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sandlerpage's review against another edition
3.0
I really wanted to like this book. I really did. But the main character was so... bland. She just wasn't an interesting person, neither was her husband, and even the old lady she befriends wasn't that interesting. I enjoyed the different layers of stories, as well as the quilting info, but overall it was just so-so. All that said, I think I might get the next one in the series from the library b/c it really does seem like it has potential. Plus, the author is from my hometown!
rebelbelle13's review against another edition
3.0
I was not overly impressed with this one. It was simply ok. There was nothing memorable about it or anything that made it stand out from any other contemporary novel of the same type. Couple moves to new town. Wife looks for job. Finds job helping old woman. Old woman reveals her past to wife while teaching her a skill or spending time with her. The story focuses heavily around the manor house where Sylvia (old woman) grew up, and continues to be a driving force in the story up until the very end. I did learn quite a bit about quilting, although a lot of it went over my head since I listened to it on audiobook (I'm more of a visual learner, and had I known the author was going to go into so much detail about the quilting patterns I would have picked up a hard copy, hoping that some of the explanations and patterns were in there).
I don't think I liked any of the characters in this book. Sarah was wimpy and wishy-washy, Matt was goofy, Sylvia was stubborn and vengeful (and probably could have used a good dose of therapy), Claudia was inflexible and harsh, Agnes was childish and spoiled, and I didn't know the husbands well enough to make judgments on them.
There were obvious points in the novel where Chiaverini was deliberately drawing out Sylvia's story points just to make the book longer and add cliffhangers where they weren't needed. At one point, she stopped telling Sarah her story when the husbands went off to war. Sarah didn't immediately ask the question that ANY PERSON LISTENING would have asked- what happened to them. We don't find out for 3 chapters. This happens several times- Sylvia stops telling her history simply because it makes sense for the pacing of the novel.
I might be interested in continuing in the series, but as it stands, this is a cute, but entirely forgettable novel.
I don't think I liked any of the characters in this book. Sarah was wimpy and wishy-washy, Matt was goofy, Sylvia was stubborn and vengeful (and probably could have used a good dose of therapy), Claudia was inflexible and harsh, Agnes was childish and spoiled, and I didn't know the husbands well enough to make judgments on them.
There were obvious points in the novel where Chiaverini was deliberately drawing out Sylvia's story points just to make the book longer and add cliffhangers where they weren't needed. At one point, she stopped telling Sarah her story when the husbands went off to war. Sarah didn't immediately ask the question that ANY PERSON LISTENING would have asked- what happened to them. We don't find out for 3 chapters. This happens several times- Sylvia stops telling her history simply because it makes sense for the pacing of the novel.
I might be interested in continuing in the series, but as it stands, this is a cute, but entirely forgettable novel.
tarahmanning's review against another edition
3.0
I found the flashbacks the most interesting part of this whole story, the rest of it just was "eh" to me. A simple read, nothing that requires much thinking on your part.
ashocap's review against another edition
4.0
I liked this touching story about one woman drawing a family back together with the love of quilting. Lots of good descriptions about quilts and the good times they can bring.
booksinkandpaper2's review against another edition
4.0
Light and cute read. Well written. Made me want to read the next one. Then discovered how many more there are.
allielh23's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
relaxing
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
git_r_read's review against another edition
5.0
BOT, start of a lovely lovely series. I want to learn to quilt, please! And live at Elm Creek Manor!
idicalini's review against another edition
3.0
What a sweet and simple book. No complicated storylines, no big drama (just some small drama), no heavy burdens about saving the world or angst. Just some ladies who like to quilt.
elysahenegar's review against another edition
3.0
This is a sweet story that feels a bit like a Hallmark movie! An older woman teaches a younger woman how to quilt, and they strike up an unlikely friendship. There are a few bumps in the road along the way and some broken relationships that need to be mended, but it's the kind of story that finishes neatly.
callieperez's review against another edition
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0