{"product_id":"the-dress-shop-of-dreams-9780804178983","title":"The Dress Shop of Dreams","description":"\u003cb\u003eFor fans of Alice Hoffman, Sarah Addison Allen, and Adriana Trigiani, \u003ci\u003eThe Dress Shop of Dreams\u003c\/i\u003e is a captivating novel of enduring hopes, second chances, and the life-changing magic of true love.\u003c\/b\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eSince 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. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eEtta'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. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cb\u003ePraise for \u003ci\u003eThe Dress Shop of Dreams\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003cb\u003e \u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\"Reminiscent of \u003ci\u003eLove Actually\u003c\/i\u003e and \u003ci\u003eP.S. I Love You, \u003c\/i\u003e this cute little book is recommended to readers who want to be charmed by the possibilities of love.\"\u003cb\u003e--\u003ci\u003eLibraryReads \u003c\/i\u003e(Top Ten Pick)\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003cb\u003e \u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \" Menna] van Praag has a deliciously innate capability to weave the totality of characters of \u003ci\u003eThe Dress Shop of Dreams\u003c\/i\u003e 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.\"\u003cb\u003e--\u003ci\u003eNew York Journal of Books\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003e \u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \" A] brightly colored fabulist confection . . . sure to delight those looking for a little fairy dust in their romance.\"\u003cb\u003e--\u003ci\u003eKirkus Reviews\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003e \u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \"\u003ci\u003eThe Dress Shop of Dreams\u003c\/i\u003e 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.\"\u003cb\u003e--\u003ci\u003eBooklist\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003e \u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \"\u003ci\u003eThe Dress Shop of Dreams\u003c\/i\u003e is a light, sweet and shimmering confection, well worth a read.\"\u003cb\u003e--\u003ci\u003eBookLoons\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\"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.\"\u003cb\u003e--Susan Wiggs, bestselling author of \u003ci\u003eThe Beekeeper's Ball\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\"\u003ci\u003eThe Dress Shop of Dreams \u003c\/i\u003eis 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.\"\u003cb\u003e--Mary Alice Monroe, \u003ci\u003eNew York Times \u003c\/i\u003ebestselling author of \u003ci\u003eThe Summer Wind\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \"Dresses, dreams, magic, and mystery swirl in this enchanting novel. \u003ci\u003eThe Dress Shop of Dreams \u003c\/i\u003eis the book to read before turning off your bedside light.\"\u003cb\u003e--Nancy Thayer, \u003ci\u003eNew York Times \u003c\/i\u003ebestselling author of \u003ci\u003eNantucket Sisters\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cb\u003eLook for special features inside. Join the Random House Reader's Circle for author chats and more.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eBinding Type:\u003c\/b\u003e Paperback\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublisher:\u003c\/b\u003e Random House Publishing Group\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublished:\u003c\/b\u003e 12\/30\/2014\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eISBN:\u003c\/b\u003e 9780804178983\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePages:\u003c\/b\u003e 336\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eWeight:\u003c\/b\u003e 0.55lbs\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eSize:\u003c\/b\u003e 7.90h x 5.10w x 0.90d\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReview Citations: \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003ci\u003eLibrary Journal Prepub Alert\u003c\/i\u003e 07\/01\/2014 pg. 56\u003cbr\u003e\u003ci\u003eBooklist\u003c\/i\u003e 10\/15\/2014 pg. 26\u003cbr\u003e\u003ci\u003eLibrary Journal\u003c\/i\u003e 11\/01\/2014 pg. 77\u003cbr\u003e\u003ci\u003eRomantic Times\u003c\/i\u003e 01\/01\/2015 pg. 34 - Excellent\u003cbr\u003e\u003ci\u003eKirkus Reviews\u003c\/i\u003e 11\/15\/2014\u003cbr\u003e\u003ci\u003eLibrary Journal\u003c\/i\u003e 07\/01\/2014\u003cbr\u003e","brand":"Menna Van Praag","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45369941885109,"sku":"9780804178983","price":14.45,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0473\/0804\/6492\/files\/img_21bbb4fd-48eb-4478-86d1-e7e4cbf7f0f6.jpg?v=1747108912","url":"https:\/\/pastforward.org\/products\/the-dress-shop-of-dreams-9780804178983","provider":"Past Forward","version":"1.0","type":"link"}