The fifth entry (after The Shop on Blossom Street, A Good Yarn, Back on Blossom Street, and Twenty Wishes) in Macomber's "Blossom Street" series follows her successful format of introducing new as well as familiar characters through their joint association at Lydia Goetz's Seattle knit shop. This time, Lydia is offering a "Knit to Quit" class, which attracts a woman trying to forget her unfaithful boyfriend, a man ordered by his doctor to reduce stress, and another young woman trying to give up smoking. Under the gentle guidance of Lydia and her cantankerous sister, Margaret, the class succeeds in coping with their issues in a variety of ways. Macomber manages to remain optimistic if not a tad unrealistic in resolving all of the dilemmas presented and ensuring a happy and satisfying conclusion. Knitting definitely plays a role here, but it shouldn't deter readers who don't have a passion for the needle arts from enjoying this title. Macomber shows no signs of fatigue in keeping her fictional Blossom Street books unique and entertaining. Recommended for all public libraries.—Margaret Hanes, Civic Center Lib., Warren, MI

Macomber adds a tear-jerking installment to the Blossom Street series with this account of lives intersecting at the series-hinging yarn store, A Good Yarn. Upbeat cancer survivor Lydia and her pragmatic sister, Margaret, start a "Knit to Quit" group in their Blossom Street yarn store, hoping to bring in customers for weekly self-help sessions. Casey, the 12-year-old girl Lydia takes in while waiting for an infant of her own to adopt, helps out in the shop when she's not sulking in her room or causing trouble for Lydia's family. Local baker Alix wants a baby as much as Lydia does, but she and her husband agree she needs to quit smoking first. Then there's super-stressed chocolate magnate, Hutch, who takes the knitting class after his doctor suggests it. Hutch hits it off with Phoebe, who is trying to quit obsessing about a broken engagement. Rounding out the crowd, bookstore owner Ann Marie must deal with her adopted daughter Ellen's biological father, a recovering addict, re-entering their lives. Macomber deftly handles the multiple story lines and emotional terrain of families, while the predictably happy ending is very genuine. (May)