Susan Meissner is an author who just keeps getting better and better with time. I have read many of her books and after finishing each one I think there is no way she could top this one—and then she does it again with her next book! This latest installment is truly a gem and I enjoyed savoring it in between my other books I was reading.

I didn’t want to devour this one in one sitting, instead I wanted to spread it out and enjoy the characters and the plot throughly. There is a lot in this novel to unpack and I think readers would enjoy savoring it more than rushing through—-but Meissner doesn’t make it easy with such a compelling plot.

If you haven’t read Susan Meissner’s novels this is one you do not want to miss but be prepared it’s an emotional read. It would be a great selection for book clubs too as there is a lot to discuss and this one would lend itself to some fun discussions.

Summary
April 18, 1906: A massive earthquake rocks San Francisco just before daybreak, igniting a devouring inferno. Lives are lost, lives are shattered, but some rise from the ashes forever changed.

Sophie Whalen is a young Irish immigrant so desperate to get out of a New York tenement that she answers a mail-order bride ad and agrees to marry a man she knows nothing about. San Francisco widower Martin Hocking proves to be as aloof as he is mesmerizingly handsome. Sophie quickly develops deep affection for Kat, Martin’s silent five-year-old daughter, but Martin’s odd behavior leaves her with the uneasy feeling that something about her newfound situation isn’t right.

Then one early-spring evening, a stranger at the door sets in motion a transforming chain of events. Sophie discovers hidden ties to two other women. The first, pretty and pregnant, is standing on her doorstep. The second is hundreds of miles away in the American Southwest, grieving the loss of everything she once loved.

The fates of these three women intertwine on the eve of the devastating earthquake, thrusting them onto a perilous journey that will test their resiliency and resolve and, ultimately, their belief that love can overcome fear.

From the acclaimed author of The Last Year of the War and As Bright as Heaven comes a gripping novel about the bonds of friendship and mother love, and the power of female solidarity. (summary from Goodreads)

Review
Besides the author’s name, the setting of this book was what drew me in. When I was a little girl, the earthquake of San Francisco fascinated me! My great great grandmother actually lived there during the earthquake. She was a wealthy woman and I can still remember sharing some of her diary entries about the earthquake with my history class when I was in elementary school. The elegance of San Francisco during that time period mixed with devastation of the earthquake offered a unique and exciting backdrop to this novel and personally stuck out in my mind as a must read.

This book had so much interesting historical detail and the descriptions that the author added were superb. I felt lost in the city and the history and often found myself leaving off the book to research some little bit of historic detail that I read. She did a marvelous job creating a believable setting full of interesting historic bits and that is what stands out to me about this book. While I loved the characters and the story, the setting and history stole my heart.

I enjoyed Sophie’s character and her voice. She was strong and brave with a memorable presence in the story. Yes she had some flaws but for me the flaws became more endearing rather than off putting. She became more real for me and I enjoyed her very much as the heroine. And her relationship with Kat was charming and I loved watching it grow in the pages. There were plenty of secrets to uncover in this book too, it was like the gift that keeps on giving with so much little secrets (Martin I am looking at you!) that would be revealed which made it hard for me to savor but I made it happen!

This book was more in the vein of women’s fiction than romance which is why I think it would make a great book club pick. If you love historical fiction rife with details and setting, this is the novel for you! I adored the writing, characters, and of course the setting. This is an exciting, beautiful novel that you do not want to miss. Check it out now you will not be disappointed.

Book Info and Rating
Hardcover, 384 pages

Expected publication: February 2nd 2021 by Berkley Books

ISBN0451492188 (ISBN13: 9780451492180)

Free review copy provided by publisher, Berkley in partnership with Tall Poppy Writers/Bloggers, in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own and in no way influenced.

Rating: 5 stars

Genre: historical fiction

It's 1905 and an Irish immigrant is hungry and cold. She lives in filth and works tirelessly, with little to show for her efforts. A personal ad catches her eye: a widower in California needs a wife and mother for his 6-year-old daughter. Is this Sophie's chance to get a warm bed, plenty of food, and a sense of home that she desperately missees?

I don't read too many books set at the turn of the century, though I have recently started reading some and have enjoyed them. I was drawn to The Nature of Fragile Things for two reasons:

One, it is set during the 1906 San Francisco earthquake. It was "the big one". I visited San Francisco several years ago and went to a streetcar museum and it had a section about the earthquake and I realized how little I knew about California history outside of the gold rush.

Two, it features a strong female protagonist. The other books that I have read and enjoyed that are set in a similar time period have all had strong female protagonists.

I immediately liked Sophie and was drawn to her plight. In earlier times, it wasn't usual for women to marry men that they barely knew, particularly if they wanted to go west. Not only did it take considerable financial resources, but unmarried females were rarely allowed on wagon trains. I know enough about the conditions many immigrants found themselves in New York, particularly the Irish, to not begrudge her the opportunity for a better life. Sophie is from the North so she is Protestant, but I assume she felt the same discrimination as the Catholic Irish. This is subtly noted when Sophie corrects others who assume she is Catholic.

The reader will realize early on that something isn't quite right in the Hocking household. It isn't just that the little girl Kat doesn't talk. Or that Martin is emotionally distant from Sophie. All that is easily explained - they are grieving the death of Kat's mother. It is other little things like Sophie doesn't know who Martin works for and then when he builds a "safe" in the boiler room to cure the hair tonic that he is helping his cousin sell. Sophie thought Martin had no family.

I will admit that I suspected something much more sinister from the bottles full of liquid that had to be protected from light and vibrations. I thought it was something like nitroglycerin, except that it needs to be kept from heat so the boiler room wouldn't have been ideal.

But what is revealed about Martin is much more tangled and heartbreaking.

I loved how the story was told. You have Sophie being interviewed by a U.S. Marshall months after the 1906 earthquake about what happened to her husband. Then we "flashback" with her as she tells her story to the deputy. These "flashbacks" don't feel like memories. I felt like I was walking right there beside Sophie as she lived it in realtime. I thought the story was really masterfully done as we are given snippets and then layer after layer is exposed as she is questioned about the truthfulness of her statement.

In some ways, The Nature of Fragile Things reminded me of Rebecca Rosenberg's Gold Digger: The Remarkable Baby Doe Tabor.

I really didn't want to put this book down. I had to take a break to read my book club book; otherwise, I think I would have read it in just a day or two. As it was, I read nearly half of it in one night. The Nature of Fragile Things is the perfect book for these long cold nights.

My review is published at Girl Who Reads - https://www.girl-who-reads.com/2021/02/the-nature-of-fragile-things-by-susan.html

4.5 Worth the Time Stars
* * * * 1/2 Spoiler Free
When I first discovered this book, I was intrigued with the idea of the great San Francisco Earthquake as the pivot point. Years ago I lived in the San Francisco Area and so I had experienced firsthand what those earthquakes felt like. No, they were not as bad as the major ones San Francisco has experienced, but the fear and concern was something you never forget.

So I started this early in the day and could not stop reading it.I was captured and a willing participant in my not being able to do anything else. I loved the way this story was structured, how you felt you were back in time, and the anticipation of what was to come...because we knew much was about to happen and it wasn't all having to do with the earthquake.

Oh, No...this book has so much more happening. I do not want to spoil anything about it, so all I will say is our women in this book are strong. They are each special. The story touched me and my eyes may have had a little dust in them, causing a tear or two.

This book is a gem and did I mention I read it in one sitting...a full day and into the night sitting but so worth it.

A gifted copy was provided by the Berkley Publishing Group via NetGalley for an honest review.

This was a wonderfully written story about the power and strength that one can have when motivated by love. This was not a romantic love story but more of a story about the love between a family, both blood relatives and those that we chose to be our family.

Sophie was an amazing figure of determination and her resolve to be Kat’s protector was evident from the very beginning. I thoroughly enjoyed the plot twists and the storyline.

When an Irish immigrant agrees to be a stranger’s mail-order bride she didn’t quite know what to expect of her new life with a handsome widower and his silent daughter. Just as Sophie began to feel settled into her new life, her world is blown apart when a heavily pregnant woman arrives at her doorstep and tells her a strange story, which will change both of their lives forever. While trying to piece together what this information means for her, Sophie’s San Francisco home is shaken by a massive earthquake that causes her to flee with her stepdaughter and new friend.

Susan Meissner’s latest novel paints a surprising and engrossing tale about a found family that was forged through tragedy. Readers will find themselves glued to the book as Meissner reveals each new plot twist that provides additional insight into the protagonist's mind.

We Americans know our country’s history, right? I mean, of course, we’ve at least heard about the great San Francisco earthquake of 1906…at least if you went to school when I did….I don’t know what they teach now! But, let’s assume you know that there was a horrible earthquake way back in the olden days. It was so long ago, so it doesn’t faze us. We don’t consider the enormity of it…that is until we read a novel, albeit fiction, which gives us an in-your-face look at this earthquake.

The Nature of Fragile Things does just that. It makes us care about the characters and throws them into this historical catastrophe.

We first meet Sophie as she is traveling west from New York City to marry a man she’s never met. She knows that he is a widower who needs a mother for his daughter, and Sophie is desperate to escape the appalling tenement in which she lives. If you have ever watched or read anything that realistically portrays the NYC tenements, you can’t blame her for wanting to escape. Surely nothing could be worse than her current situation. Though her situation is better, it is odder.

And the story begins. Once you pick this book up, you won’t put it down. The Nature of Fragile Things is perfectly paced with twists you won’t see coming. The earthquake hits, and the city is in utter chaos. Susan Meissner gives a richly detailed account (albeit a fictional account) things that happened during and after the earthquake, and you start remembering that the San Francisco earthquake was a real thing. It’s history to us; it was their reality. It wasn’t just the earthquake that was devastating; there were fires burning; people were injured with no place to go; people are homeless. It’s just overwhelming to think about. And the earthquake is only part of the story!

You’ve got to read this book for yourself to grasp just how amazing this novel is. It’s got unforgettable characters and an unforgettable story. It portrays women finding the strength to do more than they ever thought they could. Unexpected friendships are forged. I loved everything about The Nature of Fragile Things. I can’t say enough good things about this story. You’ll be mesmerized.

This book definitely didn’t end up being what I thought it would, but it was still very enjoyable and one I’d recommend to people who enjoy Kristin Hannah’s historical fiction writing. I expected a book mostly about the earthquake, although admittedly that would’ve been boring. I ended up with a great understanding of what America was like in 1906, how much the earthquake devastated San Francisco, and a mystery plot line about a sociopathic husband??? It was beautifully written, I just definitely wasn’t expecting the plot to go where it did! It ends up being more about murder, identity, and building your own family than it is about the earthquake! Still a great book.

This is my first time reading a book written by Susan Meissner and I am just in awe of her ability to make me feel as if I’m walking alongside these characters on their journey.

All I knew before starting this story was that it was centered around the events of the devastating earthquake and fires of San Francisco in 1906. I didn’t want, or need, to know anything more. I like knowing as little as possible before starting a story. Once again, this has paid off immensely as I was often surprised and caught off guard as this story unfolded.

This is such a remarkably beautiful journey of strength and devotion. I don’t want to spoil anything for anyone who goes in knowing next to nothing as I do, so I will only say how empowered I felt while reading this journey of such incredibly strong women.

It was powerful. Raw. Emotional. Insightful. Reflective. Hopeful. Informative.

If you enjoy non-WWII historical fiction that is plot driven, but with incredibly well developed characters and extremely atmospheric, I highly recommend giving this a read.

I will be reading anything and everything written by Meissner.

CW: Domestic violence, miscarriage

Thank you NetGalley and Berkeley for the review copy.

Is there a character you particularly admire? For me, that's long been Jo March, Anne Shirley, or Elizabeth Bennet, but I think I've found my newest in Sophie Whalen! Strong, brave, intelligent, and most of all, resilient, there is nothing that fazes this woman or knocks her down for long. She's quick on her feet, keeps a clear head under the most harrowing of circumstances, and has a good heart. No matter what hand she's dealt, she takes it all in stride, and all in her early 20s!

With such an incredible main character, it's no surprise that this was a book I couldn't put down! Sophie's story alone was inspiring, but I absolutely fell in love with Kat, and my heart went out to both Belinda and Candace. The friendship these women developed was so touching, and Meissner's masterful storytelling kept me hooked until the very last word. Her thorough research on the 1906 San Francisco Earthquake was evident, and I loved learning more about a part of history I had little knowledge of. This was my first Susan Meissner book, and it certainly won't be my last! I highly recommend picking this one up! Thank you so much to @berkleypub for my gifted copy, and to Berit for leading such a wonderful buddy read!

LOVED! An awesome historical fiction novel that I couldn't put down. Very compelling. I would definitely recommend to HF fans!

The Nature of Fragile Things is a captivating story about a young woman in New York City who answers an ad to become the wife of a man in California. Within a month she becomes his wife and step-mother to his five year old daughter. The year is 1906 and Sophie Whalen can’t believe her good fortune: a handsome and quiet man, a step-daughter she adores and a beautiful new home. She feels content and safe for the first time in a very long while.

But everyone has secrets. And those secrets soon become known. Add in the horrendous San Francisco earthquake and you’ve got the makings of a compelling novel that is quite the page turner! Once again, Susan Meissner has written a novel I didn’t want to end. Recommended to fans of Historical Fiction, stories about family and friendship, and Susan Meissner. 4.5 stars

I became a fan of Susan Meissner with As Bright as Heaven. Since then I have read most of her novels. I love historical fiction and Susan never disappoints me. Her strong female characters always amaze me. The Nature of Fragile Things is a story of a young Irish girl in the early 1900 desperate to escape life hardships. Shopie Whalen finds herself as a mail order bride. Her Heart aching to find love and a forever home Sophie Whalen will have to dig deep to find what she is looking for and to battle to keep it. Enjoyed it very much, with so much time and so many books to read in our times now, The Nature of Fragile Things was among the few I have finished. The book kept me interested, and smartly written that I forgot about many things and concentrated on Sophie Whalen, and Kitty Kat. Thanks for letting me meet Sophie.

Susan Meissner excels at detailed historical fiction, and this book is no exception. Intertwined in the story of Sophie Whalen and the mysterious, and dastardly, Martin Hocking is the lived experience of the people living in San Francisco in April, 1906. Though the characters are fictional, the details of this historical event are very real and added a nice layer to the mystery of the main story, who is Martin Hocking and what has he done with his wives?

𝔹𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗳: Suspenseful, emotional, and powerful, this story showcases the strength of female friendship along with the special bond of mothers and daughters.

𝕃𝗶𝗸𝗲𝘀: There really isn’t a dull moment in this heartfelt historical fiction. I so enjoyed the motherly love and female solidarity with twists and turns along the way.

𝕌𝘁𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆: It reminds us of the courage and strength we possess when love is our guide. A great story of triumph amidst disaster.

𝔼𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲: This is my first experience with Susan Meissner’s writing, and it’s a big thumbs up. Read it in a day - couldn’t put it down! Yep, gonna be picking up her other books.

The following review was posted on my blog (blogginboutbooks.com) on 02.03.21:

An Irish immigrant, Sophie Whalen will do anything to get out of New York City, where she lives in squalor in a crowded tenement building. She's even willing to move to far away San Francisco and marry a man she's never met. A handsome widower, Martin Hocking desires a living wife to give him a proper family man appearance in order to better sell insurance. His 5-year-old also needs a mother. Sophie steps in, figuring love or at least a warm friendship will eventually grow between her and her enigmatic new husband. Even though she's more interested in being a mom than anything else, Sophie's still confused by Martin's cool treatment of her. He's gone all the time, shows no desire for her physically, ignores his own daughter, and is always vague about his work. It's becoming increasingly obvious that Martin is hiding something, but what?

On the eve of the great earthquake that will bring San Francisco to its knees, Sophie receives a shocking visit from a stranger. The young pregnant woman bears more questions than answers, but it's enough to make Sophie desperate to get them all away before Martin returns home. When the unthinkable happens, she finds herself on the run in a crumbling city with a laboring mother and a terrified child. With chaos and destruction all around them, can the trio find safety from the earthquake, its devastating aftermath, and the terrible secret that binds them together? Will Sophie ever triumph in her ongoing quest for security, happiness, and love?

I'm a fan of historical fiction, disaster novels, and Susan Meissner, a tantalizing trifecta that comes together perfectly in The Nature of Fragile Things, the author's newest offering. I buzzed through this book in a day because it tells such a compelling, engrossing story. Even though the novel really isn't about the San Francisco earthquake, the disaster makes an intriguing, dramatic backdrop for this tale about a woman's plight to forge ahead despite her devastating past and uncertain future. Sophie is a sympathetic heroine, one who's brave, loyal, and determined. It's easy to root for her survival and success. What she discovers about her husband is not what I expected, but it creates a tense, suspenseful plot that kept me burning through the pages. The Nature of Fragile Things is an absorbing read that reminds me why I enjoy Meissner's work so much. I can't wait to see what she does next.

(Readalikes: Reminds me of The Stolen Marriage by Diane Chamberlain and of Surviving Savannah by Patti Callahan Henry)

Grade: B

If this were a movie, it would be rated: PG-13 for brief, mild language (no F-bombs), violence, blood/gore, mild sexual content, and disturbing subject matter

To the FTC, with love: I received an e-ARC of The Nature of Fragile Things from the generous folks at Penguin Random House via those at NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!

The Nature of Fragile Things is the mesmerizing, enchanting new novel from author Susan Meissner. A tale celebrating strong women, female friendships and the special bond between mothers and daughters, this charming book is the perfect companion to a hot cup of tea on a winter afternoon.

Sophie Whalen isn’t looking for love. But she is searching for a way out of her dead end life in a New York tenement, so when she sees an ad for a mail-order bride from a man looking for a mother for his daughter Kat, she responds. He replies and before she knows it, she’s on her way to San Francisco. Widower Martin Hocking is entrancingly handsome, with striking eyes and a calm, temperate, well-mannered demeanor which serves as a balm to all Sophie’s fears about wedding a stranger. They are married within hours of meeting and she immediately moves into his fine house in a lovely neighborhood. He leaves the next day on a business trip, a situation which could have been difficult for Sophie and Kat, who are complete strangers, but Sophie proves to be adept at motherhood and she and Kat quickly develop a strong relationship. The little girl, traumatized by her mother’s death, hasn’t been speaking, but she slowly begins to flower (and talk) under Sophie’s care. Things are a bit lonely – Martin spends most of his time on the road for his sales job and even when he is home he is cold and distant to them both – but Sophie slowly builds a life for herself and Kat in the city.

As the months pass, she grows curious about her husband’s oddities. He keeps his desk locked, has a mysterious safe in the basement she isn’t allowed to touch, and when Sophie meets his former landlady the woman tells some strange tales about him. It’s hard for Sophie to ask questions, though. She and Kat are happy together, and her new-found financial security makes it easy for her not to dig too deeply into the life of the man who provides it. Until a stranger shows up on the doorstep forcing her to realize everything she thought she knew was a lie.

Belinda Bigelow is a pregnant young woman whose husband allegedly left town to handle some business for Martin. He was supposed to be gone for only a brief time but it is days since Belinda has seen him and she’s concerned something has happened to him. Slowly, Belinda and Sophie begin to piece together a puzzle which has them both frightened and horrified, and which leads them to a dying woman in the American Southwest, someone who knows the final, shattering piece of the mystery which will change all of their lives forever.

I sat down to peruse a few pages of this tale and read straight through till I finished; I was completely riveted by the riddle the women were unraveling and how their lives were affected by it. Sophie is a fabulous heroine – warm hearted, clever, kind and resourceful. She is exactly whom you would want with you when your world was falling apart. The plucky, resilient Kat was amazing as well. Her father’s neglect has forced her to fend for herself and as a result, she’s wise and capable beyond her years. Belinda is young and naïve but so kindhearted and generous you can’t help loving her. I adored the way all three of our heroines learned that resilience and perseverance can lead you to a brighter, better tomorrow.

The story takes place in San Francisco, in the period surrounding the great earthquake. The author does a fantastic job with the history; she doesn’t do information dumps but instead allows everyday life and the massive events from that period to inform how her characters navigate their world.

Ms. Meissner also does a great job with the mystery. Parts of it I had suspected from the beginning, but other portions were a surprise. The focus of the story remains on our heroines and how what is happening impacts them, which was perfect. It also highlights how smart and capable Sophie is. She is far more than the has villain bargained for and it is a complete delight to watch her outwit them.

At the end of the novel, we learn something rather surprising about one of the heroines. It revolves around spousal abuse, although we are told about it rather than having it occur on page. Naturally, this sequence includes violence but it isn’t at all graphic. This segment isn’t gratuitous but is meant to establish the how and why behind some of the characters’ behaviors. The Nature of Fragile Things is a tale about surviving adversity and making the most of the opportunities life gives you, and it looks at the darker and lighter aspects of life equally.

If the story has a flaw – and I’m not sure I would really call it that – it is that after we’ve reached a resolution of the primary issues, we abruptly leave the characters even though there is still plenty of tale left to tell. We are given an epilogue which updates us on how each of them fare in the future, but I could have read at least another hundred pages and considered it time well spent.

That’s a quibble though and in no way impacts the perfection that is The Nature of Fragile Things. I would recommend it to anyone who enjoys women’s fiction novels featuring strong, quick witted heroines.

Thank you Netgalley and Berkley for an arc of The Nature of Fragile Things in exchange for an honest review.

It took me a little while to get into this book, but once I did, I was hooked. It may be the book that gets me back into reading more historical fiction.

I loved how Sophie's interview was interwoven with the rest of the story. It really kept me intrigued with what her future would bring. The book was so beautifully written. I could really see the relationship between Sophie and Kat, and later between them and the other women.

I loved how all of the female characters in this book were strong despite being duped by Martin or whatever name he went by. I loved the view into life in 1906 San Francisco prior to the earthquake. The Nature of Fragile Things also made me want to learn more about the earthquake and that time period which I think is always a great sign in books.

After reading the Nature of Fragile Things, I definitely want to read Susan Meissner's other books.

Meissner cleverly weaves a complex mystery into a story of family drama amid a disaster. The San Francisco earthquake is the backdrop to a tale of lies and deceit. It’s also the story of a young woman’s need to find security and a family.

It’s 1906 and the young Irish lass, Sophie Whalen, leaves the squalor of the New York City tenements for the opportunity to have a comfortable home and a little girl to care for on the other side of the country. She has answered an ad for a mail order wife and mother which leads to her marriage to a total stranger upon arriving in San Francisco.

The critical events surrounding Sophie’s new home in California centers on her with the little girl Kat who has been traumatized by the death of her mother. It’s also a tale of women bonding together as Sophie becomes friends with two other women who have connections to the family. All this happens amidst the turmoil of destruction when the earth shifts and houses tumble and even burn.

The women in the book are strong and resilient. Sophie’s husband Martin is the enigma who reveals himself slowly. But throughout the book questions also swirl around Sophie herself, as readers read snippets of her interview with the police. Interspersed between chapters of the plot are documentation of the police interrogation of the young wife and stepmother. These exchanges with the police set the stage for the mystery that unfolds.

Though the strength of the novel lies mainly in the characters, the setting of the earthquake, a dramatic event of epic proportions, could have been more fully explored. Instead, this is more a story of personal betrayal than a story of surviving a disaster. Meissner centers her book on the secrets, the lies, the connection between the women, and the importance of a nurturing relationship with a withdrawn child. The suspense is heightened by the policy inquiry which leads readers to wonder just why Sophie is under investigation.

Meissner has again written a compelling story with characters that are vivid. The plot moves swiftly and the suspense will capture reader’s interest. While not quite as strong as some of her other historical fiction, this one will still leave readers anxious to read this soon.

Soon after 22 year old Sophie adjusts to being a mail order bride to husband, Martin, and a mother to his young daughter, Kat, the 1906 San Francisco earthquake literally rocks their world to the core. Will they all survive, and what secrets will it uncover?

"It is the nature of fragile things to break... And just as it is the nature of men and women to build, it is also in our nature to begin again after disaster... I am not some delicate thing that has been broken too many times. I am strong, I am resilient."

This story was intriguing and suspenseful from the very first pages, and definitely grabbed my attention throughout. I loved the quick pacing and thought it read more like a mystery/thriller than a historical fiction novel. I've dubbed it a historical thriller hehe. Lastly, I also loved the cast of strong female characters and their blossoming friendship which soon ripened into a strong, familial bond.

The aftermath of the 45 second earthquake (and the ensuing fires) was horrendous, and my heart ached for the hundreds of thousands of people displaced by the catastrophic event.

From the Acknowledgements: "Starting just before daybreak on Wednesday, April 18... The first round lasted only a few breaths' time; the second, a terrifying forty-five seconds. The quake broke apart major water mains in the heart of San Francisco and burst open gas lines, which then started dozens of fires... Roughly five square miles of San Francisco burned over the next three days—five hundred city blocks. An estimated twenty-eight thousand buildings were destroyed and half the city's four hundred thousand inhabitants were made homeless. The official death toll in San Francisco from both the quake and the resulting fires is estimated to have exceeded three thousand people."

Location: San Francisco, California

I received an advance copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

Thanks #NetGalley @BerkleyPub #BerkleyBuddyReads for my complementary e arc of #TheNatureOfFragileThings upon my request. All opinions are my own.

Desperate to leave a deplorable situation in New York City, Sophie Whalen, a young Irish immigrant, agrees to become a mail-order bride. Sophie marries the handsome, but aloof, widower named Martin Hocking and becomes attached to his five-year-old daughter. Martin is away from home frequently. During one absence, a mysterious visitor knocks on Sophie’s door and from that moment on, their lives are intertwined. The great San Francisco earthquake of 1906 is just one of the traumatic events they will face together.

E A R T H Q U A K E !

If you live in an area of the country that is prone to earthquakes as I do, Meissner’s story will affect you on a personal and practical level. Where would you go when your house is falling down around you? How will you care for those in your care? Would you have the courage to live in a tent city as you watch beloved neighborhoods burn? Now imagine yourself in 1906…. Where are the first responders? Where is the fire department? The paramedics? Where is the Red Cross? How will you get fresh water? Blankets? Where can two women and a young girl sleep safely? Now imagine yourself giving birth in these circumstances! It wasn’t difficult for me to imagine myself in this earthquake!

I love a strong character! Sophie is compassionate, caring, loyal, brave, and determined. At this time in history, women didn’t have a great deal of resources when they found themselves victims of an earthquake or when mistreated or betrayed by a man. Even if mistreatment was reported, the police often sided with the men. Women learned to rely on themselves and the strength and wisdom of women around them. The Nature of Fragile Things explores the bonds of friendship and unconditional support between three women….each mistreated by Martin. Each woman is a complex character and strong in her own way; together they work a daring plan to save themselves.

The Nature of Fragile Things is a mix of genres: historical fiction/suspense/mystery/women’s fiction. I think this makes for an interesting and complex read! Historical facts about the San Francisco earthquake are well researched; we wonder where Martin is and what he’s up to through most of the story which adds some suspense; a detective questions Sophie throughout the story (in present day) and causes us to wonder if he will bring charges against her; we are concerned about the fate of Martin as a result of the earthquake; and we are presented with issues important to women.

The Nature of Fragile Things is a complex story and has some thoughtful and powerful themes including friendship, working together, trust, community, found family, survival, second chances, actions taken in desperation, moral ambiguity, and women in vulnerable circumstances.

Trigger Warnings/Content Consideration: brief reference to spousal abuse and miscarriage

Highly Recommended for fans of Susan Meissner’s, for readers who love a histfic genre mash up; for those who might be interested in reading about imagined lives experiencing the 1906 San Francisco earthquake, and for book clubs. If I were in book club, I would definitely want to discuss moral ambiguity.