Stitched: A Novel

by Eli McCann

A hilarious story of found family that proves it’s never too late to discover who you are.

Betty Lou Dearden has been a member of the Ogden Quilter's Association for more than twenty years when it's announced that the biggest quilting competition in the country is coming to her small Utah town. With the clock ticking, the women welcome two young gay men to their group as they bicker their way to an award-worthy entry and attempt to beat their long-time rivals once and for all. With disarming humor and extraordinary heart, Eli McCann takes readers deep into the cozy but cutthroat world of competitive quilting and the sometimes-messy friendships that shape our lives.

Genres: Fiction, Contemporary, Humor, LGBT, Adult Fiction, Queer, Literary Fiction

280 pages, Paperback

Expected publication September 8, 2026

Reviews

[MagretFume · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very cute and heartfelt "slice of life".

I liked that the writing didn't overplay the characters' feelings and didn't rely too much on their personal history, while still being able to make you empathize with them and understand their situation.

If you're in the right mood, this is a good cozy story.

[Ashley V · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a young queer person getting into quilting, I’m absolutely obsessed with this book. The ladies of the Ogden Quilters Association were so fun to get to know, Byron and Rob are a hoot, and I never thought quilting could be so cutthroat. More Golden Girls than Schitt’s Creek, but such a good time!

[Emilya · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars

I enjoyed reading Stitched by Eli McCann. As a beginner knitter, I don’t know much about quilting, so I found that aspect of the story especially interesting, but what I loved most was the friendship between the older women and the way they always supported one another. Their sense of community and found family was heartwarming.

I also really enjoyed Byron and Rob joining the quilting group. It was fun and sweet to see the women so accepting of the two gay men, and I found myself wishing the story had spent even more time with them because they were such enjoyable characters.

Overall, Stitched is a heartwarming story about friendship, acceptance, and the family we create for ourselves. It left me with a smile and was a lovely read.

[Lisa Huppert · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨ (4.5 stars) rounded up!

This book was an absolute delight and exactly the uplifting read I needed. Who knew a story centered around competitive quilting could be so entertaining?

The Ogden Quilting Association (OQA) is made up of six elderly women who are looking to recruit new members after losing a couple from their ranks—one due to the infamous “needle incident,” which is hilariously never fully explained. Their search leads them to welcome two younger gay men into the group despite neither of them knowing the first thing about quilting. There’s Byron, who lives for the gossip, and Rob, the quiet, observant artist. Their personalities couldn’t be more different, and watching them become part of the OQA was one of my favorite parts of the story.

While quilting provides the backdrop, this is really a story about friendship, found family, and the people who show up for one another. It’s about trust, companionship, and finding a place where you belong.

The rivalry between the OQA and the quilting group from Logan adds another layer of fun, giving readers a delightfully easy villain to root against throughout the competition.

This was such a cozy, heartwarming read filled with humor, lovable characters, and plenty of charm. I genuinely hope this isn’t the last we see of the OQA. I’d happily return for another book filled with their quilting competitions, antics, and the continued stories of this wonderful found family.

Thank you NetGalley for the advanced reader’s copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Kristin Tanner · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was so hyped up on social media that I guess I just expected more from it. The premise is great—2 gay men joining a women’s sewing group and spilling ALL the tea. It could have been incredible, but while there were plenty of laugh out loud moments, it still just fell flat.

It felt to me like the men never really belonged in the group. For one, they never even learn to sew. Two, they barely speak any words in the whole book. They just seem to sit back, watch, and report on what they witness. There was basically no point to Rob at all. I thought that when the theme for their competition quilt was announced and had a gay reference to it, they would be the ones to come up with a quilt so clever to help guide this group of old ladies to a championship, but they didn’t even have any suggestions or bring new ideas to the group at all. I guess I pictured a book flowing with conversation…the kind that makes these wary old women fall absolutely in love with their new group members and form a tight bond.

While it had more than enough entertaining moments, and I’d still recommend the book to anyone looking for something a little different, it just felt like one big missed opportunity to turn it into something bigger.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advance copy. All opinions are my own.

[Kelli Sumner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stitched is equal parts hilarious and heartwarming. I loved the characters- they were all so funny and lovable in their own ways. As someone who loves quilting it was fun to see a story based around a quilting group and the world of cutthroat quilting competitions. Even better than the quilting storyline though were the friendships and found family of the OQA. I wanted even more time with these wonderful characters and hope there will be a sequel!

Many thanks to Netgalley and BooksGoSocial for access to an eARC in exchange for my review!

[Donna Reynolds · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an ARC ebook from PW Grab-A-Galley.

A 4.5 star rating for this heartwarming story. I enjoyed this book even though I know nothing about quilting. It’s the humorous dialogue and relationship between the members of the Ogden Quilters Association that makes this book memorable.

All the women in the group are over 60. A biannual competition is coming up and the group needs a couple of new and younger members. Current member Candace brings two gay men, Byron and Rob who know nothing about quilting, to join. As they begin working on their quilt, relationships within the group change as the leader, Betty Lou, faces personal challenges.

I learned about quilting, competitions and the lengths some people go to be winners and squelch competitors. There are many conversations full of witty and funny dialogue, especially from hard-of-hearing Alice and rambling Byron. The personal growth of Betty Lou is the part I liked best.

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

I saw a reel on instagram for this book, and was happy to get an advance copy on NetGalley.

I came in with expectations of this being more salacious and laugh out loud funny. There certainly was humor and drama, but I found it to be more tender and sweet than anything else. Poor Betty Lou really got to me.

Certain characters were more fleshed out than others, but for the most part I think the author did a good job of making them all seem like real people. There’s a danger with a book like this of heading into caricature territory, but I feel like that was safely averted.

I do feel the relationship between Byron and Rob was a little bit of a head scratcher. There was not a lot of context given there. I also wondered (as someone who admittedly doesn’t know anything about quilting), how in the world does it take a full year for eight people to put together a quilt and have it be down to the wire? Is that really a thing?

Toward the end of the book I had the thought that the way chapters were devoted to different characters was perhaps the author putting together the different squares of the quilt. Maybe, maybe not, but clever if so.

Overall an enjoyable read.

[Lorren · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a cozy, delightful book with enough drama to keep me engaged but mostly sweetness. The setting of an Utah quilting group with years of both affection and offense entering a competition with its own alliances and resentments was unexpected and charming. I found Betty Lou, with her longstanding private offenses and burdens, to be relatable. Byron, one of two gay men who join the group, was a great comedic foil. A few of the characters felt underdeveloped—Diane didn’t have much to set her apart from the other more vivid women, and I was confused about Rob, Byron’s silent, handsome friend—at first I thought they were together, and then it later became clear they weren’t, but it wasn’t very clear. But overall, this was charming and enjoyable.

[Nettle Reads · Rating 2 out of 5]

"I think your enjoyment of the book will hinge on whether you can believe that the friendship between these women is ultimately -despite the differences and problems- a positive element in their lives."

Thank you to the publisher & NetGalley for the ARC. I was mainly drawn to the book because of the strong themes of craft, friendship and working together towards a shared goal. I thought the premise – a group of elderly quilters taking two gay men under their wing as they work on their show stopper for a bi-annual quilting competition – sounded great. Unfortunately, it didn’t quite live up to my expectations. The interpretations of the themes as well as the focus was different from what I expected. I came to this book without knowing the author, but from the other reviews I can see that he has a strong social media presence, so perhaps if you are already familiar with him, your expectations are better tailored to what the book is.

I thought we would see a group of friends dealing with the struggles and stress of making a show piece for an important quilt competition. However, the main story-line lies instead in the inner social workings of their decades long friendship, and the characters confronting years of resentment, pent up frustrations, passive aggression and clashing personalities, as well as a confrontation with the limitations that aging brings – which just happens to the backdrop of the quilt competition. This shifts the main story from a heartwarming found-family cozy story to an exploration of more heavy topics. Absolutely also a story worth telling, nothing wrong, but worth being aware of before starting.

I think your enjoyment of the book will hinge on whether you can believe that the friendship between these women is ultimately -despite the differences and problems- a positive element in their lives. The book failed to convince me of that, taking the group as a whole at least. Especially considering some of the issues they have with each other go back 30 years. Without this conviction, the book ultimately falls flat.

The crafting aspect is merely a somewhat prominent background to the conversations happening in the story, which happen during ‘quilt nights’ or in the fabric shop. I’m not sure what the group was actually doing during their nights. Until the halfway point I didn’t even know they were machine sewing instead of hand sewing. Which begs the question how these folks could even have so much conversation over the noise of at least 6 sewing machines, but I guess that’s fiction-magic at work.

I enjoyed the characters of the two new recruits, but I had expected more scenes in which they would learn how to quilt, or where they’d provide input on the design – as that is the guise under which they are roped into joining the group-, and at least a couple of scenes where working on the quilt was the focus, but that just wasn’t there. I’m not sure how the men were helpful to the goal of either the longevity of the quilt group or to the quilt competition. In fact, the design process as a whole was underwhelming and confusing. Until about 75% in, you have zero idea what blocks most of the quilters are working on. Perhaps the hodgepodge-ness of the quilt was meant to be a comedic reveal, but I doubt it, as it was telegraphed way earlier in the book. As a crafter, I’m not sure if working on something like this would be very fulfilling. I get that this is part of the message – the whole ‘we each do our own thing but still are a part of a whole’ – but that would have resonated more if the friendship had convinced me in the first place.

There´s also some moral messages that I simply do not agree with. There is a story-line whose point basically amounts to children having a duty to always take care of their elderly parents. One of the characters can be paraphrased as saying that none is too busy to be there for the people who birthed them. I empathically disagree with this, and it surprises me to see this in a queer positive book. I suppose this links to how one views the group of friends: are they a found family because they are so close, or is the friend group like a family in that you have to accept their flaws no matter what.

I also felt uncomfortable with the depiction of the main antagonist. Sure, Patricia is extraordinarily mean and awful. But apart from her meanness and her impeccable crafting skills, the thing that gets mentioned repeatedly is the cosmetic work she’s had done on her face. While I’m no fan of the plastic surgery industry myself, I don’t think that everyone who has had any work done is automatically a black-hearted maleficent. It felt like the oldest trope in the book and somewhat.. misogynist? Likewise, I was not charmed by the incessant pushing of a relationship on the happily unmarried of the elderly ladies.

I thought this book was supposed to be an ode to the craft of quilting, but that’s not what I found inside these pages. Quilts by other groups in the competition were portrayed as comic relief in a way that felt like caricature, which I had hoped the book would subvert instead of encourage. If I weren´t a crafter before, I´m not sure this book would have left me with the feeling that I’d want to become one.

It is a shame as I do think the premise was promising. That said, there were elements that I liked. I liked the queer representation as well as the mutual acceptance between the younger men and older ladies. I liked the humor, especially in the early chapters of the book. I think this book is written from a clear point of love for the real-life people that probably inspired these characters, and that shines through. Also of note: I think the cover design is amazing work.

Many other people did love this book, so if the premise still resonates with you, then go for it. You may like it better than I did.

[Nick Artrip · Rating 5 out of 5]

I requested and received an eARC of Stitched by Eli McCann via NetGalley. The Ogden Quilter's Association is thrilled to learn that the biggest quilting competition in the country is heading to their small Utah town. Betty Lou Deadrden is determined that this is the year that her group will win first place and the prize trip to Tampa. That is if they can all agree on a project worth entering, while also navigating the difficulties in their own lives. With the clock ticking, the women of the quilting group welcome two young gay men into their inner circle as they bicker their way toward creating an award-worthy entry to beat their long-time rivals once and for all!

Stitched is the coziest of cozy reads. I fell so deeply in love with this unique circle of friends! Betty Lou is my spiritual twin, and I would fight any person who dared to hurt her feelings. Lucy? Melted my freaking my heart. Diane and Alice? I loved this pair, especially Alice! Candace is our glue and perhaps the most practical out of the bunch. Leera was a delightful wildcard. Byron was a hoot! And Rob? I have a crush on that gentle soul. All of McCann’s characters are so incredibly easy to love. I loved their dynamic and each brought a little something to story, each was a necessary square to the quilt. The author brings all of these distinct personalities alive beautifully on the page.

At first glance, it doesn’t seem like there’s a whole lot going on in Stitched beyond some grannies and gays coming together to make a quilt. As the story unfolds, however, and we learn more about the characters and their shared histories, the story blossoms into so much more. Through his characters, McCann tackles decades-old resentments, burgeoning romances, health scares, grief, and the reality of aging. All of this could’ve very easily been done in a cheesy or forgettable away, but each thread in this story is imbued with sensitivity, care, and humanity. The Ogden Quilter's Association stole my heart. I laughed, I cried, and I hated to leave these characters behind. Stitched has definitely earned a spot in my favorites of 2026.

[Aprilcots · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having followed Eli on social media for years, I knew that this book would be funny and clever, and it absolutely is. What I was not expecting were the fully formed relatable and charming characters, the amazing insight into a woman’s complicated family and social responsibilities, the wisdom of letting go and stepping back and forgiving and looking through the eyes of another. I was completely charmed by the first chapters as it felt like my late grandmother’s Utah home and quirky habits were perfectly encapsulated though Eli’s incredible attention to cultural detail. And the quilting! Oh my. I never would have thought that I’d be completely enraptured by a quilting group and their drama, but by the time the competition had arrived, I was utterly invested. Part Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society, part Fried Green Tomatoes, part How to Make an American Quilt, I still found this novel wholly original and an absolutely transformative and thoughtful experience.

Being a deconstructed exmormon woman, I appreciated the tenderness with which Eli dealt with the burnout and the refusal to ask for help and the complete overwhelm that a high demand religion puts on women. I could tell that he had personal insight, having been raised in the same culture as I was. It is an astute and kind man who can see and describe women in such a compassionate and empathetic manner, at once being honest yet humorous, not shying away from difficult subjects, but never condescending or insensitive or cloying.

It is rare that a book can make me sob one minute and laugh through tears the next. Eli and his beautiful cast of characters achieved it. Stitched deserves all of the accolades and attention that it is about to receive. Thank you, Net Galley for this advance reader copy.

[Cori Samuel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved this for its Golden Girls setup and close look at women's friendships after decades together.

It's a slice-of-life, multi-POV story centring a quilting group as they prepare for a national US-wide competition, and having recently lost two members, recruit two gay men to boost the numbers. Which I naturally assumed might be relevant to the story in some way, esp since this is tagged as QUILTBAG in various places (couldn't resist the alternate acronym!) However no, neither gender nor sexuality are important beyond sparking some funny conversations. Two people of any/no gender/sexuality could have been written in, and as long as one has a passion for gossip and the other is "still waters run deep" in human form, we're good to go.

I didn't mind that particularly, since I was very much enjoying the older-lady dynamics: business-owner vs home-makers, support-giver vs having increasing support needs, largely feral vs sensitive to a fault. However, I wonder if leaning into the men a bit more might have given a bit more structure or depth to the story, which otherwise IS simply the account of this competition (albeit with a very long run-up because quilting is VERY time-consuming.)

Read this for the relationship dynamics and actual lols! (If your sense of humour is similar to mine & the author's.) But despite the marketing/tagging, you'll need to get your QUILTBAG content elsewhere.


Rating: 15/20
This review is based upon a complimentary advance review copy provided by the publisher.

[Katie Lavoie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely adored this small town, low stakes book about a group of friends all trying their best.

In Stitched we follow various members of a quilting group as they prepare and attend a large competition. What starts as a focus and desire to win a quilting competition quickly morphs into different day-to-day struggles and the impact of friends to help get through the bad times.

There were a few elements that made this book shine to me. The first was how believable and well-captured the characters are. While the drama itself is low stakes, it still felt incredibly realistic - I can almost picture my grandma and her friends saying/doing all this.

The second thing I liked was the writing - it felt incredibly balanced across several dimensions (e.g., it was funny without trying to be a comedy, had emotional depth without trying to be a drama, full of morals without coming across as preachy).

Last, but certainly not least, I appreciated the underlying messages. The importance of friendship, how friendship can be defined differently be different people but that doesn’t make it any less real, the need for empathy when things get messy, and the importance of accepting one another, faults and all.

Thanks you to Torrey House Press for providing me with an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Codie Wright · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to Netgalley for allowing me to read an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

We follow the Ogden Quilter's Association as they get ready for another entry into the world of competitive quilting. As someone who has recently become obsessed with the world of competitive table laying, this felt right up my street. The story is told in multiple POVs and sometimes I found it hard to differentiate some of the women until much further along but eventually things became clear.

This book was very clever, well-written and at times utterly heart-wrenching. I was expecting an easy, cosy read, and there certainly were moments like that, but there was also a lot of real issues addressed. It felt *real* in a way that a lot of books miss. The characters were flawed, and didn't necessarily redeem themselves entirely. The group dynamics felt all-too-relatable and those friendships that come from being involved in a group project but not always getting along, were written perfectly.

I loved the found family element of this story, however, I did feel like some character development and story lines were a little surface - I wanted to know more!

[Kristen Cook - A Book Ninja · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was excited to receive an ARC of Stitched from Torrey House Press after reading an article how McCann came to write this book. With multiple quilters in my immediate family, I thought that I would thoroughly enjoy this book.

A group of elderly female quilters are desperate to have new members join their group so they have a chance to win a quilter competition that is coming to their home state. They have quilted together for decades and the group has dwindled due to members' health, moving and dying. They recruit two gay men, who do not sew or quilt, to join their group. And how could six sewing machines be running at the same time and the group carry on conversations?

I am a huge fan of stories that include a quirky set of characters that become a found family. Sadly, this book fell so short for me. I know McCann has a huge social media following so I am sure others will love this book. I found that most of the characters were shallow, mean, and petty. Why was Rob even a character in the book? It wasn't funny at all.

I fell like this book had great possibility and it sadly missed the mark for me. Great story idea but poor execution.

I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley and Torrey House Press in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Boo de Bruin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank-you to NetGalleyUK and the publisher for an Advanced Reading Copy in exchange for an honest review.

I picked this up having seen a Tiktok of Eli talking about the book, tried to preorder it and been unable to in the UK, and then seen I could get it via NetGalley.

For a debut, and a novel in this genre, there was lots about this to like. There were several moments that I laughed out loud and gave bits to my husband to read. When it's good, it's very good.

This was a cosy character-driven read, following a group of mainly-pensioners in quite a Thursday murder club / Exotic Marigold hotel way. The actual drama of the quilting was mildly insane, but I think that's the point, and as somebody else who does competitive hobbies, I feel the drama was 10/10 realistic for just how silly it can become.

Overall I would say it was a nice fluffy summer read, that I probably would have enjoyed more had I been dipping in and out, rather than reading it in a single sitting on a plane! The poignant bits didn't quite land for me, and there were some bits I wanted fleshed out more.

Imperfect, but I'm interested to see how Eli develops as a fiction author!

[Zamantha · Rating 4 out of 5]

“It was not lost on him in this moment how uncommon it might have been for a group of rigid geriatrics, steeped in tradition and routine, to welcome in someone they just met.”

I didn’t expect to like this book if I’m being honest! It’s not my usual genre, and it felt too mundane a story for me. However, it was such a surprise that I was able to laugh so freely while reading this. The interactions of all the characters felt so natural and real that it made me feel for everyone very deeply.

I enjoyed the pacing of this book a lot; it was a quick read, but it didn’t feel rushed. I feel the genuineness in the dialogue as well. It didn’t feel pretentious or out of place.

It was an unexpectedly wonderful experience reading this. I had lots of fun, and I even cried towards the end. Who would’ve thought old women and two gay men would make me feel things?


I am incredibly grateful to the publisher and NetGalley for allowing me to get a copy of this ARC!

Publishing date: September 8, 2026

[Kathryn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is outside of what I normally read and because of that it took me a bit to get used to. The best way I can describe it is cozy. It follows a group of older women and two gay men as they make a quilt for a national quilting show and have to navigate personal health, inter-group drama, and the competition. As a Strangerville subscriber (both podcast and newsletter), I knew that this book would be filled with a lot of humor and heart, which it fully delivered on. I loved that the book was representative of a demographic that is too often not seen in media and the women were such well rounded characters. I did struggle with some of the pacing of the book and it fully put me to sleep twice (though my long work week may have been the cause in that), but again where this was out of my reading norm I’m going to give it a bit of grace on that.

Thank you to NetGalley and BooksGoSocial for the ARC in exchange for an honest review. Full disclosure, I do know Eli but my review reflects my honest opinions.

[Dani · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was honestly a lot more fun than I was expecting!

I adored Byron and his never ending gossip and anecdotes - I totally want to be his friend and hang out at the fabric shop with him and Rob and the cat.

The group of older women were really entertaining and I really liked how all of their personalities clashed so much, yet they were best friends bonded by their love for quilting. I want to go make a quilt now! I have no idea how they were so polite to each other most of the time, I'd be thrown out of the group in less than a day for saying what I think all the time I fear...

The whole competition and the drama around Patricia the demon queen was hilarious. I can't even picture the finished quilt but the way they were all so certain it was a work of art had me giggling away.

This is just a really fun book about friendship and what it is that keeps those bonds strong.

*****
I received an ARC of this book from Netgalley / BooksGoSocial, and this is my honest review

[Alex · Rating 4 out of 5]

This year’s biggest quilting competition is a must-win for the Ogden Quilter’s Association — a longstanding group of cantankerous, geriatric women who gather weekly to quilt — since the nationwide event is finally taking place in Utah. The group is short on numbers, so they try something modern: recruiting two young, gay men (who know nothing about quilting) to help them succeed. Friendships that last thirty-plus years are a beautiful thing to behold. But then again, so are freshly blossomed friendships where people learn to appreciate each other despite life stage differences. Seeing each other through loss, bodily breakdown, and plenty of quilting drama creates a bond like no other. If the ladies (and two gents who clearly fit in with the OQA) embark on another quilting adventure, count me in. I’ll come for the drama, the snark, and the patchwork quilt of personalities bickering through it all; I’ll stay for the heartwarming camaraderie.

[Jessica · Rating 3 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️

A tender story about a quilting group who needs new members and invites two gay men to join the ranks. With the upcoming Simpson Family Quilting extravaganza will the group complete their quit AND survive the drama?

While I think lots of people will love this book, it just wasn’t for me. There were definitely some funny moments that had me smiling, but overall the pacing felt slow, and I found myself wishing the story would move along more quickly. I never thought I’d say there could be too much character development, but I struggled to connect with the large cast and found it difficult to become invested in their stories.

Even though this one wasn’t for me, I think readers who enjoy character-driven, cozy, small-town stories centered on found family and community will likely appreciate it much more than I did.

[Anna Moiseieva · Rating 3 out of 5]

Really cute story! It was fun to get to know the ladies of the OQA, and Byron and Rob, and get a window into their friendship. From a purely artistic curiosity perspective I wish we got more info about quilting and the mechanics of making this quilt that seemed to take about a year for the group to make. Also Byron and Rob don't really learn to quilt which seems kind of disappointing/unrealistic considering how long they spend with the group. I liked how each part/section of the book started with a different piece of communication like letter or email or announcement. Overall, a nice read especially when in the throws of unpacking. Glad to have gotten an early copy from the publisher and NetGalley.

[Corey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Those who are already fans of Eli will find everything they love about him in this book - humor, sincerity, and great story telling. But Stitched also stands on its own as a delightful and charming read that takes you places you didn't know you wanted to go, namely, inside a quilting group. I said this about Laren Groff's Matrix, and I'll say it about this book, I love when authors write about a topic that isn't obviously going to be commercially successful (i.e. lesbian nuns), and following this group of elderly women as they navigate their relationships and a quilting competition is a joy all the way through the last line.

[Aimee · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars!

This is a fun, funny, heartwarming, and at times bittersweet novel, and had me visibly smiling as I was reading.

Amongst all the drama of the looming quilting competition, it's very much a character driven story, and the characters are both realistically drawn and incredibly endearing. The differing personalities and relationships amongst this found family of quilters really captured me.

At one moment breaking my heart and then in the next having me laughing out loud, it felt very honest and empathetic. McCann has created a really charming and lovely read.

Also, am I going to need to take up quilting now?!

Thank you to BooksGoSocial and NetGalley for the ARC!

[Lauren Harden · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book teaser “Golden Girls meets Schitt’s Creek” is spot on.

As a quilter in my mid-thirties I’m aware of the tropes often associated with the hobby however I’ve witnessed more often than not quilters being progressive, inclusive and non-judgmental. I’d like to have seen more of this current culture than the perception of some stereotypes.

I enjoyed the observational nature of group dynamics and personal reflection of the characters represented in this book.

I’d love to see what’s next for this cast of characters.

Thank you #NetGalley for the early copy of this book and opportunity to review

[Gaia Amman · Rating 4 out of 5]

This novel was a delight. Since I picked it from the LGBTQ+ shelf, it was not what I expected. The novel had LGBTQ representation, but queerness is not the main theme. The main theme is being human, and in particular, an old human (70 to 90-ish). I am in my 40s and could not care less about quilting. The story itself is exactly as stated in the summary without surprises. Yet, the novel is so well written, and the characters so relatably real, that I felt like meeting old friends every time I picked up the book. The compassion, humor, and care with which the perfectly imperfect characters are depicted made it a quick, warm read anyone would enjoy.

[Amy Spencer · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very good 3.5! It was a fun & heartwarming book grounded in friends who are ultimately family. The ups & downs and how each person comes back to each other is what makes life happen. I really wanted more from the two male characters, Byron & Rob, and found this a missed opportunity. I found Byron so funny and wanted more. Not really sure Rob added much to the storyline, but the opportunity was there. A fun theme and an enjoyable time spent with the quilters! Thanks so much to NetGalley for the ARC!

[Mark Anderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a delightful read. I got wind of STITCHED through social media and knew I needed to get my hands on it. It is rare that I read a book of this length in one day, but I couldn't put it down. Nearly every chapter made me laugh out loud, but what surprised me was how much heart there is in this book. The final run of chapters had me wiping away many tears. This is a book that will stay with me for a long time and I will not be surprised to see it turn into a huge commercial success this fall.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25/5 Stars

This was a fun, heartwarming read and a welcome escape from the doom and gloom of everyday life. The cast of characters each had distinct personalities, and I enjoyed watching their friendships grow, from their smaller circles to the larger quilting group. My only disappointment was that I wanted more of Byron and Rob, as they had a lot of untapped potential. Overall, it's a feel-good novel that left me smiling.