by Jan Karon
Part of Mitford Years, book 4
First published 2005
Episcopal rector Father Tim and his wife Cynthia wrestle with retirement plans in their beloved town of Mitford. They search for the remaining siblings of Dooley Barlowe, the mountain boy they have raised as their son. Meanwhile, Mitford itself faces upheaval. A bold mayoral candidate pushes for major development projects. The cherished Sweet Stuff Bakery teeters on the edge of closure. A scheming real estate agent targets the treasured house on the hill, planning to convert it into a spa. Main Street buzzes with talk of transformation. Personal struggles mirror the town's uncertainty. One woman battles daily to maintain her sobriety after years of destructive choices. A man grapples with guilt over a devastating error from his past. The town's most sought-after bachelor departs Mitford unexpectedly, only to return bearing shocking news that surprises everyone. As external pressures mount and internal conflicts intensify, the residents of this small community must navigate both public changes and private reckonings that will reshape their interconnected lives.
Genres: literary-fiction, contemporary, family-drama
Vibes: emotional, intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: found-family, second-chance
Setting: Mitford
464 pages · Mass Market Paperback · Penguin Books