What a lovely ( twee) book this was! A new author for me, she didn’t disappoint! This book was written from the heart. The characters were adorable ( even Vera the dog) and ii enjoyed it immensely. I now feel like I want to begin a search for unusual spoons! A spoonful of kindness goes a long way!

If I could give this book all the stars I would!!
Heartfelt and wonderful book. Tears at one point. Even the authors notes at the end were touching. Keep reading. When I first started thus and saw how long it was i had my doubts.. but wow what a fantastic book... take your time with this one and breathe it all in. It's just wonderful.

Thanks to the author, the publisher, and Net Galley for an early release of this book.

I received a free digital advance review copy of this book from Nimbus Publishing via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

The Spoon Stealer is a captivating story of the extraordinary events in the life of a seemingly ordinary woman. The book spans two continents (set in rural Canada and small town England) and nearly 8 decades (from the early 1900s through both world wars and into the culture change of the 1960s. The story really took off for me with the book within a book, presented when Emmeline, the main character, begins reading her memoir to the members of her writing class at her local library. The author explores themes that resonate universally, including navigating the process of mending broken family relationships, feeling out of place in the world, creating one's own "found family" community of friends, the push and pull of fulfilling obligations to others and staking out on one's own, and considering the legacy we leave. I admired Emmeline's independent spirit as well as the fact that several characters were inspired by the author's own family members.

This is such a good heartfelt story. The characters are described in such detail, it feels as if you know them personally. The experiences in their lives are relatable to most anyone. This was an emotional book as good events and trying events of life happened.

First sentence: EMMELINE DARLING SUFFERED A TWINGE OF DISCOMFORT IN HER right hip as she reached over to pull the heavy floral draperies across the paned windows in her sitting room.

Premise/plot: Emmeline Darling, our heroine, is preparing to go to an event at a library when the novel opens. She's signed up for a four week class on memoir writing. In the class she'll meet a few kindred spirits and a few UN-kindred ones as well. Some people just can't be appeased or pleased. Some people seem persistent in being in perpetual conflict. As she reads her writing aloud to the class (of mainly senior citizens), friendships are formed and lives are changed.

As her memoir unfolds--within this framework of a library class in 1968--readers are drawn into her story and her life. It's been a hard, hard life. The fact that Emmeline remains Emmeline--half glass full Emmeline--is astounding.

I'm tempted to leave it at that. To not reveal too much. But I hesitate to leave it at that as well. Is that enough of a hook to persuade you to add this one to your list?

If I were to do a book talk for The Spoon Stealer, I might just use this:

“You are a fraud, Miss Darling. There is something not quite right about you. I’m not sure what it is, but I know one thing. You will never have this spoon. It will never belong to you. You have no business even thinking you can possess it. And the fact that you want to crawl over here and take it from me speaks volumes, don’t you think?”

The class couldn’t believe their ears. Joyce Pruitt had gone completely squirrely. Only Emmeline and Joyce knew it was the truth.

This one is a must--in my humble opinion--for those that enjoy stories with a strong emphasis on friendship, for those that love dogs, for those looking for a realistic exploration of the effects of mental illness on families, for those that love oh-so-human characters, for those that love a feel-good-resolution that is worked for. It's set in 1968/1969. Her memoirs reflect on her childhood (early 1900s), and the war years (both World War I and World War II).

My thoughts: I really loved this one. In terms of emotions--not plot, story, or characters--I'd compare it to Steel Magnolias. It was sad, uplifting, thoughtful, funny.

What a wonderful, beautifully written book. It’s the story of Emmeline, who at the age of seventy four joins a memoir writing class at her local library where each week the members read their memoirs to the rest of the group. Its obvious from the start that Emmeline has a very interesting tale to tell and as the classes come to an end the group, who have become good friends, decide to continue meeting to hear more from her memoirs. Through these readings we hear about her extraordinary life – her childhood in Nova Scotia, her travels to England during the war and her varied career as a companion. Emmeline lived her life with the moto “all you need is a spoonful of kindness” and that’s exactly what she does, in her own unique – often comical – way. Oh, and she’s accompanied by her beloved dog, Vera, who talks! I adored this book, many thanks to Nimbus Publishing and NetGalley UK for the free review copy.

Lesley Crewe did not disappoint with her latest novel. This is the story of Emmaline who I immediately fell in love with. She's tough, caring, has faced so much in her life, someone you get angry with , laugh at, and the next minute you cry for.

I loved how Emmaline's story was presented and the transition between her story when she was younger and as an elderly woman. Emmaline's love for her family, Vera her little dog and her loyalty to her friends pulled me in from the beginning.

Another great read and something I highly recommend!

I am a huge fan of Lesley Crewe and this amazing book reminded me why. A simply amazing story that spans decades in the life of a family beset with the trials faced by many. Don’t miss The Spoon Stealer- you will be a better person for having read it!

I received this from Netgalley.com.

"Born into a basket of clean sheets—ruining a perfectly good load of laundry—Emmeline never quite fit in on her family's rural Nova Scotian farm. "

What a perfectly charming story. I especially enjoyed Emmeline reading her memoirs to the other ladies. Some slow sections in the middle but overall a very enjoyable read.

3.25☆

Thank you to Netgalley and Nimbus Publishing for my digital copy in exchange for an honest review.

And honestly? This was one of the best books I have ever read. I am pretty sure that no book having to do with humans has ever made me feel so much. Books like Marley and me and A Dog's Purpose made me cry so hard but they both have to do with dogs. So does this one in a roundabout way...but it is mostly about Emmaline and her family and friend dynamic both in the past and the present. I originally requested the book because I wanted to read about the memoir writing class and I got so much more out of it. She becomes fast friends with most of the other women in the class and she also becomes good friends with her new Doctor. We know from the beginning that Emmaline has a heart issue and we will most likely lose her but MAN, this was the hardest I have been hit when losing a character I think. Anyway, as she is reading her memoir to the others, we learn about her past and the issues she had with her family, both bad and good. We learn what happened to her after the war...and we learn what led her right to where she is. Once the class is over, we live more in the present and her current family, which is the younger generation she just now meets. And then we have Vera...the talking dog. I loved that little dog so much and when she leans over the grave and says "I'll be a good dog"...all I can say is thank GOD I have allergies because I was over there crying like a baby and my husband had no clue. I cannot even begin to tell you how much I loved this book, the characters, the location, and the growth I see in there. I would probably even read this book again and I just don't do that. This was also one of the best, if not the best, ending I have ever seen with a book. Something my husband and I talk about doing when we go...
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Emmaline found comfort in spoons......her favourite brother once told her that everyone deserves a spoonful of kindness.

I don't want to summarize the plot, that has already been done by other reviews and the publisher.

This is a book about Emmaline (a lady of certain years) who steals spoons for comfort and lives with her dog. She carries on conversations with her dog....he answers. Sometimes very sarcastically and with attitude. And, no, it is not weird.

Emmaline is a lady who thinks she lacks confidence but she is amazingly strong and very intuitive. Even though Emmaline had a hard early life and felt that she did not fit in with her family she loves them dearly. Sadly, some of them are hard to love.

The story is both plot-driven and character driven, equal balance. A great deal of it takes place in Canada, a fact that I love.

Emmaline shows us the power a “spoonful of kindness” has. I wish she was a real person so that I could meet her.

The author left a wonderful Afterword at the end.

I'm sad that my journey with Emmaline is over.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance copy of the book in exchange for a review.

I just loved this book and I was totally hooked from the beginning. A group of ladies meet up to learn about writing and each week they read aloud their memoirs.

The main character is Emmeline, born in the late 1800's in Canada, she reads out her memoir over the following weeks. I love how the story jumps from the present day (1960's) to the times she's talking about. I was left wanting more when she finished reading her book but what happened after more than made up for it

Moving, uplifting, beautifully written, with warmth, heartbreaking at times but well balanced with humour. I love, love, love Vera and how she talks, it reminds me of me and my little boy!

I didn't want this book to finish

#NimbusPublishing #NetGalley

The Spoon Stealer is a beautiful gem of a novel that I absolutely loved. Emmeline, the main character, is a loveable, brave, kind, funny woman in her 70s who I absolutely adored. This is the story of her life, from a young girl in the 1890s to her later years in the 1960s. It is a story about love, loneliness, family, friendship, heartbreak and the unwavering belief in the value of « a spoonful of kindness » and compassion to others (and can’t we all do with that especially now). I laughed, cried, and smiled throughout this novel as Emmeline’s world unfolded.

This, for me, is the sleeper hit of 2020, an understated, beautiful, character-driven story. Highly recommended! Thanks to Nimbus Publishing and Netgalley for this advance copy in exchange for an honest review. The Spoon Stealer is out on September 30.

I loved The Spoon Stealer so much, for so many reasons. Emmeline and Vera were the most delightful lead characters I have read in a long time. I laughed, I cried through scenes both charming and horrifying, and I was emotionally attached to every character. Like with every one of Ms Crewe’s books, each scene and character was expertly crafted, and though the ending was perfect in every sense, I was left wishing the story would never end. An absolutely wonderful, heartfelt story of family and redemption, forgiveness and love. The Spoon Stealer will leave you longing for more.