Fortune's Daughters

by Consuelo Saah Baehr

Faith Simpson is born at the dawn of the twentieth century into a dynasty that gives her everything she will ever need—except her parents’ love and attention. Often misunderstood, she trusts few as she grows up on the family’s manicured Long Island estate. Just twenty-nine miles away, on lower Manhattan’s dirty, crowded streets, Hope Lee’s world is one of poverty and desperation. The scrappy child of hard-working Irish and Chinese immigrants has learned to fend for herself, until a terrible disaster thrusts her into a strange, new world of privilege.

When she meets Faith, Hope has faced enough loss to last a lifetime, and, like Faith, she has built an emotional wall to survive. Compelled by the tragic bonds of very different childhoods, they soon forge a strong alliance. But when Faith’s father chooses Hope as his protégé, and, worse yet, both Faith and Hope fall in love with the same man, resentment and betrayal threaten their bond. Caught in the tumult of World War I, Wall Street, union fights, and changing women’s roles, these two extraordinary women find that true fortune can’t be bought or sold.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, 20th Century, Audiobook, Contemporary, New York, Family

334 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 9, 2017

About the author

Traveled with my mother by bus through Texas to join and be left with my father and his four brothers in Washington DC. My father and his brother, Charles owned a prestigious small department store, Jean Matou, la Maison de treussou, on the corner of Connecticut and M Street. The men soon placed me in a convent boarding school where I spent most of my growing up trying to figure out a plan. Writing was my only way.

Reviews

[Dawn Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read Around the World: El Salvador

Well. This was one interesting book. LOTS of information in this one and it makes for a very interesting and compelling story.

It is the story of two girls [Faith and Hope] who come from completely different places in life and end up having their lives intersect almost all the time. From the time they are teens until they are grown women, Faith and Hope are in and out of each others lives. How they act and interact with each other and those around them is what makes the story.

I will say that I did not like Faith at all; I think that you are supposed to feel sorry for her, but that is not an emotion I ever felt when reading about her. I felt she was a jealous and envious girl that think that everyone hates her [and is shocked when she realizes how wrong she has been and that it could have been overcome by her having a freaking backbone] and creates many of the problems that she encounters during this story; she cannot let things go and it makes her both ruthless and selfish.

While I had issues at times with Hope's character, she never incited the indifference and dislike that I felt for Faith's character; perhaps it is because that Hope always did what she needed to to survive and worked hard to make something out of herself. There were moments when some of her decisions baffled me, but I may have made those same decisions had I been in her shoes.

Overall, I think that this was a pretty good read; I would recommend it to anyone who loves historical fiction and who enjoys a good story. I felt it was well-written and I truly enjoyed reading it [and the book went fast; when I was not distracted, I would just get lost in it].

[Corinne Edwards · Rating 2 out of 5]

Faith Simpson was born in a life of incredible wealth. Her father, Asa, was a stock trader at the beginning of the 20th century and their estate on Long Island was everything a man who'd made his fortune could desire. Hope Lee, born on the Lower East Side to an Irish immigrant mother and Chinese immigrant father, had essentially nothing of any material worth to call her own but she had a mother who adored her and a father who loved to have her by is side. How these two women's lives intertwine and the decisions that they make are at the heart of this prince and pauper novel the roaring twenties.

I started listening to this one and actually got so bored about the first hour that I stopped. But then I decided I wanted to see what happened because I do like reading about this time period so I ended up finishing it, being frustrated by the characters the whole time. Frustrated by most of it, really. It's almost a Forrest Gump-like walk through all the events of the time period and sometimes it just rang false. The writing is clumsy and clunky and just...flat. Gah. And then the end just went all soap opera on me. I probably should've just let it go back when my gut told me this one wasn't for me.

[Morgan · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is a confusing novel. Confusing in that the first 50% is great - dialogue is fine, story moves along, characters are developing. The last half I seriously question if it was even the same author. It’s rushed (20+ years pass), cramming every historical element they could in. Flying Aces? Check. New fangled therapy? Check. Elite Fashion? Check. Depression? Check. Oh, except the characters breeze through it in about ten pages.

The premise is so good. I was hoping it would become a new favorite. Unfortunately the last half ruined it.

[Andrea · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 It was okay nothing more...very slow to evolve , found myself bored with the story development or lack thereof.

[Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

A simple and sweet tale

The era and the emotions through this story were simply beautiful. It was just the right amount of life, love and business all wrapped into one. Thank you Goodreads and Consuelo for the giveaway that awarded me a newfound author and a wonderful insight into these wonderful characters lives in such a faraway time.

[Ronald Midkiff · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent Book!

I loved Three Daughters and didn’t know if this could top it! Fortune’s daughters was a great read. I am sad it’s over.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

I listened to this. Enjoyable historical fiction about the turn of the century millionaires in NYC. Follows a fictional family of the 9th richest man in the US/simultaneously follows an immigrant family whose children’s lives eventually become intertwined. Was a good listen on the commute.

[Nargis Somani · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was good read.

[Humera Nasim · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting read, loads of information on the era and working of stuck market, gender roles and expectations. Story of resilience and grit. Enjoyed it.

[Janie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gilded Age, the super rich to the very poor, until the Stock Market Crash of 1929. Enjoyed the story. DNB

[Donna J · Rating 3 out of 5]

Liked..did not love..

First I was very intrigued by the beginning of this book. It's basically about a girl, Hope Lee who knows what hard work is like. Then we're introduced to Faith, who is disliked by her parents, has never worked and is given everything she wants, just to keep her out of her parents hair.

Due to immigrant incidents, Hopes mom Agatha who is Irish is married to Sen Lee, a Chinese man who will never be able to become s citizen. Agatha & Sen have dreams of running a restaurant, but in order to do that they have to save every penny. Sen is missing China and whatever money he makes, he sends to his mother in China, instead of making their lives easier. He starts to mentally leave his marriage, he takes Agathas money she works so hard for and doesn't allow her to count it. Sen starts to become selfish and his family is not as important to him as his family in China. This part was a bit hard for me to understand, but he promises a mob guy he would invest $60K and instead of just doing what is asked of him to do, he doesn't invest it the right way and loses the money. He then finds Hope at home, tells her he's leaving for China, takes all their savings, $5000, and leaves Agatha $20 to live on for 2 months. Agatha is devastated, Hope is too young to understand until Agatha is hysterical, doesn't take care of herself or Hope and Hope finally understands Sen isn't coming home.

The mob guys find Agatha and beats her to a pulp. She keeps trying to tell them she doesn't know where he went and they continue to beat her leaving thinking she's dead. Hope is distraught and gets help for her mom by the nice landlady who gives her $20 without them knowing. Agatha is still upset and Hope finds an ad in the paper for people who will sew waist skirts in the ill fated factory where eventually over 129 men and women are killed escaping from a fire where all the doors were locked. Agatha never wanted to work there and Hope doesn't believe she's dead. She finds her purse since Agatha jumps thinking she'll land on a net, but hits the concrete. Hope keeps the purse, still able to smell her moms scent. This part of the book was so completely depressing, even though it did happen, my heart was hurting for this girl who did nothing except was born to immigrants and now had to survive on her own. She swore no one was going to get her heart because life & people were cruel.

I should have put Faith in first but this is my review. Faith is from a rich family whose parents just push her aside, her cousin tries to show himself sexually to her, and then tries to drown her because she can't swim and his ego was hurt. She tells her father Asa but he doesn't believe her. Somehow Hope is taken up by her family who lives in the country and shore, and Faith tells herself she won't like her, and her family wants a perfect girl. Faith pretends to gain Hopes trust and it works. Faith does like Hope but she's completely jealous of her when her father is always paying attention to her more than Faith. He's able to teach Hope things Faith never had an interest in, the stock market. He feels like he has a daughter he never had. A part of me felt bad for Faith until every single thing Hope does Faith uses Tommy, their local friend to set Hope up to get hurt. They both fall in love with Robert but Robert cares and loves Hope more than Faith. Faith sets up Hope in the most cruelest way when she finds out her father wants Hope & Robert to marry. Most people reading this may again feel for Faith, but Hope isn't being malicious, Faith is having Tommy set her up again and all hell breaks loose.

That's where I'm leaving it for a couple of reasons. The book is too long. I got so tired of Faith being so cruel acting like everything Hope touches should be hers. She's a bitch. And I was so honestly angry at the ending that I wanted to throw it against the wall. I was angry at Robert, Faith, and even Hope who forgives, but Faith just seemed like "I screwed up..." and has the nerve to ask Hope to get her out of her predicament. Forgiveness is one thing but for years Faith ruined Hopes life and I felt as if the author just got bored and ended it.

I'm sure you'll read it. The historical era of the beginning of the 1900's into the Depression was spot on. I just hated the ending and if I was writing it, it would have been completely different. Hope wasn't a doormat but was given a lot of crap to bear that she shouldn't have. Would I recommend it? Probably...but I was so disappointed too. My opinion and I know this is long but please read, maybe you'll have a completely different view.

[Connie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Faith Simpson was born in 1898 to Asa and Alice Simpson at their Long Island, New York estate called Seawater. They also have a 4-year-old son, Billy. Asa has worked himself up to become the ninth richest man in the country. He loves working during the day with stocks in the city and loves spending lots of time with Billy. Unfortunately, he was away from home the day Faith was born and feeling bad about it, he starts putting money in a trust for her that grew significantly.

Agatha Murphy came from Ireland with her mother. When her mother dies, Agatha has nowhere to live. When she meets Sen, a Chinese man who is also poor but has a small job, they team up to work together. They are soon married and become the parents of a daughter named Hope. Sen starts hanging around Wall Street learning the gestures of the stock traders. Hope learns right along with him. But some bad luck gets Sen in trouble and he flees to China. Agatha is beaten up in retaliation for his wrongs. After healing, she gets a job that leads to working in a factory. She dies in a fire that kills many like her. Hope is left on her own in the streets until she is sent to live on a farm. The farm is near the Simpson’s home, Seawater and it is agreed that Hope will live with them and take classes with and be a companion to Faith.

As the years pass, Faith and Hope become friends and Asa begins to tutor Hope in stock trading which she already has a knack for. There are friends of the family that all grow up together. But then comes the war which brings sad consequences. From there, the lives of each of the characters grow apart somewhat but always cross paths. Friendship does not always count when love comes into play.

This is a beautifully written saga that delves into the lives of the people who are wealthy and those who are desperately poor. But it also proves that in the end, love is most important.

Copy provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.

[Xine Segalas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fortune’s Daughters is a captivating family saga set against the backdrop of the early twentieth century, from the opulence of the Roaring Twenties to the despair of the Great Depression. The story follows two women: Hope Lee, a poor orphan who must navigate a world of hardship and ambition, and Faith Simpson, a privileged young woman born into wealth and entitlement. Despite their vastly different circumstances, their lives become intertwined in a tale that explores love, loyalty, and the destructive power of greed.

What makes the story particularly compelling is its exploration of the financial world during this tumultuous period. The book delves into specific details about short selling and margin calls, shedding light on how many people gambled and lost everything during the stock market crash. These financial specifics didn’t feel overly technical to me but instead served as an essential layer to understanding the stakes of the characters’ choices. However, readers expecting a purely romantic love triangle might find these details surprising or even a bit dry.

The omniscient narrator tells the story with a direct, matter-of-fact tone, presenting events without ambiguity. While this style leaves little room for interpretation, it complements the narrative’s richly drawn characters, who, despite their apparent superficiality, have remarkable depth and complexity.

Hope and Faith’s contrasting personalities bring to mind the themes explored in Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby—privilege, ambition, and the human cost of chasing wealth. The novel examines the characters’ relationships and choices, revealing layers of prejudice, betrayal, and unexpected loyalty.

I found Fortune’s Daughters to be a beautifully told story of resilience and reckoning, offering a unique lens on the glittering excess and sobering downfall of an era.

[Madeleine Myers · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wanted so much more from this story....

I felt like the author could have done so much more with this story. First, the characters just didn't ring true, their feelings and responses were more modern than Depression-era, or Roaring Twenties, and the language and descriptions likewise out of step with the setting. Faith's parents were stereotypes at first, but then stepped away from the expected in the latter half of the book. (Spoilers follow): For her mother to disappear altogether from the picture, with no hint given about the man who lured her from her carefully staged life made me wonder if she just became too inconvenient for the author to deal with any longer. Faith, too, through the early part of the book seemed much too comfortable with her role of the neglected daughter, and for her to suddenly assert herself and summon up a determination to go for the husband and career she just had to have and then follow through just didn't seem credible. Hope, for her part, vacillated between the poor little waif rescued from the streets to a twenty-first century self-made Wall Street wonder woman and dangle two very desirable men at once. Martin's constancy was as difficult to believe as Robert's ability to rationalize the end of an irrationally passionate affair and slip so easily into marrying the more suitable bride. I also found it hard to believe that it took six years to discover William and his circumstances. The ending just came too quickly for a story that took that long to resolve.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was pleasantly surprised with this book. I was lukewarm about it from the description, which made me think, "another romance novel?" But it was an Amazon First Read, so I downloaded it. I liked how the book took off right from the beginning. Yes, it did touch on romance, but that was not the focus of this book. I loved the references to and in-depth descriptions of historical dates and events throughout the book and how it was all woven into the lives and events of the characters. It gave the story more depth.

The characters themselves were interesting personalities and the author seemed to put a lot of thought into developing each one with his or her individual story and tying them all to each other as the story progressed throughout the early 1900s into World War I and through the Roaring 20s with its financial boom and bust.

I will add that I thought it was looking pretty "Pollyanna" as Baehr wrapped up the pieces at the end, but I decided, not enough to matter. I never found a dull moment in the read. I was intrigued from beginning to end and recommend it to any reader who enjoys historical novels. It is a well-written easy, and entertaining read. Baehr did a wonderful job in putting this book together and is an author I would like to read more.

[Linda Zagon · Rating 4 out of 5]

I would like to thank NetGalley, Lake Union Press and Consuelo Saah Baehr for the ARC of "Fortune's Daughters" by Consuelo Saah Baehr for my honest review.
The genres of this book are Women's Fiction, Fiction, and Historical Fiction with some liberties taken by the author.
The timeline of this story starts at the turn of the twentieth century, World War One, Union fights, Women's Rights and the fall of Wall Street.
I find that the author describes are characters as complex and complicated. The backgrounds and diversity of two of the characters are apparent. Faith Simpson is born to an affluent family, enjoying many materialistic things, but not getting the attention from her parents. Hope Lee is born to parents that live in poverty, and struggle to survive.
After a major tragedy, an orphaned Hope finds herself in Faith's home, where she lives for quite a while.
The author describes, betrayal, jealousy, loyalty, integrity, love and hope. In addition, the author shows the importance of family value, family love and friendship. What exactly does having a fortune mean?
I enjoyed this book and would recommend it. Happy Reading!

[Debra Lucas · Rating 5 out of 5]

I won :FORTUNE'S DAUGHTER by Consuelo Saah Baehr through a Goodreads Giveaway. I had not heard of this author before but I LOVED THIS ROARING TWENTIES NOVEL. Hope Lee is the daughter of immigrants. Her Mom is Irish and dies in the Shirtwaist Factory Fire in NYC. Hope's Father Sen Lee had gone back to China and couldn't be located. Hope becomes an orphan with no family. Faith Simpson is Fortune's Daughter. She and her brother, Billy, are the children of a self-made man, Asa, and his wife, Alice. He's made his money on Wall Street. Eventually, Hope ends up living with the Simpsons. She's a smart, likeable, and, lovely girl. Faith and her become like sisters especially when Billy goes off to college. She becomes close to Asa, liking to work with him in his office. Things are great until Faith and Hope fall for the same man, Robert Trent. When Faith hears her Father discussing Hope's marriage; possibly to Robert....she knows she must somehow get Hope out of their lives. What does Faith do to make her family dislike Hope? What happens to Hope, Faith, and Robert in this thrilling novel? You will love this gorgeously written novel! Don't miss this book this summer!!

[Renee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very compelling, easy to read book. I devoured it over a weekend, which it has been a long time since I even had the free time to do so. It moves along without getting boring.

The book follows a very wealthy family, mainly focusing on the daughter Faith, and her relationship with an orphan that her brilliant but flawed father takes in for a few years. Those formative years create a bond between the girls that carries into their adult lives. They aren't always nice to each other, and one of them does something inexcusable to the other, but for all that, they still can't hate each other. It's a story that is somewhat about personal growth, perseverance, and rising above the lot we are all dealt in life. It's interesting that all the privilege in the world does not set one up to be a better person. I admired Hope quite a bit. I think she was a feminist before her time and for everything bad in her life, she never tried to take it out on other people.

I have issues with the ending, and I have issues that a certain character never really answers / pays for her actions, but for all of that, I really enjoyed this book.

[Connie Hess · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hope Lee is the daughter of a Chinese and Irish immigrant father and mother respectively. They work hard and exist with very little.
Hope's father, Sen, is a informer/runner on Wall Street and teaches Hope the workings of the stock market, hand signals on the street and skills in buying and selling.
Sen leaves his family to return to China. Hope and her mother struggle and Hope's mother is killed in the Shirtwaist Factory fire.
Hope is taken in by a wealthy Long Island North Shore enclave and fortunate enough to be tutored with the Patriarch's children.
His daughter, Faith, similar in age to Hope, form a strong bond, but Faith feels betrayed when her father selects Hope as his protege for stock market deals.
Faith and Hope are interested in the same man and their stories continue and collide through lives of privilege, not necessarily resulting in happiness.

[LindaMoctez · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved the setting of this book, New York at the turn if the the 20th century up to the the crash of 1929. It paints a picture of the desperate immigrants scratching out a living on the streets of Manhattan contrasted to the extraordinary wealth of the elite classes which included brokers, lawyers, self made men of trade and women who determinedly found their power. The characters are simply yet profoundly portrayed having the complexity of ambition and humility, kindness and cruelty, loyalty and betrayal. It’s a compulsive read as you navigate the social, political and economic world of the era, plus become involved in lives you find yourself thinking about while drifting off to sleep. For a relaxing yet compelling read, this book is highly recommended.

[Jeanne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hope Lee was the daughter of a Chinese immigrant father and Irish immigrant mother. From her father she learned a lot about the stock market and business but one day he disappeared and went back to China. After losing her mom in the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire she was sent to live in the country where she met Faith. She was the daughter of a disinterested mother and father who doted on her brother but pretty much ignored Faith. I just couldn't get really interested in the story. I didn't like Faith at all and Hope was more likeable. This is a rags to riches story on Hope's part. The first half was interesting but then the second half kind of steam rolled through the 20's and all the talk of stocks and margins and short falls were over my head.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've consistently enjoyed reading works by this author. She creates a fascinating world through vivid descriptions and all her characters go through such important developments throughout the story. This book was a true "rags to riches" but done in a believable way. Sure, Faith is lucky, but so were many people of that era. I think my favorite aspect of Baehr's writing is that ultimately, the characters don't end up with who you think they should. She likes to throw a curveball to the reader and of course, the characters end up happier than they would have, had they married so-and-so. 5/5 stars.

[Vivien FitzGerald-Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

An essay on survival and the gift of loyalty

A touchingly beautiful story. Set in the Roaring Twenties, the background of stock market dealing makes for a fascinating read. The author cleverly, though somewhat irritatingly, withholds the precise dates of events.
So it is that we arrive at the end of the fatal year of the Wall Street Crash and are avid to read on to see what becomes of the cast of complex characters. The tangled web of their lives has to be unraveled, and what will the outcome be? We are torn. Will the good suffer? Will those who have been blind to reality go under? How will love fare?
With great skill Sarah Baehr draws all to an acceptable conclusion.

[Mell · Rating 1 out of 5]

I received a free Kindle "copy" of this book on Goodreads in exchange for an honest review.

This book is terrible, despite a summary that held much potential. I've read history texts that had better narrative. The novel is almost emotionless, and the under-developed characters are like robots. History just kind of happens to them in a parade of events: The Triangle Shirt Waist Fire, WWI, Stock Market crashes, family deaths, etc,etc. The tragedies just keep happening, but in no meaningful way. A good historical/family saga requires more than stringing together a history highlights timeline.

[Sue Bastiani · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love reading about a life

Two very different girls and their lives entwine and come apart and entwine again. Just like our lives Hope and Faith don't know where their decisions will take them and I was usually surprised at the decisions they made. In fact, sometimes I was flummoxed! But they aren't me and neither is the author so we see how these lives weather life before WWI, and those years after. Interesting, troubling, satisfying usually. I'm not good at reviews...ha sorry.

[Lorraine Meissner · Rating 5 out of 5]

The turn of the century in old New york

Being a native New Yorker (Long Island) this book shed a beautiful light on its halcyon days. From the streets of New York at the turn of the century to the Gold Coast of Long Island it's obvious the author devoted himself to the research of that era. His characters were brought to life and so well described that you felt their emotions as if you were witnessing their interactions personally. There are good guys, and bad guys to entertain you and keep you guessing right to the end of this wonderful book.

[Terri Mastraieni · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sisters by Chance

This was the first book I have read by Ms. Baehr and I hope to read others by her. I loved this book. Most of the story takes place in New York. It revolves around a very influential family in the late 19th century and early 20th century. This very wealthy man takes in a young homeless woman and treats her like another daughter. I enjoyed reading about the love- hate relationship between the two young women. I also enjoyed reading about this period of time . I look forward to reading more books from this author!

[Keren Krinick · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! What an incredible book! Thank you Lake Union Publishing and NetGalley for the early edition of Fortune's Daughters by Consuelo Saah Baehr. This story takes place in the early 1900 through the 1930's. In the back drop of early Long Island, very wealthy residences, on the "Gold Coast", mostly trading in the stock business on Wall Street. A princess and a pauper tale, of very different circumstances, coming together as well as falling apart. A fast and interesting read. I highly recommend.

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Memorable Piece of History

I thoroughly enjoyed this book from page 1 clear to the end, and I was sorry when I hit the end. It put me into the age of the 1900s and up through prohibition and the recovery. I saw it Through The Eyes of those who were involved. I would completely recommend this to anyone who enjoys a good historical novel with excellent character development. I might just have to read it again!

[Kate Stulce · Rating 5 out of 5]

Elegant, understated

The author has an elegant, understated way of writing about love, loss, hope, faith, perseverance in the unexpected twists and turns and ironies of life. Her characters all become more mature and self reflective, which doesn’t always happen in real life. But I think her point is that such maturity is possible when people navigate life with faith, hope and perseverance .