REAL MEN KNIT

Four brothers must decide whether or not to close the Harlem yarn shop they inherited after the sudden death of their mother, Mama Joy, a neighborhood legend.

Jesse Strong would say he’s laid back, but his brothers believe he lacks ambition and focus. When the four of them have a hard conversation about the future of the yarn shop, Jesse surprises himself and his brothers by insisting he can be trusted to keep their mother’s dream alive. When he decides to reorganize and refresh the store before a grand reopening, Jesse turns to Kerry Fuller, a longtime store employee, to help him learn the ins and outs of the business. Author Jackson reveals the important role the shop plays in the community—especially for one boy who's being bullied—and elaborates on the value of handcrafts. Meanwhile, Kerry is in a professional holding pattern. Although she hopes to finally land a full-time position at the local community center, she agrees to continue working in the shop to help Jesse learn the yarn business. Kerry is stuck emotionally, too—she’s had a longtime crush on Jesse but didn’t think she had a chance with him after years of being relegated to the friend zone. Jackson makes an unusual choice to delay the development of the romance between Jesse and Kerry for so long; in fact, Jesse is involved in a casual relationship with another woman for more than half the book. Unfortunately, the gamble doesn’t pay off. There isn’t much tension or chemistry between Kerry and Jesse—just vague feelings of longing—and the pacing of their romance ends up being rushed and incomplete.

A heartwarming story about family and community that might disappoint readers looking for a stronger romance.