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.

5 Stars, Titanic disaster

THE SECOND MRS. ASTOR by Shana Abe

Through the eyes of young Mrs. John Jacob "Jack" Astor, IV, Madeline Talmage Force. The book is told as she is describing her beloved husband to her newborn son John Jacob "Jackey" Astor VI. There is a little confusion as to why the father is IV and his son is VI, but a quick trip to Google and the questions are easily answered. If Jack is IV and Jackey is VI, how is it that Madeline is Mrs. Astor number 2? Interesting.

Madeline and Jack had a whirlwind romance, Madeline was only 17-years-old when they married, Jack was 46. The papers and Jack's social circles were certainly buzzing at the news of them being engaged and married.

They and their dog Kitty were on the fateful Titanic voyage. Madeline made it into lifeboat #4, Jack and Kitty were among the passengers who did not survive.

Highly recommend it to anyone who is looking for another telling of the Titanic disaster.

My thanks to #netgalley and #kensington for the complimentary copy of #thesecondmrsastor I was under no obligation to post a review.

This book takes the tragic story of the Titanic and brings it to life by highlighting the love story of John Astor and his second life Madeleine. The author draws us into the time period with all the rules of high society. John Astor being 30 years older than his teenage bride were not accepted as a couple in this world of money and power. Their short marriage ends tragically when Madeleine, while being pregnant, survives without her husband. The story is told as she recounts the story of their life and love for their son. It takes a tragedy for society to change their views of the young widow. Well researched with a beautiful cover will draw historical fans to this novel. #TheSecondMrs.Astor #ShanaAbe #NetGalley

4 stars

This tragic real-life love story was very good. I loved getting to know more about the Titanic and the hours leading up and after it hit the Titanic. I knew nothing about Jacob and Madeleine Astor, and appreciated the research involved in developing this story. How they feel in love, were rejected by high society as a couple, and then only accepted when Jacob and Madeleine were separated in the events of the Titanic sinking.

1912. Madeline Forces narrates her story to her son about the father Colonel Astor, one of the richest men in the world.

Madeline at seventeen meets Colonel John Jack Astor, divorced and nearly thirty years older. His courtship begins with a daily delivery of flowers. His wooing continues with his attention, which makes her feel as if she’s the only person in the universe. Followed by intimate excursions, driving along the coast and picnicking on small hidden beach by the sea. “They sat on the blankets and dined on Limoges porcelain so translucent Madeline could see the shadows of her fingers through it.” When the nosey newspaperman upset Madeline, he teaches her how to handle them.

The beginning of the story is very strong with getting to know the characters and their courtship. However, it slows down with the wedding preparations. It picks up again, when they decide to winter in Egypt.

The journey back home on the opulent Titanic brings vividly the interior of the ship and life for the elite. If you’re interested in a Titanic story, then this might be a good choice. I want to say that at least one third of the book is set on Titanic.

The story is written with beautiful prose and reveals a very talented writer.

Madeleine Force is a lovely young bride when she marries the famous John Jacob Astor, twenty-nine years her senior and recently divorced. She has become a “celebrity,” viewed by some as a social climber. She is loved by her parents and sister and adored by her husband. She is not loved by his son Jack and other family members; she is seen as a gold-digger by much of society. Hounded by the press and happy only in the company of her husband, she is excited when he plans a honeymoon in Egypt, especially knowing she carries their first child. When the return trip is booked on the luxury liner Titanic, she has misgivings. Each chapter of Shana Abe’s novel includes a personal message from mother to newborn son, followed by third person observation of a storyline that is poignant and heart-breaking. From gilded-age scandal to tragic young widow, Madeleine evolves into her own person, capable and enduring.

Though it’s fiction you’ll be entranced by the story enough want to read the real history too. The Astor family is fascinating enough in itself this one makes you want to read it over and over again.

I thought it was really unique to write this book in two parts - the "live" version of what's actually happening when it happened to start the story, and the letter version - as Madeline is documenting her life with Jack for their newborn son. It was neat to live it through her eyes in addition to being on the sideline watching their love story happen.

I knew Jack had gone down with the Titanic, but didn't know much more of his story. Or Madeline's. This was an interesting book - dealing with their age difference, the snub of society after their marriage, their honeymoon to Egypt, Madeline learning to handle the press demands. And Mrs. Brown - it was interesting to see her life entwined with the Astor's - it was more involved than I knew about

I really enjoyed this book. Thank you to NetGalley, the author and publisher for a temporary, digital ARC in return for my review.

A fictionalized account of John Jacob Astor and his second wife. Mr. Astor and his wife board the Titanic for their trip home after their honeymoon. The story of the Titanic is known by many and this historical fiction book takes real characters and brings them to our world.

I was definitely drawn to The Second Mrs. Astor because of the mention of "Titanic." The drama of high society New York also appealed to me. But, I think this book is much more than simply a novel of the Titanic, which we don't experience until the final third. It was beautifully detailed and I enjoyed seeing the rises and falls of Madeleine Force as she settled into being Mrs. Astor. I do wish the novel told us more about Madeleine after the Titanic disaster, however. I understand not prolonging the story arc, but a quick history lesson in the author's note would've been wonderful to read to get an idea of what came next for Madeleine in the 35+ years she lived after the Titanic and returning to New York (I Googled to see!).

I have always been fascinated by anything Titanic and LOVED this story of The Second Mrs. Astor. Truly heartbreaking at times but I was captivated by this book. A must read for HistFic fans!

Read if you: Want a romance set against the tragedy of the Titanic.

Yes, the vast age difference is odd. However, the love story between Madeleine Force and J.J. Astor seems genuine by all accounts. If you like being swept off your feet by a story, you'll love this.

Librarians/booksellers: Your historical fiction fans will swoon.

Many thanks to Kensington and NetGalley for a digital review copy in exchange for an honest review.

I loved this book that tells the story of the teenaged Madeleine Force who married John Jacob Astor and became one of the wealthiest women in the world. The story is also a story of the doomed Titanic ocean liner, which the newlywed couple traveled on during its fateful voyage.

Author Shana Abe does a wonderful job telling this story from Madeleine’s point of view. The young woman, still in her teens, marries and then becomes Astor’s widow all within a year. This isn’t a spoiler, as John Jacob Astor was the most famous fatality of the Titanic. And it doesn’t ruin the story knowing what looms for this couple. The fascination here is in the telling of how they met, how the elite of society shunned them (he was a divorced man!), the slow run-up to their marriage, and finally the sailing on the Titanic.

The only thing I would have loved more would have been a recap of the lives featured in the novel. Madeleine, after all, was still a teen when this story ends. Several other famous lives intersect with hers and it would have been a tidy ending to give a historical notation. But I googled all the characters and learned their fates.

A great read for historical fiction lovers. I highly recommend!

The Second Mrs. Astor attempts to relive the early life of Madeleine Force and her subsequent courtship and marriage to John Jacob Astor. Although we may have already been familiar with their story from newspaper accounts, I wasn't prepared for the depth and richness of the storytelling as well as the description of the opulent lifestyle the couple enjoyed aboard the Titanic. I enjoy books that raise questions and I found myself doing additional research about the events at the time.

A great summer read that not only entertains but provides an intimate glimpse into what it must have felt like travelling those last few days on the Titanic.

This was a story of beauty and tragedy all at once. I have always been intrigued with the story of the Titanic and this one did not disappoint. The perspective of the second Mrs. Astor gives a flavor that can’t be matched. Beautiful writing and thoughtful insight into a tragic event in history. Highly recommended.

The Second Mrs Astor: A Novel of the Titanic by Shana Abe is a work of historical fiction. I have read many historical fiction books about the Titanic, but none have felt as realistic as this one. Reading this story gives you a front row seat to a sad yet fascinating time in history. The author does a fabulous job in verbalizing Mrs Astor’s possible feelings before and after this tragedy. Ms Abe did meticulous research in order to write this book and it made all the difference. I highly recommend this book to readers of historical fiction. I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher with no obligations. These opinions are entirely my own.

~This book encompassed a few of my favorite things. Historical fiction, which is responsible for bringing me back into the world of reading. The Titanic disaster, which I became obsessed with after watching the movie with Leo and Kate. And families from the Gilded Age, bring on Mrs. Astor's famous feud with Alva Vanderbilt!

This book brought that all to life for me, and I felt as though I was on an emotional roller coaster. It's sad that for all the obstacles they fought to be together, it was someone else's poor decisions that tore them apart. Overall I really enjoyed reading this book and will be recommending it to others.

Thanks to NetGalley for the advanced copy of the book.

#TheSecondMrsAstor #NetGalley

The Second Mrs. Astor did something that I think good books do. That is, they make me so interested in the history around the story that I find myself looking up the period or the people or the events of the story. I found myself looking up everything from photos of the Astors to how many dogs died on the Titanic. (This isn't a spoiler. I think almost everybody knows John Jacob Astor went down with the Titanic and the first chapter of the book brings up the tragedy.) So, I have to say "Well done" when it comes to making me interested in the lives of the Astors and the time period.

I have only one thing to mention that confuses me. Margaret Brown (known to history as the Unsinkable Molly Brown) was portrayed in the novel as the only rich lady who treated the teenage second Mrs. Astor as a friend. Most of the other wealthy families ignored her and gossiped about her. So Mrs. Brown is close to the Astors for most of the book. Then, after the Titanic sinks, they briefly meet up on the rescue ship, The Carpathia. And then, Mrs. Brown is never mentioned again. There is no mention of why she's not mentioned. It seemed odd to just drop the only person who treated Mrs. Astor nicely. No letter, no telegraph, no nothing. But, that's the only quibble I had.

All in all it made the lush lives of the richest people in the world come alive. The extravagance of their existence is mind-bending. If you like to peek in on the lifestyles of the rich and famous (and how it's not always as fabulous as it seems) you will enjoy this historical fiction.

Although I know that The Second Mrs. Astor by Shana Abé is an historical novel, I enjoyed it as if it were the true story. I’m not sure it isn’t, however, I would like it to be.

John Jacob “Jack” Astor is part of the American “royalty”. His mother is THE Mrs. Astor and they are definitely in the upper class of New York society. Jack is most eligible, even after his scandalous divorce. Madeleine Force is just a teenager when they meet and over time fall in love. Although Jack is almost 30 years older than Madeleine, they marry, much to the consternation of the upper class.

After an extended honeymoon trip to the Continent, they are booked on the famous Titanic for their return trip to New York. Madeleine is pregnant and both are looking forward to a wonderful life. Tragically, the Titanic hits an iceberg and sinks. Jack sees Madeleine into a lifeboat promising to follow and see her soon in New York. As a gentleman he and other men are lost to the sea.

Madeleine gives birth to their child four months later in their Fifth Avenue mansion. She is hounded by the press as the tragic story continues. She must decide what her status as the widowed Mrs. Astor will be.

I loved the story and the book. Kudos to Ms. Abé for her insightful, and emotionally telling of this story.