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A Woman's Place: A Novel
A bold young woman defies society’s expectations in the early 1900s to love and lead in this gripping novel by #1 New York Times bestselling author Danielle Steel.
In April 1912, twenty-three-year-old Lady Victoria Oldbrooke is traveling with her beloved father from England on the maiden voyage of the Titanic. But when the ship strikes an iceberg and lifeboats are lowered with women and children first, Lord Alfred gives his place to another, and they are separated. Before he goes down with the ship, he asks his friend Bert Banning, a mill owner from Manchester, to promise he’ll marry his daughter and care for her.
Devastated by the loss of Lord Alfred, Victoria and Bert take comfort in their growing friendship. Bert accepts his role as her guardian but, as friendship turns to deeper feelings, hesitates to propose. Not only is he forty years her senior, but her marrying an industrialist will cause Victoria to be ostracized by the aristocratic world she comes from. But she marries Bert and—cruelly shunned by everyone she knows, even family friends—moves to his home in Manchester.
Isolated from her familiar universe and peers, she becomes fascinated by Bert’s business and learns all she can about it. When he meets a tragic end, she steps into his shoes and applies everything she has learned, in spite of opposition from all sides. Taking on the risks, the hard decisions, and the responsibilities, Victoria has the sheer grit that it takes to make a difference in a man’s world and change the limitations women have had to face and defy for centuries.
A stirring portrait of a strong woman who carves out her own place against all odds, this is a novel that will linger long after the final page is turned.
In April 1912, twenty-three-year-old Lady Victoria Oldbrooke is traveling with her beloved father from England on the maiden voyage of the Titanic. But when the ship strikes an iceberg and lifeboats are lowered with women and children first, Lord Alfred gives his place to another, and they are separated. Before he goes down with the ship, he asks his friend Bert Banning, a mill owner from Manchester, to promise he’ll marry his daughter and care for her.
Devastated by the loss of Lord Alfred, Victoria and Bert take comfort in their growing friendship. Bert accepts his role as her guardian but, as friendship turns to deeper feelings, hesitates to propose. Not only is he forty years her senior, but her marrying an industrialist will cause Victoria to be ostracized by the aristocratic world she comes from. But she marries Bert and—cruelly shunned by everyone she knows, even family friends—moves to his home in Manchester.
Isolated from her familiar universe and peers, she becomes fascinated by Bert’s business and learns all she can about it. When he meets a tragic end, she steps into his shoes and applies everything she has learned, in spite of opposition from all sides. Taking on the risks, the hard decisions, and the responsibilities, Victoria has the sheer grit that it takes to make a difference in a man’s world and change the limitations women have had to face and defy for centuries.
A stirring portrait of a strong woman who carves out her own place against all odds, this is a novel that will linger long after the final page is turned.
246 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 21, 2026
About the author
Danielle Steel
1,007 books17.4k followersDanielle Steel has been hailed as one of the world's bestselling authors, with almost a billion copies of her novels sold. Her many international bestsellers include All That Glitters, Royal, Daddy's Girls, The Wedding Dress, The Numbers Game, Moral Compass, Spy, and other highly acclaimed novels. She is also the author of His Bright Light, the story of her son Nick Traina's life and death; A Gift of Hope, a memoir of her work with the homeless; Expect a Miracle, a book of her favorite quotations for inspiration and comfort; Pure Joy, about the dogs she and her family have loved; and the children's books Pretty Minnie in Paris and Pretty Minnie in Hollywood.
Facebook.com/DanielleSteelOfficial
Instagram: @officialdaniellesteel
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Instagram: @officialdaniellesteel
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 140 reviews
April 22, 2026
3.5. A little Titanic sprinkled in... very quick read.
April 29, 2026
Titanic and a very modern woman
May 4, 2026
This latest book by Steel is about the early 1900’s. A young woman is very independent and educated for the time period. She isn’t interested in getting married and having children. She just wants to take care of her older father. When crossing from England to the US on the new Titanic, her father drowns when the ship sinks. Victoria ends up marrying the wealthiest mill owner in Manchester who promised her father that he would take care of her. She learns all about the textile industry from her new husband. She becomes very much a part of the business world and even hires women to run the factories after all of the men go off to fight in WWI. It seemed a little too far-fetched for me.
May 24, 2026
Experience the sinking of the Titanic, World War I, age-gap romance, the Spanish Flu (or, since it’s only a couple pages, the Spanish sniffles), and let Danielle Steel teach you about a woman’s place, sugar!
June 22, 2026
Picked this book up at the book exchange box on a camping trip, not knowing anything about it but I ended up quite liking it!
May 15, 2026
I love how Danielle Steel weaved together a handful of significant historical events - from the Titanic to the Spanish Flu to the war and how one woman's perspective on love and marriage changes over time and how she views herself. Especially after losing her father on Titanic then a year or so later, the death of her husband, who she met on the Titanic. She's always been strong-willed and she learns quickly that others are not to keen on her being able to think and do for herself. But through all that she's been through, she comes out the other side stronger than ever before.
May 9, 2026
An amazing story, A Woman's Place. We see the strength of Lady Victoria and the wisdom of her growth. She grows up with her Father and he teaches her everything he knows, not concerned that she is a woman. Her husband, Bert treats her the same way, even her social class can't bring her down. Victoria must start again when the war starts, but her foresight on how to succeed wins. Their foreman, Thor is the next step to success and love.
April 27, 2026
Great book
Danielle Steals book are always good but this love is exceptional. I can't wait for the next one!! She never disappoints.
Danielle Steals book are always good but this love is exceptional. I can't wait for the next one!! She never disappoints.
May 7, 2026
3.5 stars. Another great read!
April 26, 2026
Such a nice sweet read. I didn’t want the story to end. It wasn’t mind blowing. It was just a good comfortable read.
June 3, 2026
I liked the story. But this was not a very well written book.
May 22, 2026
Loved it classic Danielle steel novel a must read
June 3, 2026
This book was given to me as a joke and read spitefully. It is blessedly a fast read and there's no need to pay attention to details because everything is repeated many many times (like the impossible to miss age gap 🤮). One star for being a fast read. One star for feminism I guess?
April 26, 2026
Not Following The Rules
Lady Victoria Oldbuck is not one to go along with tradition. When she was presented, unlike her friends, she had no intention of finding a man, marrying, and having children.
Her father, Lord Afred, brought up Victoria, as her mother died in childbirth. He never remarried, and Lady Victoria took care of all his needs, running the houses and going on exciting trips and vacations with her father.
When Victoria told her father about the new ship, the Titanic, and her plan to visit her friend in New York, he agreed to book passage on the maiden voyage.
Unfortunately, this would be the last trip they took as he perished along with 1,500 other passengers. During the trip, her father introduced her to Bert Banning, a very successful mill owner from Manchester. He was forty years older than Victoria, who was twenty-three at the time.
When her father gave up his spot on a rescue boat, he asked Bert one favor: please take care of my daughter and marry her.
Victoria was totally unaware of this promise Bert had accepted in Lord Alfred's last moments.
Over time, they became friends, and although he loved her, he was afraid to say anything, knowing that the aristocratic world would ostracize her for who she was.
As time went on, he told her how he felt, but also said he had made a promise to her father and did not expect her to accept it, as her life would never be the same.
Age was never a factor, and she explained to Bert that she never wanted to have children anyway. She was sure her friends would accept her, but unfortunately, Bert had been right: they all abandoned her, leaving her and the two of them.
They do marry, and she is very interested in his mills and how he runs them, so she decides she wants to learn all about them. He is thrilled, and she makes some suggestions which he agrees with and implements.
He dies tragically and unexpectedly, and now, within three years, she has lost the two most important men in her life.
Bert has left her all his mills, all his money, the charities he wants her to contribute to, and both of his homes.
She is in shock and explains she has no idea how a woman is going to be able to handle his business and keep it going when the men resented her from the beginning.
This is a very interesting story about a truly remarkable woman who will run things her way and help break down barriers by employing women in the mills, especially during a war.
Lady Victoria Oldbuck is not one to go along with tradition. When she was presented, unlike her friends, she had no intention of finding a man, marrying, and having children.
Her father, Lord Afred, brought up Victoria, as her mother died in childbirth. He never remarried, and Lady Victoria took care of all his needs, running the houses and going on exciting trips and vacations with her father.
When Victoria told her father about the new ship, the Titanic, and her plan to visit her friend in New York, he agreed to book passage on the maiden voyage.
Unfortunately, this would be the last trip they took as he perished along with 1,500 other passengers. During the trip, her father introduced her to Bert Banning, a very successful mill owner from Manchester. He was forty years older than Victoria, who was twenty-three at the time.
When her father gave up his spot on a rescue boat, he asked Bert one favor: please take care of my daughter and marry her.
Victoria was totally unaware of this promise Bert had accepted in Lord Alfred's last moments.
Over time, they became friends, and although he loved her, he was afraid to say anything, knowing that the aristocratic world would ostracize her for who she was.
As time went on, he told her how he felt, but also said he had made a promise to her father and did not expect her to accept it, as her life would never be the same.
Age was never a factor, and she explained to Bert that she never wanted to have children anyway. She was sure her friends would accept her, but unfortunately, Bert had been right: they all abandoned her, leaving her and the two of them.
They do marry, and she is very interested in his mills and how he runs them, so she decides she wants to learn all about them. He is thrilled, and she makes some suggestions which he agrees with and implements.
He dies tragically and unexpectedly, and now, within three years, she has lost the two most important men in her life.
Bert has left her all his mills, all his money, the charities he wants her to contribute to, and both of his homes.
She is in shock and explains she has no idea how a woman is going to be able to handle his business and keep it going when the men resented her from the beginning.
This is a very interesting story about a truly remarkable woman who will run things her way and help break down barriers by employing women in the mills, especially during a war.
June 8, 2026
Someone needs to have a word with her editor, because this shouldn’t have been allowed, and that’s the ones I noticed before I gave up and just read the story.
Page 7
She had no interest in marriage, and said she didn’t want children, since giving birth to her had killed her mother.
Page 13
Victoria had a dread of having babies, since her mother had died having her.
Page 77
“My mother died having me, and I don’t want to die to have a baby”
Page 46
The crew had suffered the greatest losses.
Page 50
The crew had suffered the highest number of casualties, only a few had survived and had been picked up by the lifeboats.
Also, why were so many important periods of time severely condensed? The Titanic’s sank before page 50 (she did something similar in No Greater Love.) First World War? Done and dusted within a handful of pages. The Spanish Flu? No bother, just a simple cold.
Considering No Greater Love mainly focused on the characters lives after the sinking, what was stopping her putting more focus on the Titanic for this book?
Page 7
She had no interest in marriage, and said she didn’t want children, since giving birth to her had killed her mother.
Page 13
Victoria had a dread of having babies, since her mother had died having her.
Page 77
“My mother died having me, and I don’t want to die to have a baby”
Page 46
The crew had suffered the greatest losses.
Page 50
The crew had suffered the highest number of casualties, only a few had survived and had been picked up by the lifeboats.
Also, why were so many important periods of time severely condensed? The Titanic’s sank before page 50 (she did something similar in No Greater Love.) First World War? Done and dusted within a handful of pages. The Spanish Flu? No bother, just a simple cold.
Considering No Greater Love mainly focused on the characters lives after the sinking, what was stopping her putting more focus on the Titanic for this book?
May 22, 2026
5 stars — not because the writing itself was literary perfection, but because I absolutely loved the experience of reading it. This was my first Danielle Steel book, and I’m almost embarrassed to admit how completely hooked I am now. I fell in love with the characters and found myself fully invested in their lives from beginning to end.
I especially loved the backdrop of the Titanic and the industrial age of the early 1900s. The historical details made the story feel immersive and added so much charm and depth. While the prose itself may not have been what I’d call “5-star writing,” the heart of the story, the emotions, and the way it kept me turning pages absolutely earned 5 stars from me.
It was also such a quick, easy read in the best way and honestly helped pull me out of a book slump. I flew through it and enjoyed every minute.
I especially loved the backdrop of the Titanic and the industrial age of the early 1900s. The historical details made the story feel immersive and added so much charm and depth. While the prose itself may not have been what I’d call “5-star writing,” the heart of the story, the emotions, and the way it kept me turning pages absolutely earned 5 stars from me.
It was also such a quick, easy read in the best way and honestly helped pull me out of a book slump. I flew through it and enjoyed every minute.
April 29, 2026
This novel by Danielle Steel has been one of my personal favorites that she has written. I have read her books off and on throughout the years and this book is one of my personal favorites of 2026. It was an emotional, beautiful, sad, heartfelt and overall just touching story. It had all the feels. This storyline had me invested from the beginning and it’s the quickest book I’ve read in a very long time. You could definitely connect with the characters. It was a beautiful story of love and loss and finding yourself. It was of overcoming obstacles and achieving goals beyond what you thought you could accomplish in that timeframe in the storyline. To me, the reader, this story definitely left an imprint on my heart and will definitely be one of my favorite reads of 2026.
May 5, 2026
This book is about Victoria and her father's cruise on the Titantic. She is traveling with her father on vacation when the Titanic sinks. She is put into a raft and makes it to land. Her father's friend Bert has been asked by her father to take car of her if her finds her alive. The book is about the life they lead after the crash. She becomes part of his textile business by following him to work and learning the trade. Victoria and Bert's life is the plot of the story and you have to read it so see how their story changes the world. Victoria leads the way to making suits for the army when the war breaks out. She also takes over the factory whne all the men all called to war. This is a very well written book by Danielle Steel.
May 22, 2026
Linda/Vancouver/BC/Canada
This is a 5 star book by Danielle Steel. It's gorgeous and it's a strong story set in the early 1912's. Lady Victoria Oldbrooke is with her father Lord Alfred on the Titanic. The Titanic hits an iceberg. Lifeboats are lowered for the women and children. Her father does not go on the lifeboats. He asks his friend Bert Banning to please take care of his daughter and marry his daughter and to get on the boats. Bert Banning is an industrialist which would cause issues for Victoria. She will be left out of the aristocratic world she comes from. She marries Bert and they have a loving marriage but move to Manchester where Bert has a beautiful home and an excellent business. I don't want to spoil so won't say anymore. Please read all the way through.
This is a 5 star book by Danielle Steel. It's gorgeous and it's a strong story set in the early 1912's. Lady Victoria Oldbrooke is with her father Lord Alfred on the Titanic. The Titanic hits an iceberg. Lifeboats are lowered for the women and children. Her father does not go on the lifeboats. He asks his friend Bert Banning to please take care of his daughter and marry his daughter and to get on the boats. Bert Banning is an industrialist which would cause issues for Victoria. She will be left out of the aristocratic world she comes from. She marries Bert and they have a loving marriage but move to Manchester where Bert has a beautiful home and an excellent business. I don't want to spoil so won't say anymore. Please read all the way through.
May 24, 2026
I've given most of Danielle Steel's books in recent years a four star rating, but this one was easily a five. Her historical novels are among her best and this was no exception. It begins with the sinking of the Titanic and ends shortly after the end of WW1. This novel is definitely a commentary on the brutality of the class system in England during that time period and speaks volumes about the snobbery of the aristocracy. Victoria, the heroine, is a trailblazer for initiating the changes in societal attitudes about "a woman's place" in the world as she fearlessly embarks on a leadership role in business and commerce. This is an inspiring story of a woman's strength and tenacity in a world that was determined to tear her down at every turn.
June 21, 2026
Another great DS book taking place in 1912. A stirring portrait of a strong young woman who carves out her own place against all odds. Lady Victoria Oldbrooke defies society’s expectations to love snd lead on her own terms.
Traveling with her father from England on the maiden voyage of the Titanic, Victoria survives, but her father Lord Alfred does not. Refusing to get on the lifeboat, Lord Alfred makes his friend, Bert Banning, a mill owner, promise to take care of Victoria, marry her. Mourning the loss of her father, they take comfort in a growing friendship and in time, Bert married Victoria. She is shunned by her friends and moves to Manchester, where she learns the milling business from Bert.
Bert dies unexpectedly and Victoria become the first female mill owner.
Traveling with her father from England on the maiden voyage of the Titanic, Victoria survives, but her father Lord Alfred does not. Refusing to get on the lifeboat, Lord Alfred makes his friend, Bert Banning, a mill owner, promise to take care of Victoria, marry her. Mourning the loss of her father, they take comfort in a growing friendship and in time, Bert married Victoria. She is shunned by her friends and moves to Manchester, where she learns the milling business from Bert.
Bert dies unexpectedly and Victoria become the first female mill owner.
May 3, 2026
This book is A GREAT READ especially for readers who enjoy some history.This book starts in 1889 with the birth of Victoria and that of her mother 's death during childbirth. She raised by her father Lord Alfred. She enjoyed a lot of things and traveled a lot with her father. She wanted to go to Oxford to study but women couldn't do so at this time. She was intelligent , asking lots of questions and always wanting to do something. She came out as she was suppose to but she had no desire to marry or have children. She didn't want to be under the rule of man . Later she feels different. After the death of her father her life becomes very different. To write more would be spoiling the book.
June 22, 2026
Here we go with another of Danielle Steel's formula themes for her novels. In 1912, Lady Victoria travels with her father on the Titantic. She is fortunate to survive the sinking of the ship, Her father had asked a long time friend to watch out for her and in fact, marry her. Bert Banning, owns several mills and is also 39 years older than Lady Victoria. They do marry and have a wonderful life...for a year. Lady Victoria inherits all of her husband's wealth and holdings and decides to run the mills.
In spite of the war, all turns out well in the end. Of course, Lady Victoria is beautiful, rich, brilliant and successful in everything she does.
In spite of the war, all turns out well in the end. Of course, Lady Victoria is beautiful, rich, brilliant and successful in everything she does.
May 9, 2026
It's a good story but DS would never put in things that are different from what "history" wants people to know. Stew Peters suggests that the Titanic could have happened because of something the Rothschilds/Rockefellers did and wanted to happen. Nobody will ever know what really happened but look what they did to push HARM/drugs/shots to the top and how too many people and allopathic doctors won't talk about nutrition when it is what will save the world!
The rest of the book showed how ridiculous status, age and companies only employing men are and TG no countries do it anymore!
The rest of the book showed how ridiculous status, age and companies only employing men are and TG no countries do it anymore!
May 15, 2026
I enjoyed DS latest. A simple story of love and finding your place in life. Again you can always find heartache and resilience in her novels. This one had a touch of history as well which I enjoyed. The time frame was early 1900’s and the Titanic plays a part in this story. You really can do whatever you want if you set your mind toward it. Victoria was born before her time… not your typical maiden in waiting so to speak. I love a trip back in time to my younger self which DS does for me as I’ve read since I was a young 17 year old. Ahhh indeed a time travel.
May 23, 2026
It's been quite some time since I've read Danielle Steele. The story itself touched on so many important issues. The antiquated division of classes, the subordination of women, women's value in the workplace and even slavery issues were all addressed in an engaging storyline. Unfortunately the quality of writing was just not there and there was so much repetitiveness that it took away from what could have been a powerful novel. Despite that it was an enjoyable story and I would like to thank Goodreads for the giveaway in exchange for an honest review.
June 6, 2026
Absolutely amazing book 📕 i finished this book in 1 1/2 days probably 8-10 hours ! I couldn’t stop reading 📖
Danielle Steel has such an incredible talent to mix romance with history it’s so beautiful to read ! And what a true happy ending for a woman who went through soooooo much sadness in her life! Unbelievable grief the sinking of the Titanic, loosing her mom at her own birth and her beloved dad and then her husband before their first anniversary.
A true hero to look up to she never gave up in life and was lucky 🍀 enough to find love a second time!
Danielle Steel has such an incredible talent to mix romance with history it’s so beautiful to read ! And what a true happy ending for a woman who went through soooooo much sadness in her life! Unbelievable grief the sinking of the Titanic, loosing her mom at her own birth and her beloved dad and then her husband before their first anniversary.
A true hero to look up to she never gave up in life and was lucky 🍀 enough to find love a second time!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 16, 2026
This was a solid Daniel steel novel. I feel that if she had written this when she was much younger, it would’ve been double the size and would’ve included the story of World War II and what happened when Victoria expanded her wool business. It would have seen her go to China and make great in Ross and silk and start providing top quality silks for Parisian couturiers. Still, for what she does nowadays, it was a good one. The arc from Titanic to post WWI was excellent.
Thanks to Goodreads for sending me a copy of this on kindle for being a book giveaway contest winner.
Thanks to Goodreads for sending me a copy of this on kindle for being a book giveaway contest winner.
May 5, 2026
A Woman's Place: a novel by Danielle Steel takes place in 1912. Lady Victoria Oldbrooke is with her father on the Titanic. He owns the largest mills in England. Bert Banning is her father's right hand man who promises to take care of her as the ship goes down.
Lots of historical information about women in the workplace and work ownership. Labor union issue in the mills. The industrialist vs the aristocracy. Who can marry whom?
Lots of historical information about women in the workplace and work ownership. Labor union issue in the mills. The industrialist vs the aristocracy. Who can marry whom?
May 9, 2026
I loved the story very much. But found the writing a bit annoying. I have never read Danielle Steele until now. I just found the constant repetition very distracting. When she describes someone, we are reminded three times in 5 pages about them using the same description again and again. It’s like she thinks we can’t remember what we just read. Perhaps it was just this book, but the style was very off putting to me.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 140 reviews