'A Vintage Affair' by Isabel Wolff

[tsjmom]

Let me just start by saying this is an incredible, can't put down, lovely novel!!! It's beautifully written with a variety of characters that I actually felt like I could know. Each of these relationships between Phoebe (the voice of the novel and main character) develops well and fully so there are no loose ends and they just seem to evolve naturally to their conclusion. There are several sub plots so that there's never a lull in the pace. I read this in less than 2 days - what kids/laundry/dishes? It reminds me of The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society. Highly recommend!!!

From Booklist
When vintage clothing expert Phoebe Swift decides to abandon her career as a Sotheby’s auctioneer, she opens London’s Village Vintage, selling only the best recycled designer duds. However, it isn’t long before we discover that the cupcake dresses and alligator clutches that populate her quaint neighborhood shop aren’t Phoebe’s only baggage. Reeling from the death of a close friend and the subsequent collapse of her wedding engagement, Phoebe is in need of a change. She certainly loves the clothing she sells for its history, but it takes a new and profound friendship with the elderly client Mrs. Bell to show Phoebe to care for herself in the same way. Although the novel is sometimes predictable, UK best-seller Wolff keeps us entertained by sending a few courtiers Phoebe’s way and threading intriguing wartime historical fiction into Mrs. Bell’s backstory. Readers with a passion for couture fashion will appreciate (and feel vindicated by!) Wolff’s well-researched and intricate descriptions of beautiful, significant vintage pieces. While the dialogue is occasionally a bit bloated, this book is a smooth read with enough flair and fun for the beach or the pool. --Annie Bostrom

[Vanessa]

I have this on my TBR pile, together with a few of this author's other books. I read Rescuing Rose a few years ago, about an agony aunt, and remember that I really enjoyed it and thought it was very amusing. There's an episode in it where the main character has burglars who also steal her parrot. But a few days later they bring the parrot back because they can't stand the fact that it talks all the time!!

[tsjmom]

Vanessa, I'm also going to check out her other books. May I suggest you move this one to the top of your TBR pile?