A Vintage Affair
(US edition)

For the UK Edition click here

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.

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In January 2011, the American Library Assocation announced its shortlisted titles for the 2011 Reading List which recognises 'the best books in 8 genres'.  I'm delighted to say that 'A Vintage Affair' was shortlisted in the Women's Fiction category.

Critical acclaim for
'A Vintage Affair'

Lisa Jewell
'A Vintage Affair' is an intelligent and deeply romantic tale of a man, a woman and beautiful beautiful clothes. I loved it.'

Katie Fforde
'Intriguing and tugs at the heart strings, with a wonderful backdrop and some delicious clothes.'

Hester Browne
'I loved A Vintage Affair. It was romantic, sumptuous and beautifully put together, like the elegant old clothes in the shop. I raced through it not wanting it to end. A must for fans of vintage dresses and vintage romance.'

Jill Mansell
'Isabel Wolff is one of my favourite authors. Her books are beautifullly written and wonderfully entertaining - elegant perfection.'

Heat
'A warm romantic tale.'

Daily Mail
'What a lovely book!... A rather bitterwseet love story is described in wonderful, vivid detail; brilliantly well-drawn characters abound and the vintage bits are very well researched. I hate to admit it but I had a few tears in my eyes at the end. Read this if you're in need of a serious feelgood factor.'

Irish Tatler
'Romance in a vintage clothes shop – we were sold from line one. Luckily, this book lives up to its hype, and is filled with all the sensory goodness that leads to inevitable comparisons to Joanne Harris – this is an author to bookmark.'

Easy Living
'The love triangle is light and sparky, but what makes the book stand out is Wolff's passion for vintage fashion; velvety, silken prose describes the clothes and their history, with several pieces telling rich stories that develop into compelling sub-plots.'

 

 

Order it at:

Wonderful Vintage Website!