📖 I love historical fiction based on real-life heroes, and Walsh does just that in Unsinkable. She fictionalizes the real-life Violet Jessop, a three-time ship sinking survivor (including Titanic!) and WWI volunteer nurse. Her true story is fascinating, and Walsh's fabrication is just as engrossing. In this dual-point-of-view, two-timeline novel, we also follow Daphne, a WW2 British spy working in France. Oftentimes I find myself invested in one POV character more than another, but both of these women had compelling stories. I do wish their stories had weaved together more than they did; it almost felt like reading two separate novels in one. But I enjoyed this read, and will definitely pick up more of Walsh's works.

💉 Violet Jessop had a lung ailment as a child, and historians think this was most likely to have been TB. If it was, Violet is indeed, truly, unsinkable. In her day, TB was invariably deadly. TB was the second leading cause of death in the early 1900s, and with no cure, it was a death sentence.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. Thank you NetGalley and Harper Muse for the opportunity to read and review this novel.

I found this book--an epic more or less based around surviving shipwrecks(?!)--hugely enjoyable. I greatly enjoyed watched the two heroines (whose relationship is only revealed fully at the end) fight their way through various eras. The historical aspects of the book are ably captured. The book is well-written. The characters are interesting and complex. This was a great and unexpected book. I plan to recommend it to people looking for something a bit unusual.

I loved this book! Jenni Walsh spins an incredible tale of survival and heartbreak in this riveting novel. Inspired by true events, the rich historical detail and tense plotting make for an unforgettable read. Historical fiction lovers, add this one to your list!

An excellent historical novel that explores two tragic events in our world's history: the Titanic and WWI. The characters were engaging and can I tell you how much I enjoy a second chance romance?! That is what brought this lovely book from a four stars to a solid five. In my opinion, there is not enough good fiction written about both WWI and the Titanic, and in this story, you get both! What a great read!

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC! Unsinkable by Jenni L Walsh was a moving and, at times, suspenseful novel that follows two Titanic survivors throughout their lives after the sinking of the great ship. Violet, a stewardess on Titanic, is one of the last women to get into a lifeboat before the ship sinks. She is entrusted to care for a baby in the lifeboat but what will become of that baby once they get to New York? Daphne, a famous movie star's daughter, is always trying to find ways to grab her father's attention. What will she do for the war effort to try and make him proud? How do these two women's stories intersect? The storylines of both characters carry the reader through a multitude of events that shape the way these women are viewed in society. I found the character development to be quite good. I especially liked the development of the secondary characters, Leo and Evan, they allowed the reader to see into the two women's hearts to understand what really matters to them and see the reasons why they act the way they do. I, however, found the ending to be a little too predictable or I would I have given it 5 stars. Overall, a worthwhile read for those who like historical fiction.

I liked this take on a Titanic novel . It revolves around the sinking and takes us on a journey with these two people and they go through this life changing event
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for a letting me review this book

Mostly told in two story lines decades apart, Unsinkable brings to life the lives of two strong women, Violet Jessop and Daphne Chaundanson. Violet, a ship stewardess, survives the sinking of the Titanic but will return to the sea as a war nurse during World War I. Daphne, a Special Operations Executive during World War II, uses her education to help others survive. Both of these women are unsinkable, metaphorically and literally, and will do what they must in order to survive the turbulent times around them. Both of their lives have similarities, starting from when they were just small girls. Walsh writes a wonderful novel that will eventually come full circle for these women. If you love historical novels, stories about women’s roles during war times, and ship disasters, this novel is for you. Look for this book coming out on January 9, 2024.

Very cleverly written historical fiction, bringing together the lives of two unrelated people who shared a life event - namely surviving the sinking of the Titanic. I loved this book, the writing is vibrant, and kept me interested and wanting to read more.

Unsinkable is two stories about strong women. The beautiful Violet Jessop, who as a young woman has taken on the care of her family after her fathers’ death. Her job as a stewardess took her on many ships, notably the voyage of the Titanic.
The other women is Daphane Chaundanson, who grows up not knowing her mother, with a famous father who keeps her at boarding schools, and she is highly educated, speaks many languages, but is a bit lost.

Unsinkable weaves these two characters together, and the thread between the two is revealed in a most unusual way. Violet is based on a real person, who had the great fortune of surviving the Titanic sinking and building her life on many sea voyages including the Olympic and Britannic, which both sank. During the great war, Violet becomes a nurse and after a time in a hospital on land, again takes to the sea. Violet is a remarkable character as she sacrifices so much and put her life aside to care for her brothers and sisters and her mother.

Daphane, who always wanted her father’s approval and recognition, eagerly takes on a job for Special Operations during the war in France as an agent. She proves herself in remarkable ways and learns more about herself and her father than she could have imagined.

Although the book had some interesting plot twists, and the women did have a genuine connection, I just didn’t think any new ground was revealed. The story seemed a bit predictable. Unless you can sit down and read the book in one sitting, having every other chapter on the other character makes for confusion. The writing style is easy; as historical novels go it is light on detail.

I loved this, it is a perfect book for people that love Titanic fiction but are looking for a unique point of view .

I absolutely loved this novel! It really captivated me. I just could not stop reading it. Two fantastic story threads of two unsinkable women who faced life-changing events. Anything that includes the Titanic is always of great interest for me. And this book took me on a very different journey from others. It was a very pleasant surprise! The cover first caught my attention and then the first page pulled me in. This is a remarkable novel I will never forget.

Unsinkable by Jenni L Walsh is a book about bravery, survival, family devotion, second chances and enduring love. It covers both the First and Second World War in two timelines. Each thread is equally engaging. There are tie ins between the two but these are woven together more towards the end with wonderful revelations and surprises.

The older timeline surrounds the character of Violet who is actually a real woman of notable history. She worked on the three sister ships that met disaster: Olympic (1911) Titanic (1912) and Britannic (1914). These were all designed to be the largest, safest and most luxurious of their time. But, as we know, things did not turn out as expected. Violet was a ship stewardess and later a ship’s nurse during the First World War. She was on the Olympic when it collided with the British warship HMS Hawke. Despite damage, they were able to make it back to port without sinking. After repairs, the ship went back into service and Violet continued to work on it another seven months until she was transferred to the Titanic. And yes, as we know it sank. She was saved again after being ordered into a lifeboat. But not with empty arms for she was handed a baby to take to safety. This novel draws upon these facts and expands upon them with some creative license. Personally, I liked how the author used this information.

Then World War I breaks and the Britannic is turned into a hospital ship and Violet returns to the sea when an unexplained explosion occurs sinking the ship in the Aegean Sea within fifty-five minutes. Violet and other passengers nearly die from the shredding propellers. She jumps out of the lifeboat, injures her head but survives again. It took a lot of courage to keep returning to the sea considering all her near death experiences. But she remains dedicated to caring for her family. She sacrifices much, including abandoning her own dreams. Violet keeps going back to the sea to faces her fears. I admire her tenacity. And Ms Walsh paints a vivid and intriguing picture of this woman’s resilient character.

The second timeline with Daphne (and her various undercover names) is a fictional woman but the inspiration behind her creation is fascinating. She has survived many calamities. Starting from babyhood. Her mother has tragically died. She grows up under a very successful father. His accomplishments have made her competitive. And she is constantly seeking his approval and attention. You might say she is an active overachiever: well schooled and is great with languages. The author’s notes inform us she is based on a number of women who were part of the Special Operations Executive, French Section (SOE F). Ms Walsh has combined their backgrounds, experiences and accomplishments. This was no small task but I feel she has pulled this off seamlessly and Daphne becomes an admirable representative of all these heroic women. The journey through this woman’s life is quite a wild ride! But it is extremely fascinating and kept me glued to the pages.

Both women are strong, unsinkable and motivated. But both want to please their fathers. Violet promised her father to always care for the family and so she sacrifices everything to stick to this course. Daphne is motivated by her desire to impress her father so she throws herself into dangerous situations where she can be brave and heroic. Daphne sees this as the only way to keep from being invisible to her father.

This is a brilliant piece of fiction for lovers of the Titanic. You will be drawn to Violet’s story but also be fascinated by Daphne’s WWII heroics. I loved this novel from start to finish and highly recommend it. 5 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thanks to Harper Muse and Netgalley for my review copy.

Unsinkable was unbelieveable!!! I can't believe the truth of Violet's remarkable story. As I was reading, I kept thinking this can't be true, but it was! I wouldn't call myself a Titanic fan, I've never even watched the blockbuster movie in full. The story starts with the Titanic, but it is so much more than that specific period in time. I also knew nothing about Violet Jessop before reading this book, but her story is so intriguing that I found myself wanting to know more about her life.

Unsinkable is set in two time periods, WW1 and WW2, and is told by the two female main characters Violet and Daphne. Throughout the story Violet is propelled forward by a promise that she made to her dying father, while Daphne actions are a result of her seeking to being valued and acknowledged by her absentee father. The story is very well researched and many factual tragic events grace the pages of this novel. This novel could easily have been split into two separate novels and I would have read them both. The intrigue and spy element of the WW2 storyline were very intriguing and kept me turning pages. I liked how one of the characters was linked to a Wren from Call of the Wrens. A small detail, that made me smile since I loved that story, if you haven't read it you totally should!

First person is typically not my favorite narrative, I think it is really difficult to write and less enjoyable to read unless it is exceptionally written. I thought the first half of the story was a bit choppy, but the story flowed easily in the second half. I would have preferred the story in a third person narrative like Call of the Wrens which I really loved! I still enjoyed the story as a whole, but am postitive I would have been glued to the pages if it wasn't first person. Just a personal preference and in no way a reflection on the author, she is a very good writer and one I look forward to reading more from! Once the timelines intersected, I wanted the story to drag out a bit longer, for the ladies to explore the connection they had, and for the ending to be a little less "Hollywood". It was a bit cheesy but still likeable! Everybody loves a happily ever after! If you are a Titanic fan or love the intrigue and danger of the SEO than you will love Unsinkable!

Read if you like:
WW1/WW2 setting
Dual point of view
First person narrative
Survival
Second chances
Clean romance

Also lets take a moment to give this gorgeous cover some love! I found it completely captivating and if I wasn't already familiar with Jenni L Walsh this cover would have definitly intrigued me enough to read the story inside! Great job cover designers!

Thank you, Jenni L Walsh, Harper Muse and Net Galley for the complimentary copy of Unsinkable. The opinions expressed here are my own.

Calling all Titanic fans… “Unsinkable” by Jenni L. Walsh is the perfect read for those fascinated by the Titanic disaster, and historical fiction. After all, it was the “unsinkable ship”. This well written book also addresses the first and second world wars and the bravery shown by those fighting for freedom from German occupation.

This is the saga of Violet Jessop who works as a stewardess on the famous White Star Line, who has thus far survived three shipwrecks, one becoming known as The Unsinkable. This is based on her autobiography. With her large family dependant upon her, she gives up her own dreams and goes to work at sea where she can earn large tips from the opulent passengers.


Thirty years later we meet Daphne Chaundanson who has been living and working in her beloved Paris and cannot bear to see what the nazis are doing to France. She goes to London and joins the SOE as a spy.

This fine work is a thrilling, historical romance.

Did not finish. Not well written, Spanish had many errors, text had typos and characters were not engaging enough to hold my interest. Many sections seemed like history dumps rather than info relevant to the characters’ stories.

'History has seen its share of sinking ships, but also wars'.

It is said that bad things come in threes. The 20th Century saw a trifecta of sister ships sink, in spite of the years that separated them. Misfortune saw Violet Jessop on all of them. Fortune saw Violet Jessop survive, 'You are not only Miss Violet but also Miss Unsinkable'.

Violet works hard as a ship's porter, despite a mishap with the Olympic she conquers her unease in order to support her family since her father died. Unbelievably she is working on the unsinkable Titanic when it succumbs to the icy waters of the Atlantic. Violet manages to survive that shipwreck only to find herself negotiating the troubled waters of a world preparing themselves for WW2. After enlisting as a nurse, she soon finds herself facing the third sister of unsinkable ships. What does the future hold now?

In a different time, Daphne Chaundanson is recruited into the SOE during WW2. Always out to prove herself to her absentee father, she's learned six languages and a never-say-die attitude. However, her unaccountable aquaphobia might just be her undoing, 'What's a person to do when faced with great uncertainty and fear" Remember the reason for being'. Conquering her fear might also help her conquer her father's love.

'Unsinkable' is a dual timeline story inspired by real-life shipwreck survivor Violet Jessop. It is also a story of war, love, and an indomitable spirit. The descriptions of the ships sinking, as well as the resistance activities are wholly engrossing. You can appreciate, from reading the author's notes the amount of research done and the pains taken to try and remain true to the recorded events. I did enjoy reading about both Violet and Daphne separately but felt they only had a tenuous link as a whole. Also, for me, the ending was a bit too much of a stretch and a rush at that. However, overall I did enjoy this read, and parts of it, in particular, had me completely riveted. Many historical fiction aficionados and WW2 romance lovers will find much to enjoy in this story.

Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Muse for an eARC copy of Unsinkable by Jenni L Walsh.

Unsinkable is a captivating and emotionally charged novel that weaves together the remarkable stories of two resilient women, Violet Jessop and Daphne Chaundanson, whose lives are bound by a common thread of survival and an unyielding determination to find happiness amidst adversity.

I didn't know prior to reading Unsinkable that Violet Jessop was a real nurse who had actually survived three boat disasters. It was a nice little surprise to learn about following the conclusion of the novel. As such, Violet Jessop opens the story, aptly dubbed "Miss Unsinkable" for surviving not one, but two ship wrecks and one of them being the RMS Titanic. Her early life is marked by tragedy, illness, and the burden of caring for her large family. Her decision to work as a stewardess and wartime nurse at sea, despite the risks, is driven by a deep sense of responsibility to her family. The narrative explores Violet's unwavering commitment to her loved ones and her enduring resilience in the face of unimaginable circumstances. Her character is beautifully developed, making her journey from hardship to hope truly compelling.

Daphne Chaundanson's story runs parallel to Violet's, yet it possesses its own unique charm and complexity. Daphne's quest for approval and identity following her mother's tragic death is relatable and heartfelt. Her passion for languages and her eventual involvement as a Special Operations Executive agent during World War II adds a layer of intrigue and suspense to the narrative. Daphne's transformation from a vulnerable, seeking soul to a strong, confident woman is portrayed with depth and authenticity.

Some moments and character developments could have been explored in greater depth. Especially Daphne as she was an original character

Additionally, the ending, while satisfying, leaves a few questions unanswered, which may leave readers wanting more closure.

Violet Jessup survived three separate shipwrecks during her time as a stewardess. Since the passing of her mother, who was also a stewardess on the White Star fleet of ships, Violet needed the generous tips along with her salary to provide for her family.

After surviving the sinking of the Titanic, Violet continues to work on large ships. She overcame her fears and survived two more brushes with death, all in the quest of putting food on the table for her family. She’s quite an intriguing woman and her tenacity is a lesson for all of us.

A second timeline follows Daphne, who escapes Nazi imprisonment and also survives a maritime accident.

I would recommend this very intriguing novel to those who love good historical fiction and anyone who is interested in the Titanic. It is extremely well written and such a joy to learn about these courageous women. I rate this book 3 stars with many thanks to NetGalley and Harper Muse for the ARC.

WOW. I picked this up for the dual Titanic and WWII timelines and left it absolutely floored. While my interest in each of the two timelines waxed and waned over the course of the book, I was constantly waiting for them to intersect. AND WHEN THEY DID, my gosh. What a story. The authors note at the end of this book is also fascinating. Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the advance copy.

As someone who has always been interested in the Titanic, this was so good! I loved the story and the characters, and the writing was really engaging.

This book is fantastic. I love reading books with the Titanic as the setting. Will be a nice addition to my collection and. Its released.

Thank you to NetGalley for the advanced digital copy.