The Second Mrs. Astor - Shana Abé

The Second Mrs. Astor

By Shana Abé

  • Release Date: 2021-08-31
  • Genre: Fiction & Literature
Score: 4
4
From 649 Ratings

Description

"Abé is an exquisite storyteller. Rich in detail and deeply moving."Fiona Davis, New York Times bestselling author of The Magnolia Palace

"One of the most beautifully written books I’ve ever had the pleasure to read. A gorgeous, phenomenal novel I won’t soon forget.” —Ellen Marie Wiseman New York Times bestselling Author of The Orphan Collector

Perfect for fans of Jennifer Chiaverini and Marie Benedict, this riveting novel takes you inside the scandalous courtship and catastrophic honeymoon aboard the Titanic of the most famous couple of their time—John Jacob Astor and Madeleine Force. Told in rich detail, this novel of sweeping historical fiction will stay with readers long after turning the last page.

Madeleine Talmage Force is just seventeen when she attracts the attention of John Jacob “Jack” Astor. Madeleine is beautiful, intelligent, and solidly upper-class, but the Astors are in a league apart. Jack’s mother was the Mrs. Astor, American royalty and New York’s most formidable socialite. Jack is dashing and industrious—a hero of the Spanish-American war, an inventor, and a canny businessman. Despite their twenty-nine-year age difference, and the scandal of Jack’s recent divorce, Madeleine falls headlong into love—and becomes the press’s favorite target.

On their extended honeymoon in Egypt, the newlyweds finally find a measure of peace from photographers and journalists. Madeleine feels truly alive for the first time—and is happily pregnant. The couple plans to return home in the spring of 1912, aboard an opulent new ocean liner. When the ship hits an iceberg close to midnight on April 14th, there is no immediate panic. The swift, state-of-the-art RMS Titanic seems unsinkable. As Jack helps Madeleine into a lifeboat, he assures her that he’ll see her soon in New York…

Four months later, at the Astors’ Fifth Avenue mansion, a widowed Madeleine gives birth to their son. In the wake of the disaster, the press has elevated her to the status of virtuous, tragic heroine. But Madeleine’s most important decision still lies ahead: whether to accept the role assigned to her, or carve out her own remarkable path…
 
“A touching, compelling, and haunting love story that will delight fans of historical fiction and enthrall those of us for whom the Titanic will always fascinate.”
Hazel Gaynor, New York Times bestselling author of When We Were Young and Brave
 
“An engaging novel told with both heartbreaking care and vivid detail. The Second Mrs. Astor is historical fiction at its gripping and irresistible best.”
Patti Callahan , New York Times bestselling author of Surviving Savannah and Becoming Mrs. Lewis

Reviews

  • Remarkable story, beautifully told

    5
    By Birdgirl2016
    I don’t gravitate to “society” stories, and I’m not sure why I bought “The Second Mrs. Astor,” but I’m grateful that I finally decided to read it. Not only does she bring to life the tone and details of New York’s “Four Hundred,” who determine who is socially acceptable and who isn’t, but she reveals the deepest love story of the era that defied the dowagers who didn’t want it to happen. That love story makes the details of the Titanic’s maiden voyage and its sinking all the more personal, real and tragic. I’ve been to the Titanic Museum in Ireland, but this book made the fear, the heroism and the anguish felt in ways the museum couldn’t. This is one of the two best historical novels I’ve ever read.
  • Sad

    4
    By Regaleagle59
    This story tells about a brief true love that ends too quickly. They managed to find happiness in spite of cruel treatment by society and the press.
  • Love the story!

    5
    By squid mom
    I couldn’t put it down. The author put you right into the story. I could feel the love excitement and sorrow. GEH
  • Excellent

    5
    By PstfromMe
    I was going to save this book to read in bits and pieces when I had a minute. I got so engrossed in the tragic tale that I finished in just a few day. How horrible that was for all involved.
  • Excellent

    3
    By Mrs cpee
    Great book!

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