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Stitches
I just turned fifty-eight. My slate was blank. What the hell was I going to do with my life?
Newly widowed Jen Conrad finds solace in a vodka bottle until Renee, her best friend and the mayor of San Diego, volunteers her for an artistic project. Heritage Park, a community of seven historic homes, needs a makeover, and Jen is the perfect socialite for such a fundraiser.
Although Jen desires a fresh start, the grief of losing her husband, the exasperation that stems from her uppity family, and the towering bills are enough to keep her in bed forever. Not to mention a tragic event from 1969 that refuses to free its talons from her life.
The prospect of bringing artists to Heritage Park may be the answer to Jen’s identity crisis.
Until cancer rear its ugly head again, targeting her mother for the third time. Jen must shed her old life and become more than a widow. More than a spoiled daughter. More than Arthur’s right-hand woman.
Jen Conrad must reinvent herself.
A witty, relatable, and engrossing read for fans of Jennifer Weiner and Nora Roberts.
Newly widowed Jen Conrad finds solace in a vodka bottle until Renee, her best friend and the mayor of San Diego, volunteers her for an artistic project. Heritage Park, a community of seven historic homes, needs a makeover, and Jen is the perfect socialite for such a fundraiser.
Although Jen desires a fresh start, the grief of losing her husband, the exasperation that stems from her uppity family, and the towering bills are enough to keep her in bed forever. Not to mention a tragic event from 1969 that refuses to free its talons from her life.
The prospect of bringing artists to Heritage Park may be the answer to Jen’s identity crisis.
Until cancer rear its ugly head again, targeting her mother for the third time. Jen must shed her old life and become more than a widow. More than a spoiled daughter. More than Arthur’s right-hand woman.
Jen Conrad must reinvent herself.
A witty, relatable, and engrossing read for fans of Jennifer Weiner and Nora Roberts.
- GenresFiction
314 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 6, 2021
16 people are currently reading
27 people want to read
About the author
Kathy Weyer
5 books10 followersBorn in southern California, Kathy and her husband of 41 years moved to Palm Springs five years ago. She is a former HR Director and Marriage and Family counselor. She is on the board for the Palm Springs Writers Guild and the Friends of the Palm Springs Library. She is a Court Appointed Special Advocate for Voices for Children. Her stories come from all these experiences, based on real life experiences.
Stitches was released six years ago by a vanity press and Kathy has retained the rights, rewrote, republished, and relaunched the first of the Heritage Art Park Series April 6, 2021 to great reviews. Canvas, book two in the series, will be launched in May 2021, and Pages will follow soon after.
Each book centers on a social issue: grief and bereavement and identify as a "woman of a certain age" is featured in Stitches. Pages focuses on domestic violence, and Canvas on the foster system; mental health, sexual identity, and immigration issues with will be address with the characters established in Stitches in books four, five, and six.
When not working, she enjoys the creative life, painting, sewing, knitting, and writing and pursuing her passion of social justice.
Stitches was released six years ago by a vanity press and Kathy has retained the rights, rewrote, republished, and relaunched the first of the Heritage Art Park Series April 6, 2021 to great reviews. Canvas, book two in the series, will be launched in May 2021, and Pages will follow soon after.
Each book centers on a social issue: grief and bereavement and identify as a "woman of a certain age" is featured in Stitches. Pages focuses on domestic violence, and Canvas on the foster system; mental health, sexual identity, and immigration issues with will be address with the characters established in Stitches in books four, five, and six.
When not working, she enjoys the creative life, painting, sewing, knitting, and writing and pursuing her passion of social justice.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
June 22, 2021
Stitches
By
Kathy Meyer
My Review:
There are very few novels that has the power to catch reader's attention from the first page. Stitches written by the debut author Kathy Weyer is one such novel. The main character of the story is a widow Jen Conrad. Her life with her husband, best friend, anchor Arthur Conrad was awesome. Arthur wanted to be a District Attorney with an eye towards Attorney General. Jen supported him and always stood by him. Arthur was famous and the couple was in demand. But things changed after Arthur's death.
Jen's best friend Renee Murphy came from the poor family. Her mother cleaned houses and also abandoned her later in life. Renee moved to become a part of Jen's family. She once even fell in love with a married professor. Their secret love affair continued for years and eventually Renee's heart was broken by him. Renee is there to provide support to Jen after Arthur. What decision Jen will take? How she will move ahead in life?
This is a captivating story. Written in approx 300 pages, this book is suitable for weekend binge reading. Pace of the novel is fast and I didn't feel bored anytime while reading it. Writing style of Kathy is impressive. The way she has organized the book has won my heart. I am much excited to read next books in the series.
My Rating: 5/5
By
Kathy Meyer
My Review:
There are very few novels that has the power to catch reader's attention from the first page. Stitches written by the debut author Kathy Weyer is one such novel. The main character of the story is a widow Jen Conrad. Her life with her husband, best friend, anchor Arthur Conrad was awesome. Arthur wanted to be a District Attorney with an eye towards Attorney General. Jen supported him and always stood by him. Arthur was famous and the couple was in demand. But things changed after Arthur's death.
Jen's best friend Renee Murphy came from the poor family. Her mother cleaned houses and also abandoned her later in life. Renee moved to become a part of Jen's family. She once even fell in love with a married professor. Their secret love affair continued for years and eventually Renee's heart was broken by him. Renee is there to provide support to Jen after Arthur. What decision Jen will take? How she will move ahead in life?
This is a captivating story. Written in approx 300 pages, this book is suitable for weekend binge reading. Pace of the novel is fast and I didn't feel bored anytime while reading it. Writing style of Kathy is impressive. The way she has organized the book has won my heart. I am much excited to read next books in the series.
My Rating: 5/5
June 22, 2021
𝑻𝒊𝒕𝒍𝒆: Stitches
𝑨𝒖𝒕𝒉𝒐𝒓: Kathy Weyer
𝑴𝒚 𝑹𝒆𝒗𝒊𝒆𝒘:
Stitches penned by the author Kathy Weyer is the first installment in the Heritage Art Park Series. Main character of the story is Jen Conrad who has lost her husband and best friend, Arthur Francis Conrad. In absence of Arthur, Jen is just wasting days of her life by spending them in self-pity. Her mother Patricia Buford Palmer and her kindergarten friend Renee Murphy keep on asking Jen to move on in life.
Jen was fed up of the questions she often get asked from strangers regarding how her life is going on without Arthur. But Renee is suggesting Jen to take one of the houses in Historic Park that will turn into art park. Grab a copy of this novel and get to meet other characters too. I enjoyed every bit of this story. It's a well written story. Cover photo of the book is nice. Title is short and suitable according to the contents of the story. Kathy has done great work in this novel and I truly enjoyed reading her work. I am interested to read more of her work in the future.
𝑴𝒚 𝑹𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈: 5/5
𝑨𝒖𝒕𝒉𝒐𝒓: Kathy Weyer
𝑴𝒚 𝑹𝒆𝒗𝒊𝒆𝒘:
Stitches penned by the author Kathy Weyer is the first installment in the Heritage Art Park Series. Main character of the story is Jen Conrad who has lost her husband and best friend, Arthur Francis Conrad. In absence of Arthur, Jen is just wasting days of her life by spending them in self-pity. Her mother Patricia Buford Palmer and her kindergarten friend Renee Murphy keep on asking Jen to move on in life.
Jen was fed up of the questions she often get asked from strangers regarding how her life is going on without Arthur. But Renee is suggesting Jen to take one of the houses in Historic Park that will turn into art park. Grab a copy of this novel and get to meet other characters too. I enjoyed every bit of this story. It's a well written story. Cover photo of the book is nice. Title is short and suitable according to the contents of the story. Kathy has done great work in this novel and I truly enjoyed reading her work. I am interested to read more of her work in the future.
𝑴𝒚 𝑹𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈: 5/5
June 23, 2021
Jen Conrad got married to a brilliant lawyer. She was happily married. But life turned upside down for her one day. Her husband Arthur Conrad is no longer alive. With Arthur, Jen was famous for fundraising. She used to attend various events also. But now, she has distanced herself from people. She is just not able to properly process the grief of the loss of her husband.
With Arthur no more around her, Jen has to find a way to move on. Her childhood best friend Renee Murphy suggested her to open a needlework shop in new Heritage Art Park. Jen now has amazing friends in life. But sometimes things get complicated. This story kept me on the edge while I read it. I was constantly curious to know what gonna happen.
This is an amazing book that inspires women to keep a financial backup so if a situation like Kathy comes, they could support themselves without a partner. There are many characters in the story and author has introduced them well. I enjoyed every bit of this story. This is a worth reading book that especially women should add to their tbr.
With Arthur no more around her, Jen has to find a way to move on. Her childhood best friend Renee Murphy suggested her to open a needlework shop in new Heritage Art Park. Jen now has amazing friends in life. But sometimes things get complicated. This story kept me on the edge while I read it. I was constantly curious to know what gonna happen.
This is an amazing book that inspires women to keep a financial backup so if a situation like Kathy comes, they could support themselves without a partner. There are many characters in the story and author has introduced them well. I enjoyed every bit of this story. This is a worth reading book that especially women should add to their tbr.
November 6, 2025
Stitches is a heartfelt and beautifully human story about rediscovering life when it feels like it’s already passed you by. Kathy Weyer crafts Jen Conrad’s journey with such honesty that you can feel her pain, her confusion, and ultimately, her strength. After losing her husband, Jen is lost in grief and vodka, until an unexpected project forces her to face not just her past but her own potential.
This book isn’t just about loss it’s about transformation. It’s about stitching together the torn pieces of your soul and learning that you can still create something beautiful out of brokenness. Weyer’s writing is raw, witty, and deeply touching titches leaves you with hope, reminding you that it’s never too late to start over.
This book isn’t just about loss it’s about transformation. It’s about stitching together the torn pieces of your soul and learning that you can still create something beautiful out of brokenness. Weyer’s writing is raw, witty, and deeply touching titches leaves you with hope, reminding you that it’s never too late to start over.
August 5, 2024
Jen is a grieving childless widow who is lost without her Arthur. Born into wealth and traumatized by a horrific event in her early teen years, Jen is a good girl who helped Arthur get ahead, and followed the dictates of her overbearing mother and cruel father. For years, affluent Jen wore the pearls, served on the committees, and held events at their home which was featured on the cover of Architectural Digest.
Now, with Arthur's death, her world is upended. She's middle-aged and foundering. But there's an opportunity in front of her, presented by her best friend. Renee is the mayor of San Diego, and she's trying to find artists to lease each of five historic homes in the Arts District. When Jen, a master needleworker, agrees, her world expands. Jen begins to question everything about her life, and to make her own rules. Besides a new, tightknit circle of friends, this novel contains a mystery and intrigue. With smart writing, multidimensional characters, and dramatic tension, Stitches was a very enjoyable book, and I'm looking forward to Book 2 in the series.
Now, with Arthur's death, her world is upended. She's middle-aged and foundering. But there's an opportunity in front of her, presented by her best friend. Renee is the mayor of San Diego, and she's trying to find artists to lease each of five historic homes in the Arts District. When Jen, a master needleworker, agrees, her world expands. Jen begins to question everything about her life, and to make her own rules. Besides a new, tightknit circle of friends, this novel contains a mystery and intrigue. With smart writing, multidimensional characters, and dramatic tension, Stitches was a very enjoyable book, and I'm looking forward to Book 2 in the series.
February 12, 2025
This book kept me guessing throughout. Wasn't sure who, if any, were the good people and who were the bad people. Change is good.
May 11, 2015
I liked the book. While it was not a new theme. I enjoyed reading it and look forward to the continuation of the story.
April 20, 2015
This nicely put together debut novel is an enjoyable read. Great twists and turns and a likable main character who evolves as the story progresses. Looking forward to the author's next book.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews