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    The Stolen Marriage: A Novel
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    The Stolen Marriage: A Novel
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    The Stolen Marriage: A Novel
    Audiobook14 hours

    The Stolen Marriage: A Novel

    Written by Diane Chamberlain

    Narrated by Susan Bennett

    4/5

    ()

    Currently unavailable

    Currently unavailable

    About this audiobook

    From New York Times, USA Today, and Sunday Times bestselling author Diane Chamberlain comes The Stolen Marriage — a thrilling new audiobook of secrets, heartbreak, and small-town alienation.

    "The drama offers a few scenes of passionate vocal acting, which Bennett demonstrates with a fierceness that is utterly gripping. This is heartbreaking dramatic suspense that will have listeners hooked from the very first listen." – Booklist on The Silent Sister.

    In 1944, twenty-three-year-old Tess DeMello abruptly ends her engagement to the love of her life when she marries a mysterious stranger and moves to Hickory, North Carolina, a small town struggling with racial tension and the hardships imposed by World War II. Tess’s new husband, Henry Kraft, is a secretive man who often stays out all night, hides money from his new wife, and shows no interest in making love. Tess quickly realizes she’s trapped in a strange and loveless marriage with no way out.

    The people of Hickory love and respect Henry and see Tess as an outsider, treating her with suspicion and disdain, especially after one of the town’s prominent citizens dies in a terrible accident and Tess is blamed. Tess suspects people are talking about her, plotting behind her back, and following her as she walks around town. What does everyone know about Henry that she does not? Feeling alone and adrift, Tess turns to the one person who seems to understand her, a local medium who gives her hope but seems to know more than he’s letting on.

    When a sudden polio epidemic strikes the town, the townspeople band together to build a polio hospital. Tess, who has a nursing degree, bucks Henry’s wishes and begins to work at the hospital, finding meaning in nursing the young victims. Yet at home, Henry’s actions grow more alarming by the day. As Tess works to save the lives of her patients, can she untangle her husband’s mysterious behavior and save her own life?

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherMacmillan Audio
    Release dateOct 3, 2017
    ISBN9781427289407
    Unavailable
    The Stolen Marriage: A Novel
    Author

    Diane Chamberlain

    Diane Chamberlain is the bestselling author of twenty novels, including The Midwife's Confession and The Secret Life of CeeCee Wilkes. Diane lives in North Carolina and is currently at work on her next novel. Visit her Web site at www.dianechamberlain.com and her blog at www.dianechamberlain.com/blog and her Facebook page at www.facebook.com/Diane.Chamberlain.Readers.Page.

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    Reviews for The Stolen Marriage

    4/5

    160 ratings36 reviews

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    • 2/5
      This was too "women's fiction" for me and I couldn't finish it. I received a free copy of this book from the publisher.
    • 5/5
      This book has reminded me why I read. Just wow. What an astonishing, amazing story. I want to firstly thank the publishers and the author for providing me with a copy to read in advance, I am grateful I got to read this! I really adored this novel, from start to finish. I love Tess. What I believe happened to her in the very beginning I don't think was consensual. I think she was raped. She was inebriated and Henry took advantage of her. I know the times were different in the mid 20th century, maybe people thought of 'consent' differently in that era, but I don't think the inability to say 'No' because Tess was drunk is considered consensual. It disturbed me a little bit but to that end, I don't think we would have had the story we had if she had considered herself to be raped.Let me repeat: I love Tess. I have never met a fictional character who sweats as much as I do. Bless you, child. I know I'm privileged in that I get to read nearly all books with characters who look and sound and talk like me, not everyone gets that privilege, but never have I had the ability to associate myself so deeply with a character like Tess BECAUSE GIRLFRIEND KNOWS A SWEATY PALM WHEN SHE SEES ONE. Yes girl. Me too. Beyond her capacity to sweat profusely, I adored Tess's strength. Her resilience is everything. Please don't read the next part if you don't want to read spoilers.Her life gets derailed almost at the word go: Vincent leaves for Chicago indefinitely, she fears the worst (that he's cheating on her) and whilst she is wrong, she gets punished for her fears rather than her fears coming true. Henry Kraft, who, deep down, is truly good and kind, used her. She becomes pregnant with a man's baby; a man she doesn't love. She has to leave her fiance to do what she believes is right and in the process, essentially kills her mother. She becomes part of a family that despises her and then she loses her baby. But she keeps on going. Then Lucy. It just doesn't stop. But Tess doesn't lose herself. She stays the independent girl who insists on working as a nurse that she always was in Little Italy in Baltimore. I loved Diane Chamberlain's descriptions of Little Italy in Baltimore, of Hickory, of the history she provides and the scenes she sets. I was transported to World War II America. I felt part of it. That is such a rare thing for me. I saw the houses she wrote about. I saw the people and the roads and the buildings. Not every author has that capability, and though this is my first book of Diane Chamberlain's, I believe she possesses this immense skill.The events that occur in this book, summed in one paragraph, can make it seem like a melodramatic soap opera lacking all realism. I get that. But I didn't feel that way one bit about this story. The drama felt tangible and real even though it was one thing after the other, but I believed it. This was an absolute page-turner for me. I love Tess. I love Vincent. I love Henry and Honor. I love Gina. Reverend Sam. Butchie and Jilly. I have been thinking about them all since I closed the book for the last time. I love that feeling; knowing you found a gem of a story that will stay with you.I will treasure this story for a long time to come.
    • 4/5
      I love historical fiction, especially anything to do with the depression or world war II. It was the great equalizer if you think about it. Whether you were wealthy or poor you worried about your loved ones fighting in the war. You mourned and grieved those who didn't make it home. You learned to go without sugar in your coffee when your rations ran out, and all the money in the world couldn't save you from getting polio before the vaccine finally became available. Polio didn't care if you were black or white or rich or impoverished.

      So while there were many things about this book I loved, I have to say I disliked Henry Kraft immensely. Before I get ahead of myself lets start with Tess, the good girl from Baltimore madly in love with Vince and about to pursue their lifelong dream of getting married and working together in the medical field. He is a doctor and she is about to become an RN. This dream is ruined by one awful night, and although Henry is portrayed as a kind and caring and decent man.. well to me that awful night was entirely on him.

      Tess ends up leaving the only life she has ever known, and moves to North Carolina with Henry, where she is treated as an unwelcome unwanted outsider by his family and the townspeople. When an outbreak of polio strikes and the town comes together to build a hospital, Henry's mother is disgusted by Tess wanting to work there as a nurse. Tess refuses to sit idly by when she has skills that are in such desperate need, especially considering she has been told by the only person who has shown her any kindness, that it's what she is meant to do. I loved Tess, and the remarkable strength she showed especially considering women in those days were expected to do as their husbands told them.

      I received an advance copy for review.
    • 4/5
      I'm on a Diane Chamberlain kick right now.This one once again is set mostly in NC, specifically in Hickory, NC during the latter years of WWII.It is historical fiction, and has some fascinating insights about the polio epidemic during that time, marriage laws in NC and small town Southern living.Some of the characters I really didn't like at first, but the twists and turns this story takes definitely made me change my allegiances by the end
    • 3/5
      This isn't my usual fare for spending a Sunday afternoon, but I enjoyed it and loved reading about a bit of history I knew nothing about. Very interesting and the fictional story written to incorporate the historical event was enjoyable as well. I loved the ending.
    • 4/5
      The stolen marriage A quick summer read about Baltimore nurse Tess DeMello who after a one night stand and pregnant, marries Henry Kraft from Hickory, North Carolina. Tess had been engaged to long time fiancé Vincent Russo. The time is 1943 and WWII is well underway. Her life in Hickory is very unhappy as she and Henry live with his mother Ruth who despises Tess for stealing her son, her Catholicism and her need to do something with their life. Henry manages the family’s successful fine furniture factory but is distant, asexual and has many secrets that Tess gradually uncovers. Thrown into this is a polio epidemic that throws Tess and her former fiancé Vince together as the town grapples with the disease. Good book.
    • 5/5
      Story of Tess de Mello who gives up her career and her engagement to the love of her life because of one foolish mistake ( getting pregnant in a one night stand). She moves to Hickory North Carolina to start a new life with Henry Kraft the father of her baby. Henry is very secretive and distant and very wealthy. The book has a good element of mystery with many twists and turns. Recommended.
    • 5/5
      A beautiful story and fascinating time in history to learn about as well.
    • 4/5
      This is historical fiction in the early 1940's, first in Baltimore, MD, then mostly in Hickory, NC. The author did a lot of research to be able to write a novel which includes the rationing during WW II, racial injustices, the limited roles for women, religious prejudices, and the terrible polio epidemic. Learning about iron lungs and the treatments for polio patients were interesting and educational. The younger generations who read this novel will be appalled to hear an OB/GYN give permission to smoke while pregnant. I am old enough to remember going to the doctor and he would be sitting behind his desk smoking!! Things have really changed for the better with regards to smoking.The protagonist is Tess who is finishing nursing school in Baltimore. She is engaged to a young medical doctor. One night out with a girlfriend changes her life completely and she ends up living in Hickory, married to wealthy Hank Kraft, a pillar of the community and owner of a furniture factory. He is a distant and mysterious man but generous to Tess as she tries to fit in with her in-laws and the community.The terrible things that happen to Tess just keep piling on and, after a while, I felt it was unrealistic. Hence, 4 Stars instead of 5. There were some twists that I didn't see coming. The main characters were well-developed and I liked even the nasty characters because they were so well-written.
    • 5/5
      Loved this book. Could not put down. Well written and researched. Book takes place in the 40s..deals with prejudice, appearances, faith, epidemic, to name a few. Spot on with the issues of the time period in a non-judgemental way. Characters are flawed, but likeable...easy to love/hate. So far, I've never been disappointed by this author.

      Thanks to Net Galley for this free copy in exchange for my honest review.
    • 4/5
      4.5 stars.

      The Stolen Marriage by Diane Chamberlain is a well-researched, historically accurate novel set during the mid 1940s in North Carolina.

      Twenty-three year old Tess DeMello is happily engaged to next door neighbor Dr. Vincent Russo. Looking forward to her upcoming wedding and completing her nursing studies, she is disappointed yet understanding when Vincent goes to Chicago to help out during a serious polio outbreak. When his return date continues to get pushed back, she and her best friend take a trip to Washington, DC that forever alters Tess’s life and eventually leads to a loveless marriage to furniture maker Henry Kraft.

      Tess is a strong, confident young woman who has a close relationship with her mother and Vincent’s family. Her one misstep has far reaching implications and she loses everything dear to her the aftermath. Not expecting Henry to offer marriage, she nonetheless accepts his proposal and relocates to his hometown of Hickory.  Needless to say, neither her mother-in-law Ruth nor her sister-in-law Lucy welcomes her into the family and Tess grows incredibly lonely in her new circumstances. She is also puzzled by Henry’s lack of interest in their marriage and although she would like to confront him, Tess is fearful of upsetting their fragile bond. Tess remains hopeful things will improve over the coming months and despite her reluctance to go against her husband’s wishes, she nonetheless holds firm when it comes to attaining her RN license.

      Tess is definitely a fish out of water in her new home. She is expected to conform to Ruth’s wishes and she gradually loses her sense of self under the weight of these expectations. Dealt a crushing blow in the aftermath of tragic losses, Tess unexpectedly finds the opportunity to fulfill her prior dreams when the town comes together and builds a hospital for polio patients.  When her past crashes headlong into the present, Tess realizes the enormity of everything she has lost, but will she find a way to escape her increasingly unhappy life?

      The Stolen Marriage is an enthralling historical novel with a rich cast of vibrantly developed and life-like characters. Tess is an extremely sympathetic and appealing protagonist who is a victim of not only her impetuous decisions but the strictures of time period. The small town of Hickory is realistically depicted but it takes the townspeople’s generosity in the face of adversity for Tess to realize she has misjudged most of its residents.  Diane Chamberlain’s meticulous research of Hickory’s past highlights a remarkable but little known piece of important history. An incredibly captivating and thought-provoking novel that provides an insightful glimpse of turbulent race relations, haunting polio epidemics and limited choices women endured during the mid 1940s in America.
    • 4/5
      Set in 1944 this novel starts out in Baltimore's Little Italy section of town where Tess DeMello lives with her mother finishing up her nursing degree and planning her wedding to her childhood sweetheart Vincent Russo. Then Vincent, a newly minted doctor, gets a chance to work with polio victims in Chicago so he goes for what is supposed to be only a couple of weeks but keeps stretching to more.Tess's friend, Gina, eager to get away for a night to try to not think of her boyfriend fighting in Europe and get Tess's mind off of Vincent who rarely writes or calls, takes them to Washington D.C. where they stay in her aunt's rental. Her aunt is supposed to stay with them since there are two men staying in the rental too, but her aunt is called away on business and can't so they'll be alone with the two men.So Roger Talbot and Henry Kraft, the two men in the rental, take them out to dinner and Roger plies them with drinks and Tess gets drunk. Henry helps her to her room and has sex with her. She will maintain later that she gave her permission, but honestly, she was too drunk and the description shows her allowing a kiss but that's it and then suddenly he's having sex with her. She was a virgin who had been saving herself for marriage with Vincent so it's hard to believe that she was willing in this. And frankly, I'm disappointed and surprised that a Southern gentleman, which he is from Hickory, North Carolina and is portrayed as such, would do that to a woman who was drunk. Soon Tess finds out that she is pregnant and she can't go through with abortion so she plans on keeping it but she can't tell Vincent because it will break his heart and he would never forgive her. She goes down to Hickory to get money from Henry to start a new life over somewhere else but he suggests they get married instead. She accepts his offer and when she tells her mother that she's marrying another man her mother figures out that she is pregnant and is furious with her daughter and ashamed of her and kicks her out of the house. She goes to stay with Gina but then two days later finds out that that night her mother suffered a stroke and passed out and hit her head and died. Tess leaves Vincent a note not telling where she's going on the kitchen table with his ring since he's coming down to visit after the funeral and leaves on the train for Hickory.Things in Hickory aren't easy because everyone expected Henry to marry Violet Dare the local beauty whose father is the District Attorney. But Henry insists that he doesn't love Violet and that they weren't engaged or anything. His mother Ruth, however, a formidable person, wanted him to marry Violet and so did his younger sister Lucy, a princess who has had everything done for her. Tess is told she is no longer a Catholic but a Baptist and she has to get used to having a maid, Hattie taking care of her. Hattie helps her out, though and is a kind face in a sea of those out to get her.Tess doesn't fit in Hickory and worse her husband won't even kiss her much less have sex with her. In a way, this is a blessing because her heart still belongs to Vincent and she doesn't know if she can have sex with him yet. She hopes to one day come to love him and have him come to love her. But Henry has secrets. There are things he is keeping from her. And things get worse when she and Lucy take the car with the bad tires on some errands at Lucy's insistence and at least one tire blows and the car ends up in the lake with Lucy pinned under the dashboard and Tess unable to get her free. Now Ruth and the town really hates her.This is an interesting book with the polio aspect to it that really happened. Hickory will have a huge polio outbreak and build a hospital overnight and the people really come together to help out. You feel pretty sorry for Tess being stuck in this situation, all alone with only letters from her friend Gina to give her support. There's someone else who helps her out a little bit, but I'll leave you the reader, to discover this unique character. Tess is a bit of a person who does the same thing over and over again expecting different results, which is the definition, according to Einstien of insanity. This book also delves heavily into coincidences, but it's a good story with a nice twist at the end. I give it four out of five stars.
    • 4/5
      Note: Book received for free from GoodReads for honest review.At first I found Stolen Marriage hard to get through. The first third seemed to slog through stereotypical scenarios from a standard gothic mystery novel and a main character that only rarely did anything proactive. However, once the story really hit its stride, I found myself engrossed more and more with Tess. She finally finds her feet in her new life, finding her spine and not letting society or anyone stand in the way of her dreams.I adored where the story went. From the back description and how the book started, I thought I’d be getting a gothic mystery full of suspenseful twists and chills, with a background and some tidbits on the polio epidemic and hospital. Yet, those parts actually became the main focus, much to my delight. I loved exploring how this small southern town pulled together to create this polio hospital practically overnight, donating time, energy, material support, and medical logistics to the task.Polio was such a big scare in the mid-20th century. Most people nowadays don’t even think about it. It was fascinating to see that explored in this small town setting, where rumors about the condition spread like wildfire and everyone knows the victims. Where another story could be a bleak portrayal of a small town in crisis, held in the hands of an epidemic, Stolen Marriage gives us a town who pulls it all together to get over this tragedy. I loved how the author portrayed this town.The polio epidemic also seems to give Tess the kick in the pants to find her own path in life. She starts out trying to please everyone in Hickory, her new husband’s family especially. Quickly, she finds out this is impossible, given she’s the outsider who has stolen the life expected for a local gal. I loved how she shook off this mindset when faced with a bigger crisis. She seems to find herself and mature fast, coming out the other side stronger and with an iron will.Besides Tess, the reader also gets a great grasp on Chamberlain's secondary characters as well. I grew to love most everyone, even the grumpy mother-in-law. Even her, I came to know why her attitudes were such and why she acted how she did. After I learned of Henry’s story, my sympathy for him rose fast. He’s faced with an impossible situation given the societal mores of the time.Despite the rocky start with Tess being a bit of a doormat, I learned to love this book as it explored a seldom used historical story and combined it with well-rounded characters. As Tess progressed on her journey, the reader can’t help but be sucked in by her struggles and triumphs. If you’re looking for a great read, give this one a look. The book only gets better the longer you read.
    • 4/5
      I enjoyed this book, although I think it could have stood some pruning. Mom also liked it.
    • 4/5
      I generally like Diane Chamberlain's books, and this was a pretty good one. I found it a little boring in the middle section, but it picked up and had a satisfying ending.
    • 5/5
      Actual Rating: 4.5 Stars

      My Takeaway

      "Even though I couldn’t have him or touch him or talk to him or even look into his eyes. I needed his presence. I needed him close by."
      Diane Chamberlain, The Stolen Marriage

      You know a book is good when you contemplate taking the day off just so you can continue reading. Yup. The Stolen Marriage is the real deal! Chamberlain is an exceptional storyteller, who brings the people and town of Hickory, North Carolina to life. The Stolen Marriage is historical fiction at its best and is full of unforgettable characters, secrets, deceptions, racism, and humanity. It is clear Chamberlain did her research. The story deals with the polio epidemic of the 40's and the endless taboos, which was a part of the time (especially in the South). I have no idea why it took me this long to read Chamberlain's work (shame on me)! Nonetheless, I am absolutely a fan and thankfully there are plenty of books to choose from (I already have Necessary Lies on my to be read pile). The polio epidemic was real and sadly individuals suffered and many died, but I am still in awe of how the people of Hickory came together to build a miracle hospital in 54 hours! I would love to see this book adapted into a movie. :-)

      Big thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press, for granting me my wish and providing an e-galley of this book in exchange for my honest review. If you enjoy historical fiction, I highly recommend this heartfelt novel.
    • 4/5
      Tess's fiancé travels out of state to work with polio victims. While he is away, Tess has a drunken one night stand with Henry Kraft. When she finds out she is pregnant, she is wracked with guilt and unsure of what to do. Traveling to Hickory, North Carolina, she asks the guy for money to run away and raise her child in a new town. Instead, he proposes marriage. Unsure of what to do, she accepts his proposal. Both the community of Hickory and Henry's family are scandalized and make life hard for Tess. When a polio epidemic strikes, a hospital is build and Tess battles her new family to work as a nurse in its wards. This was an interesting and dynamic book. The beginning was very dramatic and quickly hooked me. Tess and the other characters were well developed and interesting to read about. Overall, well worth picking up. I look forward to reading more from this author.
    • 4/5
      This book definitely had a slow start and I almost wish the novel had opened about half way through and just had flash backs to the relevant previous portions. For the first half, the story is strained and I nearly considered tossing it aside. However, things started to pick up and the last hundred pages flew by as the story twisted and turned. Overall, a really enjoyable read - if you make it through the slow beginning.
    • 5/5
      This book has reminded me why I read. Just wow. What an astonishing, amazing story. I want to firstly thank the publishers and the author for providing me with a copy to read in advance, I am grateful I got to read this! I really adored this novel, from start to finish. I love Tess. What I believe happened to her in the very beginning I don't think was consensual. I think she was raped. She was inebriated and Henry took advantage of her. I know the times were different in the mid 20th century, maybe people thought of 'consent' differently in that era, but I don't think the inability to say 'No' because Tess was drunk is considered consensual. It disturbed me a little bit but to that end, I don't think we would have had the story we had if she had considered herself to be raped.Let me repeat: I love Tess. I have never met a fictional character who sweats as much as I do. Bless you, child. I know I'm privileged in that I get to read nearly all books with characters who look and sound and talk like me, not everyone gets that privilege, but never have I had the ability to associate myself so deeply with a character like Tess BECAUSE GIRLFRIEND KNOWS A SWEATY PALM WHEN SHE SEES ONE. Yes girl. Me too. Beyond her capacity to sweat profusely, I adored Tess's strength. Her resilience is everything. Please don't read the next part if you don't want to read spoilers.Her life gets derailed almost at the word go: Vincent leaves for Chicago indefinitely, she fears the worst (that he's cheating on her) and whilst she is wrong, she gets punished for her fears rather than her fears coming true. Henry Kraft, who, deep down, is truly good and kind, used her. She becomes pregnant with a man's baby; a man she doesn't love. She has to leave her fiance to do what she believes is right and in the process, essentially kills her mother. She becomes part of a family that despises her and then she loses her baby. But she keeps on going. Then Lucy. It just doesn't stop. But Tess doesn't lose herself. She stays the independent girl who insists on working as a nurse that she always was in Little Italy in Baltimore. I loved Diane Chamberlain's descriptions of Little Italy in Baltimore, of Hickory, of the history she provides and the scenes she sets. I was transported to World War II America. I felt part of it. That is such a rare thing for me. I saw the houses she wrote about. I saw the people and the roads and the buildings. Not every author has that capability, and though this is my first book of Diane Chamberlain's, I believe she possesses this immense skill.The events that occur in this book, summed in one paragraph, can make it seem like a melodramatic soap opera lacking all realism. I get that. But I didn't feel that way one bit about this story. The drama felt tangible and real even though it was one thing after the other, but I believed it. This was an absolute page-turner for me. I love Tess. I love Vincent. I love Henry and Honor. I love Gina. Reverend Sam. Butchie and Jilly. I have been thinking about them all since I closed the book for the last time. I love that feeling; knowing you found a gem of a story that will stay with you.I will treasure this story for a long time to come.
    • 3/5
      I usually enjoy Diane Chamberlain books and this one was no exception. The characters in this book were complex and the mystery of what was going on kept me reading until the end. I also enjoyed learning about a time in history that I didn't know much about.
    • 4/5
      I love Diane Chamberlain's writing as it is concise and easy to read. This book has an interesting storyline, and I feel that it was very well written. For some reason, and I'm sure it's just me, I couldn't get into it as I have done with other books of hers. Would I recommend it to a friend? Yes. It is an easy and overall enjoyable read.
    • 5/5
      Twenty-three-year-old Tess DeMello is engaged to the love of her life. Their wedding day is getting close. So it doesn't make sense to her fiancé when she abruptly ends their engagement and runs off to marry a stranger. Tess leaves Baltimore and moves to Hickory, North Carolina. Her husband, Henry Kraft, is secretive and distant and he often stays out late or doesn't bother to come home at all. She doesn't fit in with the people of Hickory. They all love and respect the Kraft's and view Tess as an outsider, someone who's after his money. Unhappy in Hickory and trapped inside a loveless marriage, Tess is desperate to get her old self back which happens when a sudden polio epidemic erupts and their small town is selected as the perfect spot for a hospital. Everyone in Hickory helps build this hospital in just over two days. Against her husband's wishes Tess begins helping out as a nurse and soon finds herself very happy to be of help to the young victims. But her husband's behaviour is taking its toll on Tess who wants some answers and wants out of their marriage.

      Another five star read by Diane Chamberlain. A solid, interesting story with three-dimensional characters. I liked the setting and the fact that the people of Hickory really did build, staff and get a hospital up and running in fifty-four hours. Wow! That's impressive. I really liked Tess and was rooting for her to find happiness after everything she'd been through. Chamberlain has a way of making you feel part of instead of simply reading a book. I loved it!

      Thank you to Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for an ARC.
    • 4/5
      I really enjoyed this book. It was interesting to learn about polio, the 40’s and Hickory NC. I enjoyed reading about Tess. I was so glad she she was able to become an RN. I highly recommend this book.
    • 5/5
      ‘The Stolen Marriage’ is an intriguing story about a young woman named Tess DeMello, who is nearly graduated from nursing school in 1944 and is planning her imminent wedding to her fiancé Vincent. One night Tess mistakenly steps out with her friend, Gina, and after drinking too much, she has a one-night affair with Henry Kraft, a furniture entrepreneur from Hickory, North Carolina. Tess becomes pregnant and not feeling worthy of Vincent, she decides to break off with him and to make it on her own. When she visits Henry in North Carolina to borrow some money, he proposes to Tess, and she begins a new life, isolated in a small town, married to a husband who is emotionally and physically remote to her. When a polio epidemic breaks out in the town, all the town’s people gather their resources to meet the crisis, and Tess’s nursing skills break the barrier to becoming accepted by the townspeople. I was fascinated to learn that much of the factual information regarding the polio epidemic was accurate to history, and an actual temporary hospital was erected in Hickory in only a few days. Diane Chamberlain piques the reader’s interest throughout this novel, and I was a captive audience during a full weekend. Without giving too much away, let me say that the story proceeds to develop rapidly, and the novel is culminated with a very satisfactory ending.
    • 4/5
      There is a lot going for this book. It's historic ficiton, taking place at the end of World War II, in the US where every summer cities battle the polio epidemic. It also is set in the South, before the Civil Rights movement where there is definitely racial tension and segregation. And there is a little bit of a mystery going on too. So interesting setting, interesting time, and plenty of conflict. Check, check, check. But something was still missing for me in this book. The characters seemed to lack some depth to them, or they were a little too flat for me. I still enjoyed the historical aspects of the setting and the story keeps you listening.
    • 5/5
      I love Diane Chamberlain. She's one of my go-to, top five authors and she did not disappoint with this one.Tess and Vincent have grown up together and plan to be together forever when some bad decisions put their love to the test.The book starts out in 1944, about the same time as the polio outbreak. Vincent heads to Chicago to volunteer as a doctor caring for polio patients and as his work there keeps getting extended, Tess's patience dwindles. One decision leads Tess down a path she never expected.
    • 4/5
      Powerful and emotive- The story is set in the 1940’s, and is centered around Tess DeMello, who lives in Little Italy, is engaged to Vincent, the love of her life, and hoping to become a nurse. But, when her fiancé leaves town for a while, Tess makes a mistake that effectively derailed all her plans, sending her life into a tailspin. Trapped, and all alone after her break up with Vincent, Tess travels to Hickory, North Carolina and agrees to marry Henry Kraft, a man she barely knows. Not only is living in Hickory a culture shock, but the residents are not exactly welcoming, and neither is her new mother-in-law. But, the most puzzling thing of all, is Henry’s behavior towards her once they are married. Henry is an enigma, harboring deeply buried secrets he refuses to share with his wife. Miserable and looking for a way out of her bleak situation, Tess sees a lifeline when the town of Hickory builds a new hospital in the wake of a polio outbreak. Although Henry is adamantly opposed to his wife working outside the home, Tess puts her foot down, and goes back to school so she can work as a nurse. Yet, Henry’s dual life remains a mystery, until a startling revelation once more changes the course of Tess’s life. I must confess, this story had me worried there for a while. I love historical fiction, southern fiction, and I am a huge fan of this author. When the stellar reviews started to trickle in, I became more and more excited about reading this book.But, I found myself struggling with a few issues here and there and was afraid I may have raised my expectations a little too high. However, after I finished the book and let everything sink in, I understood why this book has had such a profound effect on so many readers. The war backdrop, the polio outbreak, and the racial issues are a potent combination. I must comment on a few of the problems I had with the story, though. I’m slightly confused by the timeline concerning Henry and Tess’s first meeting. Was Henry already deeply involved in the situation that prompted him to seize upon the opportunity Tess’s predicament afforded him? If so, the behavior of both Tess and Henry, alcohol fueled or not, didn't seem in line with their characters and I wasn't totally convinced by their impulsiveness. However, I did understand the author’s intent and she did a magnificent job of getting that point across. It is heartbreaking and unimaginable that someone would have to resort to such desperate measures just to be with the people they loved. While I did have to suspend belief a little in respect to the clever planning, or sheer opportunitistic and quick thinking, that resulted in the freedom everyone so urgently needed, overall, I was happy with the way things worked out. Despite the serious work yet to be done, it is great to be reminded of the medical progress we’ve made, the results of which we almost take for granted now, and the roads paved by women like our brave and resilient protagonist, who fought for the opportunity to work outside the home, and to diversify the career choices women enjoy today.It is also good to be reminded of those awful racial laws, that have since been abolished, because I feel it is important to look at how far we've come, but we should also avoid complacency, and of course, as I said, there is still MUCH work we have yet to accomplish. I am often depressed by the threat of losing all this progress. Once won, we should not have to continue to fight these same battles over and over and over. But, alas, it seems we must and there are still many battles we haven't even fought, much less won. But… this novel also proves that the fight is worth the risk and sacrifice, that we can do better and things can change. So, after some consideration, I found this book to be just the right inspiration at just the right time for me. Diane Chamberlain is a great storyteller and once more I have come away with more appreciation for her talent. 4 stars
    • 5/5
      I absolutely love Diane Chamberlain's books and this one, of course, did not fail me!!!I felt so many emotions while reading this book. Tess who breaks off her engagement with the love of her life to marry Henry. Tess who I felt so sorry for and Henry who is hiding something (and all of my guesses were wrong - Ha!!) I only felt contempt. He stayed out all night, was hiding money and never touched his wife. Tess's mother-in-law is a contemptible, meddling old woman still stuck in the ideas of the old south and her sister-in-law dislikes her because Henry was supposed to marry her best friend.When Henry's secrets did come to light, the story floored me as, of course, I was definitely not expecting that.A wonderfully great story that I thoroughly enjoyed and was sad to leave.Thanks to St. Martin's Press and Net Galley for providing me with a free e-galley in exchange for an honest, unbiased review.
    • 5/5
      I received a free advance e-copy of this book and have chosen to write an honest and unbiased review. I have no personal affiliation with the author. This is a very well written piece of historical fiction based on real historical facts related to the polio epidemic and how the citizens of Hickory, North Carolina built, staffed, and maintained a much needed polio hospital during the years many men were away fighting in WW II. Hickory was struggling with the hardships of war. There was a great deal of racial tension in this country during this time when it was unlawful for a white man or woman to have a serious relationship with, date, love, or marry a black person of the opposite sex in many states. It was a disgrace for an unmarried woman to become pregnant and give birth to a child. This book is full of surprises and twists and turns. The story grabbed me right from the beginning and didn’t let go until the surprise ending. It is obvious that the author had done a great deal of research on the polio epidemic and racial tension and prejudice in the south. Diane Chamberlain is a great storyteller. This is a great story and well worth the read. I highly recommend this book and look forward to reading more from Diane Chamberlain in the future.
    • 4/5
      This novel starts out a little slow, basically because the first part of the story is "nothing new". Tess makes a huge mistake and gets pregnant. She marries the father of her child and moves to Hickory, NC. The tale then escalates with all her adjustments and the mysteries surrounding her new husband.
This story has many plots folded all into one. It really keeps you humming along. Henry with his mysterious comings and goings, Vincent, the heart broken fiancé, the polio clinic, the racist attitude of the town, all of this weave into a saga which is absorbing on many levels. Plus! You must read about Reverend Sam. He is a character which stole my heart!! I also enjoyed learning about the Polio clinic. (Which is true!) The town of Hickory did put up a polio clinic in 54 hours.
The only reason I am giving this 4 stars is Tess. She is a little infuriating. She is not as strong as I want her to be. She takes way too much off of her mother-in-law and many others in the town. There were places I wanted to pop her and say "SPEAK UP FOR YOURSELF!"
I have only read one other book by Diane Chamberlain and I adored it. I have no idea why I have not picked up her other books. I must! I love her plot turns and her rich historical detail!
I received this novel from Netgalley for a honest review.