The setting was fantastic but the pacing of the plot fell flat in the last 25%. Knowing it's a debut, that makes a bit more sense, but this book really could have been something special with a little more polish.

"The Tobacco Wives" by Adele Myers is a captivating novel that sheds light on a lesser-known aspect of American history. Set against the backdrop of the mid-20th century tobacco industry, Myers weaves a rich tapestry of characters and events that immerses readers in a bygone era. Through meticulous research and vivid storytelling, Myers brings to life the struggles and triumphs of the wives of the Big Tobacco executives, offering a poignant and thought-provoking exploration of gender, class, and race in rural America. The strength of the novel lies in its well-drawn characters, each with their own hopes, dreams, and flaws, making them feel both relatable and authentic. While the pacing may lag at times, particularly in the slower-paced middle sections, the overall narrative is compelling and engaging. With its evocative prose and powerful themes, "The Tobacco Wives" is a must-read for fans of historical fiction.

I enjoyed reading The Tobacco Wives. Going into this book, I did not know anything about the tobacco industry during this time period. I found myself often forgetting that Maddie was only 15 years old, all she had to go thru and overcome at such a young age. I was disappointed by the ending of the book though.

I don't read much historical fiction but I'm glad I made an exception for this book - I learned a lot! I didn't know much about the history of tobacco, so I found the setting for this book fascinating.

Thank you to William Morrow, Custom House, and NetGalley for the review copy of this book.

I tend to stick to the same genres and never stray. And I usually steer clear of historical fiction. However, this was a great change of pace that I didn't realize I needed. Very well written and researched. Set in North Carolina in 1946, this story is about the tobacco industry, it's effects on women, and the 'roles' that people during that time were expected to play.

A small town in North Carolina depends tobacco for its livelihood and survival. Every person in the community has a role to play in the cigarette industry. What happens when a young girl finds out something that could devastate the cigarette industry and in turn every person that she knows and loves.

In this debut novel the author transports the reader to 1946 North Carolina, where everyone knew their role and no one hesitated to put someone in their place for stepping out of that role. The story is educational, the characters are well developed, and the book can be read by both adults and young adults. I look forward to the author's next book.

Thanks to the Book Club Girl Early Read program and NetGalley for a digital advance reader's copy. All comments and opinions are my own.

This was a coming-of-age, historical fiction debut taking place in the south at the conclusion of World War II. This Young Adult novel is a fictionalized story of the beginning years of Big Tobacco’s deceit concerning cigarettes’ deadly health hazards. Author Adele Myers explains her choice of topic: “While early evidence of tobacco’s dangers focused on lung cancer, I chose to write about the impact smoking had on women. The 1940s was a time of social unrest, wartime conflict, and emerging new options for women, a time that some historians say spurred the modern women’s rights movement. Setting the book in this period and taking liberties with the timeline and nature of tobacco studies’ emergence enabled me to explore themes such as Southern women’s role in society, the impact of WWII on the workforce, and the use of women in advertising.”

The story is told from the point of view of 15-year-old Maddie Sykes, who is abruptly left for the summer with her Aunt Etta by her recently widowed mother. Maddie has been mentored by her aunt, a talented seamstress to the wealthiest women in the North Carolina town of Bright Leaf. Aunt Etta calls her clients Tobacco Wives, and when she suddenly becomes ill, it is up to Maddie to take over and produce glamourous couture-like gowns for the upcoming Gala.

While demonstrating her dressmaking talent, Maddie uncovers secrets about the dangers of tobacco, the reasons for many local health issues, and discovers who are deceivers and who are true friends. She matures during this time, with encouragement from women such as Ashley, an influential socialite who tells her: “Keep at it, Maddie. That feeling of satisfaction, knowing you can take care of yourself. That’s something no one can take away from you.”

The setting was realistically described: the small southern town of Bright Leaf, the classes (society mavens vs. the working women), the weather, the mansions and clothes. But the characters were somewhat predictable - from the socialites to the villainous tobacco magnates. I had trouble buying into Maddie’s character as she vacillated from naïve and impetuous to reasonably grown up – and I found her sewing/designing talent and capabilities at that young age hard to believe.

Within the framework of the tobacco industry, this novel illustrates the history of women’s activism during the post-war period, demonstrating the power of female connection and the importance of truth, honesty, and integrity.

This would be great for book clubs as well as an important book for high school readers.

I’ve had this on my TBR digital shelf since December 2021, and so glad to finally read it. Thanks to Val for joining me on this buddy read journey.

Thank you, NetGalley and William Morrow Custom House, for a digital review copy of this book.

3.5 stars rounded up

I know this book is not marketed as YA, but I'm rating it as one as that's how I read it with a 15 year-old main character. Had my expectations been for an adult book, I would be at more of a 3 star rating.

I love when a book can make me angry at the subject matter, and this one certainly delivered on that. Reading about the marketing and hidden research of tobacco companies while their communities saw the effects was definitely anger inducing.

I liked the women's rights theme of the book as well, but it felt so minimal that while it was important, it seemed like a back burner topic.

I enjoyed Maddie finding herself and her voice throughout the book. Going from being dropped at her aunts doorstep as a meek girl to being confident sewing for the tobacco wives and beyond.

The Tobacco Wives is a unique, gripping book that I really enjoyed! I am so glad I got the chance to read this one. I loved the characters, descriptive setting, and writing style.

I really enjoyed The Tobacco Wives. While I don't read a lot of HF, I found myself liking this one and reminded that I need to give more of a chance to HF. Would definitely recommend adding this one to your TBR.

I’m so glad I had the chance to read this book. I never realized that these women were lied to about tobacco all to promote the product. Great characters and amazing story. I have been telling my friends to read it!!

The Tobacco Wives by Adele Myers is a coming of age story about a young girl, growing up during a time when our understanding and attitudes of tobacco use were very different. A fascinating and in-depth perspective of a time in our history when we were challenged to examine our way of life, as well as our livelihoods, during an era when we had come to depend on a substance that was harmful to our health; and ultimately about realizing and accepting this truth. Highly recommend The Tobacco Wives for its engaging plots and character development.

I would like to thank NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this ebook ARC of The Tobacco Wives by Adele Myers.

I live in the Raleigh area and I so enjoyed this book! I completely understand how the area was built on tobacco and the plot was so interesting. The characters really came to life. I definitely look forward to reading more from this author in the future. I received a free copy of this book from netgalley and the publisher in exchange for my honest review.

I wanted to really enjoy this so much more because the story sounds so interesting and intriguing but along the way it felt a little flat and I lost some interest.

I have recommended this book to quite a few people. It was a really unique look inside a North Carolina tobacco town back when people thought cigarettes were good for their health. The story centers on Maddie whose mother drops her off at Maddie's father's sisters house, supposedly for the summer. What it turns out to be is permanent because Maddie's mama is the type of woman who needs a man to take care of her and Maddie's dad was recently killed in WWII. Maddie's aunt is the best seamstress in Bright Leaf and Maddie becomes her assistant. The author did an amazing job of including several characters who would have had to pretend to be something they were not, back in the day. It's just amazing how these big tobacco companies had everyone convinced smoking had health benefits and even worse is how they took advantage of the workers at their mills. An amazing book, one of the best I read in 2022.

The Tobacco Wives is a good historical novel based on the North Carolina Big Tobacco culture that supported the families. Set in 1946, the novel is told through the eyes of Maddie Sykes, a teenager who has been dropped off at her aunt's house and is helping her aunt sew the dresses and gowns for the wives of the tobacco executives. Maddie uncovers information about the health consequences of smoking tobacco, and the additional health issues of the workers, mostly female, who are in the factories for the enlisted men. A great cross-over novel for students. Myers's characters show the strong and weak side of knowing what to protect and what to reveal.

I liked this one but it wasn’t a standout in the crowded market, would recommend for fans of the Yellow Wife

In post WW2 North Carolina, tobacco reigns supreme. The negative effects aren't well known, and the executives live the lives of the privileged. When Maddie moves to town to help out with her aunt's sewing business, she gets a peek into this world. Once she becomes the lead seamstress, she learns more from the tobacco wives, including many of the health problems they can't quite explain.

The Tobacco Wives is definitely an interesting read. It's hard to imagine how much was held back from the public about the effects of tobacco in the 50s, considering growing up in the 80s, everything was already about how bad smoking could be for you. The premise in the book definitely hooks you in. Maddie's character was well written, and one can definitely sympathize with the positions she is put in--secrets, abandonment, health versus community sustainability, etc.

The Tobacco Wives was an interesting historical fiction story. Set in North Carolina in 1946, the story revolves around the tobacco industry and specifically the impact of cigarettes on the women in the story.
Maddie Sykes is a young girl whose father has died in the war. Her mother, being unable to take care of herself without a man, leaves Maddie with an aunt so that she can go find a husband. Maddie’s aunt is
the town seamstress, who designs and makes the gowns for the Tobacco Wives, the wives of the tobacco executives. There is a ball coming and Maddie’s aunt is very busy, so she brings Maddie, herself a future seamstress, as her helper. When Maddie’s aunt falls ill, it is up to Maddie to finish the gowns for these women.

As Maddie is allowed into the lives of the Tobacco Wives, she realizes that the very product that is funding the town and the glamorous lives of these women, is also the product that is causing irreparable harm to these women, their children, both born and unborn.

I enjoyed this book. I rooted for Maddie, and I was frustrated at some of the actions of the women in this book. But what I learned, and w The Tobacco Wives was an interesting historical fiction story. Set in North Carolina in 1946, the story revolves around the tobacco industry and specifically the impact of cigarettes on the women in the story.
Maddie Sykes is a young girl whose father has died in the war. Her mother, being unable to take care of herself without a man, leaves Maddie with an aunt so that she can go find a husband. Maddie’s aunt is

the town seamstress, who designs and makes the gowns for the Tobacco Wives, the wives of the tobacco executives. There is a ball coming and Maddie’s aunt is very busy, so she brings Maddie, herself a future seamstress, as her helper. When Maddie’s aunt falls ill, it is up to Maddie to finish the gowns for these women.

As Maddie is allowed into the lives of the Tobacco Wives, she realizes that the very product that is funding the town and the glamorous lives of these women, is also the product that is causing irreparable harm to these women, their children, both born and unborn.

I enjoyed this book. I rooted for Maddie, and I was frustrated at some of the actions of the women in this book. But what I learned, and what the author expressed well, is that things aren’t always black and white. And for women in 1946, so much of their survival depended on their husbands, and for this town in North Carolina, for the product that their husbands produced. There were decisions to be made and they didn’t all make the right decisions at the time. I really liked how this story unfolded, even as I was disappointed at times by the women in this book.

Thank you to #netgalley and #williammorrow for the advanced e-copy of #thetobaccowives.

Living near where this historical fiction novel takes place added to my interest. Well-paced and with great character development, this is a solid addition to historical fiction novels.