Writing: 4.5; Theme: 5.0; Content: 5.0; Language: 5.0; Overall: 5.0

This is the first in the Harmony series, written by Philip Gulley. The author has a unique and homespun way of developing the storyline with a inspirational thought at the end of almost every chapter. He shares the various and unique blend of characters in the small community of Harmony and their local church- Harmony Friends Meeting. Wonderful! Highly recommend.

***June 15, 2023*** ( )

I ran backwards to read this first Harmony book after I stumbled upon a Christmas novella further along in the series and laughed my head off reading it.

Unlike that holiday tale, this novel doesn't have a central plot with a problem and a resolution. Rather, this is more a collection of small-town vignettes, most of them ending with "moral of the story" reflections from Sam with a sense of regret here, nostalgia there, and hope overall. The book with its hodgepodge of flawed folks has got plenty of funny moments with some poignant ones mixed in, one which almost made me cry.

The delightfulness of the read can make you forgive the fact that the method of storytelling doesn't always make sense. Sam narrates in first person, but while he's telling stories about his fellow townsfolk, he's more of an omniscient narrator in their lives. Somehow, he knows their thoughts and feelings and can convey major and minor details about the characters' personal/private moments to the reader, as if Sam is sitting right there in other people's heads and seeing what they see in every scene, during years past and present.

Maybe you're supposed to assume the townsfolk gave Sam all of these details at some point after they happened? He doesn't say so.

Nevertheless, the humor and the evident, relatable understanding of human nature here makes this easy reading worthwhile. I definitely plan on continuing the series. ( )

It was okay. I don't think I'll be reading any more of the series, as it just seemed to be about petty goings on in a church, nothing of any particular interest to me. ( )

Think back to when you were little, visiting relatives--the ones who lived in a small town, in a house with a big front porch. After supper you sat on the porch, at the edge of the conversation's circle, listening to story after story. The sun was setting. The western sky turned pink. The crickets started up. Somewhere down the block, a screen door banged. You've been there haven't you--and long to go back?

A quick read- reminds me of the Mitford Series -kind of corny but a wholesome read for a summer day. ( )