It’s 1985 when we meet Zippy, a 19 year old woman who can’t believe her luck when she lands a job as a salesgirl the elite department store, I. Magnin. A San Francisco native who grew up with a single mom and not knowing her dad, she’s always longed for more. But although she’s secured her dream job, it doesn’t exactly bring in the big bucks. Rotating between three outfits and eating on alternate days, Zippy is trying to survive in San Francisco while living paycheck to paycheck.

Financial security aside, Zippy is mostly happy with her life, content in hanging with her roommate, Raquel and getting the opportunity to view how the other half lives as she works the floor at her department store day job. Still, like most young girls just starting out, she has a lot of room to grow. Through her varied relationships with her co workers, her recently returned estranged father, and her more experienced roommate, Zippy finds herself learning life’s valuable lessons like she acquires most of her wardrobe, secondhand. But when her mom’s boyfriend has an accident at work that causes unexpected medical bills, Zippy has to make some hard decisions that might have her trading fashion for frugality.

Shopgirls is an enjoyable slice of life read with just a smidge of nostalgia thrown in. I had no idea the now defunct department store I. Magnin was real until I looked it up, but I still could relate to the allure of being young and working in the mall, something I too once wished for. In many ways this book reads as a YA novel as it’s written through Zippy’s inexperienced eyes. But its subtle twists and turns bring the story together, much like the right accent piece that can complete the perfect outfit.

I didn't love this quite as much as I loved Mary Jane, but I enjoyed the character of Zippy and her coming-of-age story in 1980s San Francisco, working at the iconic I. Magnin department store. Zippy is bit of an oddball, but she shines in her job as a salesgirl, and she and her best friend/roommate Raquel are a fun pairing. Zippy has a lot to figure out, but she approaches each new challenge in her life with a determined resolve. The I. Magnin setting was vividly written and I enjoyed the descriptions of the dresses. Thank you to NetGalley and Mariner Books for a digital review copy.

I will read anything by Blau, the stories are unique and the characters are interesting. This one was no different.
Zippy is trying to find her place at 19 working in an upscale departments store in the mid 80’s.
She goes through a lot of big firsts in the book, notably meeting her dad for the first time, first kiss, and some career changes.

I received a digital review copy from NetGalley, and I must say, *Shopgirls* captivated me from the very first page. The story bears a striking resemblance to *Slow Dance* by Rainbow Rowell, weaving a rich tapestry of coming-of-age experiences. It follows Zippy, a young woman who has recently taken a brave step toward independence by moving out of her mother’s apartment and into her first adult living situation with her vibrant new roommate, Raquel.

Zippy begins her journey as the newest salesgirl at I. Magnin, one of San Francisco's most prestigious department stores, where she immerses herself in the world of fashion while working in petite dresses. With just three outfits scavenged from the Salvation Army, Zippy deftly navigates the glamorous yet challenging environment, selling the latest and finest products to an eclectic mix of customers.

As I delved into this book, I found my long-buried fascination with department stores rekindled. Blau’s writing provides an intimate glimpse into the behind-the-scenes workings of department store life, revealing both the sparkle of glamour and the complexities of the relationships among the staff. Through Zippy's eyes, we see not just the allure of fashion, but also the deep bonds that form within the store’s walls, creating a sense of found family.

I was thoroughly entertained throughout, and my affection for Zippy and her friends grew deeper with each chapter. The vibrant personalities and heartfelt moments made me reluctant to leave their world behind. So much so, that I considered rewatching *Mr. Selfridge* to satisfy my cravings for more department store drama and camaraderie.

If you’re in search of a book that nourishes the soul and encapsulates the beauty of friendship and personal growth against the backdrop of a glamorous yet relatable setting, I wholeheartedly recommend *Shopgirls*. It’s a delightful read that will stay with you long after you turn the last page.

I have to admit, I absolutely loved this. It's very reminiscent of Convenience Store Woman but set in a 80's department store. The whole experience felt like a warm hug and I loved every single page.

This novel is carried by the main character, Zippy. Her energy and her quirkiness is quite infectious. I loved reading about her day-to-day life in the department store and her relationships with every one around her--whether it be at home or at the store. She was a treat of a lead character and I miss her already.

I love novels about self-discovery and found family and I think this novel tackles these subjects excellently. Zippy's co-workers were all so unique and fun to read, and even her roommate and family members had their moments to shine. Everybody just felt so relatable and real.

Give this one a chance if it sounds good!

Zippy is nineteen years old and about to start her first job at I. Magnin, “San Francisco’s Finest Department Store”, where everything is elegant and upscale… everything except her and her three rotating outfits.As she settles into this new world, she starts picking up advice from the women around her, but also learns that not all advice is worth following. She discovers the importance of being the chooser in her own life. Along the way, life throws a few surprises her way, some good, some not so much, but each one helps her grow in her own way.

What I loved most was how sweet and genuine Zippy is. She’s young, a little naive, but always kind and hardworking. I also really appreciated how the story touches on the AIDS crisis—showing how misunderstood it was and the stigma people faced, especially back then.

It’s a heartfelt coming-of-age story that pulls you in and makes you forget about everything else for a while. You’ll definitely be rooting for Zippy from beginning to end.

Shopgirls by Jessica Anya Blau took me right back to that sweet spot in my reading life—when I was transitioning from YA to more “grown-up” novels. I’ve always been a voracious reader, and I owe a lot to the lovely librarian from the county bookmobile who helped guide me with her thoughtful recommendations. Those early adult reads still carried a sense of innocence, but with just enough real-world complexity to feel mature—and Shopgirls fits that vibe perfectly.

The story follows 19-year-old Zippy, who’s just landed a job at a high-end department store in 1980s San Francisco. She’s the youngest in her department, navigating new friendships and living away from home for her first time. After answering a roommate ad, she moves in with Raquel, who quickly becomes her best friend and biggest support.

Zippy is refreshingly sincere—naive, yes, but kind and earnest. She works hard, wants to do well, and approaches the world with wide-eyed curiosity. In a literary world full of morally gray antiheroes, it’s fresh air to follow someone simply trying to figure things out without hurting anyone. The backdrop of the early AIDS crisis adds emotional depth and a sense of urgency to Zippy’s coming-of-age.

There’s something so endearing about her journey that I genuinely hope this becomes a series—I’d love to grow up alongside her.

Big thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the chance to read and review this gem.

Jessica Anya Blau has me in the palm of her hand!!! I am so sat for this woman, she could write anything and I would eat it up.

I loved how young and earnest this MC was, it was very reminiscent of Blau's last book Mary Jane. I loved Zippy's energy and the way she looks at life. Blau did such an amazing job of making her feel so real that I was devastated when the book was over and I had to say goodbye to her. She felt like a friend.

I forsee this book being controversial because not much happens, but at the end of the day this is a character study of a young woman learning about life as it happens. It's very character driven, which I love. I loved Zippy and this story so much my heart hurt with pride for her at the end! Highly recommend.

4.5 stars rounded down (because I'm picky about 5 star ratings!)

This book left little be be desired for me. I felt like I was on the same daily loop with Zippy and then in the end I finally got some answers to her life but by then I was already checked out. This book follows 19 year old Zippy working as a sales girl in a Nordstrom like sounding department store trying to figure out who she is and where she is going in life.

I really wanted to like this book, because Jessica Anya Blau's last book, Mary Jane was great., but this one didn't do it for me. The 80's nostalgia and the San Francisco setting was fun. I realize Zippy, the lead character, is very young, but she was so immature. Paper dolls, really? Some of the supporting characters were quirky and cute. The book didn't really go anywhere until the last quarter of the book. Blau is a good write and it was a quick read.

Thank you to Mariner Books and Netgalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest opinions. Unfortunately this did not work for me. I couldn’t get into the story and I felt that the dialogue read very stilted/awkward, and I had to DNF

I liked this book! It's a coming of age story with Zippy being 19 years old. She is living with a roommate and trying a fad diet and working at a department store in San Francisco in the 1980s. This book is about friends, family, work and growth. I liked Zippy's character and I was rooting for her and she found her way. Her mom is trying her best too. Out of the blue her dad that she has never met comes in to the picture and I liked that storyline too! This is a great light hearted summer read. I liked Mary Jane by this author and this book is fantastic too!

Shopgirls by Jessica Anya Blau was a delight. I thoroughly enjoyed the characters and the trip down memory lane to the 1980's. Jessica Anya Blau did a great job capturing the fun and innocence of an 80's young woman. The story of Zippy finding her way and following her heart makes for a wonderful read! Thanks to NetGalley, Mariner, and Jessica Anya Blau for the advanced digital copy in exchange for my honest review.

This book sounded appealing, but around 13% of the way into it, main character Zippy's roommate Raquel is calling her "grasshopper", which Zippy says Raquel has done ever since they saw The Karate Kid a few weeks prior. Maybe it's petty, but if a writer can't even get the source material right in their extremely basic pop culture references ("grasshopper" is from the early 70's TV show Kung Fu, not 80's movie The Karate Kid), I can't be bothered to continue to read their work.

SHOPGIRLS by Jessica Anya Blau brought back SO many memories for me. It felt like a 1980s movie! I’m totally aging myself here, but classics like Mannequin, Pretty in Pink, and Can’t Buy Me Love immediately came to mind while reading it. The author’s last novel, MARY JANE was a major hit for me, so I started reading this one shortly after finding it on my doorstep.

I definitely had a soft spot for Zippy, the main character. She’s 19, innocent, naive, and working at a high-end department store in San Francisco. The majority of novel revolves around her experience working at the store, and her interactions with her co-workers and customers. If you ever worked in retail, this book will surely be a hit for you.

In a nutshell, this novel showcases a young woman coming into her own, having fun, dating, clubbing, experimenting, trying to make a living, and enjoying life in an exciting city. It was definitely a fun read.

READ THIS IF YOU ENJOY:

- Fashion and design
- Malls and shopping
- 1980s timeline
- San Francisco setting
- Coming-of-age stories
- Father/daughter relationships
- Female friendship
- Character-driven novels
- Found family storylines

Sadly, I must say that the writing just wasn’t very strong. It felt choppy, dry, and a tad immature. It could have used more editing, to be quite honest. The writing seemed different compared to the author’s previous work. With that said, I’m gonna go with 3.5/5 stars for SHOPGIRLS. I wasn’t super impressed with it, but it certainly kept me entertained, and gave off some nostalgic vibes that I didn’t know I needed. It’s out on May 6th!

I went into this book not knowing exactly what to expect, and I ended up liking it more than I thought. I enjoyed following Zippy as she navigated her new world of "adulting", especially when you don't have everything handed to you (or even figured out). I especially loved reading about Zippy's relationships, especially with Raquel and her mother. They were real, honest, loving and sweet. I was happy to see Zippy get what she deserved and I actually could have read more to see what happens with her new job and her relationship with her biological father and "Just John".

A few months ago I picked up a copy of Mary Jane at Barnes & Noble and quickly read 50 pages. Now after finishing Shopgirls I'm going to go back and finish reading it.

Thank you to NetGalley and Mariner Books for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!

"Shopgirls" by Jessica Anya Blau is a coming-of-age novel set in mid-1980s San Francisco. I loved this author's previous book, "Mary Jane," so I had high expectations for this book; unfortunately, this was just okay for me. The main character, Zippy, works as a salesgirl in a high-end department store in downtown San Francisco and the book is filled with other salespeople and their day-to-day lives at the store. There's not too much plot, it's more "vibes" forward. If you were from San Francisco and had more background knowledge of the area at this time, this may be more of a fun read.

A coming of age story set in San Fran. it was good but even if you speed read the middle, you'll still know what's going on. Some parts are weird but overall it's a good story with a quirky cast of characters

Thank you to Netgalley for the ARC

3/5

I loved Mary Jane so I had high hopes for this book. It had a similar premise in that she took a young, innocent girl and introduced her to a whole new world. However, it seemed to fall flat here. The story felt very rushed, and I had a hard time feeling connected to the characters or the story. It was still an entertaining read, just nothing substantial.

Thank you NetGalley and Mariner Books for sending this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.

Like her first novel Mary Jane (which was one of my favorite reads of 2024), Blau has written a coming of age story that takes the reader along for a romp as the main character Zippy figures out who she is and what matters most - her original family versus her found family.. The setting of this novel in 1980s San Francisco, primarily inside the posh I. Magnin department store in Union Square, serves as a wonderful backdrop for Zippy's growth - the store, the employees and their antics (both supportive and back-stabbing in equal measure) are entertaining and fun.

Along with treasured anecdotes about adulting in the 1980s, Zippy's observations about the other salesgirls, the fashion, cosmetics and the customers were the best parts of the story. Only her experimenting with clubbing in the era of HIV/AIDs, where San Francisco was ground zero felt a little too light hearted for me. And I wanted more depth into the storyline involving the unexpected twist in Zippy's newfound relationship with her biological father, who had been absent for all of her childhood.

Zippy's growth takes some twist and turns, as she learns how to take or ignore the advice from her mother, her roommate and her co-workers. In the end, the decisions are her own, and her choices make for a satisfying ending. An entertaining read with many choice cultural references to the 1980s- from skin tight Jordache jeans to Thursday night "Must See TV" with Cheers heading the lineup. Highly recommend!