As you read the reviews on Bookshop Talk, you'll notice that every review is positive. No, we're not a bunch of literary
pushovers who love everything we pick up; we just see no point in telling you about a book if we didn't like it.

February 17, 2013

A VINTAGE AFFAIR by Isabel Wolff, 2009

Do fairytale dresses bring fairytale endings? Every dress has a history, so does Phoebe! Phoebe always dreamt of opening her own vintage dress shop. She imagined every detail, from the Vivienne Westwood bustiers hanging next to satin gowns, to sequinned cupcake dresses adorning the walls. At the launch of Village Vintage, 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, an 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 feels a profound connection with her own life, one that will help her heal the pain of her past and allow her to love again. (Goodreads)

Brooke—Wife, Mother, Reader

Clothes, I want to SEE these clothes! This touching story is filled with descriptions of vintage clothes. The main character owns a vintage clothing shop and I want to shop there myself. The clothes sound just lovely. My favorite part of this book is the characters. The characters are strong and yet flawed. Funny and quirky, yet filled with sadness. There are those you love and those you strongly dislike (shall we stay away from the word hate?).

The plot is fascinating as well. I was quickly drawn in to the mystery of both Phoebe and Mrs. Bell's past mistakes. They both have hidden the truth from others as well as partly from themselves. As the mystery unfolds, I am more and more interested in what is going to happen. There is romance and heartbreak in this story as well. There are a couple of sex scenes that I could have done without. I don't think they were necessary to the story. I admit I am disappointed that they were there and that is why this story got 4 stars instead of more. I read another review that said this would make a great movie. If enough beautiful, vintage clothes could be found, then I agree. I think it would be visually stunning. Just leave the sex scenes out.

Market: Adult Fiction
Language: Mild
Sensuality: 2-3 sexual scenes, moderate
Violence: None
Mature Themes: Holocaust

1 comment:

Brooke said...

Thank you for posting my review!

Brooke at
http://brooke-brookesbooks.blogspot.com/