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

Shana Abe

Aug 2021 · Kensington Books

About this ebook

"Abé is an exquisite storyteller. Rich in detail and deeply moving." —Fiona Davis, New York Times bestselling author of The Magnolia Palace

"One of the most beautifully written books I’ve ever had the pleasure to read. A gorgeous, phenomenal novel I won’t soon forget.” —Ellen Marie Wiseman New York Times bestselling Author of The Orphan Collector

Perfect for fans of Jennifer Chiaverini and Marie Benedict, this riveting novel takes you inside the scandalous courtship and catastrophic honeymoon aboard the Titanic of the most famous couple of their time—John Jacob Astor and Madeleine Force. Told in rich detail, this novel of sweeping historical fiction will stay with readers long after turning the last page.

Madeleine Talmage Force is just seventeen when she attracts the attention of John Jacob “Jack” Astor. Madeleine is beautiful, intelligent, and solidly upper-class, but the Astors are in a league apart. Jack’s mother was the Mrs. Astor, American royalty and New York’s most formidable socialite. Jack is dashing and industrious—a hero of the Spanish-American war, an inventor, and a canny businessman. Despite their twenty-nine-year age difference, and the scandal of Jack’s recent divorce, Madeleine falls headlong into love—and becomes the press’s favorite target.

On their extended honeymoon in Egypt, the newlyweds finally find a measure of peace from photographers and journalists. Madeleine feels truly alive for the first time—and is happily pregnant. The couple plans to return home in the spring of 1912, aboard an opulent new ocean liner. When the ship hits an iceberg close to midnight on April 14th, there is no immediate panic. The swift, state-of-the-art RMS Titanic seems unsinkable. As Jack helps Madeleine into a lifeboat, he assures her that he’ll see her soon in New York…

Four months later, at the Astors’ Fifth Avenue mansion, a widowed Madeleine gives birth to their son. In the wake of the disaster, the press has elevated her to the status of virtuous, tragic heroine. But Madeleine’s most important decision still lies ahead: whether to accept the role assigned to her, or carve out her own remarkable path…
 
“A touching, compelling, and haunting love story that will delight fans of historical fiction and enthrall those of us for whom the Titanic will always fascinate.”
—Hazel Gaynor, New York Times bestselling author of When We Were Young and Brave
 
“An engaging novel told with both heartbreaking care and vivid detail. The Second Mrs. Astor is historical fiction at its gripping and irresistible best.”
—Patti Callahan , New York Times bestselling author of Surviving Savannah and Becoming Mrs. Lewis

Ratings and reviews

Four stars is a bit generous since this book is much more interesting as historical fiction about surviving the sinking of The Titanic, than it is about "the second Mrs. Astor." Because while it does center around the story of Madeleine Talmage Force Astor's short first marriage, it doesn't provide much insight into what was THE scandalous marriage of her era. For anyone who may not know, Madeleine is now chiefly remembered as the pregnant, child-bride of one of the richest men in America (John "Jack" Jacob Astor IV - 1864-1912) and as one of the most famous survivors of The Titanic. The couple was traveling back to New York following their lengthy honeymoon. When Jack Astor first became enamored with Madeleine, she was 17 years old. He was 46 and recently divorced from his first wife, Ava Lowie Astor. By all historical accounts Madeleine was a beautiful and intelligent young woman, fresh out of finishing school. BUT, if you, like me, want answers to some reasonable questions.... • What specifically made Madeleine so distinctive when compared with other girls her age? • What could Jack and Madeleine connect, with a 29 year age difference? • Why shouldn't we see Jack's pursuit of Madeleine as just another middle aged man inappropriately lusting after an underage girl? If you want answers to questions like these you won't find them in this book. Instead you'll get a somewhat interesting glimpse into courting rituals among the rich and powerful in the early 20th century. You'll get a taste of how high society operated at the time, including their reaction to the stigmas of divorce and re-marriage. There are some details about the Astor's honeymoon trip which is fairly boring. And then, toward the end, you'll get a fairly suspenseful narrative about that 1912 night the Titanic sank. It's an easy read with no heavy lifting. If you're interested in the subject matter, you'll sail through this novel.

incredible writing by the author. Even though I knew the Titanic story, (doesn't everyone? ), I was surprised at how strongly I was affected. Fantastic descriptions of the era made me feel as though I was right there with Madeleine throughout the entire story.

A look into the life of Madeline Astor, through her youth, her courtship & marriage to Jack Astor & after the Titanic. However, it ends before we get to the rest of her life. Still, must read!

About the author

Shana Abé is the award-winning, New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today bestselling author of sixteen novels, including the Sweetest Dark Series and the Drákon Series. She has a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from the University of Southern California, and currently lives in the mountains of Colorado. Visit her online at ShanaAbe.com