Knit One Pearl One

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

Jo, Gran, Connie and Grace return for another episode in the light saga. Easy reading, showing that small towns, villages or developments are all the same. And age doesn't matter -- even adults have bullies to contend with. Continuing to move through the life of being widowed and after the appearance of a surprise out of wedlock surprise, Jo manages all that comes at her like a real person -- she's not perfect, like the rest of us. The only disappointing part of this series is the lack of patterns for knitting any of the items talked about during the story.

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!

What a fun book and the authors third about this wonderful, quirky woman that ends up raising her children on her own and running her grandmothers knitting shop. Not just a fluff book, but really a nice story to read and relax with. Hopefully Gil McNeil keeps writings this series, this was an Early Reviewers copy for me ,and that makes a longer wait for the next book!

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.

This one reads like a conclusion to the series. Jo Mackenzie has made some decisions about her life, decisions that she's happy with and knows are right for her, not for someone else. She's come to terms with the loss of her husband and while it's a bit of a gaping hole in her life, she knows that it's not her fault and she can move on from that guilt that's been haunting her.

She's also dealing with some fame, her young toddler, Pearl, Pearl's dad Daniel, the man she likes and might love Martin, and all of her life juggling. Throughout it all she does her best, and though sometimes it's not the best that someone else might have done she does it herself.

It's cosy, light and at times very funny when she tries to deal with incidental show more stuff. I didn't notice much swearing really (the complaint by other reviewers actually took me by surprise, I hadn't remembered much swearing myself). I found the various parts of life realistic and well portrayed, with the frustrations and issues of real life - although most of us don't have wealthy friends willing to splurge on us.

Interesting, light fun. show less