- Title: Betting the Rainbow
- Series: Harmony, #7
- Author: Jodi Thomas
- Genre: Contemporary Romance
- Published: April 2014 – Berkley
- Source: Publisher
Synopsis: 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 pay for Abby to finish school. Enlisting expert Kieran O’Toole to teach her the game, Dusti feels the sparks fly as they play their hands. But Kieran 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. Still, something undeniable begins to grow between the two loners — if only they can let their barriers fall and open their hearts… (publisher)
My take: If you’re a fan of the Harmony series I have no doubt you’ll love Betting the Rainbow. If you haven’t read any of the Harmony series you’ll want to start with the first book (Welcome to Harmony) and enjoy getting to know the fine people of this small Texas town. It’s one of my favorite series!
So, now that I’ve gushed a bit about Jodi Thomas’s books let me tell you about the newest. A few lingering plots from previous books come to the forefront in Betting the Rainbow. Ronny is just back from a world tour that began after losing her first love. She’s taking some time to herself at a secluded lake rental just outside of Harmony. Turns out there’s a neighbor and he quietly works his way into her life and heart – at the same time she does the same to him. I enjoyed watching an unexpected love develop between Ronny and Austin.
More than a lingering plot, Reagan and Noah find themselves splitting up until a surprise is found in one of Rea’s apple crates. Rea comes up with an ultimatum for Noah but doesn’t put it into words. He has to decide where he’ll allow life to take him all on his own. These two have been dancing around each other since the first book. We’ve seen them grow and mature and fall in love.
And then there are some new characters: Abby and her sister Dusti. They had to give up their dreams to take care of their sick mother and the farm. Now they exist trying to keep the farm afloat while thinking about where they wish they were. With the chance to win some money that would enable their dreams to start to come true Dusti enlists their childhood friend Kieran to teach her how to win at poker. He’ll do it but wonders what he stands to lose by getting close to the girl of his dreams.
I love the down-home warmth of Thomas’s stories and characters. The narrative always makes me feel like she’s telling me the story. My eyes are closed and I’m listening to a warm, comforting voice telling me about the town of Harmony and the people who live there. And when I turn the last page I smile. Every book, every time.
Bookfan 