Wednesday, July 28, 2010

A VINTAGE AFFAIR: REVIEW AND GIVEAWAY

GIVEAWAY ENDED
A VINTAGE AFFAIR

BY ISABEL WOLFF

ABOUT THE BOOK:

Every dress has a history. And so does every woman. In Isabel Wolff’s captivating A Vintage Affair, a treasured child’s coat becomes a thread of hope connecting two very different women. Her friends are stunned when Phoebe Swift abruptly leaves a plum job at the prestigious Sotheby’s auction house to open her own vintage clothing shop in London—but to Phoebe, it’s the fulfillment of a dream. In the sunlight-flooded interior of Village Vintage, surrounded by Yves Saint Laurent silk scarves, Vivienne Westwood bustle skirts, cupcake dresses, and satin gowns, Phoebe hopes to make her store the hot new place to shop, even as she deals with two ardent suitors, her increasingly difficult mother, and a secret from her past that casts a shadow over her new venture. For Phoebe, each vintage garment carries its own precious history. Digging for finds in attics and wardrobes, Phoebe is rewarded whenever she finds something truly unique, for she knows that when you buy a piece of vintage clothing, you’re not just buying fabric and thread—you’re buying a piece of someone’s past. But one particular article of clothing will soon unexpectedly change her life. Thérèse Bell, an elderly Frenchwoman, has an impressive clothing collection. But among the array of smart suits and couture gowns, Phoebe finds a child’s sky-blue coat—an item with which Bell is stubbornly reluctant to part. As the two women become friends, Phoebe will learn the tale of that little blue coat. And she will discover an astonishing connection between herself and Thérèse Bell—one that will help her heal the pain of her own past and allow her to love again.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:



Isabel Wolff was born in Warwickshire, England, and attended Cambridge University. She is the author of seven bestselling novels, which have been published in twenty-five languages. She lives in London with her family. Bantam Books will publish her next novel in 2011.



MY REVIEW:

In Isabel Wolff’s A VINTAGE AFFAIR, Phoebe Swift is working as the department head of costumes and textiles at Sotheby’s when her life takes a tragic turn. Phoebe is stunned by her best friend’s death and the subsequent break up with her fiancé. She takes a leave of absence, and during that time she decides to trade her career at Sotheby’s and open her own vintage clothing shop. She does this and names it “Village Vintage”. Struggling with her own personal problems, Phoebe throws herself into her new business to try and not think about the sadness in her life. She knows that when a person looks good, it makes a big difference in their personality and mood, and so hopes her new venture will work for her, as well as her customers. This new life seems to start off very well as the store opens successfully and soon she has not one, but two new likely suitors.

Phoebe fills the Village Vintage with items mostly from auctions, the French markets, and other dealers. Sometimes she is asked to look at pieces that have been kept in a wardrobe for years, and it is during one of these times that she meets Mrs. Thérèse Bell, an elderly lady who has a entire wardrobe of her dresses she wants to sell. Phoebe and Mrs. Bell connect right away especially sharing their experiences of losing loved ones. They are good for each other and grow close. Mrs. Bell, however, has one item of clothing that she will not sell. This is a small blue coat and as Phoebe learns the story behind this coat, she realizes that her deciding to help Therese Bell may in turn also wind up helping herself.

At first glance, readers may get the impression that this is a light chick-lit type story but there is much more to this thanks to Isabel Wollf’s superb writing talent. Her story moves so smoothly along that you will find yourself caught up in Wolff’s narrative and find it hard to put down. She gives readers well developed, believable characters that are in a tale involving some romance but also one built around loss, remorse, and most importantly, the relationship that Phoebe and Mrs. Bell have. Both women learn to deal with their emotions while the setting of the vintage clothing store brings their story, and the other characters Phoebe meets in her new life, together in a satisfying conclusion.

GIVEAWAY

THANKS TO KATIE AND THE GOOD
PEOPLE AT RANDOM HOUSE PUBLISHING,
I HAVE TWO COPIES OF THIS
WONDERFUL BOOK TO GIVE AWAY



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IN CASE YOU WIN!
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COUNT AS MORE THAN ONE!
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+1 ENTRY:
COMMENT ON WHY YOU WANT TO WIN THIS BOOK AND WHAT BEAUTY SECRET YOU HOPE IT MIGHT TALK ABOUT

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GIVEAWAY ENDS AT
6 PM, EST, AUGUST 12!


83 comments:

debbie said...

I love vintage clothes. I had a older friend that sold them in her antique shop. I was always surprised at how tiny some of the clothes were. I would love to read this book.
twoofakind12@yahoo.com

debbie said...

I am a email subsriber.
twoofakind12@yahoo.com

Unknown said...

I want to win this book because it sounds very good and it is talking about vintage clothing. I would love to read this. It also has romance in it. I am a follower. Please enter me in contest. Tore923@aol.com

holdenj said...

I am very attracted to the cover of this book and would hope it would help me find a dress that would always be flattering!
JHolden955(at)gmail(dot)com

holdenj said...

I am a GFC follower!
JHolden955(at)gmail(dot)com

Suburban prep said...

This book has actually been on my wish list for a bit now.
As for beauty secret I am hoping somehow someone can help me regarding undereye circles.
msgb245 at gmail dot com

Suburban prep said...

I follow via Google reader.
msgb245 at gmail dot com

bermudaonion said...

I'd like to read this because I love to look at vintage clothing. A beauty secret I'd love to read about is how to fix my bangs!

bermudaonion said...

I subscribe in Google Reader. Oops, I forgot to leave my email address in my last comment! milou2ster(at)gmail.com

Brimful Curiosities said...

I wore my grandmother's vintage wedding gown for my own wedding. I like looking at older garments and wondering about their past.

Brimful Curiosities said...

follow on GFCa

Anonymous said...

Hi! I think this book has a unique story plot. I like reading about history of things and people. I think I would learn more about fashion and antiques from reading this book even though it is fiction. Wonderful giveaway! :)

Connie
connie_bryant@hotmail.com

Anonymous said...

Loyal follower as well. :)

Connie
connie_bryant@hotmail.com

Love the cover of this book too!

Colleen Turner said...

I want this book so bad! It sounds so good and I love the concept of how clothes carry a history and can link people together through time (perfect example would be a wedding dress being past down through generations). I would love if the book delves into how these clothes, which are sometimes very, very old, stay so well preserved.
Thanks!
candc320@gmail.com

Lisa Richards/alterlisa said...

Follow you on GFC


(\___/)
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(")_(")
alterlisa AT yahoo DOT com
http://lisaslovesbooksofcourse.blogspot.com/

Lisa Richards/alterlisa said...

also an email subscriber

(\___/)
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alterlisa AT yahoo DOT com
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Stephanie said...

I love thinking about the possible stories behind the "finds" I make at flea markets and thrift stores, so this book sounds perfect for me. I used to have a recipe for almonds and ?? for a facial scrub, but maybe I'll find out what that other ingredient is! stephig13(at)yahoo(dot)com

Teresa said...

I've been interested in this book since I saw the first review.

teresasreadingcorner at gmail dot com

Teresa said...

I am a GFC follower.

teresasreadingcorner at gmail dot com

Laura said...

I love the cover and wonder if it will talk about how to make your waist appear smaller in a dress like that..haha
Im a follower.
Laura
laura.leahj@gmail.com

Kristin said...

I have this book on my TBR list...I think it is going to be a great story and I absolutely love the cover. I would love to learn how to care for vintage clothes once purchased.

k2reader@gmail.com

Kristin said...

I am a Goggle Friends follower.

k2reader@gmail.com

Lisa Richards/alterlisa said...

I've always loved vintage clothes. My daughter has also caught my passion. She lives in Raleigh so has more access to vintage clothing there.

(\___/)
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(")_(")
alterlisa AT yahoo DOT com
http://lisaslovesbooksofcourse.blogspot.com/

Lisa Richards/alterlisa said...

http://twitter.com/alterlisa/status/19765675861



(\___/)
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(")_(")
alterlisa AT yahoo DOT com
http://lisaslovesbooksofcourse.blogspot.com/

Lisa Richards/alterlisa said...

COMMENT ON WHY YOU WANT TO WIN THIS BOOK AND WHAT BEAUTY SECRET YOU HOPE IT MIGHT TALK ABOUT

Well hopefully it will give pointers on how to dress to make the most of your figure, which doesn't interest me near as much as the mystery behind the little blue coat.


(\___/)
(='.'=)
(")_(")
alterlisa AT yahoo DOT com
http://lisaslovesbooksofcourse.blogspot.com/

Anonymous said...

Please enter me in this giveaway. I saw mention of this book elsewhere and it's already on my to-read list. I love period books/movies and the cover is beautiful.

I would love to know the secret of a glowing complexion.

monagarg@yahoo.com

Anonymous said...

I am an email subscriber

Cindy W. said...

I've always been intrigued by vintage clothes so this would be a fun book to read.

Thanks for the chance to win a copy.

Smiles & Blessings,
Cindy W.

countrybear52[at]yahoo[dot]com

Cindy W. said...

I am a GFC follower.

Smiles & Blessings,
Cindy W.

countrybear52[at]yahoo[dot]com

Cindy W. said...

I am an email subscriber.

Smiles & Blessings,
Cindy W.

countrybear52[at]yahoo[dot]com

gcpeach17 said...

I love history of anything, of course, clothing is a favorite of mine. This sounds like a Great Book! I will be interested in her take on what clothes can do to make you feel better about yourself and which items you should choose for a particular reason.

gcpeach17 at aol dot com

gcpeach17 said...

I am a follower on Google Reader

gcpeach17 at aol dot com

traveler said...

This book would be a delight. Thanks for this giveaway. It interests me greatly as I love vintage and that era. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com

traveler said...

I am an e-mail subscriber. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com

petite said...

This book topic is a favorite of mine for a long time and fasciantes me.rojosho(at)hotmail(dot)com

rubynreba said...

I'd like to read this because you said it flowed along nicely and was hard to put down!
pbclark(at)netins(dot)net

rubynreba said...

I follow on google.
pbclark(at)netins(dot)net

rubynreba said...

I subscribe by email.
pbclark(at)netins(dot)net

Martha Lawson said...

Sounds intriquing! I love to win and read this one.

mlawson17 at hotmail dot com

Martha Lawson said...

email subscriber

mlawson17 at hotmail dot com

Martha Lawson said...

follow on gfc

mlawson17 at hotmail dot com

Allison said...

This book sounds great!

allisonsbj3(at)gmail(dot)com

Allison said...

GFC Followeer

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Allison said...

Email subscriber

allisonsbj3(at)gmail(dot)com

Tea said...

I would love to read and win A Vintage Affair because the mystery behind the little blue coat sounds so interesting. I also love to read about fashions especially a book about Vintage fashions. Plus, I would like to know more about elderly woman with all the clothes.

teakettle58(at)yahoo(dot)com

Tea said...

I would hope it would teach beauty secrets about how to take an old dress and make it look new and fashionable.

I follow you in my Google Reader.
I follow you on Twitter.
I follow you in email.

Tea said...

I blogged about the giveaway. I have it in my sidebar. It links back to you. http://readwithtea.blogspot.com

Esme said...

I love this cover-It is gorgeous-sometimes that is what I base my book picks on.

chocolate and croissants at yahoo.com

Esme said...

Oops I messed up my entry-please delete the above entry-I am attracted to the cover-sometimes that is enough to entice me to read a book-I would hope the book would talk about discovering the right accessories.

thank you



chocolate and croissants at yahoo.com

Esme said...

I follow gfc

thanks



chocolate and croissants at yahoo.com

Esme said...

cococroissants

A vintage affair giveawayhttp://bookinwithbingo.blogspot.com/2010/07/vintage-affair-review-and-giveaway.html

chocolateandcroissants at yahoo .com

Shirley said...

+4swag shundelt@yahoo.com

Jeff said...

+4swag jeff72768@yahoo.com

jenna said...

I want to win this book because it has been on my To Be Read list for months and I need to get my hands on it! I can't wait to read it - I only hear good things about it. I'm sure it'll tell a lot about historical clothing which I love.

alackofcolor703(at)yahoo(dot)com

jenna said...

I'm a follower through Google Friend Connect!

-Jenna
alackofcolor703(at)yahoo(dot)com

jenna said...

I posted about this contest on my blog:

http://elevenpages.blogspot.com/p/featured-contests.html


-Jenna

alackofcolor703(at)yahoo(dot)com

jenna said...

I am also an email subscriber.

-Jenna

alackofcolor703(at)yahoo(dot)com

clenna said...

Beauty tip? I think what I'd like to read is how the other generations combined accessories with their dresses.

clenna at aol dot com

clenna said...

I follow via Google Friend, Networked Blogs and FB.

clenna at aol dot com

clenna said...

I subscribe via email

clenna at aol dot com

Anonymous said...

I would like to win this book because my mother loved clothes, especially vintage clothing. She could have been a fashion designer but it was the 1950s and she squelched that role. My great granmother was a hatmaker for women. Somehow, I missed the boat.

CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com

Anonymous said...

I am an e-mail subscriber.


CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com

Colleen Turner said...

"+5 FB Fan Bonus"
Thanks!
candc320@gmail.com

Sarah said...

I would love to read this book and learn about the vintage clothes that she sells:)

Sarah said...

I am a email subscriber:)

Foxchick0323@live.com

Sarah said...

I follow via google.

foxchick0323@live.com

Christine H said...

+5swag chirth7@yahoo.com

Jeff said...

+5swag jeff72768@yahoo.com

Jolee said...

Sounds good because it's both chick lit AND great writing...not always a combo you see. I hope it has some tidbits on dressing for your figure (petite and a little plump at the moment ;-) ). joleehamlin [at] comcast [dot] net

Jolee said...

email subscriber. joleehamlin [at] comcast [dot] net

Jolee said...

Follow on gfc. joleehamlin [at] comcast [dot] net

degood said...

I think this sounds like a great book. I can identify with the character who quits a great job to try to find herself and throwing herself into her work to avoid dealing with her own problems. I don't know what beauty secrets this book would have, perhaps advice on how to wear vintage clothes?

kerrie@mayansfamily.com

degood said...

I follow your blog as degood with google friend connect.

kerrie@mayansfamily.com

Ruthie said...

We are starting to see more vintage consignment stores here where I live. Some very beautiful things for sale.

ruthiekb72@yahoo.com

Ruthie said...

FB fan

ruthiekb72@yahoo.com

dag888888 said...

This would be perfect for niece who just graduated from fashion school! Beauty secret could be how to be glamorous always.

dag888888[at]yahoo[dot]com

dag888888 said...

Email subscriber!

dag888888[at]yahoo[dot]com

dag888888 said...

Google follower!

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Pamela Keener said...

This book sounds tres interesting.
I love clothes and I love mysteries so this is right up my alley.
Love & Hugs,
Pam
pk4290(at)comcast(dot)net

Pamela Keener said...

I follow your blog via GFC & Reader.
Love & Hugs,
Pam
pk4290(at)comcast(dot)net

Pamela Keener said...

I subscribe to your blog via e-mail.
Love & Hugs,
Pam
pk4290(at)comcast(dot)net

CherylS22 said...

I want to read this book because it looks like a unique story line & would give me something different to read. I would hope to obtain some beauty secrets about how to wear vintage clothing to my advantage.

Thanks for the giveaway!
megalon22 at yahoo dot com

CherylS22 said...

GFC follower
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