Back on Blossom Street

Macomber's latest Blossom Street tale begins with a new knitting class at the shop Lydia Goetz owns in downtown Seattle. Lydia's business is doing well, and in attendance are Susannah, who runs the flower shop next door; Colette, a young widow who lives upstairs; and Alix Townsend, a baker and former hoodlum engaged to a future minister. Lydia always tries to encourage friendship among her pupils, but this group is none too warm. Colette's reticence is attributed to grief, but she is actually in hiding. Alix is trying her best to please her future in-laws, but as the wedding draws near, worries mount. Another easy read from Macomber, I demolished this in a day. I think I''ve missed the middle book in this series, but no huge loss, as show more it''s virtually a standalone.

I like the pattern in the front, but wouldn''t dare to attempt to stitch it! show less

Back on Blossom Street by Debbie Macomber is a lovely tale woven with friendship, romance and care!

I love to knit, even though I'm not very good at it, so a book like this is right up my alleyway! A knitting group, a flower shop, a love affair, a baby, a wedding and endless amounts of girl drama fill the pages of this book! Lydia, Colette and Alix are the three main leads, and wowza did Debbie do a good job making this story! I one hundred percent need to read the rest of this series - especially since I love Colette!

Debbie Macomber's writing style is very lovely. It's soft, sweet and easy to read. There are times where the plot took sudden turns that seemed out of character (someone magically being in love when before it seem a bit show more sinister...?), but she somehow makes it work and be believable. She writes a woman's tale so easily, and makes it feel like they could be my friend, sister or mother. These women face real problems that many of my friends have faced themselves! This relatable factor makes this book so much better than I would have anticipated.

Despite being over four hundred pages, it truly didn't feel that way. I was so connected to Alix and Colette's story that I managed to binge this book in under two days. For me and my busy schedule, that's quite the feat! But that just shows how great Debbie is at making an addicting story! I wouldn't have been so interested in these characters and their stories if Debbie hadn't done such an awesome job of writing the book.

I did have some "major" negatives about this book though:
1. I didn't enjoy Lydia's story because it does mirror some of my own past horrors and demons. Due to the loss of my Father, it was really hard to read her struggles with her Mother. Instead of pushing through it, I decided to lightly skim past that part. Should this affect other readers and their score against the book? Absolutely not! For me, it was just a little too hard to read, emotionally. It doesn't affect my score at all, but I do have to admit I wasn't as connected to her.
2. Christian just suddenly changed his mood. I would have liked to see a more gradual movement in his feelings, but the book is already over 400 pages long so I can understand why Debbie didn't.

To list some of the amazing positives (that I haven't already included):
1. The knitting quotes were fabulous! They really added a fantastic touch of personalism to the book.
2. The cover is gorgeous and colourful. If you're going to judge a book by it's cover, judge this book!
3. It was the perfect mix of contemporary, drama, women's fiction and romance. I wouldn't change a thing (minus some more Christian, of course).

Overall, this book was truly lovely! I'm glad I picked this book up years ago at a local department store! Although, I'm slightly upset it took me so long to read it! This book is a true gem that I'd recommend to ladies who love knitting, want a light, fluffy story or just want to dig into a sweet book!

Five out of five stars! show less

3.5 stars

Lydia runs a knitting store on Blossom Street and often runs classes. She is currently renting the upstairs of the store to Colette, who has recently started working closeby at the flower shop. Colette seems to have plenty of secrets and seems wary of opening up. Alix is recently engaged, but her “adopted” mother/friend and soon-to-be mother-in-law have taken over the plans and won’t listen to what Alix and Jordan actually want (though Jordan seems to not be bothered too much, either way). Lydia’s sister, Margaret works with Lydia, but when Margaret’s daughter is caught up in a carjacking, and is injured, Margaret is in full-on revenge mode and won’t stop until the carjacker is found and pays for what he’s show more done.

Some of the characters have returned from earlier books in the series, but I don’t think you need to read them in order; I leave so much time in between, I never remember the previous books, anyway. I found Colette’s story the least interesting, but they all rose above the 3.5 star “good” rating temporarily, but then it all ended up very (possible) sickly sweet and tied up in a way-too-perfect bow for my liking. Overall, though, it was a good story. I will continue to the next book. show less

There’s a new shop on Seattle’s Blossom Street—a flower store called Susannah’s Garden, right next door to A Good Yarn. Susannah Nelson, the owner, has just hired an assistant named Colette Blake, a young widow who’s obviously hiding a secret—or two!
When Susannah and Colette both join Lydia Goetz’s new knitting class, they discover that Lydia and her sister, Margaret, have worries of their own. Margaret’s daughter, Julia, is the victim of a random carjacking, and the entire family is thrown into emotional chaos.
Then there’s Alix Townsend, whose wedding is only months away. She’s not sure she can go through with it, though. A reception at the country club, with hundreds of guests she’s never met—it’s just not show more Alix. But, like everyone in Lydia’s knitting class, she knows there’s a solution to every problem…and another woman can usually help you find it! show less

I picked this up from the YMCA's book exchange shelf, but I see two people I know have read it already.

This book does contain 2 knitting patterns for prayer shawls--one easier and one made with lace. I liked the discussion of prayer shawls that results from Lydia's knitting class.

My biggest problem with Macomber's books has been how far she lets her characters go in romantic situations before she reels them in. This book does have an instance of a one-night stand that results in a pregnancy.

There are some good discussion points within the storyline:
*When to stand up for yourself and when to give in gracefully
*If you care about/love someone else you need to pay attention to and listen to him/her
*You can't keep bad feelings bottled up show more inside. They will come out somehow.
*It's good to talk about life's problems with a trusted person
*Forgiveness show less

After reading the first two books I had reservations that this book "Back on Blossom Street" would be a winner. To my joy I wasn't disappointed and this book was just wonderful to read. Ms. Macomber inclueded a few twists and she has a super approach in writing the details of characters and places that made me feel like I was there with them. If you're a Debbie Macomber fan then I would think that you would enjoy this book.

Opening Sentence: ‘…I love A Good Yarn, and I am grateful for every minute I spend in my shop on Blossom Street…’

In the first book in this series, The Shop on Blossom Street, cancer survivor Lydia Goetz opened a shop, The Good Yarn, and decided to start learn to knot classes which resulted in a class of four women from diverse backgrounds who forged strong friendships and helped each other through life’s rough spots. Now married, Lydia still runs her classes, this time around she is going to get her class to knit prayer shawls. Among the wannabe knitters are Colette Blake, a young widow employed at the new flower shop shop next door and rents Lydia’s old flat. Susannah Nelson, the owner of the flower shop and Alix Townsend, show more who has lived on the streets but is now engaged to Rev. Jordan Turner. The wedding, which she had imagined as a small, meaningful occasion is quickly becoming a major social event. Now, just a few months before her walk down the aisle Alix is beginning to wonder whether or not she is cut out to be a minister’s wife.

Author Debbie Macomber specializes in delivering wonderful characters. Each of these people seems real, has their insecurities, their weaknesses, their flaws, as well as unexpected strengths. The story-lines were believable, and resolved realistically. I will definitely be re-visiting Blossom Street before too long. show less