🛍👗Finding friends & family: couldn't stop reading!😌

Libby Page's novel was as warm and wonderful as I had hoped it would be from reading the book blurb. It's a moving story of transitions revolving around the lives of three contemporary women and, for two of them, the generation that preceded them. There's love and family lost, sometimes refound, and the excitement of taking on new challenges, breaking out of stale routine and testing personal limits. I loved it and found I could not lay the book down.

It's told weaving back and forth between present day and the 1950's and 60's, both in the UK and New York. Sometimes the time switch was a surprise, but I liked that it kept me wondering and engaged, particularly the part of the story about New York inn owner Donna and her birth mother.

The emotions this tale dredged up were a major factor in my five star rating. It's often poignant, always insightful, and part tragedy but decidedly inspirational. Page conveys a strong image of female friendship and unwavering support that I found particularly appealing.

Thanks to Orion Publishing and NetGalley for sharing a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest opinion.

Lou, having returned to Frome to nurse her mother through her final days is embarking on a new adventure a second chance to have the life she really wants. With her passionate love of all things vintage, especially clothing Lou opens a vintage clothing shop. Inspired by the yellow dress of her mothers which she proudly displays in her new shop.

Donna, thought she knew her whole life until some news reveals that what she knew was a lie. With only a photo of a woman in a yellow dress, she finds herself crossing the Atlantic to a vintage clothing shop in Frome.

Maggy, newly divorced, over seventy and treated as a commodity by her children, mainly when it comes to looking after the grandchildren, needs some colour in her life. Having been left the house in the divorce she is simply rattling around in a grey world. Drawn into the new vintage clothes shop by a bright yellow dress which reminds her of some boots from a time gone by, Maggy discovers colour in her world again.

These three women, across the generations form a friendship and they come into each others lives at just the right time. Lou learns more about the yellow dress, Donna learns more about her past and Maggy learns more about herself.

This wonderful gentle novel from Libby Page shows emotions and depth to the characters as well as the plot. It is great to see friendships across generations, something that I myself wholeheartedly embrace. There is much to learn from all your friends whether they be old or new and this book reflects that in abundance. Added in is the wonder and joy that clothing can bring people, how colour can bring much into your life and cheer even the most greyest of situations.

The Vintage Shop of Second Chances will bring anyone who reads it much joy and colour into their life and I am glad to have read it as it warmed my soul.

The is an amazing story about female friendships, Lou is started a new life after the death of her mother and opens her own vintage shop in Frome. I loved this story so much

I loved the Lido so I was thrilled when I saw that there was another book out by the same author…. and what a beautiful and touching book this was!!! A yellow dress brings strangers together. Lou who is still coming to terms with the death of her mother. Donna who has just found out she was adopted and is trying to find her birth mother and Maggy whose divorce has just come through. Keep a box of tissues handy as there are a good few times you are going to need them.
An easy 5⭐️ recommendation!

A story of friendship, making one's dreams real and how we can find our root. A sweet and well written story that made me smile.
Good storytelling, lovely setting, relatable characters.
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this arc, all opinions are mine

Thanks to the publishers and Netgalley for an early review copy.

After losing her mother, Lou follows her dream and opens a vintage clothes shop in the town she grew up - Frome. The shop is packed with vintage pieces that she has chosen herself, but in all the shop merchandise there’s one item that’s not for sale, and that is, a yellow dress with embroidered flowers, it was her mother’s, and she hung in pride of place in her shop. The dress is the centrepiece to this story. A story of family, friendships and second chances.

The dress draws in Maggy to the shop as well as Donna, who finds it on the internet, it being the one clue to a long ago family secret. They both come into Lou’s life when she needs them most. Each one helps the other in their lives as well as, to take their own second chances.

I loved this book, beautifully written, the issues covered were addressed sensitively.

I recommend this book.

I loved the setting of this book, and I loved the vintage shop element, full of nostalgia.
With a host of different characters, this is a book that can be enjoyed by a variety of ages.

The Vintage Shop of Second Chances is a comforting, gentle, easy read set around a vintage clothes shop in Frome and a yellow dress that connects long-lost relatives. Ultimately this is a story about friendship and love that fans of The Lido will also enjoy - just be warned that all the plot developments are easily predicted.

A sweet, uplifting story – loved it.

Thank you NetGalley for my complimentary copy in return for my honest review.

I can not express how much I loved this book. Yes it's a little cheesy in places, bit predictable, but the story is so wonderful, the characters so vibrant that I can easily forgive a smidge of that!
Lou has just opened up her shop selling vintage clothes. She used the inheritance her mother gave her to fulfil this dream. When first we meet her, she is living in a hotel whilst the "flat above" is renovated.
Also in the village live Maggy, divorced and despondent. Needing a new life. And looking for a lodger ;)
And then there's Donna who loves in New York and who is about to have her world exploded when she sees a photo of a yellow dress... one she is very familiar with... one which currently hangs in Lou's shop...
And so begins a journey for each of the women, both together and separately. Giving them all something they never knew they needed or realising what they already knew they wanted. But never had the guts to go out and get it. It's a lovely take of, well, new beginnings, old endings, resolution and dare I say, coming of age!
As I started the book I knew I was getting into something special. Something that would grip me wholly and fully and I was so glad that I started it at a weekend when I had no obligations! As it did suck me in and, on the odd occasion I did have to put it down, it still consumed my thoughts...
And then when the story was nearly over I realised that it wouldn't be long before I had to say goodbye to the friends (yes friends) I had only just met...
All this reminds me to get on and bump her other books up my tbr.
My thanks go to the Publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read this book.

The Vintage Shop of Second Chances, Libby Page ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Welcome to the world of Lou and the friends she doesn’t realise will become such a wonderful part of her life, Maggy and Donna. Lou has put her heart and soul into setting up a vintage clothes shop in the beautiful town of Frome but she is struggling after the death of her beloved mother. Maggy finds herself alone after divorce in her 70s and unsure of how to start again - where is the colourful person she used to be? And Donna, thousands of miles away in America, discovers a secret that turns her world upside down. All women are linked together by a gorgeous yellow dress that hangs in pride of place in Lou’s shop.

We slowly unravel the history of the dress, the woman who made it and those she loved most. What I love is how Libby Page makes us feel like all the women are real, painting them so wonderfully, and getting to know them was an honour. As in The Lido, she brings themes of inter-generational friendship and women helping other women; as well as weaving in stories about the past and how they inform the present.

Each of the women gets a second chance to grab what they really want - and need - out of life; and I love the message that it is never too late. There is a fantastic feel of community and how powerful it can be. This is such an uplifting read and I devoured it on my kindle on the way home from my holiday on Saturday! I have read all Libby’s books and they really are such a treat.

Thanks to @netgalley for the advance copy and of course to @libbypagewrites for writing such a fantastic and heart-warming read! Perfect for these cold days.

I love Libby Pages’s books and this did not disappoint! A delightful read - absorbing, emotional and satisfying.

I loved the main characters - Lou recovering from nursing her mum, Maggie picking up the pieces of life after her divorce and Donna learning about her real past. Their lives intertwine and enrich each other. They help each other face their challenges and form new friendships.

Key themes are female friendship, loss, second chances and the nature of families.

One I will be recommending.

Among the cobbled streets of the Somerset town of Frome, Lou is embarking on the start of something new. After the death of her beloved mother, she takes a deep breath into the unknown and is opening her own vintage clothes shop. In New York Donna has just found out some news about her family which has called into question her whole upbringing. Maggy is facing life as a 70-something divorcee and while she got the house, she’s not sure what to fill it with now her family have moved out.

I really enjoyed The Vintage Shop of Second Chances by Libby Page. I was looking for something a little light-hearted and this ticked all the boxes. I enjoyed the three stories and how they intertwined with each other. I love second hand and charity shops and we love the pretty town of Frome where the book is set.

For me, this was an easy read – I read it in a few days over the Christmas holidays. If you’re looking for a little escapism then this is the book for you.

I read Libby’s first book The Lido and something just clicked and felt homely. Since then I’ve devoured every word of her writing and adored it all. There’s something very unique and special about all her works. This one is a brilliant and beautiful entanglement of three females, their friendship and a good dose of fashion. This is a lovely warm and uplifting read that I’m sure will find its way to my re-read list.

I absolutely loved this book, a story of new beginnings, and hope.
Libby's characters are so likeable that you feel as if you know them.
This book is a little ray of sunshine.

I love how the story unfold around the three ladles, although very different they each have a very special part in the book. As does the yellow dress that I could almost see.

I would highly recommend this book of courage, strength, and friendship. If you haven't read a Libby page book, what are you waiting for?

Unfortunately I just couldn't settle into this story, I dont think Libby Page is an author for me. I can't quite put my finger on it, but it just didn't flow for me.

A feel-good, uplifting story about supportive female friendships.

*Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for providing an e-galley in exchange for an honest review.

It is said that you should never judge a book by its cover – but I’m about to be really judgy about book titles! I have to confess if something says ‘vintage’ or ‘shop’ or even worse ‘vintage teashop / teashoppe’ – then it is likely to be a no from me before even reading it. However, having adored Libby Page’s previous books – I decided to give this vintage shop a chance, and I am very pleased I did.

Here’s the blurb:

“Among the cobbled streets of the Somerset town of Frome, Lou is embarking on the start of something new. After the death of her beloved mother, she takes a deep breath into the unknown and is opening her own vintage clothes shop.
In upstate New York, Donna has just found out some news about her family which has called into question her whole upbringing. The only clue she has to unlock her past is a picture of a yellow dress, and the fact it is currently on display in a shop in England.
For Maggy, she is facing life as a 70-something divorcee and while she got the house, she’s not sure what to fill it with now her family have moved out. The new vintage shop in town sparks memories of her past and reignites a passion she’s been missing…
Together, can these three women find the answers they are searching for and unlock a second chance at a new life?”

You are initially following the stories of Lou, Donna and Maggy – and a girl in a yellow dress (but you don’t know her name) – and the stories are separate, but then start to entwine. The relationship between 20 something Lou and 70 something Maggy reminded me very much of Libby Page’s debut novel, The Lido, and the connection in that book between Kate and Rosemary – just lovely.

Whilst the ladies are the main characters, there are a supporting cast of family and friends – and potential love interests – but the book fundamentally revolves around female friendship in the midst of family upheavals of different sorts.

It’s beautifully written, captures emotions and relationships well, and has enough twists and turns to not be too predictable.

The descriptions of Somerset and the East coast of the US – are both done well and make you feel like you’re there.

There is minimal sex (all tastefully written), no drugs (apart from glasses of wine) and not quite rock and roll (but there is a band playing at a party) – and is just really ‘nice’.

A lovely, gentle, escapist read – and out in February 2023.

A big thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for my ARC.

Since The Lido, Libby Page has been my go-to author for feel good reads and The Vintage Shop of Second Chances doesn't disappoint.
Lou has just lost her mother and starts a new chapter by putting her energy, finances and dreams into starting her own vintage clothes shop in Frome.
Maggy is treading water in her life after her husband has left her and her children rely on her for babysitting duties.
Meanwhile Donna in the USA discovers she is adopted and sets out to find her real mother.
Their three lives intersect as family history is revealed and all three grow in their future ambitions as they learn from each other.
An enjoyable comfort read that raises your serotonin levels from the warm glow coming off the pages.

I know this will be good as it is clearly written well but can’t personally cope with some of the sadness at the start