The Comforts of Home by Jodi Thomas
Reviewed by Lori Twichell, Radiant Lit
Genre: Romance
Publisher: Berkley
Publication Dates: November 1, 2011
The small town of Harmony, Texas sounds like it would be a sleepy quiet place to live and play. Where everyone knows not only your name, but your business, you’d think that it would be boring living there. But honestly, with the characters filling Harmony, life is always unexpected, sometimes scary and by the end, usually utterly delightful. The Comforts of Home, the latest Harmony book from NY Times best-selling author Jodi Thomas gives us yet another dose of the down home goodness, romance and adventure like only she can.
Reagan Truman has lived in Harmony ever since she showed up claiming to be a long lost relative of one of the town’s most prominent citizens. Even though she wasn’t actually related, Jeremiah Truman took her in any way and since then, the two have been inseparable. So what’s life like now that Jeremiah is sliding further into his old age and Reagan is not a child anymore – but a young woman? And where’s Noah? Is he still in Harmony or has he taken off someplace else?
Like a perfectly worn pair of jeans or a quilt that’s rubbed soft and smooth from repeated use, such is this latest visit back to Harmony. With solid storylines from characters we’ve known and loved for several adventures, Jodi brings us delight, sorrow and hope once again without being boring, cliché or tired. The injection of new characters into the series, much like new blood in the small town of Harmony, carries a promise of new adventures and romance that will once again settle into our hearts.
I love to get into Jodi’s books so much that when I do, it’s literally like being lost in Harmony. I won’t pick up or watch anything else and my family has a hard time pulling me away. (Thankfully they’re pretty fast reads – or maybe it’s just that I stay up until 2 or 3 am reading them? Hm…) Jodi Thomas always delights me with her realistically quirky characters, just enough mystery and adventure to keep me on the edge of my seat, and romance that gives the perfect dose of adrenaline, estrogen and mush all rolled into one book.
If you haven’t read any of Jodi’s books before, don’t worry. You can easily pick this one up and start with it and then go back later to see how it all unfolded. Or you can start with the first book and work your way through the series. Either way, Jodi’s books are an absolute joy to read and during this gear up to the busy holiday season they’ll be perfect gifts for someone you love – or for yourself to gift a mini getaway to Harmony.
*Rated PG-13/R – Jodi handles adult topics with grace and style that adults can easily enjoy, but some of the situations are definitely not meant for younger readers. Also, these are secular books so be aware of that when you go into them!
*Review copy provided by Berkley publicity. Thank you Erin!
