The Sweetgum Ladies Knit for Love by Beth Pattillo

Once a month, the six women of the Sweetgum Knit Lit Society gather to discuss books and share their knitting projects. Inspired by her recently-wedded bliss, group leader Eugenie chooses ""Great Love Stories in Literature"" as the theme for the year’’s reading list––a risky selection for a group whose members span the spectrum of age and relationship status.

As the Knit Lit ladies read and discus classic romances like Romeo and Juliet, Wuthering Heights, and Pride and Prejudice, each member is confronted with her own perception about love. Camille’’s unexpected reunion with an old crush forces her to confront conflicting desires. Newly widowed Esther finds her role in Sweetgum changing and is surprised by two unlikely friends. Hannah isn’’t sure she’’s ready for the trials of first love.

Newcomer Maria finds her life turned upside-down by increasing family obligations and a handsome, arrogant lawyer, and Eugenie and Merry are both asked to make sacrifices for their husbands that challenge their principles.

Even in a sleepy, southern town like Sweetgum, Tennesee, love isn’’t easy. The Knit Lit ladies learn they can find strength and guidance in the novels they read, the love of their family, their community––and especially in each other. (taken from back cover of book)

This was such a sweet and charming story. Although it is the second in the Sweetgum Knit Lit Society series, it can definitely be read as a stand-alone novel. The characters were very likeable and had enough depth where you could actually see yourself as friends with any of them. Their monthly book club selections seem to be somewhat reminiscent of what they are going through in their own personal romance lives. I loved the details of their small Southern town - it was very easy to visualize - I wanna live there! Although some parts were predictable, the story itself was very engaging and I found that I did not want to put it down. It makes you want to join a book club and work on monthly knitting projects (in my case, I’d have to learn to knit first), but I still found this whole idea very enjoyable. I also want to mention that the book is classified as Christian Fiction, but it is something that believers or non-believers can enjoy. Their meetings do take place at the local church and one of the women is married to the preacher, but that’s about as religious as it got. There were a lot of loose ends at the end but I can see where there will definitely be a next installment. Ms. Pattillo's novel is very engrossing and I will definitely be on the lookout for more from her.