Julie's Review: The Dress Shop of Dreams

Author: Menna van Praag
Series: None
Publication Date: December 30, 2014
Publisher: Ballantine Books
Pages: 336
Obtained: publisher/SheReads.org
Genre:  Magical Realism
Rating: 4.5/5
Bottom Line: Easy to get lost in and not want to leave this highly enjoyable novel
Grab, Just get it at the library, or Remove from your TBR list? Grab!

Summary: Since her parents’ mysterious deaths many years ago, scientist Cora Sparks has spent her days in the safety of her university lab or at her grandmother Etta’s dress shop. Tucked away on a winding Cambridge street, Etta’s charming tiny store appears quite ordinary to passersby, but the colorfully vibrant racks of beaded silks, delicate laces, and jewel-toned velvets hold bewitching secrets: With just a few stitches from Etta’s needle, these gorgeous gowns have the power to free a woman’s deepest desires. Etta’s dearest wish is to work her magic on her granddaughter. Cora’s studious, unromantic eye has overlooked Walt, the shy bookseller who has been in love with her forever. Determined not to allow Cora to miss her chance at happiness, Etta sews a tiny stitch into Walt’s collar, hoping to give him the courage to confess his feelings to Cora. But magic spells—like true love—can go awry. After Walt is spurred into action, Etta realizes she’s set in motion a series of astonishing events that will transform Cora’s life in extraordinary and unexpected ways. ~powells.com

Review: The Dress Shop of Dreams is a perfectly lovely novel to sit with in front of a fire and devour. Unfortunately, I couldn't do just that but I did devour it; hungrily. The story focuses on Etta, Cora, and Walt and their quest to find love or in Etta's case to try to forget it. Cora is oblivious to life going on around her. The only thing Cora cares about is fulfilling her parents dream or finding a grain that can grow anywhere. She has been going to Walt's bookshop for years but barely acknowledges him other than requesting her espresso and slice of cherry pie.

Walt, on the other hand, has been in love with Cora since he was a kid and first laid eyes on her. He's been hooked every since. He's just too shy to say anything to her about how he feels.

Etta is magic. Her dress shop helps women see who they want to be and have the power to be whatever that might be. You see Etta weaves in a bit of magic after a dress has picked the women. The problem is that her own magic doesn't work on her; so she's been lovelorn for 50 years. Etta decides that it's time for Cora to open her heart and for Walt to learn how to speak what he feels, so she meddles. Of course it doesn't work the way she thinks it will but that's ok because it allows both Cora and Walt to discover themselves.

It's not that I couldn't see where the story was going but it was the ride. The ride was magical, lovely and comforting. Ms. van Praag has a wonderful way of making her characters come off the page and frankly I wanted Etta as my grandmother. Were there times when I got frustrated with Cora and Walt, yes but I kind of figured that was part of their growth plan.

I have The House at the End of Hope Street on my shelf and will be pulling it off sooner rather than later. She also has a book coming out later this year, The Witches of Cambridge, which looks enticing as well.

If you are looking for a quick book that will warm your heart and soul, look no further than The Dress Shop of Dreams.


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Alice's Review: The House at the End of Hope Street

Summary: Distraught that her academic career has stalled, Alba is walking through her hometown of Cambridge, England, when she finds herself in front of a house she’s never seen before, 11 Hope Street. A beautiful older woman named Peggy greets her and invites her to stay, on the house’s usual conditions: she has ninety-nine nights to turn her life around. With nothing left to lose, Alba takes a chance and moves in. She soon discovers that this is no ordinary house. Past residents have included Virginia Woolf and Dorothy Parker, who, after receiving the assistance they needed, hung around to help newcomers—literally, in talking portraits on the wall. As she escapes into this new world, Alba begins a journey that will heal her wounds—and maybe even save her life. Filled with a colorful and unforgettable cast of literary figures, The House at the End of Hope Street is a charming, whimsical novel of hope and feminine wisdom that is sure to appeal to fans of Jasper Fforde and especially Sarah Addison Allen. ~ powells.com

Review: This is the kind of review that makes me wish I were more articulate and soulful.  I believe I do not currently possess the vocabulary necessary to describe how simply wonderful The House at the End of Hope Street is.  Magic is the base of this novel with the star being the house at 11 Hope Street.  It’s a home for women to go who need to escape, recover, heal, and move on from what life throws at them.  And many a great woman has crossed its threshold.  From famous writers, to doctors and suffragists each woman this novel is a who’s who of greatness that reminds us that at one time, they were just like us with their own struggles to go along with their triumphs.

This novel has so many facets.  It’s well written and flows nicely. Ms. van Praag gave us such wonderful characters.  And the house….the house is as much a character as Alba, Peggy, Greer, and Carmen.  I enjoyed how each woman is so diverse yet brings a unique aspect to the story.  It’s so well rounded. 

I liked that there was surprise around every turn.  Things happened that I didn’t expect.  I experienced some full on gasping moments.  It tugged at my heartstrings and made me laugh.  I loved that this is my favorite kind of novel, one that is read by the heart for the heart. 

There were a couple morsels of goodness I just loved.

About moving forward….“There is no going back in life.  No return.  No second chance.  When you waste your days, they are wasted forever.  So be honest about the things you really want, and do them, no matter how fearful you might be.”  Daphne du Maurier

Regarding the house and happiness… “It shows people the way, it gives them a little nudge now and then, but the house can’t do everything. And some people don’t have what it takes to be happy.  It’s not an easy thing, you know.  It takes great courage and determination, to keep looking for the light in all the darkness of life.” Stella

Even as I write this, I want to go back and read it again because I know this is the kind of novel that will give me something every time I pick it up.  It’s different, unique and I really enjoyed it. 

Thank you, Leyane Jerejian, for sending me this ARC.  I truly loved it.

Final Take: 5/5