A remarkable novel that pulled at my heart strings. The depth of emotions as the author takes you from past to present is very well written. It has encouraged me as I look at lost and broken dreams, and the tug-of-war between my inner and outer being. I have been reminded that God is working all things together for my good.

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.

Ashley Clark has written a book that weaves history and modern day together so seamlessly that it was hard to put down. She has researched life in the south in the 40s and 50s, and brought understanding to the rights or lack thereof of people of color during that time era.
Millie is the daughter of a black woman and a white/Italian man and she has skin light enough to "pass." So her mother encourages her to leave Charleston, South Carolina, and make her way in Fairhope, Alabama. On the way to Alabama, she meets Franklin, a train jumper and the two of them make an alliance to help each other out. They end up at a boarding house where the owner believes them to be married. Still in the back of Millie's mind is the desire to own a dress shop.

Harper is a young lady who has studied sewing under Millie and has gone to the Savannah College of Art and Design to get a degree in clothing design, but her advisor tells her she's nothing special. Harper's dream of owning a dress shop using her own clothing designs goes up in so much smoke.

Peter is actually Millie's grandson, but he doesn't know that. He just knows that Millie's been a close family friend for many years. In his search for some family heirlooms that his stepfather gave away after his mother's death, he finds the truth about the relationship between Millie and him.

I found the plot of this book to be so deep I had to take breaks in reading once in a while just to let it sink in. The quality of Ashley's writing is of the highest caliber. Her plot moves at a steady pace and her settings induce the reader to want to be a part of the story. The characters are realistic and likable. This is a five star book, with two thumbs up, and a sweetgrass basket to hold your secrets.

Bethany House and NetGalley.com provided the copy I read for this review. All opinions expressed are my own.

THE DRESS SHOP ON KING STREET by ASHLEY CLARK is both heartwarming and heartbreaking as we are taken from 1860 when a nine year old girl, born and raised in slavery is sold, to her present day descendants. Her devastated mother had filled a sack with a letter to her daughter and some things that were precious to her, including two beautiful buttons which play a big part in the story.
The characters are beautifully portrayed and we are taken into their dreams, joys and disappointments and the sometimes difficult decisions they have to make.
We meet Millicent Middleton, whose dream is to own a dress shop, and Franklin Pinckney, the train jumper, in 1946. The story is brought together in the present time with Peter Perkins, an historian who describes his research into the past as "architectural salvage", And Harper Rae, whose dream is to own a dress shop and design clothes. She is passionate about restoring vintage clothing and learning the stories behind the beautiful garments and shoes that she finds. Both Peter and Harper have a history with Millie.
The theme of restoration is strong, of mending that which is broken or torn, of following the dreams the Lord has given us, and not giving up when His timing is not the same as ours.
The horrors of racial division and the fear it evokes, as well as the importance of embracing the whole of our heritage, form an important part of the story.
The Dress shop on King Street is an inspirational and well written read with a strong Christian message of hope running through it, and one I highly recommend to anyone who enjoys historical romantic fiction.
I was given a free copy of the book by NetGalley from Bethany House Publishers. The opinions in this review are completely my own.