Friday, November 14, 2014

Early Review: Boys Don't Knit (in public) by T.S. Eaton

Boys Don't Knit
by T.S. Eaton
Read: October 19 - 21, 2014
Published: March 24, 2015 by Feiwel & Friends 
Source: Arc from Macmillan (THANK YOU!) 
Tags: Contemporary, YA, British humor, knitting boys

Find: Goodreads | Amazon | B&N 


Knitting is a man’s game.

After an incident regarding a crossing guard and a bottle of Martini & Rossi (and his bonehead friends), 17-year-old worrier Ben Fletcher must develop his sense of social alignment, take up a hobby, and do some community service to avoid any further probation.

He takes a knitting class (it was that or his father’s mechanic class) under the impression that it's taught by the hot teacher all the boys like. Turns out, it’s not. Perfect.

Regardless, he sticks with it and comes to find that he’s a natural knitter, maybe even great. It even helps ease his anxiety and worrying. The only challenge now is to keep it hidden from his friends, his crush, and his soccer-obsessed father. What a tangled web Ben has weaved . . . or knitted.
 
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Boys Don't Knit was a complete delight! I loved being inside Ben's head. Ben doesn't always understand his messy family - or feel like he fits. He's not sure how he feels about his friends (they keep getting him into trouble), and he doesn't know how to talk to girls he likes. When Ben gets put on probation for a situation that involved poor judgement, liquor stealing, and hitting a crossing guard with a bicycle, all largely the fault of his idiotic friends, Ben ends up taking a knitting class. Of course, Ben doesn't want anyone to know about it even though he's a natural, and that leads to much hilarity and inner turmoil. 

Ben's a little awkward, quite clueless at times (though he can also be very perceptive), and he doesn't feel like he fits with his friends or at home. Ben doesn't like sports or cars or the other manly things his dad prefers, or his friends wild schemes, which always end in disaster. Ben likes organizing things and school and no drama. But it is through the seemingly unmanly activity of knitting that Ben realizes he might not be the loser he always thought he was. He has friends and support and maybe a girl who likes him too. Plus he finds he's also pretty good at helping others. 

Ben's inner voice was completely endearing, and I enjoyed seeing him gain confidence and begin to see his own worth. The story is told by Ben in a very conversational style, organized by date, instead of chapter (sort of like a diary. But don't worry: it's not epistolary, and the storytelling method works very well, adding to the overall experience). Reading Boy's Don't Knit was like cuddling up in a warm sweater while watching a British comedy. They perfect mix of hilarious and heartfelt. 


This book doesn't come out in the US until next March, but I found it to be incredibly entertaining. Definitely add it to your list!

Love Triangle Factor: None/Mild. Romance is not the focus of this book, and Ben is pretty clueless about the whole thing, so so there's some resulting drama, but it's always going in the same direction. 
Cliffhanger Scale: Low - This book has a sequel An English Boy in New York


14 comments:

  1. Reading Boy's Don't Knit was like cuddling up in a warm sweater while watching a British comedy. They perfect mix of hilarious and heartfelt." I'm sold!

    This book sounds so adorable, I'm happy to hear you really enjoyed it! I do love an endearing boy, haha. I totally love the cover, too. Thanks for the awesome reason, definitely can't wait to check it out (:

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  2. Oh my god how was this one not on my radar? Its sounds absolutely fabulous, Lauren! I feel like me and Ben are going to get along so well! I can't wait to be in his head and see his life through his eyes! Love it <3

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  3. Aw, this cover is cute :D I'm glad you enjoyed this book Lauren. <3 I don't think it would be for me, I probably wouldn't be annoyed by sort of triangle, maybe, but I don't like drama in books at all :p Sigh. But I'm happy you liked it :D Thank you for sharing your awesome review sweetie. <3

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  4. the title alone sounds fun, will be picking this up! i find that most male povs i read (if any) are angsty and holden-caulfield-like, which really isn't how all boys are. Ben seems like a guy i'd love to have as a friend :)

    alicia @ noverly things

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  5. I hadn't heard of this one, but it does sound cute so I may have to pick it up. I don't read many books with a male POV but I've liked the few I've read. Have you read The Beginning of Everything? Enjoyed that one although there was a part that made me crazy. Great review! ~Pam

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  6. One for my tbr! Thanks! Cheers from Carole's Chatter

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  7. I heaved a big ole sigh of relief when I read your review! Because this sounds adorable, I was really hoping it would be entertaining. Hilarious and heartfelt and the metaphor you used? SIGN ME UP!

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  8. Awwww this book sounds so cute! I'm really wishing I'd requested it from the catalogue now! I'm so glad this one was entertaining and funny :) I really like the cover too. Great review!

    Rachel @ A Perfection Called Books

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  9. I love English humor and this sounds entirely cute! I'm adding this to the TBR. Wonderful review, Lauren! :)

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  10. Like Rachel, now I kind of wish I'd requested this. I've been in the mood for cute books lately! Hoping it will go up on Netgalley.
    Thanks so much for stopping by! Jen @ YA Romantics

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  11. Aw, Ben sounds awesome! I love that kind of character who's adorably goofy and just wanting to do his thing. Which, in this case is knit. Love it!

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  12. Haa! this sounds so different and I actually want to start knitting some right now lol. EEEEEP!!!! I need this book in my life. I don't mind the romance being in the background as long as we get some and I love how it seems like such a unique story in many ways while still following traditional tropes. Can't wait to read this one :)

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  13. I've been wondering about this one! It sounds excellent. And unique (a YA that isn't focused on romance? YAY!). Thanks for the review.

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  14. I think I would like Ben, too, but I'm not sure this is a "me" book. Maybe when I have a free afternoon and am looking for a quick, fun, fluff read. :P Thanks for your review, girl! <3

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