Quilters of the Door (The Door County Quilt Series) by Ann Hazelwood

Quilters of the Door (The Door County Quilt Series) Reviews

• 
  Robin

  I don't know when I have finished a book and been so angry. The immediate anger was motivated by 388 pages of wishing for more and then the ending was simply a set-up for the next book in the series; most of the storylines, particularly two introduced near the end, were not given any sort of resolution. Throughout, as someone on our library site noted about an earlier book by this author, the book reads like a first-draft high school writing project. But the author has at least 23 books published, in four series--where were the editors who could have helped tighten the story, add more quilting, take out the travelogue about so many restaurants and shops in Door Country, and lose the trite adjectives? "The Almighty" references are odd as well, for a character who only goes to church possibly twice in the three months (not clear whether she actually goes on Christmas or not). There are some interesting novels with quilting at their center but this is not one of them.
• 
  Marge

  Adult women calling each other Clair bear and Cher bear - ridiculous and irritating. Woman runs a quilting business but never quilts, too busy eating and talking about her ex boyfriend who she left. Again not adult actions.
• 
  Ann Kiefer

  I’m conflicted about this book. I did not enjoy the writing or the descriptions of Door County, which is a place that I love. The dialogue was stiff and unnatural. I did not appreciate the cliffhanger ending. But somehow I managed to become interested in the characters and now I am actually considering reading the next book in the series to see how things turn out.
• 
  Sally B

  I trust she's better at quilting than writing. This is a predictable story set in the beautiful Door Peninsula. Although the standard disclaimer of no place is real, haha. All the places are real. And please, stop with all the exclamation points.
• 
  Lynn Hayward-Bisbee

  It's rare that I don't finish a book, but I just couldn't stomach this one. What is so disappointing is that I've read countless others by this same author, but this new series just doesn't compare with her others. My library did only have the audio copy and that is part of the problem, I recognize. The narrator was just not good at all and it was SO ANNOYING to have music played at the end of every chapter, especially when those chapters are so, so short.
  
  The short chapters were another thing that bugged me. Instead of having 100+ chapters in a book, how about making each chapter a wee bit longer and not end seemingly in the middle of some action every single time.
  
  I couldn't stand hearing the stupid names the characters had for each other-Claire Bear and Cher Bear-- or some such and every single time I heard it, it just turned my stomach. By about the 50th time, I told myself that was it. I'm sorry, but I just don't see grown women calling each other by such sugary sweet nicknames.
  
  I couldn't get attached to the characters in the group. There wasn't a whole lot of quilting and talking about quilting, but an awful lot of going out for coffee.
  
  There are probably more reasons why I didn't like this book, like character development, for example, but I could't get past one more time of hearing "Cher Bear and Claire Bear" to give it a try. Ann Hazelwood has written so many books, but this new series has really fallen short. Even if, or especially if you've read her previous series, you'll want to give this one a miss.
• 
  Rachel

  Adult women calling each other Clair bear and Cher Bear.
  
  There's more, but the other 1 star reviews have covered it sufficiently.
  
  Quit around page 20.
• 
  Sue

  Door County, often compared to New England's coastal beauty, is that special gem between Wisconsin's Green Bay and Lake Michigan. Authors of almost every fictional genre have attempted to make this tiny county the setting for their stories, but once they decide to do that, they must undertake the daunting task of making this blend of tourists, artists, and residents whose roots go back generations to the early fisherman, orchard growers, and farmers, come a live. Not to mention the need to capture the water, the smells, and all that Door County nature offers. As a Wisconsin resident and long time lover of this special place, I am always up to trying a new book set in Door County. And a new series combining Door County's special draw with quilting?? That would be a series not to be missed. When I requested the book QUILTERS OF THE DOOR from our library system, I did not realize that Ann Hazelwood's genre is quilt-themed fiction. With winter approaching, the time was right for this book which features Claire who has decided to move right before Christmas to Door County from Missouri after exiting a dead-end relationship. Having a new-to-the-area main character gives the perfect backdrop for the author to draw in bits of real Door County like the Door County Coffee Company. In fact, as I read the book today, my coffee flavor for the day was the same one Claire liked so much -- Cherry Creme. This was a relaxing read, but also a bit disappointing. For me, there were too many trips for coffee and lunch and too little plot. The quilting club never hooked me Now I understand that we will probably delve deeper into their lives in future books, but right now, after having just finished the book, I can only remember the tiniest bit about a couple of them. Still it's always to read a gentle book that highlight friendships and kindness. But then I got to the ending, or more accurately the absence of an ending. I now have to wait for a second book. Perhaps I'll have the opportunity for a real trip to that special Door County before I visit fictionally again.
  
• 
  Danielle Alba

  I really wanted to like this book and stuck with it hoping it would get better, but honestly, nothing happens until the last 50 pages or so. The first 350 are just following a woman around while she shops and eats.
  
  I picked up the book because it piqued my interest as I grew up in the area and am a quilter. The references to the local tourist attractions are just too much. I was hoping for more depth and dimensionality to the main characters, but it just wasn’t there.
  
  I’m disappointed as the ratings on her books seem to be decent and now need to figure out if I want to give the series one more try by reading the second one. I’m sure I’ll be debating it for a while. Like I said, I really am trying to like it. Bummer.
  
  I will say that the author did convey the politics and personalities common to quilting groups. It was hard for me to root for the protagonist however as I found her to be meddlesome and dependent to the point of frustration.
• 
  Christine Clark

  This book intrigued me because of the story location - Door County. We love Door County! That's why I gave this two stars. Our family has owned a home in Sister Bay for over 30 years. I wanted to see what Ms. Hazelwood had to say about it and how she would develop a story about quilters. Unfortunately, there wasn't much of a story. The writing was pretty poor; very stilted. Most people who know each other don't have conversations like the ones in this book. They were awkward and uncomfortable. Character development barely present. The most real and believable character was Harry. He doesn't have any idea that Claire has no interest in him other than using him to push her fundraising plan forward. Not unusual in real life either. I hated the ending! There is no point for me in continuing this series of travelogues.
• 
  Renee

  I enjoyed this story, particularly because I'm a quilter and appreciate quilts I see and the work that goes into them. it's a very quick and light read. it reminds me of a Hallmark movie. There's not a lot of drama or suspense in it. It does leave you hanging at the end and you will need to read in the series to see what happens. there are 3 books so I'm guessing that the 2nd book will leave you hanging til the 3rd book. One thing that bugged me was the pet names the main characters had for each other... Claire Bear and Cher Bear. I cringed whenever I read those. overall it was a nice story.
• 
  Karie

  Chapter 70 “The group seems to have no purpose, or am I just missing something?”
  
  That sort of sums up how I felt about this book. I don’t normally read cozy fiction but I tried this one because of the Door County/quilting subject.
  
  It was like hearing Claire tell me about her day (s) 3 pages at a time. She goes out to eat a lot.
  
  That said, I might read the next book in the series eventually 😁
• 
  Jen

  I hate to give this book 3 stars when I like it enough to continue on with the series but, it is what it is. The Claire-Bear/Cher-Bear Nick names for adults was obnoxious. In the audio book the music played between chapters was annoying and unnecessary. The story, very predictable but will continue because I do like quilts and door county.
• 
  Laurie Cwerenz

  Slow to get started but it was an enjoyable read
• 
  Debbie Dubree Noble

  Very good read and an interesting tale. Great recipe at the end.
• 
  Rosemary

  Fluffy, but engaging. I love Door County, and I love quilts. I look forward to the 2 titles yet to come in Ann Hazelwood's Door County series!
• 
  Linda Saleski

  Door County
  
  Loved this new series from Ann. New setting, new friends along with our beloved quilts! Looking forward to where the story will go.
• 
  PottWab Regional Library

  SM
• 
  Beth

  The Claire Bear/ Cher Bear drove me nuts.
  Do people talk like that?
  And the ending seriously?
  Onto book #2. A nice light quick fill up.
• 
  Mhd

  9/2021: sadly, not available from local library in any format. I've sent a "recommended to obtain" request.
• 
  Catherine Hoidal

  More Mystery
  
  Would have liked not to have Austen show up. Too much drama no mystery. I like the quilting aspect and the mystery that surrounds.