What do you think?
Rate this book
Stitch in Snow
Dana Jane Lovell wrote books, knitted Arran sweaters, and tried not to worry about her grown-up son.She'd been widowed young and was lonely - though she usually didn't admit it.
The man at Denver airport was large, distinguished, mysterious about his private life, and said his name was Dan.She thought he'd be a witty and amusing travelling companion.
But they'd both reckoned without the storm - the deluge of snow that cut them off from the world they both knew and hurled them into a breathtaking relationship.
Anne McCaffrey, creator of the Dragons of Pern, breaks into the world of adult romantic fiction with her spellbinding Stitch in Snow.
The man at Denver airport was large, distinguished, mysterious about his private life, and said his name was Dan.She thought he'd be a witty and amusing travelling companion.
But they'd both reckoned without the storm - the deluge of snow that cut them off from the world they both knew and hurled them into a breathtaking relationship.
Anne McCaffrey, creator of the Dragons of Pern, breaks into the world of adult romantic fiction with her spellbinding Stitch in Snow.
254 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1984
5 people are currently reading
540 people want to read
About the author
Anne McCaffrey
478 books7,767 followersAnne Inez McCaffrey was an American writer known for the Dragonriders of Pern science fiction series. She was the first woman to win a Hugo Award for fiction (Best Novella, Weyr Search, 1968) and the first to win a Nebula Award (Best Novella, Dragonrider, 1969). Her 1978 novel The White Dragon became one of the first science-fiction books to appear on the New York Times Best Seller list.
In 2005 the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America named McCaffrey its 22nd Grand Master, an annual award to living writers of fantasy and science fiction. She was inducted by the Science Fiction Hall of Fame on 17 June 2006. She also received the Robert A. Heinlein Award for her work in 2007.
In 2005 the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America named McCaffrey its 22nd Grand Master, an annual award to living writers of fantasy and science fiction. She was inducted by the Science Fiction Hall of Fame on 17 June 2006. She also received the Robert A. Heinlein Award for her work in 2007.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews
August 12, 2024
One of the joys of our local used book store is the 10 cent section. You never know what long-forgotten gem or interesting title you'll find there. A few weeks ago I found this book by Anne McCaffrey. Yes, that McCaffrey, who wrote all those Pern books I so enoyed reading back when they first came out. I had no idea she'd ever written any other type of story, but for 10 cents it was worth a try. I can happily say this book was worth all I paid for it, lol, and more.
This is a straight romance, though some GR people have mis-shelved it as fantasy. There is no fantasy here other than that of a woman in her 50s getting snowed in at a Denver airport with a 42 year old guy. For three days they enjoy each others' company, then she continues on her book signing tour, (she writes young people's fantasy novels). Eventually word arrives that she's needed to provide an alibi for the mustache man, as he's accused of killing his ex-wife, but this isn't a suspense novel, rather the story of a woman who's getting a bit restless with her life and stretches herself to try something new. If there was a "coming of age" for grown ups category, this book would fit there.
So how was it? I really enjoyed it! Even without dragons or distant planets, McCaffrey knows how to tell a good story and create realistic characters. In fact, the real strength of this story was how incredibly real this woman was to me. I felt I was reading someone's true diary, not a fictional book. As an older woman, knitter, widow, and mother of grown children, who myself grew up in Colorado, everything about this book worked for me. The story was fun, and I've always like a "snowed in" plot line, but the best part was that spending time with Dana felt exactly like catching up with an old friend. Apparently the author wrote six romance titles. I definitely want to read some more.
This is a straight romance, though some GR people have mis-shelved it as fantasy. There is no fantasy here other than that of a woman in her 50s getting snowed in at a Denver airport with a 42 year old guy. For three days they enjoy each others' company, then she continues on her book signing tour, (she writes young people's fantasy novels). Eventually word arrives that she's needed to provide an alibi for the mustache man, as he's accused of killing his ex-wife, but this isn't a suspense novel, rather the story of a woman who's getting a bit restless with her life and stretches herself to try something new. If there was a "coming of age" for grown ups category, this book would fit there.
So how was it? I really enjoyed it! Even without dragons or distant planets, McCaffrey knows how to tell a good story and create realistic characters. In fact, the real strength of this story was how incredibly real this woman was to me. I felt I was reading someone's true diary, not a fictional book. As an older woman, knitter, widow, and mother of grown children, who myself grew up in Colorado, everything about this book worked for me. The story was fun, and I've always like a "snowed in" plot line, but the best part was that spending time with Dana felt exactly like catching up with an old friend. Apparently the author wrote six romance titles. I definitely want to read some more.
August 27, 2018
Unlike her usual fantasy books but just as wonderful!
I’ve read and re-read Anne and later Todd’s books since the 1970’s when I read the first of the Pern books - ah, dragons..... I’ve loved most of her series, she was so good at characterisation and plot development; the only one I didn’t want to read again was Restoree but have read the rest of her output at least twice. I worried hen Todd joined her and then continued but didn’t need to, he has a very similar talent. Several people have read Pern and brainships series as adults on my recommendation and so the circle grows, seeing the covers, especially on the later editions it’s easy to think that they are more for children. But the societal structures she dreamt up to underpin the novels are magic. So if you enjoyed this, read the dragons, brainships and Crystal singer series - to start with. Lovely books, and thank goodness she was prolific in her output.
I’ve read and re-read Anne and later Todd’s books since the 1970’s when I read the first of the Pern books - ah, dragons..... I’ve loved most of her series, she was so good at characterisation and plot development; the only one I didn’t want to read again was Restoree but have read the rest of her output at least twice. I worried hen Todd joined her and then continued but didn’t need to, he has a very similar talent. Several people have read Pern and brainships series as adults on my recommendation and so the circle grows, seeing the covers, especially on the later editions it’s easy to think that they are more for children. But the societal structures she dreamt up to underpin the novels are magic. So if you enjoyed this, read the dragons, brainships and Crystal singer series - to start with. Lovely books, and thank goodness she was prolific in her output.
September 4, 2021
The book spent too much time going off on tangents and rambling on about them instead of staying on topic. The main character's life as a writer and as a single mom of a grown son were mildly interesting, but they seemed to intrude a bit too much into the story - more chick-lit than a romance? As for the romance, it felt extremely shallow. By the time the characters were seriously talking about a trial, I was already calling it quits. I've read much better romance and romantic suspense books than this.
July 4, 2021
They say that, if you want to be a writer, then you should start by writing what you know. Anne certainly did that in this story.
Her story, as is usual with her writing, is so full of her observances of people, and how we all mix together in so many different ways, and it spoke to me of a deep love, and understanding, of people's need to be needed, no matter in which way it is. It tells of her love of Ireland and it's peoples, and how she set such firm roots there, too.
Of course, Dana isn't her, but Anne used Dana's writing, as a way of taking her to that all important Denver snow storm, and to the events that changed Dana's life
Although the story is a love story, it's also sympathetic, and full of the kinds of mixups and muddles we can all have happen, no matter what our ages are, when we start a new relationship, and she dealt with it with a wonderfully light touch.
I was surprised at myself for enjoying this so much - I'm really not much into love stories - but this was written so wonderfully well, that I couldn't help it.
I've only recently picked up these early fiction books by Anne, having been so much more into her Fantasy and SciFi series, and I really hope that they are all as good as this one!
Her story, as is usual with her writing, is so full of her observances of people, and how we all mix together in so many different ways, and it spoke to me of a deep love, and understanding, of people's need to be needed, no matter in which way it is. It tells of her love of Ireland and it's peoples, and how she set such firm roots there, too.
Of course, Dana isn't her, but Anne used Dana's writing, as a way of taking her to that all important Denver snow storm, and to the events that changed Dana's life
Although the story is a love story, it's also sympathetic, and full of the kinds of mixups and muddles we can all have happen, no matter what our ages are, when we start a new relationship, and she dealt with it with a wonderfully light touch.
I was surprised at myself for enjoying this so much - I'm really not much into love stories - but this was written so wonderfully well, that I couldn't help it.
I've only recently picked up these early fiction books by Anne, having been so much more into her Fantasy and SciFi series, and I really hope that they are all as good as this one!
October 30, 2023
Has this been made into a TV drama? I recognised the story. Anyway it was better than an average romance as it had a believeable hint of jeopardy - although that was resolved rather too conveniently for my liking.
Starts in Ireland so I was thrown by the US spellings and had to leap back to the biog for the author. There were a couple of expressions with which I was unfamiliar. Had to look up how one pronounces Mairead as I thought this was to be a key character (she wasn't!).
It has a good sense of the 1980s but Douglas Fairbanks is mentioned and they mean Jnr not the Dad given the dates.
Dana -widow, one adult son, children's author in her late 40s is the heroine and a bit fast and wanton for my taste so I couldn't relate at all but Anne McCafrey has an excellent writing style - her description of being greeted by a dog was so evocative, for example.
I gave it 3.8 so have rounded to 4 with pleasure as it takes just four hours to read it and it is innocuous as a comfy read. Book Club choice.
Starts in Ireland so I was thrown by the US spellings and had to leap back to the biog for the author. There were a couple of expressions with which I was unfamiliar. Had to look up how one pronounces Mairead as I thought this was to be a key character (she wasn't!).
It has a good sense of the 1980s but Douglas Fairbanks is mentioned and they mean Jnr not the Dad given the dates.
Dana -widow, one adult son, children's author in her late 40s is the heroine and a bit fast and wanton for my taste so I couldn't relate at all but Anne McCafrey has an excellent writing style - her description of being greeted by a dog was so evocative, for example.
I gave it 3.8 so have rounded to 4 with pleasure as it takes just four hours to read it and it is innocuous as a comfy read. Book Club choice.
June 18, 2021
Anne McCaffrey is best known for her science fiction, especially her Dragonriders of Pern series. But she also had a sideline in romance, and this is my favorite of the bunch. There are a few lines in it that made me raise my modern eyebrows (a woman is asked if she's a women's libber, with a negative tone), but it's overall a very cozy romance at a snowed-in hotel, with just a bit of murder thrown in to bring the couple back together again.
November 28, 2017
Three and a half stars. This was a surprise when I came across it because I had no idea she'd written it. I would have devoured this twenty years ago when I mostly read only romances. They are rare for me now and I meant only to page through it a bit before placing it back on the shelf but the knitting clinched it for me and home it came. I'm pleased it did so. It's one of those lovely simplistic romances that is perfect to read on a rainy afternoon with a mug of tea and a cat; the precise bit of fluff that my life sorely needed. I only wish it went into the trial a bit more. And included a knitting pattern. :D
April 5, 2018
This book is very much a romance novel. It's middle aged 1980s woman fantasy romance novel complete with Tom Selleck mustache mystery man snowed in blizzard, nothing to do but... each other.
It sounds pretty atrocious conceptually, but it didn't lie about what it was, I expected it going in. Her character work was pretty decent on here though it seemed a little author-wish-fulfillment (main character is a successful author from ireland meeting hottie Tom Selleck). It was still fun enough and the pacing was very nice to make it a quick read.
It sounds pretty atrocious conceptually, but it didn't lie about what it was, I expected it going in. Her character work was pretty decent on here though it seemed a little author-wish-fulfillment (main character is a successful author from ireland meeting hottie Tom Selleck). It was still fun enough and the pacing was very nice to make it a quick read.
May 21, 2017
This is a favorite of mine. McCaffrey has an older heroine here, an older hero, too. She has to be the hero's alibi . Her love of knitting and her habit of journaling are both critical to the plot. I've reread this a few times over the years, and I still love it.
May 15, 2020
This is a "main stream" romance. When I meet Ms McCaffrey in Winnipeg I told her it felt very real to me. She mentioned she had sat next to a young man on the flight to a book signing, and that is how the idea started. It's a beautiful story, all fictional.
July 29, 2024
Enchanting Mystery Romance
Anne McCaffrey is better known for her science fantasy tales but she did also wrote some half dozen novels of this character. Stitch in Snow is a delightful story of Irish American love sparked off by a snow enforced stayover in a Denver hotel. Lots of humour and adult interaction as mature persons get a second chance of romance after years of loneliness.
Anne McCaffrey is better known for her science fantasy tales but she did also wrote some half dozen novels of this character. Stitch in Snow is a delightful story of Irish American love sparked off by a snow enforced stayover in a Denver hotel. Lots of humour and adult interaction as mature persons get a second chance of romance after years of loneliness.
October 6, 2023
It is great to find Anne away from her normal environement and she remains a great story teller and in this story appeals so well to women of a certain age. I can see why you might criticise it as light even worthy of a Mills And Boon catalogue but I enjoyed it again after more than a decade, a great winter read
November 16, 2023
This was quite fun and easy read. It wouldn't necessarily be my choice in books but it was a book club choice. I liked it as I didn't really have to think - apart from I got confused about why she was living in Ireland and then it got explained in detail.
The ending was a bit predictable, but that is what you expect from this sort of book.
The ending was a bit predictable, but that is what you expect from this sort of book.
December 5, 2025
I really like this one, partly for nostalgia, partly for the wish-fulfillment story (librarian writer with a great son), and partly because the world of the 80s seems as alien as many SF planets and I like to boggle at, even though I was there and lived through it.
The theme for the book club is snowed it, and I immediately grabbed the chance to reread this.
The theme for the book club is snowed it, and I immediately grabbed the chance to reread this.
February 27, 2017
A quick read by a good author about a subject I could care less about.
December 19, 2017
Another early novel by Anne McCaffrey. You will identify the main character with Ms. McCaffrey.
November 7, 2018
Light easy read.
March 29, 2019
A nice pleasant read.
August 24, 2022
Really loved this change of pace from Anne, probably my favourite stand alone book from her.
June 1, 2023
1984 - HB - Forbes Lib
January 25, 2024
A convincing romance but without the sparkle and creativity of her fantasy and science fiction.
Still a good story line and convincing characters.
Still a good story line and convincing characters.
April 25, 2020
I love this book, and have read it several times. I'm really not sure why it resonates so much with me., unless it is because I share a hobby (knitting) and a name (Jane) with the heroine.
Dana Jane Lovell is in her mid-forties, the author of a successful series of children's books. But with her son, Tim, away at college, she spends a lot of time knitting Aran sweaters, which a friend sells at her shop. Although American, Dana lives in Ireland; and as she leaves on a speaking tour to the United States, she begins a new sweater, never guessing who it is destined for. Halfway through the trip, Dana and other travelers are stranded in Denver during a snow storm. There she meets Dan Lowell, and begins a relationship with him. But will it last past the storm?
My only quibble is that throughout this book the author misspells Aran (as Arran); since she lived in Ireland she should have known better.
Dana Jane Lovell is in her mid-forties, the author of a successful series of children's books. But with her son, Tim, away at college, she spends a lot of time knitting Aran sweaters, which a friend sells at her shop. Although American, Dana lives in Ireland; and as she leaves on a speaking tour to the United States, she begins a new sweater, never guessing who it is destined for. Halfway through the trip, Dana and other travelers are stranded in Denver during a snow storm. There she meets Dan Lowell, and begins a relationship with him. But will it last past the storm?
My only quibble is that throughout this book the author misspells Aran (as Arran); since she lived in Ireland she should have known better.
August 25, 2019
This copy came to me via a good friend when I mentioned that I'd been looking for an affordable copy to read it again, having first read it back in the eighties. Thanks Bagpuss, I really enjoyed rereading this one. In fact I think that, as an older lady who now knits a lot, I actually identified with the lead character much more than I did on my first reading when I was a mother of young children.
June 21, 2012
One of my favorite books....can't help but like the heroine whom I've admired since first reading this when in my twenties..an Aran knitter, with wrinkles and grey hair who falls in love at an unexpected time.,a mils and boon but with better style and writing. I only got into this as I had read Anne Macaffreys fantasy offerings...and loved the escapism in the book. An easy read for pure escapism!
June 11, 2020
I give this one 5 stars because it is one of my "comfort" books, not necessarily because it is a stellar literary achievement. The story of an author (and knitter) on a book tour who meets a mysterious (and romantic) stranger, and then gets drawn into a crime drama.
January 8, 2011
This is a sweet romance book. I was a young kid reading the "adult" contemporary romance. Dana and Dan are sweetly matched. There is a bit of conflict which easily resolves in a happily ever after. I thought all romance novels ended up in happily ever afters.
July 24, 2016
Mildly enjoyable romance with a twist or two, but it definitely felt dated. Not too surprising since it was published in the 80's, but I prefer when a book feels ageless. McCaffrey is really best known for her many fantasy/sci-fi series.
April 1, 2014
Not so much a review but took me forever to get my hands on this book! Was the last romance novel I needed for my collection of Anne's! The few people who WERE selling it had it at such insane prices :/
July 6, 2008
A reread for a long plane trip. Pleasant, but I always feel very squicky about the bellhop unlocking the connecting door. To me that whole thing is not romantic, but very scary.
October 18, 2009
Not her most impressive work.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews