[4.75]

Zippy loves her job at I. Magnin Department Store, even though she's the youngest sales girl, and relies on her Salvation Army outfits to fit in with the rest of the floor. Zippy never went to college, did not grow up in a wealthy household, and does not know her father, but she has the passion and drive to be whoever she wants. She learns more than she could ever imagine from her coworkers at the department store. She not only learns everything she could want to know about having an adult relationship, but she ultimately learns how to put herself first and do what makes her happy, not what she thinks will make everyone else happy. When Zippy learns that "customers" are complaining about her pushiness and upselling, she believes that the department store isn't the place for her and takes a job at the Hardware Depot - a place that really isn't for her. Zippy needs to put what she's learned into action and make the life for herself that SHE wants. Even if that means upending everything she thinks is right.

I loved Mary Jane, so I was thrilled when I got the chance to read Jessica Anya Blau's new book! And this definitely lived up to the legacy of Mary Jane! I cannot put into words how much I loved this entire book. I did read approximately 80% of it in one sitting because it was THAT good. My one complaint is that at points it felt a little repetitive. However, the story is so heartwarming you'll quickly be able to overlook those moments. Ugh! Zippy is so cute (despite her slightly silly name) and I just want the best for her. Please pick this up and fall in love with Zippy! You won't regret it!

This was a much-needed break from the thriller/suspense books I usually read. I enjoyed it very much. It held my attention and kept me entertained from page one. Zippy is a great main character with an exciting and quirky lifestyle. I think most young women could relate to her and her life. I think it's fabulous that she has dreams, and in the end, those dreams come true! I have never read this author, but I enjoyed this book so much that I plan on reading her other titles. Thank you so much to NetGalley for the ARC, and I will be recommending this book to all my book club friends.

I loved Mary Jane, so when I was approved for Shopgirls, I was so excited.

A fun coming of age story centered on Zippy, a 19 year old sales girl in a fancy women's department store, Shopgirls follows Zippy as she works to fit into the salesgirl's world all while rotating her 3 salvation army dresses yet selling high end dresses to the upper class women of San Francisco. As she navigates the world of sales, commissions and growing up into womanhood, Zippy reconnects with her birth father, fears the Aids epidemic, tries to help her mother and stepfather with their bills, and is fully into the body conscious diet culture of the 1980s.

I loved seeing Zippy gain confidence and grow into who she is as a woman!

A sweet and often silly coming of age store set in a 1980s San Francisco department store. At times this was a bit over the top but made me smile remembering my days working retail. Looking forward to checking out this author’s backlist. Thanks to NetGalley for a chance to read and review this book.

Shopgirls by @jessicaanyablau
This story is told from the early eighties. Zippy is 19, living in San Francisco working as a salesgirl for I. Magnin. It was so fun to read about designers that women were wearing then, as I am sure I wanted those looks.
This story details the daily life, going to work, selling and depending on what day it was, eating or not eating-(a diet plan from her roommate). Her mom and step dad live over a store in a tiny apartment. Zippy is a sweet, naive girl in the cusp of her life. I enjoyed this story, but I wanted more. There could easily be a second book and I’d buy it!

Thank you to @netgalley for the arc.

Thank you to Mariner and LibroFM for the review copies. I was drawn in by the cover—as well as my love for Jessica Anya Blau’s previous novel Mary Jane—and was captivated by the endearing, if charmingly naive, Zippy and the vivid 1980s setting. I especially enjoyed the parts of the story focused on Zippy’s new life as a salesgirl and her first taste of independence in San Francisco. The narrative felt a bit overstuffed at times, with plotlines about her mother, stepfather, and long-absent biological father that felt rushed or underdeveloped given the book’s short length. Still, Blau excels at evoking a specific time and place, especially through her exploration of the early AIDS crisis, fad diets, and the complicated mix of conservatism and consumerism that defined the era.

This "historical" fiction book set in the 1980s (gaaaah!) of my childhood brought back many pop culture and fashion memories. Zippy is a naïve 19-year-old out on her own for the first time and trying to find her place in a world where she doesn't even know who she is. This story reads more like YA because it is written from a teenager's perspective and is looking through an immature lens. I couldn't help falling in love with Zippy and her quirky co-workers and customers and all their random life advice (sometimes great and sometimes not so great). Zippy is insecure and self-conscious but has thoughtful self-reflection, great observation skills, compassion, and intuition. You can't help but root for her and trust that she will somehow make it through hard work, grit, and gut instinct. It's a story of a young girl growing up and finally learning how to make her own decisions in life and not letting life happen to her. The conversations she had in her heard were like the conversations I had with myself at that age (and sometimes still do at 47!) ... humorous and priceless!

Thank you to Mariner Books and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this ARC.

I enjoyed Mary Jane, and was excited to see that Jessica Anya Blau had a new book coming out that took place in the 1980's, an era when I was a young adult like the main character in Shopgirls. Set in I. Magnin in San Francisco, the novel sounded like it was right up my alley, and for the most part, I did enjoy the novel. It falls solidly into the 'liked it' category, however.

Zippy is sweet, naive young woman who lacks confidence in herself, even though her friends and friendly coworkers tell her constantly how wonderful she is. She enjoys her job selling dresses at I. Magnin and is good at it, though there are some salesgirls who are envious of her abilities. I could relate to her relationship with her roommate, and their forays into strange diets brought back a few not-so-fun memories. Overall, the character is relatable and easy to like.

The 80's references were fun, even as they sometimes seemed thrown in randomly just to do so. I giggled a little at Zippy's mother on the couch licking the Tang off the spoon, even though it was more of a 70's reference in my memory. The author did nail it with the angst of being a young adult in the 1980's, with the onset of the AIDS epidemic and the fear about how it spread, and the effect it had on the gay community.

The author's writing style made the novel feel more young adult than literary fiction. There are brief references to sexual conduct that keep it from fitting into that genre neatly, but the overall feel was very young.

I would recommend this novel if you are looking for a quick, light read that won't make you think too hard. It would be a good choice for a vacation or the beach.

Thank you to Netgalley and Mariner Books for the digital ARC of Shopgirls by Jessica Anya Blau. The opinions in this review are my own.

This was a charming coming-of-age story featuring 19-year-old Zippy, as she navigates life, career, family, and love in San Francisco in the 1980s. Much like the author’s prior novel, “Mary Jane,” the author does a great job at describing and incorporating the cultural context of the time and place, transporting us to that era and adding to the appeal of Zippy’s world. One of the highlights of the novel for me were the different relationships she had with the female characters, from work colleagues, customers, her roommate, to her mom, that ultimately influence the decisions she makes and uplift her to find her confidence and identity. This was an easy read, and I highly recommend.

Thank you to Mariner Books and NetGalley for a copy of the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Nineteen year old Zippy is ecstatic when she lands a job as a salesgirl at the iconic San Francisco department store, I. Magnin. Zippy cobbles together three appropriate ensambles from Salvation Army and is immediately adept at learning fabric and styles. She ingratiates herself to affluent San Francisco residents. Zippy grew up without much living with her mother and eccentric boyfriend in a one bedroom apartment above a liquor store.

She's smart and resourceful. Despite her mother's teen pregnancy and dubious choices, Zippy is quite naive to the ways of the world, dating, and adulthood as a whole.

Shopgirls teems with breath of 1980s San Francisco through the eyes of young women living away from home for the first time. Zippy goes through some huge life events during this first year out of high school, and she received an education few could have gotten in college. This story is a slice of life and moves through both important and mundane events. From first kisses, jealousy/competition of older I. Magnin employees, and the burgeoning AIDS crisis, Shopgirls gives us a front row seat to Zippy battling to becoming a modern adult women without compromising her sense of self.

Thank you to Mariner Books and Netgalley for the advanced copy of Shopgirls! It releases May 6, 2025.

A delightful trifle that hit my sweet spot though the overdramatic fourth act made me think about dropping the fifth star, but as I’ve had so many 4 star books recently, which I wanted to put this above, I kept it in.

19 year old Zippy is a sales girl (it is 1985, so all the women are girls) at I. Magnin, the legendary San Francisco department store. Zippy’s youthful enthusiasm and her innate fashion knowhow makes her a top salesperson but does not endear her to many of the other “girls” on the 5th floor. However, she is partnered with Miss Lena and they have a warm big sister-little sister vibe that includes praying to Jesus in one of the changing rooms to bring customers in.

For me, this was the heart of the novel and where I wanted to spend time. However, we do have to leave work sometimes, where we meet Zippy’s roommate, the worldly (at least to Zippy) lawyer, Raquel, who opens naive Zippy’s eyes to dating, dieting, and life planning. We also meet her mother and stepfather, Howard, a loving hippy/bohemian pair who work in Hardware Depot.

The slight plot, for what it’s worth, revolves around Zippy’s unknown father and it’s here that I saw the fifth star blink out a little. I guess the book needed to have some sort of middle to get Zippy from person-whose-life-is-directed-for-her to person-who-chooses-her-own-course but it felt a little shoehorned in to me.

Nevertheless, highly recommended if you like 80s San Francisco nostalgia or books where not very much happens but does so in a charming way.

Thanks to Mariner Books and Netgalley for the digital review copy.

Shopgirls is my first novel by author Jessica Anya Blau. I enjoyed this short and sweet coming of age story/family drama set in the 1980’s at an I. Magnin department store in San Francisco. The author carefully develops 19-year old Zippy, the naive FMC, who is self conscious about her humble upbringing with her struggling single mother, her looks and her self worth. I enjoyed watching her become more confident in her role at the store and to learn to listen to her own dreams. I cheered for her as she gradually figures out what she wants out of life, how to be the “chooser” instead of being bossed around.
The novel is full of 80’s nostalgia, fashion and design, wild diet craze references and plenty of quirky side characters. I would recommend this to literary fiction lovers who enjoy coming of age stories, with a side of female friendships, father/daughter relationships and found family. 3.5/5⭐️

Thank you to NetGalley and Mariner Books for an advanced copy of this novel. All opinions are my own. Pub Date: 5/6/25

Shopgirls is a wonderful coming of age story about 19 year old Zippy who works as a salesperson at I. Magnin in San Francisco in the mid 1980s. Zippy is sweet, caring and a bit naive. She has a great roommate and some caring coworkers all of whom help her find her footing in the world as a new adult.

I love the interaction with coworkers and enjoyed Zippy’s emotional growth to a more self assured, confident young woman. I would have liked to read a bit more about her burgeoning relationship with her father.

This book seems to be geared more towards YA than Adult fiction but that didn’t stop me from enjoying the delightful story.

This is a perfect beach read! Light and sweet with interesting characters, especially the delightful Zippy.

I loved Jessica Anya Blau’s previous novel MaryJane and look forward to more from this author.

Seriously I want to blame not enjoying or liking this book on me and my weird headspace. Maybe this book just wasn't my cup of coffee. I don't even like coffee. They say it's an acquired taste. Maybe that's true for this book too. I just didn't connect with the characters or the story. The writing didn't hook me and with my attention deficit disorder that's the biggest obstacle.

What a fun read! Zippy is so excited to start her job as a saleswoman at I. Magnin, an exclusive department store in San Francisco. It's 1985. Who remembers I. Magnin? We had a few locally, and what amazed me was how little merchandise was on the floor and how expensive it was! Anyhoo, Zippy is the youngest salesperson in Petite Dresses, but she's got a knack for selling. She's befriended all her fellow salespeople. She also has an enemy who is writing negative reviews about her. Raised by her single mother, Zippy is quirky and naive, which makes this such an entertaining story. I also enjoyed the author's other books Mary Jane and The Summer of Naked Swim Parties.

I loved the setting for this book, I could visualise the store and its era. I loved watching Zippy develop throughout.

An entertaining summer read. Zippy was likable but sometimes her immaturity was annoying. I liked the second half of the book better. I thought the first half was repetitive and more things started to happen later. I would consider this book brain candy.

Thank you to HarperCollins who shared an ARC with me because I had enjoyed an early publication of theirs, Slow Dance. I loved the setting of this book, 1980's, I. Magnin store in San Fransisco. It was enjoyable to follow the main character as she grew into a career and relationships as a newly "adulting" woman. I hate calling this a historical read, as it is such a recent time, but if you like to read about the 1980's, you will love this book. I think this is a great summer read!

Jessica Anya Blau has a knack for writing adorable, lovable characters. You'll be rooting for this one the entire time!
19 year-old Zippy is working at I. Magnin, the premier department store in San Francisco in the 80s. She's just learning the ropes of life, but has a gift for her job. Her co-workers are quite the mix, and not always on her side, but for the most part, Zippy is ecstatic with her life.
Unfortunately, her stepfather has a terrible accident at work and Zippy feels the need to help out with the bills. She is pressured to take Howard's job at the Lumber Depot, thus ruining her dreams of being a buyer. But fortunately, things work out in the end and along the way, Zippy learns important life lessons about family and friendship. Extremely enjoyable story!

*Special thanks to NetGalley and Mariner Books for this digital e-arc.*

Shopgirls by Jessica Anya Blau was SO GOOD! 🤩

I've had her book Mary Jane on my TBR forever and now I'm even sadder that I haven't gotten to it yet!! 📚

It's the 1980s in San Francisco and Zippy is working at the most exclusive department store, I. Magnin. She's the youngest salesgirl there, rotating her 3 thrifted outfits, and helping the elite pick out their new pieces of clothing. Zippy grew up in a one-bedroom apartment with her mom and her mom's boyfriend, Howard, and Zippy is dreaming of a world far away from ending up like that. 👜👛🔨

If this premise sounds dull, I can assure you it is not!! It has vibes of Midge Maisel working at B.
Altman and Company in the best way. I find this time period of shopping at department stores so so interesting and the cast of characters here really iust made the book so fun. From fad diets, to excentric customer requests and wacky colleagues, this book was just a treat from start to finish! 👗👘👠 🛍️

“But to me, clothes were magic.” ✨

““I dunno, Zippy. I’ve been praying my whole life and it seems like everything I got came to me because I worked my ass off and not because God decided it was time for me to have it.”” 👏🏻

Thank you to NetGalley and Mariner Books for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review. 💖