The Christmas Boutique

October 1, 2019

Last year, Sylvia Bergstrom and Andrew Compson surprised everyone by inviting them for a Christmas Eve party that turned out to be their wedding. They both know how lucky they were to reconnect after so long apart, and the newlywed feelings have yet to fade. The Compsons find themselves with an opportunity to host another special event for the community after the church hall is damaged, and they relocate the Christmas boutique to Elm Creek Manor. The Elm Creek quilters rise to the occasion and are ready to help, but first they need a little time to work out their own troubles. Chiaverini's dedicated fans have had a 20-year wait for this installment in the series, and to return with a Christmas-themed story feels appropriate. VERDICT The charm of the setting and characters is as strong as ever, with nicely dramatic highs and lows. New readers will be as happy to find a long backlist as longtime readers will be to spend time with old friends.

Copyright 2019 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

August 1, 2019
Sylvia Bergstrom Compson throws open the doors of Elm Creek Manor to host the town's annual Christmas Boutique. With its recently restored community rooms, the manor is the perfect place to host the fundraiser. A suggestion to hang holiday quilts over the booths in the ballroom has every woman scrambling to find the perfect piece and reminiscing over events that spurred her to take needle to fabric. Celebrating the 20th anniversary of the first novel in her extensive Elm Creek Quilts series, Chiaverini's (Resistance Women, 2019, etc.) latest installment is rich with detail: Each chapter reads like a short story, telling the tale of a particular woman's motivation to design and craft a particular quilt. Whether inspired by love or grief, the resulting artwork is described with astonishing attention to design, workmanship, and symbolism. Chiaverini also explores how the practice of her craft transforms each woman's emotional life, each stitch bringing her closer to a sense of peace. For the foyer, Sylvia chooses the family's Christmas Quilt, commemorating generations of quilters, each of whom struggled to complete the piece. Her sister-in-law, Agnes, chooses an appliqued cactus-block piece, recalling her discovery of a mysteriously hidden quilt and the quest to find its maker. Yet a few dark events overshadow the merry festivities, causing two quilters to debate whether they can contribute anything to the Boutique, and such omissions may mean losing their places in the community. But Elm Creek is a forgiving society that rewards each woman's courage in facing her demons and confessing her sins. Devotees of the Quilts series will relish these new episodes, and new fans will delight to discover such a well-stocked back catalog. A warm portrait of women bound by craft--perfect for fireside reading.

COPYRIGHT(2019) Kirkus Reviews, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

September 1, 2019
Chiaverini enchants readers with the latest installment in the Elm Creek Quilts series (after The Giving Quilt, 2012). When an accident at the Good Shepherd Church renders the building unusable for the Christmas Boutique, the annual fundraiser for the county food bank, Sylvia Bergstrom is approached in hopes that her ancestral home of Elm Creek Manor can be used as an alternative venue. Of course, Sylvia says yes?she has been a loyal supporter of the Christmas Boutique over the years. But Sylvia and her crew of Elm Creek Quilters have only four days to get the manor ready and word out to potential customers. Reading Chiaverini's long-awaited return to Elm Creek is like taking a favorite quilt out of storage and cozying up with the memories it inspires. Told from the points of view of each of the Elm Creek Quilters, The Christmas Boutique allows the reader either to get to know or revisit favorite characters. A story of friendship and memories, this is a perfect read to enjoy during the holidays.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2019, American Library Association.)