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Heirloom Secrets #1
The Dress Shop on King Street
Harper Albright 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 to sew. As she rethinks her own future, secrets long hidden about Millie's past are brought to light.
In 1946, Millie Middleton 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 and 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.
In 1946, Millie Middleton 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 and 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.
367 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 1, 2020
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May 1, 2021
The Dress Shop on King Street by Ashley Clark is a Bethany House publication.
Such a wonderful uplifting story!!
In 1946 Millie, a young woman of mixed heritage is leaving Charleston by train, with a couple of heirloom buttons and the dream of owning her own dress shop, when she meets a train jumper who changes her life…
In present day, Harper Albright has returned to Alabama after her dreams of a career in fashion are dashed. Here she reconnects with Millie, the woman who first taught her to sew. Millie senses Harper needs some time to regroup and offers her a place to stay at her boarding house.
This string of events will merge the past with the present, as Millie’s story is finally revealed, possibly leading to an opportunity for both she and Harper to realize their true dreams.
I loved this story! It’s so sad and heartbreaking, but is also moving, inspirational and heartwarming. As is usually the case with multiple timelines, the historical side of the story was the most effective, in my opinion. Millie’s journey is riveting as she navigates through treacherous waters, finds true love, but faces the most heart wrenching choices along the way.
The characterizations are rich and vivid, and the story is teeming with tension, and joy, highs and lows and triumphs and failures. It’s about life and the unforeseen curveballs and trials, and a reminder that we don’t have to carry our burdens alone and, that maybe things work out best in God’s good time.
The author does an incredible job of handling sensitive topics, incorporating a gentle message, and creating such a beautiful story, it lingered in my heart and mind for long after I turned the final page.
Overall, this is such a refreshing story and an impressive debut!! Will read this author again!
Such a wonderful uplifting story!!
In 1946 Millie, a young woman of mixed heritage is leaving Charleston by train, with a couple of heirloom buttons and the dream of owning her own dress shop, when she meets a train jumper who changes her life…
In present day, Harper Albright has returned to Alabama after her dreams of a career in fashion are dashed. Here she reconnects with Millie, the woman who first taught her to sew. Millie senses Harper needs some time to regroup and offers her a place to stay at her boarding house.
This string of events will merge the past with the present, as Millie’s story is finally revealed, possibly leading to an opportunity for both she and Harper to realize their true dreams.
I loved this story! It’s so sad and heartbreaking, but is also moving, inspirational and heartwarming. As is usually the case with multiple timelines, the historical side of the story was the most effective, in my opinion. Millie’s journey is riveting as she navigates through treacherous waters, finds true love, but faces the most heart wrenching choices along the way.
The characterizations are rich and vivid, and the story is teeming with tension, and joy, highs and lows and triumphs and failures. It’s about life and the unforeseen curveballs and trials, and a reminder that we don’t have to carry our burdens alone and, that maybe things work out best in God’s good time.
The author does an incredible job of handling sensitive topics, incorporating a gentle message, and creating such a beautiful story, it lingered in my heart and mind for long after I turned the final page.
Overall, this is such a refreshing story and an impressive debut!! Will read this author again!
December 1, 2020
"We will live fragile lives, my dear Harper, if we avoid that which is delicate for fear it might break at the seams."
Harper Albright has dreamed of working in fashion design since childhood. She has had her hopes dashed and returns home to Fairhope, Alabama to lick her wounds. At her father's suggestion, she visits Millie Middleton, the woman who taught her to sew. There as she contemplates her future, we are given glimpses into Millie's past.
"Because I am proud of my heritage, no matter what the law and society think. I am proud of my mother and my mother's mother and all the rest who came before me. Without them, I wouldn't carry these dreams."
Millie Middleton left Charleston in 1946 to keep half of her heritage hidden. She brought with her dreams of owning a dress shop and two signature buttons. Along the way she meets a charming train jumper, and her life and dreams are changed forever.
Harper and Millie have both dreamed of owning dress shop and decide to go to Charleston to open a dress shop of their own. Along the way secrets from Millie's past will be revealed. As we learn about the past, we are also given a glimpse into what the future might hold.
“...she caught her heart before it grew wings and floated away like a butterfly."
The Dress Shop on King street is a beautiful book about two women and their dreams. It deals with various themes such as identity, race, racism, hope, dreams, love, friendship, skill, secrets, acceptance and family. Some characters are left to deal with hard choices and the consequences of making those choices. We will watch them dream, hope, experience doubt, have their dreams altered and see them struggle, overcome, love, and keep moving forward. I also really enjoyed their friendship and exchanges with each other.
This book is both heartbreaking and heartwarming. It is also filled with hope and love. This book was a pleasure to read. I enjoyed both characters but had a soft spot for Millie. Both timelines were interesting abut again, Millie's back story was the one that really moved me. I look forward to more books in the series and learning more about the characters and their lives.
Thank you to Bethany House Publishers and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
Harper Albright has dreamed of working in fashion design since childhood. She has had her hopes dashed and returns home to Fairhope, Alabama to lick her wounds. At her father's suggestion, she visits Millie Middleton, the woman who taught her to sew. There as she contemplates her future, we are given glimpses into Millie's past.
"Because I am proud of my heritage, no matter what the law and society think. I am proud of my mother and my mother's mother and all the rest who came before me. Without them, I wouldn't carry these dreams."
Millie Middleton left Charleston in 1946 to keep half of her heritage hidden. She brought with her dreams of owning a dress shop and two signature buttons. Along the way she meets a charming train jumper, and her life and dreams are changed forever.
Harper and Millie have both dreamed of owning dress shop and decide to go to Charleston to open a dress shop of their own. Along the way secrets from Millie's past will be revealed. As we learn about the past, we are also given a glimpse into what the future might hold.
“...she caught her heart before it grew wings and floated away like a butterfly."
The Dress Shop on King street is a beautiful book about two women and their dreams. It deals with various themes such as identity, race, racism, hope, dreams, love, friendship, skill, secrets, acceptance and family. Some characters are left to deal with hard choices and the consequences of making those choices. We will watch them dream, hope, experience doubt, have their dreams altered and see them struggle, overcome, love, and keep moving forward. I also really enjoyed their friendship and exchanges with each other.
This book is both heartbreaking and heartwarming. It is also filled with hope and love. This book was a pleasure to read. I enjoyed both characters but had a soft spot for Millie. Both timelines were interesting abut again, Millie's back story was the one that really moved me. I look forward to more books in the series and learning more about the characters and their lives.
Thank you to Bethany House Publishers and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
October 31, 2020
Harper Albright wants to be a fashion designer and when her dream seems impossible to achieve she returns home to Alabama. She arrives at Millie’s boarding house a place where she’s always made to feel welcome and she and Millie are kindred spirits. Both Millie and Harper have a shared interest in fashion, sewing and both dream of having their own dress shop. Despite the age difference, they decided to give it a go and plan opening their own shop together.
The Dress Shop on King Street has a dual timeline; it goes between present time and back to 1946 when Millie was a young woman.
In 1946, Millie Middleton made the choice to leave Charleston, her mother and her heritage behind. Her mother encouraged her to leave, racial tension was dangerously high, Millie could pass as white and it was a very difficult decision for her to make. On her way to her new life, she's extremely nervous and she meets a charming man called Franklin Pinckney on the train; she has no idea she has just met her future husband and do you believe in fate?
Set in America’s south the book is full of descriptions of the old buildings, beautiful vintage dresses, fabrics, buttons and sewing notions both women use. All rather fascinating and it’s also about family secrets, heirlooms, friendship, love, loss, choices, guilt and regret. The Dress Shop on King Street is the first book in the Heirloom Secrets Series; I’m so looking forward to reading the second book and five stars from me.
https://karrenreadsbooks.blogspot.com/
The Dress Shop on King Street has a dual timeline; it goes between present time and back to 1946 when Millie was a young woman.
In 1946, Millie Middleton made the choice to leave Charleston, her mother and her heritage behind. Her mother encouraged her to leave, racial tension was dangerously high, Millie could pass as white and it was a very difficult decision for her to make. On her way to her new life, she's extremely nervous and she meets a charming man called Franklin Pinckney on the train; she has no idea she has just met her future husband and do you believe in fate?
Set in America’s south the book is full of descriptions of the old buildings, beautiful vintage dresses, fabrics, buttons and sewing notions both women use. All rather fascinating and it’s also about family secrets, heirlooms, friendship, love, loss, choices, guilt and regret. The Dress Shop on King Street is the first book in the Heirloom Secrets Series; I’m so looking forward to reading the second book and five stars from me.
https://karrenreadsbooks.blogspot.com/
March 14, 2021
Designing Women.
Several generations of women with talented sewing fingers and design aspirations connect the dress shop on King Street.
Present day Harper has had her dressmaking dreams crushed by an expensive vocational school and is at a loss as to what her next steps should be. She was ecstatic that upon graduation, she would be showing her designs at the school exhibition. Instead, she was informed that she didn’t pass qualification, ushered to the door, and told to find another career.
Millie’s mother sent sixteen year old Millie to Alabama to begin her life over after the son of the man who killed Millie’s father, begins focusing on Millie. It’s 1946 and although Millie looks white, she’s half black and there was little tolerance in her small town.
Last but not least, the 1860 prologue writing of Rose and her daughter Ashley separated by slavery when Ashley was nine years old. Rose sees her daughter off with a few treasured keepsakes lasting to present day generations after she is sold.
This is a touching story of surviving dreams and aspirations during difficult circumstances. Because I love sewing and fabrics, the book had a specialness in addition to the historical and familial aspects.
Thank you to my local library for my borrowed copy.
Several generations of women with talented sewing fingers and design aspirations connect the dress shop on King Street.
Present day Harper has had her dressmaking dreams crushed by an expensive vocational school and is at a loss as to what her next steps should be. She was ecstatic that upon graduation, she would be showing her designs at the school exhibition. Instead, she was informed that she didn’t pass qualification, ushered to the door, and told to find another career.
Millie’s mother sent sixteen year old Millie to Alabama to begin her life over after the son of the man who killed Millie’s father, begins focusing on Millie. It’s 1946 and although Millie looks white, she’s half black and there was little tolerance in her small town.
Last but not least, the 1860 prologue writing of Rose and her daughter Ashley separated by slavery when Ashley was nine years old. Rose sees her daughter off with a few treasured keepsakes lasting to present day generations after she is sold.
This is a touching story of surviving dreams and aspirations during difficult circumstances. Because I love sewing and fabrics, the book had a specialness in addition to the historical and familial aspects.
Thank you to my local library for my borrowed copy.
November 29, 2020
4 Dress Shop dream stars
This debut novel by Ashley Clark is a multi-generational and split timeline debut novel. Filled with richly imagined characters, I found myself immersed in Fairhope, Alabama and Charleston, South Carolina. This story is filled with family secrets, fabric, signature hats, and special buttons.
Harper Albright has her dreams set on a career in fashion and she’s attending design college in to fulfill those desires. Her big dream is to open a dress shop someday. Her plans get derailed though, and she retreats with all those dreams dashed. She finds Millie, the woman who first taught her to sew and tries to figure out her future.
The split timeline features Millie and we learn all about how she left Charleston, leaving her family and roots behind her. Through her story, we learn of love, heartbreak, and the pain of life in a racially charged South.
As you might expect, Harper and Millie move down the path to a dress shop in Charleston, but both have to do some reconciliation with the past in order to move forward. I thought this one ended well, and I really liked the author’s note at the end with how the story is based on real artifacts.
I like that this is marketed as #1 in a series as I would like to see what else is in store for these characters.
Thank you to Bethany House for the copy of this one to read and review.
This debut novel by Ashley Clark is a multi-generational and split timeline debut novel. Filled with richly imagined characters, I found myself immersed in Fairhope, Alabama and Charleston, South Carolina. This story is filled with family secrets, fabric, signature hats, and special buttons.
Harper Albright has her dreams set on a career in fashion and she’s attending design college in to fulfill those desires. Her big dream is to open a dress shop someday. Her plans get derailed though, and she retreats with all those dreams dashed. She finds Millie, the woman who first taught her to sew and tries to figure out her future.
The split timeline features Millie and we learn all about how she left Charleston, leaving her family and roots behind her. Through her story, we learn of love, heartbreak, and the pain of life in a racially charged South.
As you might expect, Harper and Millie move down the path to a dress shop in Charleston, but both have to do some reconciliation with the past in order to move forward. I thought this one ended well, and I really liked the author’s note at the end with how the story is based on real artifacts.
I like that this is marketed as #1 in a series as I would like to see what else is in store for these characters.
Thank you to Bethany House for the copy of this one to read and review.
March 17, 2025
2.5 stars ✨ Christian Fiction - Dual Time Period
About this book:
“Harper Albright 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 to sew. As she rethinks her own future, secrets long hidden about Millie's past are brought to light.
In 1946, Millie Middleton 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 and 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.”
Series: Book #1 in the “Heirloom Secrets” series.
Spiritual Content- A few Scriptures are quoted & remembered; Prayers & Thanking God; Talks about God, His plans, & dreams/goals that are from Him; 'H's are capital when referring to God; Rose in the prologue thinks that “If God thought her life worth living without her daughter, who was she to question His timing?”; Peter notes that it was a lot easier to hear God’s voice when he no longer allowed his stepfather’s “disapproval to scream inadequacy over his life”; Millie senses a voice that is “altogether separate from her own” tell her she is adored and feels purpose by it; *Spoiler* ; Harper questions why God gave her “such an out-of-reach dream”; Towards the end, Harper’s father talks to her about Ezekiel and the dry bones coming alive & *Spoiler* ; Mentions of God & His plan; Mentions of prayers, praying, Mentions of churches, church going, ministers/preachers, services, & Sunday school; Mentions of a place being called “the Holy City”; A few mentions of Jesus; A couple mentions of Bibles & events from the Bible; A couple mentions of “Amazing Grace” & another song; A mention of the rapture; A mention of the pope; A mention of a place feeling like holy ground;
*Note: “Heavens” is exclaimed once and “what the heavens” is said once; The phrases “sweatin’ like a sinner in church”, “come hell or high water”, “thank heavens”, and “Heavens to Betsy” are all said once; Millie thinks about the lowcountry traditional about blue paint keeping ghosts out and while she doesn’t believe in ghosts, she knows about having a haunting past and wonders if ghosts are just a fictional version of the ache when your heart wants something that’s gone; Mentions of places feeling magical or like magic; A few mentions of being lucky (Millie’s mother says this about Millie and Millie disagrees with it); A couple mentions of fate; A mention of shadows turning into monsters or fairies; A mention of a sunshine rain being said to be when “the devil was beatin’ his wife”.
Negative Content- Minor cussing including: a ‘drat’, a ‘heck’, an ‘idiot’, a ‘stupid’, a ‘suckers’, a ‘what in Sam Hill’, a ‘what in tarnation’, two ‘confounded’s, and three forms of ‘darn/darn it’; Some eye rolling & sarcasm; A young Millie thinks that her mama doesn’t like her using the word ‘darn’, but that “thinking ain’t the same as saying. Restraint had to count for something, right?”; Harper tells Millie that she doesn’t like to swear and instead wants to give her word about keeping a secret; Some pain, injuries, & blood/bleeding (barely-above-not-detailed); Going through a cyclone (up to semi-detailed); Seeing someone punch another & blood/bleeding (barely-above-not-detailed); For a brief moment, Rose in the prologue thinks about using a knife for another purpose (hinted suicide); In the 1940s, Millie sees a Black woman with a baby caught train jumping and being hit by a train worker; Millie doesn’t lie per se to a woman about her relationship with a man, but doesn’t tell the truth until she is directly asked about it; Millie starts to agree with her mother about “some secrets were better kept quiet” as she gets older, but starts to have major fear and anxiety about keeping secrets; Harper tells Peter about the time she nearly drowned (up to semi-detailed); *Spoiler* ; Many mentions of slavery, slaves and a child being sold, & Black people being attacked/beaten (including a young mother in the 1940s and Millie’s father being killed); Mentions of Millie’s father being killed for protecting her when other men tried to attack her for playing with their children and for loving a Black woman (the men weren’t prosecuted because they said it was self-defense); Mentions of deaths (including of a father, mothers, and husbands by a boating accident, murder, illnesses/cancer, and war), grief, & anxiety/fear after the death of a loved one; Mentions of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. being arrested, a bomb at a church, & little girls being killed (Millie panics that this could have happened to her family, up to semi-detailed); Mentions of wars, deaths, & the Great Depression; Mentions of illnesses (including coughing up blood and cancer) & deaths (barely-above-not-detailed); Mentions of illegal train jumping, chain gangs, & injuries; Mentions of a fire; Mentions of thieves & stealing; Mentions of alcohol, a wine cellar, & drunks; Mentions of parents disowning their children (including a stepparent); Mentions of lies, lying, liars, deception, & guilt; Mentions of nightmares; Mentions of a young Harper being uncomfortable with seeing crabs dying and eating them; A few mentions of a cyclone & potential deaths; A few mentions of blood/bleeding; A mention of lynchings; A mention of a place burning down; A mention of poison in a movie; A mention of tobacco; A mention of divorce; A mention of college parties;
*Note: The prologue opens in 1860 with a Black mother learning her nine-year-old daughter been sold; A young Millie faces a young man looking at her in disgust, calling her “filthy”, and pushing her when he finds out about her being half Black (*Spoilers* ); Millie has a lot of parts where she feels torn and upset at having to hide part of her heritage and it creates major fear in herself especially when *Major Spoilers* ; Recalling men calling a little biracial girl a horrible name; A man tells Millie that his family doesn’t care about someone’s race, but they do care if there is a scandal following the family name; All about & many, many mentions of prejudice, hatred, racism, racial violence, & different things being illegal based on skin color (such as marriage to someone outside their race & going to places only meant for one race); A young man says that women shouldn’t run businesses (1940s); Peter’s stepfather had lofty expectations for him and they are no longer in contact after the death of Peter’s mother; Peter has a panic attack (up to semi-detailed); Harper feels like a failure at her dream/goal that she’s worked on for years when she is discouraged by an expert in the field & hears a voice inside of her say negative things like “your dreams will never amount to anything” (*Spoiler* ); Millie tells Harper “none of that feminist rubbish” when she wants to carry her own bags and there is a man available for doing that; Millie says she’s usually “the first one to advocate for women having equal opportunities”, but wonders if Harper needs more driving lessons; Harper refers to her shoe collection as “therapy heels” as she often buys them when upset; Going to Starbucks; Many, many mentions of pop culture references, brand names, celebrities, songs, places, TV shows, movies, & books (Coca-Cola, Chanel No. 5, Peanuts comic strips, Tupperware, Swiffer, WD-40, Plinko, Saks Fifth Avenue, Anthropologie, Target, Starbucks, Forever 21, Pacific Sunwear, Hobby Lobby, Lowe’s, Five and Dime, Aiken-Rhett mansion, Oz, Mr. Rogers, Mr. Darcy, Sherlock Holmes, BBC, Gilmore Girls, Saved by the Bell, I Love Lucy, American Bandstand, Titanic, Sabrina, Casablanca, Notorious, The Notebook, YouTube, Pinterest, Etsy, WebMD, Southern Living, Benny Goodman, Hugh Grant, Humphrey Bogart, Cary Grant, Ingrid Bergam, Lucille Ball, Ryan Gosling, Ryan Seacrest, Meg Ryan, Katharine Hepburn, Reese Witherspoon, J. Lo, Alfred Hitchcock, Edgar Allen Poe, Langston Hughes, Longfellow, F. Scott Fitzgerald, John Keats, Emily Dickinson, Grace Kelly, Audrey Hepburn, Ella Fitzgerald, Celine Dion, Taylor Swift, Etta James, Ed Sheeran, Frank Sinatra, “Rocking’ Robin’”, Walter Cronkite, Coco Chanel, Tiffany & Co., Dior, Vans, Little Golden Books, & ‘The Glass Menagerie’ book); A couple mentions of historical figures (John Wilkes Booth & Rutledge); A couple mentions of Bluetooth; A mention of a car brand; A mention of NASA.
Sexual Content- An almost kiss (semi-detailed), three hair/head kisses, two not-detailed kisses, a barely-above-not-detailed kiss, and four semi-detailed kisses; Remembering kisses & an almost kiss (up to semi-detailed); Staring at lips & noticing others doing it (barely-above-not-detailed); Touches, Embraces, Dancing, Warmth, Sparks/Tingles, Flutters, Smelling, & Nearness (x2, up to semi-detailed); Wanting to touch & embrace (barely-above-not-detailed); Noticing & Staring (border-line barely-above-not-detailed // semi-detailed); Blushes, Flirting, & Winks; A bit of jealousy; Rose in the prologue shares that the father of her daughter is a white man and it can be read into that the man was a wicked owner; *Spoilers, but important content note about a fade-to-black scene* ; Harper has a thought that a man (Peter) is good looking enough to be a model for a charity calendar; Mentions of kisses & kissing; Mentions of flirting; Mentions of handsome men; Mentions of dances; A few mentions of dates; A couple mentions of possible affairs; A mention of swooning; Love, attraction, falling in love, & the emotions (x2);
*Note: Labor pain, giving birth, & passing up (including some mentions of blood/bleeding and nearly losing a wife because of blood loss, up to semi-detailed); Harper notices she’s gained some weight because of a sweet treat; A mention of hormones; A couple mentions of nursing & leaking milk.
-Millicent “Millie” Middleton
-Franklin Pinckney
-Harper Albright, age 26
-Peter Perkins, age 28
P.O.V. switches between them & Rose (Prologue only)
Dual Time Period (Contemporary & has chapters from 1860, 1946-49, 1952, 1955, 1958, 1963, 1967, 1968, 1992, 2008 & 2011)
369 pages
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Pre Teens- One Star
New Teens- One Star
Early High School Teens- Two Stars
Older High School Teens- Three Stars
My personal Rating- Three Stars
I’ve had this book (and the rest of the series) on my shelf to read for a long while now, particularly because of it being a dual time period. Those aren’t my favorite because I usually prefer one setting over the other and it feels like two connecting novellas smashed into each other. This book had elements of that at times.
After finishing it, I feel as if I’ve been through an emotional rollercoaster. So many parts of this story broke my heart in so many ways. The injustice in this book that these characters face made my vision turn red and make me ready to fight some other characters for being so ugly. This is definitely on the heavier side because of the themes of this book and topics discussed.
I did have a time trying to keep everyone straight and their time period details as there is a lot to keep up with. And then you add in all the connections and possible connections, I almost made a family tree with notes about everyone. 😅 That said, I was impressed with how the author weaved everything together and how it all came together. I wasn’t sure what would happen in the last half of the book as the first half felt like the whole story, but there were still hard times ahead for these characters.
Because of the heavy themes of racism, racial violence, and a very light hinted fade-to-black scene between a married couple, I would put this book at 16/17+ for sure; potentially older for some girls, but if she is interested in or doing a study on African Americans in the 1940-1960s, this book gives an up close and personal—and tough—look into it.
In the contemporary setting, Harper’s excuse for not being able to fall for Peter was really weak, in my opinion, but I struggled with her character anyway. She felt like a Debbie Downer. I really liked Peter and his nerdiness, though, I have to say I wasn’t very invested in the modern day setting of this book in general. I didn’t like the third act break-up/argument between them and thought it was just added in for some tension. It didn’t make sense to me and had a rushed conclusion.
If I could nitpick something, it would be all the pop culture references, particularly in the modern setting. We have a young woman in the historical setting that is going through major and heartbreaking events—and then in the modern time period Harper is being whinny about wasting her time trying to be a designer and listening to Taylor Swift. It was jarring and made me feel very little sympathy for Harper because of her pity-party moments when Millie has been through so much worse. I know we’re not supposed to compare tragedies or grief with others, but it can put our own minor inconveniences into perspective at least.
I’m coming away from this book with a new perspective and having done more research on topics and events discussed that I didn’t really know about prior to reading this book. It was definitely educational in that way and made me realize the amount of change that has happened in the last handful of decades. But it was also heavy. The modern setting tried to lighten it up some, but other parts of the book were so sad. There is an underline of hope, though, that kept the book from dragging down into the pits, so to speak, which I was grateful for.
Link to review:
https://booksforchristiangirls.blogsp...
*BFCG may (Read the review to see) recommend this book by this author. It does not mean I recommend all the books by this author.
About this book:
“Harper Albright 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 to sew. As she rethinks her own future, secrets long hidden about Millie's past are brought to light.
In 1946, Millie Middleton 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 and 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.”
Series: Book #1 in the “Heirloom Secrets” series.
Spiritual Content- A few Scriptures are quoted & remembered; Prayers & Thanking God; Talks about God, His plans, & dreams/goals that are from Him; 'H's are capital when referring to God; Rose in the prologue thinks that “If God thought her life worth living without her daughter, who was she to question His timing?”; Peter notes that it was a lot easier to hear God’s voice when he no longer allowed his stepfather’s “disapproval to scream inadequacy over his life”; Millie senses a voice that is “altogether separate from her own” tell her she is adored and feels purpose by it; *Spoiler* ; Harper questions why God gave her “such an out-of-reach dream”; Towards the end, Harper’s father talks to her about Ezekiel and the dry bones coming alive & *Spoiler* ; Mentions of God & His plan; Mentions of prayers, praying, Mentions of churches, church going, ministers/preachers, services, & Sunday school; Mentions of a place being called “the Holy City”; A few mentions of Jesus; A couple mentions of Bibles & events from the Bible; A couple mentions of “Amazing Grace” & another song; A mention of the rapture; A mention of the pope; A mention of a place feeling like holy ground;
*Note: “Heavens” is exclaimed once and “what the heavens” is said once; The phrases “sweatin’ like a sinner in church”, “come hell or high water”, “thank heavens”, and “Heavens to Betsy” are all said once; Millie thinks about the lowcountry traditional about blue paint keeping ghosts out and while she doesn’t believe in ghosts, she knows about having a haunting past and wonders if ghosts are just a fictional version of the ache when your heart wants something that’s gone; Mentions of places feeling magical or like magic; A few mentions of being lucky (Millie’s mother says this about Millie and Millie disagrees with it); A couple mentions of fate; A mention of shadows turning into monsters or fairies; A mention of a sunshine rain being said to be when “the devil was beatin’ his wife”.
Negative Content- Minor cussing including: a ‘drat’, a ‘heck’, an ‘idiot’, a ‘stupid’, a ‘suckers’, a ‘what in Sam Hill’, a ‘what in tarnation’, two ‘confounded’s, and three forms of ‘darn/darn it’; Some eye rolling & sarcasm; A young Millie thinks that her mama doesn’t like her using the word ‘darn’, but that “thinking ain’t the same as saying. Restraint had to count for something, right?”; Harper tells Millie that she doesn’t like to swear and instead wants to give her word about keeping a secret; Some pain, injuries, & blood/bleeding (barely-above-not-detailed); Going through a cyclone (up to semi-detailed); Seeing someone punch another & blood/bleeding (barely-above-not-detailed); For a brief moment, Rose in the prologue thinks about using a knife for another purpose (hinted suicide); In the 1940s, Millie sees a Black woman with a baby caught train jumping and being hit by a train worker; Millie doesn’t lie per se to a woman about her relationship with a man, but doesn’t tell the truth until she is directly asked about it; Millie starts to agree with her mother about “some secrets were better kept quiet” as she gets older, but starts to have major fear and anxiety about keeping secrets; Harper tells Peter about the time she nearly drowned (up to semi-detailed); *Spoiler* ; Many mentions of slavery, slaves and a child being sold, & Black people being attacked/beaten (including a young mother in the 1940s and Millie’s father being killed); Mentions of Millie’s father being killed for protecting her when other men tried to attack her for playing with their children and for loving a Black woman (the men weren’t prosecuted because they said it was self-defense); Mentions of deaths (including of a father, mothers, and husbands by a boating accident, murder, illnesses/cancer, and war), grief, & anxiety/fear after the death of a loved one; Mentions of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. being arrested, a bomb at a church, & little girls being killed (Millie panics that this could have happened to her family, up to semi-detailed); Mentions of wars, deaths, & the Great Depression; Mentions of illnesses (including coughing up blood and cancer) & deaths (barely-above-not-detailed); Mentions of illegal train jumping, chain gangs, & injuries; Mentions of a fire; Mentions of thieves & stealing; Mentions of alcohol, a wine cellar, & drunks; Mentions of parents disowning their children (including a stepparent); Mentions of lies, lying, liars, deception, & guilt; Mentions of nightmares; Mentions of a young Harper being uncomfortable with seeing crabs dying and eating them; A few mentions of a cyclone & potential deaths; A few mentions of blood/bleeding; A mention of lynchings; A mention of a place burning down; A mention of poison in a movie; A mention of tobacco; A mention of divorce; A mention of college parties;
*Note: The prologue opens in 1860 with a Black mother learning her nine-year-old daughter been sold; A young Millie faces a young man looking at her in disgust, calling her “filthy”, and pushing her when he finds out about her being half Black (*Spoilers* ); Millie has a lot of parts where she feels torn and upset at having to hide part of her heritage and it creates major fear in herself especially when *Major Spoilers* ; Recalling men calling a little biracial girl a horrible name; A man tells Millie that his family doesn’t care about someone’s race, but they do care if there is a scandal following the family name; All about & many, many mentions of prejudice, hatred, racism, racial violence, & different things being illegal based on skin color (such as marriage to someone outside their race & going to places only meant for one race); A young man says that women shouldn’t run businesses (1940s); Peter’s stepfather had lofty expectations for him and they are no longer in contact after the death of Peter’s mother; Peter has a panic attack (up to semi-detailed); Harper feels like a failure at her dream/goal that she’s worked on for years when she is discouraged by an expert in the field & hears a voice inside of her say negative things like “your dreams will never amount to anything” (*Spoiler* ); Millie tells Harper “none of that feminist rubbish” when she wants to carry her own bags and there is a man available for doing that; Millie says she’s usually “the first one to advocate for women having equal opportunities”, but wonders if Harper needs more driving lessons; Harper refers to her shoe collection as “therapy heels” as she often buys them when upset; Going to Starbucks; Many, many mentions of pop culture references, brand names, celebrities, songs, places, TV shows, movies, & books (Coca-Cola, Chanel No. 5, Peanuts comic strips, Tupperware, Swiffer, WD-40, Plinko, Saks Fifth Avenue, Anthropologie, Target, Starbucks, Forever 21, Pacific Sunwear, Hobby Lobby, Lowe’s, Five and Dime, Aiken-Rhett mansion, Oz, Mr. Rogers, Mr. Darcy, Sherlock Holmes, BBC, Gilmore Girls, Saved by the Bell, I Love Lucy, American Bandstand, Titanic, Sabrina, Casablanca, Notorious, The Notebook, YouTube, Pinterest, Etsy, WebMD, Southern Living, Benny Goodman, Hugh Grant, Humphrey Bogart, Cary Grant, Ingrid Bergam, Lucille Ball, Ryan Gosling, Ryan Seacrest, Meg Ryan, Katharine Hepburn, Reese Witherspoon, J. Lo, Alfred Hitchcock, Edgar Allen Poe, Langston Hughes, Longfellow, F. Scott Fitzgerald, John Keats, Emily Dickinson, Grace Kelly, Audrey Hepburn, Ella Fitzgerald, Celine Dion, Taylor Swift, Etta James, Ed Sheeran, Frank Sinatra, “Rocking’ Robin’”, Walter Cronkite, Coco Chanel, Tiffany & Co., Dior, Vans, Little Golden Books, & ‘The Glass Menagerie’ book); A couple mentions of historical figures (John Wilkes Booth & Rutledge); A couple mentions of Bluetooth; A mention of a car brand; A mention of NASA.
Sexual Content- An almost kiss (semi-detailed), three hair/head kisses, two not-detailed kisses, a barely-above-not-detailed kiss, and four semi-detailed kisses; Remembering kisses & an almost kiss (up to semi-detailed); Staring at lips & noticing others doing it (barely-above-not-detailed); Touches, Embraces, Dancing, Warmth, Sparks/Tingles, Flutters, Smelling, & Nearness (x2, up to semi-detailed); Wanting to touch & embrace (barely-above-not-detailed); Noticing & Staring (border-line barely-above-not-detailed // semi-detailed); Blushes, Flirting, & Winks; A bit of jealousy; Rose in the prologue shares that the father of her daughter is a white man and it can be read into that the man was a wicked owner; *Spoilers, but important content note about a fade-to-black scene* ; Harper has a thought that a man (Peter) is good looking enough to be a model for a charity calendar; Mentions of kisses & kissing; Mentions of flirting; Mentions of handsome men; Mentions of dances; A few mentions of dates; A couple mentions of possible affairs; A mention of swooning; Love, attraction, falling in love, & the emotions (x2);
*Note: Labor pain, giving birth, & passing up (including some mentions of blood/bleeding and nearly losing a wife because of blood loss, up to semi-detailed); Harper notices she’s gained some weight because of a sweet treat; A mention of hormones; A couple mentions of nursing & leaking milk.
-Millicent “Millie” Middleton
-Franklin Pinckney
-Harper Albright, age 26
-Peter Perkins, age 28
P.O.V. switches between them & Rose (Prologue only)
Dual Time Period (Contemporary & has chapters from 1860, 1946-49, 1952, 1955, 1958, 1963, 1967, 1968, 1992, 2008 & 2011)
369 pages
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Pre Teens- One Star
New Teens- One Star
Early High School Teens- Two Stars
Older High School Teens- Three Stars
My personal Rating- Three Stars
I’ve had this book (and the rest of the series) on my shelf to read for a long while now, particularly because of it being a dual time period. Those aren’t my favorite because I usually prefer one setting over the other and it feels like two connecting novellas smashed into each other. This book had elements of that at times.
After finishing it, I feel as if I’ve been through an emotional rollercoaster. So many parts of this story broke my heart in so many ways. The injustice in this book that these characters face made my vision turn red and make me ready to fight some other characters for being so ugly. This is definitely on the heavier side because of the themes of this book and topics discussed.
I did have a time trying to keep everyone straight and their time period details as there is a lot to keep up with. And then you add in all the connections and possible connections, I almost made a family tree with notes about everyone. 😅 That said, I was impressed with how the author weaved everything together and how it all came together. I wasn’t sure what would happen in the last half of the book as the first half felt like the whole story, but there were still hard times ahead for these characters.
Because of the heavy themes of racism, racial violence, and a very light hinted fade-to-black scene between a married couple, I would put this book at 16/17+ for sure; potentially older for some girls, but if she is interested in or doing a study on African Americans in the 1940-1960s, this book gives an up close and personal—and tough—look into it.
In the contemporary setting, Harper’s excuse for not being able to fall for Peter was really weak, in my opinion, but I struggled with her character anyway. She felt like a Debbie Downer. I really liked Peter and his nerdiness, though, I have to say I wasn’t very invested in the modern day setting of this book in general. I didn’t like the third act break-up/argument between them and thought it was just added in for some tension. It didn’t make sense to me and had a rushed conclusion.
If I could nitpick something, it would be all the pop culture references, particularly in the modern setting. We have a young woman in the historical setting that is going through major and heartbreaking events—and then in the modern time period Harper is being whinny about wasting her time trying to be a designer and listening to Taylor Swift. It was jarring and made me feel very little sympathy for Harper because of her pity-party moments when Millie has been through so much worse. I know we’re not supposed to compare tragedies or grief with others, but it can put our own minor inconveniences into perspective at least.
I’m coming away from this book with a new perspective and having done more research on topics and events discussed that I didn’t really know about prior to reading this book. It was definitely educational in that way and made me realize the amount of change that has happened in the last handful of decades. But it was also heavy. The modern setting tried to lighten it up some, but other parts of the book were so sad. There is an underline of hope, though, that kept the book from dragging down into the pits, so to speak, which I was grateful for.
Link to review:
https://booksforchristiangirls.blogsp...
*BFCG may (Read the review to see) recommend this book by this author. It does not mean I recommend all the books by this author.
July 10, 2021
This book was like candy for a historical fiction nut like myself! I love the way the author wove the story of the butterfly buttons, the embroidered bag, and other heirlooms into a family story that reached through many decades. This was a debut writing, and I can’t wait to read the next one in the series! Way to go, Ashley Clark!
*I received a digital copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are strictly my own.*
*I received a digital copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are strictly my own.*
October 8, 2020
The Dress Shop on King Street is a novel that will sweetly tug you into a story line that flows seamlessly between two times only to intertwine in beautiful ways. Page by page, secret by secret, moment by moment a story is woven of love lost and found, hope restored, and dreams restored. And each page was a gift I did not want to walk away from. Enter these pages only if you want to feel Millie and Harper’s stories deeply and in the process be reminded of how gentle God is as He guides us through dreams lost and found. You might just fall in love with a new-to-you author’s writing. I know I have.
December 30, 2020
What a lovely debut from Ashley Clark! I'm a sucker for split time stories and this was such an enjoyable read. Both Millie and Harper tugged on my heart and I was thoroughly intrigued by the plot. Plus, there was such a feeling of warmth and heart to this story—and it had a thoroughly Southern feel to it as well. I get the sense that Ashley Clark has handed her heart to us in this novel and I'm eager to see what she writes next!
November 2, 2025
WOW utterly speechless.
April 24, 2023
Beginning in Charleston, SC, Millie is on the fine line of 1940s South. Being of mixed race, she falls more on one side, but is raised on the other. She is the next generation of fine seamstresses, and dreams of one day owning a dress shop. When changes come to Charleston, Millie finds that she must leave.
On her way to Fairhope, Alabama, Millie notices a train-jumper who will steal her heart. Franklin also notices Millie and is just as smitten. They make a life together, run a successful boardinghouse, and until the happy birth of their daughters brings Millie's history to light.
Harper Rae is the girl who grows up next to the boardinghouse and learns her sewing skills from Millie. When her dreams of being a seamstress come to a close, she returns to Fairhope and Millie. After attending a party in Charleston Millie suggests a road trip there, Millie and Harper decide to open a dress shop, and Harper meets the building owner, Peter. But the history between Millie, Harper, and Peter is just beginning.
I enjoyed this book very much. Probably because I love Charleston, the history, the food, the sites, it is one of my favorites. So because of that I could see where they were. Thank you to Netgalley and Bethany House for this copy of the book.
On her way to Fairhope, Alabama, Millie notices a train-jumper who will steal her heart. Franklin also notices Millie and is just as smitten. They make a life together, run a successful boardinghouse, and until the happy birth of their daughters brings Millie's history to light.
Harper Rae is the girl who grows up next to the boardinghouse and learns her sewing skills from Millie. When her dreams of being a seamstress come to a close, she returns to Fairhope and Millie. After attending a party in Charleston Millie suggests a road trip there, Millie and Harper decide to open a dress shop, and Harper meets the building owner, Peter. But the history between Millie, Harper, and Peter is just beginning.
I enjoyed this book very much. Probably because I love Charleston, the history, the food, the sites, it is one of my favorites. So because of that I could see where they were. Thank you to Netgalley and Bethany House for this copy of the book.
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August 25, 2020endorsement blurb:
A warm, inimitable voice and pure passion and heart underscore every carefully woven thread of this narrative’s elegant tapestry. Impeccable research, touches of romance, complex characters and dollops of charm inform The Dress Shop on King Street: the first offering from an author destined to make waves with her lush and immersive setting and powerful, resonant themes.
A warm, inimitable voice and pure passion and heart underscore every carefully woven thread of this narrative’s elegant tapestry. Impeccable research, touches of romance, complex characters and dollops of charm inform The Dress Shop on King Street: the first offering from an author destined to make waves with her lush and immersive setting and powerful, resonant themes.
November 14, 2020
Two beautiful butterfly buttons, tucked into the bag of a little girl who is being taken away from her mother, become heirlooms and connect a young man to his grandmother. Ashley Clark weaves a beautiful story showing the ultimate triumph of truth over lies as we pursue our dreams and God's purpose. Millie and Harper share a dream of opening a dress shop. Both have felt the pain of a dream deferred. We follow their paths in Millie's past story and their present connection. Millie's struggles with her biracial heritage and the racism of her day are heartbreaking and a jarring reality of the work we still have to do. Harper's struggle with self-doubt is a reminder of our daily spiritual battle against the enemy. Using beautiful metaphors with buttons, seams, butterflies, water, and more Clark gives us all a reminder of our Maker and His love in the midst of the toils and troubles of this veil of tears.
There were times when I felt the seams were unraveling a bit regarding the plot, but the writing is beautiful and I look forward to Heirloom Secrets #2.
Thank you to Bethany House and NetGalley for a DRC in exchange for an honest review. All my opinions are my own.
There were times when I felt the seams were unraveling a bit regarding the plot, but the writing is beautiful and I look forward to Heirloom Secrets #2.
Thank you to Bethany House and NetGalley for a DRC in exchange for an honest review. All my opinions are my own.
April 22, 2021
A beautiful debut written in such an elegant style.
Ms. Clark draws from her love of history, Charleston, and her Southern heritage to create a tale with deep characters and an interconnected longing among them all for love, acceptance, and truth. I have to say, I'm a little biased toward Millie in the historical thread and had a teensy bit of a book crush on Peter. There's so much depth beneath the more overt desire of the two heroines and it really carries the crux of the story.
If you enjoy time-slip with a Southern flair and an undercurrent of deep story points, you may enjoy this one.
Ms. Clark draws from her love of history, Charleston, and her Southern heritage to create a tale with deep characters and an interconnected longing among them all for love, acceptance, and truth. I have to say, I'm a little biased toward Millie in the historical thread and had a teensy bit of a book crush on Peter. There's so much depth beneath the more overt desire of the two heroines and it really carries the crux of the story.
If you enjoy time-slip with a Southern flair and an undercurrent of deep story points, you may enjoy this one.
January 15, 2024
The Dress Shop on King Street was one of those, "Wow, I didn't see that coming kind of books" because I had no plans on reading it. I read it because it was in my library's catalog and I thought if it's there let's give it a try.
So, I had no expectations but wow! I was sucked in from the first chapter, it did meander in the beginning but it was enough bait for me to keep reading. The Dress Shop on King Street is a time-slip novel, and each chapter would slowly and adeptly untangle one more piece. I felt as if the ball of yarn was being unraveled but it didn't matter that it lay on the floor because it was how we learned more about Millie, Harper, and Peter. I loved how the characters all came together cohesively-nothing was forced. 4.5 stars.
So, I had no expectations but wow! I was sucked in from the first chapter, it did meander in the beginning but it was enough bait for me to keep reading. The Dress Shop on King Street is a time-slip novel, and each chapter would slowly and adeptly untangle one more piece. I felt as if the ball of yarn was being unraveled but it didn't matter that it lay on the floor because it was how we learned more about Millie, Harper, and Peter. I loved how the characters all came together cohesively-nothing was forced. 4.5 stars.
June 4, 2021
This is Historical Fiction and it also included a modern day time line. It toggled back and forth from one story to the next. They both felt like they needed more time to develop. Sadly, this is my first 1-star book this year. I couldn't wait to be done with it. On the plus side, I loved the narrator. She did a phenomenal job.
There is just one thing that created such a disconnect for me when it came t0 the story line and the characters. This is my biggest pet peeve and I always feel so apologetic when I can't get passed it. It's all that I see. And when used in abundance, it is my one and only deal breaker that keeps me from liking a book. That thing was this author's descriptive strokes.
This grated on me from the very beginning. It seemed like everything was assigned its one obligatory adjective. It was the kind of detail that added to the word count....and not to clues or a-ha moments. This was such a struggle.
There is just one thing that created such a disconnect for me when it came t0 the story line and the characters. This is my biggest pet peeve and I always feel so apologetic when I can't get passed it. It's all that I see. And when used in abundance, it is my one and only deal breaker that keeps me from liking a book. That thing was this author's descriptive strokes.
This grated on me from the very beginning. It seemed like everything was assigned its one obligatory adjective. It was the kind of detail that added to the word count....and not to clues or a-ha moments. This was such a struggle.
February 24, 2024
This book is pure poetry!
I am in love with this book. It took me so long to get to actually reading it, the whole series has been sitting on my bookshelf for a couple of months with me just admiring the covers and spines. They're probably the most beautiful covers and spines on my bookshelf, low-key. I guess I was afraid to pick them up because I feared the story wouldn't match the beauty of the cover. But boy was I wrong! The story within is a pure gem.
First, let's talk about the writing. Ashely Clark's writing style is lyrical, poetic, engaging and just gorgeous. Everything about it was amazing. I'll give you a sample by sharing some of my favorite quotes:
"For a brief moment, their fingers touched, and a flutter of magic traveled all the way down to her heart. Such a strange emotion, almost like the feeling of coming home."
"Sometimes, the harder we fight for something, the further we get carried away by it until ultimately it drowns us... sometimes, we all hold tighter and tighter to the very things that are drowning us. We think we are keeping ourselves safe, but we're not. We're just trying to control the stuff that scares us rather than to feel the fear and move on."
"Sometimes life gives us those moments. Like the very first flutter of a butterfly's wings. Moments that are so profound and so purely beautiful, you try to capture them so you can come back to them later. But no matter how hard you try to scoop us every detail of the thing, it's never quite the same because a memory isn't living and breathing. Sometimes life is just magic."
Those are just a few quotes I annotated throughout the novel and love. The whole book is chock-full of amazing, poetic lines like those.
I loved Millie and Harper! Usually, with dual timeline stories, I have a hard time connecting with the characters in both stories equally. Usually, I connect to the characters of one story more than I do with the characters of the other story. Not in this case! I fell in love with both stories and all the characters equally.
The historical aspect of this novel is so well researched and well fictionalized. It stayed true to the historical detail while adding a flair of fiction. Having never studied this time period set in Charleston, it was so interesting and heartbreakingly beautiful! I will not lie, I shed more than one tear throughout the duration of this novel.
But more than any of this I LOVE LOVE LOVED the message. The heart of the story was about trusting in the goodness of God, and how even amidst life's shadows we can always look to the Son and trust the Lord that everything will work out for the good of those who love Him. It was a message of never ceasing to pursue the dreams God's placed on your heart and to trust Him when obstacles hit that He will pave a way.
I say this book is pure poetry not only because of the writing, but also the stories, the characters, and the message. All of it was perfectly woven together to create this masterpiece of a novel. This was such a satisfying, beautiful read and I am so happy to declare I've found a new favorite book!
This book has all the stars!
I am in love with this book. It took me so long to get to actually reading it, the whole series has been sitting on my bookshelf for a couple of months with me just admiring the covers and spines. They're probably the most beautiful covers and spines on my bookshelf, low-key. I guess I was afraid to pick them up because I feared the story wouldn't match the beauty of the cover. But boy was I wrong! The story within is a pure gem.
First, let's talk about the writing. Ashely Clark's writing style is lyrical, poetic, engaging and just gorgeous. Everything about it was amazing. I'll give you a sample by sharing some of my favorite quotes:
"For a brief moment, their fingers touched, and a flutter of magic traveled all the way down to her heart. Such a strange emotion, almost like the feeling of coming home."
"Sometimes, the harder we fight for something, the further we get carried away by it until ultimately it drowns us... sometimes, we all hold tighter and tighter to the very things that are drowning us. We think we are keeping ourselves safe, but we're not. We're just trying to control the stuff that scares us rather than to feel the fear and move on."
"Sometimes life gives us those moments. Like the very first flutter of a butterfly's wings. Moments that are so profound and so purely beautiful, you try to capture them so you can come back to them later. But no matter how hard you try to scoop us every detail of the thing, it's never quite the same because a memory isn't living and breathing. Sometimes life is just magic."
Those are just a few quotes I annotated throughout the novel and love. The whole book is chock-full of amazing, poetic lines like those.
I loved Millie and Harper! Usually, with dual timeline stories, I have a hard time connecting with the characters in both stories equally. Usually, I connect to the characters of one story more than I do with the characters of the other story. Not in this case! I fell in love with both stories and all the characters equally.
The historical aspect of this novel is so well researched and well fictionalized. It stayed true to the historical detail while adding a flair of fiction. Having never studied this time period set in Charleston, it was so interesting and heartbreakingly beautiful! I will not lie, I shed more than one tear throughout the duration of this novel.
But more than any of this I LOVE LOVE LOVED the message. The heart of the story was about trusting in the goodness of God, and how even amidst life's shadows we can always look to the Son and trust the Lord that everything will work out for the good of those who love Him. It was a message of never ceasing to pursue the dreams God's placed on your heart and to trust Him when obstacles hit that He will pave a way.
I say this book is pure poetry not only because of the writing, but also the stories, the characters, and the message. All of it was perfectly woven together to create this masterpiece of a novel. This was such a satisfying, beautiful read and I am so happy to declare I've found a new favorite book!
This book has all the stars!
November 29, 2020
4.5 stars
"Harper, have you ever considered whether fear - rather than your dream - is what you're holding onto?"
Possibly. But wasn't that what her entire world had been surrounded by lately? . . . . the "possibly" that had suddenly and most cruelly morphed into impossibly? Her dreams had vanished, like the wisp of a cloud, beautiful and fluffy one moment and gone the next, driven by the winds of change and the storms of years that felt wasted. Fashion design had been her passion for so long that Harper Dupree didn't know who she was without it. . . . until she travels back to where it all began, or rather to the "who", the woman who brightened a little girl's days with sewing lessons in her kitchen.
Millie Middleton had so many secrets tucked under her red cloche that she could fill the shelves of a small library with their stories. So many dreams, so many possibilities, so many unexpected sacrifices, so many . . . . As a young woman, leaving the life she knew for one that loomed before her with unfathomable depth, she met the love of her life, birthed two beautiful daughters, and found herself alone again with the same dream . . . . . a dress shop on King Street. When the all-grown-up version of Harper arrives on her doorstep yet again, the two of them decide to give fashion another chance, giving Millie's sewn-up-tight secrets a prime opportunity to burst their seams wide open into a kaleidoscope of success for Harper, along with a handsome young Charleston historian named Peter , "who has always been interested in the stories behind the walls".
Rarely does a debut novel evoke such deep emotion. Layered as softly and elegantly as one of Harper's vintage gowns, this story exposes the necessary authenticity needed to manage grief, endure broken dreams, and cherish forever loves and then . . . . dare to move forward with hope. As Harper's wise father said on more than one occasion, "No matter how long it takes, Harper Rae, when your Jubilee tide comes in, make sure your nets are good and ready". The book's remarkable strength is not only in the ability these characters have to rise above the ashes, but in the confidence they inspire us to have in the One who is "the author of your (our) story, and where He calls, He equips". Such a lovely reading experience; enjoy every page!
I received a copy of this book from the author and publisher. I also purchased a copy. The opinions stated above are entirely own.
"Harper, have you ever considered whether fear - rather than your dream - is what you're holding onto?"
Possibly. But wasn't that what her entire world had been surrounded by lately? . . . . the "possibly" that had suddenly and most cruelly morphed into impossibly? Her dreams had vanished, like the wisp of a cloud, beautiful and fluffy one moment and gone the next, driven by the winds of change and the storms of years that felt wasted. Fashion design had been her passion for so long that Harper Dupree didn't know who she was without it. . . . until she travels back to where it all began, or rather to the "who", the woman who brightened a little girl's days with sewing lessons in her kitchen.
Millie Middleton had so many secrets tucked under her red cloche that she could fill the shelves of a small library with their stories. So many dreams, so many possibilities, so many unexpected sacrifices, so many . . . . As a young woman, leaving the life she knew for one that loomed before her with unfathomable depth, she met the love of her life, birthed two beautiful daughters, and found herself alone again with the same dream . . . . . a dress shop on King Street. When the all-grown-up version of Harper arrives on her doorstep yet again, the two of them decide to give fashion another chance, giving Millie's sewn-up-tight secrets a prime opportunity to burst their seams wide open into a kaleidoscope of success for Harper, along with a handsome young Charleston historian named Peter , "who has always been interested in the stories behind the walls".
Rarely does a debut novel evoke such deep emotion. Layered as softly and elegantly as one of Harper's vintage gowns, this story exposes the necessary authenticity needed to manage grief, endure broken dreams, and cherish forever loves and then . . . . dare to move forward with hope. As Harper's wise father said on more than one occasion, "No matter how long it takes, Harper Rae, when your Jubilee tide comes in, make sure your nets are good and ready". The book's remarkable strength is not only in the ability these characters have to rise above the ashes, but in the confidence they inspire us to have in the One who is "the author of your (our) story, and where He calls, He equips". Such a lovely reading experience; enjoy every page!
I received a copy of this book from the author and publisher. I also purchased a copy. The opinions stated above are entirely own.
December 23, 2020
The Dress Shop on King Street is a dual timeline story set in the post-WWII American South, and in the present day. In the present, Harper Dupree’s hopes for a career in fashions have been dashed, so she returns home to Alabama, to the older woman who taught her to sew. Here she meets Peter, an unlikely property developer. Millie Middleton is an expert seamstress who has always wanted to open her own dress shop, but life kept getting in the way. Now she might just achieve her dream, with Harper and Peter’s help.
The past story is Millie’s and takes us from her initial dream through the many reasons why it never came to pass. It’s obvious from the beginning that Millie has a secret, and not just that she’s a mixed-race woman passing as white in 1960’s Georgia, where the “one-drop rule” is a thing. (I had to look that up. For those of us who are not from the USA, it meant that a person with just “one drop” of non-white ancestry was considered black, and therefore treated as a second-class citizen).
Harper’s story and slow-growing romance with Peter was the bulk of the story, but the impact and the heart of the story belonged to Millie. It forces us to face the injustices of the past, and ask ourselves what we can do to atone for those in the present, and to make sure they don’t happen again. It also shows that some injustices have consequences that last years or even decades. Some injustices can never be fixed or made right.
2020 has been a year of outstanding debut novels in the Christian fiction genre. The Dress Shop on King Street is one of the best. It’s a novel about identity—our racial or cultural identity, but also our identity as Christians, encouraging us to chase our God-given dreams, no matter how old we are.
The Dress Shop on King Street is a novel that will stay with you long after you’ve finished reading. Recommended.
Thanks to Bethany House and NetGalley for providing a free ebook for review.
The past story is Millie’s and takes us from her initial dream through the many reasons why it never came to pass. It’s obvious from the beginning that Millie has a secret, and not just that she’s a mixed-race woman passing as white in 1960’s Georgia, where the “one-drop rule” is a thing. (I had to look that up. For those of us who are not from the USA, it meant that a person with just “one drop” of non-white ancestry was considered black, and therefore treated as a second-class citizen).
Harper’s story and slow-growing romance with Peter was the bulk of the story, but the impact and the heart of the story belonged to Millie. It forces us to face the injustices of the past, and ask ourselves what we can do to atone for those in the present, and to make sure they don’t happen again. It also shows that some injustices have consequences that last years or even decades. Some injustices can never be fixed or made right.
2020 has been a year of outstanding debut novels in the Christian fiction genre. The Dress Shop on King Street is one of the best. It’s a novel about identity—our racial or cultural identity, but also our identity as Christians, encouraging us to chase our God-given dreams, no matter how old we are.
The Dress Shop on King Street is a novel that will stay with you long after you’ve finished reading. Recommended.
Thanks to Bethany House and NetGalley for providing a free ebook for review.
December 24, 2020
Absolutely fabulous debut by Ashley Clark. This story connects past and present in a captivating way.
Based on a real artifact , this story was obviously woven with love. Millie, Harper and Peter came to life and echoed my sentiments of preservation of old things, be they houses, clothes or memories.
“Sometimes life gives us those moments. Like the very first flutter of butterflies wings. Moments that are so profound and so purely beautiful, you try to capture them so you can come back to them later.”
From the first page, I was enthralled by the memories Ms. Clark evoked. I started sewing at age 9 on a Singer treadle machine. My mother was an Antique collector and dealer, so I grew up going to estate sales, auctions and consignment shops. My teen years were in the 60s. Although I lived in Northern Illinois, I remember the unrest of the times. The nostalgia made this story very real.
Harper and Mille share a dream of opening a dress shop. Will they realize their dreams and what will they learn along the way? At any rate, there is a transforming story to tell on their journey.
“But you cannot ignore the thing that keeps your soul alive because I believe God puts that sort of stuff in us for a reason. That He speaks to us through it. God is faithful, and when He calls you to something He will also give you the means , even if it doesn’t look as expected.”
This book is a beautiful treasure to be pondered over. I will certainly read the next book in the series as more of this story unfolds.
*I received a complimentary copy of this book from Bethany House. I was not required to give a favorable review. All opinions are my own.*
Based on a real artifact , this story was obviously woven with love. Millie, Harper and Peter came to life and echoed my sentiments of preservation of old things, be they houses, clothes or memories.
“Sometimes life gives us those moments. Like the very first flutter of butterflies wings. Moments that are so profound and so purely beautiful, you try to capture them so you can come back to them later.”
From the first page, I was enthralled by the memories Ms. Clark evoked. I started sewing at age 9 on a Singer treadle machine. My mother was an Antique collector and dealer, so I grew up going to estate sales, auctions and consignment shops. My teen years were in the 60s. Although I lived in Northern Illinois, I remember the unrest of the times. The nostalgia made this story very real.
Harper and Mille share a dream of opening a dress shop. Will they realize their dreams and what will they learn along the way? At any rate, there is a transforming story to tell on their journey.
“But you cannot ignore the thing that keeps your soul alive because I believe God puts that sort of stuff in us for a reason. That He speaks to us through it. God is faithful, and when He calls you to something He will also give you the means , even if it doesn’t look as expected.”
This book is a beautiful treasure to be pondered over. I will certainly read the next book in the series as more of this story unfolds.
*I received a complimentary copy of this book from Bethany House. I was not required to give a favorable review. All opinions are my own.*
December 25, 2021
I really loved this one and can't wait to read the rest of the series. I think I just found a new favorite author. ... Correction. I KNOW I have.
January 12, 2021
Oh, my word...I am in love with this book. From page one, I knew that this was going to be an amazing book. I do not even think I can put into words how beautiful this book was. Everything from the storyline to the characters had me in love. Literally, this book is a MUST read for everyone.
I really loved the split-time aspect of this novel. It was so beautifully crafted. This split story allows the reader to get to know, and love, all the characters. These stories were filled with so much heartbreak yet so much hope. My favorite part about this whole book was how everything intertwined. I loved being able to read the history of the story while seeing how everything plays out in the future.
The characters in this book were so complex and beautifully written. I could not help but love them all. I loved reading about Millie's past self and future self. She was so strong and so inspiring. Franklin was just as strong as Millie. I loved watching their story evolve. Harper was a really fun character. I loved watching her grow throughout this book. Peter was probably my favorite. I really related to him and all of his love for history. Honestly, it is so difficult for me to put into words how amazing these characters were. I do not think words can describe how these characters touched me.
One of my favorite parts of this book was how much history was woven throughout every page and chapter. Ms. Clark definitely did her research while doing this book and I could not help but feel like I was right there with all the characters. Another part of this book that I loved was the theme of God's timing. Throughout this whole book, we see how characters chase dreams and ambitions only to see God answer them in His timing and not their own. It was a great reminder for me in this time of life.
This book took me on a whirlwind of emotions. I was laughing, crying, getting giddy, feeling hope, feeling despair, and all the emotions in-between with these lovable characters. This book is great for every historical fiction and contemporary lover. I cannot really put into words my love for this book but all I know is that this book is a must-read for every reader. Do yourself a favor and read this masterpiece!!
*FTC: I received this book from Bethany House in exchange for my honest opinion. All thoughts are my own. I was not required to write a positive review.*
I really loved the split-time aspect of this novel. It was so beautifully crafted. This split story allows the reader to get to know, and love, all the characters. These stories were filled with so much heartbreak yet so much hope. My favorite part about this whole book was how everything intertwined. I loved being able to read the history of the story while seeing how everything plays out in the future.
The characters in this book were so complex and beautifully written. I could not help but love them all. I loved reading about Millie's past self and future self. She was so strong and so inspiring. Franklin was just as strong as Millie. I loved watching their story evolve. Harper was a really fun character. I loved watching her grow throughout this book. Peter was probably my favorite. I really related to him and all of his love for history. Honestly, it is so difficult for me to put into words how amazing these characters were. I do not think words can describe how these characters touched me.
One of my favorite parts of this book was how much history was woven throughout every page and chapter. Ms. Clark definitely did her research while doing this book and I could not help but feel like I was right there with all the characters. Another part of this book that I loved was the theme of God's timing. Throughout this whole book, we see how characters chase dreams and ambitions only to see God answer them in His timing and not their own. It was a great reminder for me in this time of life.
This book took me on a whirlwind of emotions. I was laughing, crying, getting giddy, feeling hope, feeling despair, and all the emotions in-between with these lovable characters. This book is great for every historical fiction and contemporary lover. I cannot really put into words my love for this book but all I know is that this book is a must-read for every reader. Do yourself a favor and read this masterpiece!!
*FTC: I received this book from Bethany House in exchange for my honest opinion. All thoughts are my own. I was not required to write a positive review.*
January 18, 2021
The Characters
Let me start by saying this story was not my favorite. It was mostly Meh.
Harper, the MC, was nothing special. She was so flat that it was almost painful. She had a dream. But that was all that made her part of the story. Her moods and ideas all seemed just kind of bland and there because they had to be. Not because that's what she had. Millie was something special if she had been executed a little bit better. She had a background, a secret, a life, and she had emotions.
Peter was quirky, but I imagined him almost more like an old man in a lab coat that's bursting at the buttons. He and Harper had NO chemistry. It was all just kind forced to make a plotline of some kind.
The Plot
As you probably guessed from the previous paragraphs, the plot wasn't super solid. There was a line. But the buildup wavered ALL over the place. I feel like there were way too many tiny details that were not nessacary for the story. It was fast paced, but in a very muddy sort of useless way.
The Content
There wasn't that much content. I mean all in all, it was a fine story. There wasn't anything wrong with it, there was just nothing outstanding about it. I never even got myself to finish the ending, and I'm about 50 pages away. I just don't WANT to.
The "romance" (could it even be called that?) between Harper and Peter felt forced, but I wanted to mention that it was there. I don't know if they kissed or not in the last 50 pages, I didn't finish it.
In Summary
I was too bored to finish The Dress Shop on King Street. I appreciate that the author finished her book. That is a HUGE feat to accomplish. But I didn't enjoy this story as much as I have other stories. Three stars.
Thank you Bethany house and Ashely Clark for getting me a copy of this book to check it out. A positive review was not required and all opinions are honest and my own words.
Let me start by saying this story was not my favorite. It was mostly Meh.
Harper, the MC, was nothing special. She was so flat that it was almost painful. She had a dream. But that was all that made her part of the story. Her moods and ideas all seemed just kind of bland and there because they had to be. Not because that's what she had. Millie was something special if she had been executed a little bit better. She had a background, a secret, a life, and she had emotions.
Peter was quirky, but I imagined him almost more like an old man in a lab coat that's bursting at the buttons. He and Harper had NO chemistry. It was all just kind forced to make a plotline of some kind.
The Plot
As you probably guessed from the previous paragraphs, the plot wasn't super solid. There was a line. But the buildup wavered ALL over the place. I feel like there were way too many tiny details that were not nessacary for the story. It was fast paced, but in a very muddy sort of useless way.
The Content
There wasn't that much content. I mean all in all, it was a fine story. There wasn't anything wrong with it, there was just nothing outstanding about it. I never even got myself to finish the ending, and I'm about 50 pages away. I just don't WANT to.
The "romance" (could it even be called that?) between Harper and Peter felt forced, but I wanted to mention that it was there. I don't know if they kissed or not in the last 50 pages, I didn't finish it.
In Summary
I was too bored to finish The Dress Shop on King Street. I appreciate that the author finished her book. That is a HUGE feat to accomplish. But I didn't enjoy this story as much as I have other stories. Three stars.
Thank you Bethany house and Ashely Clark for getting me a copy of this book to check it out. A positive review was not required and all opinions are honest and my own words.
January 19, 2021
WOW! This is such a beautiful story. It is a multi-generational novel that takes the reader from before the Civil War into the present day.
Millie is a woman who is half white and half black. Her mixed heritage gives her more freedom to live in the white world. Her story begins before Martin Luther King changed life for many black people.
Her life is threatened when a white young man learns of her mixed heritage. In order to protect her, Millie's mother puts her on a train to move to an area where she can pass as a white woman.
The story "packs a punch" as injustice is described. Millie has a love story that is beautiful, but her heart is broken when she becomes a mother. To me, it is unfathomable the way that people in the black community were treated. It is because I have never experienced it, that I have a hard time wrapping my head around it.
While there is a lot of pain, there are good times too. The story really is one of hope. It comes full circle when dreams are realized and that generations following have more opportunity.
I cannot give this book a higher recommendation. This will remain in my head and heart for a long time to come.
Source: I received a complimentary copy. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.
Millie is a woman who is half white and half black. Her mixed heritage gives her more freedom to live in the white world. Her story begins before Martin Luther King changed life for many black people.
Her life is threatened when a white young man learns of her mixed heritage. In order to protect her, Millie's mother puts her on a train to move to an area where she can pass as a white woman.
The story "packs a punch" as injustice is described. Millie has a love story that is beautiful, but her heart is broken when she becomes a mother. To me, it is unfathomable the way that people in the black community were treated. It is because I have never experienced it, that I have a hard time wrapping my head around it.
While there is a lot of pain, there are good times too. The story really is one of hope. It comes full circle when dreams are realized and that generations following have more opportunity.
I cannot give this book a higher recommendation. This will remain in my head and heart for a long time to come.
Source: I received a complimentary copy. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.
October 18, 2020
I am not sure why I have not heard more about this book, as it is truly a hidden gem. I found myself going between the characters, wondering wishing and hoping to see as the story unfolded.
Sometimes stories with racial divisions from the past, open a new world to us that we wish we had not seen. I loved the hints and quotes from Gilmore Girls, the fashion design quality and the boarding house history enclosed in this book, as well as shades of Jane Austen slipped in. With heartbreaking moments, you will find yourself thinking about this one after you finish.
Sometimes stories with racial divisions from the past, open a new world to us that we wish we had not seen. I loved the hints and quotes from Gilmore Girls, the fashion design quality and the boarding house history enclosed in this book, as well as shades of Jane Austen slipped in. With heartbreaking moments, you will find yourself thinking about this one after you finish.
January 19, 2021
A beautiful weaving of past and present, Ashley Clark isn't afraid to tackle the tough topic of racial tension, how it plays out in the life of one woman, and how it affects so many around her. I loved the satisfying ending and the sweet reminder of second chances in the midst of broken dreams.
January 1, 2023
What a stunning debut!
The protagonist in this story is the child of an Italian father and African American mother. It didn’t take long for me to become aware of her challenges growing up during the Jim Crow era in Charleston, South Carolina. This fascinating story follows two antique buttons through three timelines and I was eager to find out whose hands these heirlooms passed through and if they’d ever be reunited with the rightful owner!
Why I loved this book:
✔️Strong women (who endure prejudice)
✔️Mothers protecting children and putting them first
✔️Overcoming heartache and loss
✔️balanced by plenty of love and courage
✔️interesting/unique characters (freight-hoppers)
✔️antique lace/buttons/embroidery/vintage dresses
✔️characters who work hard to realize their dreams
✔️characters who stumble in the process and dust themselves off and try again
✔️relate to characters who question their decisions
✔️relate to characters who question God’s timing
✔️clean read
✔️inspirational and subtle faith elements
✔️uncovering secrets
✔️multiple timelines
This was a hug in a book. It was exactly what I needed to start the new year. I want to contemplate the message that sometimes what we want isn’t always what we need.
I have so many wonderful quotes highlighted in this story that will give me lots to think about in the days ahead.
I can’t wait to start book two in the Heirloom Secrets trilogy, Paint and Nectar!
The protagonist in this story is the child of an Italian father and African American mother. It didn’t take long for me to become aware of her challenges growing up during the Jim Crow era in Charleston, South Carolina. This fascinating story follows two antique buttons through three timelines and I was eager to find out whose hands these heirlooms passed through and if they’d ever be reunited with the rightful owner!
Why I loved this book:
✔️Strong women (who endure prejudice)
✔️Mothers protecting children and putting them first
✔️Overcoming heartache and loss
✔️balanced by plenty of love and courage
✔️interesting/unique characters (freight-hoppers)
✔️antique lace/buttons/embroidery/vintage dresses
✔️characters who work hard to realize their dreams
✔️characters who stumble in the process and dust themselves off and try again
✔️relate to characters who question their decisions
✔️relate to characters who question God’s timing
✔️clean read
✔️inspirational and subtle faith elements
✔️uncovering secrets
✔️multiple timelines
This was a hug in a book. It was exactly what I needed to start the new year. I want to contemplate the message that sometimes what we want isn’t always what we need.
I have so many wonderful quotes highlighted in this story that will give me lots to think about in the days ahead.
I can’t wait to start book two in the Heirloom Secrets trilogy, Paint and Nectar!
March 13, 2023
reread 2023
Loved it just as much as the first time. I did prefer the historical timeline more than the present one, which isn't unusual considering I love all things historical. I would love a family tree or something to keep all the names straight - which, btw, my mom said the same thing when I made her read this series LOL.
original review
5 stars ✨
It's been a day since I finished The Dress Shop on King Street and I'm still thinking about it. It was just that good.
I read this series out of order, starting with Paint and NectarBook 2 which I read for review. I suggest reading the series in order to avoid confusion. I absolutely fell in love with Ashley Clark's storytelling in Paint and Nectar and experienced the same with this book as well.
Ashley pens a poignant, beautiful story of unrealized dreams and holding on to hope in this fresh time slip debut. I am in awe of the way she so carefully and tenderly crafts this moving story, making it one that lingers for days after. And the way she packs in the southern charm without overdoing it or making seem tacky - I love love love!!! I just - I have no other words to say, except pick up this charming, uplifting story for yourself.
Again, I just have to leave you with some of my favourite quotes and let her words speak for themselves.
"Sometimes life gives us those moments. Like the very first flutter of a butterfly's wings. Moments that are so profound and so purely beautiful, you try to capture them so you can come back to them later... But no matter how hard you try to scoop up every detail of the thing, it's never quite the same because a memory isn't living and breathing... Sometimes life is just magic."
" The button was faded blue, with the imprint of a butterfly.
Something borrowed, perhaps? Something blue?
'Almost too delicate to be worn,' Harper said.
'What good are beautiful buttons if they aren't worn?... We will live fragile lives, my dear Harper, if we avoid that which is delicate for fear it might break at the seams.'"
Loved it just as much as the first time. I did prefer the historical timeline more than the present one, which isn't unusual considering I love all things historical. I would love a family tree or something to keep all the names straight - which, btw, my mom said the same thing when I made her read this series LOL.
original review
5 stars ✨
It's been a day since I finished The Dress Shop on King Street and I'm still thinking about it. It was just that good.
I read this series out of order, starting with Paint and NectarBook 2 which I read for review. I suggest reading the series in order to avoid confusion. I absolutely fell in love with Ashley Clark's storytelling in Paint and Nectar and experienced the same with this book as well.
Ashley pens a poignant, beautiful story of unrealized dreams and holding on to hope in this fresh time slip debut. I am in awe of the way she so carefully and tenderly crafts this moving story, making it one that lingers for days after. And the way she packs in the southern charm without overdoing it or making seem tacky - I love love love!!! I just - I have no other words to say, except pick up this charming, uplifting story for yourself.
Again, I just have to leave you with some of my favourite quotes and let her words speak for themselves.
"Sometimes life gives us those moments. Like the very first flutter of a butterfly's wings. Moments that are so profound and so purely beautiful, you try to capture them so you can come back to them later... But no matter how hard you try to scoop up every detail of the thing, it's never quite the same because a memory isn't living and breathing... Sometimes life is just magic."
" The button was faded blue, with the imprint of a butterfly.
Something borrowed, perhaps? Something blue?
'Almost too delicate to be worn,' Harper said.
'What good are beautiful buttons if they aren't worn?... We will live fragile lives, my dear Harper, if we avoid that which is delicate for fear it might break at the seams.'"
March 24, 2021
A heartfelt novel of dreams, loss, love, heartache, and the history that makes us who we are.
Tracing forwards and back lingering on pivotal moments in Millie's life, as well as the stories of Harper and Peter, as they entwine in the past and present day. A beautifully immersive read, with captivating characters that tell their stories and search for answers. Even though the story wends its way through various points in time the lines of the story were easy to follow, and I didn't find myself getting confused and enjoyed watching the pieces come together.
This book explores various themes, from the pain of racism, casting two shadows, the ties that bind you to your past, and following your dreams, all infused with faith that shines hope into the darkest days. Millie is an extraordinary woman, full of wisdom, gumption, and faith, and I loved following her through the turning points in her life, as well as her relationship with Harper and how she encourages her in her dreams and love. Peter is a man with big dreams too, he loves reviving pieces of history to preserve their history, while searching for the answers to his own.
Overall, a gorgeous blending of past and present, taking inspiration from real life heart rending choices that many had to make. Romance, heartbreak, and dreams realized, I loved everything about this novel. Highly recommend!
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Tracing forwards and back lingering on pivotal moments in Millie's life, as well as the stories of Harper and Peter, as they entwine in the past and present day. A beautifully immersive read, with captivating characters that tell their stories and search for answers. Even though the story wends its way through various points in time the lines of the story were easy to follow, and I didn't find myself getting confused and enjoyed watching the pieces come together.
This book explores various themes, from the pain of racism, casting two shadows, the ties that bind you to your past, and following your dreams, all infused with faith that shines hope into the darkest days. Millie is an extraordinary woman, full of wisdom, gumption, and faith, and I loved following her through the turning points in her life, as well as her relationship with Harper and how she encourages her in her dreams and love. Peter is a man with big dreams too, he loves reviving pieces of history to preserve their history, while searching for the answers to his own.
Overall, a gorgeous blending of past and present, taking inspiration from real life heart rending choices that many had to make. Romance, heartbreak, and dreams realized, I loved everything about this novel. Highly recommend!
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
November 25, 2022
Oh my goodness, this book! I really am at a loss of how to describe how much I love it. It's one of my favorite books of the year, by far. The setting, the characters, and the writing surpassed all my expectations. Charleston is an easy day-trip from where I live, so I loved reading a book with that low-country Southern charm. I really loved the characters and how they intersect with each other. Clark did such an amazing job of revealing little things about how they're all connected at just the right times. The romances added a touch of sweetness to a story that helped to break up the sad bits; it wasn't overdone and added something to the characters instead of it just being there. Racial tensions were and continue to be a large part of Southern history, and Clark handled this subject and Millie's story so beautifully. I could tell a lot of time and care was put into making Millie's story feel real and I so appreciated that.
This book is the perfect balance of heartwarming and heart-wrenching... Definitely have your box of tissues ready! I've already bought the next 2 books in the series so I'm excited to dive in!
p.s. if anyone knows where I can find a real-life Peter please let me know. thx<3
This book is the perfect balance of heartwarming and heart-wrenching... Definitely have your box of tissues ready! I've already bought the next 2 books in the series so I'm excited to dive in!
p.s. if anyone knows where I can find a real-life Peter please let me know. thx<3
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