Harper is finishing her design course and is hoping to open a dress shop. While in Charleston, she meets Peter, who owns an old building that would be perfect for a shop. Later she goes to visit an old mentor, Millie, who runs a boarding house in Alabama. Millie has secrets from her past, but she too had always wantd to run a dress shop. Together they go to Charleston and contact Peter. This story flips back and forth from the past to the present. Millie's ancestors are explored throughout as well as Millie's early life. It is a poignant picture of the old South from slave days to modern times.

There is a lot of historical detail here and a lot to absorb about the culture of the South. I would recommend this to anyone who likes a good historical story.

I have voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from NetGalley. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.

Oh wow, this was such a beautiful story and one at quite a high standard for the author's debut.

Millie's life was one of heartbreak, love and hope. Even through her struggles, she found a way to find joy in her day and make the best of her circumstances. There was a few times when she went through "the valley of darkness" and when she had all reason to be depressed and lost, she rose above her circumstances.

The modern day story was also sweet, but Millie's grabbed at my heartstrings.

Fans of dual time novels will find a new favourite author to follow. Looking forward to the author's second novel, which I'm afraid I have high expectations for.

The Dress Shop on King Street is a dual timeline story set in present day and the 1950s and united by a dream to open a dress shop. The characters draw you into this heartfelt romance. Clark tackles the difficult topic of passing as the characters live in a racist South in South Carolina and Georgia. It is the first book in the Heirloom Secrets series, and I look forward to subsequent additions to this series.

I enjoyed this split time novel a great deal. It's unusual for me to enjoy both time periods in a split time equally, I tend to prefer one story line over another. But with this one, I found myself looking forward to both. Millie's history was unique and new to me. The characters were all engaging. One aspect I particularly liked about this story was how the history of things was learned and passed on with the item. I love when something I now own comes with a history. One part of the story even surprised me in a "WHAT?!" kind of moment. I won't give spoilers, but it was a good surprise. There's some romance that takes place throughout the story as well, but it wasn't the primary focus. It was the perfect amount in my opinion for the overall feel of the book. I look forward to the next in this series!

A fascinating, well-written look into the struggle to find your own identity and stand for your future.

The Dress Shop on King Street deals with the struggles of racial tension and the impossible choice faced by a young woman with two heritages in a world that didn't want to accept her as belonging to either. I felt the author handled the storyline and difficulties with tact and care, and I appreciated the fact that she didn't paint the story with broad strokes, but delved into the intricacies and heartbreak faced by so many different people during this time. While I am usually not the biggest fan of time-slip novels, this one was handled very well, and I appreciated the look into the characters' lives through several eras.

The characters were lovely, and while Harper wasn't my favorite, Millie DEFINITELY was--so much spunk, creativity, and vibrancy in one powerful character. I really enjoyed how all the individual stories intertwined so beautifully and connected over the passage of time. Of course, the vintage/dressmaker aspect was also a fabulous treat for this vintage nerd. :)

Four stars for an enlightening, encouraging read! I'm excited to read more by this author!

I enjoyed the premise for the story. I enjoyed the characters. Yet it became a little confusing for me since it jumped back and forth between time-frame. If I had sat and read at one sitting would have enjoyed more. It dealt well with issues of race. I will read this author again.
#netgalley

A good story that preached a bit but overall well written. I like the interactions of the main characters. I look forard to more from the author.

Timeless and thought-provoking. This story accurately depicts the racial tensions of the 1940s, especially in the South, but many of the issues are still relevant for us today. While we no longer have separate entrances, separate bathrooms, different schools, etc. for POC, there is still racial profiling. For Millie, one of the primary characters, to pass as white, it was a huge risk. Yet staying true to both identities while also staying true to herself as a wife and mother also provides some of the tension in the story. Millie has had her dream of owning a dress shop delayed by various life events, but she holds on to the dream.

Harper, the young lady in the story, has been attending design school with the dream of owning her own dress shop in mind. However, her dreams are dashed as well, so she retreats to Millie's boarding house in Alabama to re-evaluate her next steps. The two women are brought together by Peter, a strong young man who has connections to both.

This is a story of surprises, racial tensions, of living with the consequences of decisions, of delayed dreams, of pursuing dreams despite the cost. At times the pace becomes a bit bogged down while Millie and Harper have debates with themselves about the next course of action and it may seem a bit whiny. However, many of us have these internal struggles while determining our next course of action. Overall, this is a wonderful read. I received a copy of this book from NetGalley for an impartial review.

The Dress Shop on King Street is the story of two women. Harper Albright dreams of owning a dress shop and being a designer, but her dreams are dashed by a professor at SCAD in Savannah. Millie Middleton is Harper's lifelong friend and mentor from Harper's small town in coastal Alabama. Millie also has had a lifelong dream of a dress shop. This novel tells their stories -- both in present day, and Millie's story in the 1940's, when she chose to pass as white after her father was killed. There is also a man in Charleston named Peter who restores old places and who is connected to both women.

I wanted to read this novel because I was interested in the Charleston setting, Millie's story, and the vintage/historical artifacts theme of the book.

The Dress Shop on King Street is one of my favorite reads of the year! The writing is beautiful, and Millie's story is sensitively told. I found it incredibly moving and will be recommending this read to friends.

An example of the descriptive language in this book:

"But as she slipped the dress up and over her head, a sea of old emerald brought waves of fragrance. The smell was familiar and immediately elicited every manner of flashing memory—from a vintage dress Daddy bought her to the torn fabrics she’d found at estate sales and repurposed, and even the lonely nights spent in Savannah, trying to perfect her work. The smell was an open door to a hallway of memory. She would never know the original dress owner, this woman who had probably zipped the waistline with ease, or what the pockets carried. She would never know her, and yet the fabric was the same. A shared intersection of this mystery woman’s story and her own. The thought of all that meeting at the seams gave Harper chills, as emotion pulsed through her veins. Hope, namely. Fascination and determination and the bliss that only comes from one’s deepest dream. Dust mixed with old fabric. Not a particularly complicated sort of smell. But a powerful one. It was the smell of old books. Of old houses like the ones Peter loved. The smell of untold stories leading up to the next chapter, and the smell of home. Fabrics that have been worn day by day, sometimes accumulating dust, until the day by days begin to take on the scent of one another, a scent that is as recognizable as fabric, sewn stitch by stitch into a gown" (eBook location 3968).

The characters in this book were remarkable - Harper, who loves sewing and sketching but also finds joy in mending old treasures; Peter, who has a similar love of history and the past; and Millie, who is so important to both of them, who imparts wisdom and also grows and changes over the years.

Millie is my favorite book character in recent reads. She is a lovely, warm, creative person who changes everyone's lives that she touches. Her family history - with a grandmother sold into slavery and the choices she herself feels compelled to make through her life - was heartrending.

There is an inspirational element of this book, deftly handled in a way that imparts meaning without overwhelming the storytelling.

I highly recommend The Dress Shop on King Street for fans of historical fiction and dual storyline novels -- most especially anyone who is interested in Charleston, southern history, racial identity, and all things antique and vintage. Five very enthusiastic stars!

Thank you to Bethany House Publishing and Net Galley for the chance to read and review this book. The opinions expressed are my own.
I liked this story, especially the setting of the dress shop. The cover is beautiful This is the story of Harper and Millie-Millie's story starts in 1946 and Harper's story is present day. The author does a great job of tying both time periods together. This story contains history, Christianity, romance and it is just a good story. It has something for all readers. I also liked the description of the vintage clothes and shoes-that is an interest of mine. I would recommend this book to all readers!

I loved this book! Definitely could be a movie.
Harper Dupree wants a future in fashion design, but it’s not happening. She returns to Fairhope, Ala., arriving for a visit at the boarding house with Millie, who first taught her how to sew.
Millie has secrets. She is the daughter of an Italian man and a Black woman, and in 1946, on the advice of her mother, leaves Charleston to move to Fairhope, hiding the secret of her heritage. She meets and marries a wonderful man, but often wonders if she made the right decision in hiding her past.
Harper and Millie have both dreamed of owning a dress shop, so they start making plans to open one in Charleston.
The author seamlessly blends the past and present together, complete with historical detail.

Author Ashley Clark’s debut novel is a timely story that will make you think about how you see people. Are we making decisions based on appearance? Her characters are well developed and engaging. I really loved Millie and I think you will too.

I was impressed with this split time novel. Being Clark’s debut, she did a really good job of seamlessly moving from past to present and back again. The characters are so interwoven into each other’s lives without even realizing it; it’s brilliant. And it will keep your attention from beginning to end.

Grief, broken dreams, love lost and found, there are so many emotions in this story along with hope and dreams fulfilled. I absolutely loved this book and highly recommend it.

I am looking forward to book two in the Heirloom Secrets series; Paint and Nectary.

I received a complimentary copy of this book but was not required to leave a review.

A debut novel by Ashley Clark released date on Dec. 1, 2020. If you enjoy Christian and Women’s Fiction, in dual timelines with strong Southern history this book is for you. The book centers around a biracial young girl, family secrets, hope and love. It was so good! Thank you #NetGalley, #BethanyHousePublishing and #AshleyClark for the advance readers copy for my honest review.

This captivating debut novel displaying Ashley Clark’s excellent storytelling skill is a winner! A well-structured, intriguing plot; strong, endearing characters; sweet, slow-building romance; and relevant spiritual truths of God’s faithfulness, grace, and purpose combine to create a beautifully woven story of dreams, family secrets, friendship, difficult choices, and belonging. I applaud Ms. Clark on her amazing execution of the complex yet easy to follow dual timeline. Both storylines are compelling, but I was especially moved by the historical one featuring Millie which evoked a myriad of emotions. I like Ms. Clark’s fluent expressive style and the use of symbolism which enhances the story. I highly recommend this book and look forward to reading the next book in her Heirloom Secrets series.
A favorite quote: “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.”
I received a copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

The Dress Shop on King Street is a sobering yet hopeful tale that I fell head over heels in love with. Showing the passing of time in both the past (the 194o's) and the present, the reader witnesses the simple, yet fascinating life of Millie Middleton, the daughter of an Italian father and African-American mother, who is forced to hide her heritage in hopes of a better life, and ripping her family apart.

Millie carries this secret for years, hiding her true self from those closest to her, and the mental torture she endures while dealing with the prejudice of the times is unimaginable to me. My heart was torn apart as I witnesses the blessings and curses that Millie endured through her life, several moments bringing tears to my eyes at the unfairness of it all, and yet Millie herself was the light of the story, a woman filled with such love and grace, and touching my own heart.

Harper's story, which is told in the present, was also a joy to read, and not just because I loved reading all the details about the vintage dresses that she repaired. Though she has a hard hit to her ego at the beginning of the book, you get to behold her and Millie together fight for their dreams, and discover the satisfaction of fighting for your hearts desire.

Reading The Dress Shop on King Street filled me with unexplained nostalgia, thankfulness for all the unknown blessings that I take for granted, and hope that maybe someday my greatest dreams could come true. It is apparent that the author poured her heart and soul into this novel, and for that I am grateful, as Millie's story truly evoked deep emotions within me, reminding me of lost dreams of my own that I would love to one day see come to fruition. It's a great reminder that it's never too late.

There are so many parallels between the past and the present that are so eloquently stitched together, creating a beautiful tapestry of family, love, fighting the struggle, and finding the truth to be who you were meant to be and not giving your reverie away to fear. To see a family torn apart by prejudice and then to witness it be mended together again was so poetic. I truly loved every aspect of this deep and eye-opening novel and is another MUST READ of 2021 for me.

Thank you to NetGalley for the advance read copy of this book I. Exchange for my unbiased opinion.

Beautiful history of a woman in the south growing up as biracial and what that meant for her hopes, dreams and family. Set against the beautiful backdrop of a dress shop in Charleston Sout Carolina, this story had everything I love - vintage clothes and shoes, history and strong female characters who face adversity and make good and bad choices, showing they are human and can eventaully overcome all that is put in their path.

I definitely recommend this book and I look forward to Lucy and Eliza’s story.

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.*

Steeped in history and brimming with long-held family secrets, The Dress Shop on King Street by Ashley Clark is a captivating first book in a new series. Modern day Harper feels her long-held dreams of being a seamstress and opening her own shop may have been dashed after one of her design school professors gives her lackluster feedback. When she visits the sewing teacher of her youth, Millie, she never anticipates that in unearthing the past, she’ll discover the path to her future.
The story jumps back and forth in time, beginning with Millie’s young adulthood in the 1940s and skipping ahead to the present day for Harper’s perspective. Despite their drastic differences in life experiences and upbringing, there is a similarity between the two women when comparing their inner strength and patience for seeing their life goals come to fruition. Neither one has an easy path, both coming across stumbling blocks that many would view as a sign to quit.
At times heartbreaking, this book exemplifies everything that makes a historical fiction story resonate with contemporary readers. Aspects of the not-so-distant past come to life with lush imagery, characters who could just as likely be people on your own family tree, and gripping, emotional scenes. I wanted nothing more than for Millie and Harper to both find their happiness and peace by the story’s end as I became completely invested in their intertwined tales.
Apart from the slowly revealed secrets, what made this book even more enthralling was learning it was inspired by an actual letter and the artifacts that accompanied it. The author has taken her extensive research and turned it into a timeless and heartwarming story.
Thank you to Bethany House for the complimentary copy. This did not impact my review.

A beautiful story that entwines divergent timeperiods in a time slip that will tug your heart. Rich characters and the sense of place is wonderful. I loved this book!

#Bookeview: The Dress Shop on King Street by Ashley Clark 5 stars

This book got me out of my reading slump. I just couldn’t get into the two other books that I started. This is a great historical fiction, clean Christian romance and timeslip novel. As soon as I started reading Rose’s moving story in the 1860’s, I was hooked. Then came Millie in 1946 and the prejudices due to her heritage is heartbreaking. In the modern day, I wasn’t sure how Harper’s life intersects with that of Millie.

I appreciate how the past and present are seamlessly woven. I enjoyed the anticipation each page brings. The big secret is unraveled nicely. I expected a big bang but thinking about it afterward, it goes along with the whole story. It is slow burn and once it ends, Harper, Millie and Peter become a family to the reader. So familiar and it’s like you know everything about them. Unforeseen revelations later on bring more depth to the story.

Millie and Franklin’s story is atypical and promising. I also enjoyed the touch of love story between Harper and Peter. They seem to be destined together. I love the message of hope, love and family all over this book especially those given by Millie and Harper’s father. I laughed and smiled and I didn’t want the book to end yet. I look forward now to the second book in the series.

Thank you Bethany House and #netgalley for the complimentary copy. All opinions expressed are my own.