“John Jacob Astor is no ordinary man. He carries a storm on his back wherever he goes, a tempest of unremitting scrutiny. The rumors, the journalists, the gossip sheets . . . it’s important for you to comprehend that we stand at the beginning of it all still. Aligning yourself with the colonel, with his family—with all that would entail—means this storm will never end for you. Ever.” Shana Abe- The Second Mrs. Astor

Loved!

I’ve recently read The Social Graces by Renée Rosen and I really enjoy it so I felt pretty certain this one would be just as enjoyable. I’m really glad I read that one first because it really was easier to understand and be sensitive to the world in which Madeleine was immersing herself? The Astor’s were considered royalty even among the wealthiest people of their time period. I felt so bad for Madeleine before the Titanic tragedy and my heart literally broke for her after.

This is a love story that died before it even had a chance to begin. I’m glad that Abe didn’t focus entirely on the tragedy, but instead filled in the holes of who Madeleine was beyond being ‘the second Mrs. Astor’. She, also, tells Madeleine’s story in a thoughtful and sensitive way. Highly recommend. 5 stars.

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

The Second Mrs Astor tells the story of young Madeleine who within a span of a few short months became a wife, widow, and mother. It’s a touching story of a love between two people whom even high society scorned and rebuffed. The hardest part was reading about the Titanic sinking. How horrible to realize you were watching the demise of your loved ones. Reading this novel is well worth your time.

What beautiful and enchanting love story with a hauntingly tragic ending from the amazingly talented Shana Abe!! I've read many of her books but this is my new favorite. With fabulous storytelling and a equally beautiful storyline that flowed flawlessly and page after page of beautifully written words. Its a book that makes you feel as if you are their watching Jack and Madeleine as they fall in love. Even with their age difference you can see that these two souls were meant to be and that a love like theirs was a once in a lifetime love. From beautiful ballrooms to lovely summer homes where the elite and rich go to be seen all will watch the courtship of one of the richest and most handsome war hero's colonel John Jacob Astor and his pursuit of the lovely madeleine.With charm and charisma and a easy manner its no wonder that Madeleine falls head first in love with him. I loved both these characters so much and reading their last moments together on the titanic had me crying so emotional. This is a beautiful story and I can't say it enough how much I enjoyed reading it. I'm so glad Shana Abe is back! I've missed her books so very much. Until next time Luv's 💕💋

Thank you Netgalley and KENSINGTON BOOKS for this copy💋

I love historical fiction! Shana Abé’s The Second Mrs. Astor doesn’t disappoint. This beautiful and heartbreaking story is about Madeleine Talmage Force and John Jacob “Jack” Astor’s courtship and marriage. On their way home from their honeymoon, the couple is on the Titanic. When Madeleine unknowingly gets into the last boat to leave the sinking Titanic, Jack assures her he will see her in New York. Abé brings the reader into the Astors' world in a way that only a gifted storyteller can do, and through her well-crafted, beautifully written story, we see a strong Madeleine who makes a life for herself and her infant son. I highly recommend this book for it is a book that will stay with you long after you turn the last page.

A convincing autobiographical fiction. I had not known about this particular relationship and their involvement with the Titanic so I found it really interesting.

The writing is not bad, but I felt that the characters had no depth. I did not enjoy the time split. I usually end up liking one or the other, and for this one, I did not enjoy the first person narrative.

The Second Mrs. Astor tells the story of Madeline Force - her sordid courtship with a man 29 years her senior and their tragic honeymoon aboard the Titanic. This lyrical novel immerses the reader in early 20th century upper-class culture, giving every elegant detail.

The pace of this novel is slow but I really enjoyed being wrapped up in the scenery. It's clear how extensively researched this story was and I couldn't help but search out images and more information on the Astor's once I finished.

I much preferred the 3rd person flashbacks to the first person letters. While the letters absolutely gave much needed context (and pulled on the heartstrings) I found myself frustrated that I was being pulled away from the story. I also really wanted more romance between Madeline and the colonel, they were so sweet and I wanted to see more of it!

Overall I really loved this book - it's exactly what I expect from the historical fiction genre.

I gave this book 4 stars on Goodreads! Many thanks to Netgalley and Kensington Books for providing me with a digital copy in exchange for my honest review.

This historical fiction account tells of young Madeline Force who became the young bride of John Jacob Astor, nearly 30 years her senior and son of society grande dame, Caroline Schermerhorn Astor. Jack Astor has been married before, and his divorce was a society scandal. As a result, the courtship and betrothal of Madeline to Jack was controversial news for which Madeline was little prepared. Her love for Jack won out over her disdain for the media and at the cost of her and her family's privacy. The two wed in a simple, private ceremony that was kept from the media. Madeline was happy with her choices and happy with thoughts of her future life with Jack and their expected child. As they finished their honeymoon tour of Egypt and Europe, Jack purchased tickets to return to America on the ill-fated Titanic. Madeline survives, and the book is written as a letter/journal for their son about the relationship between her and his father.

This was a great historical fiction account of Madeline and Jack Astor and the tragedy of the lives lost and affected by the Titanic. The sheer opulence and unfathomable wealth of the Astors and other families of the Gilded Age are highlighted with Madeline's entrance into the highest of high society. Madeline, a society girl who is part of a respectable family, did not come from the kind of wealth and power she was marrying into. The enormous age gap between the two certainly causes one to raise an eyebrow, but through this account, it seems the two certainly had a deep love for each other.

Fantastic book although factual was written is such an absorbing way. Well written, and a great history of the downfall of Aristocracy. There is so much to be learnt from history and this was such an amazing insight.

I confess I looked for a picture of the second Mrs Astor. A beautiful child on the cusp of womanhood, yes, no steely glance at the camera. No world weary expression. Just youth in all its flower , tender, sweet and eager. So goes a truly wonderful account 0f a girls first love,in a time where money and position mattered. The courtship and marriage are told in great detail. The night of the ill famed sinking of the Titanic is recounted unsparingly and with a sense of confusion that chills the night and sets a course she was not schooled to understand but amazingly rose to and triumphed over. A great read

I'm torn with my review for this one because I loved the first-person parts but disliked the third-person parts. Madeline's letters to her infant son carry such emotion and immediacy. The third-person sections felt very slow, and I found myself losing interest consistently. With the up and down of emotional impact, I found it hard to pick up again because I never knew where I'd be.

The author did a good job with research and exploring the historical setting. I think a lot of historical fiction fans will love the book for that reason.

Thanks to NetGalley for this advance reader copy in exchange for a fair review.
This story is about Madeline Force, who becomes the second Mrs John Jacob Astor, one of the richest men in the world in his day. This is the Gilded Age, when society was brutal in its gossip and appearances, and Americans were hungry for the tidbits in the newspapers. Reporters hunted them and photographers were ruthless, 80 years before the death of Princess Diana. To drive society and the papers even more wild, Madeline was 30 years Astors junior, and had barely debuted when the couple fell in love.
Oh, and by the way, Titanic ended their love story when a pregnant Madeline was put in boat number 4 and Jack stays behind on the ship.
If you are a titanic nerd and cannot get enough, this story is for you. I felt as the story stripped away some of the sensationalism of some of the stories of Titanic, and brought to is the love story of the Astors, the conflict between Madeline and her step son Vincent, and tragedy of the American appetite for gossip, rumor, and celebrity that is still a great problem today.
I would recommend this to my patrons and a clean, romantic, and tragic historical fiction.
4*

At the age of 13, Madeleine Force saw Jack Astor for the first time. Both he and his mother made an impression upon the young girl. Little did she know then that her life would forever change, dramatically. A few years later Jack, who was divorced, quickly became besotted with the beautiful actress and was taken by her athletic prowess. Though she was of the upper class, she was not in the very highest of echelons of which Jack was king. This book details their romance with bits and pieces of living surrounded by wealth as well as the harrowing and tragic sinking of the Titanic which claimed his life.

Jack and Madeleine were 29 years apart but that made no difference to the couple. They married and during their long honeymoon she discovered she was pregnant. Madeleine's joy quickly turned to sorrow as her beloved was killed in the Titanic tragedy. Not only did she lose her husband but her child's father. I cannot imagine the tremendous sorrow and burden she had to bear. Though a historical fiction story, it has clearly been researched well and includes many true details. The diarized dialogue of mother to son is lovely and emotionally crushing.

The Titanic scene is painful and sobering to read about, of course, as it involves real people meeting their deaths. The anguish and terror are unfathomable and the author really captured the atmosphere of the last moments. Those who wish to learn more about Mr. and Mrs. Astor's story ought to read this book. It was fascinating to catch glimpses of their personalities and lives. Their marriage was short but profound.

My sincere thank you to Kensington Books and NetGalley for the privilege of reading this incredible book.

Loved this look into history, at an individual we don't often hear much about. We really got to know Madeleine as the book went on and felt for her as she lost everything-even though we knew what was coming, it was still jarring.

I think this was well written but it was a little slow for me. I did finish it but it took me longer than usual. I do think it the plot was interesting and the characters well drawn just know that it's not a fast mover. I'd actually give it 3.5 stars if I could.

A peek into the whirlwind romance with the richest man in the world! This book is not your typical retelling of the events of the Titanic.

I really liked the style of this book. Madeline Astor is writing like she is sharing hers and Jack Astor's story with her son Jakey. This writing style really brings depth to the character and you feel like you really get to know them.

We all know how the sinking of the Titanic unfolds, but this book spends the majority of the time sharing the romance in the time leading up to that fateful day. That story is what makes this book shine and sets it apart from others on the same topic! The author did a great amount of research to bring out even the little important details in the story. Such an enjoyable book!

Thank you to the publisher for providing me a copy of this ARC for my honest review.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an e ARC of this book.
Wonderful historical fiction centered around the sinking of the Titanic.
Well researched and beautifully written. I could have read on to learn more about Madeleine's later life.

It seems that no matter how many of them I read, I never tire of reading book that center around the Titanic. The Second Mrs. Astor is a lovely yet tragic story based on the real lives of Jack and Madeline Astor. It's a story of love, loss, class, wealth, society, and starting over again. It is well researched and there is great attention to detail. Take your time reading this one and savor it.

Always loathe to read another book about the Titanic, I looked forward to this one by an author I’ve not previously read. While the ending is never in doubt, the author tells if the love story of a young woman who marries into one of America’s wealthiest family, the Astors. Even though he is nearly 30 years older than she, their story reads like a great love that was snuffed out too soon. The book sent me digging deeper on the continuing story of this woman and the rest of the Astor family.

This book was a pleasure to read! Shana Abe’s lush descriptions transported me back in time to the opulent world of John J. Astor and his second wife Madeleine Force. Their tender romance drew me in right away. Ms. Abe’s thorough research and eye for detail are evident throughout the novel, but particularly in her depiction of the Titanic and its tragic end. I highly recommend this book to fans of historical fiction and anyone with an interest in the Titanic.

As their eyes locked during her performance of Ophelia, John Jacob Astor and Madeleine Force are destined to one another and their lives are sealed. A courtship that begins with never ending flowers, each with a deeper meaning as their love grows. Madeleine just a girl of seventeen and John Jacob a man of 46. This relationship is made to spark interest and loathing in the eyes of a few. John is the richest man in the world, a divorcé, with two children, and wealth beyond your wildest dreams. The Second Mrs. Astor is a deeply layered love story, that ends too soon in tragedy. In the iceberg riddled sea on the Titanic.

I was reminded of Princess Diana with the number of media that were obsessed with her. Is like the insistent badgering that the Astor's experienced during their entire relationship. Especially when they were thirsty to know about their engagement and wedding. The way they changed their life to avoid the press and their insistent need for more. I was saddened by the way in which the upper crust of society treated Madeleine. It is disturbing and very unsettling. The way in which them made her feel less than, a gold digger, a social climber. When really, she was just a very young girl in love with the man of her dreams.

To be able to relax and enjoy their new wedded bliss, without the constant hounding and harassment by both the media and certain women of society. The Astor's decide to have their honeymoon in Egypt. Their voyage from America to Europe is what sealed their fate when they meet the Joseph Ismay and he convinces John to book their voyage home on the Titanic. The newest, the best, the unsinkable ship. Of course, John jumps at the idea.

Their trip along the Nile is a breath of fresh air to Madeleine. She can relax and take in the wonders of this magical place. The majestic pyramids, the wonderous heat that allows her to feel warmth once again, the fragrant spices, and fascinating people they meet along their way. Leads to a deeper understanding and love between the two of them. You can feel their happiness when Madeleine shares the news that she is pregnant. They are refreshed and ready to take on the lives back in New York.

The Titanic is a monstrous beast, that is breathtaking at the same time. Madeleine feels safe within her confines, she can rest, and hideaway from the stares and needling remarks that are directed their way once again. Shana Abe descriptions of the ship make you feel as though you are on board. Drinking in the splendor and magnificence of the Titanic. The way in which Abe brings to life that horrific night, makes your heart sink with pain. The unimaginable sights, sounds, and pure pain the passengers must of felt is agonizing.

The Second Mrs. Astor has a richness that makes you crave every word. Abe brings to life this historic couple that were hounded by the press, look down upon by the upper class, and their love tragically torn apart. The book is told by Madeleine in a letter to their son, describing their loving courtship, adventures they took, and the type of the man his father was. Tears will threaten to fall as you are plunged back in time to the vast ocean, their passionate romance, and the love they had for him. I highly recommend this captivating book. Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Books for allowing me to read this riveting tale of one of the most fascinating couples in history.