The Second Mrs. Astor, Shana Abe
The Second Mrs. Astor, Shana Abe
4 Rating(s)
List: $19.99 | Sale: $13.99
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The Second Mrs. Astor

Author: Shana Abe

Narrator: Lauren Ezzo

Unabridged: 10 hr 46 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Publisher: Tantor Media

Published: 08/31/2021


Synopsis

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. 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 away 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 . . .

About Shana Abe

Shana Abe is the award-winning, New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today bestselling author of more than a dozen novels, including the Sweetest Dark series and the Drakon series. She has a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from the University of Southern California, and currently lives in the mountains of Colorado.


Reviews

Goodreads review by Lisa of Troy on January 05, 2024

Who doesn't like a book about the Titanic? The Second Mrs. Astor is a work of historical fiction which focuses on Madeline Force (Astor). This piece covers the time period of Madeline's first memory of John Jacob (Jack) Astor, their subsequent courtship, marriage, and travels. Of course, everything i......more

Goodreads review by Persephone's Pomegranate on April 10, 2025

I never cry while reading books, but this one almost got me. Yes, I am still sailing on the Titanic. I am floating aimlessly in the vast ocean with no land TBR shelf in sight. I was enchanted by Gill Paul's Titanic Love Stories: The True Stories of 13 Honeymoon Couples Who Sailed on the Titanic. I......more

Goodreads review by Misty Marie on March 10, 2022

I really enjoyed this book. It was interesting to see how Madeleine Force captured the heart of John Jacob “Jack” Astor. How society snubbed her because her family didn't come from money, and she was the "second" wife. The Titanic part brought tears to my eyes because I knew how it was going to end.......more

Goodreads review by Kat valentine ( Katsbookcornerreads) on December 04, 2021

What beautiful and enchanting love story with a hauntingly tragic ending from the amazingly talented Shana Abe!! I've read many of her books but this is my new favorite. With fabulous storytelling and a equally beautiful storyline that flowed flawlessly and page after page of beautifully written wor......more

Goodreads review by Annette on June 21, 2021

1912. Madeline Forces narrates her story to her son about the father Colonel Astor, one of the richest men in the world. Madeline at seventeen meets Colonel John Jack Astor, divorced and nearly thirty years older. His courtship begins with a daily delivery of flowers. His wooing continues with his a......more