To Be Where You Are by Jan Karon is the fourteenth book in the Mitford series. Readers will definitely want to read the previous books before reading this one. Even though it has been years since I read a Mitford book, I quickly slipped back into the lives of Father Tim, Cynthia, and all the others who live there. I laughed and cried as I read but was not once disappointment. For me this book was just as good as the first in the series. The books do have religious ties, but the strong sense of community is what makes it most enjoyable. I highly recommend not only this book but the entire series.

I received an Advanced Reader Copy from NetGalley for my unbiased opinion of the book. All I can say is, Jan Karon did not disappoint!!! Keep it up, the book was fantastic! I look forward to more books in this series.

To Be Where You Are is a great addition to the Mitford Series. The book is well written with a good plot. Loved revisiting friends from previous book. If you are a fan of Jan Karon I recommend this book.

I am honestly a little disappointed in TO BE WHERE YOU ARE by Jan Karon, book #14 in her Mitford series. I do love the Mitford books in general (hence the 4 star rating) and for years have highly recommended their message of gentle faith and caring for others. Set in a small, close-knit town with Father Tim Kavanagh as the main character, there is never a shortage of "feel good" moments or a crisis of some sort that manages to bring out the best in everyone. TO BE WHERE YOU ARE had plenty of those moments, too, but it seemed to lack the charm and energy of earlier novels in the series. Perhaps it is because Father Tim and his contemporaries, like Esther Cunningham, are aging and are not as central to the story? My favorite parts concerned Dooley and Lace and their young son, Jack, as they tried to form a family and run a new business. I do hope that Jan Karon writes more in this series and brings a renewed sense of adventure and hope to Mitford.

Ahhh! The joy of returning to Mitford and Father Tim. To Be Where You Are is like having a long overdue visit with old friends. I enjoyed this book immensely and hope that another one is in the works!

This book lives up to Jan Karon's reputation for enjoyable, 'clean' and sensitive fiction. She continues the story of Lace and Dooley's families in such a way that most of the time this book could be read by itself without having read all the books before. However, I do recommend reading all her books. In this particular book, she has shown us why the characters act as they do, their feelings, their concerns, their lack of confidence. It is even more endearing that she has not only finished some story lines, continued some storylines in previous books and begun new ones. These storylines give life to the book because it is not static. It is living and continuing. Lace and Dooley have decided not to touch Dooley's inheritance and on their own meet the financial needs of the vet practice and their farm. There are challenges they must meet. There are heartbreaking moments. We are lead with information about why the characters are making their decisions. as they are. Jan Karon is able to bring us into her literature and make us feel we are part of Mitford.

I have read every Jan Karon book that she has written - I even own her Mitford Cookbook. A family member gave it to me as a gift, knowing how much I love the Mitford series. Jan Karon's newest book is a continuation of her series set in Mitford, and it is just as good as every preceding one. I loved it. Being introduced to the characters in Karon's first book - At Home In Mitford - so many years ago, and following them through each book ever since, has truly brought me joy. I would highly recommend this book to those who love Jan Karon's writing; if you have yet to read any of the Mitford books, I would encourage you to begin at the beginning. You will be so happy that you did!

A huge thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced reader's copy of Jan Karon's latest. I have been an avid reader of the entire Mitford series. Reading a new book in the series is like visiting with family and friends. The latest novel includes many of the same characters and more heartwarming moments. It feels a little choppy and rushed at some points, but I still enjoyed returning to Mitford for a visit. Overall rating - 3.5 stars

I love reading books about Christmas and Jan Karon has given us a great one with this book.

I’ve enjoyed reading this series through the years. I do have to say that now there have been so many books and so many characters added through the years that it was hard to keep track of everyone.

We once again join the residents we have come to love in Mitford. Father Tim, having been retired for several years now, finds that he is still an important part of the community. He finds that he is still much needed in this town. We see more going on with his wife, Cynthia, and son, Dooley and his family. Many other story lines are with the book for other characters in the town. Having lived in several small towns, I found this book delightful, depicting the reality of small-town living.

I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys reading books with a Christmas setting, and particularly if you have read the other Mitford series books.

I was given a copy of this book from the publisher, Penguin Group Putnam, in exchange for my honest review.

I was going to be chintzy and take a half star away because there was simply not enough Father Tim and Cynthia for me but I just loved the warm embrace of Mitford so much that I gave it the full five stars. How can a 78 year old retired Anglican priest and his artist wife be so fascinating? Because Father Tim is someone we would all like in our lives. A kind man who came to love late in his life, fatherhood by adoption even later and grateful for every blessing he has.

This story mostly centers around his adopted son, Dooley, and his wife, Lace, married all of five months now. They are adopting 4 year old, Jack, who has demons but is a true delight. Dooley is starting his vet practice with trials and tribulations but joy. They have so many things going on that I was tired just reading about it but isn't that the way we all were in our 20's?

All the delightful Mitford characters are around. There are two famous Esthers in town, one the former mayor and one who makes the famed orange marmalade cakes. One dies and the paper runs the picture of the other one with the correct name. It doesn't sound funny but it was.

This is such a delightful series and I have loved these characters for years. As the book ends, Father Tim and Cynthia are off on a new journey. I hope they stop by my house. I'd love to spend more time with them. If you ever need a feel good book, you can't go wrong here.

Thanks to Net Galley for letting me romp in Mitford again.

I've read most of the Mitford books and like many long-time fans will, I'm sure, I grabbed this one when it became available (I got it on NetGalley). I wanted to visit with old friends and watch them have new adventures. However, I'm about a third of the way in and I have no desire to finish. I think every person in Mitford has at least made an appearance and if you haven't read the other books, they will mean very little to you--they meant little to me because it has been a couple of years since I read the last book. I'm hoping that by the end of the book Lace finds out that she really can have a baby, but other than that, well, so far nothing in this book has grabbed me and I'm having trouble keeping people straight, or even figuring out who is on stage right now.

Thanks to the publisher for making a review copy available via NetGalley. Grade C (real Mitford fans may enjoy it, but don't bother with this if you haven't read the others.

I loved this book. I started reading this story 20 years ago. I had no idea it would still be going strong. It was sometimes hard to remember all people in the story but as I kept reading the memories came back. I can't wait till the story continues.

I love Jan Karon, and this book was no exception. I was a little put off by her last book, Come Rain or Come Shine, because I thought it was just a little TOO, This one, however, returns to her true form. Fr. Tim and Cynthia, Dooley and Lace, and all the other characters from Mitford make an appearance, and as always, everything works out in the end. A good, happy read.

I always pick up a new book by Jan Karon whenever I see it. She never disappoints me and her stories have just the right mix of love, religion, tension and sadness. Animal lovers will be particularly happy with this new book as Father Tim and Dooley work together. With 14 books set in Mitford and Father Tim reaching 77 years of age you might think the story lines would get stale or bog down but this isn't true at all. Every book is a new adventure and surprisingly you can read any of them as a stand alone story. With three generations of the Kavanagh family there is lots of potential for many more books.

How could the 12th book (or 14th if you count the Fr. Tim books) of any series, still be so fresh and stunning?! Jan Karon again works her word magic with this new book as if she’s just introducing all her Mitford characters. I have read the entire series and this book is right up there with the best.
Fr. Tim has been retired for ten plus years but at 77 he’s not ready to slow down and neither is his wife, Cynthia busy painting pictures for their donation to the Children’s Home auction. They help out up at Meadowgate, where their son, Dooley is just building up his Vet practice as his artist wife, Lace paints from her attic space at home. Not to mention the pasture full of beautiful heifers eyed by the charming bull, Choo Choo. Jack Tyler, the adorable 4 yr. old adopted son of Lace and Dooley keeps everybody busy every minute by his curious nature and many questions no one can resist answering.
Most of Mitford’s characters we know and love are back, but many are nearing Fr. Tim’s age and slowing down just a little bit. Ms. Esther Bolick may have baked her last OMC (Orange Marmalade Cake), but Winnie at the Sweet Stuff has that backed up. Avis Packard, proud owner of the town’s only grocery store, the Local, has been denying his fading health. As he’s forced for an extended hospital stay, Fr. Tim takes on running the grocery store. As they say, hilarity ensues; but hard work too. As the town gets ready for Thanksgiving and its Christmas parade, the former mayor, Esther Cunningham, soon to be 90 is bending Fr. Tim’s ear about running for Mayor again and wants to ride in the parade, prominently (i.e. a Queen). Fr. Tim never fails for creative ideas that wouldn’t insult a flea.
Enter the town of Mitford once again saying hi to old friends and welcoming in some new. It takes a village for sure; you’ll never want to leave.

I was very excited to read the new installment of the Mitford Years. However, as I read the book, I didn't really find a main plot. It was as if I was a fly on the wall watching the town and it's inhabitants living (or not living) their lives. The book caught up with most everyone including Dooley and Lace at Meadowgate. I enjoyed the book for what is was, but disappointed in lack of movement of the story lines. Perhaps that was the point of Jan Karon's efforts as her writing and her characters are as lovely as always.

Old Priests Never Retire, They Just Take The Occasional Wrong Number

Yea--We are back in Mitford! For readers new to the series, Mitford is a safe, warm, and genuine place. Life is a little calmer, the people are kind, and their faith is real.

Life goes on at a leisurely pace in Mitford, and a similarly modest pace in this book. The folks in town try to be good Christians as well as good citizens. Most folks still say grace before meals. One woman, fond of baking, wonders: "Lord, why did you put me here, anyway?’ Would the Lord put somebody on earth just to bake cakes?"

The Mitford folks are faithful, but not dullards; there are plenty of fun moments in Mitford #12. Things get off to a humorous start when the longtime newspaper editor (and husband to the police chief) gets an obituary wrong, and pulls the "wrong photo out of the file." Well, this is big news in Mitford--especially to the "dead" woman who sees her photo on the front page! The "deceased" is honored as a great "monument" to the town.

One main theme in TO BE WHERE YOU ARE is the story of a young boy, Jack Tyler, recently adopted by the hardworking couple Dooley and Lace. Little Jack finally gets a real home, formally adopted by these loving parents. They even let Jack choose exactly what his name will be. Meanwhile, Dooley and Lace struggle with a sudden financial crisis at the veterinary clinic. How will they pay the bills?

Well, like most folks in Mitford, Dooley, Lace, and Jack learn to trust in God--even when things look bleak. In fact, the theme of trusting in God is a recurring theme in Mitford. The entire Mitford series is founded in trust in God.

Perhaps the high point of the book is near the end, when Father Tim, the supposedly retired town priest, counsels a woman who just discovered her husband was unfaithful. The woman is bitter, bent on revenge, and asks Father Tim for some advice on getting back at him. Father Tim suggests a much better way: ‘There is another way, Brooke. But only one. Forgiveness." Father Tim presents the Good News to the woman, but she is just not ready to hear it.

All in all, I found TO BE WHERE YOU ARE a pleasant, easy read. It was fun being back in Mitford, with all the comforts of home! It's like being with old friends again. Jan Karon writes well, and the story is easy to follow. I also appreciate the author's large vocabulary--especially the many gardening words. I didn't know, for example, that "Queen Anne’s lace" meant a wild carrot, or that "Witch Hazel" is a type of plant. Well, now I know!

I thought this one sentence nicely summed up this book: "Thank you God for so many dreams coming true."

This the twelfth offering in the Mitford series, finds a cast of quirky characters living life in the tiny town of Mitford. Though it's been awhile, it was nice to reconnect with Father Tim and the crew. Karon is always an enjoyable read.

I was really excited to get this book. I am a huge fan of the Mitford Series so when I got approved for this book I was ecstatic. The story was good but it in the Netgalley uncorrected proof, there were a lot of shifts in perspective without notice and run on sentences. I truly hope this will change for the published book. I got increasingly frustrated with the book due to these things and wasn't able to truly enjoy the book.

With those things said, this is still a Mitford book and therefore absolutely wonderful. I loved getting back to this amazing small town and being able to hang out with the crazy cast of characters that live in Mitford. I have missed all of them way to much since the last book.

I loved reading about Dooley and Lace’s marriage and of course little Jack Tyler. The way they handle the trials and stresses of life and marriage is wonderful. Both grew up so much and became even better adults in this book and I truly hope there will be more of their story in the future.
I was also eager to get to see Father Tim and Cynthia again. Their marriage cracks me up and inspires me at the same time. I love their banter and the way they are always there for each other.
I truly hope this isn’t the last book in this series, but I have a feeling I will say that after every book. I don’t think I’ll ever be ready for the final ending.

To Be Where You Are is the newest installation in Jan Karon’s Mitford series. And just like its predecessors, this book provides its readers with a warm, small town community that has the ability to believe that helping neighbors and healing hearts is always important, especially during the holiday season. This story provides a more in depth look into the lives of newlywed characters Dooley and Lace, whom readers have grown to love over the series, as well as their son Jack and, of course, the ever faithful duo of Father Tim and his lovely wife Cynthia. All of the usual suspects in town make an appearance, to include the former mayor of Mitford, Esther Cunningham, who surprisingly decides to enter her hat in the current mayoral race.

The events in the story test each character’s strength, willingness to persevere and their ultimate faith in God. From the extended illness of The Local’s Avis Packard to Father Tim’s decision to temporarily step in during his absence; to the ever expanding Barlowe family and their individual struggles to forgive one another and forge a path forward; to Lace’s first artistic commission and the real life challenges of owning a veterinary practice. These characters exhibit heartfelt loving kindness and joy towards those in their families and their local community. Mitford, with its imperfections, is a perfectly lovely town where it seems anyone would be welcome to pull up a chair at the community table.

Jan Karon continues to prove just why her stories are so endearing to readers everywhere. This story delivers with a tight-knit community, family ties, and the hope that only the holiday season can bring. I cannot recommend this book enough to readers. If you have not read the first eleven installments of the Mitford series, let me encourage you to do so. You will find an openness and warmth within the fictional town and its characters, that make you want to join them.