Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review!! I really enjoyed this!

Thank you NetGalley for this arc in exchange for my honest review!

Mafia, Fashion, NY. What more could you ask for. This inside look in NY's 1980 fashion industry is funny at times, brutally honest at others and shows the hierarchy of it all and how the Mafia had control. This book captivated me and was hard to put down I really recommend this book and really enjoyed it!

I started reading this book because the premise sounded interesting. I had a really hard time getting into it. Ultimately I think that the story didn't really speak to me.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

This book was a fun ride through the fashion industry. I loved that it was based on true events. Hilarious at times.
Many thanks to Winthrop House Publishing and to Netgalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

I thought this story was interesting around the history with the mob and fashion. But found story just lacking to hold me.

“Seventh Avenue Undressed” by Marianne Thompson takes readers on a captivating journey through the glitz and glamour of New York City’s fashion scene during the tumultuous 1980s. Inspired by true events, this book provides an eye-opening look into the hidden partnership between the Mafia and the fashion industry, all from the unique perspective of women in fashion.

The story revolves around Cathy Callahan and her roommates, Heather and Julie, as they embark on their careers in the cutthroat world of fashion. Unbeknownst to Cathy, her dream job with a clothing manufacturer is tied to a notorious Mafioso, setting the stage for a thrilling tale of intrigue and danger.

One of the strengths of this book is its ability to seamlessly blend suspense with humor. The characters find themselves in increasingly precarious situations, from wiseguy shakedowns to the ominous presence of murder, yet they handle it all with a refreshing dose of street smarts and comic relief. The author’s skill in balancing these elements keeps the story engaging and entertaining throughout.

The portrayal of the 1980s fashion scene is vivid and immersive, complete with Studio 54 parties and summer shares in the Hamptons. Readers are treated to a behind-the-scenes glimpse of the industry’s excesses and eccentricities, making it a nostalgic trip down memory lane for some and a fascinating history lesson for others.

Cathy’s journey from a novice fashion enthusiast to a successful brand owner, gracing the cover of Vogue, adds depth to the narrative. Her resilience and determination in the face of Mafia interference serve as a source of inspiration, reminding us that even in the most challenging circumstances, one can thrive.

While “Seventh Avenue Undressed” offers a gripping storyline with well-drawn characters, some readers might find the plot a bit far-fetched at times. The Mob’s involvement in the fashion industry is a compelling premise, but it occasionally stretches the boundaries of believability.

In conclusion, Marianne Thompson’s “Seventh Avenue Undressed” is a must-read for anyone intrigued by the dark and glamorous underbelly of the fashion world. With a perfect blend of suspense, humor, and nostalgia, it offers a fresh perspective on a fascinating era in New York City’s history. While it may occasionally test the limits of plausibility, it ultimately delivers an entertaining and thought-provoking experience. So, put on your favorite vintage outfit, grab a copy, and get ready for a rollercoaster ride through the mob-controlled fashion industry of the 1980s.

"Seventh Avenue Undressed" offers readers a tantalizing glimpse into the fascinating and perilous world of New York's fashion industry during the 1980s. Based on real events and insider experiences, Marianne Thompson weaves a suspenseful narrative that combines intrigue, humor, and the dark underbelly of the industry.

At its core, this novel revolves around the lives of Cathy Callahan and her roommates, Heather and Julie, as they embark on their careers in the fashion world. Little do they know that the Mafia has a significant stake in Seventh Avenue, and their journeys will be fraught with danger, secrets, and unexpected alliances.

One of the strengths of "Seventh Avenue Undressed" is its ability to shed light on a lesser-known aspect of the fashion industry. Thompson's storytelling is both informative and entertaining, drawing readers into a world of glamour, ambition, and the ominous presence of organized crime. The blend of suspense and humor adds depth to the narrative, making it a captivating read from start to finish.

The characters are well-drawn and relatable, with Cathy, Heather, and Julie each bringing their unique perspectives to the story. As they navigate the challenges of their careers and the ever-present threat of the Mob, readers will find themselves rooting for these strong, resilient women.

Thompson's writing is engaging and evocative, transporting readers to the vibrant streets of New York City and the glitzy parties of Studio 54. The descriptions of fashion, from Cathy's brand of eveningwear to the iconic styles of the era, add color and authenticity to the narrative.

In "Seventh Avenue Undressed," Marianne Thompson delivers a thrilling and eye-opening tale of ambition, friendship, and the unexpected obstacles that come with success in the fashion world. This novel is a must-read for anyone interested in fashion, history, and the hidden stories behind the glamourous façade of Seventh Avenue.

I enjoyed reading this book as a time capsule from when I first lived and worked in New York City in the 1970's & 80's. I attended Fashion Institute of Technology and one of my first jobs in the garment center was a fit model for moderate priced womenswear. I also worked for Macy's Product Development and recently ended my career after 25 years at Tommy Hilfiger as a technical designer. It was fun to read about Maxwell's Plum, where I had my first date in NYC! I had never been to Studio 54, but read all about it in Womens Wear Daily. And I was so excited to see Bill Blass walk out of 550 Seventh Ave once!
I was aware of the mob influence in the fashion industry and "Seventh Avenue Undressed" is a catchy title, however I think it is a little misleading because the book reads more like a romance novel than an expose on organized crime, but it is a fun read!

I really enjoyed reading about the fashion industry in the 80s, and learning so much about the Mob influence/stronghold that was rampant at the time. I had no idea about any of this! The story is interesting and although Cathy seems both incredibly naive yet arrogant, I was invested in her story.

The writing was distracting to me. The pacing was really off; there was so much explaining within dialogue, so often summarizing instead of painting us a verbal picture, and a lot of chaotic conversations.

Overall, not terrible, and has lead me to want to learn more about the subject!

{This ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.}

Inspired by true events, "Seventh Avenue Undressed" is a suspenseful, provocative, and often hilarious bare-all on New York’s Mob controlled fashion industry during the 1980s. This revealing exposé, based on industry insiders' experiences and common scenarios that took place between clothing manufacturers and the Mafia, is a story never-before-told from the perspective of women in fashion.

What a fun, almost tongue in cheek, take on the fashion industry in the 80s. I loved the three different views from the women and their separate encounters with rhe mob. As thos book was based on "actual events" it really pulls you into the story. It's a fun, easy read, that will keep you entertained throughout.

Thank you to @netgalley and winthrophousepublishing for letting me review this book.

I studied textiles in college but didn't learn a lot about the history of fashion, much less the history of fashion in NYC. To me, this book was very propulsive and I enjoyed learning about the mafia's hand in the building of NYC's fashion empire.

I know nothing about the NY fashion industry except for the occasional documentary piece on Anna Wintour. In this book, I learned so much about fashion terms and how pieces are created (lattice trims, Thompson's novel was an eye-opening Roman à clef about the way the mob had their hand in the fashion industry (in the book, a character explains that fashion houses often fall prey to the mafia when the houses can not pay their mortgages or loans, Thompson even connects this to the infamous Studio 54 and Steve Rubell, and we know how real life turned out for Rubell.

In "Seventh Venue Undressed," the young women are strong, forceful, and amusing. I was interested in how they would deal with all these men trying to get in their way of success. Thompson does a good job of creating the plot and making us interested in how each plot strand will resolve. This is a fun summer book. It's definitely the definition of a wonderful summer novel.

Seventh Avenue Undressed is disappointing. I like the premise, but found it juvenile in its writing and story. I stopped reading after two chapters, not seeing the point of reading further. Marianne Thompson suggests her main character, Cathy, would take a job without researching the company. Noticing men in fedoras and kissing on both cheeks, Cathy jumps to the conclusion they are mafia characters, which is at best, narrow-minded and at worst, prejudice. Based on what she sees, she asks around and confirms the company is owned by the mob. Cathy’s naïveté makes her sound like she just fell off the farm.
Thompson misuses strange idioms and word choices.
Don’t waste your time.

This wasn't a book for me - however, I did persevere with it until the end.
Since completing my review - the author reached out to me asking that I amend it. My original review stated that the story seemed far-fetched - but she assures me is a true recount of her time on seventh avenue. Perhaps I should have been clearer - the story itself did seem far-fetched - as a reader who has not experienced this world and the only insight has been movies and the media - then it did seem that some of the incidents were unbelievable - but the author has stated that they were real.

I have not had the opportunity to really understand how deeply mired the Mafia was in the world of fashion and the garment district during the 1970's. It was clearly evident by the author's telling of such deals made in Italian restaurants, the action that took place in such locations like the Gemini Lounge and the complete monopoly that they had over the trucking industry (i.e. organized crime), that these stories arose from personal experience. I can see why people such ad Cathy and Sean became so indebted that the Mob would assume control over a company. They were everywhere. Luckily Cathy had Matt and her roommates to provide her the emotional support she needed. I was proud that she had such a strong backbone to go to the FBI. This book is absolutely fascinating and I certainly would read it again.

I liked this book. Having worked in fashion about six years after this book, I found it real. My only complaint about this book is that it seemed choppy. I had to continuously check to see whose story I was reading. The characters were relatable but not fully developed. Regardless, I would still recommend this book. It was entertaining.

As someone whose background centers not only in the boo pm world, but the fashion world as well I just knew I wanted to check this book out! I never knew the Mafia factored into the fashion industry so much!I found this book to be very interesting and informative.

A thoroughly entertaining, fast paced story about the Mafia’s reign in New York’s Fashion Industry during the 1980’s along with an interesting insiders’ view on how the industry operates. I was hooked from the first chapter to the last as the characters deal with frightening mobsters and then escape by exploring the nightlife in Manhattan and summer shares in the Hamptons. A funny, suspenseful, thoroughly engaging story. I couldn’t put down!

Interesting story about how the mafia is embedded in the fashion industry and one woman’s fight to stay away from them. Story has a couple of spots that lagged a bit and a couple of spots where I got lost as she was bragging about her exploits and visits to the clubs popular at the time. Overall, a lot of name dropping and stories of how the mob was brought down.