Book Review: The Doris Day Vintage Film Club, by Fiona Harper

‘Sweet and romantic, a story guaranteed to have you smiling’ – Milly Johnson on The Little Shop of Hopes & Dreams

Claire Bixby grew up watching Doris Day films at her grandmother’s house and yearned to live in a world like the one on the screen – sunny, colourful and where happy endings with chiselled leading men were guaranteed. But recently Claire’s opportunities for a little ‘pillow talk’ have been thin on the ground.

Until she meets mysterious Dominic. Nic is full of secrets but their connection is instant. Could he help Claire finding the Hollywood ending she’s been searching for? Perhaps, perhaps, perhaps…

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I’m a total lover of all things vintage, and I love the old Doris classics, so the title really caught my attention. The blurb intrigued me, I love the cute, simplistic cover, and I really enjoyed The Little Shop of Hopes and Dreams, which is the only Fiona Gibson book I’d read previously. All in all, there wasn’t a thing about the book I didn’t like at first sight, and I’m pleased to say the story did not disappoint!

Claire is living in her late Grandmother’s house, and when her frequently absent neighbour returns home, he instantly causes trouble. Between leaving his bike in the hall for her to trip over, the plethora of junk mail littered around and stealing her milk, Claire is less than impressed and the two begin a somewhat snotty correspondence of notes to each other.

Another thing Claire inherited from her Grandmother, was her place as Chairman of the Vintage Doris Day Film Club, a group of ladies (and gentleman!) with a love of Doris and all things vintage. I loved the members of the film club, they were all bursting with character, and I loved how they looked out for each other and how they chose different films depending on their moods and which trait of Doris’ they wanted to channel.

Then Claire meets Nick and instantly starts to fall for him, but she still isn’t convinced if she can open her heart up enough to trust him, or if she even should. She’s going to need the film club’s help on this one!

The plot was a little reminiscent of You’ve Got Mail, which just happens to be my favourite film, so I absolutely loved the storyline. There’s a certain frustrating excitement that comes from the reader having all the facts from both sides and ‘watching’ the characters usually making great, big mistakes, but willing them to work it all out. Overall, a wonderfully sweet and loveable read.

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