When Jenny, a young bride planning her wedding on a budget, finds a beautiful vintage tea set at a car boot sale in Sussex, it's love at first sight. But two other women--Maggie, a florist and event planner, and Alison, a working mother running a small business out of her home--have also spotted it. Vanessa Greene's debut novel, The Vintage Teacup Club, takes its title from the women's agreement to share the set, creating a bond that changes all their lives.
As Jenny's wedding date draws near, she receives an unexpected message from the mother who abandoned her many years ago. Maggie's event business and flower shop are thriving, but the sudden reappearance of her charming ex-husband--right as she's planning the event of her career--throws her off balance. And while Alison adores her husband and two teenage daughters, she's feeling the strain of keeping her family afloat financially while he looks for work.
Greene weaves a heartwarming tale, alternating the three women's stories. An encounter with the tea set's original owners lends historical texture, while the characters' personal and financial struggles are convincing. Sweet and charming, The Vintage Teacup Club is best enjoyed with--what else?--freshly brewed tea sipped from a delicate (preferably antique) cup. --Katie Noah Gibson, blogger at Cakes, Tea and Dreams