I adored Libby Page’s debut novel, The Lido, but since then I’ve not had the chance to read her other books but when I saw details for The Vintage Shop of Second Chances on Amazon I just knew I had to read it. This is a lovely relaxing read that embraces you from the first page and you quickly come to care deeply for the three female protagonists. It’s a warm, inviting and moving story where you journey with the three women and see connections become apparent and solid friendships developing across the generations.

The vintage shop of the title provides opportunities for second chances and as the bonds tighten with the women you experience tears, secrets and pain but also there is a chance to share love, laughter and friendship which pulls each of them through challenging and dark moments. They all need an opportunity to turn their lives around and with a renewed sense of determination they set about doing just that and it was a pleasure to read of their journey.

Lou grew up in the Somerset town of Frome and left to pursue other experiences but returned when her mother fell ill. Her mother has since passed away and all Lou now has is the vintage shop where she has collected vintage clothes and accessories. She is surrounded by many memories and colourful clothes but she can’t hide the sadness that exudes from her. She is under pressure to keep the shop going and has realised life is short and she should not put off her dreams anymore. She has never been a risk taker but has put a lot of money and hard work into the shop and she is willing it to be a success.

There is a yellow dress once owned by Lou’s mum which takes pride of place in the shop which she can’t bear to sell. It is this dress that will bring Lou, Maggy and Donna together and I loved how this all unfolded. There was a slow, steady and easy pace which allowed you to come to know the characters, their viewpoints and emotional stances. Grief for Lou means she has a lack of confidence even though she always tries her best and puts forward a positive persona on the outside. Inside she is hurting and needs a distraction. The shop will be that diversion but little does she realise it will provide her with some of the most memorable and happiest moments of her life.

Maggy is officially divorced after 50 years of marriage after her husband left her for another woman. Her children are all grown up and to be honest she just came across as being totally lost and bewildered after having her security swept from underneath her. Perhaps, she was the weakest of the three on first being introduced. She knows something has to change. She can’t spend the rest of her life moping alone and without direction and any colour or exuberance in her life. She advertises for a lodger and Lou is the person who takes the space as the flat above the shop is not ready yet. The pair establish a tentative yet informal connection which grows when Lou finds yellow Mary Quant boots which reveal a very much different side to the drab Maggy that exists today.

I loved how the plot took on a different tone then as we learn more of Maggy’s history which she slowly reveals to Lou. We are taken back in time to a very different Maggy where she was young and in some ways naïve. Love plays a crucial role and Lou urges her to find what she has been missing. After all she is now at the point where her solid life has been upturned and maybe this was meant to happen all along even if it did take so many years for this to occur. She can’t always wonder what might have been and you are cheering Maggy on when she takes Lou’s advice. In doing so, another strand of the story is opened up which begins across the waters in America.

Donna is the third woman we meet and although Lou is my favourite in this book, Donna comes a close second. Donna had always felt safe and secure in her hometown in America with her family but when her mother falls ill a major revelation comes to the fore and everything she thought she knew has been turned on its head. What Donna learns makes her call into question everything she has taken for granted and she sets about finding the answers to the many questions that are now constantly running through her head. She really needs to find out more about where she came from and when she finds Lou’s shop online with the yellow dress she feels it calling to her and she knows she has to travel to England.

There is a whole other story that develops that digs back into the past but to give any more details bar the already given overview would spoil things. But suffice to say I loved the aspect of the story that took us back in time and how the clothes and items that were mentioned then had such a forbearing on events in the present. The connections that became apparent the further the women delved didn’t at all feel farfetched or contrived. Instead, things just all flowed together at such a smooth, steady and assured pace and I was constantly guessing as to how things would all join up.

I loved the sense of mystery and of working together to solve it and in doing so questions would be answered but at the same time a unique bond was forming between the women. They were missing things in their lives and all three, although on separate journeys, came together at pivotal points and were there for each other. Three strangers became united and the power of female friendship, solidarity and support was felt immensely the further the plot unfolded. The dress is like a fourth character as it plays an essential role in binding the many strands of the story together but around that swirls the challenges each woman is facing and whether they set out to or not they each help each other and in doing so their own personal grievances, issues and emotions are highlighted and advice, support, courage, strength and love is all provided and that’s what makes this a lovely book.

The Vintage Shop of Second Chances does what it says on the tin so to speak. Three women find each other and through the shop and the dress are given second chances when they least expect it. In the beginning, I don’t think they even realised that they needed it. Libby Page has written a wonderful, feel-good, inspiring story that many readers will happily lose themselves in for a few hours of pleasurable reading time. Each of the women get under your skin and by the end you don’t wish to leave them. Moving forward, dealing with grief, coping with the unexpected are all themes explored and are done so in a sensitive yet uplifting way that will leave you with a smile upon your face.

I was pulled into this book by the concept that clothes/footwear/accessories hold memories relating to owners. "If clothes could talk..." This is explored further as the story progresses, looking at how what we wear reflects how we are feeling or can change how we feel.
I liked the different backgrounds of the three narrators. For me, this helped to distinguish each of them. I could feel the emotional place the different narrators are in.
Good choice for readers looking for a feel-good read or exploring other paths.

A wonderful story about reconnecting with the past. I love the idea of the stories behind the clothes - and Lou’s passion for the shop and clothes was lovely to read. The community described sounded wonderful - each small business owner supporting the next and sharing such care. I’m a huge fan of Libby Page’s writing and her characters are always so real and brilliantly warm. I really enjoyed seeing Maggie grow in confidence and Lou’s zest for life despite everything she’d been through was lovely. Donna grew on me over the story and the tentative relationship she started with Maggie and Lou was very sweet. Another brilliant story from Libby Page.

I loved reading The Lido by Libby Page so was eager to start this one. It is a fascinating tale about three women and how their lives have suddenly changed. Circumstances eventually bring them together and a wonderful friendship is formed. The Vintage Clothes Shop and the neighbouring businesses are at the centre of this story of twists and turns. Friendship and camaraderie between this local community are highlighted as the story unfolds . I highly recommend that you buy this book.

The Vintage Shop of Second Chances by Libby Page is a Blend of Family, Friendship, and Women's Fiction!

Within a few days, three women who are complete strangers, each of a different age and background, will cross paths in the Somerset town of Frome...

Hometown girl, 30-ish Lou, deciding to remain in Frome after the death of her mother, opens a vintage clothing store. She loves everything vintage, wears 1950's style make-up, and dresses in the colors and patterns of vintage fashion. Can she make this risky venture a success?

In Upstate New York, 60-ish Donna has been told shocking news about her family causing her to question everything she knows. The only clue to her past is a photo of a young woman in a yellow dress, currently on display in a vintage shop in England. How can she possible begin her search alone in a foreign country?

Newly divorced, 70-ish Maggie is now the sole-owner of her large family home but without anyone living there, she's horribly lonely. Would a shopping trip to the new vintage shop in town to reminisce about her past cheer her up a bit?

Will combining their efforts help Lou, Donna, and Maggie find the answers they're searching for and offer a second chance at a new life for each of them?

The Vintage Shop of Second Chances is the first book I've read by British author, Libby Page and this story gave me exactly what I needed at the time. It's a Family and Friendship Fiction story that's light on romance, heavy on backstory, focusing on three fully-developed main characters and what brings them together. It was a quick, easy read with just the right amount of emotional pull and relevant topics.

Although this won't be a memorable or stand-out read for me, I do recommend The Vintage Shop of Second Chances as a delightful little respite for those who enjoy Women’s Fiction, giving your mind a nice little break from the constant 'flow' of unwanted information that goes in one ear and out the other. "Choose the flow", I say, just like I did and I hope, if you decide to partake in this easy-to-read-story, you enjoy meeting Lou, Donna, and Maggie as much as I did!

3.5 stars!

Thank you to NetGalleyUK, Orion Publishing Group, and Libby Page for an ARC of this book. It has been an honor to give my honest and voluntary review.

My first read of a Libby Page book which I thoroughly enjoyed. Relatable characters and an excellent storyline.

What a delightfully charming story of family, friendships and discovery. Reading this has been like a warm hug in a book, with a few emotional tears escaping, thrown in for good measure.

The main characters leapt off the page and into my heart! Lou, a thirty something, carrying the massive grief of losing her mum;
Donna, an American lady of 60, rocked by some surprising news that fills her with uncertainty and questions and finally the adorable 70 year-old Maggy, reeling at her unexpected divorce, the loneliness and loss of identity. The emotional depth of these characters and how their lives evolve and intertwine makes this a real feel-good story.

Finding great friendship and love in the most unexpected places is really uplifting (you may need a tissue in places)

Add into this the vibrant ‘Vintage Shop’ where colours and clothes bring real joy with stories of lives lived and you have a brilliantly plotted, fabulous story!

I really enjoyed reading this book, the three female characters were strong, likeable characters. I liked the interaction between them.
I like storylines that have second chances for the characters. This also had an old secret that was slowly revealed. This was a very engaging and heartwarming read.
Thank you to Netgalley and the Publisher for my ARC.

A gentle story of young and old, well told.

Lou is finally seeing her dream come true of owning and running her very own vintage clothing shop, but the flat above isn't ready for her to move into yet so she's looking for somewhere cheaper to stay from the hotel she's currently living in. Maggy, a young 70, is divorced and rattling around in a house too big for her, and she's lonely. Donna lives in the states and has just discovered that her past is not as she thought, and the only link she has is a yellow dress, currently on display in an English shop. These three women may not know it, but they need each other . . .

This is a lovely tale which connect all three women beautifully without being trite. Filled with believable characters I really enjoyed it but, as a former shop owner, I had to dispense with belief at one point. I do realise it's only fiction but I'm not keen when it's not realistic. Having read and enjoyed Libby Page's other novels, this one fell a bit short of the mark for me, although I will read any future books. For me, four stars.

"'Do you want to open the door?' says one of the women, holding out a key. The woman at her side shakes her head and reaches for her arm. 'Let's do it together.' It's time to open the shop and welcome their customers. But it's so much more than that too. For both women, it's time for a second chance."

Vintage clothing and small businesses bring women, friends and family, together in this heartwarming tale. Partly set in Frome, Somerset, there's also a transatlantic element in the New England Town of Cold Springs. With four, strong but different female protagonists of different ages, Lou, Maggy, Donna and Eleanor, and told over two time periods, the reader is taken on a journey of their lives, how and why they intersect and what a beautiful, old yellow dress means to them all. The women are aged between 30s and 70s, each facing their own challenges, whether it's grief, divorce, illness or autism (the latter not clarified, but I suspect Donna is autistic - I have autistic family members - so am pleased she is portrayed positively, finding her own way). There are existing families, new families and some romance, with the well-drawn characters at the heart of the story.

It's an ode to small businesses keeping our high streets going, to female friendship and to hope after adversity, skillfully told by this experienced author, who has packed a lot in. I think it's my favourite of the author's yet, although The Lido is excellent too in this uplifting genre.

I have read and have got all of Libby books and this one is my favourite out of all of them, I love how Libby is able to drawn you in as an author and capture your imagine and I have version in my head of all the amazing vintage goodies for sale in Lou Shop and felt like I was in the shop myself touching and smelling of these goodies, Without giving any spoilers away this book is full of second chances and it is never too late to start again, and I am going to be visiting my local vintage shops soon to see if I can find my own yellow dress or something similar.

I wish Libby all the best with this outstanding book

It took me a while to get into this book and I almost gave up, but I’m so glad I didn’t! It turned out to be an absolute treat: a lovely story of strong female friendship, second chances and found family. I read most of the last 30% with tears in my eyes. I loved the gradual reveal of the historic secret and the parallels between past and present were cleverly done and added real depth to the story. A truly uplifting story.

This was such a lovely little read, which explores friendship and found family in the most colourful and comforting way.

After the death of her Mother, fashion-loving Lou opens the vintage clothing shop of her dreams. In which, hanging pride of place for all to see, is her Mum's beloved yellow dress. Lou has always wondered about the story behind each of the vintage pieces she sells but she would never of guessed the story, her Mum's dress has yet to reveal...

Enter Maggy, who has lost her way after her recent divorce and Donna, who is struggling to come to terms with the news that she was adopted. Lou's yellow dress, sparks a journey of self-discovery and second chances when it connects the three women in the most unexpected way. Bringing a little bit of sunshine into their lives, when they needed it the most! ☀️

Wonderfully engaging, with an emotional and heartfelt story at it's core, The Vintage Shop of Second Chances was a real joy to read. Warmth and love radiated effortlessly from it's pages and through it's characters. It's an absolute gem of a novel, a real feel-good read.

I really enjoyed it! 💕🛍️👗

Libby Page is really good at her craft by now, and we open the book with two women opening a shop, together, hand in hand, good friends and very excited. Then we move to Somerset and our heroine, Lou, is getting ready to ... open a shop. She is a vintage clothing fan, to say the least - and I loved all the descriptions of her own fabulous outfits - and after nursing her mother through her final illness, she has made a change and left her boring job to open a shop to sell lovely pre-owned fashion. In the window and on her website is a beautiful hand-embroidered yellow dress.

The tagline "It's never too late to start again" could apply to Lou, though she's only in her 30s, or to the clothes. Or to Donna, in upstate New York, who has just been told something shocking that has jolted her out of her comfortable, predictable life (Donna is quite clearly placed on the autism spectrum, although this is not named: she is allowed by her author and her co-characters to develop and change at her own pace, positively) and the only clue she has is a photograph of a woman wearing a hand-embroidered dress. Meanwhile, Maggy is having to face up to divorce in her 70s, rattling round in her big house but having to look after her grandchildren all the time, thinking back to some bright yellow boots and a tantalising romance she had in the 1960s. When a women comes into the vintage shop, attracted by the dress, a chain of events is set in place which will connect the three women in unexpected ways (that deliciously don't work out quite as expected).

Around this trio are the workman who's doing up Lou's flat above the shop, and does remember her from school, family members and old friends, and the other independent traders who all gather round to support Lou, especially when she's up against it. Where did the dress really come from, and will Lou's business make it through those difficult starting times? Will Maggy stand up for herself and cut down on the childcare, and will Donna find out her true history? As I said above, this is far more about friendship, intergenerational or close in age, and care, and I loved it for that.

My review on my blog: https://librofulltime.wordpress.com/2023/02/09/book-review-libby-page-the-vintage-shop-of-second-chances/

I’m a fan of Libby Page and have read a few of her books and as always this one did not disappoint. I love her characterisation and this was was all about the characters, of making friend and finding family and about a community coming together, I enjoyed getting to know them all very much. A lovely read and I highly recommend. Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for this early copy

Libby Page was one of those authors that completely passed me by until I started book blogging and this is the first of her novels that I’ve reviewed. I don’t know why I hadn’t picked up one of her books before, because reading this gave me the same feel as an Adriana Trigiani or Marian Keyes novel. There were strong female characters, female friendships, achieving ambitions and fulfilling long held dreams. There are deep emotional aspects bringing flavour and depth to her story, but also enough icing and sprinkles to lift the spirits. Here the sprinkles were one of my favourite things, vintage clothing. Our heroine is Lou, who moved to a small market town to care for her mother who was terminally ill. Since her death Lou has been working hard, selling the family home and buying a shop with flat above in the town centre. With builder Pete upstairs creating her living space, Lou has opened the shop and is looking at ways to save money and boost business. Pete puts her in touch with Maggie, another lady who has gone through a big change. Maggie’s a grandmother and often provides care for her grandchildren in the house that was the family home. However, her husband has recently left Maggie for a younger woman and she is rattling round in the big house. So, when Pete suggests that she rents a room to Lou until her flat is ready it turns out to be a lifeline for both of them. Finally, we have Donna, who works at her family’s hotel in the US. In a daily uniform of jeans and hotel sweatshirt, Donna follows a routine where she does the paperwork and the books and checks in on her elderly parents, but she too has a shock in store. When her mother suffers a sudden mini-stroke, her conscience causes her to disclose a family secret - they are not Donna’s birth parents, her mother was a woman from a small market town in England.

The thing that links these disparate women is a vintage dress. 1950’s in style and a stunning buttercup yellow this dress has a full circle skirt just made for dancing. Embroidered with meadow flowers, the dress hangs above the counter in Lou’s vintage shop and is the only item that isn’t for sale. It’s flanked by a picture of her mother Dorothy, the owner of the beautiful dress. I love vintage clothes and this dress, plus the descriptions of her shop really did draw me in. I love colour and just reading Lou’s outfits and her transformation of Maggie’s wardrobe made me smile and inspired me to be more colourful again. The warm feeling I got from Maggie and her beautiful home helped as well and within a couple of chapters I had completely relaxed into their world. Each woman had her own chapters throughout so we could see things through their viewpoint. While I felt an immediate kinship with Lou and Maggie, Donna seemed less accessible. She was very intent on routine and was considered abrupt or even rude by some people. I wondered if she was neuro divergent and suffering from anxiety, so her routines and uniform might have come from an inability to change or decide when under pressure. All these women face change and have to start life anew. In between their narratives are very short chapters from the past, where a young woman is making a yellow embroidered dress for a secret assignation with a man she’s fallen in love with.

I really enjoyed the journey to understanding the owner of the stunning dress and how it ended up at Lou’s shop. There is a revelation for all concerned when Donna gets on a plane and travels to England and to Lou’s shop. A series of letters between sisters add an extra clue to the mystery. Aside from this main story there are other subplots that also caught my imagination. I loved Maggie and her journey of rediscovery is a joyous one. When Lou arrives it’s clear Maggie is trained by years of looking after someone else: her husband, her children, guests. She’s not putting any love into herself and this shows in her completely black wardrobe. A little bit of input from Lou and she’s wearing orange with combinations of colours she didn’t expect. This small change and their growing friendship means that Maggie is busy for the first time in a long time. Her children can’t rely on her for free child care because she’s not home and this is just the start of Maggie accepting her divorce and creating a new life for who she is now. That’s partly a case of reconciling with her past and a summer in 1960’s London where she was the sort of girl who wore yellow Mary Quant boots and fell in love with an artist. There is romance here, but it’s not the only story. This story is about women supporting and inspiring each other and being our best selves. I liked that there was a lot of emphasis on self- care, from the colourful vintage clothes to taking control and finding our passion in life, instead of being the care givers we’re often expected to be. I came away from this story glad that society’s moral standards have changed and that for many women their lives are no longer ruined by shame or fear of what the neighbours might think. I felt like I’d been given a warm hug and I came away from the story smiling and inspired to wear some of my more colourful clothing.

I absolutely loved this book and flew through it. I’m a fan of Libby Page anyway and she’s really excelled with this one. We meet Lou who is opening a vintage clothing shop back in her home town in Somerset, making a new start. Her life quickly becomes entwined with two other women, as secrets come to light.
I loved the flashbacks to the past, the vivid descriptions of the clothing and town and how beautifully the story came together.
It’s very moving and sad in places, themes such as grief feature prominently. There is the promise of new beginnings, but inevitably the loss that comes before. I also really liked the structure, with the focus alternating among the characters. Highly recommend, well done Libby you’ve done it again!

I absolutely loved this book. Libby Page is one of my favourite authors and this book did not disappoint.

If this was a Hallmark film I’d be bawling by the first act. I absolutely loved how this picked up the threads of three women’s lives and binds them together into a captivating story.
All Lou has to remember her mother by is a yellow dress and she marks the opening of her vintage clothes shop by displaying it front and centre. She doesn't realise it will lead Donna to her door. Donna, in New York State only has a picture of the yellow dress but the power of the internet leads her to England.
Maggie is post divorce empty nesting and yet she discovers although some doors are closed her life is opening windows to the future.
This book is strong on women helping other women but also the power of family and the wider responsibility and joys of community

The yellow dress hanging in Lou’s vintage dress shop brings back so many memories for her. It was her late mother’s dress and reminds her of happy times. Clothes are a big thing to Lou and the reason she has opened her lovely shop. Lou’s idea behind the shop is that the beautiful clothes she sells get second chances to shine and make their new owners happy. It’s so true that clothes can make the wearer feel so different. As you can guess from the title of the book, second chances are so important in many ways in this book.

Another important theme running through the book is that of community. The small town of Frome in Somerset where it is set is the author’s own town and clearly a place she loves. It’s the kind of community where everyone knows each other and looks out for each other. The community of small businesses was lovely to read about and their support for each other was so important. It’s a reminder of how important it is to support local businesses because of course, it’s not just the businesses you are supporting but the people behind them. That community really rallied for Lou when she needed them.

Unexpected friendships are a big feature and the unexpected opportunities they can unlock. Over the course of a very short time, Lou becomes friends with Maggy, who is a warm and wonderful character. This friendship proved fortuitous for both women and really changed their lives. I loved the way they were so encouraging to each other and just what each other needed even though they hadn’t realised they needed that special friend. That yellow dress features again in Donna’s story as through a photograph of a woman wearing the dress, she discovers that she has links to the UK that she’d been completely unaware of. Although she seemed quite a stiff and uncompromising character to begin with, the relationships and friendships which develop really change her life too and reveal much about the past to her and Lou.

The Vintage Shop of Second Chances is a really touching story and testament to the transformational power of kindness, community and friendship.