Member Reviews

This was a pretty good Christmas book. I like the atmosphere of the knitting store and the characters it brings to the story.
I like Cleo and Dylan and I absolutely love the kids. The ex-wife makes things annoyingly difficult and I don't like her one bit. She's very me oriented and I didn't like the way she acted and assumed things would be.
The romance is very slow and a lot of it is because of Cleo's insecurities. A lot of serious topics are involved and it brings this book a lot of depth. It's not just a simple Christmas romance, it's a lot more and I did enjoy it.
The ending was both predictable and surprising and I'm simply happy at how things turned out.

Was this review helpful?

Loved this book by Helen Rolfe
I love a Christmas book anyway but this was full of Christmas cheer and really got me excited for the festive season.
Full of love and cheer. Perfect for this time of year
Thank you to netgalley and the publishers and the author for the opportunity to read this book for my honest opinion

Was this review helpful?

This one wasn't for me unfortunately. I didn't feel connected to the characters and the plot was rather forgettable. I am a crocheter so I did find some of it fun and interesting.

Was this review helpful?

What a wonderful book to start the series " New York Ever After " its like a lovely warm hot chocolate in a book form. Such a lovely Christmas read,
i d dn't want it to end. Favourite festive read for 2023.

Was this review helpful?

My grandmother tried to teach me crocheting and knitting when I was younger, but I never got the hang of it. Now I wish I had as it would have been more of a way to feel connected to her, but I have plenty of other wonderful memories.
I think this is only the second book or so that I've read of that takes place in a yarn shop. The descriptions of the varieties of yarns, the patterns, types of needles, haberdashery and the encouraging customers was a soothing balm. The book was a comfort to read.
An unexpected letter is what Cleo receives at the yarn shop that's been passed down through various family members for 40 years. The lease is up, and she'll have to relocate. New York's rents are outrageous and she's not even sure she can find an accessible shop not too far away from all her customers. New York is nothing like Cotswold where Cleo is from but it's home now that she's managing her family's Little Knitting Box yarn shop. How can she ever leave it?
Dylan, divorced father of two, a young boy and girl, has recently had his mother pass away and is enjoying working from home rather than at the corporate office. His wife is regretting the divorce and wants a second chance at their marriage.
All Dylan wants is to be the best father for his children he can and possibly a chance with Cleo from the Little Knitting Box. The author beautifully takes us through the ups and downs of the emotions involved in the various relationships. Cleo has a secret she's hiding from him. Will this relationship be able to progress with the controlling ex-wife seemingly dominating his time? I really liked Cleo's employee Kaisha; she has a great fun personality. Fun, festive, warm and welcoming this was a read I'll be reading again at some time.

Pub Date 31 May 2022
I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.

Was this review helpful?

This is a wonderfully written book, I found Helen a few years ago by sheer coincidence and have read or listened to as many of her books as I could. This is so lovely and heart warming, somewhere you can escape to, You really root for the main character. Recommended.

Was this review helpful?

A cute festive read set in New York. Do people get second chances? Will Cleo and Dylan follow their heart or head? Cosy read.

Was this review helpful?

Christmas at the Little Knitting Box is the type of story that I love on the Hallmark Channel at Christmas time. The Little Knitting Box has been in Cleo’s family for nearly four decades. When she left the Cotswolds four years ago, she ended up in the West Village in New York and has been running the store for her Grandpa Joe. This is her best season yet, so she was not prepared for the letter she got. The block of stores has been sold and they will have to move or close their businesses. Fortunately, they will get one year to make their decisions. Dylan, the man who sold them has had a difficult few years. His father died and he has to help his mother get out of debt, his marriage breaks up, and then his mother dies. He was always a stay at home dad, able to work from home, so with the income from the sale of the buildings, he will be able to expand his business. One night, Cleo and Dylan meet each other at a party and there is an instant attraction. As they get to know each other, it seems things might work out, but his ex reappears and wants to get back together, and Cleo is trying to decide what to do about her business. Will there be a happily ever after?

This was a fun story, with lots of ups and downs. The characters were likable and relatable, but for me, Dylan's kids steal the show. There are a lot of Christmas festivities, fun activities and get togethers that give this that Christmas feel. Cleo is a sweetheart, one that always looks for the good in everyone and she loves her Grandpa Joe. She has a strained relationship with her step-mother, and I loved the scene where they actually talk and sort things out. This story has all that I love in a Christmas Romance. There is family, friendship, a bad guy or conglomerate, kids, christmas activities and that Christmas Magic that ties it all up nicely with a happily ever after. If you are looking for a sweet, uplifting, somewhat predictable, Christmas Romance, then you will love this one.

Was this review helpful?

The title hooked me immediately, it just sounded so cozy. That's what this book is in a word. Cozy.

After a difficult time in love, Cleo decides she needs a break and travels across the Atlantic from the Costwolds to do so. The Cotswolds is an area close to my heart as I grew up in Oxfordshire, and it's a beautiful area. I was able to visualise some of the Cotswolds villages I have visited.

She's not completely alone in the city as she has her grandfather. He was welcoming and giving . The Little Knitting Box is the name of the knitting store in New York that was owned by Cleo's grandparents.

She's used to the American way of life as she spent so much time at her grandparents' throughout her life. She misses her mother every day after her death, but by being in New York gets to experience the place of her mother's birth first hand.

The neighborhood of New York that the store is in is homely but busy at the same time, and I enjoyed meeting the characters as they came through the door. The Little Knitting Box was a real hub in the area, and that's what I loved about it. The store is full of lots of different craft materials and I felt I learned something about crafts along the way.

I loved Dylan and Cleo together, and the Christmas Market and everything they experienced was realistic.

The friends Cleo made along the way were ones I'd like to have, and I was actually sad when the book ended because it was so beautiful. The Christmas atmosphere and everything leading up to Christmas was so well done in terms of atmosphere and character development.

Christmas at the Little Knitting Box felt like a warm hug. Helen Rolfe's writing style is immersive and I enhoyed every second of this book.

Thanks to Helen Rolfe, the publisher and Rachel's Random Resources for my eARC in exchange for an honest an voluntary review.

5 stars and I'd give it more if I could. It's truly magical.

Was this review helpful?

Lovely warm Christmassy feeling!

Cleo runs The Little Knitting Box in the West Village since leaving the Cotswolds in England four years ago, and loves it but the future is put in jeopardy just prior to Christmas.
Cleo meets Dylan at a mutual friend’s party and they get on famously, but things don’t run smoothly they face many obstacles, can they make it through….
I love the community feel of the West Village, their friends and especially Cleo’s Grandad.
A warm hug of a book.

Was this review helpful?

A cute little Christmas book that leaves you feeling warm and fuzzy. To top it off, the characters were charming. Overall an enjoyable read!

Was this review helpful?

A great story with the lovely setting of a quaint little knitting store.
The book is full of great characters besides Cleo and Dylan. While their past experiences prevent them from commiting to each other immediately, they are so drawn to each other and the reader is constantly hoping for them to be together.
The story was funny, moving and delightful!

Was this review helpful?

Helen Rolfe always gives us great books and this one is no exception. Cleo's story is about her and her knitting shop along with part of her life. Fantastic read and wort h far more than 5 stars.

Thanks to Netgalley and publisher for this ARC

Was this review helpful?

A great cute Christmas read that hit the spot for the festive time of year. I enjoyed reading about Cleo and Dylan and their bond.

Was this review helpful?

A lovely quick easy read very enjoyable from start to finish. A great cast of characters and lovely romantic story. Highly recommend!

Was this review helpful?

An absolutely beautiful story about love the second time around. The characters are wonderful and heart warming. What's not to love!!.
Cleo is managing a struggling knitting business and has moved to New York from England, running from her failed marriage and divorce, while Dylan's marriage has broken down and looks like it's not salvageable. They're both trying to move on with a new life and adjust as well as they can. As Cleo and Dylan become closer, some outside forces test their bond.
A brilliant read, once won't be enough to find out how Cleo and Dylan fare, you'll want to read it again and again!.
I received this free ARC book for an honest review.
#Netgalley, #bookandtonic, #helen_j_rolfe.

Was this review helpful?

Just love the feel of the store and the storyline. A really nice feel good book, well plotted and written in a clear style. Kids and Xmas always a good combination.

Was this review helpful?

Christmas at the Little Knitting Box tells the story of Cleo as she faces a looming eviction for her Yarn Store due to her landlord selling her building to a realty company.
Dylan is her landlord and the romantic interest.

Overall, it was okay. I didn’t feel the chemistry between the characters and the whole story is very forgettable.

Was this review helpful?

What a gorgeous Christmas read this was. I adore Cleo and loved reading her tale, by the end it felt like we were pals and I didn’t want the book to end. Snow filled, romance, Christmas…. What more are you looking for?

Was this review helpful?

Christmas, snow and New York. Throw in a knitting shop and a romance what more could you want ?
Ane enjoyable easy read

Was this review helpful?