Aloha to Jodi Thomas and BETTING THE RAINBOW - Book Review

New York Times bestselling author Jodi Thomas returns to the town of Harmony, Texas, where life has a way of making better plans than anyone ever imagined… in BETTING THE RAINBOW:

Sisters Abby and Dusti Delaney have spent their entire lives on Rainbow Lane, but they dream of something bigger. So when a poker tournament comes to town, Dusti is determined to win enough money to leave. Enlisting expert Kieron O’Brian to teach her the game, sparks begin to fly as they play their hands. But Kieron refuses to stand in the way of her dream, even if it means losing her forever...

After a year of traveling, Ronny Logan is settling into a home on Rainbow Lane, but that’s all the settling she’ll be doing. Ronny refuses to fall for anyone, regardless of the chemistry she has with her neighbor Austin Hawk. Yet something undeniable begins to grow between the two loners—if only they can let their barriers fall and open their hearts...

Be thou the rainbow in the storms of life. - Lord Byron

BETTING THE RAINBOW is Book 7 in Thomas' contemporary series set in Harmony, Texas.   I joined the series with Book 5, CHANCE OF A LIFETIME, and continued with Book 6, CAN'T STOP BELIEVING.    Thomas makes it easy to settle into Harmony with BETTING THE RAINBOW as she seeminglessly introduces the characters from previous books while offering new protagonists to cheer.   

In fact, Thomas creates an entire community to envelope the reader with Harmony's warmth.   It is that commpassion that helps several characters heal from their broken bodies, spirits, and hearts.   Thomas' strength lies in the layers she builds to give each character depth beyond the obvious pain they have felt. 
  

Thomas delivers the rainbow and all its glorious colors to Harmony's denizens through this poignant, humorous, and romantic novel about second chances.   Recommended read for those who enjoy heartwarming romances set in small towns.

I received a print copy of BETTING THE RAINBOW from the publisher for an honest review.

Mahalo,

Kim in Baltimore

Aloha Spirit in Charm City

To learn more about Jodi and her books, check out her website at jodithomas.com.

Jodi won the RITA for WELCOME TO HARMONY.