This is a love story about things… 

Gwen’s life has stalled. She’s in her mid-thirties, perpetually single, her friends are busy procreating in the country and conversations with her parents seem to revolve entirely around herbaceous borders and the council’s wheelie-bin timetable. Above all she’s lonely. But then, isn’t everyone?
 
When Gwen’s made redundant from a job she drifted into a decade ago and never left, she realises it’s time to make a change. Over what might be the best – and most solitary – meal she’s ever eaten, Gwen vows to find something meaningful to do with her life, reconnect with her family and friends – and finally book herself a dentist appointment.
 
Her search for meaning soon leads her to volunteer in a local charity shop where she both literally and metaphorically unloads her emotional baggage. With the help of the weird and wonderful people she meets in the shop and the donated items bursting with untold stories that pass through its doors, Gwen must finally address the events and choices that led her to this point and find a way to move forward with bravery, humanity and more regular dental care.

My Thoughts:

I absolutely adored this book, I felt as though I had a connection to Gwen and I really liked her. Gwen is a very likeable character who when being made redundant she knows she needs a change so starts to volunteer in a charity shop. It is all the items that people have given up for one reason or another but also she meets interesting customers too. The charity shop is the place where there are untold stories and they also hold the key for people too. I liked seeing Gwen’s journey throughout and hoped for her to have the happy ending she deserved. I like how the book is split up into different parts where they are an item that the charity shop has and the story behind it. It was very eye opening. For someone that uses the charity shop, next time I go in, I will be thinking about this book.

I received an ARC copy of this book for an honest review.

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