Member Reviews
Unsinkable is a dual timeline historical fiction taking place in both the 1910s and 1940s. Violet is Miss Unsinkable- she has managed to survive several major ship wrecks including the Titanic! She’s drawn to helping people and her family by working as a stewardess for White Star Oceanliners. As the world heads toward war, she becomes a nurse to help her country.
Daphne is a motherless woman who was always been looking for approval by her famous actor father. She tries to impress him with learning several languages and earning difficult degrees. But she is recruited to work for the resistance during WWII in France for her incredible language skills.
The two stories are parallel until pretty far into the book when they finally connect. This is a must read novel for any historical fiction fan. I enjoyed Daphne’s story, but I really loved Violet. She was so dedicated to her family and took her responsibilities very seriously.
I loved that Violet was a real life person. It really added a lot that she was able to survive so much. I also like the call back to Jenni’s earlier book, the Call of the Wrens. Jenni’s writing is very informative, but in a way that really has you wanting more.
Thank you @jennilwalsh and @harpermusebooks for my gifted book. Unsinkable is out now!
What an intriguing premise for this novel! I'm all about the Titanic and reading anything about it's people and history. Historical fiction is my favorite genre so this was a book I was very excited to "dive" into. Especially with Ms. Walsh expanding the story of a not so well known passenger on the Titanic, Violet Jessup. Then she wove a fictional character, Daphne Chaundanson, into the story in a dual time line format. I was pulled into each of the characters and their situations by this author's ability to create a fascinating and intense plot that drew me in and captured my emotions to follow the characters and what it took for them to survive.
The author took me into the past with her very descriptive accounts of the events. The sinking of the Titanic felt like I was right there with Violet as well as the other situations and places the characters were experiencing. That's one of the reasons I like HF so much is because it's like taking a step back in time and being a part of it. There's always something new I experience. Ms. Walsh's book is no exception to that.
I want to thank Ms. Walsh for the privilege and honor of reading this book and to Netgalley opportunity to experience it. All opinions and views in this review are my heartfelt own.
Thank you to NetGalley, Harper Muse, and the author Jenni L. Walsh for the opportunity to read the ARC of Unsinkable.
I became intrigued to read this story after I read its title and description. I always find any books involving survivors of the Titanic extremely interesting. The author, Jenni L. Walsh, did an amazing job of telling two different stories about two brave women who survived many accidents, illnesses, and hardships of war.
Violet was a woman who was born in Ireland, but raised in Argentina for much of her youth. She suffered through many severe illnesses which unfortunately took the lives of several members of her family, including her father . Her mother did not handle these losses well and became completely despondent. Violet grew up having to find work in order to take care of her other siblings and her mother. She eventually quit school and became a stewardess. She first sailed on the Olympic, the sister ship to the Titanic, that was hit by another boat and suffered severe damage. She along with many others were rescued. This did not stop Violet from sailing on the Titanic, which hit an iceberg, and she again found herself being rescued. She also volunteered as a nurse in training during WWI and caught malaria. She survived and again decided to work on a hospital ship which was destroyed by a mine.
Daphne was a girl whose mother and father divorced when she was young. She lived in Paris with her mother until she died. Then she went to stay with her father in London who promptly sent her away to boarding school. Then seeking approval from her father, Daphne went to several colleges and earned several degrees in different languages. When she was finished with school WWII started. Her incredible knowledge different languages helped to secure her a job with the Special Operations Executive - SOE. This was an operation where English men and women were sent to France to help sabotage the enemy, free people from war torn France, and to help out the resistance groups as much as possible. She was brought to France as one of the few female executives. She also had a fear of boats and water, yet she had to deal with getting to and from France via the English Channel.
Both women were extremely brave and did their part to help their countries endure war. They also both found love, despite the odds, while fighting for their countries.
I highly recommend this book for anyone who enjoys stories of love, war, and survival. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and I've already recommended it to several friends.
I love when authors can take actual events or people from history and weave a beautiful and entertaining story. That is exactly what Jenni L. Walsh did with “Unsinkable.” Based on Violet Jessop, a woman who survived one shipwreck and two ships sinking, including the Titanic, “Unsinkable” tells the story of Violet Jessop, who survived a shipwreck and two ships sinking. One of those being the Titanic. Her story is weaved into another young woman’s story, who is based off of amazing women who were SOE agents during World War II.
From page one, I was captivated by the history and courage of Violet and Daphne. I enjoyed reading both their perspectives. Seeing how they both faced and overcame their trials was inspiring.The author did a wonderful job at mixing history with fiction. It was neat to get glimpses of both World War I and World War II from a woman’s point-of-view.
My one complaint is I wish it was longer. I loved reading about these two women and would happily read more. That said, I think the author did a fabulous job as she had many years and events to cover.
“Unsinkable” is the perfect book for any fans of the Titanic, second chances, brave and strong women, and historical fiction.
Thank you to the author and publisher for an advanced copy. These thoughts are my own.
Many of us have heard or read about the story of the Titanic, however I was unaware of Violet Jessop and her multiple sinkings that she was involved in throughout her life. I had expected a little more about her and each of the ships but found myself enjoying the story the whole way. The story is told with two alternating point of views: one being Violet and one being Daphne. Both were strong women who were in world changing situations. I found myself reading about different events in the past that I had not been aware of. Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Muse for an advanced copy! All thoughts and opinions are my own!
Remarkable story between the two main characters, both starting on the Titanic, a crew member and baby both saved from dead by being put on a rowboat. From there, their lives take separate paths, but oh the paths they take!
At first it's a slow read but then I couldn't put it down.
Being the Titanic-obsessed reader that I am, I just had to pick up this title. I knew Violet Jessop's story, but I liked the fictional spin on her life. Violet made her living working on ship liners, and she was an employee on every one of the shipwrecks described in this book. What made me devour this book was the dual timeline. The second timeline is a woman with many names, but we will call her the first here, Katherine. Katherine works secretly to do what she can to stop Hitler's troops. What is her connection to Violet Jessop and the Titanic? You have to read the book and find out that part. Yes, Violet and Katherine do have a connection.
Overall, I say this book is historical romantic fiction that features the ocean as a character in some instances. I absolutely adored this book!
Unsinkable delivers exactly what I’ve grown to expect in a novel by Jenni L. Walsh. Her commitment to research and attention to detail keep me engrossed in the worlds she recreates. I love being entertained by a novel, but when I get to experience a time period in the past, and when a story immerses me into little known roles women played during important times in history, I’m a happy reader. This author is exceptional at both as I’ve been following her since her debut. I loved both Violet and Daphne equally in this story, and I kept looking for clues how their stories would converge. I was mostly surprised and absolutely delighted. As always, the author’s notes at the end are an added bonus and worth reading. Thank you to the publisher for providing an advance review copy.
I finished this story a few days ago and it is still in my thoughts! Absolutely intriguing and full of all the emotions! I loved being pulled into another world and and could almost taste the salt in the misty air! Beautifully written!
Two fierce and independent women with dual timelines. The story was rich in historical detail and I was intrigued throughout. Very good!
Many thanks to Harper Muse and to NetGalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.
What a story! Just being a bit about the titanic had me requesting this book with the quickness. I enjoyed the dual POVs even though a few times I forgot which POV I was in. And I don't think that was the authors fault, more my own, because at times I did favor one POV over the other.
I've gotten a bit more into historical fiction based books and I'm always pleasantly surprised when I choose one I like. I'd recommend this to anyone who likes the genre and strong women capable of think and surviving.
Unsinkable by, Jenni L Walsh is such a well written, thoughtful outstanding read! This story about these amazing women had me absolutely riveted from the first page until the very satisfying ending. I loved everything about this book!
Unsinkable is the fictionalized story of women called to war by circumstances that would have broken the spirit of those with less courage. At the beginning of WWI, Violet Jessup must find a job to help care for her family. Violet is a true character who was tagged Ms Unsinkable after she survives several ship tragedies, including the sinking of The Titanic. When others would have refused to go back aboard, Violet's sense of responsibility to her mother and siblings send her back into the war action. She would endure much while setting the example for her peers.
Daphne Chaundanson is a compilation of several women in the Special Operations during WWII. She will use her considerable skills to forward the Allies campaign while trying to impress her father. Without the sacrifices of these dedicated women, the loss of life could have been so much worse.
Author Jenni L Walsh has obviously done her research. Her ability to convey the courage and loyality of the women during these wars shines a light on the sacrifices made by men and women to keep their countries safe from occupation and destruction by our enemies.
This book covers an impressive scope of history, from 1912 to 1945, using a seamless dual-timeline. Both timelines feature strong, determined women who refuse to bow down to adversity. I loved "Miss Unsinkable" Violet Jessup who begins the story as a stewardess on the Titanic but had already survived so much adversity by the time she was 25 years old. The second timeline begins in 1942 and introduces us to Daphne, who will go by many names as an SOE agent in France. Both women fear making personal attachments and I was frustrated when they pushed men who loved them away, even though I understood why. That said, I don't know when I have enjoyed the ending of a novel as much as I did this one. It was absolutely perfect, especially since I hadn't anticipated it. This book surpassed my already high expectations and I highly recommend it.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this book are entirely my own.
This is a novel of two woman's lives during two wars. It makes for wonderful reading for one who is so captivted by historical stories. And this one hit the spot for me. A life of a young woman, Violet Jessop, who is truly "unsinkable". Her first cruise being "Titanic", as a stewardess. She will board other ships as a nurse and stewardess. Her life is taking care of her family, a mother, sister and brothers. When her mother becomes unable to work, she becomes the breadwinner. She is just so remarkable in wanting to be on the sea.
The other young woman is Daphne Chaundanson, who lost her mother in her infant years. She loves to learn, so education became important to her. So many languages she learned in her years of schooling. Her father was a busy man and did not have time for her. During World War II she become an agent to help the people of France. She goes through many dangers in this time of her life. She too is an "unsinkable" woman.
For me this book was so hard to put down. A true story based on actual events. Jenni L. Walsh, you did amazing research for this novel of truth and history. I am so looking for to reading other books you have written.
I absolutely loved Violet’s story. Violet is Miss Unsinkable. She worked as a stewardess and a wartime nurse and survived two sinking, including the famous Titanic sinking. All Violet wants to do is survive and refused to return to the sea. Daphne is recruited into the SOE during WWII, trying to conquer her fear and prove herself to her absent father.
I was hesitant when I saw it was a dual timeline but Jenni does a great job of weaving these two stories together. This was a great dual timeline story alternating between Violet and Daphne’s stories. I really enjoyed both POVs and was pleasantly surprised that Violet was a real person who did indeed survive the Titanic.
3.5 stars. Before reading this book, I wasn't aware it was inspired by a real person. The fact that it involved the Titanic disaster was enough to reel me in. It's actually about two different women with dual timelines who have common threads. I would recommend this one to anyone who enjoys historical fiction. My thanks to the publisher for providing a review copy via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
Two women, two world wars, two time periods, can these stories be linked somehow? That's what Walsh shares with us as we meet two strong and vulnerable women who both spend a decent amount of time on big ships designed to not sink!
Violet Jessop made a promise to her late father to care for her ailing mother and younger sister. Accordingly, she makes sacrifices for her own life including not falling in love so she can honour that promise. Violet is a stewardess on the Titanic. She survives and we follow her on future voyages through WWI and beyond.
Daphe Chaundanson joins the SOE in WWII to do her bit for the war effort. She's kinda estranged from her famous actor/director father, Charles Labine, and never met her mother, who perished on the Titanic. Daphe adopts various pseudonyms to fulfil her war duty as she and her small team are thrown into some perilous situations providing means for injured pilots to be transported back to London for recovery and re-assignment.
Both stories are fascinating. Both ladies meet men, Leo and Evan respectively, who become very dear to them. But for differing reasons, both are challenged to contemplate a future with them. I thoroughly enjoyed how Walsh explored singleness and the choices we make and those that are made for us that impact our relationship status.
The alternating timelines work well. At times, both characters morphed into the other and I had to correct myself as to which I was currently reading but that was rare. The final chapter was a little Hollywood for me which I actually don't think the story needed but I'm certain it will satisfy many readers.
Overall, this is a beautiful story and I'm finding Walsh to be a new author that I'm readily drawn to read.
I feel very fortunate to have received an early ebook copy of the story from Harper Muse via Net Galley but this has had no bearing on my review.
Being a fan of all things Titanic, I was drawn to the cover of this book, Unsinkable, by Jenni Walsh. This historical fiction book has so much more than the Titanic story. WWI and WWII are also main themes . There are two strong independent women, Violet and Daphne, who are the main characters. Their individual stories are told in alternating chapters, in two time lines, being a generation apart.
The story is packed with suspense and is well researched. Each chapter seemed to end in a cliffhanger and that just made be want to continue on reading. These women are not related but their connection becomes apparent later on in the book. The title Unsinkable is not just about the Titanic. It is really a metaphor for the book’s content and characters.
Can you imagine surviving the sinking of one ship, then another ship you are on sinks and you survive that too!? Well that’s what happens to Miss Unsinkable. The book is told through alternating perspectives about two wars. This was a really good historical fiction, and I’m glad I was able to read it!