Lynda C. (Readnmachine) reviewed The Beach Street Knitting Society and Yarn Club (Jo Mackenzie, Bk 1) on + 1474 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 9
Not at all what I expected -- full of humor and brightly drawn characters. When Jo McKenzie's philandering husband tells her he wants a divorce and promptly drives off into a tree, she doesn't know whether to consider herself a widow, a divorcee, or just a young woman suddenly thrust into single-parenthood. Her journey through the first year of this new life is full of self-deprecating humor. Parental pitfalls, and the obligatory New Man. Oh, and knitting.
Wallace reviewed The Beach Street Knitting Society and Yarn Club (Jo Mackenzie, Bk 1) on + 12 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 6
Type: {Weekend Read: a book to curl up on the couch with}
Rating: {An Unputdownable: Couldnt eat or sleep until I finished this book}
Why Youre Reading It:
British humor cracks you up
You like a bit of depth with humor, and some otherwise chick-lit staples
You are a single mom, were raised by a single mom, or know a single mom
You dream of moving to a quirky seaside community and starting your own shop
What I Thought:
I wonder if the fact that I am now craving tea everyday, took up crocheting again, and am dying to get back to England means that I was influenced by the charming book The Beach Street Knitting Society and Yarn Club. Gil McNeil gives us a story about Jo, who after being told by her husband that he has had an affair, loses him in a car accident. McNeil spares us the agony of going through the tragedy and allows us the uplifting glimpse of Jos life, with her two young boys, as she rebuilds after. She moves to the English seaside, takes over her grandmothers yarn store, makes new friends (including an international movie star) while keeping close contact with her refreshing and witty best friend and rebuilding her life with her two (quite funny) adorable boys. I devoured this book in a big gulp, and cant wait for a second helping. You can almost hear her boys as you laugh out loud at them, and see her seaside house which I imagine is a bit shabby chic and utterly comfortable. Her life and story are charming and real. Thanks to Hyperion/ Voice for this pleasant little surprise in my mailbox. I would giveaway a copy, but I wont because Im not ready to part with mine I plan on reading it again (kind of like comfort food and your favorite movies combined).
Lucky for us, this book has a sequel: Needles and Pearls.
Rating: {An Unputdownable: Couldnt eat or sleep until I finished this book}
Why Youre Reading It:
British humor cracks you up
You like a bit of depth with humor, and some otherwise chick-lit staples
You are a single mom, were raised by a single mom, or know a single mom
You dream of moving to a quirky seaside community and starting your own shop
What I Thought:
I wonder if the fact that I am now craving tea everyday, took up crocheting again, and am dying to get back to England means that I was influenced by the charming book The Beach Street Knitting Society and Yarn Club. Gil McNeil gives us a story about Jo, who after being told by her husband that he has had an affair, loses him in a car accident. McNeil spares us the agony of going through the tragedy and allows us the uplifting glimpse of Jos life, with her two young boys, as she rebuilds after. She moves to the English seaside, takes over her grandmothers yarn store, makes new friends (including an international movie star) while keeping close contact with her refreshing and witty best friend and rebuilding her life with her two (quite funny) adorable boys. I devoured this book in a big gulp, and cant wait for a second helping. You can almost hear her boys as you laugh out loud at them, and see her seaside house which I imagine is a bit shabby chic and utterly comfortable. Her life and story are charming and real. Thanks to Hyperion/ Voice for this pleasant little surprise in my mailbox. I would giveaway a copy, but I wont because Im not ready to part with mine I plan on reading it again (kind of like comfort food and your favorite movies combined).
Lucky for us, this book has a sequel: Needles and Pearls.
Patti F. (patticake1951) reviewed The Beach Street Knitting Society and Yarn Club (Jo Mackenzie, Bk 1) on + 163 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
I loved this book!!! When I first saw the review for this book I thought I wouldn't like it but wow I've been totally engrossed in it. I started reading and couldn't put it down. It's about a young widow who changes her life and moves to a seaside town and takes over her grandma's yarn shop. She turns the shop into a viable business while along the way makes many friends including a famous movie star and a famous photographer. A must read!
Jana B. (jbluehouse) reviewed The Beach Street Knitting Society and Yarn Club (Jo Mackenzie, Bk 1) on + 24 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
A fresh new voice - real, funny, and touching. One of my new favorite authors! Her dialogue is so real that you could be there. Loved it!
Bethe S. reviewed The Beach Street Knitting Society and Yarn Club (Jo Mackenzie, Bk 1) on + 5 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
I really enjoyed this book! It is evocative of life in England, and up-to-date in the way that the author portrays knitting, its resurgence and modern-day applications.
