Cover Image: Real Men Knit

Real Men Knit

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Sadly this was one I could not complete so there for I will be giving it a middle of the road rating. If you want more reviews read those who did complete the novel however I found the characters rather annoying from the beginning so I did not read much of this story until I could not read anymore. I thought the knitting store concept was cool and unique not something I've seen before but yeah not for me. Two stars because I did not finish this and can not rate it correctly

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I loved the concept of this book, four brothers running a knitting and wool shop assisted by a childhood female friend. The story was slow paced and the interaction between Kerry and Jesse seemed to be drawn out. More attention could of been played to other characters to give a better background to their stories, the brothers and little Errol. In the second half of the book the pace picked up so much that the end came quick. An enjoyable read on the whole.
Thanks to Netgalley for the e mail copy.

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While Real Men Knit was a sweet story about family, community, and all that comes with it, I wish it hadn't been marketed as a love story. I take my romances VERY seriously, and I would've probably enjoyed the book more if I had been expecting a family fiction of sorts instead of a slowburn romance where the focus IS the romance. That being said, Kwana's writing is beautiful, the story did weave beautifully and I'm excited to read more from her.

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As soon as I saw this title over on Netgalley I knew I had to request it. A story involving romance and knitting. Well of course I had to read it! I love to knit as it really is a lovely way to relax. Even though I might not be the best at knitting, I do try 😂 So when I picked up this book I was hoping for a warm and comforting read and for the most part that is what I got. I would describe the romance as a slow burn and I did enjoy the way it played out. I do think it took more of a back seat at times as there was more emphasis on family life. However it was so lovely to see Kerry, Jesse and the brothers unite to keep the knitting shop open. This was definitely my favourite part of the story along with seeing the family dynamic of the Strong brothers.

The pacing is good and I enjoyed getting to know Kerry, Jesse and the Strong brothers. I also thought the sense of community and what Strong Knits meant to everyone added an extra sweet and heartwarming feel to the story. I did enjoy getting to know Kerry but for me The Strong brothers were the stars of this book. They all had such a strong bond even though they had their differences. So if you are looking for a sweet and charming story then Real Men Knit could be perfect for you!
3.5 > 4 stars

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I started this book thinking I was in for a fun, light romance what with the bright, cheerful cover. What I didn't expect was to be crying before I was even done with the first chapter and be wondering if I'd ever stop! I even asked online if I was going to cry the whole way through. Someone assured me that it would only be the case on and off.

The middle of this book was actually lighter and funnier and full of banter. There's something wonderfully honest and refreshing about groups of old ladies and young children isn't there?

I really loved this book set in Harlem, a part of America I don't think I've ever read about before. I really want one of those legendary sandwiches now. I accidentally called this book Strong Men Knit when telling someone what I was reading but that works too. Who knew knitting could be sexy?

This book was Kerry and Jesse's story but I really hope the other Strong brothers get a book because I want to know what sort of women these men finally fall for.

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This is the kind of book that I would pick up as a nice easy summer read. It is warm, fun, and sweet. I loved the mix of characters, and feel that both Kerry and Jesse were fully explored and developed. Jackson's writing style is lovely, it's descriptive without being too much, and leaves you wanting just a little more than is given.

My main issue with this was the pacing. It is very slow. For me, this meant that I struggled with picking the book up again after not reading. I also think some of the extra characters could have been more developed - I would've loved to see more of the other Strong brothers, Val, and, of course, Ma Joy. They felt very two dimensional, especially in contrast to the development and exploration of Jesse and Kerry.

I would recommend this if you like the typical romance/easy beach read type stories, and will definitely look out for other novels Jackson writes, as I did love her writing style.

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This book was okay-ish. It started with a really good story and I was really into the story at first but then it took a weird turn. It is categorized as romantic genre but I felt like it could be more of a family drama/contemporary fiction. The premise is really really good but then something’s missing out.
The story is of the four adopted Strong brothers (Damien, Lucas, Noah and Jesse) by Mama Joy (who has died recently) and Kerry. The main story revolves around Jesse and Kerry including both of their perspectives. I liked how the sons want to continue the legacy of Mama Joy and keep their knitting shop open. Kerry being very close to Mama Joy from a young age gets herself involved with the business. Both Jesse and Kerry have a crush on each other since childhood and things finally start after Kerry has to move in Jesse’s home.

Overall, the book was okay. It could have been much better if there was more romantic stuffs. I just didn’t like the way Jesse and Kerry hit off. Also, it would have been nicer to see more brotherly bonds as they were fighting most of the time.

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I received a digital copy of Real Men Knit from the publishers through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

As a knitter, crocheter, and lover of crafts I was drawn to Real Men Knit as soon as I saw it. I'm all for breaking down gender stereotypes, anything to do with independent yarn shops, and a bit of romance too!

Real Men Knit is centred around the yarn shop Strong Knits (and the home above it) in the weeks following its owner's sudden death. Mama Joy Strong was a pillar of the community, and after she passed away her four adopted sons are left torn about what to do with the building. Everything was looking like they would sell it, but Jesse Strong (the youngest of the four, with a reputation for being a player and no clear direction in life) convinces them to give him a chance at keeping it open. They agree when Kerry - a young woman who has been visiting Strong Knits regularly since she was a child and working there part time since she was able to, alongside working at a community centre - says she will help him.

I was a little thrown off by the pacing of the book and the narrative style to start with. It felt like a lot of the exposition was being done through the reader being told what Kerry and Jesse were thinking and what had happened, rather than through characters' actions and interactions. Luckily, this improves somewhat as the book progresses and the plot begins; it did still feel like a very slow build-up followed by a rushed ending though, unfortunately. I was also left wanting a little more depth to some of the characters, their relationships. and their interactions. I would have liked more resolution for some of the plot points, too.

However, there was also a lot that I did enjoy about this book. I loved the insights into how Mama Joy helped her sons, Kerry, and the community as a whole. I liked that the four Strong brothers were shown to have emotions and to have genuinely benefited from learning a traditionally feminine hobby regardless of them otherwise being quite stereotypically masculine (they're right - knitting can help with focus, coordination, etc!). I liked that Jesse was the character with creative vision for the shop and how to improve it - some of the descriptions definitely sounded like the sort of yarn shop I like to visit! I liked Kerry's friendship with Val (though they did mostly talk about men).

Content warnings: death, grief, mentions of drug use and overdose, sexual content (not majorly explicit), bullying

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I really got in to this book, I adored the characters, the chemistry, the different relationships and banter between them, it put a smile on my face!
There's such joy in seeing the journey of the characters, despite their grief they're all pulling together to look after each other, test the strength and truth of their convictions and trying to find a way to still family without the person who previously was the cornerpin of them all and the business.
The cosy community feel around the knit shop was beautifully written.

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Do you like knitting? Hot men? Do they/don’t they like me drawn out romance? If so this is the perfect book for you! When Mama Joy suddenly passes away the family must decide whether to carry on her legacy of a knitting shop/community hub in Harlem. Jesse the slacker playboy son convinces the rest of the family to keep it open. Helping him he’s got long-term friend of the family Kerry. They’ve both fancied each other as long as they can remember but obviously are both convinced the other one wouldn’t even consider them. It’s a bit far fetched at times, but a cute romance story of overcoming obstacles and winning love at the end.

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Real Men Knit
Kwana Jackson
Pub Date 22 Aug 2020
May contain spoilers
Love Romance
This book is amazing if you love knitting you love this book is filled with love between four brothers and mama joy who run a knitting shop and now she died and left it two the brothers and Jesse wants two give it six months turn around two make a profit his oldest brother Damien wants two sell the property and move but Jesse promised them six months two turn the property around with help of Kerry going two help Jesse in the morning before her second job at the community centre where she works with the children in the afternoon. Kerry talks him through the process of running the knitting shop it up two him two save the shop for the community. Kerry was in the shower and there was an loud bang in one of the flats building and Lucas. Jesse brother was there telling everybody two leave the building and told Kerry she had two leave in five minutes she grab an overnight bag and went back two mam joy and Jesse said she could stay in-till the morning in Damien room. Damien and the boys turned up early and was discussion Kerry where would she go and Jesse said she could stay here in Damien room only he dint like that idea and Jesse said you never here it the least we can do has she helping us out with the shop for nothing and Lucas said it be like six weeks most likely till the flat ready. Kerry thank them and headed two get the rest of the things from her flat with her beat friend val. When she came back she was glad the brother decided two keep the shop for at least six months she knew Jesse would make a go of it she started two like Jesse even know he like the woman and always had one on the go she told it work and no woman. Jesse was showing her plans for the shop and decided two range the furniture paint the shop the brothers would all help with the painting it look lovely the plans did. She loved working with Jesse she Sean a different side two him they loved cooking meals and watching TV they all went out one nights for drinks. Things happens between them they kissed while working they couldn't help each other they both had feelings for each other she loved being with him Jesse had always wanted Kerry ever since she started working for mama joy he always wanted her. They loved having sex and work things were great. The grand opening of the shop came and even Damien bought balloons two cheer the shop up they were so busy with people it was lovely turn around. People were making donations two help save the shop for mam joy sake it even got them at of the red and the loan was cleared with the bank from the donations of. They decided two run a knit and sip event it was a lovely turn out the children really enjoyed one kid was being bullied because he loved knitting and Kerry and val was worried he was not the same kid he used two love it knitting he was being bullied by girls in the community centre of his knitting so Kerry and val one day knew what girls were bulling hi,m and the boys came round but Kerry knew nothing why the boys came round and why Damien was there they all said thank you for the support of people and had a chat two the kids why they loved knitting so much and what they loved knitting so the girls were looking at the boys and smiling at him and that when Jesse gave Kerry the shawl mama joy knitted two here from the brothers for all the help she gave them she loved working there she said she still work there on weekend and evenings wit the kids. Jesse confessed his love two Kerry and told her he loved her for ages and she told him she loved him two.
It was a great book i love the knitting scene the knit one pearl it makes you want two knit now and i loved the cinnamon rolls ad how everybody loved mama joy. My favourite character is Jesse i bet he could be everybody boyfriend in the end he was a true gentleman. I loved this book.

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What a breath of fresh air. I always feel like I’ve hit the jackpot when I find an author I want to read more of. Mama Joy ran Strong Knits with the help of Kerry so when she passes away suddenly it’s up to Kerry and Mama Joy’s sons Jesse, Lucas, Noah And Damien to keep the shop running . Kerry has always liked Jesse but the brothers just see her as Kerry girl the girl who was always around when they were growing up. So when Jesse and Kerry have to work together to get Strong Knits reopened Jesse suddenly sees Kerry for the lovely, strong woman she has always been can they make a goof it? A lovely read

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I’ve seen this book everywhere and had to see for myself why the hype.
It’s a story full of great characters and life hardships but not so angsty. A story about life, family and the connection between the adopted brothers, their inheritance and the small neighbourhood they lived most of their life.
I would give it more of 3.5 stars because when the description says it’s a romance story, I need all the challenges and character development that comes from their interactions and all the feelings they have to face and accept at the end for that happily ever after, things that unfortunately aren’t explored at its full capacity in this book in my opinion.
If you like a life situation fiction with a romance subplot, then this book is definitely for you.


Many thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for my review copy in exchange for an honest review.

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I cannot express enough how much I fell in love with this book, the men, the family bonds, friendships, the knitting ! It’s just so gorgeous, a real feel good read, in the literal sense. Quite light on the romance aspect, but it really didn’t need it, because I was more in love with the brothers relationships with each other and their mothers memory, it’s just so beautiful and heartwarming. Full of humour as well, it’s a slow moving read, but I also loved that, there was no rush, just a chilled out read, entertaining every step of the way. I just loved the author’s style and flow, I’ll definitely be reading her future work.

Fantastic

Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for a free copy for an honest opinion

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Perfect, Perfect, Perfect! I cannot begin to portray how much I loved this book. I was enthralled in the plot, all four brothers have something different going on and I was 100% invested.

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This book is cute and mildly engaging, but kind of light on the romance. That's not necessarily a bad thing! Just meant I went in with the wrong expectations.

The family aspect was really sweet, and I found myself loving that side of it. Unfortunately though, a lot of the book quite slow and so it was difficult to stick with it!

A pleasant read for a sunny afternoon, but not one I'll be rushing back to.

I received a copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

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Real Men Knit - Kwana Jackson

I was given a copy of this book in exchange for a fair review thanks to Harper Collins and Netgalley.

When Mama Joy dies, her four adopted sons: Jesse, Lucas, Noah and Damien have to decide what they can do with her wool shop - Strong Knits. Jesse would like to revive the shop and with the help of Kerry thinks that he can keep the shop going.

It was refreshing to have a nice easy read to curl up with on an evening.

I personally loved the development of Jesse as a character; he is the youngest of the four brothers and is unreliable, but following the death of Mama Joy, he is the one that would like to keep the shop open, knowing just how much will be required of him.

I really hope that the characters are developed further over the course of more books, because they really are a ‘family’ that you can just connect with.

Rating: 4/5
This is the first novel by Kwana, and I am looking forward to seeing what else she writes.

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I found this book a bit boring if I'm honest. There wasn't enough of a will they/won't they for my liking and I just couldn't get behind the main characters.

I think I'd be interested in Damiens story if it had a bit more drama than this one but in all, I wasn't completely sold on it.

I received an ARC of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

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As an avid knitter myself i thought this was such a funny book about 4 men who all take up knitting. A cozy light hearted read

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I recieved a digital copy via the publisher Haper Collins UK via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own and given freely.

I expected alot more humour with this story and it just didn't deliver for me. This was definitely a cutesy read, but I honestly don't remember being overly amused at any point in the book.

The guys all seem to have personally whiplash, I think that is mostly due to us not seeing a whole lot of them or thwir character development, like Jesse is suddenly in love but won't actually admit it to Kerry whose been in love with him for years.

It was a very obvious plot and storyline but it seemed vwry slowly paced and not even slow burn... But it took until about 80% for any real action and then it seemed incredibly rushed and i disliked how rushed the ending was, and that we didn't see any of the planning for this grand gesture.

Honestly I think this is a solid cutesy romance but it jist wasn't for me.

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