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The Glass Ocean
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From the New York Times bestselling authors of The Forgotten Room comes a captivating historical mystery, infused with romance, that links the lives of three women across a century—two deep in the past, one in the present—to the doomed passenger liner, RMS Lusitania.
May 2013
Her finances are in dire straits and bestselling author Sarah Blake is struggling to find a big idea ...more
May 2013
Her finances are in dire straits and bestselling author Sarah Blake is struggling to find a big idea ...more
Paperback, Large print, 642 pages
Published
September 4th 2018
by William Morrow
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This book was a 2 ½ rounded up to a 3. My review is going to be different from many that I’ve read so far. This book first had me disliking it, then liking it, then disliking it again. It didn’t help I guess that I had just watched Titanic with my granddaughter for about the 10th time. Here’s what I thought.
There is such an extensive blurb for this book that I will just give you snippets of what the book is about. There are three different narrators, two that will be aboard the Lusitania in the ...more
There is such an extensive blurb for this book that I will just give you snippets of what the book is about. There are three different narrators, two that will be aboard the Lusitania in the ...more

4 absorbing stars to The Glass Ocean! ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
I’m a fan of each of these authors, and when they joined forces previously to co-author The Forgotten Room, magic happened multiplied by three. My brief gushing review of The Forgotten Room is on Goodreads.
The Glass Ocean is a historical mystery blending time and place across three narrators, two a century in the past, and one in the present.
In 1915, Caroline Telfair Hochstetter is a southern belle married to Gilbert, who was once attentive to ...more
I’m a fan of each of these authors, and when they joined forces previously to co-author The Forgotten Room, magic happened multiplied by three. My brief gushing review of The Forgotten Room is on Goodreads.
The Glass Ocean is a historical mystery blending time and place across three narrators, two a century in the past, and one in the present.
In 1915, Caroline Telfair Hochstetter is a southern belle married to Gilbert, who was once attentive to ...more

Beatrix Williams, Karen White, and Lauren Willig's collaboration was flawless, beautiful, and riveting. These three authors have seamlessly woven together the lives of three strong, smart, and brave women. Caroline and Tess are two women from very different circumstances who find themselves onboard the Lusitania in May of 1915. Where they find themselves tangled up in elicit love, scandal, and beTrayal. Caroline was sophisticated and charming while Tess was feisty and tenacious, but these two la
...more

Booking passage on the Lusitania or any ship during WWI would not seem like a good idea to me, but Caroline Hochstetter and Gilbert needed to get closer, and figured this would be a wonderful way to help their relationship. Did Gilbert really agree to the reason they were going on the Lusitania or did he have ulterior motives?
Along with Caroline and Gilbert on a ship in waters that German submarines were prowling, we meet Tess, a female thief, who needed to steal valuable music sheets to pay her ...more

Jun 26, 2018
Elle (ellexamines)
marked it as zzzzz-did-not-finish
DNFed at 45%; this wasn’t awful, but the writing is very low-quality and the narrative very unengaging. It takes an ocean disaster and turns it into a story of a love triangle and a disgraced writer.
And how about that love triangle, huh? One criminal, one southern belle, and the only dynamic the authors could think to put between these two women was a love triangle. Which I found very disappointing.
And the modern-day plotline is downright boring. We’ve established a conflict between which of th ...more
And how about that love triangle, huh? One criminal, one southern belle, and the only dynamic the authors could think to put between these two women was a love triangle. Which I found very disappointing.
And the modern-day plotline is downright boring. We’ve established a conflict between which of th ...more

Three different narratives, one sinking ship. What is not to love here? This story is centered around the sinking of The Lusitania ship and is told in present day from a writer investigating a distant family member who was aboard, and two women, both of whom are hiding something - albeit very different things! I can say with confidence you will greatly enjoy watching how all three stories converge throughout this beautiful novel.
I received an advance copy. All opinions are my own.
I received an advance copy. All opinions are my own.

Dec 01, 2018
Sandy *The world could end while I was reading and I would never notice*
rated it
really liked it
Shelves:
mystery,
4-star,
contemporary-fiction,
romance,
family-drama,
historical-faction,
2018,
audio
EXCERPT: When I wasn't in a hurry, when I was just strolling or even sitting on a bench, eating a hot dog with ketchup and mustard but no onion, I liked to study them, my fellow New Yorkers. I liked to pick someone out from the crowd, some man in a suit, loosening his tie, checking his watch. I tried to divine his life, his history, the peculiar secrets hidden in his past. Mom used to tell this story about the dinner parties they once had, before Dad left, and how I used to peek through the bann
...more

4.5 rounded up to 5 brilliant Stars over the Glass Ocean!
Several theories are still argued surrounding the sinking of the Lusitania in 1915. Was she merely a British passenger ship sailing back to England through dangerous waters during their war with Germany? Was she also carrying active munitions or just shells as was stated on the ship's manifest? What caused the second blast on the opposite side of the ship directly after the torpedo hit? Some questions have been answered, some are still lef ...more
Several theories are still argued surrounding the sinking of the Lusitania in 1915. Was she merely a British passenger ship sailing back to England through dangerous waters during their war with Germany? Was she also carrying active munitions or just shells as was stated on the ship's manifest? What caused the second blast on the opposite side of the ship directly after the torpedo hit? Some questions have been answered, some are still lef ...more

4.5 stars
There’s a soft spot in my heart for stories about naval disasters. I read an interesting book specifically about the Lusitania, which was sunk in 1915 by a German U boat, a few years ago. The Glass Ocean was a nice compliment to my pre-acquired knowledge of this event. However, make no mistake, the focus of this book is not so much the sinking of the Lusitania, but rather the complex relationships between several of the passengers on board. It is about war, deception and love.
I won’t g ...more
There’s a soft spot in my heart for stories about naval disasters. I read an interesting book specifically about the Lusitania, which was sunk in 1915 by a German U boat, a few years ago. The Glass Ocean was a nice compliment to my pre-acquired knowledge of this event. However, make no mistake, the focus of this book is not so much the sinking of the Lusitania, but rather the complex relationships between several of the passengers on board. It is about war, deception and love.
I won’t g ...more

Three narrators, three authors and two points in history.
With three experienced authors at the helm, I find myself curious how they went about this book. How did they divy up the sections, the characters, and how did they decide to write about this time period? Maybe more research will answer those questions for my intriguing frame of mind as I finish this novel.
Alternating story lines take us through present day Sara Blake- an author who is looking for a new biography, one with a key to her pas ...more
With three experienced authors at the helm, I find myself curious how they went about this book. How did they divy up the sections, the characters, and how did they decide to write about this time period? Maybe more research will answer those questions for my intriguing frame of mind as I finish this novel.
Alternating story lines take us through present day Sara Blake- an author who is looking for a new biography, one with a key to her pas ...more

Truly wonderful. Unputdownable. A captivating historical mystery that links the lives of 3 women - 2 from the past and 1 from the present - to the doomed passenger liner RMS Lusitania.
A stunning read, beautiful and real characters: on the luxurious but I'll fated Lusitania. ...more
A stunning read, beautiful and real characters: on the luxurious but I'll fated Lusitania. ...more

This is another collaboration of Lauren Willig, Beatriz Williams and Karen White. it is a historical mystery based on the sinking of the Lusitania. It features three narrators, was one from present day and two from the past.
This novel has everything, mystery, romance and espionage and a beautiful setting of a luxury ship.
1915-Caroline Hochstetter is on board with her husband Gilbert and are booked as 1st class passengers.Gilbert is very busy receiving telegrams and disappearing to mysterious mee ...more
This novel has everything, mystery, romance and espionage and a beautiful setting of a luxury ship.
1915-Caroline Hochstetter is on board with her husband Gilbert and are booked as 1st class passengers.Gilbert is very busy receiving telegrams and disappearing to mysterious mee ...more

In 2013 author Sarah Blake is struggling to come up with an idea for her book to follow on from the successful Small Potatoes. Finances are tight, especially given the expense needed for the care of her mother who has Alzheimer’s. Sarah needs an idea soon. Even her agent is losing patience with her. When she opens an old chest containing belongings from her great grandfather who died in 1915, it sparks an idea. But is requires research to a journey to England to enlist the help of disgraced memb
...more

Two timelines; the past, 1915 and the present, 2015. Three female characters take the main lead in this historical mystery.
But actually, if you want to get down to it, the above description gleaned from the book cover is not entirely true. There are more characters, both male and female, who preside in the story. And there are actually three major timelines; 1915, 2015 and 2017.
Three well known authors have co-authored this book and maybe that’s why I felt it was “pieced together” rather than ...more
But actually, if you want to get down to it, the above description gleaned from the book cover is not entirely true. There are more characters, both male and female, who preside in the story. And there are actually three major timelines; 1915, 2015 and 2017.
Three well known authors have co-authored this book and maybe that’s why I felt it was “pieced together” rather than ...more

THE GLASS OCEAN is a joint project by authors Beatriz Williams, Lauren Willig, and Karen White. It's a book about the fate of three women. Two of the women were on board the doomed passenger Line, RMS Lusitania. Although they differ in class. While Caroline Telfair Hochstetter is traveling in first class is Tessa Fairweather traveling in second class. But, both women's lives will intertwine...
Years later bestselling author Sarah Blake breaks her promise to her mother and often the old chest that ...more
Years later bestselling author Sarah Blake breaks her promise to her mother and often the old chest that ...more

There is so much to love in this beautifully written book! The glamour and sinking of the Lusitania, espionage and a love triangle. I loved reading the three different viewpoints in the story. Williams, Willig and White knocked it out of the park with The Glass Ocean!

I was so excited for The Glass Ocean, because after reading many WWII novels, and lightly touching on the sinking of this ocean liner, I honestly hadn’t read much about the Lusitania.
Williams, Willig, and White do an excellent job of taking the reader back in time, and showing what it would have been like to travel in luxury among the elite. I also loved the past and present stories as the truth unravels and the mysteries surrounding the espionage and secrets are revealed.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5 stars!
*Thank ...more
Williams, Willig, and White do an excellent job of taking the reader back in time, and showing what it would have been like to travel in luxury among the elite. I also loved the past and present stories as the truth unravels and the mysteries surrounding the espionage and secrets are revealed.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5 stars!
*Thank ...more

I've given this a B+ for narration and a B for content at AudioGals.
Three authors, three main characters, three narrators; The Glass Ocean is a dual timeline story from the pens of the 3Ws – Williams, Willig and White – that weaves together interconnecting stories featuring three very different woman in two different time-periods almost a century apart. I have no idea which author penned which character – and apparently it’s a very closely guarded secret – but the narration is clearly assigned, ...more
Three authors, three main characters, three narrators; The Glass Ocean is a dual timeline story from the pens of the 3Ws – Williams, Willig and White – that weaves together interconnecting stories featuring three very different woman in two different time-periods almost a century apart. I have no idea which author penned which character – and apparently it’s a very closely guarded secret – but the narration is clearly assigned, ...more

Chapters are divided between three female characters (Sarah, Caroline, Tess). The alternating chapters are the typical modern trend alternating between the past and present. More romance than history of the Lusitania...the Lusitania just happens to be the setting for the romantic mystery of the past. Way more romance than history.
But the enigma of the romance was carefully woven, and the pieces of the love affair eventually conceive a labyrinth for Sarah trying to uncover fragments of the past.
S ...more
But the enigma of the romance was carefully woven, and the pieces of the love affair eventually conceive a labyrinth for Sarah trying to uncover fragments of the past.
S ...more

This was between 3 and 4 stars. I'm not sure if I'll be rounding up or down. I like Karen White as an author. I've read many of her books. I love her way with words and her stories. I've read fewer books by Beatriz Williams. She tends to be a little too 'sweet' for me. I found that to be true here also. Everything was tied up a little too perfectly. And the 180 that Robert does at the end, just was not in any way believable. But someone wanted a red bow for him too, so 'poof' he got one.
Other r ...more
Other r ...more

What good fun this book was! That's probably a strange thing to say about a tragic event in history, but the book's strong suits hit my sweet spot--WWI, spies, a little mystery, and a bit of a love story. I gobbled it up in just a couple of days. I kept seeing the Titanic film playing through my head, in particular in Caroline's story, and I couldn't help but root for poor, desperate Tess and the clever and funny Sarah, all the way through. Grab a copy and curl up in your bathtub with a glass of
...more

Absolutely amazing!

To say that the three “W” writers are some of my favorites is an understatement. I love all three of these authors and for different reasons. They each tell such a fantastic story and I love that they collaborated on this book together!
I knew they all co-wrote another book, The Forgotten Room, but I haven’t yet read that one. When this one came out, I ordered the ebook but they as usual, it got buried in my endless TBR list.
Then, I discovered audiobooks and was thrilled to see that this one came ...more
I knew they all co-wrote another book, The Forgotten Room, but I haven’t yet read that one. When this one came out, I ordered the ebook but they as usual, it got buried in my endless TBR list.
Then, I discovered audiobooks and was thrilled to see that this one came ...more

The tremendous trio of authors returns with an incredible story of a bestselling author who, searching for her next book idea, delves into the mystery of her great-grandfather, who died when the Lusitania sank. The story shifts between the present day and two women who were on the doomed ship: an American sociality and an English thief. Mystery, history and romance combine for a fabulous tale.

The alternating POV chapters in this didn't really work for me, because I didn't like Caroline, I was meh on Tess, and I liked Sarah a lot, but her story obviously got the least amount of attention. I would have happily just read a novel about her. The rest was sort of disappointing.
...more

4.25 Stars
I have to admit that this is the first time that I've read a book authored by either Beatriz Williams or Lauren Willig, but I've been a long-time reader and fan of Karen White's books so when I saw that she had co-authored The Glass Ocean, I just knew I had to get my hands on this book!
My desire to read it was certainly rewarded as this is a fabulously written historical novel that kept me enthralled for the day it took me to read it! Plus, I found two new authors to love in Williams a ...more
I have to admit that this is the first time that I've read a book authored by either Beatriz Williams or Lauren Willig, but I've been a long-time reader and fan of Karen White's books so when I saw that she had co-authored The Glass Ocean, I just knew I had to get my hands on this book!
My desire to read it was certainly rewarded as this is a fabulously written historical novel that kept me enthralled for the day it took me to read it! Plus, I found two new authors to love in Williams a ...more

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
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As far as historical fiction goes... 2.5 - At times I thought this book was very confusing... There are many good reviews for this book- so take my 2.5 with a grain of salt- I just didn't care for it like some others did....
...more

Hmmm. Still trying to decide about this book 3.5 rounded up. I liked the story. I had a hard time with the characters. I found I really enjoyed Caroline’s and Sarah’s story. Tess fell flat for me. This story was more about the romance and less about everything else. I love all the authors so I will still be going back to their books. This one seemed to fall a bit flat
topics | posts | views | last activity | |
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[SPOILERS] Question about the ending | 3 | 46 | Nov 18, 2019 08:42AM | |
Play Book Tag: The Glass Ocean by Beatriz Williams, Lauren Willig, and Karen White -- 2 stars | 13 | 26 | Apr 12, 2019 10:34AM | |
Kindle Book Club ...: SPOILER ALERT, The Glass Ocean, Reading Completed | 6 | 29 | Dec 07, 2018 03:37PM | |
Kindle Book Club ...: Discussion, The Glass Ocean, Reading In Progress | 29 | 21 | Nov 24, 2018 09:59PM | |
Long Island NY Bo...: Book Club Event on 10/17 | 1 | 10 | Sep 28, 2018 11:45AM | |
NYC New York City...: Book Club Girl Event on 10/17 | 1 | 9 | Sep 28, 2018 11:43AM |
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