Ship of Dreams by Donna Jones Alward

 From the author of l, WHEN THE WORLD FELL SILENT, comes a 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?

Paperback, 384 pages

Published August 25, 2025

 by One More Chapter

3.5/5 stars

My 2nd read by Donna Jones Alward who moves from Canadian historical fiction to one that does actually touch on it again.

A single storyline set on the RMS Titanic and that fateful voyage.  The story follows 2 best friends, Hannah Martin and Louisa Phillips.  Each with secrets and the hope that New York will be the start of fresh beginnings.

I enjoyed the Titanic setting, with its splendor and how it caters to the rich.  And yes I did have visions of the movie while reading it.  There were some familiar names woven in while staying true to history.  I liked getting to know both these women and slowly the hurts of the past came to life.  

Ship of Dreams is a story of friendship, secrets and starting over set against a tragic event in history. Knowing what was to come gave the story some tension that kept me turning the pages.

My thanks to the publisher for a print copy in exchange for a honest review.