Secondhand Purses

by Elizabeth Butts

One Moment. Once careless moment that can shred your heart and start building walls brick by brick. It just takes one moment to change a person. Ten years ago, Alex was a cautious teen who didn’t make friends easily. Somehow, miraculously, she found a lifelong friend and mentor. Even more miraculously, she fell in love. Just when Alex’s world was finally turning into something she loved, her one moment happened. She went from sweet and vulnerable to snarky hard edges. Everyone has that friend. The one who will tell you what she thinks, even if you don’t want to hear it. The one that would throw herself in front of a train for you once you were ‘in’. The one that hides her pain behind her sarcasm. That friend is Alex. But when the center of her moment reenters her life suddenly, what is she supposed to do? Will her world implode on itself again? Will she end up in prison for murder? Or will things somehow end up like she’d always wanted?

191 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 19, 2016

About the author

I am a 39 year old who just decided in January 2015 to finally write a book. I am excited that I have three books on Goodreads now!

I'm an avid reader, I have a tendency to zone out the world when I'm reading. I always wanted to be able to write but I would get started, and then a page later, I was done.

My husband, Mike, and I live in Wareham, MA with our (gulp) eleven rescued pets.

I made a good friend in A. E. Murphy (an awesome author, please check her out!) who kept nudging me (ok, seriously pushing me) into writing.

I hope you enjoy!

Reviews

[Dawne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just love, love, loved this book! A sweet story about a teenager having trouble fitting in who is befriended by an 80 something woman who tells her to call her Nonna. Nonna proceeds to teach the girl how to bake, but also teaches her about life. I love the characters, especially Nonna and all the quirkiness and fun that happens in the life of Alex. A really fun book to read that will leave a smile on your face.

[Clarice · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was quite different in ways than Singleish was. At the same time we have two stories about women wanting to change their lives. The first book was Ashley had basically stopped participating in her own life and her boyfriend walked out of the picture due to it. Sounds awful right? It really wasn't. In fact, it was really funny and humorous while getting the point across to take a chance and do something new. Secondhand Purses is about Alex and second and even third chances at life and relationships. While it didn't make me laugh as much, I enjoyed the read just as much and may have even shed a few tears. It's a heartfelt read that will leave you feeling pretty good at the end.

[Colette · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another good read by a new author. Once again you have a light, fun read with likable characters. This story is a little deeper but by no means deep and heavy. Alex is a young woman just a little stuck in life. She finds that life may not go according to plan but that doesn't mean it's a bad thing.

This is another fun story with good characters and fun times. There are also some great lessons for all of us to learn, that no matter where you're going in life or where you've been you can always make changes and still have a great time and a great life.

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Second hand purses, the second story by this brilliant up and coming author. It's witty, it's charming, it'll make you laugh out loud, swoon, and get swept away in memories of your past. Then, after all of that it will squeeze your heart and have you crying, then melting all over again. This tale is literary perfection of the culinary persuasion, all wrapped up in a box of zeppole and sealed up with white and red string.

[Dirty Diva · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was funny, charming, and so fun to read. The characters were wonderful and I really connected with them. Especially Alex, she was such a realistic character I absolutely loved it. Such a wonderful story about changing your life and becoming the person you want to be. Absolutely fabulous, can't wait to read more by this author.

[Brenda Bauman · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! It is a very good YA book!

[Trish Williford · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book SO much. Alex, Nick and Nonna hold a very special place in my heart. I will have to say this is probably one of my favorite reads of 2016. All the feeeeeeeels!!! Awesome job, Elizabeth!

[Laura Jackson · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fabulous book - it made me laugh and cry what more could you ask for?

[efrit · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good

I like the plot very much.but I like more conversations between the characters and less mind reading thing.but I really like the main story.

[Amanda Hodson Akin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just a sappy, fun chick flick.