Ship of Dreams by Donna Jones Alward

“I was simply transfixed by the sheer size of the ship, all white and black and gold, regal and yet ostentatious, settled firmly at the dock with an attitude of blatant superiority.” (page 3)

Ship of Dreams by Donna Jones Alward is a historical fiction novel about two women, Hannah and Louisa, who are close friends, but are each keeping a secret from the other. Both ladies are excited to be among the first passengers to travel First Class on the Titanic to America, each for different reasons. Hannah hopes the trip will heal her marriage; and for Louisa, the trip is part of her plan to escape marriage.

“Here we were, stepping inside the grandest ship in the world, the scent of fresh paint still hanging in the air and white halls pristine and unblemished, without marks in the paint or scuffs on the floors. We were the first passengers to tread these decks, the first who would eat off the elegant Spode china and drink from the cut crystal.” (page 5)

Both women are completely different. Hannah is a little more traditional. She is married and has future plans for a happy home and family. Louisa is a bit of a rebel. She is a suffragette, fighting for women’s rights and equality between classes.

“How many people were trapped, never daring to dream of something better for themselves because of our social structures?” (page 11)

I really enjoyed the fact that, although the main characters in this story are fictional, they interact with real passengers of the Titanic. Several are examples of strong women of the time.

“This is how it should be, Han. These women… they support other women. Not just the Elsies and Mrs. Pankhursts of the world, but women like Renee Harris and Helen Churchill Candee and the Fortune sisters.” (page 114)

I also really enjoyed the Halifax component of the story in the last part of the book. Since I live across the harbour from Halifax, I felt it strengthened my connection to the story. The bodies that were retrieved from the Titanic were brought to Halifax. Today, there are Titanic graveyard self-guided and guided tours in Halifax that, after reading this novel, I now want to experience.

Ship of Dreams is a book where we know the outcome. The Titanic sinks, taking with it most of the men on board. We expect it to be about love, loss, and grief. But it is also a story of friendship, women helping women, and forgiveness. This book will appeal to fans of Titanic stories and lore, historical fiction, and Canadian history. It will appeal to readers who like strong female characters and heroines who challenge traditional norms.

“Women, I thought, are stronger than men think. I never did buy this weaker sex bit. What we might lack in physical prowess we more than made up for in fortitude.” (page 308)

Ship of Dreams is a novel that you can easily sink into (pun intended). I was really impressed with how this talented author creatively finished her book. Donna Jones Alward chose a format that gives the reader the impression that some characters live on in a way that we may meet up with them again.

Since 2006, New York Times bestseller Donna Jones Alward has enchanted readers with stories of happy endings and homecomings that have won several awards and been translated into over a dozen languages. She’s worked as an administrative assistant, teaching assistant, in retail, and as a stay-at-home-mom, but always knew her degree in English Literature would pay off, as she is now happy to be a full-time writer. Her new historical fiction tales blend her love of history with characters who step beyond their biggest fears to claim the lives they desire.

Donna currently lives in Nova Scotia, Canada, with her husband and two cats. You can often find her near the water, either kayaking on the lake or walking the sandy beaches to refill her creative well.

Find out more about Donna at www.donnajonesalward.com.

Publisher: One More Chapter (August 26, 2025)
Paperback: 9″ x 6″ | 384 pages
ISBN: 9780008739874

Sue Slade

Sue Slade has a Bachelor of Child Study from Mount St. Vincent University in Halifax. After working with children and adults with special needs, she now has her midlife dream job of working with books. Sue manages an independent, locally owned bookstore, Dartmouth Book Exchange, and is known for planning and executing amazing, engaging book events. Through her charismatic sharing centred around books and community, Sue has created an interactive cornerstone for authors, customers, and book lovers of all ages. Sue is an avid reader, and her reviews cross over many genres. As the East Coast Advocate for The Miramichi Reader, Sue champions Atlantic Canadian literature by featuring the diverse works and unique communities that define her home region.