I am a bit of a fan of Diane Chamberlain’s books, so I was really happy to receive a copy of The Dream Daughter (thanks to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley) in exchange for my honest review. TBH, I didn’t even read the promotional material, figuring if it was as enjoyable as Necessary Lies, The Stolen Marriage, etc., it would be well worth my time. Then I read the blurb, and saw the words “time travel…” OMG.

I’m not a fan of fantasy, magical realism, science fiction (except for the it-could-maybe-really-happen type like something about a plague), and especially not a fan of time travel. So this one sat on my TBR pile for MONTHS while I debated whether or not to even read it. There always seemed to be at least a couple of other books in the pile that were SO much more appealing to me. Finally, when I realized it had been on the pile more than three months, I decided to quit procrastination and just try it...even though it was categorized as “Women’s Fiction,” two words which are, for me, almost as offputting as “time travel” for me!

So here is the outline (no spoilers): it’s 1970 and a young widow name Caroline (Carly) Sears learns she is pregnant right before her husband is killed in Vietnam. As if that isn’t enough, she finds out the baby, which is the only thing she has to connect her with her late husband, has a serious heart defect for which there is no treatment – at least not in 1970. So, here we go...

Her brother-in-law, a physicist, confides to her that he is in North Carolina because he traveled back in time from 2018, then met and married her sister (who has NO idea about any of this), and was so happy he then decided to stay in 1970. He is willing to help Carly travel to a time in the future when fetal surgery is a relatively common practice, with the idea that she and her baby can then travel back to 1970 North Carolina.

That’s the basic outline. As I said, no spoilers, that's just what you could gather from the publisher’s blurb. It does have the Diane Chamberlain style of developing characters the reader really cares about, and has some interesting conundra (?) for the main characters to deal with. BUT. It's time travel.

So, here’s the thing: I know several people (including some in my book club) who will LOVE this book, and I will recommend it to them without hesitation. They will read it and give it five stars. For me, it just isn’t my thing. I tried to imagine the characters in a story that didn’t involve time travel, set in any of the timeframes that are in the book and realized I would have liked any of those WAY more. So, for me, I can only go 2 stars…but I will definitely continue to be a fan of Ms. Chamberlain’s work (and hope this time travel stuff is just an aberration!)

When I heard this novel involves science fiction, I decided to take a pass. But when the publisher offered me a chance to read an advanced review copy, I couldn’t resist, as after all, this is Diane Chamberlain. It turns out the science fiction angle is only a means to deliver a wonderful story dealing with love, family, and the courage to do the right thing. I loved it.

The book got off to a bit of a slow start for me, but around 40% or so I was totally hooked. Carly’s mysterious brother-in-law Hunter tells her there is only one way for Carly to save her unborn baby who has been diagnosed with a severe heart defect. To elect this option, however, will take a tremendous amount of faith and courage. How far will Carly go to save her unborn child? And this turns out to be only the tip of the iceberg in terms of the decisions Carly will have to make to ensure her child gets the best life possible.

This story is a good ‘un, people. Carly is a gem of a person and so well drawn. I enjoyed putting myself in her shoes and trying to figure out the best way to go as numerous forks in the road continued to appear. The time line is complex and the reader needs to pay attention, but Ms. Chamberlain lays it all out pretty well. I found myself thinking more during this novel than I usually do, which is a good thing. There were multiple times I was sure I had the roadmap of the tale figured out, but was wrong every time. I cheered throughout the last few pages of the book even though it was all tied up a bit too nicely, something I don’t always need.

In summary, this book was a very pleasant surprise as I liked it much more than I thought I would. I heartily recommend it to all readers looking for a typically good Diane Chamberlain novel. If you have never read her, this is as good a place as any to start. I’m excited I still have many more of her books yet to read.

Many thanks to St. Martin’s Press, Net Galley, and Diane Chamberlain for an advanced copy of this novel. Opinions are mine alone and are not biased in any way.

The Dream Daughter by Diane Chamberlain

October 2018
Women’s fiction

I received this digital ARC from NetGalley and St.Martins Press in exchange for an unbiased review.

This author has always been on my TBR list but didn’t have the opportunity until now to review her latest novel.

Although the story is presented with alternate narrators in different time periods it feels as if it is occurring simultaneously. The concept of time travel is used in this book as a unique means of exploring ethical dilemmas.

It was April of 1965 when Caroline Sears, a physical therapy student intern, meets Hunter Poole, a difficult depressed patient at rehab in Chapel Hill, NC. Carly seems to be the only one with whom Hunter connects after falling from a 3-story building who can assist with his recovery.

Jump forward to Naggs Head, NC in April of 1970 where Hunter is now married to Carly’s sister, Patti and a 1 year old son, John Paul. At this time Carly finds herself a widow with her precious husband Joe a casualty of the Vietnam War. Carly never had the chance to inform him of her pregnancy before he died. At 24 weeks pregnant it is discovered that the baby has an irregular heartbeat where she is referred to National Institute of Health (NIH) in Maryland for a fetal ultrasound study.

When the results of the study prove fatal for the baby, Hunter decides he needs to share his secret with Carly in order to save her baby. There are many twists and unexpected discoveries as Carly experiences the world in ways she dreamed possible. Her only goal is to save baby Joanna with a life saving surgery that hasn’t been invented!

Through time travel issues of the past and future are analyzed with a new lens. Is it acceptable to disturb the present with knowledge of the future knowing it would alter the present? Likewise, is it ever wise to alter the course of history once it has been set in motion? It becomes imminently obvious how the slightest changes can alter the ultimate outcome in time.

I would like to thank St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for an E-ARC of this book. I have read all of Diane Chamberlain's books, and even though this is different from her other books, it is fantastic! It took me a while to get used to the time travel element but once I did, it just helped make a great story. Just make sure you pay attention to the dates at the beginning of each chapter so you do not get confused as you read.

I can’t remember how I discovered Diane Chamberlain, but I’ve been a huge fan of hers since that first book. The Dream Daughter is by far my favorite. It is amazing. I hadn’t read anything about it and I’m so glad I didn’t. I think I experienced every emotion a human being is capable of experiencing while reading this book. I loved Carly and her story. I already can’t wait for Diane Chamberlain’s next book, but it will be hard to top this one. Solid 4.5 stars.

Big thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and Diane Chamberlain for the opportunity to read this phenomenal book.

Diane Chamberlain is one of my go to authors, whatever she writes you can guarantee an excellent book. This book is not an exception. Superb and emotional read that engages you from the first chapter. Well done again Diane.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me a copy of this fantastic, clever, book! It is not your typical Chamberlain book and I was leery at first. I love her books and her ability to tackle tough subjects. This was different but brilliant!

Carly is pregnant in 1970, recently widowed, and sent to 2001 to hopefully receive surgery on her baby's heart. Imagine her surprise at how different the world was from 1970 to 2001!

And that's only the beginning. The author takes us to 2013, throws many obstacles and painful, heartwrenching decisions at Carly, and gives the reader a real page-turner to see how Carly's going to make it through. Clever writing, clever story!

Diane Chamberlain yet again produced a book that is amazing. I was a bit hesitant to read it, since the topic is so out of the norm for her. I was not disappointed at all. I was amazed at her ability to keep the timelines flowing and her ability to transition from one time period to the other was seamless. Fabulous book, I will be recommending it to all the readers I know.

Diane Chamberlain is an amazing storyteller and this one does not disappoint. This engrossing page turner asks the question what would you do to save your child ? Turns out the impossible . Caroline the main character meets a patient at the hospital she works at and her life is changed forever . Science fiction family saga with lots of turns is the best way I can describe this book. Emotional spellbinding story

A unique time-travel bit of "women's" fiction. On the plus side, I didn't see the ending coming, and it was a satisfying, heartwarming story. On the down side, I thought that the first half of the book dragged, and included perhaps a bit too much detail about the characters' emotional angst. Conversely, the end of the book seemed to wrap up too quickly. Overall, a memorable story, even considering the uneven pacing.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
I am embarrassed to admit that, though I own 3 other Diane Chamberlain novels, this NetGalley book is the first of hers I have actually read.

It certainly moves the others up the list. I really appreciate her writing style.

While it is difficult to write much of a review without giving away spoilers, the best way to read The Dream Daughter is to go in blind. It is an unexpected family drama that is touching and relatable. While I might have questioned some of the veracity of the plot line, there was no way to doubt Ms. Chamberlain understands familial bonds.
Read this is you like domestic drama, but would like a unique twist on the genre.

Thanks to #dianechamberlain #stmartinspress and #netgalley for my advanced ecopy of this lovely novel!

I loved this story. It drew me in from the very beginning and kept me furiously reading to the end. Another fantastic read by Diane Chamberlain!

The year is 1970. Soon after she learns that her husband was killed in Vietnam, twenty-seven year old Carly learns that she is pregnant. Then she learns that her baby has a heart defect that will kill her shortly after she is born. That is when Carly's brother in law, Hunter, tells her that he is a time traveler and can arrange for her to travel to the year 2001, when there is surgery available that may be able to save her baby's life.

Despite the fear of leaving her only remaining family member, her sister Patty, Carly literally jumps at the chance to save the life of her baby. Life in the future is full of unknowns and questions but Carly will do anything to save her baby. This is a book of a mother's love of both her baby and her recently deceased husband. She has to gather every bit of courage to take this journey and once in the future, she suffers many set backs and struggles but she does not give up.

One of the things I liked about this book is that even though we were aware of the thoughts of both Carly and Hunter, both characters were still likable. Hunter wants to share what he can to help Carly save her baby. Carly was willing to give up everything for her baby and in ways that she would not have expected, farther along in the book. This was a very enjoyable read and I thank St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for this ARC.

Oh. My. Gahd. All the feels!

Carly is a young, pregnant widow in 1970 who learns that the baby she is carrying has a birth defect that pretty much guarantees she won't survive more than a day outside the womb. As this child is the only piece of her beloved husband that she has left, she is despondent at hearing this news.

Enter her quirky, but very lovable brother-in-law, who tells her there is a way to save her baby. However, what is required is so far 'out there', that it seems an impossible, or at the very least, highly improbable answer to her dilemma. Travel to the future where (when?) a medical procedure exists that will save her unborn child.

I love me a good time travel book, and this one did not disappoint. I even found the method of achieving time travel to be interesting, and my heart was pumping in shared anxiety with the main character as she took the first plunge (literally).

As the mother of a little girl myself, I truly connected with Carly, and reading about her time leading up to delivery, as well as the time spent in the hospital with her newborn, brought my own memories of that time to the forefront.

However, I have to say I struggled with certain plot twists. Without going into 'spoiler-alert' style details, I will say I had to put the book down at one point and take a break because I Just. Could. Not. Continue. Could not imagine being there and making the kind of decisions she was faced with. Could not answer those questions for myself with 100% certainty, which was why I had to step away for a few days before returning to see how the author resolved the issues.

Even more plot twists awaited, but in the end, I felt that satisfying sense of a story well-told. Closure was achieved, and I could once again rest easy.

Highly recommended - but with a trigger warning for mothers.

Being a big fan of Diane Chamberlain; I was anxious to read The Dream Daughter. When I realized it involved time travel I was a bit hesitant as I'm not remotely interested in this genre. However, since Ms. Chamberlain wrote it, I knew I had to read it, and wow am I pleased I did. It had drama, family, love and twists and turns in abundance. Highly recommended

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC copy of The Dream Daughter by Diane Chamberlain. I will not give any spoilers. It held my interest and I did enjoy it. It was a quick read for me. I will say there is time travel in this book. The characters were believable I made the story very interesting. This was my first book by the author and looking forward to reading books by her in the future.

The Dream Daughter is another awesome book by Diane Chamberlain! Time travel has never seemed so alluring. To travel to the future to save your child, any parent would do. Fantastic book! Thanks Netgalley and St Martin's Press for advanced copy!!!

Diane Chamberlain steps out of her typical writing style in The Dream Daughter and brings us a time travel novel that keeps us on the edge of our seats. This book is outstanding!
Carly is a young mother to be in the 1970's who learns that her unborn child has a heart defect, and will likely die soon after being born. Her brother-in-law is a physicist, and is confident that if he sends Carly into the future,the heart defect can be corrected in utero. Carly takes this leap, and goes into the future and is accepted into an experimental program and the surgery is performed. The book takes us back and forth between periods of time and is exquisitely executed,fast paced, and has the reader holding their breath during many parts of the book. I thoroughly enjoyed the book and would highly recommend picking up a copy.
Many thanks to Netgalley and St Martins Press for providing me a copy of this book in exchange for my review.

Another great book by Diane Chamberlain! The characters in this story are so relatable I couldn't walk away! I wasn't sure I would like the time traveling component of this book but the story and characters made it impossible not to love. I am so glad I received an ARC of this book and can't wait to read more by this author. A must read!!! The twists and turns in the plot make for a great story and you will be lost in time as you read this 5 star book!

This is another book that took my breath away while reading it. I went into reading The Dream Daughter with little expectations. From what I read in the blurb, I thought it was going to be your typical time travel book. While it was that, it was also so much more. That is what made me love this book. I would also warn, please read with tissues. You are going to need them.

The Dream Daughter starts off in Nag's Head Island, North Carolina in 1970. Caroline is widowed and pregnant. She found out that her unborn daughter has a fatal heart defect (for that era). This is a devastating blow since her husband was killed in Vietnam 7 months earlier. Then her brother-in-law drops a bombshell. He tells her that he can save her baby. But to do it, he needs to send her forward in time. To the year 2001, where there is a new surgery that could save her baby. Desperate, Carly agrees. But things go sideways when the baby is born and needs to be in NICU longer than expected. A series of events forces Carly to jump back to 1970. Desperate to get her baby, she jumps back to the future. Except it is the year 2013, her daughter is a preteen and has been adopted by a well to do family. While there, Carly discovers something that shakes her to the core. Something that makes her chose between staying with her daughter or going back to 1970.

I liked Carly. First, she was determined to save her child. As any mother would be. I can't imagine being told that my child had an incurable heart defect. Her disbelief when Hunter told her about the surgery and what she would have to do to get there came off the pages. I would have said the same thing if my brother-in-law told me that he was a time traveler from the future. I liked how she chose to believe Hunter. All because she wanted her baby to have a chance at life. 

The scenes in the NICU broke my heart. My youngest daughter was sent to NICU shortly after she was born and spent a week there. A short visit compared to some of the babies but still, a stressful time in my life. Every emotion that I had been mirrored by Carly. My heart broke for her. The baby was the last tie to her husband, who was killed in Vietnam. 

I liked how the author explained how time traveling was discovered and used. I thought it was interesting that the travelers had to step off of things to get to where they were going. Carly had to step off a pier, a stone bridge in Central Park and a tree house to reach the portals. I also loved the 5 times rule. The traveler could only travel 5 times. If they travel a 5th time, they disappear. No one knows where the traveler goes or if they are alive. 

I should mention Hunter, since he was a major part of getting Carly to the future. I thought he was great. What he did was out of love for Carly and her unborn baby. He didn't take into consideration that so many things would go wrong with Joanna. His worry about when Carly would come back was palpable. He couldn't go fetch Carly because that would be his 5th trip. So he was stuck and the worrying was taking a toll on him. I loved teenage him. I was giggling to myself as I read those scenes because I could picture it in my head. I have 2 sisters that would be his age and I remember how they were.

The last half of the book broke my heart. When Carly jumped to 2013 to find Joanna, I didn't know what to expect. I was ready to find out that Joanna was in an awful home with parents who didn't care about her. It would have made taking Joanna back to 1970 a lot easier. But, instead, she had parents that loved her. They gave her the world and then some. Of course, they were a little suspicious of Carly when she came into the scene but they soon warmed up to her. I did think, for a while, that Carly was going to stay in 2013. But that didn't happen.

The end of the book was surprising. There was a twist to the plot line that I didn't see coming. While it didn't come out of left field, it still left me shocked. I also understood why Carly made the decision she did. The epilogue was the most surprising. Not going to say what but I will say that I love it when things come in full circle!!!

What I liked about The Dream Daughter:

A) Carly. She had an inner strength that I loved

B) Hunter. He did what he thought was best for Carly.

C) Joanna. OMG, I loved her. She was hilarious and reminded me of my daughter.

What I disliked about The Dream Daughter:

A) The NICU scenes. They brought back some unpleasant memories for me

B) Carly's decision at the end of the book

C) Hunter's mother. She was cold.

I would give The Dream Daughter an Older Teen rating. There is no sex. There is some mild violence. There is some mild language. I would recommend that no one under the age of 16 read this book.

There are no triggers for The Dream Daughter.

I would reread The Dream Daughter. I would also recommend this book to family and friends.

I would like to thank St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for allowing me to read and review The Dream Daughter.

All opinions stated in this review of The Dream Daughter are mine.

**I chose to leave this review after reading an advance reader copy**