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Mitford Years #13
Come Rain or Come Shine
#1 New York Time bestselling author Jan Karon delivers the wedding that millions of Mitford fans have waited for. It’s a June day in the mountains, with more than a few creatures great and small, and you’re invited—because you’re family.
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.
By the way, it’s a pretty casual affair, so come as you are and remember to bring a tissue or two. After all, what’s a good wedding without a good cry?
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.
By the way, it’s a pretty casual affair, so come as you are and remember to bring a tissue or two. After all, what’s a good wedding without a good cry?
320 pages, Paperback
First published September 22, 2015
1107 people are currently reading
7226 people want to read
About the author
Jan Karon
142 books2,812 followersBorn Janice Meredith Wilson in 1937, Jan Karon was raised on a farm near Lenoir, North Carolina. Karon knew at a very early age that she wanted to be a writer. She penned her first novel when she was 10 years old, the same year she won a short-story contest organized by the local high school. Karon married as a teenager and had a daughter, Candace.
At 18, Karon began working as a receptionist for a Charlotte, N.C. advertising agency. She advanced in the company after leaving samples of her writing on the desk of her boss, who eventually noticed her talent. Karon went on to have a highly successful career in the field, winning awards for ad agencies from Charlotte to San Francisco. In time, she became a creative vice president at the high-profile McKinney & Silver, in Raleigh. While there, she won the prestigious Stephen Kelly Award, with which the Magazine Publishers of America honor the year's best print campaign.
During her years in advertising, Karon kept alive her childhood ambition to be an author. At the age of 50, she left her career in advertising and moved to Blowing Rock, North Carolina, to pursue that dream. After struggling—and failing—to get a novel underway, Karon awoke one night with a mental image of an Episcopal priest walking down a village street. She grew curious about him, and started writing. Soon, Karon was publishing weekly installments about Father Tim in her local newspaper, The Blowing Rocket, which saw its circulation double as a result. "It certainly worked for Mr. Dickens", says Karon.
The Father Tim stories became Karon's first Mitford novel, At Home in Mitford. That book has since been nominated three times (1996, 1997, and 1998) for an ABBY (American Booksellers Book of the Year Award), which honors titles that bookstore owners most enjoy recommending to customers, and the only book ever nominated for three consecutive years. The fourth Mitford novel, A New Song, won both the Christy and Gold Medallion awards for outstanding contemporary fiction in 2000. A Common Life, In This Mountain, and Shepherds Abiding have also won Gold Medallion awards. Out to Canaan was the first Mitford novel to hit the New York Times bestseller list; subsequent novels have debuted on the New York Times list, often landing the #1 spot.
Karon has also published two Christmas-themed books based on the Mitford series, The Mitford Snowmen and Esther's Gift, as well as Jan Karon's Mitford Cookbook and Kitchen Reader. Other Mitford books include Patches of Godlight: Father Tim's Favorite Quotes, a compilation of wit and wisdom, and A Continual Feast: Words of Comfort and Celebration, Collected by Father Tim. In addition, Karon has written two children's books, Miss Fannie's Hat and Jeremy: The Tale of an Honest Bunny, and an illustrated book for all ages, The Trellis and the Seed.
Karon says her character-driven work seeks to give readers a large, extended family they can call their own. Though Light From Heaven is officially the final novel in the series, there's yet another Mitford book in this prolific author. Karon urges her millions of ardent fans to look for the Mitford Bedside Companion, releasing in the Fall of 2006. "It has everything in it but the kitchen sink", says Karon.
At 18, Karon began working as a receptionist for a Charlotte, N.C. advertising agency. She advanced in the company after leaving samples of her writing on the desk of her boss, who eventually noticed her talent. Karon went on to have a highly successful career in the field, winning awards for ad agencies from Charlotte to San Francisco. In time, she became a creative vice president at the high-profile McKinney & Silver, in Raleigh. While there, she won the prestigious Stephen Kelly Award, with which the Magazine Publishers of America honor the year's best print campaign.
During her years in advertising, Karon kept alive her childhood ambition to be an author. At the age of 50, she left her career in advertising and moved to Blowing Rock, North Carolina, to pursue that dream. After struggling—and failing—to get a novel underway, Karon awoke one night with a mental image of an Episcopal priest walking down a village street. She grew curious about him, and started writing. Soon, Karon was publishing weekly installments about Father Tim in her local newspaper, The Blowing Rocket, which saw its circulation double as a result. "It certainly worked for Mr. Dickens", says Karon.
The Father Tim stories became Karon's first Mitford novel, At Home in Mitford. That book has since been nominated three times (1996, 1997, and 1998) for an ABBY (American Booksellers Book of the Year Award), which honors titles that bookstore owners most enjoy recommending to customers, and the only book ever nominated for three consecutive years. The fourth Mitford novel, A New Song, won both the Christy and Gold Medallion awards for outstanding contemporary fiction in 2000. A Common Life, In This Mountain, and Shepherds Abiding have also won Gold Medallion awards. Out to Canaan was the first Mitford novel to hit the New York Times bestseller list; subsequent novels have debuted on the New York Times list, often landing the #1 spot.
Karon has also published two Christmas-themed books based on the Mitford series, The Mitford Snowmen and Esther's Gift, as well as Jan Karon's Mitford Cookbook and Kitchen Reader. Other Mitford books include Patches of Godlight: Father Tim's Favorite Quotes, a compilation of wit and wisdom, and A Continual Feast: Words of Comfort and Celebration, Collected by Father Tim. In addition, Karon has written two children's books, Miss Fannie's Hat and Jeremy: The Tale of an Honest Bunny, and an illustrated book for all ages, The Trellis and the Seed.
Karon says her character-driven work seeks to give readers a large, extended family they can call their own. Though Light From Heaven is officially the final novel in the series, there's yet another Mitford book in this prolific author. Karon urges her millions of ardent fans to look for the Mitford Bedside Companion, releasing in the Fall of 2006. "It has everything in it but the kitchen sink", says Karon.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,759 reviews
October 9, 2015
I have always enjoyed the Mitford series and have a little crush on Father Tim. Sorry Cynthia. I was really looking forward to the story of Dooley and Lace's wedding. I thought it would just shine. Unfortunately for me, it did not. There are several reasons for this:
1. I found jumping around different people's stories without any kind of preparation quite unsettling. You would be reading about Dooley's thoughts and suddenly it would be Harley. It was unsettling for a long time reader but I despair for any new reader trying to make sense of this or even how certain characters were important to the story.
2. There was just too many things going on. Dooley was graduating, opening his new business, getting married all at once. It just seemed overwhelming and things kept getting add to the pot. Yet some important situations were skipped over. I would love to have been in the selection of Lace's wedding dress especially since so much time was devoted to thinking about it.
3. There was just not enough Father Tim in it for me. He is the heart and soul of the books and I needed a bigger fix.
What I did like was a surprise near the end that was so sweet and right that it took my breath away. It was special enough that I raised my rating to three stars.
1. I found jumping around different people's stories without any kind of preparation quite unsettling. You would be reading about Dooley's thoughts and suddenly it would be Harley. It was unsettling for a long time reader but I despair for any new reader trying to make sense of this or even how certain characters were important to the story.
2. There was just too many things going on. Dooley was graduating, opening his new business, getting married all at once. It just seemed overwhelming and things kept getting add to the pot. Yet some important situations were skipped over. I would love to have been in the selection of Lace's wedding dress especially since so much time was devoted to thinking about it.
3. There was just not enough Father Tim in it for me. He is the heart and soul of the books and I needed a bigger fix.
What I did like was a surprise near the end that was so sweet and right that it took my breath away. It was special enough that I raised my rating to three stars.
December 30, 2015
If you are already a fan of these books and are familiar with all the people of Mitford then you will probably need a box of tissues to hand when reading this one! I certainly did. They were happy tears of course not sad ones because this is all about the wedding of Dooley and Lacey and it is just delightful. If you are not already familiar with the earlier books then this one is not a place to start. Just about every character Jan Karon has ever introduced pops up here somewhere and she also jumps her POV from one character to another with no warning. I had to reread bits every now and then to work out who was speaking. Still giving it five stars though. I loved it:)
May 25, 2016
I once prayed, Lord, please let Jan Karon live long enough to get Dooley and Lace married. The answer to that prayer was a whelming flood; I started crying on page 32 and sniffed and sobbed my way—punctuated by laughs—to the final page. Redemption, benediction, healing, holy amazement, connection. Reading this brings the satisfaction of resolution, the “two bits” after the “shave and a haircut”.
Weddings are my thing. Joyful solemnity, giving, sharing, joining, celebrating, laughing, crying, hugging, singing, dancing, rejoicing, thanksgiving. I love a good wedding and I’ve been to a few profoundly remarkable ones.
The focus of Come Rain or Come Shine is on the month before and the day of The Big Knot. Dooley and Lace want a small, intimate ceremony at Meadowgate Farm. Karon enjoys poking fun at the myth of a ‘simple country wedding.’ There are obstacles and annoyances. There are secrets and surprises. There is the unrelenting pressure of diminishing time to get the place wedding-ready.
The main character is Lace Harper. Her journals reveal her heart, her hopes, her fears, her loves. She wants to find a wedding dress for under $100; she is thankful for the callouses which document her hard work. She wants to get it—this whole starting a new family—right. I appreciated the ways Dooley and Lace honor the memory of Sadie Baxter (benefactor) and Russell Jacks (Dooley’s grandpa) in their wedding. Fun stuff: there is a Pinterest page for Lace Harper’s wedding!
Jan Karon and Wendell Berry are both skilled at portraying a community where giving, helping, and reciprocating are the norm. In their novels they don’t cover up the hurts, the anger, the tensions, the troubles. Weddings can be awkward with family drama. Karon handles the presence of Dooley’s birth mom, Pauline Leeper, in the same room as his siblings with utmost care. There is no easy resolution, no instant reconciliation, just baby steps, tiny beginnings towards the on-ramp to healing.
I connected with this book in many ways. This summer we went to a small, simple country wedding in a pasture. My son and daughter-in-law have a wind storm and fallen trees in their wedding story, too. I know what it is to be gob-smacked by blessings, reduced to silent tears of joy. Live music is the best for dancing the night away. I love the song in the title.
Somewhere Safe with Someone Good and Come Rain or Come Shine are Jan Karon's best work. I can hope there will be more, but if not, Come Rain or Come Shine is a fitting culmination of the Mitford books.
Weddings are my thing. Joyful solemnity, giving, sharing, joining, celebrating, laughing, crying, hugging, singing, dancing, rejoicing, thanksgiving. I love a good wedding and I’ve been to a few profoundly remarkable ones.
The focus of Come Rain or Come Shine is on the month before and the day of The Big Knot. Dooley and Lace want a small, intimate ceremony at Meadowgate Farm. Karon enjoys poking fun at the myth of a ‘simple country wedding.’ There are obstacles and annoyances. There are secrets and surprises. There is the unrelenting pressure of diminishing time to get the place wedding-ready.
The main character is Lace Harper. Her journals reveal her heart, her hopes, her fears, her loves. She wants to find a wedding dress for under $100; she is thankful for the callouses which document her hard work. She wants to get it—this whole starting a new family—right. I appreciated the ways Dooley and Lace honor the memory of Sadie Baxter (benefactor) and Russell Jacks (Dooley’s grandpa) in their wedding. Fun stuff: there is a Pinterest page for Lace Harper’s wedding!
Jan Karon and Wendell Berry are both skilled at portraying a community where giving, helping, and reciprocating are the norm. In their novels they don’t cover up the hurts, the anger, the tensions, the troubles. Weddings can be awkward with family drama. Karon handles the presence of Dooley’s birth mom, Pauline Leeper, in the same room as his siblings with utmost care. There is no easy resolution, no instant reconciliation, just baby steps, tiny beginnings towards the on-ramp to healing.
I connected with this book in many ways. This summer we went to a small, simple country wedding in a pasture. My son and daughter-in-law have a wind storm and fallen trees in their wedding story, too. I know what it is to be gob-smacked by blessings, reduced to silent tears of joy. Live music is the best for dancing the night away. I love the song in the title.
Somewhere Safe with Someone Good and Come Rain or Come Shine are Jan Karon's best work. I can hope there will be more, but if not, Come Rain or Come Shine is a fitting culmination of the Mitford books.
October 4, 2015
I am an avid reader of Ms. Karon’s novels. As a matter of fact, in the past six months I have read and re-read the entire series at least 4 times while waiting not so patiently for the release of Come Rain or Come Shine. There is a reason for this. I have had a very stressful year and I find visits to Mitford very relaxing. Every character in this series is complete; there isn’t a one-dimensional body in the bunch. Even the nodding acquaintances have a unique and full place in Ms. Karon’s stories. These books make the perfect escape. I love them dearly. Reading these novels makes me feel like I’m going home.
But, her writing is also a joy to read. Her descriptions are unique and folksy, and fit perfectly with each scene and character. She weaves minor story lines through the major plot so well that, like a braided rope, the main story line is stronger, better, because it is the sum of all its parts.
Which leads me to wonder, did Ms. Karon really write Come Rain or Come Shine? Although I loved attending the wedding, from the very first page I could not shake the feeling that this was not typical Jan Karon writing. Perhaps it is the transition from Father Tim to Lace and Dooley as the main characters, changing the voice of the narrative, that bothered me. It just seemed to me that the story was superficial, the characters flat; this book seems to skim the surface of the characters’ emotions. For example in the previous books, the story of Pauline’s apology would have been much more important, given more room to breathe, more of a lead up. Here, it seemed weak and watered down. It wasn’t given enough space for the reader to really connect, to feel Pauline’s struggle, or Sammy’s struggle. A number of stories hinted at here were nothing more than a tease. In the earlier books, the subplots would have been fully realized, satisfying. Here, I was left wanting more.
And Lace. There is little remnant there of the girl she used to be. I was waiting for an outburst of Creek-speak from her, something to let us know that she is still Lace. Or some other connection to her past life. Although her history is talked about, it is only that, talked about. There is little evidence of the Lace that we love. Yes, she has grown into a wonderful woman, and she “talks” a lot about her change and growth, but we would have “seen” more of this if it had been written as the earlier novels were.
Father Tim’s voice was missing. He was there, inserted just enough times to perhaps convince the reader he was still there, but he and Cynthia were side stories. I know it is time for him to move on, I know it is time for Dooley and Lace to take over. But Father Tim is not dead yet!
I know that because of time – we are all getting older – the story needs to be passed to Dooley and Lace. But I feel cheated. There are 8 years unaccounted for in this novel. Sammy’s story, Father Brad’s story, Coot …. Oh, and Barnabas. Heartbreaking that we were not there with Father Tim at Barnabas’s passing and Barnabas gets such backhanded treatment.
I wonder if the publisher coerced Ms. Karon to jump ahead to Dooley and Lace's story in order to cultivate a new, a younger, audience. That's what it feels like to this reader. If that's the case, then Ms. Karon's long time readers have been summarily dismissed, along with many of the residents of Mitford.
But we can’t go back now, we can only move forward.
This isn’t a “Mitford Novel.” It is a “Meadowgate Novel.” The writing is weaker, lacking the beautiful literary devices that Ms. Karon usually wields so deftly, and the plot lacks the depth of the previous novels.
I enjoyed being at the wedding, but I felt like a distant relation instead of part of the family.
If you love Mitford, you will love this novel anyway. And that’s okay. It is worth the read. But it isn’t typical Jan Karon.
But, her writing is also a joy to read. Her descriptions are unique and folksy, and fit perfectly with each scene and character. She weaves minor story lines through the major plot so well that, like a braided rope, the main story line is stronger, better, because it is the sum of all its parts.
Which leads me to wonder, did Ms. Karon really write Come Rain or Come Shine? Although I loved attending the wedding, from the very first page I could not shake the feeling that this was not typical Jan Karon writing. Perhaps it is the transition from Father Tim to Lace and Dooley as the main characters, changing the voice of the narrative, that bothered me. It just seemed to me that the story was superficial, the characters flat; this book seems to skim the surface of the characters’ emotions. For example in the previous books, the story of Pauline’s apology would have been much more important, given more room to breathe, more of a lead up. Here, it seemed weak and watered down. It wasn’t given enough space for the reader to really connect, to feel Pauline’s struggle, or Sammy’s struggle. A number of stories hinted at here were nothing more than a tease. In the earlier books, the subplots would have been fully realized, satisfying. Here, I was left wanting more.
And Lace. There is little remnant there of the girl she used to be. I was waiting for an outburst of Creek-speak from her, something to let us know that she is still Lace. Or some other connection to her past life. Although her history is talked about, it is only that, talked about. There is little evidence of the Lace that we love. Yes, she has grown into a wonderful woman, and she “talks” a lot about her change and growth, but we would have “seen” more of this if it had been written as the earlier novels were.
Father Tim’s voice was missing. He was there, inserted just enough times to perhaps convince the reader he was still there, but he and Cynthia were side stories. I know it is time for him to move on, I know it is time for Dooley and Lace to take over. But Father Tim is not dead yet!
I know that because of time – we are all getting older – the story needs to be passed to Dooley and Lace. But I feel cheated. There are 8 years unaccounted for in this novel. Sammy’s story, Father Brad’s story, Coot …. Oh, and Barnabas. Heartbreaking that we were not there with Father Tim at Barnabas’s passing and Barnabas gets such backhanded treatment.
I wonder if the publisher coerced Ms. Karon to jump ahead to Dooley and Lace's story in order to cultivate a new, a younger, audience. That's what it feels like to this reader. If that's the case, then Ms. Karon's long time readers have been summarily dismissed, along with many of the residents of Mitford.
But we can’t go back now, we can only move forward.
This isn’t a “Mitford Novel.” It is a “Meadowgate Novel.” The writing is weaker, lacking the beautiful literary devices that Ms. Karon usually wields so deftly, and the plot lacks the depth of the previous novels.
I enjoyed being at the wedding, but I felt like a distant relation instead of part of the family.
If you love Mitford, you will love this novel anyway. And that’s okay. It is worth the read. But it isn’t typical Jan Karon.
September 26, 2015
I've read all of the books in the Miford and Father Tim series, and I've been looking forward to Lace and Dooley's wedding. Not surprisingly, I read Come Rain or Come Shine pretty much in two big gulps. Although I enjoyed it, I also found it somewhat vexing, hence my three-star rating. Part of my frustration was with the exceedingly sparse writing style... much of the book was written as a few moments of time inside one character or another's head. When you're in your own head, of course, you don't introduce yourself by name... and neither did CROCS, leaving the reader to figure out which character they were following on any given page. Sometimes it was obvious, other times it was not. Some aspects of the story line were glossed over too, even after a lot of build-up. For example, the readers were not really given enough detail to picture Lace's wedding gift to Dooley, or her dress... and this reader would have loved to be there when Lace first saw her dress!
CROCS also relies on the reader to fill in the back story for many of the characters and story lines. I'm not sure that two of the major story arcs, and particularly the arc involving Pauline Leeper, would be very meaningful for readers who haven't read the earlier books. I won't mention the other arc as it would be a spoiler, except to say that I am glad I had read Home To Holly Springs before reading CROCS. Without that background, I would have missed out on the beauty of that second arc.
In CROCS the focus also shifts from Father Tim to Lace and Dooley, with Lace providing much of the inner narrative, largely through peeks into her journal. It reads as if Father Tim and Cynthia have settled into a comfortable spot in their lives in which there are no more big decisions to be made or conflicts to be dealt with. I suppose that's a good thing, and probably natural, since they are now in their 70's. I'm curious to see whether the next book continues this focus on "the next generation."
In the end, CROCS is not so much the story of a wedding (although we readers do get to participate in the wedding!) as it is a story of lives changing in preparation for, and because of, the wedding. I am glad to see Lace and Dooley finally married. I hope future Mitford books will let us know what is going on with them on the farm as well as what's going on with Father Tim and Cynthia, and the other romances sparked or hinted at in this book. But mostly, I hope the next Mitford book will be a bit easier on the readers!
CROCS also relies on the reader to fill in the back story for many of the characters and story lines. I'm not sure that two of the major story arcs, and particularly the arc involving Pauline Leeper, would be very meaningful for readers who haven't read the earlier books. I won't mention the other arc as it would be a spoiler, except to say that I am glad I had read Home To Holly Springs before reading CROCS. Without that background, I would have missed out on the beauty of that second arc.
In CROCS the focus also shifts from Father Tim to Lace and Dooley, with Lace providing much of the inner narrative, largely through peeks into her journal. It reads as if Father Tim and Cynthia have settled into a comfortable spot in their lives in which there are no more big decisions to be made or conflicts to be dealt with. I suppose that's a good thing, and probably natural, since they are now in their 70's. I'm curious to see whether the next book continues this focus on "the next generation."
In the end, CROCS is not so much the story of a wedding (although we readers do get to participate in the wedding!) as it is a story of lives changing in preparation for, and because of, the wedding. I am glad to see Lace and Dooley finally married. I hope future Mitford books will let us know what is going on with them on the farm as well as what's going on with Father Tim and Cynthia, and the other romances sparked or hinted at in this book. But mostly, I hope the next Mitford book will be a bit easier on the readers!
August 31, 2015
This was an okay book for me. It was a little too spiritual for me, but the story, I think, was good.
My main complaint about the whole thing was the fact that the author would start a paragraph or a chapter and say he or she. There were about a dozen or so characters in this story. I had no idea which he or she it was. Or it would be Reverend. There were two Reverends. It was pretty frustrating. At one point in the book the groom had two sets of parents there. Then it would be mom or dad, which one? Say a name!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I obviously became VERY frustrated and because of that did not really enjoy the book as much as one typically could. I would be reading, having absolutely no idea who I was reading about, unless the author decided to give me some type of clue in the following paragraphs.
I gave this 2.5 stars, because what I did get out of the book was a touching story although I am pretty sure I missed most of it because of skipping the parts that I didn't know who it was about. And that surprises me because I know this author has written several other books. I'm not sure if its the editing or what, but as this was my first by her, I was not impressed.
Thanks Penguin Putnam Group and Net Galley for this free e-galley in exchange for an honest review.
My main complaint about the whole thing was the fact that the author would start a paragraph or a chapter and say he or she. There were about a dozen or so characters in this story. I had no idea which he or she it was. Or it would be Reverend. There were two Reverends. It was pretty frustrating. At one point in the book the groom had two sets of parents there. Then it would be mom or dad, which one? Say a name!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I obviously became VERY frustrated and because of that did not really enjoy the book as much as one typically could. I would be reading, having absolutely no idea who I was reading about, unless the author decided to give me some type of clue in the following paragraphs.
I gave this 2.5 stars, because what I did get out of the book was a touching story although I am pretty sure I missed most of it because of skipping the parts that I didn't know who it was about. And that surprises me because I know this author has written several other books. I'm not sure if its the editing or what, but as this was my first by her, I was not impressed.
Thanks Penguin Putnam Group and Net Galley for this free e-galley in exchange for an honest review.
August 2, 2015
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I have always loved the Mitford series. I loved reading them years and years ago, but I liked listening to the first ones on tape, yes tape, because Jan Karon herself actually narrated them. And she read them good, but of course she is the author and knows how each person should sound :)
In this book Dooley is graduating vet school, taking on Hal's vet and farm, and getting married! I remember when he was just a hooligan of a kid trying to make it through the days as his home life was not that good. He was a spitfire, but Father Tim took him on. And now look at him! Wow, time surely flies, even in the book world.
The story is so sweet with all the characters coming to the farm to help Dooley and Lace get ready for the wedding. Lace and Dooley used to butt heads all of the time growing up because she had troubles too. And now they are getting married, there are some other surprises that happen but I don't want to spoil it.
Not only did Dooley take on the vet and farm, which is where they live as well, Dooley bought a bull named Choo-Choo for his cattle he's taking on. I got a good laugh out of ole Choo-Choo through-out he book. He made a surprise appearance at the wedding, that was at the farm anyway, and brought some of his lady friends. LOL. The only one that could actually pet him was Lace, she said she understood him, he would eat from her hand. It's just a male thing I think :)
Anyway, the story was beautiful and I'm glad I got to take a step back to a kinder place for a bit. I also love the cover of the book.
**I would like to thank NETGALLEY and PENGUIN GROUP PUTNAM for an ARC of this book for my honest review.**
I have always loved the Mitford series. I loved reading them years and years ago, but I liked listening to the first ones on tape, yes tape, because Jan Karon herself actually narrated them. And she read them good, but of course she is the author and knows how each person should sound :)
In this book Dooley is graduating vet school, taking on Hal's vet and farm, and getting married! I remember when he was just a hooligan of a kid trying to make it through the days as his home life was not that good. He was a spitfire, but Father Tim took him on. And now look at him! Wow, time surely flies, even in the book world.
The story is so sweet with all the characters coming to the farm to help Dooley and Lace get ready for the wedding. Lace and Dooley used to butt heads all of the time growing up because she had troubles too. And now they are getting married, there are some other surprises that happen but I don't want to spoil it.
Not only did Dooley take on the vet and farm, which is where they live as well, Dooley bought a bull named Choo-Choo for his cattle he's taking on. I got a good laugh out of ole Choo-Choo through-out he book. He made a surprise appearance at the wedding, that was at the farm anyway, and brought some of his lady friends. LOL. The only one that could actually pet him was Lace, she said she understood him, he would eat from her hand. It's just a male thing I think :)
Anyway, the story was beautiful and I'm glad I got to take a step back to a kinder place for a bit. I also love the cover of the book.
**I would like to thank NETGALLEY and PENGUIN GROUP PUTNAM for an ARC of this book for my honest review.**
September 11, 2017
I have a confession: I was never a big reader, until I read Jan Karon's first novel in her Mitford series. After that, you could say, " I was hooked." I found a love for reading while I emersed myself in her characters and their daily lives. In Karon's latest book, Come
Rain or Come Shine, I eagerly wanted to devour it and yell from the rooftops that I loved it, but, for much of the novel, I spent my time feeling more disappointed than pleased. Several reviews have pointed out the lack of fluidity between characters point of views, or how many readers would not understand the depth of meaning, as certain scenes took place, unless you had read the previous novels. Although I don't feel giddy happy after reading this novel and even though I too, found the writing style to be lacking in some ways, every so often a glimpse or feeling from the previous books would pop out and make me smile and keep me turning the pages. Many "strings" were tied up with this novel and it truly was a warm and cozy read. I think I just missed the old characters and the story being focused on Father Tim. Now that I have turned the last page though, I am very happy I read it.
Rain or Come Shine, I eagerly wanted to devour it and yell from the rooftops that I loved it, but, for much of the novel, I spent my time feeling more disappointed than pleased. Several reviews have pointed out the lack of fluidity between characters point of views, or how many readers would not understand the depth of meaning, as certain scenes took place, unless you had read the previous novels. Although I don't feel giddy happy after reading this novel and even though I too, found the writing style to be lacking in some ways, every so often a glimpse or feeling from the previous books would pop out and make me smile and keep me turning the pages. Many "strings" were tied up with this novel and it truly was a warm and cozy read. I think I just missed the old characters and the story being focused on Father Tim. Now that I have turned the last page though, I am very happy I read it.
October 3, 2015
As a fan of the Mitford series, this book was an advanced purchase for me. That said, as much as I would like to give this book 5 stars, I can't. The story is good, the insight into beloved characters is great, but the total head hopping and frequent changes in point-of-view, left me constantly frustrated with exactly whose thoughts I was reading. It was almost as if this were a book of notes that had never been fully put together.
The story is lovely. There are heart-warming moments, combined with laughter, and still some of the angst that comes with broken lives. I just wish such a lovely story could have been told in a more cohesive fashion. Still recommend, it's an easy and quick read since I devoured it. But predict you'll be frustrated at times as well.
The story is lovely. There are heart-warming moments, combined with laughter, and still some of the angst that comes with broken lives. I just wish such a lovely story could have been told in a more cohesive fashion. Still recommend, it's an easy and quick read since I devoured it. But predict you'll be frustrated at times as well.
February 25, 2016
I'm always happy to venture back to Jan Karon's bestselling Mitford series where Father Tim Kavananah and his wife Cynthia set about keeping the peace in this small well imagined Southern town of colorful and well loved characters. This is book 13 and everyone's here, reunited to celebrate the long awaited marriage of Dooley and Lace ( both of whom we've watched grow up) at Meadowgate Farm. This is not a great literary work but as always Karon's books are something like comfort food for those of us who long for a kinder , more gentle life , where the biggest problem of the day may be how to resist Ester Bollick's famously delicious Orange Marmalade cake or if too many folks will decide to bring deviled eggs to the potluck. 3.5 stars
February 6, 2021
LOVED! I so appreciate how Jan Karon does not shy away from heartache, abuse, betrayal, abandonment, regrets, aging, death---all the things that make life messy & painful---and yet she shows us how people can find genuine hope, peace that passes understanding, and contagious joy. And I also loved the introduction of a great new character: Jack Taylor. A beautiful story!
August 28, 2017
An unfair rating actually because of my own foolish choice when I haven't read any of the Mitford series and was totally lost; although I did finish it. I have read the first of the Father Tim series and thought this was the second one in that series-wrong!
October 29, 2015
Escapist literature for the thinking Christian? Nothing truly great going on here but then why did I the tears come to my eyes several times while reading? These books make me feel like I am having a deep conversation with an old friend and they help me learn a little about small talk too.
I was greatly moved by Pauline's attempts to apologize to her children. Just "I'm sorry," with no expectation of forgiveness. Very moving without the easy out which would have done us all a disservice. Kudos to Karon for avoiding that trap.
I was greatly moved by Pauline's attempts to apologize to her children. Just "I'm sorry," with no expectation of forgiveness. Very moving without the easy out which would have done us all a disservice. Kudos to Karon for avoiding that trap.
July 3, 2015
I surely do wish I could give this book more than 5 stars! I was absolutely blessed to win an ARC of this wonderful book by submitting a recipe. It was such a delight to be able to read this 3 months early, let me tell you!
Jan Karon takes us back to Mitford and Farmer in this tale. This book is Dooley and Lace's wedding. And what a wedding it is. Oh, my goodness! I don't have the ability to even begin to describe how much I adored this book. Seeing Father Tim is always a joy, hearing his thoughts and feelings a certain delight.
My copy is now flagged and underlined so much! There are so many things I want to remember here, too. There is also some heartache, but these young folks have found a way to bring joy out of even that.
When we first met Dooley as a youngster, he was not much to see. But with Father Tim and the Lord's help, Dooley is a fine and wonderfully upstanding young man. He graduates from vet school in this book and opens his practice which he bought from Hal at Meadowgate. He and Lace are only 2 weeks from their wedding. A potluck wedding!
I loved hearing from old friends and new ones. Jan Karon tells a tale like no other. It's pure nourishment for the spirit, is Come Rain or Come Shine. As are all her other books. I am so sad for this book to end, but joyfully look forward (I hope!) to more from Mitford.
*I won this ARC in a contest and was not required to leave a favorable review. My opinions are honest and my own.
Jan Karon takes us back to Mitford and Farmer in this tale. This book is Dooley and Lace's wedding. And what a wedding it is. Oh, my goodness! I don't have the ability to even begin to describe how much I adored this book. Seeing Father Tim is always a joy, hearing his thoughts and feelings a certain delight.
My copy is now flagged and underlined so much! There are so many things I want to remember here, too. There is also some heartache, but these young folks have found a way to bring joy out of even that.
When we first met Dooley as a youngster, he was not much to see. But with Father Tim and the Lord's help, Dooley is a fine and wonderfully upstanding young man. He graduates from vet school in this book and opens his practice which he bought from Hal at Meadowgate. He and Lace are only 2 weeks from their wedding. A potluck wedding!
I loved hearing from old friends and new ones. Jan Karon tells a tale like no other. It's pure nourishment for the spirit, is Come Rain or Come Shine. As are all her other books. I am so sad for this book to end, but joyfully look forward (I hope!) to more from Mitford.
*I won this ARC in a contest and was not required to leave a favorable review. My opinions are honest and my own.
October 14, 2015
Although I enjoyed reading about Dooley and Lace's wedding, I think this is the least favorite of the Mitford and Father Tim series. As other reviewers have mentioned, there were paragraphs were I had no clue as to who was speaking; there was a big build up to Lace's wedding dress and then nothing about when she finally got it; and Father Tim and Cynthia seemed to have a very small part in this book. I think the author tried to cram too much into this book what with Dooley graduating and taking over the vet practice and farm, and the wedding and Jack Tyler, the charm of this series just seemed to be missing. I think part of my lack of interest in this book may be due to the fact that I actually read it instead of listening to the audiobook; most of the previous books I listened to John McDonough narrate and he added a whole new dimension to the books.
January 3, 2018
Three and a half stars
I was so looking forward to getting back with all my friends at Mitford and was thrilled to bits to receive this book for Christmas from family. I knew it was about the wedding of Dooley Kavanagh and Lace Harper. And who doesn’t love a wedding? In the aim of keeping it simple and costs down, Dooley and Lace plan to do things a little differently for their wedding. They plan a potluck wedding, with lots of people contributing. But simple can turn complicated when more people are involved. The countdown to the big day reveals stress, a few difficulties to be overcome and a few surprises. Add to this Dooley graduating and starting a new business and there was a lot going on in this book.
It took me longer than it usually does to slip back into Mitford this time. Largely this was due to changing points of view often identified only by ‘he’ or ‘she’ and it took a little while to work out who the ‘he’ or ‘she’ was. Then it changes again in the next little bit. Once I got into the swing of the way it was written, it was easier. But initially it was hard to work out and hard to work out why the author had chosen to write it this way. If you are new to Mitford, this is definitely not the book to start with. Otherwise you won’t have a clue what is going on. You need to have read the earlier books to understand the dynamics of this town and its inhabitants. I know the main theme was the wedding but at times too I felt some situations were skimmed over too quickly.
That’s not to say I didn’t still enjoy this book. I did. Just not as much as the others read over many years and especially the one prior to this. Those of us who have read all the other Mitford books will settle into this one as well. There are moments of laughter and moments of tears as Mitford fan would expect and a sweet story underneath all the changing points of view. A good, heart-warming book though not quite up to the standard of some others about Mitford. But you can depend I will still be keen to read the next one in the series.
I was so looking forward to getting back with all my friends at Mitford and was thrilled to bits to receive this book for Christmas from family. I knew it was about the wedding of Dooley Kavanagh and Lace Harper. And who doesn’t love a wedding? In the aim of keeping it simple and costs down, Dooley and Lace plan to do things a little differently for their wedding. They plan a potluck wedding, with lots of people contributing. But simple can turn complicated when more people are involved. The countdown to the big day reveals stress, a few difficulties to be overcome and a few surprises. Add to this Dooley graduating and starting a new business and there was a lot going on in this book.
It took me longer than it usually does to slip back into Mitford this time. Largely this was due to changing points of view often identified only by ‘he’ or ‘she’ and it took a little while to work out who the ‘he’ or ‘she’ was. Then it changes again in the next little bit. Once I got into the swing of the way it was written, it was easier. But initially it was hard to work out and hard to work out why the author had chosen to write it this way. If you are new to Mitford, this is definitely not the book to start with. Otherwise you won’t have a clue what is going on. You need to have read the earlier books to understand the dynamics of this town and its inhabitants. I know the main theme was the wedding but at times too I felt some situations were skimmed over too quickly.
That’s not to say I didn’t still enjoy this book. I did. Just not as much as the others read over many years and especially the one prior to this. Those of us who have read all the other Mitford books will settle into this one as well. There are moments of laughter and moments of tears as Mitford fan would expect and a sweet story underneath all the changing points of view. A good, heart-warming book though not quite up to the standard of some others about Mitford. But you can depend I will still be keen to read the next one in the series.
September 9, 2015
Everybody loves a wedding and the union of Dooley and Lace is no exception. However, the simple, at home affair -- complete with pot luck reception -- proves to be more complicated than first thought. The bride has put off selecting a dress until the last minute; some members of Dooley’s family aren’t talking to other members; a massive bull has taken up residence in the pasture; and a young foster child arrives the day before wedding. Nevertheless, many readers will care about the details of menu, color scheme and choice of music. After all, they have watched Dooley grow up on the Mitford pages.
This is a shorter book than most Mitford installments and focuses on a single event. Consequently, there is not much plot, and what is lacking in character development is made up in quantity. Although the guest list runs about 50 (and we learn all their names), many friends from earlier books make a cameo appearance as well. Indeed, this thin volume contains more characters than a Russian novel.
Technically, this book falls short of earlier Mitford tales. I found it to be choppy – jumping from scene to scene every few sentences. Particularly annoying were scenes which opened with pronouns. I’d cast about the previous sentences trying to ascertain the antecedent for “him.” Was it Dooley? Father Tim? Hoppy? Pooh? After reading further, I realized I had I.D.’d “him” incorrectly and then would have to go back and re-read the paragraph again, this time with the identity of the character confirmed. I hope that my confusion was the result of a digital galley and that the final print version will be clear for the reader.
Rest assured, the “Big Knot” comes off by the final pages, much to the delight of Mitford fans. Those who have read the earlier books will not want to miss this reunion of old friends.
This is a shorter book than most Mitford installments and focuses on a single event. Consequently, there is not much plot, and what is lacking in character development is made up in quantity. Although the guest list runs about 50 (and we learn all their names), many friends from earlier books make a cameo appearance as well. Indeed, this thin volume contains more characters than a Russian novel.
Technically, this book falls short of earlier Mitford tales. I found it to be choppy – jumping from scene to scene every few sentences. Particularly annoying were scenes which opened with pronouns. I’d cast about the previous sentences trying to ascertain the antecedent for “him.” Was it Dooley? Father Tim? Hoppy? Pooh? After reading further, I realized I had I.D.’d “him” incorrectly and then would have to go back and re-read the paragraph again, this time with the identity of the character confirmed. I hope that my confusion was the result of a digital galley and that the final print version will be clear for the reader.
Rest assured, the “Big Knot” comes off by the final pages, much to the delight of Mitford fans. Those who have read the earlier books will not want to miss this reunion of old friends.
October 26, 2015
I never thought I would be disappointed in a Jan Karon book. This one was hard to read, simply because I had to guess who the character was in almost every paragraph. Pronouns were used, instead of the name. Very confusing.
June 12, 2017
Very disappointing. Having enjoyed all the previous Mitford series up to this one, I was looking forward to the wedding of Lace and Dooley. However, it seems that Ms Karon has run out of steam for this series, dashing off a disjointed series of thoughts and calling it a novel. The novel is a series of half-page to page-and-a-half views of a small scene leading up to a wedding, most of the time you don't even know who you are reading about. These vignettes start off with 'he' or 'she' did this or that without identifying who it was. Sometimes 'he' was Dooley, sometimes Father Kavanaugh, sometimes someone else. It was too confusing, and slowed down the reading as you'd have to go start over once you realized that 'he' wasn't who you thought it was. The lovely descriptions that the reader has come to expect were missing - most notably the arduous search for a wedding dress yielded no real view of what the final dress was like. Sorry, but I cannot recommend this one, and I am sad about that. Ms Karon should have quit while she was ahead.
December 16, 2015
Let me preface everything else I am about to say in this review with I have loved the Mitford series. Read each new book as soon as it came out and was sad when each novel ended. So, if you have loved Father Tim, his town, and his family and friends as well you may want to forgo this novel, or at least go into it with this caution--it is not like the rest of the books.
I struggled to make myself finish this novel about Dooley and Lace's marriage. It is what I call an "and then" novel. Karon, in my opinion, spends her whole book telling you what happens--not showing you. There aren't the great stories and the unique conversations among characters--at least very little. Events drag the first half of the book and then jet-speed to the wedding and conclusion. I did not find both my heart and mind engaged as I usually do with Karon's novels. I was really disappointed.
I struggled to make myself finish this novel about Dooley and Lace's marriage. It is what I call an "and then" novel. Karon, in my opinion, spends her whole book telling you what happens--not showing you. There aren't the great stories and the unique conversations among characters--at least very little. Events drag the first half of the book and then jet-speed to the wedding and conclusion. I did not find both my heart and mind engaged as I usually do with Karon's novels. I was really disappointed.
April 12, 2022
4/12/22 (Re-read)...I had lower expectations this time around. I still dislike that the core crew was left out of this one, especially Puny, and I still found it confusing as to who was saying what, and which conversation was taking place with whom, but with lowered expectations it wasn't a bad story. And, best of all...Dooley and Lace are finally married (though the Jack Tyler plot addition was, I thought, unnecessary).
April 26, 2016
What a lovely, lovely book.
This is my FIRST Mitford Series book. Yes, I know. I read the last first. But I will be going to find the others.
Jan Karon has a lovely writing style, the pace moves along, and the characters are REAL. Loved it. An awesome, clean read.
This is my FIRST Mitford Series book. Yes, I know. I read the last first. But I will be going to find the others.
Jan Karon has a lovely writing style, the pace moves along, and the characters are REAL. Loved it. An awesome, clean read.
September 9, 2024
I loved this book so much that after I finished reading it the first time and turned back to page 1 and started reading it again. I have loved watching Dooley and Lace as they’ve journeyed to this point and this book was totally worth the wait.
December 3, 2015
Enthralling! I was so sorry for the book to end.
August 13, 2015
After having read all the Mitford books and even plenty of Jan Karon's other books, I was so excited to pick up Come Rain or Come Shine. I felt like I had watched Dooley and Lace grow up so to watch as they finally started their new life together as husband and wife was fantastic.
I love having a series of books to read. Each new installment is like a family reunion with characters you only see once in a while.
Best, in Mitford, there always seem to be small changes, just like real small town life. Now, Dooley is finally a vet. People have moved and Dooley and Lace are getting ready to become the occupants at Meadowgate. Dooley has bought Hal Owen's vet practice and a wedding is coming up.
I laughed at the wedding being called The Big Knot. I actually loved everything about the wedding from it being a pot luck to Dooley's childhood friend Tommy having his band provide the music.
If you, as I have, love Mitford and Father Tim and his family, you will thoroughly enjoy Come Rain or Come Shine.
I love having a series of books to read. Each new installment is like a family reunion with characters you only see once in a while.
Best, in Mitford, there always seem to be small changes, just like real small town life. Now, Dooley is finally a vet. People have moved and Dooley and Lace are getting ready to become the occupants at Meadowgate. Dooley has bought Hal Owen's vet practice and a wedding is coming up.
I laughed at the wedding being called The Big Knot. I actually loved everything about the wedding from it being a pot luck to Dooley's childhood friend Tommy having his band provide the music.
If you, as I have, love Mitford and Father Tim and his family, you will thoroughly enjoy Come Rain or Come Shine.
April 12, 2018
When I heard from Netgalley and Putnam Group that I was approved to read an ARC copy of the latest Mitford book, I was over the moon. I mean, I signed up as an educator to review books for school. I never expected them to let me see pre-released copies of my favorite book series. So, maybe my expectations were too high. Maybe I was too adversely affected by all the errors they let through so people aren't tempted to keep the ARCs instead of buying the real thing. I had a tough time reading this. Don't get me wrong, the story is great. We still get to see Dooley and Lace get married and somehow Karon manages to have every last one of our favorite characters pop in for at least an honorable mention. It's worth it just for that. Here's where I had trouble though. First, I'm a little too used to Father Tim being the first voice of the story. It took some getting used to for Lace to be the voice I was hearing. Second, I really dislike the use of "dear diary" as a literary device. The pre-wedding stuff dragged on with it. I missed dialog. Please let me hear the characters talk to each other. So much of the story was one person thinking, then another, then another... Finally, and this was probably the most irksome, as the story goes on and we pop in and out of people's heads hearing their thoughts, I often didn't know who it was I was listening to until well into the page. Then, upon discovering who it was that was "talking," I had to go back and read that section over again. This stop-and-start reading makes it hard to lose oneself in the story.
I truly hope that this was a result of the ARC reading experience. I've already pre-ordered the real thing on audio so I can hear if John McDonough helps me make more sense of all the character's voices with the final edits. I don't want to dissuade anyone from reading this most excellent series. Once I've listened to the published version, I will be sure to update my review.
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Update: Giving it a second read and with the benefit of John McDonough doing the audio helped, but I still found myself wanting more dialog with the characters rather than so much interior thoughts. Nevertheless, the moments are unforgettable and adds more precious memories in Mitford. I will visit again.
I truly hope that this was a result of the ARC reading experience. I've already pre-ordered the real thing on audio so I can hear if John McDonough helps me make more sense of all the character's voices with the final edits. I don't want to dissuade anyone from reading this most excellent series. Once I've listened to the published version, I will be sure to update my review.
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Update: Giving it a second read and with the benefit of John McDonough doing the audio helped, but I still found myself wanting more dialog with the characters rather than so much interior thoughts. Nevertheless, the moments are unforgettable and adds more precious memories in Mitford. I will visit again.
August 18, 2015
I was so lucky to win an advanced copy from Penquin First to Read. I had just started the one prior in the series, Somewhere Safe with Somebody Good. I loved that one and was so happy to be able to move on to this one. I am not a religious person and do not typically read religious based books. I go more for the gritty WWII historical fiction. However, Jan Karon has created the most endearing characters. I want to move to Mitford and meet these wonderfully flawed, but most lovable people. I listened to the very first one in the series, about 10 years ago, and was hooked. Every book is an escape. I have given all the others in the past four stars. They are probably worthy of five stars in hindsight. This one however is exceptional. So many moments I was overtaken with emotion. Several times I would just be reading along, enjoying the story when a line, or comment, would send my heart up in my throat. I don't give a summary of the book, but I will say there was one character that was seeking forgiveness at the most inappropriate time. I've known people like that. They think they are doing something good without realizing they are still being self-centered. I am not sure if that was the author's intent, but that was my perception. I just loved this edition to the series and thought the author brought this story line along beautifully. She is progressing it along, but I hope it never progresses to far, because I would mourn if anything ever happened to Father Tim. Love him the best.
February 8, 2016
I felt the warm fuzzies the minute I heard John McDonough begin his fine narration of this book. He executed it perfectly!
The book itself presents an intimate peek inside the wedding preparations of Lace and Dooley, the adoptees we've traced back to childhood via earlier books in the Mitford series. Their fractured histories and their individual journeys to wholeness come to a celebratory climax in this last installment of the series. Although this book covers only a very short span of time (the weeks of hard work leading up to the homespun wedding), it is replete with contemplative moments, humor, and reverential awe for the sacred covenant of Marriage. Far from being the too-sweet-icing-on-the-wedding-cake, this closing saga paints an accurate picture of the real tensions at play when lives are joined. The maturity that is displayed in the handling of each challenge is a delight to witness. Grace is stamped all over the telling, and like the mother of the bride, I wanted to kick my shoes off and utter a contented sigh when the knot was tied and the orange marmalade cake reduced to crumbs. Thank you Jan Karon, for elevating my heart once again.
The book itself presents an intimate peek inside the wedding preparations of Lace and Dooley, the adoptees we've traced back to childhood via earlier books in the Mitford series. Their fractured histories and their individual journeys to wholeness come to a celebratory climax in this last installment of the series. Although this book covers only a very short span of time (the weeks of hard work leading up to the homespun wedding), it is replete with contemplative moments, humor, and reverential awe for the sacred covenant of Marriage. Far from being the too-sweet-icing-on-the-wedding-cake, this closing saga paints an accurate picture of the real tensions at play when lives are joined. The maturity that is displayed in the handling of each challenge is a delight to witness. Grace is stamped all over the telling, and like the mother of the bride, I wanted to kick my shoes off and utter a contented sigh when the knot was tied and the orange marmalade cake reduced to crumbs. Thank you Jan Karon, for elevating my heart once again.
June 10, 2017
If I could live inside a book, this would be the one -- or at least somewhere in the Mitford saga.
When I read the print version of this book, I was also in the midst of wedding planning for my son and his fiancee' and this book was especially dear at that time. Listening to John McDonough read the book on audio was like the icing on the cake. What a beautiful story! The characters continue to grow and adapt to the changes in their lives -- many with such grace. This book was such a beautiful bookend to "At Home In Mitford" I was afraid Jan Karon had decided not to continue writing about Mitford. Fortunately Book 12 will soon be in my hands and I can't wait to spend time with Father Tim and the Mitford folks.
When I read the print version of this book, I was also in the midst of wedding planning for my son and his fiancee' and this book was especially dear at that time. Listening to John McDonough read the book on audio was like the icing on the cake. What a beautiful story! The characters continue to grow and adapt to the changes in their lives -- many with such grace. This book was such a beautiful bookend to "At Home In Mitford" I was afraid Jan Karon had decided not to continue writing about Mitford. Fortunately Book 12 will soon be in my hands and I can't wait to spend time with Father Tim and the Mitford folks.
January 3, 2016
A heartwarming addition to the Mitford series. Dooley is grown up; he and Lace have been foes and then friends for year... now they're getting married. It's crammed with familiar characters, old stories, old jokes as they come together to celebrate, along with some incredible surprises too. (My only criticism is that sometimes the view changes and I can't figure out whose it is until a few paragraphs later.)
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