Isn’t that such a cheerful book cover? It really had to be bright yellow as yellow is such an significant colour in the story. The Vintage Shop of Second Chances is Libby Page’s fourth novel and will be published next Thursday.
About the Book
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
The yellow dress hanging in Lou’s vintage dress shop brings back so many memories for her. It was her late mother’s dress and reminds her of happy times. Clothes are a big thing to Lou and the reason she has opened her lovely shop. Lou’s idea behind the shop is that the beautiful clothes she sells get second chances to shine and make their new owners happy. As you can guess from the title of the book, second chances are so important in many ways in this book.
It’s so true that clothes can make the wearer feel so different. I’m more of a jeans and a flowery top type girl myself but I only have to look at photos of me in my wedding dress to be flooded with memories of how happy that day was. Shame the dress doesn’t fit any more! I also have what I consider is very elegant slate grey dress which I have worn to special occasions such as a dinner on the Royal Yacht Britannia. Not with royalty of course but with my husband at a corporate dinner. It reminds me of the wonderful food, the amazing surroundings and how special we were made to feel.
Another important theme running through the book is that of community. The small town of Frome in Somerset where it is set is the author’s own town and clearly a place she loves. It’s the kind of community where everyone knows each other and looks out for each other. The community of small businesses was lovely to read about and their support for each other was so important. It’s a reminder of how important it is to support local businesses because of course, it’s not just the businesses you are supporting but the people behind them. That community really rallied for Lou when she needed them.
Unexpected friendships are a big feature and the unexpected opportunities they can unlock. Over the course of a very short time, Lou becomes friends with Maggy, who is a warm and wonderful character. This friendship proved fortuitous for both women and really changed their lives. I loved the way they were so encouraging to each other and just what each other needed even though they hadn’t realised they needed that special friend. That yellow dress features again in Donna’s story as through a photograph of a woman wearing the dress, she discovers that she has links to the UK that she’d been completely unaware of. Although she seemed quite a stiff and uncompromising character to begin with, the relationships and friendships which develop really change her life too and reveal much about the past to her and Lou.
The Vintage Shop of Second Chances is a really touching story and testament to the transformational power of kindness, community and friendship.
My thanks to the publishers Orion for my early review copy.
The Vintage Shop of Second Chances will published on Thursday 16th February
About the Author
Libby Page is the Sunday Times bestselling author of The Lido and The 24-Hour Café and The Island Home. The Vintage Shop of Second Chances is her fourth novel. Before becoming an author, she worked in journalism and marketing. She is a keen outdoor swimmer and lives in Somerset with her husband and young son. Follow Libby on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook: @libbypagewrites
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