I read the first book a few years ago. I bought it for my mom who is a knitter to read on vacation.
I have not read books #2-4 (I thought this title was the third in the series, not the fifth... oops!)

you don't need to have been along for the ride from the beginning to enjoy this book
the author provides enough background details on the relationships of the characters to make sense of it all
it's a pretty predictable plot - you know from the foreshadowing clues as the characters are introduced how it will all wrap up - with a happy ending of course

a fast, cute, chick read