My Beloved
- Judith D Collins
- Oct 6
- 6 min read
By: Jan Karon
A Mitford Novel #15
Narrator: Ryan Lee Dunlap
ISBN: 9798217047178
Publisher: Putnam
Publication Date: 10/07/2025
Format: Other
My Rating: 5 Stars (ARC)
#1 New York Times bestselling author Jan Karon gives her beloved fans what they want for Christmas: a new Mitford novel.
When Father Tim’s wife, Cynthia, asks what he wants for Christmas, he pens the answer in a love letter that bares his most private feelings. Then the letter goes missing and circulates among his astonished neighbors. So much for private.
Can a letter change a life? Ask Helene, the piano teacher who has avoided her feelings for a lifetime. Ask Hope, the village bookseller who desperately needs something that’s impossibly out of reach. Or, if you’d like to know how a brush with death can be the portal to a happy marriage, Cynthia will tell you all about it.
In My Beloved, Harley gets an important letter of his own; a broken heart teaches the Old Mayor, Esther Cunningham, a lesson long in coming; and thanks to Lace and Dooley, readers get what they’ve been waiting for: Sadie.
Poignant, hilarious, and life-affirming, My Beloved sets a generous table for millions of readers who love these characters like family. With Karon’s signature humanity shining through on every page, this is a season of life in Mitford you won’t want to miss.
My Review
Renowned NYT bestselling author Jan Karon, a cherished favorite among readers, invites devoted fans back into the beloved world of the Mitford series, nestled in the picturesque, enchanting fictional town of Mitford, North Carolina.
With the release of #15, MY BELOVED, the story unfolds in a serene and comforting setting that serves as the perfect backdrop for the lives of its endearing characters.
About...
In this delightful holiday tale, Father Tim pens a heartfelt love letter to his beloved wife, Cynthia, his greatest treasure. However, fate takes an unexpected turn when the intimate note mysteriously goes missing, igniting a series of events that sees it circulating among the close-knit residents of Mitford.
In ways both extraordinary and unforeseen, the letter embarks on a journey, finding its way into the hands of each townsfolk—the resilient Kavanaugh family, the compassionate Esther Cunningham, the wise Miss Pringle, the endearing Puny, and many others.
As they grasp the delicate parchment, a wave of healing washes over them, igniting flickers of hope and infusing their lives with a sprinkle of Christmas magic when they need it most. The letter's unexpected journey through the picturesque town unfolds like a tapestry, weaving together the lives of numerous characters, each on a path of self-discovery and reflection.
My thoughts…
Told through multiple points of view, MY BELOVED is yet another compelling, enchanting, and thought-provoking addition to the beloved Mitford series, beautifully capturing the festive spirit and magic of Christmas in this idyllic, quaint small town blanketed with falling snow to set the mood. It is within the warm embrace of this close-knit community that shared experiences blossom, infusing the holiday season with hope and a sprinkle of unexpected wonder.
In the latest heartwarming chapter of the festive series, a misplaced love letter, beautifully crafted by the heartfelt Father Tim, inadvertently travels throughout the town, weaving through the lives of its diverse residents in unexpected and touching ways.
This charming twist of fate illuminates the profound significance of family bonds and the strength of community ties, reminding readers of the warmth that comes from connection and love amidst the hustle and bustle of life.
As always, it is a delightful experience to visit the cherished characters of Mitford in this heartwarming narrative, where Jan Karon’s signature blend of humor, spirituality, and heartfelt storytelling shines brightly. Through her vivid prose, she illustrates the transformative ways in which love and community can provide healing and solace during the Christmas season.
The series...
The series is centered around the sage Episcopal priest Father Tim Kavanagh, and celebrated for its gentle, character-driven plots that explore the profound power of faith and the strength of communal bonds. These stories unfold the rhythms of small-town life, focusing on the intricate dynamics of relationships, personal growth, and the subtle mysteries and daily miracles woven into the fabric of everyday existence.
The narrative tapestry of the Mitford series is enriched by the interactions among its many memorable residents, each one contributing to the town’s unique charm.
The author...
As a North Carolina native, I have a deep appreciation for Karon's heartfelt author’s notes and the inspiration behind her book. What began as a short story in 2008 transformed into a captivating narrative two years later, following her personal tragedies involving her daughter and brother. Karon's journey is a testament to resilience and creativity. Additionally, I encourage everyone to visit The Mitford Museum, which she founded in Hudson, NC, housed in her former grade school, the Mitford Discovery Center. This non-profit organization is dedicated to promoting literacy, creativity, and community engagement.
Recs...
MY BELOVED is a delightful addition to this cherished collection, making it a perfect gift for the holiday season. Devoted fans of the series will savor this special holiday edition, especially as they discover the profound ways a simple letter can touch hearts and change lives in the whimsical village of Mitford. MY BELOVED is an ideal book club pick.
Special thanks to GP Putman and Sons and NetGalley for providing an advanced reading copy in exchange for my honest thoughts.
@JudithDColins | #JDCMustReadBooks
My Rating: 5 Stars
Pub Date: Oct 07, 2025
Praise
“Jan Karon is a national treasure. Prepare to laugh, cry and fall in love all over again as she takes us on a long-awaited trip back home to her beloved town of Mitford. What fun to catch up with Father Tim and all her iconic characters. And this time, there is a mystery afoot in Mitford you don’t want to miss. My Beloved is the heartwarming gift we all need.”
—Fannie Flagg, New York Times-bestselling author of Fried Green Tomatoes
"It's been a while since Karon's last novel set in western North Carolina, To Be Where You Are (2017), so her many readers will be eager for further dispatches from Mitford. They will not be disappointed with this tender, spiritual tale of family and the boundless love that exists in community."
—Booklist (starred review)
"Karon infuses the story with down-home charm and an earnest belief in the importance of community, family, and grace. Series fans will be enchanted."
—Publishers Weekly
Praise for the Mitford Novels
"Welcome home, Mitford fans...to Karon's gift for illuminating the struggles that creep into everyday lives—along with a vividly imagined world."
—PEOPLE
“Jan Karon reflects contemporary culture more fully than almost any other living novelist.”
—Los Angeles Times
“The faster and more impersonal the world becomes, the more we need…Mitford.”
—Cleveland Plain Dealer
“Karon knits Mitford’s small-town characters and multiple storylines into a cozy sweater of a book….Hits the sweet spot at the intersection of your heart and your funny bone.”
—USA Today
“Jan Karon offers her readers another chance to escape their own world, if just for a while….Her readers say they wish Mitford existed so they could move there.”
—Richmond Times-Dispatch
“Karon holds varying aspects of humanity up to the light, from staggering cruelty…to the awesome power of love and forgiveness.”
—The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
“Karon has a gift for breathing life into small moments that make readers both laugh and cry."
—BookPage
“It’s hard for a review to capture the magic of Jan Karon’s writing and of the characters readers have taken for their own since the first Mitford book was published. But the magic is there….The delightful reconnections you’ll experience will both gladden your heart and satisfy your soul.”
“Delightful…Familiar characters, lots of love, some humor, and a few surprises make this essential for all Mitford fans.”
—Library Journal (starred review)
“Karon’s Mitford series continues with all the beloved characters, down-home charm, and deep faith in God that are the hallmarks so beloved of fans.”
—Kirkus Reviews
“Loyal fans of Karon’s Mitford novels and Father Tim will be delighted once again to spend time in this quintessential American village with its leading citizen and his colorful coterie of friends, family, and dependent souls.”
—Booklist
About the Author
Photo: © Jen Fariello Photography
Jan Karon is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of fifteen novels in the Mitford series, featuring Episcopal priest Father Tim Kavanagh. She has authored twelve other books, including Jan Karon’s Mitford Cookbook and Kitchen Reader, and several titles for children.
Jan lives in Virginia near the World Heritage site of Jefferson’s Monticello. The Mitford series was inspired by Jan’s life in Western North Carolina, where her Mitford Museum now celebrates the world of Mitford and its stories. To reach out to Jan Karon and to learn more about the Mitford Museum, visit www.themitfordmuseum.org.
Jan Karon, founder of The Mitford Museum, and the #1 New York Times bestselling author of 25 books, including 15 Mitford novels. To learn more about Jan and her writing, visit Inventing Mitford: The Papers of Jan Karon online.
