Helpful Score: 4
I love books that are set around a vintage clothing store. This was a great read. Well written characters, charming story and, oh, the clothes! This is not chick lit fluff. It has a beautiful and touching subplot about friendships and loss. I also learned a little more about the Paris roundups of July 1942, a subject I first learned about in Tatiana de Rosnay's "Sarah's Key". I'm looking forward to reading some of Ms. Wolff's earlier books. Highly recommended.
Helpful Score: 2
I enjoyed this book tremendously. I don't know much about fashion now or in the past but the descriptions of dresses was amazing. The plot line was wonderful. It had a few twists and turns that were unexpected for me. Mostly in relation to an older woman that our main characters buys some vintage clothes from for her store. The relationship that develops is so intimate. It truly crosses all boundaries. The trauma experienced by this woman as a young person during the occupation of France by the Nazis was something I wasn't expecting. The trauma of the younger woman in regard to her best friend's death and a boyfriend was such a contrast. It was really special.
Helpful Score: 1
An amazing story, it seems lots of authors are writing about vintage clothing but there is a story behind all this and it makes you fascinated to uncover what story each item of clothing holds. I really enjoyed this one by Wolff, it is my new fave!
Helpful Score: 1
Wonderful book that wraps itself in vintage fashion, for which I have a new appreciation. Through main character Phoebe Swift and her vintage dress shop, the reader is invited into stories of friendships, regrets, dreams, romance and healing. Recommended.
This was such a lovely novel. There were several stories going on at once and many interesting characters. Story line is about a woman starting her own business and her love life and the regrets in her life and her relationships with her friends and family. Also the story of a client she meets who had a tragic story to tell about occupational France. It is definitely one of those books you will remember.
A romantic, haunting tale of friends lost, lives cut short, and love ruined. Phoebe owns a vintage clothing shop, and lovers of vintage will love this book. I will admit that I didn't know all of the designers names. Sure, I know Dior, Norma Kamali, and Chanel. But I will admit, sometimes it felt a little like 'name dropping'. But don't let that dissuade you from this book. Sometimes it is a fashion book, sometimes a romance, but most importantly it is a history book. Read it and remember.
I was very excited to start this book. I kept reading in anticipation that it would get better...it however did not. I love stories that go back in forth from real time to the past. This one did that, but I would have liked a little more concentration on that part of the story rather than the main character's love life that was boring and predictable. I wanted there to be more details and story from the old woman's past. That part of the story was just kind of dropped off and barely a part of the end. If you like chick flick books that include a ton of details about clothes (which I do not) than this would be a great read for you. I think that about 1/3 of the book was explaining vintage clothing and the particulars of all the pieces she carried in her shop. Like I said, great book for a chick flick. I do not care for chick flicks.
Very good story....I enjoyed learning about vintage clothing.
I really enjoyed this story. It was not straight up 'chick lit' there was a lot of history and family and frienship to it as well. I found it hard to put down, I would rec. this to people who enjoy fashion, history and a great story of well drawn characters.
I really enjoyed this book. It was fun to hear about clothing and the allure of vintage dresses.
loved it! I have never heard of this author before but I think she could become one of my favorites. She made me want to keep reading and not put it down. Even though she dealt with a dark time in history she approached it was great sensitivity and made it very personal. I need to find other books she has written.
Great story. Had me hooked until the end. :)
Enjoyed the book very much. Anything to do with clothing and fabric is enjoyable!!!
This was a very good book. I'm not a huge "chick-lit" fan, and while this one does have some women's fiction elements to it, it also has so much more. The story just grabbed my attention and never let it go. I'm still thinking about it.
I love how the author uses the vintage clothing and Phoebe's higher end clothing store Village Vintage to bring all the parts of the story together. The main character states that she loves vintage items because she imagines the history that comes along with each piece of clothing. The author uses the stories behind the clothes along with the main character's life to tell the story, and it's almost like she's weaving together a vintage outfit herself.
I can't say too much without giving out spoilers, but the stories within the story are very moving- one in particular.
I loved reading this one, and I would definitely try another book by this author.
I love how the author uses the vintage clothing and Phoebe's higher end clothing store Village Vintage to bring all the parts of the story together. The main character states that she loves vintage items because she imagines the history that comes along with each piece of clothing. The author uses the stories behind the clothes along with the main character's life to tell the story, and it's almost like she's weaving together a vintage outfit herself.
I can't say too much without giving out spoilers, but the stories within the story are very moving- one in particular.
I loved reading this one, and I would definitely try another book by this author.
