The Dress Shop of Dreams

Name: The Dress Shop of Dreams
Brand: Recorded Books
Availability: InStock
Rating: 5 (1 reviews)
Author: Menna Van Praag
ISBN: 9781490657622

Author: Menna Van Praag

Narrator: Jane Carr

Unabridged: 9 hr 10 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Publisher: Recorded Books

Published: 12/30/2014

Categories: Fiction, Women, Sagas, Literary Fiction

Synopsis

For fans of Alice Hoffman, Sarah Addison Allen, and Adriana Trigiani, The Dress Shop of Dreams is a captivating novel of enduring hopes, second chances, and the life-changing magic of true love. Since her parents' mysterious deaths many years ago, scientist Cora Sparks has spent her days in the safety of her university lab or at her grandmother Etta's dress shop. Tucked away on a winding Cambridge street, Etta's charming tiny store appears quite ordinary to passersby, but the colorfully vibrant racks of beaded silks, delicate laces, and jewel-toned velvets hold bewitching secrets: With just a few stitches from Etta's needle, these gorgeous gowns have the power to free a woman's deepest desires. Etta's dearest wish is to work her magic on her granddaughter. Cora's studious, unromantic eye has overlooked Walt, the shy bookseller who has been in love with her forever. Determined not to allow Cora to miss her chance at happiness, Etta sews a tiny stitch into Walt's collar, hoping to give him the courage to confess his feelings to Cora. But magic spells-like true love-can go awry. After Walt is spurred into action, Etta realizes she's set in motion a series of astonishing events that will transform Cora's life in extraordinary and unexpected ways

About Menna van Praag

Menna van Praag was born in Cambridge, England and studied Modern History at Oxford University. Her first novella - an autobiographical tale about a waitress who aspires to be a writer - Men, Money & Chocolate has been translated into 26 languages. Her magical realism novels are all set among the colleges, cafes, and bookshops of Cambridge.

Reviews

Goodreads review by Karen on September 19, 2024

I originally read this back in 2017, but I am now bringing my review to Goodreads. This story takes place in Cambridge and Oxford. It is the story of Cora, a scientist who wants to make a difference in the world. She is the granddaughter of Etta, a dressmaker. Cora is fairly locked in to her scientif......more

Goodreads review by Diana on July 10, 2018

What a sweet and enchanting love story! Etta runs a very special shop where she sells dresses stitched with a wee bit of magic to help her customers' wishes come true. One person Etta longs to help is her granddaughter, Cora. Cora's parents died when she was young, and for most of her life, she's hid......more

Goodreads review by Dale on February 21, 2019

In Cambridge is a dress shop run by Etta. But this is no ordinary dress shop. These special dresses are able with a few stitches making red stars from Etta, to reveal a woman’s deepest desires. Etta has not to date been able to work the same magic on her granddaughter Cora. Cora, who has been raised......more

Goodreads review by Melissa (Semi-hiatus for Work) on May 07, 2021

Van Praag’s latest is filled with magic, love and the bonds of family. The writing is thoroughly engaging and will whisk readers away to a place where anything is possible. Detailed, likable characters and a swift-moving plot combine for a wonderful reading experience. Cora Sparks’ parents died under......more

Menna van Praag, I doubt that you will ever get anything less that 5 stitched ⭐s from me! This is the right dose of magic realism, done marvellously right. For one who as a slow reader has never fathomed how anyone could possibly read a book in a couple of sittings, it is flabbergasting to say the l......more