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Jo Mackenzie #1
The Beach Street Knitting Society and Yarn Club
For every woman who has ever dreamed of starting over, or being a better mother, or just knitting a really nice scarf . . .
When her husband dies in a car crash -- not long after announcing he wants a divorce -- Jo Mackenzie packs up her two rowdy boys and moves from London to a dilapidated villa in her seaside hometown. There, she takes over her beloved Gran's knitting shop -- a quaint but out-of-date store in desperate need of a facelift. After a rough beginning, Jo soon finds comfort in a "Stitch and Bitch" group; a collection of quirky, lively women who share their stories, and their addiction to cake, with warmth and humor.
As Jo starts to get the hang of single-parent life in a small town, she relies on her knitting group for support. The women meet every week at the shop on Beach Street and trade gossip and advice as freely as they do a new stitch. But when a new man enters Jo's life, and an A-list actress moves into the local mansion, the knitting club has even more trouble confining the conversation to knit one, purl two.
The Beach Street Knitting Society and Yarn Club is an uplifting, winning tale about the healing power of friendship and new beginnings. It's a charming novel that will delight all passionate knitters -- and win over befuddled, would-be knitters, too.
When her husband dies in a car crash -- not long after announcing he wants a divorce -- Jo Mackenzie packs up her two rowdy boys and moves from London to a dilapidated villa in her seaside hometown. There, she takes over her beloved Gran's knitting shop -- a quaint but out-of-date store in desperate need of a facelift. After a rough beginning, Jo soon finds comfort in a "Stitch and Bitch" group; a collection of quirky, lively women who share their stories, and their addiction to cake, with warmth and humor.
As Jo starts to get the hang of single-parent life in a small town, she relies on her knitting group for support. The women meet every week at the shop on Beach Street and trade gossip and advice as freely as they do a new stitch. But when a new man enters Jo's life, and an A-list actress moves into the local mansion, the knitting club has even more trouble confining the conversation to knit one, purl two.
The Beach Street Knitting Society and Yarn Club is an uplifting, winning tale about the healing power of friendship and new beginnings. It's a charming novel that will delight all passionate knitters -- and win over befuddled, would-be knitters, too.
404 pages, Paperback
First published March 3, 2008
350 people are currently reading
6711 people want to read
About the author
Gil McNeil
37 books265 followersGil McNeil is the author of the bestselling The Only Boy for Me, Stand By Your Man, In The Wee Small Hours and most recently Divas Don’t Knit. The Only Boy For Me has been made into a major ITV prime-time drama starring Helen Baxendale and was broadcast in 2007. Gil McNeil has edited five collections of stories with Sarah Brown, and is Director of the charity PiggyBankKids, which supports projects that create opportunities for children. She lives in Kent with her son and comes from a long line of champion knitters.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,160 reviews
March 31, 2009
It was ok. Some of the reviews called it profound, but I wouldn't go that far. In spite of the subject matter I didn't find that it had much emotional depth... It was an easy read, which is what I was looking for. The brief jaunt to Venice at Christmastime renewed my desire/intention to visit Venice.
April 16, 2010
I would never recommend this book in a million years, but I loved it the way I sometimes love other things that are bad for me ... like fries and Costco muffins.
The plot is perfectly paced, and I love the main character. Jo is a decent mom who's trying her best and doing a pretty fine job of it all. She's forgiving and generous, and knows how to pick her battles. We'd be friends in real life.
This book made me all itchy to learn to knit. I taught a friend how to crochet and now she's WAY better at it than I am. So I do know how to do that, but I've never done anything more ambitious than a scarf and a half-finished afghan ... which I threw away because I stopped liking the colors. When it takes nearly five years to finish a project you're bound to stop liking what you initially picked.
Back to the book.
It was delightful only the swearing was unnecessary. The SWEARING!!! That's awful. Truly. I have to give it a two-star vote for those who might have read the first three pages and flung it on the floor ... lest I become judged for condoning such language.
But really, I loved it. My real rating is four stars. And I'll be reading the sequel because I can't help myself.
The plot is perfectly paced, and I love the main character. Jo is a decent mom who's trying her best and doing a pretty fine job of it all. She's forgiving and generous, and knows how to pick her battles. We'd be friends in real life.
This book made me all itchy to learn to knit. I taught a friend how to crochet and now she's WAY better at it than I am. So I do know how to do that, but I've never done anything more ambitious than a scarf and a half-finished afghan ... which I threw away because I stopped liking the colors. When it takes nearly five years to finish a project you're bound to stop liking what you initially picked.
Back to the book.
It was delightful only the swearing was unnecessary. The SWEARING!!! That's awful. Truly. I have to give it a two-star vote for those who might have read the first three pages and flung it on the floor ... lest I become judged for condoning such language.
But really, I loved it. My real rating is four stars. And I'll be reading the sequel because I can't help myself.
November 7, 2009
I stumbled upon this book purely by accident, and was very pleasantly surprised. Much of the knitting fiction I've read has felt a bit forced, as if the authors were struggling to specifically write fiction about knitting. Gil McNeil manages to make knitting an integral and interesting part of Beach Street Knitting Society and Yarn Club. I can picture the lovely yarn colors & garments she describes. She manages to make the mess & emotions of everyday life funny and interesting, while portraying knitting as an excellent way to deal with it all. Just one question - how did Jo manage to be such a prolific knitter with two young sons and McKnits? I'm a bit jealous of how much knitting she is able to accomplish!
February 4, 2010
I couldn't even finish this. The main character was constantly complaining (especially about her kids which I have a hard time with). At first I thought it was just situational but then it didn't get any better. I skipped to the end to see how things turned out but it felt like the end felt like it could have been any chapter in the middle.
The writing style bugged me too. First off, there was a lot of swearing. On top of that, she writes in long, run-on sentences. I found myself reading it fast and almost getting out of breath because the sentences just didn't end. All in all, no good.
The writing style bugged me too. First off, there was a lot of swearing. On top of that, she writes in long, run-on sentences. I found myself reading it fast and almost getting out of breath because the sentences just didn't end. All in all, no good.
July 31, 2010
I usually don't like the kind of books where a group of women come together over some common interest (books, knitting, or something) and find strength and courage, becoming better people, etc, etc. I was really concerned that this would be one of those books, but it actually wasn't. There's a genre of literature, too, which has become kind of called "knitting fiction" where a women in her 30s-40's has a profound life-changing event, and as she begins to find her way, ends up in a knitting group with a diverse group of women. YAdda, yadda, yadda.
Well, Jo, in this book, does have a profound life-changing event (her husband tells her he's leaving her, they argue and he storms off into the night, only to be killed in a car crash.) She also has two kids, who actually are pretty realistically portrayed. And her family is also pretty realistic, with good souls, and nuts. There's a little glamor thrown in via her best friend Ellen, who is a TV celeb, and a bit more glitter with the introduction of a movie star getting back to her roots by buying the local manse. But all in all, it's unpretentious. Jo buys into her grandmother's wool shop and moves it slowly into this century. There is a knitting group, but it's a small part of the story. There's some romantic interest, but not as a distraction, more as a plot development. And there's a lot of humor, and a very large gallumping dog.
Anyhow, it was a light, enjoyable read, even if the title is never mentioned in the book, and I'll look for the author's next book.
Well, Jo, in this book, does have a profound life-changing event (her husband tells her he's leaving her, they argue and he storms off into the night, only to be killed in a car crash.) She also has two kids, who actually are pretty realistically portrayed. And her family is also pretty realistic, with good souls, and nuts. There's a little glamor thrown in via her best friend Ellen, who is a TV celeb, and a bit more glitter with the introduction of a movie star getting back to her roots by buying the local manse. But all in all, it's unpretentious. Jo buys into her grandmother's wool shop and moves it slowly into this century. There is a knitting group, but it's a small part of the story. There's some romantic interest, but not as a distraction, more as a plot development. And there's a lot of humor, and a very large gallumping dog.
Anyhow, it was a light, enjoyable read, even if the title is never mentioned in the book, and I'll look for the author's next book.
October 19, 2012
once I opened the book, I couldn't put it down! Which means, I was up much too late last night reading LOL! The book is set in England - which I admit threw me off a few times because, well a few words are not known to me! But I quickly got over that - and even at one point told my kids I was quite knackered earlier today (that means tired!). Anyway, Jo MacKenzie is a stay-at-home mom of 2 boys (who quite wear her out which I completely understand) and married to a news reporter who is often away from home and not around physically or mentally. Her life changes completely when he comes home one night and informs her he wants a divorce. Then on the same night he is killed in a car accident.
She packs up her children and moves to a seaside community where she takes over her grandmother's knitting store. While there, Jo develops many friends and really learns to be comfortable in her own skin. The book mixes drama, comedy, heart-break, love without feeling too "cutesy." It is much more than knit 1, purl 1!
I will admit, at one point, I thought the author was hinting at the possibility of health problems with Jo, and I was nervous it was going to turn into the English version of The Friday Night Knitting Club. I am pleased to let you know, that is not at all what happens, for which I was grateful for! And I really did enjoy this book!
I'm giving it 4 stars. And I'm pleased that the back of the book says she is working on a sequel. And I will be eager to see it published and get my hands on that as well!
She packs up her children and moves to a seaside community where she takes over her grandmother's knitting store. While there, Jo develops many friends and really learns to be comfortable in her own skin. The book mixes drama, comedy, heart-break, love without feeling too "cutesy." It is much more than knit 1, purl 1!
I will admit, at one point, I thought the author was hinting at the possibility of health problems with Jo, and I was nervous it was going to turn into the English version of The Friday Night Knitting Club. I am pleased to let you know, that is not at all what happens, for which I was grateful for! And I really did enjoy this book!
I'm giving it 4 stars. And I'm pleased that the back of the book says she is working on a sequel. And I will be eager to see it published and get my hands on that as well!
June 20, 2010
There’s a very set formula for Knitting Fiction, and this one doesn’t deviate from it much, at least in its premise. Take one woman in her 30s or 40s, add something tragic (e.g., deadly disease, widowhood, etc.), along with one wool shop full of delightful customers (excepting the sulking teenager) and presto! You’ve got a warm and cozy novel full of hugging and learning faster than you can turn a heel.
Where The Beach Street Knitting Society and Yarn Club does depart from the typical model is in its humor. The author is British, and the result is something rather less saccharine than the usual knitting novel. It’s a little like Kate Jacobs Goes to a Drinks Party with Bridget Jones, While Debbie Macomber Looks On Shocked. In general, the characters in McNeil’s book spend far more time hung over than the average fictional knitter. There’s shagging with a celebrity, instead of the slow development of a meaningful relationship with the UPS guy. (Although, I must say, the first time I saw a Malabrigo shipment arrive at the yarn shop where I work, I almost fell in love with the man in the brown shorts.)
In all, it’s entertaining enough, even if the narrative just meanders and then ends (all the better for the inevitable sequel).
Where The Beach Street Knitting Society and Yarn Club does depart from the typical model is in its humor. The author is British, and the result is something rather less saccharine than the usual knitting novel. It’s a little like Kate Jacobs Goes to a Drinks Party with Bridget Jones, While Debbie Macomber Looks On Shocked. In general, the characters in McNeil’s book spend far more time hung over than the average fictional knitter. There’s shagging with a celebrity, instead of the slow development of a meaningful relationship with the UPS guy. (Although, I must say, the first time I saw a Malabrigo shipment arrive at the yarn shop where I work, I almost fell in love with the man in the brown shorts.)
In all, it’s entertaining enough, even if the narrative just meanders and then ends (all the better for the inevitable sequel).
November 29, 2013
Loved this! I read it third, although it is the first of three. Funny, warm, delightful. Single mom (there is a story there too) with two quirky boys. I love her developing friendships, over a wide spectrum. One thing that doesn't ring true is how she knits up shawls and baby blankets and tea cozies in the twinkling of an eye. And also, she is self-disparaging about her thighs etc but manages to end up shagging some pretty spiffy men. Sigh.
September 11, 2023
Angleterre + tricot + belle histoire de petit village coquet .... on ne peut pas demander ben ben mieux ! ❤️
March 22, 2012
I really didn't enjoy this book. I have read several knitting club novels by other authors and really enjoyed them, this one, not so much. There really wasn't anything to it, no real story line and certainly nothing interesting about the knitting. There were no patterns, or directions. There was so plot, no story, and no ending. Sure won't read the next one. Although, I guess I would hope something might happen. No, I won't read it.
April 13, 2012
Predictable, light, fun and frothy. Made me want to start knitting again but spoiled by far too much swearing.
May 9, 2022
I would say the only thing I didn’t care for in this book was the swearing….sometimes it was perfectly tame, but she also knew enough people with no filter. That, and the fact the chapters averaged 40 pages each. I do prefer shorter ones usually.
But if you like Sophie Kinsella, Debbie Macomber, Liane Moriarty, knitting, motherhood, and English life, you’ll like this book!
But if you like Sophie Kinsella, Debbie Macomber, Liane Moriarty, knitting, motherhood, and English life, you’ll like this book!
July 16, 2024
Newly widowed, Jo and her two young sons, Archie and Jack, return to her hometown to manage her grandmother's knitting shop.
Full of new ideas for the store, including a weekly "Stitch and Bitch" group, Jo embraces her new beginning and single parenthood. Since I just learned how to crochet (close enough to knitting haha) a few months ago, the timing of this one was perfect. I enjoyed following Jo as she found her way after the loss of her husband, juggling parenting, the shop, and new friendships, including a famous actress. This hopeful, upbeat story about new beginnings, new endeavors, and new friendships was a nice, light read perfect while traveling.
Location: England
Full of new ideas for the store, including a weekly "Stitch and Bitch" group, Jo embraces her new beginning and single parenthood. Since I just learned how to crochet (close enough to knitting haha) a few months ago, the timing of this one was perfect. I enjoyed following Jo as she found her way after the loss of her husband, juggling parenting, the shop, and new friendships, including a famous actress. This hopeful, upbeat story about new beginnings, new endeavors, and new friendships was a nice, light read perfect while traveling.
Location: England
October 25, 2014
Any book that has knitting in the title, gains my attention. While I enjoyed this book, it was slow moving and it took me quite a while to finish it. I liked the premise of the book and the characters were entertaining but I cannot quite pin down why I stuck with this book to the end. I guess I just wanted to find out what happened to the McKnits, Jo and her boys and the various other characters who lived in this seaside town. Let me give you a warning...the ending is not what I expected. No prince showed up to rescue Jo and that was quite alright with her!! Ok, now i am seeing that this is the first in a series of books, maybe the prince shows up later.lol Oh, and one thing I found rather puzzling, how did these women knit so many things so quickly, even those who did not know how to knit?? I have knitted enough to know knitting a sweater can be a challenge for a beginning knitter! Maybe I am being "knit picky" but that bothered me!!
January 7, 2019
I enjoyed this as much as I did the first time I read it. I liked most of the characters. Jo and Ellen were funny. Grace was charming, and Martin was sweet. The story covers almost a year of Jo's life after her husband dies. I adored the seaside town; it was lovely. Jo's shop was nice, and her cottage was too. All the knitting and yarn was fun to read about. It was very seasonal. I enjoyed the time she spent with Grace. Those were my favorite scenes. Venice would have been nice, if Jo's parents, mostly her mother, hadn't been there. At least it was over Christmas. The ending with Martin was sweet. Although, it's unfortunate that someone had to get lost for it to happen.
March 30, 2010
While I had several laugh-out-loud moments while reading this novel, I doubt its story or characters will stick with me very long. It was fun to read and I wanted to know how it would end, but I wouldn't recommend it except as an airplane- or beach-read. Side note: the ease with which some of the knitters go from absolute beginner to sweater-ready struck me as optimistic, but maybe that's just a reflection on my own knitting practice.
March 23, 2017
Jo McKenzie is a real trooper. She is a widowed mother of two boys who has to start her life from scratch after her husband dies. She does what feels like the kind of job of it that I hope I could have done if faced with her circumstances. Along the way, she creates her own "village" who help her and who she helps. I am looking forward to the next chapters of her life.
June 13, 2017
Love it! It's a light heart warming read. Looking forward to reading #2 in the series- Needles and Pearls.
May 29, 2019
Just what I needed after lots of heavy reading. Light and frothy, this book let me forget about life for awhile.
August 26, 2020
Apparently I read this several years ago and have 0 memories of it, because I read it again from the beginning. Very light and fluffy with no conflict whatsoever. Exactly what I needed!
November 20, 2020
Modern story.... just a fun little book of quirky characters centered around a recently single woman who runs a yarn shop she recently inherited. Enjoyable light reading. I will read Book #2.
July 29, 2023
Maybe I’m just not “Bri’ish” enough, but the narrative tone of this book had me about 15 percent lost the entire read-through. Also that ending was so anti-climactic.
September 28, 2022
This was quite enjoyable, lively and full of character. Jo's working through anger and grief and trying to sort out her boys through a move and settling into a new town and community, and setting up her new business is believable though doesn't get too emotional. To be honest though I didn't feel a strong emotional tie to the main character I could empathise with her trying to get on with things. Like other knitting novels I've been reading lately this one also introduces quite a big cast of characters, but does draw them with enough unique brushstrokes that it doesn't get too confusing who is who.
I don't think the title of the book or the publisher's blurb actually does a good job of really highlighting the core of the story, which is not so much about the knitting society at all, but more focused on Jo's experiences through this period of transition. There was a fair amount of profanity in it - not unusual for the English context, but might be off-putting for some readers. The thing I didn't find particularly believable was the pace at which apparently Jo could knit up and finish all the things that she did, alongside doing everything else. There wasn't really any mention of when she actually sat down to knit things.
Having said all that, out of all the knitting related novels I've been reading recently, this one actually drew me in to the little world it created and made me instantly want to read the sequel to see how things progress.
I don't think the title of the book or the publisher's blurb actually does a good job of really highlighting the core of the story, which is not so much about the knitting society at all, but more focused on Jo's experiences through this period of transition. There was a fair amount of profanity in it - not unusual for the English context, but might be off-putting for some readers. The thing I didn't find particularly believable was the pace at which apparently Jo could knit up and finish all the things that she did, alongside doing everything else. There wasn't really any mention of when she actually sat down to knit things.
Having said all that, out of all the knitting related novels I've been reading recently, this one actually drew me in to the little world it created and made me instantly want to read the sequel to see how things progress.
March 23, 2020
What a wonderful way to spend some time! This is perhaps the smartest/wittiest chick-lit book I've ever read, even if some parts of it were just "too perfect" and made me roll my eyes. I definitely want to read more by Ms McNeil. Would give it 3.5 stars if I could.
CAME BACK LATER TO ADD THIS: I feel it important to note that I quite literally laughed out loud several times while reading this book.
CAME BACK LATER TO ADD THIS: I feel it important to note that I quite literally laughed out loud several times while reading this book.
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May 31, 2017DNF - for the 2nd time.
I tried to read this twice & you'd think it'd be a book I would totally get into - but I just couldnt. I gave it 100 pages & it didnt hold my attention, & the chapters felt really long & it just didnt make me want to pick it up to continuing reading. I had to force myself to get to the 100 page mark... so I decided to just give up & tossed it to my donate pile.
I tried to read this twice & you'd think it'd be a book I would totally get into - but I just couldnt. I gave it 100 pages & it didnt hold my attention, & the chapters felt really long & it just didnt make me want to pick it up to continuing reading. I had to force myself to get to the 100 page mark... so I decided to just give up & tossed it to my donate pile.
February 3, 2020
I enjoyed this book. Jo needs to start over, to re-invent herself after her husband (who was about to divorce her) is killed in an accident. Sometimes you have to go back to your roots to start over and re-invent. In this process, Jo learns to take a stand, finds her passion, become a compassionate leader, and finds support and unexpected friendships along the way. You'll be cheering out loud for Jo :)
November 27, 2023
I don't know. There were parts of the book that were so relatable, and others felt so unrealistic and/or not essential to the plot. It felt like better editing could have tightened up the book and made it more enjoyable.
March 22, 2019
Cute story and I learned a few new knitting terms as a bonus!
August 30, 2021
Cute story about being a mom. Would be 5 stars with more story development.
March 6, 2022
When men do something, it’s an art, but when women do it, it gets relegated to being a craft. It’s so annoying.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,160 reviews