Knit One Pearl One

We're back with Jo Mackenzie in the Best Seaside Village (Small) in England, with more knitting-based adventures: daughter Pearl is developing a personality, Madonna-like actress friend Grace is pregnant again, Pearl's dad Daniel may be coming back into Jo's life. Gil McNeil writes lots of amusing dialogue - and I enjoyed this - but I am starting to feel like I want a little more PLOT to be happening. Here, I know: can Jo finally tell her dead husband's annoying parents what a complete jerk their son was? I am down for that.

Entertaining, though. It got me through a seriously depressing weekend.

This is the third book in the Beach Street Knitters series following the life of Jo Mackenzie as she works to juggle the myriad responsibilities and relationships in her life. I really enjoy the light, gentle tone of the series, and this book continues that trend. I do wish I had taken the time to reread the first two books to reacquaint myself with the characters and situations, but I was able to remember where I was fairly easily after a short period of time.

My only real complaint is that at times the language used by the characters could be coarse, and for me, at least, this didn't seem to fit the overall tone and wound up throwing me out of the story.

A very congenial and charming story about a youngish English widow, Jo Mackenzie, who manages her knitting shop, three kids, a new cafe and a host of memorable and mostly likable family and friends. Not a lot of earth-shattering import actually happens, just the daily routine of a life that always seems more complicated than anticipated. The author is very good about presenting her characters in a way that highlights their eccentricities and common humanity in a way that the book jacket describes as warm and witty, and I can only second. It's been a while since I've read a book that made me like and care for most of the players this much. This appears to be the third in the "Beach Street" series with most of the same characters, and now show more I think I have to find the first two. show less

Knit One Pearl One is the third book in the series. Although this is the first one I read, I was caught right up on Jo Mackenzie's life as a single mom and knit shop owner through conversations with her friends, Gran and through her inner dialogue. Easily a stand alone read.

This is one one those quiet books that sort of sneaks up on you; not a lot of dramatic action but after only a few pages, I looked upon Jo, her wonderful Gran, her friends Grace, Connie and Ellen as friends of mine too. These characters became very real to me with down-to-earth, credible conversations.

Jo is a very likeable character. It's not been easy being widowed from a cheating idiot and then having to raise all alone the two sons she had with him. Oh, and then show more there is Pearl, her "oops" toddler she had as a result of a fling. The father, Daniel, is still in the picture but solely as a friend. He's a flit-all-over the-globe-not-settling-down type of guy but he does want to be in Pearl's life. I liked his involvement with Jo, her boys and Pearl. Jo was very practical and knew what Daniel was really like so there's no recriminations and no regrets.

Jo's life is not all child rearing and nose to the grindstone boredom as her friend Ellen has her own TV talk show and her friend Grace is an international film star who involve Jo and her knitting shop in their lives. She does have a luke-warm sort of love interest in Martin. He's somewhat of a milquetoast type of guy who doesn't really light Jo's fire but he is dependable. Hmmmm .... how long can that go on?

McNeil's humorous, occasional laugh out loud and witty writing helps her characters cope with everyday life in a realistic and relatable way. I enjoyed this book quite a bit and would like to read the first two in the series. The British seaside location of the knitting shop just added a little more ambiance to the book. show less

Knit One, Pearl One by Gail McNeil is a book I would consider a cozy story and also funny. Knitting and yarns are involved. I love the cover with all the bright, soft, beautiful different colors. It makes one want to plunge your face into the pile of yarn and squish/knead the yarn with your fingers. Sure glad there is no yarn Mr Whipple security.

Ms. McNeil makes everyday life with kids, family, and friends, etc, entertaining. We've all been through it, but the author has a knack to make it funny and enjoyable. And why is it, in all the books and movies, kids go to sleep? Mine bloody never did!

This book speaks well to all the mommies and mothers to be who are trying to maintain a semblance of a normal existence between tantrums and toys thrown down the toilet. Jo MacKenzie, owns a charming British seaside yarn shop which caters to the "Stictch and Bitch" crowd. Formally entrenched in the television production industry, she knows the value of an attractive window display and hers are the talk of the town - mostly good. She shepherds her three small children solo after the loss of her philandering husband in a car accident. In walks Martin and his canine pal, Trevor. Mayhem ensues. Jo is managing to piece her life back together one purl and a knit at a time.

From Lilac Wolf and Stuff

Anyone who knows me, knows I have a love affair with yarn. Even if my hands don't cooperate. So the cover filled with so many balls of yarn would catch my eye in the bookstore. Win!

If I'm not mistaken, this is the 3rd book in the continuing saga of Jo Mackenzie's life in the small seaside town of Broadgate. Jo is working on raising her 2 boys and Pearl, her surprise baby from an affair with Daniel when she was in Italy after Nick died. She is still seeing Martin but there isn't much passion there.

Funny thing is, Jo seems fine with the way things are. She doesn't like drama, even if it does seem to find her anyway. I respect this. We all make mistakes.

Connie, her Italian friend is pregnant and Mark (Connie's show more husband) is Mr. Perfect. He knows how to cook and he patiently takes all the pregnancy crabbiness his wife can dish out. Connie's family has also been sending up young girls to learn the language. Cinzia has been helping out as a part-time Nanny for Jo. She is very beautiful and stirs up some mild trouble wherever she goes. Cinzia isn't a central character, but she does add some sizzle.

Ellen finally married Harry and they have a little boy as well. Little Eddie. And Ellen hasn't changed a bit. Harry takes care of Eddie and works freelance when he can and Ellen has just gotten her own talk show. So of course she's after Jo to get Grace on her show. It all works out, and I'm happy to see Jo doing so well in her shop. I wish we saw more of that. A small town shop selling local and beyond but using local help for the excess. We would all be better off, don't you think? More little shops instead of giant Wal*Marts everywhere?

Anyway, it's a great story. Very laid back with lots of ups and downs. I was terrified when Connie had her baby, but you'll have to read about that yourself. Great book to buy with all the Barnes & Noble and Amazon gift cards you all got for Christmas. show less