Evelyn Dixon’s husband has left her for a younger woman, and she’s devastated. She doesn’t know how to begin again as a middle-aged woman. Desperate, she climbs into the car one day and doesn’t stop driving until she reaches New Bern, Connecticut. In just a few hours, she realizes that this is where she wants to be – she can’t live her life in Fort Worth, Texas, anymore.

Evelyn finds a place to live, conveniently on top of the storefront she falls in love with. Even though she knows it will be difficult, she decides to pursue her dream of opening a knitting store. But life isn’t done throwing curveballs at Evelyn quite yet – one thing after another makes Evelyn wonder whether she’ll be able to cope. What she doesn’t expect, though, is that she finds a real home in New Bern. Friends, family, and a new life come together for a heartwarming read in A Single Thread.

A Single Thread is a sweet novel about the merits of hard work and the rewards of friendship. There are a lot of characters in this book, but definitely not too many – Bostwick does a great job of developing each person fully, whether they are a narrator or not. Each character also has his or her own distinct personality. Bostwick makes it clear who each of these people are and where their troubles lie. Even though they seem like stereotypes at the beginning – troubled teenager, abandoned middle-aged housewife, older woman who keeps to herself – Bostwick elevates each of them. Since a novel like this wouldn’t succeed without endearing characters, they really are the centerpiece.

The plot of A Single Thread is a bit clichéd but still enjoyable to read. Nothing that happens is really a surprise, but Bostwick keeps the reader hooked through the novel’s cozy atmosphere. These characters become friends, and the reader really wants to know what happens to them. Even though you likely know what’s coming, it’s fun to be able to go through their experiences and reactions with them.

This is a light, fun read that doesn’t really tackle heaviness or despair. Certainly heavy issues are discussed, even given their due deference or consideration, but they are all treated with a light touch - Bostwick makes sure not to drag down the novel with depressing problems. It makes the novel fun to read, yet at the same time gives it some substance.

Fans of the new women’s fiction knitting craze should pick up A Single Thread. It’s fun, and to make things even better, there’s a sequel out from Kensington Books entitled A Thread of Truth. This is the start to a promising series!