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.
Praise for The Herbalist's Secret:
‘Truly incredible…I couldn’t put it down and read it in a single day… inspiring, heartbreaking, and unforgettable… a book I recommend again and again.’ Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
‘Wow where to begin… this author reeled me in from the first page and I devoured it at speed… There is so much to laud about this book, the style of writing, the characterisation, the plot ... and there is even a recipe for ginger cake! What is not to love!’ Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
‘Heartwarming and heartbreaking, The Herbalist's Secret will remain with me for a long time.’ Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
‘I devoured this book in a day… wonderful.’ Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
‘What a beautifully well written absorbing read. This book got me hooked from the beginning. At the end of each chapter I was left on a cliffhanger… it’s a wonderful, put everything down and keep reading sort of book.’ Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
‘An enchanting read that took me from the very first chapter on a journey that will stay with me for a long time. I was hooked from the first page, beautiful.’ Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
‘A riveting debut, an original premise, an enigmatic heroine, and a compelling Highland setting, The Herbalist’s Secret is a book you will not want to put down… heartwarming and enchanting.’ Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
