Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.52 AVERAGE
3.52 AVERAGE
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
N/A
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
hopeful
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:
Complicated
Maybe 2.5 stars. It was a quick, easy read. Very predictable. Typical chic lit stuff. The story is fine, the characters are fine, and I liked the connections between the main characters, but overall kind of ho-hum for me. I picked up this book because it was set in Madison, WI. But really, it could have been set in any college town. And as I always need to be a critic, some probably minor things - I didn't understand how/why Violet kept buying things in the midst of financial ruin. Also, I do not believe that many of Violet's classmates from tiny Bent Creek, WI would go to out-of-state schools. I come from small town Midwest - most would be going to UW-Eau Claire or River Falls or to technical school if they didn't go to UW-Madison or across the river to U of Minnesota. And I don't understand how Sam would be so anti-kid, given that he is a teacher. We never learn much about him, but he does teach biology and earth science; he is presumably a middle school teacher but that is unclear.
hopeful
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Sweet, easy, friendly, but predictable read Nice palate cleanser between meatier reads. A lot of characters, which was fun.
The story takes place at a time in the life of Violet when a lot of things are about to change. In a short amount of time, she finds out she may lose the building she lives in and runs her business from, and she meets April and Amithi. They are also at huge crossroads in their own lives.
The story alternates between the three characters' views.
I really enjoyed the friendships and I loved the stories about all the vintage clothes.
The story alternates between the three characters' views.
I really enjoyed the friendships and I loved the stories about all the vintage clothes.
Fun read. Each chapter starts around a vintage item. Nice way to weave the different stories together. If you enjoy the stories of Debbie Macomber, you will enjoy this book. Perfect for a summer afternoon read.
Violet has finally carved out a life for herself in Madison, Wisconsin. Her vintage store carries garments that are highly sought after and tell the unique stories of their previous owners. Her dreams of a bright future are hampered when her landlord puts her building on the market. Violet must let her newly made friends help her in her endeavor to save the shop.
Hourglass Vintage was a dream of Violet's for years before becoming a reality. And now, just when she's finally where she wants to be, she could lose it all. There's a story behind each of the items she's carefully cultivated in her shop. Like the hand embellished wedding dress brought in by the daughter of the bride. Young April fell in love with that dress but in just a matter of weeks she was back in the store asking about a return. And the sari recently brought in by Amithi... Violet knows there's a reason the woman is purging her closets of such special items. These three women are brought together by the little vintage shop and Violet has big plans to try and save it before it's too late.
Susan Gloss's debut is a charming confection of a read! No, it's not an empty bon bon of a book, there's much more depth to it than that, but it's as enjoyable as candy, that's for sure.
In Violet, April, and Amithi - and other characters like Karen, Lane, and Betsy - Gloss brings to life a whole range of women and their lives. Family, friends, love, heartbreak, hopes and dreams, fears... it's amazing that so much can go into such a relatively short book (just over 300 pages). Gloss easily draws readers in, quickly establishing emotional ties and investment between said reader and the characters concerned. Any time I walked away from the book I couldn't help wondering what would come next for Violet and April and Amithi - all I could think about was getting back to their story! These women felt like my friends and neighbors, the women we all know and spend our lives surrounded by. I could identify with them all and see pieces of myself in them as well.
VINTAGE is a sweet story with characters I truly cared about and I can't wait to see what Gloss will do next!
Susan Gloss's debut is a charming confection of a read! No, it's not an empty bon bon of a book, there's much more depth to it than that, but it's as enjoyable as candy, that's for sure.
In Violet, April, and Amithi - and other characters like Karen, Lane, and Betsy - Gloss brings to life a whole range of women and their lives. Family, friends, love, heartbreak, hopes and dreams, fears... it's amazing that so much can go into such a relatively short book (just over 300 pages). Gloss easily draws readers in, quickly establishing emotional ties and investment between said reader and the characters concerned. Any time I walked away from the book I couldn't help wondering what would come next for Violet and April and Amithi - all I could think about was getting back to their story! These women felt like my friends and neighbors, the women we all know and spend our lives surrounded by. I could identify with them all and see pieces of myself in them as well.
VINTAGE is a sweet story with characters I truly cared about and I can't wait to see what Gloss will do next!