Vintage: A Novel
Vintage: A Novel book cover

Vintage: A Novel

Paperback – September 2, 2014

Price
$14.99
Format
Paperback
Pages
320
Publisher
William Morrow Paperbacks
Publication Date
ISBN-13
978-0062270337
Dimensions
5.31 x 0.72 x 8 inches
Weight
8.8 ounces

Description

“…This novel is sure to please fans of women’s fiction who enjoy an engaging story filled with plucky characters and second acts.” — Library Journal “…Gloss should have a built-in fan base for this book-club-worthy story of redemption, healing, and love.” — Booklist “A wonderfully engaging story complete with the true essence of sisterhood.” — Stephanie Evanovich, New York Times bestselling author of Big Girl Panties “A colorful and charming novel, filled with tenderness for women and friendship. Susan Gloss writes about clothes in such loving detail that every page read like a literary wardrobe makeover…a delicious combination.” — Susanna Daniel, author of Sea Creatures “Susan Gloss has conjured up a generous and welcoming world―and the women of Violet’s beloved vintage shop have plenty of grit to go with their glamour.” — Michelle Wildgen, author of Bread and Butter A small-town girl with a flair for fashion, Violet Turner had always dreamed of owning a shop like Hourglass Vintage. But when faced with the possibility of losing the store to an unscrupulous developer, she realizes that despite her usual self-reliance she cannot save it all by herself. 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 forges an unexpected bond with women who won’t let her give up on her dreams. Betrayed by her husband, Amithi Singh begins selling off her vibrant Indian silk dresses. 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 with a needle and thread. Vintage is a charming tale of possibility, of finding renewal, love, and hope when we least expect it. Susan Gloss is a graduate of the University of Notre Dame and the University of Wisconsin Law School. When she's not writing fiction, Susan can be found working as an attorney, blogging at GlossingOverIt.com, or hunting for vintage treasures for her Etsy shop, Cleverly Curated. She lives with her family in Madison, Wisconsin. Read more

Features & Highlights

  • Vintage is Susan Gloss’s sparkling debut novel in the Vein of
  • The Friday Night Knitting Club
  • , centered around a Midwestern vintage clothing shop and a group of women who eventually transform the store and each others’ lives.
  • At Hourglass Vintage in Madison, Wisconsin, every item in the boutique has a story to tell . . . and so do the women who are drawn there.
  • Violet Turner has always dreamed of owning a shop like Hourglass Vintage. When she is faced with the possibility of losing it, she realizes that, as much as she wants to, she cannot save it alone.
  • 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 1950s wedding dress, she discovers unexpected possibilities and friends who won’t let her give up on her dreams.
  • Betrayed by her husband, Amithi Singh begins selling off her old clothes, remnants of her past life. After decades of housekeeping and parenting a daughter who rejects her traditional ways, she fears she has nothing more ahead for her.
  • An engaging story that beautifully captures the essence of women’s friendship and love,
  • Vintage
  • is a charming tale of possibility, of finding renewal and hope when we least expect it.

Customer Reviews

Rating Breakdown

★★★★★
30%
(814)
★★★★
25%
(678)
★★★
15%
(407)
★★
7%
(190)
23%
(623)

Most Helpful Reviews

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Some plants outgrow their pot

My post refers to a bit of advice given the main heroine, Violet, by her now-deceased grandmother, in answer to Violet feeling like an outcast in her hometown of Bent Creek, Wisconsin because of her love of vintage fashion. In Bent Creek, it seems, those destined to leave (Violet) are the outcasts, while the ones who stay (Violet's alcoholic ex-high school king ex-husband Jeb) get the benefit of the doubt. Bent Creek seems to be the place for those who peak in high school; Violet gets gossiped about for divorcing Jeb and moving to Madison, where she begins to realize her dream of owning a vintage store. But the property's owner wants to sell to a developer -- will Violet raise the needed cash in time?

Pregnant April, who first comes into Violet's life when she wants to return a vintage wedding gown for a wedding that won't happen due to the disapproval of her fiance's mother, ends up working for Violet as an assistant. Dealing with Charlie and his family, learning to be truly useful to Violet -- which is challenged when she ends up on bed rest -- April begins to come into her own as a person.

Amithi, an Indian-American wife and mother who has just discovered her husband has been having a long-term affair with a younger woman, first comes to Violet's shop to sell her wedding saris, then becomes the shop's seamstress. Daughter Jayana, an art director who has rejected her mother's efforts to teach her to sew, offers her shelter while she ponders her next moves. Before her marriage, Amithi had wanted to attend design school. Dare she resurrect that dream?

Just as Violet has given up hope of having a family (Jeb increasingly becoming non-daddy material), into her life comes Sam, a formerly nerdy classmate from Bent Creek and proof that there is life after high school. Sam is everything Jeb isn't -- but does he want children?

When an unwelcome blast from the past leads to an act of vandalism at Violet's store, forcing her to make a long-delayed choice in order to save her dream.
1 people found this helpful
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Author writes in a way that keeps the pages turning and sets up the next story line beautifully. I can close my eyes and actuall

This book makes me want to throw away my entire wardrobe and go vintage! Author writes in a way that keeps the pages turning and sets up the next story line beautifully. I can close my eyes and actually visualize everything she describes in the story! Brilliantly written and looking forward to reading more from Susan Gloss!
1 people found this helpful
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Nice story

Nice story, nice characters, nice ending. I'd recommend it.
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Good story

Good light reading.
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Love this book!

I loved this story - a little "Steel Magnolias-ish" in that it is a great story that follows the main characters who become good friends and help each other. Heartwarming.
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a good read

Loved the. Book the. Writing
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Four Stars

I found this book interesting and enjoyed reading it. Would enjoy a sequel.
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Vintage storytelling

What a sweet story of classic storytelling. Women all involved in working with vintage clothing going through life changes. One woman leaves her unhappy marriage because she realizes her husband is drinking the money she could use to make something of herself. One woman is frustrated with her marriage, because she finds out he cheated on her, when she gave up her future for his. The third young woman is unwed and pregnant afraid she may be about to give up her chance at a future education.... They each work together to form a friendship and help the others through difficult decisions.
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Four Stars

I enjoyed this book.
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Here's to Second Chances!

Really enjoyed this book! It's a quick read about women who's lives come together at what sounds like an amazing vintage clothing store. Each of the three main characters has their past to overcome, a present struggle to deal with and find support in each other as they get through their situations. Would recommend this book to those who like a happy ending and genuinely nice story.