Ship of Dreams

By: Donna Jones Alward

Narrated by: Esmee Cook, Clementine Medforth

'A dream of a read!’ New York Times bestselling author Kate Quinn 'Emotional, raw, and beautifully written' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

From the author of the internationally bestselling novel, WHEN THE WORLD FELL SILENT, comes a breathtaking tale of secrets, betrayal, and the enduring power of friendship.

Aboard the Titanic, where opulence knows no bounds and the horizon seems limitless, two women fight for the futures they dream of, fraught with secrets that could change everything.

Hannah Martin is clinging to the hope that six days on this grand ship will heal the wounds in her marriage to Charles. Beneath her poised exterior lies a desperation to mend what was shattered and conceal a secret that could upend their lives forever.

Louisa Phillips, spirited and uncompromising, is escaping her family’s insistence on a passionless marriage. But this daring step could also sever the deepest bond in her life.

As the ‘unsinkable' ship strikes the iceberg, amidst the chaos and icy waters, lives are changed forever. In the face of impending doom, what dreams will Hannah and Lou decide are worth saving, and at what cost?

This evocative historical fiction will stay with you long after you've turned the last page. Perfect for fans of Kate Quinn, this is a poignant tale of love, choice, and survival against the odds.

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Praise for Ship of Dreams:

'An enthralling and beautiful story of love, loss and courage. Just dazzling.’ Kate Thompson, author of The Little Wartime Library

'A vividly written historical fiction about marriage and suffrage, loyalty, grief and the gift of forgiveness. A magnificent achievement.’ Shelly Sanders, author of The Night Sparrow

'It’s a novel that will break your heart and mend it again, all within the grip of one unforgettable, compulsive read.' Jenni L. Walsh, USA Today bestselling author of Sonora

'You will be up well past your bedtime, glued to the page.' Maia Caron, bestselling author of The Last Secret

‘A deeply satisfying reimagining of the Titanic story – one that moves beyond the familiar tragedy to uncover new layers of humanity, resilience, and hope.’ Jennifer Robson, bestselling author of Our Darkest Night

‘A sweeping tale of unraveling secrets, romance, and the tragedies that threaten to drown us if not for the lifeline of enduring friendship.’ Genevieve Graham, bestselling author of The Forgotten Home Child

'A heart-wrenching story that explores the strength of friendship and the power of love. A highly recommended 5 ⭐ read.' Glynis Peters, Globe and Mail, Toronto Star, and USA TODAY bestseller

'Carefully crafted historical fiction … Alward restores lived experience to an event now ossified by familiarity.’ Historical Novel Society

'A heartfelt, sweeping historical fiction that will whisk you away on a journey of love, loss, resilience, and second chances.' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

'A wonderful Titanic story. Well researched, great characters. I enjoyed every word. Titanic stories are so mesmerizing.' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

'I will be adding this wonderful book to my shelf of favorites' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

'Donna Jones Alward is fast becoming one of my favorite authors.' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

'This is a story of deep friendship, and sharing of deep loss. This is also a story of moving on, forgiveness, and being there for one another.' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

'My heart certainly got a dramatic squeeze, too, to the point it physically hurt! Such is a sign of a good writer who can move you to tears as that means the story is connecting at the deepest levels.' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

'It had my attention from page one.' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

'This breathtaking and emotional Titanic story will truly leave you wanting more and give you a new perspective on life.' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

©2025 Donna Jones Alward (P)2025 HarperCollins Publishers

Critic reviews

PRAISE FOR SHIP OF DREAMS

‘Alward’s inviting prose and keen eye for historical detail spotlights two indefatigable women … it will compel readers of Jennifer Robson and Hazel Gaynor while delighting old and new fans alike.’ Rachel McMillan, bestselling author of The Mozart Code and the London Restoration

'The real pleasure of the novel is the tension between best friends Hannah and Louisa, each with a secret they fear to share, and which is keeping them apart. We all know the fate of the Titanic, but it’s the fate of this friendship that kept me turning the pages. Terrific character development and perfect pacing.' Janie Chang, Globe and Mail bestselling author of THE PORCELAIN MOON

'Donna Jones Alward masterfully weaves together themes of loyalty, feminism and profound grief to portray a deeply moving portrait of a friendship tested by tragedy. Add in secrets, intrigue and the threat we all know is hovering on the horizon, and you get this must-read story that will keep readers flipping the pages until the very last one.' Brianna Labuskes, USA Today bestselling author of The Librarian of Burned Books

'A mesmerising tale that evokes the elegance and splendour of the era to perfection. An evocative story of of love, tragic loss but also forgiveness and hope. I loved it.’ Deborah Carr, author of The Witching Hour

‘Getting to step on deck through the magic of Donna Jones Alward's novel was beyond my expectations. Donna brings the ghosts of the past to life in this well researched, fascinating story of privilege, progress and heart.’ Bryn Turnbull, author of THE BERLIN APARTMENT

'Immersive and spellbinding, Hannah and Lou's stories are at once captivating, tragic, and filled with hope.’ Noelle Salazar, author of The Lies We Leave Behind

Fascinating story

An excellent tale with superb character development. I got very involved in the story with many surprising twists.

Louisa & Hannah are wonderful!

Their friendship, despite their different values and passion’s, was so inspiring. I could relate to them both. So many lessons of love, strength, healing, and hope. Highly recommend this book. 👍👏🚢

There’s something about the story of the Titanic that always pulls me in!

There’s something about the story of the Titanic that always pulls me in—and Ship of Dreams by Donna Jones Alward absolutely delivered that emotional, haunting experience.

This was such a poignant mix of love, survival, and impossible choices. The historical detail felt so vivid, especially with the Nova Scotia ties, and I loved how the story wove together female friendships and found family in the middle of so much uncertainty. The relationships really grounded the story and made every moment hit harder.

There’s romance here too—tender, complicated, and with just a touch of spice (mostly fade-to-black). But what stood out most to me was the resilience of these characters and the layers of secrets and drama that kept unfolding. It’s the kind of story that lingers with you long after you turn the last page.

If you’re drawn to Titanic stories like I am, this one is a must-read. Emotional, captivating, and beautifully told. 💔🚢