Wholesale Dressmaker by Posie Graeme-Evans

[Atria] From international bestselling author Posie Graeme-Evans comes the passionate tale of a woman ahead of her time who uses her talent to succeed against all odds in Victorian England. Growing up in rural Norfolk, Ellen Gowan’s childhood was poor but blessed with affection. At fifteen, she marries Raoul de Valentin, the dangerous descendant of French aristocrats, who then abandons her when she becomes pregnant. Determined that she and her daughter will not only survive but thrive, Ellen uses her talent as a dressmaker to begin the long, difficult climb to success. Claiming to be a widow, Ellen toils first in a clothing sweat shop before opening her own salon in fashionable Berkeley Square. One single dress, a ballgown created for the enigmatic Countess of Hawksmoor, the leader of London society, transforms Ellen’s fortunes, bringing profound success. But the return of her husband threatens to destroy all that Ellen has achieved. An evocative and poignant novel, The