'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.

I stopped after chapter 1 (5%0, but it was solidly fine. Standard three stars, four for the right readers. Even with being first person POV, it feels distant.

Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Muse for the ARC.

Unsinkable features two different timelines - one follows Violet and begins in 1912, aboard the Titanic. It follows her as she continues to return to the sea and have 2 more brushes with death aboard other ships. The other timeline follows Daphne, and begins in 1943 as she volunteers for the SOE and goes undercover in France.

I was thrilled to read the Author's Note at the end and discover that Violet Jessup was a real person who really did survive 3 shipwrecks during her time as a stewardess on ocean liners! I always appreciate historical fiction authors who share the parts of their books that are based on real people and events!

Both timelines were very interesting, but because of the vast amount of time covered in the lives of each woman, it felt jumpy at times. I enjoy dual timeline books, but this one left me wanting more details and character development from each woman. The ending felt very rushed and the connection between the women didn't become clear until the very end of the book. It was a sweet ending for these 2 women who endured so much during their lives, it just felt like everything wrapped up a bit too neatly.

I definitely recommend this one to anyone who loves historical fiction, especially learning more about Titanic and other White Star Line ships. And also anyone who enjoys WWII. This has a little bit of everything!

Thank you to NetGalley, Harper Muse, and Jenni L. Walsh for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for my honest opinions.

📖 Book Review 📖

📱”Unsinkable" by Jenni L. Walsh

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
To be published January 9, 2024
 
Thank you @netgalley for the eARC of this novel. 

I love it when a novel give such insight into how and why the author wrote the book. Well-researched, good pacing, and three shipwreck scenes, full of details you feel like you are there. Violet is a stewardess and eventually a wartime nurse, who survived the sinking of the Titanic. She is racked with duty to her family, her childhood fraught with illness and death- she feels it is her responsibility to care for others. She is called to the sea, time and time again. 

Daphne Chaundanson grows up as an unwanted child after her mother died in a tragedy. She knows very little of her mother, and in turn goes 100mph into advanced education, collecting languages, and excelling at every opportunity, to finally earn her father’s approval. The SOE asks her to be an agent in France, during WWII and Daphne jumps at the chance to prove yet again worthy of her father's love. 

Two unsinkable women. Two stories of survival, family, and finding one’s own happiness. One connection that reshapes both their lives forever. I felt like it was 2 very separate stories, and did not see the connection. 


#somanybooks #readsomemore #audiobooks #bookstagram #bookrecommendations #readersofinstagram #readmorebooks #booklover #bookishlove #readersgonnaread #bookishaf

Gorgeously written, this dual timeline historical fiction brings the Titanic, and World War 2, to life, along with some of the strong women who lived through the traumatic times. This was a true gem incorporating some of my favorite things. Women who stand strong in the face of all the horrors and mishaps that come their way. Family. Love. The Titanic. Wonderful ending that I didn't see coming. Beautiful writing, fascinating story, and believable characters. Fantastic read!

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the advanced digital reader's copy (ARC) in exchange for an honest review!

"I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own."
I was hooked from the very first chapter. The story of Violet is based on meticulous research by Jenni Walsh. Why would someone who survived three ships sinking continue to return to the sea? Daphne’s story is more fiction than not. However, there was an infant aboard the Titanic. Loved how Jenni Walsh ties both stories together at the end in a lovely and most satisfying way. Brava Jenni!

I loved this read, women who are willing to overcome their fears and help others. These courageous women sacrifice so much to help family and help thwart evil.
What do Violet and Daphne have in common? We find out as we journey the seas for answers, literally, and yes, these woman have ship wrecks, but oh such more. As we read this time slip book, and see how much they are willing to give and keep their own fears in tack, but stepping out to the unknown.
When finished with the main part of the book, make sure you read the author's notes, based on so much fact, and put together beautifully!
Now I can't wait for another page turner by this author!
I received this book through Net Galley and the Publisher Harper Muse, and was not required to give a positive review.

I was so excited to read this book. I'd heard years ago about Violet Jessop surviving three maritime disasters and was eager to see her story told. Her life was even more remarkable than I'd thought, and it was nice to see her story fleshed out here.

Going into this book, I felt like Violet could carry her own book (actually, I still feel that way), so I wasn't sure what I'd think about the other story line. As it turned out, I did enjoy Daphne's story and found it quite engaging.

I have very mixed feelings about the end of this book. I do like happy endings but feel like maybe this one had too many coincidences. On an almost contradictory note, since it did end this way, I wish it had gone a bit farther. There is something the readers find out that I wish the characters in that scene found out too. I understand that the ending as written was closer to actual events, though.

Speaking of actual events, I appreciated the author's notes at the end. I always like to know about the author's inspiration, what liberties were taken, and so forth, and that was well provided here.

I recommend this to anyone who enjoys historical fiction.

Thank you to Harper Muse and NetGalley for the early read.

Unsinkable was an intriguing historical tale of a woman who survived three shipwrecks in the early 1900's, including the Titanic. Jenni Walsh weaves in true facts of three shipwrecks, and along with her character development, lets you into the thoughts, impacts, loss and regrets of the characters. Her character development left me truly understanding the characters, their motivations, and perspectives which allowed the characters to come to life for me. And the ending...WOW, was not what I was expecting, which made it all the better! A beautiful story of personal growth, dreams lost and fulfilled, sacrifice, and hope restored.

#Unsinkable #NetGalley #historicalfiction #theTitanic #AmericanHistory #WomenHeroes

This book was incredible! I got it because I'm obsessed with the Titanic and I loved learning about Violets life! The dual time line story was flawless and the war stuff was fascinating! This book had everything you could want and more!

I'm a major Jenni Walsh fan, she's an auto-read author for me. I love all of her books but this one might be my favorite! She draws you into the story right from the first page and then doesn't let go until the last. And can we talk about that ending?? So good! There's something special in the way her stories unfold, and I absolutely loved when the connection between the two women was revealed.

I have always been intrigued by the Titanic and any other ship disasters. I had not heard of Violet Jessop and didn't realize until I read the historical details at the end of the book that she was a real person. Wow! What a life she led and a story that was created. Granted this is not a biography and many parts are fiction but the details that are fact really surprised me. The first part of the story was really difficult for me to follow and I was so confused where the story line was headed. It seemed really choppy and I LOVE dual time line novels and this one seemed very thrown together-at least at first. About half way into the story it takes a turn and I was able to be more invested because I finally knew what was happening. The ending is a bit rushed and unrealistic but I smiled while reading it anyway. I liked the historical timeline and a peek into what life might have been like during both world wars. I did enjoy this story, it just took me a bit to get into. I know many will love this book and those that enjoy historical fiction will be excited to pick this one up!


Three Stars.

"I received this book from NetGalley for free. All opinions are my own and I was not required to write a positive review."

Like many people Titanic and her sinking was a childhood interest of mine, and the fates of the people aboard has long fascinated me. This book follows Violet Jessop who during the sinking of the Titanic worked as a stewardess did not only survive the sinking, but she also survived the sinking of two other Ocean liners during her life. She lived on to be 83 years old.

We follow two different timelines and two different POVs – Violet and Daphne – in this book. They do connect but I think I personally would have liked the story better if it was focused on just one of the two rather than both.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

I cannot say enough how genuinely enjoyable this book is.
My first biggest but of praise is Unsinkable has dual timelines, and they are both extremely engaging. I was never disappointed to be reading about either character.
Second, one of our heroines is based on a real person (I highly recommend reading the author’s notes at the end to hear about the real Violet) and as crazy as her story is, it really happened!
Third, this is just a really well written, well researched, book.
April 15, 1912
Off the coast of Newfoundland the unsinkable ship, Titanic, will succumb to an iceberg. The survivors lives will be irrevocably changed. Violet, a first class stewardess, will continue to serve on ships to support her family.
In 1943 as war rages Daphne is being enlisted to go back to France under a new identity to fight for freedom.
I was hooked from the first until the last page. @jennilwalsh amazing new book will be available January 9 2024.
Thank you to @netgalley and @harpermusebooks for letting me read this one early in exchange for a review.
#unsinkable #readingthroughtheages #readersofinstagram #booklover #bookstagram #bookreview #bookrecommendations #titanic #historicalfiction #readforjoy #booklover #historicalfictionbook #historicalfictionwriter #bookswilltakeyoueverywhere #readmorebooks

Unsinkable is an unforgettable story intertwining the lives two women who survived some of history’s biggest tragedies.

Violet Jessop is a survivor. She survived a childhood of illness and loss and three of the biggest maritime tragedies in history. A promise made to her father before his death brought Violet to the White Star Line…home of the Olympic, Titanic and Britannic. The tips in addition to her normal wages, provided for her family. It kept her siblings in school, the bills paid and food the table. It also provided the distance she needed to protect her heart from more loss. When she meets Leo, a handsome officer recovering from his wartime injuries, she is torn between her responsibilities and what her heart wants.

Daphne Chaundanson grew up without a mother and a famous father who supported her financially but from afar. All she wanted was his attention and it seemed she only got it when she accomplished something big. So she spent her young adulthood stringing together accomplishment after accomplishment for that 30 seconds of recognition. When WWII comes about, she sees the ultimate accomplishment and joins the SOE. It quickly becomes more than just being about making her father proud. It’s about doing something to make a difference, about saving lives. She too is a survivor, escaping Nazi prison and a sinking boat. She begins to see that her life has meaning and what she wants is just as important.

This book is wonderful though I felt that it could easily be two separate books because there is one little thing connecting them but it’s not mentioned much.

Thank you so much to NetGalley, Harper Muse and Jenni Walsh for early access to this remarkable story!