An enchanting novel brimming with poignancy, humour, enchantment and insight, this is a stunning debut. Imagine an Audrey Hepburn film in the present day…

It was a slim, grey volume entitled Elegance…

Louise Canova is at a crossroads in her life. Her marriage is faltering and the insecurities of adolescence have returned to haunt her. Browsing in a second-hand bookshop, she stumbles across a faded grey volume. Written by the formidable French fashion expert, Madame Genevieve Antoine Dariaux, Elegance is an encyclopedia of style. It promises to transform plain women into creatures of poise at all times. And from Accessories to Zippers, there is nothing that Madame Dariaux can’t advise upon – including inattentive husbands, false friends, and the powerful bond between mothers and daughters.

When Louise vows to follow Madame’s advice, her life is transformed in ways she never imagined. Within the book’s pages lie clues to her own past. And as she begins to unravel them, she discovers a courage she never dreamt possible.

However, everything, even elegance, has its price.

Starting with A and finishing with Z, Elegance is a unique journey of timeless fashion, true friendship, and the rare, unexpected gift of love.

Drawing from the best and top advice of Madame Dariaux, Louise embarks on a journey of self-discovery and transformation, proving that Elegance is more than just a fiction of the fashion world. As she navigates through the trials of her faltering marriage and personal insecurities, she finds that the bestseller book serves as a beacon, guiding her towards a newfound strength and poise.

For fans of Fiona Valpy (The Season of Dreams), Lucinda Riley (The Seven Sisters), Barbara Davis (The Wishing Tide), Jojo Moyes (The Giver of Stars), and Natalie Meg Evans (A Gown of Thorns).