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I was introduced to Sam Gardner in Philip Gulley’s Home to Harmony. Sam is the Quaker pastor and protagonist of Gulley’s “Harmony” book series (8 total books.) After spending some time with Sam and his congregation in the first book, I decided this is a guy I could hang out with! So I picked up “Just Shy of Harmony” to spend some more time with the character that resonated with me in book #1. Hanging out with Sam was just as delightful and insightful as before. I felt like I was helping Sam navigate his (almost) intolerably whacky congregation. And I was sitting alongside him as he struggled with disillusionment and waning faith. Here is my Just Shy of Harmony book review.
Just Shy of Harmony Summary
Just Shy of Harmony by Philip Gulley is the second book in his Harmony series, which follows the lives of quirky residents in a small Quaker town. The story revolves around Sam Gardner, the overwhelmed pastor of the Harmony Friends church. Sam’s sincere attempts to keep his congregation connected and happy serve as both the humor and heart of the novel.
In book #2, Sam faces an array of challenges. He navigates a potential church closure due to dwindling funds to dealing with various townsfolk wrestling with their own struggles—addiction, strained marriages, and bouts of existential doubt. As Sam grapples with his own crisis of faith, he’s both inspired and exhausted by the community’s unique charm.
Philip Gulley’s style is warm and compassionate. He captures small-town dynamics with gentle wit and insight. The book highlights the quirky congregation’s ability to love and support each other through trials. In a nutshell, it’s a slice-of-life story that’s heartwarming and quietly humorous.
Who is Philip Gulley?
Philip Gulley is an American author, pastor, and storyteller, known for his series of novels set in the fictional town of Harmony, which draw from his experiences growing up in small-town Indiana. Gulley writes with a distinctive warmth and wit, often weaving in themes of community, faith, and the quirks of human nature. As a Quaker minister himself, Gulley brings an authentic, insider’s view to his stories of small-town churches and their congregations, focusing on the unique and sometimes absurd dynamics within them.
Beyond the Harmony series, he’s written essays and nonfiction works that tackle broader spiritual themes with the same humorous, open-minded approach. One of his notable nonfiction works, If Grace Is True: Why God Will Save Every Person, co-authored with James Mulholland, explores his universalist beliefs, which have sparked both support and debate within religious communities. Ooooh, controversy!
Gulley’s writing has a folksy, accessible style. He blends subtle humor with a reflective tone that resonates with readers who appreciate a gentle, slightly irreverent take on life’s deeper questions. The style and tone resonates with this reader, at least.
Now onto the rating! Just Shy of Harmony book review:
My innovative system for rating humor books is explained here
Wholesomeness Score: 5/5
I’ve come to expect the most wholesome of humor from Philip Gulley. This book did not disappoint in that regard. No swears, no racy content, no violence. Just pure wholesomeness. Clean humor.
Hilarity Score: 3.5/5
Just Shy of Harmony was funny. Not constant, in-your-face, fall-down-laughter inducing. But the members of Sam Gardener’s congregation continue to aggravate Sam, which entertains the reader. In this second book of the series, Gulley dials up the quirkiness of the characters a notch. Dale Hinshaw is even more of a whacky, oblivious hick. His antics teeter between annoying and hilarious.
Example: Dale Hinshaw is convinced his novel idea of spreading the Word of God is a can’t-miss strategy. He plans to feed chickens short bible verses on pieces of paper. The paper will remain in-tact through digestion and end up in the chicken’s eggs. Unsuspecting non-believers will crack open the egg, exposing the surprise bible verse. The non-believer will be so shocked by this miracle, they will immediately convert, praising God for the strange miracle. Dale’s ridiculous scheme grows out of control.
Overall Book Awesomeness Score: 4.5/5
I am enjoying Philip Gulley’s “Harmony” world. There is enough drama in real life. Harmony is not necessarily free of drama, but the small-town setting and innocently quirky residents bring me to a calm mental place. Just Shy of Harmony is NOT an intense page-turner (OOOH, WHAT WILL HAPPEN NEXT!!!) It’s more like a comfortable Sunday drive through the country on a beautiful fall day with the windows down. Or top down if you have a convertible. Maybe some light jazz playing. And sipping on some coffee. Probably a Goldendoodle riding shotgun. In a flannel shirt. You are wearing the shirt, not the Goldendoodle. Actually, maybe the doddle is wearing a flannel shirt also. He can have some coffee too. Decaf. It’s a setting so idyllic, you just want to keep driving.
Things I liked:
- Sam’s honest struggle with his own faith
- “Moral of the story” endings in most chapters!
- Happy endings – including Sam’s faith struggles
Things I didn’t like:
- That Dale Hinshaw character is getting on my nerves
- Book 1 (Home to Harmony) was told in 1st person from the perspective of Sam Gardner. Book 2 (Just Shy of Harmony) was told in 3rd person. Not a big deal, but it did throw me off a bit.
Conclusion: Final Thoughts on Just Shy of Harmony
Philip Gulley’s Harmony world resonates with me. The story of Sam Gardner’s faith evolution was inspiring and relatable. The folksy nostalgia of small-town living, and small church life hit close to home. I grew up in a small, country church where eclectic, multi-generation members were the norm. (I think we WERE some of the eclectic characters.) Fundraisers were meager, yet critical time-honored traditions. Families always sat in the same pew. And it was wonderful.
I’m on to the rest of the Harmony series!
Just so you know – I could get an affiliate commission if you link from my site and buy a product. Hopefully, I’ll accumulate enough affiliate commission to buy myself a coffee someday! Not Starbucks or anything like that. But maybe a plain small coffee from a gas station on the edge of town.