Thank you to HarperCollins and Book Club Girl for the digital copy of Shopgirls.

This book was so fun! This book just felt bouncy to me and had an energy about it that kept me smiling. The book is about 19 year old Zippy who is new to "adulting" and is trying to figure life out: Love, friendship, bills, fitting in, employment, and then standing up for herself. It almost reads as a YA novel, and I admire Zippy's confidence in asking the questions she doesn't know- whether it is about sex or next steps. I also admire the friends and women around her for being willing to encourage and support Zippy on her journey. Raquel, the roommate and best friend was a kind hearted and non-judgmental character, Everyone needs a friend like that!

The reason I found this book so fun is it takes place in 1984 and the references to fashion, music and headlines was nostalgic and brought back memories. The references and fear of AIDS was the downer in this book, but very real for the times. I loved the setting of the upscale department store, and stories of customers and the world of riches and fashion I will never live in (as was Zippy, which I could relate). So many young people today need to learn Zippy's attitude of making the best with what you have, and making goals for the long term. At times the book came off as a little childish, I could not get past the ongoing storyline of the paperdolls (one time on a slow day it could be entertaining, but the constant need to "play" didn't sit realistically for grown women), but overall I found myself loving the character growth and the supportive nature of all the women in Zippy's life and the friendships that came across strongly.

This was a super fast read, and as I said, I smiled the whole time. 4.5 stars because of the joy it brought me.

Shopgirls is such a fun, fast read. Jessica Anya Blau totally nails the chaos and weird magic of working retail — the friendships, the drama, the heartbreak, all of it. The characters feel super real, like people you’ve definitely worked with (or been yourself).

It’s funny but also sneaks up on you with some surprisingly emotional moments. I loved how it captured that mix of being stuck and dreaming of more. If you like character-driven stories that are smart, funny, and a little bittersweet, definitely pick this one up.

A little slow, but interesting. Something in the book fell flat for me. It is a sweet coming of age tale, but lacks the edge I expected.

Full review on Instagram @stressiereads this week.

I enjoyed this book. Loved Zippy and was really rooting for her to succeed. The descriptions of the store, san fransisco, her friends were all relatable and enjoyable. would recommend reading this book

Overall I found the story and the characters to be rather bland and underdeveloped. That being said, I loved Mimi. We could all use a Mimi in our lives, calmly doling out wisdom while applying five coats of mascara to our lashes.

As a former employee at Nordstrom, this one was just so good! I loved the reminders to us as readers to choose our own way, to be brave and try something new, to be who we want to be. I thought this was so sweet and touching and a book that reads fast with a happy ending. Will be recommending it to a lot of my reader friends!

The ONLY thing I didn’t like was that I originally thought we were in the 60’s. I had recently read a book about shopgirls and remembered that back in the day only unmarried women could work in department stores. It wasn’t until halfway through that I realized the culture references for the time didn’t add up to my timeline - and i was a toddler in the 80’s, so I’m not sure if this was actually a thing or not but it DOES feel very old school but in a new school time period!

This coming of age story by the author of Mary Jane, is also about a young girls growing awareness. Set in 1980s San Francisco it seems quite mild for this decade of excess, AIDS, and MTV. Zippy raised by an eccentric single mother is sheltered and naive. At 19 years of age she realizes her dreams with an apartment and a job. Employment at the high end department store I.Magnin is her education. Between the other shopgirls and her lawyer roommate she’s inundated with tips for adulthood. As endearing as Zippys awakening is, I would have expected more of an edge for this slice of life. The emergence of her long lost father did bring some depth to her story. Thank you to Netgalley and Harper Collin’s publishers for this read.

Shopgirls is the latest novel from author Jessica Anya Blau. The novel takes place in San Fransisco circa 1985.

The main character Zippy, is nineteen and a sales girl at department store I. Magnin. She is young but resourceful, even though she can’t afford the clothes at I. Magnin, she somehow manages to thrift a few looks to wear to work. She becomes one of the top sellers in the department. Other main characters in the book are Zippy’s roommate Raquel, her mom, and all the other shopgirls. Raquel and Zippy are always into something. They diet together, share clothes, and talk about what they want for their futures. The friendship they have is so genuine and both girls are very generous and kind to each other.

There are a lot of great characters in this book, and the author does a great job at keeping them memorable and they are all likeable, even the often dour Yolanda. There are a lot of laugh out loud moments in this book. I really loved a certain discussion between Zippy and Raquel about a popular 90s show, The Cosby Show. I seriously laughed so hard.

This was such a fun read. As a Gen X-er, I really appreciated all the 80s references. I absolutely loved the author’s previous book Mary Jane so I am very grateful to Netgalley and Mariner Books for the chance to read this advanced copy in exchange for my honest opinions.

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!