A Vintage Affair in Pick-a-Shelf

Jun 15, 2015 Catsalive rated it really liked it

Shelves: 2024, 2014, 2010

Every dress has a history, and so does Phoebe...

Phoebe Swift always dreamt of opening her own vintage dress shop. She imagined every detail, from the Vivienne Westwood skirts hanging next to satin gowns, to sequinned prom dresses adorning the walls. At the launch of Vintage Village, Phoebe feels the tingle of excitement as customers snap up the fairytale dresses. Her dream has come true, but a secret from her past is casting a shadow over her new venture.

Then one day she meets Therese, and elder Every dress has a history, and so does Phoebe...

Phoebe Swift always dreamt of opening her own vintage dress shop. She imagined every detail, from the Vivienne Westwood skirts hanging next to satin gowns, to sequinned prom dresses adorning the walls. At the launch of Vintage Village, Phoebe feels the tingle of excitement as customers snap up the fairytale dresses. Her dream has come true, but a secret from her past is casting a shadow over her new venture.

Then one day she meets Therese, and elderly Frenchwoman with a collection to sell, apart from one piece that she won't part with... As Therese tells the story of the little blue coat, Phoebe becomes aware of a profound connection with her own life, one that will help her heal the pain of her past and allow her to love again.

I would call this enjoyable tale contemporary rather than romantic comedy, chick lit or romance. There's a lot of relationships to consider but I wouldn't say they are comedic: interesting & relatable, yes, & the interaction between the characters is believable, but not particularly funny; although, I suppose amusement does arise from an understanding of human foibles. There is romance, but friendship, grief & guilt are the more prominent themes.

For Phoebe, holding tight to grief, guilt, anger & blame over the death of a friend, meeting Mrs. Bell provided something of a watershed moment, or at least signalled the beginning of one. Therese Bell's poignant sorrow is familiar, & something that Phoebe relates to very nearly. Taking an interest in Therese's story helps Phoebe begin to heal & find a measure of comfort.

Actually, I could have done with less about Phoebe's relationships, particularly with Miles & Roxanne, & more about the wonderful vintage clothing, not so much about the designers but the history of the items. I found the passages where people found a special garment that they loved the best part of the book: how it made them feel, what it was for, how they were going to afford it. This was the fun part & I wanted more.

3.5★ rounded up. ...more

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Sep 07, 2010 Autumn rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: fiction, contemp-romance, chick-lit, i-own

3.5 stars

This was one charming story! it worked for me in some aspects, alas didnt in other regards that i thought were fundamental for this kind of theme to make a "wow" effect.

Firstly let me start with the fact that Wolff did an amazing job showcasing the Vintage fashion from all its angles. She goes into great detail of the designers of this era and what lead them to success. She really represented them as a competitive art not as the frivolous passion society has the tendency to embrace. S ...more

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Jun 30, 2010 Suzanne rated it it was amazing

Shelves: chick-lit

I haven't read such a good story in a long time! I can't believe I've never read any of Ms. Wolff's novels! That will change. :) I am by no means a fashionista and yet I found the vintage clothing talk mesmerizing. The themes wrapped around the clothes (rebirth/redemption) were brilliant. I loved all the characters - well, except Roxy, but I don't think we're meant to like her! I wish there were a sequel to this. I'd love to "see" more Phoebe, Annie, Dan, Katie, etc. ...more

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Dec 01, 2015 Deedee rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: read-in-2015, world-europe-england, contemporary-fiction, read-2015-popular-fiction, challenge-2016-winter

Enjoyable! I wish there were pictures of the clothes.

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Aug 31, 2024 Natalie rated it did not like it

The main character is selfish, immature and overall unlikable…and yet has multiple men falling for her. The storyline is easily predictable, and the writing includes far too many details. I wanted to like it based on the premise, but this book just isn’t for me.

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