Thank you partners, Bibliolifestyle and Kensington Books, for this book in exchange for my honest review of The Sisters of Fortune by Anna Lee Huber.
Sisters of Fortune is a historical fiction novel that takes place on the legendary ocean liner and follows three sisters who boarded on this ship with their family. The author was new to me and I look forward to reading more books by this author. I was turning pages until the very end and all of the characters were great in this. This author did a great job with the research for this book since the attention to detail was well done. I highly enjoyed this book and would recommend this one to any reader who loves historical fiction. Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Books for this read in exchange of my honest review of Sisters of Fortune by Anna Lee Huber.

I was obsessed with the Titanic as a child and excited to read a historical fiction based on this time period. This book was very well researched. I enjoyed the historical fiction aspect, but the sisters story fell flat.

EXCERPT: William remarked again on the stifling weather, but Alice spared him only half her attention, the rest of it being drawn to a little man wearing a maroon fez who stood on the opposite side of the balustrade, speaking to the couple. Whatever he had to say, the smartly dressed man didn't want to hear it, for he turned resolutely away, assisting the woman into the vehicle.
The blast of a lorry horn distracted her momentarily as she turned to see a donkey cart driver raise his arm and holler in response, but when she looked back, she discovered the little man was now staring rather intently at her. A tiny smile played across his mouth, and he reached through the wrought iron railing to gesture to her. At first, she wondered if he was another one of the street vendors she periodically heard cry out, offering up their wares to passersby, but he clutched nothing in his hands, nor would such a peddler been permitted to display his goods so close to the hotel entrance.
'Now, what do you think he wants?' she observed offhandedly.
William followed the direction of her gaze toward the man who beckoned again. 'Why, to tell you your fortune, of course. Have you never had it done?'
'No, but . . .' She wasn't certain her mother and father would approve, but, after all, they were on this grand tour to experience other cultures ad continents. 'Oh . . . what could be the harm?'
'I will go fetch him for you,' William said with a smile.
Alice brushed her hands over her cornflower blue skirts, smoothing out the wrinkles but careful not to dislodge her gloves where they were draped over her lap, and adjusted her wide-brimmed straw picture hat, suddenly nervous as well as excited.
The Egyptian soothsayer's dark skin was creased with wrinkles and his clothes were soiled with dust, but his eyes gleamed with warmth and almost merriment. He bowed politely to her before speaking in a melodic, accented voice. 'Does the young lady wish me to read her palm?'
She offered him her hand, watching with great interest as he turned it over to examine it, tracing the lines with his short fingers. William adjusted his grey linen suit jacket and settled back into his chair, offering her a wink.
'You are in danger every time you travel on the sea.'
Alice's eyes snapped back to the fortune teller, noting that much of the man's good humor had faded from his weathered features.
'I see you adrift on the ocean in an open boat,' he continued, almost as if speaking to her from a distance. 'You will lose everything but your life. You will be saved but others will be lost.'

ABOUT 'SISTERS OF FORTUNE': April,1912: It’s the perfect finale to a Grand Tour of Europe—sailing home on the largest, most luxurious ocean liner ever built. For the Fortune sisters, the voyage offers a chance to reflect on the treasures of the past they’ve seen—magnificent castles and museums in Italy and France, the ruins of Greece and the Middle East—and contemplate the futures that await them.

For Alice, there’s foreboding mixed with her excitement. A fortune teller in Egypt gave her a dire warning about traveling at sea. And the freedom she has enjoyed on her travels contrasts with her fiancé’s plans for her return—a cossetted existence she’s no longer sure she wants.

Flora is also returning to a fiancé, a well-to-do banker of whom her parents heartily approve, as befits their most dutiful daughter. Yet the closer the wedding looms, the less sure Flora feels. Another man—charming, exasperating, completely unsuitable—occupies her thoughts, daring her to follow her own desires rather than settling for the wishes of others.

Youngest sister Mabel knows her parents arranged this Grand Tour to separate her from a jazz musician. But the secret truth is that Mabel has little interest in marrying at all, preferring to explore ideas of suffrage and reform—even if it forces a rift with her family.

Each sister grapples with the choices before her as the grand vessel glides through the Atlantic waters. Until, on an infamous night, fate intervenes, forever altering their lives . . .

MY THOUGHTS: Please don't read the author's notes at the end of the book before you read the book itself, else much of what you will read in the novel will be spoiled for you. But definitely do read them after.

A fascinating blend of fact and fiction, Sisters of Fortune held me captivated throughout.

Based on the true story of the Fortune sisters, Anna Lee Huber has created a riveting story of three sisters whose lives are about to change in a way that perhaps only an Egyptian soothsayer could foresee. Three young women who are used to a life of obedience and luxury will have their lives turned upside down as they dare to follow their own desires rather than the wishes of others.

At the centre of this story is a romance, a forbidden one at that, but it is merely a part of this story and not an overwhelming one. More, it is a tale of discovery as each sister grapples with the desire to change to their lives and their family obligations and find new strengths in the face of the greatest adversity imaginable.

It is very much a social commentary about the expectations placed on the children of the wealthy in this era, the need to 'toe the line' to save face or social disgrace. It is interesting to be on the journey with the three sisters as they each grew in different directions but ultimately found themselves to be a more cohesive unit because of it.

I have never been a Titanic 'nut' - Don't get me started on that film! - but Anna Lee Huber has awakened a new curiosity within me, and now I need to know more.

An extremely absorbing and satisfying read where the author has captured the sights, sounds, fashions, class distinction and minutiae of shipboard life perfectly.

⭐⭐⭐⭐.1

#SistersofFortune #NetGalley

THE AUTHOR: Anna is a member of Mystery Writers of America, Sisters in Crime, and International Thriller Writers. She currently lives in Indiana with her husband and two young daughters. When not hard at work on her next novel, she enjoys reading, singing, travel, and spending time with her family and friends. She also directs the children’s choir and sings with the worship team at her church.

DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Kensington Books via NetGalley for providing a digital ARC of Sisters of Fortune by Anna Lee Huber for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.

Hello! Firstly many thanks to Netgalley for the ARC of Sisters of Fortune. I quite enjoyed this book, and I am fascinated with the history of the Titanic. In fact I am intrigued by novels that take place on ships because, as a background to whatever drama is unfolding with the main characters, one is always surrounded by another, equally-if-not more-so-main character of the sea. That the ocean provides a dramatic backdrop to the infamous Titanic is one thing...but heightened by the fact that the Titanic provides a significant, dynamic backdrop to the human characters and their interactions in the novel. I found it a little challenging at first to connect with the sisters Flora, Alice and Mabel. But, as the sea rolls and tosses a ship, so do the characters and their relationships unfold. What makes the novel bittersweet is that we know how this particular Titanic voyage ended. But it was special to have a granular look into this voyage by the author. Thank you! I definitely recommend Sisters of Fortune! :)

Many thanks to NetGalley and Kensington Books for the opportunity to read, "Sisters of Fortune," by Anna Lee Huber. I was completely captivated by this story as I often am with stories set on the Titanic. Huber wrote a wonderful story involving three sisters who were on the Titanic, yet I had never heard of them before.

Huber's research was excellent and I thoroughly enjoyed learning about the Fortune family and their time on the Titanic. The Fortune family was from Canada and Mark Fortune was one of the richest men on board the Titanic. In 1912 he had surprised his wife Mary, three of their daughters, Flora, Alice, and Mabel, and their youngest son Charlie with a trip to Europe, Egypt, and the Middle East. He then surprised them for their return trip to North America aboard the RMS Titanic's first voyage.

I loved the romantic stories involving each of the three sisters and also the every day banter between all of the siblings. I also was taken with Huber's descriptions of all the people on board when they realized the ship was sinking. She really captured their emotions and dedication to saving the women, children, and all of their loved ones. It must have been incredibly heart wrenching to watch all of the men who chose to stay aboard the ship in order to save their wives, sisters, daughters, and female friends. Some of the women even chose to stay and died with their male counterparts.

I also enjoyed Huber's author notes at the end of the book explaining which characters were real and which of those who were fictional. It was interesting to find out about different people who had survived and died on that horrible day. It actually urged me to look into whether or not anyone from my home state had been onboard the Titanic. I found out there were several people from Michigan onboard and there is also a memorial plaque honoring them in one of our harbor cities.

I have already recommended this book to several friends and I will continue to let others know about this version of the Titanic. #NetGalley #SistersofFortune

Based off of real sisters that were on the Titanic, Sisters of Fortune is about 3 sisters who are coming home after a grand tour with their family. Their father surprised them with tickets on RMS Titanic to get home sooner. This story follows each of their experiences on the ship & the people they encounter. There are secrets, love, heartache, & loss. We all know what happens with Titanic - it’s just a matter of will these specific people live or die? I think it was well researched & well written, I enjoyed it!

Follow the lives of three Fortune sisters who boarded the Titanic on its maiden voyage.

“Nothing is going to happen to your sisters. Not on the Titanic”

📚 historical fiction
📚 multi POV

🚫 clean romance

|Thoughts|
The history and stories surrounding the Titanic was my first great obsession. And it was enjoyable to have a story set on its deck.

However, because of this I feel it also limited the storytelling. A lot about the story (whilst inevitably attempting to be historically accurate), felt unoriginal and predictable.

“He was surprised to see ships artificers standing…facing the hearth”

The story felt slow at the beginning as we changed PoV through multiple characters. And although there is a list of characters at the beginning, it still felt like we spent over half book just getting to know who’s who and their motivations.

The ending was heartbreaking and well written, especially as the Carpathia sails into New York. Did also enjoy the slight suffragette feel to some of the comments and actions of the female characters.

“How many of the needs of the world are seen and met my women, without men ever taking notice of them. How many more needs could be met if men would stop telling women to mind their own place when they do?”

Thank you to Netgalley, the author and publisher for this eARC in exchange for this honest review.

Sisters of Fortune: A Riveting Historical Novel of the Titanic Based on True History by Anna Lee Huber is a well crafted work of historical fiction. I have read many fiction books set on the Titanic. However, this author’s research and depth of character really sets this book apart. I sincerely enjoyed reading this book and cared so much about the characters that it was devastating to get to know them, knowing what comes next. It is a great book overall. I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher with no obligations. These opinions are entirely my own.

This is a heart lifting tale of life after tradegy. This one pulls at the heart-strings in ways you can't imagine.

Oh, this was such a fantastic read! I really enjoy Anna Lee Huber's writing, I just love her historical mysteries, and this novel about 3 different sisters-on the Titanic, well, I had to read it! We all know what happened to the Titanic, the question was-who, if any, or all, of the sisters survived?

Each of these girls were easily separated as different people, from Flora, the people pleasure, Alice, who is started to realize the life that's been set up for her, and Mabel, who wants doesn't want to be a wife and mother, she wants to further her education, and she's using her relationship with an unsuitable guy to get what she wants. But they were family, and they stuck together, as well as the parents, and their younger brother who were on the trip.

I really enjoyed reading about all 3 of these sisters and their own goings on in their lives, the emotions, secrets and drama, with the growing tension that we know that the Titanic is getting ever closer to sinking. I just had to keep reading!

For a story that does have the Titanic, and it's eventual sinking, I enjoyed the ending, and where we left these characters, after everything that happened throughout the story and how the characters and grown and changed. There were losses and heartbreaks, but I'm content with where the story ended.

This was such a wonderful read, and I can't wait to read more by Anna Lee Huber!

I love reading historical fiction books and this one was a different twist on what I typically read in that genre. Focused on the Titanic, you will feel like you are on board with the characters and experiencing their joy, excitement, and fear. With the point of view of three different Fortune sisters, you will get a varied aspect of their time on the Titanic. Knowing how the voyage ends, you are still drawn into the lives of the characters and wonder if they will survive. The angst of the passengers as the men, women, and children are separated ... the women who choose to never leave the side of their husband ... the children who are traumatized by being stripped from the arms of their mother ... is heart wrenching. But it is worth every tear you shed as you travel aboard the Titanic on its maiden voyage.

Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington for my advanced review copy. All opinions and thoughts are my own.

For more reviews, please visit my blog at: https://www.msladybugsbookreviews.com/. Over 1000 reviews posted!

Entertaining story about the maiden voyage of the Titanic. Historical fiction that was well researched based on actual people and events. The best way to learn about history is through a great story..

I have been fascinated with the Titanic and its stories for years. I was not familiar with the Fortune sisters, so I assumed that they were part of the fiction of the story. But no, there was really a Fortune family on the Titanic - Mark and Mary Fortune and their children - Ethel, Alice, Mabel and Charles.

This book is full of details about actual events that occurred on the Titanic. Some of the facts shared I had already learned from my reading in the past. But my favorite part - I learned new facts about the Titanic. It was fun learning about the Fortune family - their plans, interactions on the ship, relationships with others, etc. There is romance, fun, famous people, gossip, fashion, books and so much more in this book.

In the end, there is also tragedy, sadness, resilience and hope in this story. The author notes at the end of the book are informative and let you know where she moved away from facts to fiction and why. Anna Lee Huber did a great job researching and telling this story.

The Fortune sisters--Alice, Flora, and Mabel--board the Titanic (along with their parents and younger brother) in no particular hurry to get home, even as the ship on its maiden voyage seems on the path to break speed records. All three sisters are apprehensive about returning their sheltered, albeit privileged, lives in Canada after their European and Mediterranean tour. Their futures as dictated by convention in 1912 invariably include marriage--to men their father considers suitable.

As the voyage approaches its well-known catastrophic ending, the family becomes acquainted with their fellow shipmates, unaware of the tragedy that awaits. The buildup to the sinking is overly long, while the ending seems too abrupt. As much as I typically love historical novels, I didn't love this one--just liked it. #SistersofFortune #NetGalley

For lovers of stories of the Titanic - you'll love the detail Anna Lee Huber brings to this story about the Fortune Sisters. The Fortunes were from Winnipeg, Manitoba, and traveled first class on the Ship of Dreams. One is destined to marry someone from home but isn't convinced it's the right thing; another misses her sweetheart horribly, and the third chafes against expectations and wants to make her own mark on the world. But everything changes for them on the night of April 14...

Meticulous research brings this story alive, and the tragedy is keenly felt through the experiences of three young ladies with their lives ahead of them. Recommended.

I was looking forward to reading the book Sisters of Fortune. The is a fictional book based on the Fortune sisters Alice, Flora & Mabel, and the trip they had planned to be on the Titanic.
The author did a wonderful job of describing the Titanic and the passengers on the doomed ship.
This was an enjoyable read. This gave me another glance into the lives of those who were on the Titanic.
Thank you NetGalley, Anna Lee Huber and Kensington Books for the copy of Sisters of Fortune. This is my personal review.

Thank you @kensingtonbooks and @netgalley for my complimentary copy. My thoughts are my own.

Historical romance readers will adore this Titanic love story by Anna Lee Huber. The story follows three real life young women who traveled across the ocean with their parents and friends aboard the Titanic. The Fortune family routinely traveled in upper class circles and knew many of their fellow passengers.

The Fortune women were sisters. I enjoyed each of their story lines, as well as the glimpses of other passengers and the details about the ship and the lavish decor. The tale was emotional; and even though a helpful cast list was provided at the beginning of the story, I did not allow myself to look up the fate of the family and friends in the Fortune circle, because I wanted to let the book unfold as it happened in life. The author’s note also provided interesting details, but don’t read it until the end! All in all, this was a fascinating story and I thoroughly enjoyed it!

In this Titanic historical fiction novel, Huber introduces readers to the Fortune sisters Alice, Flora, and Mabel, their younger brother, and their parents as they return from a Grand Tour in Europe back to Canada. Inspired by real Titanic passengers, Huber gives these girls life, stories, and personality as they travel on the doomed ocean liner and find strength, love, and agency on the journey. All three sisters, equal protagonists in their own rights, have unique stories, thoughts, and dreams, and Huber balances her many protagonists incredibly well. As the girls grow and change, the world they are returning to becomes different or undesirable, depending on the sister, and it changes how they see their futures, previously set in stone. Huber’s descriptions and prose are incredibly delightful, and she brings the colorful cast of characters who interact with the Fortune sisters to life in wonderful detail. The dialogue, settings, and background characters are all clever, period-accurate, relatable, and add to the atmosphere and emotional tone of the novel by fleshing out the world of the 1910s and the Fortune sisters’ company on the Titanic. Huber has clearly done her research, and it has produced an incredibly emotional yet enjoyable historical fiction novel that all readers will enjoy.

this is a fictionalize story of the candian Fortune sisters who were on the Titanic. really enjoyed the story..

Sisters of Fortune by Anna Lee Huber tells a fictionalized account of the Canadian Fortune family who traveled on the first and final voyage of the Titanic. The book focuses especially on the three sisters, responsible eldest Flora, who has a fiancee back home she's not sure she wants to return to.; middle sister Alice, who's also engaged but feels stifled by the life she's expected to conform to once she returns home, and youngest sister, Mabel, who's rebellious spirit hides a longing for learning and isn't afraid to fight for it.

As an American, I had no knowledge of the Fortune sisters or their history with the Titanic. Learning more about this family who's history was more unknown than some of the more famous passenger stories led to an interesting take on the familiar story. Leaning into the times and expectations was also interesting to learn coming from a more modern perspective.

I loved seeing the daily activities of the family leading up to the iceberg disaster and I loved the very frank depiction of the wreck and sinking, feeling the chill of the winds and cold water as if they were lapping at my feet as well.

Huber has an excellent eye for detail and this thoroughly researched and nuanced portrayl of the luxury, excitement and eventual terror that traveling on one of the world's most famous, and infamous ships, holds.

I have loved Huber's Lady Darby mystery series and I loved that I could see elements of her storytelling here but as she leaned more into literary fiction, that I was still hooked on what was going to happen next to the Fortune sisters and their friends, despite know exactly what would happen. That is the mark of a true storyteller indeed.

Note: I was provided a copy of the book by Netgalley. for the purposes of review

This was okay, but not great. Nothing really happened for the first half of the book which made the story very slow. I had a problem keeping up with the different POVs and remembering/knowing which sister was talking as the writing didn’t vary enough to distinguish them apart.

While this novel was base on/influenced by a real family, I enjoyed the creative and artistic liberties with their story. The research into the Titanic and the people involved was clear and impressive.