Book Review: Come Rain or Come Shine

Title: Come Rain or Come Shine (A Mitford Novel)
Author: Jan Karon
Publisher: G.P. Putnam's Son, 2015. 287 pages.
Source: Library

Summary:
This is the 11th of Jan Karon's Mitford books, 13th if you count the two she wrote as books strictly about Father Tim Kavanagh. In this book, which I'm guessing may be the last, we jump ahead a few years and enjoy the wedding of Dooley Kavanagh and Lace Harper, foreshadowed through the entire series. That's really the whole story, told in Ms. Karon's usual Mitford style of wandering in and out of the heads of different characters.

Review:
No pussy-footing around here. I loved this, and read straight through. But it's a sentimental treat, and not a great deal more. Of course, you could probably argue that about the entire series, so I won't quibble. It's still an engaging story, with a few mild twists and surprises. And Karon resists the urge to make everything right and tie up all the loose ends with a bow, so there is a sense of reality retained.

Recommendation:
This is no place to start the series. If you've never been to Mitford, go back and start at the beginning, or you'll be lost in all the characters (I was a bit lost at times anyway, since it's been a while). If you know and love the series, this will be a treat. If you are put off by religion you may want to give the series a pass, but I find that most atheists are able to let that just be part of the story and enjoy the people. Jan Karon's books are all about the characters.

Full Disclosure: I checked Come Rain or Come Shine out of my library, and received nothing from the writer or publisher in exchange for my honest review.  The opinions expressed are my own and those of no one else.  I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."