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The Survivors Guild by Gabriella Saab: A Book Review

The Survivors Guild

Author: Gabriella Saab

Genre: Historical Fiction

Publisher: Harper Muse

Book Release Date: September 1, 2026

Pages: 400

Source: Netgalley/Publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Synopsis: In 1912 aboard the RMS Titanic, Nabiha “Bea” Nohra is traveling to America to find work, eager to earn the funds necessary to afford passage for the family she left in Lebanon. On the same ship, heiress Marguerite Ashby sails home to celebrate her engagement to a dull British lord, a marriage that will secure her new-money family’s place in old New York society. But when the Titanic sinks, the two women’s paths are fused together when Bea saves Marguerite’s life and they are unexpectedly charged with the smallest survivor—a baby boy.


      No one claims the infant, so the women form a committee to aid survivors and locate the baby’s next of kin. Bea works as the child’s nanny, desperate to bring her family to America before the difficulties in Lebanon overwhelm them. Meanwhile Marguerite hopes the committee’s charitable efforts will win society’s respect and render an advantageous marriage unnecessary, sparing her from marrying a man she does not love—unless her parents force her to fulfill the obligation no matter what society says. And when finding the child’s relatives proves to be no simple task, the women are soon enmeshed in deception and uncertainty as they seek to determine where the baby truly belongs.


      The committee might grant the acceptance Marguerite craves, connect Bea with the stability she needs, and lead them to the baby’s relatives. But a committee helmed by an American heiress and a Lebanese nanny is hardly customary. Surviving a shipwreck is only the start. As Marguerite’s wedding looms nearer and Bea faces the increasing hardships of adjusting to her new country, they must fight for survival once more. This time, to survive New York society.

 

      My Review: In 1912, Bea is on the Titanic traveling to America from Lebanon in order to start a new life. Marguerite is a rich socialite heiress who is also on the Titanic traveling home after being engaged to an English lord. When the Titanic sinks, Marguerite is saved by Bea. The two women also saved a baby boy. The two form a committee to help Titanic survivors. One of their missions is to find the mother of the baby boy whom they have saved.


     Bea and Marguerite are likable characters. Both of the women are from two distinct backgrounds. However, they put aside their differences to help find the baby’s mother. Both of them have different problems. Bea is trying to find a way to bring her family to America. Marguerite is trying to get out of a loveless engagement and marry for love. Both of them try to help the other out while searching for the baby’s mother. Therefore, I found Bea and Marguerite to be fascinating characters, and I wanted to see how their story would end! Their sisterhood was the best aspect in the novel!


        Overall, this book is about friendship, survival, and choices. I liked all of the characters and thought they seemed realistic. The plot also moved at a steady pace. There were a few drawbacks to this novel. I did not like  that the villain was cartoonish, and the book tended to be repetitive at times! Nevertheless, I found this to be a heart-wrenching and emotional read! I could not put it down! I also liked how this book focused on the aftermath of the Titanic! This book is a perfect read for Titanic fans! The Survivors Guild read like a charming Hallmark movie! I recommend this book for fans of Unsinkable, Sisters of Fortune, and The It Girls!


Rating: 4 out of 5 stars


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