The Selling Point: when even the best of intentions can have harmful results

The Selling Point by Marci Bolden is the second book in the Chammont Point series. In this story, we see the unique Darby Zamora take center stage. She has marched to a different drum. First as an outcast in high school to the brightly dressed free spirit adult, Darby has always worked jobs that suited her unique way of life. Success hasn’t been a sure thing. With many different failed ventures under her belt, she is always looking for and willing to do the next job to reinvent herself. A former bridal seamstress, Darby gave up making custom gowns as her heart was always too big for her pocketbook. Until she comes up with an idea that would make the old new again: The Un-Do Wedding Boutique with the tagline of Her bad luck is Your great deal. Selling dresses online in her bridal consignment shop has been a success. People are lining up to buy the dresses as well as desperate brides are trying to sell their unused wedding items. It is such a success that she is featured on a popular podcast. But Darby is about to pay a steep price as someone takes offense with Darby’s use of her story to sell dresses. She must face the harsh realities of life and business. With the help of her friends, Jade and Taylor, will Darby be able to reassess her business, herself, and find her selling point? 

I loved Darby with her willingness to be so vibrant in a subdued world. But that vibrantness covers a deeply hurt and wounded soul. I related to her story as she tries to justify her actions, insisting she never intended to hurt anyone before realizing that her intentions may have been good, the results still caused pain. Throughout the story, I wanted to reach through the pages and hug Darby and fight by her side as she tries to save her business and ultimately herself. We often think of bullying as a schoolyard problem but adults still suffer from bullying known today as cancel culture. I understood the outrage against her use of the brides’ embarrassing and heartbreaking stories, I didn’t understand the argument against Darby selling the dresses she made for these weddings. But when someone has been so deeply hurt, they will take their pain out on anyone, regardless if they deserve it or not. I also loved the friendship between the three unlikely friends: Jade, the straightlaced, motherly type who is still reeling from her own heartbreak (featured in book 1) and the gruff Taylor, who has had her own share of heartbreak and disappointment (her story will hopefully be featured in the upcoming book 3). Overall, I enjoyed the story of being true to yourself, friendship and finding your purpose. I highly recommend The Selling Point. 

The Selling Point is available in eBook

The Chammont Point series

The Restarting Point, book 1, is available in paperback, eBook and audiobook

The Breaking Point, book 3, coming soon