This story was a beautiful Christmas love story about Cleo and Dylan, two people who have been betrayed by former spouses, who have many hurdles and obstacles to overcome in their personal lives. Cleo has to figure out how to save her knitting store, and Dylan has to learn how to make ends meet while also giving his two kids an amazing Christmas, especially when his ex shows up and throws wrenches into his plans.

Overall, the storylines with the exes was done very well. I normally hate when the exes show up and then it becomes a triangle of sorts, but none of that happened here which was so refreshing and I absolutely loved the storyline with Cleo and her stepmom reconciling and forming a new relationship.

This was so lovely and I hope to continue the series.

Christmas-themed fiction allows me to fully immerse my head and heart in the season as well as live it in real life and that’s one of the reasons I love picking up a festive read when I start my Christmas holidays. I have time away from work to think about Christmas and extra time to relax and read about it! Plus, with so much uncertainty in the world, I can be guaranteed a happy ending.

All the key elements of a feel-good holiday story are here:
✔️ intriguing characters
✔️ engaging plot
✔️ great character growth
✔️ believable relationships
✔️ consistent tone
✔️ great conflict and resolution

…plus it has just enough Christmas to make it a holiday story without sacrificing the substance of the story in favour of the holiday. Rolfe focuses on the spirit of the holiday, not the trappings.

I thoroughly enjoyed this Hallmark-worthy tale of everyday miracles and second chances. The contrast in the settling (the Cotswolds and New York), and the nervousness of new beginnings (the protagonist teetering on the brink of middle age and having just experienced a recent divorce), all played well against each other and were well tempered with the comfort and nostalgia of Christmas and a family run business. The nod to ‘You’ve Got Mail’ was wonderful. As I turned over the final page, I was inspired to treat everyday like it’s Christmas.

Although I initially read this book for a read-along, I was hooked on the fabulous writing style and will definitely read more of this series.

New York at Christmas? What’s not to love!? If you haven’t experienced Helen J. Rolfe’s heartwarming stories, you must read this one this Christmas.

I was gifted this advance copy by Boldwood Books and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.

Cleo has run her grandparents' store The Little Knitting Box in New York for four years, after escaping the heartache of a failed marriage in the UK. She loves the life she has made here, but the unexpected arrival of a letter from the owner of the store has suddenly thrown all her plans into disarray. Where does her future lie now, and what should she do about the attraction she feels for Dylan, the man she has just met, who comes with complications of his own?

Dylan is a divorced single father, caring for his two small children after his wife walked out on them. Just when he thinks their lives are on an even keel, his ex-wife says she wants to try to pick up the pieces of their failed marriage and start again. But can they still be a family after all that has happened, and while he feels a strong attraction to Cleo? Should he follow his heart, or his head?

This is such a lovely little story about second (or even third) chances, and facing your fears to find a way to move on with the curved balls that life can throw at you. The story is told through the eyes of Cleo and Dylan as they try to deal with the very real dilemmas they face, with the added charm of a delightful meet-cute that unexpectedly strikes them both with Cupid's arrow. In true rom-com style, this meeting tips them headlong into a romantic adventure that is filled with the potential for something very special, if they are brave enough, but there are, of course, knotty situations and misunderstandings to be worked through before there can be a chance of a happy ending.

The setting of New York is a goldmine for a love story, and this has all the festive magic you could want - with a gorgeous nod to You've Got Mail. I loved the setting of a knitting shop, with so much detail about the wonderful yarns available, which really set my fingers twitching - this book needs yarn stockists listed in an appendix!

If you are after great multi-generational characters too, then there are more than enough to poke a stitch-holder at in these pages. I particularly loved how the relationship between Cleo and her step-mother Teresa develops over the course of the story, and how this changes Cleo's perspective on the direction she sees her own life taking. Tears were shed!

There is something very interesting about the wealth of relatable depth that Rolfe brings to the soul-searching decisions that Cleo and Dylan must face when considering their future, which makes it more than your average rom-com tale. It is not always easy to know the right choice to make, especially if emotion and logic are pulling you in different directions, and Rolfe nicely explores how the weight of grief, marital breakdown, and heavy responsibilities come into play. I was struck with how she goes to great lengths to make this a story with shades of grey, showing many sides of the characters rather than resorting to caricatures, just like real life. It was a nice touch, and it makes the joyful ending all the better.

This is the perfect book to settle down with a cuppa and a mince pie in the run up to Christmas, and I lapped it up in one satisfying sitting. What a treat!

Christmas at the Little Knitting Box
by: Helen Rolfe
First in New York Ever After Series
Boldwood Books

In her holiday story, Rolfe gifted me everything on my wish list for a warm, heartfelt Christmas book. It left me in believing in second chances in life and love, even after setbacks and loss.

Cleo left England for New York to manage the knitting shop. After four years, the business' future is in jeopardy. The male lead, Dylan, is a father facing a death in his family as well as marital upheavals.

Rolfe's writing is vivid with the snowy, wintry atmosphere of both New York and Connecticut at Christmas. Dylan and Cleo each need second chances at love, and I was captivated from their first magical meeting throughout their journey. From descriptions of grief and romance, to colors and textures of yarn, or outdoor holiday market scenes, all of my emotions and senses were stimulated by Rolfe's words.

This wondrous book is a delightful, lovely holiday treat. I'd love to find some handcrafted scarves, gloves, and mittens in my stocking from leading lady Cleo's family business, the Little Knitting Box.

Thank you to the author, Boldwood Books, and Net Galley for a gifted copy of this book. My review is my own.

I’ve read a few books by Helen Rolfe now and they always make me smile and want to try something new, especially those with a crafty element and this one was no different. This book was a lovely comfort blanket in the evenings when I wasn’t feeling 100% as it let me escape to New York and a cosy homely knitting shop.

It reminded me of one that use to exist when I was growing up, where you could walk in and the ladies would know exactly what you needed for whatever project it was that you were making. It always felt so festive in the Christmas run up as well.

I really liked all of the characters in this, even feeling a teensy bit sorry for Pru towards the end of the book, although Cleo and Dylan definitely had that magic spark and the kids were the cutest - especially little Ruby!

There isn’t any negative I can say about this book, it was just what I needed this week and I loved reading it, plus I’ve now got a whole series to catch up on!!!!

Cleo has been running the family business for the last 4 years and it is a success, but running from her past will sometimes stop you from living the future you deserve.

I loved the character of Cleo and the description of The Little Knitting Box, which had a cosy feel of community and family. Dylan, our love interest, has had it tough and Rolfe shows his strength as well as vulnerable side, we can’t help but root for the two main characters to get together.

This is a great Christmas read and my second read by this author in a short space of time. Rolfe is definitely a go-to author for me and one that will always put me in a good mood.

Cleo moved across the ocean to run The Little Knitting Box after her grandfather wanted to retire. She was newly divorced and eager for a fresh start. Since then New York and the store became her home.

I was all about to change. She got a letter that the owner is selling the properties and the new owners want to build something new at the same place.

Dylan is a single dad with two small kids. He changes careers and lost a wife in the process. At a friend's party, he meets Cleo and falls for her almost right away.

However, they both come with baggage and even though the sparks fly, the relationship seems doomed even before they really started.

It's a sweet romance story, full of Christmas vibes, set in New York and in the adorable shop, that I wish I could visit. :) I enjoyed reading it from the start to finish.

thanks to Boldwood Books for the book, all opinions are my own

A gorgeous story full of Christmas spirit. I loved the sound of Cleo’s shop - a proper traditional treasure trove of a shop and one which I could totally understand was at the heart of the community.
The background to Cleo’s story was beautifully written - I loved learning about her family and the choices made in her life.
The relationship she started with Dylan and his family was definitely a slow burner - both with history it was obvious it was going to take something special for them both to be able to move on.
Full of Christmas treats like a craft fair and Christmas decorations this had me wishing the days away. The perfect festive treat.

Christmas at the little knitting box by
Helen Rolfe
Arc: NetGalley
Pub Date 31 May 2022
Publisher: Boldwood Books
Genre:Romance Women's Fiction

Cleo and Violet formed a friendship after meeting in Cleo's store.
Dylan's ex-wife and two kids walked out on him. He is the owner of the local shipping district and is selling up she to a large debt left by his dad.
Therefore, it affects his potential relationship with Cleo.
The story progress as we get to know each pair better, and Sue the dinosaur, and other characters, such as Prue, who is Dylan's ex-wife and the kids, be involved in their relationship.

Violet is always setting Cleo up with men after her divorce. Overall, realism story with a touch of sweetness is perfect for Christmas time.
4/5

I enjoy knitting and crochet in my
spare time so a cozy Christmas story centred around a little wool shop in New York appealed to me.

After her marriage broke down 30 something Cleo moved from a sleepy village in the Cotswolds to New York, where she took over the knitting shop from her late grandmother. She discovered that she really enjoyed knitting and loved the business of the city. She is a bit lonely, though, and sometimes wishes she was back in the beautiful rural cottage she shared with her exhusband.

In the run up to Christmas there are lots of festivities in the city and whilst at a Thanksgiving party so meets the gorgeous Dylan. Perhaps this year  she wont be eating a turkey dinner for one after all?

However, Cleo has just received a letter which tells her that the building she leases for her store has been sold, so it looks like the end for the Little Knitting Box. With rents in the city sky high she us not sure she can stay in New York. She has some big decisions to make...

I was a little amused how quickly Cleo knitted christmas stockings and jumpers to sell in the shop (a pair of socks usually takes me a month to knit!). However, this a lovely, light festive read!

Christmas at the old knitting box is like watching a Christmas film. Sweet, Perfect families Christmas, all you could ask from a Christmas book.

A great start to a series, and I can not wait for more! A handful of charmful and delightful characters had me engaged and invested throughout. Ok, so the plot was a little predictable, but isn't that the whole point of a rom-com? Warm-hearted, uplifting and offers a bit of escapism. A highly recommended read would make for an ideal, easy-flowing, quick read.

This is a cute holiday story set in New York and center around a knitting store . It reads like a hallmark movie with great characters and Christmas magic with romance. It was a enjoyable Christmas read.

Christmas at the Little Knitting Box by Helen Rolfe is the first book in the New York Ever After series. I found Christmas at the Little Knitting Box to be a satisfactory story. It has your standard romance scenario with two people who are drawn to each other, but there is something standing in their way. In this case, Dylan owns the building where Cleo has her knitting shop. Dylan needs to sell the building to pay expenses while he gets his new business off the ground. The two are attracted to each other. Cleo is hesitant to become involved because he has children and Dylan’s ex-wife still seems to be in the picture. There was chemistry between Cleo and Dylan in the beginning, but, as the book progressed, it seemed to dissipate. Cleo focuses on her issues and Dylan on his. The two took their time to work on their individual issues before diving into a romance. I had trouble liking Cleo. Her mother died when she was a child. When her father remarried after a few years, Cleo resented her new stepmother. It is natural for a kid to resent a new stepparent, but it is not natural to dislike the person over ten years later. I liked Cleo’s grandfather. He is a sweet man who is getting a second chance at romance. I enjoyed the descriptions of the yarn Cleo sold in her shop. I cannot imagine someone using expensive vicuna yarn for a pair of socks ($300 for one ounce 28 grams). There are some details that are dubious. There were British terms used throughout the story (flat and nappies are two examples). I understood Cleo using them, but they would not be normal for the other characters. I tried to get into the story, but I could not. Christmas at the Little Knitting Box is nice story, but it is forgetful.

I read this book for the #BoldBookClub readalong on Instagram.

I had trouble getting into the story and connecting with the protagonists. The story is about a woman, Cloe, who grew up in Britain and moved back to the US to take over her grandmother's yarn shop in NYC four years ago. Her love interest, Dylan, is a former lawyer turned web designer with two kids, who also owns the building where Cloe's shop is housed.

The author of the story is British and it shows throughout the story. Yes, Cloe grew up in Britain and would certainly use British terms when speaking, but everyone around her would use American English and hence say things like "apartment" rather than "flat"; yet everyone uses British vernacular.

This would probably work wonderfully as a film though.

This is a cute Christmas romance. It has wonderful characters, beautiful location and just enough twists and turns to keep you turning the pages. I look forward to reading more books in this series.
I received a complimentary copy from Boldwood Books via NetGalley and was not required to write a review. All opinions expressed are my own.

An enjoyable Christmas romance set in NYC. I loved the tension in Cleo's life as she tries to figure out her future. The book didn't fall into the usual trope of "businessman selling small businesswoman's store," like You've Got Mail, so there was no duplicity. Just two people trying to figure out how to navigate the crossroads they're both at right now. I will be reading the rest of the series!

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book.

Christmas at the Little Knitting Box is a cute romance book which combine two of my favorite things in my cozy holiday read. The title only already sent me warm, fluffy and delicious holidays treats vibes.

The storyline isnt something new, but both main lead is loveable and their love journey is adorable and absolutely worth to read. As a crafter my self I found my self so envy with Cleo's store and all knit activities. The author seem doing good research about knitting and I adore her for that small details.
It is perfect book for readers who want cute, cozy and light read for spent time in warm couches at holiday season.

Thank you Netgalley and Boldwood Books for provided my copy. My opinions and thoughts always my own.

I have only recently discovered this author and am so pleased I did. This was such a cosy festive read and was fabulous to curl up with as a pick me up and have you a warm glow inside and was like being wrapped in a warm hug. The little knitting box would make a fabulous hallmark festive film.

Loved the setting and the characters and the community feel and how you could almost smell Christmas coming of the pages.

The book had some real heartfelt and sad moments but was an uplifting read which gave hope and happiness.

Look forward to reading more of this author's books.

A lovely festive book to read in which Helen had me totally gripped from the beginning.

Very likeable characters, especially Cleo and Dylan.

I have knitted for years but certainly made me think about giving it a go again!

Will definitely be recommending this book to my friends.

A very worthy five stars.