Second Survivor

by Leah Moyes

Her secret sank with the ship.

Isabel Fontaine’s lavish lifestyle came to a crashing halt the night the General Chanzy sank. At 18, she had everything—fine luxuries, a prominent family, and an extravagant estate in Marseille. The one thing she didn’t have was her freedom. As the sole heir to the Fontaine fortune, her future was forged with a betrothal to a stranger from a foreign country, but when her family perishes at sea, Isabel sees this as a chance to hide her identity and change her fate.

Taken in by poor, elderly farmers on the Spanish island of Menorca, Isabel is torn between the growing affection for a neighbor and the guilt of living a lie. The simplicity and genuine goodness of this life takes her on a journey she never believed was possible, yet, as time passes and the threat of her untruths face exposure, Isabel must make an agonizing choice.

When that choice is taken from her prematurely and danger cultivates from an implausible guise, will Isabel accept the outcome, or fight to save those she loves?


A historical fiction novel set in both Algiers, Algeria during French occupation and Menorca, Spain. Told in the perspective of four characters, Second Survivor is a twist on the tragic shipwreck . . . the General Chanzy in the Mediterranean Sea. 156 people aboard the barge lost their lives on the morning of 10 February 1910. There was only one survivor. This story shares the fate of a Second Survivor.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, Historical, Spain, Romance

416 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 22, 2020

About the author

Leah Moyes is a wife and a mother, a former teacher and coach with a background in Anthropology and History. Between writing and archaeological digs, the world is her playground.
She loves popcorn and seafood (though not together) and is slowly checking off her very long bucket list.

Reviews

[Deanne Patterson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first book I've read by this author. Now I want to know why I hadn't heard of her books before?
I love reading historical fiction based on actual events which is what this is.
A young woman is being forced by her father to marry against her will to an older man she doesn't know. He won't listen to any reasoning from his daughter.
She is highly upset about this and takes her anger with her as the she and her mother and father set off on an ocean voyage to meet the man and set up the wedding.
Based on the actual events of the shipwreck that occurred there is one survivor on the ship, in the book it's her in actuality it's a man.
Rescued after the wreck by an older couple they nurse her back to health she keeps her wealth and true identity a secret so that when the man she is betrothed to hears about the ship wreck he'll not be able to find her. Will she be able to keep her identity a secret and if she's not able to what will the repercussions be for her and those caring for her.
I really enjoyed this author's writing style and vivid descriptions, I could perfectly imagine all taking place as I read it. I look forward to reading more by this author.

Published November 22nd 2020
I was given a complimentary copy of this book. Thank you.
All opinions expressed are my own.

[Amy Shannon · Rating 5 out of 5]

A remarkable story

Moyes pens a wonderful historical story in Second Survivor. I have read work from this author before, and I really enjoyed it. It was a remarkable story about Isabel, who survives the sinking of a ship, but she sees it more as an opportunity. The story brings the journey to life, as Isabel tries to put her lavish past behind her, and become someone new. Moyes really knows her history and has done the research to make this story come to life. What an incredible imagination. The characters Isabel meets have a lot of depth, and are more than just cookie-cutter characters, or words on the paper. Isabel is complex, and her back story does lead her on a new path, meeting new people, making her doubt her choices. A very well-written story, and I enjoyed it. It is always a joy to read this author's stories. This author is not just a writer but a great storyteller. This story was intriguing and kept the reader guessing. This read is so engrosssing, it brings you right in the middle of the story. Second Survivor is a definite recommendation by Amy's Bookshelf Reviews. I look forward to reading many more stories by this author.

[Energy Rae · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m unable to do my typical review style of this book because there is so much that happened, it’s impossible to sum up without spoiling it, and the blurb does it much better than I could.

I was already a big fan of Moyes before starting this one. I love that she takes the reader back in time, to an event that, at least for me, was completely unknown. There are several pivot points in this book, and one of them involves secrets Isabel is keeping. It was absolutely refreshing that we got to that pivot point much sooner than other books might have. The tension wasn’t impossibly long and drawn out, and that aspect alone makes this a 5-star read.

Second Survivor is a fine piece of historical fiction that adds some romance, and a mystery/thriller aspect that keeps you reading long after you should be asleep. The characters are rich and multidimensional. I liked that there were multiple plot lines at play here because they worked well together. The author’s note at the end of the book goes into great detail about the shipwreck of the General Chanzy, and the intense research Moyes did into the book. Such a great read!

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow this was a really fun read! I had no idea what to expect from the book. I will NOT give you a recitation of the book, as many reviews do, because what is the point of reading a book when a review just told you who the characters are and what the story line is.

So, as I always need in a good book, there was strong character development and ones to root for and care what happens to them. Plenty of characters here to like and care about! I really appreciated learning who each character was, including important secrets held by some of the characters that were important to the story. No I will not start listing characters by name and telling you all about them. A review is not the place for that. The place for that is in reading a book from page one to learn who each character is in the order the author chose to present them to you and to learn about them in the order that the author chose to reveal them. That's what makes a book exciting to pick up and open the cover and begin with a clean slate.

I will not reveal the story line to you either, because that is also something that needs to be revealed by the author by reading the book, not laid out in a review. That does not make my review worthless. On the contrary. Keep reading!

So here we have a number of characters that are both likeable and that we care about what happens to them. We learn who is keeping secrets and why and what happens if a secret is revealed to the other characters. There is plenty of action and dialogue to move the story along at a great pace.

Another critical factor for me with any book is that the plot has to have some mystery and secrets to learn. I have to want to follow the story until the end of the book. There were absolutely no boring parts of this books. Not once did I think I was not going to finish the book.

The story was interesting and held my attention, without an overly complex story line that would make me work too hard. I am reading to relax and enjoy a book! Here, the story line was somewhat complex but easy to follow along. Thinking of this as a movie, as I often do with books when the descriptions are vivid, there were many different scenes, actions and interactions among the characters and settings. So I did not get bored by staying in one constant setting.

The plot involved some nice twists, but nothing that was so outrageous as to be unbelievable. After revealed slowly, mysteries were solved and it made sense and was satisfying. Some of the twists revealed that certain characters were not who we thought they were at all. This led to having some "bad guys" introduced into the plot, so that I not only liked and cared about some of the characters, but I also had the opportunity to find other characters vile, and have fun in really disliking them and was hoping for them to get what was coming to them in the end.

So, in conclusion, without having told you who the characters were (in my opinion) or what the story line was (in my opinion), I highly recommend this book for its strong character development, for both good and bad characters, and for the strong but not overly complex story line that moved along at just the right pace.

I liked the ending very much!

Now go and get the book and read for yourself, because my review is not going to spoil it for you by telling you all about the characters or the story line. That's what the abstract on a book is for and there is a reason it is so short. The review is a place for me to tell you whether the book had strong characters and a good plot, not to give it all away, which can be easily done without necessarily spoiling it for you. If you preview the reviews that tell you who the characters are and what the story line is all about, you will not get that from me. I loved it for the reasons I revealed here, which I hope is enough to let you know that it is a great book!

Five stars and I would definitely give this book as a gift!

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just want people to understand how much I anticipated this book. I pre-ordered it and, since I couldn't read it all in on big gulp because of a heavy schedule, I started it over TWICE so I'd be in the groove. I didn't want to miss anything.

I'm so impressed with the author's details ranging from languages to historical facts to her actually writing of the story.

Now I need to go read Moyes's other books. I've already bought them.

[Ushmi · Rating 2 out of 5]

I hate damsel in distress who could be easily blackmailed though they were highly educated!!!

The story was not bad. But this Maria/Isabel character and her naivety stupidity was unbearable. God save me from innocent dumbass women!

[Carrie L. Allen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very Enjoyable

I found this story to be very intriguing, and engrossing. I especially liked the detail given to the landscapes, clothing and interior areas of the time.

[Deb Radtke · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book and read it in two days. I will definitely read more of this authors books.

[Elizabeth Fellows · Rating 5 out of 5]

Second Survivor

This book is based on a true story, the sinking of a ship on February 10 1910, travelling from Marseille to Algiers. It takes place in Menorca, Spain and Algiers, Algeria during the French Occupation. The author tells the story in the perspective of four characters which makes the book very effective.
The main character is Isabel a young girl of a privileged upbringing, who led a very sheltered life. With the sinking of the ship, Isabel lost her family and the consequences of that are confusing to her and make her want to change her life. The book is filled with twists and turns, intrigue, danger and tragedy. This book is agonising and full of expectations. All of the strong clear feelings of Isabel are totally justified. Such a wonderful book the reader can’t put it down. Definitely worth the read.

[Helen Hollick · Rating 4 out of 5]

Innocent and full of idealistic dreams, Isabel Fontaine envisions her life as one that will be a happily ever after. However, it does not take Moyes long to reveal that Isabel’s fate and destiny is to marry the husband of her father’s choice, a man by the name of Thomas Chastain. As her parents take Isabel to meet her betrothed, tragedy strikes. The ship they are on, the General Chanzy, sinks off the coast of the island of Menorca. The official report is that only one person survived, but the report was wrong. There was a Second Survivor.

Using the sinking of the General Chanzy as the basis for her fictional story, Moyes creates a “what if” tale that indirectly brings to light the rights of women, or lack of, during the early 20th century. Second Survivor is about the choices and sacrifices made by one woman when she tries to escape her destiny; eventually these choices come to affect all those whose lives she touches.

Moyes does a great job constructing a love story with many of the elements of a hero’s journey. While Isabel is the main character, she is portrayed more as the damsel in distress who hopes to be saved by Francisco, the man of her dreams. After Miguel Contreras discovers her washed up on the shores of the island, Isabel realizes that through a horrible, tragedy at sea, she has the means to safeguard her personal freedom. It is at this point that Isabel decides to become Maria.

Second Survivor is told through the eyes of four main characters; however, the number of supporting characters throughout the book seem endless. At times, it is difficult following who did what to whom or with whom. Also confusing is finding out that certain characters are not the people they are depicted to be. This plot twist made me question whether I had missed a detail along the way while learning the slew of secondary characters.

While Moyes starts Isabel’s story with the dreams of a fairy tale romance, it would have been stronger to leave the happily ever after ending to the imaginations of the readers.

Reviewed for Discovering Diamonds

[Stephen Key · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an extremely marvelous novel the way the dialogue continually weaves fictional characters into events based on actual historical facts. I was enthralled by the day to day adventures of Isabel who felt compelled to reimagine herself in the guise of her middle name to fend off discovery by someone she feared. I was also drawn in by the warmth and care provided her by the Spanish families that saved and nurtured her. However, the exceptionally long novel proved quite drawn out near the end, a detail that was frustrating for me because I couldn’t put it down and completed all the chapters in two days. With that said, it wasn’t until I finished and read the Author’s Note that I discovered that the ship’s name used therein and the actual original survivor were fused into the storyline.
Despite a number of minor grammatical errors, and the overabundance of first person narratives, the quoted dialogues were handled favorably well with minimal “speaker” identification markers that could have dragged the reader down. Also, there were nice transitions from one chapter to the next. I was also happy that many of the foreign words used were identifiable by the Kindle Reader Dictionary and saved me the task of deferring to an online translator. This is one of the best novels I have ever read and I applaud the work the author put into it to create a masterpiece.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Imagine, if you will, having your whole life ahead of you. Dreaming of happily ever after. Isabel is young, inexperienced, and pampered but she is also sweet, kind hearted, highly educated and knows what she wants in life (a true love, a loving home, a relationship of mutual respect, and a happily ever after) and what she doesn't (a marriage contract, a groom she doesn't know, and a life in a faraway land). But her dreams and her Father's wants are not the same. When the unthinkable happens she decides to risk it all for a chance at her dreams.

A beautifully written novel with characters you will remember and cherish. A world you will want to live in. A villain you will love to hate. Will Isabel get her second chance?

[Ronald · Rating 5 out of 5]

A really great story!

This was an exceptional novel, and one I greatly enjoyed reading. The characters were well developed and the story flow was exciting. The story is told from the perspectives of the main characters and how they thought and what they did as they interacted with one another and the situations that they found themselves in. The settings and descriptions add to the overall story and the link to a historical occurrence makes the book all the more worth reading. This is a book I recommend. Let yourself be transported to another time and place in history and determine how you might react under similar circumstances Isabel found herself in, or Francisco, or any of the others she found in her life who were so meaningful to her.

[Betty B · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book kept me up all night! I really enjoy Moyes' historical fiction books, they tell stories of lesser known events. This one centered around a shipwreck in the Mediterranean and is told from different points of view. The characters were intriguing, even the "villain" and the romance is sweet not sex-driven like so many books now. Though her Berlin novels are a series, and a necessary one for that matter, this one ends beautifully with the one book. If you get anything out of this review, it's a must read!

[Jan Mcclung-short · Rating 5 out of 5]

Looking Back or Looking Forward

This book caught me unaware. I wasn't looking for a story of such magnitude. It catches you and then you read all night. I was just looking to read a couple chapters before falling asleep. The characters...were like best friends. I couldn't get to a stopping point. I was caught up in the history, the love unaware each had for the other. A contract marriage caught me wondering, "What if?" The story was real, the characters were real, and the ending had me crying. A great book!

[Ellen · Rating 3 out of 5]

A bit slow in the beginning, lots of reflection by the characters in the middle and action galore at the end of the book!!
To me, the focus of the book were the characters who were deeply in love - or who became deeply in love. In contrast, and opposition, was a forced relationship that had no hope of true love being a part of it.
It WAS interesting that the events in the story were based on the sinking of the General Chancy - and the fictional plot built around this true event. I appreciated this historical fiction, and would consider recommending to only a select group of people.

[Steven P Stout · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very enjoyable and satisfying book

I thought this book was interesting because it started every chapter with a new persons point of view. Also, nothing was left out that you wanted to be in there. Words were said, explanations were given and conclusions were very satisfying. I enjoyed learning new things and the history that it stemmed from. Thank you, Leah! I’m not a huge reader and your book grabbed me! I also appreciated that it was clean. You had some REALLY good, descriptive and well thought out sentences. Enjoyable!!

[Deb · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've come to really enjoy historic fiction, and this book is no exception. I've often thought about how easy it would be for someone to "disappear" after a catastrophe where they are "presumed dead." The story itself was interesting and well told. There were a few minor editing issues (incorrect word use, spelling errors, etc), but they were minimal and didn't detract from the story as I find happens when they are more frequent and therefore more annoying. All in all, a good read!

[Melisa Harker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Leah Moyes has found a fabulous way to weave a truly compelling fictional story line into an actual historical event. Complete with authentic descriptions of the setting and characters. This isn’t just a “good read” it is a FANTASTIC read that keeps you on the edge of your seat. (I actually sat up on the edge of the couch while reading certain parts!)

[Michelle Israels · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don’t read a lot of historical fiction but this book and the characters drew me in from the first page. Beautifully told from the various characters perspective made the characters come alive. Where we are so used to being able to communicate and connect with people around the world in an instant you are drawn back to a time where the world felt so much bigger. I highly recommend this book.

[Karen Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book

Story of a young woman who is being forced to marry a man she does not know, but is saved that fate through a ship wreck. She is found and assumes another identity. The rest of the story is for the reader to discover.

[Kathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

At the beginning of this book I didn't think I would finish it..As I kept reading, however, I got into it more and it turned out to be a pretty good story..I really liked Isabel/Maria and Cisco and Miguel and Anita..It was a bit predictable at the end but an enjoyable book overall.

[Mary Sue Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very Enjoyable

This is a well written novel taking place in the early 1900's. It takes place in Minorca in olive growing country. It is a story of survival, adventure, love, and evil. I recommend it.

[Bonnie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I won't do any spoilers but the ending caught me completely off guard! Such a great build up to a surprising outcome. I loved the in depth telling of each character's thoughts and feelings. Very good story. I recommend it highly.

[sandy berry · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ok

It was a quick easy read.it pulled you in story is told by each character. However the character Lucien outright annoyed me. I enjoy historical fiction but he kind of spoiled this one for me.

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A nice story with some historical content. Interesting and varied characters. All the better for actually being on Menorca for the first time on a weeks holiday. Suspense, intrigue, tension, tragedy and of course a love story or two.

[Cheyenne Cheryl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book

Wow just wow. A beautifully written romance novel based around a historically true event. I didn’t want to put it down but my cats needed my attention too.

[Avid Reader · Rating 2 out of 5]

Dragged terribly!

The first 20% was ok and the last 15% was fair. This dragged and thank goodness it was free! Sequels are not on my must read list.

[Lorrain McLean · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book!

I love historical fiction and this is one of the best I have read. I highly recommend it. Great love story.

[Richard Neil Jensen · Rating 5 out of 5]

A book you don't want to put down. It's well written and interesting, yet full of anticipation.