I enjoyed some parts this book - particularly the descriptions of and setting in NYC.

I found many aspects hard to believe - specifically that there were very few true obstacles in her path and when something complicated was on the horizon, it just worked out. A teenager who stole fabric and happened upon a stash of illicit money then takes a boat across the ocean, where her thievery is found out (but nothing comes of it), to quickly land in a shop of her own, where she soon owns the building itself. From there....bigger and better locations moving up from the LES to 5th Avenue, dressing snooty rich women who don't approve of her African American suitor. And then, even though the benefactor takes her business (and that of her friends) to other dressmakers - she still thrives. Throw in the affair and resulting pregnancy with a politician connected to and killed by the mob that results in really no ill effects.

One final point of disbelief is the quickly repaired relationship with her estranged sister. There were many intriguing plot points and the more I read the more unbelievable Maisie's luck/escapades became.

Annabelle Marx’s The Rebel of Seventh Avenue captures the transformative power of fashion as both a statement of personal freedom and a vehicle for social change. Set in the early 20th century, the novel follows Maisie McIntyre, a talented seamstress whose journey intertwines with the evolving roles of women in society.

Fashion in the novel serves as more than adornment—it is armor, rebellion, and a coded language of defiance. The suffragettes used structured, practical clothing to assert authority and determination, while the liberating flapper style reflected a generation breaking free from societal restraints. Even mourning attire, typically associated with grief, is portrayed as a tool of subterfuge, allowing women to maneuver unnoticed when secrecy is paramount.

Maisie’s story unfolds through her relationships—with fellow seamstresses, clients seeking individuality in their clothing, and the chosen family she forms along the way. These connections underscore the strength found in female solidarity, weaving together themes of friendship, tradition, and the pursuit of independence. Her bond with Joseph Jackson, an ambitious architect, introduces a dynamic exploration of class and race as both characters strive to build lives beyond the expectations imposed upon them.

Through richly detailed settings, Marx immerses readers in a world where fashion is stitched into history. Moments like the struggles of early garment workers and the rise of women’s rights are seamlessly integrated into the narrative, making the book both an engaging read and a thoughtful reflection on social evolution.

For those drawn to historical fiction that merges personal ambition with broader cultural shifts, The Rebel of Seventh Avenue offers a vibrant and immersive journey. It is a story of resilience, creativity, and the quiet yet powerful ways in which clothing shapes identity and destiny.

I enjoyed this book and in particular, learning more about fashion in NYC during this time period.
Thank you NetGalley and Storm Publishing for access to this eARC.

I overall loved the story line and the Maisie’s character development over the decades. The beginning was a bit slow - but it really picked up and I really loved our characters and plot by the end. This book includes some real historical events like the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory which is a fun touch! I loved Oti and Maisie’s friendship and the element of found family.

My major complaint is the long chapters! It made it difficult to get through

1910, Edinburgh. Young seamstress Maisie McIntyre’s world shatters with her mother’s death. Desperate to escape the grinding poverty that has defined her life so far, Maisie makes a daring choice: she steals a bolt of peacock-blue silk, a stash of money and sails for New York City.

With nothing but raw talent and fierce determination, Maisie’s gift for dressmaking opens doors she never imagined. As she builds her couture empire, designing bold, modern fashions for Manhattan’s elite, Maisie falls for Joseph Jackson, a talented Black architect with dreams as ambitious as her own. But in a world steeped in prejudice, she finds herself facing an impossible choice.

This was a fantastic look at historical 1920s NYC, and I loved it. Some readers may feel bogged down in the details of dressmaking and fashion, but I thought it added authenticity to the story. I really enjoyed the story, getting to know Maisie, and learning more about the time period. Excellent read! 4⭐

I received an advanced complimentary digital copy of this book from Netgalley. Opinions expressed are my own.

A wonderful book about a time period not discussed often.. This book opened my eyes and left me wanting to learn more about this period.

I chose this book for many reasons. Both the cover and the title appealed to me. It's set in New York City in the early 20th century. I love historical novels set in New York. The premise of a young immigrant woman trying to make her place in the fashion industry sounds interesting. And, even, more interesting is the hint of an interracial relationship which could have been full of difficulties in the early 1900s.

So, the stage was set. But, somehow, it did not come together for me. There were many, many pages describing fabrics. The colour, the shimmer, the sheen, how the fabric would flow. The description of the clothing created was endless and repetitive. Colours, collars, cuffs, trim. Perhaps someone who is a fashion designer would be able to appreciate it. It was just too much for me.

The characters did not seem real to me. I did not feel like I knew any of them. The dynamics of the relationship between the MFC (Maisie) and her man, didn't develop. The description was superficial. I just could not connect. On the positive side, Maisie was a determined woman to achieve what she set out to do. I just wish I could have enjoyed her journey more.

I always feel bad when a book does not live up to my expectations. I do see many positive reviews. Which is good. This just was not the book for me.

Thank you to NetGalley and the Publisher for the Advance Readers Copy.

The Rebel of Seventh Avenue is a rags to riches story, following the life of Masie McIntyre. As a young Scottish woman and after her mother's death, she heads to America, hoping to stay with her cousin before finding a job and somewhere to live independently. With her is a roll of money discovered in her mother's sewing drawer, a stolen bolt of material, and her mother's sewing machine.

This is a sweeping tale which starts at the beginning of the twentieth century, ending during the nineteen sixties. Masie's mother, whom she refers to as Maw, is a dressmaker, sewing dresses and underwear for well to do women. Masie has learned her mother's trade, but once she dies, wants a new life for herself away from sharing a house with her sister Netta, now married with children. Masie believes there is a new life to be had across the Atlantic. But she soon discovers it not only takes time and hard work to achieve her dreams, a certain amount of luck is also needed.

I enjoyed The Rebel of Seventh Avenue, which reminded me of Barbara Taylor Bradford's A Woman of Substance. Masie is a confident character, determined to achieve success despite building her business during a time when women faced multiple barriers. The book cleverly blends fiction with historical fact, some of which will directly affect Maisie's destiny. As for many other heroines of this type, it shows that despite her fame, close friendships and being a trail blazer in the fashion world, her real dream of happiness and sharing her life with the man she loves will sadly never happen. Compulsive reading.

Goodness me, this was such a good book. Highly entertaining. Would definitely recommend to others, that's for sure!

The Rebel of Seventh Avenue is a book about fashion. It's also a book about decades of racism, sexism, and heartbreak.

When her family received a sewing machine, Maisie McIntrye developed her love of sewing, fashion, and design. After the death of her mother, Maisie chooses to steal a bolt of fabric and escape to New York. Once in New York, Maisie truly grows up and learns the realities of life. The man she loves is the brother of one of her employees. Her client makes a point that she will NOT support a designer who employs people of color....much less one who is in a relationship with one.

The book spans decades, from Maisie's early 20s to her 60s, so we see the change of perspective and how the world changes. I did feel that the story dragged a bit, with too many details about fabrics and design. This could have been a fashion book or a book about historical change, but it chose to try both.

Still, it's well written and engaging, so I'm sure it's going to be a hit on the beach and in book clubs.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for the opportunity to read and review this book.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an advanced reader copy

The Rebel of Seventh Avenue by Annabelle Marx is a first person-POV historical set in Scotland and the US in the early twentieth century. Maisie McIntyre’s entire life was changed when her family received a Singer sewing machine, developing a love of sewing, fashion, and design. When her mother dies, she steals a bolt of gorgeous, expensive fabric and heads to New York to change her future.

What I really liked was how honest the narrative was about the difficulties faced by interracial and Queer couples at the time. The love of Maisie’s life is Joseph, the brother of one of her employees (who is a very talented embroiderer) but at every turn, it is made obvious that no matter how much they love each other, New York society is not going to accept them. There’s mentions of a racist attack against Joseph’s friend, a Black man involved in a relationship with a white woman, and Maisie’s most important client early in her career states very clearly that she will not support a designer who employs people of color or is in a relationship with them. Maisie also has the chance of having a lavender marriage with a gay man who later becomes her friend and we see the pressure for those marriages. None of this is easy to read and some of it is very heartbreaking and possibly triggering for some readers, but these things did happen.

The tone is a lot more reflective and melancholy. We open with Maisie looking at a wedding dress she sewed for herself but never had a chance to wear and then the rest of the book is her hardships, the reality of the world she lives in, and the tragedies connected to those things. What was really interesting was how familiar it feels in the current climate. The first World War and then the Roaring Twenties followed by the economic downturn of the Great Depression mirror a lot of what is happening right now as we head into what could very well be a global recession. Much like the flappers moving away from grand embellishments and accessories, I can see people around me spending less and less.

I think someone who is really into fashion history would be very interested in this. I was unaware of how much embroidery played a part in early twentieth century fashions outside of wedding dresses or traditional gowns. The plot also recognizes the part that Black Americans played in fashion and the hurdles they faced to get a job and be recognized for their talents. There’s also mentions of Hollywood and fashion icons, which adds a lot of flavor and voice to the text.

Content warning for mentions of sexual assault and depictions of pregnancy, birth homophobia and racism

I would recommend this to fans fashion history and readers of historical looking for something that takes place in the turn of the twentieth century

This was a very interesting story and I found it so difficult to put down. It really captured the atmosphere of the era. Such interesting times. My thanks to Netgalley for the publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this book in return for an honest review.

A rags to riches story that reads like a Singer sewing machine!

I loved this story. While not always believable, it reads wonderfully comfortable and follows a strong, levelheaded character through poverty in Scotland and immigrant life in America. Definitely recommend for everyone who usually devours historical fiction!

I’m not the target audience for this book, but I can see why others would enjoy it. It’s very detailed, which slows down the pace too much for me. DNF ~10%.

Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC.

A rags to riches story spanning pre WWI to the mid 50s. An interesting look at the immigrant experience in early 1900 America when dreams did come true for some. The story of a strong woman who struggled with the inequalities faced by friends and a potential lover. A woman who was directly independent. While it is unrealistic it presents a time when there was hope.

At first glance this is a waltz through the world of couture in the early part of the last century. It is a rags to riches story of a girl born in poverty who through luck, misfortune, courage, determination and above all talent creates an international fashion house based in New York. However, there is more to it than that. She embarks on a mixed race relationship, takes part in the suffrage movement and behind the scenes establishes a charity to support underprivileged garment workers. The book makes various points, most importantly the strength and capability of a woman, making this a well worth read.

A completely fascinating book - full of great well rounded characters and strong women.

The book centres around Maisie, a feisty Glaswegian girl who escapes the poverty of her life after her mother dies and she finds a stash of cash and steals a bolt of fabric. The meeting with Aidan, both when she steals the fabric and on the boat to America was slightly contrived but he plays a big part throughout the story.
She meets her one true love - Joseph- who is a man of colour - and though they try to meet the battles of their mixed relationship head-on it’s not to be.
There are various parts of true history, the World Wars and the terrible factory fire in the Triangle factory amongst others which caused Maisie great pain
But she shows her strength, her ideas of employment rules that are right for her workforce, and her ways of dealing with world events to the benefit of her business whether it’s diversifying into home wares or making hosiery in her home country of Scotland.
Along the way she has a child, loses her lover and finds her best embroiderer is her old friend Joseph - damaged by WW1.
There is a lot happening, a lot of social changes and health impacts for Maisie.

The most poignant bit for me was the last chapter - a tear jerker indeed but so beautifully written. You felt you were in Maisie’s mind.

Well written, well researched and a joy to read.

Oh and I nearly forgot all the interesting bits about how fashion was made and changed in the first half of the 20th century. I dabble in dress making and could imagine the clothes and their vibrancy. I also nearly forgot how well written the subsidiary characters were.

Thank you

It was great to follow the path of Maisie McIntyre from poverty in Scotland to world famous designer. Her friends her lovers and her family.
Her special ways could lead to friendship or making enemies. It’s a long read but it was worth the time.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the chance to read this, this review is my honest opinion.

“𝙁𝙖𝙨𝙝𝙞𝙤𝙣, 𝙄 𝙘𝙖𝙢𝙚 𝙩𝙤 𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙡𝙞𝙨𝙚, 𝙬𝙖𝙨𝙣’𝙩 𝙟𝙪𝙨𝙩 𝙖𝙗𝙤𝙪𝙩 𝙗𝙚𝙖𝙪𝙩𝙞𝙛𝙪𝙡 𝙙𝙧𝙚𝙨𝙨𝙚𝙨, 𝙞𝙩 𝙬𝙖𝙨 𝙖𝙗𝙤𝙪𝙩 𝙨𝙚𝙡𝙛-𝙧𝙚𝙨𝙥𝙚𝙘𝙩, 𝙛𝙧𝙚𝙚𝙙𝙤𝙢 𝙤𝙛 𝙚𝙭𝙥𝙧𝙚𝙨𝙨𝙞𝙤𝙣 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙥𝙤𝙬𝙚𝙧.”

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

What a stunning historical fiction saga that completely swept me away. You don’t need to be a fashion expert to connect and truly immerse yourself in the story of Maisie McIntyre - 𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙍𝙚𝙗𝙚𝙡 𝙤𝙛 𝙎𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙝 𝘼𝙫𝙚𝙣𝙪𝙚. It’s a story full of female empowerment, resilience and courage at a time where women were expect to be in the background. I’m a huge fan of immersive and niche historical fiction with unforgettable and strong characters that inspire you. It’s truly a love letter to fashion and feminism and I did not expect to enjoy it as much as I did.

The story follows Maisie McIntyre’s journey from her humble beginnings in Edinburgh to establishing herself as a fashion visionary in New York and dressing societies’ elite. The narrative spans decades, from 1910s to 1960s. The are some real historical events weaved into the story, for example the suffragette movement or the tragic Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire of 1911. You can tell that the author did her research and delivered because the impact of these events, whilst fictionalised, left a some deep mark in the character’s heart.

Along the way, we meet some truly extraordinary and tenacious group of women, all united through their immigrant roots and love for fabrics, embroidery, colour and fashion. I found them to be very authentic and true to their nature - whilst I didn’t connect to all of them, I respected them so much and loved seeing how those relationships developed. I loved how Maisie always stood by her values and protected herself but also those she love fiercely, which as an immigrant woman in 1920s New York, must not been easy.

The story is not without its tragedy however, and there were quite a few impactful and brutal scenes that made me angry for the injustice but also tugged at my heartstrings. I will be lying if I didn’t admit that I teared up at some parts.. There is a bit of romance that you do root for, but you soon realise that Maisie is not that woman, which must’ve been quite tough at a time where society expected your life’s purpose to be marriage. This just made me admire her more!

𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙍𝙚𝙗𝙚𝙡 𝙤𝙛 𝙎𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙝 𝘼𝙫𝙚𝙣𝙪𝙚 reminded me why I love a well-researched, purposeful and vivid historical fiction story. I enjoyed reading this greatly and Maisie’s love for fashion and colour was electrifying.

Thank you NetGalley and Storm Publishing for providing this copy in exchange for a review.

A wonderful read!
This novel drew me in from the very first page and kept me hooked until the end. The characters were vibrant and relatable, the writing was engaging, and the story had just the right balance of heart and humor. Highly recommend!
Many thanks to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for my ARC. All opinions are my own.