The Laws of Harmony - Review

I’m happy to tell you about a new book I just read. I was given an Advanced Readers Copy of The Laws of Harmony by Judith Ryan Hendricks, and seriously had problems putting it down!! I read it in a couple of sittings, but only because I had to go to work (damn job – haha, just kidding!).

From the book jacket:

In 1989 Sunny Cooper escaped to Albuquerque. Fourteen years later, she’s still there, struggling to make a living, to shore up her floundering relationship, and to forget her childhood on a commune, where a freak accident killed her younger sister, Mari.

Just when the “normal” life Sunny craves appears to be within reach, another accident – the sudden death of her fiancé, Michael, and revelations that their relationship was not what it seemed – will turn her world upside down. Once again Sunny escapes, this time to the town of Harmony on San Miguel Island. But a surprising discovery sparks an emotional encounter with her estranged mother and forces both women to reexamine the truth of their memories. Only by making peace with the past can Sunny finally step out of its shadow and into a new life.

I loved the concept of Sunny growing up on a commune. I think hippies are cool, and hearing some stories about life on a commune in the 80s was really interesting. But it turns out that commune life just wasn’t for her, and she longed for normalcy.

I really liked the way the book was written – in the present with some flashbacks to life on the commune, special moments between Michael and Sunny, and interactions with her maternal grandparents. Those flashbacks added so much to what was happening to Sunny in the present and helped the reader to understand her reactions, her attitudes towards the other characters and just her overall personality.

All the characters were believable, especially everyone on the small island of Harmony, where Sunny escapes to after the death of her fiancé. Sunny can’t seem to believe the kindness of all the locals, and is wary of it at first, but comes to realize that this is a place where she belongs.

There were also a couple of moments when my jaw totally dropped at what I was reading. There are some unexpected events that kept the story interesting and moving along at a nice pace.

I would definitely recommend checking out this book!!! The official release date is February 10, 2009!!!!!

But wait!!! HarperCollins has offered to give away 5 copies of this book!!! WHOOOT WHOOOOT!!! All you have to do is leave a comment on my blog!! No really, that’s it!! But PLEASE remember to leave a valid email address or an active blog link. I have to be able to get a hold of you if you win. All entries that do not leave an email address or active blog link will be deleted and not entered in the contest – sorry, but dems the rules! Open to US residents only, and no PO Box addresses, please. The last day to enter is Monday, February 9, and I'll post the winner on the official release date of Tuesday, February 10!!

Winners will be chosen randomly using Random.org Number Generator. Good luck to everyone!!!!!