Shaken to the Core

De: Jae

Narrado por: Samantha Cook

Kate Winthrop, the only child of a wealthy shipping magnate, has the course of her life charted for her by her parents. She's expected to marry well and produce a successor to the Winthrop empire. But Kate has a very different path in mind. Her true passion lies with photography - and with women.

Alone in the city after losing her brother, Sicilian immigrant Giuliana Russo starts working for the Winthrops as a maid. Despite their different social status, Kate and Giuliana become friends, much to the dismay of Kate's parents.

As the connection between the two women grows, a devastating earthquake hits San Francisco and ignites fires that sweep through the city for three days and nights.

Will the disaster shatter their tentative feelings for each other, or will they find the courage to save each other's lives - and their hearts?

Contains mature themes.

©2016 Jae (P)2020 Tantor

Great story

I LOVED this book. I enjoyed that an actual historic event provided the backdrop for this story. It was nerve wracking, sweet, it made me gasp and cheer. I just flat out enjoyed it.

The story

A very interesting description of the fallout from the devastation caused by the 1906 San Francisco earthquake & fire the survival of which provides the foundation for the development of a romance between a well to do girl & a former housekeeper for her family.

Location and Inspiration

What took me so long to read this?! I mean, one of the main characters is a photographer and photography is a passion of mine; and the setting is San Francisco, a city I know and love. Oh yeah, it's because it is historical fiction. Haha.

I don't read a lot of historical fiction because I don't enjoy reading about the trials and tribulations people suffered in the past. I am busy living through my own, thankyouverymuch, and I typically read for pleasure. That said, although there are lots of trials and tribulations in this story (hello, it does take place in 1906 during the earthquake and aftershocks that flattened and burned most of San Francisco and the mains face misogyny, classism, etc.) this story is rather upbeat and inspiring.
The main characters were both really compelling to me and one notable side character almost stole the show.

One thing Jae does consistently well is write highly developed, likable characters. Another is creating settings that enrich the story and have you considering changing your vacation plans so you can visit them. Both talents are firmly on display here.

I could see myself re-listening to this in the future. Not only did I enjoy the story but Samantha Cook did a very good job narrating it.

Other audiobooks I have enjoyed with main characters who are photographers include Shutter by Ramona Emerson and Delilah Green Doesn't Care by Ashley Herring Blake.

Other audiobooks set in San Francisco which I have enjoyed include Touchwood by Karin Kallmaker, Parasite by Mira Grant and Wild by Meghan O'Brien.

Loved this book

Jae never lets you down I love her books and this one is wonder. The earthquake in San Francisco in 1906 was known but the way she wrote this book brings out the humans during that time.

Good story

Enjoyed the book on recent road trip. Well written, solid characters. Very easy to get caught up on.

Love this book

Worth the time... Has a nice bit of history mixed in, good character development... All the things you need to enjoy a story - emotion, suspense, laughter, sadness... Enjoy the story.

Excellent story

Wonderful, beautiful love story with tasteful love scenes and excellent character development. The descriptions were so vivid both good and bad of what happened to San Francisco on that faithful day and the beautiful ending and love story between Kate and Julianna. 

Well done historical fiction

Love period pieces. Really enjoyed this story set in San Francisco during the 1906 earthquake. I live in sf and had fun transporting myself to 1906 while walking around the streets each day, while listening to the book.

This was a spectacular historical lesbian romance!

Firstly, the story was so engaging I didn’t want to stop listening at any point despite having to at least once in a while.
What I found the most endearing about the book was what it was like to realize that you prefer the same gender that you are during a time where there was almost no infrastructure to do that. The doctor character therefore was necessary as the footbridge over the chasm of modern-for-the-time convention that the two women were able to walk over in order to even know what the feelings they had for each other were. My favorite Jae books have been her historical romances. The amount of research that went into this one was staggering. Well done Jae! Samantha Cook’s narration was also fabulous! If I could’ve given it 10 stars, I certainly would have. I don’t think I’m going to be able to read or listen to anything else for at least a few days. And I never say that.

Historical and Entertaining

This story is age-old, yet rarely told—burgeoning, unlikely love between two women. It spans the topics of class, wealth, history, bravery, and deep affection. All told with clarity and detail, this story should be brought to the screen.