Review: How to Knit a Love Song
When knitting queen Eliza Carpenter passed away she left most of her ranch to her nephew Cade. She left a small parcel of land (and the cottage on it) in the middle of the ranch to her young friend Abigail. Abigail is excited to move from San Diego to the small community of Cypress Hollow, so she can get away from her ex-boyfriend and get a fresh start on life. Cade, on the other hand is not so happy because he thinks he’s entitled to all the land.
When Abigail first arrives, she is forced to stay with Cade for the first month or so, while she fixes up the cottage – she plans to live in it and start a yarn shop there. Abigail and Cade feel a strong attraction to each other, but both try to deny it.
I could see where How to Knit a Love Song by Rachael Herron was going right from the start. That doesn’t mean I didn’t enjoy it, because I did – I just didn’t love it. The narrative flowed well and kept my attention, but I found the characters frustrating at times. I wanted to tell them to grow up and learn to communicate. Overall, the story was a sweet, fast read. I was expecting to find more about knitting in the book than I did – there are directions for a “Lovesong” sweater at the end of the book. I think anyone looking for a light read and those who enjoy romance novels will enjoy this one.
Rachael Herron has been knitting since she was five years old and she maintains a fun blog called Yarnagogo. You can listen to Book Club Girl’s interview of her on Blog Talk Radio.
Challenges: What’s in a Name 3 Challenge (musical term)
I enjoy romance novels and I think I might like this. I might have said this before but I really love the title. Sorry this didn’t match your expectations.
Oooh, sometimes some characters in the books I read made me want to tell them the same thing too.
I’ve read the same thing at a few other blogs about this…needed more knitting!! But I will keep it in mind for summer reading!
I am struggling with the thought of a yarn shop in the middle of a ranch. Is it me, or would that be a little too far out to travel to get wool?
I don’t know, but sometimes I do enjoy books despite the fact that i know the ending and sometimes i don’t. Maybe it has to do with the writing and the characterization…
But I feel I will like this too. Thanks for a gr8 review!
Yes, lots of tension between the main characters but I thought it was a good debut novel and will read the second in the series whenever it is published.
Great review – sounds like a cute book despite the character’s behavior problems!
Would love to read it. Like to read about crafts.
I love when books combine a story with knitting or quilting or cooking – not sure why – just makes it more “homey” I guess.
I’m wondering how long the knitting book fever will last. I remember several years ago when women’s book groups were included in many plots. Always interesting to see where the next wave will come from. I’ve seen several comments about this book. Like one commenter, I have had a hard time imagining a yarn shop in the middle of a ranch, but I’ll probably pick this one up at some point. Thanks for your thoughts, Kathy!
I had a similar reaction to this book. I think I would have enjoyed it more if I had read it poolside! It’s just a fun, escape-type story.
This is a great review and it makes me want to read this book. I am going to put it on my Goodreads list!
It’s good to know it’s not heavy on the knitting. The few reviews I’ve seen have me thinking that I might like this one.
Don’t you hate it when the main characters are so darned dense, and can’t seem to pull it together? No, they have to tip-toe around, drawing conclusions, making judgements, and being all sensitive with hurt feelings. Ack!
I’ll add this one up in the list of light reads. It does sound interesting, too bad it wasn’t too great!
This sounds like the sweet romances I enjoy occasionally. Thanks for the review.
Kathy, it’s interesting to me how novels are really starting to feature the art and craft of knitting. I loved the Knitting Club books by Kate Jacobs. 🙂
Too bad it doesn’t have more of a knitting theme. I like when knitting is in the title to have more of a presence in the story. Not sure yet if I want to read this or not.
While I love a good romance/love story, this sounds a bit too formulaic for my tastes. I like the whole knitting thing though!
Love it! yarnagoago so cute. I would love to hear the author on Blogradio. Thanks for the link.
I so love the title of this book. I’m sorry to hear you didn’t love it, but I’m glad it was enjoyable still.
It sounds like this book was a little predictable, which is always frustrating, but you did a good job giving it a fair and balanced review. I am not sure if this book is for me though, as I usually tend not to read romance.
It’s such a lovely title – how to knit a love song – so evocative!
I’ve seen this book around the blogosphere. It seems like a book I would enjoy. Sometimes I like a predictable book.
I had similar feelings about this book. I enjoyed it but it was a bit too romancey for me. I would have liked more knitting focus as well.
It’s funny how predictability on a book can sometimes be a good thing – almost comfortable – while at other times it is frustrating!
I love both romances and knitting and I especially like it when they are combined. This one’s on my list.
sounds like a light and fluffy read with a gorgeous cover!!
whenever i read knitting books, i always get the urge to try my hand at knitting again (for the 34th time!). i have scores of unfinished scarves–i can’t sit still long enough to finish one.
Hmm…I might skip this one, though I’m glad you enjoyed it. The frustrations w/the characters would annoy me too much!
This does look a little predictable…but sweet, too. Great review!
I’ve been taught to knit four times … and I still don’t know how to knit.
Thanks for this review. I was curious about the book because I love to knit. But if it’s a light romantic read with not much knitting, then I don’t think I’d like it.
I’ve been increasingly enjoying lighter reads lately. I think its because my school load has gotten increasingly heavy. Anyway, this certainly sounds right up my alley.
I think predictable is okay; it’s what you expect from these types of books. Even though I’m a knitter, I’m thinking this one might not be for me. I’d probably be frustrated with those characters, too!