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The Vintage Dress Shop #1
A New Look
*PART ONE of the heartwarming and romantic new four-part series from Annie Darling - perfect for fans of Cressida McLaughlin and Holly Hepburn!*
Second chances never go out of style . . .
Sophy Stevens has just turned thirty and found herself unexpectedly out of a job and out of a relationship. Now she's desperate for Something Different, and Australia where she can connect with the grandparents she's never met and maybe fall in love with a sexy surfer is the perfect answer . . . if she can save up the money for the plane ticket.
So when her feckless, absent dad Johnno offers her a job at his vintage clothes shop in Primrose Hill, she can't turn it down, even though she doesn't want to be surrounded by clothes that people have probably died in. At least it will only be for a few months, which is just as well because Sophy and Phoebe, the shop's snooty manager, aren't destined to be best friends.
But while Sophy might not see the attraction of a 1930's evening gown, gorgeous jewellery dealer, Charles Radley has certainly caught her eye...
The Vintage Dress Shop in Primrose Hill is a four-part eBook serial. This is the first part.
Second chances never go out of style . . .
Sophy Stevens has just turned thirty and found herself unexpectedly out of a job and out of a relationship. Now she's desperate for Something Different, and Australia where she can connect with the grandparents she's never met and maybe fall in love with a sexy surfer is the perfect answer . . . if she can save up the money for the plane ticket.
So when her feckless, absent dad Johnno offers her a job at his vintage clothes shop in Primrose Hill, she can't turn it down, even though she doesn't want to be surrounded by clothes that people have probably died in. At least it will only be for a few months, which is just as well because Sophy and Phoebe, the shop's snooty manager, aren't destined to be best friends.
But while Sophy might not see the attraction of a 1930's evening gown, gorgeous jewellery dealer, Charles Radley has certainly caught her eye...
The Vintage Dress Shop in Primrose Hill is a four-part eBook serial. This is the first part.
- GenresRomance
106 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 12, 2023
45 people are currently reading
183 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
February 3, 2024
This was not it, boring storyline and the love interest was just giving weird vibes were the main character thought he was gay like? I hope he turns out to be lol
May 2, 2023
loved the writing style, it was so fun and interesting!!! sophy is so relatable and such an easy protagonist to root for, i really cant wait to see her journey <3. her relationship with her father is so complicated and interesting, im really keen to see how it unfolds! also really excited for the development of her relationship with charles, he is so charming and such a great love interest!!!! i love how vintage fashion is so prominent in the story, it’s so unique, very cute and also a learning experience for me :) overall, a really great romcom with really great and complex characters! will definitely be tuning in to the second part.
May 31, 2023
Thank you to the author, publisher and netgalley for the chance to read this ebook in exchange for a review.
A few years ago I devoured all of Annie Darling’s bookshop books and I’ve been missing her writing ever since! Constantly looking her up on goodreads and Google to see if she’s written anything new and finally… she’s back!
Not books this time - oh calamity! But gorgeous clothing - nearly as good! And this is only the first part, so it’s mainly just the introduction and the setting of the story. We meet the hero - who is very handsome indeed and our heroine, Sophy who is looking to change her life by heading off to Australia.
As with her previous books, it’s clear that Ms Darling has a brilliant ear for dialogue and Sophy’s dad who is Australian sounds like he’s fallen out of an episode of ‘Bluey’ - I heard his voice so vividly! And there is a range of interesting characters who we need to know about. Freddy and Phoebe, I’m talking to you! Sophy herself is a little bit bland but in a way that’s kinda the point of her. She is every woman.
Sparkling and enjoyable - but quite frustrating that it’s only one part when clearly everyone will want to rush through the whole book. I certainly would have stayed up to finish it. I’m not sure there’s much of a benefit to the reader for having it in several parts when really it’s just one book. I’ll stick with it but that’s because I feel quite a loyalty to the author, but her last published work was 5 years ago and new readers may not have the patience for a four parter. And maybe this part of the novel doesn’t have quite the originally to pull off such a stunt?
So wonderful to have another book by this lovely writer but the publishing it in parts is not fun and rather gimmicky.
A few years ago I devoured all of Annie Darling’s bookshop books and I’ve been missing her writing ever since! Constantly looking her up on goodreads and Google to see if she’s written anything new and finally… she’s back!
Not books this time - oh calamity! But gorgeous clothing - nearly as good! And this is only the first part, so it’s mainly just the introduction and the setting of the story. We meet the hero - who is very handsome indeed and our heroine, Sophy who is looking to change her life by heading off to Australia.
As with her previous books, it’s clear that Ms Darling has a brilliant ear for dialogue and Sophy’s dad who is Australian sounds like he’s fallen out of an episode of ‘Bluey’ - I heard his voice so vividly! And there is a range of interesting characters who we need to know about. Freddy and Phoebe, I’m talking to you! Sophy herself is a little bit bland but in a way that’s kinda the point of her. She is every woman.
Sparkling and enjoyable - but quite frustrating that it’s only one part when clearly everyone will want to rush through the whole book. I certainly would have stayed up to finish it. I’m not sure there’s much of a benefit to the reader for having it in several parts when really it’s just one book. I’ll stick with it but that’s because I feel quite a loyalty to the author, but her last published work was 5 years ago and new readers may not have the patience for a four parter. And maybe this part of the novel doesn’t have quite the originally to pull off such a stunt?
So wonderful to have another book by this lovely writer but the publishing it in parts is not fun and rather gimmicky.
May 3, 2023
The Vintage Dress Shop in Primrose Hill (Part One) by Annie Darling
I received an advance review copy for free thanks to NetGalley and Hodder & Stoughton and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Blurb
Second chances never go out of style . . .
Sophy Stevens has just turned thirty and found herself unexpectedly out of a job and out of a relationship. Now she's desperate for Something Different, and Australia where she can connect with the grandparents she's never met and maybe fall in love with a sexy surfer is the perfect answer . . . if she can save up the money for the plane ticket.
So when her feckless, absent dad Johnno offers her a job at his vintage clothes shop in Primrose Hill, she can't turn it down, even though she doesn't want to be surrounded by clothes that people have probably died in. At least it will only be for a few months, which is just as well because Sophy and Phoebe, the shop's snooty manager, aren't destined to be best friends.
But while Sophy might not see the attraction of a 1930's evening gown, gorgeous jewellery dealer, Charles Radley has certainly caught her eye...
My Opinion
The Vintage Dress Shop in Primrose Hill is being released in four parts. This is the first part. As this is only the first part of the book it is a very quick read, but it is a great introduction of what is to come in the upcoming parts. Sophy has been having a bad time recently as she is recently single and has lost her job with no warning. Her father offers her a job working at his vintage dress shop in Primrose Hill - even though she doesn't know a lot about vintage dresses.
This was a lovely book to read and I cannot wait to read the second part.
Rating 4/5
I received an advance review copy for free thanks to NetGalley and Hodder & Stoughton and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Blurb
Second chances never go out of style . . .
Sophy Stevens has just turned thirty and found herself unexpectedly out of a job and out of a relationship. Now she's desperate for Something Different, and Australia where she can connect with the grandparents she's never met and maybe fall in love with a sexy surfer is the perfect answer . . . if she can save up the money for the plane ticket.
So when her feckless, absent dad Johnno offers her a job at his vintage clothes shop in Primrose Hill, she can't turn it down, even though she doesn't want to be surrounded by clothes that people have probably died in. At least it will only be for a few months, which is just as well because Sophy and Phoebe, the shop's snooty manager, aren't destined to be best friends.
But while Sophy might not see the attraction of a 1930's evening gown, gorgeous jewellery dealer, Charles Radley has certainly caught her eye...
My Opinion
The Vintage Dress Shop in Primrose Hill is being released in four parts. This is the first part. As this is only the first part of the book it is a very quick read, but it is a great introduction of what is to come in the upcoming parts. Sophy has been having a bad time recently as she is recently single and has lost her job with no warning. Her father offers her a job working at his vintage dress shop in Primrose Hill - even though she doesn't know a lot about vintage dresses.
This was a lovely book to read and I cannot wait to read the second part.
Rating 4/5
July 26, 2023
Sophy is a girl who is a little bit lost. She has been made redundant from her decade-long job in a cheap and cheerful fashion shop and her boyfriend has called it quits on their relationship. So when her unreliable Aussie dad, Johnno (such an Australian name!) offers her a job in his job, Sophy decides to give it a go.
What she doesn't realise is that instead of the junk shop she thought she was going to work at, the shop sells designer label vintage dresses, not really Sophy's area of expertise. The shop is run by the nasty Phoebe who goes out of her way to make Sophy's life miserable, for no reason that Sophy can figure out. However, Sophy needs the job so she tries to make the best of it.
Along the way, there are misunderstandings, frustrations with her dad (Sophy is considering migrating to Australia and needs his help to do so) and the general stuff of life.
This was a great book! The only thing was that when I requested it, I didn't realise that this was only the first part of a 4-part series, which was a bit annoying, it has to be said because I wanted to continue the story. I hope I get to read part 2 :) As a mad reader, I find it detracts from my enjoyment of the book because by the time I get to read the next part, I have lost the rhythm of the story and it takes a bit of time to get that back.
Would love to read it, in it's entirety!
4.5 stars from me.
Thank you to NetGalley and Hodder & Stoughton.
What she doesn't realise is that instead of the junk shop she thought she was going to work at, the shop sells designer label vintage dresses, not really Sophy's area of expertise. The shop is run by the nasty Phoebe who goes out of her way to make Sophy's life miserable, for no reason that Sophy can figure out. However, Sophy needs the job so she tries to make the best of it.
Along the way, there are misunderstandings, frustrations with her dad (Sophy is considering migrating to Australia and needs his help to do so) and the general stuff of life.
This was a great book! The only thing was that when I requested it, I didn't realise that this was only the first part of a 4-part series, which was a bit annoying, it has to be said because I wanted to continue the story. I hope I get to read part 2 :) As a mad reader, I find it detracts from my enjoyment of the book because by the time I get to read the next part, I have lost the rhythm of the story and it takes a bit of time to get that back.
Would love to read it, in it's entirety!
4.5 stars from me.
Thank you to NetGalley and Hodder & Stoughton.
July 11, 2023
Sophy finds herself on her own, jobless and sleeping on her mother's couch at the age of 30. She decides to emigrate to Australia to stay with her paternal grandparents, but needs a job to save for the visa and travel. Her (very) strange, mostly absent father offers her a job in his shop. Rather than the junk shop that she remembers from her childhood though, it is actually an upmarket vintage clothes shop.
I found myself really enjoying this story, even though I know nothing about clothes, my wife is more the expert here and she would love to work there. The manager is a dragon though, and the other two assistants standoffish. In this first part Sophy begins to find her feet, plus there is Charles, a very charming gemstone specialist who sources clothes for the shop and she is attracted to. All in all a very good introduction to the serial and one where I can't wait to read the second part.
I received an advance copy of this book from the publisher through Netgalley, however this did not influence my review of the book.
I found myself really enjoying this story, even though I know nothing about clothes, my wife is more the expert here and she would love to work there. The manager is a dragon though, and the other two assistants standoffish. In this first part Sophy begins to find her feet, plus there is Charles, a very charming gemstone specialist who sources clothes for the shop and she is attracted to. All in all a very good introduction to the serial and one where I can't wait to read the second part.
I received an advance copy of this book from the publisher through Netgalley, however this did not influence my review of the book.
February 25, 2024
Wat een heerlijke feelgood is dit!
Ik heb me heerlijk vermaakt met de gebeurtenissen rondom het het hoofdpersonages Sophy. Zij is een vrij herkenbaar personage. Iedereen zal wel wat van zichzelf in haar kunnen herkennen.
De locatie waar het verhaal van 'Het vintageboetiekje in Primrose Hill' zich afspeelt is zeer beeldend beschreven en zo voelde ik me als lezer echt onderdeel van het verhaal. De bij figuren zijn ook om te smullen. Zo is daar een draak van een collega die te vergelijken is met Miranda Priestley uit de film 'The devil wears Prada'
Natuurlijk is 'Het Vintageboetiekje in Primrose Hill' geen literatuur of roman op hoog niveau. Maar soms is het gewoon zo fijn om dit soort verhalen even lekker tussendoor te lezen. Althans ik kan er echt van genieten.
Ik heb me heerlijk vermaakt met de gebeurtenissen rondom het het hoofdpersonages Sophy. Zij is een vrij herkenbaar personage. Iedereen zal wel wat van zichzelf in haar kunnen herkennen.
De locatie waar het verhaal van 'Het vintageboetiekje in Primrose Hill' zich afspeelt is zeer beeldend beschreven en zo voelde ik me als lezer echt onderdeel van het verhaal. De bij figuren zijn ook om te smullen. Zo is daar een draak van een collega die te vergelijken is met Miranda Priestley uit de film 'The devil wears Prada'
Natuurlijk is 'Het Vintageboetiekje in Primrose Hill' geen literatuur of roman op hoog niveau. Maar soms is het gewoon zo fijn om dit soort verhalen even lekker tussendoor te lezen. Althans ik kan er echt van genieten.
June 17, 2023
The first of four parts that will ultimately make up the novel, this book introduces the reader to Sophy. She has decided she wants to emigrate to Australia, where dad Johnny is from. She knows she needs to make money to get there, so when her dad offers her a job in his shop, she has to accept. The shop isn't as she expects, and there she meets some interesting characters - will she be able to stick it out and raise the money she needs?
A promising start, with plenty of characters to provide interest in the remaining 3 parts. I haven't read a book in this format for nearly thirty years, so it's good to see an author try it again!
3.5 rounded to 4.
A promising start, with plenty of characters to provide interest in the remaining 3 parts. I haven't read a book in this format for nearly thirty years, so it's good to see an author try it again!
3.5 rounded to 4.
July 20, 2023
Annie Darling is a new to me author who I'm very pleased to discover. This was a very enjoyable instalment of a series. I loved the details of the dress shop. The world of vintage fashion came alive and so did the cast of eclectic characters.
My only gripe is why was this book broken into parts when it seemed like it should have continued? I was really enjoying the read and then bam, it was over and left me with so many questions. Most importantly what will happen when Sophy sees Charles again, and will she ever get to Australia?
I'm sure I will continue with the series because I'd love to find out how Sophy's plans turn out.
My only gripe is why was this book broken into parts when it seemed like it should have continued? I was really enjoying the read and then bam, it was over and left me with so many questions. Most importantly what will happen when Sophy sees Charles again, and will she ever get to Australia?
I'm sure I will continue with the series because I'd love to find out how Sophy's plans turn out.
April 25, 2023
Amazing! I need the next instalment now!
I admit to not knowing anything about vintage dresses, but I’m fascinated by the characters. Johnno definitely has something he’s hiding, he’s like two different people and I can’t wait to see what he’s going to revelatory Sophy as the story progresses. Freddy and Phoebe certainly have a secret too! And Charles, oh how Sophy got that wrong, I can’t wait to see what happens between them two. Also will she still take the plunge and emigrate? Or will her dad win her over and reveal his truth to her? I really can’t wait to find out.
I admit to not knowing anything about vintage dresses, but I’m fascinated by the characters. Johnno definitely has something he’s hiding, he’s like two different people and I can’t wait to see what he’s going to revelatory Sophy as the story progresses. Freddy and Phoebe certainly have a secret too! And Charles, oh how Sophy got that wrong, I can’t wait to see what happens between them two. Also will she still take the plunge and emigrate? Or will her dad win her over and reveal his truth to her? I really can’t wait to find out.
May 25, 2023
This was a great short read and I can’t wait for the next part.
I loved the way it was written and the humour throughout was great. I mainly enjoyed the way it was laying the foundations for Sophy’s future relationships. Her relationship with her father seems complex and I can’t wait to see how it develops, as well as us hopefully getting more insight into him. I loved the fashion focus as well as how it focuses on Sophy trying to figure out how to move forward when life doesn’t go as planned. I only wish it had been longer!
Can’t wait for the next one!
I loved the way it was written and the humour throughout was great. I mainly enjoyed the way it was laying the foundations for Sophy’s future relationships. Her relationship with her father seems complex and I can’t wait to see how it develops, as well as us hopefully getting more insight into him. I loved the fashion focus as well as how it focuses on Sophy trying to figure out how to move forward when life doesn’t go as planned. I only wish it had been longer!
Can’t wait for the next one!
June 22, 2023
The first part of this series, set in an upmarket vintage dress shop, has a likeable main protagonist and a cast of complex individuals who add authenticity and depth to the story. This book has comic moments, fledgling romance and developing friendships, which sets the scene for an engaging serial novel. The setting is knowledgeably described. I like the location, the humour and the characterisation.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher.
June 12, 2023
Thank you NetGalley, Annie Darling and Hodder & Stoughton
The Vintage Dress Shop in Primrose Hill. This is my personal review.
I really enjoyed this book. It had a great beginning of the four-part serial.
The author has given us the characters and the beginning of what the book is going to be about. I am looking forward to watching how this story unfolds.
The Vintage Dress Shop in Primrose Hill. This is my personal review.
I really enjoyed this book. It had a great beginning of the four-part serial.
The author has given us the characters and the beginning of what the book is going to be about. I am looking forward to watching how this story unfolds.
April 16, 2023
I loved this book and cannot wait for the next instalment. Sophy is a great character and works in a vintage dress shop and knows nothing about vintage clothes. The humour is brilliant throughout the book. Roll on part two.
December 28, 2025
It was ok. The stars are for the fashion theme with dresses and accessories and the love story between Sophy and Charles.
I don't think I'll be reading the rest of the series though. I'm much more into thrillers than romance.I read romance this Christmas time because of the feel good vibe.
I don't think I'll be reading the rest of the series though. I'm much more into thrillers than romance.I read romance this Christmas time because of the feel good vibe.
June 1, 2023
I found this first chapter really engaging and enchanting.
Characters clearly drawn and the plot ready to go.
A great start to read on
Characters clearly drawn and the plot ready to go.
A great start to read on
Read
September 1, 2023Dnf
March 4, 2024
Liked Sophy but just not sure on the other characters.
June 18, 2024
Grotendeels geluisterd tijdens werk. Beetje hap slik weg boek met weinig diepgang.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews