Holly‘s review of Welcome to Harmony
Sixteen-year-old runaway Reagan has always wanted a place to belong. She’s never had a real home of her own, but maybe she can borrow someone else’s. At least for a little while…
At the nursing home wehre Reagan works, Miss Beverly Truman’s fond memories of Harmony, Texas, seem to fill an empty space inside the girl. After Miss Beverly passes away, Reagan travels to Harmony, pretending to be the woman’s granddaughter, and is taken into the home of Beverly’s surviving brother.
Sitll, Reagan is afraid to strust the gruff kindness shown to her by Jeremiah Truman and the warm freindship offered by another teenager named Noah, who dreams of being a rodeo star. She keeps her distance from Noah’s sister, Alex McAllen, who’s the town sheriff and busy with her own stormy relationsihip with volunteer fire chief Hank Matheson.
But when prairie fires threaten Harmony, Reagan learns the true meaning of family, friends and home…
Welcome to Harmony
Reagan is a 17-year-old runaway who meets Miss Beverly Truman in a nursing home. Miss Beverly’s tales of her hometown Harmony, TX make Reagan long to be from there herself. When Miss Beverly passes away, Reagan decides to go check out the town. She doesn’t plan to stay long, but she hopes she can claim it as the place she’s from, even if she can’t claim it as home.
Even though Harmony is just as Miss Beverly described it, Reagan isn’t prepared for how much more it is. The inhabitants are what make this town come alive. There’s the fire chief, Hank Matheson, and his rocky, explosive relationship with the town Sheriff, Alex McAllen. The quiet, unassuming funeral director who has compassion for everyone but can’t remember anyone’s name. Cranky old Jeremiah Truman, Miss Beverly’s brother and the man who takes Reagan in. Stella and Bob McNabb, an older retired couple who might bicker but who still know what’s important in life. And Noah McAllen, Alex’s younger brother and the first person to become prickly Reagan’s friend.
Each of these people touch Reagan in some way, bringing Harmony to life for her in a way Miss Beverly’s stories never could. But Reagan is afraid to trust in the future, no matter how good things seem to be going. When fire draws the town together, Reagan learns some valuable lessons, not only about friendship and family, but about herself.
I adore Thomas’ contemporary romances. Her strong characterizations and idyllic small towns draw the reader in and don’t let go. I felt like I was there, in Harmony with Reagan and Noah, Hank and Alex and all the others. First I wanted to move to Twisted Creek, then to Bailey, now to Harmony. If Thomas keeps this up I’ll be heading south, searching Texas for my own perfect small town.
This books has some flaws – but I can’t really say they bothered me enough to detract from the overall reading experience. I was anxious to know more about Hank and Alex, and the history they shared over Alex’s dead older brother, who had been Hank’s best friend. I wanted to find out who the woman was that Tyler had become email friends with. My heart melted when gruff old Jeremiah offered Reagan a place to stay and Noah offered her friendship. I felt like I was there, heart pounding and adrenaline pumping, when smoke was seen in the prairie. Harmony and its inhabitants became mine for the few hours I spent reading it. I was as immersed in them as I’ve ever been.
The only thing I’m really upset over is having to wait 5 months for the next book. Otherwise, this is practically perfect – a multi-layered contemporary romance filled with real people, the kind you really wish you could be friends with.
5 out of 5 (my first 5 grade of the year!)
The series:
Giveaway Alert: Leave a comment on this post telling me why you want to read Welcome to Harmony, and you’ll be entered to win a copy. Contest ends Monday, May 31, 2010 at 11:59 p.m.
Also, be sure to stick around because Jodi Thomas will be guest blogging later today and we’ll have more chance for you to win Welcome to Harmony. I also have a great excerpt to share later!
This book is available from Berkely. You can buy it here
Wooohooo, Holly!! 5 out of 5! Awesome grade! I can’t wait to get my hand on this book!! I’m really looking forward to it and so happy it’s going to be worth it 😀
I have always been a fan of Jodi’s books. I would love to read this one.
I’m always looking for new authors to read, sounds good! tWarner419@aol.com
Whoops posted on wrong link – duh
Welcome to the Binge – it is a great site to hang around.
I love the cover and would love to win this book – it looks great.
Helen L.
Back again, The cover attracted me and I do love contemps and the storyline of a woman looking for a place to call home really attracts me – so sad she never had a real home.
Helen L.
Great review! This book sounds wonderful. I have read several of Jodi’s historicals, and all of them are on my keeper shelf. Now I want to try one of her contemporaries. This book is sure to be a great beginning to another winning series from Jodi.
I love contemps and I especially loves series books – so very happy about Harmony. The storyline sounds like something I would very much enjoy. Thanks for telling us about it.
Wow–a 5-star review. It’s been a long time since I’ve read a contemporary that has a theme other than romance or suspense. This book sounds charming, and I’d like to fall in love with it just as you did.
I have always loved Jodi’s writing. The emotions she evokes are unparalled. I love her slice of small town living and can’t wait to read this.
joderjo402 AT gmail DOT com
I have been a reader of Jodi’s books for years and would love to have this one.
I would like to read this book for a few reasons, it is a contemp, start of a series and the story sounds very interesting, a girl with a secret, and one who has never had a family. Harmony sounds like the perfect place for a young woman to find a home at last.
Joanne V.
I love all her books. Please enter me Thanks!!
chirth7@yahoo.com
I haven’t read anything of her’s yet, But they are just the type of books I read. I’d love a chance to win it.
shundelt@yahoo.com
I would like to read this book, because I am a fan of Jodi Thomas’s books. All of her books that I have read so far have been really great. Please enter me. Thanks!
ayancey(at)dishmail(dot)net
Who names a town “HARMONY”? It seems that with Reagan its living up to its name! And a romance between the police chief and the fire chief? That could only happen in “Harmony” I’m sure Harmony will open up their arms and welcome Reagan but will she stay? I guess if I win a copy of the book, I’ll get to know….BUT if I don’t win, then I’ll have to get the book and find out the hard way! So I hope I win the book!!! Mick Mac
Great post, this is a new author for me and would love to read this book it sounds great! Thanks for the chance to win.
myra0502@yahoo.com
I want to read Welcome because I read ALL of Jodi’s books!! I also am a huge series fan and a small town lover. Thanks for another great contest here, Sue
i would like to read this book, because Jodi is a new for me Author. and 5 stars for the book ? count me in !
uniquas at ymail dot com
The search for home is one of the oldest; I’d love to read this book. ruthjoec at aol dot com
Allot has caught my eye on this book. The cover is appealing. I like the title. A town called Harmony; you’re familiar with the phrase, “Living in Harmony”. I love Jodi’s books and the storyline is right up my alley.
Would love to win this one. I promis I’ll share w/ my friends. LOL.
Good luck to all!
Lynn R.
Allot has caught my eye on this book. The cover is appealing. I like the title. A town called Harmony; you’re familiar with the phrase, “Living in Harmony”. I love Jodi’s books and the storyline is right up my alley.
Would love to win this one. I promis I’ll share w/ my friends. LOL.
Good luck to all!
Lynn R.
Great seeing all the excerpts – my interest is piqued in learning all about Reagan.
Karen T.
I would like to read this book because it sounds really interesting and I would like to know what happens to Reagan in the end.
I want to read this because the reviews I have read lead me to believe that this is “not to be missed!” I also enjoy series & this is the beginning=)
Luvdaylilies at bellsouth dot net