The Vintage Shop of Second Chances – Libby Page | #TheVintageShop | @LibbyPageWrites @orionbooks

Among the cobbled streets of the Somerset town of Frome, Lou is embarking on the start of something new. After the death of her beloved mother, she takes a deep breath into the unknown and is opening her own vintage clothes shop..

In upstate New York, Donna has just found out some news about her family which has called into question her whole upbringing. The only clue she has to unlock her past is a picture of a yellow dress, and the fact it is currently on display in a shop in England.

For Maggy, she is facing life as a 70-something divorcee and while she got the house, she’s not sure what to fill it with now her family have moved out. The new vintage shop in town sparks memories of her past and reignites a passion she’s been missing…

Together, can these three women find the answers they are searching for and unlock a second chance at a new life?

It’s never too late to start again…

MY THOUGHTS

My thanks to Ellen of Orion for the tour invite and paperback copy to review. A review for a previous book by Libby Page is here, The 24 Hour Cafe, having enjoyed that one, I was really keen to read this latest. The Vintage Shop of Second Chances was published on 16 February 2023 in ebook, audio and hardback with the paperback to follow.

A handmade yellow dress with embroidered flowers is at the heart of this story which features three characters, Lou, recently bereaved after her the death of her beloved mother, 60 year old Donna from New York, a woman of routine shocked by recent revelations and Maggy, newly divorced after 50 years of marriage and struggling to find a new life in her 70s.

Mainly set in Frome, Somerset, but also venturing further afield, the story is mainly told from alternate viewpoints of the three women. One of which is Lou, having given up her career to pursue her dream, a shop of her own selling vintage clothing which is her passion. The yellow dress which she remembers her mother wearing, hangs in the shop and Lou has no idea how much this beautiful item of clothing will change her life.

I fell in love with this story instantly and devoured it. After a couple of book DNFs it was a perfect read for me and I read over half the book in one afternoon. The characters were perfectly drawn and the storyline an intriguing one with a narrative interrupting the present day timeline with chapters from the past.

The story of the three women was superbly woven together with drama and humour. At times it was an emotional read but overall it was just a gorgeous story of new discoveries, family, friendship and community. Lou’s fellow traders were a fabulous bunch, welcoming and helpful, especially in times of crisis. Even when the story moved away from Frome, my interest moved too – I was so invested into these characters lives.

I adored The Vintage Shop of Second Chances. Libby Page has written a touching story of drama and secrets that combines past and present. It’s a real hug of a book and I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend it.

Libby Page graduated from The London College of Fashion with a BA in fashion journalism before going on to work as a journalist at The Guardian. After writing, her second passion is outdoor swimming. Libby lives in London, where she enjoys finding new swimming spots and pockets of community within the city. The Lido is her first novel. Follow her on Twitter @LibbyPageWrites and Instagram @TheSwimmingSisters.

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