Shopgirls: an enjoyable coming-of-age story set in the 1980s.

It's 1985, and nineteen-year-old Zippy Tremblay has just started working in sales at I. Magnin, a high-fashion luxury department store in San Francisco. She's sharing a place with the beautiful and more worldly Rachel. Raised by a single mother, Zippy is ready to face her insecurities and step outside her comfort zone. In her new job, she discovers she has a flair for fashion and is successful at helping customers find the right outfits. She meets supportive sales associates who take her under their wing, as well as some associates who are snarky and competitive. After work, Rachel introduces Zippy to a fun nightlife, with the possibility of getting her first kiss. When Zippy's biological father contacts her for the first time, she hopes it will fill the void of not knowing anything about him. Amidst all the excitement, Zippy faces some bumps in the road as she strives to make it on her own. 

Jessica Anya Blau's last novel, Mary Jane, was a sweet book set in 1975. With Shopgirls, Blau has written another enjoyable coming-of-age story, again with nostalgic touches. During the likable Zippy's journey, it is nice to be reminded of the fun and fear when starting your dream job with everything feeling fresh and new. I loved how the now-defunct retailer I. Magnin was brought back to life, with Blau referencing some of the fashion labels of the day, including the flattering style of Donna Karan, along with Adrienne Vittadini, Jessica McClintock, and the workwear staple Anne Klein. The book has a lively cast of characters with engaging conversations and advice on life. When Zippy eagerly awaits visiting the Blue Light, a club owned by Boz Scaggs, she fantasizes that he'll notice her, and it will lead to losing her virginity to him. If this reference makes you smile, you'll enjoy being transported back to the '80s.  

Many thanks to Mariner Books for the advance. 

Rated 4 out of 5 stars.

Adult Fiction.

Publication Date: May 6, 2025.

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