Publication Date: November 4, 2025
A knitting retreat gets knotty in this humorous and poignant novel about love, second chances, and the unyielding bonds between mothers and daughters.
Maggie Hodges and her daughter Piper are looking forward to a restful knitting retreat in the picturesque village of New Hope, Pennsylvania. But instead, they are surprised to find themselves sharing their charming riverside inn with a rowdy bushcraft bachelor party. Undaunted by the clash of interests and personalities, Maggie suggests a lighthearted competition—a battle of crafts—that sparks a rivalry between the two groups, and perhaps something more. But as the weekend unfolds, old mistakes and buried resentments begin to surface, threatening to destroy Maggie and Piper’s cherished connection.
In knitting, one can easily fix mistakes by picking apart each stitch and starting anew. But life’s tangles aren’t so easily mended. With tensions rising and the retreat coming to a close, Maggie must act quickly before she loses everything she holds dear. Can she repair what’s been broken before everything unravels?
The Weekend Crashers by Jamie Brenner focuses on a mother-daughter relationship but also spreads its wings, including romance and family discord.
The fun begins when Maggie and her daughter Piper decide to attend a knitting retreat in a small town in Pennsylvania.
Maggie and her daughter always had a good relationship and were extremely close, especially since Maggie is a single mom. The inn where the retreat is held is also hosting a bachelor party, and things don’t get off on the right foot.
When some friendly bets take place between the two groups, things don’t go as expected. There are a lot of details about knitting and crocheting, as well as the bushcraft activities the guys are participating in. There are multiple stories, and the flow is good.
Surprises abound along with some likable characters. Some are at a crossroads, and when Maggie and her daughter start being secretive, it creates problems between them. There are a few reconciliations after characters learn to communicate, forgive, and trust. Relationships seem to abound, and there’s a potential for happiness and love. There is some closure, but the story ended abruptly and had a few loose ends. It would be nice to reconnect with the characters in a Christmas story.
The Weekend Crashers is an enjoyable read with a few complex characters, lots of wool, and outdoor activities.
Jamie Brenner is the bestselling author of seven novels including The Forever Summer and Blush. She spends her winters writing in Bucks County, Pennsylvania and her summers visiting the beach towns that inspire her books.
