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Harmony #6
Almost Friends
It's summer in Harmony, but not everything is as sunny as the weather. The good citizens of Harmony are back and stirring up trouble as usual, sometimes with disastrous results.
Pastor Sam Gardner must take a leave of absence from his post at Harmony Friends Meeting to take care of his ailing father.
But when spunky pastor Krista Riley comes to fill his position, the quirky Quakers seem to fall in love with her, and it begins to look like Sam's sabbatical may be permanent. Krista's resilience is put to the test when Dale Hinshaw and Fern Hampton begin to question whether a woman can faithfully lead their flock, and it looks like the resulting tiff might just be the undoing of Harmony Friends Meeting. Will Sam come to the rescue? Finding the answer to this question makes the trip back to Harmony worth turning every page.
Pastor Sam Gardner must take a leave of absence from his post at Harmony Friends Meeting to take care of his ailing father.
But when spunky pastor Krista Riley comes to fill his position, the quirky Quakers seem to fall in love with her, and it begins to look like Sam's sabbatical may be permanent. Krista's resilience is put to the test when Dale Hinshaw and Fern Hampton begin to question whether a woman can faithfully lead their flock, and it looks like the resulting tiff might just be the undoing of Harmony Friends Meeting. Will Sam come to the rescue? Finding the answer to this question makes the trip back to Harmony worth turning every page.
224 pages, Paperback
First published June 27, 2006
68 people are currently reading
547 people want to read
About the author
Philip Gulley
39 books402 followersPhilip Gulley has become the voice of small-town American life. Along with writing Front Porch Tales, Hometown Tales, and For Everything a Season, Gulley is the author of the Harmony series of novels, as well as If Grace Is True and If God Is Love, which are coauthored with James Mulholland.
He hosts "Porch Talk with Phil Gulley" on the Indiana PBS affiliate WFYI television's flagship show Across Indiana.
Gulley lives in Indiana with his wife, Joan, and their sons, Spencer and Sam—in a rambling old house with Gulley’s eclectic chair collection (64 at last count) and a welcoming back porch.
Gulley is also the Pastor at Fairfield Friends Meeting House in Camby, Indiana. If you find yourself in Camby, you're invited to attend a sermon.
He hosts "Porch Talk with Phil Gulley" on the Indiana PBS affiliate WFYI television's flagship show Across Indiana.
Gulley lives in Indiana with his wife, Joan, and their sons, Spencer and Sam—in a rambling old house with Gulley’s eclectic chair collection (64 at last count) and a welcoming back porch.
Gulley is also the Pastor at Fairfield Friends Meeting House in Camby, Indiana. If you find yourself in Camby, you're invited to attend a sermon.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 108 reviews
August 21, 2016
Such a fun book. A laugh out loud read.
July 23, 2012
Philip Gulley's Harmony series does not need to be read in any particular order. I've been reading them in order, and I don't remember liking the last one as much as I have this one.
Sam Gardner, Harmony's Friends' pastor, takes 3 months off to care for his father, who had a heart attack. The Friends hire a student, a woman pastor of all things, to fill in for Sam for 3 months.
Fans of the series can already imagine Dale Hinshaw's reaction, but the rest of the flock, and the town of Harmony, adore her. It's looking as though Sam's replacement has been found for good!
I don't remember Fern Hampton being this vicious...but she and Dale are certainly any minister's worst nightmare.
I absolutely enjoy Gulley's writing, his dry sense of humor (Corn and Sausage Days Parade???), and his wonderful insight and grasp on the people who make up (I imagine) any kind of church flock. There's one in every congregation.
Recommended for anyone who spends lots of time around churchfolk, and guaranteed laughs.
Sam Gardner, Harmony's Friends' pastor, takes 3 months off to care for his father, who had a heart attack. The Friends hire a student, a woman pastor of all things, to fill in for Sam for 3 months.
Fans of the series can already imagine Dale Hinshaw's reaction, but the rest of the flock, and the town of Harmony, adore her. It's looking as though Sam's replacement has been found for good!
I don't remember Fern Hampton being this vicious...but she and Dale are certainly any minister's worst nightmare.
I absolutely enjoy Gulley's writing, his dry sense of humor (Corn and Sausage Days Parade???), and his wonderful insight and grasp on the people who make up (I imagine) any kind of church flock. There's one in every congregation.
Recommended for anyone who spends lots of time around churchfolk, and guaranteed laughs.
December 29, 2017
A delightful journey in small town America
Having grown up in a small Indiana town, Philip freshened memories of the characters who inhabit towns everywhere. We should reflect on the message that rose to the surface. It applies to our nation today. Tolerance and civility should always drive our social intercourse.
Having grown up in a small Indiana town, Philip freshened memories of the characters who inhabit towns everywhere. We should reflect on the message that rose to the surface. It applies to our nation today. Tolerance and civility should always drive our social intercourse.
February 23, 2023
Charming and amusing installment in this series.
A pleasant and humorous reread.
A pleasant and humorous reread.
September 30, 2022
Well. I've gotta say, notwithstanding its pleasant and lovely book covers, the Harmony series isn't just some sweet little bundle of small-town quirks and cuddles. The series is thoughtful, ironic, and sharp, even with the author's easy writing style and the way he tempers his critical material with comedy.
I've gotten so used to the town that this novel was a comfortable read for me, even with a good number of the townsfolk getting on my nerves, including Sam for a while. But it was great seeing that the reckoning he came to a few books ago wouldn't go to waste, plot wise.
I'll admit it felt a little strange to see brand new blood arrive on the scene in the last book of the series. Still, the town could use the shake-up, and I'd rather a series close with a shake-up instead of merely coasting to a weak stop, as if its run out of ideas.
While I'm a little sad to be bidding fairly homey, sometimes aggravating, and often hilarious Harmony adieu for now, it'd be nice to revisit the books sometime. And I peeked and saw that Sam's adventures continue in an additional series, so it looks like I'll be reading three more books that feature him.
I've gotten so used to the town that this novel was a comfortable read for me, even with a good number of the townsfolk getting on my nerves, including Sam for a while. But it was great seeing that the reckoning he came to a few books ago wouldn't go to waste, plot wise.
I'll admit it felt a little strange to see brand new blood arrive on the scene in the last book of the series. Still, the town could use the shake-up, and I'd rather a series close with a shake-up instead of merely coasting to a weak stop, as if its run out of ideas.
While I'm a little sad to be bidding fairly homey, sometimes aggravating, and often hilarious Harmony adieu for now, it'd be nice to revisit the books sometime. And I peeked and saw that Sam's adventures continue in an additional series, so it looks like I'll be reading three more books that feature him.
June 6, 2021
Seriously, every pastor should read this book ... if nothing more than to know there is someone out there who has the same issues as them.
And every Christian should read this book . . . if nothing more than to know the marks of a true believer.
And every Christian should read this book . . . if nothing more than to know the marks of a true believer.
December 20, 2024
This installment in Philip Gulley's Harmony series is titled Almost Friends and we are back in Harmony spending time with all the citizens of Harmony once again. This time though, Sam has to take a three month sabbatical to take care of his father, who had a heart attack. To the horror of some of the congregation, mainly Dale Hinshaw and Fern Hampton of course, the replacement sent for Sam is a woman. But before the poor lady comes to Harmony we have Sam's thoughts on retirement:
In all the year Sam Gardner has lived in Harmony, he's never actually known anyone to retire, except for Miss Fishbeck, his sixth-grade teacher, who retired and moved to Las Vegas to help her sister, or so she said. It wasn't until after she left that people remembered she was an only child. They have no idea what she's up to out there but suspect she isn't teaching Sunday school.....
When Fern Hampton retired from teaching school, she took over the Friendly Women's Circle and has been running it ever since, even though Sam's mom had been elected president the past four years. Fern is intractable, an unyielding oak of a woman. Hit her with an ax, which Sam has been tempted to do many times, and it would bounce back and smack you in the head.
The right people never move to Las Vegas.
If all pastors were like Sam I think I could be a pastor. Just hide the ax first. But back to Fern:
Once a month Fern marches into Sam's office and complains that the younger women in the church aren't pulling their weight. "They don't join the Circle. They don't make noodles. They barely show up for the Chicken Noodle Dinner."
"Most of the work in the daytime," Sam points out. "Maybe if you were to hold the meetings at night more of them could come."
"The ladies don't like being out at night. You know that." To hear Fern tell it, Harmony after dark is inner-city Detroit....
Sam's church is full of these people, most of them useful citizens whom he genuinely loves. But a handful have caused him to study world religions, wondering if the grass might be greener on the other side of the theological fence. As far as he knows, the Buddhists don't have a Friendly Women's Circle. Or Dale Hinshaw.
And speaking of good old Dale, this time he decides to begin a new Scripture greetings ministry. For those of you who never heard of it, it's a computer disk that had all the phone numbers in the town on it. Dale recorded a message, put it in his computer, and it automatically called everyone in town. The problem being, he programed it to be sent at midnight. So while the entire town was asleep all their phones rang and they answered to hear Dale's voice telling them if you were to die today, do you know where you would spend eternity, and following with a bunch of Scripture verses. No one is happy about this. And all this before a lady pastor shows up. Dale may need a new heart once again. As for me, I've decided I could be a pastor, I really could. Just hide the ax.
In all the year Sam Gardner has lived in Harmony, he's never actually known anyone to retire, except for Miss Fishbeck, his sixth-grade teacher, who retired and moved to Las Vegas to help her sister, or so she said. It wasn't until after she left that people remembered she was an only child. They have no idea what she's up to out there but suspect she isn't teaching Sunday school.....
When Fern Hampton retired from teaching school, she took over the Friendly Women's Circle and has been running it ever since, even though Sam's mom had been elected president the past four years. Fern is intractable, an unyielding oak of a woman. Hit her with an ax, which Sam has been tempted to do many times, and it would bounce back and smack you in the head.
The right people never move to Las Vegas.
If all pastors were like Sam I think I could be a pastor. Just hide the ax first. But back to Fern:
Once a month Fern marches into Sam's office and complains that the younger women in the church aren't pulling their weight. "They don't join the Circle. They don't make noodles. They barely show up for the Chicken Noodle Dinner."
"Most of the work in the daytime," Sam points out. "Maybe if you were to hold the meetings at night more of them could come."
"The ladies don't like being out at night. You know that." To hear Fern tell it, Harmony after dark is inner-city Detroit....
Sam's church is full of these people, most of them useful citizens whom he genuinely loves. But a handful have caused him to study world religions, wondering if the grass might be greener on the other side of the theological fence. As far as he knows, the Buddhists don't have a Friendly Women's Circle. Or Dale Hinshaw.
And speaking of good old Dale, this time he decides to begin a new Scripture greetings ministry. For those of you who never heard of it, it's a computer disk that had all the phone numbers in the town on it. Dale recorded a message, put it in his computer, and it automatically called everyone in town. The problem being, he programed it to be sent at midnight. So while the entire town was asleep all their phones rang and they answered to hear Dale's voice telling them if you were to die today, do you know where you would spend eternity, and following with a bunch of Scripture verses. No one is happy about this. And all this before a lady pastor shows up. Dale may need a new heart once again. As for me, I've decided I could be a pastor, I really could. Just hide the ax.
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May 29, 2023Another great story from Philip Gulley
Is there any harmony in Harmony, Indiana? There's not much to be found at the Harmony Friends Quaker Meetinghouse where Sam Gardener is pastor. His parishioners are quite a bunch ... some a lot more bananas than others! This book finds pastor Sam not pastoring for a while and a young, very green, pastor filling in. Some parishioners are none too pleased with the choice and set about trying to rid themselves of the interloper however they can. Craziness insues that is sure to leave you laughing and shaking your head. Another great book from Philip Gulley!
Is there any harmony in Harmony, Indiana? There's not much to be found at the Harmony Friends Quaker Meetinghouse where Sam Gardener is pastor. His parishioners are quite a bunch ... some a lot more bananas than others! This book finds pastor Sam not pastoring for a while and a young, very green, pastor filling in. Some parishioners are none too pleased with the choice and set about trying to rid themselves of the interloper however they can. Craziness insues that is sure to leave you laughing and shaking your head. Another great book from Philip Gulley!
February 14, 2018
Sour notes in Harmony
Don't take that title as a negative! Almost Friends is probably the best and most realistic book I've ever read that deals with conflict within a church. Phillip Gulley tells the story as if he lived it...and since he is a minister, he may have. While addressing a very serious subject, church conflict, Mr. Gulley finds plenty of humor along the way. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and gave it 5 stars. I'm really stingy with that 5th star, so take it as a recommendation to put this on your must read list.
Don't take that title as a negative! Almost Friends is probably the best and most realistic book I've ever read that deals with conflict within a church. Phillip Gulley tells the story as if he lived it...and since he is a minister, he may have. While addressing a very serious subject, church conflict, Mr. Gulley finds plenty of humor along the way. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and gave it 5 stars. I'm really stingy with that 5th star, so take it as a recommendation to put this on your must read list.
January 17, 2023
This reads like the Quaker version of Garrison Keilor's Prairie Home Companion, and it is just as funny! And it reiterates how nothing ruins religion more than bad self righteous Church members, yikes! Nasty Fern Hampton and stupid Dale Hinshaw would strain the patience of Jesus Himself. I don't think even He would come up to their self delusional, power-hungry ego tripping "standards. " I must admit I kept waiting for their come uppance, but it never did and probably never will, just as it often is the case in the real world.
Fun Fact -- Author Philip Gulley is himself a Quaker pastor!
Fun Fact -- Author Philip Gulley is himself a Quaker pastor!
January 20, 2023
The first book in this series was realistic, heartwarming and had wonderful insights on humans, specifically humans in the church. I loved every page of it. I wish the series had kept up the quality, but, unfortunately, they've gone steadily downhill and ended with this travesty. Sam was a spineless whiner, the old folks in the church were downright mean and nasty, and no seminary would send a student from another denomination into a church after three days in school. It was as far-fetched and poorly written as the first one was homey and excellently done. It's just a cryin' shame.
March 27, 2024
I alternately raced through this book, and dawdled during the reading; I enjoyed it to the max, but realized that it’s the last of the series. Gulley has my number and I’m willing to fight anyone who dismisses him, but then that’s just my ego talking, as I don’t fight, I just read a lot. And when a person is in need of a decent Midwestern tale, these book fill the bill beautifully. I describe the feeling you get while enjoying Harmony and its characters as ‘massaging your soul’. Now it’s on to his next series, set in Hope, Indiana.
July 18, 2018
Another cute story about Harmany and the church. Sam takes a couple of months leave to look after his father. Krista who is a seminary student is hired to take his place. Everyone likes her and wants her to stay. Then she makes a member mad and she tries to have Krista fired. Sam stands up for her. More funny stories about the people of Harmony and members of Harmony Friends Meeting a Quaker church.
May 5, 2019
I did not find this book as gently humorous as I have most of the Harmony books. Dale has found an ally in Fern, and they are both just nasty and mean spirited. I can't make myself believe they are misguided, they've crossed over into hateful, and are dragging others with them. Sam, on a sabbatical to take care of his father, isn't motivated to stop them. It felt like living the worst of church arguments while reading this book.
October 9, 2023
The series finale. I can’t say that I loved it but I did appreciate the effort. I know that Dale and Fern are supposed to be exaggerated versions of “bible thumpers” but they are really really difficult characters to read. They make my heart hurt. And how does everyone around them just allow it? I don’t get it. Maybe because the books were written a while ago before the world went woke. I’m also surprised that Sam is so passive. I knew he was in previous books, but this one was really bad.
December 29, 2017
A sermon in itself
Excellent narrAtive writing that pulls the readers along life in the small town of hArmony. Gully does a greAt job of shifting through implicit issues in ministry and the biases people have against women in ministry and about the boundaries sexuality can create
Excellent narrAtive writing that pulls the readers along life in the small town of hArmony. Gully does a greAt job of shifting through implicit issues in ministry and the biases people have against women in ministry and about the boundaries sexuality can create
February 1, 2023
In this book a guest pastor, who is a woman, covers for Sam as he takes a leave of absence bc his father has a heart attack. She gets to experience the crazy going ons here in Harmony. Especially the infamous Dale n Fern. I really wish he would somehow find a way to tamp them down. He too pacifist, but I guess that is how Quakers are.
November 10, 2025
I finished this series because well you need to when you start. However I am glad it is done, some of the themes wore me out, not to say I don’t laugh out loud at the humor, but just was weary of the authors liberal stance on modern day issues they are not supported biblically. I’d reread book one but that’s about it for me personally
August 20, 2017
The congregation at Friends Meeting are at it again. Sam is trying to lead this community congregation and has to fight his detractors.. and during all of this, he has to take time off to help his father who is recovering from bypass surgery.
January 5, 2018
Another enjoyable book from Philip Gulley! I enjoyed hearing more about one of my favorite towns and it's Quaker pastor. I laughed out loud in spots and worried that Dale and Fern might finally win. Good triumphed in the end, however!
January 21, 2018
Interesting plot twist in presenting Sam with the opportunity to share his pain of dealing with his parishioners. However, due to his pride and ego, he does not see it as such. Poor Sam, always caught between a rock (Fern Hampton) and a hard place (Dale Hinshaw).
November 23, 2019
Great book. It made me Laugh and it times it made me angry because I knew some people like this in church. As a pastor I can relate to some of the feelings of both Sam and Krista had about the church. While this book is full of hyperbole it also has a lot of truth in it.
December 29, 2020
Another Harmony series 'respite from life' - a soothing trip into small church intrigue in small town America. Like I sometimes go, for an escape, to Wodehouse's Bertie & Jeeves books so do I to Harmony.
Certainly not a 'masterpiece' but a pleasant read - 3.8 bumped to 4 stars.
Certainly not a 'masterpiece' but a pleasant read - 3.8 bumped to 4 stars.
June 11, 2021
Enjoyable read
All of Phillip Gulley's books from Harmony are delightful, charming and true of any church I attended. Comical, warm and true to human behavior. I am thankful I have been able to enjoy them.
All of Phillip Gulley's books from Harmony are delightful, charming and true of any church I attended. Comical, warm and true to human behavior. I am thankful I have been able to enjoy them.
February 3, 2023
When Sam takes a 3 month break to take care of his sick dad, Krista is his replacement. As usual, Fern Hampton and Dale Hinshaw have something to Say about it. Another enjoyable journey to Harmony is this final book of the series.
July 20, 2023
I love the whit of Philip Gulley
This author's stories are so well written and hard to put down. I have enjoyed every single book of his that I have read. His characters are so believable and interesting to follow. I really enjoy the story lines as well. These books are great!
This author's stories are so well written and hard to put down. I have enjoyed every single book of his that I have read. His characters are so believable and interesting to follow. I really enjoy the story lines as well. These books are great!
January 29, 2024
From the sarcasm of the last book in the series, I was beginning to worry about Sam Gardner. However, this installment of the harmony series is the book where Mr. Gully outdid himself. What is satisfying read ... or in my case, a listen.
July 31, 2024
A funny, easy read which I believe is the last one set in Harmony. It shows how small towns can get carried away with misunderstandings and involves some very quirky characters. Next up is a trip to Hope.
May 4, 2025
This book goes through the sixth year of Pastor Sam at Harmony Friends Meeting. A sabbatical causes his church to send in a female temporary pastor. This series continues to use both humor and heartwarming moments to tell a sweet story.
August 3, 2017
This was sweet - like Lake Woebegon or The Vinyl Cafe books.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 108 reviews