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Клуб "Чаен порцелан"
На една разпродажба от багажници на автомобили в Съсекс, се срещат три много различни жени, които се влюбват в един и същ античен сервиз за чай. Те решават да го споделят и се сформира приятелство, което променя живота им.
328 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2012
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 539 reviews
January 28, 2013
A 'nice' read really does sum it up. I wanted to like this so much more as it is a new author and the blurb sounded like it would be a fairly decent story; however I have to say I was disappointed, the blurb didn't come through with it's promise - confrontation of pasts, a friendship that changes their lives, breaking points....not from where I was reading. Don't get me wrong it was nice to read a nice story about nice friendships and nice relationships and nice husbands but where were the problems we were promised? They all nicely disappeared with no real heartache, everything worked out just...well, nicely.
I truly hate not liking books and it's not really that I didn't like it, I certainly didn't hate it but it just didn't live up to its promise; there could have been much more depth to the characters and story, all the premises were there but they just petered out.....and it's not that I dislike happy endings, I'm a sucker for them, but usually there is a lot of heartache and trouble before the happy ending. Nothing, not Jenny's mum appearing or the potential affair or the returning ex or the troublesome teens were dealt with with anything like verve or interest.
Disappointing but I'd give her a second chance.
I truly hate not liking books and it's not really that I didn't like it, I certainly didn't hate it but it just didn't live up to its promise; there could have been much more depth to the characters and story, all the premises were there but they just petered out.....and it's not that I dislike happy endings, I'm a sucker for them, but usually there is a lot of heartache and trouble before the happy ending. Nothing, not Jenny's mum appearing or the potential affair or the returning ex or the troublesome teens were dealt with with anything like verve or interest.
Disappointing but I'd give her a second chance.
May 31, 2020
Nearly too sweet for my taste but it was a very cute and uplifting read. Great for those who like chick lit and light-hearted stories.
February 8, 2016
A delightful and easy read.
Despite it taking me only a few hours to read, I really felt for each of the characters. The situations were believable and the realism throughout the book added to the story and the characters. I love realism in fiction and this was particularly believable.
A group of women brought together by chance who ultimately end up changing each other's lives in the most special way. What could be better than that?
This is a great chick-lit, chock full of tea (TEA!) and prettiness and conflict.
Despite it taking me only a few hours to read, I really felt for each of the characters. The situations were believable and the realism throughout the book added to the story and the characters. I love realism in fiction and this was particularly believable.
A group of women brought together by chance who ultimately end up changing each other's lives in the most special way. What could be better than that?
This is a great chick-lit, chock full of tea (TEA!) and prettiness and conflict.
November 1, 2012
Sorry to be a dissenting voice, but I was really rather disappointed by this one - an ok read, but that's about all. I wasn't that impressed by the writing, and thought a lot of the dialogue was distinctly clunky. I thought she squandered an opportunity by choosing to write Jenny - by far the least interesting character - in the first person, while telling the stories of the far more interesting Maggie and Alison in the 3rd. Some of the characters weren't rounded at all - Alison's husband Pete, the gay friend with the cafe, Jenny's disabled brother Chris, sulky green gardener Owen - and I thought some of the plot twists were either telegraphed or so ridiculous as to be totally unbelievable. A feel good read, but sometimes that's just not enough.
November 4, 2012
I have been looking forward to this book all the time I knew about it so when I got a copy at my library I couldn't wait to start. The simple start of a friendship that begins through the vintage teacups found at a car boot sale, deepens into a true friendship.
December 17, 2020
This was a very nice, nice feel good read. I do think the synopsis made it sound like there will be more drama than there actually is though. Still an easy read with good storyline’s.
December 21, 2015
3.5 estrellas!!
Me ha gustado mucho. Aunque al principio es un libro bien normalito, cuando se va afianzando la amistad entres las tres protagonistas, el libro empieza a ser encantador. Me han gustado mucho estas tres mujeronas. Todas decididas, emprendedoras, trabajadoras. Sencillamente geniales.
Cuatro hombres muy diferentes. Me gusta que la autora le dé un papel distinto a cada uno de ellos.
Es un libro OPTIMISTA, y últimamente me encantan los libros que me dejan esta sensación. Muy muy buen sabor de boca.
Me ha gustado mucho. Aunque al principio es un libro bien normalito, cuando se va afianzando la amistad entres las tres protagonistas, el libro empieza a ser encantador. Me han gustado mucho estas tres mujeronas. Todas decididas, emprendedoras, trabajadoras. Sencillamente geniales.
Cuatro hombres muy diferentes. Me gusta que la autora le dé un papel distinto a cada uno de ellos.
Es un libro OPTIMISTA, y últimamente me encantan los libros que me dejan esta sensación. Muy muy buen sabor de boca.
November 6, 2012
Jenny is planning her wedding to Dan and is hoping to serve their guests tea in vintage teacups at the reception. While on the hunt for vintage cups at a local car boot sale, Jenny spots the perfect tea set and sets her heart on it. Florist Maggie is helping to organise a client's wedding and is also trying to track down vintage teacups as part of her floral display. She spots the tea set at the same time as Jenny and Alison. Alison has always been good at sewing and crafts and has set up her own business, selling her handcrafted items. She's on the lookout for vintage teacups to make into candles so when she spots the tea set at the car boot sale, she wants it as much as the other women. With three women and only one tea set, they make a compromise. They will buy the set together and take turns using it - first Jenny for her wedding, then Maggie for her floral displays and finally Alison for her candles. Through the vintage tea set, Jenny, Maggie and Alison strike up a friendship and help each other through some difficult times in their lives.
The Vintage Teacup Club is a lovely tale of friendship, bringing together the three women who become closer as they join forces to hunt down more teacups. My favourite storyline was Maggie's and while I enjoyed the whole book, I found myself looking forward to her chapters the most. I loved the setting of The Vintage Teacup Club and would love to visit the cafe, Blitz Spirit, for tea and cake.
The Vintage Teacup Club is a lovely tale of friendship, bringing together the three women who become closer as they join forces to hunt down more teacups. My favourite storyline was Maggie's and while I enjoyed the whole book, I found myself looking forward to her chapters the most. I loved the setting of The Vintage Teacup Club and would love to visit the cafe, Blitz Spirit, for tea and cake.
September 2, 2012
Imagine sitting down with the perfect cup of tea in a delicate gold rimmed cup - which is decorated with daisies, roses, or another flower of your choice - and a mouth-watering slice of freshly baked chocolate cake on the side which is covered in sweet icing. Sounds quite perfect, doesn't it? That is exactly what reading The Vintage Teacup Club feels like.
With delightful descriptions of gorgeous antique tea sets (very much like the one gracing the stunning cover) and wonderful characters the book is sweet, cute and very inviting, just like a delicious cup of tea after a long working day.
In her debut novel Vanessa Greene uses an original take on the "club" sub-genre in women's literature. The story centres around three characters, all looking for vintage teacups. And as all three reach out for the same set at the start of the novel a deal is made and an unexpected friendship is born.
There are many lines by Greene that are beautiful but this one in particular perfectly depicts what the novel is all about:
"To new friends, a port in the storm."
While all three characters get nearly equal exposure, it is Jenny who comes across as the main protagonist as hers is the one told from the first perspective. About to get married to her fiancé Dan, Jenny is looking for vintage tea cups to grace the tables on her wedding day. While at the start of the book it looks like her life is pretty much picture perfect, trouble brews when someone from her past suddenly makes a re-appearance.
Alison is a wife and mum of two rebellious teenage girls. Her husband Pete lost his job and it's up to her to supplement their income with her craft works. One of the more popular items she makes are candles in a tea cup, which is of course the very reason she strolls through antique fairs searching for her next stash of cups.
Maggie owns flower shop "Bluebelle du Jour" and is currently working on the flower arrangements for an Alice in Wonderland inspired wedding. She believes that a collection of vintage tea sets would be perfect for the Mad Hatter's Tea Party aspect of the celebrations. That is, if she can reason with landscaper Owen, who's a good friend of the groom and helping out as a favour to the bridal party, as with his lack of wedding planning experience he grates on Maggie's nerves.
All three characters are well thought out and interesting from a reader's point of view. And as they span several generations there is something relatable to be found for everyone. In fact, by the end of the novel I felt I had gained three unexpected friends myself, whom I'd love to regularly catch up with over a cup of tea and a scone, generously covered in clotted cream and homemade strawberry jam.
As Jenny reflects upon their friendship near the end of the novel, she pretty much describes exactly what I was feeling when reading the book:
"As I watched Ali and Maggie talking, I thought back to the start of the Summer and the moment we'd met, how little we'd known each other then. Step by step we'd let each other in, and now it was hard to imagine that we hadn't always been there for each other. These women were both so strong, had bounced back from life's knocks and come out better for it. But then I suppose, somehow, with their help, I had done the same."
The only "complaint" I have about the The Vintage Teacup Club is that it's a fairly quick read. At times I tried to slow my regular reading pace down in an attempt to delay the inevitable, the final pages. Unfortunately, despite my efforts, it was still over too soon. However, the novel was a delightful read while it lasted and it has left me with some fantastic inspirational ideas (such as forming a friendship club around vintage teacups, or collecting them for my own wedding… one day).
With delightful descriptions of gorgeous antique tea sets (very much like the one gracing the stunning cover) and wonderful characters the book is sweet, cute and very inviting, just like a delicious cup of tea after a long working day.
In her debut novel Vanessa Greene uses an original take on the "club" sub-genre in women's literature. The story centres around three characters, all looking for vintage teacups. And as all three reach out for the same set at the start of the novel a deal is made and an unexpected friendship is born.
There are many lines by Greene that are beautiful but this one in particular perfectly depicts what the novel is all about:
"To new friends, a port in the storm."
While all three characters get nearly equal exposure, it is Jenny who comes across as the main protagonist as hers is the one told from the first perspective. About to get married to her fiancé Dan, Jenny is looking for vintage tea cups to grace the tables on her wedding day. While at the start of the book it looks like her life is pretty much picture perfect, trouble brews when someone from her past suddenly makes a re-appearance.
Alison is a wife and mum of two rebellious teenage girls. Her husband Pete lost his job and it's up to her to supplement their income with her craft works. One of the more popular items she makes are candles in a tea cup, which is of course the very reason she strolls through antique fairs searching for her next stash of cups.
Maggie owns flower shop "Bluebelle du Jour" and is currently working on the flower arrangements for an Alice in Wonderland inspired wedding. She believes that a collection of vintage tea sets would be perfect for the Mad Hatter's Tea Party aspect of the celebrations. That is, if she can reason with landscaper Owen, who's a good friend of the groom and helping out as a favour to the bridal party, as with his lack of wedding planning experience he grates on Maggie's nerves.
All three characters are well thought out and interesting from a reader's point of view. And as they span several generations there is something relatable to be found for everyone. In fact, by the end of the novel I felt I had gained three unexpected friends myself, whom I'd love to regularly catch up with over a cup of tea and a scone, generously covered in clotted cream and homemade strawberry jam.
As Jenny reflects upon their friendship near the end of the novel, she pretty much describes exactly what I was feeling when reading the book:
"As I watched Ali and Maggie talking, I thought back to the start of the Summer and the moment we'd met, how little we'd known each other then. Step by step we'd let each other in, and now it was hard to imagine that we hadn't always been there for each other. These women were both so strong, had bounced back from life's knocks and come out better for it. But then I suppose, somehow, with their help, I had done the same."
The only "complaint" I have about the The Vintage Teacup Club is that it's a fairly quick read. At times I tried to slow my regular reading pace down in an attempt to delay the inevitable, the final pages. Unfortunately, despite my efforts, it was still over too soon. However, the novel was a delightful read while it lasted and it has left me with some fantastic inspirational ideas (such as forming a friendship club around vintage teacups, or collecting them for my own wedding… one day).
March 9, 2013
I was very much looking forward to reading this, as not only did it sound fascinating, but as you all know, I LOVE debut novels! I absolutely love discovering new authors, so after a few recommendations to read this book (thank you!) I settled down on an afternoon to start this.
This is a beautifully written novel that combines the lives of three women after they all fall in love with the same vintage tea set. In the end, they decide to share it, and this forms a friendship between them. The novel then follows the lives of Jenny, Maggie and Alison, as they take turns using the tea set, exploring careers, relationships and the importance of friendship.
I LOVED The Vintage Teacup Club! I could not put it down and I enjoyed opening the pages and becoming lost in the story for hours at a time. I finished the book in a few sittings, it was such a wonderful story that flowed so easily and before I knew it I was half-way through the book!
The three main characters were fantastically written! I especially loved that the women were different from each other, they had separate goals, were at different points in their lives and had many different experiences of life. The contrasts worked beautifully and added a lot of different layers and depth tot the relationships they formed with each other. I loved how the bond between the three women grew and strengthened as time went on.
The descriptions in the book are great, I could picture the scenes clearly in my mind and the narrative made the story very enjoyable and easy to read. I especially loved the idea of the vintage tea set and after finishing this book, I’m very keen to purchase s a set for myself!
The Vintage Teacup Club is a delightful, book that will warm your heart. It is a beautiful story exploring the wonders of friendship and family. This book is perfect for sitting down and reading with a cup of tea (and imagining that you’re drinking from a vintage tea set rather than your usual cup)! A very enjoyable read!
This is a beautifully written novel that combines the lives of three women after they all fall in love with the same vintage tea set. In the end, they decide to share it, and this forms a friendship between them. The novel then follows the lives of Jenny, Maggie and Alison, as they take turns using the tea set, exploring careers, relationships and the importance of friendship.
I LOVED The Vintage Teacup Club! I could not put it down and I enjoyed opening the pages and becoming lost in the story for hours at a time. I finished the book in a few sittings, it was such a wonderful story that flowed so easily and before I knew it I was half-way through the book!
The three main characters were fantastically written! I especially loved that the women were different from each other, they had separate goals, were at different points in their lives and had many different experiences of life. The contrasts worked beautifully and added a lot of different layers and depth tot the relationships they formed with each other. I loved how the bond between the three women grew and strengthened as time went on.
The descriptions in the book are great, I could picture the scenes clearly in my mind and the narrative made the story very enjoyable and easy to read. I especially loved the idea of the vintage tea set and after finishing this book, I’m very keen to purchase s a set for myself!
The Vintage Teacup Club is a delightful, book that will warm your heart. It is a beautiful story exploring the wonders of friendship and family. This book is perfect for sitting down and reading with a cup of tea (and imagining that you’re drinking from a vintage tea set rather than your usual cup)! A very enjoyable read!
October 29, 2017
Jenny is planning the perfect wedding to Dan and at the reception each guest will be served their tea in a delicate, beautiful vintage china cup.
Alison has a business making candles and other lovely things. She plans to cash in on the new china teacup candle craze.
Maggie is planning a posh wedding that has an Alice in Wonderland theme and requires teacups for the Madhatter Tea Party portion of the decorations.
When all three spot the perfect tea set at flea market stall they come to an unlikely bargain: they will share all their finds, sharing the costs as well. The teacups will be used in Jenny's wedding, then Maggie's and finally Alison will make candles out of them.
This is a sweet story about the power of friendship and what makes a romance last. Dan and Jen/Alison and Pete/Maggie and her possibilities all highlight how love and friendship change a life.
Alison has a business making candles and other lovely things. She plans to cash in on the new china teacup candle craze.
Maggie is planning a posh wedding that has an Alice in Wonderland theme and requires teacups for the Madhatter Tea Party portion of the decorations.
When all three spot the perfect tea set at flea market stall they come to an unlikely bargain: they will share all their finds, sharing the costs as well. The teacups will be used in Jenny's wedding, then Maggie's and finally Alison will make candles out of them.
This is a sweet story about the power of friendship and what makes a romance last. Dan and Jen/Alison and Pete/Maggie and her possibilities all highlight how love and friendship change a life.
August 30, 2019
I thoroughly enjoyed this as a nice easy comfort read. It was undemanding whilst remaining interesting and proved to me that a book can be enjoyable without any high drama, violence or crime. As it featured a few of my favourite things - cake, vintage, friendship, flowers and business start-ups in a cute country setting - it was a sure fire hit. I enjoyed the way the three leads Jenny, Alison and Maggie became firm friends and supported and looked out for each other as well as their families, though there were some unfinished storyline strands in the end - Lucy and Jack's wedding for one.
I downloaded the short novella Tuesdays at the Teacup Club to read immediately afterwards which felt rather like an epilogue of the main book than a story in its own right, and ended a little too abruptly. I'd like to catch up with the characters a few years down the line as I enjoyed meeting them all.
I downloaded the short novella Tuesdays at the Teacup Club to read immediately afterwards which felt rather like an epilogue of the main book than a story in its own right, and ended a little too abruptly. I'd like to catch up with the characters a few years down the line as I enjoyed meeting them all.
June 21, 2020
This is the second book by Vanessa Greene I've read and again she didn't disappoint! I really like quaint Britishness expressed in her books.. with vintage items, teasets, retro style events and flowers this was quite delightful. It's a really easy read and fast paced. At times, however I felt it was too fast paced and some story lines could have been explored in more detail.
September 20, 2021
I absolutely adored this book which is all about friendship. Three girls who are good friends and help each other.
Loved it from start to finish.
Loved it from start to finish.
October 31, 2012
I really wanted to like this one. There were so many user reviews that rated this at 5 stars and described it as 'heartwarming' and, it was our number one bestseller within two weeks of release. This, I thought, was going to be the next The Help ... no no no ... If I hadn't been reading The Vintage Teacup Club for book club, I wouldn't have got past the first 100 pages. For me, I think it was an expectations thing - I was expecting 'vintage', quirky, Frankie-meets-Marieke-Hardy-witty observations on the lives of contemporary women and instead I got chick lit by numbers. The last 50 pages were great - there was tension, action, the interesting characters came to the fore - and if the whole book had been like that then it would have been a 4-star 'heartwarming' delight.
January 18, 2018
It took about 100 pages before I actually cared about the characters. There’s way too much backstory in those pages. The second third of the book was well paced and I was invested on the lives of the characters. The last third was a can’t put down page turner that made me feel like a member of The Vintage Teacup Club. The novel is told from the eyes of three strangers who bond over a tea set. It’s a bit weird that Jenny’s chapters are in first person POV while the others are in third person POV.
May 17, 2023
Книга за женското приятелство - непретенциозна и лека. Няма какво толкова да пиша за нея, освен, че ме подтикна да се разровя за тези красиви и нежни порцеланови чашки за чай. Останаха ми очите в тях.
Сюжетът, накратко, е за три жени, които точно покрай такива чашки се срещат и започват да ги колекционират. Междувременно всяка от тях преживява труден период или разочарование. Взаимно се подкрепят и насърчават. В тези моменти имаше топлота и се усещаше задружността във взаимоотношенията им.
Някои от случките ми стояха като кръпки и се усещаше, че са вмъкнати за целите на сюжета. Авторката няма претенцията да пише сложни драми и интриги, поради което книгите ѝ са лесни за четене и са подходящи за периода, когато не искате да се натоварвате с тежки четива.
Сюжетът, накратко, е за три жени, които точно покрай такива чашки се срещат и започват да ги колекционират. Междувременно всяка от тях преживява труден период или разочарование. Взаимно се подкрепят и насърчават. В тези моменти имаше топлота и се усещаше задружността във взаимоотношенията им.
Някои от случките ми стояха като кръпки и се усещаше, че са вмъкнати за целите на сюжета. Авторката няма претенцията да пише сложни драми и интриги, поради което книгите ѝ са лесни за четене и са подходящи за периода, когато не искате да се натоварвате с тежки четива.
March 8, 2021
Loved it!!😍❤A fantastic read
The book talks about the friendship bond, that the three Women share , over the love for Vintage Teacups, as each of them bump into ,the same tea sets.
They decide to take turns and share the same teasets, for their personal use.
Each of them, go through twists and turn, with their man, in their life ,and how they deal with all the troubles.
Finally, it's a happy end 🙂
The book talks about the friendship bond, that the three Women share , over the love for Vintage Teacups, as each of them bump into ,the same tea sets.
They decide to take turns and share the same teasets, for their personal use.
Each of them, go through twists and turn, with their man, in their life ,and how they deal with all the troubles.
Finally, it's a happy end 🙂
April 8, 2021
Really enjoyed this 1st novel by this author. Pleasant but interesting read that I found relaxing and drew me in.Three womenfolk find some vintage china and all want the same set for different reasons. In the end they decide to share it (it does work our that they can,)
In doing this they forge a friendship that has its ups, downs and happy,sad moments.I looked forward to each new chapter and was sorry when it ended.
In doing this they forge a friendship that has its ups, downs and happy,sad moments.I looked forward to each new chapter and was sorry when it ended.
September 22, 2019
#TheCozyBookishWeekend - September 2019
Light, sweet read. Not a lot of substance, it dragged a bit for the first 100 pages or so, and then seemed to rush at the end. But, if you’re looking for a cozy, feel good book look no further. I will admit this was completely a cover buy.
Side note: This was chosen for a weekend read along and I do think the process of reading it as a group, with photo prompts and embracing the theme of coziness made the book worth the read and quite enjoyable.
Final Rating: 2.75 Stars
Light, sweet read. Not a lot of substance, it dragged a bit for the first 100 pages or so, and then seemed to rush at the end. But, if you’re looking for a cozy, feel good book look no further. I will admit this was completely a cover buy.
Side note: This was chosen for a weekend read along and I do think the process of reading it as a group, with photo prompts and embracing the theme of coziness made the book worth the read and quite enjoyable.
Final Rating: 2.75 Stars
June 19, 2021
I ended up liking this book, but I’d have to say it took 200 pages to get there. Some of the character traits frustrated me, but I enjoyed it by the end.
February 8, 2022
great book 💗
November 2, 2012
Classic chick-lit that is quintessentially British, so elegant and delightful that makes for an absorbing read.
Are you drinking tea with a fine bone china painted teacup? If you are not then you should be, for The Vintage Teacup Club is a spectacular and truly delightful read that I aim to now re-read. This brilliant debut novel by Vanessa Greene combines the love of three women who meet by chance and then from firm friendships. Jenny (first person narrator) visits a car boot sale in Charlesworth, an old market town in Sussex, comes across a delicate and beautiful vintage teaset. Then as if it is fate two other women also appear who want the same teaset, and so they make the compromise of sharing it between themselves; which is the great catalyst for change. Each character’s story then unfolds as you begin to find out more about their lives, the trials and tribulations that they are presented with making for an engrossing and heartwarming tale that is completely captivating from the very beginning. Jenny is looking forward to her forthcoming marriage to Dan, Maggie the independent career woman is surging ahead after her disappointing first marriage and Alison appears to be at a quick glance someone who is happily married with two delightful daughters. However things are never as they seem as when Jenny is thrown suddenly by an unexpected encounter with a woman from the past, things turn topsy turvey and the drama thus unfolds before your very eyes.
This is a story about three very distinctive characters of varying ages that have many contrasting experiences within life, and yet are connected in the most curious and unexpected way. Interesting dimensions are brought into each individual’s relationships as they juxtapose one another with their mannerisms, thoughts and actions and singular traits (that I feel is also connected to their age). The strong, supportive bond that is created between the three characters is a joy to encounter and especially when the age barrier is broken, professing that it is of no consequence in a lasting friendship. As you explore each character in detail you at times feel as if you are holding up a mirror to yourself, as the writing is quite poignant and truth-drawing. I was able to connect with each individual character and relate and empathize with them, as I read about their lives and tensions that are designed to push them to breaking point. Dealing with friendships and families, relationships and careers, highs and lows and ups and downs The Vintage Teacup is such heartwarming, beautifully un-clandestine so overt storytelling at its very best.
This wonderful book is an absolute treasure, a jewel amongst its genre and a captivating read that perfectly depicts what the novel is all about; those strong bonds of friendship that are so important within all our lives. I am so impressed by Vanessa Green whose stunning, beautiful book has exceeded and surpassed all of my predispositions towards this genre and which is just so astonishing for a first novel. I cannot enthuse enough about this magnificent book that I strongly urge you to read, and which has found a very special place right at the top of my bookshelf.
Are you drinking tea with a fine bone china painted teacup? If you are not then you should be, for The Vintage Teacup Club is a spectacular and truly delightful read that I aim to now re-read. This brilliant debut novel by Vanessa Greene combines the love of three women who meet by chance and then from firm friendships. Jenny (first person narrator) visits a car boot sale in Charlesworth, an old market town in Sussex, comes across a delicate and beautiful vintage teaset. Then as if it is fate two other women also appear who want the same teaset, and so they make the compromise of sharing it between themselves; which is the great catalyst for change. Each character’s story then unfolds as you begin to find out more about their lives, the trials and tribulations that they are presented with making for an engrossing and heartwarming tale that is completely captivating from the very beginning. Jenny is looking forward to her forthcoming marriage to Dan, Maggie the independent career woman is surging ahead after her disappointing first marriage and Alison appears to be at a quick glance someone who is happily married with two delightful daughters. However things are never as they seem as when Jenny is thrown suddenly by an unexpected encounter with a woman from the past, things turn topsy turvey and the drama thus unfolds before your very eyes.
This is a story about three very distinctive characters of varying ages that have many contrasting experiences within life, and yet are connected in the most curious and unexpected way. Interesting dimensions are brought into each individual’s relationships as they juxtapose one another with their mannerisms, thoughts and actions and singular traits (that I feel is also connected to their age). The strong, supportive bond that is created between the three characters is a joy to encounter and especially when the age barrier is broken, professing that it is of no consequence in a lasting friendship. As you explore each character in detail you at times feel as if you are holding up a mirror to yourself, as the writing is quite poignant and truth-drawing. I was able to connect with each individual character and relate and empathize with them, as I read about their lives and tensions that are designed to push them to breaking point. Dealing with friendships and families, relationships and careers, highs and lows and ups and downs The Vintage Teacup is such heartwarming, beautifully un-clandestine so overt storytelling at its very best.
This wonderful book is an absolute treasure, a jewel amongst its genre and a captivating read that perfectly depicts what the novel is all about; those strong bonds of friendship that are so important within all our lives. I am so impressed by Vanessa Green whose stunning, beautiful book has exceeded and surpassed all of my predispositions towards this genre and which is just so astonishing for a first novel. I cannot enthuse enough about this magnificent book that I strongly urge you to read, and which has found a very special place right at the top of my bookshelf.
October 15, 2012
This is one of my favourite ‘chick lit’ reads so far this year and an excellent debut from Vanessa Greene.
The story centres around three characters Jenny, Maggie and Alison who meet at a car boot sale as they hunt for vintage teacups to add to their collections and spot the same set at the same time. I loved that Vanessa Greene gave an instant introduction to the three very different characters, their ‘looks’ and personalities. Jenny is young and fresh; excited about her upcoming wedding and searching for the teacups to be the perfect centrepieces at her vintage school hall reception; Maggie, independent, poised and determined is the owner of the wonderfully named flower shop Bluebelle du Jour and needs the teacups for a ‘celebrity’ wedding that she’s working on for a local model which could be her stepping stone to expanding her business and creative mum of two, Alison plans to use the teacups to make candles to sell as part of her growing craft business. The three women soon realise that they can help each other out and The Vintage Teacup Club is formed.
I thought the three lead characters were all lovely and immediately warmed to each of them. There is plenty to identify with in Maggie, Jenny and Alison and their lives and I think that this is a book that will appeal to a wide range of readers. This is very much a story about relationships and coupled with their overarching teacup ‘projects’ each woman has significant issues to deal with in her personal life too which makes The Vintage Teacup Club an absorbing read. The book examines relationships with parents, partners and friends but despite covering familiar ground, it never felt clichéd and I thought there were some excellent twists to the story as Alison’s oldest daughter begins to rebel, Jenny’s estranged mother contacts her and a past love makes Maggie reconsider her life.
There is also a lovely cast of supporting characters in The Vintage Teacup Club. I loved Ruby and Derek, the elderly couple that the girls meet on their teacup search and I thought their story was so romantic. I was also impressed that with one exception, the male characters in the book were as lovely as the female ones – very refreshing! The romance element to the story is nicely woven into the plot and although this is actually a lovely romantic read, it doesn’t overwhelm the story of three strong women getting on with their lives and careers.
As you can probably tell, I thoroughly enjoyed this book and was sad when it ended. The Vintage Teacup Club is classic, warm British chick lit at its best and a wonderful debut. I can’t wait to read more from Vanessa Greene and I very much hope that we get to catch up with Jenny, Maggie and Alison again in the future too. Highly recommended!
The story centres around three characters Jenny, Maggie and Alison who meet at a car boot sale as they hunt for vintage teacups to add to their collections and spot the same set at the same time. I loved that Vanessa Greene gave an instant introduction to the three very different characters, their ‘looks’ and personalities. Jenny is young and fresh; excited about her upcoming wedding and searching for the teacups to be the perfect centrepieces at her vintage school hall reception; Maggie, independent, poised and determined is the owner of the wonderfully named flower shop Bluebelle du Jour and needs the teacups for a ‘celebrity’ wedding that she’s working on for a local model which could be her stepping stone to expanding her business and creative mum of two, Alison plans to use the teacups to make candles to sell as part of her growing craft business. The three women soon realise that they can help each other out and The Vintage Teacup Club is formed.
I thought the three lead characters were all lovely and immediately warmed to each of them. There is plenty to identify with in Maggie, Jenny and Alison and their lives and I think that this is a book that will appeal to a wide range of readers. This is very much a story about relationships and coupled with their overarching teacup ‘projects’ each woman has significant issues to deal with in her personal life too which makes The Vintage Teacup Club an absorbing read. The book examines relationships with parents, partners and friends but despite covering familiar ground, it never felt clichéd and I thought there were some excellent twists to the story as Alison’s oldest daughter begins to rebel, Jenny’s estranged mother contacts her and a past love makes Maggie reconsider her life.
There is also a lovely cast of supporting characters in The Vintage Teacup Club. I loved Ruby and Derek, the elderly couple that the girls meet on their teacup search and I thought their story was so romantic. I was also impressed that with one exception, the male characters in the book were as lovely as the female ones – very refreshing! The romance element to the story is nicely woven into the plot and although this is actually a lovely romantic read, it doesn’t overwhelm the story of three strong women getting on with their lives and careers.
As you can probably tell, I thoroughly enjoyed this book and was sad when it ended. The Vintage Teacup Club is classic, warm British chick lit at its best and a wonderful debut. I can’t wait to read more from Vanessa Greene and I very much hope that we get to catch up with Jenny, Maggie and Alison again in the future too. Highly recommended!
June 27, 2016
I couldn't finish this book fast enough and it was not because I liked it. Quite the opposite I thought it was so awful and pointless I just wanted to get it done so I could start on something else.
I used to think just about anyone could write a half decent chick lit book. Having read quite a few I have even be tempted to try one myself. I think this book really shows us that there is a craft to it and this book was not well crafted at all. It was really horrible and here's why:
1) There was no definitive story - it was all over the place. What story there was was truly awful. These ladies meet out of the blue and decide to be friends because they all like teacups? Are you serious. They barely say a word to each other and next thing they are just "popping" around to each other's houses. How sad and lonely can you be. Is it just me or does a friendship take time to grow? It was all a bit strange and not realistic
2) The characters were all the same. I had to keep referring to the blurb to remind myself who was who. They were all copies of each other (pretty, man troubles. creative in some way, floozies). I would have liked to have seen an accountant or lawyer thrown into the mix. You felt like you could have always been reading about the same person and they all seemed liked idiots to me.
3) The whole story and all the little details were so unrealistic - Jenny is planning her dream wedding. She has spent months and years planning it and yet they don't address dress shopping until just a few weeks before. That is not a realistic situation. Four strange woman that want one teaset and they just decide to share it? Could that really happen? I love teasets but the internet is loaded with them, no sharing would be necessary.
One other detail I forgot to almost mention- one of the woman (what's her face) finds an address on the teaset box and shows up at a strange person's house. She reasoned they owned the teaset first so it wouldn't be weird at all. Of course instead of looking at her like she is insane or calling the police (as you would in real life) they invite her in for tea. (insert eye roll here). Lonely much?
You might think me a little cynical but I like to imagine book happening in my mind. In what universe would any of these things ever happen?
Read it if you want but there are about 1000 other chick lit books out there more worth your time. Think Sophie Kinsella (mostly) and Jane Green.
I used to think just about anyone could write a half decent chick lit book. Having read quite a few I have even be tempted to try one myself. I think this book really shows us that there is a craft to it and this book was not well crafted at all. It was really horrible and here's why:
1) There was no definitive story - it was all over the place. What story there was was truly awful. These ladies meet out of the blue and decide to be friends because they all like teacups? Are you serious. They barely say a word to each other and next thing they are just "popping" around to each other's houses. How sad and lonely can you be. Is it just me or does a friendship take time to grow? It was all a bit strange and not realistic
2) The characters were all the same. I had to keep referring to the blurb to remind myself who was who. They were all copies of each other (pretty, man troubles. creative in some way, floozies). I would have liked to have seen an accountant or lawyer thrown into the mix. You felt like you could have always been reading about the same person and they all seemed liked idiots to me.
3) The whole story and all the little details were so unrealistic - Jenny is planning her dream wedding. She has spent months and years planning it and yet they don't address dress shopping until just a few weeks before. That is not a realistic situation. Four strange woman that want one teaset and they just decide to share it? Could that really happen? I love teasets but the internet is loaded with them, no sharing would be necessary.
One other detail I forgot to almost mention- one of the woman (what's her face) finds an address on the teaset box and shows up at a strange person's house. She reasoned they owned the teaset first so it wouldn't be weird at all. Of course instead of looking at her like she is insane or calling the police (as you would in real life) they invite her in for tea. (insert eye roll here). Lonely much?
You might think me a little cynical but I like to imagine book happening in my mind. In what universe would any of these things ever happen?
Read it if you want but there are about 1000 other chick lit books out there more worth your time. Think Sophie Kinsella (mostly) and Jane Green.
October 2, 2015
Well, up to Chapter 5 (and after reading the Seafront Tearooms before that) I could not help but wonder why this author would bother writing several books, if they are all the same – from the very covers, that is, and right up to the plot, in fact: a small seaside English town and three friends, who become inseparable just after their first meeting. The one is а blonde, the other is a brunette and the third is (what a surprise!) a redhead, their predictable and absolutely nondescript partners, the inevitable gay friend, the missing mother, the annoying teenager and a few cats and dogs (some of which only appear just to be immediately forgotten afterwards)… So far, so good. To be honest, I wouldn’t have made the hard effort to continue reading, if I didn’t have to, but I must admit that I am glad I did, because now I almost understand why Greene considered it a good idea to continue writing after this first attempt.
Despite the clumsy beginning, which hardly promises any development at all, things do happen in the end, however predictable some of them might be. Furthermore, this novel also confirmed my high doubts that the author has a non-imaginary editor, bearing in mind all the factual mistakes I found in the book, much like in The Seafront Tearooms (wrong names appear now and then, words missing, etc.). Nevertheless, compared to the latter, I must admit that this one is definitely more fun (I'm still reading it).
Anyway, my original intention was to write a positive review, and I really hope that this one will do :)
***
Well, OK, I read it. Meh...
Despite the clumsy beginning, which hardly promises any development at all, things do happen in the end, however predictable some of them might be. Furthermore, this novel also confirmed my high doubts that the author has a non-imaginary editor, bearing in mind all the factual mistakes I found in the book, much like in The Seafront Tearooms (wrong names appear now and then, words missing, etc.). Nevertheless, compared to the latter, I must admit that this one is definitely more fun (I'm still reading it).
Anyway, my original intention was to write a positive review, and I really hope that this one will do :)
***
Well, OK, I read it. Meh...
October 19, 2015
This cup of tea had waaaay too much sugar in it.
Not that I was expecting some literary masterpiece, but come on, that's just lazy writing. Like other reviewers had noted before me, everything happened just so conveniently, without any real struggle or challenge and therefore without any character development. Jenny conveniently got a book deal from the very first try. Pete conveniently found a job within weeks. Maggie conveniently got pregnant while Owen was conveniently already in love with her after a few weeks of screw... pardon me - dating.
Also, why did Vanessa Greene choose by far the most boring character to be the narrator? And what about that ending? Greene missed the opportunity to show us that Jenny has grown beyond her stupid obsession with teacups and realized the fact she's marrying the man of her dreams while surrounded by her loved ones was what mattered (which would be fairly predictable but at least we would have SOME character development). Instead, the three annoyingly perfect husbands saved the day (and Whiney Jenny's "perfect wedding"; I mean, it's just teacups, girl, grow up!).
Not that I was expecting some literary masterpiece, but come on, that's just lazy writing. Like other reviewers had noted before me, everything happened just so conveniently, without any real struggle or challenge and therefore without any character development. Jenny conveniently got a book deal from the very first try. Pete conveniently found a job within weeks. Maggie conveniently got pregnant while Owen was conveniently already in love with her after a few weeks of screw... pardon me - dating.
Also, why did Vanessa Greene choose by far the most boring character to be the narrator? And what about that ending? Greene missed the opportunity to show us that Jenny has grown beyond her stupid obsession with teacups and realized the fact she's marrying the man of her dreams while surrounded by her loved ones was what mattered (which would be fairly predictable but at least we would have SOME character development). Instead, the three annoyingly perfect husbands saved the day (and Whiney Jenny's "perfect wedding"; I mean, it's just teacups, girl, grow up!).
June 10, 2013
This is a light, easy read. Three women, Jenny, Maggie and Alison meet at a garage sale where they find a vintage tea set which they agree to share. The three women are very different and in different stages of life, yet an instant friendship is formed between the woman. It’s a story of friendship and chapters are related from each woman’s point of view. Personally I found Jenny and the other bride in this story rather shallow and selfish as they obsessed about having everything perfect for their wedding days. But maybe that’s because I see the wedding day as less important than focusing on getting the marriage right.
As well as being about vintage teacups and friendship, it has romance and also the difficulties inherent in some relationships. A couple of the secondary characters took my attention. I loved Ruby and Derek, the original owners of the tea set and the positive picture portrayed of a long term loving marriage. For me this novel raised no huge issues but was just a bit of fun to read. And sometimes that’s all you want in a novel.
As well as being about vintage teacups and friendship, it has romance and also the difficulties inherent in some relationships. A couple of the secondary characters took my attention. I loved Ruby and Derek, the original owners of the tea set and the positive picture portrayed of a long term loving marriage. For me this novel raised no huge issues but was just a bit of fun to read. And sometimes that’s all you want in a novel.
October 29, 2012
I rarely read 'chick lit' but this was surprisingly good. Light and frothy but the perfect book to read in a couple of sittings and for some girly escapism. The storyline was a little predictable, but nice to see a disabled character...a rarity in almost any books chick lit or otherwise. A nicely written debut.
January 11, 2013
What a beautiful find- a debut book too. I can't wait to read more by this author. The three main characters meet wanting to buy the same vintage tea cups. They agree to share the cups and then spend time finding more cups for the weddings they have planned. It was a wonderful book and I would love to catch up with the characters in another book!
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