I loved that this book picks up from book one. It's been a year since Penny started working at the DallerGut Dream Department Store and she was due an appraisal to discuss expectations for the coming year - and although these are based on the needs of the store it also makes Penny look at herself and what she needs to change or appreciate in able to achieve these - which is why I love these books.

I love how the translated fiction books are so thought-provoking and relatable that it makes you aware and question yourself - as well as using fantasy and very niche ideas to tell the story.

I loved the characters and the world building and the notion of looking into customers dreams to understand what's going on.

I really thoroughly enjoyed this book and hope there will be more.

I really appreciated being back in the dream store and being able to discover new parts of the world.

This book was definitely a cosy and sweet read, but honestly, I just felt like it lacked so much depth. By the time I finished reading it, I just felt like I had needed a bit more. Maybe depth or themes, I’m not sure, but I don’t believe this read was for me.

Thank you for allowing me to read and review this book

It was great to return to the Dallergut Dream Department store,

Having read the first one I was really looking forward to g forward to this instalment and it did not disappoint.

I loved being back with Penny, Weather, Mogtail and the rest of the staff from Dallergut's department store. And just like returning to a familiar dream, this felt like going home with a comfortable and meandering story that just wants to envelope the reader in feelings of hope and compassion. The second book is very introspective, this time examining why customers leave complaints about their dreams and also why they don't return to the store - with Penny being entrusted to come up with solutions for both. There's a heavy emphasis on memories and the passage of time, with the message that while some situations can look bad now it will only be for a short period of time and it's these experiences that shape who we are now. There's some really endearing, touching passages as we see certain customers life stories and what has brought them to this place. I have a special fondness for the Noctilucas and their responsibilities, and we see in this book that their job goes beyond what we initially thought in the first book.

Penny is a wonderful character to explore the dream world with. She's smart and inquisitive but with a sensitive soul and seeing the world through her eyes lends it a sympathetic air. There's no threats, no dangers here and the reader knows they're in safe hands with Penny. In the end she'll make sure everyone is ok. I love her budding romance with Maxim too, and hope there's more books to explore this.

This gets a slightly lower rating from me because, just as a personal preference, I really need a plot to keep my interest and there just isn't one here. It's a series of linking short stories or ideas, and the pace is slow and careful without any action. While this is perfect for this kind of story and I appreciate it for that, I found my attention fading a few times especially at the beginning.

Perfect escapism that holds your hand through some difficult topics with a strong message of love and acceptance.

I feel so emotional in the best way. This book returns to the Dallergut dream department store, Penny has worked there for a year and her performance review is due. Penny works to help lost regulars fund their way back to their dreams and learns more about the industry. This series is beautifully written and so comforting. I hope there are more books I need to read know what’s happening! I laugh, I cry and feel fulfilled, just brilliant

I was excited to go back to the Dallergut Dream Department Store and see the character development of Penny and the other characters.
This was a completely different story and we got to see a lot more of the other characters briefly mentioned in the first book which I really liked.
We saw a bit more behind the scenes of the department store - it was a good read.

This is such a beautiful, light hearted fantasy! The love I have for this book and the first one is crazy. I want to live in this world because of how beautiful it is. I love the writing style of this book and the development of characters throughout. It just a beautiful, touching and emotional story. Definitely up there as one of my favourite books

Thank you NetGalley and Headline for the ARC

Return to the DallerGut Dream Department Store was a lovely sequel to The DallerGut Dream Department Store. It had the same cozy feeling but know we got to see more of the universe. I liked seeing our MC actually work in the dream department store and learning more about it. A short, but mighty and lovely read.

I've really enjoyed this duology and I'm so glad they came into my life! Return to the DallerGut Dream Department Store finds us back with Penny, a year on from her start date and she's at her first annual appraisal, wondering what will come of DallerGut's thoughts on her job role and demeanour.

I really like Penny and her colleagues, I also love the names of the dream makers! Yasnoozz Otra and Kick Slumber, not to also forget Babynap Rockabye! Love it!

I like how this book takes us on the train to visit other parts of the dream world and the noctiluca's sound amazing too!

Penny deals with more in this book, she has more responsibility and has much more experience now it's a year into her career. I want to watch the Dream of the Year awards and join a huge pyjama party!

Who knows, I may visit the DallerGut Dream Department Store tonight and see what they have on offer!

This a thought-proving sequel which contains the same magical and whimsical prose, but delves deeper into the lore of dream making and the darker side to the industry's inner workings.

This book is wacky, wonderous and comforting. Just like its predecessor, reading it felt like being wrapped in a fluffy cloud. It's undoubtedly creative and a little silly at parts and while I enjoyed it immensely, I did find my attention drifting several times. For me, it didn't hold my attention like my initial introduction to the DallerGut Dream Department Store did. The budding romance was incredibly sweet and if you're looking for an uplifting read with low stakes and lots of heart than this one is definitely for you.

It was a magical read; however it felt a little repetitive and slow in places for me personally.

A great sequel - really recommend if you like translated fiction and magical realism.

Thank you for the copy to review

This book, like many recent favorites, is effortlessly pleasant—light, breezy, and gone without a trace once it’s finished. I understand why these kinds of stories are comforting; they’re safe, undemanding, and effortlessly charming. But for me, this lacked something to hold onto. There’s no depth, no challenge, nothing to really sink into or mull over. They blur together, enjoyable in the moment but ultimately forgettable.

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.