There are no spoilers in this review given that page one is the ending. Having said that, did you ever read a book that you REALLY want to change the ending? This book was the one for me. Keep in mind that this is a love story and a tragedy at the same time.

The Titanic is not the main focus of this bittersweet tale, but always a dark shadow in the back of the reader's mind.

Madeleine Force is the very young second Mrs. Astor. Her narration tells the story of her courtship & marriage to the wealthy John Jacob Astor, her rebuff by society and the eventual tragic end of their honeymoon voyage.

I had trouble putting this book down and it will stay with me for some time.

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I didn't realize how short a time Madeleine and Jack had together before the Titanic tragedy, making their romance so very bittersweet. I really wanted to know more about the real-life JJ Astor and his too-young socialite wife. Between this story and simultaneous internet research, my progress was slow, however, there was no question about finishing. It's absolutely delish! I loved it! 5 stars.

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I've always been fascinated with the sinking of the Titanic, such a tragedy of that time, similar shocking event comparable to 9/11 for our generation. Going into this story only knowing John Jacob Astor left behind a teenaged pregnant widow when he perished in the sinking, this book goes into their quick and short lived romance. Their love story was a scandal at the time, being he was divorced and she was 30 years his senior but this book brought their story alive and you can't help but root for them, even knowing their sad ending. Despite knowing what happens, it was hard reading the events of the sinking from Madeleine Astor's POV. The author goes into the fear and unknown the passengers were experiencing - they truly did not believe the ship would sink until it was too late. So avoidable and tragic.

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