My Beloved

Karon returns to her bestselling Mitford Years series, eight years after To Be Where You Are, with a charming story about a misplaced love letter that touches everyone who reads it in their town of Mitford, N.C. As Christmas approaches, Episcopal priest Tim Kavanagh writes a heartfelt note to his wife, Cynthia. Father Tim is delighted with the result, which he places in a gift-wrapped volume of poetry before losing the package. Through a comedy of errors, the letter winds up being read by several of the couple’s neighbors, each of whom are restored by Tim’s message to Cynthia. Among them are piano teacher Helene, who gains faith in love (“that such depth of feeling exists in the human spirit was itself a gift”); elderly former mayor Esther, now homebound, who’s reminded of a love she’s felt throughout her life; and bookstore manager Hope, who recalls how she once harbored romantic feelings for Father Tim and, recognizing his handwriting, places the book and letter under the counter before it winds up in yet another set of hands before Christmas comes. 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. (Oct.)