What do you think?
Rate this book
Hobbs #7
Strands
In this seventh volume of the Hobbs series, Lucy Bartlett, the rector of the Episcopal Church, and town doctor, Liz Stolz, have finally announced their engagement. They get pushback from surprising places, even from friends they’ve counted on for support. Unresolved issues from Liz’s marriage cloud the prospect even more, especially when her ex-wife returns, desperately needing help. A new doctor has joined Hobbs Family Practice, sparking rumors that Liz will retire. Across town, Police chief, Brenda Harrison, and her wife are settling into a new relationship, but Cherie hears her biological clock ticking. When a shocking tragedy creates an opportunity for them to become parents, all their friends need to step in to help. When couples rearrange in surprising ways, the women of Hobbs find their lives intertwined like the strands of a rope.
330 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 12, 2022
14 people are currently reading
22 people want to read
About the author
Elena Graf
19 books97 followersAward-winning novelist Elena Graf has been scribbling stories since high school. Her first novel, Occasions of Sin was published in 2012. She considers herself primarily a historical novelist, but she is probably best known for the contemporary Hobbs series, featuring a group of middle-aged women living in a small town in Maine.
The novels in the Passing Rites series are set in Europe in the early 20th century and show how a noble family dealt with the momentous changes of the period. Two volumes in the series won both Golden Crown Literary Society and Rainbow Awards for historical fiction.
Elena Graf pursued a Ph.D. in philosophy and often explores difficult moral situations in her fiction. She ended up in the “accidental profession” of publishing, where she worked for almost four decades. She lives in coastal Maine.
The novels in the Passing Rites series are set in Europe in the early 20th century and show how a noble family dealt with the momentous changes of the period. Two volumes in the series won both Golden Crown Literary Society and Rainbow Awards for historical fiction.
Elena Graf pursued a Ph.D. in philosophy and often explores difficult moral situations in her fiction. She ended up in the “accidental profession” of publishing, where she worked for almost four decades. She lives in coastal Maine.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
March 20, 2022
4.5⭐️
Another exciting episode in the lesbian Hobbs universe (#7). I am once again surprised by the twists and turns the author conjures up, again and again, keeping the series exciting. I also like that the cast is very diverse, lesbian, bi, gay, and trans.
In this book, we meet the new doctor, Amy Hsu, who comes as a reinforcement to the family practice in Hobbs. Kaylee, Courtney's daughter, falls in love for the first time. Lucy and Liz make wedding plans that bring criticism and questions from unexpected quarters. Lucy is forced by officialdom to meet with her rector of the Episcopal Church to discuss her upcoming wedding and these conversations stir her up more than she suspected. Sam and Olivia must decide where to take their relationship, which isn't an easy task. Courtney and Melissa also have some decisions to make. Maggie, Liz's ex-wife, re-enters the life of the Hobbs community and Liz must finally face her anger towards her. And a family tragedy has a major impact on Brenda and Cherie's lives, bringing unexpected additions to the family, but also new hurdles to overcome.
I can't even imagine how complex and difficult it is to keep track of each character's story but Elena Graf manages to do that like hardly anyone else. Each book has its own themes, themes that can happen anywhere in the world and that sometimes touch and stir us. But we can also learn how some situations should be handled or what can happen if they are handled badly.
The author weaves real events that happen in the world into her stories. The characters are real women with rough edges, talents, and flaws. They grow on the reader over the long time they have been with us. There are moments when you want to knock some sense into some characters and other moments when you just want to take them in your arms. Elena Graf always brings a lot of emotion into her stories and her writing style is fluid and pleasing. I can only say read this series, it never gets boring.
I highly recommend the whole series, but it is essential to read it in order.
Many thanks to the author and Purple Hand Press for providing me with an ARC
Another exciting episode in the lesbian Hobbs universe (#7). I am once again surprised by the twists and turns the author conjures up, again and again, keeping the series exciting. I also like that the cast is very diverse, lesbian, bi, gay, and trans.
In this book, we meet the new doctor, Amy Hsu, who comes as a reinforcement to the family practice in Hobbs. Kaylee, Courtney's daughter, falls in love for the first time. Lucy and Liz make wedding plans that bring criticism and questions from unexpected quarters. Lucy is forced by officialdom to meet with her rector of the Episcopal Church to discuss her upcoming wedding and these conversations stir her up more than she suspected. Sam and Olivia must decide where to take their relationship, which isn't an easy task. Courtney and Melissa also have some decisions to make. Maggie, Liz's ex-wife, re-enters the life of the Hobbs community and Liz must finally face her anger towards her. And a family tragedy has a major impact on Brenda and Cherie's lives, bringing unexpected additions to the family, but also new hurdles to overcome.
I can't even imagine how complex and difficult it is to keep track of each character's story but Elena Graf manages to do that like hardly anyone else. Each book has its own themes, themes that can happen anywhere in the world and that sometimes touch and stir us. But we can also learn how some situations should be handled or what can happen if they are handled badly.
The author weaves real events that happen in the world into her stories. The characters are real women with rough edges, talents, and flaws. They grow on the reader over the long time they have been with us. There are moments when you want to knock some sense into some characters and other moments when you just want to take them in your arms. Elena Graf always brings a lot of emotion into her stories and her writing style is fluid and pleasing. I can only say read this series, it never gets boring.
I highly recommend the whole series, but it is essential to read it in order.
Many thanks to the author and Purple Hand Press for providing me with an ARC
March 31, 2022
This group of friends needs the Alice's Chart from 'L Word' with a recompilation of all their relationships :-D :-D
January 30, 2022
Elena Graf is one of my most favorite authors of contemporary and historical literary fiction with a focus on lesbian and other LGBTQ+ characters.
In her contemporary Hobbs series, she has created a small universe with primarily lesbian main characters in their middle years or slightly beyond, with younger and not exclusively lesbian characters coming into intermittent focus in the more recent installments. Strands is book number 7 of this rich series, in which plot threads from previous episodes are picked up, unraveled, and re-spun into a multi-layered fabric of interpersonal relationships.
What attracts me to her books the most is the fact that her novels are certainly not your conventional formulaic romance novel. Instead, the author describes complex situations and real-life experiences, in which her true-to-life characters mature humanly. Love, as in real life, does play a major role, but is by no means limited to romantic love alone. All its nuances, from the love of friends, the caring love between different generations, young love, and the deep, great love between the two main characters, which is being continued in this installment, weave the tapestry of relationships bringing together the different plot lines of this novel. The title as well as the cover picture express this perfectly.
In addition to an overall high level of linguistic competence, the author has a special gift for expressing the most subtle emotions sparingly yet pointedly, which for me constitutes the main reason why I appreciate her books so much.
Moreover, even in her contemporary works, she is also a chronicler of modern history.
Elena Graf is a talented narrator who knows how to take the story arc beyond the individual book to the entire series. Her characters have become dear friends whose future fates I would love to learn about.
I am deliberately leaving plot details unmentioned here; they can be found in the blurb, or by reading this highly recommendable book.
This review is based on an advance reading copy provided by the author's publisher.
In her contemporary Hobbs series, she has created a small universe with primarily lesbian main characters in their middle years or slightly beyond, with younger and not exclusively lesbian characters coming into intermittent focus in the more recent installments. Strands is book number 7 of this rich series, in which plot threads from previous episodes are picked up, unraveled, and re-spun into a multi-layered fabric of interpersonal relationships.
What attracts me to her books the most is the fact that her novels are certainly not your conventional formulaic romance novel. Instead, the author describes complex situations and real-life experiences, in which her true-to-life characters mature humanly. Love, as in real life, does play a major role, but is by no means limited to romantic love alone. All its nuances, from the love of friends, the caring love between different generations, young love, and the deep, great love between the two main characters, which is being continued in this installment, weave the tapestry of relationships bringing together the different plot lines of this novel. The title as well as the cover picture express this perfectly.
In addition to an overall high level of linguistic competence, the author has a special gift for expressing the most subtle emotions sparingly yet pointedly, which for me constitutes the main reason why I appreciate her books so much.
Moreover, even in her contemporary works, she is also a chronicler of modern history.
Elena Graf is a talented narrator who knows how to take the story arc beyond the individual book to the entire series. Her characters have become dear friends whose future fates I would love to learn about.
I am deliberately leaving plot details unmentioned here; they can be found in the blurb, or by reading this highly recommendable book.
This review is based on an advance reading copy provided by the author's publisher.
January 24, 2022
Most of us are addicted to at least one TV series, and who hasn’t binge-watched several episodes in a row? Of course, book series – or serialized books – pre-date TV series by over a hundred years, but they have lost none of their appeal. Just like TV series, they offer a ready-made universe in which you can immerse yourself. You are transported from your home into the story…It works with single books as well, of course, but even better with book series, as character building is more elaborate and of course, you can spend longer with the characters. Reading Strands, therefore, I once again found myself in Hobbs, a small town where “people’s lives eventually become intertwined like the strands of a rope.”
Couples are made and undone, and a few new faces appear, but it is the sense of familiarity – and dare I say, family – that is the most appealing and comfortable. Whoever you choose as your favourite character, you can be sure that she will be human, and by that I mean flawed like the rest of us, which is deeply satisfying in a lesfic world where perfect ice queens, Hollywood-beautiful, millionaires tend to prevail. The characters face the real world too – Covid, cancer, conflicts, ageing.
I actually don’t know who I like best – I have a soft spot for Lucy, the ex-opera singer turned vicar, torn between the demands of her faith and her Church and her atheist – or not quite so – lover Liz. But ex-surgeon turned GP Liz, stubborn philanderer, is very appealing too, and I can’t wait to read about the adventures of the new doctor and the new deacon in the sequel. All in all – I’d say settle comfortably, get popcorn and prepare for a night of binge-reading.
Couples are made and undone, and a few new faces appear, but it is the sense of familiarity – and dare I say, family – that is the most appealing and comfortable. Whoever you choose as your favourite character, you can be sure that she will be human, and by that I mean flawed like the rest of us, which is deeply satisfying in a lesfic world where perfect ice queens, Hollywood-beautiful, millionaires tend to prevail. The characters face the real world too – Covid, cancer, conflicts, ageing.
I actually don’t know who I like best – I have a soft spot for Lucy, the ex-opera singer turned vicar, torn between the demands of her faith and her Church and her atheist – or not quite so – lover Liz. But ex-surgeon turned GP Liz, stubborn philanderer, is very appealing too, and I can’t wait to read about the adventures of the new doctor and the new deacon in the sequel. All in all – I’d say settle comfortably, get popcorn and prepare for a night of binge-reading.
February 8, 2022
The Hobbs series remains one of my favorite series: the women in this series are so real and I love that there are mature women with all that comes with it. If you have not yet read anything from Hobbs you may want to start with the first one - this is not a stand-alone read.
I was looking forward to seeing how Liz comes to terms with dating a priest and Strands fully delivers. Other developments took me by surprise and that's what makes the series great: there are always new turns.
Can't wait for the next installment.
I was looking forward to seeing how Liz comes to terms with dating a priest and Strands fully delivers. Other developments took me by surprise and that's what makes the series great: there are always new turns.
Can't wait for the next installment.
February 20, 2022
3.75⭐
February 26, 2022
Loved it
Great addition to the Hobbs series! I so enjoy seeing what these guys are up to with each and every book!
Great addition to the Hobbs series! I so enjoy seeing what these guys are up to with each and every book!
March 5, 2022
Readers know they have invested themselves in a good book series when they are itching for the next installment before it has even been published. Such is the case with Elena Graf’s Hobbs series. She hooks readers with an addictive story world they want to return to time and again. Her latest addition, Strands, is another page-turner and it gives its readers all the things they’ve come to love about Hobbs: a great community of women, friendship and love.
The cover of Strands stirs the imagination with its artfully arranged strands of rope. The beautiful twists form a heart and it is most certainly intended to be symbolic. Book seven is filled with themes of connectivity, promise, hope and love. Loose ends are joined together and a sense of healing begins in this tight-knit community of Maine. Readers readily embrace it as books five and six were real emotional rollercoaster rides; many were left anxious over the direction of the previous storylines. However, it is a fine testament to exceptional storytelling when readers become intensely and emotionally charged about the lives of its characters. When Graf can inspire such strong sympathetic understanding and devotion for her characters, she must be doing something right.
Readers need not doubt the literary choices of Graf’s storytelling; she is a skilled storyteller and fine writer. She knows what she’s doing with these characters, and she’s designed this series well. She uses her characters creatively and effectively, making the series arc move in a more interesting, impactive and dynamic direction. Her development is always thoughtful and thorough, giving readers complex characters that have more depth and dimension than is even imaginable. Their flaws and vulnerabilities are real and play to readers’ emotions and sympathies well. It all comes together nicely, invigorating the plot in fresh, exciting ways. Most essentially though, Graf has the foresight and knowledge to constantly challenge these characters. They change as the story changes, and readers are always left with something new to think about.
This book, just like the previous ones, uses its setting to add shape to the story. Graf incorporates real life events into the story world, keeping the storytelling current and relevant. The townspeople must deal with Covid, vaccine rollouts, mask mandates, and workforce shortages. These real life issues not only engage the reader, but crank up the dramatic tension in very relatable ways. Additionally, they underscore the tone of the story nicely, enhancing its personality perfectly.
I appreciate many things about this novel, but I especially appreciate how Graf advances Liz and Lucy’s story. She scripts scenes in Strands that direct growth. It’s intense and emotional, but well balanced. Moreover, it demonstrates her control as a writer to patiently give the story what it needs, and the writing shines because of it.
Graf especially shines with the direction she takes with Liz’s character. Liz is a strong, intelligent and generous person, but she can be difficult and unyielding at times. Under the direction of a less skilled writer, her character could become stagnant. However, Graf knows she must encourage growth, so she masterfully pokes and prods at Liz’s insecurities and vulnerabilities until they inspire measurable and distinct change. These lovely, tender scenes feed the series’ arc nicely and rudder the plot with direction and purpose.
Like Liz, Lucy also experiences change. It affects the trajectory of her character in gentle, but needed ways. She’s painted as a kind, gentle and loving woman of God—and she is. However, she is not perfect. Maggie’s poor behavior in book five blinded Lucy to her own participation in Liz’s divorce, and that was problematic for the readers. When Lucy finally acknowledges her part in all that went on, it expands her character and the storytelling in crucial ways. It makes it more credible and trustworthy, and readers need that.
Final remarks…
Stands is another great addition to the Hobbs saga. Once again, Graf does not disappoint. She delivers a solid story with original, relevant plotlines, ones that challenge her characters and move the series arc forward in entertaining ways. I highly recommend this book and look forward to the next one.
Strengths…
Well-written
Well-plotted
Well-paced
Engaging
Entertaining
Worth the read
The cover of Strands stirs the imagination with its artfully arranged strands of rope. The beautiful twists form a heart and it is most certainly intended to be symbolic. Book seven is filled with themes of connectivity, promise, hope and love. Loose ends are joined together and a sense of healing begins in this tight-knit community of Maine. Readers readily embrace it as books five and six were real emotional rollercoaster rides; many were left anxious over the direction of the previous storylines. However, it is a fine testament to exceptional storytelling when readers become intensely and emotionally charged about the lives of its characters. When Graf can inspire such strong sympathetic understanding and devotion for her characters, she must be doing something right.
Readers need not doubt the literary choices of Graf’s storytelling; she is a skilled storyteller and fine writer. She knows what she’s doing with these characters, and she’s designed this series well. She uses her characters creatively and effectively, making the series arc move in a more interesting, impactive and dynamic direction. Her development is always thoughtful and thorough, giving readers complex characters that have more depth and dimension than is even imaginable. Their flaws and vulnerabilities are real and play to readers’ emotions and sympathies well. It all comes together nicely, invigorating the plot in fresh, exciting ways. Most essentially though, Graf has the foresight and knowledge to constantly challenge these characters. They change as the story changes, and readers are always left with something new to think about.
This book, just like the previous ones, uses its setting to add shape to the story. Graf incorporates real life events into the story world, keeping the storytelling current and relevant. The townspeople must deal with Covid, vaccine rollouts, mask mandates, and workforce shortages. These real life issues not only engage the reader, but crank up the dramatic tension in very relatable ways. Additionally, they underscore the tone of the story nicely, enhancing its personality perfectly.
I appreciate many things about this novel, but I especially appreciate how Graf advances Liz and Lucy’s story. She scripts scenes in Strands that direct growth. It’s intense and emotional, but well balanced. Moreover, it demonstrates her control as a writer to patiently give the story what it needs, and the writing shines because of it.
Graf especially shines with the direction she takes with Liz’s character. Liz is a strong, intelligent and generous person, but she can be difficult and unyielding at times. Under the direction of a less skilled writer, her character could become stagnant. However, Graf knows she must encourage growth, so she masterfully pokes and prods at Liz’s insecurities and vulnerabilities until they inspire measurable and distinct change. These lovely, tender scenes feed the series’ arc nicely and rudder the plot with direction and purpose.
Like Liz, Lucy also experiences change. It affects the trajectory of her character in gentle, but needed ways. She’s painted as a kind, gentle and loving woman of God—and she is. However, she is not perfect. Maggie’s poor behavior in book five blinded Lucy to her own participation in Liz’s divorce, and that was problematic for the readers. When Lucy finally acknowledges her part in all that went on, it expands her character and the storytelling in crucial ways. It makes it more credible and trustworthy, and readers need that.
Final remarks…
Stands is another great addition to the Hobbs saga. Once again, Graf does not disappoint. She delivers a solid story with original, relevant plotlines, ones that challenge her characters and move the series arc forward in entertaining ways. I highly recommend this book and look forward to the next one.
Strengths…
Well-written
Well-plotted
Well-paced
Engaging
Entertaining
Worth the read
January 31, 2022
The story of the women of Hobbs, ME continues and what a saga it is!
Liz and Lucy are thinking about getting married, and there's a new doctor in town, Dr. Amy Hsu.
There are changes, big changes. Sorrow and horror turn to joy for one of Hobbs's couples. Another of our beloved couples appears to be headed for a break-up.
This book takes a deeper look at the relationship between Dr. Liz Stolz and Rev. Lucy Bartlett. They have some learning to do between them, especially when one of the original characters returns to Hobbs with a catastrophic problem of her own.
I loved this addition to the Hobbs series. The peripheral characters are fleshed out more completely, and the long-time characters have plenty of spotlight shined on them, as well. The characters form a tight family-like group, with one always looking out for the others. They can be depended upon to be there for each other, and this is what I have always loved about this Hobbs community. They might have disagreements, bumps in the road here and there, but the love, caring and concern is always there.
Elena Graf could continue to write about these characters for time immemorial, and that would be perfectly fine with me.
Liz and Lucy are thinking about getting married, and there's a new doctor in town, Dr. Amy Hsu.
There are changes, big changes. Sorrow and horror turn to joy for one of Hobbs's couples. Another of our beloved couples appears to be headed for a break-up.
This book takes a deeper look at the relationship between Dr. Liz Stolz and Rev. Lucy Bartlett. They have some learning to do between them, especially when one of the original characters returns to Hobbs with a catastrophic problem of her own.
I loved this addition to the Hobbs series. The peripheral characters are fleshed out more completely, and the long-time characters have plenty of spotlight shined on them, as well. The characters form a tight family-like group, with one always looking out for the others. They can be depended upon to be there for each other, and this is what I have always loved about this Hobbs community. They might have disagreements, bumps in the road here and there, but the love, caring and concern is always there.
Elena Graf could continue to write about these characters for time immemorial, and that would be perfectly fine with me.
February 8, 2022
It is a thrill to read each new book from the Hobbs series.
I am familiar with the characters because I have read all the previous books.
I was really anxious to see what happens next in the Hobbs universe with all the remarkable characters: Lucy, Liz, Brenda, Cherie, Sam, Olivia, Courtney, Melissa, Denise.
They are all flawed, nobody’s perfect, we all choose wrong sometimes and so are they.
That is why they are so special.
Also, they are women in their fifties or sixties, they have been through life and they have all kind of experiences, they are not the typical lesbian romance characters, they are far more complex.
In one word: they are remarkable.
And they make Hobbs a wonderful place.
I would have loved to live in Hobbs with them, if they were real and Hobbs was a real place.
It is a great achievement for Elena Graf to have created the Hobbs universe with these specials lesbian ladies over fifties.
I love their intellect and both their scientific and emotional intelligence make their communication vibrant and smart, like in no other in lesbian fiction.
I am happy that I have read all the Hobbs series books and I can’t believe this is the seventh book already and there is so much more to say and to happen in Hobbs. There are so many plot changes and new situations that leave the reader amazed.
„Strands” is book #7 in the Hobbs series by Elena Graf.
Let’s do a little summary of the previous Hobbs series books.
The Hobbs series describes the life of a community of lesbian women in their fifties or sixties living at their best in the town of Hobbs, Maine.
In Hobbs book #1 – „High October” we are witnesses of the romantic love between Liz and Maggie, who have loved each other since college, but got separated by Maggie’s parents, she married a man and she meets Liz by accident again after forty years in Hobbs Maine and they fall in love again.
In Hobbs book #2 – „This Is My Body” we are introduced to the most original character of them all, Mother Lucy, a former opera star at the Met Opera in New York, who has become an Episcopalian reverend and moved to Hobbs Maine, and met and fall in love with Erika, a philosophy professor and Liz’s best friend.
In Hobbs book #3 – „Love In Time Of Corona” we couldn’t wait to see Police Chief Brenda Harrison happy in love. She falls for Cherie Bois, Liz’s new medical assistant, who seems to hate Brenda and she doesn’t know why and how to make Cherie know her, the woman behind the uniform.
In Hobbs book #4 – „Thirsty Thursdays” we are excited (at least I am), to enjoy the love story between sweet architect Sam McKinnon and the almost melting ice queen, retired Wall-Street fund manager, Olivia Enright, who has become one of my favorite characters in the series, because she is just incorrigible.
In Hobbs book #5 – „The Dark Winter”, the two unexpected turning points turned the Hobbs women’s life around.
In Hobbs book #6 – „Summer People”, we are absorbed in Melissa and Courtney’s love story. Melissa Morgenstern, a forty something trust lawyer from Boston of Jewish heritage („a willowy woman with long, dark hair and the kind of figure only the young enjoy with voltaic blue eyes”), Courtney Barnes („a pretty woman, with long, blonde hair and warm brown eyes”), the new assistant principal of the Hobbs elementary school
A special character comes in, Denise Chantal, a very attractive transgender singer who will replace Maggie as the new music director at Lucy’s church.
An unexpected surprise is another fallen angel: Susan Gedney, the woman who inspired Lucy to become a priest and also, her first lesbian lover. She looks like a „beloved elementary teacher with fading blond hair and gentle eyes with a face of saintly quality”.
Like the title and the cover suggests, „Strands” is a symbol for a united community through the ropes of the heart (love) ~ heart shaped ropes or the lover’s knot.
Significance
“The lover’s knot or love knot has a long history of being a symbol of love. It represents the unbreakable bond and eternal connection between two lovers.
The association of knots with love has appeared in many different cultures since ancient times. These include ancient Greek jewellery, Egyptian sculptures, and Celtic knots . Meanwhile in ancient Arabia, lovers used love knots to send messages to each other.
The Celtic knots consist of unbroken loops with no beginning and end, symbolizing eternity like the love between a married couple. Yet, another folklore tells of lovers tying a love knot on a small limb of a tree. If the knot holds for a year, it means that their love will last.”
The Hobbs lesbian community definitely became more united since Liz and Lucy are a pair, yet all the other couples add value to it, like Brenda and Cherie, Courtney and Melissa.
There are so many unexpected situations and change of direction in the plot, which I really can’t tell without exposing the beauty of the book, so I won’t, for the fun of the read.
There is a new character who adds to the story: Dr. Amy Hsu, Liz colleague in the Hobbs family practice. She is of Asian heritage and she is really special. I wonder how will she adapt to the other characters and who will have her attention.
Portrait of a beautiful Asian businesswoman smiling. Horizontal shot.
There are ups and downs for each and every couple in town.
Some characters return. We were expecting this, but not in this (absolutely amazing) manner!
Brenda and Cherie are given an unexpected, yet a wonderful gift.
Sam has new life experiences and special encounters.
Olivia is tested in unexpected ways.
Denise is a special character.
Liz and Lucy are is the new power couple in Hobbs. They want to get married, yet they need to wait the church’s approval for an Episcopalian priest to marry a divorced woman. And also, Liz needs to have a couple of meetings with Lucy’s bishop. This was so much fun.
Liz is once more put in awkward and funny situations.
In this book, Liz is being tested from all sides. She is overwhelmed by her future marriage with Lucy, then at work, the pandemic is far being over and then the character who returns turns her world around.
I, also, found very interesting that Liz teaches defensive gun shooting training classes and has a strong opinion on sensitive gun control (Elena Graf nuances this opinion skillfully).
Lucy works too much and the women around notice and by trying to do good, they end doing trouble. And, who, from all the Hobbs women!
Liz is still amazed by Lucy, who seems to see her whole and all through her, how she tries to control her bluntness and her childish tendencies and her crazy libido.
They make a wonderful couple and even if they are not perfect, they are flawed and they have done their share of mistakes, they never stop learning and evolving as humans, women and never stop helping others and learn how to love from this new perspective.
They are the most humane characters I have ever read about.
They are truly exceptional.
I still love Liz – „A fallen idol is still a god.” (Elizabeth Cheresh Allen)
And I love Lucy more – „She is a saint with the lips of a sinner / She is an angel with a devilish kiss.” (n3r)
I am familiar with the characters because I have read all the previous books.
I was really anxious to see what happens next in the Hobbs universe with all the remarkable characters: Lucy, Liz, Brenda, Cherie, Sam, Olivia, Courtney, Melissa, Denise.
They are all flawed, nobody’s perfect, we all choose wrong sometimes and so are they.
That is why they are so special.
Also, they are women in their fifties or sixties, they have been through life and they have all kind of experiences, they are not the typical lesbian romance characters, they are far more complex.
In one word: they are remarkable.
And they make Hobbs a wonderful place.
I would have loved to live in Hobbs with them, if they were real and Hobbs was a real place.
It is a great achievement for Elena Graf to have created the Hobbs universe with these specials lesbian ladies over fifties.
I love their intellect and both their scientific and emotional intelligence make their communication vibrant and smart, like in no other in lesbian fiction.
I am happy that I have read all the Hobbs series books and I can’t believe this is the seventh book already and there is so much more to say and to happen in Hobbs. There are so many plot changes and new situations that leave the reader amazed.
„Strands” is book #7 in the Hobbs series by Elena Graf.
Let’s do a little summary of the previous Hobbs series books.
The Hobbs series describes the life of a community of lesbian women in their fifties or sixties living at their best in the town of Hobbs, Maine.
In Hobbs book #1 – „High October” we are witnesses of the romantic love between Liz and Maggie, who have loved each other since college, but got separated by Maggie’s parents, she married a man and she meets Liz by accident again after forty years in Hobbs Maine and they fall in love again.
In Hobbs book #2 – „This Is My Body” we are introduced to the most original character of them all, Mother Lucy, a former opera star at the Met Opera in New York, who has become an Episcopalian reverend and moved to Hobbs Maine, and met and fall in love with Erika, a philosophy professor and Liz’s best friend.
In Hobbs book #3 – „Love In Time Of Corona” we couldn’t wait to see Police Chief Brenda Harrison happy in love. She falls for Cherie Bois, Liz’s new medical assistant, who seems to hate Brenda and she doesn’t know why and how to make Cherie know her, the woman behind the uniform.
In Hobbs book #4 – „Thirsty Thursdays” we are excited (at least I am), to enjoy the love story between sweet architect Sam McKinnon and the almost melting ice queen, retired Wall-Street fund manager, Olivia Enright, who has become one of my favorite characters in the series, because she is just incorrigible.
In Hobbs book #5 – „The Dark Winter”, the two unexpected turning points turned the Hobbs women’s life around.
In Hobbs book #6 – „Summer People”, we are absorbed in Melissa and Courtney’s love story. Melissa Morgenstern, a forty something trust lawyer from Boston of Jewish heritage („a willowy woman with long, dark hair and the kind of figure only the young enjoy with voltaic blue eyes”), Courtney Barnes („a pretty woman, with long, blonde hair and warm brown eyes”), the new assistant principal of the Hobbs elementary school
A special character comes in, Denise Chantal, a very attractive transgender singer who will replace Maggie as the new music director at Lucy’s church.
An unexpected surprise is another fallen angel: Susan Gedney, the woman who inspired Lucy to become a priest and also, her first lesbian lover. She looks like a „beloved elementary teacher with fading blond hair and gentle eyes with a face of saintly quality”.
Like the title and the cover suggests, „Strands” is a symbol for a united community through the ropes of the heart (love) ~ heart shaped ropes or the lover’s knot.
Significance
“The lover’s knot or love knot has a long history of being a symbol of love. It represents the unbreakable bond and eternal connection between two lovers.
The association of knots with love has appeared in many different cultures since ancient times. These include ancient Greek jewellery, Egyptian sculptures, and Celtic knots . Meanwhile in ancient Arabia, lovers used love knots to send messages to each other.
The Celtic knots consist of unbroken loops with no beginning and end, symbolizing eternity like the love between a married couple. Yet, another folklore tells of lovers tying a love knot on a small limb of a tree. If the knot holds for a year, it means that their love will last.”
The Hobbs lesbian community definitely became more united since Liz and Lucy are a pair, yet all the other couples add value to it, like Brenda and Cherie, Courtney and Melissa.
There are so many unexpected situations and change of direction in the plot, which I really can’t tell without exposing the beauty of the book, so I won’t, for the fun of the read.
There is a new character who adds to the story: Dr. Amy Hsu, Liz colleague in the Hobbs family practice. She is of Asian heritage and she is really special. I wonder how will she adapt to the other characters and who will have her attention.
Portrait of a beautiful Asian businesswoman smiling. Horizontal shot.
There are ups and downs for each and every couple in town.
Some characters return. We were expecting this, but not in this (absolutely amazing) manner!
Brenda and Cherie are given an unexpected, yet a wonderful gift.
Sam has new life experiences and special encounters.
Olivia is tested in unexpected ways.
Denise is a special character.
Liz and Lucy are is the new power couple in Hobbs. They want to get married, yet they need to wait the church’s approval for an Episcopalian priest to marry a divorced woman. And also, Liz needs to have a couple of meetings with Lucy’s bishop. This was so much fun.
Liz is once more put in awkward and funny situations.
In this book, Liz is being tested from all sides. She is overwhelmed by her future marriage with Lucy, then at work, the pandemic is far being over and then the character who returns turns her world around.
I, also, found very interesting that Liz teaches defensive gun shooting training classes and has a strong opinion on sensitive gun control (Elena Graf nuances this opinion skillfully).
Lucy works too much and the women around notice and by trying to do good, they end doing trouble. And, who, from all the Hobbs women!
Liz is still amazed by Lucy, who seems to see her whole and all through her, how she tries to control her bluntness and her childish tendencies and her crazy libido.
They make a wonderful couple and even if they are not perfect, they are flawed and they have done their share of mistakes, they never stop learning and evolving as humans, women and never stop helping others and learn how to love from this new perspective.
They are the most humane characters I have ever read about.
They are truly exceptional.
I still love Liz – „A fallen idol is still a god.” (Elizabeth Cheresh Allen)
And I love Lucy more – „She is a saint with the lips of a sinner / She is an angel with a devilish kiss.” (n3r)
March 3, 2022
The cover of “Strands” suits the book’s theme: Every life of the Hobbs lesbians is connected and interwoven, whether they like it or not.
Lucy and Liz are headed toward marriage, but Liz is broadsided by the necessity of dealing with Lucy’s supervisor, the Bishop before they can marry. Lucy has also dragged Liz into the role of a pastor’s wife.
Liz has hired Amy Hsu, a doctor she hopes will eventually take over the Hobbs clinic. Sam shows an interest in Dr. Hsu and suddenly dumps Olivia to pursue Amy. I can’t say that I feel all that sorry for Olivia.
Things are suddenly looking up for Sam in the relationship department, or is it? For all that Sam seems to complain about Olivia being demanding and high maintenance, she seems to have gone from the frying pan into the fire with her new love interest.
Maggie’s cancer is back, and so is her presence in Hobbs. While Liz wants nothing to do with her cheating ex-wife, Maggie is an emotional mess, begging Liz to oversee her treatment. Are Maggie’s tears real or just a way to manipulate Liz, and will it work?
A murder/suicide leaves two young children without parents, and suddenly Brenda and Cherie are instant foster parents, but will the courts allow them to adopt the children when they have a blood relative? Cherie’s clock is ticking, and she desperately wants children. Brenda is not sure that is she cut out to be a parent but loves Cherie enough to try.
Denise is working hard to fit in at St. Margarets, but it’s her personal life that shocks Lucy. Denise has found a potential love interest, but the relationship is complicated.
Melissa and Courtney are still navigating their new relationship. Courtney is closeted and dealing with her own internalized homophobia while Melissa has been living her life out and proud. It will be interesting to see how this storyline progresses.
What I liked:
An additional new character with the potential to grow into a more significant role in the series.
The story contains a few surprising twists and turns.
What some folks may not like:
Domestic abuse with a murder/suicide of previously unknown characters impacts small children. A child custody case where being a lesbian may affect the outcome.
Grab a bowl of popcorn and get reading. The strands of these seasoned lesbians and the newcomers have been craftily intertwined, resulting in another delicious read.
Lucy and Liz are headed toward marriage, but Liz is broadsided by the necessity of dealing with Lucy’s supervisor, the Bishop before they can marry. Lucy has also dragged Liz into the role of a pastor’s wife.
Liz has hired Amy Hsu, a doctor she hopes will eventually take over the Hobbs clinic. Sam shows an interest in Dr. Hsu and suddenly dumps Olivia to pursue Amy. I can’t say that I feel all that sorry for Olivia.
Things are suddenly looking up for Sam in the relationship department, or is it? For all that Sam seems to complain about Olivia being demanding and high maintenance, she seems to have gone from the frying pan into the fire with her new love interest.
Maggie’s cancer is back, and so is her presence in Hobbs. While Liz wants nothing to do with her cheating ex-wife, Maggie is an emotional mess, begging Liz to oversee her treatment. Are Maggie’s tears real or just a way to manipulate Liz, and will it work?
A murder/suicide leaves two young children without parents, and suddenly Brenda and Cherie are instant foster parents, but will the courts allow them to adopt the children when they have a blood relative? Cherie’s clock is ticking, and she desperately wants children. Brenda is not sure that is she cut out to be a parent but loves Cherie enough to try.
Denise is working hard to fit in at St. Margarets, but it’s her personal life that shocks Lucy. Denise has found a potential love interest, but the relationship is complicated.
Melissa and Courtney are still navigating their new relationship. Courtney is closeted and dealing with her own internalized homophobia while Melissa has been living her life out and proud. It will be interesting to see how this storyline progresses.
What I liked:
An additional new character with the potential to grow into a more significant role in the series.
The story contains a few surprising twists and turns.
What some folks may not like:
Domestic abuse with a murder/suicide of previously unknown characters impacts small children. A child custody case where being a lesbian may affect the outcome.
Grab a bowl of popcorn and get reading. The strands of these seasoned lesbians and the newcomers have been craftily intertwined, resulting in another delicious read.
July 5, 2024
This is book 7 in the series.
I like the longevity of the characters so that you kind of get to know them and what to expect. In this series new couples are adding more or less every book to expand their social and dating circles.
There I an engagement announced in this book - which some of the other characters push back on. How long after your wife dies is it acceptable to be engaged to her, now separated soon to be divorced, best friend?
I know this is a story and not real life by the way.
And when you fear your cancer is back - should you go running to your ex wife just because she knows her stuff and you trust her medical opinion? Personally when I have had follow up issues I've called my Macmillan Nurse - who is not my ex wife.
Elsewhere in the story, couples split, and new unions are explored.
And if you let your ex wife sleep with you in your bed - don't be too surprised when she has wandering hands!
Recommended
I like the longevity of the characters so that you kind of get to know them and what to expect. In this series new couples are adding more or less every book to expand their social and dating circles.
There I an engagement announced in this book - which some of the other characters push back on. How long after your wife dies is it acceptable to be engaged to her, now separated soon to be divorced, best friend?
I know this is a story and not real life by the way.
And when you fear your cancer is back - should you go running to your ex wife just because she knows her stuff and you trust her medical opinion? Personally when I have had follow up issues I've called my Macmillan Nurse - who is not my ex wife.
Elsewhere in the story, couples split, and new unions are explored.
And if you let your ex wife sleep with you in your bed - don't be too surprised when she has wandering hands!
Recommended
February 25, 2022
Another Winner in Elena Graf's Hobbs series
I loved this book. Graf's deeply likable characters continue to grow as they age, meet new challenges, and deepen their connections to each other and to their beloved town. The eroticism was just right, a current of attraction running through many scenes but igniting into sex only occasionally. Graff gracefully weaves strands from preceding Hobbs novels into a strong, satisfying, sexy braid.
I loved this book. Graf's deeply likable characters continue to grow as they age, meet new challenges, and deepen their connections to each other and to their beloved town. The eroticism was just right, a current of attraction running through many scenes but igniting into sex only occasionally. Graff gracefully weaves strands from preceding Hobbs novels into a strong, satisfying, sexy braid.
September 26, 2023
A wonderful trip to Hobbs
I love the characters of Hobbs. It is a great joy to watch their relationships develop and evolve. My favorite character is Rev Lucy. Her compassion and kindness towards others is inspiring.
I love the characters of Hobbs. It is a great joy to watch their relationships develop and evolve. My favorite character is Rev Lucy. Her compassion and kindness towards others is inspiring.
October 7, 2024
This is well written (as usual for the writer) and decent but apart from a tragedy leading to a sudden family for Brenda and Cherie, there’s not much drama and incident to hold the attention. I’ll be back for more (of course) but would like a bit more next time…
May 10, 2023
I must say the connection these women have is enviable. So well written. I love the many historical acknowledgements. Thoughtful, intriguing so carefully put together. Must read.
February 15, 2022
Excellent story. Really like this author.
February 10, 2022
On February 10 this book 7 in the Hobbs series is out. I received an ARC copy and feel blessed to have read this magnificent story. Elena Graf brings to life characters with life struggles in all their struggles. Liz and Lucy have to grasp their past in order to make a future. A return of Maggie will impact many. Courtney and Melissa have to figure out what they want - together. Cheri and Brenda with have a life altering experience. This book will see so much growth in the characters as they face what life throws at them. It introduces new characters that bring a new slice of life to Hobbs. Everytime I read one of these books my love to live in this community grows. It is not a perfect place with perfect people but a place with strong woman trying to love and care for themselves, the community and each other. I love that there is a mix of ages in this group of women so we see life at different stages in life. The depth this book gives to the character makes it one of my favorites. I thought I would never recover from my heartache with The Dark Winter but my love for this series never wanes. If you have not pre- ordered I encourage you to do so. If you have not read the series it is such a great read. My love for Liz and Lucy keep me reading but there are so many characters I just love to see what is next. I know 8 say it often but I love this Hobbs series and this book 7 is exquisite.
Merged review:
Time moves on and change is life, how the Hobbs women care for each other & themselves is beautiful.
Book 7 in the Hobbs series is out. I received an ARC copy and feel blessed to have read this magnificent story. Elena Graf brings to life characters with real struggles in all their flawed beauty. They find ways to navigate the very personal steps moving forward.
Liz and Lucy have to grasp their past in order to make a future. A return of Maggie will impact many. Courtney and Melissa have to figure out what they want - together. Cheri and Brenda will have a life altering experience. This book sees so much growth in the characters as they face what life throws at them. It introduces new characters that bring a new slice of life to Hobbs. Everytime I read one of these books my love to live in this community grows. It is not a perfect place with perfect people but a place with strong woman trying to love and care for themselves, the community and each other. I love that there is a mix of ages in this group of women so we see life at different stages in life. The depth this book gives to the character makes it one of my favorites. I thought I would never recover from my heartache with The Dark Winter but my love for this series never wanes.
I encourage you to read this next book in the series. If you have not read the series it is such a great read. My love for Liz and Lucy keep me reading but there are so many characters I just love to see what is next. I know I say it often but I love this Hobbs series and this book 7 is exquisite.
Merged review:
Time moves on and change is life, how the Hobbs women care for each other & themselves is beautiful.
Book 7 in the Hobbs series is out. I received an ARC copy and feel blessed to have read this magnificent story. Elena Graf brings to life characters with real struggles in all their flawed beauty. They find ways to navigate the very personal steps moving forward.
Liz and Lucy have to grasp their past in order to make a future. A return of Maggie will impact many. Courtney and Melissa have to figure out what they want - together. Cheri and Brenda will have a life altering experience. This book sees so much growth in the characters as they face what life throws at them. It introduces new characters that bring a new slice of life to Hobbs. Everytime I read one of these books my love to live in this community grows. It is not a perfect place with perfect people but a place with strong woman trying to love and care for themselves, the community and each other. I love that there is a mix of ages in this group of women so we see life at different stages in life. The depth this book gives to the character makes it one of my favorites. I thought I would never recover from my heartache with The Dark Winter but my love for this series never wanes.
I encourage you to read this next book in the series. If you have not read the series it is such a great read. My love for Liz and Lucy keep me reading but there are so many characters I just love to see what is next. I know I say it often but I love this Hobbs series and this book 7 is exquisite.
February 13, 2022
Book 7 in the Hobbs series continues in the same fashion we’ve come to expect from Graf. Liz and Lucy are together but, as expected, all is not perfect and Graf does a great job at continuing the growth of both characters. Whether it’s Lucy coming to terms with her role in the breakup of Liz’s marriage or Liz coming to terms with Maggie’s reappearance and new relationship, the realism in everyday life continues. Along with two of my favorites, we get to check in with the rest of the Hobbs family (old and new) in multiple aspects. Graf does an absolutely excellent job incorporating the hard, real-life highs and lows that many people experience. Whether it’s creating a family, finding acceptance, moving on, or learning to forgive; you’ll find it all here in Hobbs.
February 3, 2022
Oof I did not think this series could get any better! The relationships are whatever their nature are all very compelling whether you like the way they are going or not. The setting of Maine thank god is not getting old anytime soon. Sometimes 7 books in, in a series the background might get a little old but now Hobbs continues to compel. Also I was bittersweet when I first started because I thought it would be the last book (it still might if the Graf decides to stop here) however there are a couple of storylines were left on a cliff hanger so I definitely see another book coming I AM SO HERE FOR IT.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews