The Vintage Girl

The Vintage Girl by Hester Browne

Published by Quercus

13th February 2014

Paperback Edition

 

 

 

 

When Evie Nicholson is asked to visit Kettlesheer Castle in Scotland to archive the family heirlooms, she jumps at the chance. Evie's passion for antiques means that, for her, the castle is a treasure trove of mysteries just waiting to be uncovered.

But in each heirloom lies a story, and in the course of her investigations Evie stumbles upon some long-buried family secrets. Add handsome, gloomy heir Robert McAndrew and a traditional candlelit gala to the mix, and Evie's heart is sent reeling with an enthusiasm that may just extend beyond the Kettlesheer silver...

 

Everyone has a weakness.  Some people have a weakness for champagne cocktails.  Or older men with French accents.

     My weakness is old French champagne glasses.  Preferably ones that have seen a bit of apres-midnight action.  Or English pub glasses with real Victorian air bubbles, or those 1950s Babycham glasses with the cute little faun.

     Any kind of glasses, actually, they don't have to match.

     Old sunglasses too, come to think of it.  Also, gloves (satin evening ones, especially), vintage wedding photos, fountain pens, trophies for long-forgotten tournaments, postcards...

     Okay, fine.

     My name is Evie Nicholson, and I am addicted to The Past.

 

This is the sixth book by Hester Browne, but I must admit, only the first one I have read, or heard of - where have I been?  I was drawn initially to the cover, and the word vintage in the title, so had to read it; and I'm glad I did.

The Vintage Girl won't tax your brain by making you think too hard, or leave you puzzling over a huge number of characters.  It drifts along quite nicely thank you very much, in it's own happy little bubble.  And sometimes, books need to be like that - in my humble opinion.

Evie Nicholson works in an antiques shop in Chelsea, run by her boss Max, who dreams of selling valuables from the impoverished English aristocracy to, well, whoever has the money to buy them!  One cold February morning, Evie gets hired to drive to Berwickshire, Scotland to visit Kettlesheer Castle to value the antiques in their home.  Cue lots of fantasies about balls, and dancing, and long-lost letters promising hidden treasures.

The reality isn't quite what she imagines when she arrives at the cold castle, but a few dusty passageways, some hunky single men and the promise of attending the Kettlesheer ball prove to be to much for Evie to handle.  One can only imagine that it's more than dusty treasures she will be returning with!

 

Happy Reading

 

 
Miss Chapter x