Return to Harmony

Written by Janette Oke and Davis Bunn

Narrated by Christina Moore

Jodie and Bethan are about as different as two young women can be, but growing up they develop a strong bond of friendship in the quiet town of Harmony, North Carolina. As the world plunges into war, though, their friendship is tested by a devastating loss. Jodie blames God for the horror and sorrow of the world as she goes off to college dreaming of a grand future. But Bethan's quiet desire to follow God's will keeps her close to home, where her love and simple faith can serve as a model of inspiration for Jodie. Christina Moore's illuminating narration of this moving story captures the quiet simplicity of lives given over to love and acceptance.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Recorded Books, Inc.
• Release date: Nov 26, 2007
• ISBN: 9781428199538

Janette Oke

Bestselling author Janette Oke is celebrated for her significant contribution to the Christian book industry. Her novels have sold more than 30 million copies, and she is the recipient of the ECPA President's Award, the CBA Life Impact Award, the Gold Medallion, and the Christy Award. Janette and her husband, Edward, live in Alberta, Canada.

Reviews for Return to Harmony

[nadinec.keels · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

As girls in the Southern town of Harmony, Jodie and Bethan form an unlikely friendship. Jodie dreams of going off to college in a big city someday while Bethan wants nothing more than to stay in her hometown and become a wife and mother. As the two best friends begin to transition from girlhood to womanhood, they run into a disagreement that forms a terrible rift in their relationship in Return to Harmony by authors Janette Oke and Davis Bunn.

I've read this historical fiction novel at least three times over the past twenty years or so, this first collaboration between two of my favorite ChristFic authors.

As I enjoyed this easily digestible novel when I was younger, I returned to it out of curiosity. But I didn't quite enjoy it this time. Some aspects of it are oversweet, including Bethan, who's too timid, gentle, and near-perfect for me to find her compelling. While the story paints her as the innocent "good guy" in her rift with Jodie, I now feel that Bethan's actions are somewhat out of pocket, and the faith conflict at the crux of it is oversimplified.

That's partly due to the rushed nature of the story as it flies through the years once the characters reach new adulthood. Several events that should be important lack sufficient development and originality, and the conclusion is mostly open-ended for Jodie, with no sequel to follow. Honestly, I think this novel bears some of the mark of this genre's earlier years, where it seemed that oftentimes, the most important thing wasn't necessarily to tell a solid story but to share a "come to Jesus" message.

Even so, the revisit here was good for me and my own development, and I'm happy to say the co-writing of these two authors gets better with later books.

[judyg54 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This was just a feel good story about two girls growing up in a quiet southern town of Harmony; learning to be best friends and all that entails. There will be joy mingled with hardships, sorrows and the First World War to deal with. The girls will grow up, one will go off to college and learn many lessons in life, but best friends, Jodie and Bethan will remain true friends through it all. I loved this story and it brought tears to my eyes near the end. It was an emotional well written story. One of the girls will struggle with her relationship with the Lord, but the other will pray for her and never give up on her. A story I will gladly keep on my bookshelf.