210 reviews for:

Shopgirls: A Novel

Jessica Anya Blau

3.69 AVERAGE

shawnita's review against another edition

3.0

slow-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: No

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: No

amandalk15's review against another edition

4.25

emotional funny lighthearted medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

bookabecca's review against another edition

5.0

funny hopeful reflective fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

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I didn’t think I could love a Jessica Anya Blau book more than I loved Mary Jane, but this one was JUST as good and maybe even better. Blau completely captures the department-store era of the 80s and 90s, and she distills the experience of a 19-year-old trying to figure out who they are with such absolute joy and earnestness. I loved every minute of this book.

mnreadingmama's review against another edition

4.0

funny hopeful lighthearted medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

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Blau truly writes the most sweet, charming characters. In this story, we meet Zippy, a 19-year-old working in a high end department store in San Francisco in the 1980s as she navigates familial challenges, self-discovery and figuring out her romantic life. I’ll be honest, there isn’t a whole lot going on here plot-wise. Or I guess technically there is quite a bit that happens, but the plot wasn’t the part I found compelling. Rather, I just loved the main character and found her charming and relatable as she discovered herself and truths about the world as a naïve young woman. This book was sweet, but not saccharine, and I really enjoyed the time I spent with this main character, along with the vibrant cast of side characters. 

Thanks to NetGalley and Mariner Books for an egalley in exchange for an honest review. 

chelshudsonreads's review against another edition

4.0

adventurous funny informative lighthearted reflective medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: No

courtneymarierose's review against another edition

3.0

emotional hopeful reflective medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

labrat91's review against another edition

4.0

funny lighthearted slow-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Complicated

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: No

aimbriano's review against another edition

5.0

funny hopeful fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

katreadsalot's review against another edition

5.0

emotional hopeful lighthearted medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

lexicrank's review against another edition

3.0

lighthearted medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

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I thought this book was very cute and loved how it was semi-autobiographical. I do wish it was a bit less surface-level (especially with the AIDS crisis and general atmosphere in San Francisco at the time) as it read like a YA novel.