Published by Penguin Books, Aug 2013, 356 pages, £3.49 (Kindle)

Quick Description: Heartwarming tale of a woman’s search for meaning.

Perfect for: lazy weekends

Steam?: minimal

Plot: With a name like Coco, she thinks people expect her to be as exotic and glamorous as the famous designer, not an ordinary-looking small-town antiques dealer who could win an award for living cautiously. But when a vintage Chanel handbag turns up in a box of worthless bric-a-brac, Coco’s quiet world is turned upside down. Where did it come from? And is it just coincidence that it’s the same bag Coco’s late mother always wanted for her? When Coco discovers a mysterious, decades-old letter hidden in the bag’s lining, she sets off on a quest to piece together the story behind it, stumbling across secrets that span three generations as she goes.

Could the beautiful Chanel bag be about to teach Coco more than she wants to learn? Or will it show her just where her heart can take her if she lets it lead the way?

This book was lingering on my book shelf for a while. Its cover gave off signals of a light chick-lit read. So when I picked it up a few days ago, feeling ill and wanting a nice read, I carried on engrossed for many hours. I finished it within a day.

The beginning packs a punch and the sense of sadness remains in the background of the novel. But this isn’t a sob fest. The characters find the courage to move on and embrace the present. There is plenty of mystery that keeps the reader interested, not just involving the bag but also Coco and her family. The two emotional and intense stories start to intertwine, resulting in painful revelations. If you are someone who believes in fate and signs then you would completely understand this novel.

Coco is someone who many can relate to. She is kind, smart, hard-working, but is she too comfortable? She reaches a point in her life when she starts getting reality check-outs from her friends and family. Is she living life the fullest? Is she in denial about some things?

Whilst there is romance, the novel is more about Coco’s love for herself, her family and of life. The quest of the bag leads her to some unresolved issues of her past, making comical turns and reaching heart-warming moments- proof that a Chanel bag has powers (when can I get my hands on one??).

Connect with the author: @Niamh_Greene