Readalikes - Summer on Blossom Street by Debbie Macomber

Summer on Blossom Street by Debbie Macomber is a feel good story, perfect for the summer. She continues her Blossom Street series in this fifth installment. Lydia Goetz's Seattle knit shop is the setting for an ever changing cast of characters. This time round fibre arts and self-help collide in a a "Knit to Quit" class. The shop fills with a cast of characters each with their own story and challenge to overcome, whether it is putting a bad relationship in the past, reducing stress or quiting smoking.

Fans of The Friday Night Knitting Club, by Kate Jacobs and the Elm Street Quilts books by Jennifer Chiaverini might enjoy the crafty theme of these books.

While knitting is certainly important in these books, non-crafty readers may also find much to enjoy here. Macomber is a prolific writer of both contemporary romance and non-genre fiction. Her stories are heartwarming, gentle reads. Jan Karon's Mitford Years series and most, if not all of Maeve Binchy's novels come to mind. Again, heartwarming and somewhat old fashioned stories. Binchy deals with slightly more urban issues, however, all three authors could be described as cheerful and optimistic.