This is not another Titanic book, it is so much more. Two women face devastating odds in order to fulfill their own personal objectives. There is history, adventure, and some romance.

I love disaster fiction, and I’m not sure what that says about me. This was such fascinating look at a real person through a fictional lens set in the world of a very real historic disaster. Strong women stepping up in bravery and courage are the best characters for me to read. This one did not disappoint. Recommended.

My thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to review this book.

Excellent book - recommend reading this if you are interested in the Titanic, WW1, and WW2 historical fiction.

This book is a dual timeline story that follows the lives of Violet Jessop and Daphne Chaundanson. Throughout, the book goes back and forth between Violet, who works on the Titanic, and Daphne, who works for the Special Operations Executive during WW2. Throughout the book, I knew that the two stories were linked in some way, and in the end you find out how. I don't want to spoil the story for anyone, so just read it.

This is the first time I've read a book by this author and I thought it was really well written and enjoyed the story. I also learned a lot about these two time periods. I especially enjoyed the authors notes at the end of the book which explained the real life history behind the story.

I received a copy of this book from Netgalley and glad I was able to read it.

I enjoyed this book, just not as much as thought I would. Two timelines are always interesting and the tie between the two lines was good. I learned a lot from the author's note.
Thank you to Netgalley and to the publisher for the opportunity to read an early copy of Unsinkable.

Unsinkable by Jenni L. Walsh follows Violet, a stewardess on the maiden voyage of the Titanic. This is not Violet's first embarkment on the sea and it will not be her last. Thirty years to the day that the Titanic sank Daphne is being interviewed to be a secert agent for the British Government in France during WW 2. While the chapters alternate from Violet's time on various ships throughout her life and her harrowling feat to defeat death several times, to Daphne's time as a secert agent first in Lyon, France and then in Brittany, France. This was a fast paced read that I really couldn't put down. I was up in the wee hours of the morning to finish Unsinkable, which was worth being so tired the next day. I have always been facsinated by the Titanc and love to read any fiction book on the subject. The plot was very well written and will want the reader to hope that everything works out for both Violet and Daphne in the end. Read a like authors if you loved this book are: Kristin Hannah, Kristin Harmel, Julia Kelly, Kate Quinn, Pam Jenoff, Rhys Bowen.

“Unsinkable” is a highly readable dual-timeline historical novel that brings to life two women fighting to succeed under great odds.

You may already have heard of Violet Jessop, the room steward who survived the sinking of the Titanic. Less known is that she also survived the sinking of the Britannic (even though her hair was caught in the ship’s propeller,) and even before Titanic, had survived a serious accident aboard the Olympic, another ship of the White Star Line. What kept her at sea?

Violet was the oldest of a large family, and her options were limited. Her father was dead, her mother nearly catatonic after losing her husband and three children in short order. The tips from wealthy passengers are what keeps Violet coming back to that job, and she’s able to keep everyone afloat (so to speak) with her pay. When she was handed a baby as she stepped onto a Titanic lifeboat, she knows just what to do.

About thirty years after the Titanic tragedy, Daphne Chaundanson, a wealthy, lonely young woman, motherless and with an uninterested father, is approached to become a Special Operations agent, her extraordinary gift for languages having been noticed. She is not a very confident person, but she will have to become so.

Jenni Walsh neatly moves each storyline along as we increasingly wonder what they have to do with each other. As is the risk in dual-timeline novels, one story is more compelling than the other. In this case I wished for an entire novel about Violet, a stand-up woman whose struggles were not uncommon for working-class women in the early 20th century. Daphne’s story seems more fictional, and she does not bring much to the cannon of female spies in France during World War II.

Very readable and a solid page turner, “Unsinkable” will keep glued to its satisfying end.

📖 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.