The Stolen Marriage was a great story! It features Tess DeMello, a young woman who is working on her nursing degree. She has a solid relationship with a finance she loves dearly, but she is suddenly in a situation where she abruptly marries a stranger and moves to his home in a small North Carolina town.

Her new husband isn't what she expected. He is very secretive and his mother, whom they live with, does not accept Tess. When tragedy strikes the family, Tess is blamed.

Soon, a polio epidemic hits, and Tess uses the nursing degree she acquired right after her marriage to help alleviate the suffering of the victims. Tess finally begins to feel that she has some value in her new town when her past turns up.

With her new husband's mysterious behavior, the raging polio epidemic, and her past facing her, she has to untangle her life and figure out what direction to take.

This book was filled with wonderful characters, some very likable, and others not. The storyline was captivating and kept me interested throughout. I enjoyed the small town setting. I thought that some difficult subjects were handled very adeptly. This is one I would recommend without hesitation.

I thought this would be a much darker novel, and I'm glad that it was not. When Tess and Hank have a one night stand that ends in an unwanted pregnancy, Hank proposes and they hurriedly marry. However, Hank has no interest in Tess, and his mother and sister are extremely unkind to her. The story takes place during a polio epidemic and Tess's nursing skills set her relationship with Hank on the right path. The historical portion of the novel was intriguing. I am appreciative to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to be an early reader in exchange for my fair and unbiased review.

I have read just about every Diane Chamberlain novel on the market and as yet have failed to find one I didn't enjoy. This latest one is no exception.
If you're looking for a feel good story to curl up with for the weekend then this is the one to choose! The central character Tess, is a warm and likeable young woman who irrevocably changes her perfectly planned future in Little Italy with the man she loves by making one irrational wrong move. I don't wish to give away the plot but ultimately this changes her life course and Tess finds herself leaving behind everything and everyone she loves as she journeys to a new life in Hickory amongst strangers. This period in Tess's life is central to the book and a little history is interspersed among the fiction with the great polio outburst of the 1940's being covered along with the building of the polio hospital by the townsfolk of Hickory.
The story has many twists and surprises along the way and has a lovely happy ending so what's not to like?

My first experience with Diane Chamberlain (although Necessary Lies has been on my list for quite some time), and I was NOT disappointed. She sure has the ability to whisk you away into the character's world. That world being 1944, this was an enjoyable experience for sure. I learned quite a bit (without even realizing it, as it didn't feel like learning!) and feel like I can truly understand more what it was like to live during that time. "The Stolen Marriage"was not what I was expecting. It caught my interest right away and never let go. Tess, early 20's, is a newlywed who has recently relocated from Baltimore to a small town in North Carolina to be with her husband. Every one is different and seemingly suspect. This book is not actively "suspenseful" but there is an underlying of suspense as the reader doesn't know what's going on. Tess's new husband is quite strange and leaves you so curious! The most interesting thing about this book is that its not even the plot that keeps you going - its just the book itself!! And I don't mean that as a criticism to the plot because that plot is quite good!! Its just that the writing is even better somehow! It just transports you to Tess's world and makes this reading this book an experience.. Not only did I learn about every day life and social structures of the '40s, I also learned about the polio epidemic and she was even able to make THAT enjoyable!! I highly highly recommend this book - of course to readers of historical fictions - but to other readers as well! Trust me, don't just lump this in with typical historical fiction and feel like it won't be "your thing" - you will miss out.

An interesting look at how historical prejudices both have and haven'the changed. Believable and sympathetic characters and historically accurate. Would recommend.

From the first chapter I was totally engrossed with Tess and her life in 1940s America. One silly mistake and her dreams and plans totally ruined, how could she come back from this? Her story was wonderfully written each chapter leaving me wanting more. An excellent and easy 5 stars from me.

I rate this book a 4.5 out of 5 Stars.

Thank you to St. Martins Press for sending me this book, in exchange of an honest review.

I own Diane Chamberlin books, I have not read them yet. There was something about this book that was calling my name. If this is how good her other books are, than I am in for a real treat once I get the time to read them. The Stolen Marriage was so good! And I love that it was based on a real event in history. The Polio outbreaks and the hospital that was built-in under 3 days to take care of the children suffering from Polio.

The story woven around this sad time in history was equally good. I loved everything this book touched upon. Social stature, racism, same-sex un-equality, rich people, poor people, looks, breeding, prominent people vs. commoners. It was just such a fantastic read, I felt like I flew through the pages, Diane really had me drawn into this world. I loved Tess, and I ultimately wanted the best for her, and I had a serious soft spot for Henry. He appeared cold and distant, but I knew there was more to him.

This book comes out October 3rd, and I highly suggest it. I have included the Amazon link below to make it easy to pre-order.

Very interesting story and it kept me hooked all the way through. Diane Chamberlain does it again! 5 stars.

Ms. Chamberlain is never afraid to tackle tough subjects and "This Stolen Marriage" is no exception. Interracial marriage, money fraud, and adultery are just a few of the elements in this historical fiction. Set during WWII, sweet Tess has dreamed of marrying the man of her dreams, Vincent Russo, since she was a teenager. Plans have been made and a date has been set, but several decisions made in the course of the engagement will cause a detour in both Vincent's and Tess' lives. Will they be able to find their way back to one another?

The Stolen Marriage is well written and has Diane's knowledge running through the pages. I enjoyed it although it was tough going in places.

I used to really enjoy reading Diane Chamberlain, but for some reason I had a really rough time with this one. I gave it an honest shot, but I just couldn't finish. DNF @ 33%.

<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/33574127-the-stolen-marriage" style="float: left; padding-right: 20px"><img border="0" alt="The Stolen Marriage" src="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1489460469m/33574127.jpg" /></a><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/33574127-the-stolen-marriage">The Stolen Marriage</a> by <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/93345.Diane_Chamberlain">Diane Chamberlain</a><br/>
My rating: <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2044546792">4 of 5 stars</a><br /><br />
This novel starts with a young couple in Little Italy, Baltimore, Maryland in 1943, who have grown up together and are engaged. A situation happens, and then the story moves to Hickory, North Carolina, 1944 during the years when polio was first being treated. A really good historical novel!<br />This was a real page turner! Secrets abounding! <br /><br />Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the ARC!
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<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/list/12851291-karen">View all my reviews</a>

I was pleasantly surprised by this novel. I was mostly interested in reading it because it is set in the area where I live, but was quickly engrossed in the characters and plot of the novel. I appreciated the author's attention to detail in setting and the accuracy of her knowledge of the Hickory, NC area which she worked into the novel. I do not typically enjoy novels in this genre, but I found this one to be a true joy!

My review in a word: Conflicted. The writing, while good, was repetitive and slow. The story was not within my realm of believable. There was a lot of hang wringing and misplaced belief in the goodness of strangers. I did not open this book with any expectations and reading the last page was a relief. I have read the reviews of others and perhaps the fairest comment is that this was just not the book for me.

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for an ARC

Diane Chamberlain has a large and loyal fan base. This novel is a perfect example as to why. Her books tell stories about real life situation with perfectly drawn characters. They touch us and they move us.

Oh so good!!!! I couldn't put it down!!!! I read this is record time! Edge of my seat ride!!!! Thanks!! I will be buying some copies for the store for sure!!!!!

I've read most of this author's books and like her writing style. This book was no exception, as I was quickly pulled into the story of Tess and Henry. Tess was a compelling character and you felt her pain and sense of loss throughout the book. The backdrop of this story was Hickory during the time of the polio outbreak. Some of the story was set in a real life event - the building of the hospital.
Ultimately this story is about life and how the choices we make can have a lasting impact on those we love. I found this to be a quick, easy read, but one that will linger. I would say the only character that had true dimension was Tess and that's OK because it was her story. I was surprised by the twist at the end as all the foreshadowing led me down a different path. Overall a great summer read from Diane Chamberlain.

I'm not even entirely sure where to start with this review... I have many thoughts swirling around in my brain and placing them will be difficult, but I hope you'll hang around for the ride.

I went into this book completely blind, knowing that I've wanted to read something by Diane for quite some time, but unwilling to spend the money on an author I knew nothing of.

I didn't know that this book would take place in 1944, in the height of the polio epidemic. I didn't know I'd read about segregation, and the incredible difference to how we live now.

I didn't expect to fall so deeply in love with a character who at first seemed like an ungrateful, terrible human.

We all make choice that define our futures, though we often don't know it at the time. Tess made one of those decisions, and while it changed her life path completely, it takes us on a wild ride, too.

I loved every second of this book, but towards the end my jaw dropped and I was wholly enthralled! Like what? Who is this mastermind?

I'm so thrilled to have received an early copy of this book and I urge you all to read it when it becomes available to you!

The story of Tess, a totally enamored young bride-to-be, anxiously awaiting the special day when she would be wed to the love of her life Vincent Russo. Vincent, an aspiring pediatrician, flees Baltimore to go to Chicago to assist with the outbreak of the polio epidemic while Tess, who is finishing her nursing degree, waits for him back home. A one-day trip with her best friend Gina to DC sets Tess's world on a disastrous path - one dinner, too many drinks and one selfish encounter with a stranger. The outcome is one Tess has to own which will determine the fate of not only her, but her love and many still to come.

A tragic story with a wonderful telling that has surprising depth and just the right ending.

Absolute fangirl of The Stolen Marriage here! It is obvious that a lot of research by the author went into this book. I learned so much about polio, the "Miracle of Hickory" hospital, and yes, even the taboos and law standing in the way of interracial marriage in 1940s North Carolina.

The depth of character development, the details such as the smells and sounds of the quickly set up Miracle of Hickory and the suspense created by Henry's puzzling behavior all served to draw me in deeper and deeper even though I was already in love with this story!

I absolutely felt like I was there, in Hickory, reading about Reverend Sam, picturing the unpaved roads in his part of town, 'seeing' the main street in my mind and the hustle and bustle as people went about their lives. I could feel the fear when Butchie became ill and I rooted for Tess as she became a stronger person who stood up for herself and did exactly what she thought was right.

I loved the ending and would love to see a sequel, but sadly, I don't believe that is planned, after I chatted with the author on FB. I've read several of Diane Chamberlain books and will now go back and check into her other books because as crazy good as this one is, I don't want to miss any of her work!

Thank you very much to the author, the publisher and NetGalley for allowing me an ARC.