My Beloved

I’ll admit I approached *My Beloved* with skepticism. After a dozen Mitford books, could Karon still surprise me? The answer is a qualified yes—but not in the ways I expected. This isn’t a plot-driven story; it’s a character study disguised as a Christmas tale. The bulk of the narrative hinges on Father Tim’s letter to Cynthia, a device that could feel gimmicky but instead becomes a masterclass in showing, not telling, how love evolves over 40 years. Karon’s strength has always been her ability to make the mundane sacred—a shared cup of tea, a misplaced hymnal—and that’s on full display here. Dunlap’s narration is *almost* perfect. His pacing is impeccable, lingering on Karon’s dry humor (listen for his delivery of “The Lord works in mysterious ways… though I wish He’d text occasionally”) and softening for the tender moments. My only critique? His Cynthia voices occasionally veer into overly breathy territory, a rare misstep in an otherwise flawless performance. The production quality is pristine—no awkward edits or volume jumps—but the real standout is how the audiobook *sounds* like Mitford: unhurried, a little wistful, with just enough edge to keep it from drifting into nostalgia overload. That said, if you’re new to the series, start elsewhere. *My Beloved* assumes you’re already invested in these characters’ backstories. And if you’re looking for a tidy resolution? Karon denies you that—intentionally. The ending is open-ended in a way that feels true to life but may frustrate listeners craving closure. Still, for fans of literary comfort food with a side of existential musing, this is a gem.