Vintage

A Novel

By: Susan Gloss

Narrated by: Karen White

At Hourglass Vintage in Madison, Wisconsin, every item in the boutique has a story to tell…and so do the women whose lives the store touches.

"Yellow Samsonite suitcase with ivory, quilted lining, 1950s"

A small-town girl with a flair for fashion, Violet Turner had always dreamed of owning a shop like Hourglass Vintage. But while she values the personal history behind each beautiful item she sells, Violet is running from her own past. Faced with the possibility of losing the store to an unscrupulous developer, she realizes that despite her usual self-reliance she cannot save it alone.

"Taffeta tea-length wedding gown with scooped neckline and cap sleeves, 1952"

Eighteen-year-old April Morgan is nearly five months along in an unplanned pregnancy when her hasty engagement is broken. When she returns the perfect vintage wedding dress to Violet's shop, she discovers a world of new possibilities, and an unexpected sisterhood with women who won't let her give up on her dreams.

"Orange silk sari with gold paisley design, 1968"

Betrayed by her husband, Amithi Singh begins selling off her vibrant Indian dresses, remnants of a life she's determined to leave behind her. After decades of housekeeping and parenting a daughter who rejects her traditional ways, she fears her best days are behind her…until she discovers an outlet for her creativity and skills with a needle and thread.

An engaging story that beautifully captures the essence of friendship and style, Vintage is a charming tale of possibility, of finding renewal, love, and hope when we least expect it.

©2014 Susan Gloss (P)2014 HarperCollinsPublishers

Gem moments

Each chapter starts with an item of clothing, but it is about relationships to self and others in a way I have not found in other titles.

Such a cute book

This is a great and quick read. The characters are interesting, and I love the weaving of vintage clothing into the story.

Fun and engaging

I thought this was a fun book. I'm from Eau Claire, WI so I was excited to hear a shout out. I'm a big antique/secondhand shop gal because of the stories behind the items inside the characteristic shops. I imagined myself easily in all the characters and love how they all came together.

Vintage

This is a great book ! I loved the description of all the clothes as well as the friendship that each woman talked about. One of my favorite books so far.

Not your typical romance, but still an HEA

I enjoyed this as a change of pace from my typical romance reading. The characters are interesting and I didn’t want to put it down. You will enjoy the interaction of women supporting each other as they grow beyond life’s normal disappointments.

Loved it

What a great little book. The fashion information was really nice. Characters very likable and easy to relate to.

Predictable but Enjoyable

Predictable but an enjoyable read. I really liked how vintage shop tied the stories of the women together.

Charming Book

I really enjoyed this book. A vintage store the specializes in vintage clothing and accessories are right up my alley. Throughout the book items from the shop were highlighted and the history of the piece was shared. Throw in a vintage clothing fashion show which included drag queens and you have one quirky shop keeper that you can’t help love. This book isn’t a top 10 bestseller, but is a very enjoyable read.

Great Characters, Strong Women

I loved the characters in this book. If you like a little bit of romance, some quirky people and strong female characters, this story is for you. I laughed and cried which counts as a great book to me. Liked the narrator too.

Average

I found this book to be engaging enough, but easily forgettable. An average read. 3 stars.