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Blossom Street #2
A Good Yarn
You might have heard about a wonderful little yarn shop in downtown Seattle. Debbie Macomber can take you there!
In the year since it opened, 'A Good Yarn' has thrived and so has Lydia Hoffman, the owner. A lot of that is due to Brad Goetz. But when Brad's ex-wife reappears, Lydia is suddenly afraid to trust her newfound happiness.
Elise Beaumont joins one of Lydia's popular knitting classes. Living with her daughter, Aurora, Elise learns that her onetime husband plans to visit and that Aurora wants a relationship with her father, regardless of how Elise feels about him.
Bethanne Hamlin is facing the fallout from a divorce and joins the knitting class as the first step in her effort to recover a sense of dignity and hope.
Courtney Pulanski is a depressed and overweight teenager. She's staying with her grandmother, who's trying to help by taking her to the knitting class at 'A Good Yarn.'
Four women, brought together by the craft of knitting, find companionship and comfort in each other. Who would've thought that knitting socks could change your life?
©2005 Debbie Macomber (P)2005 HarperCollins Publishers, Inc.
In the year since it opened, 'A Good Yarn' has thrived and so has Lydia Hoffman, the owner. A lot of that is due to Brad Goetz. But when Brad's ex-wife reappears, Lydia is suddenly afraid to trust her newfound happiness.
Elise Beaumont joins one of Lydia's popular knitting classes. Living with her daughter, Aurora, Elise learns that her onetime husband plans to visit and that Aurora wants a relationship with her father, regardless of how Elise feels about him.
Bethanne Hamlin is facing the fallout from a divorce and joins the knitting class as the first step in her effort to recover a sense of dignity and hope.
Courtney Pulanski is a depressed and overweight teenager. She's staying with her grandmother, who's trying to help by taking her to the knitting class at 'A Good Yarn.'
Four women, brought together by the craft of knitting, find companionship and comfort in each other. Who would've thought that knitting socks could change your life?
©2005 Debbie Macomber (P)2005 HarperCollins Publishers, Inc.
380 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published April 26, 2005
About the author
Debbie Macomber
843 books19.6k followersDebbie Macomber is a #1 New York Times bestselling author and one of today’s most popular writers with more than 200 million copies of her books in print worldwide. In her novels, Macomber brings to life compelling relationships that embrace family and enduring friendships, uplifting her readers with stories of connection and hope. Macomber’s novels have spent over 1,000 weeks on the New York Times bestseller list. Fifteen of these novels hit the number one spot.
In 2023, Macomber’s all-new hardcover publication includes Must Love Flowers (July). In addition to fiction, Macomber has also published three bestselling cookbooks, three adult coloring books, numerous inspirational and nonfiction works, and two acclaimed children’s books.
Celebrated as “the official storyteller of Christmas”, Macomber’s annual Christmas books are beloved and six have been crafted into original Hallmark Channel movies. Macomber is also the author of the bestselling Cedar Cove Series which the Hallmark Channel chose as the basis for its first dramatic scripted television series. Debuting in 2013, Debbie Macomber’s Cedar Cove was a ratings favorite for three seasons.
She serves on the Guideposts National Advisory Cabinet, is a YFC National Ambassador, and is World Vision’s international spokesperson for their Knit for Kids charity initiative. A devoted grandmother, Debbie and Wayne live in Port Orchard, Washington, the town which inspired the Cedar Cove series.
In 2023, Macomber’s all-new hardcover publication includes Must Love Flowers (July). In addition to fiction, Macomber has also published three bestselling cookbooks, three adult coloring books, numerous inspirational and nonfiction works, and two acclaimed children’s books.
Celebrated as “the official storyteller of Christmas”, Macomber’s annual Christmas books are beloved and six have been crafted into original Hallmark Channel movies. Macomber is also the author of the bestselling Cedar Cove Series which the Hallmark Channel chose as the basis for its first dramatic scripted television series. Debuting in 2013, Debbie Macomber’s Cedar Cove was a ratings favorite for three seasons.
She serves on the Guideposts National Advisory Cabinet, is a YFC National Ambassador, and is World Vision’s international spokesperson for their Knit for Kids charity initiative. A devoted grandmother, Debbie and Wayne live in Port Orchard, Washington, the town which inspired the Cedar Cove series.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,270 reviews
November 27, 2021
A Good Yarn is a tired and cliched book about feelings. The fact that many people want their characters to do well in poorly written books indicates that a mint can be made on anything that reassures rather than reveals. Debbie Macomber provides easy answers rather than answering the difficult questions her characters ask throughout the book.
People who cannot survive the genre transfusion that occurs often when middle aged readers dive into YA literature, turn to books like this. Comforting, familiar, repetitive, and ultimately redundant, A Good Yarn is a lazy attempt at writing. The characters here seem to impress upon readers that they will have a HEA. Regardless of the life they are leading.
The type of glandular love that passes for something more divine shows how sanitised and embracing the Romance genre has become. Romance is the only genre whose young writers, fresh out of the workshop of Creative Writing class, never innovate. It's easy money for those who are very visible or have a long career at this type of shilling. I myself have recently been wanting a book about Christmas and love. Oy Vey.
People who cannot survive the genre transfusion that occurs often when middle aged readers dive into YA literature, turn to books like this. Comforting, familiar, repetitive, and ultimately redundant, A Good Yarn is a lazy attempt at writing. The characters here seem to impress upon readers that they will have a HEA. Regardless of the life they are leading.
The type of glandular love that passes for something more divine shows how sanitised and embracing the Romance genre has become. Romance is the only genre whose young writers, fresh out of the workshop of Creative Writing class, never innovate. It's easy money for those who are very visible or have a long career at this type of shilling. I myself have recently been wanting a book about Christmas and love. Oy Vey.
July 26, 2007
The Debbie Macomber "Blossom Street" books aren't the type of books that will change your life. But what they are is a very sweet, nice read that will make you feel good. Sort of in an "aww..that's so sweet and life is good" kind of way.
These books revolve around a yarn shop in Seattle and highlight the lives of the women who take knitting classes there.
Being a knitter myself, I like reading books that involve knitting. I can instantly relate to the characters. The characters in the books each have their own story line, which makes it interesting to see how they all interweave with one another.
These books revolve around a yarn shop in Seattle and highlight the lives of the women who take knitting classes there.
Being a knitter myself, I like reading books that involve knitting. I can instantly relate to the characters. The characters in the books each have their own story line, which makes it interesting to see how they all interweave with one another.
December 7, 2023
An average read, if you're on holiday and you're not looking for anything too taxing, this may be worth picking up.
Two stars.
Two stars.
August 25, 2022
Another excellent book by Debbie Macomber.
March 24, 2015
I enjoyed this second installment in the Blossom Street series even more than the first. Debbie Macomber's characters feel like real women to me. I can see each one of them and I'd love to know them. She makes you feel like you could stroll right into that yarn shop and you'd be met with a group of women who'd say, "Lisa! We've been waiting for you!". It's like the Cheers of the female middle-aged reading set. And that's my set! I can't wait to continue with this series. It just gives me such a lift in spirit. And so far, the narrators have been truly wonderful. I hope that continues throughout the series, because they are not read by the same narrator. But so far the readers for book 1 & 2 have been fantastic. Onto the third!
September 10, 2007
Great easy read. Good story. Light and entertaining tale of the lives of several very different woman who are joined together by a knitting class.
August 10, 2020
Not a bad story! Liked seeing Bethanne's journey and moving on from her husband! Like the fact even more that later
On in the series when he comes crawling back she chooses a better man. But, and it may be an unpopular opinion, I thought Lydia's and Brad's story was a joke! He was an asshole to her! The whole he forgave his ex and left the woman he loved and supported through cancer, to make his son happy was ridiculous on so many levels. Lydia surviving cancer showed them how precious life was and they said they loved each other, so why was he willing to throw that away for his nasty ex? Cody loved her? Really? From what I saw she was a useless mum he was used to not having around and in his own words he loved Lydia? Brad apparently didn't love his ex so why bother? He said his son deserved both parents? Only if they care,
All he did was bring his ex back into their lives and she hurt them again and he ruined Lydia! What annoyed me was his treatment of Lydia who he apparently loved! He told her he would not apologise, he wouldn't be with her, and was sick of women, lumping her in with his ex when she had done nothing wrong! She ends up apologising to him! For not supporting him when he betrayed her! Come on even martyrdom only goes so far! He should of been crawling back to her and apologising! All he has to do is turn up to her shop after no contact and hold his arms open and she runs into them! Bing bang and then they are
Getting married? Seriously! Doormat central!
On in the series when he comes crawling back she chooses a better man. But, and it may be an unpopular opinion, I thought Lydia's and Brad's story was a joke! He was an asshole to her! The whole he forgave his ex and left the woman he loved and supported through cancer, to make his son happy was ridiculous on so many levels. Lydia surviving cancer showed them how precious life was and they said they loved each other, so why was he willing to throw that away for his nasty ex? Cody loved her? Really? From what I saw she was a useless mum he was used to not having around and in his own words he loved Lydia? Brad apparently didn't love his ex so why bother? He said his son deserved both parents? Only if they care,
All he did was bring his ex back into their lives and she hurt them again and he ruined Lydia! What annoyed me was his treatment of Lydia who he apparently loved! He told her he would not apologise, he wouldn't be with her, and was sick of women, lumping her in with his ex when she had done nothing wrong! She ends up apologising to him! For not supporting him when he betrayed her! Come on even martyrdom only goes so far! He should of been crawling back to her and apologising! All he has to do is turn up to her shop after no contact and hold his arms open and she runs into them! Bing bang and then they are
Getting married? Seriously! Doormat central!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 30, 2024
⭐️⭐️⭐️ 1/2
I am really enjoy this light hearted “Blossom Street Series” by Debbie Macomber
I am really enjoy this light hearted “Blossom Street Series” by Debbie Macomber
November 5, 2015
What a wonderfully enjoyable story. Macomber had me crying like a baby and laughing real belly laughs in turn. The intertwining tales throughout created a complex plot that kept me thoroughly captivated. It was so real and realistic. I love how Macomber can examine situations from every side without breaking the flow of the story.
Macomber doesn’t simply tell you a story about her characters; she invites you into their lives through the pages of her novel. Each one came to life in a different way for me. I loved how I got to know them as individuals. The different trials that they went through brought me closer to each of them. Even if I didn’t quite love them at the beginning of the novel, by the end we were fast friends.
Once again Macomber put pen to paper to create an unforgettable story of the lives of her many characters. It was a great read on its own and a fantastic addition to her series.
Macomber doesn’t simply tell you a story about her characters; she invites you into their lives through the pages of her novel. Each one came to life in a different way for me. I loved how I got to know them as individuals. The different trials that they went through brought me closer to each of them. Even if I didn’t quite love them at the beginning of the novel, by the end we were fast friends.
Once again Macomber put pen to paper to create an unforgettable story of the lives of her many characters. It was a great read on its own and a fantastic addition to her series.
November 7, 2020
Another fantastic book from Debbie. :)
October 25, 2007
I loved this book, as I did "The Shop On Blossom Street" which is the book that precedes this one. Its a very sweet read and lots of fun. I'm looking forward to her next book, "Susannah's Garden" which should be out about now. Debbie writes wonderful books.
December 8, 2017
Inkvotary
3,5 stars
Lydia is stunned when she hears from her fiancé that he breaks up with her only because his ex is coming back and wants a second chance. She is shocked, feels disappointed and has no other way then to tell him what his ex´ really wants. And with her sister Margaret things aren´t easy too. Something is weighing down on her sister, but unlike other siblings, they can´t talk with each other about it. A fact that makes Lydia very sad.
I couldn´t help but ask myself from time to time while reading this, why the hell is Margaret treating her sister the way she does? And why is there always the need of a woman who goes through the same emotions and experiences all over again throughout her entire life? That doesn´t make any sense to me.
Sure, the author writes with a wonderful sensitivity about very emotional things and places every word very carefully. And getting divorced or losing a parent is never easy. To deal with such a dramatic change isn´t a piece of cake. And it changes a life forever. And yes, Debbie Macomber has a beautiful way to let her figures go through some rough times without becoming to kitschy. But in A Good Yarn it was sometimes just too much. She repeated some things over and over again and showed some women who seemed to be unable to free themselves from the mistakes they´ve once made.
Brad does everything to make his son happy and give him the family he deserves. But when Lydia is telling him the truth about his ex-wife and why his ex is doing what she intents to do, he isn´t willing to trust Lydia on that. Or to believe her. Yes, Lydia reacts with what she can do and what not, and yes, she has every right to do so. After she survived two times cancer, she has a different way to see life and to do things. And there´s nothing wrong with that. Absolutely not.
It seems always to be the same pattern the author is using to put her story and characters on display. Yes, the problems they´re all having are nothing to take lightly, but for me, A Good Yarn was a bit too much of everything.
3,5 stars
Lydia is stunned when she hears from her fiancé that he breaks up with her only because his ex is coming back and wants a second chance. She is shocked, feels disappointed and has no other way then to tell him what his ex´ really wants. And with her sister Margaret things aren´t easy too. Something is weighing down on her sister, but unlike other siblings, they can´t talk with each other about it. A fact that makes Lydia very sad.
I couldn´t help but ask myself from time to time while reading this, why the hell is Margaret treating her sister the way she does? And why is there always the need of a woman who goes through the same emotions and experiences all over again throughout her entire life? That doesn´t make any sense to me.
Sure, the author writes with a wonderful sensitivity about very emotional things and places every word very carefully. And getting divorced or losing a parent is never easy. To deal with such a dramatic change isn´t a piece of cake. And it changes a life forever. And yes, Debbie Macomber has a beautiful way to let her figures go through some rough times without becoming to kitschy. But in A Good Yarn it was sometimes just too much. She repeated some things over and over again and showed some women who seemed to be unable to free themselves from the mistakes they´ve once made.
Brad does everything to make his son happy and give him the family he deserves. But when Lydia is telling him the truth about his ex-wife and why his ex is doing what she intents to do, he isn´t willing to trust Lydia on that. Or to believe her. Yes, Lydia reacts with what she can do and what not, and yes, she has every right to do so. After she survived two times cancer, she has a different way to see life and to do things. And there´s nothing wrong with that. Absolutely not.
It seems always to be the same pattern the author is using to put her story and characters on display. Yes, the problems they´re all having are nothing to take lightly, but for me, A Good Yarn was a bit too much of everything.
April 23, 2008
Macomber has done it again with another Blossom Street offering. Knitters everywhere will find themselves yet again drawn in to the life and yarn shop of Lydia Hoffman, owner of "A Good Yarn", as she meets three new women from various stages of life who have signed up for her sock knitting class. The perspective of life experience from each of these three women and their families enriches the reader's desire to be more understanding and find out more about people before judging them. You never know what's happening in their lives that makes them act the way they do. And, of course, no Blossom Street book would be complete without a knitting pattern to tie the reader even closer to the book!
February 18, 2020
Digital audiobook narrated by Linda Emond
This is book two in the Blossom Street series, featuring Lydia Hoffman, owner of “A Good Yarn” in Seattle Washington, and the people who come to her store for knitting classes and form friendships as a result.
It’s a charming, easy read with an ensemble cast that includes teenagers and seniors, and every age in between. Happy marriages, divorces, dating scenarios, crushes, and disappointments. People struggle with financial ruin, job loss and major health issues. The reader shares their ups and downs, and it ends on a predictably upbeat note.
I haven’t read the first book in the series, though I have read other books by Macomber. They are all mind candy, comfort reads. Enjoy!
Linda Emond does a fine job narrating the audiobook. She has a lot of characters to voice and manages to keep them straight.
This is book two in the Blossom Street series, featuring Lydia Hoffman, owner of “A Good Yarn” in Seattle Washington, and the people who come to her store for knitting classes and form friendships as a result.
It’s a charming, easy read with an ensemble cast that includes teenagers and seniors, and every age in between. Happy marriages, divorces, dating scenarios, crushes, and disappointments. People struggle with financial ruin, job loss and major health issues. The reader shares their ups and downs, and it ends on a predictably upbeat note.
I haven’t read the first book in the series, though I have read other books by Macomber. They are all mind candy, comfort reads. Enjoy!
Linda Emond does a fine job narrating the audiobook. She has a lot of characters to voice and manages to keep them straight.
September 17, 2020
Debbie Macomber will always get a 5 star from me!! I simply love her books.
4 new friends started knitting lessons, knitting socks, they each came with a problem and at the end of the book all 4 friends and Lydia's new problems were solved!!!
This is just wonderful comfort reading, everything about it is beautiful!! I just love the way women over 40 and 60 are still seen as sexual beings, the young authors just don't get it that even if you are over 40 you are still a woman!! I just love Debbie Macomber good hearty, healthy, comfy stories!!
4 new friends started knitting lessons, knitting socks, they each came with a problem and at the end of the book all 4 friends and Lydia's new problems were solved!!!
This is just wonderful comfort reading, everything about it is beautiful!! I just love the way women over 40 and 60 are still seen as sexual beings, the young authors just don't get it that even if you are over 40 you are still a woman!! I just love Debbie Macomber good hearty, healthy, comfy stories!!
June 11, 2007
Sometimes the most enriching relationships you will have are right under your nose or found in situations and places you would not suspect.
February 14, 2009
I really like this author. She follows several main charachters and their life and problems in each book. They become your friends and you want all to turn out well for them in the end.
September 19, 2022
Second read: 4 stars!
Very enjoyable. Really loving this series. More likeable characters and good storylines. On to Book #3!
Very enjoyable. Really loving this series. More likeable characters and good storylines. On to Book #3!
October 12, 2011
Absolutely wonderful emotional read,Lydia,Courtney,Elise n Bethanie all these woman's journey and their hardwork to find happiness and love,each one go through their own pains and hurt but are successful in finding their happiness and HEA for Lydia and Elise
Lydia-Is happy with Brad and loves Cody as well but then Brad's ex-wife comes back saying she wants to be back with them and Brad wants to give it a try,in a way asking her to step aside for a while Lydia says no she will never be second best and they break off and then how they find themselves back together
Elise-her ex-husband of 37 years is coming to stay with them Marverick/Marvin-Elise both still love each but the gambling is the problem between them,she is annoyed but then says yes and how these two find their HEA
Courtney-Her mother is dead and its being 4 years yet she is finding it still to difficult to cope with it
Bethany-How she finds her self-confidence and courage back to stand on her feet after her divorce
Will not give away anything,don't wanna give away any spoilers but will tell you this I disliked Annie a lot(not cause things she did its understandable she is hurting but her attitude and selfishness irritated me) and Grant(really wanted to put bullets in his heart)
Great Read
Recommend it
Lydia-Is happy with Brad and loves Cody as well but then Brad's ex-wife comes back saying she wants to be back with them and Brad wants to give it a try,in a way asking her to step aside for a while Lydia says no she will never be second best and they break off and then how they find themselves back together
Elise-her ex-husband of 37 years is coming to stay with them Marverick/Marvin-Elise both still love each but the gambling is the problem between them,she is annoyed but then says yes and how these two find their HEA
Courtney-Her mother is dead and its being 4 years yet she is finding it still to difficult to cope with it
Bethany-How she finds her self-confidence and courage back to stand on her feet after her divorce
Will not give away anything,don't wanna give away any spoilers but will tell you this I disliked Annie a lot(not cause things she did its understandable she is hurting but her attitude and selfishness irritated me) and Grant(really wanted to put bullets in his heart)
Great Read
Recommend it
July 16, 2014
A couple of years ago I saw a Blossom Street book in a bag of books that had been delivered to my Grandmother from the library. For some reason the author (Macomber) and the cover stayed in my head. When my grandmother passed away last year, I read one of the latter books in this series to feel closer to her. I really enjoyed that book (Summer on Blossom Street).
Because I enjoyed that book, I have decided to go back and read the entire series (reading A Good Yard yesterday, as it was the one year anniversary of my Grandmother's death).
Debbie Macomber is fluff for me. Simple, uninspiring stories to rest my brain between other stories. The writing, in my opinion, isn't good or bad it just is. In her books you won't find any flowery prose or in depth description. She writes about characters and their emotions with a simplicity that often times is to be admired.
That being said ... the characters in this story fell flat for me. With that characters falling flat I had a more difficult time actually finishing the this than I did with the other two Blossom Street books I have read. I was waiting on my kid to finish up with his summer day camp yesterday. If I hadn't been sitting there with nothing else to do, I doubt I would have finished it.
What I didn't like:
Bethanne: Now we all know how hard divorces can be. To be cheated on and then left for the other woman is a horrible experience I'm sure. But, grow some balls lady. Seriously. Bethanne was such a doormat; such a whining, sniveling, crying doormat that I wanted to vomit. It made her transition to a happy person at the end of the book harder to believe and follow.
Elise: Am uptight old bitty (one of the characters actually calls her that or something similar as well) who hated her ex-husband's gambling ways. An ex-husband who left her with a child when they'd barely been married more than two years. Thirty years later, that resentment just goes away and they fall in love and live happily ever after. All the while she knits her happy thoughts? You don't lose that sort of resentment and bitterness overnight, you just don't.
Lydia: Just stop. Lydia is the main character and the anchor between every story. It's all about knitting, a yarn store, and knitting classes (and the people who attend them). Lydia owns the yarn store and teaches the classes. Lydia has had cancer (not a spoiler, it's all she talked about in the first book and in the this one). Lydia is an overemotional wreck.
What I did like:
Courtney, Annie, and Andrew: Courtney was the fourth main character in the story. A teenager forced to spend an entire year living with her very oblivious grandmother. Courtney is fighting a struggle we all deal with (the battle to lose the bulge), the death of her mother years before (which is understandably difficult), and the prospect of facing her senior year of high school at a new school where she knows absolutely no one. Macomber did a good job catching the emotion and thought process of Court. Of all the characters, this bicycle riding knitter was the most believable.
I also enjoyed her relationships (and the troubles that went with them) with Bethanne's divorce torn children Annie and Andrew (roughly the same age as Courtney). And I must say, Court's crush on Andrew reminded me of high school and how it was. I never felt the all out devotion, screaming fan girl love/lust of Twilight's Bella. And neither did our Courtney. Loved her.
Overall, I doubt I'll read the book again. However, I was happy for the little piece of my Grandmother I keep finding on blossom street. My Grandmother was a tough broad, you wouldn't have seen her whining or crying and maybe that's why the characters annoyed me so highly. I was too busy thinking about my completely awesome Grandmother to relate to them. :)
Because I enjoyed that book, I have decided to go back and read the entire series (reading A Good Yard yesterday, as it was the one year anniversary of my Grandmother's death).
Debbie Macomber is fluff for me. Simple, uninspiring stories to rest my brain between other stories. The writing, in my opinion, isn't good or bad it just is. In her books you won't find any flowery prose or in depth description. She writes about characters and their emotions with a simplicity that often times is to be admired.
That being said ... the characters in this story fell flat for me. With that characters falling flat I had a more difficult time actually finishing the this than I did with the other two Blossom Street books I have read. I was waiting on my kid to finish up with his summer day camp yesterday. If I hadn't been sitting there with nothing else to do, I doubt I would have finished it.
What I didn't like:
Bethanne: Now we all know how hard divorces can be. To be cheated on and then left for the other woman is a horrible experience I'm sure. But, grow some balls lady. Seriously. Bethanne was such a doormat; such a whining, sniveling, crying doormat that I wanted to vomit. It made her transition to a happy person at the end of the book harder to believe and follow.
Elise: Am uptight old bitty (one of the characters actually calls her that or something similar as well) who hated her ex-husband's gambling ways. An ex-husband who left her with a child when they'd barely been married more than two years. Thirty years later, that resentment just goes away and they fall in love and live happily ever after. All the while she knits her happy thoughts? You don't lose that sort of resentment and bitterness overnight, you just don't.
Lydia: Just stop. Lydia is the main character and the anchor between every story. It's all about knitting, a yarn store, and knitting classes (and the people who attend them). Lydia owns the yarn store and teaches the classes. Lydia has had cancer (not a spoiler, it's all she talked about in the first book and in the this one). Lydia is an overemotional wreck.
What I did like:
Courtney, Annie, and Andrew: Courtney was the fourth main character in the story. A teenager forced to spend an entire year living with her very oblivious grandmother. Courtney is fighting a struggle we all deal with (the battle to lose the bulge), the death of her mother years before (which is understandably difficult), and the prospect of facing her senior year of high school at a new school where she knows absolutely no one. Macomber did a good job catching the emotion and thought process of Court. Of all the characters, this bicycle riding knitter was the most believable.
I also enjoyed her relationships (and the troubles that went with them) with Bethanne's divorce torn children Annie and Andrew (roughly the same age as Courtney). And I must say, Court's crush on Andrew reminded me of high school and how it was. I never felt the all out devotion, screaming fan girl love/lust of Twilight's Bella. And neither did our Courtney. Loved her.
Overall, I doubt I'll read the book again. However, I was happy for the little piece of my Grandmother I keep finding on blossom street. My Grandmother was a tough broad, you wouldn't have seen her whining or crying and maybe that's why the characters annoyed me so highly. I was too busy thinking about my completely awesome Grandmother to relate to them. :)
February 2, 2020
I don't often read romance novels because I generally find them unsatisfying *cough cough* hense the rating *cough*. However I find Debbie Macomber's stories to always be a treat when I feel mentally exhausted, down or when I just don't have the brain space for something more thorough.
See this story of women (and a younger girl) finding friendship around a knitting group and helping each other to turn their life around and get over a hard patch was so heartwarming, there's no denying that. However I do feel frustrated by a few things.
First the teen characters seem very unbelievable to me, they think "comic sans" is a cool police for a business card and I will never get over that, but mostly they seem too grown up in their reflections, they're caricatural and the way they interract with one another seems unatural. To top it all off, the idea of a teen girl losing weight to help herself find a "happy ending" to a difficult school year ahead doesn't sit well with me. Sure teens do diet and exercise to stay fit, but I don't think that promoting the idea that if you do eventually lose the weight, the guy you're interested in will look at you in a special way etc is in any way healthy.
Also Brad is unsufferable, he's such a horrible character to Lidya and I can't believe they end up together in the end. Things would have been so much better had she either found someone else or stayed single and enjoyed herself damn it. Anything would have been better than that. She's lived through cancer in her youth, sees how precious life is and decides to spoil hers with that arsehole of a man ? REALLY ?
Generally I found the male characters in this book annoying but hey I do find a lot of men annoying in real life too so that's a point for realism.
I still enjoyed reading this even if it is predictable and cliché. The main characters are lovely, they help uncover one another and I'm definitely a sucker for strong women's friendships in novels, their little group reminded me of one of mine's too.
Don't let my rating scare you out of reading this book if you're just looking to unwind, this is still a nice, decent one.
See this story of women (and a younger girl) finding friendship around a knitting group and helping each other to turn their life around and get over a hard patch was so heartwarming, there's no denying that. However I do feel frustrated by a few things.
First the teen characters seem very unbelievable to me, they think "comic sans" is a cool police for a business card and I will never get over that, but mostly they seem too grown up in their reflections, they're caricatural and the way they interract with one another seems unatural. To top it all off, the idea of a teen girl losing weight to help herself find a "happy ending" to a difficult school year ahead doesn't sit well with me. Sure teens do diet and exercise to stay fit, but I don't think that promoting the idea that if you do eventually lose the weight, the guy you're interested in will look at you in a special way etc is in any way healthy.
Also Brad is unsufferable, he's such a horrible character to Lidya and I can't believe they end up together in the end. Things would have been so much better had she either found someone else or stayed single and enjoyed herself damn it. Anything would have been better than that. She's lived through cancer in her youth, sees how precious life is and decides to spoil hers with that arsehole of a man ? REALLY ?
Generally I found the male characters in this book annoying but hey I do find a lot of men annoying in real life too so that's a point for realism.
I still enjoyed reading this even if it is predictable and cliché. The main characters are lovely, they help uncover one another and I'm definitely a sucker for strong women's friendships in novels, their little group reminded me of one of mine's too.
Don't let my rating scare you out of reading this book if you're just looking to unwind, this is still a nice, decent one.
October 11, 2011
I keep reading Macomber series out of order. The nice thing is, even though that means I know a bit about what happens later, they're still quite enjoyable. This one was no exception, although I do have two fairly large nits to pick:
1) 25-35 pounds can feel like a lot of weight, especially to a shy, awkward teenager. But good golly, THAT big a deal? A difference of three dress sizes? And why couldn't we decide which it was -- 25 or 35?
2) Either he's addicted to gambling, which is a Bad Thing, or he's not. And if he is, why is it suddenly ok? Because he made lots of money for once, or because he's dying?
Even so, I did enjoy all the characters. And I've loved Lydia and her various family members since whichever book I first read that had her in it. So it was nice to see more of her and Brad. :)
1) 25-35 pounds can feel like a lot of weight, especially to a shy, awkward teenager. But good golly, THAT big a deal? A difference of three dress sizes? And why couldn't we decide which it was -- 25 or 35?
2) Either he's addicted to gambling, which is a Bad Thing, or he's not. And if he is, why is it suddenly ok? Because he made lots of money for once, or because he's dying?
Even so, I did enjoy all the characters. And I've loved Lydia and her various family members since whichever book I first read that had her in it. So it was nice to see more of her and Brad. :)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 4, 2022
I loved the first book and hoped she would have had more of the original characters in it. This was still an enjoyable read but Maycomber does certain storylines that just kind of annoy me and makes parts of the characters annoying.
Still cute, light and sugary sweet which is nice to have every once in a while and I grow to love the characters. 2 stars demotion for the only way to be happy is to lose weight, glorifying a gambling addiction and the Lydia and Brad drama.
Still cute, light and sugary sweet which is nice to have every once in a while and I grow to love the characters. 2 stars demotion for the only way to be happy is to lose weight, glorifying a gambling addiction and the Lydia and Brad drama.
July 28, 2018
This book ended up being better than my expectations. The characters were developed well and the author made me care about them. I describe this type of book as a slice of life-people going about their lives overcoming struggles and finding happiness. It does get sappy near the end, but, hey, that's fiction!
March 15, 2016
İstirahət məqsədli oxuduğum bu kitabdan həqiqətəndə zövq aldım.maraqlı sujet xettine sahib olan eser telesmeden amma əlimdəndə buraxmadan oxuduğum gülümsəmə dolu bir dünya idi:)
January 14, 2019
Loved it! Great 2nd book in this series. Can't wait to read the next one. The only thing I didnt like was Brad's behavior 😑😡
January 8, 2021
Couldn't get into this one
March 31, 2020
Lydia has a new class at the yarn shop, and we meet Elise, Courtney, and Bethanne. Another relaxing audio book with a happily ever ending.
December 8, 2009
Cancer survivor Lydia Hoffman's shop "A Good Yarn" has thrived since she opened it a year ago. She decides to teach a class on how to knit socks and three people sign up for it.
Elise Beaumont is a retired librarian who has recently suffered a financial setback and was forced to move in with her daughter's family. Elise has been divorced for many years but never stopped loving her ex-husband, "Maverick", whose gambling ruined their marriage. Elise is not pleased when she finds out that Maverick is coming to stay at their daughter's house - she's afraid of getting hurt again.
Bethanne Hamlin is also divorced, although much more recently. The divorce came out of the blue; she had no idea that her marriage was in trouble until her husband told her on Valentine's Day that he was leaving her for a younger woman. The divorce left Bethanne demoralized; she needs to find a job but is convinced she's a failure. Her teenage children, Annie and Andrew, are also affected by the divorce, especially Annie who keeps acting out in her pain.
Courtney Pulanski is also a troubled teenager. Her mother died in a car accident four years ago and Courtney is still mourning her death. With two kids in college and Courtney a senior in high school, her father needs money and takes a well-paying job building bridges in Brazil and Courtney is forced to move in with her grandmother and spend her senior year in a strange high school. Courtney is overweight and self-conscious about her looks and is convinced that her senior year will be miserable.
Lydia has problems of her own; her sister Margaret has financial worries and may lose her house and is miserable to be around. Lydia is in love with UPS driver Brad, but he will soon deliver devastating news that threatens their relationship. Her mother's health is deteriorating and Lydia worries about her well being. All four women will find more comfort than they could possibly believe while learning how to knit socks.
"A Good Yarn" is a great book for someone looking for a sweet, unchallenging read. The characters are all likable and believable, except perhaps for Maverick who is a bit of a cliché. Debbie Macomber is a good writer who makes you care for her characters in such a way that you will want to keep reading the book to find out what happens to each woman, yet you'll be sorry when the book is finally over. I do wish she had shown Courtney at her senior prom, but that's a minor quibble. Macomber ties everything up neatly at the end (and is to be commended for not having each woman find happiness only through a romantic relationship) and I loved the fairy godfather touch at the end.
This is a perfect book for reading at the beach or on a rainy day.
Elise Beaumont is a retired librarian who has recently suffered a financial setback and was forced to move in with her daughter's family. Elise has been divorced for many years but never stopped loving her ex-husband, "Maverick", whose gambling ruined their marriage. Elise is not pleased when she finds out that Maverick is coming to stay at their daughter's house - she's afraid of getting hurt again.
Bethanne Hamlin is also divorced, although much more recently. The divorce came out of the blue; she had no idea that her marriage was in trouble until her husband told her on Valentine's Day that he was leaving her for a younger woman. The divorce left Bethanne demoralized; she needs to find a job but is convinced she's a failure. Her teenage children, Annie and Andrew, are also affected by the divorce, especially Annie who keeps acting out in her pain.
Courtney Pulanski is also a troubled teenager. Her mother died in a car accident four years ago and Courtney is still mourning her death. With two kids in college and Courtney a senior in high school, her father needs money and takes a well-paying job building bridges in Brazil and Courtney is forced to move in with her grandmother and spend her senior year in a strange high school. Courtney is overweight and self-conscious about her looks and is convinced that her senior year will be miserable.
Lydia has problems of her own; her sister Margaret has financial worries and may lose her house and is miserable to be around. Lydia is in love with UPS driver Brad, but he will soon deliver devastating news that threatens their relationship. Her mother's health is deteriorating and Lydia worries about her well being. All four women will find more comfort than they could possibly believe while learning how to knit socks.
"A Good Yarn" is a great book for someone looking for a sweet, unchallenging read. The characters are all likable and believable, except perhaps for Maverick who is a bit of a cliché. Debbie Macomber is a good writer who makes you care for her characters in such a way that you will want to keep reading the book to find out what happens to each woman, yet you'll be sorry when the book is finally over. I do wish she had shown Courtney at her senior prom, but that's a minor quibble. Macomber ties everything up neatly at the end (and is to be commended for not having each woman find happiness only through a romantic relationship) and I loved the fairy godfather touch at the end.
This is a perfect book for reading at the beach or on a rainy day.
September 7, 2012
A Good Yarn is the yarn store that is owned and operated by Lydia Hoffman. Her sister, Margaret, often helps her.
This is another story in which three women come into A Good Yarn and sign up for a knitting class in making socks. Elise Beaumont, a retired librarian and divorcee, is living with her daughter, Aurora, since losing her life savings in a housing scheme. It's taking the courts a long time to decide if she will ever get any of her money back. She learns that her ex will be coming to visit her daughter and family and will be staying in the house. How is she going to avoid him? He is a professional gambler and that's what tore their marriage apart.
Next to join the knitting group is Bethanne Hamlin, also a divorcee, whose husband left her for another younger woman. Now she is struggling to get on her feet. Her children had urged her to join this class and she figured it couldn't hurt. It is hard for her to find a job as she hadn't worked since she was married. But, at a suggestion from her knitting buddies she starts a small business and meets the ex of the woman her husband left her for.
Courtney Pulanski, a depressed and overweight teenager, has come to live with her grandmother since her father is away in Brazil for his job. Since her mother passed away she has been taking things very hard and now she misses her dad something fierce. Her grandmother drags her to a swimming class with her older cronies, whom she comes to love. She also joins the knitting class upon the suggestion of her grandmother. She will give it a try. Courtney also befriends the children of Bethanne and they help each other each having lost a parent, one to death and the other to divorce.
These women become fast friends and come to enjoy each others company. They can easily talk to each other and commisserate when needed.
Meanwhile, Lydia also has difficulties of her own. Her sister's husband had lost his job and they were about to lose their home. Lydia to the rescue, getting a loan to help them out. Their mother collapses and is taken to the hospital and now needs to live in an assisted care facility. Lydia takes care of that also. And, the man, Brad, that she thought was going to marry her someday has decided to try to work things out with his ex-wife. What a bummer!!! Brad's son misses Lydia and talks with her on the phone all the time. What will happen here? Will Brad go back to his ex?
A lot goes on in Seattle and on Blossom Street. Stop by and meet everyone and see how they manage to cope with their lives.
This is another story in which three women come into A Good Yarn and sign up for a knitting class in making socks. Elise Beaumont, a retired librarian and divorcee, is living with her daughter, Aurora, since losing her life savings in a housing scheme. It's taking the courts a long time to decide if she will ever get any of her money back. She learns that her ex will be coming to visit her daughter and family and will be staying in the house. How is she going to avoid him? He is a professional gambler and that's what tore their marriage apart.
Next to join the knitting group is Bethanne Hamlin, also a divorcee, whose husband left her for another younger woman. Now she is struggling to get on her feet. Her children had urged her to join this class and she figured it couldn't hurt. It is hard for her to find a job as she hadn't worked since she was married. But, at a suggestion from her knitting buddies she starts a small business and meets the ex of the woman her husband left her for.
Courtney Pulanski, a depressed and overweight teenager, has come to live with her grandmother since her father is away in Brazil for his job. Since her mother passed away she has been taking things very hard and now she misses her dad something fierce. Her grandmother drags her to a swimming class with her older cronies, whom she comes to love. She also joins the knitting class upon the suggestion of her grandmother. She will give it a try. Courtney also befriends the children of Bethanne and they help each other each having lost a parent, one to death and the other to divorce.
These women become fast friends and come to enjoy each others company. They can easily talk to each other and commisserate when needed.
Meanwhile, Lydia also has difficulties of her own. Her sister's husband had lost his job and they were about to lose their home. Lydia to the rescue, getting a loan to help them out. Their mother collapses and is taken to the hospital and now needs to live in an assisted care facility. Lydia takes care of that also. And, the man, Brad, that she thought was going to marry her someday has decided to try to work things out with his ex-wife. What a bummer!!! Brad's son misses Lydia and talks with her on the phone all the time. What will happen here? Will Brad go back to his ex?
A lot goes on in Seattle and on Blossom Street. Stop by and meet everyone and see how they manage to cope with their lives.
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