The Dress Shop on King Street

GIVEAWAY

CLARK, ASHLEY

THE DRESS SHOP ON KING STREET

Harper Dupree has pinned all her hopes on a future in fashion design. But when it comes crashing down around her, she returns home to Fairhope, Alabama, and to Millie, the woman who first taught her how to sew. As Harper rethinks her own future, long hidden secrets about Millie's past are brought to light.

In 1946, Millie Middleton -- the daughter of an Italian man and a Black woman -- boarded a train and left Charleston to keep half of her heritage hidden. She carried with her two heirloom buttons and the dream of owning a dress store. She never expected to meet a charming train jumper who changed her life forever...and led her yet again to a heartbreaking choice about which heritage would define her future.

Now, together, Harper and Millie return to Charleston to find the man who may hold the answers they seek...and a chance at the dress shop they've both dreamed of. But it's not until all appears lost that they see the unexpected ways to mend what frayed between the seams.

My Review:

This is me completely stymied over what to say about this debut novel...other than it's phenomenal! Clark's evocative phrasing is bliss to sink into. Sharp imagery, exquisite word choice and depth of storytelling pulled me in and held me captive until the very end. Now I'm an emotionally saturated mess suffering separation anxiety from these characters and their charged stories.

So...two timelines equals two heroines as well as two heroes and we get all their perspectives. I usually relate to one time period more than the other in this type of story but I was equally invested in both in The Dress Shop on King Street. And I loved the way the author moves from one era to the other, expertly weaving disparate lives together in such an enthralling way. I couldn't turn the pages fast enough! Especially with such soul piercing tidbits as these:

"Wasn't stepping out in faith all it took to come into God's blessing?" (p 79) Ha! I loved Harper for thinking this in an almost petulant, grumpy kind of way because I've been there mulling over the exact same thing, on the same kind of journey she's on. :-)

and

"...have you ever considered whether fear -- rather than your dream -- is what you're holding onto?" (p 217) Both heroines struggle with this one...and...tada...me too. I did a double take when I read these words, courtesy of one of our dashing heroes. Love when it feels like my storybook characters are talking right at me. :-)

Astonishing. Moving. Memorable. The Dress Shop on King Street is the kind of book that has the power to make a difference in a reader's life.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

This giveaway is for a paperback or ebook copy -- winner's choice

If you would like a chance to win a copy of The Dress Shop on King Street, leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. If you add an email to your comment, remember to use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in order to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email, please add the title to the subject line so it's easy to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winners announced on Saturday February 13  2021. Offer open to International Readers. Good luck!