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marensreads's review against another edition
3.0
2.5 stars rounded up to 3.
What would Coco Chanel do? This seems to be the overarching question in Randy Susan Meyer and M.J. Rose’s Fashion Orphans.
Having grown apart over the past decade, estranged sisters Lulu and Gabrielle are shocked to learn their deceased mother has left them an entire collection of vintage Chanel. Even more startling, are the mysterious Coco Chanel quotes, found in many of the pieces, that seem to speak to each of them directly. As the sisters struggle to figure out what to do with all of their mother’s belongings, they are forced to confront both their past relationship with their mother and with each other.
The first half of this book was incredibly slow with a lot of eye rolling on my part. After struggling to get through the first half of the book, I was glad the second half read a bit faster. All in all, this book felt very lackluster. While the characters weren’t completely one-dimensional, I did not feel as though I really connected with either of them. The plot inched along at a snail’s pace and there was nothing in this book that really peaked my interest or kept me engaged.
This was not my cup of tea; however, I’m sure there are others who would enjoy all of the wonderful fashion references held within these pages as well as the moving story of two sisters finding their way back to one another.
Thank you to NetGalley and Blue Box Press for an arc of this book in exchange for an honest review.
What would Coco Chanel do? This seems to be the overarching question in Randy Susan Meyer and M.J. Rose’s Fashion Orphans.
Having grown apart over the past decade, estranged sisters Lulu and Gabrielle are shocked to learn their deceased mother has left them an entire collection of vintage Chanel. Even more startling, are the mysterious Coco Chanel quotes, found in many of the pieces, that seem to speak to each of them directly. As the sisters struggle to figure out what to do with all of their mother’s belongings, they are forced to confront both their past relationship with their mother and with each other.
The first half of this book was incredibly slow with a lot of eye rolling on my part. After struggling to get through the first half of the book, I was glad the second half read a bit faster. All in all, this book felt very lackluster. While the characters weren’t completely one-dimensional, I did not feel as though I really connected with either of them. The plot inched along at a snail’s pace and there was nothing in this book that really peaked my interest or kept me engaged.
This was not my cup of tea; however, I’m sure there are others who would enjoy all of the wonderful fashion references held within these pages as well as the moving story of two sisters finding their way back to one another.
Thank you to NetGalley and Blue Box Press for an arc of this book in exchange for an honest review.
bookmarkedbybecky's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
4.0
Estranged sisters Lulu and Gabrielle reunite at their mother’s will reading. Expecting a substantial inheritance, the sisters learn their mysterious and often controlling mother did not leave them money at all but her extensive Chanel collection with a list of stipulations - a collection neither Lulu nor Gabi knew anything about. As they try to uncover the meaning of their mother’s collection and her wishes for the collection, the sisters rediscover themselves as they heal their fractured relationship.
Generally, topics of grief, loss, divorce, and estrangement are heavy and sad stories. But The Fashion Orphans feels quite the opposite. It’s a light heart tale that weaves these serious topics into the magical world of high fashion. I love that Bette (the mother) leaves a series of Chanel quotes in the pockets of the garments and purses. These sisters truly believe that Bette sends these timely messages from the grave. 😂Ultimately, Lulu and Gabi discover a second chance at sisterhood as they renew their faith in love, family, and friendship.
readalotwritealot's review against another edition
4.0
“If you are sad, add more lipstick and attack.”—Coco Chanel
I’ve enjoyed M J Rose’s books for a while now and I found her teaming up with Randy Susan Meyers to write The Fashion Orphans to be the perfect pairing. I really enjoyed getting to know Gabrielle and Lulu as they went through the Chanel their mother hid in her closet and got to know both her and each other better.
I’ve enjoyed M J Rose’s books for a while now and I found her teaming up with Randy Susan Meyers to write The Fashion Orphans to be the perfect pairing. I really enjoyed getting to know Gabrielle and Lulu as they went through the Chanel their mother hid in her closet and got to know both her and each other better.
kbrenenborg's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
slow-paced
3.75
enasbookshelves's review against another edition
emotional
sad
medium-paced
3.75
Many thanks to NetGalley and Blue Box Press for providing me with an e-ARC in exchange for my honest review!
The Fashion Orphans follows the two sisters Lulu and Gabrielle who inherit a surprise vintage fashion collection after their mother’s death. It’s a tale that perfectly captures the complex dynamics that take place between estranged sisters and estranged mothers, though my heart was not as completely warmed as I’d wanted or expected it to be.
For starters, nearly everyone in the story needed therapy, very badly; I do not mean this as an insult in any way, but to be absolutely honest, if the characters were real people, I’d have no qualms suggesting that they seek professional help for their own good. Lulu and Gabi’s voices and reactions to the developments in the story were also indistinguishable from time to time — even though it had been stressed time and again that they had mostly different upbringings, Lulu with her father and grandparents in Brooklyn, and Gabi with her mother in Manhattan. And by the second half of the story, the book tended to be a bit in-your-face with discussing ethics in fashion, especially when it came to defending Coco Chanel’s wartime activities.
Still, there was far more reason and substance behind the sisters’ disposal of their mother’s clothing collection — far more than, say, Becky Bloomwood did in Confessions of a Shopaholic. And all in all, it had the truest and most important things to say about what happens when someone dies: that grieving is and ought to be communal; and that moving on after death is and ought to be communal as well. After all, it is rarely ever the dead who are to be pitied, but almost always the living, the ones left behind.
The Fashion Orphans follows the two sisters Lulu and Gabrielle who inherit a surprise vintage fashion collection after their mother’s death. It’s a tale that perfectly captures the complex dynamics that take place between estranged sisters and estranged mothers, though my heart was not as completely warmed as I’d wanted or expected it to be.
For starters, nearly everyone in the story needed therapy, very badly; I do not mean this as an insult in any way, but to be absolutely honest, if the characters were real people, I’d have no qualms suggesting that they seek professional help for their own good. Lulu and Gabi’s voices and reactions to the developments in the story were also indistinguishable from time to time — even though it had been stressed time and again that they had mostly different upbringings, Lulu with her father and grandparents in Brooklyn, and Gabi with her mother in Manhattan. And by the second half of the story, the book tended to be a bit in-your-face with discussing ethics in fashion, especially when it came to defending Coco Chanel’s wartime activities.
Still, there was far more reason and substance behind the sisters’ disposal of their mother’s clothing collection — far more than, say, Becky Bloomwood did in Confessions of a Shopaholic. And all in all, it had the truest and most important things to say about what happens when someone dies: that grieving is and ought to be communal; and that moving on after death is and ought to be communal as well. After all, it is rarely ever the dead who are to be pitied, but almost always the living, the ones left behind.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Infidelity, and Death
sturgesschildren3's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
4.0
After I read this I just wanted to bathe in Chanel No5 , pout my lips and indulge in exquisite lipstick and wear vintage Chanel clothing !
I know , I’m weak and I have no real fashion sense but that closet of Bette had me dreaming and the little pearls of wisdom found in pockets were brilliant ❣️
So as little girls the sisters were tight and it’s about time they rekindled their bond and what a journey they go on after their mom passed away …..
Both lost their husbands, one to death and the other to another woman and I felt sorry for the both of them and I started asking myself the question isn’t it better to mourn than question your self worth , such morbid thoughts so instead I focused on all things Chanel again 😍
I really enjoyed this and I’m sure fashion lovers will enjoy it on a different level 📕❣️
I know , I’m weak and I have no real fashion sense but that closet of Bette had me dreaming and the little pearls of wisdom found in pockets were brilliant ❣️
So as little girls the sisters were tight and it’s about time they rekindled their bond and what a journey they go on after their mom passed away …..
Both lost their husbands, one to death and the other to another woman and I felt sorry for the both of them and I started asking myself the question isn’t it better to mourn than question your self worth , such morbid thoughts so instead I focused on all things Chanel again 😍
I really enjoyed this and I’m sure fashion lovers will enjoy it on a different level 📕❣️
sarahsbookstack's review against another edition
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
3.5
3.5
Two estranged sisters come together after their mother dies. Gabrielle was raised in her mother's household and seemed to have it all. Lulu lived with her grandparents and they got by as well as they could.
Their inheritance? Their mother's Chanel collection. The sisters would rather sell it all to get by with their lives as they are now. But their mother had other plans as she snuck Coco's words of wisdom hidden in Chanel purses.
I loved the sisters. Doesn't matter how old you are, you will fight with your siblings 😂. They both have surgery studies, different ideas, but their mother's seemingly weird plan for them state being them closer together.
With some great side cast of characters and one terrible one, this book was a fast read. It wasn't too terrible exciting most of the time and some parts were certainly boring but sad a whole...I liked it.
Two estranged sisters come together after their mother dies. Gabrielle was raised in her mother's household and seemed to have it all. Lulu lived with her grandparents and they got by as well as they could.
Their inheritance? Their mother's Chanel collection. The sisters would rather sell it all to get by with their lives as they are now. But their mother had other plans as she snuck Coco's words of wisdom hidden in Chanel purses.
I loved the sisters. Doesn't matter how old you are, you will fight with your siblings 😂. They both have surgery studies, different ideas, but their mother's seemingly weird plan for them state being them closer together.
With some great side cast of characters and one terrible one, this book was a fast read. It wasn't too terrible exciting most of the time and some parts were certainly boring but sad a whole...I liked it.
bookishaddictions's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Thank you to @netgalley for my ARC of The Fashion Orphans. This work of contemporary fiction provides some valuable life lessons as half-sisters Gabrielle and Lulu work together to navigate the instructions left in their mother’s will. Their mother, Bette, was a dedicated fashion enthusiast, had an unthinkable love for Chanel. However, the siblings find themselves at a loss when it’s time to confront just how much she loved her- and the question of why- as it may finally answer some questions they have about Bette. As the sisters learn lessons in love, fashion, and their way of living, they have the opportunity to meet new people and try new things. The authors’ writing will compel you to follow along with the sisters’ luxury fashion-filled journey from start to finish. The characters are believable, the fashion ins and outs that are referenced are understandable for fashion rookies and experts alike, and it is a smooth read in Kindle format. This title is worth checking out on publishing day 💍
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcohol