Anything regarding the titanic, I AM IN! I loved the idea and the flow of this book (haha no pun intended). This was a great retelling with a twist of the historical event and classic movie.

Thank you to BookBuzz.net for the advance copy.

Like a lot of people, I'm usually excited when I see a Titanic novel. Who doesn't love the story of the doomed ship, hoping each and every time that something's going to change, that people will survive. I especially jumped at this one, because I've always loved the story of Madeleine Astor and her story.

It took me a while to get into it and continue reading it though. The first handful of chapters with their descriptions and information were reading more like a textbook than a novel, more of a "Tell me" sort of infodump. I wasn't really a fan of the way the relationship between the Astors was portrayed either, by all accounts they adored each other and they just seemed to be frustrated and pissed off at one another a lot of the time. He wasn't treating her well at all, and considering he basically moved mountains to marry her that made me question it.

Regardless, it was still a fairly enjoyable read, and I like how Madeleine and everyone banded together and bonded after the sinking, refusing to be separated.

Cracks Beneath The Surface. by Laura McCrum is a novel about RMS Titanic. This book was beautifully written from start to finish and I really enjoyed reading it, as I have read so many of these and like many people around the world, I have always been been fascinated by the great unsinkable ship called Titanic.

Maddy weds the wealthy and influential man called John Jacob Astor IV, Now she believes she is stepping into a life of privilege, passion, and promise.. But beneath the dazzling façade of high society, there is whispers of scandal, with lots of resentment, and betrayal which will threaten to pull her under. Now, shunned by New York’s elite for marrying a man nearly three decades her senior, Madeleine soon realises that love in the gilded age comes at a price, and a big price this will be!

As the Astors embark on their homeward voyage aboard the great RMS Titanic, fate sets a course neither could have foreseen, what is going to happen. Amid the grandeur of the world’s most luxurious ship, tensions rise between the passengers and secrets unravel around them. But, as the passengers look into the black sea of night they see that the ocean stretches endlessly before them, along with the chasm widening within their marriage.

Then disaster strikes, the ice cracks beneath them all!. . . . . . . .

The most famous unsinkable ship starts to take in water!! and starts to sink!

Will the Astors’ love survive?

WoW this historical book was amazing and a joy to read. I would love to listen to the audiobook if there will be one.

This book is a must read. 💙

Big Thank you to NetGalley and Independently Published for my ARC.

As a lover of anything titanic related I knew I had to request this. I enjoyed the story and as any titanic based novel, it is tragic and emotional. I did feel a lot of this had been influenced by the movie, but maybe that was based on research that appeared in both.
I will definately recommend this as a purchase for selling in the shop

Historical fiction has the power to breathe life into forgotten voices, giving depth and humanity to those history remembers in passing. Cracks Beneath the Surface does just that aboard the ill-fated Titanic, reimagining the lives of John and Madeleine Astor. They’re not distant figures frozen in time, but complex, vulnerable people navigating love, scandal, and expectation. Laura McCrum invites readers to look beyond the headlines, uncovering hidden stories of resilience, heartache, and connection on history’s most famous ship.

Cracks Beneath the Surface is the first installment in Laura McCrum’s Titanic Tales of Love and Loss series, a series exploring untold stories of love, resilience, and heartbreak aboard RMS Titanic. Future books will highlight First Officer William Murdoch and Madeleine’s maid, Rosalie Bidois.

Many thanks to NetGalley and BookBuzz.net for providing an advance copy of this book for review.

Book Summary

When Madeleine “Maddy” Force marries the wealthy and influential John Jacob Astor IV, she believes she’s stepping into a life of privilege, passion, and endless promise. Yet beneath the glittering surface of New York’s high society lies a world of whispered scandal, simmering resentment, and quiet betrayal. Shunned by the city’s elite for marrying a man nearly thirty years her senior, Maddy quickly learns that in the Gilded Age, love comes at a cost—one steeper than anyone warns.

Their fateful voyage aboard the RMS Titanic marks a turning point neither could have foreseen. Amid the ship’s splendor, tensions rise, long-held secrets threaten to surface, and the distance between husband and wife widens. Lonely and isolated, Maddy forges unexpected friendships with fellow passengers, while John clings to the expectations of his name and status.

But when disaster strikes, the rules of wealth, power, and propriety fall away. In the face of unimaginable tragedy, what truly matters? Will love endure, or drown beneath the weight of expectation and circumstance?

Cracks Beneath the Surface is a sweeping historical romance about heartbreak, resilience, and the bonds that tether us to one another. It’s a story of love tested by fortune, time, and fate—and what remains when the glittering façade finally crumbles.

My Thoughts

When it comes to Titanic fiction, John and Madeleine Astor are usually little more than background figures. They are rich, powerful, and aloof. Cracks Beneath the Surface takes a refreshing approach by reimagining them as living, breathing people living in a gilded cage. John Jacob Astor IV has long since learned to accept the expectations tied to his name. Meanwhile, Maddy—decades his junior and already under intense scrutiny for their scandalous marriage—struggles to find her footing. The relentless gossip and pressures of high society make it nearly impossible for her to find peace.

What’s most compelling is how Maddy’s isolation leads to unexpected friendships aboard the ship. She connects with Clara Hamilton, a Second Class passenger, and her cousin Ellen O’Shannon, traveling in Third Class. These bonds scandalously cross class lines. But their friendship serves as a poignant reminder that true connection can transcend social barriers, even in the most unlikely of places.

Laura McCrum’s characters feel wonderfully alive and instantly likeable. Maddy, Clara, Ellen, and the others are authentic, relatable, and memorable. I especially appreciated the portrayal of First Officer William Murdoch. Often mistreated in Titanic fiction, he’s depicted here as a capable, compassionate professional—a quietly heroic figure whose kindness is noted. It was nice to see him handled with such care.

As with any work of historical fiction, the author takes creative license with certain details, which is fair in the service of the story. That said, I did find myself missing a couple of well-documented moments from the sinking. Like John slicing open a life jacket in the gymnasium to show Madeleine what was inside. Or his quiet inquiry about Madeleine’s lifeboat number after being denied entry by Second Officer Charles Lightoller. Both incidents offer revealing glimpses into their relationship. Their absence felt like a missed opportunity, though I understand why the author might have chosen to focus on other things.

Conclusion

Overall, Cracks Beneath the Surface is a beautifully written, uplifting, and emotionally powerful story. It explores how society, class, and expectation can shape — and sometimes stifle—our lives, but also how cracks in those rigid structures can allow something hopeful to break through.

Cracks Beneath the Surface is ultimately about more than just the Titanic disaster. It’s about human connection, resilience, and the courage it takes to defy the roles the world assigns us. A moving, thoughtful addition to the ever-growing body of Titanic fiction—and one well worth reading.

A story of the Titanic and the Astor’s. A fiction based on facts story. I was swept away by the story. It is a must read for Titanic fans.

I'll read just about anything that has to do with the Titanic and this was just so good! All the scandal, hope, love, sorrow, and everything that goes with the Titanic are a part of this wonderful story. I can't wait to read more by McCrum! Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for my digital ARC!!

Beautiful

Thank you to NetGalley and LMC Publications for an Advanced Reader Copy of Titanic: Tales of Love and Loss— Cracks Beneath the Surface by Laura McCrum in exchange for an honest review.
I’ve always been fascinated by the Titanic, but this is the first novel I’ve actually read about it, so I don’t have anything to compare it to. But, I really loved this book! It was a quick read, but very well-written. I thoroughly enjoyed the different perspectives we got— from a few people in first class, some of their maids, one in second class, and two in third class— it was fascinating to experience the same occurrences or the same day but from wildly different people and viewpoints.
I cried A LOT during the sinking of the ship— the author did an incredible job of writing the terror, grief, and strength that occurred during that horrible night, and I was truly not okay while reading those scenes (but in a good way, like in a necessary way that the people on-board the Titanic deserve).

My only critique is that I actually would’ve been okay with the book being a little longer and giving us a little more insight into each characters’ history and who they are. But we still got to know them and love them, so that’s a small critique for me.

This book is absolutely 5 stars from me.

Cracks Beneath the Surface drew me in with its elegant, tragic depiction of love on borrowed time. Set against the opulence of the Titanic and the judgmental glare of Gilded Age society, Maddy’s journey from romance to reckoning felt both intimate and epic. I appreciated how the novel didn’t just focus on historical grandeur but also peeled back the layers of emotional vulnerability and sacrifice in a deeply personal way. It reminded me that even the most privileged lives can be shadowed by quiet heartbreak—and I couldn’t put it down.

💋 Scandal, steam, and a ship with a serious iceberg problem—what’s not to love?! I devoured Cracks Beneath the Surface like it was a first-class dessert, and lemme tell you, the drama is juicier than a Newport gossip circle. Maddy marrying a rich older man? Check. Society side-eyeing her into oblivion? Double check. Titanic-sized tragedy on deck? You bet your fancy bonnet. If you're into forbidden love, high-society claws, and gut-punch twists—get on board before this ship sails! 🥂🚢❄️

Gilded Glamour Meets Icy Reality

What starts as a glittering fairytale on the arm of a tycoon unravels into a Titanic-sized tale of scandal, secrets, and a love tested beneath the weight of society and the sea.

My favorite Titanic story yet!!
I thoroughly enjoyed and loved every minute of this story.
I'm really at a loss because I never thought the elite upper class could be so mean to one of their own.
I am real proud of Madeline for holding her own against these mean people. I just wished that I could reach through these pages and give a hug that she so desperately wants and needs. I've really enjoyed in getting to know her and the other passengers too. Especially Clara and her cousin Ellen.
I didn't care much for John Jacob Astor at all. I thought him rather snobbish too but after awhile I thought about him as a person and how the world views him. It seem like he's pulled into two diverse worlds.
This author paints a vivid twist that life isn't all that it seems along with the people. They're fake as fake as the sun is real. I couldn't imagine being a part of that world nor do I want to.
I think though that I'd love to meet the ship herself and get her opinions if she could talk. Such a beautiful ship. Described so well that I felt like I was on board. But knowing what I know, I'd probably get off at Queenstown.
The author has done her research so very well. I especially loved the words written in Italic. These are the words that felt so powerful to me.
I'm thinking of Titanic and Maddy, Margot ,John, Caroline and Victor still. What would happen if Titanic had never sunk?
I'm giving this book 5 stars for a job well done and I will be adding this one to my shelf as well. I love anything Titanic.
I hated to see this story end. I feel as if I know Titanic and her passengers much better even though she only lasted 4 days which is really sad. All that hard work went to the bottom.
I highly recommend it.
My thanks for a copy of this beautiful story that I'm still thinking about long after it's over.
May Titanic and her passengers live on through these many different authors and may her story never end.
I was NOT required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine.