The Dress Shop of Dreams

A Novel

By: Menna van Praag

Narrated by: Jennifer Carr

Since her parents’ mysterious deaths many years ago, scientist Cora Sparks has spent her days in the safety of her university lab or at her grandmother Etta’s dress shop. Tucked away on a winding Cambridge street, Etta’s charming tiny store appears quite ordinary to passersby, but the colorfully vibrant racks of beaded silks, delicate laces, and jewel-toned velvets hold bewitching secrets: With just a few stitches from Etta’s needle, these gorgeous gowns have the power to free a woman’s deepest desires.

Etta’s dearest wish is to work her magic on her granddaughter. Cora’s studious, unromantic eye has overlooked Walt, the shy bookseller who has been in love with her forever. Determined not to allow Cora to miss her chance at happiness, Etta sews a tiny stitch into Walt’s collar, hoping to give him the courage to confess his feelings to Cora. But magic spells - like true love - can go awry. After Walt is spurred into action, Etta realizes she's set in motion a series of astonishing events that will transform Cora’s life in extraordinary and unexpected ways.

©2014 Menna van Praag (P)2014 Recorded Books

Charming

Lovely book. Preferred Menna's first book The House at the End of Hope St. But this was still charming. Be joyed the narrators voice.

So charmingly British!

This book was so sweet, and well narrated. Not particularly deep, but doesn't sacrifice good writing for that charming simplicity found in so many books coming out of UK.

Wonderful!

I loved the author’s imagery. I could see all the colors and I felt immersed in her world. I could listen to this narrator all day.

Wonderful, enchanting, highly recommend.

This story tells of fate and love by way of magical and romantic metaphor. Lovely!

loved it!

The narrator truly brought this story to life. It was sweet, charming, and magical. I was a little sad when our book club landed on such a "fluffy" read for November, but it was perfect. I couldn't stop listening.