Status
Available
Call number
Series
Collection
Publication
G.P. Putnam's Sons (2016), 287 pages
Description
"Over the course of ten Mitford novels, fans have kept a special place in their hearts for Dooley Kavanagh, first seen in At Home in Mitford as a barefoot, freckle-faced boy in filthy overalls. Now, Father Tim Kavanagh's adopted son has graduated from vet school and opened his own animal clinic. Since money will be tight for a while, maybe he and Lace Harper, his once and future soul mate, should keep their wedding simple. So the plan is to eliminate the cost of catering and do potluck. Ought to be fun. An old friend offers to bring his well-known country band. Gratis. And once mucked out, the barn works as a perfect venue for seating family and friends. Piece of cake, right?" --
User reviews
LibraryThing member Kris_Anderson
Come Rain or Come Shine by Jan Karon is the book that readers have been looking forward to for a long time. Dooley Kavanaugh and Lace Harper are getting married. They have decided to get married at their new home, Meadowgate. Meadowgate is a farm in Farmer, North Carolina. They want it to be a
Lace is looking forward to her new life. She is busy looking for a wedding dress (she wants to get one for $100), making and selling her paintings (which will pay for some extras, and creating a wedding gift for Dooley. Father Tim and Cynthia have moved out to the farm to help out until the wedding. Lace and Dooley also have a special surprise for their parents. They have had something in the works for two years, and it is finally happening just before the wedding. Let us hope that everything goes off without a hitch. What could go wrong (rain, not enough food, surprise guests, escaping animals)?
Read Come Rain or Come Shine to find out what happens. I was so excited when I got a copy of this book. I have read all the books in this series (and loved them). Unfortunately, this book was a disappointment. The main problem is the way it was written. It is written from the perspective of the different characters (not just one as in first person). It jumps around and it can be very confusing. One moment it is Lace, then Father Tim, and then who knows who. You have to guess sometimes (because the author only used pronouns and not names) and it changes abruptly (you had to guess based on what the person was saying). This made the novel hard to read. I do not know what possessed the author to write the novel in this format. I wish it had been written differently so Come Rain or Come Shine could have been more enjoyable to read. I give Come Rain or Come Shine 3.75 out of 5 stars.
I received a complimentary copy of Come Rain or Come Shine from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
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simple wedding (no wedding is simple). The wedding date is set for June 14. Dooley and Lace decided to make it a potluck dinner reception (asking each guest to bring a dish). Until the wedding, they have plenty to keep them busy. Dooley has to finish veterinary school and graduate. They are busy fixing up the farm (the house, fences, and barn). They have purchased four cows and are awaiting the arrival of their new bull, Choo-Choo (I am not kidding). Dooley will be taking over a veterinary practice after graduation and they will be installing a new sign that reads “Kavanaugh Animal Wellness Clinic”. Lace is looking forward to her new life. She is busy looking for a wedding dress (she wants to get one for $100), making and selling her paintings (which will pay for some extras, and creating a wedding gift for Dooley. Father Tim and Cynthia have moved out to the farm to help out until the wedding. Lace and Dooley also have a special surprise for their parents. They have had something in the works for two years, and it is finally happening just before the wedding. Let us hope that everything goes off without a hitch. What could go wrong (rain, not enough food, surprise guests, escaping animals)?
Read Come Rain or Come Shine to find out what happens. I was so excited when I got a copy of this book. I have read all the books in this series (and loved them). Unfortunately, this book was a disappointment. The main problem is the way it was written. It is written from the perspective of the different characters (not just one as in first person). It jumps around and it can be very confusing. One moment it is Lace, then Father Tim, and then who knows who. You have to guess sometimes (because the author only used pronouns and not names) and it changes abruptly (you had to guess based on what the person was saying). This made the novel hard to read. I do not know what possessed the author to write the novel in this format. I wish it had been written differently so Come Rain or Come Shine could have been more enjoyable to read. I give Come Rain or Come Shine 3.75 out of 5 stars.
I received a complimentary copy of Come Rain or Come Shine from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
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LibraryThing member foggidawn
Dooley Kavanagh is finished with vet school and ready to set up his own practice. It's been a long wait, but he and Lace Harper are finally ready to tie the knot. The days and weeks leading up to their wedding are sure to bring laughter, and probably a few tears as well -- not just to the
This book represents a leap ahead some six or seven years, as well as a slight shift in perspective to include Lace and Dooley as main players in the drama of the series. It retains, however, a good measure of the charm of the earlier books. Many favorite characters make an appearance and a few loose ends are tied up, but there are also new characters and events that might carry on into future books -- who knows?
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characters in the book, but to their fond readers, too.This book represents a leap ahead some six or seven years, as well as a slight shift in perspective to include Lace and Dooley as main players in the drama of the series. It retains, however, a good measure of the charm of the earlier books. Many favorite characters make an appearance and a few loose ends are tied up, but there are also new characters and events that might carry on into future books -- who knows?
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LibraryThing member eawsmom
The latest installment of the Mitford series centers on preparations for the wedding of Lacey Harper and Dooley Kavanagh. A simple potluck country wedding sounds like an easy and perfect way to start a life together, until all the considerations of food, seating, dancing, and music come to call.
While the book is entertaining and heart-warming, it was hard to follow at times as it is presented from different viewpoints with the characters identified only by "he" and "she." Careful reading usually discloses whose viewpoint it is, but it certainly would have been easier to read if identities had been given.
Also, many of the stalwart figures from Mitford--J.C. Hogan, Mule Skinner, Puny Bradshaw, et. al.--make only cameo appearances; perhaps this is Ms. Karon's way of moving us on to the next generation of Mitford residents.
Overall, I enjoyed the book but not as much as I had hoped.
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With the help of family and close friends, everything comes together so that the only worries left are regarding the weather...and maybe a few concerns about the doggie ushers and the new bull!While the book is entertaining and heart-warming, it was hard to follow at times as it is presented from different viewpoints with the characters identified only by "he" and "she." Careful reading usually discloses whose viewpoint it is, but it certainly would have been easier to read if identities had been given.
Also, many of the stalwart figures from Mitford--J.C. Hogan, Mule Skinner, Puny Bradshaw, et. al.--make only cameo appearances; perhaps this is Ms. Karon's way of moving us on to the next generation of Mitford residents.
Overall, I enjoyed the book but not as much as I had hoped.
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LibraryThing member SABC
In this tenth book of the Mitford Series, the wedding plans are finally being made......please come, and bring a dish, it is pot-luck.........
LibraryThing member TerriBooks
It's a Mitford novel, of course it's delightful! We get to live through the week of Dooley and Lace's wedding, and it's quite a week. We have the usual cast of characters -- all of them in one book! -- who have come together on the farm for the potluck wedding. Much of it will be opaque to anyone
The main problem I have with this novel is that it's very confusing to read. Each chapter begins with the thoughts or actions of one of the characters, but good luck figuring out which one. Pronouns without antecedents abound, and I found it very frustrating. I do love the hand-written titles on each chapter, though. Even as an ebook, it's very attractive.
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who has not read the previous books, so don't just start here. The main problem I have with this novel is that it's very confusing to read. Each chapter begins with the thoughts or actions of one of the characters, but good luck figuring out which one. Pronouns without antecedents abound, and I found it very frustrating. I do love the hand-written titles on each chapter, though. Even as an ebook, it's very attractive.
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LibraryThing member Auj
This is the story of Dooley and Lace's wedding - the weeks before and up to the day of the wedding. It was so enjoyable to read about two people who love each other so much and are on the same page as far as their life together goes. I was hoping that this would not be the end of the Mitford
One comment to the negative. As the story goes, the point of view goes from character to character rather quickly. Karon will end one character and the next paragraph or section will begin with "He (thought or did such and so) and I would be thinking the previous character was doing the thinking or doing, when all of a sudden it would not make sense. Once I realized which character was doing the thinking or doing, then I would need to do a bit of backtracking to get back on track. Many times there was no name at all, just enough to know who the character was. Just be aware as you read that this will happen. I read it on my Kindle, and that may have made a slight difference. I don't think so, but I guess it is possible.
Even so, the story is really good and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
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series, and I see that Ms. Karon has left room to expand if she desires. One comment to the negative. As the story goes, the point of view goes from character to character rather quickly. Karon will end one character and the next paragraph or section will begin with "He (thought or did such and so) and I would be thinking the previous character was doing the thinking or doing, when all of a sudden it would not make sense. Once I realized which character was doing the thinking or doing, then I would need to do a bit of backtracking to get back on track. Many times there was no name at all, just enough to know who the character was. Just be aware as you read that this will happen. I read it on my Kindle, and that may have made a slight difference. I don't think so, but I guess it is possible.
Even so, the story is really good and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
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LibraryThing member tututhefirst
This series, set in North Carolina features one of the most gentle and soothing characters ever written about: Fr. Timothy Kavanaugh. In this one we finally see Dooley and Lace married. Not Pulitzer fiction, but definitely a picker-upper. Readers should probably read some of the earlier works in
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the series to get the most of the story, but there is some back-fill that would probably make it an acceptable read. Show Less
LibraryThing member SheilaDeeth
Jan Karon’s Come Rain or Come Shine brings Mitford up to date, with texting young-adults, home-grown weddings, pot-luck reception, gorgeous dogs (of course), ageless romance, and lots of laugh-out-loud moments. The sweetness is never overwhelming and there are plenty of thought-provoking moments,
Of course, marriage itself is never simple, and the familial assumptions of others can accidentally hurt. There are unexpected guests to be introduced, prejudices to be overcome, dresses and gifts to be chosen or made, cattle to be subdued, and the weather... Winds and rain might threaten, physically and metaphorically, throughout this tale, proving the best plans of mice and men go awry, and it doesn’t matter.
Plus there’s a mystery, of course, well-timed and beautifully told, drawn to a perfect conclusion to add another classic tale in the Mitford fold; I really enjoyed this one.
Disclosure: My Mum and I are both Mitford addicts, and we think the series is best read from the start.
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as Lace and Dooley learn that even d-i-y weddings aren’t simple – wise preparation perhaps for marriage.Of course, marriage itself is never simple, and the familial assumptions of others can accidentally hurt. There are unexpected guests to be introduced, prejudices to be overcome, dresses and gifts to be chosen or made, cattle to be subdued, and the weather... Winds and rain might threaten, physically and metaphorically, throughout this tale, proving the best plans of mice and men go awry, and it doesn’t matter.
Plus there’s a mystery, of course, well-timed and beautifully told, drawn to a perfect conclusion to add another classic tale in the Mitford fold; I really enjoyed this one.
Disclosure: My Mum and I are both Mitford addicts, and we think the series is best read from the start.
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LibraryThing member TerriS
Lace and Dooley finally get married! Really sweet -- a little too sweet at times, but a nice, joyful & hopeful read, uplifting.
LibraryThing member tjsjohanna
I always think Ms Karon can't possibly think of another story to tell about Father Tim and then she comes up with one and I'm so glad. This novel is similar in tone to "A Common Life" in that it primarily deals with a wedding and there isn't really a major conflict or story arc other than exploring
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the emotions heading into such a big day. Still, I found the faith and hope expressed by the potential newlyweds to be beautiful and it was great to catch up with some of my favorite characters. Show Less
LibraryThing member polarmath
I love following this series and their characters and seeing them grow up and evolve. I have followed Dooley and Lace from the start and now it is time for their big day. Come Rain or Come Shine tells of the days leading up to Lace and Dooley' s wedding and all that is going into it. The have
There are some old and some new characters in the book and we learn more about how how the families are formed, the heartaches involved from the past and future, and much forgiveness. I loved seeing all the work that went into their wedding day, learning about Dooley's new job, and hope for more in the future.
I received a copy to read and review, and also checked out an audio book to listen as well.
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decided to have a nice country wedding with a potluck reception, but soon find out that there is more to it than first thought. I loved how the Flower sisters came to the rescue and how the entire "family" helped out. There are some old and some new characters in the book and we learn more about how how the families are formed, the heartaches involved from the past and future, and much forgiveness. I loved seeing all the work that went into their wedding day, learning about Dooley's new job, and hope for more in the future.
I received a copy to read and review, and also checked out an audio book to listen as well.
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LibraryThing member Carlathelibrarian
I have read a couple of the Mitford Series but not all of them. Big Mistake. If you are not familiar with the story and the characters you may be lost for a lot of this story, but I still enjoyed it.
The focus of the story is the month before and the day of "The Big Knot". Dooley and Lace have been
The biggest complaint I have with this story is that a large part of it was written using pronouns. When the chapter or page starts with he or she, I did not know who was speaking. I would finally figure out who was narrating that section of the story and the next paragraph was a different person. There were many, many characters in the story and I am still not sure of the relationship of a lot of them.
This is a christian series and if you have a problem with talk of God and prayers, you will not necessarily enjoy this book. I thought the spiritual aspect was perfect, well placed in the story and a large part of the lives of the characters. I will definitely have to go back and read through the whole series now so that I will learn the full story of all these wonderful characters.
I received a copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
The focus of the story is the month before and the day of "The Big Knot". Dooley and Lace have been
Show More
in love forever and finally accepted this, became a couple and now with Dooley's graduation from veterinarian school, they are ready to get married. Throughout the story we hear portions of Lace's journal and the journey Lace and Dooley have taken as well as her feelings and prayers along the way. This does give some background so you can follow the story. With all the changes and costs of setting up a working farm and taking over a veterinarian practice, they want a small, intimate ceremony at Meadowgate Farm. They are going to get married at the farm, and the meal will be potluck in the barn, with dancing on the porch. Lace wants a simple dress that will cost her less than $100.00. Sounds simple and easy right? Not a chance. There are obstacles and annoyances. There are secrets and surprises. There is the constant pressure of whether everything will be ready on time. The appearance of long lost relatives is dealt with in an honest manner with hurt feelings, forgiveness but not necessarily open arms. The biggest complaint I have with this story is that a large part of it was written using pronouns. When the chapter or page starts with he or she, I did not know who was speaking. I would finally figure out who was narrating that section of the story and the next paragraph was a different person. There were many, many characters in the story and I am still not sure of the relationship of a lot of them.
This is a christian series and if you have a problem with talk of God and prayers, you will not necessarily enjoy this book. I thought the spiritual aspect was perfect, well placed in the story and a large part of the lives of the characters. I will definitely have to go back and read through the whole series now so that I will learn the full story of all these wonderful characters.
I received a copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
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LibraryThing member khiemstra631
This installment of the Mitford novels covers the wedding of Lace Harper and Dooley Barlow out at Meadowgate Farm. Father Tim and Cynthia have moved to the farm for the six weeks before the wedding to help prepare for the big event. Dooley graduates from vet school in the midst of all of the
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preparations. Love abounds as do numerous situations that provide chuckles for the reader or listener. I listened to the book, and did find it a little confusing at times trying to determine who was speaking due to the author's use of "he" and "she" with no other identification. Other than that quibble, everything about the book was wonderful! Show Less
LibraryThing member SusanKrzywicki
I really disliked the use of anonymous pronouns to start each vignette or section. It was irritatingly distracting to try and figure out who "she" or "he" referred to, every couple of pages. Unnecessary mystery that added nothing.
LibraryThing member lindalou924
A great read!! This is the thirteenth, and supposedly final, episode in the Mitford Series. And, if so, what a great way to end this series…Dooley and Lace get married. We have followed Dooley from his rough boyhood into the adopting arms of Father Tim and Cynthia. Dooley brought youth and vigor,
Father Tim is now a retired Episcopal priest in this small town in North Carolina. We have seen him as he cared for his flock in Mitford, then followed him to other areas where a church was in need of a pastor for a period, and then on vacation to Ireland (well, not all vacation as he was led to some “sheep” needing prayer and love, some needing to be called to life with the Lord).
Cynthia is a children’s book author and illustrator whom Father Tim married many books ago. He shares this town with her as they both minister to the flock. Many other characters intertwine their ways into the lives of this family and become one very large delightful family that the reader (me) has delighted in and followed for thirteen novels. I have loved them all and felt like I was part of this Mitford bunch.
The setting for this particular novel is the wedding of Dooley and Lace. Preparation for a wedding, the relationships that revolve around it, and the actual wedding involve people that we know from Jan’s previous novels who step in and out and back in again. There are even new people who grab heart strings as they come in and relate to those we have “known.” Oh, there are some fun and crazy pieces that fill in a few empty spots in the Kavanagh puzzle.
God’s Truth is woven into the chapters through prayer, through sharing the Gospel, through lessons taught…some hard, all strong. The Word of God in Jan’s books is a central point, standing tall and clear. She has been consistent on this message throughout the series. Every reader can glean a lot or a little of all that God wants to teach us. This author has NOT been ashamed of the Gospel, that is for sure. Amen to Jan for staying with God’s path.
Closure in some ways and new beginnings in others is what this thirteenth book is all about. The way Jan Karon writes, allowing the reader to feel a part of this community also allows one to feel good about letting the world of these characters go on in the recesses of our minds without having to know an exact outcome for any exact situation!
My husband and I have read this whole series aloud to one another either as we drove along an open road or as we sat in the quiet of our living room. It has been a fun way to enjoy all of these books, plus share this delightful community together.
The title comes from a song “Come Rain or Come Shine” (Harold Arlen composed the music and Johnny Mercer wrote the lyrics). The song was written for the musical St. Louis Woman, published in 1946. It has been song by stars such as Barbra Streisand, Frank Sinatra, B. B. King/Eric Clapton, Billie Holiday, and many, many more. The first stanza is:
I’m gonna love you like nobody’s loved you
Come rain or come shine
High as a mountain and deep as a river
Come rain or come shine
I think my Mama used to sing or hum this song!
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a troubled family history, as well as his troubled family into the story centered around Mitford. He grew and matured, went to college to become a veterinarian (and did just that), has been around Lace for years as we watched their relationship develop, tumble, and then grow.Father Tim is now a retired Episcopal priest in this small town in North Carolina. We have seen him as he cared for his flock in Mitford, then followed him to other areas where a church was in need of a pastor for a period, and then on vacation to Ireland (well, not all vacation as he was led to some “sheep” needing prayer and love, some needing to be called to life with the Lord).
Cynthia is a children’s book author and illustrator whom Father Tim married many books ago. He shares this town with her as they both minister to the flock. Many other characters intertwine their ways into the lives of this family and become one very large delightful family that the reader (me) has delighted in and followed for thirteen novels. I have loved them all and felt like I was part of this Mitford bunch.
The setting for this particular novel is the wedding of Dooley and Lace. Preparation for a wedding, the relationships that revolve around it, and the actual wedding involve people that we know from Jan’s previous novels who step in and out and back in again. There are even new people who grab heart strings as they come in and relate to those we have “known.” Oh, there are some fun and crazy pieces that fill in a few empty spots in the Kavanagh puzzle.
God’s Truth is woven into the chapters through prayer, through sharing the Gospel, through lessons taught…some hard, all strong. The Word of God in Jan’s books is a central point, standing tall and clear. She has been consistent on this message throughout the series. Every reader can glean a lot or a little of all that God wants to teach us. This author has NOT been ashamed of the Gospel, that is for sure. Amen to Jan for staying with God’s path.
Closure in some ways and new beginnings in others is what this thirteenth book is all about. The way Jan Karon writes, allowing the reader to feel a part of this community also allows one to feel good about letting the world of these characters go on in the recesses of our minds without having to know an exact outcome for any exact situation!
My husband and I have read this whole series aloud to one another either as we drove along an open road or as we sat in the quiet of our living room. It has been a fun way to enjoy all of these books, plus share this delightful community together.
The title comes from a song “Come Rain or Come Shine” (Harold Arlen composed the music and Johnny Mercer wrote the lyrics). The song was written for the musical St. Louis Woman, published in 1946. It has been song by stars such as Barbra Streisand, Frank Sinatra, B. B. King/Eric Clapton, Billie Holiday, and many, many more. The first stanza is:
I’m gonna love you like nobody’s loved you
Come rain or come shine
High as a mountain and deep as a river
Come rain or come shine
I think my Mama used to sing or hum this song!
Show Less
LibraryThing member dreplogle
13th title in the warm, wonderful Mitford series. To be honest I haven't read a Mitford book in several years and I wondered if I would feel the same about this little town in North Carolina. GoodReads and Putnam helped me solve this dilemma by sending me a copy for an unbiased review. And I have
Reading a Mitford novel is like slipping into a warm, silken, scented bath with a glass of good wine. It's like wrapping yourself in a warm blanket on a cold night, with a cup of hot cocoa. This is a group of charcters one truly wishes were real, and that we could go live with them forever. Nothing every really chaotic happens in a Mitford novel, more it's a small town where people take care of their own, where a true celebration is the wedding of two young people who grew up here. Mitford is a perfect place to escape when the real world just becomes too much.
This addition to the story is that of two young people who have had their joys and troubles, yet have fallen deeply in love and are to be married. This is a story of how a wedding can be simple yet chaotic, how family dramas come out into the open and sometimes are solved, of realizing how much we love and despair over our families and yet how much we need them.
This is a perfect series for those looking for a Christian theme, but yet not overpowering for those who look more for story. Guess it's time to go back and read those few Mitford novels I missed.
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this to say....Reading a Mitford novel is like slipping into a warm, silken, scented bath with a glass of good wine. It's like wrapping yourself in a warm blanket on a cold night, with a cup of hot cocoa. This is a group of charcters one truly wishes were real, and that we could go live with them forever. Nothing every really chaotic happens in a Mitford novel, more it's a small town where people take care of their own, where a true celebration is the wedding of two young people who grew up here. Mitford is a perfect place to escape when the real world just becomes too much.
This addition to the story is that of two young people who have had their joys and troubles, yet have fallen deeply in love and are to be married. This is a story of how a wedding can be simple yet chaotic, how family dramas come out into the open and sometimes are solved, of realizing how much we love and despair over our families and yet how much we need them.
This is a perfect series for those looking for a Christian theme, but yet not overpowering for those who look more for story. Guess it's time to go back and read those few Mitford novels I missed.
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LibraryThing member lhaines56
Well Lacy and Dooley finally tie the knot. It is a charming book but I don't think it has the appeal of a lot of the other Mitford books. As always it is a little too preachy at times. Like the Father Tim centered ones much better,
LibraryThing member olegalCA
This better not be the last Mitford book! I don't think my heart can take it!
LibraryThing member SueinCyprus
This is thirteenth in Jan Karon's series about Father Tim and the small American town of Mitford. It's a wonderful book, pulling together many threads and re-uniting various folk, in the build-up to Dooley and Lace's wedding day.
Even with a simple, small wedding the number of things to do seems to
I found it a little confusing at first that the story is narrated from several different viewpoints, not just that of Father Tim. It’s not always obvious who is the viewpoint character, but eventually I realised that it didn’t matter. I loved the layout of the book, which includes both the wedding invitation and the order of service.
Reading or re-reading one of the books somehow feels like coming home, so I was very pleased to read that Jan Karon has already started another book in the series as I was afraid that this might have been the last.
This would not be a good introduction to Mitford as there is a huge cast of characters and situations referred to from previous books. But I would definitely recommend it to fans of the series.
Even with a simple, small wedding the number of things to do seems to
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increase daily. There are secrets, and surprises… and then the ceremony itself, in detail, with its own stresses and unexpected complications. I found it a little confusing at first that the story is narrated from several different viewpoints, not just that of Father Tim. It’s not always obvious who is the viewpoint character, but eventually I realised that it didn’t matter. I loved the layout of the book, which includes both the wedding invitation and the order of service.
Reading or re-reading one of the books somehow feels like coming home, so I was very pleased to read that Jan Karon has already started another book in the series as I was afraid that this might have been the last.
This would not be a good introduction to Mitford as there is a huge cast of characters and situations referred to from previous books. But I would definitely recommend it to fans of the series.
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LibraryThing member BoundTogetherForGood
I still adore Mitford after all these years. It was a delight to experience the wedding of Dooley and Lace.
LibraryThing member Barbaralois
Great Christian series with characters you look forward to hearing more about. A Wedding is going to take place on the farm in this one
with a few Surprises along the way.
with a few Surprises along the way.
LibraryThing member SarahGraceGrzy
Possibly the best book I have ever read (excepting the Bible, of course). Just so amazing! I absolutely loved it. And Jack Tyler. Oh my word! I loved that plot line. A MUST read! (obviously I liked it a lot, I finished it in 2 days!)
LibraryThing member MinaIsham
-- Dear God, Thank you for Jan Karon's gift to write novels. I borrowed the first or one of first Mitford novels years ago from a public library. Over the years I have borrowed them in sequential order from different public libraries. Her characters lead messy but sweet lives like Esther Bolick's
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famous Orange Marmalade Cake. When the world spins out of control I can rely on Father Kavanagh et al to slow it down. Amen -- Show Less
LibraryThing member Carlathelibrarian
I have read a couple of the Mitford Series but not all of them. Big Mistake. If you are not familiar with the story and the characters you may be lost for a lot of this story, but I still enjoyed it.
The focus of the story is the month before and the day of "The Big Knot". Dooley and Lace have been
The biggest complaint I have with this story is that a large part of it was written using pronouns. When the chapter or page starts with he or she, I did not know who was speaking. I would finally figure out who was narrating that section of the story and the next paragraph was a different person. There were many, many characters in the story and I am still not sure of the relationship of a lot of them.
This is a christian series and if you have a problem with talk of God and prayers, you will not necessarily enjoy this book. I thought the spiritual aspect was perfect, well placed in the story and a large part of the lives of the characters. I will definitely have to go back and read through the whole series now so that I will learn the full story of all these wonderful characters.
I received a copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
The focus of the story is the month before and the day of "The Big Knot". Dooley and Lace have been
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in love forever and finally accepted this, became a couple and now with Dooley's graduation from veterinarian school, they are ready to get married. Throughout the story we hear portions of Lace's journal and the journey Lace and Dooley have taken as well as her feelings and prayers along the way. This does give some background so you can follow the story. With all the changes and costs of setting up a working farm and taking over a veterinarian practice, they want a small, intimate ceremony at Meadowgate Farm. They are going to get married at the farm, and the meal will be potluck in the barn, with dancing on the porch. Lace wants a simple dress that will cost her less than $100.00. Sounds simple and easy right? Not a chance. There are obstacles and annoyances. There are secrets and surprises. There is the constant pressure of whether everything will be ready on time. The appearance of long lost relatives is dealt with in an honest manner with hurt feelings, forgiveness but not necessarily open arms. The biggest complaint I have with this story is that a large part of it was written using pronouns. When the chapter or page starts with he or she, I did not know who was speaking. I would finally figure out who was narrating that section of the story and the next paragraph was a different person. There were many, many characters in the story and I am still not sure of the relationship of a lot of them.
This is a christian series and if you have a problem with talk of God and prayers, you will not necessarily enjoy this book. I thought the spiritual aspect was perfect, well placed in the story and a large part of the lives of the characters. I will definitely have to go back and read through the whole series now so that I will learn the full story of all these wonderful characters.
I received a copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
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LibraryThing member judyg54
This story ranks right up at the top of my favorites in this series. We finally get to see Dooley and Lace "tie the knot". It was so enjoyable reading about how everyone was feeling and doing as they prepared for the big day. What started as a small gathering in the country, turned in to a lot of
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fun and pandemonium! You get caught up on all your old friends you have come to know and love, as this book takes place several years after the previous book in this series. I am going to be sad when this series comes to an end. Show Less