4.5/5

I loved the first book, so I was so excited to be approved for this arc! I dove straight back into the world of dreams and enjoyed every minute of my time with the staff at the DallerGut Dream Department Store. This instalment follows Penny as she gains her confidence working on the first floor and learning about the dream business.

It was great to learn more about some of the behind the scenes aspects of this world, as I found that it fleshed out the story and made it more endearing. Being able to see the processes behind choosing dreams for certain customers, as well as their reactions to the dream, provided some poignant insights into the power of memory and community. It was a unique take on the current trend of cozy and quiet stories. I really enjoyed reading more about the main characters' backstories, too.

Overall, this was a charming and hopeful story. I loved it!

my final read of the year 🌟

this was so dreamy (as the title hints), I was so glad to go back to Penny and while this was a duology I wish there was more 😭🥺

I love the cosy vibes but there is a hint of sadness mixed in 🥺

Also Ty to netgalley I did get an arc of this book although I'd already bought my paperback first 😌

This was so so good!
As with the previous one, the story feels like a warm hug to come back to after a long day in work - it’s warm, it’s cosy, it’s relaxing and it’s fun.
I’m not usually one for short stories and the chapters read as such but, as they’re all interconnected, it really works and it means even those who are not fans of short stories can really enjoy the book.
The characters are great, the story is lovely, there’s no high stakes or tension so it’s just soothing… definitely one I’d recommend!

🕰️ It's been a year since Penny first entered the enchanting world of the DallerGut Dream Department Store and now she's officially an employee in the dream industry!
Penny can now travel to the Company District, where all dream production happens and learn about the creation of raw dream materials and testing equipment.
However, the Company District isn't exactly what she expected.
Beneath its magical facade lies a darker side of the dream industry she thought she knew.
Return to the DallerGut Dream Department Store delves into the mysteries of this enchanting world and its customers.
Why do some customers buy a dream and never return?
Can Penny and her colleagues bring their regulars back?
☁️ Both books in this duology are fantastic.

This short novella is a cosy low -tension read. Magical and whimsical with no plot just vibes. Good for days when you just want to feel cosy and warm.
For the most part it's Penny and her colleagues going about their work with the occasional POVs of dream experiencers.
I liked the ending a lot, it was really sweet and would have liked to see more of that interaction.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC!

I loved the first DallerGut book, and this sequel does a really good job of keeping the magic from the first book but also fleshing out the world it takes place in.

A very good sequel to an already good novel.

In Return to the DallerGut Dream Department Store, Penny’s journey into the magical and mysterious dream industry takes a deeper, more introspective turn. Having officially survived her first year as an employee, Penny eagerly ventures into the Company District—a bustling hub for dream production. However, the vibrant façade hides a darker side of the industry that challenges Penny’s perception of her work and its impact.

This sequel expands upon the whimsical foundation laid in the first book, exploring not only the mechanics of dream creation but also the emotional and psychological experiences of dream consumers. The introduction of the Civil Complaint Center, where people register grievances about their dreams, provides a fascinating lens into how dreams can shape, haunt, or inspire lives. These complaints, along with the mystery of the disappearing regular customers, add depth to the story as Penny uncovers the reasons behind their absence and evolves from merely selling dreams to understanding the complexities of the human heart.

The book’s greatest strength lies in its comforting tone, blending workplace satire with heartfelt moments. The mythology of the dreamworld is further enriched, offering readers new insights into the industry’s inner workings while maintaining the charm and quirkiness of the original story. The characters are relatable, their journeys reflective of real-world struggles wrapped in a magical narrative.

Return to the DallerGut Dream Department Store is a gentle, thought-provoking sequel that offers a perfect balance of escapism and emotional resonance. Its exploration of the dream industry’s unseen layers makes for a satisfying read, ideal for fans of cosy fantasies with a touch of whimsy and psychological insight.

Read more at The Secret Book Review.

I had high hopes for this book after I loved the first one. It did not disappoint. Just like the first novel it had great storylines and characters. I could read these books again and again.

I really enjoyed returning to the world of the DallerGut Dream Department Store. Getting to see more of the world outside of the store was really interesting and this really helped to develop the characters. The book is just as gentle and heart-warming as the previous one and I would definitely recommend. I was ambivalent about the first book but I'm really glad I continued with this one as I enjoyed it much more.

3.5/5!!

A very cute continuation on the first book. I wish there had been more of my favourite character (Maxim!) but it definitely felt more cohesive and fleshed out. I wonder if there will be more stories branching off of this magical dream realm?

“Live in the present for the happiness you have now.
Look forward to the future for happiness yet to come,
And reflect on the past, for you only recognise happiness after it has passed.”

I could spend forever in this world and I’d never get sick of it, most likely because I’m convinced there will be beautiful, creative, thought-provoking surprises around every single corner.

In Return to The Dallergut Dream Department Store we rejoin Penny as she nervously awaits her first annual appraisal as a front desk employee at the dream store. Her goals for the year ahead include tackling some customer complaints and finding out why regular customers have stopped visiting. Penny does this with the help of Dallergut himself, as well as a host of other favourites from book one.

Now, where this series sings is the conceptual elements and the world building. It is being unpacked so slowly, and it feels like Lee has an endless stream of ideas, vignettes and discussion points to keep the series feeling fresh. A sequel like this can so often flop because after book one you know the broad concept and you’ve done the reflection on the basic implications of the magic system, so what’s left? The experience can sometimes get repetitive or stale. Return to Dallergut’s though was neither.

We didn’t waste time rehashing the magic system or the basics of the dream world and the department store. If something was relevant to what was happening, it was covered in just enough detail to jog the memory, without feeling laborious. It’s honestly a testament to how vast this world is that some elements from book one were barely touched on at all, because we were preoccupied uncovering new buildings, talking thrill rides to previously forbidden areas of the city and even exploring noctiluca laundry caves, HELLO!!

I love the format of this kind of book and to this point I haven’t read anything else like it. The story of the store, world and main characters run in the foreground, while we periodically turn to little vignettes within the main story, delving deeper into the dreams of customers to explore a variety of different themes. I know there are other series that follow this ‘stories within the story’ vibe so I need to pick up more of them and see whether the magic is transferable for me.

A couple of the themes in this sequel really resonated with me and touched on areas I’m super passionate about, which definitely helped my rating bump up from the 4 stars I gave to the first book. I also found with the first one that as much as I enjoyed it when I first read it, my appreciation has grown over time as I’ve mulled over the concept and ideas and related the themes back to my own life. I guess that means I went into Return to Dallergut’s with the advantage that I’ve formed a connection with the world over a period of time.

I’m connecting with the main characters slowly and authentically. Some still feel difficult to distinguish at this point, but the ones that we spend more time with feel whimsical but fully rounded and real. They’re lovable but not in a 1 dimensional ‘cute and fluffy’ way. Our MC Penny can be sweet but a little annoying, prissy at times and full of sass at others; she feels real, and so do the relationships she’s forming.

Okay this review is long enough now; I’ve been gushing forever. I’m gonna head to bed and hope I can find my way to Dallergut’s Dream Department Store. Sweet dreams everyone x

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an eARC of this book for review.

I'd been looking forward to book 2, so I had high expectations.

I loved the different perspectives that Penny saw in this book - customer complaints, returning customers, making dreams.

I loved the message of the book. I wish I had this in print so I could have highlighted sections (which I couldn't do on the epub I received) - it's now on my to buy/re-read list!

I'd have loved more of the story in epilogue 2 though!

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced ebook copy in exchange for an honest review.

If you thought working at a dream department store was all stardust and cozy enchantment, think again!

In Return to the DallerGut Dream Department Store, Lee Mi-ye takes us on another journey into the magical (and surprisingly bureaucratic) world of dream-selling, but this time, with a twist that’s a little darker and a lot more intriguing.

Penny is no longer a wide-eyed newbie; she’s a fully-fledged dream industry employee, complete with access to the mysterious Company District.

Think of it as the Hogwarts of the dream world but with more red tape and unexpected shadows lurking in its corners. From exploring how dreams are crafted to uncovering a Civil Complaint Center full of dissatisfied dreamers (imagine Yelp reviews for your dreams….yikes!), Penny learns that even magic comes with its complications.

The heart of this story lies in the mystery of the regular customers who’ve vanished without a trace. Penny’s journey to uncover their stories are thought-provoking, shifting her role from simply selling dreams to truly understanding the hearts and desires of her customers.

Each complaint she investigates unravels a little more of this enchanting world, and the result is both whimsical and emotionally resonant.

Mi-ye’s storytelling sparkles as she blends charming magical realism with a touch of introspection. The lush, quirky details of the dream industry are endlessly fascinating (raw dream materials? Yes, please!), while the underlying message about human longing and connection adds depth to the whimsy.

Return to the DallerGut Dream Department Store is a dreamy escape with layers of mystery, heart, and just the right amount of magic. If you’ve ever wondered about the business of dreams or craved a whimsical tale with a thoughtful core, this one’s for you.

A sequel that equals the fantastically wonderful original. We rejoin Penny as she celebrates her first anniversary working at the Dream Department store. Along with Dallergut and their many colleagues and friends, they prepare for the first dream festival they’ve had for many years.
A lovely, heartwarming tale.

My thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley. This review was written voluntarily and is entirely my own unbiased opinion.

A beautifully written follow up to it's smash hit predecessor, this was as enchanting and, if possible, even more magical.

What a delight it was to return to the Dallergut Dream Store and hear about the going ons! Whisky this one didn’t quite have the same charm as the first book, I still loved it and devoured it over a couple of days. I would have loved more stories from the ‘dreamers’ but it was also nice to have more from the main characters involved in the Dream Store!

The first DallerGut Dream Department Store was one of my favourite reads last year as I felt it was childhood favourite meeting the wonderful world of Korean/Japanese cosy fiction.
This book had more of a plot and purpose and in that way I think I enjoyed it more, but for the most part I didn't find it quite as visual as the first book, despite the big set piece.
A fun read and I will keep reading the series if more are translated.

I’m so glad I got to read this book. It has the perfect blend of feel good vibes and cosy writing. Honestly I would not have been surprised at all to hear that Studio Ghibli had done a movie of it. (They haven’t yet but we can only hope!) This book is the perfect escapism from real life.

In the second book, it builds upon this beautifully comforting world by bringing us more details of how dreams are made, more of the quirky characters we met in book one and a wonderfully elaborate pajama party that takes up the whole street!

Though I think I preferred the first book, I really enjoyed reading the sequel. It was lovely to revisit the same characters and world. I honestly could read a whole series of these books and still enjoy them!

Perfect to read as audio or in print versions, you can’t go wrong with this fantastic books!

I’ve really enjoyed this series! The first book made me think about dreams in such a different way and DallerGut has certainly become my fave book grandad. It was great to be on another journey with Penny in her second year at the store whilst she learns more about the regular customers. Without wanting to spoil anything, if you’re looking for a short story that will help with a but of reflecting I highly recommend. Thank you to Headline and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review an advance copy!

A wonderful, whimsical sequel that carried on the story perfectly. I absolutely adore these books, they are the perfect book to curl up with on a rainy day