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emmacr2024's review against another edition
3.0
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.
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.
tegfan's review
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
mum2harry's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
felicitycot's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
livi_loves_reading's review against another edition
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
kiberen's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
helenh1975's review against another edition
emotional
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? It's complicated
4.75
asourceoffiction's review against another edition
emotional
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
2.5
I liked the characters and the setting of The Vintage Shop. I liked their shared history and started to get more emotionally invested as the mystery of Donna and Lou's connection was revealed. And by the end I definitely had a smile on my face at the way these women had each others' backs. But I didn't really love any part of it, at least not until quite a way into the book. This is a very sweet story, and everything felt a little twee. There was some emotional heft towards the end, but I'm just not sure I read it at the right time for me.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent
Moderate: Dementia and Infidelity
renel's review against another edition
3.0
I luv a homely libby page book but this random ass romance or love declaration with a man we know nothing about was so odd
itsbumley's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
reflective
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? No
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infidelity, Grief, Death of parent, and Dementia