What do you think?
Rate this book
Stitched
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.
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.
390 pages, Paperback
First published September 8, 2026
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 96 reviews
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
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.
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.
May 24, 2026
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!
July 1, 2026
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.
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.
June 17, 2026
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.
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.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Character driven but over troped, STITCHED, by Eli McCann, is his debut novel.
A group of senior quilters from Ogden is trying to prepare for a regional contest to be held in neighboring Smithfield. There’s many years of consternation between the two clubs. Smithfield is usually the winner and Ogden? Well, they try; faithfully.
This year, the Ogden group is desperate for new ideas and some fresh blood for their club. The event is practically in their backyard. When no women are added, a member decides to coerce two gay friends to join in. Neither one has any quilting experience. Sigh…
A theme is declared for the contest and the group finally agrees on a plan to satisfy the contest. Each member will provide a square that supports their single quilt submission.
Women of the Ogden quilting club have been “friends” for decades but for the life of me, I cannot imagine why. This is a group of nasty, snarky women with gripes that go back years. They are mean girls gone Grandma!
Altho’ there are passages devoted to actual quilting, the majority is about these women, their relationships, families and problems. I did not enjoy their company but continued to read, hoping they would grow up. No. Such. Luck. I’m ever so thankful my card club is nothing like them.
The proliferation of expletives is so unnecessary and really made me cringe, especially the divine epithets. IMO, this is incongruous for the audience that might seek to read a quilting novel.
Author, McCann writes a monthly humor column for the Salt Lake Tribune and hosts a podcast called Strangerville. He’s currently got just shy of 150K followers and is getting a bunch of interest on social media. It would have been welcomed for some of his humor to show itself in STICHED.
Unfortunately, this isn’t a book I can recommend but I’m in the minority. Please read some 4-5 star reviews and the publisher’s blurb to see if you’re better suited than I was📚
I received a copy for review purposes. All opinions are honest and mine alone.
Read and Reviewed from a PDF file provided by Publisher’s Weekly, the publisher and author.
A group of senior quilters from Ogden is trying to prepare for a regional contest to be held in neighboring Smithfield. There’s many years of consternation between the two clubs. Smithfield is usually the winner and Ogden? Well, they try; faithfully.
This year, the Ogden group is desperate for new ideas and some fresh blood for their club. The event is practically in their backyard. When no women are added, a member decides to coerce two gay friends to join in. Neither one has any quilting experience. Sigh…
A theme is declared for the contest and the group finally agrees on a plan to satisfy the contest. Each member will provide a square that supports their single quilt submission.
Women of the Ogden quilting club have been “friends” for decades but for the life of me, I cannot imagine why. This is a group of nasty, snarky women with gripes that go back years. They are mean girls gone Grandma!
Altho’ there are passages devoted to actual quilting, the majority is about these women, their relationships, families and problems. I did not enjoy their company but continued to read, hoping they would grow up. No. Such. Luck. I’m ever so thankful my card club is nothing like them.
The proliferation of expletives is so unnecessary and really made me cringe, especially the divine epithets. IMO, this is incongruous for the audience that might seek to read a quilting novel.
Author, McCann writes a monthly humor column for the Salt Lake Tribune and hosts a podcast called Strangerville. He’s currently got just shy of 150K followers and is getting a bunch of interest on social media. It would have been welcomed for some of his humor to show itself in STICHED.
Unfortunately, this isn’t a book I can recommend but I’m in the minority. Please read some 4-5 star reviews and the publisher’s blurb to see if you’re better suited than I was📚
I received a copy for review purposes. All opinions are honest and mine alone.
Read and Reviewed from a PDF file provided by Publisher’s Weekly, the publisher and author.
September 8, 2026
3.5 stars
Stitched is an incredibly sweet, warmhearted story, and on paper it has almost everything I should love: a group of elderly women, competitive quilting, found family, lots of quirky personalities, and two young gay men being welcomed into an unexpected community. Somehow, though, I liked this one more than I loved it.
The story centers on the Ogden Quilters Association, a group of women who take their quilting competitions VERY seriously despite the inconvenient fact that they have never actually won. There are rivalries, disagreements, decades-long grudges, and an impressive amount of knowledge about exactly which quilting groups are their biggest competition. Apparently competitive quilting is far more cutthroat than I ever imagined! And everyone knows you can’t underestimate the Amish.
This year is particularly exciting because the competition is being held locally, and the OQA is determined to finally make its mark. Along the way, the women welcome two young gay men into their group as they create a quilt with the theme “I Just Can’t Quilt You,” inspired by Brokeback Mountain—a movie, hilariously, none of the women have actually seen.
There are so many charming moments throughout the book. One of my favorites involved a woman talking about how she hasn’t been the same since Chuck died. The men naturally assume Chuck was her husband, only to discover that Chuck was her cat. 😂 That kind of gentle humor worked really well for me.
I also loved that Eli McCann narrated the audiobook himself. There is something special about hearing an author perform their own work when they can do it well, and McCann absolutely can. He brings a tremendous amount of heart and emotional depth to these characters.
I was also interested in the story’s exploration of a gay man who grew up in the LDS community and has found a way to make peace with parts of that upbringing while maintaining a loving relationship with his parents. There is a tenderness to the way McCann approaches family, faith, sexuality, aging, and the sometimes-unexpected places where we find community.
And yet…something was missing for me. Readers who follow my reviews know that a book filled with endearing elderly women is practically engineered in a laboratory for me personally. These women were funny and lovable, the premise was delightful, and the story checked so many of my boxes. But for whatever reason, it never quite reached the emotional level I kept waiting for it to hit.
Still, this was a lovely read, and I would absolutely pick up another book by Eli McCann. There is so much warmth in his storytelling, and I can easily imagine Stitched becoming a comfort read for other readers.
⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 3.5/5
Stitched was published September 8, 2026.
Thank you to Libro.fm and the Libro.fm ALC program for the gifted advance listening copy!
Stitched is an incredibly sweet, warmhearted story, and on paper it has almost everything I should love: a group of elderly women, competitive quilting, found family, lots of quirky personalities, and two young gay men being welcomed into an unexpected community. Somehow, though, I liked this one more than I loved it.
The story centers on the Ogden Quilters Association, a group of women who take their quilting competitions VERY seriously despite the inconvenient fact that they have never actually won. There are rivalries, disagreements, decades-long grudges, and an impressive amount of knowledge about exactly which quilting groups are their biggest competition. Apparently competitive quilting is far more cutthroat than I ever imagined! And everyone knows you can’t underestimate the Amish.
This year is particularly exciting because the competition is being held locally, and the OQA is determined to finally make its mark. Along the way, the women welcome two young gay men into their group as they create a quilt with the theme “I Just Can’t Quilt You,” inspired by Brokeback Mountain—a movie, hilariously, none of the women have actually seen.
There are so many charming moments throughout the book. One of my favorites involved a woman talking about how she hasn’t been the same since Chuck died. The men naturally assume Chuck was her husband, only to discover that Chuck was her cat. 😂 That kind of gentle humor worked really well for me.
I also loved that Eli McCann narrated the audiobook himself. There is something special about hearing an author perform their own work when they can do it well, and McCann absolutely can. He brings a tremendous amount of heart and emotional depth to these characters.
I was also interested in the story’s exploration of a gay man who grew up in the LDS community and has found a way to make peace with parts of that upbringing while maintaining a loving relationship with his parents. There is a tenderness to the way McCann approaches family, faith, sexuality, aging, and the sometimes-unexpected places where we find community.
And yet…something was missing for me. Readers who follow my reviews know that a book filled with endearing elderly women is practically engineered in a laboratory for me personally. These women were funny and lovable, the premise was delightful, and the story checked so many of my boxes. But for whatever reason, it never quite reached the emotional level I kept waiting for it to hit.
Still, this was a lovely read, and I would absolutely pick up another book by Eli McCann. There is so much warmth in his storytelling, and I can easily imagine Stitched becoming a comfort read for other readers.
⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 3.5/5
Stitched was published September 8, 2026.
Thank you to Libro.fm and the Libro.fm ALC program for the gifted advance listening copy!
July 15, 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨ (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.
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.
August 1, 2026
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!
Many thanks to Netgalley and BooksGoSocial for access to an eARC in exchange for my review!
August 12, 2026
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.
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.
August 22, 2026
2.5, rounded up for being a pretty quick read that kept me coming back to it. I been having trouble engaging with non-audiobooks lately but this did keep me reading each evening.
The gay men joining a quilting group thing has been way overplayed in hype about this book. They end up primarily as comic relief. There was some potential for one of them in an emotional scene but it played out behind closed doors.
Overall, a kind of over-sweet, very surface-level story that probably fits right into the quilty-book genre it aspires to. I just like a little more, I think.
I preordered this on bookshop.org and got it a few weeks early, for some reason - 10/10 will preorder here again ;)
The gay men joining a quilting group thing has been way overplayed in hype about this book. They end up primarily as comic relief. There was some potential for one of them in an emotional scene but it played out behind closed doors.
Overall, a kind of over-sweet, very surface-level story that probably fits right into the quilty-book genre it aspires to. I just like a little more, I think.
I preordered this on bookshop.org and got it a few weeks early, for some reason - 10/10 will preorder here again ;)
August 26, 2026
I was really excited to get a copy to review. As a member of two Quilt Guilds, I couldn't wait for a light-hearted, funny read. There are many humorous moments, and I loved the addition of two gay men into their quilting group. However, in my limited experience, I felt that the cutthroat competition and nastiness was overdone. Perhaps our family members who must listen to our many fabric acquisition stories and complaints about fellow guild members may find the show preparation humorous. It could be my mood, some of the story seems stereotypical, sad, and did not adequately portray the friendships and caring in my quilt guilds. You'll have to read this one to decide for yourself!
September 5, 2026
this made me feel warm and cozy
July 5, 2026
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.
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.
Did Not Finish
August 14, 2026I can only describe this as being too close to home, and apparently I need escapism when I read.
July 2, 2026
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.
July 29, 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️
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.
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.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
"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.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
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.
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.
Read
September 7, 2026I give Stitched an A. And this is why. Personally I'm not a quilter but I am in a Crafters and Quilters group at church. These ladies have been together for 20 years and I am brand new for a year now. These ladies know each other in the group and maybe do a little socializing with each other outside the group but for the most part their relationship is the quilting meetings. I think you hit it on the head. There are superstar quilters who understand color matching and design and never have an unperfect stitch. And all the stitches are done by hand, not machine. Some of the ladies are more bossy than others and there are always some slight quips or eye rolling on the side, but overall very discreetly, and still accepting of each other's talents and contributions. This definitely showed in the OQA. I really appreciate the fact that they didn't win the competition . They didn't even come close. They are a group of ladies who enjoy time together but overall they're not champions, and probably never will be.
I loved the drama of Patricia and her group. They were easy to hate.
They are obviously superstar quilters and have been so for years despite what the OQA thinks of their abilities. And then they score a 98 for the win. I don't think the book could have ended any differently.
Betty Lou stepping away for personal reasons that nobody really became aware of til the very end is true to life. We have strong acquaintances and we let them go by the wayside for unexplained reasons until we find out the true reason and then we all regroup ourselves again and rebuild. I don't know if you meant it to be that way but that's how I saw it. And I like how you incorporated Byron and Rob. They didn't come in and save the OQA with masterful suggestions and a winning entry. They were there for the group drama and contributed in ways other than the craft itself - to its benefit.
I laughed out loud a few times for sure. I read it in 3 days. I've thought about it a lot since I put it down. I've already told several quilting lady friends (I mean acquaintances) to read the book because they will love it.
I loved the drama of Patricia and her group. They were easy to hate.
They are obviously superstar quilters and have been so for years despite what the OQA thinks of their abilities. And then they score a 98 for the win. I don't think the book could have ended any differently.
Betty Lou stepping away for personal reasons that nobody really became aware of til the very end is true to life. We have strong acquaintances and we let them go by the wayside for unexplained reasons until we find out the true reason and then we all regroup ourselves again and rebuild. I don't know if you meant it to be that way but that's how I saw it. And I like how you incorporated Byron and Rob. They didn't come in and save the OQA with masterful suggestions and a winning entry. They were there for the group drama and contributed in ways other than the craft itself - to its benefit.
I laughed out loud a few times for sure. I read it in 3 days. I've thought about it a lot since I put it down. I've already told several quilting lady friends (I mean acquaintances) to read the book because they will love it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
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.
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.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
3.5 stars
Many thanks to Torrey House Press for gifting me with an early copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
There is much to love about this book. The story of two younger gay men joining a quilting group of women mostly in their 60s-90s was a great premise. I especially appreciated McCann featuring this group of older women participating in what might be thought of as an old fashioned or outdated hobby. Throughout the book, we get a little of the backstory of these women, their relationships, and how they came together before welcoming Byron and Rob into the group, first with trepidation (because they're men, not because they're gay) and then warmly. It also has has very funny moments that made me laugh, and it's a quick, easy read with some depth. That said, it did fall a bit short for me. McCann gives us just a surface level picture of these women's relationships and histories, and does the same for Rob and Byron- just glimpses that left me wanting to know so much more. There were a couple of moments where you see hearts being opened that were well written, but they were so brief. Could I have chosen changes here, I would have cut some of the quilting competition scenes and the politics behind that and added more of the characters backstories and more on where these relationships were all going as they deepened.
Overall, this was such a nice story of belonging and chosen family, funny, and easy to go down. It would make a terrific palate cleanser or a read for someone needing something light and feel good. I feel there is a lot of promise here and McCann has tons of potential as an author. I hope he keeps at it!
(And I really love this cover. 😍)
Many thanks to Torrey House Press for gifting me with an early copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
There is much to love about this book. The story of two younger gay men joining a quilting group of women mostly in their 60s-90s was a great premise. I especially appreciated McCann featuring this group of older women participating in what might be thought of as an old fashioned or outdated hobby. Throughout the book, we get a little of the backstory of these women, their relationships, and how they came together before welcoming Byron and Rob into the group, first with trepidation (because they're men, not because they're gay) and then warmly. It also has has very funny moments that made me laugh, and it's a quick, easy read with some depth. That said, it did fall a bit short for me. McCann gives us just a surface level picture of these women's relationships and histories, and does the same for Rob and Byron- just glimpses that left me wanting to know so much more. There were a couple of moments where you see hearts being opened that were well written, but they were so brief. Could I have chosen changes here, I would have cut some of the quilting competition scenes and the politics behind that and added more of the characters backstories and more on where these relationships were all going as they deepened.
Overall, this was such a nice story of belonging and chosen family, funny, and easy to go down. It would make a terrific palate cleanser or a read for someone needing something light and feel good. I feel there is a lot of promise here and McCann has tons of potential as an author. I hope he keeps at it!
(And I really love this cover. 😍)
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
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.
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.
Review of advance copy
I really wanted to like this book. I pre-ordered it and got it at least 3 weeks before I expected it. (and Goodreads says it is not out yet, although the author has posted pics of him signing copies to be sent out, I got mine from Bookstore). there is just no there, there. The characters are so flat. The personalities, what little they have, are stereotyped and no physical description is given so I couldn't begin to imagine them. The two male characters are finally said to be boyfriends in the very end, but they showed no affection to each other. The plot was so thin and uninteresting. One of the quilters left the group because of The Needle incident, but it was never explained. What happened? Two others lived together, were they friends or something more? They had little to no backstories and no depth. At the end it seemed that the moral of the story was they all wanted friends not winning quilts. Having been in a stitching group for just over 30 years (COVID moved us to online, and while it continues, it is not the same) I call bullshit on that. We are friends and we compete. We want to improve our skills and win ribbons and we lovingly tease each other when one of us beats another of us. And I am an old lady, like most of the characters in this book. And I want to improve my skills and continue to make friends. Honestly, the book was just boring. Even taking place in Utah, a place I don't consider to be very interesting, it was uninspired. What a disappointment.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
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.
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.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you Netgalley for this ARC Of Stitched by Eli McCann.
Please oh please can I be a part of a quilting group like this when I'm older. I don't quilt at all, but I make a mean banana bread ;)
It's so cool to see Eli McCann publish his first novel. I've been following him on Twitter for a while, and I've always found him and his husband to be hilarious, smart, and so refreshing. He has a very kind and honest perspective on being a gay man raised in the LDS church, and I can't help but think that he's done a lot of good for the betterment of church culture.
They weren't kidding when they called this book a version of the Golden Girls. It's got all kinds of older gal drama, with a set of gay men (not a couple...) sprinkled in. When the Ogden Quilting Association gets the theme for this year's competition, it's all hands on deck, but they are desperately in need of fresh blood and new ideas. Enter Rob and Byron, two gay men ready to dive in a help where they can. Each have their own gifts, which are used in unexpected times to bring people together...
This had a lot of warmth and heart. Sometimes it felt a little over done with the dialogue, a bit too caricature-ish, but that almost adds to it's charm. It's cozy and refreshing and just instilled a yearning to craft with friends more!
Please oh please can I be a part of a quilting group like this when I'm older. I don't quilt at all, but I make a mean banana bread ;)
It's so cool to see Eli McCann publish his first novel. I've been following him on Twitter for a while, and I've always found him and his husband to be hilarious, smart, and so refreshing. He has a very kind and honest perspective on being a gay man raised in the LDS church, and I can't help but think that he's done a lot of good for the betterment of church culture.
They weren't kidding when they called this book a version of the Golden Girls. It's got all kinds of older gal drama, with a set of gay men (not a couple...) sprinkled in. When the Ogden Quilting Association gets the theme for this year's competition, it's all hands on deck, but they are desperately in need of fresh blood and new ideas. Enter Rob and Byron, two gay men ready to dive in a help where they can. Each have their own gifts, which are used in unexpected times to bring people together...
This had a lot of warmth and heart. Sometimes it felt a little over done with the dialogue, a bit too caricature-ish, but that almost adds to it's charm. It's cozy and refreshing and just instilled a yearning to craft with friends more!
September 11, 2026
Competitive quilting. Yes, it’s a thing and it’s not for the faint of heart. STITCHED pulls back the curtain and shows what really goes on between the fabric swatches. The lesson here? Don’t mess with quilters. Their needles are sharp and their tongues sharper.
This charming story introduces two gay men to an established group of senior quilters in Ogden, Utah as they prepare for their big quilting competition. I expected quaint cozy, and comical. I was not prepared for cattiness, intrigue, and devious manipulation. Who knew?
This is a combination that immediately piqued my interest. It’s a recipe that’s worked for me countless times and it did here too; except the journey to the magic took a bit longer than expected. The ultimate payoff (or “sparkle” as my reading buddy called it) was there; it simply required patience.
The audiobook is read by the author. Eli McCann does a fine job reading his novel. While his performance may lack some polish, it is balanced by its sincerity.
I came away from STITCHED with a greater appreciation for the craft and a new villain. Patricia, I hope your needles are forever dull and your stitches crooked.
Thank you to @librofm for the gifted audiobook that I paired with my purchased physical copy. Reading with friends made this an enjoyable experience.
This charming story introduces two gay men to an established group of senior quilters in Ogden, Utah as they prepare for their big quilting competition. I expected quaint cozy, and comical. I was not prepared for cattiness, intrigue, and devious manipulation. Who knew?
This is a combination that immediately piqued my interest. It’s a recipe that’s worked for me countless times and it did here too; except the journey to the magic took a bit longer than expected. The ultimate payoff (or “sparkle” as my reading buddy called it) was there; it simply required patience.
The audiobook is read by the author. Eli McCann does a fine job reading his novel. While his performance may lack some polish, it is balanced by its sincerity.
I came away from STITCHED with a greater appreciation for the craft and a new villain. Patricia, I hope your needles are forever dull and your stitches crooked.
Thank you to @librofm for the gifted audiobook that I paired with my purchased physical copy. Reading with friends made this an enjoyable experience.
September 2, 2026
Super cute and so much fun - I was SO EXCITED for this book when I heard about it from Eli McCan on TikTok and was thrilled to grab an ALC from Libro.fm. McCan does a great job narrating his story - it’s great to hear a novel read by the author.
This book has a few craft based inaccuracies that I worked really hard not to take personally as a young quilter in a very active guild, but I ignored them for the sake of the plot. All in all, this book does capture much of the fun and silliness of guild life, along with all the personal heartache that comes with loving and competing with a craft. The large cast of characters were very sweet and some very tender moments built, especially at the end, to a meaningful resolution! However, I could not stand Byron and I wish Ron had really told him what his problem was after he stepped all over Betty Lou. And poor Betty Lou! While I do wish this book had a little less tedious gossip from Byron and bit more discussion of craft or even more romantic interests than Arnold (I totally thought Matthew would be a larger player in this), I enjoyed this novel and it’s so fun to see quilters, and young quilters especially, represented in such a fun book!
This book has a few craft based inaccuracies that I worked really hard not to take personally as a young quilter in a very active guild, but I ignored them for the sake of the plot. All in all, this book does capture much of the fun and silliness of guild life, along with all the personal heartache that comes with loving and competing with a craft. The large cast of characters were very sweet and some very tender moments built, especially at the end, to a meaningful resolution! However, I could not stand Byron and I wish Ron had really told him what his problem was after he stepped all over Betty Lou. And poor Betty Lou! While I do wish this book had a little less tedious gossip from Byron and bit more discussion of craft or even more romantic interests than Arnold (I totally thought Matthew would be a larger player in this), I enjoyed this novel and it’s so fun to see quilters, and young quilters especially, represented in such a fun book!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
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!
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!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
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.
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.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This book was charming and sweet, but could have been better. I received an early copy from NetGalley in exchange for my review. I am familiar with Eli from Twitter and now BlueSky, and some of his online writing, so I expected a humorous story. The humor was there but was less biting than I hoped for.
At times I felt confused by the number of characters and forgot who was who. Some of them were not fully developed, so when they came back into the story I had trouble remembering who they were or their backstory. Some were just too similar to each other. I didn't get much of a sense of Byron and Rob, the two younger men who join the quilt guild, either. Both felt like character portraits.
The story resolves with a takeaway about friendship being the most important thing, but I had a hard time seeing how this group had forged those deep relationships. One chapter has a flashback that took me a while to realize was, in fact, a flashback, and left me wondering if I had missed something earlier.
Overall, I enjoyed the story but it would have benefitted from some editorial development to make everything more cohesive.
At times I felt confused by the number of characters and forgot who was who. Some of them were not fully developed, so when they came back into the story I had trouble remembering who they were or their backstory. Some were just too similar to each other. I didn't get much of a sense of Byron and Rob, the two younger men who join the quilt guild, either. Both felt like character portraits.
The story resolves with a takeaway about friendship being the most important thing, but I had a hard time seeing how this group had forged those deep relationships. One chapter has a flashback that took me a while to realize was, in fact, a flashback, and left me wondering if I had missed something earlier.
Overall, I enjoyed the story but it would have benefitted from some editorial development to make everything more cohesive.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 96 reviews