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3.52 AVERAGE
3.52 AVERAGE
I read a pretty wide variety of books but one area I don’t read much in anymore is Women’s fiction or “Chick Lit” because when there was a huge amount out – around the time that Jennifer Weiner was huge – I worked at a Waldenbooks store. Which as a reader was so not a good idea, I pretty much wanted everything in the store and bought pretty much everything too. Anyways, Women’s Fiction was big then and I read a ton of it until the point that I could pretty much predict a plot twist and ending so I had to cease and desist before I started really hating the genre for being so formulaic. I’ve just now been able to get back into reading in the area.
This book definitely didn’t give me flashbacks to those older books in the genre that I remember reading so that was a good thing for me. Violet runs a vintage store that is a lifelong dream come true for her and something that she truly loves doing. She believes that every piece of old clothing has a story, and when she sells those old pieces she also sells those stories with them. She finds herself with lease issues threatening her livelihood and has no idea what to do. We are also introduced to a few of her patrons, April, Elizabeth and Amithi. All of their stories intertwine with the stories of the clothes to present a cohesive story of the vintage shop.
What really worked for me here was the different voices and different chapters being told from varying points of views. Sometimes that can be really jarring in a book but here it was interesting because while it was individual it was also relevant to the main story and wound together with the clothing as well. I liked how the clothing could really help the story come alive in a way that didn’t seem possible.
However, I wasn’t so sure about each chapter starting with a piece of clothing and who it was donated by. At first I liked this touch until it didn’t relate to the chapter and who was narrating at that time. It confused me after a while when I couldn’t connect the two. The other part that was confusing to me was the use of flashbacks. Between the different points of views we already got, the pieces of clothing and the various characters I thought the flashbacks were over the top and only served to jar me out of the scene. It seemed to me that the few that were included were not necessary.
I would say this was a sweet story and a quick read overall.
I received this ARC via Edelweiss in return for an honest review.
This book definitely didn’t give me flashbacks to those older books in the genre that I remember reading so that was a good thing for me. Violet runs a vintage store that is a lifelong dream come true for her and something that she truly loves doing. She believes that every piece of old clothing has a story, and when she sells those old pieces she also sells those stories with them. She finds herself with lease issues threatening her livelihood and has no idea what to do. We are also introduced to a few of her patrons, April, Elizabeth and Amithi. All of their stories intertwine with the stories of the clothes to present a cohesive story of the vintage shop.
What really worked for me here was the different voices and different chapters being told from varying points of views. Sometimes that can be really jarring in a book but here it was interesting because while it was individual it was also relevant to the main story and wound together with the clothing as well. I liked how the clothing could really help the story come alive in a way that didn’t seem possible.
However, I wasn’t so sure about each chapter starting with a piece of clothing and who it was donated by. At first I liked this touch until it didn’t relate to the chapter and who was narrating at that time. It confused me after a while when I couldn’t connect the two. The other part that was confusing to me was the use of flashbacks. Between the different points of views we already got, the pieces of clothing and the various characters I thought the flashbacks were over the top and only served to jar me out of the scene. It seemed to me that the few that were included were not necessary.
I would say this was a sweet story and a quick read overall.
I received this ARC via Edelweiss in return for an honest review.
Sweet plot, but seriously needed more attention to basic editing and dialogue flow
Vintage was a lovely story about three very different women who form an unlikely friendship as they are each going through a rough time in their lives. Violet, April, and Amithi are all at different stages in their lives and are very different from each other. Violet is the owner of Hourglass Vintage, a resale shop in downtown Madison, WI. April and Amithi are customers turned employee/coworkers. Each of their individual stories are told in alternating chapters. Vintage had a very cozy feel, I could picture the Hourglass Vintage shop and all of the beautiful items in it with their own stories to tell. It reminded me of the Avalon books written by Darien Gee which I LOVE. I did feel as if the ending was rushed a bit with all but one of the stories left kind of hanging. I have a feeling a sequel may be coming, I sure hope so because I would love to hear more from Violet, April, and Amithi.
* I was given a free copy of the book from Goodreads First Reads.
* I was given a free copy of the book from Goodreads First Reads.
This book will be enjoyed by anyone who loves vintage clothing or Madison WI. Set in Madison, mostly at a vintage shop, we find a set of strong but quirky women whose lives are bound together more and more as the story unfolds. This book brought smiles and a few tears along the way, but was really fun to read.
hopeful
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:
Yes
a sweet, predictable story, but was very pleasurable read. I especially liked all the vintage clothes decriptions
3.5 stars. It’s a cozy book, a nice story for lack of a better word. I came to really like the main characters, and the commentary on regret, hope and trust, even if some of it was a little predictable.
The stories that clothing and items tell is one thing but adding the people behind these items creates a stronger bond, for all the characters in this novel. A look inside a diverse group of women, not only in age but race and personal trials.
I enjoyed how each women was their own person and discovered who they were, what they needed and formed meaningful and genuine friendships regardless of their differences.
The power of history- the past, present and future is reflected through the items at Hourglass Vintage. Susan Gloss' writing style brings the items of clothing or use to life through Violet, April and Amishi. A great combination of not only making oneself over physically but emotionally as well.
I enjoyed how each women was their own person and discovered who they were, what they needed and formed meaningful and genuine friendships regardless of their differences.
The power of history- the past, present and future is reflected through the items at Hourglass Vintage. Susan Gloss' writing style brings the items of clothing or use to life through Violet, April and Amishi. A great combination of not only making oneself over physically but emotionally as well.
Yes, Madison really is as wacky as Ms. Gloss describes. It is a city that does not just accept all walks of life but embraces them and celebrates their quirks. From the near-constant political rallies near campus to the street performers and eclectic retail stores along State Street to the more professional end of Capital Square, it really does have it all. Ms. Gloss perfectly captures its funky vibe, its revelry of all things not mainstream, and its total acceptance.
Unfortunately, I realized while reading Vintage that this type of story is just not for me. Not only does it not quite live up to its setting’s charming standards, the whole story is just too sweet. It is not quite edgy enough, and even the tattoos Violet gets seem a bit too mainstream and normal for Madison. The women’s stories resolve themselves in a few short sentences, and the whole thing has an air of clichéd predictability about it.
I personally do not care for this type of saccharine sugariness. I need damaged souls. I need dark places. At the very least, I need sarcasm to help cleanse the palate. Vintage has none of that. There is no air of danger, violence, or even irony to offset the fairy tale ending. Fairy tales without the element of danger are just not interesting to me, and Vintage has all of the elements of a fairy tale without any life-threatening drama.
For readers who like this form of women’s literature, Vintage is a cute story. The three main heroines are enjoyable as they discover their inner strengths and learn to live their dreams. Its Madison backdrop is a fitting addition to Violet’s story and her friendship with April and Amithi. Unfortunately, Vintage is just not the type of novel I personally enjoy.
Unfortunately, I realized while reading Vintage that this type of story is just not for me. Not only does it not quite live up to its setting’s charming standards, the whole story is just too sweet. It is not quite edgy enough, and even the tattoos Violet gets seem a bit too mainstream and normal for Madison. The women’s stories resolve themselves in a few short sentences, and the whole thing has an air of clichéd predictability about it.
I personally do not care for this type of saccharine sugariness. I need damaged souls. I need dark places. At the very least, I need sarcasm to help cleanse the palate. Vintage has none of that. There is no air of danger, violence, or even irony to offset the fairy tale ending. Fairy tales without the element of danger are just not interesting to me, and Vintage has all of the elements of a fairy tale without any life-threatening drama.
For readers who like this form of women’s literature, Vintage is a cute story. The three main heroines are enjoyable as they discover their inner strengths and learn to live their dreams. Its Madison backdrop is a fitting addition to Violet’s story and her friendship with April and Amithi. Unfortunately, Vintage is just not the type of novel I personally enjoy.