A Thousand Tiny Stitches

by Stephanie Claypool

After a hit-and-run driver tragically kills Lily's daughter and son-in-law, she is left with unspeakable grief, custody of her eight-year-old granddaughter Emma, and an impossible wish: to fulfill her daughter’s dream of opening a quilt shop in the old house in their small Western Pennsylvania town.

The house is in shambles, coated with years of grime, but Lily, unable to afford contractors on her late husband’s pension, tackles the job herself. As Emma’s emotional struggles deepen, the old house presents a barrage of increasingly costly obstacles. Worse, when Lily discovers a squatter living on the property, she fears for their safety. Only her unwavering belief that the shop is the best way to build a new life for herself and Emma keeps Lily pushing forward.

But not everyone in town is rooting for Lily’s success, and the line between helper and hinderer isn’t always clear, forcing Lily to make sacrifices she never imagined. She will need to prove it isn’t the patchwork that makes a quilt but the thousands of tiny stitches that bind the layers—and maybe hold a family together.

Genres: Womens Fiction

326 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 12, 2024

Reviews

[Booksandcoffeemx · Rating 4 out of 5]

I can’t beleive this is a debut, what a beautiful story, I just fell in love with Emma and the beautiful community. There’s something that always gets me with books about loss, and I guess is that feeling of hope and healing after it. If you are looking for a heartwarming story, you need to check this one out.

Thank you Suzy Approved Book Tours for this tour invite.

𝗔 𝗧𝗵𝗼𝘂𝘀𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗧𝗶𝗻𝘆 𝗦𝘁𝗶𝘁𝗰𝗵𝗲𝘀 by Stephanie Claypool released November 12, 2024.

[Christine M in Texas (stamperlady50) · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Thousand Tiny Stitches
By: Stephanie Claypool
Pub Date: November 12, 2024
When I saw the cover, and the novel was about a quilt shop, I knew I had to read this one. I am a quilter.

“A quilt is when you layer it with batting and backing and bind them together with a thousand tiny stitches.” This quote resonated with the novel as grief can be overwhelming and staying close with family and friends as we piece our hearts together one moment by one moment.

Lily has taken custody of her eight-year-old granddaughter Emma after her daughter and son in law were killed. Her daughters dream was to take an old house and open a quilt shop. Lily and Emma will go through every emotion as they try to build a new life.

Heartwarming, beautiful and this novel evolves as they discover their new family dynamics and a town that will embrace them.

Thank you Suzy Approved Book Tours and author Claypool for your wonderful novel

[Bernie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I met Stephanie at our library in a cookie decorating class when she was talking about her book with the librarian. She shared the premise of “A Thousand Tiny Stitches” with me. I said “this sounds like my kind of book”.

I loved it. So many of life’s lessons to be learned. A great motivation for the New Year no matter where you are in your life. The title and cover are perfect.

Thank you Stephanie, hope to see you again.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

The premise of this book is heartbreaking: Lily has guardianship of her granddaughter Emma after her daughter and son-in-law die in a car accident. She has to decide what to do with the dilapidated house Amanda was going to turn into a quilt shop, on top of helping Emma deal with her grief.

At first I wondered why Lily didn't seem to be mourning Amanda. But the portrayal of grief -- both for Lily and Emma -- is well done. I liked seeing their character growth and how they find a new kind of family.

The title is perfect, and so is the cover. Thank you to the author for the ARC!

[Gabi Coatsworth · Rating 4 out of 5]

From the first page the reader is immediately plunged into a situation every mother dreads - the loss of a child. But this child had a child of her own and now Lily has to set her own grief aside and take care of her granddaughter. The way in which she manages to surmount the obstacles in her way as she strives to keep her daughter’s spirit alive and help her granddaughter heal by fulfilling her dream of opening a quilt shop is touching, humorous and engaging. And the band of new friends she puts together to help her do it are intriguing too. A cozy read in a chilly world…

[Linda Rosen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reading this delightful novel felt like I was wrapped up in a comfy quilt, sipping an aromatic, soothing cup of tea. I want to live in Claypool’s fictitious town and spend time with Lilly and Emma in the quilt shop and sit around Lilly’s kitchen table with all the wonderful characters that populate this tender story. Thank you Stephanie Claypool for stitching this story together, giving me hours of reading pleasure.

[Chelsie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a heartfelt read and often I wanted to reach in and hug some of the characters. Lily is left raising her granddaughter after a tragic car accident took her daughter and son-in-law. Emma is not settling in well and Lily herself is doing all that she can to be strong while picking up the pieces of everything. Amanda was going to open a quilt shop and now Lily is left to decide how to go about what she thought would be retirement and days spending with her granddaughter while helping out her daughter. Now all Emma talks about is the shop mom was going to open. It's a struggle to get her to school or do anything. But that shop is all that seems to be on her mind. Yet the place that Amanda had bought is a mess. Wood and broken furniture everywhere, and not safe at all for a child. When Lily gets some advice from the next door coffee shop owner, she decides she may just finish out Amanda's dream. Having her friends backing her, Lily takes Becca's advise and takes things one day at time, and yet it seems just when something has been completed another obstacle shows itself and she has to take a few steps back. Getting ready to throw in the towel on it all, she decides to make another large decision for her and Emma. One that cannot be undone and will be a finality on one chapter and a start to a new one. Was this what her and Emma needed all along or will she have put her retirement and Emma's future on the line for a dream? This was such a heartfelt read and a great reminder that often things need just one stitch, one step, or one day at a time and eventually results will be fruitful with patience and community. I was rooting for Lily the whole story! Thank you to the author for the complementary novel and to Suzy Approved Book Tours for the tour invite. This review is of my own opinion and accord.

[Debbie Rozier · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was great that this book showed how the healing process from grief can shift priorities.

I loved the older main character, the small town setting, and the found family bonds that made this a feel good story while still honoring the emotions associated with grief.

I loved the symbolism of a quilting store being a catalyst for healing, change, and the reinvigoration of a small town.

I would absolutely read other books set in this town with some of this book’s secondary characters as main characters of their own stories.

[Patricia Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was first attracted to this book by the quilting theme as I used to be a quilter. The story is one of love, family, loss, friendship and support. I thoroughly enjoyed it and had the tissues out many times. Despite this it is not a soppy book. I laughed as well as cheering the main character Lily on in her aim to open her shop in honour of her daughter who was killed in a hit and run. There are several quite complex relationships in the book and the author handles these well especially the relationship between Lily and her granddaughter Emma which was beautifully written. It is a lovely book and I can't recommend it enough.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read an advance copy. All opinions are my own.

[Rachel Stone · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed watching this heartfelt story of hope, healing through loss, chosen family and perseverance unfold. The characters were real and relatable, and the writing was lovely. A wonderful choice to curl up and escape with. Will definitely read more from this author!

[Robin Greenspan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved the book! It’s an engrossing, feel good novel with endearing characters, about loss, resilience and the power of friendship.

[Mary McIntyre]

I loved this book. I couldn't put it down. The characters were well developed, the story lines were pertinent and skillfully resolved. Many life issues were presented and solutions in a believable manner.

[Sue Martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved the writing and the characters. Reading this story felt like being wrapped in a cozy quilt.

[Marie Watts · Rating 5 out of 5]

Claypool’s heartfelt novel brings hope to those of us who have been battered and bruised by personal loss, reminding us that family is more than kin.

[R. Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I would like to thank Stephanie Claypool for allowing me to read a free ARC in exchange for an honest review.

A Thousand Tiny Stitches is a cozy page-turner about how love and friendship can transform deep loss into something sustaining and beautiful. I'll be thinking about Lily, Doug, Becca, and the rest for a long time.

[Uma · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book is about the devastating aftermath of losing a loved one(s).

While the synopsis of the book was quite promising (I expected a lit-fic about grief and hope), I found the story quite underwhelming and flat.

Halfway through the book, still nothing interesting happened. It felt like reading the display of a series of facts, but they weren’t hold together nicely.

The underlining theme was the main character, Lily, indecision about keeping or selling the house where her daughter, whom tragically passed away, wanted to open a quilt shop.

I became so frustrated about Lily’s inner struggle. It is clear that for her working on the house/potential quilt shop is a way to cope with the indescribable loss of her daughter, but she never faces her pain until past page 200. I feel like this book teaches avoidance rather than letting yourself feel the pain and then, possibly, start healing.

Another thing that bothered me was how the stigma surrounding therapy/counseling was reinforced throughout the book.
I understand the main character is worried about her granddaughter, Emma, but if you really want to help her get her the professional help she needs.

Moreover, it deeply upset me the part of the book about one of the characters appearance, in which the author explains how more confident and beautiful this character feels about having done a plastic surgery and that she wishes she would have done it sooner.
It felt so frivolous considering the theme of the book, and even worse, it doesn’t give a message of body acceptance and self love.

Moreover, even though this is slightly less relevant, I kept confusing the names of the main character (Lily) and the granddaughter (Emma). Being a fan of Modern Family tv show, in which Lily was the granddaughter, I kept switching them up. It was annoying but this was on me rather than the author.

Something that I appreciated, instead, it’s how the sense of solidarity and community is being highlighted throughout the story.
There are a series of people surrounding the main character that help her through her journey. It was nice to read about the relationships and see them unfolding in front of me.

Another thing I liked was the recurring message: take care of one thing at the time. It truly helped Lily but also anyone that feels overwhelmed by the big picture. I think it’s a very great advice.

Finally, the book was a bit difficult to read for anyone who lost someone, but it shines hope and somehow gives comfort that everything will be (eventually) alright. For this beautiful reminder, I am grateful I read this book.

Thank you NetGalley and Atmosphere Press for the e-arc.

[Nancy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Thousand Tiny Stitches opens with heartbreak. Widow Lily loses her daughter and son-in-law in a sudden car accident and is left caring for her eight-year-old granddaughter Emma. Both are quietly drowning in grief, each one afraid to crack the surface for fear of upsetting the other. And so, instead of sitting with their sorrow, they chase a dream: Amanda’s dream of opening a quilt shop in their small town. If they can focus on making something, they won’t have to look at the pieces of their life that shattered.

From there, it becomes less about quilting and more about mending the soul. The shop isn’t just a business; it’s a refuge. Lily’s circle of quilting friends rally around her, armed with comfort and tenderness. Doug, a homeless veteran living in a garage out back, shows up with his own story stitched in trauma and eventually, in kindness. And the café owner’s parents? They become another set of grandparents, helping with Emma as the community begins to form something beautiful and unexpected.

There’s just enough friction to keep things real—betrayal, financial struggles, emotional scars—but Claypool never lets the darkness take over. Instead, the story leans into second chances: love blossoms quietly, broken people find connection, and Lily rediscovers her strength one DIY project at a time. Everyone's navigating a new path, and somehow all those tangled emotions turn into something quietly triumphant.

Will you shed a tear? Yes. But it's also warm and affirming in that small-town-women’s-fiction kind of way. There's laughter tucked into even the saddest chapters, and moments where hope sneaks in through a dusty window. Lily and Emma’s grief doesn't disappear; it’s stitched into their new life softened by the people around them, and that’s what makes this story feel so gently uplifting.

[Goodlittlewitch · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was provided an Advance Reader Copy of this debut novel. A Thousand Tiny Stitches is a beautifully crafted, heart-rending and heartwarming novel. The main character, Lily, is admirable, in her tenacity and her innate ability to “feed” those she loves, both literally with food and figuratively with love, acceptance and kindness. The small town of Fellowes Hollow rings true, with a cast of characters that made me smile and root for the entire town.

When the book opens, we are plunged into the worst nightmare of any parent: the death of their child. But Lily has a granddaughter to care for, so she puts her grief aside in order to care for Emma, who has lost both her parents in a tragic car accident. Using the renovation of the building her daughter had purchased, and planned to turn into a quilt shop as a metaphor for working through grief, Ms. Claypool creates her own quilt of words, a thousand tiny stitches of her own, to show us all how grief and hardship can bring people together, or tear them apart.

While this is not the kind of book I normally gravitate to (my zone is HistFic), Ms. Claypool’s way of getting the reader to the inevitable end is unexpected and left this reader feeling completely satisfied and hoping to see another book from her soon.

[Cassie’s Reviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

From the very first page we are immediately shown a horrific nightmare, a mother loses her child, an adult child. You now you have a granddaughter who has lost her mother and father. Lily has to step up and help her granddaughter Emma who is eight but she also has to grieve her daughter she lost. Lily is given guardianship Emma and she also has to figure out what to do with the run down building, the building is in shambles, coated with years of grime, and her daughter had planned on turning it into a quilt shop. Lily, unable to afford contractors on her late husband’s pension, tackles the job herself. Lily will do whatever is necessary to make sure that Emma is provided for, both physically and emotionally. Emma begins to struggle in school and the town is trying to help. Lily discovers a squatter living on the property, she fears for their safety. But not everyone in town is rooting for Lily’s success, and the line between helper and hinderer isn’t always clear, forcing Lily to make sacrifices she never imagined. She will need to prove it isn’t the patchwork that makes a quilt but the thousands of tiny stitches that bind the layers—and maybe hold a family together. This book covers grief and love, friendship and second chances

[Joan Jordan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lily's daughter and son-in-law are killed in a car accident leaving Lily reeling with grief, but also leaving her as the guardian of her eight year-old granddaughter, Emma. Lily will do whatever is necessary to make sure that Emma is provided for, both physically and emotionally. Emma wants nothing more than to see her mother's dream of owning a quilt store come true. While Lily tries to figure out a way to fulfill the dream, she discovers that someone is squatting on the property, but rather than vandalize anything, the squatter is helping!

This is a beautifully told story of grief turned to purpose. Lily and Emma are both grieving in different ways, but they build a family of sorts around themselves as they renovate an old house into a new quilt store. Characters are well developed, and the reader can imagine living in the small Pennsylvania town and watching the various lives, and bolts of fabric, unfold. This story proceeds as a lively, but gentle, stream, and is a welcome read in between the deluge of more intense novels.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

[Heather Dodge Martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This novel, about a grandmother trying to care for her granddaughter and navigate her own grief after the death of her daughter, hit me right in the feels. While not melodramatic, it still swelled with the characters’ realistic emotions, as they traveled a difficult road to acceptance. I loved the complexity of all the characters, and the friendships, both conventional and unconventional, woven throughout. I also always enjoy any story where an exterior project– in this case, the renovation of a building and the creation of a quilt shop to honor the daughter’s dream– mirrors the main character’s own rebuilding. I’d love to live amongst these people (except for one in particular, whom I would still cross the street to avoid), and the town seems real and vibrant in my mind, even weeks after I finished the book. I’d love to see another story set here!
I’m grateful to the author and publisher for the opportunity to read an ARC of this book.

[AWalkthroughBooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am doing this review for Net Galley.

Lily lost her daughter Amanda in a tragic accident, leaving Lily to take care of Amanda's daughter Emma. During this time, Lily wants to take care of Amanda's shop while living in her house. In reality, the cost of both is too overwhelming causing Lily to sell her house in order to make ends meet. Through hurdles to overcome and obstacles to endure Lily must find a way to take care of Emma while covering costs for a place to live. Emma is also having troubles coping in school. The small town that Lily is living in is being very supportive. That is not enough to help Lily overcome her bearier..

This is a very cute, short romance book. I read this on my Kindle and you can finish this in one setting. It is kind of one of those cheesy small town stories. However, it is a perfect fit for a fall cozy read. There were parts of it that did not seem realistic to me. The small town vibe kept me interested in reading it. I rated it a high 4 star. I still highly recommend if you would like something easy to read.

[Susan Ballard (subakkabookstuff) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh, my heart!

After a horrible accident takes the life of little Emma’s parents and Lily’s daughter, Lily takes in her precious granddaughter and tries to navigate the grief while giving hope for their futures.

As I read this, I couldn’t imagine the weight of sadness that Lily and Emma were carrying. Yet, they were surrounded by such a loving community and a small circle of friends. Lily’s heart was so big and kind; even with all that hurt inside, she was always giving and helping others. Even the homeless man who resided in the barn behind her late daughter’s shop was welcomed and soon became a friend.

Although I am not a quilter, I enjoyed how quilting was woven into the story. The story poignantly reminded me that life - the people, moments, places, and memories - when meticulously stitched together, is much like a beautiful and treasured quilt.


Thank you, suzyapprovedbooktours and Stephanie Claypool, for a spot on tour and a gifted book.

[Dawn Hogan · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Thousand Tiny Stitches by Stephanie Claypool
I loved this sweet story. After the tragic death of her daughter, Amanda and son-in-law, Matt, Lily Wolfe is faced with the difficult responsibility of raising her eight-year-old granddaughter, Emma. In their unimaginable grief the two endeavor to create a new normal and try to honor Amanda’s dream of opening a quilt shop. Realizing that dream may be the only way for Emma to truly heal. A Thousand Tiny Stitches is a tale of friendship, loss, perseverance and doing what is hard, even when lacking the confidence it can be accomplished. It’s about chosen family and helping those who are carrying crushing burdens. It’s also about overcoming insurmountable obstacles. Community plays a huge part in this heartwarming story and the small town of Fellows Hollow is the perfect setting. This is women’s fiction at its best.
D.W. Hogan author of Unbroken Bonds and contributing author in Feisty Deeds anthology

[Joan Fernandez · Rating 5 out of 5]

This heartwarming tale centers around Lily, a retiree whose life jackknifes when she becomes overnight caregiver for her eight-year-old granddaughter, Emma, who is orphaned when her parents die in a car accident. Still grieving over the death of her husband, Lily is thrust into grappling with big decisions: Does she provide the right stability for her troubled grandchild? Should she take on her daughter’s dream and expense to open a quilt shop? As Lily struggles to find answers, the story tenderly cheers for Lily’s gradual emancipation from her own limiting beliefs. At a time in life where society expects retirees to fade, Lily doggedly presses forward, fighting obstacles while finding support from new friends who become new family. Set in a picturesque small town, this satisfying story is a gem.

[Ruba Abu Ali · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a journey! It’s been heartwarming to watch Lily surmount obstacles to open the quilt shop that would keep the memory of her daughter alive. The heartache of handling the grief of the passing of your daughter and your son-in-law, all the while taking care of their daughter is represented in a realistic, heartwarming and graceful manner.

Taking into account that grief is rarely linear, I could appreciate the dynamics of interaction between Lily and her grand daughter Emma, as well as their personal growth along the way. I also liked Lily’s circle of friends, which instilled humor and rapport into the book.

If you’d like a dose of humane quilt warmth, then this is a book you wouldn’t want to miss.

Thank you to Netgalley and to the Publisher for sending me an ARC of this beautiful novel in exchange of an honest review.

[Kelly Hartog · Rating 5 out of 5]

I adored this book. I'm a sucker for small-town stories where people remember how to be kind and help each other. This is such a beautifully woven story (pun intended) of a grandmother (yay for older protagonists), trying to pick up the shattered pieces of her life after a family tragedy and having to raise her young granddaughter. Fueled by her granddaughter's (and her own) grief, and an impossible dream to honour her daughter's life by opening a quilt shop, Lily puts everything on the line to make that dream a reality. This is a powerful novel about connections, finding hope in the darkness, and pursuing your passions. Claypool deftly weaves this story together with humour and pathos, opening us up to a myriad of characters who are all suffering in their own ways but somehow muddling through.

[Sue · Rating 5 out of 5]

A THOUSAND TINY STITCHES is a story of how the love between a grandmother Lily and a young granddaughter Emma helps heal their deep grief when their daughter/mother is killed. With Amanda's death, it seems her dream to open a quilt shop will cease also. But young Emma can't accept that and so Lily uses her own money to transform the abandoned house Amanda had bought.
Her endeavor leads her to new friends but also places a great strain on a long established relationship. As Lily and Emma face each new day, they will find that it takes many tiny stitches, a rascally mutt, one retired counselor and a fragile veteran to make dreams possible. If you are both a reader and a quilter (or a knitter), I think you will like this novel and may even find yourself wishing you could visit Lily's shop/home.

[Chris Barsy-Eckman · Rating 5 out of 5]

I would like to thank Stephanie for asking me to be an Advance Reader. I loved it! Such a tender story. Well developed with great understanding of the characters and where they are in their lives. It touched my heart in so many ways. I was impressed by how Stephanie established the story, defined the characters. so you really got to know them, and expressed the issues they were dealing with. I found myself drawn in loving some and really ticked off at others. I was impressed how she took the necessary time to fill in the details as the main characters' processed through their trials and tribulations. As I was reading the story and approaching the end I found myself hoping it wasn't the last chapter. I look forward to reading more of Stephanie's works.

[Jen Sinclair · Rating 5 out of 5]

I curled up with this book, and it provided exactly what I needed: an escape from current events and hope. Lily is a relatable character who tries to push her grief aside by focusing on her young granddaughter. Throughout the story, Lily encounters other emotionally wounded characters who help her along in her grief journey just as she winds up helping them. The small town is beautiful and charming, providing the perfect backdrop for Lily's story.

In A Thousand Tiny Stitches, Stephanie Claypool has stitched together a patchwork of characters with threads of emotional depth, resulting in a beautiful story about moving through grief and learning to live despite it. I look forward to more books from this debut author.