants is peace - and maybe a little redemption. But peace is hard to come by when you've got an ex-wife who still runs your life and a past that won't let you rest. Then there's seventeen-year-old Caroline Boyer, pregnant, grieving, and about to discover a secret about her family that changes everything - and soon, the unlikely pair (plus Woody's octogenarian father Amos, an emotional support goldfish named Gary, and a blind cat) finds themselves on a wild, Southern road trip.

I adored this book and every single central character in it. Though Woody and Caroline in particular face tragedies and horror, their stories are ultimately ones of hope and redemption. Along the way, they find something even more elusive than safety: connection, forgiveness, and the kind of family you choose rather than the one you're born into.

With vivid, lyrical prose and an atmosphere steeped in the soul of the American South, Sean Dietrich delivers a poignant, witty, and deeply compassionate tale that celebrates the messy, magnificent human condition. With quirky and unforgettable characters that become like family to the reader, "Over Yonder" perfectly blends laugh-out-loud dialogue and witty banter with deeply profound notations and moments that will absolutely break your heart.

I was lucky enough to receive copies of both the digital and audiobook editions for a truly immersive experience. The audiobook, impeccably narrated by the author himself, is an absolute delight, enhancing an already magnificent book even more and adding warmth and authenticity to every word.

A heartfelt, redemptive tale about second chances, "Over Yonder" reminds us that it's never too late to find your purpose - or your people. It's a moving, funny, and deeply humane novel that captures the beauty of broken people finding their way back to the light.

Many thanks to Thomas Nelson and Zondervan Fiction Audio and Thomas Nelson Fiction for providing me with copies of the Kindle edition as well as the audiobook via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

"Over Yonder" was published on October 7, 2025, and is available now.

It is a beautifully crafted novel. The lives of Woody Barker and Caroline Boyer intertwine in unexpected ways, leading to an exploration of redemption, family, and self-discovery. Woody, a defrocked priest with a troubled past, dreams of peace on his houseboat along the Alabama Gulf Coast. However, his plans are quickly derailed when he encounters his seventeen-year-old daughter Caroline, who is grappling with her own challenges and the aftermath of her mother’s passing.

The author skillfully balances humor and heartbreak, introducing us to Woody’s quirky companion—a goldfish named Gary, whose presence adds a delightful touch to their adventure. The narrative shines as it paints the vivid landscapes of the Deep South, evoking a sense of place that pulls you into the story alongside Woody and Caroline.

As they embark on a quest to uncover family secrets and navigate dilemmas stemming from Caroline’s past, the tension builds. They are pursued not only by those eager to learn the truth about Caroline’s mother but also by Woody's former parishioners, whose misguided intentions add layers of complexity to his quest for redemption.

The relationship that blossoms between Woody and Caroline is heartwarming and real, exploring the meaning of family and the bonds that can form amidst chaos and uncertainty. The author delicately illustrates how they redefine hope and faith, making this novel a touching reminder that it's never too late to seek forgiveness and embrace new beginnings.

This book is an engaging blend of adventure, emotional depth, and humor that leaves readers reflecting on the power of second chances. I wholeheartedly recommend it for anyone looking to be swept away in a story that celebrates resilience and the various forms family can take.

This was a gritty book. There were complex characters who constantly surprised me, an interesting plot, witty banter, and turns in the story aplenty. Pretty much everything I like in a book. As the author also narrated, kudos to him for his portrayal of the characters. He really brought them to life.

Five stars for a story whose end is not at all predictable. My gratitude to the author and publisher Thomas Nelson and Zondervan Fiction Audio.

#overyonder #netgalley #audiobook
#booktok #bookstagram

Having grown in a small country town , I just adored this book. Sean is a beautiful storyteller, which I’ve heard about in the past but had yet to read one of his books. This book was entertaining, harrowing, and a pleasure to listen to. He weaves in so many funny quips, while managing to make you cry a few moments later. This book was also action packed which surprised me.

Over Yonder is the eighth novel by American journalist, podcaster and author, Sean Dietrich. At fifty-seven, Melinda Boyer is on her deathbed in a Knoxville Medical Centre with pancreatic cancer when she puts out a call for the two people she wants to see before she dies. Her seventeen-year-old daughter, the child who spent most of her life so far in and out of foster care, is offered the key to buried treasure. Caroline is both sceptical and feels it’s too little, too late.

The man Melinda was married to for eleven years, (formerly Rev.) Woodrow Barker, just three months out of a ten-year stretch for manslaughter in Wallace Correctional, is expected, despite being laicised, to perform Melinda’s last rites. And he has learned in the phone call that summoned him from Alabama, that Caroline is his daughter. Woody is stunned, almost speechless, but his father Amos is eager to connect with this surprise granddaughter who, it turns out, is eight months pregnant.

Caroline Boyer, half-blind and with other health issues, has baggage, mental and physical, in the form of a redneck boyfriend (Tater), and has acquired a dangerous and determined pursuer who is convinced she holds something of his. When a drunken Tater Bunson takes one violent step too far, she packs up her support goldfish, Gary, and her blind kitten, and presents herself to Amos and Woody for respite.

Meanwhile, back in Alabama, Woody’s second (ex-)wife, Elizabeth, who spent ten years tirelessly advocating for him, visiting, sending care packages, and getting him medical care, is about to marry another man. Regardless, she wants Woody to get to know their nine-year-old daughter, Rachel. But Woody’s poor health is deteriorating critically, and all these assorted stresses aren’t helping.

Dietrich gives the reader a tale with plenty of action in the form of car chases, taserings, kidnappings (and clever escapes therefrom), hijackings, a car bomb, and a roadside birth. There’s a small terrorist group pursued by the FBI, a man forced to dig his own grave, and Dietrich even makes one character describe the plot as that of a poorly-written novel (which this definitely isn’t.) The humour is mostly dry and often quite black, and the dialogue is very entertaining.

His descriptive prose is brilliantly original and imaginative: “The room TV was blaring Divorce Court at a volume loud enough to change the migratory patterns of waterfowl” and “She started shouting in a voice capable of giving headaches to the recently deceased” and “Caroline was impressed at the man’s driving ability. Although he was large and gangly, he had the reflexes of a caffeinated squirrel” are a few examples.

His characters offer wisdom and insight: “One of the most jarring things about leaving prison was all the advertisements. Ads on every flat surface, digital platform, and billboard. Product names plastered on people’s clothing. On their shoes. On the bands of their underpants. And ads kept multiplying exponentially as though they were having wild billboard sex every night when the world was asleep and making new ad babies” and “You could add ten years to your life if you gave up smoking.” He looked at the cigar wistfully. “But that decade would have no smoking in it.”

Incredibly moving, thought-provoking, insightful, and often blackly funny, Sean Dietrich’s latest is highly recommended.
This unbiased review is from an audio copy provided by NetGalley and Thomas Nelson and Zondervan Fiction audio.

I read Kinfolk by this author and loved it. This one is even better, in my humble opinion. What this author brings out is such a story. It touches you in many ways. Leaves you breathless. This story captured my heart in so many ways and gave me ALL the feels of a great novel. I laughed, cried, cringes, got angry, and oh my when the ending came I wept. This book is so good. I highly recommend it to everyone.

I listened to the audio while reading. Sean Dietrich narrated it and he did a fantastic job. Of course it's his book so why wouldn't he right. He captured my heart in so many ways. Kept me turning the pages.

You meet Woody when he leaves prison. He has been there for ten years. You don't know immediately why he was there but you do know he was a priest. I adored Woody. I felt he was a great main character. He finds out he has a daughter by his first wife. His daughter, Caroline, is pregnant. Her boyfriend, Tater, was a hoot. He made me laugh so hard. They were not a matched pair by any means. You also meet Woody's dad. Woody is sixty and his dad is in his eighties. Caroline is only seventeen. Woody had another daughter, Rachel. Rachel was born while Woody was in prison and her mother is Woody's second ex-wife, Elizabeth. I loved all of these characters.

This book takes you on a wild ride from Alabama to Tennessee and back to Alabama. Bad people are after Caroline as her, Woody and Woody's dad. They think Caroline has something that belongs to them. Actually him. One guy who is bent of getting back what is his at any cost.

The descriptions in this book were so good. I live in N. AL and could easily picture where he was taking about. Especially the Epilogue as the setting there is Huntsville, AL and that is where I was born and grew up. Still live actually, just out in the countryside.

I highly encourage you to grab this book. If you love good southern novels with settings that will keep you wanting more this one is it. I will read anything this author writes now. He is definitely in my top ten favorites.

Thank you @thomasnelsonfiction, @thomasnelsonandzondervanfictionaudio, for this ARC.

Five stars

Thank you NetGalley and Thomas Nelson Fiction for sending this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.

A woman on her deathbed is going to be brutally honest about two things: your present and her past. Caroline hasn’t seen her mother in ages, but sitting next to her in the hospital room, her mother starts getting honest. Caroline’s boyfriend is a good-for-nothing guy who will ruin her life; Caroline’s an idiot for getting pregnant so young; she really was a good mother to Caroline; she knows where there’s buried treasure. While those first few were to be expected, that last one gave Caroline pause – were the drugs affecting her mother’s sanity? But her mother didn’t give away all her secrets that day – she saved the biggest for her final phone call to a man Caroline had never met, but would end up saving her life. Her father.

Sean Dietrich is back with his classic Southern Gothic style in Over Yonder, a tale of family drama and second chances. Dietrich is a man of many talents beyond storytelling – just follow his Instagram page to see a glimpse of his music, or check his podcast for his work as a journalist. But at the heart of all his creations is one thing: the South. From Appalachia to the Gulf, Dietrich tells the stories of those who might have been less fortunate, and therefore, less respected, in our southern communities, with such care and humanity. Similar to his other works like Kinfolk, Dietrich includes flawed characters throughout with a strong nod to the family we choose for ourselves when the one we’re born into fails us.

I give Over Yonder 5 out of 5 stars. I have been a fan of Dietrich’s since reading Kinfolk in 2023. This novel was gripping and had so many different twists to the plot that I really couldn’t see the end coming. I appreciate the way Dietrich builds the characters with real worries and cares, as well as with real dialogue like that between Woody and his ex-wife. Readers will feel like these are people they know and like this story could happen in their own town!

Before I dug into works by authors including Dietrich and Terah Shelton Harris, I didn’t realize how much I truly enjoy the Southern Gothic genre. If you have enjoyed other works by those two authors, or books like Sue Monk Kidd’s The Secret Life of Bees, John Berendt’s Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil, or Stacy Willingham’s Forget Me Not, I’d recommend this book. With domestic abuse, drug and alcohol use, and parental neglect, this work may not be for every reader though. I would direct this to more mature audiences over 16.

The characters seemed so realistic, I was very invested in what was happening to the main characters. This was a book that I wanted to continue reading and it was hard to step away from to do other needed tasks. I loved the adventure mixed in with so much wit and humor. I smiled and laughed a lot while reading this story. There is just so much variety included in this story, it's an adventure that I think anyone would enjoy reading. The author is such a great storyteller, I would definitely recommend the audiobook which is narrated by the author.

Excellent book! My first time reading Sean Dietrich and I loved this book. The audio narration is perfect; I can still hear the narrator and feel the characters. The storyline moves along and kept me engaged throughout the book. I wonder how the author arrived at the title; I have missed the connection.

Once again Sean Dietrich has entranced me with a story of family, love, loss, forgiveness, humor, and redemption. The characters are quirky with a variety of personalities. From a former priest who is an ex-convict to two ex-wives to a kidnapped Uber driver to individuals from a dangerous mob to a boat named Ship Happens to a pregnant teenage girl to 80-year-old Amos ... what a colorful cast of characters! As you travel along with this group amidst turmoil, danger, finding their way in life, and discovering true family, you will experience hope and love. A wonderful escape that will sweep you up and take you on an adventure you will not soon forget. Grab this one and get lost in the pages!

Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas Nelson for my advanced review copy. All opinions and thoughts are my own.

For more reviews, please visit my blog at: https://www.msladybugsbookreviews.com/. Over 1000 reviews posted!

Adult Fiction
Fiction

Sean Dietrich delivers a heartfelt, soulful journey in Over Yonder, blending Southern charm, humor, and moments of genuine danger. Woody Barker, a defrocked priest recently released from prison, hopes to retreat to a quiet life aboard his houseboat on the Alabama Gulf Coast. But life has other plans—especially when he crosses paths with seventeen-year-old Caroline Boyer, a pregnant teen facing the whirlwind of her own unexpected discoveries, including a father she’s never met.
The story shines in its exploration of family, redemption, and the unexpected connections that can heal old wounds. Woody’s gruff exterior and ailing heart contrast beautifully with Caroline’s youthful urgency and courage, while their unlikely companionship—along with an emotional support goldfish named Gary—adds warmth and humor to their perilous adventure. The pair navigate a web of secrets and menacing figures determined to uncover what Caroline learned at her mother’s deathbed, making their journey through the Deep South both tense and heart-stirring.
Dietrich excels at creating vivid settings, relatable characters, and a narrative that balances suspense with tender emotional beats. Over Yonder is ultimately about hope, resilience, and the discovery that it’s never too late to redefine what family—and life—can mean. It’s a moving, engaging audiobook that’s equal parts thrilling and deeply human.

What an awesome story! Just loved it.

Books that make me laugh and also cry, those are the best! I just love Sean Dietrich's humor - it makes me laugh This is my second book by this author, This one took me a little longer to get involved in the story., but then it got better and better. The characters are well developed and interesting.

Not only is this author a great storyteller but he also narrates his own books and does a great job at that too.

Did you like it? Yes.

Did you enjoy it? Yes. Yes.

Would you recommend it? Yes. Yes. Yes.

What can I say... It's a 10.

The storytelling in this book owes me nothing.

A story of love, forgiveness, family, and hidden secrets that takes you on an unforgettable journey where everything is on the line.

It is a story of all the feels. I am talking pull-at-your-heartstring moments, need-a-tissue moments to literally laugh out loud moments. It is love in action.

It's all about the journey and the road trips. Let's say it goes down on the road trips.

There is even a suspense element to this one, and I am so here for it.

Bonus for the audiobook. Sean Dietrich is that author; if he is narrating it, I’m listening.
When an audiobook is next level, Over Yonder is that next level.

Sean is such a wonderful storyteller. He’s quickly become one of my favorite all-around people — not only a fantastic author, but also a talented musician and, in my opinion, a hilarious comedian.

This book had the perfect balance of seriousness and suspense, mixed with Sean’s signature humor that always shines through. I absolutely loved listening to him narrate it — it made the experience even better. I’d even go so far as to say this might be my favorite book of his yet. I truly hope he keeps writing more!

This book was incredible!

It takes a lot for me to give 5 stars. & this was an easy 5 stars, and a book that I didn’t want to end…and will stay with me forever.

Caroline, Woody and Elizabeth were easy to love, cheer for and want to know them like real people.

I recommend this book to anyone that loves to read this book is just one everyone should read!