Heirloom Secrets Series
– Book 1 –
Description
Harper Dupree has pinned all her hopes on a future in fashion design. But when it comes crashing down around her, she returns home to Fairhope, Alabama, and to Millie, the woman who first taught her how to sew. As Harper rethinks her own future, long-hidden secrets about Millie’s past are brought to light.
In 1946, Millie Middleton–the daughter of an Italian man and a Black woman–boarded a train and left Charleston to keep half of her heritage hidden. She carried with her two heirloom buttons and the dream of owning a dress store. She never expected to meet a charming train jumper who changed her life forever . . . and led her yet again to a heartbreaking choice about which heritage would define her future.
Now, together, Harper and Millie return to Charleston to find the man who may hold the answers they seek . . . and a chance at the dress shop they’ve both dreamed of. But it’s not until all appears lost that they see the unexpected ways to mend what frayed between the seams.
Details
- Rating: ☆☆☆☆
- Title: The Dress Shop on King Street
- Author: Ashley Clark
- Genre: Christian Fiction, Romance
- Audience: Adult
- Length: 368 pages
- Publisher: Bethany House
- Release Date: December 1, 2020
- Excerpt
- Recommended for fans of: A Clean Multi-Generational Story that will tug on you heartstrings.
My Thoughts
This multigenerational story drew me in far faster than I imagined possible. Especially since chapters that jump back and forth from this generation to that can sometimes end up disrupting the story.
However, Clark did a wonderful job of presenting her debut novel in a way that caused me to set aside my concerns regarding multigenerational stories.
Millie Middleton, the daughter of an Italian man and a Black woman, makes a tough decision after her father is killed. It’s a decision that will cause her to start a new life for herself and leave parts of her old life behind.
For the most part this story switches between 1946 – 1968 and up to modern day. We learn of Millie’s early days, and then it jumps to present day. Eventually, the backstory works up very close to the present.
It didn’t take me long to pick up on the characters in both settings. And it also didn’t take long for this to become a book that was hard to put down.
The characters were well developed and each had her own strengths and weaknesses. Many parts of the book were extremely touching.
As you might guess, the dress shop on King Street was an integral part of the story, but I believe only because it represented goals and dreams.
The back of the book contains Book Club Questions as well as information regarding the part of this story that was based on historical facts.
Concerns
At times, I had to wonder about Millie and Peter’s reactions to information that they weren’t willing to share with each other. This especially was true of Peter.
Conclusion
I found it intriguing regarding the relationships the author was able to beautifully weave together.
I will be looking forward to the second book in the Heirloom Secrets series.
My thanks to Bethany House Publishing for a copy of this book. This has not influenced the content of my review, which is my honest and unbiased opinion.
Rating
About the Author
Ashley Clark (www.ashleyclarkbooks.com) writes romantic women’s fiction set in the South. With a master’s degree in creative writing, Ashley teaches literature and writing courses at the University of West Florida. Ashley has been an active member of American Christian Fiction Writers for almost a decade. She lives with her husband, son, and two rescued Cocker Spaniels off Florida’s Gulf Coast. When she’s not writing, she’s rescuing stray animals, dreaming of Charleston, and drinking all the English breakfast tea she can get her hands on
