Rating: 
Summary: What's missing in this book?
Review: Like millions of others, I have read all the Mitford books (twice actually) and so when I first learned that the next one would be published in April, I pre-ordered it. I thought the cover was beautiful, but there was something missing...the plot. There isn't any story here. After reading it I didn't feel as if I knew the characters or the town any better. There were people we know and love missing from book..surely they would have been at the wedding. The next time we meet, Ill be expecting a lot of news and stories from Mitford!
Rating: 
Summary: What???
Review: This book was definitely not written as a "marketing ploy" (see the two reviews below). Jan Karon was overwhelmed with requests from readers who wanted to know the story of the wedding. I read this book with little expectation of anything more than a recount of the events. It surprised me how moving and funny it was. "A Common Life" just may be the best Mitford book yet.
Rating:
Summary: I can't believe this was marketed as a book vs a short story
Review: This is a major disappointment. Expecting to savour something special I instead discovered a "short story" and small review of past events. How could these publishers put this out as a book- maybe it could have been a "novella"- then it would have had more than a paragraph per page of large print!
Rating:
Summary: What a Waste!
Review: I had truly enjoyed the Mitford characters in the first 5 books and anxiously waited for this book's release. However, as other reviewers have stated, I too bought the hardcover thinking it was a continuation of the other books. This book reads like a marketing ploy ...
Rating:
Summary: So-o-o disappointing!
Review: I loved every book Jan Karon wrote in the Mitford series. When I read each one, I felt I lived in Mitford with these friends. I shared each book with friends and family, all of whom loved them. The announcement of "A Common Life" delighted me and I ordered it immediately. What a mistake!!! If there were a rating lower than one star, I would have used it. This book is not up to the talents we, who love Fr. Tim, Cynthia, Barnabus, Dooley, and the entire population of Mitford, know Ms. Karon has. Please, Ms. Karon, your fans have been terribly disappointed...
Rating:
Summary: Shame on you Ms. Karon!
Review: As a long-time fan of Karon, I must say I was greatly dissapointed in A Common Life and embarrassed that I purchased it before reading everyone's reviews here. I would have certainly checked it out at the library and been equally dissapointed but $... dollars richer.I feel cheated as a reader and a fan because it seems as though Karon took advantage of her fan base. This magazine-length story is marketed to "appear" like all her other books, while a quick flick through the pages indicates larger fonts and hyper-margined text pages. While I might have forgiven her for what could have been a publishing decision, Karon obviously left her writing talent elsewhere while penning this story. As other reviewers stated so well, there was nothing new to add with this addition, and even what there was wasn't written very well. I kept asking myself, "why bother?" Well, I've learned a good lesson from this purchase, and I have lost some respect for the author. I'll give her another chance, but not on my dime!
Rating:
Summary: How Love Might Be If Life Were Fair
Review: I am confused and appalled to read negative reviews of Jan Karon's 6th and most recent book "A Common Life The Wedding Story." I found it deeply insightful. Though it does bring all the Mitford series characters into play, and it would help for a reader to be pre-acquainted with them, this book could stand alone. "A Common Life The Wedding Story," is an always tender and often humorous romantic account of how things might be between a man and woman in love, if life were fair. It is the best love story that I've had the pleasure of escaping into in a long time. This book would make a marvelous bridal shower or anniversary gift. It touches on most everything that anyone would hope for in a, very human, Christian love story.
Rating:
Summary: Disappointment
Review: I was so excited to get this book and settle in with the characters from Mitford. How disappointing this book was. Dooley was back to 12 years of age! This book lacked the usual warmth that I enjoyed in all the other books. It was hard to read about Miss Sadie, knowing that she had died! Don't purchase this one!
Rating:
Summary: Entertainment
Review: I read the book and 110 of the posted reviews. I found the reviews much more entertaining and interesting than the book!
Rating:
Summary: CHECK out this book!
Review: Thank you, reviewers, for the great advice of checking out this book from the library, rather than purchasing it! I, too, am a great fan of Jan Karon; one who has purchased her books as gifts for friends and relatives; however....this book is a simple "easy read" which, I am grateful, I got it from our local library, and not a bookstore!! Please, please Jan Karon, bring back Fr. Tim and Cynthia to Mitford--let us know how Dooley and his mom and the other parishoners are doing!! We love your books, and want to keep reading about the adventures in MITFORD!!
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