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Onzinkbaar
Omdat haar moeder te ziek is om te werken rust de verantwoordelijkheid voor het gezin op de schouders van Violet, de oudste van negen. Zo werkt ze als stewardess op grote schepen en overleeft ze de dramatische schipbreuk van de Titanic. Tijdens de Eerste Wereldoorlog werkt ze als verpleegster en helpt ze mannen die haar broers hadden kunnen zijn.
Daphne stort zich vlak voor de Tweede Wereldoorlog op haar talenstudie om indruk te maken op haar afwezige vader. Als ze gevraagd wordt voor de Franse geheime dienst, neemt haar leven een bijzondere wending. Als ze wil overleven zal ze de geheimen uit haar eigen leven onder ogen moeten zien.
‘Onzinkbaar’ van Jenni L. Walsh is gebaseerd op het waargebeurde verhaal van Violet Jessop, die drie scheepsrampen overleefde en op het verhaal van de negenendertig vrouwen van de Special Operations Executive.
Daphne stort zich vlak voor de Tweede Wereldoorlog op haar talenstudie om indruk te maken op haar afwezige vader. Als ze gevraagd wordt voor de Franse geheime dienst, neemt haar leven een bijzondere wending. Als ze wil overleven zal ze de geheimen uit haar eigen leven onder ogen moeten zien.
‘Onzinkbaar’ van Jenni L. Walsh is gebaseerd op het waargebeurde verhaal van Violet Jessop, die drie scheepsrampen overleefde en op het verhaal van de negenendertig vrouwen van de Special Operations Executive.
429 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 9, 2024
207 people are currently reading
11248 people want to read
About the author
Jenni L. Walsh
16 books638 followersJenni L. Walsh is the USA Today bestselling author of over a dozen books for adults and children, spending her days knee deep in words in Philadelphia’s suburbia. Beyond words, Jenni is a mama (of a soulful eleven-year-old, a soccer-loving nine-year-old, and six needy furbabies), a wife, a Philly and 'Nova sports fan.
But where did it all begin? Jenni spent her early years dabbling in various forms of writing and with her nose in a book. Her writing chops first began to develop through one-page stories. Never fail, the storyline followed the same progression: girl meets boy, girl marries boy, girl and boy have baby. That's it.
Now Jenni has moved on to stories with a bit more depth and, for the mamas, Side by Side is a historical women's fiction story of America’s most infamous crime spree of Bonnie and Clyde told in the raw and honest voice of the woman who lived it, Bonnie Parker. In Becoming Bonnie, a prequel set in the Roaring Twenties, a picture of Bonnie's earlier life, before and while she meets Clyde, is brought to life. Jenni's third historical women's fiction book A Betting Woman takes us to the California gold rush, featuring a little known woman from history, Eleanor Dumont, but who is largely remembered by the moniker Madame Moustache. In The Call of the Wrens, Jenni introduces readers to the Women's Royal Naval Service (the Wrens), who carried wartime secrets on their shoulders as motorcycle dispatch riders during both world wars. Unsinkable is Jenni's first bestselling novel, hitting the USA Today bestsellers list, and is about two resilient women, one of which is the real-life Violet Jessop who survived the Titanic and two additional maritime disasters. Jenni's next historical novel Ace, Marvel, Spy features Alice Marble, who was the world's number one women's tennis player, an editor for the Wonder Woman comics, and a spy during the Second World War. Up next from Jenni, in October 2025, is Sonora, a historical novel about performer Sonora Carver, one of the first women to dive from a forty-five foot tower on the back of a horse and who inspired the film Wild Hearts Can't Be Broken.
For the kiddos, Jenni's debut middle grade books, She Dared, features true stories from women who, at a young age, accomplished daring feats of perseverance and bravery. She is also the author of I Am Defiance, inspired by a real-life resistance group, known as the White Rose. Jenni has contributed Hettie and the London Blitz: A World War II Survival Story to the Girl's Survive series. Revolutionary War hero Sybil Ludington, who is often known as the "female Paul Revere," is brought to life in By the Light of Fireflies, Jenni's first historical novel with a touch of magical realism. Over and Out is a thrilling and fast-paced espionage and escape story that is inspired by real stories of life in East Berlin during the Cold War. Operation: Happy, set during the attack on Pearl Harbor, tells the story of a real-life survivor and includes the POV of her dog, Happy, to soften the events of one of America's most notable moments in history. In May 2025, Jenni is excited to be releasing her first contemporary novel, a mystery/adventure story called The Bug Bandits, which is inspired by a real heist and the shenanigans of Home Alone.
But where did it all begin? Jenni spent her early years dabbling in various forms of writing and with her nose in a book. Her writing chops first began to develop through one-page stories. Never fail, the storyline followed the same progression: girl meets boy, girl marries boy, girl and boy have baby. That's it.
Now Jenni has moved on to stories with a bit more depth and, for the mamas, Side by Side is a historical women's fiction story of America’s most infamous crime spree of Bonnie and Clyde told in the raw and honest voice of the woman who lived it, Bonnie Parker. In Becoming Bonnie, a prequel set in the Roaring Twenties, a picture of Bonnie's earlier life, before and while she meets Clyde, is brought to life. Jenni's third historical women's fiction book A Betting Woman takes us to the California gold rush, featuring a little known woman from history, Eleanor Dumont, but who is largely remembered by the moniker Madame Moustache. In The Call of the Wrens, Jenni introduces readers to the Women's Royal Naval Service (the Wrens), who carried wartime secrets on their shoulders as motorcycle dispatch riders during both world wars. Unsinkable is Jenni's first bestselling novel, hitting the USA Today bestsellers list, and is about two resilient women, one of which is the real-life Violet Jessop who survived the Titanic and two additional maritime disasters. Jenni's next historical novel Ace, Marvel, Spy features Alice Marble, who was the world's number one women's tennis player, an editor for the Wonder Woman comics, and a spy during the Second World War. Up next from Jenni, in October 2025, is Sonora, a historical novel about performer Sonora Carver, one of the first women to dive from a forty-five foot tower on the back of a horse and who inspired the film Wild Hearts Can't Be Broken.
For the kiddos, Jenni's debut middle grade books, She Dared, features true stories from women who, at a young age, accomplished daring feats of perseverance and bravery. She is also the author of I Am Defiance, inspired by a real-life resistance group, known as the White Rose. Jenni has contributed Hettie and the London Blitz: A World War II Survival Story to the Girl's Survive series. Revolutionary War hero Sybil Ludington, who is often known as the "female Paul Revere," is brought to life in By the Light of Fireflies, Jenni's first historical novel with a touch of magical realism. Over and Out is a thrilling and fast-paced espionage and escape story that is inspired by real stories of life in East Berlin during the Cold War. Operation: Happy, set during the attack on Pearl Harbor, tells the story of a real-life survivor and includes the POV of her dog, Happy, to soften the events of one of America's most notable moments in history. In May 2025, Jenni is excited to be releasing her first contemporary novel, a mystery/adventure story called The Bug Bandits, which is inspired by a real heist and the shenanigans of Home Alone.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 586 reviews
January 4, 2024
TWO BOOKS SQUASHED INTO ONE
For me, dual timeline books - like this one - have to be handled very well for them to actually work. There has to be a connection between the two stories and they need to add something to each other. If they don't, it might as well be two separate books. Sadly, that's how this book felt.
👎 What I Disliked 👎
Timelines: What do the two different timelines give to one another? How does both timelines enrich the story and reading experience? The short answer is - nothing. Honestly, the connection between the two stories was very flimsy. They didn't cross over. They didn't add to one another. Reading one didn't make me understand or appreciate the other more. So why even bother doing dual timelines? This should have been two different books. Then perhaps some of the other issues, I had with this book, would also have been fixed.
Depth: Our two MCs, Violet and Daphne, are both strong and resilient women. They face hardships head on and don't back down. But they also both carry heavy emotional damage, which guides their actions and their motivation. Its a real shame, that those emotions and those motivations are never fully explored or explained. I found it a bit difficult to connect with these women, because they kept on telling me about their baggage without really showing me, what was going on inside of them. Why did they each keep turning towards danger and hardship? I never really felt like I got the full answer, and in the end I simply stopped caring about it. I needed a lot more emotional depth.
Ending: Finally, the ending was also a let down. I actually considered DNF'ing this book numerous times, but kept on reading for the ending. I needed to see, if the timeslines would actually start to make sense at some point (it didn't). And the ending was just the final nail in the coffin for me. It was rushed and too neatly tied. If it had been a Christmas present, the bow would have been three times as big as the actual present. It was just disappointing.
ARC provided by the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review
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For me, dual timeline books - like this one - have to be handled very well for them to actually work. There has to be a connection between the two stories and they need to add something to each other. If they don't, it might as well be two separate books. Sadly, that's how this book felt.
👎 What I Disliked 👎
Timelines: What do the two different timelines give to one another? How does both timelines enrich the story and reading experience? The short answer is - nothing. Honestly, the connection between the two stories was very flimsy. They didn't cross over. They didn't add to one another. Reading one didn't make me understand or appreciate the other more. So why even bother doing dual timelines? This should have been two different books. Then perhaps some of the other issues, I had with this book, would also have been fixed.
Depth: Our two MCs, Violet and Daphne, are both strong and resilient women. They face hardships head on and don't back down. But they also both carry heavy emotional damage, which guides their actions and their motivation. Its a real shame, that those emotions and those motivations are never fully explored or explained. I found it a bit difficult to connect with these women, because they kept on telling me about their baggage without really showing me, what was going on inside of them. Why did they each keep turning towards danger and hardship? I never really felt like I got the full answer, and in the end I simply stopped caring about it. I needed a lot more emotional depth.
Ending: Finally, the ending was also a let down. I actually considered DNF'ing this book numerous times, but kept on reading for the ending. I needed to see, if the timeslines would actually start to make sense at some point (it didn't). And the ending was just the final nail in the coffin for me. It was rushed and too neatly tied. If it had been a Christmas present, the bow would have been three times as big as the actual present. It was just disappointing.
ARC provided by the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review
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Blog Post: Which Book Should you read next based on your favourite Jane Austen Heroine
November 21, 2023
Violet Jessop is a dedicated daughter and sister, she works as a stewardess, and she survives the sinking of two ships, the Olympic in 1911 and the Titanic in 1912. No one can understand why she keeps returning to sea, Violet needs the money and she’s the breadwinner for her family. Violet's childhood was fraught with illness, her father passed away and her mother is too sick to work, and she has five younger siblings. When The Great War starts, all passenger ships are requisitioned by the navy and Violet becomes a nurses aide. Disaster seems to follow Violet, she’s on the Britannic a hospital ship when it strikes a mine, she survives, once she recovers and she returns to sea.
The narrative has a dual timeline, and is told from the points of view of the two main characters Violet and Daphne and I had no trouble following it.
Daphne Chaundanson grows up feeling unwanted, her mother died when she was a baby, her father Charles Labine is busy with his career, she was raised by a series of nannies, attended boarding school and later studies six languages. Daphne's approached to be a Special Operations Executive and to become a secret agent during World War II, she passes the training and is sent to France. When she sees her first German soldier, the war becomes very real, and her job is to find air drop sites, establish relationships with members of the French resistance, engage in acts of sabotage and she uses a variety of code names and aliases.
I received a digital copy of Unsinkable by Jenni L. Walsh from Harper Muse and Edelweiss plus in exchange for an honest review.
A story that highlights Violet's dedication to her family, she always put them first, this meant she lost the man she loved and she was given the nickname “Miss Unsinkable” and she's a real person. Daphne never felt good enough, and her going to France was to get her father's attention and use her language skills for a meaningful purpose and Daphne's character is based around real women who were Special Operations Executives in France and Secret Agents.
A very interesting book to read, perfect for fans of historical fiction about the Titanic, the Resistance in France, and with an emphasis on strong and brave female characters, please make sure to read the authors notes at the end and four and a half stars from me.
The narrative has a dual timeline, and is told from the points of view of the two main characters Violet and Daphne and I had no trouble following it.
Daphne Chaundanson grows up feeling unwanted, her mother died when she was a baby, her father Charles Labine is busy with his career, she was raised by a series of nannies, attended boarding school and later studies six languages. Daphne's approached to be a Special Operations Executive and to become a secret agent during World War II, she passes the training and is sent to France. When she sees her first German soldier, the war becomes very real, and her job is to find air drop sites, establish relationships with members of the French resistance, engage in acts of sabotage and she uses a variety of code names and aliases.
I received a digital copy of Unsinkable by Jenni L. Walsh from Harper Muse and Edelweiss plus in exchange for an honest review.
A story that highlights Violet's dedication to her family, she always put them first, this meant she lost the man she loved and she was given the nickname “Miss Unsinkable” and she's a real person. Daphne never felt good enough, and her going to France was to get her father's attention and use her language skills for a meaningful purpose and Daphne's character is based around real women who were Special Operations Executives in France and Secret Agents.
A very interesting book to read, perfect for fans of historical fiction about the Titanic, the Resistance in France, and with an emphasis on strong and brave female characters, please make sure to read the authors notes at the end and four and a half stars from me.
February 29, 2024
This is a well-written, entertaining, dual timeline, historical fiction novel which is based on actual persons and events. It is fast paced with likable, engaging, and courageous female protagonists, one of whom is a ship steward and the other an SOE agent, sinking ships, a touch of romance, and a remarkable ending. The author's note is interesting and informative, and is truly appreciated. I listened to the audio book, and the narrators, Mr. Barrie Kreinik and Ms. Alana Collins, are truly talented and do an outstanding job.
January 21, 2024
How could someone be so lucky to survive multiple sinkings of boats including the Titanic?
And how could someone be so unlucky to not have anyone to love her or to rely on, specifically her father?
We meet Violet who is a steward on ships and must keep going back even after the sinkings because she has to take care of her family and all she wanted to do was to make sure her family was taken care of.
We also meet Daphne, who is recruited for the SOE during World War II because she speaks many languages. All she wanted to do was to get some praise from her father for her many accomplishments.
We follow both women in alternating chapters and experience their thoughts, their fears, and their triumphs.
UNSINKABLE shares these two stories of strong women and how they wouldn't give up - therefore both can be labeled "unsinkable."
Violet is based on an actual woman - Violet Jessop and Daphne is a fictional character.
A slow start for me as I was putting the story line together, but Ms. Walsh's wonderful writing style pulled me in for a good read.
The ending was satisfying, and of course I looked up Violet Jessop. 4/5
Thank you to the publisher for a copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
And how could someone be so unlucky to not have anyone to love her or to rely on, specifically her father?
We meet Violet who is a steward on ships and must keep going back even after the sinkings because she has to take care of her family and all she wanted to do was to make sure her family was taken care of.
We also meet Daphne, who is recruited for the SOE during World War II because she speaks many languages. All she wanted to do was to get some praise from her father for her many accomplishments.
We follow both women in alternating chapters and experience their thoughts, their fears, and their triumphs.
UNSINKABLE shares these two stories of strong women and how they wouldn't give up - therefore both can be labeled "unsinkable."
Violet is based on an actual woman - Violet Jessop and Daphne is a fictional character.
A slow start for me as I was putting the story line together, but Ms. Walsh's wonderful writing style pulled me in for a good read.
The ending was satisfying, and of course I looked up Violet Jessop. 4/5
Thank you to the publisher for a copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
December 18, 2023
4.5 ⭐️
Unsinkable was a lot different than I imagined--but also better in some ways than I'd hoped!
Violet Jessop, also known as Miss Unsinkable, was such an intriguing character. As someone who has a healthy fear of the ocean and getting on a ship that will sink, watching Violet come back to the sea after not one, but multiple sinking on ships she was aboard gave me an adrenaline rush. Her character was so relatable: she has a family she's responsible for and sacrifices her needs to give them their best shot in life. Her love story was so touching, and then heartbreaking, and once again touching.
Daphne Chaundanson was one of my favorite characters in Unsinkable. As someone who loves history, and especially WWII, I was immediately intrigued by Daphne's role as a Special Operations Executive agent in France. This timeline in the book reminded me of Kristin Hannah's "The Nightingale." It's got all the right elements to tell a gripping story that holds both your attention and your heart.
The only thing that kept me from giving this story a full five stars is that the ending felt too rushed and slightly disappointed me. There wasn't anything wrong with it per se, but I guess I envisioned it playing out differently.
All in all, Unsinkable is a gripping, powerful read, and I’d absolutely recommend it! Thank you to NetGalley and the author for an eARC of Unsinkable. A positive review was not required, only my honest opinion. All thoughts are expressly my own.
Content warning: one use of the s*** word.
Unsinkable was a lot different than I imagined--but also better in some ways than I'd hoped!
Violet Jessop, also known as Miss Unsinkable, was such an intriguing character. As someone who has a healthy fear of the ocean and getting on a ship that will sink, watching Violet come back to the sea after not one, but multiple sinking on ships she was aboard gave me an adrenaline rush. Her character was so relatable: she has a family she's responsible for and sacrifices her needs to give them their best shot in life. Her love story was so touching, and then heartbreaking, and once again touching.
Daphne Chaundanson was one of my favorite characters in Unsinkable. As someone who loves history, and especially WWII, I was immediately intrigued by Daphne's role as a Special Operations Executive agent in France. This timeline in the book reminded me of Kristin Hannah's "The Nightingale." It's got all the right elements to tell a gripping story that holds both your attention and your heart.
The only thing that kept me from giving this story a full five stars is that the ending felt too rushed and slightly disappointed me. There wasn't anything wrong with it per se, but I guess I envisioned it playing out differently.
All in all, Unsinkable is a gripping, powerful read, and I’d absolutely recommend it! Thank you to NetGalley and the author for an eARC of Unsinkable. A positive review was not required, only my honest opinion. All thoughts are expressly my own.
Content warning: one use of the s*** word.
January 15, 2024
*Audible audio *
Narration: Excellent
4 stars 🌟 🤩
The author always immerses you in wherever she writes about. It feels like you could dive in and walk among everyone and everything ✨️. She's one of the first people I recommend :)
Definitely going to have to read Violet Jessup's memoir now...she's a fascinating lady... I didn't know she had survived three maritime disasters...wow. and she kept going back to the sea.. one brave lady.
Wish I could go back in time and meet her.
Daphne was fascinating as well. Made me wish she was real so I could meet her too. Se was stubborn, loyal and brave even when she felt anything but.
I have nothing respect for the ladies she was based on. I salute them for everything they did. Makes me hopeful I could be that brave.
The ending is wrapped up neat but I don't care, I was smiling and tearing up the whole time so it was a win for me :).
Another one where I recommend listening to the author's note. :)
Happy reading !
Narration: Excellent
4 stars 🌟 🤩
The author always immerses you in wherever she writes about. It feels like you could dive in and walk among everyone and everything ✨️. She's one of the first people I recommend :)
Definitely going to have to read Violet Jessup's memoir now...she's a fascinating lady... I didn't know she had survived three maritime disasters...wow. and she kept going back to the sea.. one brave lady.
Wish I could go back in time and meet her.
Daphne was fascinating as well. Made me wish she was real so I could meet her too. Se was stubborn, loyal and brave even when she felt anything but.
I have nothing respect for the ladies she was based on. I salute them for everything they did. Makes me hopeful I could be that brave.
The ending is wrapped up neat but I don't care, I was smiling and tearing up the whole time so it was a win for me :).
Another one where I recommend listening to the author's note. :)
Happy reading !
February 6, 2024
Audiobook rating : 4.5 stars
Very pleasant experience listening to the audiobook, it made me like the book even more. Originally rated it 4 stars now audiobook is even better so will up my rating to 4.5 stars.
Disasters. War. All those moments that precede us yet can still affect us now. That we can learn from. And
when we don’t, we risk history repeating itself.”
Unsinkable reminded me so much of the nightingale. Both tells us stories of women in times of war and matters more because men are the creators of war so it feels quite normal to watch movies of "Men" waging wars or read books about wars , feels typical even. It definitely makes it unique when we know about strong women who played part in ending wars.
Unsinkable is about two women, two perspectives alternating with each other. Both set around wars one around 1912 sinking of Titanic and later world war one and another during world war two. One voice is of Violet who has mountain of responsibilities weighing down on her shoulders, a sick mother and siblings. Other is of Daphne who finds herself in the middle of world war 2 and wants to do something with her life to impress her inattentive and hard to impress father.
I like a woman who goes after what she wants.
I wish I could be more like that. Alas, circumstances don’t
always allow for what a person wants. Only what is necessary.
I didn't know about Violet Jessops till I reached the ending of the book and read the author's note. Violet was a nurse who survived sinking of Titanic, she was actually on two other ships too which sunk down so she was called Miss Unsinkable. In history, there are too many ships, giant ones which are now resting in the deepest parts of the ocean and yet Titanic's loss hurts more than the others because of the number of lives lost. Violet survived almost sinking of Olympic and yet chose to go on Titanic. These all belonged to white star line.
Today, White Star is remembered for the innovative vessel Oceanic and for the losses of some of their best passenger liners, including the wrecking of Atlantic in 1873, the sinking of Republic in 1909, the loss of Titanic in 1912 and the wartime sinking of HMHS Britannic in 1916.
Although Violet's story is real, it is entangled with various fictional characters and occurances to give it a flow. I really enjoyed reading about Violet and Joe which is a fictional character. Also about Daphne's journey. You will know How their lives are interconnected with each other.
There are many contraversies which I came to know later because Unsinkable got me curious.
Neverthless, Unsinkable is a good read and I was kind of expecting a sad ending but glad that it wasn't. Both women are strong and admirable. Both women have played their parts in helping during a war, a war created by men. I thoroughly enjoyed it and will definitely recommend it to everyone who likes some historical fiction.
Thank you very much Netgalley and Harper Muse for the ARC in exchange of an honest review.
Very pleasant experience listening to the audiobook, it made me like the book even more. Originally rated it 4 stars now audiobook is even better so will up my rating to 4.5 stars.
Disasters. War. All those moments that precede us yet can still affect us now. That we can learn from. And
when we don’t, we risk history repeating itself.”
Unsinkable reminded me so much of the nightingale. Both tells us stories of women in times of war and matters more because men are the creators of war so it feels quite normal to watch movies of "Men" waging wars or read books about wars , feels typical even. It definitely makes it unique when we know about strong women who played part in ending wars.
Unsinkable is about two women, two perspectives alternating with each other. Both set around wars one around 1912 sinking of Titanic and later world war one and another during world war two. One voice is of Violet who has mountain of responsibilities weighing down on her shoulders, a sick mother and siblings. Other is of Daphne who finds herself in the middle of world war 2 and wants to do something with her life to impress her inattentive and hard to impress father.
I like a woman who goes after what she wants.
I wish I could be more like that. Alas, circumstances don’t
always allow for what a person wants. Only what is necessary.
I didn't know about Violet Jessops till I reached the ending of the book and read the author's note. Violet was a nurse who survived sinking of Titanic, she was actually on two other ships too which sunk down so she was called Miss Unsinkable. In history, there are too many ships, giant ones which are now resting in the deepest parts of the ocean and yet Titanic's loss hurts more than the others because of the number of lives lost. Violet survived almost sinking of Olympic and yet chose to go on Titanic. These all belonged to white star line.
Today, White Star is remembered for the innovative vessel Oceanic and for the losses of some of their best passenger liners, including the wrecking of Atlantic in 1873, the sinking of Republic in 1909, the loss of Titanic in 1912 and the wartime sinking of HMHS Britannic in 1916.
Although Violet's story is real, it is entangled with various fictional characters and occurances to give it a flow. I really enjoyed reading about Violet and Joe which is a fictional character. Also about Daphne's journey. You will know How their lives are interconnected with each other.
There are many contraversies which I came to know later because Unsinkable got me curious.
Neverthless, Unsinkable is a good read and I was kind of expecting a sad ending but glad that it wasn't. Both women are strong and admirable. Both women have played their parts in helping during a war, a war created by men. I thoroughly enjoyed it and will definitely recommend it to everyone who likes some historical fiction.
Thank you very much Netgalley and Harper Muse for the ARC in exchange of an honest review.
April 15, 2024
5⭐️
I read this in one day! The ending sealed the deal on this being a 5 star historical fiction. I loved this story so much and the fact that some of it is a true story is so crazy to me! Highly recommend if you like titanic or ww2 historical fiction
I read this in one day! The ending sealed the deal on this being a 5 star historical fiction. I loved this story so much and the fact that some of it is a true story is so crazy to me! Highly recommend if you like titanic or ww2 historical fiction
January 29, 2024
The book alternates between Violet and Daphne. Violet is a real person who survived the sinkings of the Titanic and Brittanic as well as Olympic’s collision with another ship. Ms. Walsh brought her to life well. Her story opens with the boarding of the Titanic. Daphne is not a real person but a composite of a number of real women. She lives in 1942 and joins the Allied Resistance in France and has many harrowing adventures. The two have a tenuous connection, not revealed until the end (I guessed it at 70%), so it feels like two completely different stories.
I was more interested in Violet’s story, probably because of the title and cover, which have nothing to do with Daphne.
My main complaint of this book is that it is in present tense. It does not work for this story at all. Instead of making the action feel immediate and immersive, it made me feel far removed from it. It felt like a friend telling me what happened to them, not a storyteller making events come to life. It was all telling, not showing. That didn’t make it bad, but I felt so far away from the story, I never felt fear or tension for the characters. It was more like reading a news article about them.
I received an ARC from NetGalley. I assume (hope) the typos in the book will be corrected in the final proof.
Language: Mild
Sexual Content: None
Violence/Gore: War violence, not graphic
Harm to Animals:
Harm to Children:
Other (Triggers):
I was more interested in Violet’s story, probably because of the title and cover, which have nothing to do with Daphne.
My main complaint of this book is that it is in present tense. It does not work for this story at all. Instead of making the action feel immediate and immersive, it made me feel far removed from it. It felt like a friend telling me what happened to them, not a storyteller making events come to life. It was all telling, not showing. That didn’t make it bad, but I felt so far away from the story, I never felt fear or tension for the characters. It was more like reading a news article about them.
I received an ARC from NetGalley. I assume (hope) the typos in the book will be corrected in the final proof.
Language: Mild
Sexual Content: None
Violence/Gore: War violence, not graphic
Harm to Animals:
Harm to Children:
Other (Triggers):
May 9, 2023
It has been said that history tells us what people did- historical fiction shows us how they felt. And in this brilliant, poignant and beautiful novel Jenni Walsh pairs a portrait of Violet that will not soon be forgotten. Violet from her humble beginnings from where she had to show tenacity and was earnest and brave to her spirit that could not be broken from which some could only say was horrible luck. Violet became unsinkable not just because the boats that tried to bring her down couldn’t but because she continued to show herself as a pillar of strength.
Through the fictional Daphne that is the composite of so many fearless females that fought for us - we see how environments and a sense of purpose and longing to belong truly shapes our lives
The drama. The setting. The language that Walsh writes in and the romance that she weaves throughout the pages will have readers wanting to know more about this strong woman Violet.
I always always always read the authors note. And the amount of research and thought that Jenni put into this story makes me want to know more.
If you have read Jenni’s other novels you see the parallels in theme - strong women who have a need to belong, a need to make a name for themselves, that long for companionship. If you haven’t Unsinkable is a great place to start. And it’s a great companion book tk Walshs other novel Call of the wrens.
I absolutely loved every page and would have read it if it was a few hundred pages longer!
Thank you to the author for a very early read.
Through the fictional Daphne that is the composite of so many fearless females that fought for us - we see how environments and a sense of purpose and longing to belong truly shapes our lives
The drama. The setting. The language that Walsh writes in and the romance that she weaves throughout the pages will have readers wanting to know more about this strong woman Violet.
I always always always read the authors note. And the amount of research and thought that Jenni put into this story makes me want to know more.
If you have read Jenni’s other novels you see the parallels in theme - strong women who have a need to belong, a need to make a name for themselves, that long for companionship. If you haven’t Unsinkable is a great place to start. And it’s a great companion book tk Walshs other novel Call of the wrens.
I absolutely loved every page and would have read it if it was a few hundred pages longer!
Thank you to the author for a very early read.
January 13, 2024
Unsinkable is a historical fiction following two timelines (1912 and 1942), and not even going to pretend this pretty cover isn’t what first grabbed my attention. 😂
In one story we follow Violet in 1912, who is “Miss Unsinkable”. Violet is a stewardess and wartime nurse who not only survives a shipwreck, but also two sinkings—including the Titanic. She has felt like she’s been on borrowed time since childhood, just trying to survive each day. And the other story we follow Daphne in 1942, she’s grown up feeling like the unwanted child of an actor, always seeking his approval, but is now working as a spy in France! Both women have been through a lot, it’s two stories of survival, family, and just trying to find their own happiness.
I enjoyed the first half of this. The author’s note at the end describing the real-life characters and moments the story was based on was super intriguing! I did enjoy Violet’s story more and did think the read was a little too long. At times I for sure felt like this should have been two separate stories. But I did like more parts than I didn’t like. I was immediately looking for ways of how the two women’s stories connect, but that’s just how I always am when taking a story in. The cover is a stunner and anything Titanic will usually grab my attention anyways!
I received an audio ALC from LibroFM, all thoughts in this review are my own.
In one story we follow Violet in 1912, who is “Miss Unsinkable”. Violet is a stewardess and wartime nurse who not only survives a shipwreck, but also two sinkings—including the Titanic. She has felt like she’s been on borrowed time since childhood, just trying to survive each day. And the other story we follow Daphne in 1942, she’s grown up feeling like the unwanted child of an actor, always seeking his approval, but is now working as a spy in France! Both women have been through a lot, it’s two stories of survival, family, and just trying to find their own happiness.
I enjoyed the first half of this. The author’s note at the end describing the real-life characters and moments the story was based on was super intriguing! I did enjoy Violet’s story more and did think the read was a little too long. At times I for sure felt like this should have been two separate stories. But I did like more parts than I didn’t like. I was immediately looking for ways of how the two women’s stories connect, but that’s just how I always am when taking a story in. The cover is a stunner and anything Titanic will usually grab my attention anyways!
I received an audio ALC from LibroFM, all thoughts in this review are my own.
October 22, 2023
5.0
*This was a double giveaway win from Jenni L Walsh & Noelle Salazar. Both books- Unsinkable and The Roaring Days of Zora Lily were a 5 ⭐️ read for me! So exciting! Thank you!
Calamity, approval, spirit…
2 women — Violet and Daphne
Violet, oldest of six living siblings works as an ocean liner stewardess, providing for her mother and remaining siblings. We will get a glimpse of her job description - duties, schedules, coworkers, and her witty observations / comments about the rich and famous onboard. She will later become a nurse during the war years when leisure trips by ship are discontinued.
Daphne is employed at an art gallery in Paris and speaks six languages . After the Germans take over the gallery and she loses her job, she is approached to join the SOE. We will get a glimpse of her training, duties, team members, motivations, and forays for the Resistance.
Violet’s character is based on the real Violet Jessup, aka as “ Miss Unsinkable “, 3-time ship disaster survivor. As she remarks, “It’s not a healthy relationship with the sea and I.”
Daphne is a fictional character created from a composite of several real people. Both were courageous women who just happened to be survivors.
Available Jan 9, 2024
Thoughts / comments:
*I read/enjoyed Unsinkable & Call of the Wrens by this author. I recommend both for your TBR pile! I like the mention in Unsinkable of Gabriel’s girlfriend being a Wren!
*Although there are many books and movies about the Titanic, this book took an unique angle of the story. It was well researched and detail-oriented with precise attention to details. Chapters alternated between the two main characters. Each chapter ended as a cliffhanger, making me curious about what would happen next. Very descriptive writing recounting ship life and wartime events made it easy to imagine. I assumed there was a link between the 2 women but I didn’t guess it right away!
*I attended the Titanic:Artifact Exhibit in NYC approximately 15 years ago. We each received a “boarding pass” with a name and a few details about that person. At the end of the exhibit, you discovered if you were a survivor. I saw people jumping up and down when learning they were a survivor! One of the best museum exhibits I’ve ever seen. I couldn’t quit thinking of what I saw and learned while reading this book!
*This was a double giveaway win from Jenni L Walsh & Noelle Salazar. Both books- Unsinkable and The Roaring Days of Zora Lily were a 5 ⭐️ read for me! So exciting! Thank you!
Calamity, approval, spirit…
2 women — Violet and Daphne
Violet, oldest of six living siblings works as an ocean liner stewardess, providing for her mother and remaining siblings. We will get a glimpse of her job description - duties, schedules, coworkers, and her witty observations / comments about the rich and famous onboard. She will later become a nurse during the war years when leisure trips by ship are discontinued.
Daphne is employed at an art gallery in Paris and speaks six languages . After the Germans take over the gallery and she loses her job, she is approached to join the SOE. We will get a glimpse of her training, duties, team members, motivations, and forays for the Resistance.
Violet’s character is based on the real Violet Jessup, aka as “ Miss Unsinkable “, 3-time ship disaster survivor. As she remarks, “It’s not a healthy relationship with the sea and I.”
Daphne is a fictional character created from a composite of several real people. Both were courageous women who just happened to be survivors.
Available Jan 9, 2024
Thoughts / comments:
*I read/enjoyed Unsinkable & Call of the Wrens by this author. I recommend both for your TBR pile! I like the mention in Unsinkable of Gabriel’s girlfriend being a Wren!
*Although there are many books and movies about the Titanic, this book took an unique angle of the story. It was well researched and detail-oriented with precise attention to details. Chapters alternated between the two main characters. Each chapter ended as a cliffhanger, making me curious about what would happen next. Very descriptive writing recounting ship life and wartime events made it easy to imagine. I assumed there was a link between the 2 women but I didn’t guess it right away!
*I attended the Titanic:Artifact Exhibit in NYC approximately 15 years ago. We each received a “boarding pass” with a name and a few details about that person. At the end of the exhibit, you discovered if you were a survivor. I saw people jumping up and down when learning they were a survivor! One of the best museum exhibits I’ve ever seen. I couldn’t quit thinking of what I saw and learned while reading this book!
January 11, 2024
I wanted to like this book so bad. I love the story of Violet Jessop and the Titanic so much, and it’s a huge part of my life due to working in a place where I can share the stories of the passengers on the Titanic every day. I also like learning about spies and resistance operations and World War II, so I was also excited about Daphne! So when I finally picked this book up, I was upset that I was met with disappointment after disappointment.
The biggest issue for me was Violet’s story in the novel. It all felt so flat and textbook with no breath of life in her characterization. Multiple times I ran into chapters that seemed almost like they were copied and pasted from Violet’s own memoirs with maybe a little bit of scrambling in the order of the sentences. I just expected more from the author, that maybe she would take the personality that Violet spilled onto every page of her memoirs and expand upon that, instead of taking them at face value and making her so one-dimensional. I guess that was my mistake for expecting too much. I also understand that with historical fiction, there are going to be things that stray from the real story, and I’m perfectly fine with that! I prefer it in some cases! However, I thought it was very disrespectful to the real Violet to disregard the love she had in real life and create a completely false character to take his place just because her real love story didn’t end how the author wanted it to? It really disappointed me, actually.
The writing was also a little bit of a choice at some points, especially when portraying the bilingualism of Violet. At multiple times in the novel Violet would be speaking or thinking in English but would suddenly use ONE word or phrase in Spanish (I.e. The time she said ‘Sí’ in an internal monologue that was otherwise completely in English.). I genuinely appreciate the attempt and the nod to Violet’s Argentinian upbringing and showcasing how useful her bilingualism actually was in her career; I just wish that it was done better so that didn’t give a feeling of novelty to it.
All of that being said, I did really enjoy Daphne’s story. I thought it was intriguing and found myself easily swept into the action and characters. I found myself wishing that it was just a full novel surrounding her instead of breaking it up at the worst times for the dual POVs.
This book really let me down, and I’m not sure that I’d give the author another chance based on what I read.
The biggest issue for me was Violet’s story in the novel. It all felt so flat and textbook with no breath of life in her characterization. Multiple times I ran into chapters that seemed almost like they were copied and pasted from Violet’s own memoirs with maybe a little bit of scrambling in the order of the sentences. I just expected more from the author, that maybe she would take the personality that Violet spilled onto every page of her memoirs and expand upon that, instead of taking them at face value and making her so one-dimensional. I guess that was my mistake for expecting too much. I also understand that with historical fiction, there are going to be things that stray from the real story, and I’m perfectly fine with that! I prefer it in some cases! However, I thought it was very disrespectful to the real Violet to disregard the love she had in real life and create a completely false character to take his place just because her real love story didn’t end how the author wanted it to? It really disappointed me, actually.
The writing was also a little bit of a choice at some points, especially when portraying the bilingualism of Violet. At multiple times in the novel Violet would be speaking or thinking in English but would suddenly use ONE word or phrase in Spanish (I.e. The time she said ‘Sí’ in an internal monologue that was otherwise completely in English.). I genuinely appreciate the attempt and the nod to Violet’s Argentinian upbringing and showcasing how useful her bilingualism actually was in her career; I just wish that it was done better so that didn’t give a feeling of novelty to it.
All of that being said, I did really enjoy Daphne’s story. I thought it was intriguing and found myself easily swept into the action and characters. I found myself wishing that it was just a full novel surrounding her instead of breaking it up at the worst times for the dual POVs.
This book really let me down, and I’m not sure that I’d give the author another chance based on what I read.
February 8, 2024
This book is so beautiful. The writing, the world-building, the characters, I LOVED this book. This cover is gorgeous, and the inside of the novel is just as gorgeous!
The way the author weaved the two timelines together was beautiful and so unexpected.
Violet Jessop is Miss Unsinkable.
Daphne has survived a calamity of her own.
This book is a dual POV/timeline between two strong women - one surviving the Titanic, one fighting the Germans during WW2. If you like strong female protagonists - THIS BOOK IS FOR YOU.
They're both strong, smart women and I loved seeing both POVs.
I highly recommend you listen to this one on audio, the narrators do an incredible job. Their voices and their accents make you feel immersed in the story.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an advanced copy.
Definitely pre-order a copy of this book!
The way the author weaved the two timelines together was beautiful and so unexpected.
Violet Jessop is Miss Unsinkable.
Daphne has survived a calamity of her own.
This book is a dual POV/timeline between two strong women - one surviving the Titanic, one fighting the Germans during WW2. If you like strong female protagonists - THIS BOOK IS FOR YOU.
They're both strong, smart women and I loved seeing both POVs.
I highly recommend you listen to this one on audio, the narrators do an incredible job. Their voices and their accents make you feel immersed in the story.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an advanced copy.
Definitely pre-order a copy of this book!
April 21, 2025
Two cute tales: a true story of a maid who had the misfortune to be in the Olympic disaster, the Titantic sinking, and the Britannic sinking. Here-in lies the problem with pulling your story from the headlines: I didn't know this woman really did attend three major disasters, so by the third one I was scoffing at the author, wondering why she had made up such a pointless and ridiculous coincidence. Truth is stranger than fiction, but that's because fiction has to be believable, and truth does not. The second story is based on the rumor that an unticketed baby, not on Titanic's passenger list, survived the sinking. The author goes on to make up a life for this baby, including inserting her into WWII France as an SOE British spy. This is a more credible story, as it's entirely made up, if nicely based on real SOE operations. Then, because the author is unstoppable with what-ifs, these two unrelated, thirty-years apart stories are shuffled together like a deck of cards. Really, you could cut this book up into chapters and put the Violet chapters in one pile and the Daphne chapters in another and have two unconnected short books. That said, it works to make the suspense better since the reader always has to wait a full chapter of the OTHER story before resolving the current crisis. On the other hand, you can always read two books in parallel, one chapter from here, one from there. Same result. And at the end Violet and Daphne cross paths: 'Hey, I remember you. I waited on you in the dining room in 1912. You had the strained beets.' 'Oh, right. I was a baby.'
January 4, 2025
1912-1946 England and France
What I enjoyed most about this novel is that it is based upon the life of Violet Jessop. The tragedies she suffered at sea are nearly unbelievable. There are also a lot of interesting historical details from the time period covered.
Some foul language.
What I enjoyed most about this novel is that it is based upon the life of Violet Jessop. The tragedies she suffered at sea are nearly unbelievable. There are also a lot of interesting historical details from the time period covered.
Some foul language.
April 12, 2025
Two story lines wind together in this tale of brave, fierce women who keep boarding ships that sink. Amazing to think why they would after the trauma of surviving (which is almost not dying!) such an event.
It was a read that fed my penchant for disaster stories, and women who persist when all of creation seems to be pitted against that conclusion.
*A sincere thank you to Jenni L. Walsh, Harper Muse, and NetGalley for an ARC to read and review independently.* #Unsinkable #NetGalley 25|52:13d
It was a read that fed my penchant for disaster stories, and women who persist when all of creation seems to be pitted against that conclusion.
*A sincere thank you to Jenni L. Walsh, Harper Muse, and NetGalley for an ARC to read and review independently.* #Unsinkable #NetGalley 25|52:13d
January 16, 2024
If you know me, you won't be surprised when I say I'm not a big fan of dual timelines. There are (very few) exceptions so I had hopes for Unsinkable.
Unfortunately I liked one of the timelines much more than the other. I really enjoyed Violet's incredible story, Jenni L. Walsh tells it with a lot of talent and it made me google the real Violet Jessop and her fantastic life.
The first few chapters about the Titanic were exceptional and I actually wish the whole book had been about that even though I know it's been overdone as it is.
On the other hand, Daphne... well, yet another Anglo-Saxon main character in WW2 France. I've read much worse stories than this but while there were not many factual inaccuracies, most of the psychological background felt very wrong for French people in the 1940s. It annoyed me. Also why not use the necessary accents in the French words and names (Daphné, Adèle, etc)? Irritating IMO.
Now, I must admit it was refreshing to see a woman involved in the SOE in France, working with the French Resistance and doing actions that were actually plausible and were not only hiding Jews (not saying it didn't happen but it seems to be the only thing depicted in current fiction while it was far from the most prominent thing Resistants did). All this was well done and I appreciated the author's note naming the real-life Resistants whose stories she borrowed.
Another problem I had with this dual timeline book is that both stories felt very separate, it was like reading two books into one. It's pretty easy to guess the link between Violet and Daphne early on but it's actually revealed very late in the book and before that it's like reading 2 parallel stories that don't have much in common.
And finally the ending. It was saccharine sweet. Jenni L. Walsh says in her author's note she wanted everything tied up neatly with a nice bow and she sure did that but it felt so fake to me... especially in January 1946, who had that kind of incredible luck and serendipity in that time? I'm sure this HEA ending will please many people but it just wasn't for me.
So 3 stars for the whole book but I would have given a solid 4 if it had been Violet's story only.
Unfortunately I liked one of the timelines much more than the other. I really enjoyed Violet's incredible story, Jenni L. Walsh tells it with a lot of talent and it made me google the real Violet Jessop and her fantastic life.
The first few chapters about the Titanic were exceptional and I actually wish the whole book had been about that even though I know it's been overdone as it is.
On the other hand, Daphne... well, yet another Anglo-Saxon main character in WW2 France. I've read much worse stories than this but while there were not many factual inaccuracies, most of the psychological background felt very wrong for French people in the 1940s. It annoyed me. Also why not use the necessary accents in the French words and names (Daphné, Adèle, etc)? Irritating IMO.
Now, I must admit it was refreshing to see a woman involved in the SOE in France, working with the French Resistance and doing actions that were actually plausible and were not only hiding Jews (not saying it didn't happen but it seems to be the only thing depicted in current fiction while it was far from the most prominent thing Resistants did). All this was well done and I appreciated the author's note naming the real-life Resistants whose stories she borrowed.
Another problem I had with this dual timeline book is that both stories felt very separate, it was like reading two books into one. It's pretty easy to guess the link between Violet and Daphne early on but it's actually revealed very late in the book and before that it's like reading 2 parallel stories that don't have much in common.
And finally the ending. It was saccharine sweet. Jenni L. Walsh says in her author's note she wanted everything tied up neatly with a nice bow and she sure did that but it felt so fake to me... especially in January 1946, who had that kind of incredible luck and serendipity in that time? I'm sure this HEA ending will please many people but it just wasn't for me.
So 3 stars for the whole book but I would have given a solid 4 if it had been Violet's story only.
September 14, 2023
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.
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.
February 1, 2024
Really enjoyed this historical fiction following two women and the major events of their lives primarily during both world wars. However, it felt like reading two completely different novels (they had a small thread of a connection). Things were wrapped up in a neat bow in the end (which I didn’t mind, but was totally unrealistic). I would totally recommend this reading experience, but wish it was two separate books.
June 9, 2024
I was surprised how good this was for a book I wasn’t very excited about! I haven’t been reading historical fiction much lately, and this was very interesting and written very well! I wouldn’t be opposed to reading more historical fiction in the future. 3.5⭐️ (I think I would rate it higher if this was my preferred genre - I was pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoyed this one).
42/100
42/100
February 7, 2024
UNSINKABLE was another wonderfully woven story from Jenni Walsh -- I loved spending time with Violet and Daphne. Bonus when a story teaches me something! (And I appreciated the nod to the Wrens.)
April 15, 2024
This one packed a punch! The weaving together of the two timelines was ingenious... and the characters meeting was perfect! The danger in this had me speed reading and not wanting to stop reading; it was truly heartpounding and crazy. The writing style and the two characters were super lovable and super inspiring, and they had remarkable character growth amid great sacrifice. I especially found the real life narrative of stewardess/nurse Violet Jessop awesomely profound. The historical facts throughout made this even more immersive and lifelike. I was very excited to read this as it combines three very exciting things for me: the Titanic, the SOE in WWII, and brilliant, bold women. I mean, for real, all that in one book, and done so well?! Absolutely bonkers. As my first fictional Titanic read, this did not disappoint.
Also, as far as content goes it was completely clean except for some relatively mild language, mostly in the first half.
Also, as far as content goes it was completely clean except for some relatively mild language, mostly in the first half.
January 13, 2024
4.5 Stars
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 me want to continue 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.
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 me want to continue 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.
February 9, 2024
Since I knew that the setting of the book was the tragic tale of The Titanic, I was prepared for deep sadness. I was not expecting the strong, resilient spirit of both Violet and Daphne, and I could only guess at how their paths might cross. It was a joy to read their stories, become part of the woodwork witnessing their journeys, sensing the overarching significance of their bravery in the face of danger and the refusal to surrender to the pain that comes along with the human condition. The attention to historical detail was outstanding, and the author’s note is a must. It was also lovely to run into characters from The Call of the Wrens. Bravo! I loved that Violet’s voice has an Irish accent, but I found it unusual that there was no nod to her upbringing in Argentina seeing as how it was mentioned so frequently. I did however find the repeated random Spanish word when it made zero sense and broke up the flow to be somewhat tiresome…we get it. She speaks 5 languages. I received an advance audiobook copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a positive review.
Read
February 21, 2024The concept here is really cool, but I never really connected to either of the main characters, so this felt a bit anticlimactic overall. Violet was in three major ship sinkings, including the Titanic. What struck me right at the start was how non-dramatic the sinking of the Titanic was. Nothing felt like you were there; it was more like reading a sanitized news account or something. It was all a bit dry, given how many ships dumped people into the water. I also felt like it took waaaaay too long for the two plot lines to converge.
The audio narration is fantastic and it's why I stuck through this one.
The audio narration is fantastic and it's why I stuck through this one.
January 15, 2025
4.25 🌟 i will be thinking about this book for a long time. it was absolutely beautiful. it reminded me of the nightingale on a smaller scale, i loved it so much. the true story of what these women went through/did was so incredible to read!
January 8, 2024
This is the best way to start the new year, with a book that gets 5/5 stars from me. Read why I loved this in my #bookreview on my blog here. https://tcl-bookreviews.com/2024/01/0...
February 4, 2024
Thank you Harper Muse and Libro FM for my gifted copies
Review to come
Review to come
October 24, 2023
“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.
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.
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