Loved the setting, Loved the knitting. A great cute romance. Can't go wrong with a Jenny Colgan really.

Thank you to the Author, Publisher and NetGalley UK for a free ebook in exchange for an honest review.

A colgan book and it involves knitting - sold! I loved this book from cover to cover and love Colgan's way with words, and the way she sets the atmosphere with it being set in the Scottish Highlands. I loved how Gertie was quiet but has such a calm demeanour when faced with challenges and is such an inspirational character for the more introverted person.

Close Knit is Book 7 in the Mure series but can be read as a standalone without a problem at all.

jenny Colgan, as ever, writes about relatable characters and makes you feel like you know exactly what it is like to live on Mure. Close Knit focuses upon the life of Gertie who is amazing when it comes to knitting but most definitely lacked confidence socially since her school days as well as struggling in her love life. It is heartwarming to see Gertie's character develop, gain some independence and have a chance at a relationship as well as getting a glimpse into the lives of the other women from her knitting circle.

Overall a relaxing read that will is another great addition to this lovely series.

This was a just a great read. I was just all in the story.
Loved the MCs. Lovely written book. i enjoyed more than I expected I would

Gertie lives on a remote Scottish Island, dreaming of the day she could leave and experience the world like so many others have. But the most excitement she gets is joining in at her mother and grandmothers knitting group. The group of ladies know everyone and anything and therefore they will know more about Gertie than she knows herself.

A chance opportunity leads Gertie to take the first step towards freedom and experience the high life. The high life that is the check in desk for the airline that flies in those parts. We first met the characters and the airline back in Summer Skies last year. Whilst you don’t have to have read the book, it would give you a good grounding of the background of the little airline, the airport and now how Gertie is going to fit into it all.

Of course Gertie is thrown into all sorts of different situations which test what she really wants from her life and her place in the world. When the weather takes a turn for the worse and she finds herself rescuing people, she unexpectedly rescues herself.

Perhaps a bit slow to get going, but once it did this was a perfect book to while away an afternoon. Not the best Colgan but certainly one which give you a flavour or her writing and opens you up to many of her other great reads.

Another hit from jenny colgan that did not disappoint- it was great to revisit the scottish isles and be introduced to characters from the past aswell as all the new faces. A very cute read full of laughs, love and community.

Close Knit by Jenny Colgan

As always another triumph from Jenny Colgan. She always seems to pull off the close knit (knit-ha!) community feel. Brilliant characters and setting, I especially enjoyed seeing Gertie blossom out of her comfort zone. It was lovely to go back and visit previous island characters, but don't let this put you off, this can be read as a stand alone story. Many thanks for the e-arc in return for my honest thoughts and opinions

Close Knit by Jenny Colgan is a heartwarming and cozy tale that weaves together themes of friendship, community, and the healing power of creativity. Colgan introduces readers to a charming setting filled with relatable characters, each bringing their own quirks and stories to the group. As they bond over the shared joy of knitting, the novel explores the warmth and support found in unexpected places. With Colgan’s signature blend of humor, tenderness, and detailed storytelling, Close Knit captures the beauty of forming connections and finding comfort in simple, shared activities. It's a comforting and uplifting read, perfect for those who love stories about companionship and the small joys of life.

Another winner from Jenny. We head back to Carso to meet Gertie, whose head is permanently in the clouds, daydreaming her life away. Although, weirdly, she’s never flown, so when she runs into the cool girls from school, Morag (of MacIntyre Air) and a heavily pregnant Nalitha and they offer her a job, she thinks it might just be about time to broaden her horizons.

This is a lovely story of daydreamer Gertie and her friends and family, including the knitting group she’s a part of, and her new job, new flat share and how she falls in love…

It’s lovely to revisit Corso and Inchborn, Morag and the MacIntyre Air folk, and to get to know Gertie and her knitting circle. It’s a story full of Jenny’s usual wit, warmth and charm and I really enjoyed it.

It’s just a perfect story to curl up with on a dreary afternoon.

Book Review: Close Knit

As I turned the pages of Close Knit by Jenny Colgan, I felt as if I were stepping into a warm, cozy world filled with the scent of wool and the sound of laughter. Gertie, the protagonist, quickly became a friend whose dreams and struggles resonated deeply with me. Living on a remote Scottish island, her life is intertwined with a close-knit community, and I loved how the knitting circle served as both a sanctuary and a stage for the vibrant dynamics of small-town life.

Gertie’s desire to break free from her routine was palpable. I understood her longing for adventure beyond the confines of her island, yet the pull of family and tradition was just as strong. Her relationships with her mother, Jean, and grandmother, Elspeth, painted a beautiful picture of generational love and support. The knitting circle, with its gossip and camaraderie, felt like a warm embrace that I could almost feel.

When Gertie gets a chance to work with her old school friend Morag at the local airline, I was filled with excitement for her. The prospect of new friends and a potential romance opened up a world of possibilities that I couldn’t wait to explore alongside her. Colgan's writing captures the charm of small-town life while threading in the joys and challenges of growing up and making choices.

As Gertie navigated her budding romance and the ups and downs of her job, I found myself rooting for her every step of the way. The humor was perfectly balanced with heartfelt moments, making it a delightful and uplifting read. I laughed, and at times, I even felt a little teary-eyed at the beauty of community and love.

Close Knit is more than just a love story; it’s a celebration of friendships, family, and the courage to follow your dreams. By the end, I felt inspired and content, ready to pick up my own knitting needles and perhaps start a new adventure of my own. Jenny Colgan has once again delivered a charming tale that I won't soon forget.

“ Gertie has always had her head in the clouds, wondering what her life might be like if she could only pluck up the courage to leave the remote Scottish island where she was born.”
Jenny Colgan never disappoints
Beautiful scenery, lovely characters (even the nasty ones) just the right level of peril and a feel good ending.
Perfect.

Another visit to the Scottish isles, which did not disappoint. We get to meet old characters from previous books, but it can also be read stand alone.
Gertie lives in a day dreaming world at home with her mother and grandmother, and doesn't seem likely to meet the man of her daydreams. Working in the local shop, she never ventures far until she is offered a job working for the local airline, securing a flat share with pilot Morag.
She grows in confidence and becomes a heroine in her own right, when a dangerous situation arises.
A heart warming story of hope, love and community.

While the story did have some uneven pacing and Gertie's excessive daydreaming made her seem more like a teenager than a woman in her 30's at some points, there is so much more that outweighs this that brings all that you come to expect from a Jenny Colgan book I cant wait to see which character gets a book next.

I say it every time I read one of this authors books, and I’ll say it again, Jenny Colgan really is the best at what she does.

This book is just so beautifully inspiring and full of warmth. I was a bit sceptical about the knitting topic, as it’s not a hobby I know much about, but it felt such a natural topic

Close Knit is a follow on from Summer Skies and I would highly recommend that anyone wishing to reading this book reads that first.

Gertie is just a beautiful character to read about. Such a quirky character who the reader just instantly loves.

As with all Jenny Colgan books, this was absolutely fab and it comes highly recommended from me

Thank you to the publisher for my copy

I was delighted to see another book from Jenny and the chance to read it in advance in exchange for an honest review.
This is another great story from Jenny, as ever
characters are convincing, their stories engaging and the books unputdownable.
I read this over two days on holiday and as always it was a disappointment when I finished it.

Set on small islands to the North East of Scotland, there are some of the same characters as in a previous book, Summer Skies, but this one is easily read as a standalone book - although you might find your have to buy the other after you've finished it, in order to continue the reading pleasure.
Gertie moves out of her comfort zone of working in the local shop and takes a job in the small (one or two flights a day) local airport as a favour to a friend.
Bad weather hits and a group of local children are trapped on a remote island during a school trip.
We learn about Gertie, her history, her love life, her new challenges and life on a remote island. Throughout the book the fellowship of a group of knitters is woven into the story giving the book its title.
I can truly recommend this book and I'm sorry if it starts a new addiction for Jenny's writing.

A really sweet book set in a remote part of Scotland - such amazing imagery. The characters are believable and the story flows well. Truly cosy.

Set in glorious Scotland, this is a refreshing, quirky story. With amazing landscape descriptions, a vulnerable young lady, and a knitting circle, this book is a gem to read.
A heartfelt, warm story. I found it engrossing

There's always something so comforting about a book from Jenny Colgan, and this was another book that I loved reading and felt swept up in the world created.

Set on a Scottish island, we're introduced to Gertie who is happy but is feeling stuck. She's never been brave enough to step outside her comfort zone, so sticks to her love of knitting and the social side that it brings with the knitting circle. You feel a real warmth for Gertie as she's such a sweet soul and wants to challenge herself, but what if she fails..... you can hear her often talking herself down and to just stick with what she knows.

But soon there's an opportunity to try something new with the help of some friends who give her that nudge to try something new, and it's wonderful to see her eyes be opened to different opportunities and embracing that confidence that it brings to her.

There's such a warmth throughout the book, with some lovely funny moments and it was just a delight to read from start to finish!

I normally love Jenny Colgan books., but this doesn't hit the spot like others she has written. It was still a good read with good characters and an interesting story line.

Jenny Colgan- you are where my love of reading was rekindled as an adult with books like Amanda’s wedding.

Close Knit was a lovely read. Some of the characters from Summer Skies make an appearance. Gertie takes the lead in this novel. She wants to step away from the family and start a new career. Some action packed drama at the end brought a different feel to this book compared to normal Colgan stories.

This novel left me wanting to explore the Scottish islands.

Looking forward to what Colgan does next