This was my first book by Annie Darling, I really enjoyed this story it was straight into the lives of these characters, it was quite a page turner for me, I really wanted to know what was going to happen, I am looking forward to reading some more of this authors books.

I love love love this story, the characters are so good and the story is really sweet. I could picture the vintage dress shop and all the staff that worked there, the dresses that Cress was making I could picture, it helps that I am a Breakfast at Tiffany’s type of person. The relationships between the main characters and the love story that developed.

Thank you NetGalley and Hodder & Stoughton for this eCopy to review

A Change of Heart at the Vintage Dress Shop was a lovely feel good read. It has beautiful vintage dresses, a coming into self-confidence and the finding of love. Don't stay stuck in a rut at work or with a partner who doesn't appreciate you, it is never too late for a new adventure. Cress is happy doing alterations in the backroom of a Vintage Dress shop, and looking forward to moving in with her long-term boyfriend of 15 years. However, Colin drops a huge bombshell and upsets all Cress' plans.

Forced to look at herself and her life Cress sees that she has just been plodding along, what follows is a whirlwind adventure where she finds a new purpose and a new man - I absolutely love Miles - he is the perfect book boyfriend!

Sparkling and crisp - delicious storytelling 💖

Cress mends and alters the dresses sold in the Vintage Dress Shop in London. She’s meticulous and focused and clever at her work. She’s been dating Colin for 15 years, while she lives at home and saves up for them to get a house together. Her boyfriend Colin is a vintage record buff and lives at home too - but he’s not the hero 😉. Colin makes a big mistake and unfortunately for him, it’s a deal breaker for Cress. As she manages the fall out in their relationship, in swans Miles in sunglasses. He’s an assistant film director and is working on a film sourcing dresses from the shop.

It’s a (very) slow burn and unlike some of Annie’s other novels the growing romance between Cress and Miles is the main focus. These two are fully formed, in their thirties, with a good idea of what they want, even if Cress has to change it up. Their arc is all about being brave enough to find each other - and then make it happen. It's all about Cress though, Miles is gorgeous and very cool, but Cress is much more fully realised.

The third key character is London itself - the underground, the coffee shops and delis, the parks and the traffic and the weather over this sweltering summer. How easy it is to forget what life is like without air conditioning 😮 There’s so much affection for the city which is as messy and gorgeous and wonderful as this love affair. There’s even more - classic records and music, vintage dresses, how to sew, a fashion fair and all the shenanigans of the shop staff and the film crew - not forgetting British Bulldog Coco Chanel!

My only peeve is that the cover does not do this justice. It’s all so very funny and closely observed - so many ‘blink and you’ll miss it’ moments and snippets (The Clash - ‘London Calling’) ('… a literal minute, not an estate agent’s minute …'). Read it over a lazy weekend but it’s also a book that will reward you for paying close attention. Can you tell that I absolutely loved this?

Thank you so much NetGalley, Annie Darling and Hodder & Stoughton for the ARC. Opinions are my own.

I loved this! This was the first book I’ve read by Annie Darling and definitely won’t be the last. Even though I haven’t read the previous book in the series I felt this story worked well as a stand alone. I soon fell in love with the characters and loved the camaraderie between the Vintage Dress Shop staff especially, I even found myself warming to Phoebe’s character by the end! This was a lovely, Summery read and I really enjoyed following Cress and Miles story. . Highly recommend!

I didn't realise this book was a sequel. The fact that I hadn't read the first book didn't matter, as this book can be read as a standalone. I loved the setting of the vintage dress shop. I liked Cress's character and could empathise with what she was going through. Miles was great too, as were all the shop team (including Coco Chanel). A nice romance but also a story about a woman re-inventing herself. With thanks to NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

How wonderful to return to the Vintage Dress Shop. I absolutely loved the first book and gave it 5*
This one was equally funny with brilliant characters which made it a real page turner for me. This book is not to be missed.
Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for the ARC in return for an honest review.

It is good to return to the vintage dress shop with all the lovely characters. Cress is such a wonderful person and makes her customers feel really good about themselves which can change their lives. This was a wonderful romantic novel which is an ideal summer read.

Cressida can sew and transform any dress at the Vintage Dress Shop where she works. However, her personal life is shambles. She has just broken up with her boyfriend of 15 years and is not sure where her life is heading.
However, a customer needs a transformation and Cressida is able to do what she does best - design.
Soon her life follows and her friendship with Miles grows.
Can she leave the old pattern behind and begin a new one.

Brilliant return to the dress shop. This time focusing on Cressida who is the step sister of Sophy from the first book. They re step sisters and best friends but Sophy is all loved up whilst Cress is unsure of where her 15 year relationship is going and when she finds out Colin has lied to her she is all out of sorts add in Miles her new friend and she dosnt know what to do.
Great to catch up with old characters and to learn more about the rest. Great read

I love a return to a previously visited location and this one is no different. We revisit the Vintage Dress Shop in the height of summer and Cress is struggling with the heat. She's happy with her life until her boyfriend of 15 years Colin drops a massive bombshell - maybe it's time for her to relook at her relationship? This happens as the gorgeous Miles starts visiting the shop on a regular basis - can Cress's head be turned? A funny loveable summer tale, I loved it.

A Change of Heart at the Vintage Dress Shop, the second book in the series but I went in to it having not read the first and works as a stand alone book too!

Cress and her boyfriend Colin are childhood sweethearts, been together for 15 years, but when Cress is ready to take the step to buy a property together things don't go quite to plan.

After a big argument they avoid each other, Cress wondering if they have broken up, on a break or just not talking a film director (Miles) steps in to the shop giving her all the feels that she misses when she's with Colin.

As the story develops Cress builds a friendship with Miles, she starts to think about her career moving on from repairing the vintage dresses to discover her love as a dressmaker.

I enjoyed this book and the relationship of Cress and Miles. Colin just annoyed me as did his mother! Lol. The other characters also balanced the story well. Lovely read to get me out of a book slump!

Thanks to NetGalley download

This is a fab book. A second book but can read alone . Absolutely loved it. . Great to be back in the vintage clothes shop. There are great characters including Cocoa channel the dog. Cressida was the main character and she blossomed into a strong character . Her sewing ability was amazing . The knowledge of the author love of London is fab. I know my tube lines and it was great and when they looked at London property’s it brought back great memories or not!!!!! A great read..