Tuesday 16 June 2009

The Shop at Blossom Street by Debbie Macomber



Pages 408

Published by MIRA books in 2006

Challenges - 100+ books

I have to say this really isn't a book that I would normally read, but I was in need of some light reading and after hearing lots of recommendations about Debbie Macomber, I thought I would give it a go and I can now hold up my hands and say I really enjoyed it.

I was expecting a real light and fluffy book, what I actually got was a book that looks at how the most unlikely friendships develop, how people can be truly their for others. This book made me feel really good after reading it, because it talks about how when a door closes, a window opens and new opportunities come your way.

This story is about Lydia, who after suffering two bouts of brain cancer, decides it is time to live her life and do what she has always dreamed of. She opens a knitting shop, a hobby that got her through the dark times, because even when she felt really ill, she could still knit a row which was a big achievement during the bad days.

Once her shop has opened, she decides to offer knitting classes to her customers. In her class, she gets three people who develop the most unlikely friendships.

Jacqueline a wealthy society woman in her mid forties, who has an empty marriage and a son who has just married way beneath his social status and who are now expecting their first child.

Carol, a successful business woman who is unable to conceive a child and preparing to go through her final IVF treatment.

Alix a streetwise, convicted young girl, who decides to knit to fulfil her community service hours.

Every week, this unlikely trio go to Lydia's shop to learn to knit and their lives unravel and intertwine to develop into long lasting friendships.

This book deals with real life situations that affect everyone's life. Cancer, IVF treatments failing, adulterous affairs, empty marriages and drugs. There is a lot of drama and anxiety in the book, which kept me turning the pages. I felt comfortable in the company of these four women as they each try to cope with their problems and how they find solutions to help them cope.

If you read this book, you should come away thinking that you should never give up on life, because their is always a light at the end of the tunnel and life does get better. I have always believed that if something goes wrong, good will finds its way out of the situation and this book, even though it is fiction, just helps to confirm my beliefs.

I will definitely be reading the followup ' A Good Yarn' as I want to know how the characters lives develop and move on.

Debbie Macomber reminds me of an Irish writer, Sharon Owens, who writes in a similar style supplying you will a real feel good read. Her books include 'The Tavern At Maple Street' and 'The Tearoom at Mulberry Street.'

So if you are looking for a feel good book, then I would definitely recommend this one by Debbie Macomber.

Has anyone else read any books by Debbie Macomber?

12 comments:

  1. Lovely review, I have this one on audio.

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  2. Debbie MacComber is going to be the keynote speaker at the ACFW national Conference this year (American Christian Fiction Writers). I wish I could be there! I'd like to meet her in person and hear what she has to say. I might buy the tapes.

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  3. I haven't ready any of Macomber's books, but I definitely want to since everyone seems to love them.

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  4. Sweet! I am so excited to hear this. I have never read her either but she was giving away the audiobook to this at BEA and she signed a copy for me.

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  5. great review, I could do with some light reading too. I will keep this in mind for that

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  6. Lovely review and another author I had not heard of. Glad I happened upon your blog now :)

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  7. I've been wanting to read this series for awhile but still haven't gotten around to it - thanks for the great review, I will definitely pick this one up sometime!

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  8. I love, love, love the Blossom Street series. I've read them all and they're all just great. It's like reading about family already after so many books. lol. I'm glad you enjoyed this one!

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  9. I haven't read anything by Macomber before but I will give her a try. This sounds like a great read.

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  10. I'm listening to the audio version of this one right now. I don't usually read these either but needed something light to listen to before bed. It's not bad. Great review.

    PS>>I beach is so calming love reading there.

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  11. This is a meaningful read. I'll keep it in mind. Thanks for the review, Viv.

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  12. Wow, this does sound very good. I haven't read this author before.
    Great review!
    http://thebookworm07.blogspot.com/

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