The Rebel of Seventh Avenue tells us an extraordinary tale of woman resilience. Following the story of Maisie McIntyre throughout her life, from a young girl until her death in the late 1950s, we learn what it takes to be an independent woman in a time when indepdendence wasn't something to be proud of. Following her dreams of fashion from the hardships of Scotland to New York City, Maisie encountered colorful individuals throughout her life, creating a thriving business that included dressmaking and housewares, turning them into something that even the most uncultured of people could enjoy. Although she found love in a man, her true love was a man named Joseph Jackson, whom she could never be with because of the color of his skin, but would eventually reunite with after her death, leaving behind the daughter that was conceived from an affair with a married man.

While the story took me quite a bit to get into, as the beginning starts off incredibly slow, I enjoyed reading the story of this incredible woman. Growing up in these modern times, and being an adult in them as well, makes it hard to believe that women had to undergo such hardships in what truly isn't a far off past. Women are still going through many hardships now that would likely send Maisie's mind reeling.

Annabelle Marx clearly knew what she was doing with this story, and I think it will resonate with a lot of women who end up picking up this book. Very well done.

Thank you to NetGalley, Annabelle Marx and Storm Publishing for an ARC of this incredible novel.

As a lover of historical fiction, this book didn’t disappoint. Set against the glamorous backdrop of New York and Hollywood's golden era, it beautifully captures the spirit of resilience. The story follows Maisie, a talented young woman who rises from poverty to success thanks to her fashion sense and ambition. Maisie's rise from poverty to success is inspiring.

The writing draws readers into a world of elegance and ambition. However, at times, the detailed descriptions of the materials felt excessive and slowed the pace of the story. While I appreciate fashion, some of these passages became repetitive.

Overall, it’s a beautifully crafted novel with a compelling protagonist and a setting that truly comes to life. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advanced copy.

While the detailed descriptions of materials and clothing, though contributing to the historical accuracy, occasionally felt lengthy, the overall impact of this beautifully crafted novel and its compelling protagonist is significant.

Maisie McIntyre is eking out a living for her mother and sister Netta as a laundress in early 20th century Edinburgh and working also as a seamstress. Mother is gifted a Singer sewing machine as a gesture after an accident and Maisie learns to use that. Mother dies. Maisie finds an envelope of money hidden by her mother, does not tell sister and her family. Maisie then steals a bolt of blue silk, takes the money and runs off to New York as a first class passenger meeting, along the way, Aidan who, equally, is perhaps not quite what he seems. In time Maisie is running her own business aided by other women, often of colour, as a dressmaker to the great and good white of New York. She's hard working, fair to her staff and determined. The latter especially important in the white man's world at the time. Her second in command, Oti, was also a strong character but felt always in Maisie's shadow. Her brother Joseph and Maisie fell for each other but the relationship never progressed although was always in the background, occasionally coming to the fore. Maisie and company survived the great depression by making cushions out the dresses returned by snobbish ladies when they found out, shock horror, the colour of the seamstresses making their beautiful dresses. Maisie made functional clothes during WW2 moving in and out of couture as society and politics allowed. She was a survivor. I liked the detailed little summaries of specific clothes which added to the story - how they changed as society and social attitudes changed. I also liked how Maisie and Netta finally reconnected, not necessarily happily ever after but at least with a better understanding of each other's lives. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance copy.

Edinburgh 1910, Maisie McIntyre is a girl with dreams. Working in a hotel basement washing laundry and living in poverty with her mother and older sister Netta. Maisie helps her mother who sews clothes for local families. After her mothers death, Maisie living with Netta's young family, finds an envelope of money hidden in her mother's drawer. After stealing some beautiful peacock blue silk, Maisie takes the money and heads to New York leaving her sister behind. We follow Maisie over the course or her life as she fights to make a name for herself without a man's support. Maisie lives out her dream of having her own couture empire, showcasing her talent for design and love of colour. She meets Joseph and falls in love but as a black man, the prejudice they face threatens to tear her buisness down.
I was really drawn to the title and description of this book. The timing of the 1920's through to the late 1950's, spanning some of my favourite eras.
The hurdles Maisie has to jump through had me routing for her success. As a woman with a fierce passion and dedication to her work, mixed with her love for those around her, Maisie is a character to be admired. I loved the vibe of this book, the glitz and glamour of the fashion industry and the high society lifestyle mixed with the hardworking lower classes aiming for more. The author manages to weave in true life events such as the suffragette movement and the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire., a devestating loss of lives due to poor and unsafe working conditions, The fire event in particular left me feeling such shock and emotion, with the final nod to it at the end of the story a beautiful touch.

This is meant to be a sweeping epic saga that spans decades in the life of one woman. And it is, its just rather fast and seemed to only scratch the surface in some places where it should definitely have cut deeper.
Maisie McIntyre is a young Scottish girl who runs away to New York and builds a fashion empire gathering friends and family into her orbit along the way. But while these relationships shape her, we never fully see the depth of these connections. We’re told about them in the way someone would relay the words to you, but we never feel them fully in my opinion.
Her relationship with her mother is described as lacking physical affection and color yet half way through the book she looks back on her mother as the women who ‘stitched her together’. How? There was no strong bond other than her mother teaching her to sew. There was no motherly advice, no demonstrations of motherly love, no defining moments. Many of the characters in the book are like this. Surface only never deeper and their closeness or importance only conveyed through the passing of time.
So many characters come and go and while they may not have more than a few pages scattered through the chapters each one does play a pivotal role. Some have resolution and an explanation of what becomes of them while others fade into the ether or are left unfulfilled. Oti and Aiden are essentially mainstays, but they seem to only exist in her orbit, have no life that isn’t connected to her. They never marry, they never find happiness that isn’t tied to hers somehow. I loved Oti’s character, and I would have loved for her to find a companion to share her life with but that wasn’t meant to be. At one point she even tells Maisie she prefers the ambitious career driven Maisie to the one who would fight bigotry and settle down with Joseph. That rubbed me the wrong way and paved the way for Oti to always put Maisie’s happiness before her own. I have no problem with people without color writing characters that are people of color, but its nuanced and sometimes the intention is loss in a slightly offensive manner while the author is trying to convey something else entirely. With Oti she was independent but always waiting on Maisie hand and foot. The dynamic felt master and servant despite the friendship they shared. Aidan was clever and witty and at times reduced to a sidekick. He felt a bit like Auntie Mame, sweeping in with presents and glamour and fun ideas and then disappearing again.
Her relationship with Joseph was a complicated one. It felt rushed and slow at the same time. I knew it was her great love because she told me and because the passage of time kept them in each other’s path, but I struggled to feel it. Giving each other up was vital to the story but it seemed as though the actual romance happened so fast it didn’t quite take root and then suddenly it was over and there was decades of longing and loss.
The thing with this book is I felt like it was a person telling me the story, not necessarily a book showing it me, if that makes sense at all. It was compelling nonetheless and I was very interested in the story. I feel like this would make an amazing movie to show the emotions that couldn’t be conveyed in the book.
I also loved and hated the chapter break dress descriptions. It was a nice addition to the story, however since the average person has no idea what turn of the century women’s wear looks like off the top of their head it was awkward and impossible to visualize. It would have been nice if the finished book had illustrations for each described.
I will say this book is living rent free in my head right now. I loved that Maisie was essentially unlikeable to a degree. Her flaws made her real. The locations were exciting, and the journey was riveting. I absolutely had issues with some things, but this book kept me engaged. It made me care about the outcome. It introduced me to people that history may have forgotten. It delivered on its promise to show me a rebel.

Book Review

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Historical Fiction has always been one of my favorite genres. The research that goes into writing a book so rich in detail never goes unnoticed when I’m devouring the pages.

I loved this book. A story of rags to real riches, a woman hell bent on doing things her way and finding color in an otherwise colorless world.

Maisie Mcintyre takes on the fashion industry in a way that makes you feel like you are part of it. The attention to detail in the writing made me see the designs, the gowns, the embellishments. I can’t say enough about that. The doors that were opened for Maison Mcintyre were on her own accord. Set in the early 1900s, a time when women did not own businesses, buildings, secure loans, or remain unmarried.

Maisie did it all and she did it well. I kept waiting for the shoe to drop for her, but her character was so headstrong and so determined and made so many things happen. Not just for herself, for her loved ones as well.

This is a story about perseverance, friendship, love, family, and strength. A wonderful read for any woman who wants to make her mark.

Thank you to @netgalley and @stormhauspublishing for this ARC in exchange for an honest review. Releasing on May 21st, you won’t want miss this one!

#rebel #seventhavenue

There is so much to say about this book I hardly know where to begin. Maise was born in Scotland into a poor family. She never knew her father but lived with her mother and sister in a tenement. Her mother sewed for a living and as Masie grew she helped her out while her older sister Netta did housework and cooked for everyone. After her mother passed away she managed to get to New York with hopes of becoming a dressmaker. She never let her limited resources and the fact that she knew very few people hold her back. With lots of hard work and even more ambition she soon was in business and became very well known for her unique use of color and design. This is a great story that starts at the beginning of Maise's life and goes to the very end. There is a lot of historical content which makes the book even more interesting. I recommend this book for anyone.
Thank you Net Galley for allowing me to read this very interesting arc in exchange for my honest opinion.

This is a great story, impossible to put down. A girl from Edinburgh moving to New York City in the early 1900’s. She builds her life in a time of a man’s world. Loved it!!

I wholeheartedly loved this from start to finish. The story of maisie macintyre from her humble beginnings in Edinburgh to being one of the world famous dress designers in new york. A real story of what is achievable but at what cost to life, love, friendship and time. A strength shines through on every page.

What an exquisite couture gown of a novel this is, with every word and sentence like a perfectly placed stitch, to give us the maximum effect of our heroine, Maisie McIntyre.

This is an epic tale that expertly weaves real-time historical events into Maisie’s story as she escapes life in an Edinburgh tenement to become a fashion force to be reckoned with both in New York and later, back in Scotland once again. Against the backdrop of the Great Depression and two World Wars, our resilient Maisie is way ahead of her time in both her personal and professional life.

So well-researched, I’ve never read such stunning evocation of high fashion in a novel. If you like frocks and trousers, this is the read for you but also, if you like a diversity of feisty characters who battle against the odds, this is also the one for you!

The Rebel of Seventh Avenue is a compelling and captivating read that is hard to put down.

Maisie is a seamtress and after her mother's death she boldly moves to New York determined to make a new life for herself and escape poverty.

I really liked Maisie, she is determined, resliient and faces the challenges of the time where women in the fashion industry are thought unacceptable.

Maise wont let anything get in her way on the road to success.

Annabelle Marx writes beautifully and transports the reader to the early 20th century and you feel like you are living right there with Maisie.

I highly recommend The Rebel Of Seventh Avenue so grab your copy and settle in for a heartfelt read.

Thanks to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for introducing me to Annabell Marx and her wonderful storytelling.

Born in Edinburgh Scotland at the beginning of the 20th century, Maisie McIntyre raises herself from her beginnings to become a major courtier New York city. Taking money that was hidden in her deceased mother's drawer she leaves Scotland and sails across to America. As she becomes well known amongst the wealthy and the elite we take the journey with her. There are many issues she has to face along the way and this historical novel gives you a glimpse of the social issues of the time - including the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire racism, and social conventions where women are still fighting to vote and to be heard. For those who love historical fiction, this is a book to be read. Well researched and well written. My thanks to NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

The Rebel of Seventh Avenue paints a vivid picture of early 1900s New York, from the glittering world of high fashion to the gritty realities of factory life and social unrest. The historical detail is impressive—sometimes too impressive. I found myself getting bogged down in lengthy descriptions of fabrics, stitching, and silhouettes. While I appreciate the research, it started to feel more like a fashion textbook than a novel at times.

Maisie, our fiercely ambitious heroine, never quite clicked for me. Her drive is admirable, and her rise from seamstress to couture designer is inspiring, but I struggled to connect with her on a deeper level. She felt distant—more of a symbol of grit and ambition than a fully fleshed-out character.

That said, the romance with Joseph and the backdrop of historical events (especially the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire) added emotional weight and urgency. This book has a lot to offer, but I just wish I had felt more with Maisie.

A fascinating story of a woman's struggle to survive and then thrive in a man's world. At the time even fashion was dictated primarily by men. When women couldn't even open a bank account without the aid of a man, Maisie managed to cross the Atlantic and open her own company, championing both women and people of different races. The history of fashion and the details included were compelling.
A delightful, if somewhat bittersweet story.

"Fashion, I came to realise, wasn't just about beautiful dresses. It was about self-respect, freedom of expression and power.

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.

Vividly recreating the glamour and grit of early 20th century New York - from the devastating Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire to the emerging women's rights movement - comes a sweeping tale of ambition, love and a woman determined to fashion not just beautiful clothes but her own place in a man's world. Fans of The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo, An American Beauty and novels by Marie Benedict will be spellbound by The Rebel of Seventh Avenue."

Maisie must not compromise! Grab her dreams, all of them!

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!

While I enjoyed the descriptions of period fashion, I could not connect with the characters, specifically the main character. Her life was a bit too uncomplicated, surviving major moments in history by suddenly deciding to make lipstick or lampshades. I am all for a powerhouse working woman, this character just didn’t resonate with me and the struggles of being a female boss in the early 20th century glossed over.

Maisie McIntyre is being raised in the tenements of Scotland. She decides that life is more than making ends meet,
Maisie lands in New York to pursue success in the fashion world..
This is the epic journey of one woman going from poverty to success. The people she meets become family. Her company is successful, but it is also unconventional. Maisie answers to no one and does life and business on her terms-with one exception.
This is one of the best books I have ever read, and my favorite read of 2025. Do not miss this beautiful story!

This is a historical fiction that will take you from Edinburgh to New York to Hollywood and back again. Masie McIntyre is a driven young lady after her mother dies. She knows that she cannot stay where she is. She makes an impulsive decision and it starts the motion of movement in her life. This book was vividly written, with the descriptions of the dresses and the surrounding are beautifully written. If you close your eyes, it will take you from the sewing factories, to the beautiful work room and to the factory floor in Edinburgh. This book is both wonderful and heartbreaking. Such a beautiful book.

Thank you!
Stephanie

Stephanie Maines, MSN RNC-OB
Clinical Informatics Specialist - Nursing
Quorum Health| 1573 Mallory Lane, Brentwood, TN 37027
Cell: 618.315.4275 | smaines@qhcus.com

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"The Rebel of Seventh Avenue" is a thrilling historical novel, that combines great characters, a wonderful storyline and a topic that amazes me. Annabelle Marx decided to follow the life of a young seamstress throughout her novel. Therefore, the topic of dress-making was prominent. Interesting insights in the choice of fabrics, materials and dress-making in general were provided. Especially, the time, in which the novel is set (early 20th century) this changes a lot and therefore brings interesting facettes with it.
I really liked the protagonist Maisie. The description of hers and the life she leads is depicted in a colourful and interesting way. Readers follow her from Edinburgh to New York and tackel the challenges with her. The time, in which the novel is set brings quite a lot of challenges, that I found interesting. The author has done her research and everything fits together well.
The main story line evolves around Maisie and her dress-making but there are also love-interests, challenges that people faced during that time which get a part in the book. For me, this enhanced the reading-experience.
I would definitely recommend this book!

Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC book. Maisie McIntyre escapes her miserable life in Scotland, comes to America and becomes an extremely successful clothing desinger. But along the way she struggles and works very hard to achieve that success. Racism, women's role in the work force, horrendous conditions in sweatshop sewing factories, loss of love and friends and loneliness are a very real part of her every day life. She is surrounded by a very mixed cast of characters who fill her life with love, support and friendship. Great read.