Shopgirls: A Novel

by Jessica Anya Blau

From the author of the “delightful” ( New York Times Book Review ) Mary Jane , a new novel of found family, growing up, and the best and worst of the 1980s, revolving around San Francisco’s most exclusive department store, I. Magnin.

Nineteen-year-old Zippy can hardly believe she’s the newest and youngest salesgirl at I. Magnin, “San Francisco’s Finest Department Store.” Every week, she rotates her three spruced-up Salvation Army outfits and Vaseline-shined pumps; still, she’s thrilled to walk those pumps through the employee entrance five days a week as she saves to buy something new. For a girl who grew up in a one-bedroom apartment above a liquor store with her mother and her mother’s madcap boyfriend, Howard; a girl who wanted to go to college but had no help in figuring out how; I. Magnin represents a real chance for a better and more elegant life. Or, at the very least, a more interesting one.

Zippy may not be in school, but she’s about to get an education that will stick with her for decades. Her fellow salesgirls (lifetime professionals) run the gamut from mean and indifferent to caring and helpful. The cosmetics ladies on the first floor share both samples and advice (“only date a man with a Rolex”); and her new roommate, Raquel, an ambitious lawyer, tells Zippy she can lose ten pounds easy if she joins Raquel in eating only every other day. Just when Zippy thinks she’s getting a handle on how to be an adult woman in 1985, two surprises threaten both her sense of self and her coveted position at I. Magnin.

Set in the Day-Glo colors of 1980s San Francisco, Shopgirls is an intoxicating novel of self-discovery, outrageous fashion, and family both biological and found.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, Audiobook, Coming Of Age, Historical, Literary Fiction, Adult

Audible Audio

First published May 6, 2025

About the author

Jessica Anya Blau is the author of the nationally bestselling novel The Summer of Naked Swim Parties and the critically acclaimed Drinking Closer to Home.

Reviews

[chloé ✿ · Rating 2 out of 5]

i fail to understand why we had so many plot points introduced when nothing really happened with them. there were so many ideas that were not fully fleshed out. maybe this was purposeful, but it didn’t *work*.

i love a good coming-of-age story, but our main character went from understandably naive to painfully ignorant at times.

the best part about this was 80s nostalgia.

Mary Jane is definitely the superior novel, in my opinion. this one fell flat and left me with… nothing, really.

[Stephanie · Rating 1 out of 5]

What a massive disappointment. Almost as if it was written by a high schooler. Even the cover annoys me.
While I enjoyed Mary Jane, I was SUPER excited to dive into Shopgirls, as it is set in the story of my youth - Union Square San Francisco (I.Magnin to be exact) in the 80s.i do also remember the sixth story bathroom. It was so fancy!
I grew up in the city in this time period. I was one of the first people to grace the nine-story Nordstrom mall when it was first built (recently since shuttered RIP). I remember the two story Sanrio store, FAO Schwarz, Woolworths, Blondies Pizza (which makes a brief appearance in the book), taking the L Taraval or N Judah during Christmas to see the tree lit up, you name it, I remember it.

So when I first heard that this book would be based during this memorable time, centered around Zippy (even the name annoys me), who works at I.Magnin as a shopgirl, hawking Donna Karen, Jessica Mcclintock dresses, I couldn't wait to dive in.

Unfortunately, this was a massive misfire. WHAT COULD HAVE BEEN?!! Instead, we are forced a generic, bland, and an uninspiring San Francisco. There was a 30-minute chapter on a busy day, selling orange dresses to a cult, sharing a commission with another employee, and none of it was fun to read about. This story could have taken place during any era.

There are hardly any mentions of San Francisco, Boz Scaggs gets forced into it, Zippy's father reappears (she can't afford to call him long distance, cause yes that was an issue back in the day), Vanna White's dresses are mentioned, and if you're not familiar with this era, you will find some of the mentions unmemorable. Must see Thursday night TV was a real thing: Cheers, The Cosby Show, Night Court. However, it was all just tossed in there just because. There are mentions of AIDS, and if you know anything about AIDS in the City during. this period, it affected everyone. But, it's as if everything was just glossed over, even though a major plot point revolves around it.
There are a lot of Zippy's coworkers in as side characters. Blau calls them all by Misses (Miss Lena, Miss Yolanda), as that is what they were referred to back then, at least we think? All of them were forgettable. Not sure how much historical references she actually went by because it's a snooze.

Ended up skimming through to the end and tossed my kindle to the couch (not ground, cause that's rude), as this book was a major misfire. .

[Ryn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have to admit, I absolutely loved this. It's very reminiscent of Convenience Store Woman but set in a 80's department store. The whole experience felt like a warm hug and I loved every single page.

This novel is carried by the main character, Zippy. Her energy and her quirkiness is quite infectious. I loved reading about her day-to-day life in the department store and her relationships with every one around her--whether it be at home or at the store. She was a treat of a lead character and I miss her already.

I love novels about self-discovery and found family and I think this novel tackles these subjects excellently. Zippy's co-workers were all so unique and fun to read, and even her roommate and family members had their moments to shine. Everybody just felt so relatable and real.

Give this one a chance if it sounds good!

*Thank you to Netgalley and Mariner Books for providing me an ARC copy of this book. All opinions expressed are entirely my own*

[*TUDOR^QUEEN* · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had very much enjoyed this author's previous book Mary Jane so decided to try this one. It takes place in the 1980s in San Francisco as a young woman is trying to find herself. Zippy works in the Petite dresses section of a high-end clothing store, although she barely has enough nice outfits to wear herself. She sometimes borrows things from her roommate Raquel- her best friend. They both dream about their best lives, writing down their goals for jobs, boyfriends, and husbands, and even follow diets together. Her mother unexpectedly conceived her in a hallway during a one-night stand years ago, and Zippy has never met or spoken with her real biological father.

Sadly, this was a disappointment in comparison to her previous effort. Even though I'm a senior citizen I'm capable of appreciating and enjoying the growing pains of a still developing life, but this somehow read like a young adult/rom com seriously lacking in depth. I found myself reading other books for satisfaction around this one. My favorite and most interesting parts of the book involved the clothing store getting really busy and Zippy literally zipping around the multi-level store to procure what her clients needed- such as shoes, underwear, different sizes & colors- etc. The parts that made me roll my eyes were ridiculous stuff like making (and playing with) paper dolls of fellow employees during down times and kneeling to pray in the changing rooms with a kind but wacky co-worker. I was interested enough to finish the book, but this was a mediocre read.

Thank you to the publisher Mariner Books who provided an advance reader copy via NetGalley.

[John Gilbert · Rating 5 out of 5]

I ended up really liking this one once I got past Zippy working in a women's clothing store in San Francisco in 1985. Clothes and fashion just aren't my thing, but Ms Blau's writing and characters made all that go away for me.

I loved the characters in Zippy's life, her mum, Miss Lena her workmate and Raquel, her flatmate especially. There are scenes where Zippy and Ms Lena play at work with paper dolls made of all the people they know which I found hysterical. And having her previously non-existent dad contact her out of the blue at 19 years old could have been traumatic, but wasn't in the end.

I've now read all of Ms Blau's books (I have her novella Mating Calls ready to go yet) and enjoyed them all, some more than others. Mary Jane is certainly a classic. It really helped that she ended this story when it needed ending and did not go on a page too long as so many writers do. A good finish. 4+ stars for me. I liked it more than my Buddy read friend Jodi did, but it is always fun to read a book with her. Hope to do it again.

[Izzie (semi-hiatus) McFussy · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book may effect people differently whether you:
A) Lived in the Bay Area,
B) In the mid eighties, and
C) Shopped or made a pit stop at the glam sixth floor women’s bathroom at I. Magnin’s.

I checked all three, so what could go wrong?

Well, for one, Blau moved the ladies room to the fifth floor which shook my trust in her research.

My confidence didn’t get an encouraging boost by her writing style either. It was awkward, and at 270 pages it was still too long.

I went into the fitting room, unzipped, and then dropped my skirt on the floor. I took off my blouse and draped it over the chair. I stepped into the dress, reached my arm back, and zipped it almost to the top.

Really? REALLY???

How about the contents of a handbag:

…when I found it, was filled with dusty, sticky coins; loose tobacco from my mother’s occasional cigarette; crumpled receipts that had never needed saving; and old balls of gum mummified in silver wrappers.

There were also four or so scenes where Zippy and a co-worker role-played with paper dolls. 🙄 Those pages were insta-skims.

Anywho… I know what you’re thinking, Did it get any better?

No.

Zip was a drip. She was a doormat or at best a human camcorder. I suppose that was the point of the book, to find herself. The solution came at the end and out of the blue.

Also, in the third act she did something that soured me completely on her. Trusted with an important secret, she immediately blabbed to not one but two people.

What Blau did get right: Although it wasn’t a pleasant memory, she didn’t sugarcoat the panic and misinformation in 1985 surrounding AIDS. As a reference, that was the year Rock Hudson died. RIP.

[Jodi · Rating 4 out of 5]

A light-hearted story about a 19-year-old San Franciscan, Zippy, (yes, that’s her real name) who lands her dream job, right out of high school, at I. Magnin—a high-end department store—selling dresses in the Petites section. Interestingly (I thought), I. Magnin was an actual luxury department store chain, founded in San Francisco in 1876. It reached its peak in the mid-60s but went defunct after being bought out by Macy’s in 1994.

Zippy was raised by her single Mom and had been living with her and Mom’s new husband until recently. Now that she’s working as a full-time sales associate (though barely eking out a living) she moves in with Raquel, a struggling young lawyer who’d advertised for a room-mate. Though Raquel is several years older, the two quickly become “besties”. The fun begins and never seems to end. Taking place as it does in 1985, with the AIDS epidemic as a backdrop, Shopgirls includes some fairly serious, poignant moments, though mostly it’s a light-hearted, very enjoyable story filled with hilarious—even outlandish—storylines.

Zippy begins the story as an overly-responsible teen, looking out for her irresponsible Mom and Mom’s immature boyfriend/husband. But as the story moves along—and thanks to the interesting co-workers who befriend her at I. Magnin—she matures into a capable young woman, able to make her own decisions about life and love. Shopgirls is loaded with humour, and packed with life lessons. Despite the fun, breezy nature of the book, it’s not at all short on HEART! The atmosphere may be light, but this book has some important things to say. And I’ll leave it at that. Highly recommended as a “palate cleanser”! (thanks K!😉)

This was a “Buddy read” with my GR friend, John.

“A–friend–may–be–waiting–behind–a–stranger’s–face” 4-stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐

[Madison Warner Fairbanks · Rating 3 out of 5]

Shopgirls by Jessica Anya Blau
Women’s historical fiction. Mid 1980’s.
Until someone shows you how to do something, it’s a mystery. Zippy wasn’t shown how to find scholarships for school or where to even start so she gets a sales position at I Magnin. She finds clothing at a thrift store and adjusts it to match professional styles so she will fit in. Zippy is happy to get advice from anyone willing to share. She eats every other day to match her roommates diet. She befriends the sales women that are willing and has an eye for style. She’s successful at selling the right dress to the right women. It’s been a learning year for her and she even gets to meet the father that was never part of her life.
It’s the mid 1980’s and Zippy is living the best way she knows how.

This story brings back so many memories. The tv shows, the clothing styles, the sadness of a global illness, smoking on planes, and so much more.
For Zippy, it’s a learning experience as well.

An interesting trip of memories. A coming of age story.

I received a copy of this from NetGalley.

[Lisa (NY)]

dnf after 1 hour audio. I just couldn't take the childish and overly simplistic Zippy who works at I Magnin as a "shopgirl." She felt like a 10 year old, not a full grown adult.

[Tammy · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 stars.

[Brandice · Rating 2 out of 5]

After really liking Mary Jane by Jessica Anya Blau, I was looking forward to her next book, Shopgirls. The premise sounded good but I found myself powering through the book instead of enjoying it like I’d hoped to.

Zippy is 19 years old and is hired as a sales associate at I. Magnin, San Francisco’s premiere department store. Zippy attempts to fake it til she makes it, learning all she can about designer brands, how to be an elegant and successful woman, and generally aspiring to have a better life.

While it makes sense that the story is largely set within the department store itself, there was no sense of place beyond this — It store could have been located in San Francisco, Omaha, or Florida. I recognize Zippy was young, but I found it odd that she played with paper dolls at work, not once, but repeatedly. I kept waiting for a turning point in the story but didn’t feel like one ever arrived.

I hadn’t heard of I. Magnin before reading this book and was curious if it was real — It was, and was based in SF with more than 20 stores total. The company was acquired by Macys in 1994.

If you haven’t read Mary Jane, it’s a solid summer read I recommend. I suggest passing on Shopgirls, however, I’ll still be curious to see what Jessica Anya Blau writes next — 2.5 stars

[Sophia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just like her novel Mary Jane (which was one of my top reads of 2024) this is a delightful coming-of-age story that I loved from start to finish. Zippy was real and goofy, and just wants to be the best version of herself. But she isn’t quite sure how to do that.
Her family and the women she works with sometimes make it more difficult, and sometimes they point her in the exact right direction. She’s dealing with the very real struggles of early adulthood—living independently, paying rent, working to make enough money, struggling through the scariness of dating, and asking yourself what the heck you want to do with your life. Her growth is subtle but gratifying, and the story that enfolded was just so sweet and thoughtful. I couldn’t recommend it enough. 4.5!

[Grace · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks to netgalley for the ARC

I briefly worked at Macy's in the 2010s, so it was really interesting to read what that would have been like in the 80s. (Better clothes and customers still suck). At least no one asked me to fetch clothes for them while naked

This is a short book and the description doesn't lie. I do feel like certain instances were slightly too repetitive (like the journaling scenes), but it ended up working for this kind of story that relied on building off of familiar scenery. I think some of the revelations shown at the climax of the story are a little too silly / not believable enough for a full novel, but they were revealed in a way in this novella for it to be funny and to move the story along pretty well.

Zippy's coworkers were fun to read about. Even characters that were initially presented as mildly antagonistic were still humorous and not frustrating to read about. There is a good blend of "show and tell"- the way characters perceive and talk about Zippy matches up with her thoughts and actions, so I didn't feel myself getting annoyed with her. She acts how you would expect a 19 yr old semi-sheltered teen to act

If you like slice of life and coming of age genres, this is a good book to read

[Kelsey Stanley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Zippy is the friend I wish I had when I was 19.

[Cassie · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars. I read Shopgirls over the course of a single afternoon. I found it so entertaining and hard to put down, despite the fact that the plot is pretty simple. It’s a fun, gentle story of self-discovery about a young woman named Zippy who works in the Petite Dresses section of I. Magnin, a fancy department store, in 1980s San Francisco. The book follows Zippy as she deals with eccentric customers, bonds and battles with her coworkers, and spends evenings with her roommate and best friend, Raquel – exploring their city or curling up on the couch for Thursday night Must See TV.

Zippy reminded me a lot of the titular character in Jessica Anya Blau’s novel Mary Jane, in that she is incredibly naïve, but in an endearing way, not an annoying one. Blau writes such interesting characters – even the minor ones are written with care and warmth – and her dialogue is so authentic. I do think Zippy reads a bit young on the page – this book feels like it would be at home in the world of YA – but I loved her innocence, her determination, and her heart.

My biggest criticism of Shopgirls is that it doesn’t feel firmly placed in 1980s San Francisco. I wanted more ‘80s references that felt organic to the story, for Blau to really take advantage of San Francisco’s history, landmarks, and unique geography. I may be too directly comparing this book to A Gorgeous Excitement, which I read earlier this year, because it’s also a coming-of-age sort of story and it felt so firmly placed in 1980s New York. I just wanted more nostalgia from Shopgirls.

Now that I’ve read a couple of Blau’s books, I think I have a feel for the types of stories she likes to tell: joyful tales with quirky characters and lots of humor and heart. I would actually love a movie based on Shopgirls; just imagine all the beautiful Jessica McClintock patterns! Thank you to Mariner Books for the complimentary reading opportunity.

[Jillian Rose · Rating 3 out of 5]

Let me start by saying I absolutely adored Jessica Anya Blau’s last novel, Mary Jane. What the two novels have in common is a naive and charming protagonist as well as an intimate style of narrative where the reader gets lots of little details that make the story seem really personal. I loved the all the side characters in Shopgirl and the way Zippy’s relationship with each of them was unique. I was excited to read about her growth and finding her place in the world, but unfortunately the novel really took a long time to build up to anything, and all the good stuff was sort of stuffed into the last 50 pages or so. This book could have benefited from some restructuring and re-prioritizing. For instance, why so much with Miss Lena and their paper dolls but only a little bit of time spent exploring her relationship with her parents, her love interest, and her career path? This book also had a real opportunity to do more to develop a sense of time and place but it doesn’t seem like the author made much of an effort to do that beyond the bare minimum, unlike in her previous novel Mary Jane. I will certainly still seek out Blau’s next new book because I see a lot of potential in this author’s writing.

Thank you to NetGalley and Mariner books for the opportunity to read an e-galley of this title publishing 5/6/25.

[Camille]

GIRL!!!!!!!!! I've been eager for a new Jessica Anya Blau book for so so long bc I loved Mary Jane, and now HERE IT IS. And it takes place in the 80s????? I'm so stinkin' excited oh my gosh I'm going to flip out if I manage to get an ARC of it at some point. May is too long to wait!!

[Courtney Daniel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really strong story that absolutely nailed how people felt about AIDS in the 80’s. Nothing was misused and the ending was so satisfying. Just a tight, amazing coming of age for a young woman in a clothing shop. Highly recommend.

[Jamele (BookswithJams) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to Mariner Books and Harper Audio for the copies to review.

What a gem of a book! I loved the audio for this one, and I absolutely loved Zippy and her curiosity. This is set in 1980s San Francisco, which I loved. The writing was engaging, the characters relatable, and did I mention I enjoyed Zippy? She had people in her life that were both supportive and not, and she learned how to navigate both, and also how she learned who her father was and what he was going through was endearing, especially how it gave perspective on her mother and their own relationship. Blau also handles many tough subjects in here masterfully, particularly education around AIDS as not much was known back then, but also being a single parent, dieting (eating every other day was a new one to me), and other things that the 80s brought. I’m telling you, I did not expect to love this one as much as I did, and it will be one that I purchase for my shelves. I cannot recommend this one enough, and if you can do audio it was great to listen to.

[Kim van Alkemade · Rating 5 out of 5]

The exclusive department store where our wide-eyed and big-hearted protagonist, Zippy, finds her calling--and herself--exudes a timeless feel made all the more nostalgic for knowing that so many places like this have become the stuff of history in our fast-fashion, online world. A lovely exploration of a young woman becoming her own person against a backdrop of fraught times with a gentle sex and the city vibe.

[Tammy O · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun story of Zippy and her roommate, Racquel, as they learn to “adult” in 1980’s San Francisco. Zippy’s days at I.Magnin were my favorite to read about….the days of beautiful department stores and fashion before online shopping. The sales and cosmetics clerks at the store were entertaining, and I loved reading about the clothes and the shoppers.

Zippy’s life with Raquel was amusing, too. I liked their friendship and I was glad Raquel was trustworthy and kind to Zippy. Their escapades through San Francisco looking for parking spaces (always a shortage) or jumping on the back of street cars (“only the tourists buy tickets”) were playful and lively. The 80’s references to TV shows the girls made sure to watch; “Cheers” and “The Cosby Show” brought back memories, as well as their shared pair of skin tight Jordache jeans.

The introduction to Zippy’s father brought a more serious tone to the book. At the same time, Zippy was faced with some difficult job decisions and wondered why the glamorous jobs paid the least. Life advice came from a variety of sources; her mom, the various shop girls and Raquel, but Zippy had to decide what life SHE chose for herself.

Advanced reader copy courtesy of the publishers at NetGalley for review.

[Keely · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's 1985, and 19-year-old Zippy is thrilled with her new job selling dresses at I. Magnin in San Francisco. She's good at the job. She gets a free makeover at the start of each workday from Mimi at the Estee Lauder counter. She's gleaning lots of life advice (some of it dubious) from both the older women who work alongside her and her lawyer roommate Raquel. It would all be pretty perfect if it weren't for the pressure to financially help her mom, whose free-spirited husband Howard has just lost several fingers to a power saw and his job along with them. Oh, and then there are the anonymous customer complaint cards that Zippy keeps receiving.

Loved the nostalgia in Shopgirls--Fendi, Donna Karan, Jessica McClintock, old-time department-store vibes...I liked Zippy's character, too. Sometimes she's on top of things and wise and responsible beyond her years. Other times, she's pretty clueless--exactly like a real 19-year-old. Like Blau's 1970s coming-of-age novel Mary Jane, Shopgirls is nothing earth-shattering, but it's a quick and enjoyable read. I happened to read both novels close together for book club, and of the two, I felt like Mary Jane was stronger. In any case, if Blau's next project happens to be a coming-of-age novel set in the '90s, I'd be all in!

[Kristine · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was reading the book, but changed to the Audio. The reason, so I could clean my house a bit, another words multi-task and not have to pay such close attention. After the start, Reading about 3 Chapters, the book became repetitive and really didn’t seem to go anywhere. Zippy, has grown up poor, raised by a single Mom, who is loving but a little Dippy, guess that explains her choice of names. She marries a decent man when Zippy is 14. They met at the local Hardware Store.

So, a job at I. Magnin, a very high-end clothing store really excites her. It is the Flagship Store in San Francisco. So, one would think that in 1985, the elements of life in San Francisco would be all over this book. I worked in the suburbs at Macy’s at this same time. The Famous Macy’s is in NYC and if I was 19 and working at that store and living in Manhattan, that would have been quite different. So, it was hard to accept Zippy’s absolute Naïveté. Sure, got it, she was different and liked being around her Mom, but having absolutely No Idea about Diets, Sex, AIDS, Drugs, Drinking: no, can’t imagine. Cosmopolitan and even Seventeen had diet tips every month and yes, girls spoke about this stuff all the time for looking right for Boyfriends. In Early 1985, the Top Show, Dynasty had Rock Hudson kiss Linda Evans. It came out shortly after that he was believed to have AIDS. Soon after it was confirmed and he died. Young Ryan White, was diagnosed with AIDS from having a blood transfusion in 1984. So, AIDS was being talked about. The best way for Models to stay thin was to use Cocaine as that was the drug used in the 80’s. If you went to clubs in a major city, you would know this. It doesn’t mean you engaged this, but you heard about it.

The book seems more as if Raquel was 18 and Zippy 15. Most of the book has a very young adult vibe to it, which I found hard to get into, as Zippy is not really doing much except going to work and the characters there are not too compelling. It does not feel she is living a single girl life in San Francisco. Raquel talks about sleeping with 25 guys, yet seems much more like women were at the time; sex was ok if you were in a monogamous relationship with one man at a time. You worried about being called promiscuous + AIDS was on everyone’s mind now. It is fine if Raquel actually acted like this at all. A Grown Woman involved with 25 Guys is not giving Kissing Tips. She writes her perfect guy wishes in a notebook and that means the guy has to be a lawyer like herself. Zippy must write her own book with the type of guy she is looking for. Sound like two High School Teenage Girls? So, that also didn’t make sense to me, as a new lawyer at a firm in the city has to put 14 hour days in. She just would not have the time to watch Thursday Night TV lineup or have Fun Chats with Zippy.

Then, 75% in, the book changes course. It gets into much more serious material. Zippy starts to develop into herself a little and make some actual decisions for herself. I liked the last quarter of the book, but it felt like 2 separate books to me. Either could have worked, but since there was so little character development for so long, you lose interest and it is just too disjointed for me. Felt like it needed a re-write. Scrap 75%, use most of last 25% and incorporate some San Francisco life into the book. Have Zippy working, but have those women with years of city experience actually speak like they know something about life, since they surely do.

[Paige · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun, light coming-of-age new novel about a young woman working as a department store shopgirl in the 80s in the SF Bay Area.

[Kerri · Rating 3 out of 5]

Although this book eventually grew on me, it just was not what I was hoping for as a follow up to one of my favorite books of the last few years. Zippy felt far younger than 19 to me and I didn’t connect with any of the side characters either. Ultimately disappointing.

[Leah DeCesare · Rating 5 out of 5]

SHOPGIRLS is a tender and poignant coming-of-age story set against the backdrop of them mid-80s.
The cast of characters supporting the protagonist, Zippy, is well-developed and entertaining. This is a truly feel-good story with the immersion in another time that Jessica Anya Blau does so elegantly.

[Tori · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've been anticipating this book since I read the author's 2021 book "Mary Jane" (which is one of my top 10 lifetime favorites). I was SO nervous because I wasn't sure the author could deliver a book that would met my expectations. I'm happy to report that this book and Zippy stole my heart! After an hour or so I was HOOKED and by the 50% mark I wanted to protect Zippy at all cost! This will absolutely be a top 10 of 2025 for me! Shout out to Libro FM for the the ALC and Netgalley for the ARC! buuuut this cover isn't it...hoping the paperback will look better!

[MBenzz · Rating 1 out of 5]

I hate how many books I’ve DNF so far this year, but I’m sick of reading books that don’t bring me joy. I enjoyed this author‘s previous book, Mary Jane, but this one just wasn’t doing it for me. After getting through 27% of the book and spending that entire time bored, I decided to move on. Zippy was not a strong enough character for me to continue reading.

[Jacqueline Barba · Rating 4 out of 5]

what I really enjoy about Jessica Anya Blau’s writing is how clean and straightforward it is. there’s a balance to the emotions of her characters and a clarity to their settings and storylines that makes these books very soothing to read. i really liked Zippy, and I especially liked reading this book at this stage in my life. Zippy was figuring out what she wanted, who she wanted to be, and struggling with how to get there without pity for herself or jealousy for others. I really loved that and felt like I needed it during this post grad week. I also liked the incorporation of the time this book is set in, and the way the AIDS crisis was weaves into the story. overall a very solid and quick read that I really liked!

[Carrie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Shopgirls by Jessica Anya Blau was SO GOOD! 🤩

I’ve had her book Mary Jane on my TBR forever and now I’m even sadder that I haven’t gotten to it yet!! 📚

It’s the 1980s in San Francisco and Zippy is working at the most exclusive department store, I. Magnin. She’s the youngest salesgirl there, rotating her 3 thrifted outfits, and helping the elite pick out their new pieces of clothing. Zippy grew up in a one-bedroom apartment with her mom and her mom’s boyfriend, Howard, and Zippy is dreaming of a world far away from ending up like that. 👜👛🔨

If this premise sounds dull, I can assure you it is not!! It has vibes of Midge Maisel working at B.
Altman and Company in the best way. I find this time period of shopping at department stores so so interesting and the cast of characters here really iust made the book so fun. From fad diets, to excentric customer requests and wacky colleagues, this book was just a treat from start to finish! 👗👘👠 🛍️

“But to me, clothes were magic.” ✨

““I dunno, Zippy. I’ve been praying my whole life and it seems like everything I got came to me because I worked my ass off and not because God decided it was time for me to have it.”” 👏🏻

Thank you to NetGalley and Mariner Books for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review. Releases 5/6! 💖