The Vintage Shop: 'Hot buttered-toast-and-tea feelgood fiction' The Times

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This is the most wonderful uplifting book I’ve read in a long time! A heartwarming story that brings 3 women of different generations and countries together, all largely set in a charming Somerset town of Frome where Lou is opening her vintage shop. Lou, Donna and Maggy are each struggling with feelings of grief and belonging, and they are unexpectedly connected by a colourful and bright yellow dress that is displayed in Lou’s vintage shop which holds many memories. The story of the three women was superbly woven together with drama and humour. At times it was an emotional read but overall it was just a gorgeous story of new discoveries, family, friendship and community. Lou’s fellow traders were a fabulous bunch, welcoming and helpful, especially in times of crisis. Even when the story moved away from Frome, my interest moved too – I was so invested into these characters lives. They come to realise life is short, and should be lived to the full. Wear the yellow boots if you want to, no matter what your age! This was such a lovely little read, which explores friendship and found family in the most colourful and comforting way.

The stories of the three women ✿ all of whom were likeable, vulnerable and filled with inner strength ✿ are carefully interwoven and bound to the legend of a handmade yellow dress. This was an absolute joy to read. I did have to stop a number of times as I couldn’t read through the tears, both sad and happy, as I was completely absorbed in the lives of Lou, Donna and Maggy. These three women, across the generations form a friendship and they come into each others lives at just the right time. Lou learns more about the yellow dress, Donna learns more about her past and Maggy learns more about herself. I daresay it follows a predictable path but I find I don’t mind in the least as it’s a very diverting read which we all need at times probably particularly so now.I love this author, she just knows how to make you part of the book, you really feel like you are there. Such a beautiful story, one filled with love and heartbreak. A wonderful storyline that grabs you from the start and you won’t want to put it down. The characters in this book were brilliant, they all just played such a great part to the storyline and played their parts well. Honestly this book will having you feel all of the feels, I recommend you start it with tissues to hand. Meanwhile in New York, Donna has found out the woman she believed to be her mother actually adopted her as a baby. This makes Donna question everything she thought she knew about family and she is keen to find out more about her birth mother. I really like the premise of this one especially the vintage shop element which gives opportunities for trips down memory lane with the likes of Mary Quant and Biba! The characters are all so easy to like and very relatable. Who couldn’t love Lou in all her colourful glory and also Maggie who resets her life. Donna seems spiky but a good heart beats underneath that armour!

Donna’s life in a small town in Upstate New York is shattered by a family secret the only clue to her origins a faded photo of a girl in a yellow dress. Mainly set in Frome, Somerset, but also venturing further afield, the story is mainly told from alternate viewpoints of the three women. One of which is Lou, having given up her career to pursue her dream, a shop of her own selling vintage clothing which is her passion. The yellow dress which she remembers her mother wearing, hangs in the shop and Lou has no idea how much this beautiful item of clothing will change her life. It’s so true that clothes can make the wearer feel so different. I’m more of a jeans and a flowery top type girl myself but I only have to look at photos of me in my wedding dress to be flooded with memories of how happy that day was. Shame the dress doesn’t fit any more! I also have what I consider is very elegant slate grey dress which I have worn to special occasions such as a dinner on the Royal Yacht Britannia. Not with royalty of course but with my husband at a corporate dinner. It reminds me of the wonderful food, the amazing surroundings and how special we were made to feel. With its key themes of female friendship; loss; second chances in life; making the most of opportunities that come your way; families (those you are born into and those you create with people you choose); community; home (its where the heart is) – and a love of Vintage clothing! – it is the loveliest of reads, with a hugely satisfying ending. A delightful, heart-warming read. Lou, having returned to Frome to nurse her mother through her final days is embarking on a new adventure a second chance to have the life she really wants. With her passionate love of all things vintage, especially clothing Lou opens a vintage clothing shop. Inspired by the yellow dress of her mothers which she proudly displays in her new shop.Thank you so much to the author, the publisher and NetGalley for the advance copy of this book, all thoughts are my own. Maggy is in her 70s and facing life as a new divorcee. Her children now have children of their own and while she loves being a grandmother, she is starting to wonder what happened to the woman she used to be.

The Vintage Shop of Second Chances is a really touching story and testament to the transformational power of kindness, community and friendship. Maggy, newly divorced, over seventy and treated as a commodity by her children, mainly when it comes to looking after the grandchildren, needs some colour in her life. Having been left the house in the divorce she is simply rattling around in a grey world. Drawn into the new vintage clothes shop by a bright yellow dress which reminds her of some boots from a time gone by, Maggy discovers colour in her world again. S uch a warm and wise story about female friendship and vintage fashion. A joy to read!' ALEX BROWN Our story is told from the POV of three women; Lou, Donna and Maggy. All three of these women are facing some sort of crossroads in their lives and through unusual circumstances, they find themselves navigating those paths together.Told from multiple third person POVs there were also undiscovered letters threaded into this story of sisterhood friendship and love.