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Ship of Dreams
From the author of the internationally bestselling novel, WHEN THE WORLD FELL SILENT, comes a breathtaking tale of secrets, betrayal, and the enduring power of friendship.
Aboard the Titanic, where opulence knows no bounds and the horizon seems limitless, two women fight for the futures they dream of, fraught with secrets that could change everything.
Hannah Martin is clinging to the hope that six days on this grand ship will heal the wounds in her marriage to Charles. Beneath her poised exterior lies a desperation to mend what was shattered and conceal a secret that could upend their lives forever.
Louisa Phillips, spirited and uncompromising, is escaping her family’s insistence on a passionless marriage. But this daring step could also sever the deepest bond in her life.
As the ‘unsinkable' ship strikes the iceberg, amidst the chaos and icy waters, lives are changed forever. In the face of impending doom, what dreams will Hannah and Lou decide are worth saving, and at what cost?
This evocative historical fiction will stay with you long after you've turned the last page. Perfect for fans of Kate Quinn, this is a poignant tale of love, choice, and survival against the odds.
Aboard the Titanic, where opulence knows no bounds and the horizon seems limitless, two women fight for the futures they dream of, fraught with secrets that could change everything.
Hannah Martin is clinging to the hope that six days on this grand ship will heal the wounds in her marriage to Charles. Beneath her poised exterior lies a desperation to mend what was shattered and conceal a secret that could upend their lives forever.
Louisa Phillips, spirited and uncompromising, is escaping her family’s insistence on a passionless marriage. But this daring step could also sever the deepest bond in her life.
As the ‘unsinkable' ship strikes the iceberg, amidst the chaos and icy waters, lives are changed forever. In the face of impending doom, what dreams will Hannah and Lou decide are worth saving, and at what cost?
This evocative historical fiction will stay with you long after you've turned the last page. Perfect for fans of Kate Quinn, this is a poignant tale of love, choice, and survival against the odds.
385 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 26, 2025
674 people are currently reading
3368 people want to read
About the author
Donna Jones Alward
2 books277 followersSince 2006, New York Times bestseller Donna Jones Alward has enchanted readers with stories of happy endings and homecomings that have won several awards and been translated into over a dozen languages. She’s worked as an administrative assistant, teaching assistant, in retail and as a stay-at-home-mom, but always knew her degree in English Literature would pay off, as she is now happy to be a full-time writer. Her new historical fiction tales blend her love of history with characters who step beyond their biggest fears to claim the lives they desire.
Donna currently lives in Nova Scotia, Canada, with her husband and two cats. You can often find her near the water, either kayaking on the lake or walking the sandy beaches to refill her creative well.
Find out more at www.donnajonesalward.com
Donna currently lives in Nova Scotia, Canada, with her husband and two cats. You can often find her near the water, either kayaking on the lake or walking the sandy beaches to refill her creative well.
Find out more at www.donnajonesalward.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 225 reviews
August 8, 2025
Southampton, England. Hannah Martin and Louisa Phillips have been best friends since they met at boarding school, and both board the Titanic’s six day maiden voyage to New York hoping it will be life changing and they each have a secret.
Hannah is married to Charles, since a tragic loss two years ago their marriage hasn’t been the same and she hopes to talk to him about how she feels and fingers crossed they rekindle their romance. Louisa is spirited and headstrong, independent and a big supporter of the suffragette movement, her father has given her an ultimatum and it includes marrying a man she doesn’t love.
The Titanic lives up to the ladies expectations, the suites are luxurious, so are the dining rooms and reading room, the food’s decadent and delicious and they meet some of the world’s richest and influential people.
Mr. Reid Grey is aboard, Louisa has been corresponding with him in England, and he makes quite the impression on her and in ways she wasn’t prepared for and will she chance her ways and plans?
I received a copy of Ship of Dreams by Donna Jones Alward from NetGalley and One More Chapter in exchange for an honest review. I have read quite a few Titanic stories, this one is very different and I felt like I knew the two main characters personally and best friends Hannah and Lou.
The narrative explores society’s attitudes towards women, marriage and romantic relationships, how the survivors felt and were treated after the "unsinkable ship" hit the iceberg, being loaded into lifeboats, sank, aboard the Carpathia, once they arrived in New York and some went on to Nova Scotia.
Five stars from me, a historical tale about love, hopes, dreams, loss, tragedy, acceptance, forgiveness and moving forward. I enjoyed Ms Jones Alward’s previous book When the World Fell Silent and I highly recommend both.
Hannah is married to Charles, since a tragic loss two years ago their marriage hasn’t been the same and she hopes to talk to him about how she feels and fingers crossed they rekindle their romance. Louisa is spirited and headstrong, independent and a big supporter of the suffragette movement, her father has given her an ultimatum and it includes marrying a man she doesn’t love.
The Titanic lives up to the ladies expectations, the suites are luxurious, so are the dining rooms and reading room, the food’s decadent and delicious and they meet some of the world’s richest and influential people.
Mr. Reid Grey is aboard, Louisa has been corresponding with him in England, and he makes quite the impression on her and in ways she wasn’t prepared for and will she chance her ways and plans?
I received a copy of Ship of Dreams by Donna Jones Alward from NetGalley and One More Chapter in exchange for an honest review. I have read quite a few Titanic stories, this one is very different and I felt like I knew the two main characters personally and best friends Hannah and Lou.
The narrative explores society’s attitudes towards women, marriage and romantic relationships, how the survivors felt and were treated after the "unsinkable ship" hit the iceberg, being loaded into lifeboats, sank, aboard the Carpathia, once they arrived in New York and some went on to Nova Scotia.
Five stars from me, a historical tale about love, hopes, dreams, loss, tragedy, acceptance, forgiveness and moving forward. I enjoyed Ms Jones Alward’s previous book When the World Fell Silent and I highly recommend both.
August 30, 2025
We all know what happened to the Titanic, but the hope and excitement of the travel also had Hannah and Louisa hoping other things.
Hannah is hoping her husband will be more attentive and Louisa hopes her parents will forget about trying to find her a husband and to marry someone she doesn't want to marry.
They both are keeping secrets.
We follow both women until that fateful evening.
Will their dreams come true or will they be one of the passengers whose dreams are shattered?
Miss Alward's descriptions of the women's feelings, the glamour of the ship, and the disaster will have historical fiction fans and women's fiction fans devouring and enjoying every word.
SHIP OF DREAMS is about enduring hardships, lasting friendships, and connections. 5/5
Thank you to the publisher for a copy of the book. All opinions are my own.
Hannah is hoping her husband will be more attentive and Louisa hopes her parents will forget about trying to find her a husband and to marry someone she doesn't want to marry.
They both are keeping secrets.
We follow both women until that fateful evening.
Will their dreams come true or will they be one of the passengers whose dreams are shattered?
Miss Alward's descriptions of the women's feelings, the glamour of the ship, and the disaster will have historical fiction fans and women's fiction fans devouring and enjoying every word.
SHIP OF DREAMS is about enduring hardships, lasting friendships, and connections. 5/5
Thank you to the publisher for a copy of the book. All opinions are my own.
September 4, 2025
A tale about love, tragedy and, above all, two friends trying to endure what life throws their way
Hannah is hoping the week at the Titanic will serve as a bridge between her and her husband, after a terrible event made them drift apart two years ago. Her best friend, Louisa, is carrying secrets that could cost her their friendship, and even her own life. But the Titanic has plans to shake their lives on its own.
Ship of Dreams was nothing like I was expecting-and that’s a compliment. To be honest, I didn’t remember it was set on the Titanic when I picked it up, and when I realized it I was devastated because I didn’t want to suffer-the movie was more than enough. I’m so glad I ended up giving it a try.
This book is nothing like the Titanic. It’s still extremely heartbreaking. I’m still shaken by what I’ve just read. But I loved how addicting it was, how moving and heartbreaking but also how endearing and warm it was. At first, I wasn’t at all invested in the story, especially because I found Hannah rather bland and disliked her husband, so I wasn’t very invested in them coming to terms. I have to admit I started the book wanting him to die, because I couldn’t stand him. But Hannah, with her softness and tendency to please, ended up growing on me. I ended up being as invested in her as I was in Louise.
Louise was great from the start. A baronet’s daughter trying to run away from a marriage she didn’t want, while having an affair with a handsome man who may or may not be the thief everyone in the ship is talking about. It was a very compelling plot-line, and I only wished their romance was more slow burn and we could have witnessed them falling in love. As it was, they had already met and I felt I missed the beginning of their story, which is the only thing I would have changed about the book (and being more invested in Hannah’s POV from the beginning).
Overall, this story started a bit slow but quickly grabbed me and didn’t let me breathe until I finished it. It was heartbreaking and heartwarming, and I love stories where friendship is as important as romantic love. Also, the ending was bold, but it was so fitting and satisfactory.✨ I loved it. ✨
I kindly received an ARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Hannah is hoping the week at the Titanic will serve as a bridge between her and her husband, after a terrible event made them drift apart two years ago. Her best friend, Louisa, is carrying secrets that could cost her their friendship, and even her own life. But the Titanic has plans to shake their lives on its own.
Ship of Dreams was nothing like I was expecting-and that’s a compliment. To be honest, I didn’t remember it was set on the Titanic when I picked it up, and when I realized it I was devastated because I didn’t want to suffer-the movie was more than enough. I’m so glad I ended up giving it a try.
This book is nothing like the Titanic. It’s still extremely heartbreaking. I’m still shaken by what I’ve just read. But I loved how addicting it was, how moving and heartbreaking but also how endearing and warm it was. At first, I wasn’t at all invested in the story, especially because I found Hannah rather bland and disliked her husband, so I wasn’t very invested in them coming to terms. I have to admit I started the book wanting him to die, because I couldn’t stand him. But Hannah, with her softness and tendency to please, ended up growing on me. I ended up being as invested in her as I was in Louise.
Louise was great from the start. A baronet’s daughter trying to run away from a marriage she didn’t want, while having an affair with a handsome man who may or may not be the thief everyone in the ship is talking about. It was a very compelling plot-line, and I only wished their romance was more slow burn and we could have witnessed them falling in love. As it was, they had already met and I felt I missed the beginning of their story, which is the only thing I would have changed about the book (and being more invested in Hannah’s POV from the beginning).
Overall, this story started a bit slow but quickly grabbed me and didn’t let me breathe until I finished it. It was heartbreaking and heartwarming, and I love stories where friendship is as important as romantic love. Also, the ending was bold, but it was so fitting and satisfactory.✨ I loved it. ✨
I kindly received an ARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
July 17, 2025
I love anything set on the Titanic and I was looking forward to this book. Hannah and her best friend Louisa, are sailing on the Titanic, accompanied by Hannah's husband Charles. He has business in America and Hannah and Louisa plan on spending their time in New York, shopping and sightseeing. But this is not the only reason for Hannah travelling as she is hoping to reignite her marriage which has been dealt a blow and is slowly starting to fade.
Louisa has her own agenda, unknown to Hannah and has a well kept secret.
The first half of the story is very drawn out and sometimes repetitive. They seemed to go round and round in circles, never really solving anything or getting anywhere. Hannah is too meek and persuadable and Louisa the exact opposite. The sinking doesn't take up a lot of pages as the story is mainly about the girls before and after the event.
It definitely picked up here with their time on the Carpathia, arrival in New York and travelling on to Halifax.
There's a lot of description of the sumptuous conditions aboard the ship, the food and the clothes worn by the first class passengers. The epilogue is done in a different way which worked very well and allowed us a glimpse into the girls worlds in later years.
A good read but it did let me down a bit.
Many thanks to HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter and NetGalley for an early copy of this book.
Louisa has her own agenda, unknown to Hannah and has a well kept secret.
The first half of the story is very drawn out and sometimes repetitive. They seemed to go round and round in circles, never really solving anything or getting anywhere. Hannah is too meek and persuadable and Louisa the exact opposite. The sinking doesn't take up a lot of pages as the story is mainly about the girls before and after the event.
It definitely picked up here with their time on the Carpathia, arrival in New York and travelling on to Halifax.
There's a lot of description of the sumptuous conditions aboard the ship, the food and the clothes worn by the first class passengers. The epilogue is done in a different way which worked very well and allowed us a glimpse into the girls worlds in later years.
A good read but it did let me down a bit.
Many thanks to HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter and NetGalley for an early copy of this book.
August 20, 2025
4.5 stars.
This is a heartfelt, emotional read set aboard the Titanic and told through the eyes of two young women. The women, Hannah, her husband, Charles, and Hannah’s friend, Louisa, are traveling on the ship from London to New York. Both women are dealing with personal issues - Hannah with a troubled marriage, and Louisa with her desire to be independent and not marry the man her father has chosen for her. As the ship sails, the bonds of the women’s friendship are tested and new relationships are formed. Then, of course, the unimaginable happens and the Titanic sinks. Some people survive, many do not. Those who do are left to pick up the pieces.
The writing is smooth and descriptive and I felt like I was right there on the ship, hearing the music being played by the orchestra and picturing the opulent rooms of the ship. The author also wove in real-life characters who had been on the Titanic, adding an air of authenticity and time and place to the story.
Hannah and Louisa were very likeable even as they weathered the ups and downs of their relationship. I liked how the story unfolded though alternating scenes from each woman’s perspective (in the first person) and the letters between Hannah and Louisa in the epilogue were a great touch.
The sinking of the Titanic is well known but in this novel, the author uses it as a backdrop to tell a story about friendship, forgiveness, loss, grief, betrayal, but also of hope and inner strength. The author effectively used the characters to bring the history of the Titanic to life for contemporary audiences.
Overall, a very good emotional read. My only small quibble was that the pacing was a bit slow and somewhat repetitive in the beginning. Highly recommend!
Thanks to the publisher for this complimentary digital copy. All opinions are my own.
This is a heartfelt, emotional read set aboard the Titanic and told through the eyes of two young women. The women, Hannah, her husband, Charles, and Hannah’s friend, Louisa, are traveling on the ship from London to New York. Both women are dealing with personal issues - Hannah with a troubled marriage, and Louisa with her desire to be independent and not marry the man her father has chosen for her. As the ship sails, the bonds of the women’s friendship are tested and new relationships are formed. Then, of course, the unimaginable happens and the Titanic sinks. Some people survive, many do not. Those who do are left to pick up the pieces.
The writing is smooth and descriptive and I felt like I was right there on the ship, hearing the music being played by the orchestra and picturing the opulent rooms of the ship. The author also wove in real-life characters who had been on the Titanic, adding an air of authenticity and time and place to the story.
Hannah and Louisa were very likeable even as they weathered the ups and downs of their relationship. I liked how the story unfolded though alternating scenes from each woman’s perspective (in the first person) and the letters between Hannah and Louisa in the epilogue were a great touch.
The sinking of the Titanic is well known but in this novel, the author uses it as a backdrop to tell a story about friendship, forgiveness, loss, grief, betrayal, but also of hope and inner strength. The author effectively used the characters to bring the history of the Titanic to life for contemporary audiences.
Overall, a very good emotional read. My only small quibble was that the pacing was a bit slow and somewhat repetitive in the beginning. Highly recommend!
Thanks to the publisher for this complimentary digital copy. All opinions are my own.
September 19, 2025
A story of friendship, a historical fiction taking place on the Titanic. I was intrigued by the premise and knew I'd need to read this one. The two main characters, Hannah and Louisa, have hopes for their lives as they board the extravagant ship in England. We get glimpses into their family lives, and marriage and what society expected from women during those days. The descriptions of the ship were vivid and the characters were likeable and well developed. I thought it was well written, and I was truly taken into the story. I enjoyed this one!
Thank you to the publisher, author, and Suzy approved book tours for the gifted copy. All opinions are on my own.
Thank you to the publisher, author, and Suzy approved book tours for the gifted copy. All opinions are on my own.
October 17, 2025
A great Titanic retelling following two best friends and their journey across the ocean. A few parts were a little slow at times.
June 22, 2025
Ship of Dreams…or Nightmares?
Ship of Dreams is a character driven story set against the epic backdrop of the Titanic disaster. The story follows two privileged women who board the Titanic in search of answers. One wants to save a failing marriage, the other to have an adventurous flirtation.
Hannah is loving and loyal wife, distressed by a distant husband, and fearing how he will react to news of her pregnancy. Louisa is rebelling against a controlling father, determined to have one last fling before choosing between a comfortable marriage or being free but disinherited.
The first half of the book focuses on the characters, on their desires and what they are prepared to do to find solutions. In the hands of another author, these dual story lines, up to the point of resolution, would be a complete novel; but not in this case. Just as the two female protagonists find a way to be happy and at peace, disaster strikes in the form of an iceberg.
The second half of the book deals with the aftermath of the sinking, rescue on the Carpathia, recovering in New York, and an onward journey to Halifax to identify bodies.
This absorbing read has a fresh take on the repercussions of the Titanic’s sinking. I found it absorbing and surprising in places. The author does a great job of building empathy for two very different characters, who sometimes behave badly, but such is the insight into their motivation that it is all entirely plausible. I would definitely recommend to anyone who loves well-written characters and is comfortable with shedding a tear or two.
Ship of Dreams is a character driven story set against the epic backdrop of the Titanic disaster. The story follows two privileged women who board the Titanic in search of answers. One wants to save a failing marriage, the other to have an adventurous flirtation.
Hannah is loving and loyal wife, distressed by a distant husband, and fearing how he will react to news of her pregnancy. Louisa is rebelling against a controlling father, determined to have one last fling before choosing between a comfortable marriage or being free but disinherited.
The first half of the book focuses on the characters, on their desires and what they are prepared to do to find solutions. In the hands of another author, these dual story lines, up to the point of resolution, would be a complete novel; but not in this case. Just as the two female protagonists find a way to be happy and at peace, disaster strikes in the form of an iceberg.
The second half of the book deals with the aftermath of the sinking, rescue on the Carpathia, recovering in New York, and an onward journey to Halifax to identify bodies.
This absorbing read has a fresh take on the repercussions of the Titanic’s sinking. I found it absorbing and surprising in places. The author does a great job of building empathy for two very different characters, who sometimes behave badly, but such is the insight into their motivation that it is all entirely plausible. I would definitely recommend to anyone who loves well-written characters and is comfortable with shedding a tear or two.
August 2, 2025
The Titanic is a popular historical fictional subject and I have read my fair share of books about the Titanic. Ship of Dreams is a bit different. I found I was quite vested in the two main characters, Louisa and Hannah. They have been friends since childhood and both have come from wealthy families. They are traveling to New York in first class cabins for a bit of a holiday. Both women have secrets and stresses in their lives and some are not being shared with each other. Although very different in personalities, they have a deep and bonding friendship.
The first half of the book is about getting to know and care about Louisa and Hannah and their lovely time spend on this magnificent ship despite their own personal worries. I found that I became very invested and empathetic to both characters.
Then the Titanic hit the iceberg.
The next half of the book deals with this horrific tragedy. The book continues to describe the rescue of survivors in life boats and the second trauma of identifying loved ones who were not saved. Without giving spoilers, I found this part dealt with a subject matter that is not always provided in other stories about the Titanic. The last brief section of this story covers decades later via letter correspondence. I found this rounded out the story for me and provided closure to this moving story.
I received an ARC of this book from Netgalley and the publisher. This is my unbiased review.
The first half of the book is about getting to know and care about Louisa and Hannah and their lovely time spend on this magnificent ship despite their own personal worries. I found that I became very invested and empathetic to both characters.
Then the Titanic hit the iceberg.
The next half of the book deals with this horrific tragedy. The book continues to describe the rescue of survivors in life boats and the second trauma of identifying loved ones who were not saved. Without giving spoilers, I found this part dealt with a subject matter that is not always provided in other stories about the Titanic. The last brief section of this story covers decades later via letter correspondence. I found this rounded out the story for me and provided closure to this moving story.
I received an ARC of this book from Netgalley and the publisher. This is my unbiased review.
October 3, 2025
This is the titanic historical fiction I’ve been WAITING for!!!!!!! Follows two best friends and different points in their lives as they board the titanic. The girls had so much going on that I would actually forget that the titanic was about to sink. Loved!
July 3, 2025
3 Stars
I would have rated this lower, but the aftermath of the shipwreck was genuinely sad (of course it was) and the description of the waiting room in Halifax genuinely tugged on my heartstrings.
That being said, I am really sorry to say that I didn’t enjoy much else about this book.
What I liked:
- depictions of identifying the bodies in Halifax and discussions of the ‘Ship of Widows’, survivor’s guilt and women’s groups arriving to offer support.
- the pacing (for the most part).
What could have been better:
- The writing: until we got to Halifax, I didn’t think this book was particularly well-written. It suffered from a lot of telling rather than showing, endless descriptions of clothing and meal times, a constant who’s who of famous figures on the ship, run-on sentences, a very overly-modern use of dialogue and verbiage, and repetition. The first 60% of this book was so dull the only thing that kept me going was knowing that they were in fact on the Titanic and that I could count down until the ship would sink.
- Knowing that they were on the Titanic: since I knew the history of the ship, everything that happened on the first 60% of the book didn’t feel like it mattered. I wasn’t invested in any of the characters and it felt very foreboding - but not in a good way. The amount of times people referencing having fun in New York, their future plans, and even that they weren’t in a rush or had time made me roll my eyes. It wasn’t tense, it was almost tongue-in-cheek. If we didn’t know what ship they were on at first that might have helped and allowed for a much more organic ability to relate to and empathise with the characters.
- Louisa: perhaps unfairly at times, I found Lousia very frustrating. She came from such a background of privilege and, though I firmly support the suffrage movements of the time, was so heavy-handed about her views that at times it felt like a caricature. Like a ‘not like other girls’ prototype, which wasn’t helped by how much this story was influenced by much later discussions about the Titanic and inequality of the time period. She resorted to theft before even entertaining the idea of seeking employment.
- The historical anachronism in dialogue and discussions of the tragedy: one glaring thing to note is that Louisa and Hannah were in first class. A lot of the discussions about Titanic and what it said about the time period happened a lot later (as always) so it felt like some of the things raised on the Carpathia and in Halifax felt premature.
Overall, I think this book had a lot of potential, but I would say my enjoyment came mostly from the real history and academic discussions of the Titanic and its impacts. There is a lot to enjoy here in this book if you do as well, but I still think its execution could have been a lot better.
*Special thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with a copy of the eARC - this is my honest review*
I would have rated this lower, but the aftermath of the shipwreck was genuinely sad (of course it was) and the description of the waiting room in Halifax genuinely tugged on my heartstrings.
That being said, I am really sorry to say that I didn’t enjoy much else about this book.
What I liked:
- depictions of identifying the bodies in Halifax and discussions of the ‘Ship of Widows’, survivor’s guilt and women’s groups arriving to offer support.
- the pacing (for the most part).
What could have been better:
- The writing: until we got to Halifax, I didn’t think this book was particularly well-written. It suffered from a lot of telling rather than showing, endless descriptions of clothing and meal times, a constant who’s who of famous figures on the ship, run-on sentences, a very overly-modern use of dialogue and verbiage, and repetition. The first 60% of this book was so dull the only thing that kept me going was knowing that they were in fact on the Titanic and that I could count down until the ship would sink.
- Knowing that they were on the Titanic: since I knew the history of the ship, everything that happened on the first 60% of the book didn’t feel like it mattered. I wasn’t invested in any of the characters and it felt very foreboding - but not in a good way. The amount of times people referencing having fun in New York, their future plans, and even that they weren’t in a rush or had time made me roll my eyes. It wasn’t tense, it was almost tongue-in-cheek. If we didn’t know what ship they were on at first that might have helped and allowed for a much more organic ability to relate to and empathise with the characters.
- Louisa: perhaps unfairly at times, I found Lousia very frustrating. She came from such a background of privilege and, though I firmly support the suffrage movements of the time, was so heavy-handed about her views that at times it felt like a caricature. Like a ‘not like other girls’ prototype, which wasn’t helped by how much this story was influenced by much later discussions about the Titanic and inequality of the time period. She resorted to theft before even entertaining the idea of seeking employment.
- The historical anachronism in dialogue and discussions of the tragedy: one glaring thing to note is that Louisa and Hannah were in first class. A lot of the discussions about Titanic and what it said about the time period happened a lot later (as always) so it felt like some of the things raised on the Carpathia and in Halifax felt premature.
Overall, I think this book had a lot of potential, but I would say my enjoyment came mostly from the real history and academic discussions of the Titanic and its impacts. There is a lot to enjoy here in this book if you do as well, but I still think its execution could have been a lot better.
*Special thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with a copy of the eARC - this is my honest review*
June 11, 2025
The Ship of Dreams is a very moving novel that grips the heart because it demonstrates through characters we come to love, the emotional trauma of what it must have been like for those who went through the horrible loss when the Titanic went down. This massive incident altered many lives forever. Donna Alward takes us up close through the lives of those who were there and who could have been there. She has done her research well. As she notes in the back, there was a lot of information to wade through and choosing what you need is a challenge. But she has utilised it well. The images she created from the event are forever branded in my mind. My heart certainly got a dramatic squeeze, too, to the point it physically hurt! Such is a sign of a good writer who can move you to tears as that means the story is connecting at the deepest levels.
We all know, the Titanic once called the ship of dreams, becomes the ship of nightmares. This novel’s title is apt for many reasons other than the obvious. For two couples, in first class, taking this trip, is a chance to rectify imbalances and make good things happen in their lives. For Hannah, she wants to restore her relationship with her husband, Charles, who has not been himself since the loss of their child. Charles is acting very withdrawn and seems to be avoiding any intimate contact with her. She wonders why and her head is filled with the worst thoughts. She tries to be patient but her patience thins. Is he dealing with grief or something more? Through the first few days on the ship, lots of things happen that are a catalyst for change and we watch as this couple transform. The Titanic is where their love reblooms, just in time to be torn apart.
As for Louisa, best friend of Hannah, she is on this trip to escape her parents’ drive to push her into a loveless marriage she does not want. She is a woman who wants to make her own choices but her parents have threatened to cut her off if she does not adhere to her wishes. Yes, emotional and financial blackmail. She rebels and creates a plan to help fund her own needs. Not one you’d expect but it is of her own making. What she does not count on is suddenly falling in love with a man (Reid) she has known for a while. He transforms her heart. His presence on this trip is based on his desire to have a chance with her. For once, she learns about love and what it is to be loved for herself. Sadly, the Titanic is about to take everything she has gained away and leave her with an eternal broken heart.
Although the Titanic disaster is the backdrop of this novel, this is a story about relationships. Yes, how those relationships change: how they were before, during and after the event. This transformation is definitely a major part of the plot. The relationships covered are those between close friends (friendship), between husband and wife (marital), between adult child and parents (intergenerational) and a dating couple (romance).
This is not only a novel about love but also grief. How over time, the edges of your heat can soften. Although you never recover from a deep loss, the pain can ease enough to move forward. Other activities and people can help fill the void—not replace but offer comfort and new direction. For these two ladies, they never replace their lost loves but a child and a job with a worthy cause help them through the dark valley of death. In this way, I believe the solutions and outcomes for Hannah and Louisa are appropriate. They each have something positive to focus on. For what else can they do? Withdrawing into a shell will solve nothing and is not the best use of the time they have left. Their loved ones would have wanted them to move forward, not stay stuck in the mire of grief. What they both do is honourable. We cannot but feel happy for Hannah and Louisa and the strength of character they exhibit in the face of such trauma. I think the most chilling scene of the novel for me is in Nova Scotia when they are waiting to see whose bodies were retrieved. I will say no more so as not to risk revealing any plot direction but those passages made my heart ache.
I found the letters between Hannah and Louisa very interesting as they provide valuable information in the future. Thinking of the Titanic’s time frame and what follows a few years later (WW1) we are able to see a bit about the effects of that time on these women’s lives. It also made me wonder, will there be a sequel? It would seem like a great idea! Until next time, grab a copy of The Ship of Dreams. This is a very different Titanic novel (and I have read quite a few) but one worthy of the attention of historical fiction lovers. A must read but keep the tissues close! 5 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Thanks to One More Chapter and Netgalley for a review copy.
We all know, the Titanic once called the ship of dreams, becomes the ship of nightmares. This novel’s title is apt for many reasons other than the obvious. For two couples, in first class, taking this trip, is a chance to rectify imbalances and make good things happen in their lives. For Hannah, she wants to restore her relationship with her husband, Charles, who has not been himself since the loss of their child. Charles is acting very withdrawn and seems to be avoiding any intimate contact with her. She wonders why and her head is filled with the worst thoughts. She tries to be patient but her patience thins. Is he dealing with grief or something more? Through the first few days on the ship, lots of things happen that are a catalyst for change and we watch as this couple transform. The Titanic is where their love reblooms, just in time to be torn apart.
As for Louisa, best friend of Hannah, she is on this trip to escape her parents’ drive to push her into a loveless marriage she does not want. She is a woman who wants to make her own choices but her parents have threatened to cut her off if she does not adhere to her wishes. Yes, emotional and financial blackmail. She rebels and creates a plan to help fund her own needs. Not one you’d expect but it is of her own making. What she does not count on is suddenly falling in love with a man (Reid) she has known for a while. He transforms her heart. His presence on this trip is based on his desire to have a chance with her. For once, she learns about love and what it is to be loved for herself. Sadly, the Titanic is about to take everything she has gained away and leave her with an eternal broken heart.
Although the Titanic disaster is the backdrop of this novel, this is a story about relationships. Yes, how those relationships change: how they were before, during and after the event. This transformation is definitely a major part of the plot. The relationships covered are those between close friends (friendship), between husband and wife (marital), between adult child and parents (intergenerational) and a dating couple (romance).
This is not only a novel about love but also grief. How over time, the edges of your heat can soften. Although you never recover from a deep loss, the pain can ease enough to move forward. Other activities and people can help fill the void—not replace but offer comfort and new direction. For these two ladies, they never replace their lost loves but a child and a job with a worthy cause help them through the dark valley of death. In this way, I believe the solutions and outcomes for Hannah and Louisa are appropriate. They each have something positive to focus on. For what else can they do? Withdrawing into a shell will solve nothing and is not the best use of the time they have left. Their loved ones would have wanted them to move forward, not stay stuck in the mire of grief. What they both do is honourable. We cannot but feel happy for Hannah and Louisa and the strength of character they exhibit in the face of such trauma. I think the most chilling scene of the novel for me is in Nova Scotia when they are waiting to see whose bodies were retrieved. I will say no more so as not to risk revealing any plot direction but those passages made my heart ache.
I found the letters between Hannah and Louisa very interesting as they provide valuable information in the future. Thinking of the Titanic’s time frame and what follows a few years later (WW1) we are able to see a bit about the effects of that time on these women’s lives. It also made me wonder, will there be a sequel? It would seem like a great idea! Until next time, grab a copy of The Ship of Dreams. This is a very different Titanic novel (and I have read quite a few) but one worthy of the attention of historical fiction lovers. A must read but keep the tissues close! 5 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Thanks to One More Chapter and Netgalley for a review copy.
August 14, 2025
When I mentioned to a friend (a non-reader) that I was reading a book about the Titanic, they looked at me as if I had two heads. “Why would you read that? You know how it ends.” Yes, I know how the voyage ends, but this book follows the rescue of the survivors as they are brought to shore in New York.
The first part was interesting enough…..the storylines of some of the passengers (some notable ones, some fictional). What interested me was the description of the ship, the opulence, the service, and the food. And the aftermath of the sinking. I had to wait until I had read 60% of the book before I got to the aftermath.
The facts that come out after the sinking are interesting. Naturally, after any disaster, the things that were done wrong or not done at all are a focus. I enjoyed the time in Nova Scotia, where the recovered victims were brought for identification and burial.
The storylines of the individuals during the voyage could be a variation of any novel of the same timeline. They weren't bad, but they weren't especially compelling. The two main female characters were likeable, opposites in personality but they complemented each other.
The book ended with an Epilogue, that took the reader past the end of the actual story. I always appreciate that…..it gives me closure.
In conclusion, I enjoyed this book, but it didn't knock my socks off. My rating is 3.5/ stars which I am raising to 4 stars. I think it will appeal to a wide readership.
Thank you to NetGalley and the Publisher for the Advance Readers Copy.
The first part was interesting enough…..the storylines of some of the passengers (some notable ones, some fictional). What interested me was the description of the ship, the opulence, the service, and the food. And the aftermath of the sinking. I had to wait until I had read 60% of the book before I got to the aftermath.
The facts that come out after the sinking are interesting. Naturally, after any disaster, the things that were done wrong or not done at all are a focus. I enjoyed the time in Nova Scotia, where the recovered victims were brought for identification and burial.
The storylines of the individuals during the voyage could be a variation of any novel of the same timeline. They weren't bad, but they weren't especially compelling. The two main female characters were likeable, opposites in personality but they complemented each other.
The book ended with an Epilogue, that took the reader past the end of the actual story. I always appreciate that…..it gives me closure.
In conclusion, I enjoyed this book, but it didn't knock my socks off. My rating is 3.5/ stars which I am raising to 4 stars. I think it will appeal to a wide readership.
Thank you to NetGalley and the Publisher for the Advance Readers Copy.
November 6, 2025
I started this book with some trepidation as I know the story of the Titanic well, and knew that bad things were going to happen to characters that I liked. And I did immediately like the characters. Hannah and Louisa have been best friends since their school days. They embark on the Titanic along with Hannah's husband Charles. For Charles it is a business trip. Hannah hopes that the time away will heal their struggling marriage. Louisa, invited along as a companion for Hannah, is happy to get away from the pressure from her parents to marry a man she hardly knows, and has a plan to secure her freedom. The story is told in alternating chapters narrated by the two women, who are both very well developed and complex characters with big secrets. Life on board the Titanic for first class passengers is well described, and many of the characters we meet are real life people, including the Astors, Margaret Brown, and the unfortunately named Fortune family. I was dreading the actual shipwreck part of the story, but it was kept short. For me the story really got interesting after the wreck, as the two friends grapple with the aftermath and try to figure out how to move forward with their lives. This is really a tribute to the power of female friendship. I really appreciated the epilogue, written as a sampling of the letters the two friends wrote over the following decades, reassuring the reader that they really were okay in their post-Titanic lives. I think it was brave of the author to tackle a fictional version of such a well known story. I think we all have assumptions about the Titanic story, especially if we have seen the over-hyped movie about the shipwreck. She did her research well and did a pretty credible job.
November 22, 2025
What a lovely change of pace from my previous reading. I don't always love historical fiction but this read easily and I truly enjoyed the ride. I even shed a tear or two. I look forward to reading her other book.
August 31, 2025
I always enjoy Donna Alward’s books, but I think this was the best ever.
Couldn’t put it down and read it in one day.
Terrific story about Hannah and Louisa on the Titanic, as well as how each copes with the aftermath of the sinking.
A book not to be missed.
Couldn’t put it down and read it in one day.
Terrific story about Hannah and Louisa on the Titanic, as well as how each copes with the aftermath of the sinking.
A book not to be missed.
September 14, 2025
Historical fiction is my favourite genre and Ship of Dreams wove interesting characters into the fateful voyage of the Titanic. Although flawed in their own ways, the female characters were resilient and striving to improve their situations.
This was a quick read and once I started in the afternoon, read straight through and finished just after midnight as I wanted to get to the end before retiring to bed!
I will miss seeing this author in grimsby but she does offer to do book club events!
This was a quick read and once I started in the afternoon, read straight through and finished just after midnight as I wanted to get to the end before retiring to bed!
I will miss seeing this author in grimsby but she does offer to do book club events!
July 1, 2025
Ship of Dreams is the Titanic novel we never knew we needed—but most certainly do. I read with bated breath as the story pressed forward, the tension quietly mounting until we reach the fateful night of April 14. It’s a novel that will break your heart and mend it again, all within the grip of one unforgettable, compulsive read.
July 9, 2025
SHIP OF DREAMS is Donna Jones Alward’s second historical fiction novel. Fans of her debut, WHEN THE WORLD FELL SILENT, won’t be disappointed.
When best friends Hannah Martin and Lady Louisa (Lou) Phillips set sail on the Titanic, they have far more than a vacation on their minds. For Hannah, the journey is a chance to repair her failing marriage. Once deeply in love, she and her husband, Charles, have grown estranged following a personal tragedy. Meanwhile, Lou is escaping an unwanted engagement. Sailing to America is part of her secret plan for independence. That plan is complicated, however, by the appearance of Reid Grey, a handsome acquaintance with whom she embarks on a passionate affair.
Over the first half of the book, Alward leans into her romance roots, using the Titanic’s opulent setting to paint two very different love stories. (Note: Alward does a fantastic job of world-building here. There are moments when you can almost hear the crystal tinkling in the dining room.) She allows readers to become invested in each couple’s story before shoving the iceberg into their paths. Hannah and Charles’s story will particularly resonate with readers. Their story of estrangement could happen to any couple.
Of course, knowing a giant iceberg looms in the future adds to the tension as well. With each complication, you find yourself wondering what lies ahead. We know how the story ends for the ship, but how will it end for Hannah and Lou?
That question is answered in the second half of the book, which focuses on the aftermath. I don’t want to spoil too much, so let’s just say there’s a lot of grief and forgiveness in these chapters, and one woman surprises everyone with her grit. You might want to have a tissue on hand.
If you’ve read Alward’s books before, you know that she excels when it comes to portraying relationships. SHIP OF DREAMS is no different. Hannah and Lou’s bond is the backbone of the novel, and in depicting them, Alward gives us a perfectly imperfect friendship. The women snipe, argue, and disagree, but they never stop loving one another. In short, they are very human.
A story about love, loss, forgiveness, and the enduring power of female friendships, SHIP OF DREAMS is well worth the read.
When best friends Hannah Martin and Lady Louisa (Lou) Phillips set sail on the Titanic, they have far more than a vacation on their minds. For Hannah, the journey is a chance to repair her failing marriage. Once deeply in love, she and her husband, Charles, have grown estranged following a personal tragedy. Meanwhile, Lou is escaping an unwanted engagement. Sailing to America is part of her secret plan for independence. That plan is complicated, however, by the appearance of Reid Grey, a handsome acquaintance with whom she embarks on a passionate affair.
Over the first half of the book, Alward leans into her romance roots, using the Titanic’s opulent setting to paint two very different love stories. (Note: Alward does a fantastic job of world-building here. There are moments when you can almost hear the crystal tinkling in the dining room.) She allows readers to become invested in each couple’s story before shoving the iceberg into their paths. Hannah and Charles’s story will particularly resonate with readers. Their story of estrangement could happen to any couple.
Of course, knowing a giant iceberg looms in the future adds to the tension as well. With each complication, you find yourself wondering what lies ahead. We know how the story ends for the ship, but how will it end for Hannah and Lou?
That question is answered in the second half of the book, which focuses on the aftermath. I don’t want to spoil too much, so let’s just say there’s a lot of grief and forgiveness in these chapters, and one woman surprises everyone with her grit. You might want to have a tissue on hand.
If you’ve read Alward’s books before, you know that she excels when it comes to portraying relationships. SHIP OF DREAMS is no different. Hannah and Lou’s bond is the backbone of the novel, and in depicting them, Alward gives us a perfectly imperfect friendship. The women snipe, argue, and disagree, but they never stop loving one another. In short, they are very human.
A story about love, loss, forgiveness, and the enduring power of female friendships, SHIP OF DREAMS is well worth the read.
June 8, 2025
This breathtaking and emotional Titanic story will truly leave you wanting more from the story and give you a new perspective on life. This is not only a story about surviving the Titanic disaster itself but also finding a way to heal from grief, forgiving those who did you wrong, and finding a way to move on in a unfamiliar place. I was so impressed with the plot and the characters that this just might be my favorite new book. I usually try to avoid reading stories about the Titanic because they are so sad but this one was different and changed my perspective on the subject.
In April of 1912 Hannah Martin is traveling on the Titanic with her husband Charles who has business in the States. Hannah hopes that maybe this trip will perhaps be an opportunity to heal their marriage after a tragedy that happened a couple of years before. Hannah's dear friend Louise is along as well but Charles seems bothered with her being there but Hannah is grateful to have her along. Along the journey Hannah goes to great lengths to mend her relationship with Charles.
Louise however goes on this voyage in hopes of escaping her unsupportive parents who have always looked down on her for supporting the suffragette movement. When she meets a man named Reid she will be sure to make this affair she will never forget. However, strange jewel thefts occur on the ship. When Hannah finds out the person responsible it puts a huge strain on their friendship.
However things take a turn for the worse when the Titanic hits an iceberg. Thankfully Hannah and Louise manage to make it the safety but some others are not so lucky. Knowing that they will get no where with being mad at each other they forgive each other because they know it is the only way they can move on from this tragedy.
Overall this novel was marvelous. I loved that they included the Astors and the Browns as characters. Hannah and Louise's friendship was truly a strong and beautiful one. Although Louisa had some moments of questionable behavior the fact that she found an opportunity to redeem herself made me forgive her.
I received an arc copy from Netgalley and all opinions are of my own.
In April of 1912 Hannah Martin is traveling on the Titanic with her husband Charles who has business in the States. Hannah hopes that maybe this trip will perhaps be an opportunity to heal their marriage after a tragedy that happened a couple of years before. Hannah's dear friend Louise is along as well but Charles seems bothered with her being there but Hannah is grateful to have her along. Along the journey Hannah goes to great lengths to mend her relationship with Charles.
Louise however goes on this voyage in hopes of escaping her unsupportive parents who have always looked down on her for supporting the suffragette movement. When she meets a man named Reid she will be sure to make this affair she will never forget. However, strange jewel thefts occur on the ship. When Hannah finds out the person responsible it puts a huge strain on their friendship.
However things take a turn for the worse when the Titanic hits an iceberg. Thankfully Hannah and Louise manage to make it the safety but some others are not so lucky. Knowing that they will get no where with being mad at each other they forgive each other because they know it is the only way they can move on from this tragedy.
Overall this novel was marvelous. I loved that they included the Astors and the Browns as characters. Hannah and Louise's friendship was truly a strong and beautiful one. Although Louisa had some moments of questionable behavior the fact that she found an opportunity to redeem herself made me forgive her.
I received an arc copy from Netgalley and all opinions are of my own.
September 22, 2025
Reading a book set on the Titanic feels like it has a doomsday clock above it. You know the inevitable is coming and you find yourself screaming when all the early signs of the tragedy are ignored. I have always been fascinated by this tragedy and love reading fictional books set during the voyage. May be it’s based on my love for the James Cameron film, there’s something quite haunting about these historical books where authors bring alive those lost souls.
To be honest, the actual sinking of the boat doesn’t dominate the narrative as much as you would expect. After all, this is something that has been recounted numerous times. Instead, a couple of chapters are devoted to those devasting few hours and I really got a sense of the panic and disorientation that came with the sinking of the titanic.
But, back to the beginning… this story follows best friends, Hannah and Louisa as they cross the Atlantic. Hannah is at a crisis point in her marriage and relies on Louisa’s company – even if her distant husband cannot stand her best friend. Switching between both women’s perspectives, we learn exactly just what dreams they are hoping to realise and I enjoyed the contrast established between the two protagonists. Whilst one hopes for the traditional happy ever after with her husband, the other is the antithesis: desiring independence and determined to escape the patriarchal dominance.
There is a real focus on characterisation and I truly felt like I was on a journey with Hannah and Louisa. By the tragic mid-way point, I felt completely invested in the women and could not turn the pages fast enough, desperate to learn who would survive the fateful night.
Of course, the story does not stop there and the aftermath was equally fascinating, especially as the story moves from New York to Halifax. I felt like I learned a lot about the events after the sinking and I thought it was just an interesting to read about. Furthermore, I enjoyed seeing how the women adapted and how their dreams had changed. Not only that, the Epilogue was particularly touching and I thought a great way to end an exceptional read.
A very well written book that I thoroughly enjoyed. I shall certainly look for more from this author in future.
With thanks to One More Chapter, Harper Collins and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
To be honest, the actual sinking of the boat doesn’t dominate the narrative as much as you would expect. After all, this is something that has been recounted numerous times. Instead, a couple of chapters are devoted to those devasting few hours and I really got a sense of the panic and disorientation that came with the sinking of the titanic.
But, back to the beginning… this story follows best friends, Hannah and Louisa as they cross the Atlantic. Hannah is at a crisis point in her marriage and relies on Louisa’s company – even if her distant husband cannot stand her best friend. Switching between both women’s perspectives, we learn exactly just what dreams they are hoping to realise and I enjoyed the contrast established between the two protagonists. Whilst one hopes for the traditional happy ever after with her husband, the other is the antithesis: desiring independence and determined to escape the patriarchal dominance.
There is a real focus on characterisation and I truly felt like I was on a journey with Hannah and Louisa. By the tragic mid-way point, I felt completely invested in the women and could not turn the pages fast enough, desperate to learn who would survive the fateful night.
Of course, the story does not stop there and the aftermath was equally fascinating, especially as the story moves from New York to Halifax. I felt like I learned a lot about the events after the sinking and I thought it was just an interesting to read about. Furthermore, I enjoyed seeing how the women adapted and how their dreams had changed. Not only that, the Epilogue was particularly touching and I thought a great way to end an exceptional read.
A very well written book that I thoroughly enjoyed. I shall certainly look for more from this author in future.
With thanks to One More Chapter, Harper Collins and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
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October 19, 2025I would recommend this book. It was a slow start for me, but worth sticking will it. I enjoyed the later part the most and the epilogue. Looking forward to attending an event with this author.
October 7, 2025
4.5 While this book took place on the Titanic it was more about love, friendship and secrets.
June 10, 2025
Another book by Donna that I loved! Something about her writing style always has me hooked. I wish the titanic sinking scenes were a little more drawn out, and less back and forth between Hannah and Lou at the end, but otherwise I loved it!
September 29, 2025
After When the World Fell Silent was pushed to me through an Indigo ad on social media (I also have no willpower), and reading it this spring, I pre-ordered this book before I even finished it.
Much like Sisters of Fortune, over half the book takes place on the doomed liner Titanic. It's about 60% when the ship hits the iceberg.
We follow two friends close as sisters. Quiet introverted Hannah is trying to fix her marriage which fell apart after she lost their baby two years earlier. She is also expecting again but afraid to tell anyone due to the brutal way she lost the first one. Louisa or Lou is bold, extroverted and a true rebel. She's tagged along to keep her friend company while her husband Charles is on business. But Lou plans on making her own way in the world and is afraid to reveal her plan. This plan was cleverly tied to actual wreckage found in the ship which was an ingenious way to weave fact and fiction. Lou never wants to marry and as her abusive father is pushing marriage to someone she despises she needs to find an escape. Lou also has a love interest in Reid who has followed her on the ship seemingly determined to win her heart.
Throughout the voyage the ladies meet real life passengers such as the Fortune sisters and Margaret Brown and Renee Harris. We get to see the ship come alive, as the ladies visit the various public rooms, stroll the deck and take rest in their cabins. Hannah and Lou are equally loveable and exasperating throughout the story which made them very real.
The day of the sinking everything comes to a head and Lou's big secret comes out and causes a blazing row between the two.
Then the iceberg hits and the ship sinks and both ladies find their way to lifeboats Hannah not knowing if anyone has survived until they reach the Carpathia.
The Carpathia was probably the part I enjoyed the most. Such a raw and true description of grief. As someone who has experienced deep grief myself and worked for twenty years in health care the way the two women reacted to their grief and trauma felt very real.
They arrive in New York and later Halifax to identify the bodies and it wraps up with an epilogue following the ladies up to the start of WWII.
Overall I did truly enjoy this book probably more than When the World Fell Silent. While that book I felt didn't cover all the events surrounding the explosion, this one definitely took you through the drama of the night of April 14-15 1912. I did find a couple of minor mistakes. When seeing the Fortune family after the sinking Mrs. Fortune is said to have lost her only son, when she had an older son Robert who met them in New York. The other thing was Titanic wasn't called Ship of Dreams until the 1997 movie and was purely a James Cameron creation. I'm not sure about the speed record thing though. We know now and the White Star Line knew Titanic wasn't built for speed and wouldn't set any records. She was built for luxury and comfort but perhaps her passengers weren't aware of that and the story is told through their eyes after all. And Carpathia was the ship called Ship of Widows not Titanic, but overall these are very small mistakes and don't take much away from the story and are probably known more to history nerds like me who've been fascinated by Titanic since the late 80s. I still remember obsessing over my dad's old Sea Classic magazines looking at the sometimes murky pictures of the newly found wreck.
The only part I didn't fully like was the ending. Lou's whole reason for surviving was for Hannah and well that didn't exactly happen. I can see why the ending was that way and it was mostly a happy ending, as happy as such a tragic event can be but it just kind of felt a bit off.
With that being said overall I truly enjoyed this book. I had been looking forward to reading it since March and it certainly didn't disappoint. Once I'd pick it up I was immediately engaged. Telling myself I'd read just a page or two before bed then despite being exhausted I'd push through and finish the whole chapter and I'm kind of sad it's over and now I have to find something else to read.
Much like Sisters of Fortune, over half the book takes place on the doomed liner Titanic. It's about 60% when the ship hits the iceberg.
We follow two friends close as sisters. Quiet introverted Hannah is trying to fix her marriage which fell apart after she lost their baby two years earlier. She is also expecting again but afraid to tell anyone due to the brutal way she lost the first one. Louisa or Lou is bold, extroverted and a true rebel. She's tagged along to keep her friend company while her husband Charles is on business. But Lou plans on making her own way in the world and is afraid to reveal her plan. This plan was cleverly tied to actual wreckage found in the ship which was an ingenious way to weave fact and fiction. Lou never wants to marry and as her abusive father is pushing marriage to someone she despises she needs to find an escape. Lou also has a love interest in Reid who has followed her on the ship seemingly determined to win her heart.
Throughout the voyage the ladies meet real life passengers such as the Fortune sisters and Margaret Brown and Renee Harris. We get to see the ship come alive, as the ladies visit the various public rooms, stroll the deck and take rest in their cabins. Hannah and Lou are equally loveable and exasperating throughout the story which made them very real.
The day of the sinking everything comes to a head and Lou's big secret comes out and causes a blazing row between the two.
Then the iceberg hits and the ship sinks and both ladies find their way to lifeboats Hannah not knowing if anyone has survived until they reach the Carpathia.
The Carpathia was probably the part I enjoyed the most. Such a raw and true description of grief. As someone who has experienced deep grief myself and worked for twenty years in health care the way the two women reacted to their grief and trauma felt very real.
They arrive in New York and later Halifax to identify the bodies and it wraps up with an epilogue following the ladies up to the start of WWII.
Overall I did truly enjoy this book probably more than When the World Fell Silent. While that book I felt didn't cover all the events surrounding the explosion, this one definitely took you through the drama of the night of April 14-15 1912. I did find a couple of minor mistakes. When seeing the Fortune family after the sinking Mrs. Fortune is said to have lost her only son, when she had an older son Robert who met them in New York. The other thing was Titanic wasn't called Ship of Dreams until the 1997 movie and was purely a James Cameron creation. I'm not sure about the speed record thing though. We know now and the White Star Line knew Titanic wasn't built for speed and wouldn't set any records. She was built for luxury and comfort but perhaps her passengers weren't aware of that and the story is told through their eyes after all. And Carpathia was the ship called Ship of Widows not Titanic, but overall these are very small mistakes and don't take much away from the story and are probably known more to history nerds like me who've been fascinated by Titanic since the late 80s. I still remember obsessing over my dad's old Sea Classic magazines looking at the sometimes murky pictures of the newly found wreck.
The only part I didn't fully like was the ending. Lou's whole reason for surviving was for Hannah and well that didn't exactly happen. I can see why the ending was that way and it was mostly a happy ending, as happy as such a tragic event can be but it just kind of felt a bit off.
With that being said overall I truly enjoyed this book. I had been looking forward to reading it since March and it certainly didn't disappoint. Once I'd pick it up I was immediately engaged. Telling myself I'd read just a page or two before bed then despite being exhausted I'd push through and finish the whole chapter and I'm kind of sad it's over and now I have to find something else to read.
September 10, 2025
How wonderful and moving is this book?! Ship of Dreams is more than a story surrounded by the sinking of the Titanic, at its center is a friendship so true that it stands the test of time.
Hannah and Louisa are thick as thieves and have been best friends since their time in boarding school. Hannah is the daughter of a solicitor, whereas Louisa, "Lou," is the daughter of a Baronet. Although the two have been kindred spirits since they days of their youth, they are polar opposites. Hannah is married to a wealthy businessman. Always fortified by a sense of propriety, she is the balance to her best friend's boisterous lifestyle. Although she is married to a husband that she adores, a tragic event has left her marriage broken, and in a last effort to repair her marriage, she books a passage for her husband and best friend aboard the ship of dreams, the Titanic.
Louisa is a maverick who is passionate about women's rights. Always looking to support the right for women to vote and hold independent lives from men is her life's mission. As a member of high society, she is often found amongst the opulent circles in England but when her father gives her an ultimatum of marriage or being cut off financially, she sails away with her best friend to escape her fate but has a plan set in motion to ensure her independence. What Louisa did not expect was the attraction towards a wealthy London banker whom she has been corresponding with and has also booked passage aboard the ship.
It is easy to get lost in the lives of the two women and forget the impending doom that will befall the passengers of the Titanic. Just when I was glued to their plots, the Titanic hit an iceberg, setting off a catastrophic chain of events. Since the sinking of the Titanic is a famous historical event, it is no secret on how things will play out; however, this story is centered on the resilience and sisterly bond of Hannah and Louisa. Their friendship as they navigate their trauma was moving. Until the end, I found myself emotional after reading their letters in the epilogue. If you happen to find a love so strong as Hannah and Louisa's in your lifetime, you are very fortunate.
I loved this story very much even knowing the tragedy that awaited the passengers aboard. Those scenes were haunting, and I found myself morose for several chapters afterwards as the passengers had to carry on in the aftermath of one of the worst ship sinkings in history.
If you enjoy books surrounded by the Titanic, you will enjoy this book.
Trigger warnings: minor language, suggestive spice (more on the slightly graphic than fade to black), alcoholism, miscarriage, and death.
Many thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC. This review is voluntary. All thoughts are my own.
Hannah and Louisa are thick as thieves and have been best friends since their time in boarding school. Hannah is the daughter of a solicitor, whereas Louisa, "Lou," is the daughter of a Baronet. Although the two have been kindred spirits since they days of their youth, they are polar opposites. Hannah is married to a wealthy businessman. Always fortified by a sense of propriety, she is the balance to her best friend's boisterous lifestyle. Although she is married to a husband that she adores, a tragic event has left her marriage broken, and in a last effort to repair her marriage, she books a passage for her husband and best friend aboard the ship of dreams, the Titanic.
Louisa is a maverick who is passionate about women's rights. Always looking to support the right for women to vote and hold independent lives from men is her life's mission. As a member of high society, she is often found amongst the opulent circles in England but when her father gives her an ultimatum of marriage or being cut off financially, she sails away with her best friend to escape her fate but has a plan set in motion to ensure her independence. What Louisa did not expect was the attraction towards a wealthy London banker whom she has been corresponding with and has also booked passage aboard the ship.
It is easy to get lost in the lives of the two women and forget the impending doom that will befall the passengers of the Titanic. Just when I was glued to their plots, the Titanic hit an iceberg, setting off a catastrophic chain of events. Since the sinking of the Titanic is a famous historical event, it is no secret on how things will play out; however, this story is centered on the resilience and sisterly bond of Hannah and Louisa. Their friendship as they navigate their trauma was moving. Until the end, I found myself emotional after reading their letters in the epilogue. If you happen to find a love so strong as Hannah and Louisa's in your lifetime, you are very fortunate.
I loved this story very much even knowing the tragedy that awaited the passengers aboard. Those scenes were haunting, and I found myself morose for several chapters afterwards as the passengers had to carry on in the aftermath of one of the worst ship sinkings in history.
If you enjoy books surrounded by the Titanic, you will enjoy this book.
Trigger warnings: minor language, suggestive spice (more on the slightly graphic than fade to black), alcoholism, miscarriage, and death.
Many thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC. This review is voluntary. All thoughts are my own.
December 10, 2025
I read and loved When The World Fell Silent. It was so good. I grabbed this one too with the highest of expectations....
This book is set aboard the Titanic. Two friends, Hannah and Lou, along with Hannah's husband Charles boarding. Both women have secrets. Even from each other.
Hannah is hoping to rekindle the spark between herself and Charles. Since the loss of their first baby things have been pretty much nonexistent.. She is afraid that Charles blames her or has just fallen out of love with her. She also has something very important to say to Charles. This could be lifechanging.
Lou is a strong woman. She marches for the betterment of women's rights. For them to not be treated so harshly. She also has a secret reason for going on this trip. Not just to spend time with her very best friend but she has a secret. Also she meets a man onboard that she falls head over heels for. Though she has always said she will never marry. Her father is forcing her to marry or be totally cut off from financial support. To a man she truly despises.
The first half of this book is a little slow. Repetitive. But also filled with information that lets you know what is going on. The second half is fast and furious. So so sad too.
This story takes you aboard the Titanic and then the rescue boat the Carpathia. How nice the passengers where on the Carpathia. And so understanding. These two women, Hannah and Lou, went through so much. But they were ever vigilant to each other. After one big hiccup that is. When Hannah found out what Lou was hiding... Oh my.
I shed so many tears reading this book. It was very good. Emotional is not the word for it. It was devastatingly sad in places.
This book has one of the best last lines I've ever read: "I'm coming. Hold on, dearest." I left off the to and from for a reason. If you read this one you should know that line and how much it meant to these two women. Best friends. Sisters.
Thank you NetGalley and Harper Collins UK for this ARC. Beautiful story...
4 stars
This book is set aboard the Titanic. Two friends, Hannah and Lou, along with Hannah's husband Charles boarding. Both women have secrets. Even from each other.
Hannah is hoping to rekindle the spark between herself and Charles. Since the loss of their first baby things have been pretty much nonexistent.. She is afraid that Charles blames her or has just fallen out of love with her. She also has something very important to say to Charles. This could be lifechanging.
Lou is a strong woman. She marches for the betterment of women's rights. For them to not be treated so harshly. She also has a secret reason for going on this trip. Not just to spend time with her very best friend but she has a secret. Also she meets a man onboard that she falls head over heels for. Though she has always said she will never marry. Her father is forcing her to marry or be totally cut off from financial support. To a man she truly despises.
The first half of this book is a little slow. Repetitive. But also filled with information that lets you know what is going on. The second half is fast and furious. So so sad too.
This story takes you aboard the Titanic and then the rescue boat the Carpathia. How nice the passengers where on the Carpathia. And so understanding. These two women, Hannah and Lou, went through so much. But they were ever vigilant to each other. After one big hiccup that is. When Hannah found out what Lou was hiding... Oh my.
I shed so many tears reading this book. It was very good. Emotional is not the word for it. It was devastatingly sad in places.
This book has one of the best last lines I've ever read: "I'm coming. Hold on, dearest." I left off the to and from for a reason. If you read this one you should know that line and how much it meant to these two women. Best friends. Sisters.
Thank you NetGalley and Harper Collins UK for this ARC. Beautiful story...
4 stars
June 22, 2025
I've read other stories focused around the Titanic disaster, but this one takes a look at it from two fictional women interacting with people we've read about in other books. Hannah and Louisa are long time best friends taking the journey on the Titanic, but both are weighed down by secrets they are keeping from each other. As the women enjoy the opulence of the ship's food and cabins, they begin to figure out how to repair their relationship from the deceptions. I thought the best part of the story was how the women had to learn to cope and adjust after the disaster. Hannah and Lou stayed in NYC for a few weeks then made their way up to Halifax. That is where they need to make some difficult decisions as they decide on next steps for their lives. I also enjoyed the Epilogue as it shared letters the women wrote to each other for the next few decades. Even though you know the ship sinks, this book engages you with captivating characters, some romance, and Hannah and Louisa learning they are stronger than they ever thought they could be. I definitely recommend this to fans of historical fiction, redemption stories, and transatlantic journeys. I give it 4.5 stars.
#ShipofDreams #historicalfiction #NetGalley
Thank you HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter and Net Galley for a complimentary copy. All opinions expressed are my own.
#ShipofDreams #historicalfiction #NetGalley
Thank you HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter and Net Galley for a complimentary copy. All opinions expressed are my own.
August 30, 2025
A Voyage Of Secrets, Sisterhood And Sorrow
The secrets the women brought onto the Titanic-and the life issues they hoped to resolve during the trip-were of the sort that only a best friend could help navigate. So very different from one another, their lives fit together like pieces of a puzzle. I found these women to be BFFs of the most supportive kind!
Hannah said to Lou: "There's no rush, darling. Give yourself space to feel all your feelings and think all your thoughts."
The novel is well written in both setting and character development. It was easy to envision the luxurious decor and furnishings of the ship. I found myself deeply invested in Hannah as she worked through her issues with Charles, and I was beyond happy for Lou as her circumstances evolved during the voyage. Knowing all the while that this ship was destined to sink and that grief would soon follow, I embraced the moments of hope and happiness as they came. I was, indeed, a wreck when the reality of loss became real to them.
Already familiar with Margaret Brown of Colorado, I enjoyed Hannah's visit with her. I wasn't as familiar with the other authors, dress designers, socialites, and suffragettes mentioned, so Lou and Hannah's interactions with them felt a bit bland to me. However, I found the historical details about Halifax, Nova Scotia quite memorable and enriching.
I can highly recommend this book to readers who enjoy emotionally resonant historical fiction, especially stories of female friendship, resilience, and grace set against iconic moments in history.
Many thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for this complimentary book. Opinions in this review are my own.
The secrets the women brought onto the Titanic-and the life issues they hoped to resolve during the trip-were of the sort that only a best friend could help navigate. So very different from one another, their lives fit together like pieces of a puzzle. I found these women to be BFFs of the most supportive kind!
Hannah said to Lou: "There's no rush, darling. Give yourself space to feel all your feelings and think all your thoughts."
The novel is well written in both setting and character development. It was easy to envision the luxurious decor and furnishings of the ship. I found myself deeply invested in Hannah as she worked through her issues with Charles, and I was beyond happy for Lou as her circumstances evolved during the voyage. Knowing all the while that this ship was destined to sink and that grief would soon follow, I embraced the moments of hope and happiness as they came. I was, indeed, a wreck when the reality of loss became real to them.
Already familiar with Margaret Brown of Colorado, I enjoyed Hannah's visit with her. I wasn't as familiar with the other authors, dress designers, socialites, and suffragettes mentioned, so Lou and Hannah's interactions with them felt a bit bland to me. However, I found the historical details about Halifax, Nova Scotia quite memorable and enriching.
I can highly recommend this book to readers who enjoy emotionally resonant historical fiction, especially stories of female friendship, resilience, and grace set against iconic moments in history.
Many thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for this complimentary book. Opinions in this review are my own.
August 26, 2025
3.5 Raised to 4/5
Excitement builds for the inaugural trip on the Titanic. Hannah and her husband, Charles, are traveling for business. Hannah is hoping this time away will close the gap that has occurred in her marriage. Louisa, Hannah’s best friend, has a different agenda. Looking for a little fun, trying to escape her rich father’s rule and how she can best support her cause. Both women are hiding secrets and are hoping this trip will bring clarity, answers.
I’ve always been fascinated with the Titanic. This was a very fast read, focusing little on the actual horrific events but more on the events before and after. The first half was drawn out, replaying the girls issues over and over again. Much time was given to the opulent First Class section (food, clothes, personalities). The sinking was well written and emotional. The last part of the book deals with the aftermath (facts I knew little of) and decisions each girl needs to make. The epilogue gives us a look into the later years and was a perfect way to end this book. Overall, it was an enjoyable read for me.
Thanks to NetGalley and One More Chapter HC for this ARC. This is my honest opinion.
Excitement builds for the inaugural trip on the Titanic. Hannah and her husband, Charles, are traveling for business. Hannah is hoping this time away will close the gap that has occurred in her marriage. Louisa, Hannah’s best friend, has a different agenda. Looking for a little fun, trying to escape her rich father’s rule and how she can best support her cause. Both women are hiding secrets and are hoping this trip will bring clarity, answers.
I’ve always been fascinated with the Titanic. This was a very fast read, focusing little on the actual horrific events but more on the events before and after. The first half was drawn out, replaying the girls issues over and over again. Much time was given to the opulent First Class section (food, clothes, personalities). The sinking was well written and emotional. The last part of the book deals with the aftermath (facts I knew little of) and decisions each girl needs to make. The epilogue gives us a look into the later years and was a perfect way to end this book. Overall, it was an enjoyable read for me.
Thanks to NetGalley and One More Chapter HC for this ARC. This is my honest opinion.
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