What a read! The research for the book was absolutely impeccable with it telling the story of Marcella, Michael , their family and what led to the horrendous events which led to the boys being 'orphaned

I didnt realise that the story was in fact a true one until the end and was fascinated by the epilogue which told the "back story' . I like Celia's books and will read more.

Thank you netgalley for this Arc.

This is the first time I have read anything from Celia Imrie and rather enjoyed it. Everyone has read books based around the events on the Titanic and this is based around three main characters whose lives cross aboard the fated ship. I did find it hard going in places but found the story well researched for true facts.
Over all happy with the read.
My thanks to NetGalley and Bloomsbury Publishing for the early read

This was a very moving read. I thought as I was reading that the author had just imagined a story inspired by the Titanic disaster, but was surprised to find at the end that it was based on highly researched fact.

Overall I found this book a little boring. I didn’t particularly care about the adult characters and I felt that it took quite some time for the story to get anywhere. Although some of the details about the Titanic were interesting it just wasn’t for me I’m afraid!

I was hooked by this book from the very first chapter, not realising that it was based on a true account of two families affected by the Titanic, I was fascinated by the amount of detailed research and coincidences that culminated in an incredible retelling of the ‘Titanic Orphans’ story. Although the Titanic disaster has been well documented, filmed and dramatised, I feel there might be room for just one more Titanic film, based on this book by Celia Imrie.

Orphans of the Storm was an enjoyable read based on the true story of two families affected by the Titanic disaster. I have such a soft spot for anything Titanic-related and love learning about it so this cover really drew my eyes when I was browsing Netgalley.

The book is set across Nice, England, New York, and the Titanic. As the story and the characters are based on real people. these locations fitted the characters well. It was also clear that there was a lot of research that went into the historical details. However, I was disappointed tha the Titanic didn't make an appearance until almost the halfway point of the book. And there weren't many chapters set on the ship at all. In fact, those chapters felt slightly rushed.

The characters, however, weren't very likable. Michael and Stefan were just horrendous and gave me the absolute creeps. I felt so mad reading about what they did. Margaret was so stuck-up and cared too much about what she was seen to be doing. However, I do think she grew throughout the story (who wouldn't after going through her ordeal) and I loved how she bonded with Michel (a different character to Michael) and Edmond. She really fought for them.

Marcela also annoyed me as she was such a pushover when it came to Michael. I just wanted her to stand up for herself and her boys. However, at the same time, she was young and domestic abuse is terrifying so she would have felt isolated and helpless.

The story is told via the POV of Marcela, Michael and Margaret (so many M names!). It really helps you empathise with Marcela and Margaret and hate Michael more. Michael's thoughts about his own children are beyond belief. Being a Titanic story based on real people, it is predictable. The story of the "Titanic Orphans" is a well-known one. But I found this interpretation interesting all the same.

The story is also split into three parts, before, during and after the Titanic. I found part one very slow and I almost DNF'ed. For me, it wasn't the part I was interested in. The pace definitely picked up over parts 2 and 3 and I couldn't help but keep reading. In fact, it took me almost a week to read part 1, whereas I read parts 2 and 3 across an evening and morning.

Overall, I did enjoy Orphans of the Storm, even if I was disappointed in the lack of Titanic and the dislikable characters. If I come across more Celia Imrie books I might pick them up, but I'd definitely recommend this book to fans of historical fiction based on real people.

I didn't realise this was based on a true story when I started reading it and I wish I'd known that as the the begining of the book felt like there was too much back story, but once I got to the end and discovered it was based on fact the start of the book made so much sense and I appreciated the level of research that had gone into it.

'Orphan's of the Storm' by Celia Imrie is based on the true story of the 'titanic orphans', the only children to be rescued from the doomed ship without a parent or guardian. Half of the novel provides the backstory for why the children were onboard, and the other half describes the dramatic events of the 15th April 1912 and what follows.

Like many readers I found the first half of the novel slow. However, in the second half Imrie captures aspects of the disaster brilliantly, including the ridiculousness of the band playing on, the sight of the bodies in the water, survivor guilt, and parts of the rescue I hadn't considered. I think this would have been a better novel if the backstory had been woven in, rather than clumped together at the beginning, but in doing so Marcella Navratil's perspective could have been lost. It is clear Imrie wished her to be central to the story, having gone through so much trauma.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. As previous reviews have stated, the first half of the book seems a little slow and drawn out. However, once I had read the whole book including all of the very informative epilogue and notes, I understand that this was just a way of building the foundations of this magnificent tale. Please, please put this story on the big screen!

Thanks to NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book. Loved this book - based on a true story and with the familiar background of the Titanic story. Compelling characters and good writing, it held my attention from beginning to end!

Perfect for fans of the Titanic and historical fiction. A very easy holiday read, perfect to pick up

Thanks for letting me read an ARC.

Loved this book, the characters were so enchanting. and it was so easy to pick up.
Highly recommend.

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We first meet Marcela in France in1911 who eventually tries to divorce her controlling and at times vindictive husband Michael. However they have two young sons that are on the maiden voyage of the titanic under false passports. Both parents are also aboard along with a New York socialite Margaret and the scene is set for tragedy, cruelty and a mother’s love. What happens after the tragic sinking of the vessel is partly based on actual information left by the survivors. This is a well researched novel and beautifully told.
Survivor’s guilt also a play an important role in the novel .This is a moving story and paints a picture with rounded and strong characters. It is a thrilling read and using the Titanic as a backdrop to pivotal scenes is a clever use of the event which does not take over the story.
Well researched and beautifully told it is well worth reading.

Marcella Navratil has a whirlwind romance and marries Michael, only to find he is a cruel and controlling man. However, by the time she decides to seek a divorce, she has two small children. Michael's actions to pay her back for wanting to leave him will scar the family forever.

Travelling around Europe is New York socialite Margaret Hays, who hears of the maiden voyage of a famous new White Star ship - the Titanic - and resolves to travel home in style.

Their stories, which are firmly based on fact with very little artistic embroidery, make for a fascinating read. Celia Imrie brings the characters to life, and I could not turn the pages fast enough in parts to find out what would happen next. Well researched and an exciting read.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bloomsbury Publishing for allowing me access to the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I found the first half of the book a little too slow and felt there was too much detail about the relationship between Marcella and Michael. It started to read like an ordinary romantic novel and I was tempted to give up. I am, however, pleased that I didn't as the second half had a much faster pace and was quite exciting..

The details of the night that the Titanic hit the iceberg were all very interesting, but what was even more interesting to me was the rescue and the situation on board the Carpathia. This was something about which I had read very little. I was also surprised by the media reaction, which is something I had thought was a modern day phenomena.

It was rounded up very well with details about the research and the outcomes of many of the characters. Something that i always find very satisfying. Altogether an enjoyable read

The book starts with Marcella (a young seamstress) nervously visiting a solicitor in the hopes of gaining advice on how to divorce Michael, her cruel, controlling husband.
We are taken back in time to the early 1900s, with Marcella and her family living and working in Nice. She is persuaded to train as a seamstress, but her passion is to become a singer. You become emotively engaged with the young teenager – a bright, optimistic, cheerful girl. More so, as you realise that the story is taken partly from fact.
The book is meticulously researched and well written, you become absorbed in the atmosphere of the French city, the bustling crowds, working conditions and buildings during the period. The superior male and lower status of women! Although not fast paced, you become engrossed with the characters, their family members and friends, wanting to read their story and how it unfolds.
Told mainly from Marcella’s and her husband, Michael’s viewpoint, the differences between their characters are clearly drawn. Marcella is hard-working and devoted to her children, while Michael is cruel, self-serving and deceitful. Descriptions aboard the Titanic are compelling – the majestic splendour of the ship’s maiden voyage, celebrations by the rich and famous, while passengers with lower status enjoyed a more basic voyage.
An atmospheric, inspirational story of courage and determination.

I enjoyed Celia Imrie’s witty previous novels, all set in Southern France, so was delighted to be granted an ARC of her new work, a work of meticulously researched historical fiction this time. Much has been written about the Titanic, but Imrie develops a wonderful narrative that starts in 1911 and introduces us to Marcella Caretto, a mother of two toddlers and trying to secure a divorce from her cruel husband Michael, a Hungarian dressmaker, who books onto the Titanic, as well as to disenchanted New Yorker Margaret Bechstein who has been on an extended European holiday with her friends Olive and Lilian Potter and chooses this vessel to return home. It is on the fateful Titanic voyage in 1912 that the fates of these characters become drawn together. This is no simple, linear account of an ill-fated naval journey, no racing plot with fast revelations. Instead, we are treated to many backstories, memories and asides about the main characters that show what a virtuous writer Imrie is. I found the writing wonderfully developed, with real depth and warmth, and would recommend this to discerning readers. Thank you to the publishers and NetGalley for the ARC in return for this honest and unbiased review.

Disclaimer: I have always had a fascination for anything to do with the Titanic.

This book was very well researched. The detail that the author has gone into was nothing short of impressive.

As others have said, I also struggled with this book as it was just so slow for me but I'm so glad that I persevered.


Marcella who we discover is in an abusive marriage. She is hoping to divorce Michael following a whirlwind romance.
Things don't go to plan though and Michael disappears with their two young boys.

Although I know the story of the two boys from the Titanic, it was really interesting, and an enjoyable read, to learn of the story of how they got on the ship. A lot of research obviously went on prior to the book being written which made everything that happens very authentic. You could follow the life of Marcella, her hopes and dreams and finally her despair. A very enjoyable read of a real life situation.

Wow, wow, wow what a page turner this book was. So well written and so enjoyable I had no idea it was a true story. I found myself wondering what was happening to Marcella when I did put the book down for a few moments, like to eat!!.

I loved the Behind the Scenes which gave details of how all the research had been done and what had happened to the characters.

I can see Orphans of The Storm being bought by Netflix to make a film. I hope it does as it deserves to be, I believe this to be one of the best books I have read this year.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Bloomsbury Publishing for a copy of this ARC for which I have given my voluntary and unbiased review