The Beach Street Knitting Society and Yarn Club

Nothing magic or suspenseful but a simple story that pulls you in from the first chapter... characters that are relatable all revolving around a woman whose cheating husband comes home asks for a divorce and dies in a car accident as he storms out of the house. No spoiler here, as it happens in the first chapter.. not a simple cheating husband story at all... its layered and all about the wife/widow/mother/sole support of her small family - he’s left them in debt -affairs apparently are expense - and how she copes and processes being on her own.

Light, fun narrative. Although all of Gil McNeil’s are a theme in variation, this series of 3 is entertaining and humorous. All of her books evolve around a single female parent of young child, or children, the conundrum of being caught by the school PTA ladies, boyfriends, rich friends, urban sensibilities and desiring a more rural setting. Enjoyable for a summer beach house read. Nothing enlightening.

The perfect book! Heartwarming, but also always has something going on. I’ve lost a lot of sleep because I truly couldn’t put it down. You’ll love Jo and all her friends and become invested in their lives. I’m off to buy the next book! Treat yourself! Just buy it!

This was a fun book to read. I laughed out loud several times. Jo's husband came home, told her there was someone else then,after a fight, drove off and ran into a tree killing himself. This book tells how Jo learns to cope with the anger and loss and still keep good memories for her two boys of their dad. Her grandmother gives her a yarn shop in a seaside town. This story has many parts, taking the knitting shop in a bit different direction, coping with the snooty women at the boys new school, dealing with her difficult mom, the fun she has with her best friend, meeting new friends. This book seemed very realistic to me.

This novel begins slowly but then accelerates so that the characters involve you in their story. Jo, a now stay at home mom with two young boys, is faced with emotional trauma when her traveling journalist husband tells her he's leaving for another woman. After delivering this emotional blow, he departs only to meet a tree and die. Jo has to pick up the pieces of her life, which she will do ably: moving to the small town of her Gran, leaving London, and taking over the small yarn shop which she will make into a good livelihood.The boys adapt, life begins anew and Jo puts herself together to make a good life for all of them. This is the first of a series and the reader does want to know how things will turn out.

First, I totally agree with those reviewers who were offended by the language in the book. It really is beyond blue in parts, and normally that would mean that I would set the book aside. However, I have to admit that I do not think there is another book that I have laughed at more. Yes, too often the language was cringe-worthy, and that got old. I took a star off for that and debated on whether or not to take another one off, as well. The truth is, though, that McNeil's observations on kids and motherhood were so spot on and funny, that I would be lying to say that I did not find the book entertaining. Additionally, I truly enjoyed the supporting characters, especially the two little boys, and Jo's friends. So, one star off for grating and offensive language (come on, please, Ms. McNeil, you are truly talented, and don't need to use that prop to be amusing), and the other four stars are for brilliant and witty OTHER dialogue.

After reading the description and reviews of this book, I thought it would be one I would really enjoy. For me, it was just okay. I was able to finish reading it, but it did not leave me wanting more. One of the biggest detractors for me was the very "English" terms that you had to figure out the meaning of. The foul language was a little off-putting as well.For a book with a title of Beach Street Knitting Society and Yarn Club, I really expected more about knitting, the knitting group/yarn club and yarn store. It seemed like they were more an afterthought. There were characters that seemed interesting, but needed to be more fleshed out. I would not buy/read a sequel.For knitters looking for a novel about knitting, look elsewhere.

I enjoy this book so much I just read it for the fourth time.No violence, just a very real family starting over after a tragedy. Raising two boys, with all the craziness that entails. Interesting characters with honest quirks.I would love to live in a town like this, where people actually care about you.

Thanks for previous reviews warning me not to purchase Divas Don't Knit as it is the same book.I very much enjoyed this book, have read the sequel and am about to read the third. It's a very easy, cosy read and encourages me to take up my needles again. The only thing I would say is that I got tired of so many characters using the word 'Christ' as an exclamation. I have no bones about blasphemy or anything, but I've never come across so many people who use the word and I found it a little irritating.

Bought this when it first came out in 2007 in Britain, as Diva's don't knit! Book sent on to charity shop!

Pre-ordered this book which I eagerly awaited. It just a re-release of Divas dont Knit under a completely different title. I hold the author and amazon at fault for not warning readers about this when ordering.

Arrived on time. Disappointed as it was a reprint if a previous book which I already have. Re printed under a new name and with a different cover

good book