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Dress Shop of Dreams
Dress Shop of Dreams | Menna van Praag
For fans of Alice Hoffman, Sarah Addison Allen, and Adriana Trigiani, The Dress Shop of Dreams is a captivating novel of enduring hopes, second chances, and the life-changing magic of true love. 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. Praise for The Dress Shop of Dreams "Reminiscent of Love Actually and P.S. I Love You, this cute little book is recommended to readers who want to be charmed by the possibilities of love."--LibraryReads (Top Ten Pick) "[Menna] van Praag has a deliciously innate capability to weave the totality of characters of The Dress Shop of Dreams into a compelling tale. Each character, from Cambridge to Oxford, augments and refines these dynamics. Ultimately, van Praag cracks the code that deciphers magical fate when it comes to couture and the complexities of love."--New York Journal of Books "[A] brightly colored fabulist confection . . . sure to delight those looking for a little fairy dust in their romance."--Kirkus Reviews "The Dress Shop of Dreams is a delightful blending of many love stories plus a tale of murder and suspense. Van Praag has a knack for balancing a large cast of engaging characters, and her references to beloved authors and historic scientists are enjoyable touchstones between doses of mystery and magic."--Booklist "The Dress Shop of Dreams is a light, sweet and shimmering confection, well worth a read."--BookLoons "Bighearted, beautiful, and brushed with magic, this novel celebrates life's moments of joy, possibility, and transformation. Menna van Praag's writing is bright with sparkles and lovely grace notes."--Susan Wiggs, bestselling author of The Beekeeper's Ball "The Dress Shop of Dreams is a dream come true for lovers of romantic tales with a twist of fantasy. Utterly enchanting! Menna van Praag's imaginative, endearing characters will stay with you long after you close the book."--Mary Alice Monroe, New York Times bestselling author of The Summer Wind "Dresses, dreams, magic, and mystery swirl in this enchanting novel. The Dress Shop of Dreams is the book to read before turning off your bedside light."--Nancy Thayer, New York Times bestselling author of Nantucket Sisters Look for special features inside. Join the Random House Reader's Circle for author chats and more.
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Crewgurl
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Mehso-so

This was…weird. Interesting story, but dragged on in certain places and not enough detail in others. I think it tried to do too much.

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suvata
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Pickpick

For fans of Alice Hoffman, and Sarah Addison Allen, The Dress Shop of Dreams is a captivating novel of enduring hopes, second chances, and the life-changing magic of true love. Tucked away on a winding Cambridge street, Etta's charming tiny store appears quite ordinary to passersby, but beaded silks, delicate laces, and jewel-toned velvets hold bewitching secrets: These gorgeous gowns have the power to free a woman's deepest desire.

Crazeedi Sounds good 4y
47 likes2 stack adds1 comment
review
sleepy.ash87
Dress Shop of Dreams | Menna van Praag
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Mehso-so

I was entertained by this read, though there were a few aspects of it that have kept me from making it a pick. I finished it quickly because I truly found it to be a fun little escape. I enjoyed the magical realism that characterizes van Praag's work and I enjoyed the characters. However, I found the storyline very predictable. It didn't surprise me like House at the End of Hope Street. Overall, it wasn't as good as House but still fun.

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sleepy.ash87

"I believe that soul mates will always find each other, that true love will weather all storms, that people who want to be together will always find a way, that once our hearts find a home in another then they will stay, that false love will fade away and be forgotten in time, that a free heart is happier than an unloved one."

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sleepy.ash87
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"It's a great shame...that the heart cannot feel joy without also feeling pain, that it cannot know love without also knowing loss." (p. 57)

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sleepy.ash87
Dress Shop of Dreams | Menna van Praag
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I was so happy with The House at the End of Hope Street that I rushed to the library for this one today. I searched all the libraries in our area and it seems that this is the only other book by van Praag that I have available at the moment. It is a large print version, which makes me chuckle. On chapter 4. I'm still not convinced that I like it better than the one I just finished but still entertained!

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TheSketchyReader
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Pickpick

I enjoyed this book much better than The House at the End of Hope Street. Fun Magical Realism, and several quirky characters. This is the perfect beach read if you‘re traveling this winter ❄️ or quick little fireside read.

18 likes1 stack add
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TheSketchyReader
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My daughter and Mom bought me these books for Christmas, and I‘m reading them while on vacation. We found the shell on nearby Cockleshell Beach. These are the books in the Amazon bag from yesterday‘s post. The only place my daughter could find The Last Pearl Fisher is Scotland was from an Amazon seller. #beachreads

Morr_Books Looks beautiful there! 7y
TheSketchyReader @Morr_Books it is! It‘s the first week long vacation we‘ve had on six years. We‘re on St. Kitts overlooking Nevis. 7y
PurpleyPumpkin Looks beautiful! I envy your sea and warm weather. It‘s -24 degrees Celsius where I am. Enjoy your vacation and reading!☀️📚 7y
See All 6 Comments
TheSketchyReader @PurpleyPumpkin thank you! I hear we might get snow New Year‘s Eve and Day for our return home! 7y
PurpleyPumpkin Nothing would surprise me about the weather at this point. 😬❄️ 7y
TheSketchyReader @PurpleyPumpkin 😝❄️☃️ 7y
26 likes2 stack adds6 comments
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Purrfectpages
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A sample of books I have about fashion. The only one I've read so far is The Knockoff. #fashion #septembowie

Kangaj1 I just read Vintage this year. Cute story, and takes place where I live. 7y
Purrfectpages @Kangaj1 where are you from? 7y
Kangaj1 @Purrfectpages I live one town over from Madison, WI 7y
47 likes3 stack adds3 comments
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DarcysMom
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Pickpick

🌟🌟🌟🌟

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DarcysMom
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raelaschoenherr
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Pickpick

This was a light, fun listen! It definitely feels like a Jenny Colgan read alike, also set in England. Follows the interconnected stories of six different people who are each charming in their own way. There's also a tiny hint of magical realism to add to the fun. #audiobook

SaraFair You had me at Jenny Colgan! 8y
raelaschoenherr @SaraFair Haha! Tell me what you think if you get to it :) 8y
35 likes4 stack adds2 comments
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raelaschoenherr
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Workout fuel #audiobook

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saraheliz1414
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"Oh my dear." Etta laughs, the sound humming around her. "When is cake ever for hunger? It's for flavor and, in this case, comfort."

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Rahhbekuhh
Pickpick

This book is great. It's formulaic. I predicted nearly everything. It's cheesy. It's overly hokey. But it worked. Why am I such a sucker for cheesy romance books?

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Luv2readbookz
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Pickpick

This is a charming read with a little bit of magic. #dressesoncovers #readjanuary

AWahle I really enjoyed this book! 8y
34 likes1 stack add1 comment
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kspenmoll
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#ReadJanuary #DressesontheCover
@RealLifeReading
Magic snd the perfect dress❤

RealLifeReading 👗 ❤️ 8y
48 likes1 comment
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audiothing
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Pickpick

I loved this audiobook, it was my serendipitous purchase. I lost my reading mojo and this book restored it. Completely different to my usual choices in that it has mystical and romantic elements. What is more it is read by the fab Jane Carr, British actress who has appeared in many American TV shows

raelaschoenherr Listening to this now! 8y
7 likes1 stack add1 comment