A gentle and comforting book that somehow manages to find a way to make dreams feel tangible. I can absolutely see this book becoming a comfort favorite, the perfect book to read curled up with tea on a rainy day, or when you’re home sick.
Soft and ethereal, I adored every moment and could easily spend forever in this beautiful world.

Thank you to Netgalley and the Publishing Company for this ARC of The Dallergut Dream Department Store by Miye Lee. This sooo beautifully written!

Loved this cozy fiction! In this novel, Penny, the protagonist is hired at The Dallergut Dream Department Store where the famous store sells different kinds of dreams to its sleepy customers. The story is well written and translated. I loved the characters and the setting of this story. Both felt very whimsical. I loved that the story was told from short stories with sometimes stories within the stories. I loved that readers were able to see the dreams at work with the addition of the dream stories. This aspect added to the whimsical and magical atmosphere. Looking forward to the next book in the series!

Thank you to Netgalley and the Publishing Company for this Advanced Readers Copy of The Dallergut Dream Department Store by Miye Lee!

This was a whimsical and uplifting story. The concept is original and delivered a unique magical realism experience.
What is truly a mystery, to me at least, is whether the people of the dream department store are real or are they a figment of the dream world? Do they have experiences outside of the store? The idea that people visit a store when they fall asleep and can choose the type of the dream they have or have one chosen for them. Along with this experience, the reader gets to learn a bit about each of the characters pre- and post- dream. I think the only thing that I would have preferred is to have more time with each dreamer and experience them working through their conflicts a little more. Instead, it felt like I only got snippets. Considering this was a short book, it delivers well. This book made for very light reading since it did feel more like a children's story.
I recommend this book to dreamers and people looking for an uplifting read.
Many thanks to Harlequin Trade Publishing and NetGalley for a digital copy of the book. The opinions expressed are honest and my own.

If you’ve ever wondered where dreams go when we aren’t looking, The Dallergut Dream Department Store is here to offer a rather whimsical answer. In a mysterious town nestled deep within the collective subconscious, the Dallergut Dream Department Store offers a retail experience like no other—selling everything from nostalgic childhood reveries to the more chilling nightmares we wish we could forget. Each floor is an adventure in itself, catering to every type of dreamer, from the mundane to the mysterious.

The story follows Penny, a new hire at the department store, as she navigates this strange and enchanting world, encountering a cast of quirky characters along the way, including the flamboyant owner, Dallergut, and the slightly brooding Vigo Myers. When a priceless dream is stolen, Penny becomes embroiled in a mystery that unveils even more about this bizarre dream world.

Lee’s writing is imaginative and fun, creating a world that is both whimsical and strangely relatable. The book offers a delightful escape, perfect for anyone in need of a break from the daily grind. While the pacing can occasionally feel a bit slow, the magical world-building and quirky charm make it a thoroughly enjoyable read. Just don’t be surprised if you find yourself wishing for a dream shopping spree!

The Dallergut Dream Department Store is a department store you go when you’re asleep to purchase specific dreams. In this book we are following Penny who is a new employee and sometime in her first week, one of the most desired dreams is stolen.

I was so intrigued why the synopsis and cover of this book, just it doesn’t do it justice. This book is so imaginative and creative. But it also was so eye opening to Deja vu, trauma, and made me really think about my life and the decisions I make daily. I felt like in some way I connected with each character and dreamer.

Dreams as a concept itself is such an interesting topic to think about, research and experience. I’ve always been so curious and intrigued by the concept of dreaming and this book, in such an imaginative way, gives you a fictional experience on what may be happening when we are dreaming and how dreams come to be.

I throughly enjoyed this read and recommend to all my friends. Especially if hey like calm and cozy vibes but a book with sustenance and thought provoking

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review

Miye Lee’s The Dallergut Dream Department Store is a charming and inventive dive into a world where dreams are not just figments of the imagination but a commodity traded, designed, and valued. The novel blends whimsical fantasy with a uniquely corporate twist, creating a delightful setting where emotions fuel the dream industry, and dreams themselves are carefully curated and marketed.

At the heart of the story is a young protagonist stepping into this fantastical world, learning its intricacies, and meeting the key players in the dream business. The narrative is infused with kindness and optimism, and while the concept of a "dream stock market" might suggest cold commercialism, the tone of the book is anything but. Instead, Miye Lee presents a warm and welcoming universe where dreams—and their ability to inspire, heal, and connect—are celebrated.

The novel’s originality is its strongest asset, offering readers a fresh perspective on the value of imagination and the unseen impact of dreams in our lives. The characters are well-meaning and approachable, making this a perfect escape for anyone seeking a comforting yet thought-provoking read.

However, some readers might find the story’s "cutesy" tone a bit too light, with the stakes never feeling particularly high. While this gentle approach adds to the book's charm, it may leave those craving more dramatic tension or deeper conflict wanting more.

Penny gets a new job in a department store that sells dreams. This story follows her as she learns to navigate the dream business. The concept for this book is so unique and interesting. I loved how it delved into deeper conversations around people's desires and different types of dreams. I also absolutely adored that there were dreams for pets too. So sweet! Overall I thought it was a fun read, but it was pretty low stakes and I would have loved a little bit more world-building.

Many thanks to Harlequin Trade Publishing and NetGalley for the ARC.

Love this premise -- such a fun & unique idea. However, whether due to the author or the translator, the story did fall a bit flat. I would have loved to follow a single character in more depth, to feel their pain and joy more; as it is, it's a thoughtful and cute book, but lacks any real round characters or cohesive plot to drive the story. 3 stars for the idea, not so much for the execution.

A fantastic translation and such a cozy read. The interviewing stories really made me want more from this universe of dreams.

This wasn’t as whimsical as I hoped it would be, I found it boring at times and couldn’t connect to any of the characters.

This was a quick read. A department store that sells dreams sounded like an interesting plot but I had a hard time connecting with the characters.

Such a fun read! Inviting, engaging, and so enjoyable from start to finish. I could not have enjoyed this more.

This was a fun and whimsical book that I thoroughly enjoyed. I felt like I was transported to another world while I was reading it. My only slight complaint was the chapters and structure. I would have preferred the long chapters be parts with chapters within them, especially as the POV changes within the chapters.

Overall this was a fun and worthwhile read that I would absolutely recommend

In this dreamy cozy fantasy slightly reminiscent of Before the Coffee Gets Cold in its wide array of characters, a new employee is hired at a department store selling all manner of dreams. It's a truly lovely read, full of fun introspection about the world of dreams and dreamers in an imaginative new way. I'd love to visit the Dallergut Dream Department Store myself!

The Dallergut Dream Department Store
by Miye Lee
translated by Sandy Joosun Lee
Fantasy
NetGalley eARC
Pub Date: July 9, 2024
Harlequin
Ages: 13+


There's a town in our subconscious where there's a department store that sells dreams and both humans and animals visit. Penny has dreamed of working at Dullergut's, and there not only does she meet famous dream designers, her co-workers become her family.


Who doesn't like an innocent cute cozy fantasy about where your dreams come from.

But sadly, even though this book is a best seller internationally, I really think a lot was lost in translation. There was more telling than showing and a lot of the story and characters felt flat. It didn't help that there were sudden jumps in the timeline that made it feel as if the characters' lives weren't important.

It is a cute story, and with how simple the story and writing is, even though it's listed for adults, I think this is a book more suitable for younger readers to enjoy.

2 Stars

If you're looking for a sweet, heartwarming, and charming story, this is absolutely the book for you. The dream department is such a cozy setting and I absolutely loved the concept of being a dream seller for all the people sleeping at night. The cast of characters are also down to earth, grounded, yet unique characters who all have their own charm and personality. Everything was so whimsical and cute, this is definitely a great cozy read for those chilly winter nights.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me early access to this book!

I was immediately drawn to the cover of the second book in the series by Miye Lee, very Wes Anderson! This book is one that did not disappoint. I loved the world they built in these pages. Time to head off to the Dream Department Store!

If you love the vibe of the book Before the coffee gets cold, this is definitely the book for you!

Such a fun whimsical book that dives into the concepts of the dream world. A quick thought provoking read.