Book Review: Welcome to Harmony by Jodi Thomas

Welcome to Harmony by Jodi Thomas

Publisher: Berkley

Publish Date: June 1, 2010

Paperback, 384 pages

My Review:

I was so thrilled to pick this up on Sunday to read.  I wasn't feeling very well (stomach-bug) and wanted something to enjoy reading, something that would transport me away from how I felt.  Welcome to Harmony did just that.  I left my quiet bedroom (the kids and husband were gone) and was transported to the town of Harmony.  I got to know the inhabitants of Harmony and felt their joys and pain.  Their hopes and fears.  I was completely absorbed into the lives of the people of Harmony and the events that unfolded in the book.

I'll start with the plot - it was a great set up for the series in this first book, but the book had a plot of it's own too.  Sometimes there is too much of one or the other in a first book in the series, but Ms. Thomas has found a wonderful blend.  There was enough background to absorb you as well as a plot line to keep this story moving (and you anxious for the next book in the series).  I won't give anything away, but it can be a nail-biter at times.  Lots of things go on in the book, but it's not too much to keep up with - it's just right to keep you enthralled and wanting to read more.

As for the characters - there are a lot you get to know in this book, but most of them stand out well on their own.  Reagan is the catalyst for the story.  She shows up in town and claims to be Jeremiah's niece.  Jeremiah is that perfect grumpy old man and I loved him as a character.  There is also Noah who befriends Reagan when others seem unsure of her.  And the main characters of this story, sheriff Alex and fire chief Hank Matheson.  Through these main characters and a few others who I hope will have stories of their own, you learn about the town and the characters.  The characters are well-written and varied and really make the story.

I highly recommend you pick up this story if you enjoy relationship and character-driven novels with some romance.  It all blends together so well to make a perfect story.  It 's a perfect summer read. 

My Rating:  4.75/5.0

Check out Jodi Thomas' guest post and a giveaway for 1 copy of this wonderful book (giveaway ends 6/10).

About the Book:
Sixteen-year-old runaway Reagan has always wanted a place to belong. She's never had a real home of her own, but perhaps she could borrow someone else's. Under an assumed name and identity, she moves to Harmony, Texas, but keeps her distance from the welcoming townsfolk. Until prairie fires threaten Harmony-and Reagan learns the true meaning of family, friends, and home.

About the Author:
Jodi Thomas is the NY Times and USA Today best-selling author of 30 novels and 8 short story collections. As of July 2006, she was the 11th woman to be inducted in to RWA Hall of Fame. She is also currently serving as the Writer in Residence at West Texas A&M University in Canyon, Texas.

FTC Information: I received this book from the author for review.  I have Amazon links on my review pages but I do not make any money from these because of NC laws.  I put them solely for people to check out the books on a retail site.