The Dress Shop on King Street by Ashley Clark

Along the way she meets a charming train jumper, and her life and dreams are changed forever. She brought with her dreams of owning a dress shop and two signature buttons. Millie Middleton left Charleston in 1946 to keep half of her heritage hidden. Without them, I wouldn't carry these dreams.' I am proud of my mother and my mother's mother and all the rest who came before me. 'Because I am proud of my heritage, no matter what the law and society think. There as she contemplates her future, we are given glimpses into Millie's past. At her father's suggestion, she visits Millie Middleton, the woman who taught her to sew. She has had her hopes dashed and returns home to Fairhope, Alabama to lick her wounds. Harper Albright has dreamed of working in fashion design since childhood. 'We will live fragile lives, my dear Harper, if we avoid that which is delicate for fear it might break at the seams.' Overall, this is such a refreshing story and an impressive debut!! Will read this author again! The author does an incredible job of handling sensitive topics, incorporating a gentle message, and creating such a beautiful story, it lingered in my heart and mind for long after I turned the final page. It’s about life and the unforeseen curveballs and trials, and a reminder that we don’t have to carry our burdens alone and, that maybe things work out best in God’s good time. The characterizations are rich and vivid, and the story is teeming with tension, and joy, highs and lows and triumphs and failures. Millie’s journey is riveting as she navigates through treacherous waters, finds true love, but faces the most heart wrenching choices along the way.

As is usually the case with multiple timelines, the historical side of the story was the most effective, in my opinion. I loved this story! It’s so sad and heartbreaking, but is also moving, inspirational and heartwarming. This string of events will merge the past with the present, as Millie’s story is finally revealed, possibly leading to an opportunity for both she and Harper to realize their true dreams. Millie senses Harper needs some time to regroup and offers her a place to stay at her boarding house.

Here she reconnects with Millie, the woman who first taught her to sew. In present day, Harper Albright has returned to Alabama after her dreams of a career in fashion are dashed. In 1946 Millie, a young woman of mixed heritage is leaving Charleston by train, with a couple of heirloom buttons and the dream of owning her own dress shop, when she meets a train jumper who changes her life… The Dress Shop on King Street by Ashley Clark is a Bethany House publication.