“In knitting there’s never a problem that can’t be fixed. It’s only yarn.”
―Kwana Jackson, Real Men Knit
Book Details
- Written by Kwana Jackson
- Published: May 19, 2020
- Pages: 336
- Audio Length: 8 hrs 52 mins
- Publisher: Berkley an Imprint of Penguin Random House
- Genres: Contemporary Romance / Multicultural Romance / Friends-to-Lovers Fiction
Back Cover Blurb (via Penguin)
When their foster-turned-adoptive mother suddenly dies, four brothers struggle to keep open the doors of her beloved Harlem knitting shop.
Jesse Strong is known for two things: his devotion to his adoptive mom, Mama Joy, and his reputation for breaking hearts. When Mama Joy unexpectedly passes away, he and his brothers have different plans for what to do with Strong Knits, their neighborhood knitting store. Jesse wants to keep the store open. His brothers want to tie off loose ends and close shop….
Part-time shop employee Kerry Fuller has kept her crush on Jesse a secret. When she overhears his impassioned plea to his brothers to keep the knitting shop open, she volunteers to help. Unlike Jesse, Kerry knows the “knitty-gritty” of the business, and together they make plans to reinvent Strong Knits for a new generation.
But the more time they spend together, the stronger the chemistry builds between them. Kerry, knowing Jesse’s history, doesn’t believe their relationship can last longer than she can knit one, purl two. But Jesse is determined to prove to her that he can be the man for her forever and always. After all, real men knit.
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Book Review
Ratings
GoodReads: 3.26
Amazon: 4.0 (Editor’s Choice)
Barnes & Noble: 3.5
How I Discovered this Book
I love fiber arts. I learned how to crochet from my mom when I was very young. In my twenties I taught myself how to knit, thank you YouTube! It wasn’t long before I discovered the wonderful world of online fiber arts community. Then in my early 30s visiting my local independent yarn shop became a very special treat, a hobby I spent my extra money on. With my background history this book was a no brainer when I spotted it in the romance section of my local bookstore.
Who Is This Book For?
This book is for anyone who wants a feel good, cozy romance story. The book is set in Harlem but still manages to have a close knit community feel. The book largely focuses on the romance and saving the yarn shop with a lighter emphasis on actual knitting and crochet.
Also, this book is part of a duology so it’s definitely a recommend for anyone who is interested in reading a short series.
Story Elements
•Themes•
I would say the theme that runs through the entire story is grief. The shop owner and matriarch of the Strong family, Mama Joy, unexpectedly dies before the start of the story and the book deals with life for the family and shop after this terrible event. Her adopted sons must figure out what to do with the shop. Readers see the importance a shop like Strong Knits has for its community.
Coming of age is another theme of the book. With Mama Joy’s passing the new generation must step up and come into their own since she isn’t around to pick up their slack.
•Plot • Complexity•
The story plot is fairly simple and straight forward which makes for a quick, easy, and enjoyable read (if that is your cup of tea). The Strong brothers must figure out what to do with their family yarn shop now that their mother has passed away. Of course along with this plot line we have the romance story happening between one of the brothers, Jesse, and Kerry, a long-time part-time employee at the shop.
•Characters • Arcs•
- Jesse Strong, the misunderstood bad boy. His character has the most changes.
- Kerry Fuller, the nurturing good girl
- Lucas Strong, firefighter
- Noah Strong, dancer
- Damien Strong, no nonsense business minded, alpha brother
- Val, Kerry’s friend and a straight shooter
•Romance Content • Tropes • Spiciness•
Forces Proximity /Friends to Lovers / Workplace Romance
The story has some sexual content but it’s not too much and it isn’t too graphic. Compared to other books on the market I would say this book has a low heat level.
Penguin Random House Books Connect Us Podcast with Author Kwana Jackson:
The End
Alright well that is all for now. I hope that if you haven’t read this book that you do one day soon. If you have read I would love to hear your thoughts. Until next time!
Angelica Sophia 
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