The Nature of Fragile Things is set around the 1906 earthquake in San Fransisco. Sophie has traveled from the east coast to the west coast to marry Martin and be a mother to Kat. As Sophie learns more about her husband she realizes that things are not quite as she expected. She works to unravel the mystery surrounding Martin. Sophie understands that she is not only fighting for her well being but also that of Kat and the other’s that Martin has deceived.

Susan Meissner is a must-read author for anyone who loves historical fiction. She takes a time from long ago and uses her talent to bring the story to life. She tells how the characters live their lives, what they see, what they do, and how they do it. As I read the story, I can picture the house that Sophie lives in with Martin, I can hear her voice as she becomes a mother to Kat, and I can feel her fear as the life she thinks she has finally achieved is threatened.

I recommend picking up your own copy of The Nature of Fragile Things by Susan Meissner. This book tells an amazing historical fiction story.

ALL. THE. STARS. Susan Meissner completely swept me up with her exceptional storytelling, transporting me to San Francisco 1906 and into the lives of these characters. Sophie is an Irish immigrant who travels to San Francisco as a mail order bride. When Sophie meets Martin she is attracted to his luxe but not certain about his personality. His daughter Cat however completely captures Sophie‘s heart. As the bond between Sophie and Cat grows martin becomes more and more shady. Then one night a young pregnant woman shows up at Sophie‘s door and confirms Sophie‘s suspicions that she doesn’t know the man she married at all. The next day the earthquake strikes and the women find their lives even more deeply intwined. What follows is such a captivating tale of survival, family, Secrets, and love.

This is a historical fiction book that will appeal to absolutely everyone. It was the perfect blend of historical fiction, mystery, and family drama. I absolutely fell in love with all these characters and was sad to say goodbye to them at the end of the story. The earthquake was so vividly described I almost thought I felt the earth shake. As a Californian I was surprised at how little I really knew about this historical Quake. It also made me realize how much better our infrastructure is now than it was then. I truly cannot say enough good things about this book! I strongly encourage everyone to read it!

This book in emojis 🚂 💍 👩‍👧 ⛺️ 🍑

*** Big thank you to Berkley for my gifted copy of this book. All opinions are my own. ***

In March 1905, Sophie Whalen is standing on the deck of a ferry looking at San Francisco. She left the crowded and filthy tenements of New York six days ago and at the end of her journey she will marry Martin Hocking, a man she’s never met. A widower, Martin placed an ad in the newspaper looking for a new wife as well as a new mother for his five-year-old daughter, Kat. Sophie, desperate for a new beginning far away from New York, answered his ad. Now, she is close to what she wants-a warm home with plenty to eat and clean clothes to wear.
Sophie is to meet Martin at the docks. Her first glimpse of Martin confirms what Sophie has realized from his photograph-Martin Hocking is striking man. Sophie’s doubts about her impending marriage return. Why does a man like Martin want a mail-order bride? He’s a man of means-not wealthy, but comfortable. From his looks, he would be able to attract his choice of well-bred women in San Francisco or anywhere along the West Coast. Why did he want someone from the East Coast? Why an Irish immigrant fresh from the poverty of New York? Sophie concludes Martin wants someone who won’t make demands or have high expectations from this marriage.
One year into her marriage, Sophie has settled into her new life, which centers around Kat. Sophie, taken with Kat since their first meeting, has grown to love the little girl. Even though her life with Martin still seems off, Sophie continues to ignore the doubts she can’t quite silence. One evening, while Martin is away, a pregnant woman shows up on Sophie’s doorstep and the life Sophie thought she had crashes down around her and Kat. The next morning, the women and Kat are forced into the streets when the 1906 San Francisco earthquake and resulting fires lay waste to much of the city. Sophie is forced to begin again. But this beginning threatens to circle back around to her past, exposing the secret she’s never told anyone.
Recommendation
The Nature of Fragile Things starts on November 6, 1906, in San Francisco, months after the 1906 earthquake and subsequent fires. The main character, Sophie Hocking, is being interviewed by U.S. Marshal Ambrose Logan. The interview takes place in various chapters throughout the book and deepen the mystery of Sophie Hocking. The historical detail immerses the reader into Sophie’s world in Ireland, the New York tenements, and finally San Francisco. Meissner’s writing makes it almost impossible to put the book down. I stayed up late the second night because I needed to know how the novel ended before I could even try to go to sleep. Highly recommended.

Thank you @uplitreads and @berkleypublishing for the gifted finished copy.

Oh. My. God. If you are a historical fiction fan, go out and read this now. Go. I'll wait.

I got sucked in at the beginning and said out loud several times "THIS BOOK IS SO GOOD".

The writing was beautiful, the time period (San Fransisco earthquake 1906) was new and interesting, the characters were well developed. And the mystery...what is Martin hiding, what is he putting in the boiler room, who is Belinda, etc etc....(don't want to ruin things)....everything is tied so perfectly together and explained so well.

Excellent book - my favorite of the month and I'm sure will be one of my top reads in 2021.

Thank you Uplit Reads, Berkley, and Susan Meissner for my gifted copy of The Nature of Fragile Things in exchange for my honest review.

Set before, during and after the massive 1906 San Francisco earthquake, The Nature of Fragile Things tells the story of Sophie Whalen, an Irish immigrant, who moves to San Francisco as a mail-order bride to a widower with a small child. Sophie and her new husband, Martin both have secrets to hide but everything may be forced out in the open when a pregnant woman comes to their home asking about her husband.

What I liked: At it’s heart, this book is about the power of female friendship and a mother’s (biological or not) love for their child. The way the women in the story rally and support each other is nice to see when a lot of books pit female characters against each other.

This book reads very suspenseful and I was immediately distrustful of the narrator, Sophie. Honestly, I didn’t like her and thought she was lying to the reader for 90% of the book. Meissner did a great job of building distrust and suspense with the reader and then providing some twists at the end.

What didn’t work for me: I think this book is miscategorized as historical fiction. Yes, it takes place in the past but the historical element and earthquake are such a small part of the story that I think the book could have been set in any time period/natural disaster. The book would be better classified as mystery/suspense.

The pacing is on the slow side but the book is relatively short and while I personally don’t like epilogues, I think most readers will enjoy the tie-in.

Who should read it: Mystery, suspense and thriller fans will enjoy a slightly unreliable narrator, the twists and the fear that something could or will happen to the main characters.

📚Book Review!
On sale today! Feb 2nd, 2021
The Nature of Fragile Things
By: Susan Meissner
@soozmeissner

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫(5)

📖A huge thank you to @netgalley and @berkleypub for my advanced review copy!

📖 I very much enjoyed this book, and would definitely recommend! It is the perfect blend of historical fiction and suspense!

📖 A fascinating chain of events about a young woman named Sophie. Her journey from Ireland to America. Then from NY to San Francisco where she agrees to marry a widowed man and care for his young daughter. She has buried secrets from her past, and she is about to enter a new married life with more shreds of unknown lies and deceit then she realizes.

📖Something is quite off about her new husband, and the strange woman at her door on the night before the earthquake only provides more questions about him and his lies.

📖 When the San Francisco Earthquake hits the next morning, the world around her crumbles—as do her emotions. Sophie must flee trusting no one but her newly appointed young daughter and the mysterious arrival of this woman — Belinda.

📖 The unexpected friendships and family she comes to admire and depend on in order to protect the child she has come to love as her own, will be sure to etch a place in your heart.

📖 A fulfilling novel about love, dedication, friendships and motherhood. About picking up the pieces in order to rebuild. My heart is full. ❤️

📖 On sale today! Be sure to pick up a copy at your favorite book spot!

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4.5 STARS

I grabbed this one on a whim because I read the blurb and was drawn to it. I'm glad I did!

I don't know much about the early 20th century but I did know about the big earthquake in San Francisco in 1906. This story follows a hopeful Sophie, an Irish immigrant who comes to California to flee poverty in New York to marry a man she hasn't even met yet.

Every step toward the ramp to the pier is taking me farther away from who I am and closer to who I am going to be. 

The author leaves bread crumbs every couple of chapters that keep you completely engaged and immersed in the story and builds up the anticipation for the other shoe to drop. What I didn't expect was the suspenseful plot. I just couldn't stop reading.

I loved Sophie who was so smart and planned five steps ahead to stay on top of her polygamous husband and whose love for her stepdaughter was very moving and sweet. Her courage in the face of the tragedy of the earthquake and her clearheaded actions I admired so much. She was wise beyond her 22 years.

When people are thrown into an abyss and together find their way out of it, they are not the same people. They are bound to each other ever after, linked together at the core of who they are because it was together that they escaped a terrible fate. 

This turned out to be quite a page turner. The historical facts are sparse and not overwhelming but enough to set the scene and makes the story come alive. The authors descriptions make the story vivid and I didn't feel like only an observer but someone seeing, feeling, smelling, tasting the ash, fire and devastation in the middle of the tragedy. Furthermore, it's so bizarre to see how easy identity theft was before the internet connected the world. This is a story about friendship found in unexpected places, the resilience of humans and new beginnings. I'll definitely read more from this Susan Meissner, who has an amazing storytelling gift!

Martin was wrong about me. I wasn't running when I married him. I was making something new. Starting over. Beginning again.

I'm a sucker for historical fiction and while the market is inundated with WWII historical fiction books, I tend to find myself wanting something different from time to time.

Well, The Nature of Fragile Things fit that bill perfectly. This book centers around a young Irish immigrant in the early 1900's, who is desperate to hide her past and escape her new, less than desirable life in New York. She answers an advert for essentially a mail-ordered bride and moves to San Francisco to join her new husband and step daughter.

Over time, she develops a deep love for the child and comes to terms that her marriage will never be one filled with love as her new husband is quite standoffish and travels a lot for work.

Then a knock at the door changes everything she thought she knew about her husband. Before she can figure out to handle the new information, the San Francisco earthquake of 1906 hits, devasting block after block of homes and businesses, leaving thousands destitute.

This book was everything I wanted in a historical fiction novel. It had enduring characters, a unique plot about a time in history I didn't know about, and was filled with suspense and drama that kept me hooked.

If you love historical fiction, add this one to your TBR. You definitely won't regret it.

5/5⭐️

Susan Meissner is known for writing compelling historical fiction. She has written about war, plagues, 9/11, and now the San Francisco earthquake of 1906. Her character-driven novels will keep you turning the pages to find out what could possibly happen to your characters next.

Sophie Whalen is an Irish immigrant who answers a personal ad to escape her life in New York City. She agrees to marry a man in San Francisco and care for his young daughter, Kat. Martin Hocking is a recent widower and businessman who needs to keep up the appearance of happy home life. Or that’s what he tells Sophie. Sophie can’t believe her luck at living in a beautiful home with a daughter who she quickly falls in love with. She doesn’t care that she and Martin haven’t made any romantic connections. She had no illusions that falling in love would be the case.

I don’t think love is something you can start and stop by choosing. Our hearts tell us who we will love, and not the other way.
Susan Meissner ~ THE NATURE OF FRAGILE THINGS

One night a woman named Belinda knocks on Sophie’s door and her world is turned upside down. In the space of trying to deal with the news, the earthquake happens and nothing will ever be the same for Sophie, Kat, or Belinda.

It is the nature of the earth to shift. It is the nature of fragile things to break. It is the nature of fire to burn.
Susan Meissner ~ THE NATURE OF FRAGILE THINGS

The story is told from Sophie’s point of view but intermixed with interviews with a US Marshal after the earthquake. So, even though you are being introduced to Sophie and her new life in San Francisco, you know that something bad is looming and more than just the earthquake.

The story was pretty fast-paced for a historical fiction novel. The characters were the main focus and even once the earthquake hit, that was also the case. There was some description of the fires and the people fleeing and living in the Golden Gate Park. But, since Sophie told the story and didn’t go many places and only knew what other people or the newspapers reported about the earthquake, the reader also knew very little. If you want a deep dive into the San Francisco earthquake of 1906, this isn’t the book for you. The characters and their stories were the focus here.

Once Belinda entered the story, the pace really picked up for me and I read late into the night on two nights to finish because I had to know how this was all going to play out for Sophie. The reader does get the full story and there isn’t anything left unsaid. There is a nice twist in the epilogue which I loved.

Fans of historical fiction with a bit of a mystery will love this newest release from Meissner. Readers will be rooting for Sophie all the way through. Even when secrets are revealed, you can’t bear to see Sophie suffer. Meissner introduces her characters and gets the reader to care about them. She keeps hope alive for the reader so we continue to root for them all the way to the end.

It was harrowing to read this story of secrets, loss and tragedy against the landscape of our own terrible 2020. It's the type of story that engages you in comparison as you witness a beautifully researched glimpse into true hardship. But the tenacity of spirit, the promise of love and the heart-saving reality of friendship underscore a novel evocatively written and seared with suspense and twists. A masterful historical work that proves yet again why Meissner is always on top of the historical fiction game.



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📚 𝐁𝐎𝐎𝐊 / 𝐑𝐄𝐕𝐈𝐄𝗪 📚⁣
⁣
Title: #TheNatureOfFragileThings
Author: @soozmeissner
Publisher: @berkleypub
Pub Date: 2/2/21⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣
Type: #FinishedCopy #Hardback
Genre: #HistoricalFiction
On Tour: @uplitreads
Must Read Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⁣⭐⁣⁣💫

My thoughts:

At it's core, this book was just fantastic. I had no idea what this was about and it exceeded all of my expectations. I love that this was not your typical historical fiction book ... in fact, I felt it leaned more towards a #mystery/#thriller which I LOVED. Two of my favorite genres blended together seamlessly into a tantalizing read? YES PLEASE!

Susan is a magical author and everything I pick up by her gets better and better. I truly loved the characters in this book (except for "Martin" ... I won't give away any spoilers, but literally what a horrific person!), especially Sophie. Her character was complex, full of flaws, but genuinely caring and nurturing. She was running from a haunting past and wanted nothing more than to be a mother, so when the opportunity presented itself, emotion took over and the beginning of a beautiful relationship with her "daughter" Kat began.

The ending of this book is something to behold and it was a very special moment for one of the characters. Everything fell nice and neatly into place and I really appreciated how it all came together. This book is a treasure and one I'll definitely be recommending to many!

What a lovely and unexpected book. Historical fiction is my favorite genre. I've posted a longer review on my book blog. I will put the link below. The cover is gorgeous and I wish i had the physical book!

I am so thankful that @uplitreads and @soozmeissner selected me to receive a free copy of this book in exchange for a review. I was not familiar with this author and may not have discovered her otherwise.

This book was a story of friendship and chosen family more than anything else. Yes it was set during the horrific San Francisco earthquake and fires in 1906, but that was not the crux of the story. As I read about these three women, all from very different backgrounds, coming together to help one another heal – it could have been anywhere.

The power of coming together is what I will remember about this story. That from our pain, we take on a different evolution of one’s self that we may have never imagined – but that is not always a bad thing. That if we spent less time focusing on our differences and why we ought to have problems with someone, we might realize we have more in common than apart. And that those differences are a gift that we can learn and grow from.

There were a number of quotes and passages that I underlined and wanted to share:

“don’t borrow tomorrow’s burdens…” (SLOANE anxious soul and mind – please remember this); and,

“It is the nature of the earth to shift. It is the nature of fragile things to break. It is the nature of fire to burn…. And just as it is the nature of men and women to build.. it is also in our nature to begin again after disaster.” (SO true - it will seem hard, but you just need to put one foot in front of another until it gets easier – SLOANE drag your feet if you have to – just keep moving).

This book will tug on your heart strings and inspire you to make a difference in the life of a stranger. It really drove home unity and if there was ever a time to highlight such a concept, it is now.

This beautiful story is being published tomorrow (Feb 2) and I urge you to pick up a copy.

Rich, tortuous, and absorbing!

The Nature of Fragile Things is a captivating, mysterious tale set during 1906 that takes you into the life of Sophie Whalen, a young, Irish Immigrant who after answering a newspaper ad for a bride travels from New York to San Francisco to become the wife of widower Martin Hocking and the mother to his five-year-old daughter Kat. But things aren’t as straightforward as they first appeared, and as an earthquake destroys the very foundation of the city and fires rage for days, malicious actions will be hidden, long-buried secrets will finally be uncovered, and unexpected, unbreakable friendships will be forged.

The prose is vivid and expressive. The characters are brave, resourceful, and dependable. And the plot is an enigmatic tale full of twists, turns, surprises, deception, betrayal, danger, family, friendship, life, loss, heartbreak, bigotry, and survival.

Overall, The Nature of Fragile Things is a skillfully crafted, perfectly plotted tale by Meissner that highlights once again her ability to write immersive, atmospheric, beautifully written novels that are moving and unforgettable.

TW: violence, earthquake and sexual assault

Friends, I LOVED this book!! I flew through this book and didn’t want it to end! The characters were amazing, the setting is described so well and I enjoyed seeing the story unfold. 💙

If you love historical fiction or want to start reading historical fiction, I would highly recommend this book! 👏🏻👏🏻

The main character Sophie was so brave, strong and caring! I loved her relationship with her step daughter Kat. This book had many twists and turns and I didn’t know what Sophie and Kat were going to do next!

This book is set in California between 1906-1910. Think, gold rush, horse and buggies and trains across the country.

Now I’m going to read more Susan Meissner books⭐️

The Nature of Fragile Things by Susan Meissner transports readers to San Francisco, California in 1905 where Sophie Whalen has agreed to marry Martin Hocking. Sophie was living in New York after immigrating from Ireland when she saw Martin’s advertisement for a bride and mother for his daughter, Kat. They marry the day Sophie arrives in San Francisco, and she quickly adjusts to her new role. Martin travels for work leaving Kat and Sophie alone. One April evening, Sophie is surprised by the visitor. This woman sets in motion a chain of events that will change their lives and that of another woman with a connection to them. The next morning a devastating earthquake hits the San Francisco area forcing the women to flee. The Nature of Fragile Things is a well-written and crafted historical novel. The authors descriptive writings captured the time-period and events. She really captured the earthquake and its devastation with her word imagery. I could visualize the scenes and what our characters were experiencing. I could tell that Susan Meissner did her research for this book. The characters were developed and at the heart of the story. It was fascinating how it all tied together with the amazing “oh my goodness” moment near the end. I especially appreciated the epilogue that nicely wrapped up this fascinating tale. I do not want to say too much and ruin this captivating story for you. I have read all of Susan Meissner’s novels and I found this one better yet different from her other books (such as Lady in Waiting). The Nature of Fragile Things has secrets, love, lies, loss, friendships, betrayal, a mother’s love, and justice. Now we must wait another year for Susan Meissner’s next novel (sigh).

Are you in the mood for a novel that will keep you guessing, glued to the pages, and make you fall in love with the characters all while telling a completely absorbing story that involves the San Francisco earthquake of 1906? You're in luck then with this extremely well-written piece of historical fiction by an author whose work I have not read before.

I could not put this down even for a minute today and read it in a single setting. I loved meeting Sophie Whalen Hocking who traveled from New York to San Francisco to meet and marry widower Martin Hocking and to raise his 5-year-old daughter, Kat. Even though they don't grow into a love match, Sophie is pleased with her new life and loves the little girl. There are hints, however, that Marin is not exactly the man he claims to be and also that there are some secrets in Sophie's past that she prefers to keep hidden. Right before the terrible events centered on the destruction of the city during the earthquake and resultant fires, Sophie meets a woman who completely shatters the newfound contentment she has experienced as wife and mother. There is more to come as shocking information brings further revelation about Martin Hocking -- none of it good. NO SPOILERS.

Don't you love a good story that brings on all the feels and concludes with satisfaction that everyone ended up where they were meant to be? Every once in awhile I take a break from the chiller, thriller, killer genre and seek out some happy story of resiliency and triumph and this is indeed that novel. There is mystery, there is love, there is loss and recovery. Something new from the ashes. I loved this and trust you will as well. The perfect story for me on just the right day means I'm giving this 4.5 stars that I'm going to round up because it really hit the spot today.

Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for this e-book ARC to read, review, and recommend to any fans of -- dare I say -- a happy tale of love and female friendship.

The Nature of Fragile Things combines historical fiction, mystery and strong bonds of friendship into a great story. Sophie is a young women struggling in NY that answers an ad for a man looking for a wife and someone to care for his young daughter. The premise is that his wife just died and he travels a lot for business and wants a “wife” to introduce to clients. Sophie accepts the offer and moves to San Francisco to marry him as soon as she arrives. A little time after being there she begins to question what her husband really does for a living and then her world unravels when a pregnant lady shows up on her door step the night before the earthquake. It is a highly enjoyable read and the mystery builds throughout the story.

Thank you Netgalley and William Morrow Books for a copy in exchange for an honest review.

I don’t read a ton of historical fiction but this book synopsis grabbed my interest immediately. I love that it is centered around the San Francisco earthquake of 1906. That’s such a unique element of this book and it's a time period I haven't seen in other historical fiction books.

The author did an amazing job of describing everything about that time in such beautiful detail. I could vividly picture the clothing, the homes, the city of San Francisco... Meissner has such a way with descriptive language that I was transported to 1906 San Francisco yet the story was never bogged down in too much detail.

I would say that this book would be better classified as a historical thriller. It’s full of twists and turns and I read it in a day. The story completely hooked me right away and there was the perfect balance of information and mystery. We know things aren't exactly as they seem but we don't exactly know why and I didn't even hazard a guess. Normally, I would be thinking of every possible plot twist. This story had me so engrossed that I didn't even stop to think about it. I just flew through the pages.

I would also say that this story is about love and there are so many heartwarming and beautiful moments throughout that were so touching. Sophie's love for Kat was so powerful. The way Sophie mothered Kat and spoke to her was amazing and I really enjoyed their interactions. I found Sophie's character to be brave, strong, intelligent and resilient. I couldn't help but fall in love with her and wish the best for her. We see the worst of people in this book but we also see the best of people.

The epilogue was absolute perfection. It wrapped up the story in the most perfect way and I finished the book feeling content with the closure. I don't want to say too much but the epilogue completely solidified my love for this story.

I absolutely LOVED this book and it is definitely a 5 star read for me. Fans of historical fiction will enjoy this but I think it's a great book for people like me who might shy away from historical fiction in the worries that it will be too long or dry. This book is written like a thriller with many historical fiction elements wrapped up together. I would highly recommend this book as an addition to your TBR.

Thank you to Uplit Reads and Berkley Books for this copy in exchange for my honest review.

Susan Meissner is an author I have come to enjoy as they typically have a historical setting and strong female characters which creates a winning combination. Her newest novel, The Nature of Fragile Things, is set in San Francisco and includes the famous 1906 earthquake which decimated the city. Beyond the physical destruction of the city, the earthquake figures prominently in the story as it impacts how the main characters choose to deal with other situations they face.

Main character Sophie, an Irish immigrant, travels west as a "mail order" bride for a widowed man and mother to a five year old, selectively mute girl, Kat. Sophie and Kat hit it off but Sophie is a bit baffled by her new husband who travels extensively for work. Sophie soon discovers everything is not as it seems as Mr. Hocking is not forthright with Sophie or others. However, readers later find that Sophie has some secrets of her own. Throughout the book, Meissner uses flash forwards which depict main character, Sophie, being interviewed by a federal investigator. These scenes culminate later in the book when the truth comes out about both individuals. In addition to Sophie and Kat, there are two other strong female characters with prominent roles in the book as well. All three adult women demonstrate the strength that someone can muster in a devastating situation when needed.

The Nature of Fragile Things is not a warm, fuzzy story but does have a satisfying conclusion. Readers will want to add this to their reading list.

I received a complementary copy of The Nature of Fragile Things from Berkley Publishing Group via NetGalley. I am not required to provide a positive review.