Welcome to Harmony by Jodi Thomas
Contemporary Romance
June 1, 2010
Paperback, 384 Pages
Berkley


Reviewed by Tori

Welcome to Harmony, TX. Population 14,003.

Go down Old Main road, not to be confused with New Main road, and stop at the Blue Moon. You’ve never been to Harmony till you’ve eaten at the Blue moon. Tell Edith I said,”hey.” Wonderful woman-heart of a saint. Has to be to put up with her no account husband.

Look out the window; quick now. See that big dodge truck flying by? That belongs to Hank Matheson. He’s the town’s volunteer fire chief. He’s heading over to the Buffalo Bar and Grill to break up a fight.  No, it’s not his job, lol, but he’s got to go get the sheriff. Alex McAllen, our town sheriff, is either drunk or brawling or both. She’ll hate him in the morning for it but what can you do?

Well, well lookie there. See that little red head? Her name is Reagan Truman. Rumor has it she’s old Miss Beverly Truman’s grand daughter.  She’s staying out at Jeremiah Truman’s house. Now you want to meet an ornery old cuss? There you go. The boy next to her is Noah McAllen. Thick as thieves those two. He goes by the nickname of preacher. The Trumans and the McAllens are the Hatfields and McCoys of Harmony. People aren’t sure what to think of this development. But that’s another story for another time. Something is in the air though. Some changes are coming that may or may not be for the best. Only time will tell. So head on down to the bed and breakfast, grab a room and set awhile. We’ll chat some more about the good folks of Harmony.

Reagen came to Harmony to find something. Coming from a foster home background, being shuffled from person to person…all she wants is to belong.At the nursing home where Reagen worked she meets & makes friends with Miss Beverly Truman. Miss Beverly tells her wonderful stories about the town she grew up in -Harmony, TX. After Miss Beverly passes away Reagen sees her chance. So she heads to Harmony and passes herself off as Miss Beverly’s grand daughter.

Jeremiah Truman, Miss Bev’s brother, takes her in without asking questions. Reagen is afraid to let anyone close to her but she slowly begins to accept the gruff kindness Jeremiah shows her. When Noah McAllen sets out to befriend Reagen, she has trouble believing in Noah and in herself. She soon learns though that the friendship comes at no cost to her but brings a wealth of benefits. As the summer heats up..love and hate, anger and grief, blend to become the flame that brings this town together.

I adored Welcome to Harmony. Well written; this compelling romantic contemporary leads us through the intricate relationships that make up this town. The first in a trilogy based on the founding families-the Trumans, the Mathesons, and the McAllens.

Ms.Thomas has created memorable cast of witty characters that tug at your heart and have you following their lives with rapt attention. With superb world building, Ms.Thomas paints a vivid and compelling picture of town and it’s residents. You have five separate story lines that intersect, overlap and run parallel to a main plot. Each story is a study in relationships.  A tough young girl and an embittered old man learn to accept the past and go forward. A man and woman navigate a rocky relationship that may end in a secret being exposed that could destroy them. A quiet secretive man finds love only to discover that she may hold even deeper secrets. A young boy strives to live his life on his terms without being burdened by his family’s problems.

It was fascinating watching Ms. Thomas develop and take these people through their lives. Through the good and the bad she pulls no punches and shows a unsentimental portrayal of life and love in a small town. The underlying main plot was interwoven flawlessly into the fabric of the story and built up gradually to a grand finale. I never saw it coming. She drew me to Harmony and has me wanting to return.

I  look forward her next in the series, Somewhere Along The Way, due to release fall of 2010.


Rating: 4.5/5

Recent Reviews:
Book Binge – 5/5
Book Junkie – 4/5


Thanks Tori!