Review: Boys Don't Knit - T.S Easton

Boys Don't Knit by T.S. Easton, published by Hot Key Books on 1st January 2014

Goodreads synopsis:
Ben Fletcher must get to grips with his more 'feminine' side following an unfortunate incident with a lollipop lady and a stolen bottle of Martini Rosso from Waitrose. All a big misunderstanding of course. To avoid the Young Offenders unit, Ben is ordered to give something back to the community and develop his sense of social alignment. Take up a hobby and keep on the straight and narrow. The hot teacher he likes runs a knitting group so Ben, reluctantly at first, gets 'stuck in'. Not easy when your dad is a sports fan and thinks Jeremy Clarkson is God. To his surprise, Ben finds that he likes knitting and that he has a mean competitive streak. If he can just keep it all a secret from his mates...and notice that the girl of his dreams, girl-next-door Megan Hooper has a bit of a thing for him...

Review:
I loved 'Boys Don't Knit' by T.S. Easton.  It was the perfect book to start the new year with - fun, enjoyable and very, very entertaining!

The main character Ben Fletcher, discovers that he has a passion for knitting, after being put on probation for an accident involving a lollipop lady.  Of course, being a boy, he tries to keep this a secret, because he's worried what his friends and family will think of him if he reveals that he'd rather knit than go to watch a football match. 

The story is told in diary style instalments, as Ben tries to keep his friends and family happy, while also attempting to keep his new hobby top secret.  I really loved Ben.  He's such a sweet and good natured character.  He's slightly obsessive, often overly so, but it was refreshing to read about a teenage boy without lots of swearing and bad behaviour.  His friends may make some dubious choices at times, but they do have his back and come through for him when it really matters.  I think some male readers, may well also identify with the internal struggle he has over disappointing his Dad who doesn't think that boys should like anything other than football and cars.  Ben shows that you should always follow your own passions because you never know where they may lead. 

As I'm just learning to knit myself, I thoroughly enjoyed following Ben's knitting obsession as he knits and purls and develops his own unique designs.  He's an inspiration!   

This book was funny and humorous and I really enjoyed it.  Read more about Ben's adventures in the sequel 'An English Boy in New York' which is published later in the year.