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zefrien's review against another edition
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
judeinthestars's review against another edition
4.0
What a lovely book! The characters are complex and interesting, the story is sweet and believable. The rhythm was a bit slow at times but it gave an atmosphere I really liked.
mxwing's review against another edition
4.0
This book was read as part of the Sapphic Book Club hosted by sapphicbookclub.
This is a sweet, slow-burn romance about two women in their early 50s who find each through crochet. I really enjoyed the chance to read a story about older women, since it's such a rare find. Their romance was also suitably mature and free of unnecessary drama, which felt refreshing but also... a bit dull? I'm afraid romance novels are not usually my thing and I found myself longing for a little more of a plot. Not my cup of tea, perhaps, but I was still able to appreciate it for what it is.
I did love the characters and the development of their relationship. They each have vastly different coming out experiences and relationships with their families, which felt very real. Their interactions with each other are sweet and gentle and I feel like the author perfectly captured that butterflies-in-your-stomach feeling of new love. Even the minor characters managed to be interesting and well-written--the whole subplot about Anna learning to stand up for her son was one of my favorite parts of the book.
This is really a very cute read if you're in the mood for a light, feel-good lesbian romance, especially if you're into crafting or interested in reading about older women falling in love!
This is a sweet, slow-burn romance about two women in their early 50s who find each through crochet. I really enjoyed the chance to read a story about older women, since it's such a rare find. Their romance was also suitably mature and free of unnecessary drama, which felt refreshing but also... a bit dull? I'm afraid romance novels are not usually my thing and I found myself longing for a little more of a plot. Not my cup of tea, perhaps, but I was still able to appreciate it for what it is.
I did love the characters and the development of their relationship. They each have vastly different coming out experiences and relationships with their families, which felt very real. Their interactions with each other are sweet and gentle and I feel like the author perfectly captured that butterflies-in-your-stomach feeling of new love. Even the minor characters managed to be interesting and well-written--the whole subplot about Anna learning to stand up for her son was one of my favorite parts of the book.
This is really a very cute read if you're in the mood for a light, feel-good lesbian romance, especially if you're into crafting or interested in reading about older women falling in love!
theamandashelby's review against another edition
4.0
I think this was a very good debut novel. It wasn’t fantastic, and I am sure Matthews learned a great deal while writing this one. I believe her books will only get better with time. I did enjoy the story, and the characters. In the beginning of the book the author put out a lot of characters (a lot of different names) very quickly. So in the beginning I had a slightly difficult time, just getting who was who in the mess of names. After you figure it out, it works well. I also decided pretty early, both characters had a little too much going on in their personal lives. I liked Ollie, but struggled to get a full picture of her. There was character development, but I really feel like there could have been more when introducing her to the reader. The only thing that stands out for her is she is blond. I know nothing else about her looks. Maybe I just missed it?
I had more issues with Anna’s character. I actually liked her character (or what her character could have been) a lot more. Meaning she is a romantic at heart, loving and caring, and sees good in everyone. The seeing good in everyone is what I do not get. Liam about pushed me over the edge. Someone so thoughtful and caring dating a bona fide prick… I didn’t get it. I wouldn’t give someone a do over in the way she gave him. Some things just buy you a one way ticket out of my thoughts. Just out of what the character was set up to be. I didn’t like Anna pointing out obvious thoughts such as checking out a behind, then saying she doesn’t do it.. then doing it again. I also was annoyed by Ollie calling Anna comrade.. a lot… Just overuse of a word that was annoying. Also solider, was used over in over, and it just annoyed me. All of these little issues didn’t make me dislike the story. I still think it is a good read, and I will read Matthews’ books in the future.
Again for a debut book this was a really good start. I enjoyed it overall, but by the end I was really ready for them to get together. I am all or slow burn romances, but this was a little too slow even for me. I also felt like they did a lot of things that seemed immature for being an older couple. Kind of stuff that you do in your early 20’s that they should have been grown out of. Other than a few slow parts, and some small issues that just kind of annoyed me.. overall still a solid read. 3.5 stars for me, rounded up because I am can see Matthews only improving from this book.
I had more issues with Anna’s character. I actually liked her character (or what her character could have been) a lot more. Meaning she is a romantic at heart, loving and caring, and sees good in everyone. The seeing good in everyone is what I do not get. Liam about pushed me over the edge. Someone so thoughtful and caring dating a bona fide prick… I didn’t get it. I wouldn’t give someone a do over in the way she gave him. Some things just buy you a one way ticket out of my thoughts. Just out of what the character was set up to be. I didn’t like Anna pointing out obvious thoughts such as checking out a behind, then saying she doesn’t do it.. then doing it again. I also was annoyed by Ollie calling Anna comrade.. a lot… Just overuse of a word that was annoying. Also solider, was used over in over, and it just annoyed me. All of these little issues didn’t make me dislike the story. I still think it is a good read, and I will read Matthews’ books in the future.
Again for a debut book this was a really good start. I enjoyed it overall, but by the end I was really ready for them to get together. I am all or slow burn romances, but this was a little too slow even for me. I also felt like they did a lot of things that seemed immature for being an older couple. Kind of stuff that you do in your early 20’s that they should have been grown out of. Other than a few slow parts, and some small issues that just kind of annoyed me.. overall still a solid read. 3.5 stars for me, rounded up because I am can see Matthews only improving from this book.
devrose's review against another edition
2.5 stars
This is a basic romance book. I didn't even get a sense of personality from either of the main characters and I don't think Matthews knew enough about crochet and crochet groups to even do that right. For instance, she never shows people in the crochet group paying for all the yarn they're getting from the shop! That bothered me. But she handled respect for disabilities well, so I'll give the book points for that
This is a basic romance book. I didn't even get a sense of personality from either of the main characters and I don't think Matthews knew enough about crochet and crochet groups to even do that right. For instance, she never shows people in the crochet group paying for all the yarn they're getting from the shop! That bothered me. But she handled respect for disabilities well, so I'll give the book points for that
jediroot's review against another edition
3.0
I received an ARC in exchange for my honest review.
This novel is a pretty cute romance between two older women (think 40s-50s with teenage/young adult kids) in a British town. Ollie is a veteran who owns knitting store and runs a weekly crocheting group. Anna is a single mother of an adult daughter and adopted teenage son, who is on the spectrum. (I hope that is the right way to say) Basically you will read about how they meet and slowly fall in love. IT's very cute and nice read. NOthing special, but you don't always need romance books to be epic in order to enjoy. The whole story is well written right up to the end. There's enough of drama to keep it interesting and the side characters are great as well.
Recommend for those who look for simple romance reads.
This novel is a pretty cute romance between two older women (think 40s-50s with teenage/young adult kids) in a British town. Ollie is a veteran who owns knitting store and runs a weekly crocheting group. Anna is a single mother of an adult daughter and adopted teenage son, who is on the spectrum. (I hope that is the right way to say) Basically you will read about how they meet and slowly fall in love. IT's very cute and nice read. NOthing special, but you don't always need romance books to be epic in order to enjoy. The whole story is well written right up to the end. There's enough of drama to keep it interesting and the side characters are great as well.
Recommend for those who look for simple romance reads.
abigailellison's review
lighthearted
relaxing
slow-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
zanecarey's review against another edition
4.0
I really loved this book.
I got it because it mixed two important things for me - gay relationships and crochet.
And it didn't disappoint.
I loved a lot of the dialogue in this book, and I'm glad to add it to my collection.
I got it because it mixed two important things for me - gay relationships and crochet.
And it didn't disappoint.
I loved a lot of the dialogue in this book, and I'm glad to add it to my collection.