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I love me some Home to Harmony series. The books deliver wholesome, sarcastic, passive-aggressive, small-town, small-church humor like they were written just for me. So, when I cracked open A Change of Heart by Philip Gulley (the seventh book in the series) I was excited and ready for the usual dose of Harmony-style drama.
This one didn’t disappoint. We have a heart transplant, a wedding, family feuds, and Sam ruffling feathers (as usually, often by accident.) Harmony might be small, but it never runs out of big feelings, big surprises, and big opinions.
My A Change of Heart Book Review
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A Change of Heart Book Summary
In A Change of Heart, Philip Gulley brings more Harmony-sized drama. This time, it’s got everything: medical emergencies, surprise weddings, prodigal parents, and a sermon that sets the whole town whispering.
Sam Gardner’s back in the pulpit and, wouldn’t you know it, he preaches a message that gently suggests (gasp) maybe Jesus wasn’t into exclusion and judgment. Naturally, the town’s traditionalists react as if he burned the church down. Meanwhile, everyone’s favorite antagonist Dale Hinshaw collapses due to a heart condition. He gets a transplant and feels fantastic… until he realizes his donor was a Democrat!
Deena Morrison (the most eligible single woman in Harmony) goes and ruins the church’s matchmaking fun by actually getting married. Amanda Hodge’s formerly no-good, alcoholic parents show up out of the blue, claiming they’ve changed and want back into her life. This leads to perhaps the most drama-packed storyline found in the whole Harmony series.
Now onto the rating! A Change of Heart Book Review:
My innovative system for rating humor books is explained here
Wholesomeness Score: 5/5
No surprise here — this series is as wholesome as they come. But A Change of Heart might just be the most dramatic (dare I say controversial?) entry in the Harmony lineup. One major storyline involves the return of Amanda Hodge’s estranged parents. They are former alcoholics who once “gave her up” to relatives Ellis and Miriam. Their reappearance doesn’t go over smoothly. There are arguments, mistrust, and even a bit of violence (yes, actual violence in Harmony!). Still, everything is handled with Gulley’s signature gentleness and grace. He demonstrates a story can have real drama without sacrificing wholesome storytelling.
Hilarity Score: 4/5
Don’t expect a flurry of punchlines in the Harmony stories. Harmony’s humor is subtle, sarcastic, and deliciously passive-aggressive. Like Sam having to care for his lifelong nemesis, Dale Hinshaw, after Dale’s heart transplant. The real kicker? Dale finds out his new heart came from a liberal. A liberal. Dale almost had a 2nd heart attack after learning the devastating news.
“…And he belonged to a conversation club, he like to fish, and he was a member of the American Civil Liberties Union. He was very passionate about or freedoms.”
Dale blanched. A trickle of sweat erupted near his hairline and coursed down his forehead. He opened his mouth to speak, but for the first time in his life, words failed him.
-Dale, meeting the wife of his heart donor, learning that his heart came from…I can’t even say it…a LIBERAL!
Overall Book Awesomeness Score: 5/5
This one packs the most real drama (at least in my opinion) of any Harmony novel. But Gulley handles it with the compassion and warmth that keep the series so endearing. He encourages readers to see beyond black-and-white judgments and embrace the messy, complicated shades of grey in family and community relationships. It’s heartfelt, thoughtful, and every bit as awesome as the rest of the series.
Things I liked:
- Sam reluctantly taking care of Dale while he recovers from a heart transplant. Who would have thunk?
- Dale getting a heart transplant from a LIBERAL!
Things I didn’t like:
- Aparently Deena Morison is off the market. Shucks.
Other Books in the Home to Harmony Series:
- Home to Harmony – My Review
- Just Shy of Harmony – My Review
- Christmas in Harmony – My Review
- Signs and Wonders – My Review
- Life Goes On – My Review
- The Christmas Scrapbook – My Review
- A Change of Heart – (You are here!)
- Almost Friends – My Review
Conclusion: A Change of Heart Book Review
I’m a bit sad the Harmony series is about done for me (book 7 out of 8.) Getting to know these quirky, wholesome small-town characters has been a joy. A Change of Heart brings more real drama than usual, but with the same warmth and humor that made me fall for this series in the first place. My time with my Harmony friends is almost over, and I’m already feeling that bittersweet “end of a good thing” vibe.
Have you read A Change of Heart or the Harmony series? What’s your take on Dale’s new ‘liberal’ heart? Share your thoughts below!
Scott Johnson is a Midwestern humorist, author of Essays Out of Left Field, and the mind behind scottjohnsonauthor.com. He’s also a husband, dad of three, and Data Systems Administrator (whatever that is). Scott is on a mission to find and read all the funny books. He shares his thoughts on those books, author life, and other delightful randomness with his readers on his website.
