The Tobacco Wives by Adele Myers

It is the end of the war when young teenager Maddie is dumped at her aunt's doorstep in Bright Leaf North Carolina by her mother who has gone husband shopping. Maddie has dreams of becoming a dress designer but gets thrown into the deep end of the pool when she must take over her sick Aunt's seamstress duties. The tobacco wives need their gowns finished for the big gala and Maddie is the only one who can take over. A kind tobacco wife takes Maddie into her home and supplies her with invitations to mingle with society as well as a sewing studio set up in the house. Maddie loves the beautiful life that Bright Leaf Tobacco offers the town but when she is privy to secret information her loyalty will be put to the test. An impressive debut that sets the stage well for the importance of tobacco in North Carolina as well as the hidden dangers that it represented to the workers and smokers at large. A coming of age story that is brought to life with the inclusion of advertising for the cigarette aimed at women and the colorful background that presents North Carolina in vivid Tarheel blue. You can almost smell the skunky tobacco fields , feel the thick humidity on the back of your neck and the gentle swish of the pine trees. I also listened to the audiobook and the narrator gave a spot on rendition. This will resonate with readers of historical fiction as well as those searching for strong female characters whose voices beg to be heard.  4 1/2 stars