What can I say but that I loved this book! It is full of layers and texture and color, all woven together in Phoebe Swift's struggle to forgive herself for the death of her best friend, Emma. Phoebe has broken her engagement and left her prestigious position at Sotheby's, partly to fulfill her dream of owning a vintage clothing shop, but also to attempt to heal emotionally and begin life anew. During the course of setting up her shop she encounters new friends and possibilities for new romances. She also meets Therése Bell, a dying woman with a closet full of beautiful vintage outfits plus one handmade blue woolen coat with a story all its own that becomes an important part of Phoebe's story as well.
Wolff succeeds on several levels with this novel. The detailed descriptions of the clothing in Phoebe's shop will delight vintage fashion afficionados as well as anyone who loves fabrics, colors, and textures. There is just enough romance to satisfy, and enough humor to lift a readers' spirits. The characters are lovable and quirky, especially Phoebe's mother and Dan. There is a universal psychological aspect not found that often in "chick lit" and the parent-child dynamics are true-to-life. The heart of the book, however, lies with Therése Bell and her unexpected friendship with Phoebe, a friendship that allows Phoebe to come to terms with her own emotions and to move on with her life. My verdict? Two thumbs up for this one!
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