Rating: 
Summary: Short and sweet
Review: I read this sixth Mitford installment after completing the second one, which is where it really belongs, and I have to say that Jan Karon continues to please me. While A Common Life is not as long or as in depth as her other Mitford novels, it still maintained that downhome sweetness and comfortable, cozy feeling that I've come to expect and love in these books.A Common Life tells the story of Father Tim's acceptance of the importance and neccessity of Cynthia in his life. After proposing, the couple encounters the typical problems, jitters and joys that most engaged couples do. And as expected, the whole town of Mitford is getting into the celebration: Hessie Mayhew is in charge of the flowers, Esther Bollick is waiting for her invitation to bake the cake, and Uncle Joe is busily searching for the best joke to tell at the reception. And of course the wedding couldn't come off without at least a small hitch -- at 10 minutes after starting time, Cynthia is nowhere to be found... Jan Karon has written another pleasing and endearing story. It is written in the same beautiful, classy way as the others, and any Mitford fan will consider this novel to be a wonderful addition to the series. Having said that, I can see where some readers could be disappointed if they were reading the books in order since A Common Life (#6) does not continue with the story where #5 stopped but instead goes back in time to between #2 and #3. However, despite which order you read it (and I recommend #6 after #2), I believe A Common Life is a treasure and perfect as a gift for any engaged or newly married couple as it celebrates a wonderful and simple romance. Looking forward to continuing on with the third book in the series. I know I won't be disappointed.
Rating: 
Summary: A warm and lovely message
Review: This book is a lovely edition to the Mitford Saga. Those who didn't seem to like it appeared to have expected more from the book than it was meant to do. It was not meant to be a full-fledged novel as the other books in the series are. It was meant to be an interlude, a love story, a peek into a episode that undoubtedly many readers had clamored for. And in that regard it succeeded admirably. It is a sweet and enjoyable read, giving us a brief peek at many favorite characters during a special time in their lives.
Rating: 
Summary: Mind candy
Review: I listened to the audio version during a lonely 7-hour drive. I selected this particular tape because I had read the first book in the series and wanted something light and entertaining, something that wouldn't distract me from my driving but would ease the boredom of the highway. It was the perfect choice. This is a simple story, simply told. I think it would have bored me to tears to read it but Dana Ivey presents it with just the right amount of acting (changing the voice only slightly for each character, for example)to be entertaining.
Rating:
Summary: Sweet and Uplifting
Review: I agree with most other reviewers. A Common Life is not one of Jan Karon's better wrks. Still, it is sweet and upllifting with a wholesome message, much like Shade of the Maple by Kirk Martin and The Notebook by Nicholas Sparks.
Rating: 
Summary: Disappointing
Review: It took me several chapters to realize that the author was backtracking to a wedding that had been eluded to...two books ago in the series!! This ruined the suspense for me since I knew it had already taken place. I did not feel this book was up to the author's general standards.
Rating:
Summary: Short but Sweet
Review: Any visit to Mitford is a worthwhile trip. Even though this book is shorter and more simplistic than the others in the series, I enjoyed reading about the characters we've come to know and love. It was great beach reading! As an author myself, of NEW PSALMS FOR NEW MOMS: A KEEPSAKE JOURNAL (Judson Press), I appreciate the small details that add so much color to Jan Karon's stories. Mitford fans will understand that this book is like looking through a dear friend's wedding album. Enjoy!
Rating:
Summary: Out of Order
Review: I have read the previous 5 Mitford books and dearly loved them. This 6th book disappointed me in that it was out of context. It was confusing at times reading about things that had already been resolved in a previous book...I would have liked it much better had she put this book in proper position, as right after Father Tim had proposed to Cynthia..
Rating:
Summary: my review
Review: I was surprised to find a book about details on the wedding of Father Cavanaugh and Cynthia. However, it felt good to read about all the other people in Mitford. Good easy read.
Rating:
Summary: An After-thought?
Review: Having read & thoroughly enjoyed the first five Mitford novels, I was anxiously awaiting book six. A Common Life is disappointing & certainly not up to Jan Karon's usual quality writing.
The fact that it is out of sequence makes me feel it was an after-thought or that it was hastily written in response to readers' disappointment with lack of detailed information about Fr. Tim & Cynthia's actual wedding. Whatever the motivation, the story lacks character development, plot, & substance. If read at all, it should be read BEFORE book five!
That being said...I will definitely buy In This Mountain, the seventh in the Mitford series.
Rating:
Summary: Disappointed
Review: After reading all Jan Karon's previous books and loving them, and not wanting them to end, I was really disappointed with A Common Life. It just didn't have the energy her others have had. I can't recommend it like I could the others. However, I am looking forward to her next book. She is a good writer.
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