The Second Mrs. Astor: A Heartbreaking Historical Novel of the Titanic

What a fabulous novel to lose yourself in. Haven't found many that keep my interest over the past few years - imagine my delight to finally find one.Characters are crisp, events crystal clear and writing style simplistically beautiful.Well done Shana on a well written book, one that will be enjoyed for many years to come.

This was a well-written story about John Jacob Astor and his child-bride Madeline. It was written from Madeline's POV and was an enjoyable, entertaining, informative read. It, of course, included Mr. Astor's death on the Titanic but that is not the part of the story that most interested me and has been written about by countless other authors. The courtship between Astor and Madeline and her difficult adjustment to being married to the wealthiest man in the world, were much more interesting to me.Ms. Abe is an excellent writer and I have enjoyed both this book and her book "An American Beauty"about Arabella Huntington.

I don’t often find a book that reaches deep inside and grabs hold of my attention the way this one did. The descriptions of love, of what it feels like to dedicate your life to another, were gorgeous & relatable, and the searing pain of loss was palpable. I started reading at around 6 pm, read until midnight, then finished it as soon as I woke today. Most books are easy to move past when finished, but I know this one will linger for a long while.

Although the story sounded like one I could enjoy, it did not hit the mark. It is about a 17 year old girl who marries a man almost 30 years her senior. You have to question why a man close to 50 years of age would marry a teenager, other than the obvious physical angle. A man of his stature in the early 1900's required a wife who could represent him socially as well as support him emotionally, not exactly something a teenage girl would be experienced or qualified to do.John Jacob Astor was one of the wealthiest men in the world at the time of his death on the Titanic. His 5-month pregnant child-bride survived. Outside of being a passenger on the ill-fated journey and that she married into fabulous wealth and luxury, her life was not very interesting. Madeleine and Colonel Astor were together for only a short time, and thus this fictionalized story of her life had little to offer. The author did not show that Madeleine accomplished much of anything, certainly nothing or not enough to base an entire book on.If you are looking for a book about the Titanic, there are enough choices out there to satisfy any interest in the tragedy and the people involved, both real and fictionalized. Do not consider this book if you are making the purchase to learn about the Titanic - or if you are looking to read about an interesting person, for that matter, a person who has accomplished something, anything actually. You will be disappointed.I googled Madeleine Astor after I finished the book, and much of the information Ms. Abe' included was easily and quickly found. So I'm not sure just how much research was required on her part when trying to write about Madeleine. It couldn't have been easy coming up with a story about a person that young who hadn't done much or accomplished much outside of being the wife of one of the wealthiest men in the world and only for a very short period of time. I question why Ms. Abe' chose Madeleine to be the focus of an entire book. Surely the choices the author had were endless. A better subject could have been... almost anybody!Would not recommend.

This story was such a fascinating and interesting read and narration. I wanted to listen and read along without taking a break. There was never a dull moment. My interest in the Astors has been peeked and will lead me to research the history of this famous family. Thank you to this author for entertaining me so royally.

This is a lovely book. The story is very interesting and I truly enjoyed having it told by Madeline. Wonderfully descriptive writing…many times I could see Jack. A great read.

This was an unexpected tale of a true historical event. It was so well written that I was drawn in from the beginning through the end. The love story between Madeleine and John Jacob Astor in the early 1900s was sweet and left me wishing I could one day experience a similar love, but with a better ending, of course. I’ve always been interested in history and the Titanic and this book is perfect for both. Some people may have a low opinion of JJ Astor because of Madeleine’s age, but we have to remember that times were very different then and the beautiful way he courted and loved her is commendable. The way he died with dignity while helping to save all the women and children, you can’t help but have respect for him.

I took my time reading this novel, as any novel related to the Titanic should be read. Exquisitely written, this beautiful and heartbreaking love story of Colonel Jack Astor and Madeleine Force comes to life in this historical novel. Shana Abe brings her characters to life on the pages in an era when divorce was really not widely accepted and then, wedding a much younger woman was frowned upon, especially by The 400. I really struggled through parts of this book, especially as we get closer to the night of the Titanic disaster. Experiencing Madeleine’s pain and loss of her new husband. Jack and their dog, Kitty, and knowing she will be raising their expectant child alone, it just pulls at your heart and won’t stop at the books end. This is one novel that will stay with you long after you close the book.

Abe helps you get past the somewhat cringy age gap of the main characters by writing Madeleine as a mature and thoughtful teenager. I had to set her age aside, and remember this was a different age, when 18 was older and more mature in some ways. A lovely story. I hope some of it was close to the truth and Madeleine's heart was filled with enough love to last.

I have no words that will show how wonderful this book is. Very emotional, i fell in love with the characters, i cried.

Loved this book and it’s telling if the Madeleine Astor story from before they tragically boarded the Titanic.This author writes so beautifully that the story flows and just couldn’t put this book down. Very enjoyable and well-written story of love and tragedy.As a rule, I steer clear of American historical fiction and prefer English history. I made this an exception due to its ties to the Titanic tragedy, and I’m so glad I did.I enjoyed this book SO much that I’m now reading An American Beauty by the same author #shanaabe

I Like this book because it was a very deep story and heart breaking and therefore lovely to read. I reccomend it as it gives you many romantic moments and a feeling of deep relationships with different characters.

Fascinating story of the lives of Mrs and Mrs Astor. She was 18 when they married. He was in his 40s and had been married then divorced. Sadly he was drowned when the Titanic sank but his wife was one of the many women and children who were survived in boats lowered to the sea. Four months later she gave birth to a son. Her husband had an older son whom I think inherited most of his father's estate. Mrs Astor married twice after her first husband's death but sadly died in her forties.