The author is a guarantor for nicely written novels set in a beautiful setting and with some well-created characters. I like her books because I can read them almost overnight. Yes, and this book was no exception. The Shop on Blossom Street is wonderful to read, though I am not as convinced of it, then from some of her other stories.
The Shop On Blossom Street*
by Debbie MacomberBlossom Street Series #1
Publisher Mira on April 30, 2013
Genre Novel
Pages 400
Format Paperback
Source Library
Goodreads
✶✶✶½
Lydia teaches knitting to beginners, and the first class is How to Make a Baby Blanket. Three women join. Jacqueline Donovan disapproves of the woman married to her only son, but knitting a baby blanket would be a gesture of reconciliation. For Carol Girard, the baby blanket brings a message of hope and she and her husband make a final attempt to conceive. A tough-looking Alix Townsend is learning to knit her blanket for a court-ordered community service project. These four very different women, brought together by the age-old craft of knitting, make unexpected discoveries – about themselves and each other. Discoveries that lead to friendship and acceptance, to laughter and dreams. Discoveries only women can share …
Story
Lydia is a two times cancer survivor. But the second fight cost her the life of her father. Now she is struggling to gain her sister's love and to gain back what others call a “normal life”. But Lydia has other things in mind when she thinks about having a normal life. She wants to honor her father´s memory by opening her yarn store A Good Yarn. And soon after the opening day, she is involved in the lives of three other women, who have their very own struggle to fight.
Style
This is a nice written novel. Fast-paced and set in the beautiful landscape of Seattle. The writing style is clear, easy to read and the language is soft. Though there are brought up some troubles and difficulties, the different women have to face, the tone is quiet and calm. But I know the author of other books as well and there I was way more intrigued and thrilled while reading it. Here I sometimes had the feeling that something was missing. Sure, the story is beautiful, and the problems are nothing you would want in your own life. At least not me. But on the other hand, the fun and humor, the irony the author shows in some of her other books are missing in this one.
Characters
Lydia´s sister Margaret is one of the figures I was wondering why she had to be in this novel. She is giving Lydia a really hard time and no support at all. In fact, she accuses her of having cancer on purpose! Can you believe it? What kind of human being must a woman be to think that of her younger sister?
Conclusion
I know other books from Debbie Macomber that thrilled me a bit more. But for someone who is looking for a nice-to-read novel that doesn´t need much attention when it comes to details and logical things, this might be a perfect read. For me, it was a bit above average. However, I will continue with this series and see if the second one is a bit better. Judge for yourself.
Happy reading
*I read the German edition new release by mtb on January 9, 2017
Debbie Macomber
Debbie Macomber is the owner of the Victorian Tea Room and the yarn shop A Good Yarn, which was named after the store in her successful book Blossom Street. She is the author of Sweet Tomorrows, among many other books, and a leading voice in women´s fiction. Ten of her novels have reached #1 on the New York Times bestseller lists, and five of her beloved Christmas novels have been hit movies on the Hallmark Channel, including Mrs. Miracle and Mr. Miracle. Hallmark Channel also produced the original series Debbie Macomber´s Cedar Cove, based on Macomber´s Cedar Cove books. She has more than 200 million copies of her books in print worldwide. Debbie Macomber, who likes to be a grandmother, lives with her husband Wayne in Port Orchard, Washington, where her novels play and spends the winter in Florida.
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