The Laws of Harmony: A Novel

By Judith R. Hendricks

Sunny Cooper has been running since she was eighteen—from the New Mexican commune where she grew up . . . and from the haunting memory of the freak accident that took the life of her younger sister. Now, at thirty-two, Sunny voices radio spots in Albuquerque while struggling to hold on to a floundering relationship. But when a second tragic accident—and the devastating truths that come to light in its aftermath—turns her world upside down, Sunny runs again.

In the town of Harmony on San Miguel Island, she takes a new job, learns to ride a motorcycle, and makes some surprising new friends. But the past is never far behind. A startling discovery—along with an emotional and revelatory reunion with her estranged mother—is forcing Sunny to step out from the shadows of yesterday to embrace an uncertain future.

• Language: English
• Publisher: HarperCollins
• Release date: Oct 6, 2009
• ISBN: 9780061974823

Judith R. Hendricks

A former journalist, copywriter, computer instructor, travel agent, waitress, and baker, Judith Ryan Hendricks is the author of three previous novels, including the bestseller Bread Alone. She and her husband live in New Mexico.

Reviews for The Laws of Harmony

[redladysbooks · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This is the story of Sunny Cooper who grew up in New Mexico on a commune. Her life was affected in many ways as she grew up in this environment both in positive and negative ways. A tragic event made a great impact on her life and as a reader you learn what this event is as Sunny confronts and faces this as an adult. As an adult, in her 30's, she is living in Albuquerque, and finds herself in a relationship with Michael and a best friend Betsy who both betray her in many different ways. Sunny makes a choice to pick up and start over somewhere else and ends up in the town of Harmony on San Miguel Island. She ends up with a new job, makes some wonderful new friends and even learns to ride a motorcycle. She learns she must confront her past to move forward and has an unexpected reunion with her estranged mother.I thoroughly enjoyed reading The Laws of Harmony. I liked seeing how Sunny changes and grows as a character and reading about the details of her life growing up on a commune was very interesting. My favorite part of the book was Sunny's life in Harmony which sounds like a charming town with wonderful characters. Sunny made many friends that appear to be true and strong friends that truly care about her. Her mother, Gwen, is another interesting character and I liked how Ms. Hendricks explained why she chose to live her life and raise her family on a commune. It was very fascinating to read about this lifestyle and how it affected the whole family in many positive and negative ways. As a reader, it made me think about what a "normal" family is and that there really is not a "normal". It is different for everyone based on our experiences and what our family of origin and environment is like. I believe that it is what we make of those experiences that effect us as adults and how we choose to learn from them. Read more of my review on my blog HERE.

[vhartpowers · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

I liked the writing style but not the characters. The main character left me disappointed. I can't tell why or I'd give away part of the story, but I would be hard pressed to recommend this book.

[nyiper · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I have thoroughly enjoyed the other books I have read by Hendricks and once again she writes what I like to read. My sort of disappointment with the ending is simply because we have sort of left Laura there, with things about to happen. I want to find out what happens next but i need the author to fill in the blanks with at least another book.

[bellafoxx · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Sunny Cooper is a pessimist. It could be the results of an unhappy childhood spent growing up in a commune in New Mexico. Or maybe the memories of a tragic accident that took the life of her younger sister whatever the cause, her fiance describes her as having a melancholy streak a mile wide. She struggles with her life and her relationship, having no preparation for either in the commune. When a second tragic accident—and the devastating truths that come to light in its aftermath—turns her world upside down, Sunny runs.With just the clothes on her back, and her ever present pessimism, she ends up in the town of Harmony on San Miguel Island, where she learns it is possible to trust people and let them help her. With a new job, new skills and new friends, she starts to build a new life, but her past life intrudes. There is soon a constant reminder and she reaches out to her estranged mother as she embraces an uncertain future.The book is written in the first person, in the present, with 'flashbacks', a format that is not my favorite, in the skilled hands of Judith Hendricks it works. The past is brought forth in a series of memories, tied to present events, and as these memories are told, they explain Sunny's present day actions. The vivid descriptions of the heat and the dust and later the fog and rain and black dirt give a sense of realism and richness to the account. This was a pleasant and enjoyable read. A believable story that was east to follow.I only had one problem, when I first read the description, I thought San Miguel Island was in the Caribbean, when I realized that the location was off the coast of Washington State I got totally confused since I lived there for 4 years and don't remember a San Miguel Island, so I Googled it. Yes there is no San Miguel Island in the Strait of Juan de Fuca, and there is a Harmony, WA but its about 225 miles from the San Juan Islands. There is however, a Lopez Island and Orcas Island. Just a little bit of trivia for any other OCD readers. That being said, I enjoyed reading this book, and recommend it.

[bakersfieldbarbara · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I want to move to Harmony. Running away is something Sunny Cooper does well, and what an ideal place to stop her running. The author makes this small island not just a refuge but a place where friendships can grow, and lives analyzed at a slow pace. Growing up in a commune prepared Sunny for a low-income life style, but she makes it to be fun, not catastrophic, and the readers will go from page to page, cheering on our new lady friend. I felt as if I knew each character as the author developed them, and found myself rooting for some and hating others. Each reader can relate to one of the characters, and when the last page is read, feel as if they will come to the door at any minute for a cup of coffee. Not to tell the story line, because the plot is not so much the story as how mother-daughter relationships can be resolved, if enough patience and desire is there. Throwing in a scoundrel lover adds to the plot, if a reader wants someone to dislike. But overall, Ms. Hendricks takes all of the bad, all of the good, and makes a wonderful novel for us to know there can be resolution to a lot more problems if we just sit back and let go of some control we feel we all need. Graceful, funny and poignant, and yes, Judith Ryan Hendricks truly is a master at writing women's stories.

[nnjmom · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

The Laws of Harmony is the story of Sunny Cooper, a voice-over artist living in Albequerque with her boyfriend, Michael. Her life seems to be all in order: boyfriend she loves, amazing best friend, work she enjoys. Then a tragic accident occurs, one that takes someone precious and also reveals the secrets and lies that were under the surface of her world.Sunny runs from her past - the distant past of her chidlhood in a commune on the mesa in New Mexico, and the recent past of her broken relationships - as far as she can go without boarding a plane. She ends up in the little town of Harmony, on fictional San Miguel Island in the Pacific Northwest. Sunny begins to make a life for herself in Harmony, but fate has a few more startling revelations to throw her way.The Laws of Harmony was a wonderful way to spend the last week’s worth of reading time. Ms. Hendricks is a talented wordsmith, and her descriptions of the New Mexican desert and the San Juan islands were beautifully written. I also enjoyed the way she wove scenes of Sunny’s history into the present action - it was seamlessly done, and a good way to give the character’s backstory without dumping it all at the beginning of the book, as less talented authors are wont to do.I read one review of this book that described Sunny’s character as “prickly,” and that’s an apt description. Her history and relationship with her mother have made her fiercely independent and wary of people. Her relationship with Michael only served to reinforce her distrust of others. The townspeople of Harmony, however, are determined to break through her defenses and welcome her into their community - whether she likes it or not.In The Laws of Harmony, Judith Hendricks writes deftly about dealing with the past. What should we hold on to? What should we let go? What happens if we don’t let go of past pain? I especially liked the realistic way in which the relationship between Sunny and her mother, Gwen, was handled. A relationship that has endured pain and betrayal does not heal quickly. It takes work and each person moving closer, one step at a time. Hendricks writes realistically of betrayal, disappointment, and pain, but also of healing, hope, and community. Highly recommended.5 out of 5 stars

[writestuff_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Judith Ryan Hendricks’ fourth novel, The Laws of Harmony, opens in New Mexico and is narrated by Sunny Cooper - a 32 year old woman whose life is suddenly wrenched out from under her. When detectives arrive at Sunny’s door to inform her that her fiance Michael has been killed in a fiery car crash, Sunny’s grief is quickly replaced by confusion and then anger when she discovers Michael was keeping secrets from her.There was an aura about him - daring, adventurous, carefree, almost joyful - but with a darkness just under the surface. Like you could scratch him with a fingernail and find something you might not really want to see. - from The Laws of Harmony, page 68 -The tragedy opens a floodgate of memories from Sunny’s childhood growing up in a commune - the drugs, sex and rock n’ roll; her close relationship with a brother who has since disappeared from her life; the sister she lost to a freak accident; and the strained connection she still has with her mother. On an impulse, Sunny sells nearly all her possessions and quits her job, heading west to a new future in the tiny town of Harmony on San Miguel Island.I’ve entered a different world, and my heart suddenly lifts. It seems I’ve finally slipped the gravitational pull of New Mexico, and the past is dropping away behind me like a spent booster rocket. - from The Laws of Harmony, page 146 -The Laws of Harmony is a novel about personal growth, the impact of the past on our future, and the delicate connections we make with other people. Sunny’s journey is not just a physical one from New Mexico to Harmony. Her memories do not simply stop the moment she leaves the desert and arrives on the fog enshrouded island of San Miguel. Sunny’s journey from despair to hope and her gradual understanding that she cannot walk through life alone is what drives the narrative…and it is a compelling and satisfying story.Hendricks is a capable and talented writer whose prose is filled with warmth, humor and a deep understanding of what it means to be human. Half way through the novel, I found myself immersed in Sunny’s world, comforted by the rich descriptions of food, and not wanting the novel to end. Although there is a bit of a mystery in the book, it is not the mystery which kept me turning the pages. Hendricks’ ability to create character is her strength, and it is the characters who engaged me.The best novels are those which leave the reader with a more acute awareness of what motivates a character - and a better understanding of how a character’s life might parallel our own. The Laws of Harmony does both those things. The writing is accessible and honest. Judith Ryan Hendricks has written a novel which women especially will love. If you are looking for a comfortable and gratifying summer read, look no further.Highly recommended.

[landa102 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I really enjoyed this book .It was the first one I have read by this author and I love the way she incorporates food into the story seamlessly. I also feel that she creates her characters in such a way that you really like them even with all their flaws. I also feel that she has a gift for crafting setting. the first part of the book takes place in the Southwest and the other part in the Northwest and in her desriptions of both places she captures them so well. I want to try to make her Blcakberry Brownies. She inspires you to get in the kitchen.I thank Harper Paperbacks and Library thing for the arc.

[literatehousewife · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Sunny Cooper grew up on a hippie commune in New Mexico with her parents she calls by name, Rob and Gwen, her older brother Hart, her younger sister Mari, and all types of other people interested in living a communal lifestyle or at least partaking in its sexual and drug-related freedoms. Although she left the Armonia compound after graduating from high school, is now in her early 30s, and is a successful radio voice over talent, Sunny never seems to be able to escape the impact of her childhood, especially her relationship with her mother and the loss of her sister Mari. She finds herself unable to commit to marriage with Michael and hopes that living together will keep him satisfied. When he is pronounced dead after a tragic traffic accident, Sunny no longer has even a loose grip on her life. Impulsively, she sells everything she owns and travels as far away from Albequerque as she can get. She ends up on San Miguel Island in a small town called Harmony. She finds that even on an island surrounded by strangers that she can never fully escape her past. She has to learn to forgive and to acknowledge all that made her the person she is.It was great to read a novel about a woman my age. Just because a woman is in her 30s doesn't mean that she's got her life together. Sometimes it feels far from it. Sunny and I had dramatically different childhoods, but I related to her as if she were my my sister. The scene at her maternal grandparent's house as a child hit me both as a young girl and as a mother. Gwen grew up in a well-to-do family in California. When she left home, she turned her back on her family's lifestyle. What drove her away appealed to Sunny and her grandmother saw to it that she got what she wanted. As they were leaving to return to the commune, Sunny begged her grandmother to let her stay where there was access to new clothes and indoor plumbing. I could feel Sunny's anxiety over leaving a more normal life to return to New Mexico. I could equally feel Gwen's pain as Sunny opening showed her partiality to the life she could no longer condone. It is interesting how each generation feels they know better how to raise children only to discover that their children do not agree. This is the first novel I've read by Judith Ryan Hendricks. If her fourth novel is any indication of Hendrick's talent, she is an author to watch. The Laws of Harmony is full of interesting twists, so it's difficult to discuss the novel more in depth without giving anything away. It addresses relationships without being cliched or heavy handed. The fact that not all of Sunny's issues and relationships ended neatly or with a dramatic reconciliation made this novel so much more realistic than most. What she discovers instead is that the strength and fortitude needed to move on with your life is there if you are only honest with yourself. It would make for an active and interesting book club discussion.I cannot say enough about The Laws of Harmony. Although there were a few sections that slowed the story down for me, I did not regret a single moment I spent with Sunny. There is so much depth to her character and in her story. I enjoyed being surprised when several twists - including the ending - turned out much differently than I had suspected. If you ever dreamed of running away from your cares, you can relate to this novel. You might even find yourself thinking through similar issues in your own life. It's always a rewarding reading experience to be invited to learn more about yourself through the telling of a story.

[bffs_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This book was a surprisingly quick read. Although the book seems somewhat formulaic-girl suffers tragedy, meets boy, bad things happen until a neatly packaged resolution is found-the story of Sunny's search for her place in this world, coupled with the mystery surrounding the death of her boyfriend propel the reader through the 478 pages. This is a great weekend read and touches on some deeper themes such as the healing powers of female friendships, as well as confort foods.

[hammockqueen · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Wonderful read. Just enough characters and a believeable story....well almost, except the husband. Sunny, raised in a cummune in New Mexico, leaves to farthest point west when her husb. is missing and presumed dead.

[whitreidtan · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Sunny Cooper lives in Albuquerque with her boyfriend, a long way from Armonia, the commune where she grew up. She can tell that things aren't going well between she and Michael and she wants to talk to him but he is killed in a car accident before she can confront him. In the wake of this accident, her life starts to unravel and she takes off to start over again, heading all the way to the small town of Harmony on San Miguel Island, off the coast of Washington. Painstakingly building her life over again and slowly letting other people into her life, Sunny comes to be a part of Harmony even as the past catches up to her and determines her future. Sunny's present storyline is interspersed with her childhood in the commune, leading up to the tragic day when her younger sister died. The weaving is well done as the reader never feels yanked one way or the other and is content to wait to get back to each story in due time. Sunny is a prickly character but one whom the reader comes to care about and wish well. Her scars are earned and it is completely understandable that she is slow to warm up to people given her past history. The setting of the book, both in New Mexico and on the fictional Washington island, is incredibly well drawn and makes the reader feel as if s/he is there. The characters are realistic and almost all fully fleshed out (Sunny's initial landlady is a bit of a characature but she's one of few here). There is a massive twist in the plot that I didn't expect but it worked and showed how far Sunny had matured given the way she chose to deal with it. This is definitely a relationship story, between mother and daughter; between lovers; and between friends. And it was a satisfying one at that.

[momom248 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I had read Hendricks Bread Alone which was a very good story as well. I like the way Hendricks describes things and the fact that her writing kept my interest through the entire book is a testament to her writing abilities. I really got into the main characters mind and was sorry to see the book. end.

[apartmentcarpet · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I was expecting this to be typical chick lit, but I was pleasantly surprised to find a touching novel about a woman who is living her life by running away. There are no easy answers offered, no unrealistic romances to wrap things up nicely. I appreciate the ambiguity and the portrayal of a complicated mother-daughter relationship.

[bpompon_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I’ve read two of Judith Ryan Hendricks’ other books and loved both of them. This book is no different. Her books are like settling down with an old friend to catch up on everything going on in her dysfunctional life. I couldn’t put down The Laws of Harmony. Her vivid descriptions of New Mexico and the Pacific Northeast, made you feel like you were living part of the story. I look forward to reading many more Hendricks books!

[roxief_3 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Received as an ARC. Sunny grows up on a commune in New Mexico and dreams of the day she can get away to a “normal” life. The accident that kills her younger sister haunts her. After college she ends up in Albuquerque living with Michael. After he dies in a car accident she finds out he wasn’t all that he seemed. She once again runs from her life, this time to a small town on San Miguel Island. She finds that the past never goes away though, and she must deal with it. Overall a pretty good read, I was actually disappointed when the story ended as I had come to like Sunny and wanted more!

[tibobi · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Sunny is a likable character. Albeit a bit scattered and not quite sure where her future will take her, but she's easy to relate to and she is far from perfect. The story is told in three parts. The first part gives you the current, here and now info and includes some flashbacks to Sunny's childhood growing up in a commune in New Mexico. Part two focuses on Sunny's new life in the small town of Harmony, the friends she has made, her new job and the entire "rebuilding" process that must take place after a tragic loss. The third part focuses on resolution and her coming to terms with her new life and it's all about her not having to rely on other people for her happiness or well being.What was interesting to me is that the most well-developed characters were also the most supportive ones to Sunny. The characters that did little to support her, were not as well fleshed-out. To me, that worked and I wouldn't be surprised if that was intentional on Hendricks part. An example of this would be Michael, Sunny's boyfriend. We don't see many sides to him and we are left wondering why she was ever drawn to him in the first place.I also enjoyed reading about the vastly different climates. The dry, desert of Albuquerque, New Mexico versus the lush, green (fictional) town of Harmony in the Pacific Northwest. They were both appealing in their own ways. When she arrives in Harmony, you can almost smell the sea air and feel the sense of renewal that it brings.

[frisbeesage · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

When Sunny Cooper turns eighteen she flees the commune she grew up in, trying to get away from her mother's hippie lifestyle and the tragic death of her little sister. Just as she begins to piece together a normal life, her fiance dies in a car crash, and she is forced to face the fact that their life was full of secrets and half truths. No longer certain of anything she flees again in search of a life she can believe in.This is the story of a woman trying to reinvent her life in the face of tragedy and uncertainty. What makes this book really stand out is Judith Hendriks Ryan's beautiful sense of place and character. Both the mesa of New Mexico and the town of Harmony on San Miguel Island are almost characters in the book, they are so realistically and thoroughly described. In these destinctive settings she places unique and interesting characters. The relationship between Sunny and her mother will feel familiar to many women who read this book. The struggle between seperating from your mother and the strong maternal pull is a classic one and the author gets balance right. If you have read Judith Hendricks Ryan's other books and loved her eloquent descriptions of food don't despair. Sunny is a chef and baker and there is a lot of cooking in this book as well. In the end this is a satisfying story of a woman finding herself and her place in the world.

[tara35 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I was particularly pleased to be offered a copy of Judith Ryan Hendrick's latest novel from Harper Collins. I'd read all three of Hendrick's previous books, and have a special fondness for one of them, her first novel Bread Alone. Bread Alone is the story of a woman in an unhappy marriage who moves away and makes a new life for herself. The thing I remember most about this book is the fact that the main character bakes bread, oh does she bake bread! By the end of the book, I was so seduced by Hendrick's descriptions of yeast and kneading and rising, that I baked my own bread.Hendrick's latest novel, The Laws of Harmony, is similar to Bread Alone in some ways: the main character also leaves her life to begin again and she is also a cook.Sunny Cooper grew up on a commune in New Mexico and as soon as she is an adult she does everything in her power to leave her past behind. She attends college, supports herself, and eventually moves in with her boyfriend Michael. She is looking for a 'normal' life, but events will dictate otherwise. Sunny receives news that Michael has died in a car accident; soon after her home is broken into. Sunny's life is shattered, she realizes that Michael's job was not what it seemed and she is in danger. Sunny sells everything and moves to San Miguel Island, one of the Channel Islands. There she begins again, finding a home, job and new friendships. Several surprise discoveries turn Sunny's life upside down yet again, and she struggles to maintain equilibrium and mend the troubled relationship with her mother whom she left on the commune.I enjoyed reading The Laws of Harmony, it's an easy read and I found that the 478 pages flew by. There's a lot going on in this book and Hendrick's does a good job of pulling it all together. As I was nearing the end of this book, I suddenly realized there was no way Hendrick's was going to tie up all the loose ends in this novel. On the one hand, this leaves things open for a sequel, which I would probably read, on the other hand, after 478 pages, I would have liked a little bit more closure - it's the sort of thing where you sort of know what is going to happen and I would have liked to read about it, rather than imagine it. That just might be my own preference.If you think you might be interested in this book Harper Collins has a browse inside function found here where you can read part of the book and see what you think.