The Vintage Shop: 'Hot buttered-toast-and-tea feelgood fiction' The Times

This book 'popped up' on my screen as suggested reading. I liked the title so read the reviews. The content didn't really appeal to me but the fact it was set in Frome, Somerset tempted me to read it. I have close connections with Frome: I was born and brought up in a nearby village, I attended school and had my first full time job in Frome, my family still live there, and I last visited in June 2022. The novel is character driven. The characters we get to know are too nice. The baddies, although pivotal to the plot, are peripheral. There are some references to places in the town; I would have liked more. The plotting is good, but predictable. I found the lack of attention to detail annoying e.g. Frome is a long distance from an airport but the characters travel to and fro by taxi; it would cost a fortune.

This is the first book by Libby Page that I have read, but it won’t be the last.Every emotion is covered in this book, love, loss happiness & sadness.It’s a story spanning decades, of women loving & losing, of supporting women & being supported by women. It crosses the ocean from England to America. I really liked this book. It’s not your typical romance book for a start, but romance is there, along with a good story that kept me gripped

This was a great read, the characters were so well developed and you could almost feel the emotion between them as the story unfolded. There were quite a few plot twists to keep the pages turning and the descriptions of the shop and the little towns were palpable.I really enjoyed this feel good book and will definitely be trying some of the authors other books.

Read this in a couple of sittings….heartwarming story of friendship and stepping out of the shadows to enjoy life. Just lovely

As a huge fan of The Lido I was excited to read this book. I wasn’t disappointed! I know Frome and feel like I could easily bump into Lou and Maggy just walking down the street.Libby’s characters are so relatable and feel like friends.

What a lovely story. The setting is Frome in Somerset where Lou is opening a vintage clothes shop which is something of a challenge. It is also about Maggi who lives in Frome and Donna who lives in New York and how their lives are entwined. The characters are so likable. I also liked that love and romance were not featured greatly. How I wish I could visit the vintage clothes shop! Having read and enjoyed the book I would love to buy a vintage 60s wardrobe in memory of the 1960s - my favourite era!

A proper feel good book with a well structured plot. It made me smile and it brought me close to tears. What more could you want?

Bit light-weight but charming in its own way, That’s all I want to say. Probably won’t be trying any more of hers. Everyone is different in their tastes.