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.

I won't be posting a public review for this one our of respect for the author, but I wasn't able to finish all the way. I will say that at first, the book gave me a wave of nostalgia for a children's book called "Welcome to Dinsmore, the World's Greatest Store" which was structured very similarly. But I found that for the plot, it didn't have enough to drive me forward. I DNF'd at about the 60% mark, so by that point I expect there to be some plotline that I both can't anticipate and feel like I need to see resolved, but I didn't find that. This read more like a book of short stories. I also didn't see any development in the main character that helped me relate to or empathize with her.

This is a Korean number 1 bestseller and it’s about a girl who gets a job at a department store that sells dreams and it is very willy wonka coded because this store she gets the job at is very fantastical. You visit in your sleep to purchase your dream for the night. We follow her as she learns the ins and outs of selling and making dreams, and how dreams help people navigate their waking hours. There’s five floors to choose from to it’s a place to explore. Oh and we also get to know one of the other new workers at this department store so not just Penny. I thought it was incredibly creative though the writing did keep me from loving it. I still recommend giving it a try especially to you cat lovers because there are these cat like people who run around the department store trying to cloth sleepers in this dreamland. I don’t know. It’s strange, whimsical, I guess the writing fits the weird setting. All I know, the cover gets 5 stars alone.

I was very excited to read The Dallergut Dream Department Store based on the premise (a store where you shop for your dreams!) and a friend’s early review. But unfortunately, it missed the mark for me. I understand that it’s intended to be a cozy read, but instead of the low stakes conflict I expected, it really had no conflict at all. Every time I thought the plot was about to get interesting, the conflict was simply shrugged away. Frankly, I was bored. The best part of the book was the afterward, where we’re finally given more than a surface view of the characters. I really wanted more about the people outside of the strange dream world - the ones who were actually dreaming. If it were more rooted in the real world with visits to Dallergut interspersed, it would’ve been a much stronger story for me. This was just too vague.

This book was such a fun look at dreams and the roles they can play in our lives. I loved following the main character as she, and us, learn more and more about the Dallergut Dream Department Store. It was also fun to see some "real life" examples of those customers before and after a dream was purchased, cementing some of the lessons that Penny learns in the business of selling dreams.

In the heart of a magical little town that's all about dreams, you can find the Dallergut Dream Department store. We get to explore everything about this magical place through the eyes of dream superfan and new hire, Penny. It's a place where people visit to find the dreams that will help restore and inspire them, even if they don't remember it upon waking. And the people in charge of making and selling those dreams are as interesting as their jobs suggest.

It's a lovely story with fun little moments and some surprisingly emotional ones as well. The creativity is fascinating and I loved seeing the things Mi-ye created. We don't just get the things that happen in Dallergut but how they affect dreamers' lives once they wake up. It's magical and light in the perfect way that keeps you turning pages because it's relaxing and pulling you into the story.

I would have loved more stories about the employees at the store and the people who make the dreams. It's the kind of book that makes you wish you could step into its world.

Delighted thanks to NetGalley and Hanover Square Press for the wonderful read!

I enjoyed this quirky cute novel. The Dallergut Dream Department Store reminded me a bit of The Good Place tv show. It was full of heart and had a quirky sense of humor that made you think. I read this book a few months ago (just slow on the review) and it is still a book I think about often. Penny was a likable main character as well the rest of the cast of characters. This book definitely made me smile.

As someone who has suffered from nightmares in my life, this book was so satisfying and thought provoking for me. I saw others utilize the word whimsical or whimsy when describing this book prior to reading it and I couldn’t agree more with them. The book was so imaginative and I really enjoyed the cozy vibe before bed reading.

This was an interesting story and pretty original. I liked the idea of the book from the moment I heard about it. I think it was a good read but I may have been expecting more based on the early reviews I read. It is imaginative and creative and very thought provoking. I know that there are times when the story pops back into my mind. Overall, enjoyable and an easy read. Thanks to NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I need to stop relying on "if you like these books you'll love this one" because while this was a good enough story to read the entire thing, after finishing I wonder why I didn't just stop. It wasn't a profound story; it wasn't great, it was mediocre. Cool concept, but not a lot happened in the entire book.

This was very whimsical and I really enjoyed it. The concept was super interesting and I liked seeing the intricacies of the world and how the department store worked. We follow a lot of characters but I thought they all added something to the story. The story is warm and uplifting right until the final chapter. This might of just been for me but that last chapter hit me so hard. I think each reader will have an emotional reaction to some aspect of the story. Overall this would be a great book for a comfort read, it’s more vibes than following a direct plot but I still had a great time.

Thanks to Netgalley, Miye Lee and Hanover Square Press for this e-ARC

Wonderfully whimsical story about dreaming, from their conception to their influence on the waking world. The reader follows Penny on her new employment at the Dallergut Dream Department Store, the most famous shop that sells every kind of dream possible to their sleepy customers. There's everything from prime dreams, designed by superstar dream developers, to short nap dreams and those aimed at your furry pets.

I loved the overall atmosphere of this. It felt at times like the film Mr Magorium's Wonder Emporium in its use of the fantastical in an often mundane, logical way without any overarching explanations. There's stories within stories, interconnecting dreams and blends of emotions that come together in a satisfying, magical way. It's a warm, cosy cup of hot chocolate of a read that doesn't really serve a purpose other than to add a bit of wonder into your life. There's no solid conclusions, no plot even as such, and no dramatic tension or peril for thr characters. It's just people helping people, often involving giant furry talking animals who cover up naked sleepers, to have nice dreams. And sometimes that's all you want in a novel.

The Dallergut Dream Department Store
Overall Rating: ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ (3/5) or 6.57/10 overall

Characters - 7
The characters in this book were interesting and had unique personalities. It was cool to see Penny's journey as she grew more comfortable in her role over time.

Atmosphere - 7
The atmosphere in this book was quite pleasant. However, the world that the Dallergut Dream Department Store inhabits felt lacking. How things work outside of the store was not explained well too.

Writing - 7
The writing in this book was reasonable. Since this book was translated, I think it was hard to articulate the same meanings and connotations as eloquently in English. My guess is that why some of the word choice and sentences felt a little disjointed and slightly confusing to me.

Plot - 6
Ngl, I was hoping for more of a consistent plot. It felt like each chapter was it's own mini-story instead of one overarching story. I didn't hate that aspect, but it wasn't what I was expecting

Intrigue - 7
I was fairly intrigued by this book. The synopsis sounded quite interesting and the cover is amazing. However, my actual intrigue once started the book fluctuated, since some sections were more engaging than others.

Logic - 6
This book has a fair bit of logic. I thought the explanations for certain types of dreams were well thought-out and helped to enhance the story. However, I never got past the fact that we didn't get to see much of the world Penny lives in other than Dallergut's store. I also thought it was odd that Penny and the rest of the workers at the Dallergut Dream Department Store seem to emulate human lives (going to cafes, the bank, having gatherings and awards ceremonies, etc.) but they are clearly not human or they wouldn't be able to work there. Yet they can still use the dreams that they produce? That part messed with me a little.

Enjoyment - 6
I enjoyed the overall premise of the book, but the execution was a little rocky. Still a short and sweet book.

This is a cozy, whimsical tale centered around the peddlers of nocturnal and nap-time dreams with glimpses into the impacts those dreams have on their customers’ lives.

It is the perfect read for when you are in need of a calming, soothing bedtime story.

I received a copy of the ebook from Harlequin Trade Publishing and HTP Hive. Review opinions are my own.

I adored this novel about a store and community that specializes in making and selling dreams. The characters are delightful and the world-building is whimsical and sweet. I loved how the story weaved together the stories of the employees of the department store along with the stories of some of the people receiving the dreams. I hope there are future installments in this series.

A creative world that lives inside of all our dreams Dallergut’s Department Dream Store is the place everyone goes for all their dream needs. This book was entertaining enough but I feel like I had more questions than anything and most of the characters in the “real world” I felt like were left unfinished.

What I loved most about this story is how light and heartwarming it is. The way Miye Lee builds this dream world is imaginative and fun, almost like a mix between fantasy and cozy slice-of-life. Even though the concept of selling dreams could easily turn dark, the book stays upbeat and full of wonder, making it a feel-good experience.

I absolutely adored this book. In the Dallergut Dream Department Store, we follow Penny as she gets a job at said store and learns more about buying and selling dreams, who the dreams are for, who makes the dreams, and why dreams are important. This novel is more of a series of connected short stories that take place over the course of about a year. It feels very cozy and is a light read. The cast of characters felt fun and full of life. I loved it and much like the translator, sincerely hope there are more books in this universe.

4.25⭐️s

I feel like I already need to re-read The Dallergut Dream Department Store. Though, I think I'll wait until winter hits. Not that it's necessary, but winter is peak cozy reading for me.
Picture a big, fuzzy, warm blanket and/or favorite lounge wear or pjs. Add a comfy (insert prefferred reading spot) couch, steaming hot (insert beverage of choice here) tea, a pinch of soft, dreamy music (or movie), and fav candle.
Voilà! Prime reading conditions for Miye Lee's dreamscape.
(Bonus Points for a sprinkling of fresh snow.)
TDDDS gives you plenty to think about.:
Where do dreams come from?
What is the purposeof dreaming?
How do dreams affect us?
Can dreams help/hinder us?
Can dreams define us?
Etc.
And yet, simply put, TDDDS is a very calming, imaginative, sweet story about stories within stories. Dreams within dreams.

Thanks to NetGalley & Harlequin Trade Publishing | Hanover Square Press for the eARC!

Penny has just gotten her dream job, literally. She is a new hire at Dallergut Dream Department Store. Yes - there are department stores to sell dreams that one visits while asleep. Read this book to follow Penny's in her new career and learn about this somnambular world.