The Uncertain Season

by Ann Howard Creel

The Hurricane of 1900 devastated Galveston Island, but a storm of betrayal is still brewing.

Nineteen-year-old Grace’s golden age is just beginning. She and her mother live a privileged life. Beautiful and talented, Grace is looking forward to a pleasant summer celebrating her engagement to a wealthy young gentleman.

But when her lovely, charming, and disgraced cousin Etta arrives, Grace finds her place in society—and in her mother’s heart—threatened. Etta enchants everyone as she maneuvers to secure a station in Galveston’s upper echelons. Grace, in a reckless moment, reveals Etta’s scandalous past, and as punishment, she’s sent to work in Galveston’s back alleys, helping the poor. There, a silent waif known only as Miss Girl opens Grace’s eyes to new love and purpose. She’s determined to save this girl who lost her entire family in the hurricane and now slips along the shadows of the unfinished seawall with a mysterious resolve.

Soon, the lives of the three young women will converge as betrayal, mistaken identity, and a family secret sweep them toward a future that defies all expectations.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, Historical, Audiobook, Romance, Book Club

320 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 22, 2017

About the author

Ann Howard Creel writes guaranteed heart-wrenching historical fiction. In her novels, strong female characters face unforeseen obstacles and then have to make life-changing decisions.

After first writing for children, she turned her attention to Historical Fiction. Her first novel for adults, THE MAGIC OF ORDINARY DAYS, was made into a Hallmark Hall of Fame movie on CBS. Her recent titles have been Kindle bestsellers and include WHILE YOU WERE MINE, THE WHISKEY SEA, THE UNCERTAIN SEASON, THE RIVER WIDOW, and MERCY ROAD.

She now writes full-time. Ann's main characters are always strong women facing high-stakes situations and having to make life-changing decisions. Her historical settings have ranged from Victorian-era Galveston to World War II in New York City. Her latest novel, A LIFE CAME CALLING, coming in August 2025, takes readers to the Smoky Mountains near the end of World War II.

WHY I WRITE ABOUT WORLD WAR II
My biggest inspiration has been my parents, who lived the war. Due to the courage and unity of their time, they have been called "the greatest generation," and WWII has also been called "the last good war."

Reviews

[Jules · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Uncertain Season is a historical fiction that focuses on the lives of three young women after a hurricane in 1900 that devastates Galveston Island.

I was really intrigued at the beginning of the story. I enjoyed getting to know Grace, and see how her relationship with her cousin Etta developed. However, I began to lose interest in the middle when the story seemed to progress slowly. Overall, well written, but a little slow and depressing in places for me.

I borrowed this in audiobook format through Amazon Kindle Unlimited.

[Fred Shaw · Rating 4 out of 5]

I discovered author Ann Creel when I read Whiskey Sea. I enjoyed it immensely, and will read it again. When I saw Uncertain Season, a historical novel, I went for it.

The story begins with the hurricane that struck the barrier island, Galveston, TX in 1900. It devastated the area and many lost their lives. One Girl lost her her entire family and became mute as a result. She became a ward of the Red Cross and since she could not communicate was headed for an asylum. “The Girl”, who has no name, is one of the colorful key characters.

The story picks up in 1903 Galveston high society and the other key characters Grace and her cousin, Etta, when she comes to visit Grace for the summer.

This is the story of 3 very different young women and their survival in 3 very different circimstances. It involves discovery, romance, love and loss and how each handle it. Secondly it shows how untimely misspoken words can ruin relationships forever. I found the characters full of life and endearing, and the Galveston post hurricane recovery events made the book a memorable one of a kind for me.

Highly recommended.

[Horsesheet · Rating 5 out of 5]

I chanced upon this book through an unusual series of circumstances that proved fortuitous as
far as widening my reading tendencies and especially in discovering a writer whose talent in
the craft, to me, is considerable, all of which translates into the pure pleasure of reading
and "getting lost" into a well-told story. It's a steep step upwards from "Magic of Ordinary
Days," written years earlier and the first book of Ms. Creel's I happened to read several
months ago. The descriptive phrasing throughout the entire book goes hand-in-hand with
meticulous details that stirred this reader's mind and imagination from scene to scene in each
chapter. The tales of Grace, Etta, and The Girl are revealed in an immediacy as if watching a
movie with the attendant emotions, escape, and a strong sense of being there. We like to say
about books we like that "we couldn't put it down." I like this one and this style of writing
because it's intense in detail, dialogue and slowly unfolding climactic scenes. It almost has
to be put aside at moments just to catch your breath and take it all in. Movies rush by. This
grabs you and takes you along step by vivid step. Etta is vexing but artfully comes across as
simple and down to earth. Hardly. Grace, a model belle, transforms into a savior in waiting who
saves no one. Or does she? The Girl, nameless, mute, and suffering is not devoid of hope. She
nags as both a symbol of the worst life can dish out and as a real person you can relate to.
Bernadette, the banisher and betrayer, is also the aristocrat, not necessarily in flattering
terms. Altogether, written in such engaging detail that defies description (paradox noted), the
setting, characters, and triad form of this book all work to bring a whole story to life. The
"Uncertain" as a good book is anything but uncertain. It affords many, many pleasures on many
levels.

[Kerri · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn't particularly care for this book. While the setting was written well, and the three POV's were compelling, it took too long to get started and failed to hold my interest until the last hundred pages. And the conclusion, for me anyway, felt unsatisfying.

How can Miss Girl leave without saying a word to Reena? This feels so cruel. I know she was scared, but Reena obviously loved her, and would be worried sick about her just disappearing. The girl talks about how the island can't take care of her, but many people on the island did just that; she fared much better than I'd have imagined given her situation. She'd most likely be much worse out on the open water, with no concept of how to navigate, or in a new place where they don't know her, and no one has their eye out for her.

Etta seems like the worst sort of person. Hardly a redeeming quality there. It's interesting that she begs for her aunt's forgiveness when she was so stingy with her own toward Grace, but I frankly don't care what happens to her. Her constant need for attention, while refusing to share herself with anyone, was off putting.

I liked Grace, and her transformation as she began to work in the alleys. I have a VERY hard time believing her romance with Ira though. Soft-spoken and kind he may be, but I wasn't buying that she was wildly attracted to the pudgy, sunburned guy. It seemed incongruous that she'd talk about how much she missed her old friends, and how she felt she could be in both worlds, but being Ira's wife would all but eliminate that. He'd have a hard time fitting into her world. She and Jonathan may not have been right for each other, but neither were she and Ira.

It had some beautiful writing, but it just wasn't something I found myself enjoying.

[Courtney Whisenant · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the story of two cousins who each knowingly reveal a secret about the other and the consequences resulting from that choice. This story takes a very interesting look at how one hasty decision can change the course of your life. Both women faced severe consequences for their actions but responded in different ways to the correction. The character development was excellent and actually swayed my sympathies from one cousin to the other by the end of the story. My takeaways: #1 Learn to accept correction and use it to become a better version of yourself #2 Forgiveness is a powerful thing - especially for the one offering forgiveness. I'm looking forward to reading more books by this author.

Thank you to the publisher and netgalley for a free copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Beth G · Rating 4 out of 5]

I mostly Kindle-audio read this book and it was quite an enjoyable experience. I probably enjoyed the book as a whole even more because the "reader" did such a phenomenal job with it. The Uncertain Season is the first book I've read by Ann Howard Creel and I will definitely be reading more by her. The style of writing, her prose was beautiful and caused me to really want to give this book 5 stars. Looking back at the number of highlightings I have on my Kindle, there were many times where it truly resonated with me. However, I somehow felt like I was left with more questions than I would have liked at the end. I am wondering if a sequel will follow or if this is like real life where some stories just don't have happy endings or if they do, we never have the opportunity to hear of them. Overall, very enjoyable read.

[Loralie de La Rivière · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found this work to be inconsistent. It is OK for a writer to wax poetic at times; the technique can add pleasure to a work. Conversely, when waxing poetic becomes repetitous, and then begins to consume the space where storyline should appear, it is this reader's view that the writer has fallen in love with the sound of his/her own voice. While this might feel cathardic and/or rewarding for the writer, it is also possible that the reader will be left wanting. The latter was my experience with this book - which is unfortunate because other aspects such as historical detail and characterization of the back alley life and people (along with some aspects of the main characters) were promising.

[Aimee · Rating 4 out of 5]

I would first like to say that I received book from a giveaway. Which was awesome and thank you for choosing me to win! Now for my review.

This is really a 4.5 star book.

This story was so well written, that it captures you and draws you into the lives of these three women, their emotions, and their thoughts that you feel their pain, joy, envy, frustrations, and so forth. There were several times that I wanted to or actually did cry along with the characters.

With that being said, I really enjoyed it for the most part. My only complaintis that it is a bit to melencoly over all, for me. But that is just my opinion and I really enjoyed the book any way.

[Angela Thornburg · Rating 1 out of 5]

Depressing with no happy endings

This story talks about a small rich community in Texas that manages to hurt the poor despite their best efforts. A thirteen year old mute girl who lost her entire family in a hurricane is raped, after wearing hand me down party dresses of a rich girl.
The two main characters turn on each other and destroy one another’s hopes and dreams.
Overall the book is terribly depressing and I would not waste my time reading it. I read to the end hoping for some good, but it was a downer. Don’t bother.

[Nancy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked the storylines, but somehow felt like I missed the point I was supposed to draw from them.

[Roxana Garcia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having lived in the Gulf Coast I enjoyed this book that takes place primarily in Galveston in the early 1900's after the hurricane of 1900. The story follows three of it's main characters: Grace, Etta and The Girl. Grace and Etta are cousins but there is animosity throughout the story which reveals truths. The Girl is an orphan from the hurricane who loses her voice and lives off the streets until Grace comes upon her and attempts to help her. All three young women encounter misfortune and grow throughout the story. I used Audible for this book and the narrator brought the characters to life.

[Joanne Otto · Rating 4 out of 5]

In recent years I've become a fan of Ann Howard Creel. This book did not disappoint my expectation of an intriguing plot, interesting characterizations, and vivid detail. There were, however, one or two characters who seemed to me to make choices more in tune with the shaping of the plot than with their own interests--my only reservation.

[Joy H. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Added June 23, 2018. (Published August 22nd 2017 by Lake Union Publishing)
Narrated by: Brittany Pressley
I finished reading this book July 1, 2018.

AMAZON WEB PAGE: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01NAS6OXX
BLURB: "The Hurricane of 1900 devastated Galveston Island, but a storm of betrayal is still brewing."

Although at times I found this book to be too long, it did hold my attention. It tells the story of 3 girls (Grace, Etta, & "The Girl") whose lives affect one another. At times, the writer makes philosophic statements which seem a bit "corny" but they do make sense in some way. (One Goodreads reviewer called it "waxing poetic".)

I found the title to be too bland for the story. I would have preferred it to be: "Galveston, Island of Fate".

WIKI: "Galveston Island is a barrier island on the Texas Gulf Coast in the United States, about 50 miles southeast of Houston. The entire island, with the exception of Jamaica Beach, is within the city limits of the City of Galveston in Galveston County. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Galvest...

[Joan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought this book started off really strong, but it fizzled out for me when the rivalry between the 2 main characters took over. I thought it was going to be more about the hurricane in Galveston in 1900, but most of the action took place years after the hurricane, and it played only a very small part in the novel, although a big part in the life of the character Miss Girl. I enjoyed seeing Grace grow and mature, but was disappointed in the way Etta behaved in response to all that was done to help her. The book shed some light on the struggles of women at that time, even those with wealth and connections, but overall I was disappointed in how the story turned out.

[Gayle · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 stars. This was a satisfactory historical fiction novel, but I felt like it had no depth. It started in the aftermath and rebuilding of Galveston Island after the 1900 hurricane. The events of rebuilding were so lacking in detail, I had to google them to get more information. The characters had no depth, and the ending was flat. Moods and feelings were described but not so the reader (me) could feel or imagine it.

The book had great potential but just didn’t deliver.

[JudiAnne · Rating 4 out of 5]

This heart-warming novel was a pleasure to read!

[Cathryn Conroy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is smart ChickLit with a very big heart.

Written by Ann Howard Creel, this is the story of three women, all of whom are living in Galveston, Texas in the summer of 1903. It's three years after the infamous 1900 hurricane that wiped away much of the island and killed an estimated 8,000 people:
• Grace, 19, is the only daughter of Bernadette, a wealthy, widowed woman. They live in a large home with many servants and every luxury then imaginable. Their life is one of ease and plenty. Grace is engaged to Jonathan, a student at Yale. This is a marriage that has been planned by both sets of parents since Grace and Jonathan were children.

• Etta, 21, is Grace's disgraced cousin, who has come to live with them after she fell in love with and had a physical relationship with an acrobat in the circus. She is not only scandalous, but also a bit reckless and flamboyant. Still, she is enchanting, and Galveston's upper crust social circle embraces her fully.

• Miss Girl, 14, is a survivor of the 1900 hurricane, but she lost everyone in her family, as well as her home. She is so grief-stricken that she hasn't spoken a word aloud since then. No one knows her name. Although she is white, she lives in the alleys with the Blacks where she tries to stay one step ahead of the do-gooders who want to take her away to an orphanage or asylum.

After Grace discloses Etta's disgraceful secret, causing her much embarrassment, Bernadette punishes her daughter by sending her to work with the less fortunate who live in the alleys. It is here that Grace's life dramatically changes when she meets Ira Price, an ordained minister who has devoted his life to working with those in such desperate need. It is here that Grace meets Miss Girl and works hard to gain her trust, which isn't easy. Meanwhile, Etta is playing the social circuit, flirting with the men even though they bore her. Soon she realizes that Aunt Bernadette is hiding a big secret, and Etta, impulsive and rash as she is, is determined to figure it out. What she learns is devastating and could destroy both Bernadette and Grace.

This is a charming novel that captures the time and place perfectly—from the beauty of the sparkling ocean to the sultry and oppressive heat of Texas in the heart of summer as Galveston is being rebuilt. And while the plot twists and turns of betrayal and loss and are somewhat predictable, the story is tender and moving, filled with hope and spirit for the future.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

I selected this book as my free choice in November. It is a touching story of three women, Bernadette, a mother, Grace, her daughter, and Etta, Bernadette’s niece. Galveston, Texas, is a flat piece of land just off the Texas coast. It was recently devastated by a hurricane. The writing is beautiful and the reader is taken on a trip of the very wealthy and how they spend their time with each other traveling, talking, dining, and doing silly things like renting yachts to dine on for a change of pace. Etta is sent to ‘visit’ by her mother to get her away from a romantic interest that her mother finds unsavory. Etta fell in love with a circus acrobat. So, Etta arrives in Galveston and is to be introduced to the wealthy way of life. Etta has no moral compass and immediately sets about to find things that will put her in her aunt’s good graces. Grace in the meantime, tells about the circus romance, and is banished by her mother to pay penance by working in the ‘allies’ with the poor. Grace finds she likes doing something meaningful and tries to be helpful. She tries to help a young woman who by all appearances doesn’t belong in the allies but because the woman won’t talk, no one knows her story. There is much ado in Grace’s circle, now Etta’s circle, about Grace’s working with the poor and how her poor fiancé, Jonathan, feels ignored. He and Grace limp along with their engagement until Etta reveals a big secret that totally turns Grace’s life upside down. The story ends rather suddenly (I think) without adequate closure for the characters. It seemed that the author spent the entire book discovering the in-depth character of her characters and then when things start to happen, she wraps everything up. Not wanting to spoil the book for new readers, let me say that it is well worth the time to read it but you will end up wanting more closure. The author writes from personal experience in many ways and her stories are more realistic than many romance readers will enjoy. I’ll be reading more books by Ann Howard Creel. This one I listened to in Audible and enjoyed the variety of inflections by the narrator, Britanny Pressley.

[Cassie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book follows three ladies: Grace, Etta and Miss Girl, in the aftermath of the 1900 Hurricane that destroyed Galveston, Texas. They are from different walks of life and very different people. It was a compelling story, although I found Grace and Miss Girl's journey more interesting than Etta's, perhaps because Etta was manipulative rather than genuine. However, all three show great courage as they face their circumstances and face the constraints of society and economic norms for their day.

I wanted to weep for Miss Girl and her situation. It was interesting reading this book in the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey and drawing parallels between then and now. There's no way to compare the devastation of the two storms, but what could have been different for Miss Girl had she lived in modern times where her emotional trauma and its physical manifestations would have been more readily understood?

I really enjoyed this story and my only complaint rises from the difficulty I had in keeping track of the timeline. Creel writes from each of the ladies perspective; at times it seems that many weeks pass - even months. But at the end, the story really follows one summer that ends up changing the course of each girls life. Aside from enjoying the growth and journey of Grace and Miss Girl, I love Creel's writing style. One thing Creel does very well is to effectively create life in Galveston at the time period. It's not just set in the past and references long dresses; I could really picture the time period: daily activities that Galvestonians would have experienced from work to leisure to the oppresive heat. It's clear that her research is deep and broad and then expertly conveyed through her writing. It made the book come alive.

I received an eARC from the publisher via NetGalley. This is my honest review.

[Rebecca Lyman · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was provided a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest and fair review. This book centers around the stories of cousins Grace and Etta. Grace is a sheltered rich girl who grew up on the island of Galveston, which three years prior to this story was the site of a catastrophic hurricane that killed 6,000 people, including the family of a character we only know as "the girl." Etta is Grace's poor cousin who is sent to stay with Grace and her mother after she falls in love with a circus man and defies her mother. It is in Galveston that Etta learns about money and how it can improve your life, and realizes she should marry well and create an easier life for herself. Grace, through a mistake of her own, is sent to work with a local missionary in the alleys of Galveston, where she learns things about life that she never knew existed.  

Overall I liked this book a lot. It was really interesting to see the character development in this book, as all the characters end up in a completely different place than where they started. I loved the setting and the history that was included, the hurricane and the devastation it caused were a true part of history and I always find that to be pretty fascinating. I found the book and the plot to be engaging and fairly fast paced, though there were a few dry parts. The ending was left a little more open than I usually like but it didn't detract from the story for me. I liked this book a lot and I would recommend it.

[Claudette Dunk · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a very worthwhile read with vivid, well-drawn characters. Perhaps Etta was a bit too evil and Grace was a bit too good; but, even so, they lived and breathed for me, as did "The Girl", Harry, Jonathan, Bernadette and even minor characters such as Reena and Clorinda. In fact, it all came alive: Galveston after the hurricane of 1900, the pretensions and proprieties of high society at that time, the vapidness of their conversation, the courting rituals, the aspirations of those striving to be admitted to that society and, in contrast, the extreme poverty of the alleys. Galveston itself, with its beaches and seawall and natural beauty came alive in this novel. So, why not 5 stars? Well, I reserve that rating for novels that have something profound to say and, though this novel did strive to convey a philosophy of life and of death, it did not quite make the leap to profundity.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this audiobook. It is very rare that I give a 5 star rating for an audiobook. However, the narrator was excellent.

Ms. Creel spins a compelling tale of family secrets of Galveston in the early 1900's. It is told from the POV of three different woman. As each sought to find their place in society, their stories were a mirror of social morals and expectations of the time. I found the descriptions of the rebuilding of Galveston after the 1900 hurricane to be enthralling. Each woman exhibited strength and vulnerability, flaws and beauty amidst their personal journeys of self-discovery.

My only familiarity with this author is The Magic of Ordinary Days that was made into a Hallmark movie years ago. As much as I loved the movie, I think I am even more a fan of her rich, writing style. I look forward to reading more books by this author in the future.

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this book! I listened to the audio book on a road trip and it kept me so engaged I kept it running long after the wheels had stopped spinning. Sometimes I wonder if I would love the printed text as much as I like the storytelling and in this case I can't honestly answer that question.
I loved both Etta and Grace. I loved that while in some ways the book was tied up with a bow in other ways it was not. It did feel a bit like the ending petered out and the big reveal wasn't fully explored, but I appreciate that some of the character's stories have been left to my imagination.
Very well written. Highly recommend the audio book! A good summer read, so add it to your list!

[L Patricia · Rating 4 out of 5]

A contrast in women, growing towards independence

I wasn't convinced in the first chapters that this was more than a thinly veiled romance novel, but as the characters Grace & Etta developed through pages, I became intrigued with their challenges and insights. And the author allowed us to struggle with them in questioning their frailties re: self interest versus family and friend loyalties. Galveston also contributed a romantic backdrop for a turn of the century novel with it's sweltering heat and steamy skies. And I loved the vividly portrayed comparisons between rich and poor. A good read. Enjoyable and weighty enough to be thought provoking.

[Rachel Crosby · Rating 4 out of 5]

Truly enjoyable story of three young women

The writing is top notch and the imagery consistently good. Each of the three "heroines" goes through life changing experiences which are believable and vivid. The plot is complex, original and nuanced. Settings and characters are historically accurate and their behaviors ring true to the mores of their individual contexts. I wanted to give five stars but this novel is that much less riveting than another of her books, "The Whiskey Sea."
I should add I mostly listened to the audio version of this book and can confirm the narrator did a very good job.

[Abbe · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great book. I like this author a lot because her books always teach me something about history, while I’m enjoying a good story. The main characters, three women with very different lives, are outstandingly portrayed over a backdrop of the Galveston hurricane of 1900. It’ so ironic that I bought this book as Harvey was pounding Texas. I didn’t realize how devastating the hurricane was until I read this book. I was so caught up in the story, that I was late to work this morning, finishing it!

[Christina J. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful story!

This is an A+ book! The characters were so brilliantly portrayed. Each character had such a distinct personality that leapt from the page. Creel's descriptions allow you to see the place she's describing, feel the air, feel for each person. This story was of consequences borne from decisions, sometimes, of selfishness, but lessons learned were valuable. Creel doesn't necessarily end things the way you think, lending an air of mystery to her stories. The same is true of this book. I highly recommend it.

[Lori · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book attracted me because it is located in Galveston after the 1900 storm and it talks about the raising of the island and the building of the seawall. I lived in Galvestion for several years and still work there.

I could picture the big houses with the outbuilding outback and the heat!! I really don't know how women back then survived, some of the summer days there are brutal, even with the gulf breeze.

The author was very descriptive in her writing and I would like to read more stories that she has written.

[Kelly-Louise · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story follows two young women - cousins Grace and Etta - and a girl - known as "the girl" - in the aftermath of the 1900 Galveston Hurricane. The girl became mute after her entire family died in the hurricane. The photo on the cover is of the girl, in fact, with her red hair and yellow dress. Most of the novel is set three years after the storm, on Galveston Island, as Grace's path crosses with the those of the other two and the sea wall was being built. Great story! I listened on audiobook and I liked how the narrator's Texas accents helped to pull me into the setting.

[Judy King · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm looking for other books by Creel... Simply because in addition to a good solid setting, Galveston, and a dramatic time... Not long after s long ago disastrous hurricane, extremely well drawn characters, both the elite around which the story is centered and the water front folks, Creel has drafted exceptional development of her characters.

S he leads us through the story line while some of her people bloom and develop character while others are overcome by privilege and personal powe, greed and jealousy. Very well done indeed