Today’s book is one where you look at the front cover and you think; I NEED TO READ THAT, LIKE NOW PLEASE. I know we’re taught, now don’t judge a book by its cover and us book bloggers are supposed to be utter advocates of that but some days you think, yes. That author is giving that book the best chance of grabbing hold of readers and pulling them in, because it looks utterly beautiful and I must admit the writing inside, well, I won’t get ahead of myself but you might well love it.

Meet The Vintage Cinema Club….

Izzy is a wow at making unwanted things pretty, but with three brothers and her shabby chic furniture business to run she doesn’t have time to date. Could a fabulous French proposal change her mind?

Single mum Luce’s vintage bridal dresses are exquisite, but there’s no way she’s ever going to wear one or walk down the aisle for that matter. She’s a strictly no romance, one night kind of woman – or so she thinks…

Dida seems to have it all – a chocolate and banana cake recipe to die for, lovely kids (most of the time!) and a great lifestyle. But what good is a fabulous home, when your marriage has more cracks than a pavlova and your husband is having it off with half of Lithuania?

Three retro fabulous friends, in love with all things vintage, run their dream business from the faded grandeur of a rescued cinema. When that dream comes under threat, they’ll do whatever it takes to save it.

The book as the blurb suggests follows the lives of three wonderful women who are blighted by the selfishness of one husband, who decides to put their beautiful vintage cinema up for sale. Instead of letting go of the building that has helped them each live their dream job, Dida, Luce and Izzy dig their heels in, determined not to let their building be swept from under their feet. GIRL POWER eh? The book switches perspective between the three as we learn more about each of their lives, their loves and their part in the Vintage Cinema Club. Throw in hot-mess Xander, an unfaithful husband and one of the girl’s who’s still not quite sure what she wants it’s going to be an exciting read.

 

I thought what was truly special about this book was the relationship spun between the three women; each has their own personality traits and are built up to show this. Izzy is ultimately stubborn and a little quick to judge and finds it easy to push her emotions under a rug and pretend they were never there. She’s strong willed but also adorable. I thought her relationship with Xander was exciting to read about and he was your perfect steamy, gorgeous kind of character. At the start their relationship confused me; were they right for each other? But as the story mounts I enjoyed seeing their power struggle. I really felt for Dida throughout; her desperation to sort out her friends lives but not really take a look at her own was a little heart-breaking but wonderfully written. Finally Luce; I couldn’t quite pin her down. Claiming to be utterly fine but creating the perfect dresses for perfect weddings it didn’t quite fit, but you’ll have to read the book to find out how all the stories end.

I think the writing however was what really sold this book to me; the characters were brought to life but it was the cinema itself that really pulled me into the book. I would have loved to have a wander around the vintage trinkets, bridal dresses, and the pretty painted furniture. I adore little vintage stores and I was taken right inside the front door. I thought that the communication between the characters also really helped to spice up the descriptions; texts, emails, rotas and plans of actions it made it all the more real and helped to envelop me in the story as a whole. I thought the distinction between the cosy relationship of the friends and the steamy relationship between Izzy and Xander meant I was galloping through the pages which was brilliant.

Not a wobble for me but Izzy does take centre stage which I was a little surprised about from the blurb just because it looked from the outlook that the other girls would be delved into as much. However I think it works because although they take a bit of a back step, their stories help to strengthen Izzy’s and get you more involved in the plot.

Overall this book honestly had everything I could need as a reader; there was the relationship brewing between Izzy and Xander, and the look at their emotional and slightly traumatic pasts. The chemistry that was rolling off the pages was steamy and exciting *squeals.* Friendship, vintage, romance, excitement, trauma and suspense what more could you want. This author packs a punch and I cannot wait to read more from her.