Auch! I loved, I very much loved the Maise McIntyre story. I like fashion very, very much despite having been a food engineer and a university professor for more than 40 years. So, reading a book that allowed me to swing into the fashion industry was a tremendously happy task. Mrs Annabell Marx kept me sitting on my chair reading as long as I could, every single day. The story of Maise and her friends is very appealing. I recommend reading the book.

Overall, I liked this! It was cozy and a great bedtime read to relax and unwind.

This is a more character driven book, not plot driven. It takes the first quarter of the book to really get the plot moving. Plenty happens, but Maisie’s transformation is the dominant point of the book. I really liked the book and found Maisie fascinating and fun, but it was a slower read for me.

The dresses are described in so much detail that I started to skim those parts. It’s supposed to be immersive so you can see the dress, feel its texture, hear its ruffle, but it got a bit repetitive. I would’ve loved to see sketches of each dress!

7.5

Maisie McIntyre's life story, spanning across decades, is leisurely contemporary tale of female liberation, breaking societal norms and fighting for one's own, set against the backdrop of true events and figures from the 20th century. On the one hand, the classic "rags to riches" story, on the other, a discreetly smuggled social commentary, of which I feel there could have been more, but at a time when the myth of the "American dream" seems to be falling apart, the plot resonates with additional force.

Is this a novel for everyone? Probably not, but it's definitely worth giving it a chance.

A sweeping, heartfelt journey through history, identity, and resilience — this novel is everything I hope for in historical fiction and more.

From the very first page, I was drawn into the world of Maisie McIntyre — a bright, ambitious young woman whose dreams are bigger than the circumstances she’s born into. Her story is one of courage and transformation, and watching her fight for a better life, for herself and for others, was deeply moving. Maisie is a character who lingers in your heart long after the last page. She’s not perfect, but she’s honest, determined, and full of hope — and that’s what makes her so real.

The novel beautifully and thoughtfully explores the complex issues of race in America. It doesn’t sugarcoat the harsh realities, yet it approaches them with sensitivity and depth, allowing the reader to connect emotionally with the characters' struggles. It was eye-opening and deeply emotional to witness how systemic injustice and prejudice shaped not just lives, but entire communities — and how love, kindness, and resilience still found a way to thrive in the face of it all.

One of the most powerful elements of the book is how major world events — war, economic upheaval, societal shifts — are interwoven into Maisie’s personal journey. History doesn’t just serve as a backdrop here; it’s an active, sometimes brutal force that shapes her path. Yet through it all, Maisie never stops striving, growing, and dreaming. I found myself rooting for her every step of the way.

The novel also celebrates the spirit of giving and community through its depiction of philanthropy, which was uplifting and inspiring. And on a lighter note — the fashion! The descriptions of styles through the decades were vivid and joyful, offering moments of beauty and fun that balanced some of the heavier themes.

Despite the sorrow and hardship that Maisie and others face, there is so much light in this book. Moments of joy, of triumph, of deep connection — they shine brightly. I laughed, I cried, and more than once, I paused just to sit with the emotion a scene stirred in me.

Spanning a wide timeline, the story gracefully captures the evolution of social attitudes and daily life, making each chapter feel like a new window into a world that is both distant and achingly familiar.

This is more than just a well-written novel — it’s an emotional experience. A tribute to hope, perseverance, and the power of chasing your dreams even when the odds are stacked against you.

A heartfelt thank you to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for the opportunity to read this unforgettable book in advance. I won’t soon forget it.

An epic rags-to-riches tale, I enjoyed following the career of Maisie McIntyre. She made an interesting character: hard to like in some ways, she is utterly driven, possessing great talent but also great selfishness. However, she is a loyal friend and highly motivated.
The secondary characters of Oti, Joseph and Aidan were endearing, and the story of the fashion industry underpinning Maisie’s career was well researched.
I loved the descriptions of changing fashions in this book. Fashion is depicted as a means of not only self expression and of status but also for a woman to improve her confidence.
Although I enjoyed the story, it did feel quite lengthy, and I never quite managed to empathise with Maisie. Somehow her road to success seemed too charmed: while she met obstacles, each was quickly defeated without much difficulty. And I’m not sure I ever forgave her for stealing from her sister and running off to New York
Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for a free ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Absolutely loved it! Well written, beautifully descriptive and well paced. It takes you on an amazing, historically based, transatlantic adventure in fashion/couture through two world wars. Maisie, the story of Maison McIntyre and all the characters are so well developed. Clear your schedule to be able to read it cover to cover- it’s a hard one to put down. I highly recommend it!
Thank You to NetGalley, Storm Publishing, and Annabelle Marx for
the pre-approved access to read and thoroughly enjoy this ARC.

Thank you NetGalley and Storm Publishing for this eCopy to review

I went into The Rebel of Seventh Avenue with high hopes. A historical novel set in the early 20th century, spanning from Edinburgh to New York, and centred around fashion, ambition, and forbidden love? It sounded like a dream. And in some ways, it delivered—but in others, it left me wanting more.

The story follows Maisie McIntyre, a young Scottish seamstress who, after the death of her mother, steals a bolt of peacock-blue silk and some money, and sets sail for New York City. There, she builds a couture empire from the ground up, designing bold, modern fashions for Manhattan’s elite. Along the way, she falls in love with Joseph Jackson, a talented Black architect, and faces the harsh realities of racism, sexism, and societal expectations.

While the premise is compelling and the historical backdrop—especially the depiction of the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire and the women’s rights movement—is vividly drawn, I found the narrative repetitive at times. There were long stretches focused on fabric choices and design details that, while authentic, didn’t always move the story forward. I often felt like I was being told the same things about Maisie’s struggles and triumphs without gaining new insight.

Most importantly, I struggled to connect emotionally with Maisie. Her journey is undeniably difficult and her ambition admirable, but something about her inner world felt distant. I wanted to feel her heartbreak, her passion, her fire—but instead, I often felt like a spectator rather than a participant in her story.

That said, the book does shine in its exploration of the social issues of the time, particularly the challenges faced by interracial and queer couples. These moments were some of the most powerful and thought-provoking in the novel.

In the end, The Rebel of Seventh Avenue is a beautifully written, well-researched novel that just didn’t quite hit the emotional notes I was hoping for. It’s worth a read for fans of historical fiction and fashion, but be prepared for a slower, more reflective pace.

This book is a solid 3.75 stars because in the end it managed to make me cry. This is a tale of an American dream during a time where all the odds were stacked against a single woman refusing to be controlled by men. Is it a little idealistic? Perhaps. Unrealistic? Probably. But it is a beautiful story, one where you root for the main character the whole way from childhood to death. I do think, however, that being a fan of fashion is kind of a must. I am not that into it myself, and the great paragraphs of detail were lost on me as I skimmed for the greater developments and drama in Maisie's life. I think Maisie's story with Joseph is what truly made me cry. A story of missed opportunities, pride and, yes, a bit of ambition getting in the way of family, but neither truly regretting it because of what it allowed Maisie to do. Her story is of what beauty can come from being single and creating your own family not through marriage, but through friends, and even affairs. It is a haunting and hopeful book.

1⭐️ Thank you to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for an advanced copy of The Rebel Of Seventh Avenue.

Maisie is a seamstress living in Edinburgh but her heart is shattered when her mother passes away. She needs to make a change so she heads for New York.

The premise was intriguing because of the fashion aspect but it was way too overly descriptive. I was not a fan of the characters so it was hard to connect to the story.

A really fun historical novel about fashion and NYC that had so many intricate details but didn't always come together. It was still interesting!

This creative historical fiction novel explores one woman's journey after leaving Scotland in the early twentieth century. From there she will move to America and start her very own fashion empire. Despite her success with fashion she also goes through the discrimination of dating an African American and experiencing the hardships of the first world war.
Our main herione Maise learns to sew from a very young age. After the death of her mother and feeling like she needs to break free from her sister's children she decides to board a ship and set sail to America. From there she makes the acquaintance of a friend who encourages her to enter the fashion industry.
Overall this was a very impressive novel. The detailed descriptions of the clothing and sewing process was interesting to read. I look forward to reading more books from this author.
I received an arc copy from Netgalley and all opinions are of my own.

The Rebel of Seventh Avenue was a unique historical fiction that not only examines a less known time period, but also used such a unique thread to weave the story together. I found that Maise was a strong and smart protaginist who not only wanted what was best for her family but but for those around here. I was hooked from early on in the book not only because it starts in the future, but because it left me wondering why she made a wedding dress but was never married and even to better understand why she would claim that yellow was the only color she could wear. As someone who has studied history it left me with many different questions about how the author would include real life issues that existed during the time and how they would be handled. While the story did drag on some, overall it was a unique and refreshing edition to the historical fictio category

This was an absolute delight to read! It's got everything for a good book in its genres: history, romance, powerful women, amazing settings and deep characters.
I'm not one for fashion in my life, but I love stories about seamstress like there's so much to say through clothes about humanity and history and the people who make them.
I was instantly drawn to the book, the cover is eye-catching and the description was an immediate yes for me.
When historical novels have real-life events intertwined I feel it makes them more real, like this could've actually been someone out there then. That's how this read felt.
So many characters to like but I won't say my favourite so I don't spoil anything. But yeah they were all very multidimensional and I was very into their stories, even as side characters.

When this book gets translated into Spanish (hopefully soon) I'll be gifting it all around.

A highly engaging, and beautifully told story, for the most part. Fear, shame, betrayal, loyalty, found family, ambition - it's all here. The setting along is fascinating - the detail of fabric and embroidery will entice anyone who loves reading about people who do interesting, tricky, jobs. There's a lot about the business of dressmaking and design spanning decades and political developments how how that all impacted the world of clothing and the people who bought the clothes.

I adored the characters. Everyone got their time in the sun and Marx weaves them all together in such smart ways. The final paragraph made me crack though - there's some very moving sections in this story but I didn't cry until the very end and only because I remembered so clearly the seed that Marx planted early on in the story. Very clever writing.

It does move pretty fast and there were moments when I wanted it all to slow down a bit so I could stay in the world a bit longer.

The obituary at the end is odd though. Making a strange dig at Joseph and then his team? Doesn't quite sit right and I'm not sure what point the author is trying to make.

There are some typos that need catching, missing words etc so hopefully that will all be sorted by the time it hits the shelves.

I really enjoyed the development of the main character Maisie who from very poor and humble beginnings in Edinburgh at the start of the 20th C , "invests" in herself which takes her New York and the Hollywood with her fabulous clothing creations. I am not too sure that I liked her though !! She is a positive role model by taking on workers in her workshop who many would have shied away from at that time, but then at other times she seems to caught up with herself especially in regards to her sister. Set between Edinburgh, America and then back to the Scottish Borders and during the two world wars, there is a lot going on and could possibly have been a much longer story or even two books.

Thanks to Netgalley/ Storm publishing for the ARC to review

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.