In the beautiful green pastures of Ireland sits the charming town of Donegal. The Sweeney family live on a small farm and while working their fingers to the bone, can barely manage to get by. Nora and Delia are sisters as different as the sun and the moon. Nora, a bit older, is spoiled by her beauty and mother’s attentions expecting all the local boys and world at large to fall at her feet. Delia, always helping her hardworking Da on the farm struggles with a stutter and finds her solace in reading books as she is alone most of the time. When a distant cousin passes, an opportunity to go to America is presented to the sisters. Nora will have the coveted position of governess to a wealthy man’s child and Delia to be a maidservant at another home. Desperate to start new lives, they board the Titanic to cross the ocean. On April 12, 1912 they are faced with circumstances they could not have imagined in their wildest dreams. Believing that Nora did not survive, Delia accepts the governess position in her place. She quickly becomes attached to the beautiful child called Lily and must face the inappropriate chemistry between herself and her new employer, the very handsome Aidan O’Hanlon. When it becomes revealed that Nora may have survived, Delia has a sinking feeling that everything she treasures is now at risk. Family secrets and revenge make this inspired historical fiction novel one that I could not put down!

This book wouldn’t let me go, once I turned the first page I couldn’t put it down!
We all know what happened to the Titanic, but now we are meeting two of the passengers, and we see their life before they leave Ireland, and then what happens to them on this maiden voyage.
Sisters, Nora and Delia, one loved by their mother, and the other despised by her. Thank goodness for their Da, he was the blessing in their lives.
We switch back and forth as we are updated on their lives, and how their circumstances change, and how they end up surviving.
What a great story the author has woven out of the tragedy these young woman experience, and yet how different a path they are put on than what was originally planned!
I loved the women that befriend these survivors, strong woman who give love and friendship, especially Mrs. Shaw and Mayflower!
You don’t want to miss this one!
I received this book through Net Galley and the Publisher Kensington, and was not required to give a positive review.

I was very excited after I received this book to find out that it is the same author as The Yellow House. I read that book quite a few years ago and really enjoyed it.

It was very easy to get into. Two sisters, Nora and Delia, are excited to be starting a new life in America. The two sisters are as different as night and day. They are leaving from Ireland on the ill-fated Titanic. Of course, we all know what happened during that journey.

They both survive the journey but get separated during the rescue operation. Neither sister knows what has happened to the other. This is when the story becomes a little hokey for me.

The book alternates chapters between Nora and Delia. While the sisters are totally unaware of the final fate of eachother, the reader knows exactly what is happening.

The story had tons of potential but the way it was presented was too far on the unbelievable side. Just too many coincidences for my taste. I don't always need a story to be realistic because I read for entertainment. I will not go on about this fact because I don’t want to give out spoilers.

I never felt a connection with most of the characters. I think they needed more depth.

But, enough of the negative. The story did keep a good pace and it did remain interesting. I already know from reading the other reviews that the things that bothered me did not bother others.

In the end, it was an interesting and fast read. And, it ended the way it should have.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance reader’s copy of this book.

#thetitanicsisters #netgalley

I thought this was an interesting plot line, two sisters given a new start in a new world and seeing how they choose to live it.

The Tianic Sisters is an ok read. Two Irish sisters, different as can be, sail to America, on the doomed ship. One makes it and assumes the identity of her presumed deceased sister, which causes all sorts of trouble. The other sister, well, she loses somerhing, but discovers more in the interrum. I liked Mayflower and Lily the nest out of the cast of characters. Aidan was wishy washy and Delia rubbed me the wrong way for most of the book.

I loved this book! Reading about the crossing of the Titanic and the difference in the sisters traveling to America was amazing! It definitely described the travel, accommodations and the hitting of the iceberg, and the reason why differently then the movie. A lot of research went into both the movie and this book, but it's nice to see the different perspectives.
I won't give much away but what happens when the boat crashes is definitely different then I expected. Nora was very snooty, expected to be catered to, and thought she was better then the other sister. Delia was the sister that got ignored by her Mother and Nora, only her Father paid attention to her. Delia spent a lot of time by herself reading. But this was all in Ireland.
In America things changed. I won't give too much away, but Delia, through accidental circumstances, grabbed a life that was meant for someone else in America, and Nora ended up with a very unexpected life!
If you're looking for a good historical fiction this is it! I love reading about historical events in a fictional setting. This book really gets sucks you in and it's hard to put down.
I hope you enjoy it!
I'd like to thank NetGalley and Kensington Publishing for the preview ARC of this book. I was only asked to read it and give my honest opinion.

This story was well paced alternating between 2 sisters who grow and change from who they are in Ireland. The characters were interesting and I enjoyed the places and period of time covered in their story. The love story between Delia and Aiden was a bit slow and felt rushed in the end but I was happy that they ended up together. It is a story of hope, redemption and love.

It's 1912, and sisters Nora and Delia from Donegal are offered passage on the Titanic to take jobs in New York. When the ship hits an iceberg, Delia is sure she saw Nora drown. When she arrives in New York, there is a nasty person waiting for Delia to take her place as a maid, and a lovely woman waiting for Nora to take her position as a governess to a sweet little girl. Delia decides that she will now be Nora. Is Nora really dead? What happens when and if Mr. O'Hanlon discovers that his governess is a fraud? Recommended for fans of historical fiction--thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for this ARC.

Two Irish sisters bound for America put their fate in a want ad and the grandest ship ever to sail, but of course, neither end up delivering on their promise.

I love historical fiction, and particularly anything to do with the Titanic, New York and the west, so this book also seemed to hold a lot of promise --and also, sadly, didn't quite deliver. The character development just wasn't there for me, and some very basic questions I expected to see answered, were either ignored or glossed over in a pretty unsatisfactory way. What do you mean you had no idea where your closest friend in the world actually lived?

I'm also going to blame Pandemic 2020 for erasing most of my ability to focus, and for wiping out my chance of a vacation, where I think I would have enjoyed this book more (assuming I wasn't going on a cruise).

Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Books for a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.

I enjoyed reading this book about two sisters saved when the Titanic sank in 1912. They have interesting different lives and I liked how the author goes from one sister to the other so you do not get bored. There was plenty of excitement and description. I do recommend that you read this book.

Set between Donegal, Ireland and America, The Titanic sisters, is the story of two very different girls, Nora and Delia Sweeney.
Raised on a farm, Nora was adored by her mother and spoiled beyond belief, while Delia was shunned, and accused of being a changeling, of whom no good would come.
So when the opportunity to head for America arises, Delia is convinced that she'll be left behind, while her sister heads out for adventure, but her father has other ideas, and steps in, securing Delia a place alongside her sister on the ill fated Titanic.
When the Titanic sinks beneath the waves, Delia is left alone and afraid. Certain that her sister is dead, she stumbles into her shoes, taking her name, in order to escape the life of drudgery as a maid, that her father had arrange for her, and instead taking up the position of governess, for the now motherless Lily.
There's just one problem, Nora isn't dead, but when she comes around after her ordeal, her memory is a blank and she has no idea who she is, or where she came from.

I was drawn into this book by the Titanic, but held there by the intriguing story, captivating writing style and wonderful characters.

Patricia Falvey has a talent for creating captivating storylines and believable characters, that are easy to relate to and grow attached too.

Her descriptions, or the places and experiences the girls encounter, make you feel as if you can step through the pages and actually be their alongside them, seeing it all first hand.

I laughed, cried and exclaimed over the girls plights, successes and adventures and longed for everything to come good, for them both.

This is a story that will captivate you and keep you turning the pages, and longing for it never to end.

The only thing I did not like about this book, was that it ended. I wanted to stay a part of their world forever.

Thank you to Netgalley, Patricia Falvey and her publisher for allowing me to read this wonderful book for free. I'll certainly be looking for more books by this author in the future.

This book is more of the lives created, the separation and eventual reunion of Delia and Nora then necessarily the events and actions among the ship's passengers and the main characters while they were aboard the Titanic itself. I enjoyed the alternating chapters focusing on each sister throughout the novel. It kept the story fresh and interesting.

The book had an interesting beginning but just had too many unbelievable moments. First the sisters managing to get into life boats without a hitch even though they were in the bowels of the boat. Delia on disembarking not only encounters her employer but also her sisters.Nora who becoming an oil tycoon in an afternoon . Also Nora travelling to America , back to Donegal, back to New York , then to Texas in less than a year in the year 1912. These were just a few of the events that were far fetched.The Titanic ordeal certainly was terrifying and the author does manage to make this realistic in the flashbacks the sisters have . The romance component was predictable and boring. The book just was meh .

Loved this book about two Irish sisters on the Titanic family saga at its best can't wait to read more by this author

I LOVE Patricia Falvey’s books! I have read every one of them and think they are excellent. Her latest is The Titanic Sisters. The story centers around Irish sisters Nora and Delia, they couldn’t be more different. They get the chance to sail to America and work. Delia will be a housekeeper and Nora will look after a child. They set sail on the beautiful ship, the Titanic. As you know, disaster strikes and as Delia gets on a life boat, she watches as her sister doesn’t make it. She assumes Nora has died. When she reaches land, she sees a bitter looking old woman holding a sign with her name. Immediately Delia knows she cannot go with her. So she pretends to be Nora and takes a job as a governess.

Naturally, there is a crinkle in this plan because Nora didn’t die.

I loved this story so much.

Synopsis:

Sisters Nora and Delia have been given the chance of a lifetime–to escape their poor Irish farm and travel on the Titanic to a new life in America. Nora is to become a treasured governess for a rich family, while Delia has only a lowly maid’s position.

But when disaster strikes, and Nora dies, a small misunderstanding leads to Delia taking Nora’s place as governess. As Delia grows closer to her charge–and the girl’s father–will she be able to reveal the truth to find a chance at happiness? And what will happen when she finds out that Nora is actually alive, and coming to take what is rightfully hers?

You cannot go wrong with any of Patricia’s books, they are all really good historical fiction.

Coming out on January 26! Pre-order here.

I’m so head I got to read this! It was a fascinating and intriguing book, highlighting the aftermath of two sisters‘ journey on the Titanic. I highly recommend it to anyone who loves historical fiction!

Spanning the years before and after the Titanic
sinking this gripping tale of two sisters and how their lives play out will keep you reading.

Was very anxious to read this novel and it started out brilliantly. I just felt it lagged a bit and I put the book down. I'm sure others will love it. I needed more excitement.

First sentence: The letter from America changed all our lives. The postman presented it to me with great ritual, as if it were a fine jewel. In his memory, he said, no one in my small village of Kilcross, in County Donegal, at the northwest tip of Ireland, had ever received such a thing, nor had he himself ever delivered anything so rare. After he pedaled away from our cottage whistling, I stood at the door holding the envelope, with its bright ribbon of stamps, in my hands like a colorful bird.

My thoughts (part 1): I know it is out of character to begin a review with my thoughts, BUT, I think it's unavoidable in this case.

The issues I had/have with The Titanic Sisters are not exclusive to The Titanic Sisters. This isn't the first nor will it be the last historical romance featuring some of my biggest pet peeves.

Characters acting with little to no motivation--just one note characters that are conveniently one note to get the story from point A to point B. If you are going to go down the THIS STORY MUST HAVE VILLAIN(S) TO GET IN THE WAY OF TRUE LOVE'S PATH do readers a favor and at least make them complex enough to be believable humans. Give them a believable, understandable motivation rooted in human nature and not convenience to where you want your plot to go.

Historical romance writers would have us readers believe that 98% of all courtships include kidnapping or attempted kidnapping. Why? I don't know. (The other 2% would not include kidnapping but would include a fire.) Unless the villain doing the kidnapping has been well-developed and the whole story from start to finish has been building up to this one climax--and it is a natural, organic part of the story--then why throw in a situation of "danger" that everyone can spot from space essentially that it exists just to manipulate the couple into declaring their feelings for one another.

That is all.

Premise/plot: The Titanic Sisters star Delia and Nora Sweeney. These two sisters--who do NOT get along not even slightly--set sail on the Titanic in April 1912. These Irish passengers are third class, I believe, but both happen to snag seats on two different lifeboats. Delia sees Nora fall from the lifeboat into the sea, and she's unable to find her aboard the rescue ship, she fears that Nora's death is almost certainly a fact. Delia decides that since Nora won't be going to be a governess at the O'Hanlon house, she might as well go in her place and use her sister's name. Though this is more impulse than a well thought out scheme.

Nora, meanwhile, who did not die, has amnesia until she doesn't.... Happy endings seem unlikely for both sisters... it seems there's an evil force determined to keep throwing obstacle after obstacle after obstacle in their paths keeping the two from knowing fairy tale bliss.

My thoughts (part 2): Readers expecting the novel to focus on the Titanic experience will likely be disappointed. I found it was a rush to get to the Titanic, a rush to get to the sinking, a rush to get to New York. (It was like when Simmers play The Sims on triple speed and are only interrupted by pop-up prompts.) I could easily forgive a story for not being all about the setting or giving me a feel or experience...if the characters felt truly human and complex. So my number one issue with the book has nothing to do with setting. (Though I do wonder about her descriptions of Texas as well.)

Nora was unlikeable. There I said it. Though I would--if I had to choose--pick the new Nora over the old. That bump on the head and time spent unconcious in the ocean did her character a favor? Or maybe it was the weeks not knowing who she was and what her own personality was that improved it? But since half the book was spent with Nora narrating--it wasn't a joy to read.

Delia, our other narrator, I am much more neutral about. Though I didn't necessarily find her believable. At least we always understand Delia's motivations--if Delia acts readers know why. Even if readers don't think she's making the best decisions. This isn't the case with any other character in the book. This is understandable when Nora has amnesia and she truly doesn't know why she's making some decisions over others and is all out of sorts. (Though I'm not sure this excuses all of Nora's poor decisions. For the record I am NOT saying that it was her fault what happened to her at the ball. I am NOT saying that--would never, ever, ever say that. But when she saw HIM behave that way towards a CAT...let's just say that she should have had common sense to see he wasn't boyfriend material.)

The romance between Delia and Aidan O'Hanlan...I didn't find Aidan a well-developed character...but I could see why he was written in a way to make Delia go all weak in the knees and swoon. I thought Lily, his daughter, was much better developed. In fact, I'm going to go ahead and say it, Lily was the best character in the whole book.

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I guess I am angriest at the inclusion of Mrs. Shaw. Mrs. Shaw exists solely to give Nora a safe place to recuperate and regain her memories. The author obviously didn't want Nora staying there and being safe and loved and isolated from the rest of the plot, so she killed off Mrs. Shaw. Why not have Mrs. Shaw tell Nora that she would always be welcome, but she should go seek out her sister and/or go back to her very worried parents? I just found it awfully convenient that Mrs. Shaw died ON HER WAY TO THE BANK when she was going to give Nora a large sum of money to live on IN CASE SHE DIED. Since her ONE-NOTE-EVIL nephew was due to inherit the property and would have control over what happened to her estate/property/money I almost expected her death to be foul play. But the author didn't go there--missed opportunity??? Maybe. (This was the one-note-evil man who attacked Nora at a ball and attempted to rape her. The same man with gambling problems.)

I was really enjoying the character of Mrs. Shaw she was a great influence on Nora. It seemed the more I as a reader liked a character...the more likely it was that the author would turn on the character to remove him/her from the center of the plot.

Dom was another character. He was also on board the Titanic, also third class or steerage, also miraculously survived and made it to New York. He exists solely to be a SYMPATHETIC, COMFORT and FRIEND to both Nora and Delia. But whenever the plot looks like it could veer towards Dom actually actually being more than a minor-minor-side character, the author intervenes to remind readers that nope, he's just an extra. There were moments when I was shipping Dom and Delia together....and moments when I was shipping Dom and Nora together.

One character that irritated me a bit more than she probably should have is Mayflower. She is a friend to Delia in Texas. Her husband works closely with Aidan. She knows KNOWS that Aidan is dead-set against Lily and Delia going to Shotgun City because it is too dangerous and it isn't safe for women or children. The men are too wild and dangerous. Yet when she hears that Aidan is going to be out of town, she drives Lily and Delia to Shotgun City--as a surprise--and then SURPRISE, SUPRISE they get caught there and Lily has gone MISSING. Because both women decided it would be PERFECTLY SAFE for a young girl to GO WONDERING ON HER OWN. I think into a restaurant? Mayflower actually tries to talk Delia into letting the girl be independent???? Anyway, Delia ends up FIRED because of this episode. And Mayflower's intent supposedly was what exactly???? Here she has been trying to play matchmaker and manipulate them to be together????? And we're supposed to intelligently believe that May's intent was to bring these two together? By getting him angry enough to fire her???? It just defies logic why would Mayflower--or any person ever--ever think this was a good thing????

Another character that infuriated me was James Sullivan. This angry-beyond-all-reason-obviously-one-note-villain is not developed enough to have a motivation for being BADDY BAD VILLIAN EXTRAORDINAIRE. So supposedly he's so angry that his daughter, Mary, died that he's determined to spend his whole life making his son-in-law's life hell on earth????? Explain to me how Texas is to blame for her catching a fever and dying? As if you couldn't catch a fever--or die of a fever, a disease, something--anywhere else on planet Earth? As if New York was the healthiest place and the only cause for death was old age??? And what BADDY BAD EXTRAORDINAIRE would be complete without telling readers his whole plot beforehand???

The book was predictable in places--but I never fault romances for being predictable.

Famine and poverty grip Ireland in 1912. Many families do not have much extra. This book follows one such family in a story of love and hate, fear and courage, growth and redemption. Beautifully written, we see humanity throughout, both cruelty and tenderness. Books like this which don't gloss over hardships appeal to me.

The girls' nasty mother dotes on Nora and spoils her while she leaves out Delia and actively despises her. Nora learns to look down on her sister. However, Delia cherishes the special love of her quiet father.

Both girls snap up the opportunity to leave poverty and circumstances so travel by the Titanic to New York to work in different homes. Nora has drowned after the Titanic strikes an iceberg so Delia, after a bit of confusion, takes her sister's place as governess in a wealthy home. Her character grows and matures and she is smitten with her charge, a little girl.

Delia follows her employer to Texas.
Many, many twists ensue as you can imagine. Throughout is a lot of lying, deceit and guilt but along with life lessons come love and hope.

This wonderful Historical Fiction is riveting with both likable and detestable characters. One minute was warm, the next frustrating but that's how life really is. Those who aren't searching for a book of filler and fluff will appreciate this. It's not a crushing read. The time period elements, vocabulary and descriptions are lovely.

My sincere thank you to Kensington Books and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of this delightful book in exchange for an honest review. Much appreciated.