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Common Threads #1
Mad About Ewe
Dawn Botstein is doing just fine after her divorce, thank you very much.
She’s got her yarn store to run, her house to herself for the first time in her life, and no use for men anymore. That is until the hottie silver fox who walks into her store turns out to be her old high school crush—the guy who rejected her 30 years ago.
No way is she going to lose her head over him this time, no matter how well he wears that salt-and-pepper lumberjack beard. Okay, so he’s the opposite of her ex in every way, and his attention gives her a thrill she thought she’d never feel again. She’s not risking her heart again.
Mike Pilota is having a mid-life crisis.
Only instead of buying a red sports car he can’t afford and dressing like a 25-year-old who’s time-traveled from the 1990s, he quit his job after his second divorce to move closer to his recently widowed mother.
He didn’t expect to run into Dawn again, but as soon as he lays eyes on her he’s utterly smitten. So he sets out to make up for past mistakes and prove he can be the kind of man she deserves.
But is it too late for second chances? Or will these two lonely hearts find a way back to each other?
'Mad About Ewe' is a full-length contemporary romance and can be read as a standalone. Book #1 in the Common Threads series, Seduction in the City World, Penny Reid Book Universe.
She’s got her yarn store to run, her house to herself for the first time in her life, and no use for men anymore. That is until the hottie silver fox who walks into her store turns out to be her old high school crush—the guy who rejected her 30 years ago.
No way is she going to lose her head over him this time, no matter how well he wears that salt-and-pepper lumberjack beard. Okay, so he’s the opposite of her ex in every way, and his attention gives her a thrill she thought she’d never feel again. She’s not risking her heart again.
Mike Pilota is having a mid-life crisis.
Only instead of buying a red sports car he can’t afford and dressing like a 25-year-old who’s time-traveled from the 1990s, he quit his job after his second divorce to move closer to his recently widowed mother.
He didn’t expect to run into Dawn again, but as soon as he lays eyes on her he’s utterly smitten. So he sets out to make up for past mistakes and prove he can be the kind of man she deserves.
But is it too late for second chances? Or will these two lonely hearts find a way back to each other?
'Mad About Ewe' is a full-length contemporary romance and can be read as a standalone. Book #1 in the Common Threads series, Seduction in the City World, Penny Reid Book Universe.
9 pages, Audible Audio
First published March 18, 2021
364 people are currently reading
2084 people want to read
About the author
Susannah Nix
61 books1,864 followersSusannah Nix is a RITA® Award-winning and USA Today bestselling author of rom-coms and contemporary romances who lives in Texas with her husband. On the rare occasions she's not writing, she can be found reading, knitting, lifting weights, drinking wine, or obsessively watching Ted Lasso on repeat to stave off existential angst.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 372 reviews
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March 18, 2021
I am SO excited to announce that 'Mad About Ewe' by Susannah Nix is now LIVE in Kindle Unlimited! Where are my Knitting in the City readers? Prepare thyselves for this heartfelt second chance romance.
** Read in Kindle Unlimited **
Amazon US: https://amzn.to/399SCgE
Amazon UK: https://amzn.to/35Wn4Zz
Amazon CA: https://amzn.to/394iuuu
Amazon AU: https://amzn.to/3fpPfDs
Amazon Print: https://amzn.to/3l7pbQf
** BLURB **
Dawn Botstein is doing just fine after her divorce, thank you very much. She’s got her yarn store to run, her house to herself for the first time in her life, and no use for men anymore. That is until the hottie silver fox who walks into her store turns out to be her old high school crush—the guy who rejected her 30 years ago.
No way is she going to lose her head over him this time, no matter how well he wears that salt-and-pepper lumberjack beard. Okay, so he’s the opposite of her ex in every way, and his attention gives her a thrill she thought she’d never feel again. She’s not risking her heart again.
Mike Pilota is having a mid-life crisis. Only instead of buying a red sports car he can’t afford and dressing like a 25-year-old who’s time-traveled from the 1990s, he quit his job after his second divorce to move closer to his recently widowed mother.
He didn’t expect to run into Dawn again, but as soon as he lays eyes on her he’s utterly smitten. So he sets out to make up for past mistakes and prove he can be the kind of man she deserves.
But is it too late for second chances? Or will these two lonely hearts find a way back to each other?
‘Mad About Ewe’ is a full-length contemporary romance and can be read as a standalone. Book #1 in the Common Threads series, Seduction in the City World, Penny Reid Book Universe.
June 12, 2025
Former classmates, not lovers, meet again in their late 40's for a second chance. Review up soon-ish.
Dawn & Mike
What to expect:
~ dual 1st person POV
~ Chicago setting
~ both divorced
~ cancer & hysterectomy
~ second chance
~ some steamage
Narration notes:
They both sounded age appropriate and did a great job. No offense to Blake Stanton at all, his voice is perfectly fine, but he sounds more like he should narrate mystery/thrillers and not romance.
Dawn & Mike
What to expect:
~ dual 1st person POV
~ Chicago setting
~ both divorced
~ cancer & hysterectomy
~ second chance
~ some steamage
Narration notes:
They both sounded age appropriate and did a great job. No offense to Blake Stanton at all, his voice is perfectly fine, but he sounds more like he should narrate mystery/thrillers and not romance.
April 5, 2021
"4- It takes great courage to shoot for the stars!"
There were so many things I really enjoyed about this book.
1) It was a second-chance romance. Not only did the protagonists know one another from high school, but they were both basically starting their lives fresh after being divorced.
2) I LOVED that the protagonists were in their late 40's.
They've lived some life.
There was the fact that there were grown kids involved. An aging parent. The recent death of a parent, and illness.
Real Life.
3)They also had insecurities about getting into the dating scene and/or possibly getting naked after being with the same person for so many years.
This was a wonderfully written and well-paced story.
I really enjoyed meeting Dawn and Mike.
Their story was great!
It was also lovely seeing some of my favorite characters from the "Knitting in the City" series.
A great start to a new series in the Penny Reid Universe.
"I voluntarily read an ARC of this book which was provided by Smartypants Romance in exchange for an honest review."
June 7, 2025
This is a well-written, entertaining, steamy, second chance, contemporary romance novel. I especially liked the knitting theme and the mature, relatable characters. I listened to the audio book, and the narrators, Tieran Wilder and Blake Stanton, do a wonderful job voicing the characters.
March 31, 2021
CW: cancer
This is a tricky one to review. I’m always here for seasoned romance and in this case, Dawn and Mike are in their late 40s. I wish the story I got matched the blurb: two classmates reconnecting twenty years later. Instead, it’s a cancer book. It felt like a case of bait and switch. Content warnings were sorely needed because I probably would not have accepted an ARC and would have waited to read this until later. (Nix normally includes content warnings with her books so I hope this information is disclosed in the final version.)
Dawn is diagnosed with stage 1 endometrial cancer and the book spends a good deal of time on her waiting for and then processing the diagnosis and treatment options . Then she decides her diagnosis will be too much for her old crush Mike to deal with, even though she’s given a great prognosis from the start. Instead of telling him about it, she winds up ghosting him, until her best friend spills the beans to him and he shows up to take care of her. I think we’re meant to think it’s so great that someone is taking care of her for a change but it only highlighted her codependency for me.
This is certainly a case of “your mileage may vary.” I used to be a medical social worker and I’ve walked alongside friends and family as they’ve dealt with cancer. As such, I have a lot of opinions about how it’s depicted in fiction. Someone without my background might not be bothered at all. The way cancer was introduced and then dealt with felt on the manipulative side but part of it may be that the blurb in no way suggested a heavier external conflict like cancer. I was truly taken aback by that, as well as by blatant HIPAA violations. People with cancer absolutely deserve to fall in love and get their own HEA so I’m not suggesting Dawn didn’t deserve that here. I just had a number of issues with how it was handled.
The other piece that was hard for me was Dawn herself. She was such a martyr and reminded me of a relative I’m estranged from. Her actions were supremely frustrating, especially when she refused help and when she decided to ghost Mike directly after sleeping with him, instead of telling him about her diagnosis. She of course didn’t have to tell him but to take what she wanted and then ignore him was unfair. Her internal dialogue was riddled with internalized ableism. It was hard to watch her treat him that way and it didn’t entirely make sense given her old crush. If you don’t have martyrs or codependent people in your life, you may experience her character differently.
Mike moves home because he and his sister worry about how their mother is coping after the death of their father. The first part of the book Mike makes different efforts to reengage her and to broach the possibility of therapy or seeing a doctor, none of which she’s amenable to. However, once he starts dating Dawn, this storyline completely drops. I found this concerning because his mom was either experiencing complicated grief or depression and she needed help either way. It should have been addressed on page, instead of a brief sentence in the epilogue where they’ve been able to get her out of the house a couple of times.
I usually enjoy Susannah Nix’s stories and I did enjoy parts of this. The idea of reconnecting with your old crush and the rush of him finally asking you out is such a relatable fantasy. I really wish the story had just been about Mike and Dawn reconnecting. It was also interesting to have a hero who feels like a failure for never having attended college and having two failed marriages and then taking practical steps to deal with those insecurities and work toward the life he wants. I was completely in Mike’s court as he figured out his next steps.
Character notes: Dawn is a 47 year old (turns 48) white yarn store owner. Mike is a 48 year old white network administrator at the library. This is set in Chicago.
CW: heroine is diagnosed with stage 1 endometrial cancer , internalized ableism, HIPAA violations , heroine divorced two years ago (ex cheated), hero has been divorced twice, hero’s second wife dealt with infertility , hero’s former mother-in-law goes on hospice and dies (breast cancer), hero’s father died of a heart attack earlier in the year, gendered insults, catty comments about plastic surgery, stereotypes about gay secondary character (and main character “knowing” they were gay because of it), reference to family who served during WWII
Disclosure: I received an ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review.
This is a tricky one to review. I’m always here for seasoned romance and in this case, Dawn and Mike are in their late 40s. I wish the story I got matched the blurb: two classmates reconnecting twenty years later. Instead, it’s a cancer book. It felt like a case of bait and switch. Content warnings were sorely needed because I probably would not have accepted an ARC and would have waited to read this until later. (Nix normally includes content warnings with her books so I hope this information is disclosed in the final version.)
Dawn is diagnosed with stage 1 endometrial cancer and the book spends a good deal of time on her waiting for and then processing the diagnosis and treatment options . Then she decides her diagnosis will be too much for her old crush Mike to deal with, even though she’s given a great prognosis from the start. Instead of telling him about it, she winds up ghosting him, until her best friend spills the beans to him and he shows up to take care of her. I think we’re meant to think it’s so great that someone is taking care of her for a change but it only highlighted her codependency for me.
This is certainly a case of “your mileage may vary.” I used to be a medical social worker and I’ve walked alongside friends and family as they’ve dealt with cancer. As such, I have a lot of opinions about how it’s depicted in fiction. Someone without my background might not be bothered at all. The way cancer was introduced and then dealt with felt on the manipulative side but part of it may be that the blurb in no way suggested a heavier external conflict like cancer. I was truly taken aback by that, as well as by blatant HIPAA violations. People with cancer absolutely deserve to fall in love and get their own HEA so I’m not suggesting Dawn didn’t deserve that here. I just had a number of issues with how it was handled.
The other piece that was hard for me was Dawn herself. She was such a martyr and reminded me of a relative I’m estranged from. Her actions were supremely frustrating, especially when she refused help and when she decided to ghost Mike directly after sleeping with him, instead of telling him about her diagnosis. She of course didn’t have to tell him but to take what she wanted and then ignore him was unfair. Her internal dialogue was riddled with internalized ableism. It was hard to watch her treat him that way and it didn’t entirely make sense given her old crush. If you don’t have martyrs or codependent people in your life, you may experience her character differently.
Mike moves home because he and his sister worry about how their mother is coping after the death of their father. The first part of the book Mike makes different efforts to reengage her and to broach the possibility of therapy or seeing a doctor, none of which she’s amenable to. However, once he starts dating Dawn, this storyline completely drops. I found this concerning because his mom was either experiencing complicated grief or depression and she needed help either way. It should have been addressed on page, instead of a brief sentence in the epilogue where they’ve been able to get her out of the house a couple of times.
I usually enjoy Susannah Nix’s stories and I did enjoy parts of this. The idea of reconnecting with your old crush and the rush of him finally asking you out is such a relatable fantasy. I really wish the story had just been about Mike and Dawn reconnecting. It was also interesting to have a hero who feels like a failure for never having attended college and having two failed marriages and then taking practical steps to deal with those insecurities and work toward the life he wants. I was completely in Mike’s court as he figured out his next steps.
Character notes: Dawn is a 47 year old (turns 48) white yarn store owner. Mike is a 48 year old white network administrator at the library. This is set in Chicago.
CW: heroine is diagnosed with stage 1 endometrial cancer , internalized ableism, HIPAA violations , heroine divorced two years ago (ex cheated), hero has been divorced twice, hero’s second wife dealt with infertility , hero’s former mother-in-law goes on hospice and dies (breast cancer), hero’s father died of a heart attack earlier in the year, gendered insults, catty comments about plastic surgery, stereotypes about gay secondary character (and main character “knowing” they were gay because of it), reference to family who served during WWII
Disclosure: I received an ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review.
Want to read
March 18, 2021‘Mad About Ewe’ by Susannah Nix is ALIVE in KU! Are you ready for this Knitting in the City lovers?! Join us in Chicago for this heartfelt second chance romance. You’re going to love it ❤
** Read in KU **
Amazon US: https://amzn.to/399SCgE
Amazon UK: https://amzn.to/35Wn4Zz
Amazon CA: https://amzn.to/394iuuu
Amazon AU: https://amzn.to/3fpPfDs
Amazon Print: https://amzn.to/3l7pbQf
** BLURB **
Dawn Botstein is doing just fine after her divorce, thank you very much. She’s got her yarn store to run, her house to herself for the first time in her life, and no use for men anymore. That is until the hottie silver fox who walks into her store turns out to be her old high school crush—the guy who rejected her 30 years ago.
No way is she going to lose her head over him this time, no matter how well he wears that salt-and-pepper lumberjack beard. Okay, so he’s the opposite of her ex in every way, and his attention gives her a thrill she thought she’d never feel again. She’s not risking her heart again.
Mike Pilota is having a mid-life crisis. Only instead of buying a red sports car he can’t afford and dressing like a 25-year-old who’s time-traveled from the 1990s, he quit his job after his second divorce to move closer to his recently widowed mother.
He didn’t expect to run into Dawn again, but as soon as he lays eyes on her he’s utterly smitten. So he sets out to make up for past mistakes and prove he can be the kind of man she deserves.
But is it too late for second chances? Or will these two lonely hearts find a way back to each other?
‘Mad About Ewe’ is a full-length contemporary romance and can be read as a standalone. Book #1 in the Common Threads series, Seduction in the City World, Penny Reid Book Universe.
April 2, 2021
I loved Susannah Nix's "Chemistry Lessons" series so I was super excited to see her adding to the Pennyverse! Funny enough, that series felt a bit too young for my personal reading preference and MAD ABOUT EWE feels just a bit too "old". I know, I am a horrid ageist when it comes to romance reading! #selfloathing
There were a lot of really great parts of this book! I loved that our female lead is divorced and the male lead is TWICE divorced (a rarity in romance reading for sure). There is such a stigma about being divorced more than once and Nix tackles it with compassion and realism.
There are wonderfully swoony moments, crazy-hot steamy scenes, and peeks at characters from Penny Reid's "Knitting In The City" series that were well placed and really fun to read! And all of the knitting info and teaching was fun for me, as a knitter, to read as part of the story!
There were a few things I wasn't so keen on in this book. The leads in this book are both 47/48 years old and the dialog and storylines around their ages felt very over-emphasized. There were non-stop refences to Silver Fox, salt-and-pepper beard, salt-and pepper-body hair, women "her age" have to pee much more frequently, etc. It sometimes felt like the ONLY part of this love story was their age. As a 43 year old reader I certainly hope that I am not skirting the edge of geriatrics in 5 years as this book suggests.
I also had more than a few eye-roll moments at the characters' preoccupation with High School (where they first met). I mean...people in their 40s who are still not over the ridiculous social structure of High School are puzzling to me. If you still care and are hurt about not being at the "cool kids table" 30 years later then you need to sort it out soon. I would hope that people this age would have easily recognized that those "cool kids" were exactly the same as you. NO ONE feels accepted, "normal", or socially safe in High School. NO. ONE. And by your 40s, when you have lived life and experienced true bring-you-to-your-knees tragedies (which I am convinced everyone has experienced by their 40s) you give zero effs about what happened in High School or who was classified a jock or a nerd.
So, these characters seemed equal parts overly old and also extremely immature to me throughout this book. It was still a good read, but not a GREAT read for me.
RATING:⭐️⭐️⭐️1/2
STEAM LEVEL: Rated R
TRIGGERS: Cheating ex, cancer, divorce, hysterectomy, plastic surgery shaming (by MCs)
FEELS-O-METER: 3/5 *Tackled some tough topics*
I received an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
👇🏻HANG OUT WITH ME HERE!👇🏻
INSTAGRAM | YEAR OF SMUT CHALLENGE
There were a lot of really great parts of this book! I loved that our female lead is divorced and the male lead is TWICE divorced (a rarity in romance reading for sure). There is such a stigma about being divorced more than once and Nix tackles it with compassion and realism.
There are wonderfully swoony moments, crazy-hot steamy scenes, and peeks at characters from Penny Reid's "Knitting In The City" series that were well placed and really fun to read! And all of the knitting info and teaching was fun for me, as a knitter, to read as part of the story!
There were a few things I wasn't so keen on in this book. The leads in this book are both 47/48 years old and the dialog and storylines around their ages felt very over-emphasized. There were non-stop refences to Silver Fox, salt-and-pepper beard, salt-and pepper-body hair, women "her age" have to pee much more frequently, etc. It sometimes felt like the ONLY part of this love story was their age. As a 43 year old reader I certainly hope that I am not skirting the edge of geriatrics in 5 years as this book suggests.
I also had more than a few eye-roll moments at the characters' preoccupation with High School (where they first met). I mean...people in their 40s who are still not over the ridiculous social structure of High School are puzzling to me. If you still care and are hurt about not being at the "cool kids table" 30 years later then you need to sort it out soon. I would hope that people this age would have easily recognized that those "cool kids" were exactly the same as you. NO ONE feels accepted, "normal", or socially safe in High School. NO. ONE. And by your 40s, when you have lived life and experienced true bring-you-to-your-knees tragedies (which I am convinced everyone has experienced by their 40s) you give zero effs about what happened in High School or who was classified a jock or a nerd.
So, these characters seemed equal parts overly old and also extremely immature to me throughout this book. It was still a good read, but not a GREAT read for me.
RATING:⭐️⭐️⭐️1/2
STEAM LEVEL: Rated R
TRIGGERS: Cheating ex, cancer, divorce, hysterectomy, plastic surgery shaming (by MCs)
FEELS-O-METER: 3/5 *Tackled some tough topics*
I received an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
👇🏻HANG OUT WITH ME HERE!👇🏻
INSTAGRAM | YEAR OF SMUT CHALLENGE
December 1, 2023
I am so mad in love with Mad About Ewe. So good. So tender and so sweet. Mike is such a book boyfriend. The story reminds me a bit of Part Of Your World by Miss Jiminez.
I can connecr with Dawn. Her character is strong and take no BS in life. What she endures is just so sad and frustrating. Enter Mike the perfect hero. Their story is such gentle, sweet, vulnerable and caring. Miss Nix nails it down. I do not want the story to end.
So good.
5 stars
I can connecr with Dawn. Her character is strong and take no BS in life. What she endures is just so sad and frustrating. Enter Mike the perfect hero. Their story is such gentle, sweet, vulnerable and caring. Miss Nix nails it down. I do not want the story to end.
So good.
5 stars
March 17, 2021
This book is my first read by this author so I can’t really say I know what she was put on this earth to write but I am fairly certain this is what she was put on this earth to write. This real and relatable, realistic over 40 romance journey is her word wizardry. #betme
With age, comes experience. There’s no denying that. That experience can come packaged in a billion different ways that everyone handles in their own unique way. There’s no instruction manual for life. With age/time people also form habits and personalities and ways of life and even more important, we collect history. Some may refer to this history as baggage, I like to call it, history *shrug* This history isn’t always bad or good, it just is. No matter what you call it, it grows into the glass we look thru to see the world. The older we get, the more shatterproof this glass can become.
Now, about this second-chance to get thigs right journey. If I were to use one phrase or word I would use *happy sigh* to describe it. I like that phrase. It’s the kind of phrase that can be used to not only describe how a book makes the reader feel but also a good descriptive of the journey. This story mirrored true to life so well that it was easy to fall into it. It was easy to root for Dawn and Mike. I felt and instant connection not just to them, but also to their journey. I enjoyed just about every moment in this book and that’s rare. Perfection is rare and everything about these two was perfect!
With age, comes experience. There’s no denying that. That experience can come packaged in a billion different ways that everyone handles in their own unique way. There’s no instruction manual for life. With age/time people also form habits and personalities and ways of life and even more important, we collect history. Some may refer to this history as baggage, I like to call it, history *shrug* This history isn’t always bad or good, it just is. No matter what you call it, it grows into the glass we look thru to see the world. The older we get, the more shatterproof this glass can become.
Now, about this second-chance to get thigs right journey. If I were to use one phrase or word I would use *happy sigh* to describe it. I like that phrase. It’s the kind of phrase that can be used to not only describe how a book makes the reader feel but also a good descriptive of the journey. This story mirrored true to life so well that it was easy to fall into it. It was easy to root for Dawn and Mike. I felt and instant connection not just to them, but also to their journey. I enjoyed just about every moment in this book and that’s rare. Perfection is rare and everything about these two was perfect!
April 16, 2021
2.5 slow and dreary stars
I really hate leaving negative comments for a book in which the author took obvious care when writing it. Nevertheless, this is my honest reaction after finishing the book. I almost DNF it at 40% but I hate doing that especially because the writing in this book is solid. I will also preface this by saying that I am facing middle aged so it's not that I had a problem with the author writing about characters that in the romance genre are considered to be "older." In fact, I appreciate books written about people over forty. Unfortunately, this story illustrates why more books aren't written about characters in their late 40s and 50s. I believe it's possible to write great romances with characters in this age group who are dating after being married for a long time and now divorced or how liberating it can be to explore relationships where getting married and having children isn't the focus of the relationship. (See some of Kristen Ashley's books) These characters could also be quite successful and financially secure, etc. I mean there could be a lot of story potential for "older" MCs in the romance genre. Sadly, this book focuses on real issues faced by middle aged women, but I think these subjects just dragged the romance down and could have been dealt with prior to the story taking place and discussed more briefly during the story. Anyway, I can't recommend this book, but I will read another book by this author at some point.
I really hate leaving negative comments for a book in which the author took obvious care when writing it. Nevertheless, this is my honest reaction after finishing the book. I almost DNF it at 40% but I hate doing that especially because the writing in this book is solid. I will also preface this by saying that I am facing middle aged so it's not that I had a problem with the author writing about characters that in the romance genre are considered to be "older." In fact, I appreciate books written about people over forty. Unfortunately, this story illustrates why more books aren't written about characters in their late 40s and 50s. I believe it's possible to write great romances with characters in this age group who are dating after being married for a long time and now divorced or how liberating it can be to explore relationships where getting married and having children isn't the focus of the relationship. (See some of Kristen Ashley's books) These characters could also be quite successful and financially secure, etc. I mean there could be a lot of story potential for "older" MCs in the romance genre. Sadly, this book focuses on real issues faced by middle aged women, but I think these subjects just dragged the romance down and could have been dealt with prior to the story taking place and discussed more briefly during the story. Anyway, I can't recommend this book, but I will read another book by this author at some point.
June 19, 2021
maybe I'm bored
maybe this is too heavy TW
or maybe for two characters in their late 40s they sure seem really immature
or maybe it is all the above..
DNF halfway trough
maybe this is too heavy TW
or maybe for two characters in their late 40s they sure seem really immature
or maybe it is all the above..
DNF halfway trough
March 4, 2021
Susannah Nix is an author I’ve enjoyed books from in the past. I haven’t read the Smartypants romance world.
Dawn has a successful busy life in Chicago. Mad about Ewe is her baby. Since her children have grown up and she’s got divorced her focus has been on the wool. When an old crush invades her world the past doesn’t feel as far away as it once did.
Mike’s life isn’t turning out the way he wanted. With two divorces under his belt he’s starting fresh. When he bumps into Dawn, the youth he was chasing no longer holds the same appeal.
This is a heart-warming story about second chances and I really enjoyed it.
I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Dawn has a successful busy life in Chicago. Mad about Ewe is her baby. Since her children have grown up and she’s got divorced her focus has been on the wool. When an old crush invades her world the past doesn’t feel as far away as it once did.
Mike’s life isn’t turning out the way he wanted. With two divorces under his belt he’s starting fresh. When he bumps into Dawn, the youth he was chasing no longer holds the same appeal.
This is a heart-warming story about second chances and I really enjoyed it.
I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Want to read
March 16, 2021
It's here! MAD ABOUT EWE is now LIVE on Amazon and FREE to read with Kindle Unlimited!
Amazon US: https://amzn.to/399SCgE
Amazon UK: https://amzn.to/35Wn4Zz
Amazon CA: https://amzn.to/394iuuu
Amazon AU: https://amzn.to/3fpPfDs
Dawn Botstein is doing just fine after her divorce, thank you very much.
She’s got her yarn store to run, her house to herself for the first time in her life, and no use for men anymore. That is until the hottie silver fox who walks into her store turns out to be her old high school crush—the guy who rejected her 30 years ago.
No way is she going to lose her head over him this time, no matter how well he wears that salt-and-pepper lumberjack beard. Okay, so he’s the opposite of her ex in every way, and his attention gives her a thrill she thought she’d never feel again. She’s not risking her heart again.
Mike Pilota is having a mid-life crisis.
Only instead of buying a red sports car he can’t afford and dressing like a 25-year-old who’s time-traveled from the 1990s, he quit his job after his second divorce to move closer to his recently widowed mother.
He didn’t expect to run into Dawn again, but as soon as he lays eyes on her he’s utterly smitten. So he sets out to make up for past mistakes and prove he can be the kind of man she deserves.
But is it too late for second chances? Or will these two lonely hearts find a way back to each other?
'Mad About Ewe' is a full-length contemporary romance and can be read as a standalone. Book #1 in the Common Threads series, Seduction in the City World, Penny Reid Book Universe.
Merged review:
MAD ABOUT EWE is available NOW on Apple Books, Nook, Kobo, and Google Play only! Hurry and grab it quick before it disappears to go into Kindle Unlimited!
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Amazon US: https://amzn.to/399SCgE
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Amazon AU: https://amzn.to/3fpPfDs
Dawn Botstein is doing just fine after her divorce, thank you very much.
She’s got her yarn store to run, her house to herself for the first time in her life, and no use for men anymore. That is until the hottie silver fox who walks into her store turns out to be her old high school crush—the guy who rejected her 30 years ago.
No way is she going to lose her head over him this time, no matter how well he wears that salt-and-pepper lumberjack beard. Okay, so he’s the opposite of her ex in every way, and his attention gives her a thrill she thought she’d never feel again. She’s not risking her heart again.
Mike Pilota is having a mid-life crisis.
Only instead of buying a red sports car he can’t afford and dressing like a 25-year-old who’s time-traveled from the 1990s, he quit his job after his second divorce to move closer to his recently widowed mother.
He didn’t expect to run into Dawn again, but as soon as he lays eyes on her he’s utterly smitten. So he sets out to make up for past mistakes and prove he can be the kind of man she deserves.
But is it too late for second chances? Or will these two lonely hearts find a way back to each other?
'Mad About Ewe' is a full-length contemporary romance and can be read as a standalone. Book #1 in the Common Threads series, Seduction in the City World, Penny Reid Book Universe.
August 30, 2021
Favorite Quotes:
… before Mike went off to college in Ohio— I screwed up my courage to ask him out on a date. It did not go well. His expression in response to my proposal that we catch a showing of Turner & Hooch was not unlike that of Janet Leigh when Norman Bates pulled back the shower curtain. The sight of Mike’s face frozen in shocked surprise still haunted me occasionally in my anxiety dreams.
I’d catch a heady whiff of her perfume. It was floral, but not like just any old flowers. She smelled like the kind of flowers that only bloomed deep in a mysterious woodland fairy realm.
It looks a lot easier when you do it. Your fingers are so small and graceful. Mine are as ungainly as a pack of Oscar Mayer wieners.
“As you wish.” My heart melted a little more. A man who quoted The Princess Bride in the middle of a make-out session? I had to reach up and touch his face to assure myself he was real.
My Review:
This was a crisp, enjoyable, and breezy read, I was having so much fun the day just flew by. The storylines were entertaining and engaging and packed with amusing smirk-worthy levity as well as insightful observations and inner musings. I adored this couple together, it only took them thirty years to get it right but they sizzled like rabid teenagers despite the passing of time. I certainly picked a winner to introduce myself to the clever craft of one Ms. Susannah Nix, but I knew I couldn’t go wrong with a Smartypants Romance.
… before Mike went off to college in Ohio— I screwed up my courage to ask him out on a date. It did not go well. His expression in response to my proposal that we catch a showing of Turner & Hooch was not unlike that of Janet Leigh when Norman Bates pulled back the shower curtain. The sight of Mike’s face frozen in shocked surprise still haunted me occasionally in my anxiety dreams.
I’d catch a heady whiff of her perfume. It was floral, but not like just any old flowers. She smelled like the kind of flowers that only bloomed deep in a mysterious woodland fairy realm.
It looks a lot easier when you do it. Your fingers are so small and graceful. Mine are as ungainly as a pack of Oscar Mayer wieners.
“As you wish.” My heart melted a little more. A man who quoted The Princess Bride in the middle of a make-out session? I had to reach up and touch his face to assure myself he was real.
My Review:
This was a crisp, enjoyable, and breezy read, I was having so much fun the day just flew by. The storylines were entertaining and engaging and packed with amusing smirk-worthy levity as well as insightful observations and inner musings. I adored this couple together, it only took them thirty years to get it right but they sizzled like rabid teenagers despite the passing of time. I certainly picked a winner to introduce myself to the clever craft of one Ms. Susannah Nix, but I knew I couldn’t go wrong with a Smartypants Romance.
March 1, 2021
I went into this book almost completely blind. This was a very sweet second chance romance, with the main characters set in their late 40s.
I really have come to appreciate these books that not only tackle hard subjects but place their characters later in life than a typical romance novel.
Dawn and Mike have both had relationships and marriages when they meet again after knowing each other in high school. This creates characters with depth, and knowledge of what they do and do not favor in a relationship. Even so there are always hiccups and learning curves in new relationships, and this one has some circumstances beyond their control. Which really provides a wonder way of Mike stepping up and being that cinnamon roll hero we can all fall a little in love with.
“With every single one of those kisses, I made her a silent promise.
I’ll stay with you.
I’ll take care of you.
I’ll fight for you.”
TW:cancer
I really have come to appreciate these books that not only tackle hard subjects but place their characters later in life than a typical romance novel.
Dawn and Mike have both had relationships and marriages when they meet again after knowing each other in high school. This creates characters with depth, and knowledge of what they do and do not favor in a relationship. Even so there are always hiccups and learning curves in new relationships, and this one has some circumstances beyond their control. Which really provides a wonder way of Mike stepping up and being that cinnamon roll hero we can all fall a little in love with.
“With every single one of those kisses, I made her a silent promise.
I’ll stay with you.
I’ll take care of you.
I’ll fight for you.”
TW:cancer
March 20, 2021
The only thing that rivals married romance is 40+ romance ❤️ I adored this story (sent marginally in Penny Reid’s Knitting in the City universe) about two almost-50 Chicagoans reuniting after being separated since high school. It’s set in a knitting store (LOVE) and features all the realities of middle aged love and romance. I wish the whole series was by Nix rather than the rotation of authors that Smartypants Romance uses. (available on Kindle Unlimited)
Read
March 7, 2021I really, really enjoyed this one. We need more stories like this in romancelandia.
March 9, 2021
Finally! A book for the 40+ crowd, nobody understands what Dawn is experiencing unless you’ve lived long enough. She’s a divorcée enjoying the business owner life until her high school crush walked through her door. Mike has not had it easy either, two divorces and a crappy job. I loved how they flirted like high schoolers but then worked out issues like practiced adults. Although it seems like a great second chance story they never had a first chance, thanks to high school politics and egos. The author’s knowledge of yarn was impressive and encouraged me to Google a few things. It was a pleasure to read from a new-to-me author. I received an early copy from the author and wrote my review voluntarily.
January 10, 2022
It was refreshing to read a book about someone in the same stage of life as me. Honestly, this was really well written. I’ve never read anything by Susannah Nix so I didn’t know what to expect. This might not hit with everyone but for someone entering their 40’s and everyone close to me getting divorced as well as my body failing me on the daily, this hit home for me.
March 30, 2021
Awww, yes. A second chance romance. Dawn and Mike had a bit of a missed connection in high school (not missed so much as pushed aside because kids can be dumb about things that don't matter too much in the grand scheme of things) and running into one another 30 years later is a wake up call. For Dawn, she found out that lingering crush she had in her teens is still going strong. On Mike's end, meeting Dawn again and seeing what she's done with herself (and figuring out what she means to him) helps bring his life into focus.
Honestly, their biggest obstacles are themselves here. After years of putting others first and getting things done because somebody had to do it, Dawn's not really great about asking for things for herself. She might be more confident than she was as a teen, but she also doesn't want to be a burden. So when things go a little south, she hunkers down, grits her teeth, and perseveres. Which means there are times she doesn't share things that should probably be shared.
As for Mike, he feels like a failure. He's in a job he doesn't love, he's looking at the back side of his second divorce, and he's floundering a bit. Dawn is the one bright spot in his days, but circumstances have her shutting down just as things should be heating up.
Romance, a little heartache, a whole lot of yarn, family in all its weird permutations, friends who meddle in the best possible way, and a thirty year high school reunion. Second chances are fun once they get past the past and start working on their future.
-Kelly @ Reading the Paranormal
Honestly, their biggest obstacles are themselves here. After years of putting others first and getting things done because somebody had to do it, Dawn's not really great about asking for things for herself. She might be more confident than she was as a teen, but she also doesn't want to be a burden. So when things go a little south, she hunkers down, grits her teeth, and perseveres. Which means there are times she doesn't share things that should probably be shared.
As for Mike, he feels like a failure. He's in a job he doesn't love, he's looking at the back side of his second divorce, and he's floundering a bit. Dawn is the one bright spot in his days, but circumstances have her shutting down just as things should be heating up.
Romance, a little heartache, a whole lot of yarn, family in all its weird permutations, friends who meddle in the best possible way, and a thirty year high school reunion. Second chances are fun once they get past the past and start working on their future.
-Kelly @ Reading the Paranormal
March 18, 2021
TW: Endometrial Cancer
Dawn Botstein is living the dream. She is finally a business owner - she owns a lovely yarn shop called Mad About Ewe. One day walks into the store Mike Pilota, the guy she had a HUGE crush in highschool.
Mike was the ultimate popular guy and even though he worked with Dawn when they were young he never considered dating her. Years later and he clearly sees his mistake and wants to rectify it asap.
Mad About Ewe is a lovely and heartwarming story about second chances. I loved how Mike (who was supposed to be this very confident jock), was actually shy and full of insecurities. I'm so used to super confident and smooth heroes, it was very interesting to see how Mike's thoughts worked. Dawn was so likable as well, and their mature relationship was very charming.
This does get very serious at some points, with lots of discussions around Dawn's health. So, look out if this is a sensitive topic for you.
Thank you so much Smartypants Romance for the complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review.
★★NOW AVAILABLE IN KU★★
From Smartypants Romance...Mad About Ewe, an all-new heartwarming second-chance romance from Susannah Nix is now available in Kindle Unlimited!
★★Read for FREE in Kindle Unlimited!★★
Amazon US: https://amzn.to/399SCgE
Amazon UK: https://amzn.to/35Wn4Zz
Amazon CA: https://amzn.to/394iuuu
Amazon AU: https://amzn.to/3fpPfDs
Dawn Botstein is living the dream. She is finally a business owner - she owns a lovely yarn shop called Mad About Ewe. One day walks into the store Mike Pilota, the guy she had a HUGE crush in highschool.
Mike was the ultimate popular guy and even though he worked with Dawn when they were young he never considered dating her. Years later and he clearly sees his mistake and wants to rectify it asap.
Mad About Ewe is a lovely and heartwarming story about second chances. I loved how Mike (who was supposed to be this very confident jock), was actually shy and full of insecurities. I'm so used to super confident and smooth heroes, it was very interesting to see how Mike's thoughts worked. Dawn was so likable as well, and their mature relationship was very charming.
This does get very serious at some points, with lots of discussions around Dawn's health. So, look out if this is a sensitive topic for you.
Thank you so much Smartypants Romance for the complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review.
★★NOW AVAILABLE IN KU★★
From Smartypants Romance...Mad About Ewe, an all-new heartwarming second-chance romance from Susannah Nix is now available in Kindle Unlimited!
★★Read for FREE in Kindle Unlimited!★★
Amazon US: https://amzn.to/399SCgE
Amazon UK: https://amzn.to/35Wn4Zz
Amazon CA: https://amzn.to/394iuuu
Amazon AU: https://amzn.to/3fpPfDs
March 15, 2023
3.3 stars.
I liked that this featured two 48-year olds with problems that felt true to life.
But, these two needed therapy so much. They both constantly hide from the other out of pride and think “this person cannot possibly like me”. It’s just such a downer for two adults to think that constantly.
And some of the issues just got me down. From cancer to dealing with death of parents to dealing with cheating and divorce. Mike’s mom is depressed because his dad died. And his interactions with her felt so familiar.
This is not a light hearted easy read romance.
If you like a shit ton of real world problems with your romance and very little growth, you might enjoy this.
I personally would have loved for them to grow separately rather than “true love solves all problems”.
I liked that this featured two 48-year olds with problems that felt true to life.
But, these two needed therapy so much. They both constantly hide from the other out of pride and think “this person cannot possibly like me”. It’s just such a downer for two adults to think that constantly.
And some of the issues just got me down. From cancer to dealing with death of parents to dealing with cheating and divorce. Mike’s mom is depressed because his dad died. And his interactions with her felt so familiar.
This is not a light hearted easy read romance.
If you like a shit ton of real world problems with your romance and very little growth, you might enjoy this.
I personally would have loved for them to grow separately rather than “true love solves all problems”.
April 1, 2021
https://celebrityreaders.com/2021/03/...
I received a free copy through Smartypants Romance in exchange for an honest and unbiased review/opinion.
3.5 stars — I enjoyed parts of the book, but ended up feeling kind of meh on other parts.
I think part of my problem is that I had a hard time connecting with parts of Dawn…or maybe the extremes of Dawn. Like, I can definitely vibe with the caretaker personality of not wanting to be a burden on friends and family (though not necessarily from personal experience — more that I’ve seen it in others). But wow. She took it to a whole other level. And I wanted to understand her, but it was so self-sabotaging, it was frustrating. Because it wasn’t just how it affected her relationship with Mike, it was also sad to see how it affected her relationship with her kids. Maybe I wanted more there. We got to see her interact with Angie, but I guess I wanted to see her with her boys too. Despite that, I LOVED how passionate she was about her store, and I was so excited to see her turn that passion into a new lease on life.
I enjoyed Mike’s story more in some ways — I kind of loved getting the perspective of a guy who was floundering with purpose in his life. He had so many self-image issues to work through, which was kind of fascinating given he was a “cool” kid in high school. I guess I loved that too, that we got to see how sometimes it’s a facade, preventing a kid from being wholly themselves…and how that follows them through life. I loved seeing him finding himself, getting back some confidence, and going after what he wanted.
This book had a lot of heavy life stuff in it…and maybe I wasn’t quite in the mood for that. It was so hard to see what Dawn was going through (and caught me completely by surprise). And it was SUPER hard to see what Mike was going through with his Mom — parts of that *really* hit home. There were all these hints of how their relationships with their parents had shaped them in some ways, but it was just hints. I almost wanted more concrete.
And the problem with all that heavy life stuff? For me it took a bit away from the romance side of the story. It was 100% there, and I adored seeing them support one another. But there were swaths of time where it was each of their individual stories without them interacting much…and I guess I wanted more on the romance stuff. Because I really enjoyed that part.
And strangely, for a book that was focused on other stuff, there weren’t a lot of secondary characters I was in love with. I didn’t really get to know anyone else, not even Angie. That was a bit of a bummer.
For those that live for cameos from Penny Reid books though, be excited!
So yeah. Definitely some bright spots, but it just didn’t give me the things I personally enjoy most.
I received a free copy through Smartypants Romance in exchange for an honest and unbiased review/opinion.
3.5 stars — I enjoyed parts of the book, but ended up feeling kind of meh on other parts.
I think part of my problem is that I had a hard time connecting with parts of Dawn…or maybe the extremes of Dawn. Like, I can definitely vibe with the caretaker personality of not wanting to be a burden on friends and family (though not necessarily from personal experience — more that I’ve seen it in others). But wow. She took it to a whole other level. And I wanted to understand her, but it was so self-sabotaging, it was frustrating. Because it wasn’t just how it affected her relationship with Mike, it was also sad to see how it affected her relationship with her kids. Maybe I wanted more there. We got to see her interact with Angie, but I guess I wanted to see her with her boys too. Despite that, I LOVED how passionate she was about her store, and I was so excited to see her turn that passion into a new lease on life.
I enjoyed Mike’s story more in some ways — I kind of loved getting the perspective of a guy who was floundering with purpose in his life. He had so many self-image issues to work through, which was kind of fascinating given he was a “cool” kid in high school. I guess I loved that too, that we got to see how sometimes it’s a facade, preventing a kid from being wholly themselves…and how that follows them through life. I loved seeing him finding himself, getting back some confidence, and going after what he wanted.
This book had a lot of heavy life stuff in it…and maybe I wasn’t quite in the mood for that. It was so hard to see what Dawn was going through (and caught me completely by surprise). And it was SUPER hard to see what Mike was going through with his Mom — parts of that *really* hit home. There were all these hints of how their relationships with their parents had shaped them in some ways, but it was just hints. I almost wanted more concrete.
And the problem with all that heavy life stuff? For me it took a bit away from the romance side of the story. It was 100% there, and I adored seeing them support one another. But there were swaths of time where it was each of their individual stories without them interacting much…and I guess I wanted more on the romance stuff. Because I really enjoyed that part.
And strangely, for a book that was focused on other stuff, there weren’t a lot of secondary characters I was in love with. I didn’t really get to know anyone else, not even Angie. That was a bit of a bummer.
For those that live for cameos from Penny Reid books though, be excited!
So yeah. Definitely some bright spots, but it just didn’t give me the things I personally enjoy most.
March 31, 2021
Dawn Botstein is in her 50's and is newly divorced from Jerry in a mostly amicable split. They raised two boys who have now flown the nest, leaving Dawn in solitude. Thankfully, she finds happiness in her fiber arts store, Mad About Ewe. On one day at the store just like any other, however, her love life, or lack there of, takes a drastic turn. Dawn still remembers the epic crush she held for Mike Pilota back in high school when they worked together at Pizza My Heart. Now, 30 years after Dawn has seen Mike, he's back in Chicago, and in her store asking for knitting supplies. Dawn is flustered and excited, but she still remembers his rejection when she asked him on a date all those years ago. He was the football star, gorgeous and popular, and so unattainable at the time. Unsure how it's even possible, Dawn notices that Mike looks even better today than back in high school, with his gentle giant statue and salt-and-pepper beard.
After his second divorce, Mike left his IT job in Columbus to move back home to Chicago and help his sister look after their mother. Since his Dad passed away, his mom hasn't been herself and she refuses any help for her depression or the state of the house. Though he worries constantly about her, Mike begins cleaning and cooking for her. He remembers the joy she took from knitting when he was young, so on a whim, he stops into the local yarn store to get her some supplies. Maybe she'll start knitting again and that will spur some happiness or encouragement. To his surprise and delight, the yarn store is owned and operated by Dawn, a girl he knew in high school. Mike is smitten. Dawn is beautiful and her laughter gives him a sense of hope and happiness that he hasn't felt in a while. But like a fool, he turns her down when she asks him out, just like he foolishly did 30 years ago. Though he is determined to win her heart, he worries that he's ruined his last chance with Dawn. Will they have a second chance at love, or was their attraction just a silly teenage crush?
I am delighted for you to read this book and meet Dawn and Mike. Faithful Penny Reid fans will love the return to the Knitting in the City world and cameos from some of the beloved characters. Opening this book and spending time at Mad About Ewe feels like being at home surrounded by loved ones where you can be yourself and soak up every bit of happiness that life offers. I hope you love this story as much as I did.
Thank you to Smartypants Romance for providing me with an early review copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
After his second divorce, Mike left his IT job in Columbus to move back home to Chicago and help his sister look after their mother. Since his Dad passed away, his mom hasn't been herself and she refuses any help for her depression or the state of the house. Though he worries constantly about her, Mike begins cleaning and cooking for her. He remembers the joy she took from knitting when he was young, so on a whim, he stops into the local yarn store to get her some supplies. Maybe she'll start knitting again and that will spur some happiness or encouragement. To his surprise and delight, the yarn store is owned and operated by Dawn, a girl he knew in high school. Mike is smitten. Dawn is beautiful and her laughter gives him a sense of hope and happiness that he hasn't felt in a while. But like a fool, he turns her down when she asks him out, just like he foolishly did 30 years ago. Though he is determined to win her heart, he worries that he's ruined his last chance with Dawn. Will they have a second chance at love, or was their attraction just a silly teenage crush?
I am delighted for you to read this book and meet Dawn and Mike. Faithful Penny Reid fans will love the return to the Knitting in the City world and cameos from some of the beloved characters. Opening this book and spending time at Mad About Ewe feels like being at home surrounded by loved ones where you can be yourself and soak up every bit of happiness that life offers. I hope you love this story as much as I did.
Thank you to Smartypants Romance for providing me with an early review copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
March 30, 2021
(No subject)
Mad About Ewe by Susannah Nix
‘“Men,” Linda harrumphed from her chair by the window. “Can’t live with them, can’t tip the lot of them into a volcano and start society over without ‘em.”’
I honestly didn’t know what to expect going into this story, even from having read the blurb I had no idea just how much I would love this realistic yet profound romance story, but I was surprised in a rather spectacular fashion, with how easy the laughs came, the book overflowing with wit and charm, an abundance of banter and camaraderie evident in each page, not to mention the lovely, warm, blossoming feelings associated with the delicate love story of Mike and Dawn, it all amalgamated into this very sweet, very impressive romance from author Susannah Nix.
It definitely felt like a more mature love story, not necessarily because our hero and heroine were over the age of forty but because of the situations they found themselves in, how they reacted and processed, it was all very sage and considerate, there was no unnecessary miscommunications or drawn-out stubbornness. That’s not to say that our protagonists weren’t without a few hiccups along the way but I really enjoyed the subtle flow of the story, it was paced well and beautifully written, emotive and alluring, with Susannah portraying some more difficult realistic events with sensitivity and aplomb, adding another depth to an already unique and exquisite love story.
‘I’d do anything to keep this woman in my life. Absolutely anything. I’d slay a dragon, fend off an army of a thousand armed goblins, walk barefoot to the ends of the earth and back. I’d take any risk, face any demon, conquer any fear. Just for a chance to love her the way she deserved to be loved.’
Mike was a terrifically complex hero. His past was complicated but it shaped him into a more mindful and attentive man, he was patient and compassionate yet still retained that bad boy twinkle in his eye. I loved that even in the awkward teenage years he had still seen something in shy, nerdy Dawn, something that this young self took for granted but that this more mature man treasured and adored.
Dawn was a wonderful heroine. She was kind, resilient, tender-hearted but she was also nobody’s fool and I particularly liked that contrast with her. The strong-willed and strong-minded against the soft and gentle. Her fun and free side running in conjunction with everything else she was trying to juggle rather selflessly in her life. She and Mike had a true partnership. Give and take. Support and guidance. All mixed in with oodles of flirtation and some particularly hot and lavish intimate scenes.
Mad About Ewe was a breathtaking, yet subtly sensuous love story, with two remarkable protagonists. Add in the brilliant cameos from some of our favourite KITC players, one cranky old lady, a High School reunion and an abundance of laughter, reflection, wonder and love, and you have one incredibly inspirational romance story.
Mad About Ewe by Susannah Nix
‘“Men,” Linda harrumphed from her chair by the window. “Can’t live with them, can’t tip the lot of them into a volcano and start society over without ‘em.”’
I honestly didn’t know what to expect going into this story, even from having read the blurb I had no idea just how much I would love this realistic yet profound romance story, but I was surprised in a rather spectacular fashion, with how easy the laughs came, the book overflowing with wit and charm, an abundance of banter and camaraderie evident in each page, not to mention the lovely, warm, blossoming feelings associated with the delicate love story of Mike and Dawn, it all amalgamated into this very sweet, very impressive romance from author Susannah Nix.
It definitely felt like a more mature love story, not necessarily because our hero and heroine were over the age of forty but because of the situations they found themselves in, how they reacted and processed, it was all very sage and considerate, there was no unnecessary miscommunications or drawn-out stubbornness. That’s not to say that our protagonists weren’t without a few hiccups along the way but I really enjoyed the subtle flow of the story, it was paced well and beautifully written, emotive and alluring, with Susannah portraying some more difficult realistic events with sensitivity and aplomb, adding another depth to an already unique and exquisite love story.
‘I’d do anything to keep this woman in my life. Absolutely anything. I’d slay a dragon, fend off an army of a thousand armed goblins, walk barefoot to the ends of the earth and back. I’d take any risk, face any demon, conquer any fear. Just for a chance to love her the way she deserved to be loved.’
Mike was a terrifically complex hero. His past was complicated but it shaped him into a more mindful and attentive man, he was patient and compassionate yet still retained that bad boy twinkle in his eye. I loved that even in the awkward teenage years he had still seen something in shy, nerdy Dawn, something that this young self took for granted but that this more mature man treasured and adored.
Dawn was a wonderful heroine. She was kind, resilient, tender-hearted but she was also nobody’s fool and I particularly liked that contrast with her. The strong-willed and strong-minded against the soft and gentle. Her fun and free side running in conjunction with everything else she was trying to juggle rather selflessly in her life. She and Mike had a true partnership. Give and take. Support and guidance. All mixed in with oodles of flirtation and some particularly hot and lavish intimate scenes.
Mad About Ewe was a breathtaking, yet subtly sensuous love story, with two remarkable protagonists. Add in the brilliant cameos from some of our favourite KITC players, one cranky old lady, a High School reunion and an abundance of laughter, reflection, wonder and love, and you have one incredibly inspirational romance story.
March 23, 2021
Ok
My first time reading this author. I liked that the couple was in their late 40's. I didn't like how the heroine was still hung up on what happened in high school. Both characters had some immaturity. So the age difference didn't seem to matter in the end.
My first time reading this author. I liked that the couple was in their late 40's. I didn't like how the heroine was still hung up on what happened in high school. Both characters had some immaturity. So the age difference didn't seem to matter in the end.
April 2, 2021
I really enjoyed this book. It was sexy and sweet, but with the added complexities of an over-40 romance. Dawn and Mike are completely lovable and totally relatable for me. In fact, if Mike were not a fictional character, we would have attended Ohio State at the same time. And these characters are so real and easy to connect to that you forget that they aren’t actual people!
I’m not sure if you classify Dawn and Mike as a second-chance romance, since Mike turned Dawn down flat in high school, but I’m thinking of it as that. These two both deserve a healthy, spicy relationship after their divorces. But both are unclear how to navigate the relationship that develops and there are miscommunications along the way.
I really loved how Mike admits to Dawn that he was a douche-canoe in high school, and wishes he would have accepted her date. But then he realizes that high school wasn’t their time; that their time is now.
The angst in this story is low as neither Dawn nor Mike are the dramatic sort. They both have amicable divorces and the conflicts that do pop up get resolved with little difficulty. I think I might have enjoyed it even more if the road for them had been a teeny bit rougher.
And even though these two are my peers, I did learn two new words in this book: meatspace and catassed. I don’t want to spoil your fun in looking them up if you are as unfamiliar as I was.
I just finished a reread of Penny Reid’s Love Hacked, so when Mike took his date to Taj’s Indian Restaurant tiny bells of recognition went off in my head. They serve the best butter chicken!! Dawn owns a yarn shop at the bottom of Quinn’s building, so there’s LOTS of opportunities for cameos from our friends in the Knitting in the City books.
My one question is about Tess (the evil reunion planner) and Donal. Have we met them before or is their 30-year old secret a set up for the next book? Hmmm.... read this book and let’s discuss!!
I’m not sure if you classify Dawn and Mike as a second-chance romance, since Mike turned Dawn down flat in high school, but I’m thinking of it as that. These two both deserve a healthy, spicy relationship after their divorces. But both are unclear how to navigate the relationship that develops and there are miscommunications along the way.
I really loved how Mike admits to Dawn that he was a douche-canoe in high school, and wishes he would have accepted her date. But then he realizes that high school wasn’t their time; that their time is now.
The angst in this story is low as neither Dawn nor Mike are the dramatic sort. They both have amicable divorces and the conflicts that do pop up get resolved with little difficulty. I think I might have enjoyed it even more if the road for them had been a teeny bit rougher.
And even though these two are my peers, I did learn two new words in this book: meatspace and catassed. I don’t want to spoil your fun in looking them up if you are as unfamiliar as I was.
I just finished a reread of Penny Reid’s Love Hacked, so when Mike took his date to Taj’s Indian Restaurant tiny bells of recognition went off in my head. They serve the best butter chicken!! Dawn owns a yarn shop at the bottom of Quinn’s building, so there’s LOTS of opportunities for cameos from our friends in the Knitting in the City books.
My one question is about Tess (the evil reunion planner) and Donal. Have we met them before or is their 30-year old secret a set up for the next book? Hmmm.... read this book and let’s discuss!!
April 1, 2021
This was a very sweet second chance romance with some fiery heat for good measure.
Dawn Botstein is the happily divorced owner of her very own yarn shop. Honestly, if you own your own yarn shop you cannot possibly need anything else except maybe Mike Pilota her super crush from way back when.
In high school Mike was the cool kid everyone wanted to be around and Dawn was just not running in the same circles but they did spend time together and got along well in private while she nursed her crush. Now that they are grown ups the tables have turned a little and although the sparks are flying on both sides they are also both fairly tentative about sharing said feelings lest they get trampled. It really is hard to overcome past hurts, life changing decisions that you made when you were still a kid that may change the course of your personal and or professional life. These internalized feelings are super sore spots for Mike and mixed in with Dawn's medical scare which also happens to be super personal I can totally see how they take baby steps into the relationship. So as they work to get passed each other's personal firewalls while trying to hold their own up they fall into a sweet romance where class doesn't matter as much as who you are on the inside. Their routine illustrates just how vulnerable they each are and how much they are willing to risk for their well deserved happily ever after.
I want everyone to read this book so we can discuss how Dawn helps Mike with a very sweet gesture to help get his mom out of a funk. That scene gave me all of the feels.
Also among the highlights for me were the updates on some of my favorite Knitting in the City characters.
On the topic of representation - I am 100% on board with age representation here, where the main characters are in their late 40s. Regardless of age this was everything I want in a great romance.
Dawn Botstein is the happily divorced owner of her very own yarn shop. Honestly, if you own your own yarn shop you cannot possibly need anything else except maybe Mike Pilota her super crush from way back when.
In high school Mike was the cool kid everyone wanted to be around and Dawn was just not running in the same circles but they did spend time together and got along well in private while she nursed her crush. Now that they are grown ups the tables have turned a little and although the sparks are flying on both sides they are also both fairly tentative about sharing said feelings lest they get trampled. It really is hard to overcome past hurts, life changing decisions that you made when you were still a kid that may change the course of your personal and or professional life. These internalized feelings are super sore spots for Mike and mixed in with Dawn's medical scare which also happens to be super personal I can totally see how they take baby steps into the relationship. So as they work to get passed each other's personal firewalls while trying to hold their own up they fall into a sweet romance where class doesn't matter as much as who you are on the inside. Their routine illustrates just how vulnerable they each are and how much they are willing to risk for their well deserved happily ever after.
I want everyone to read this book so we can discuss how Dawn helps Mike with a very sweet gesture to help get his mom out of a funk. That scene gave me all of the feels.
Also among the highlights for me were the updates on some of my favorite Knitting in the City characters.
On the topic of representation - I am 100% on board with age representation here, where the main characters are in their late 40s. Regardless of age this was everything I want in a great romance.
July 9, 2021
DNF at 43%
The characters were 'old' and there was a lot of emphasis on how old they were. They were 47-48. Not old.
However, they acted like teenagers. Oh he deserves a pretty wife, I'm not good enough for him, etc, etc.
The characters were 'old' and there was a lot of emphasis on how old they were. They were 47-48. Not old.
However, they acted like teenagers. Oh he deserves a pretty wife, I'm not good enough for him, etc, etc.
March 19, 2021
2.5 stars
The story was okay and pennyverse cameos werecute, but I didn't really connect with characters or their relationship.
The story was okay and pennyverse cameos werecute, but I didn't really connect with characters or their relationship.
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