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Harmony #1
Welcome to Harmony
The first novel in the Harmony series from New York Times bestselling author Jodi Thomas.
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.
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.
384 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published June 1, 2010
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3359 people want to read
About the author
Jodi Thomas
124 books2,465 followersI'm a New York Times and USA Today Best Selling author, wife, mother, in-law, grandmother, sister, friend, and owner of one fat cat.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 239 reviews
October 14, 2014
★★★★ ½ stars. First, let me say this is just my cuppa tea! Love small town lovin’ – I even have a separate bookshelf for it (thanks for the name, Miss Kim). Consider that when you see my ranking.
Ambience – that’s what Ms. Thomas is so good at creating, even if that is a pretty fancy word to use for her down-home story set in a small west Texas town. Looking on her website and reading her bio, I see the author “has a degree in Family Studies, Thomas is a marriage and family counselor by education, a background that enables her to write about family dynamics.”
Ahhhhh…that explains why I fell in love with this book and the realistic characters inside. From the teenage runaway, Reagan, claiming to be an elderly curmudgeon’s grand-niece, to the childhood frienemies who are falling in love, despite the tragically guilty secret that keeps them apart. One of the frienemies is the hunky volunteer fire chief, the other the lady sheriff who drinks herself stupid on her Saturday nights off, only to be escorted home (kicking, screaming, and tossing her biscuits into his Stetson) by said hunk. There is a lonely funeral director and a sweet little four-year-girl in leg braces, whose encounters at the local diner made me smile.
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The storyline may be perceived from several town inhabitants’ POV, but there is a firebug amongst them, creating a palpable sense of danger. I could barely put this book down to eat my meals, not so much from the suspense as from being engrossed in the people’s lives. JT has written hotter sex scenes in her books; while these are not quite one-foot-on-the-floor, there are insinuations; nevertheless, the more intimate details are mostly off camera. That doesn’t mean there isn’t plenty of love, in all its various forms.
I hesitate to read two books in a row by the same author, but I’ve already started Somewhere Along the Way because I wanted to see what develops between young Reagan and Noah “Preacher” McAllen (so call b/c every time he gets on a bull he gets religion) and to find out why a person pops up occasionally to request Reagan pass along their thanks to her Great Uncle Jeremiah. Hmmm…now what has that grumpy old codger been up to? I also checked on the publication of the third book in the series – what, where, when? Alas, I don’t know. But Harmony is a good place to start!
Update: April 15, 2012 - More books in the series.
Ambience – that’s what Ms. Thomas is so good at creating, even if that is a pretty fancy word to use for her down-home story set in a small west Texas town. Looking on her website and reading her bio, I see the author “has a degree in Family Studies, Thomas is a marriage and family counselor by education, a background that enables her to write about family dynamics.”
Ahhhhh…that explains why I fell in love with this book and the realistic characters inside. From the teenage runaway, Reagan, claiming to be an elderly curmudgeon’s grand-niece, to the childhood frienemies who are falling in love, despite the tragically guilty secret that keeps them apart. One of the frienemies is the hunky volunteer fire chief, the other the lady sheriff who drinks herself stupid on her Saturday nights off, only to be escorted home (kicking, screaming, and tossing her biscuits into his Stetson) by said hunk. There is a lonely funeral director and a sweet little four-year-girl in leg braces, whose encounters at the local diner made me smile.
[image error]
The storyline may be perceived from several town inhabitants’ POV, but there is a firebug amongst them, creating a palpable sense of danger. I could barely put this book down to eat my meals, not so much from the suspense as from being engrossed in the people’s lives. JT has written hotter sex scenes in her books; while these are not quite one-foot-on-the-floor, there are insinuations; nevertheless, the more intimate details are mostly off camera. That doesn’t mean there isn’t plenty of love, in all its various forms.
I hesitate to read two books in a row by the same author, but I’ve already started Somewhere Along the Way because I wanted to see what develops between young Reagan and Noah “Preacher” McAllen (so call b/c every time he gets on a bull he gets religion) and to find out why a person pops up occasionally to request Reagan pass along their thanks to her Great Uncle Jeremiah. Hmmm…now what has that grumpy old codger been up to? I also checked on the publication of the third book in the series – what, where, when? Alas, I don’t know. But Harmony is a good place to start!
Update: April 15, 2012 - More books in the series.
August 11, 2016
Six months ago Reagan decided Harmony would become her home town. She has never set foot in Harmony before, but after meeting Miss Beverly, cleaning her room at the Shady Rest Home and reading her letters with her, Harmony seemed as heaven. So she ran away from the shelter she was in while waiting for the system to find her another foster family. Reagan from the beginning of the book broke my heart.
Welcome to Harmony is a feel good book. It doesn't try to be a study of human nature, it doesn't dissect its characters. If you want to read about good ordinary people with flaws and all, you might give this book a try. It will make you feel good even if it is a bit naive.I wonder if places like Harmony really exist. I hope they do.
'... she had found a newspaper, the Harmony Herald's Centennial Edition. Reagan had read every article, what happened in the past, what was happening in the fall of 2005, what folks hoped would happen in the future. Somehow, the town filled a place inside her. A place that had always been empty. Home.'I love the parts with Reagan and old grumpy Jeremiah who all but adopted her.
"It's not a date," she said, fighting down a scream. "You're going out. He's picking you up." Jeremiah cut himself another slice of coconut pie. "If it walks like a duck and talks like a duck..."...
"And you can tell that boy who you're not having a date with that he'd better get you home early 'cause we got a full day of work tomorrow."The most heartbreaking thing is that Reagan doesn't expect anything from these people.
'Nothing lasted. But when it ended, she'd have something good to remember. She could look back and think of Harmony and the old house as home. And she'd feel, even if it were only for a little while, that she was with family.'This isn't your usual one couple romance. The main 'character' in this book is the town itself seen thorough the eyes of the people who live there. The fires that break out all around threatening them all will show each and every one of them, Reagan included, what they are prepared to do for others.
Welcome to Harmony is a feel good book. It doesn't try to be a study of human nature, it doesn't dissect its characters. If you want to read about good ordinary people with flaws and all, you might give this book a try. It will make you feel good even if it is a bit naive.I wonder if places like Harmony really exist. I hope they do.
November 30, 2011
This book is really quite remarkable. Jodi Thomas has joined the list of authors whose books I will pre-order.
September 29, 2016
☆☆ 4 / 4.5 stars!! ☆☆
I think I'm going to stay in Harmony for a while...what a community!!
I just got all the books and I'll probably binge on them this week XD
First, something must be said:
The blurbs in this series are misleading.
Every book shows life in a little town called Harmony with multiple stories that are intertwined.
This book is not just about 16 years old Reagan.
Hers is just one of those stories, not the main one.
That said...I'm hooked.
In this first installment we equally get to know:
- Alexandra the sheriff & Hank the volunteer chief firefighter/ranch owner.
- Tyler owner of Harmony's funeral home & his online "date" Kate.
- 16 years old Noah & Reagan plus 80 years old Jeremiah. Grumpy but with a heart of gold, Jeremiah "adopts" Reagan giving her the home she's never had.
- other members of the community, people connected to the characters above (I couldn't get enough of Hank 's 4 years old adorable niece ♡_♡)
I loved them all and I can't wait to know how all their stories will continue in book 2 of this series.
It takes a few chapter to get accustomed to the multiple points of view.
At first it's a bit annoying because you jump from a situation to another with completely different people and then back again to where you left the previous characters.
Even if I'm not a fan of this kind of narration, I ended up really enjoying the journey through.
I want to know more so... I'm ready for book 2!! ^_^
I think I'm going to stay in Harmony for a while...what a community!!
I just got all the books and I'll probably binge on them this week XD
First, something must be said:
The blurbs in this series are misleading.
Every book shows life in a little town called Harmony with multiple stories that are intertwined.
This book is not just about 16 years old Reagan.
Hers is just one of those stories, not the main one.
That said...I'm hooked.
In this first installment we equally get to know:
- Alexandra the sheriff & Hank the volunteer chief firefighter/ranch owner.
- Tyler owner of Harmony's funeral home & his online "date" Kate.
- 16 years old Noah & Reagan plus 80 years old Jeremiah. Grumpy but with a heart of gold, Jeremiah "adopts" Reagan giving her the home she's never had.
- other members of the community, people connected to the characters above (I couldn't get enough of Hank 's 4 years old adorable niece ♡_♡)
I loved them all and I can't wait to know how all their stories will continue in book 2 of this series.
It takes a few chapter to get accustomed to the multiple points of view.
At first it's a bit annoying because you jump from a situation to another with completely different people and then back again to where you left the previous characters.
Even if I'm not a fan of this kind of narration, I ended up really enjoying the journey through.
I want to know more so... I'm ready for book 2!! ^_^
June 21, 2020
I felt as though I opened a door to Small Town Living, USA when I began reading Welcome to Harmony. The town had a slower pace, but I still wanted to immerse myself in their culture and fabric. They had such interesting residents.
I enjoyed all the characters, but especially Rea, Hank, Noah and Tyler. Each person was distinctive in their very own way; they tugged on my heartstrings.
I appreciated the thread of suspense that Ms. Thomas included. The developments were realistic and the resolution was good. By the time I was reading the closing pages, I knew I would visit Harmony, Texas again.
I enjoyed all the characters, but especially Rea, Hank, Noah and Tyler. Each person was distinctive in their very own way; they tugged on my heartstrings.
I appreciated the thread of suspense that Ms. Thomas included. The developments were realistic and the resolution was good. By the time I was reading the closing pages, I knew I would visit Harmony, Texas again.
October 21, 2016
I had to edit my review. In later books in the series, one of the heroes from this book CHEATS and gets another woman pregnant. I feel betrayed by this author.
Book 1 is a wonderful small town romance. Everyone knows who everyone else is, there is slow build and you really learn to love the characters. Comfort read for me. But do NOT read books 5 and after in this series because the author kills heroes off and has other heroes cheat. Not what I want to read in romance novels.
Book 1 is a wonderful small town romance. Everyone knows who everyone else is, there is slow build and you really learn to love the characters. Comfort read for me. But do NOT read books 5 and after in this series because the author kills heroes off and has other heroes cheat. Not what I want to read in romance novels.
July 26, 2021
Great story, complex, realistic characters. I'm happily hooked!
June 19, 2020
I absolutely loved this book and the story of Harmony, TX.
Did you ever read a book and love the fictional town so much that all you could do is wish that you could live there? Well, I certainly did with Harmony...it takes a special author to write such descriptive words in order to build the world (town).
Then on top of that...the many characters that have a voice in this book are so different...so alike...and end up being all melded together that as a reader you find yourself entangled in their lives as the story enfolds.
My favorites? Definitely to start out, Noah and Rea. These two....I can't wait to find out what the future holds for them. Then, it would have to be Ty, such a gentle man who is definitely the Mr Knight in this book who also has my heart breaking by the end.
If you are looking for a mesh of stories with a bit of a mystery entangled...this is the book for you!
Did you ever read a book and love the fictional town so much that all you could do is wish that you could live there? Well, I certainly did with Harmony...it takes a special author to write such descriptive words in order to build the world (town).
Then on top of that...the many characters that have a voice in this book are so different...so alike...and end up being all melded together that as a reader you find yourself entangled in their lives as the story enfolds.
My favorites? Definitely to start out, Noah and Rea. These two....I can't wait to find out what the future holds for them. Then, it would have to be Ty, such a gentle man who is definitely the Mr Knight in this book who also has my heart breaking by the end.
If you are looking for a mesh of stories with a bit of a mystery entangled...this is the book for you!
January 28, 2019
What would you do if you were ever left completely alone by family but met another family willing to make you one of theirs? This book is not the first book of the Harmony Series by Jodi Thomas, but it should be. It introduces all the main characters. It gives you a mental map of Harmony, TX. And I bet you think you know why it is called Harmony. You are probably wrong. This book is so unusual because it is not just one story but three. There are two love stories and one mystery. As usual, Jodi Thomas makes her characters come alive and you feel as if you are living right beside them. It made me want to move to Harmony and I don’t like small towns. One young lady called Reagan learned that not only did Harmony feel like home, it was to become her home, whether related or not. Alexandria learned that the heart can accept the love of a special family friend without always seeing tragedy. The mystery, well I’ll let you find out about that on your own. I laughed, I cried, I felt emotions and I did not want this book to end. Then discovered, I did not have the next one so am anxiously awaiting the next book in the Harmony series. I especially cannot wait for Tyler’s book. Why, you will have to read to find out, but Tyler is a special person. A town that started with three families, what will happen if they die out? Do yourself a favor and start the series with this book. Jodi Thomas, now we know why you won those awards and accolades. I am so looking forward to reading all of your books. I just wish I were not so far behind.
July 1, 2019
I loved it! The characters were great as well as the writing. I loved seeing the characters evolve and the small mystery was a nice touch as well. Love the individual romances that sprout up in this as well as seeing Reagan become more confidant and relax as time goes by. Can't wait to read the next one.
February 11, 2021
What a heartwarming sweet story! Loved the multiple threads. If you enjoy Debbie Macomber’s series, you would love this one also!
October 15, 2017
Este libro ha sido una grata sorpresa. Teniendo en cuenta que no soy fan de las historias ambientadas en pequeños pueblos y esta lo está, ya es raro que haya disfrutado tanto de la historia. Creo que la clave ha sido que está contada desde varios puntos de vista. Hay 6 personajes principales a través de los cuales vamos conociendo qué se cuece en esa pequeña localidad y quién es quién. Lo mejor es que no hay gente metomentodo, ni drama gratuito, ni insta-love-lust. Se trata de una historia que nos cuenta el día a día a través de personajes reales, con los que he conseguido conectar y para los que quería su final feliz.
Hay una historia de amor muy bonita, muy lenta (esto puede ser un punto negativo para algunos lectores, para mí ha sido perfecto porque he visto paso a paso cómo los personajes sucumben a sus emociones) y que me ha enganchado desde el primer renglón entre la sheriff y el jefe de bomberos. Hay otra relación de amor-amistad entre dos adolescentes que es super tierna, hay otra relación, esta platónica y a través de emails que es también muy bonita porque nos muestra las inseguridades de los protagonistas, sus deseos, sus carencias, no tienes más remedio que conectar con tantas emociones… y hay otra relación (no amorosa!) entre un viejo solitario y gruñón y una adolescente que no sabe lo que es pertenecer a un sitio hasta que llega a Harmony, es genial ver cómo estos dos consiguen formar una familia con pocas palabras y pequeños gestos.
Creo que la clave de este libro han sido las emociones, están a flor de piel y resulta muy fácil conectar con personajes que sienten y te hacen sentir.
De fondo tenemos un pequeño misterio, algún malo maloso y un criminal que no lo es tanto y no se le ve venir hasta el final.
Por ponerle un pero no me ha gustado el final, porque lo ha dejado demasiado abierto. Imagino que las historias que no han terminado en este libro aparecerán en los siguientes, pero me hubiese gustado ver cómo acaban dos de las historias que aquí no ven el final.
Podríamos haber tenido también un epílogo donde nos dejen ver un poco más de la historia que sí termina o al menos habernos contado algo de lo que pasa dentro de la habitación. Este es un romance con cero sexo (FYI).
Bonita, sensible, tierna, tranquila… Para mí ha funcionado.
***
This book has been a pleasant surprise. Taking into account that I am not fan of the stories set in small towns, and this one is it, it is rare that I had enjoyed it so much. I think that the key has been that it is told from several points of view. There are 6 main characters through which we will know what is happening in this small town and who is who. The best thing is that there are no people busybody, is drama free and there is not insta-love-lust. It's a story that tells us the everyday of real people, with whom I have managed to connect and for those who I wanted their HEA.
There is a very slow, very nice love story (this can be a bad thing for some readers, for me it has been perfect because I have seen step-by-step how the characters succumb to their emotions) that has hooked me from the first line, between the sheriff and the fire chief. There is another relationship of love between two teenagers that is super tender, there is another one, this one platonic and through emails, which is also very nice because it shows us the insecurities of the protagonists, their desires, their shortcomings, you have no choice but to connect with so many emotions... and there is another relationship (not romantic!) between an old lonely and grumpy old man and a teenager who does not know what is to belong to a place until she arrives to Harmony. It's great to see how these two get to form a family with few words and small gestures.
I think that the key to this book have been the emotions. They feel so real that it's easy to connect with characters who feel and make you feel.
In the background we have a little mystery, some bad evil and a criminal who is not so much and I do not seen him come up until the end.
But... I did not like the end. Two of the four stories did not end in this book. I imagine they will appear in the following book, but I would have liked to see how they ended.
We could have also had an epilogue that let us see a bit more about the couple that got their HEA, or at least let have us see something of what happens inside the room. This is a romance with zero sex (FYI).
Nice, sensitive, tender, quiet... For me it has worked.
Hay una historia de amor muy bonita, muy lenta (esto puede ser un punto negativo para algunos lectores, para mí ha sido perfecto porque he visto paso a paso cómo los personajes sucumben a sus emociones) y que me ha enganchado desde el primer renglón entre la sheriff y el jefe de bomberos. Hay otra relación de amor-amistad entre dos adolescentes que es super tierna, hay otra relación, esta platónica y a través de emails que es también muy bonita porque nos muestra las inseguridades de los protagonistas, sus deseos, sus carencias, no tienes más remedio que conectar con tantas emociones… y hay otra relación (no amorosa!) entre un viejo solitario y gruñón y una adolescente que no sabe lo que es pertenecer a un sitio hasta que llega a Harmony, es genial ver cómo estos dos consiguen formar una familia con pocas palabras y pequeños gestos.
Creo que la clave de este libro han sido las emociones, están a flor de piel y resulta muy fácil conectar con personajes que sienten y te hacen sentir.
De fondo tenemos un pequeño misterio, algún malo maloso y un criminal que no lo es tanto y no se le ve venir hasta el final.
Por ponerle un pero no me ha gustado el final, porque lo ha dejado demasiado abierto. Imagino que las historias que no han terminado en este libro aparecerán en los siguientes, pero me hubiese gustado ver cómo acaban dos de las historias que aquí no ven el final.
Podríamos haber tenido también un epílogo donde nos dejen ver un poco más de la historia que sí termina o al menos habernos contado algo de lo que pasa dentro de la habitación. Este es un romance con cero sexo (FYI).
Bonita, sensible, tierna, tranquila… Para mí ha funcionado.
***
This book has been a pleasant surprise. Taking into account that I am not fan of the stories set in small towns, and this one is it, it is rare that I had enjoyed it so much. I think that the key has been that it is told from several points of view. There are 6 main characters through which we will know what is happening in this small town and who is who. The best thing is that there are no people busybody, is drama free and there is not insta-love-lust. It's a story that tells us the everyday of real people, with whom I have managed to connect and for those who I wanted their HEA.
There is a very slow, very nice love story (this can be a bad thing for some readers, for me it has been perfect because I have seen step-by-step how the characters succumb to their emotions) that has hooked me from the first line, between the sheriff and the fire chief. There is another relationship of love between two teenagers that is super tender, there is another one, this one platonic and through emails, which is also very nice because it shows us the insecurities of the protagonists, their desires, their shortcomings, you have no choice but to connect with so many emotions... and there is another relationship (not romantic!) between an old lonely and grumpy old man and a teenager who does not know what is to belong to a place until she arrives to Harmony. It's great to see how these two get to form a family with few words and small gestures.
I think that the key to this book have been the emotions. They feel so real that it's easy to connect with characters who feel and make you feel.
In the background we have a little mystery, some bad evil and a criminal who is not so much and I do not seen him come up until the end.
But... I did not like the end. Two of the four stories did not end in this book. I imagine they will appear in the following book, but I would have liked to see how they ended.
We could have also had an epilogue that let us see a bit more about the couple that got their HEA, or at least let have us see something of what happens inside the room. This is a romance with zero sex (FYI).
Nice, sensitive, tender, quiet... For me it has worked.
August 8, 2010
Sixteen-year-old Reagan, a runaway, pretends to be the granddaughter of Miss Beverly Truman, an elderly woman Reagan becomes fond of while working at a nursing home. Since Miss Beverly talked a lot about her hometown of Harmony and it seemed a good place for Reagan to call home after Miss Beverly dies.
Miss Beverly left no relatives except her brother, Jeremiah, who lives a hermit-like life on the family farm. When Reagan shows up on his doorstep proclaiming to be Miss Beverly's granddaughter, he is skeptical, but takes her in. Jeremiah's gruff exterior covers a heart of gold and Reagan discovers that she really cares for him.
Jeremiah makes sure Reagan goes to school and she is befriended by Noah, a rodeo lover and the youngest brother of the town sheriff, Alex McAllen. Alex is trying to get over the death of her older brother, Warren, a state trooper, which she believes is her fault. Watching over Alex is Hank Matheson, Harmony's fire chief and Warren's best friend.
All these lives come together in the small town of Harmony.
Author Jodi Thomas has spun a heart-warming tale of love, friendship and family. Families divided become families united against a menacing foe. I'm looking forward to the next installment in this series because I'm anxious to find out what happens with the romance of Harmony's funeral home director, Tyler.
Miss Beverly left no relatives except her brother, Jeremiah, who lives a hermit-like life on the family farm. When Reagan shows up on his doorstep proclaiming to be Miss Beverly's granddaughter, he is skeptical, but takes her in. Jeremiah's gruff exterior covers a heart of gold and Reagan discovers that she really cares for him.
Jeremiah makes sure Reagan goes to school and she is befriended by Noah, a rodeo lover and the youngest brother of the town sheriff, Alex McAllen. Alex is trying to get over the death of her older brother, Warren, a state trooper, which she believes is her fault. Watching over Alex is Hank Matheson, Harmony's fire chief and Warren's best friend.
All these lives come together in the small town of Harmony.
Author Jodi Thomas has spun a heart-warming tale of love, friendship and family. Families divided become families united against a menacing foe. I'm looking forward to the next installment in this series because I'm anxious to find out what happens with the romance of Harmony's funeral home director, Tyler.
September 5, 2010
I adore Jodi Thomas and the way she so accurately describes the people and landscape of west Texas. This is a lovely, lovely book, and I WILL get the next one, b/c she left one tiny piece of the plot hanging (shame on you, Jodi - I mean, how could you?).
July 10, 2022
I call this a "feel good book".
Delightful book full of all the characters to make up the new Harmony Texas that was founded over 100 years ago. The 3 original founding families are there generations old now. A 16 year old girl joins the town after running away from foster homes and taking an identity from one of her patients that she had grown to love at the nursing home. The old lady had been from Harmony. So Reagan chooses this place to run to. She used to read the old ladies letters and papers to her. She wanted to find home.
An arsonist is setting fires in Harmony. The fire chief and sherif are busy avoiding each other but have to work together. A young man at Reagans school meets up with her to become friends. He is in the rodeo. Lots of fun and action in this book.
Delightful book full of all the characters to make up the new Harmony Texas that was founded over 100 years ago. The 3 original founding families are there generations old now. A 16 year old girl joins the town after running away from foster homes and taking an identity from one of her patients that she had grown to love at the nursing home. The old lady had been from Harmony. So Reagan chooses this place to run to. She used to read the old ladies letters and papers to her. She wanted to find home.
An arsonist is setting fires in Harmony. The fire chief and sherif are busy avoiding each other but have to work together. A young man at Reagans school meets up with her to become friends. He is in the rodeo. Lots of fun and action in this book.
May 31, 2010
Reagan is homeless. Reagan though used to work at the local nursing home. There she met and became fast friends with Beverly Truman. Reagan read to Beverly letters she would receive from her friends back home in Harmony, Texas. It was through these letters and Beverly fond memories that Reagan felt like she knew Harmony by heart.
When Beverly passes away, Regan comes up with a plan to pass herself off as Beverly’s grand daughter. When Reagan arrives in Harmony, it is like everything she imagined. It is like she has finally come home.
Jeremiah Truman is Beverly’s sister. He lives alone. At first Jeremiah doesn’t quite know what to make of Reagan but he decides to give her a chance and offers her a place to stay. This is more then Reagan could ever hope for. Reagan become friends with one of the local boys, Noah McAllen. Noah has dreams of becoming one of the best rodeo riders in Texas. Noah’s sister, Alex is the sheriff. Reagan has no plans of meeting her anytime too soon. Luckily for Reagan, Alex has her hands full with the recent full time attention she has been receiving from Hank Matheson. Is there such a thing as a happy ending?
Welcome to Harmony makes you feel all warm and comfy like eating mom’s warm Apple pie o snuggling by a hot fire. I have been a fan of Jodi Thomas. I have read her books on and off for some time. Every time that I pick one up, I just love it. After reading her latest offering, I am now kicking myself wondering why I ever stopped reading her books. I plan to rectify this problem soon.
I enjoyed all the characters in this book. It was like they were family. Jeremiah was one of my favorites. He played the part of the grumpy, old man with a heart of gold well. Reagan had a smart head on her shoulders. Noah is the best friend you always wanted. I can’t wait to continue this journey with Reagan in the next book, Somewhere Along the Way.
When Beverly passes away, Regan comes up with a plan to pass herself off as Beverly’s grand daughter. When Reagan arrives in Harmony, it is like everything she imagined. It is like she has finally come home.
Jeremiah Truman is Beverly’s sister. He lives alone. At first Jeremiah doesn’t quite know what to make of Reagan but he decides to give her a chance and offers her a place to stay. This is more then Reagan could ever hope for. Reagan become friends with one of the local boys, Noah McAllen. Noah has dreams of becoming one of the best rodeo riders in Texas. Noah’s sister, Alex is the sheriff. Reagan has no plans of meeting her anytime too soon. Luckily for Reagan, Alex has her hands full with the recent full time attention she has been receiving from Hank Matheson. Is there such a thing as a happy ending?
Welcome to Harmony makes you feel all warm and comfy like eating mom’s warm Apple pie o snuggling by a hot fire. I have been a fan of Jodi Thomas. I have read her books on and off for some time. Every time that I pick one up, I just love it. After reading her latest offering, I am now kicking myself wondering why I ever stopped reading her books. I plan to rectify this problem soon.
I enjoyed all the characters in this book. It was like they were family. Jeremiah was one of my favorites. He played the part of the grumpy, old man with a heart of gold well. Reagan had a smart head on her shoulders. Noah is the best friend you always wanted. I can’t wait to continue this journey with Reagan in the next book, Somewhere Along the Way.
July 27, 2015
I have always wanted to retire in a small town where I can go to the local little bookstore and spend the hours reading on my porch with an iced tea at hand. Harmony, Texas seems like just the perfect place for me. Even if it is imaginary! Oh Ms. Thomas, you made a fan out of me. I am happy to see that what started off as a trilogy has turned into a series of books that I will devour on reading. I loved everyone in this little town. My heart ached for Tyler at the end but also sang for happiness for Alex and Hank. I can't wait to see what happens in the next book! Will Tyler find Kate again?
May 16, 2010
4.5/5
You can read my thoughts here
You can read my thoughts here
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April 14, 2012Bought it .. Same price on Nook or Kindle - $8 on 04/14/2012, but a donation to Susan G. Kommen "Read Pink".
September 9, 2011
Review to follow later.
December 27, 2019
Welcome to Harmony is a very good and promising start to this series! I really enjoyed it.
Harmony is a little town where we get to know Hank and Alexandra, he's her older brother's best friend that unfortunately was killed three years back. They hate each other but hate can turn to love... Right?
We also get to know Reagan who's coming to Harmony to start the rest of her life after being abused in the foster care system. Will she find a place to call home?
There are also other lovely people in this cute little town that you get to know and I'm looking forward to get to know them better!
Harmony is a little town where we get to know Hank and Alexandra, he's her older brother's best friend that unfortunately was killed three years back. They hate each other but hate can turn to love... Right?
We also get to know Reagan who's coming to Harmony to start the rest of her life after being abused in the foster care system. Will she find a place to call home?
There are also other lovely people in this cute little town that you get to know and I'm looking forward to get to know them better!
March 15, 2023
Clean read romance
September 23, 2018
I love this series and am happy to be rereading the first few books before continuing.
September 18, 2019
Wish I could find the other books on this series. Wonderful story.
May 26, 2010
From My Blog...
Beautiful and heartwarming, Welcome to Harmony by Jodi Thomas is a definite feel good novel about finding roots and belonging. Reagan is 16 years old and looking for a place to call home. After cleaning Beverly Truman's nursing home room she has learned all about this woman's home in the small town of Harmony and without knowing why, feels as though she belongs there. When Beverly passes away Reagan finds her way to Harmony and becomes Reagan Truman. The only person certain she is not a Truman is the cantankerous brother of Beverly, who takes Reagan under his wing, much to the surprise of the town. Reagan is trying to keep it their secret yet Noah McAllen, the sheriff's younger brother, also known as "preacher" is quickly becoming her friend and Reagan, unaccustomed to kindness, friendships, and people caring for her, is uncertain how to proceed. Harmony, Texas is like no other town; it is equally divided into three sections belonging to the Trumans, the Mathesons, and the McAllens. Old family grudges are still alive and kicking in this old town as well as a fair share of secrets. Hank Matheson, rancher, head of the volunteer fire department and all around great guy promised his best friend, Warren McAllen, that he would take care of his sister, Alex McAllen. Alex McAllen, who took over becoming sheriff of Harmony when her brother Warren died, has other plans, which do not include Hank. Finally Tyler Wright, the only funeral director in the town and who has no idea how to talk to many people besides Hank and Saralynn, discovers an online relationship a woman named Kate. Is love in the air, will the old grudges be buried once and for all and will Harmony truly unite or will all be exposed when push comes to shove? Welcome to Harmony is a definite page-turner filled with an array of characters from gregarious to cantankerous and everything in between. The reader will have no trouble identifying with Thomas' characters. Thomas draws the reader into Harmony with her descriptive prose, witty and delightful narrative and a plot line that steps just outside what the reader may expect and takes the reader on a delightful journey into the lives of the inhabitants of Harmony. I found Welcome to Harmony to be an extremely delightful and enjoyable book to read. To my dismay the end came too soon and my only complaint is that I must wait until fall for the next in the Harmony trilogy, Somewhere Along the Way, to be released. I would not hesitate to recommend Welcome to Harmony to any reader.
Beautiful and heartwarming, Welcome to Harmony by Jodi Thomas is a definite feel good novel about finding roots and belonging. Reagan is 16 years old and looking for a place to call home. After cleaning Beverly Truman's nursing home room she has learned all about this woman's home in the small town of Harmony and without knowing why, feels as though she belongs there. When Beverly passes away Reagan finds her way to Harmony and becomes Reagan Truman. The only person certain she is not a Truman is the cantankerous brother of Beverly, who takes Reagan under his wing, much to the surprise of the town. Reagan is trying to keep it their secret yet Noah McAllen, the sheriff's younger brother, also known as "preacher" is quickly becoming her friend and Reagan, unaccustomed to kindness, friendships, and people caring for her, is uncertain how to proceed. Harmony, Texas is like no other town; it is equally divided into three sections belonging to the Trumans, the Mathesons, and the McAllens. Old family grudges are still alive and kicking in this old town as well as a fair share of secrets. Hank Matheson, rancher, head of the volunteer fire department and all around great guy promised his best friend, Warren McAllen, that he would take care of his sister, Alex McAllen. Alex McAllen, who took over becoming sheriff of Harmony when her brother Warren died, has other plans, which do not include Hank. Finally Tyler Wright, the only funeral director in the town and who has no idea how to talk to many people besides Hank and Saralynn, discovers an online relationship a woman named Kate. Is love in the air, will the old grudges be buried once and for all and will Harmony truly unite or will all be exposed when push comes to shove? Welcome to Harmony is a definite page-turner filled with an array of characters from gregarious to cantankerous and everything in between. The reader will have no trouble identifying with Thomas' characters. Thomas draws the reader into Harmony with her descriptive prose, witty and delightful narrative and a plot line that steps just outside what the reader may expect and takes the reader on a delightful journey into the lives of the inhabitants of Harmony. I found Welcome to Harmony to be an extremely delightful and enjoyable book to read. To my dismay the end came too soon and my only complaint is that I must wait until fall for the next in the Harmony trilogy, Somewhere Along the Way, to be released. I would not hesitate to recommend Welcome to Harmony to any reader.
May 11, 2011
I wrote a whole review about this, and my computer decided to reboot just before I saved it. Grrr. Anyway.
This is a 'women's fiction' novel, mostly about life in a small west Texas town. A lot of authors seem to set their books in small Texas towns, and then miss the mark. FYI, I lived for 20 years in a central TX town of about 10,000, and another 8 years in a Panhandle town with just under 2,000 people--where I got to know Jodi Thomas. She is the nicest person in the Universe, and she absolutely NAILED small Texas town life. I know these people. I lived next door to them--or folks much like them.
So. There are a number of POV characters, but the main one is a 16-year-old girl who's run away from foster care in Oklahoma to come visit Harmony, Texas, because she just decided to claim it as her home town. She helped take care of a woman in a nursing home who was from Harmony, and decides to pretend she's the woman's granddaughter. Which gets her delivered to her pretend-great-uncle. He decides to let her stay as long as she helps out in the orchard.
Then there's the chief of the volunteer fire department, and the (lady) sheriff, and the funeral home director. They're all POV characters. (In my town, the funeral home director & fire chief were the same person, and Delbert was pushing 80 HARD. Also, the guy who had a heart attack while fighting a grass fire? Really happened. Lived in my town.) Jodi drew inspiration from the million acres of Texas Panhandle that burned the last year I lived up there, but in her book, the fires are being deliberately set. The grass fires, fighting them, and trying to find out who's setting them is the overall plot of the story.
But there's a lot of other good, emotional, gossipy stuff going on. The fire chief and sheriff are fighting, except when she gets plowed every Saturday and he's called to take her home. The chief has a complicated home life. The funeral director is a really nice guy, but has trouble getting dates because--hello? He lives above a funeral parlor. The foster kid makes an actual friend in the bull-riding kid brother of the sheriff, and goes to rodeos. (which are just like the rodeos I went to)
It's just a great slice of Texas life, with a satisfying ending, and -- Y'all, this is just Such A Good Book. The characters are great. The story is great. And it's so Real. But great. I really, really liked this book.
This is a 'women's fiction' novel, mostly about life in a small west Texas town. A lot of authors seem to set their books in small Texas towns, and then miss the mark. FYI, I lived for 20 years in a central TX town of about 10,000, and another 8 years in a Panhandle town with just under 2,000 people--where I got to know Jodi Thomas. She is the nicest person in the Universe, and she absolutely NAILED small Texas town life. I know these people. I lived next door to them--or folks much like them.
So. There are a number of POV characters, but the main one is a 16-year-old girl who's run away from foster care in Oklahoma to come visit Harmony, Texas, because she just decided to claim it as her home town. She helped take care of a woman in a nursing home who was from Harmony, and decides to pretend she's the woman's granddaughter. Which gets her delivered to her pretend-great-uncle. He decides to let her stay as long as she helps out in the orchard.
Then there's the chief of the volunteer fire department, and the (lady) sheriff, and the funeral home director. They're all POV characters. (In my town, the funeral home director & fire chief were the same person, and Delbert was pushing 80 HARD. Also, the guy who had a heart attack while fighting a grass fire? Really happened. Lived in my town.) Jodi drew inspiration from the million acres of Texas Panhandle that burned the last year I lived up there, but in her book, the fires are being deliberately set. The grass fires, fighting them, and trying to find out who's setting them is the overall plot of the story.
But there's a lot of other good, emotional, gossipy stuff going on. The fire chief and sheriff are fighting, except when she gets plowed every Saturday and he's called to take her home. The chief has a complicated home life. The funeral director is a really nice guy, but has trouble getting dates because--hello? He lives above a funeral parlor. The foster kid makes an actual friend in the bull-riding kid brother of the sheriff, and goes to rodeos. (which are just like the rodeos I went to)
It's just a great slice of Texas life, with a satisfying ending, and -- Y'all, this is just Such A Good Book. The characters are great. The story is great. And it's so Real. But great. I really, really liked this book.
June 30, 2010
Written by Catherine Fitzmaurice for RomanceNovelNews.com
After a year of planning, runaway Reagan Moore has landed in the quaint Texas town of Harmony.
At sixteen, she has been in foster care for most of her life. All Reagan wants is a place to belong, a place to she can call home.
While working in a nursing home in Oklahoma City, Reagan befriended a patient named Beverly Truman whose hometown stories piqued such an interest, that when Beverly died, Reagan headed to Harmony claiming to be Beverly’s granddaughter.
Reagan meets Beverly’s brother, “uncle” Jeremiah Truman, a grumpy, cantankerous old man who suspects Reagan is not his relation, yet he keeps her secret and allows her to stay with him.
Noah McAllen, a classmate, assures Reagan that he seeks only a friendship. Noah spends a lot of time with Reagan, even taking her to the rodeo to watch him bull ride. But she becomes wary when things get too serious.
Noah’s older sister, Alex is the town sheriff and Reagan thinks it best to steer clear of her.
Alex has a tempestuous relationship with Hank Matheson, the fire chief, and has his hands full. It’s drought season and grass fires threaten the town.
Hank makes his intentions clear yet Alex still pushes him away. Warren, Alex’s older brother, killed three years ago while on duty for the police department, was Hank’s lifelong friend. Alex has been keeping a secret regarding Warren’s death. She fears if Hank learns of it, he will want nothing to do with her.
When suspicious fires start popping up, the citizens band together to fight the unknown arsonist and Reagan learns what a community truly is.
The town is full of interesting folks such as Tyler Wright, owner of Wright’s Funeral Home who is consumed with an online relationship with a woman named Kate. Trooper Davis has issues answering to a female sheriff, and unbeknownst to Alex, he knows her secret.
“Welcome to Harmony” is the perfect summer read with genuine characters and a creative plotline that weaves Reagan’s story with Alex and Hank’s story as well.
“Welcome to Harmony” is the first in a trilogy by Jodi Thomas. The next installment, “Somewhere Along the Way” will be released on November 2.
After a year of planning, runaway Reagan Moore has landed in the quaint Texas town of Harmony.
At sixteen, she has been in foster care for most of her life. All Reagan wants is a place to belong, a place to she can call home.
While working in a nursing home in Oklahoma City, Reagan befriended a patient named Beverly Truman whose hometown stories piqued such an interest, that when Beverly died, Reagan headed to Harmony claiming to be Beverly’s granddaughter.
Reagan meets Beverly’s brother, “uncle” Jeremiah Truman, a grumpy, cantankerous old man who suspects Reagan is not his relation, yet he keeps her secret and allows her to stay with him.
Noah McAllen, a classmate, assures Reagan that he seeks only a friendship. Noah spends a lot of time with Reagan, even taking her to the rodeo to watch him bull ride. But she becomes wary when things get too serious.
Noah’s older sister, Alex is the town sheriff and Reagan thinks it best to steer clear of her.
Alex has a tempestuous relationship with Hank Matheson, the fire chief, and has his hands full. It’s drought season and grass fires threaten the town.
Hank makes his intentions clear yet Alex still pushes him away. Warren, Alex’s older brother, killed three years ago while on duty for the police department, was Hank’s lifelong friend. Alex has been keeping a secret regarding Warren’s death. She fears if Hank learns of it, he will want nothing to do with her.
When suspicious fires start popping up, the citizens band together to fight the unknown arsonist and Reagan learns what a community truly is.
The town is full of interesting folks such as Tyler Wright, owner of Wright’s Funeral Home who is consumed with an online relationship with a woman named Kate. Trooper Davis has issues answering to a female sheriff, and unbeknownst to Alex, he knows her secret.
“Welcome to Harmony” is the perfect summer read with genuine characters and a creative plotline that weaves Reagan’s story with Alex and Hank’s story as well.
“Welcome to Harmony” is the first in a trilogy by Jodi Thomas. The next installment, “Somewhere Along the Way” will be released on November 2.
June 3, 2010
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).
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).
June 22, 2014
This is my first contemporary read from Jodi Thomas. I always love her western (well...when I saw Jodi Thomas I would see Texas) and I am not dissappointed with this one. Love the small town close knit community.
Welcome to Harmony is different from other small town series that I have read. Usually, the story would be centered on the two main characters and some of the supporting characters then will be the main one in the next book. But for this series, the town itself is the center and the story revolved around its occupants. There was a main couple but others were not treated as supporting cast. They have their own story flow. And the amazing thing is, it didn't feel crowded as some of other series. Or the feeling that the main characters were 'drowned' by the too many side stories. It was like watching a tv series where the characters will have their own life to live and their own story to tell.
Looking forward to the next book in line!
Welcome to Harmony is different from other small town series that I have read. Usually, the story would be centered on the two main characters and some of the supporting characters then will be the main one in the next book. But for this series, the town itself is the center and the story revolved around its occupants. There was a main couple but others were not treated as supporting cast. They have their own story flow. And the amazing thing is, it didn't feel crowded as some of other series. Or the feeling that the main characters were 'drowned' by the too many side stories. It was like watching a tv series where the characters will have their own life to live and their own story to tell.
Looking forward to the next book in line!
May 7, 2012
This is a great small town romance. No over the top characters in Harmony, Texas. The book was written by a gal from west Texas and it shows. The local color, the love of the land, and the love of the people all shine through the pages.
There's a bit of a mystery--the town is being threatened by an arsonist--but the bad guy isn't some psycho from the big city, he one of their own--they just have to figure out which one! And there's a stormy romance brewing between Hank, rancher and volunteer fire chief, and Alexandra, the sheriff. And a friendship building between Reagan(a run away girl who decides to stay) and Noah(the sheriff's rodeo-mad high school brother). Plus the ebb and flow of other relationships. This really is a people-centric story. And I really want to know what happens to them.
I'll be coming back to visit Harmony, Texas, real soon.
ps--the explanation of the town's name is a gem--not what one would expect.
There's a bit of a mystery--the town is being threatened by an arsonist--but the bad guy isn't some psycho from the big city, he one of their own--they just have to figure out which one! And there's a stormy romance brewing between Hank, rancher and volunteer fire chief, and Alexandra, the sheriff. And a friendship building between Reagan(a run away girl who decides to stay) and Noah(the sheriff's rodeo-mad high school brother). Plus the ebb and flow of other relationships. This really is a people-centric story. And I really want to know what happens to them.
I'll be coming back to visit Harmony, Texas, real soon.
ps--the explanation of the town's name is a gem--not what one would expect.
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