Review: Can't Stop Believing

Can't Stop Believing
Jodi Thomas
Contemporary Romance
Harmony/Book 6
Berkley/June 4, 2013

Cord McMillan gave up his freedom at eighteen when he went to jail for a crime he didn’t commit. Now, ten years later, he’s about to give it up again for a piece of land. Nevada Britain, his neighbor, has just made him an offer he can’t refuse: If he’ll marry her, she’ll sign over a section of property that their families have been fighting over for a hundred years. Nevada refuses to explain why, but Cord knows the bargain is in his favor. He just has one condition—she has to sleep in his bed every night for as long as their doomed marriage lasts. Nevada only wants to maintain her family’s legacy—and redeem herself for a wrong she did Cord years ago. But as she spends more time with her husband by necessity, she discovers something unexpected—a love so deep it takes her breath away.

I love coming back to Harmony, Texas.  There is always a warm welcome waiting for readers.  The hero and heroine of book six are new characters which I thought worked well.  We still get to see plenty of familiar characters but Cord and Nevada are the couple working on their happily ever after.

You can't help but feel for Cord McMillan.  He has no choice but to put up with unfair treatment because of his past.  And if that's not bad enough, he feels like he has no friends, no one there for him.  I liked Cord right off the bat, mostly because of his hard work attitude and his refusal to give in and give up his dream.

Nevada Britain seems to have it all.  Wealth, looks and youth.  But that's what is on the outside, what is on the inside is a woman who has a huge amount of stress and little love in her life.  Nevada wasn't as easy to know as Cord which isn't surprising.  She's hiding things from Cord and until she was completely honest with him, I thought, you know, he deserves better.  He deserves honesty.  Thankfully, Nevada comes to trust Cord and she earned his trust.

As a couple, Cord and Nevada have a hard road since they don't become a couple for the usual reasons but as a business transaction.  Ms. Thomas does well turning that business transaction into a believable romance.

When reading a Harmony novel, part of the enjoyment is catching up with familiar faces.  Without spoiling it, one character's storyline in particular was so well written, so emotional, I think Ms. Thomas gave me something I didn't know I wanted for this character.  Not trying to be a tease but really, just read the book.  The whole series in fact.  I can't wait to visit Harmony again!

Rating:  A

Review: Just Down the Road

Just Down the Road
Jodi Thomas
Contemporary Romance
Harmony Series/ Book 4
Berkley/April 3, 2012

Harmony, Texas, is a place where dreams are born. As the townspeople face unexpected endings and new beginnings, they also come face to face with themselves—and what’s most important in life...

When Tinch Turner lost his wife, he gave up on living. Now he spends his nights brooding, boozing, and brawling. When one of his escapades lands him in the ER, he finds himself staring up at the beautiful new doctor in town. For the first time in years, he feels a spark, but Addison Spencer wants nothing to do with the unruly rancher—or any man for that matter. She’s only in Harmony four months, long enough for the trouble she left behind to be over. But then a vulnerable little boy barrels into both their lives, forcing them out of the past—and into a future where love is just down the road...

In the meantime, as Reagan Truman grieves for her beloved uncle, she finds comfort in the makeshift family she’s made in Harmony—and in a new baby, the first born in the Wright Funeral Home in 45 years, proving to everyone that life does go on…

So happy to be back in Harmony, Texas!  It's like going home after being away for a long time.  The people, the places all hold memories of previous visits and times of happiness and some sadness too.   This time is no different, catching up with favorite characters and learning more about some newer folks in town.

Tinch Turner, at first glance, comes off as a drunken loser.  The guy is known for bar fights and trouble in general.  But beneath the rough, bleary-eyed exterior is a man in pain.  His wife wasn't simply his wife but she was his best friend, lover and childhood sweetheart.  His whole life centered on the fact that they would be together, growing old.  Now he is forced to face a new reality without her.  And Tinch does his best not to face it.  The way Tinch is written, it is so easy to not only sympathize with him but want to help him.  He's not a lost cause and Addison realizes this as she continues to see more of Tinch and the man underneath the pain.

Addison Spencer is in hiding.  She's taken the temporary job in Harmony to regroup and make some tough decisions.  Her run-ins with Tinch cause Addy to view him in a different light.  Then when Tinch is in desperate need of help, not only for himself but for a child, Addy comes to Tinch's rescue.  I really liked the role reversal with Addy helping Tinch.  And while it may seem like it is Addy doing the rescuing, Tinch also has a hand in helping Addy with her tough decisions.  Their romance was beautifully written and I loved see how each was able to give more than what they thought they could give, finding that inner strength they thought they had lost.

Big, Reagan and Noah - what a fascinating, complex triangle.  It's not a love triangle but a friendship triangle with both men loving Reagan in their own way and Reagan loving, in different ways, each of the men.  But it's their friendship at the heart of the relationships.  It's Noah Reagan wants to lean on but it's Big who's there when she needs someone the most.  Even knowing that Reagan is in love with Noah, you can't help but be thankful that Big is there for her because sometimes you need the friend that doesn't question you, that is simply there for you and that's what Big is for Reagan.  Their relationship is simple - it's friendship at it's deepest level.  Reagan and Noah's relationship is a rough and rocky one with potentially insurmountable obstacles.  It's definitely worth sticking around just to see how these three will handle everything life throws at them.

The funeral home is a busy place.  Who would have thought?  Not only is the usual business of attending to the dead keeping Tyler Wright, owner and funeral director, busy but the living are keeping him up late.  He's finally found the woman to spend the rest of his life with but he's left waiting for her to finish her last mission for the military.  Then there's Tyler's pregnant housekeeper who's about to give birth at any moment, keeping everyone nervous and ready for the baby's arrival.  I didn't feel a lot of concern for these characters as individuals but felt they rounded out the small town feeling with everyone pitching in to help each other.

I do think this series not only continues to grow but continues to get better, giving the reader even more to love and come back for.  The strength of the series are it's characters.  It's not only the people but the town and how they each contribute to the attributes and quality of the town to make Harmony what it is.   I look forward to continuing this journey with the residents of Harmony when we next meet. 


Rating:  A- 

Harmony Series ~ 

Welcome to Harmony
Somewhere Along the Way
The Comforts of Home
Just Down the Road

Review: The Comforts of Home

The Comforts of Home
Jodi Thomas
Contemporary
Harmony/Book 3
Berkley/November 1, 2011

From the Back Cover ~

In Harmony, Texas, twenty-year-old Reagan Truman has found her place and found her family. But with her uncle taken ill and her friend Noah lost and disheartened with his life, Reagan is afraid of ending up alone again, and she's not the only one. Harmony seems to be full of people yearning to make a connection. Like funeral director Tyler Wright, who longs to take his relationship with his friend Kate to the next level, but doesn't know how. And Ronelle Logan, a woman frightened of everyday human interactions, until she meets an angry, lonely man - someone just like her.

When a terrible storm threatens the town, the residents of Harmony are forced to think about what they really want. Because making the connections they so desperately desire means putting their hearts at risk...

This book and the series itself are not what I would call a typical romance novel. They are more of a look at small town life which includes romances but the romances are not the focal point of the story lines. It's more about character growth, both within the romantic relationships and without. And those romantic relationships are not always typical either with some getting their HEA and others... not ready for their HEA just yet.

Coming back to Harmony, we find Tyler Wright, the owner of the town's mortuary, still in the odd relationship with Kate Cummings. They mainly communicate through emails with the occasional get together but remain more friends than romantically involved. Although it's obvious to anyone Tyler's feelings go beyond friendship. The guy's in love with Kate but she keeps holding back. Tyler is willing to take whatever he can get from Kate which I thought was sad. I also thought it wasn't right how Kate kept stringing Tyler along. Either take the next step or let him go. Their odd romance didn't do much for me aside from annoy me.

A couple of new characters certainly held my attention. Ronni has worked at the small, local post office for many years. She goes beyond shy, becoming afraid when she thinks someone might talk to her. Much of this attitude can be laid at Ronni's mother's feet - a horrible woman who has taught her daughter to fear life. One of my favorite parts of this book was seeing Ronni come out of her shell and build confidence in her decisions. The catalyst for this was gruff, former ski star Marty, who Ronni develops a friendship with. Their story line left me feeling satisfied with the results yet still wanting to know more.

Two of my favorite characters are back! Reagan is a character I've enjoyed from the first book. She's the reason I read the second book. The relationship between Reagan and Noah has had many rough spots and they are still going through a transition where neither seems certain what the outcome will be. I feel so sorry for Reagan and Noah but more for Reagan because she's giving up more. Noah gets to go for it while Reagan must wait even though he doesn't ask her to wait which I'm not sure how I feel about that. It's as if he's not holding to his dream but he's not letting her completely go.

There are reoccurring characters to catch up with as well as another romance that I've had no interest in since it began. A new secondary character, Autumn, that I liked. She's a survivor and adds color to this seemingly wholesome town. No doubt will see more of her in books to come. I find I'm finally comfortable in the all encompassing feel of this series. There is no one main focus but several getting more or less equal page time.

The farther I go in to this series, the more I like it. I've come to what you might say is an understanding with this series. My expectations are different than they are for my usual romance novel. The series as a whole has grown into itself and continues to get better. I do think it's best to start with the first book, even though it was my least favorite. It does introduce the reader to the town, the characters and the feelings Thomas' writing produce in this small town setting.

Rating: B

Harmony Series ~

Welcome to Harmony
Somewhere Along the Way
The Comforts of Home
Just Down the Road (April 2, 2012)

Review: Somewhere Along the Way

Somewhere Along the Way
Jodi Thomas
Contemporary Romance
Harmony/Book 2
Berkley/November 2010

From the back cover ~

In the two years since she claimed Harmony, Texas, as her home, eighteen-year-old Reagan Truman has found herself drawn to others who have made their way there, too. Gabe Leary, for instance, whose plan to hide out in Harmony is dashed when he becomes the town hero. Then there's Liz Matheson: Vulnerable and fresh out of law school, Liz has never been needed by anyone?until an unsettling encounter with Gabe changes everything. And there's Liz's brother, volunteer fire chief Hank Matheson, who's starting to wonder where the town's sheriff, Alex McAllen, will ever set the date to marry him.

As for Reagan, who's been shaped by the loneliness she's know most of her life, she's finally found a place she belongs?and doesn't want anything to get in her way. But when her life is put in jeopardy and the whole town comes together to save her, she'll discover that trusting the love that's come into our hearts is the greatest gift of all?

I think I need to change my perception of this series. It's not simply a romance novel but a "small town" romance novel and I'm not just referring to the setting. There's also that small town feel where everyone is involved in your life. In this case it was Gabe and Liz who had the townsfolk getting into their business. After reading Somewhere Along the Way I've come to expect the romance to share the stage with numerous other story lines. I would say maybe half the book was focused on Gabe and Liz's story, and that's being generous. So while I do plan to read the next book, I won't expect the romance to be the main focus.

Those other story lines are quite a few. There are: Gabe and Liz - the main romance. Reagan and Noah and Bran - a teenage love triangle. Hank and Alex - still trying to make it to the alter. Tyler and Kate - their email potential romance of two years. Mrs. Biggs - with her grave sitting. Claire of the man hating paintings and new guy Denver. It's possible I'm missing someone.

I did like the book but it became almost a habit to read quickly through the story lines that held little or no interest for me. Tyler and his email romance with the elusive Kate. At this point, I honestly don't care what happens to them. Claire and Denver and their budding, crazy romance. This has the potential for an interesting romance but not with so many other plots and subplots going on. So not much interest in them either.

Gabe and Liz, I did like a heck of a lot. Gabe is this reclusive, elusive comic book author who has no interest in people, their problems or their gossip. Too bad Gabe cause you're going to be in the thick of it pretty soon. He and Liz are quite a pair. They fit like two pieces of a puzzle. Gabe is Liz's missing piece. Or maybe it's Liz that's Gabe's missing piece. Whichever way it is, I really enjoyed them together but wish they had had more page time. Liz is just starting her law practice and Gabe becomes her favorite client. Their interactions are humorous with Gabe not always understanding Liz's logic and not really concerned about it. He just likes being with her. Liz gets Gabe to come out of his cave and get to know the people of Harmony. She's bossy like that which is just what Gabe needed.

The Reagan from Welcome to Harmony (book 1) has grown since coming to live in this small town. She is my favorite character in this series. She is such a fun, witty, insightful character to read. She's just turning eighteen but has the soul of a much older, seasoned person. Her love for her Uncle Jeremiah, not an uncle of her blood but of her heart, is solid and a testament to her loyalty. I'm curious to see where her relationships with Noah and Bran lead.

The suspense was good, with a couple of threads to follow. Gabe has a bit of a dark history that he may or may not have to confront. And Reagan gets caught up in the middle of something that puts her in danger. Both situations show how the whole town pulls together and sets aside any differences to help one of their own. I do love that small town feel that Thomas brings to this series.

The next book in the series, no title yet, will be out next fall. I'll be reading it and anticipating the whole town to show up. :)

Rating: B