Miye Lee’s The Dallergut Dream Department Store is a whimsical, heartwarming novel that blends magical realism with slice-of-life charm. Set in a hidden, otherworldly department store that sells dreams to sleepers, the story follows Penny, a young woman who stumbles upon the store and becomes entangled in its enchanting, and often bittersweet, operations. The idea of a department store that crafts and sells dreams (both sweet and haunting) is delightful and original, reminiscent of Before the Coffee Gets Cold but with a more playful, surreal edge.

A department store that sells dreams…man, that’s pretty cool. Being an employee at said store and socializing with holiday “mascots” might be even cooler. This was a magical, unique story, quick to read as I was captivated. I loved hearing of Penny’s adventures at the store and with her coworkers, finding out that this was a translated book originally in Korean was icing on the cake.

Literally just such an amazing, dreamlike read. The translator did such a perfect job, and I think about this book all the time.

It reads like a children's book, but for adults. I'm not sure if there is something left wanting in the translation, but for this kind of tale to work I think it would need to be a bit more literary and spend a bit more time on setting descriptions and flowery language.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing an advance copy in exchange for honest feedback

This was so adorable. It was such a fun, cozy story. The thought that in our dreams, we go and pick out what we want to dream about is so much fun. I loved Penny as a character. She was so calm. I loved that she was free to ask questions and make mistakes without getting in trouble. I love that she is so curious and wants to learn all she can. I loved that this book really had no stakes. There was no conflict at all. It was just a calm read. I loved it!

The Dallergut Dream Department by Miye Lee is an ambitious novel that blends reality with the surreal, exploring a department that manipulates dreams. The prose is poetic and the dream sequences are vividly imagined, creating a unique, otherworldly atmosphere that keeps the reader engaged.

However, while the concept is intriguing, the pacing can be slow, and the narrative at times feels disjointed. I struggled to fully connect with the characters, and some parts of the story felt more like abstract ideas than a cohesive plot. The themes of identity and loss are compelling, but the execution left me wishing for a bit more clarity and emotional depth.

Overall, it’s a creative and thought-provoking work that will likely resonate more with readers who enjoy experimental, complex narratives. For those looking for a more straightforward story, it may feel elusive and harder to follow.

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.