Read It: A Vintage Affair by Isabel Wolff

I loved the book A Vintage Affair. My mother, a total Anglophile, bought it simply because it takes place in London. (I'm guessing.) When she passed it along, I was expecting total chicklit (which wouldn't have bothered me) but I was very pleasantly surprised to find that it was so much more. While later doing a bit of research, I learned that this title was extremely well-reviewed, and with good reason.

A Vintage Affair is the story of Phoebe, who has recently broken off her engagement (there's a big secret involved) and embarked on her dream career, as owner of a vintage clothing shop. It is such a fun book...well, as fun as a book with a Holocaust sub-theme can be. It's smartly written, with many characters, but they're well-developed enough to not clutter up the story. There's romance, there's friendship, and for those of you who like to cry, there are certainly those moments, too. It was one of those books where you just want to flip ahead to find out what happens, because sometimes the tension is too much to bear!

American cover

And of course, the vintage fashions play a very important role in this book. Just like in Sex and the City, the wardrobe is almost a character in itself. And while "cupcake dresses" contribute to plot development, "the little blue coat" is an essential component of the story. But don't think that you have to be a vintage expert to appreciate this one. While I am definitely into clothing and style (in a recessionista kind of way) my limited knowledge of vintage did not keep me from enjoying this book, and in fact, I loved learning a little something about it.

Isabel Wolff

Now that I've done this review, my next task is to decide which friend of mine will be lucky enough to get the book next. I have fashionista friends who aren't avid readers, and vice versa...but this title might be enough to encourage both passions!

You can visit the author's website, http://www.isabelwolff.com/. I'll certainly be seeking out some more of her books, after being so impressed with this one.