3.5 🌟

I love the idea of this story! It’s unlike anything I’ve ever heard or read. I founded the writing choppy, but I assume that’s due to the translation. Funnily enough, it wasn’t until the epilogues that I thought this was pretty good! Now I’m hoping there will be sequels!

Summary:
This is a national bestseller from South Korea that was published in 2020, making its debut here in the USA.

Characters:
The story follows one point of view (Penny) as she navigates working at the Dallergut Dream Department Store.

Positives:
+ I loved the surprise cameo of a dream maker that western audiences will be very familiar with. I thought the author's way of combining that character into their (not exactly) magic system was fantastic. Lovely melding.
+ Chapter 9 had me in tears. So perfectly bittersweet.
+ I loved the two epilogues included at the end. You get to learn a little more about some of the other characters in the book and it's such a great addition.

Final Thoughts:
This was a fun little slice of life fantasy; very cozy and heartwarming. You follow the main character as she navigates working at the dream store. Each chapter is a small snippet of a “day in the life” of her work, occasionally interspersed with a bit about a particular regular overcoming or experiencing a thing because of ‘just the right’ dream. I enjoyed the concept and the dip into Korean culture.

This was a very interesting book. The concept was unusual and hooked from the start. A store selling dreams that you could only visit whilst asleep? Wow.
This book doesn't really focus on any main scenario/problem/incident that needs solving - rather you are given a shallow overview of the characters, the stores, the society and the general workings behind everything. The main character, Penny, is intelligent, and catches onto things pretty quickly. There was a tiny hint of romance in the middle of the book, but nothing really developed from it.
I didn't really like the use of the present tense throughout the book as the form of narration - it made things seem less immediate and more trivial. Another thing too is that the entire book was more focused on the store and Penny's co-workers, and not much is mentioned about her family or her surroundings in the city itself. It was like reading about a tiny bubble that exists in a big bustling city. I would have loved to have seen more depth to the story, but possibly the book was written this way on purpose.
This book was more like the prequel to a series rather than a standalone, and I do hope the author has plans for more.
All in all, it was pretty good, and I'd definitely read any other coming books.

I received this book as an Arc on NetGalley.

The premise and the overall theme of the book seemed so good but I couldn't connect with the writing. I thought it was very stilted and the characters seemed one dimensional.

Thank you NetGalley for the e-ARC!

This book was the perfect way to end my year of reading. I don't think I've ever read anything like it. Sweet, whimsical, and guileless, everything about this book delighted me. I'd describe it as a work of philosophy and psychology blended into a cozy fantasy, with vignettes that touch on the human experience in a way that feels every more profound for the author's unassuming (and charming) writing style.
If I can compare this to a food, it would have to be macarons. Sweet and lovely, but with a complexity that belies the tremendous imagination and skill of the author.
Highly recommend!!

3.5/5
The concept of this story was really cool, being able to go to a store in your sleep and “buy” a dream about anything your heart desires sounds like something many would like to experience. It was nice to read about some of the dreams that people choose even if not all were all about something happy and how it helped them in real life. There were many quirky characters and vivid imagery about the department store. I feel like some of the narrative nuance got lost in translation since the Korean language is quite different and they use a lot of honorifics. Overall it was a really cute and whimsical story.

Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange of an honest review.

With an evocative cover, truly original concept, and fascinating blurb, I thought this book would be a perfect fit for me. Unfortunately, I just couldn't find my way into it. The writing is very evocative and the plot wholly imaginative. I love the idea behind it, but it felt more scattered in narrative style than I wanted it to be and I struggled to connect with it as a result. It's a fabulous construct, just not a good fit for me...

Thank you to Netgalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing, Hanover Square Press for an ARC copy of The Dallergut Dream Department Store!

I was so close to skipping this one because I was convinced that the heart of the story would surely, literally, be "lost in translation" but I am SO glad I didn't skip it. What a whimsical and wonderfully weird adventure! Penny was the sweetest and most relatable main character. I can already tell this book will stick with me for a long time and I'm already dying for the sequel!!

5 full stars ❤️

"The Dallergut Dream Department Store" by Miye Lee invites readers into a whimsical and enchanting world where dreams are bought and sold. Set in a mysterious town hidden in the collective subconscious, the novel unfolds the story of Penny, a new hire at the department store that specializes in selling dreams of all kinds.

In this unique setting, visitors, both human and animal, flock to the store to purchase their desired dreams. Each floor caters to different dream categories, ranging from nostalgic childhood dreams to adventurous trips and even nightmares. The novel introduces readers to a colorful cast of characters, including Penny, the enthusiastic new employee; Dallergut, the flamboyant owner of the store; Agnap Coco, the producer of special dreams; and Vigo Myers, an employee in the mystery department.

The plot takes an intriguing turn when one of the most coveted and expensive dreams is stolen during Penny's first week. As she delves into the workings of this fantastical world, readers are taken on a journey that combines elements of mystery, fantasy, and magical realism.

The book promises a captivating story that leaves a lingering magical feeling, offering an escape from the reality of daily life. If you've read "The Dallergut Dream Department Store," share your thoughts on the enchanting world created by Miye Lee—whether you were drawn to the concept of a store selling dreams, appreciated the characters, or found the storyline to be a refreshing escape.