Unsinkable

When I seen Titanic on the front of this cover I just knew I had to have it!
I squeeled when I was approved!
You see, I'm a Titanic fan and I love reading anything about this beautiful ship. Poor baby. Died such a terrible death.
I loved Violet's part of the story so much! You see, I thought she's the lady who should've been called unsinkable not Molly Brown.
I loved Ms. Jessop. She's such an interesting and inspiring person.
I truly felt that I got to know her just a little bit better from reading her story.
Daphne's story was interesting/mystery as well. I got quite a few pleasant surprises along the way so that made it even more enjoyable.
Kudos to this author for making it work together nicely.
I finished this book in one sitting because Violet and Daphne needed their story read. I found both intriguing.
Timing is everything. In God's timing that is. Sometimes people need time and space to "find" and "grow" up to be themselves. Could it lead to lost loves? Lost family members? Y'all just have read this book to find out!
I think my favorite part of the book was the author's notes at the end.
Those are always so interesting!
My 2nd favorite thing is 2nd chance romances. "Sigh" What more could one want except love and forgiveness along the way?
5 stars for a job well done! I highly recommend!
My thanks for a copy of this book. I was NOT required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own.

I adored this book. It features two strong women and two utterly beautiful stories of strength, survival, and finally finding the happiness they deserved. I'm such a fan of second chance themes and they're strong in this book, not to mention authentic and satisfying.

I love Jennis' work and have to say I think this may be her best yet. I can't wait for the rest of the world to experience it.

UNSINKABLE by JENNI L WALSH is a must read for anyone interested in the first and second world wars and the bravery shown by those fighting for freedom from German occupation. It is also a must read for anyone interested in the Titanic, the unsinkable ship. Here we have Violet Jessop who works as a stewardess on the famous White Star Line, surviving three shipwrecks and becoming known as The Unsinkable. This is based on her autobiography. With her large family dependant upon her, she gives up her own dreams to work at sea where she can count on thr large tips she receives from the opulent passengers.
Thirty years later we meet Daphne Chaundanson who has been living and wotking in her beloved Paris and cannot bear to see what the nazis are doing to France. She goes to London and joins the SOE as a spy. Whilst Violet is motivated by a promise to her father to look after her family, Daphne is motivated by the desire to impress her famous father by doing something brave and remarkable, thus making him notice her……
I am not telling you any more of the story for fear of spoiling things for you. All I am going to say is that I cannot recommend this thrilling, historical romance strongly enough.
I was given a free copy of the book by NetGalley from Harper Muse. The opinions in ths revew are completely my own.

I cannot say enough how genuinely enjoyable this book is.
My first biggest but of praise is Unsinkable has dual timelines, and they are both extremely engaging. I was never disappointed to be reading about either character.
Second, one of our heroines is based on a real person (I highly recommend reading the author’s notes at the end to hear about the real Violet) and as crazy as her story is, it really happened!
Third, this is just a really well written, well researched, book.
April 15, 1912
Off the coast of Newfoundland the unsinkable ship, Titanic, will succumb to an iceberg. The survivors lives will be irrevocably changed. Violet, a first class stewardess, will continue to serve on ships to support her family.
In 1943 as war rages Daphne is being enlisted to go back to France under a new identity to fight for freedom.
I was hooked from the first until the last page. @jennilwalsh amazing new book will be available January 9 2024.
Thank you to @netgalley and @harpermusebooks for letting me read this one early in exchange for a review.
#unsinkable #readingthroughtheages #readersofinstagram #booklover #bookstagram #bookreview #bookrecommendations #titanic #historicalfiction #readforjoy #booklover #historicalfictionbook #historicalfictionwriter #bookswilltakeyoueverywhere #readmorebooks

I'm a major Jenni Walsh fan, she's an auto-read author for me. I love all of her books but this one might be my favorite! She draws you into the story right from the first page and then doesn't let go until the last. And can we talk about that ending?? So good! There's something special in the way her stories unfold, and I absolutely loved when the connection between the two women was revealed.

This book was incredible! I got it because I'm obsessed with the Titanic and I loved learning about Violets life! The dual time line story was flawless and the war stuff was fascinating! This book had everything you could want and more!

Unsinkable was an intriguing historical tale of a woman who survived three shipwrecks in the early 1900's, including the Titanic. Jenni Walsh weaves in true facts of three shipwrecks, and along with her character development, lets you into the thoughts, impacts, loss and regrets of the characters. Her character development left me truly understanding the characters, their motivations, and perspectives which allowed the characters to come to life for me. And the ending...WOW, was not what I was expecting, which made it all the better! A beautiful story of personal growth, dreams lost and fulfilled, sacrifice, and hope restored.

#Unsinkable #NetGalley #historicalfiction #theTitanic #AmericanHistory #WomenHeroes

Jenni L Walsh does such a great job in writing this, it had a great feel to this and I enjoyed everything about this novel. The two leads worked overall and I enjoyed getting to know them in this story. They were two strong written characters and I’m glad I was able to read this.

I loved this read, women who are willing to overcome their fears and help others. These courageous women sacrifice so much to help family and help thwart evil.
What do Violet and Daphne have in common? We find out as we journey the seas for answers, literally, and yes, these woman have ship wrecks, but oh such more. As we read this time slip book, and see how much they are willing to give and keep their own fears in tack, but stepping out to the unknown.
When finished with the main part of the book, make sure you read the author's notes, based on so much fact, and put together beautifully!
Now I can't wait for another page turner by this author!
I received this book through Net Galley and the Publisher Harper Muse, and was not required to give a positive review.

"I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own."
I was hooked from the very first chapter. The story of Violet is based on meticulous research by Jenni Walsh. Why would someone who survived three ships sinking continue to return to the sea? Daphne’s story is more fiction than not. However, there was an infant aboard the Titanic. Loved how Jenni Walsh ties both stories together at the end in a lovely and most satisfying way. Brava Jenni!

Gorgeously written, this dual timeline historical fiction brings the Titanic, and World War 2, to life, along with some of the strong women who lived through the traumatic times. This was a true gem incorporating some of my favorite things. Women who stand strong in the face of all the horrors and mishaps that come their way. Family. Love. The Titanic. Wonderful ending that I didn't see coming. Beautiful writing, fascinating story, and believable characters. Fantastic read!

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the advanced digital reader's copy (ARC) in exchange for an honest review!

This book is fantastic. I love reading books with the Titanic as the setting. Will be a nice addition to my collection and. Its released.

Thank you to NetGalley for the advanced digital copy.

Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Muse for an eARC copy of Unsinkable by Jenni L Walsh.

Unsinkable is a captivating and emotionally charged novel that weaves together the remarkable stories of two resilient women, Violet Jessop and Daphne Chaundanson, whose lives are bound by a common thread of survival and an unyielding determination to find happiness amidst adversity.

I didn't know prior to reading Unsinkable that Violet Jessop was a real nurse who had actually survived three boat disasters. It was a nice little surprise to learn about following the conclusion of the novel. As such, Violet Jessop opens the story, aptly dubbed "Miss Unsinkable" for surviving not one, but two ship wrecks and one of them being the RMS Titanic. Her early life is marked by tragedy, illness, and the burden of caring for her large family. Her decision to work as a stewardess and wartime nurse at sea, despite the risks, is driven by a deep sense of responsibility to her family. The narrative explores Violet's unwavering commitment to her loved ones and her enduring resilience in the face of unimaginable circumstances. Her character is beautifully developed, making her journey from hardship to hope truly compelling.

Daphne Chaundanson's story runs parallel to Violet's, yet it possesses its own unique charm and complexity. Daphne's quest for approval and identity following her mother's tragic death is relatable and heartfelt. Her passion for languages and her eventual involvement as a Special Operations Executive agent during World War II adds a layer of intrigue and suspense to the narrative. Daphne's transformation from a vulnerable, seeking soul to a strong, confident woman is portrayed with depth and authenticity.

Some moments and character developments could have been explored in greater depth. Especially Daphne as she was an original character

Additionally, the ending, while satisfying, leaves a few questions unanswered, which may leave readers wanting more closure.

Calling all Titanic fans… “Unsinkable” by Jenni L. Walsh is the perfect read for those fascinated by the Titanic disaster, and historical fiction. After all, it was the “unsinkable ship”. This well written book also addresses the first and second world wars and the bravery shown by those fighting for freedom from German occupation.

This is the saga of Violet Jessop who works as a stewardess on the famous White Star Line, who has thus far survived three shipwrecks, one becoming known as The Unsinkable. This is based on her autobiography. With her large family dependant upon her, she gives up her own dreams and goes to work at sea where she can earn large tips from the opulent passengers.


Thirty years later we meet Daphne Chaundanson who has been living and working in her beloved Paris and cannot bear to see what the nazis are doing to France. She goes to London and joins the SOE as a spy.

This fine work is a thrilling, historical romance.

I absolutely loved this novel! It really captivated me. I just could not stop reading it. Two fantastic story threads of two unsinkable women who faced life-changing events. Anything that includes the Titanic is always of great interest for me. And this book took me on a very different journey from others. It was a very pleasant surprise! The cover first caught my attention and then the first page pulled me in. This is a remarkable novel I will never forget.

Unsinkable by Jenni L Walsh is a book about bravery, survival, family devotion, second chances and enduring love. It covers both the First and Second World War in two timelines. Each thread is equally engaging. There are tie ins between the two but these are woven together more towards the end with wonderful revelations and surprises.

The older timeline surrounds the character of Violet who is actually a real woman of notable history. She worked on the three sister ships that met disaster: Olympic (1911) Titanic (1912) and Britannic (1914). These were all designed to be the largest, safest and most luxurious of their time. But, as we know, things did not turn out as expected. Violet was a ship stewardess and later a ship’s nurse during the First World War. She was on the Olympic when it collided with the British warship HMS Hawke. Despite damage, they were able to make it back to port without sinking. After repairs, the ship went back into service and Violet continued to work on it another seven months until she was transferred to the Titanic. And yes, as we know it sank. She was saved again after being ordered into a lifeboat. But not with empty arms for she was handed a baby to take to safety. This novel draws upon these facts and expands upon them with some creative license. Personally, I liked how the author used this information.

Then World War I breaks and the Britannic is turned into a hospital ship and Violet returns to the sea when an unexplained explosion occurs sinking the ship in the Aegean Sea within fifty-five minutes. Violet and other passengers nearly die from the shredding propellers. She jumps out of the lifeboat, injures her head but survives again. It took a lot of courage to keep returning to the sea considering all her near death experiences. But she remains dedicated to caring for her family. She sacrifices much, including abandoning her own dreams. Violet keeps going back to the sea to faces her fears. I admire her tenacity. And Ms Walsh paints a vivid and intriguing picture of this woman’s resilient character.

The second timeline with Daphne (and her various undercover names) is a fictional woman but the inspiration behind her creation is fascinating. She has survived many calamities. Starting from babyhood. Her mother has tragically died. She grows up under a very successful father. His accomplishments have made her competitive. And she is constantly seeking his approval and attention. You might say she is an active overachiever: well schooled and is great with languages. The author’s notes inform us she is based on a number of women who were part of the Special Operations Executive, French Section (SOE F). Ms Walsh has combined their backgrounds, experiences and accomplishments. This was no small task but I feel she has pulled this off seamlessly and Daphne becomes an admirable representative of all these heroic women. The journey through this woman’s life is quite a wild ride! But it is extremely fascinating and kept me glued to the pages.

Both women are strong, unsinkable and motivated. But both want to please their fathers. Violet promised her father to always care for the family and so she sacrifices everything to stick to this course. Daphne is motivated by her desire to impress her father so she throws herself into dangerous situations where she can be brave and heroic. Daphne sees this as the only way to keep from being invisible to her father.

This is a brilliant piece of fiction for lovers of the Titanic. You will be drawn to Violet’s story but also be fascinated by Daphne’s WWII heroics. I loved this novel from start to finish and highly recommend it. 5 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thanks to Harper Muse and Netgalley for my review copy.

I loved this, it is a perfect book for people that love Titanic fiction but are looking for a unique point of view .

Very cleverly written historical fiction, bringing together the lives of two unrelated people who shared a life event - namely surviving the sinking of the Titanic. I loved this book, the writing is vibrant, and kept me interested and wanting to read more.

An excellent historical novel that explores two tragic events in our world's history: the Titanic and WWI. The characters were engaging and can I tell you how much I enjoy a second chance romance?! That is what brought this lovely book from a four stars to a solid five. In my opinion, there is not enough good fiction written about both WWI and the Titanic, and in this story, you get both! What a great read!

I loved this book! Jenni Walsh spins an incredible tale of survival and heartbreak in this riveting novel. Inspired by true events, the rich historical detail and tense plotting make for an unforgettable read. Historical fiction lovers, add this one to your list!

I found this book--an epic more or less based around surviving shipwrecks(?!)--hugely enjoyable. I greatly enjoyed watched the two heroines (whose relationship is only revealed fully at the end) fight their way through various eras. The historical aspects of the book are ably captured. The book is well-written. The characters are interesting and complex. This was a great and unexpected book. I plan to recommend it to people looking for something a bit unusual.

Unsinkable by Jenni L. Walsh follows Violet, a stewardess on the maiden voyage of the Titanic. This is not Violet's first embarkment on the sea and it will not be her last. Thirty years to the day that the Titanic sank Daphne is being interviewed to be a secert agent for the British Government in France during WW 2. While the chapters alternate from Violet's time on various ships throughout her life and her harrowling feat to defeat death several times, to Daphne's time as a secert agent first in Lyon, France and then in Brittany, France. This was a fast paced read that I really couldn't put down. I was up in the wee hours of the morning to finish Unsinkable, which was worth being so tired the next day. I have always been facsinated by the Titanc and love to read any fiction book on the subject. The plot was very well written and will want the reader to hope that everything works out for both Violet and Daphne in the end. Read a like authors if you loved this book are: Kristin Hannah, Kristin Harmel, Julia Kelly, Kate Quinn, Pam Jenoff, Rhys Bowen.

I am fascinated with all things Titanic and also with female spies working with the resistance in WWII France. What could be better than a story that ties the two together? Violet Jessup survived 3 sinking ships: Olympia, Titanic and Brittania, and her story is inspired by an actual person. Daphne is a fictional character and the two are both Unsinkable, courageous and surviving against incredible odds. In this dual timeline novel their stories are entwined.

Told in a dual timeline this is the story of two women who survived many events that could have ended their lives. Each chapter is told from the other timeline and POV. The timelines do connect but it is more like reading two books in one. I loved that because both women have strong stories. It also centers around WWI and WWII, which is one of my favorite historical fiction times to read about. A very enjoyable book!

I COULD NOT PUT THIS DOWN! Jenni L. Walsh's Unsinkable is the remarkable dual timeline story of two women who survive more than one shipwreck, including the Titanic. Violet and Daphne are very different women but their stories intertwine is a most captivating way. Violet serves most of her life as a steward on big cruise ships, except when she served as a nurse's aid in WWI. Daphne has a fear of water, but is found on ships more than she'd like as she served undercover in WWII.

Walsh based much of this book on Violet's memoirs. I found it fascinating. I was able to read an ARC on #NetGalley.

Being interested in the Titanic since I was a young child, I knew a good amount about Violet Jessop from all the books I've read. The information about her presented in this book is wonderful as all of the information in included rather than bits and pieces as found in other tomes. She had a terribly interesting life and I can't imagine surviving one sinking and going back to sea to survive another White Star line ship sinking. Amazingly Titanic's sister ship the Brittanic.
I did not know about Daphne Chaundanson. What an interesting life she led. From an unwanted motherless child she becomes an agent in the France Special Operations. She wants to help her country and earn her fathers love and respect. Very interesting story that taught me about the 39 women of the Special Operations.
This is a very interesting book that covers the lives of two very special women who have a special connection. Perfect read for anyone interested in Titanic history and in women in the earlier 20th century.

I loved this story and it is based off of the real Violet Jessop who survived the sinking of three different ships one being Titanic.

Although the story started off slow i started to get the rythm of the story and i was captivated.

A definite recommend

Thanks Netgalley and publisher for allowing me to read this arc

All my thoughts and opinions are my own and aren't influenced by anyone else

Unsinkable is a wonderful journey of triumph over tragedy that touched me deeply. It is a book I will recommend and reread for years to come.

Unsinkable is a story of two women in different times going towards the same goal, being unsinkable.

In 1912, Violet Jessop worked as stewardess on the Olympic and the Titanic. Where she endures not one, but two sinkings. Taking this job has become her family's only chance at survival and she’s determined to survive. After the second sinking on the Titanic, Violet gets a job on land in England. But, it doesn’t fulfill as she wishes it would. But with the outbreak of WWI, her younger brothers send her to school to serve in the Voluntary Aid Detachment which sends her back to sea… Again on the Britannic.

In 1942, Daphne worked in France as an art curator. She lives under the shadow of the father that never wanted her but financially supported her. When a woman comes into her art museum in the beginning of WWII, alluding to helping the resistance she has no choice but to be interested. Daphne becomes “Katherine” the french resistance fighter; her arsenal being an out of box imagination, fluent in 6 languages, and to do whatever it takes to resist Germany taking France. What happens when two incredibly brave women put aside their lives to aid in a war to end all wars? Find out in Unsinkable.

This book was graciously given as an ARC to me by NetGalley & Harper Publishing for my honest opinion. At first I almost DNF’d this book. But as I kept reading, I got invested in both Violet and Daphne’s role not only in their families but the world wars as well. I honestly couldn’t put it down. Walsh did her research on Violet Jessop (a real person) and went from there. She acknowledges that not all this story is fiction at the end of the book, but wow. It was a different take from the sinking of ships (which happened in the early 1900’s.) and the survivor’s view on it. I gave it five stars for keeping me gripped, on the edge of my seat.

Add this as one of your anticipated reads of 2024!

I did not want this book to end. Absolutely incredible. (I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.)

It’s everything I could want in a historical fiction novel, with an awesome dual-perspective between Violet and Daphne, who in their own respective times are absolute heroes along perilous journeys. Not to mention both of them surviving multiple ship sinkings? Both on the Titanic? World War I, World War II, romance, espionage, the “what do I want out of life” great questions… I can’t do this book justice with a review, I absolutely loved it. I could’ve read thousands of pages of this story. Thank you so much to Harper Muse and Jenni L. Walsh for this advanced copy. It was a total joy.

This book follows the lives of two courageous women, written masterfully by Jenni Walsh.
One is a young girl working as a stewardess on cruise ships in the early 1900’s. As fate would have it, she was a survivor of the Titanic disaster. Despite her terrifying experience, she continued on sea voyages, and became a nurse on a hospital ship during WW1. Following the war, she returned to cruise ships.
In total, this “unsinkable” woman survived three disaster at sea, but completed more than 200 voyages around the world.

The second woman is a volunteer during WW2 as a secret agent, working in France to help rescue people. She survived capture by the Nazis, and continued working undercover until the war ended.

Both women experienced danger in their jobs, as well as also love and sorrow.

How these women’s lives are intertwined is finally revealed at the end of the book.

This amazing book chronicles the true life experience of Violet Jessop, the Titanic survivor. The second woman, Daphne, is a fictional character, based on real war-time events.

The author’s notes at the end reveals the amazing amount of research done in order to honor both the real and fictional characters she presented in this book.
Her work is a fantastic chronicle of both history and fiction
That you to NetGalley and Harper Muse for the ARC, and the opportunity to read and review this book.

This story was one I could easily get lost in. I loved the characters, and learning about these real-life people. It was inspiring, and the story flowed well.

This story has:
The Titanic
World War
Strong females
Sweet romance
Dual POV

An entertaining and easy read!

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC of Unskinable by Jenni L Waslh.

When I was younger, I was slightly obsessed with the story of the Titanic. Maybe that had to do with Leonardo DiCapario being in the movie Titanic...or the treasures that were unearthed from the sea.

This book has dual timelines for two strong willed women. We start the book with Violet who is abroad the Titanic, then switch to Daphane in April of 1942. You follow them both through tragedy, love, loss, scary situations and so much more. I truly enjoyed this book and I believe that it will make for a wonderful book club book. There are author notes at the in which she writes at the real Violet Jessop and the fictional characters she brings into the story.

If you are looking for suspense, historical fiction, love, loss and finding your true place this book is for you. Buy it, read it and love it.

What a GREAT BOOK!

Jenni L. Walsh did a brilliant job, and I cannot thank Netgalley enough for allowing me to read this before release! This was 100% the best book I read in 2023!

It has been a few days since I finished this book (I have read 2 other ones since it), and I still think about it and have a hard time putting all the FEELS I felt into words.

Beautifully written, based on true stories, this was nothing less than a masterpiece of history, emotion, life, and choices! I teared up, laughed, smiled, giggled, blushed, feared, hoped...

YOU DEFINITELY NEED TO PICK UP THIS BOOK NOW!

I LOVED this book. I absolutely loved the individual stories and eventual intertwining of Violet and Daphne. Both women are brave and smart and strong, and I enjoyed the love stories not being such a huge part of the book. I enjoyed the plot, the history, and the character development. I will definitely be recommending this book!

espionage, WW2, multicultural, multi-generational, multilingual, WW1, stewardesses, dual-narrations, dual-time-frames, historical-novel, historical-figures, historical-places-events, historical-research, historical-setting, history-and-culture*****

Burdened with inescapable responsibilities, Violet is a stewardess on the White Star line who comes to
survive the sinking of the Titanic, then continues with her life and has two more brushes with death on ships. She was a real person whose life has been researched and some of her story retold as fiction.
Daphne becomes a Special Operations Executive agent during WWII due to her natural abilities in linguistics and a nearly photographic memory. Her story is a composite of many women who served their countries in exceptional ways during the second World War.
These are the women representing so many others whose lives have been unavoidably changed due to unstoppable circumstances. Well written and easily readable.
I requested and received an EARC from Harper Muse via NetGalley. Thank you!

Unsinkable by Jenni L. Walsh is a gorgeously-written and refreshingly clean dual timeline about perseverance, hardships, courage and hope. Two women are highlighted, the real Unsinkable Violet Jessop and fictional Daphne Chaundanson, both determined women who faced danger around every bend in their occupations.

Violet's job as a stewardess serving the uber wealthy on the unsinkable Titanic was interesting to read about. Not only did she survive its deadly sinking but she also survived the Olympic and Britannia tragedies. She wasn't a glutton for punishment but rather needed tips as the sole supporter for her mother and siblings. As she couldn't pursue her dream of medicine she was well placed to help others in a different way. Her life was adventurous and took her to live in the Andes when younger.

Daphne was eager to please her father and mastered several languages. As a clever woman she was willing to learn more and knew a smattering of words in others. She trained for the SOE in WWII and worked in France with several assignments using various code names. Her life was under constant threat of torture, imprisonment or death.

Though both characters and time periods are fascinating, Violet's relentless determination and loyalty to her family grabbed me in particular. She was a true heroine..

The writing and plots are engrossing, the characters believable and convincing and the harrowing details painted vividly. A truly enjoyable book. Do be sure to read the author's notes.

My sincere thank you to Harper Muse for providing me with a digital copy of this spellbinding novel.

Full disclosure, I received a copy of this title from Netgalley, however, have voluntarily chosen to write a review. All opinions are my own

Unsinkable is scheduled for a January 9, 2024 release

Two women linked through time and one tragic event

The tragedy of Titanic is very well known all over the world. Her passengers were the elite in society, but not much is known of the crew. Aside from the more infamous names of Smith, Lightoller, and, Bride how many other crew members come to mind? Unsinkable by author Jenni L. Walsh tells the remarkable story of Violet Jessop, a first-class stewardess who survived the sinking of not only Titanic, but also her sister ships Britannic and Olympic. Told primarily from Violet’s point of view the reader comes to know Jessop as a person who is drawn to the sea, even after experiencing many mishaps. Beginning with the events of April 14 1912, when Jessop has a baby thrust into her arms as her lifeboat is being lowered into the sea, and continuing on through several world wars and other events Walsh flawlessly weaves the known facts of Jessop’s history in with fictional details to bring to life this once little known Titanic survivor.

However, Jessop isn’t the only focus of Unsinkable. With the narrative taking place in dual but somewhat concurrent timelines this story also follows the life of Daphne Chaundanson. The daughter of a very famous playboy actor, having lost her mother in a tragedy at sea when she was an infant she has been raised by a series of au pairs, and boarding schools. Never quite feeling that she was wanted by her famous father and always sworn to secrecy as to her parentage, Daphne developed a desire to learn languages and spent her younger years chasing that one elusive accomplishment that will gain her father’s affections. When war breaks out and her beloved Paris is occupied, Daphne joins forces with a resistance group and begins a life as an undercover operative in a spy network set to disrupt and bring down the German forces.

What initially seems like two completely different stories slowly begins to merge until these two ladies find themselves face to face in the most unlikely of places.

When I initially saw this book and the title, I immediately knew that I had to read it. As a life-long Titanic fan I love reading retellings, imaginings, and stories of those famous and mundane who were on the ship. Unsinkable was no exception as Walsh has created a story that I feel any Titanic buff will enjoy. Having only heard of the name Violet Jessop in recent years, Unsinkable tells her story in a way that is compelling and resulted in my researching more of this remarkable woman. Even without the fictional portion of the story, Violet’s tale alone would have made this a great read, but with the addition of Daphne, the infant grown up, and following her life throughout its twists and turns until her and Violet’s final meeting take a great story and makes it epic. I came for Titanic, but Unsinkable was more than just another Titanic retelling. It is a well written story of two driven women of very different backgrounds who are determined to survive, thrive and make their way on their own terms.

If you are a fan of women’s fiction, historical fiction or just are here for Titanic and her sister ships Unsinkable will be an unforgettable read.

UNSINKABLE by Jenni L. Walsh is a sweeping dual timeline historical novel that I couldn’t put down. It is a story of survival, family and the pursuit of happiness in the face of extraordinary odds. Violet Jessup is dedicated to her family, providing for her mother and many siblings when her mother becomes too ill to work. In the years leading up to World War I, Violet serves as an ocean liner stewardess. Later she becomes a wartime nurse. Amazingly, she survives three sinking ships, including the Titanic, leading to her being called Miss Unsinkable. Daphne Chaundanson is shunned by her father after her mother’s tragic death. In an effort to gain his approval, Daphne immerses herself in her education, learning many foreign languages along the way. It is this skill that comes to the attention of the Special Operations Executive who recruit her to be an agent in France during World War II. She agrees, hoping to do something meaningful for her country while impressing her father at the same time. Both women face incredible danger and make huge sacrifices. The connection between the characters becomes clear at the end. Don’t miss the informative Author’s Note, where we learn that the novel is inspired by the real-life Violet Jessup while the fictional character of Daphne is inspired by the many brave women of the SOE. I loved this well-researched and beautifully-written book and I highly recommend it. Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the chance to read and review an early copy.

Let’s get this out of the way right now. What an AMAZINGLY beautiful cover this book has. OMG… Walsh has done it again with this one, and it is going immediately onto my “best covers of 2024” list. Obviously, the biggest question is, does it reflect what’s on the inside? Well, you’ll just have to read on to find out! (Ha! Gotcha!)

To start out with, if I recall correctly, this is the first time I’ve seen Walsh using two totally distinct timelines, with two seemingly separate main protagonists. Yes, there is a connection between these two women, but for the most part, these women’s stories are very separate and different. Violet’s story begins with the sinking of the Titanic and her survival; Daphne’s story starts with her becoming involved in the resistance movement during WWII. The truth is, from the author’s notes, we find out that Violet was a real woman, who survived the sinking of three ships. We also find out that Daphne is based on a whole bunch of women who worked for the SOE during WWII, and made into a composite character. With this you might think that these two stories could easily have been two novellas and not one novel, and that crossed my mind several times while reading this book. But in the end, Walsh takes one small fact from Violet’s memoire, and uses that to bring the fictional and the reality together.

Again, for those who dislike dual timelines, I have to say that I appreciated this twist that Walsh used, which allowed her to tell two separate stories. Admittedly, as I was reading, I did take to Violet just a touch more than I did to Daphne. I’m guessing that’s because Violet was a real person, and having her actual memoir to use in building her character made her come alive to me just a bit more. Plus, the stories about SOE women working to defeat the Nazis abound, but there was only one Violet Jessop, aka Miss Unsinkable! At the same time, I must say that Walsh did a wonderful job of piecing together all those SOE female heroes and turning them into her one Daphne.

So, to answer the question in my opening paragraph here, yes, the inside is as beautiful as the cover, absolutely. Okay, there was one tiny niggle for me, that being the ending, which tied things up just a touch too conveniently for my taste. Even so, it did choke me up (damn, I am a romantic after all), and bring a tear to my eye. Because of this, I have no choice but to very warmly recommend this novel. What a wonderful way to start 2024 than with a book to which I can’t give any less than a full five out of five stars!

I assumed that Unsinkable was just about Violet Jessup and her surviving, but it was so much more. Violet, a stewardess on the Titanic, later a nurse during WWI and Daphne, an SOE agent during WWII. This is a great book for those wanting to learn more about the Titanic and White Star Cruise Line and the SOE during WWII.
I am not a huge fan of dual timeline stories, but I did enjoy this book and didn’t want to put it down.

I really enjoyed this book! The two women in the different timelines were so interesting and I loved how the stories connected. If you like historical fiction with strong female characters this book is for you! I can’t wait to read more from this author. I received a free copy of this book from netgalley and the publisher in exchange for my honest review.

** “I’d felt like I’d been cheating death and testing fate ever since I was a young girl. Sometimes I feel as if I’m living on borrowed time. Or maybe it’s an ongoing, never-ending mentality of simply surviving. Whatever the case, all there’s left to do is continue on, one foot in front of the other, only ever looking toward that next footfall.” **

Jenni L. Walsh delivers a delightful dual-time story about two incredible infallible women with a keen ability to survive in “Unsinkable.”

Violet Jessop cares for her family by serving as a cabin stewardess aboard cruise ships. After surviving the Olympic’s near-sinking, she finds herself on the Titanic’s maiden voyage. Barely escaping on a lifeboat with an unknown baby in her arms, she goes on to work as a Red Cross nurse before returning to a life on the sea. Surviving two world wars and yet another ship sinking, she truly is an inspiration and unsinkable.

In 1942, Daphne Chaudanson finds herself recruited into the Special Operation Executive agency to aid in Britain’s and France’s war efforts. Secretly the daughter of a famous actor who lost her mother when she was a baby, she finds the skills she’s worked hard to achieve on her own, including the ability to fluently speak a number of languages, aids her in helping to defeat the Germans.

As both women work to stay true to themselves, possibly find love and be an inspiration to others, will their stories strangely become linked?

Walsh does an incredible job of taking the stories of Violet, who actually existed, and Daphne, who was based on a number of real women who helped with the war efforts, and creating a story filled with inspiration, hope and incredible moments. She also fills the story with some great themes, like familial obligation; dealing with duty and responsibility; the concept that we all need to be somebody; having hope or the lack thereof; and finding one’s purpose and identity (“What’s a person to do when faced with great uncertainty and fear? Remember the reason for being.”)

Fans of historical fiction, inspirational stories about strong, brave women and dual-timeline stories will enjoy “Unsinkable.”

Five stars out of five.

Harper Muse provided this complimentary copy through NetGalley for my honest, unbiased review.

I have been obsessed with the history of the Titanic since I was a child, so I knew I would love Unsinkable. This book is the story of two strong women during times of war. I was vaguely familiar with Violet's story, but the way the author interwove it with fictional characters was very interesting. If you are a lover of historical fiction or the Titanic, then this book is for you.

Two women, two world wars, two time periods, can these stories be linked somehow? That's what Walsh shares with us as we meet two strong and vulnerable women who both spend a decent amount of time on big ships designed to not sink!

Violet Jessop made a promise to her late father to care for her ailing mother and younger sister. Accordingly, she makes sacrifices for her own life including not falling in love so she can honour that promise. Violet is a stewardess on the Titanic. She survives and we follow her on future voyages through WWI and beyond.

Daphe Chaundanson joins the SOE in WWII to do her bit for the war effort. She's kinda estranged from her famous actor/director father, Charles Labine, and never met her mother, who perished on the Titanic. Daphe adopts various pseudonyms to fulfil her war duty as she and her small team are thrown into some perilous situations providing means for injured pilots to be transported back to London for recovery and re-assignment.

Both stories are fascinating. Both ladies meet men, Leo and Evan respectively, who become very dear to them. But for differing reasons, both are challenged to contemplate a future with them. I thoroughly enjoyed how Walsh explored singleness and the choices we make and those that are made for us that impact our relationship status.

The alternating timelines work well. At times, both characters morphed into the other and I had to correct myself as to which I was currently reading but that was rare. The final chapter was a little Hollywood for me which I actually don't think the story needed but I'm certain it will satisfy many readers.

Overall, this is a beautiful story and I'm finding Walsh to be a new author that I'm readily drawn to read.

I feel very fortunate to have received an early ebook copy of the story from Harper Muse via Net Galley but this has had no bearing on my review.

This is a novel of two woman's lives during two wars. It makes for wonderful reading for one who is so captivted by historical stories. And this one hit the spot for me. A life of a young woman, Violet Jessop, who is truly "unsinkable". Her first cruise being "Titanic", as a stewardess. She will board other ships as a nurse and stewardess. Her life is taking care of her family, a mother, sister and brothers. When her mother becomes unable to work, she becomes the breadwinner. She is just so remarkable in wanting to be on the sea.

The other young woman is Daphne Chaundanson, who lost her mother in her infant years. She loves to learn, so education became important to her. So many languages she learned in her years of schooling. Her father was a busy man and did not have time for her. During World War II she become an agent to help the people of France. She goes through many dangers in this time of her life. She too is an "unsinkable" woman.

For me this book was so hard to put down. A true story based on actual events. Jenni L. Walsh, you did amazing research for this novel of truth and history. I am so looking for to reading other books you have written.

This book covers an impressive scope of history, from 1912 to 1945, using a seamless dual-timeline. Both timelines feature strong, determined women who refuse to bow down to adversity. I loved "Miss Unsinkable" Violet Jessup who begins the story as a stewardess on the Titanic but had already survived so much adversity by the time she was 25 years old. The second timeline begins in 1942 and introduces us to Daphne, who will go by many names as an SOE agent in France. Both women fear making personal attachments and I was frustrated when they pushed men who loved them away, even though I understood why. That said, I don't know when I have enjoyed the ending of a novel as much as I did this one. It was absolutely perfect, especially since I hadn't anticipated it. This book surpassed my already high expectations and I highly recommend it.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this book are entirely my own.

Unsinkable is the fictionalized story of women called to war by circumstances that would have broken the spirit of those with less courage. At the beginning of WWI, Violet Jessup must find a job to help care for her family. Violet is a true character who was tagged Ms Unsinkable after she survives several ship tragedies, including the sinking of The Titanic. When others would have refused to go back aboard, Violet's sense of responsibility to her mother and siblings send her back into the war action. She would endure much while setting the example for her peers.

Daphne Chaundanson is a compilation of several women in the Special Operations during WWII. She will use her considerable skills to forward the Allies campaign while trying to impress her father. Without the sacrifices of these dedicated women, the loss of life could have been so much worse.

Author Jenni L Walsh has obviously done her research. Her ability to convey the courage and loyality of the women during these wars shines a light on the sacrifices made by men and women to keep their countries safe from occupation and destruction by our enemies.

Unsinkable by, Jenni L Walsh is such a well written, thoughtful outstanding read! This story about these amazing women had me absolutely riveted from the first page until the very satisfying ending. I loved everything about this book!

I finished this story a few days ago and it is still in my thoughts! Absolutely intriguing and full of all the emotions! I loved being pulled into another world and and could almost taste the salt in the misty air! Beautifully written!

Unsinkable delivers exactly what I’ve grown to expect in a novel by Jenni L. Walsh. Her commitment to research and attention to detail keep me engrossed in the worlds she recreates. I love being entertained by a novel, but when I get to experience a time period in the past, and when a story immerses me into little known roles women played during important times in history, I’m a happy reader. This author is exceptional at both as I’ve been following her since her debut. I loved both Violet and Daphne equally in this story, and I kept looking for clues how their stories would converge. I was mostly surprised and absolutely delighted. As always, the author’s notes at the end are an added bonus and worth reading. Thank you to the publisher for providing an advance review copy.

Being the Titanic-obsessed reader that I am, I just had to pick up this title. I knew Violet Jessop's story, but I liked the fictional spin on her life. Violet made her living working on ship liners, and she was an employee on every one of the shipwrecks described in this book. What made me devour this book was the dual timeline. The second timeline is a woman with many names, but we will call her the first here, Katherine. Katherine works secretly to do what she can to stop Hitler's troops. What is her connection to Violet Jessop and the Titanic? You have to read the book and find out that part. Yes, Violet and Katherine do have a connection.

Overall, I say this book is historical romantic fiction that features the ocean as a character in some instances. I absolutely adored this book!

Remarkable story between the two main characters, both starting on the Titanic, a crew member and baby both saved from dead by being put on a rowboat. From there, their lives take separate paths, but oh the paths they take!
At first it's a slow read but then I couldn't put it down.

I love when authors can take actual events or people from history and weave a beautiful and entertaining story. That is exactly what Jenni L. Walsh did with “Unsinkable.” Based on Violet Jessop, a woman who survived one shipwreck and two ships sinking, including the Titanic, “Unsinkable” tells the story of Violet Jessop, who survived a shipwreck and two ships sinking. One of those being the Titanic. Her story is weaved into another young woman’s story, who is based off of amazing women who were SOE agents during World War II.

From page one, I was captivated by the history and courage of Violet and Daphne. I enjoyed reading both their perspectives. Seeing how they both faced and overcame their trials was inspiring.The author did a wonderful job at mixing history with fiction. It was neat to get glimpses of both World War I and World War II from a woman’s point-of-view.

My one complaint is I wish it was longer. I loved reading about these two women and would happily read more. That said, I think the author did a fabulous job as she had many years and events to cover.

“Unsinkable” is the perfect book for any fans of the Titanic, second chances, brave and strong women, and historical fiction.

Thank you to the author and publisher for an advanced copy. These thoughts are my own.

2 unsinkable women, one in World War One, one in World War Two. Violet works on Ocean liners, surviving the sinking of the Titanic with a baby in her arms. Daphne, motherless, with a famous father with no time for a child, joins the resistance in world war 2. Their lives intersect at a time and place and shows the amazing lives these women lived.

UNSINKABLE by Jenni L. Walsh was on so many “most-anticipated” lists, including mine, and was the perfect first read of 2024. It lived up to the hype. Historical fiction? Check. Dual Timeline? Check. Strong female protagonist? Check, check! There are two!
Walsh kept me on the edge for my seat wondering what would happen next with Violet and Daphne. It was interesting to find out that Violet Jessop was a real person who survived three ships sinking. Obviously, fictionalized but based on her memoir. Daphne was based not on one person, but a compilation of the many women who were a part of the Special Operations Executive, French Section. It was fascinating to read the Author’s Note and find out how Walsh found inspiration for UNSINKABLE. I love how Walsh took the inspiration and developed the characters and wove together the dual timeline storylines.
If this is not on your TBR, it should be. It will be on the “best of” lists for 2024 and not to be missed!
Thank you to the publisher for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of the novel. All opinions are my own and freely given.
#Unsinkablebook #jennilwalsh #harpermusebooks #historicalfictionbooks #historicalfictionnovels

A suspenseful story set against the backdrop of two wars, and several maritime disasters. The story follows two different ladies and their lives amid these time periods. I enjoyed the book, but felt the ending was a little rushed, and could have said more. There were times when you had to pay strict attention when the author was shifting between the times and women, but it was not hard to follow. The author states the book was based on the life of a real person. Overall, great read.

Thank you to #NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

This was a fascinating historical fiction novel. On one hand, we follow the life of Violet Jessop, an ocean liner stewardess. Violet survived three shipwrecks, including Titanic. We also meet Daphne Chaundanson, a member of the SOE (Special Operations Executive) during WWll. The novel alternates between both Violet’s and Daphne’s lives, and ultimately, weaves them together in a truly remarkable story.

This book has inspired me to learn more about the real-life Violet Jessop. Her memoir has joined my TBR pile!

Daphne’s fictional character was inspired by the thirty-nine real-life women of the Special Operations Executive. I was fascinated by the bravery of the men and women of the SOE and I want to read more about these heroes as well.

When a book leaves a reader wanting to read more books about the real-life events that inspired an author to write, for me, that’s the greatest compliment I can give an author. This book is such a book.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with the opportunity to read and review Unsinkable by Jenni L. Walsh.

Absolutely loved this book! I will read any book that features the Titanic but some are just “blah.” This story was fantastic! If you are not familiar with Violet Jessup, she was a real life stewardess on the Titanic, Olympic and Britannic. The Titanic and the Britannic both sank and the Olympic suffered a collision and limped back to port fortunately not sinking. Violet earned the nickname “Miss Unsinkable.”
This story is a fictional adaptation of her life, although it does include accurate situations as well. There is also a side story that is just as great about a woman, Daphne, who is also involved in Maritime disasters as well as battling World War 2.
This book is a mix of fiction and nonfiction so it may satisfy both types of readers. Excellent story!
Thank you to Jenni L. Walsh, NetGalley and Harper Muse for the ARC copy to read and review.

Loved this historical fiction novel! A perfect mix of dual timeline, Titanic WWI era and WWII France. Both of the main characters, Daphne and Violet, are strong capable women who are brave and determined in extremely difficult circumstances.
I enjoyed the opportunity to learn more of the real-life of "Unsinkable" Violet Jessop as well as the members of the SOE and French Resistance during WWII.
This book ranks 5 HUGE stars due to Jenni Walsh' writing style, thoughtful characters, and meticulous research. Ranks high on my list of intelligently written novels. I'll read everything Jenni Walsh writes!
Make sure to read the author's notes at the end of the book. And that cover art, perfect and deserves mentioning!
Thank you NetGalley and Harper Muse for the complimentary copy of the novel. I couldn't wait to read it, so I purchased a copy as well. All opinions are my own.

Violet and Daphne are two young women connected by tragedy and war. I’ve always been intrigued by Titanic stories. That was only a small part of this book but I didn’t want to put it down. Well-researched and intriguing eventually-intertwining stories will make this a keeper for sure. Highly recommended.

I've been following Jenni Walsh's books since the very beginning, and she just keeps getting better. I have an endless fascination with anything related to the Titanic, and I was so excited to see that Walsh was going to spin her own story set on the ship! But once I dug in, i was delighted to discover that UNSINKABLE is so much more than a Titanic story. It's about resilience, real-life women who were stronger than they ever should have had to be, and the sacrifices we all make for the people we love. Walsh has officially cemented her place as an auto-read author for me: Do yourself a favor and add her to your list, too!

This book is honestly a masterpiece. I was captivated by the story of the two women the entire time. The fact that parts of this story are true and based of someone's life is just amazing to me. I loved everything about the stories and found that the telling of the stories was easy to follow and understand.

Unsinkable is a dual timeline novel in which both stories are historical. The first is based on the life of Violet Jessop, an actual stewardess on the great British passenger ships. Violet survived the Titanic, the Olympic and the Britannic incidents consisting of one collision and two sinkings. The other storyline is that of fictional Daphne Chaundanson, based on the work of several female members of the SOE during WWII. The connection between the two stories is limited, so it’s much more like reading two extraordinary books than one. In fact, although I started reading in sequence, early on I switched to reading each story separately. I became so engrossed in Violet’s story that I had to continue without interruption. The same was true of Daphne’s story once I got back to it. It was so intense that I would not have wanted to be pulled away. I have read numerous novels based on these two storylines, but this one still held my interest, each yielding new information. I was initially more drawn to Violet, probably because she is an actual historic figure, but Daphne’s story turned out to be equally moving. Both tell of surviving unimaginable situations and continuing to perform one’s job and meet one’s responsibilities despite the intervening trauma.
Jenni L Walsh was a new author for me, but Unsinkable will just be the start of my reading journey with her. Her writing style is accomplished, absorbing and emotionally intense, her research superb. Five stars!
Thank you to the author, the publisher Harper Muse, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review an ARC.

I am in awe of this powerful tale of survival and resilience. There is a reason this book is a USA Today Bestseller!

Following the lives of two extraordinary women, Violet and Daphne, from World War I and World War II, this book weaves together their stories of courage, adversity, and second chances. Their journey from the Titanic to the battlefields of war is truly captivating and inspiring. Ever since I was little I have had a fascination with books about the Titanic (does anyone remember those Dear America books from the 90s?) so I was completely engrossed in this story.

So if you’re a historical fiction lover this is a must-read for anyone who appreciates stories of strength and hope in the face of unimaginable challenges.

Thank you Harper Muse for the copy of this book!

I love reading about stories connected to the Titanic and this one also involves WWI and WWII, so it has everything and more that I could have wanted wrapped up in one novel. Told through the two women who live eerily similar lives in wanting to always help others, but in doing so have always held themselves back from what they wanted in life. Based on the true Ms. Unsinkable Violet Jessop who survived three large maritime disasters and yet kept returning to the sea. The author packed so much into this story and I loved that it was not just about the Titanic sinking but also about the decades after this in the characters lives and how each historical event affected them. Thank you to Netgalley, the publisher and author for the complementary ebook. This review is of my own opinion and accord.

Unsinkable by Author Jenni L. Walsh was not only an informative, but also intriguing read - making it easy to see why it made the USA Today Bestseller list.

Split-Timeline fiction can be a bit tricky, especially when it is dealing with two very pivotal time periods - but I felt that Author Jenni L. Walsh balanced both Violet and Daphne's storylines splendidly.

I did find myself interested in Violet's story a bit more, though I do think that is because she is inspired by a historical figure who I already had done some research on when I was younger, so it was cool to see her portrayed in the book.

I also thought it was neat that Daphne's character was inspired by true stories of the thirty-nine women of the Special Operations Executive.

Finding out how the two women's stories in the book were linked was exciting and I very much appreciated the author's notes of research that went into this novel.

If you enjoy Women's Historical Fiction, are interested in the Titanic, World War I and World War II - then definitely check this book out! ***Thank you to the publisher for the complimentary copy of this book. The views and opinions expressed are my own.***

Unsinkable is a fascinating dual POV historical fiction novel! Jenni L. Walsh immediately pulls the reader in with a glimpse of the Titanic and one of the main characters who works aboard the infamous ship. The two main characters feel seemingly unrelated and I was so curious to see how the two would eventually intersect. Violet and Daphne move through history on an unstoppable track.

Unsinkable is a story about brave women trying to make a difference in their time periods. I loved how the author made the settings come alive on the page as each woman moved through her storyline.

Perfect for fans of The Rose Code!

I loved the book. I have been interested in the titanic since I was a child.
There's so much about this novel that is interesting and helps you can understand the complex story. That when it happened and time-frame played a part. The importance of trying to improve their lives. The human struggle to never give up and keep going..

Thank you for allowing me to read this book.

I really enjoyed this interesting historical fiction novel that weaved two wars and two women's lives together. One being Violet Jessop. How had I not heard about her before? This story not only takes us on several ships (with sinking results sometimes!) but also takes us into the belly of war, the sacrifices of families and loved ones, and the uncertainty of any future.

I loved that the author molded Daphne's character from a composite of several real Special Operations Executive women during WWII. These amazing women were the backbone of Daphne, a fictional character. Great story of two strong women determined to protect their loved ones and determined to persevere. Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me a copy of this interesting story.

Princess Fuzzypants here: Two women, in two world wars, so different and yet their lives intertwine twice in ways that change their destinies.. Violet, the sole provider for her mother and younger siblings, foregoes a life of her own and goes to sea as a means of supporting them. Daphne, born into wealth and privilege has everything anyone could want- except the thing she craves most: the affirmation of her worth by her father. Two more dissimilar protagonists you could not find except in their devotion to excellence and their willingness to put aside fear and trepidation to accomplish what is necessary.

They meet twice, both times on ships where Daphne is a passenger and Violet is the stewardess taking care of First Class.. between those meetings they will show great perseverance, grit and bravery. They will surmount all the challenges put in their way, except one. Lasting love eludes them both but these two ‘unsinkable” woman will come full circle and find what their sense of obligation has made them leave behind.

I really cared for both characters and was swept along by a whole range of emotional ups and downs through their lives. It made the ending even more satisfying. Five purrs and two paws up.

Fascinating novel that follows two females in two different decades. Both lead intriguing lives all around Europe.