I went with 4 stars because this novel is so well written. Diane Chamberlain writes smoothly and her stories flow easily. The Stolen Marriage is set in the 1940's which made the events a little more believeable for me, but I was uncomfortable with the premise of the book, the heroine's indiscretion felt rather like a rape to me, non-consensual sex at the very least. That made me uncomfortable with the decisions the character makes from that moment in her life. If you can get past that point, the story unfolds well, and the pacing is good. It just wasn't my favorite.

I read Necessary Lies a few years ago with my book club, so when I saw I could pick up an ARC through Netgalley, I grabbed it. I’m glad I did! I have to say though, after reading the beginning of the story, I thought I was going to regret it. Tess and her fiancee seemed so perfect for each other, and Tess was making some very back choices at the beginning of the story! However, it wasn’t long before I was immersed in the story and I flew through it!

I really liked all of the characters in the story. Some had flaws and could be petty, but even then, they were likeable characters. Though at the beginning Henry appeared to be the ‘bad guy’ who ruined Tess’s life, he was actually a very kind and thoughtful man caught up in some bad circumstances.

Though the main characters are fictional, the events in the story are based on fact. Tess is a nurse and volunteers in a polio hospital that sprang up on the outskirts of town in a matter of weeks. The panic of the parents with affected children and children at-risk was real. The way the community came together to make the hospital a reality was real. And the racism and prejudice was also real. You can read more about this events that inspired this novel here and here.

Like many of Diane Chamberlain’s books, this one will make an excellent book club selection with a variety of potential topics for discussion; racism of the 1940s, out of wedlock pregnancy in the 1940s, date rape, the polio epidemic and the history of immunization, and many others.

You can visit the author’s webpage to read an excerpt, see a reading guide, or browse a bibliography of materials she consulted while writing this book. You can view the Tedx Talks episode she recommends here.

My Rating: ★★★★1/2 4-1/2 Stars

I received this book "The Stolen Marriage" from Netgalley for my honest review.

Loved this Book!!! I will have to check out other books by this author as I loved her writing style. This was a late night I have to finish this book type of book. The story mainly is about Tess DeMello and the choices she makes when she gets into some trouble. You will feel like you are right there with her as she tries to find her way in her life with the choices she has made. Excellent Book!

Diane Chamberlain’s books always keep my attention, mostly because I do not know where they are going next. Her books always seem to connect with me. During WWII, Tess and her friend Gina go off to Washington for a weekend trip. Tess had too much to drink and in the blink of an eye, she is pregnant with a stranger’s baby and moving to Hickory, North Carolina married a reticent man with secrets. Tess hoped for the best, but the town and rules are far and away different from what she is used to, her in-laws treat her so poorly, and she is really still in love with Vincent. Tess is determined to get her RN license and work, something that is being discouraged, but what is really happening?

The Stolen Marriage is a story that pulls at the heart. You know that there are secrets among good people and those secrets seem to be such a mystery. Diane Chamberlain has written seemly a story with intricate characters, and still a more intricate story line. The book has much to recommend it to a variety of people. The Stolen Marriage is a great read.

Poignant, candid, and insightful!

The Stolen Marriage is predominantly set in North Carolina during WWII and is the story of Tess, a young woman who finds her life unexpectedly turned upside down after one night of irresponsibility and the choices and sacrifices she must then make to survive and ultimately find fulfillment, happiness, and unconditional love.

The writing is precise, captivating and fluid. The characters are multi-faceted, genuine, and endearing. And the plot is a sweeping saga filed with family, loss, secrets, determination, self-discovery, faith, discrimination, racial segregation, as well as an in-depth look at the devastating polio epidemic of the 1940s.

The Stolen Marriage is a wonderfully written novel by Chamberlain that grabs you from the very start and does an exceptional job of blending historical facts, suspense, and a little paranormal into an incredibly fascinating story.

The dreaded 3 star curse is still with me ☹️

Predictable at every turn and cookie cutter characters made this another rough read for me, down to the 🍒 on top ending.

Chamberlain wants the reader to sympathize for the choices some of these characters had to make, based on the era they lived in. This fell flat to me though as I didn't find the culture to be as voilitile as it is typically portrayed in this time period regarding race, wedlock, slavery, and stature in the community. It was implied, but never too deeply to get me to feel. The only exception to this was with the Polio storyline-that I felt showed more the of dire straits of life in the 1940’s.

It wasn't a horrible read, it just didn't impact me one way or the other...

I'm in the minority on this one, so don't let the 3 * black cloud hanging over me sway you.
I'm still a fan, this just wasn't my favorite.

ARC provided by NetGalley

One mistake can change a person's life. The main character, Tess, pregnant and engaged to someone other than the baby's father, ends up marrying the baby's father and finds herself in very uncomfortable and unfamiliar circumstances. The author skillfully tackles timely topics of religious views, wartime, interracial relations, love, and in light of a community illness how neighbors can come together. It is a very good read.

The Stolen Marriage had so many feelings rolled up into one fabulous, well-written story about the 1940's. The prologue hooked me instantly, and I couldn't put the book down. The story was written through Tess DeMello's perspective and how she navigates through many poor, life changing choices that causes her long term path to go askew. Tess affected so many people after one weak moment in her young adult life.

This novel takes place in Hickory, North Carolina where the stress of WWII and the polio epidemic changes the town and puts them on the map in a positive and negative light. This was a highly prejudice town where everyone had their place, yet it was overlooked due to the urgency and need to help others. I loved that about the book.

The complicated characters really drew me in. Tess's long time sweetheart, Vincent, postponing his return home. The mysterious disappearances and comment from Hank never quit fit, which kept me reading to find out what was really occurring. So many characters crossed paths as the plot unraveled. It is a must read!

I received an advance review copy of this book from the Great Thought's Ninja Review Team. All opinions are my own.

FABULOUS!! The Stolen Marriage was absolutely phenomenal! This novel is a beautifully written account of the tragic life of a young Italian woman who has plans to become a nurse during the American polio epidemic. This novel was amazingly well done, traveling on a completely unpredictable course throughout the storyline and it had a resolution that I could never have anticipated. It threw me for a loop, so much so that I read it twice it in order to catch details that I missed the first time through! (They were gloriously woven in and still did not stand out even though I was searching!) I LOVED this book, and I will be actively searching for more from Diane Chamberlain.

Thanks to Net galley, St Martins press, and Diane Chamberlain for this ARC. History and romance make this a good book. The war, the racial divide, the polio outbreak, added to this romantic part of the story. The character of Tess was one that had me wanting to sometimes tell her to speak out, defend yourself, don't give in. But of course that wasn't as possible in that generation as it would be now. I was anxious to see if Tess and Vincent would reunite. The mystery of Henry was one I found that kept me reading as well. What secrets was he hiding ? I'd definitely recommend it !

3.5/5 stars
This is my first read by Diane Chamberlain, so I wasn't sure what to expect. The description sounded like something I would enjoy, so I requested it. I'm a big fan of historical fiction so this was right up my alley. I felt the book had a great plot. We go right into the book knowing that Tess marries man she barely knows, ending her engagement to her childhood love, Vincent. I felt the book was slow-going from there. Hank has many secrets. His mother and sister are completely awful to Tess, as well as most of the town. Loved Hattie. I didn't start to get really into the book until the 75% mark when things really took off with a big twist. The ending was well done and while it didn't surprise me, the destination getting there did. 3.5/5 stars
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC!

I loved Necessary Lies, the first book by Diane Chamberlain that I read. I have mixed feelings about this one even though she reflects on some important issues of the time she writes about. A view of the polio epidemic in the 1940’s was definitely informative. The historical significance and sadness over forbidden inter racial relationships that were not only unacceptable but unlawful in the South in the 1940’s is depicted. The problem was that I just wasn’t captivated by the story until I was over half way done .

Tess DeMello seems to be living a wonderful life even though the story takes place in the war years. She happily engaged, finishing nursing school, but through a turn of events, she leaves Baltimore and ends up in Hickory, NC in a marriage that never should have happened in the first place. She's trapped in a loveless marriage and is seen by her husband's well to do family as an outsider who has spoiled their lives. Secrets abound about her husband Henry who at first doesn't come across as a good man. She’s miserable until The Hickory Emergency Infantile Paralysis Hospital came to be by hard work of good people in Hickory, which Chamberlain tells us in an ending note was a real place. It wasn’t until then that Tess's character comes to life, as the nurse she was trained to be and the capable, caring person that she is and it wasn't until then that the book came alive for me . The secrets, though not revealed until close to the end were somewhat predictable and the ending a little too pat. A
s mentioned earlier, there are some positive things about the story so I'll go with 3 stars. It's a pretty quick read and fans of Chamberlain will have to decide for themselves as there are more positive reviews to read .

I received an advanced copy of this book from St. Martin's Press through NetGalley.

Good story, however, I also just finishedon't her Cece Wilkes book and found that to be more compeling and psychologically interesting. One can never go wrong reading Ms. Chamberlain, I just didn't enjoy the characters or plot line in this book as much as Cece Wilkes.

I was all set to hate this book, because while I enjoy Diane Chamberlain quite a bit, the story unfurled very slowly, full of details the author is sure the reader needs to set the scene. Once I got past about 50%, the timing and the story picked up and I read it through to the end.

I so wanted to like Tess... she was one of those characters that is simultaneously strong and weak. She endured so much that she didn't have to, trying to go the long way about solving a problem that would have easily worked out. But then if it would have easily worked out, there would have been no story, right?

A few events (deaths, etc) seemed super convenient, because they eliminated conflict. At the same time they served to show Tess' isolation and highlight personal issues she would come to have with her husband and mother in law. When the small twist arrived around 85% in, I pretty much knew how this book was going to end... but I was interested in seeing it play out. While the ending was a tad anticlimactic, it does provide the best case scenario for everyone.

Just again.... convenient.

Diane Chamberlain is amazing. Her historical fictions novels take me back in time and pull me into the happenings of an era so long ago. I love the WWII era and The Stolen Marriage is set in that time. The research that she did to know about the polio hospitals, the rationing tickets, and the black/white relationships was so deep and perfect. She took a history lesson, twisted into a book that was impossible to put down. There is so much to be learned from her story yet it didn’t feel like I was learning, it felt like I was living it.

The characters were wonderfully made. They had real reactions to the world around them, they had feelings that were what everyday people would feel, and they had relationships that made sense in the time they lived in. I liked that they were not predictable. There were times that I felt like I knew where the story was heading and then it would head down a different path and I’d think oh, yea I like this direction. Many times I was amazed at how developed the storyline and the characters were.

Diane Chamberlain kept me on my toes, my mind always taking in the facts, and turning page after page. I recommend picking up your own copy right away.

Thank you to William Rhino at St. Martin’s Press for a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

The Stolen Marriage takes place in the South in the 1940's amidst racial tensions and a polio epidemic. The actions and mindset of the people of this time do not paint a very pretty picture of the South, however, there is painted an ugly picture of truth. I had a hard time fathoming how people can be so narrow-minded, petty and judgmental. But, I digress.

The character profiles in this book were written so exquisitely and with such ability to provoke emotion, that I easily found myself feeling as if some of them could be personal friends. And, with respect, there were some that I disliked so heartily, that I just wanted to come through the pages of the book and let them have it! The plot was very well crafted, moved at just the right pace and kept me on edge, guessing, right up until the shocking end.

This was my first Diane Chamberlain book and, I think it's safe to say, that she has found an enthusiastic and dedicated new fan in me.

*I received a complimentary copy of this story from NetGalley and St. Martin's Press in order to read and provide a voluntary, unbiased and honest review, should I choose to do so.

I loved Tess she took the lemons life gave her and did her best t o make lemonade. I found her story unique and yet I could identify with her very easily. She made me laugh cry and cheer. A wonderfully crafted story that kept me turning the pages.

Tess DeMello has only wanted two things in life: to become a nurse and to marry the love of her life. When her fiance is away for months on end working on the polio epidemic, Tess travels to Washington D.C. with a childhood friend. Who knew that one weekend away from home would change her life forever in The Stolen Marriage by Diane Chamberlain.

Theresa "Tess" DeMello has always been a good Italian Catholic girl. She loves and respects her mother. She's studying hard to become a nurse and considers herself fortunate to be engaged to marry the love of her life, the son of her next-door neighbors. Her fiance is a pediatric physician, Vincent Russo, and is called away from Maryland to work on the polio epidemic in Illinois and it doesn't seem like he's ever going to make it back home. In an effort to take Tess's mind off of her studies and absent fiance, her friend Gina talks her into taking a weekend trip from Baltimore to Washington D.C. Gina and Tess stay in a tourist home and meet two visiting businessmen in the home upon their arrival. A simple dinner with these men turns into something that soon devastates all of Tess's future plans. After being kicked out of her childhood home by her mother, Tess leaves Baltimore for a new life in Hickory, North Carolina. Tess's new life is anything but idyllic and soon tragedy strikes her new family. When polio strikes Hickory, Tess does the only thing she knows how to do and pitches in along with the other townsfolk to combat this scourge. Tess is willing to make a go of her marriage but it seems as if her husband has secrets he isn't willing to share even with his wife. Can their marriage survive secrets and tragedy after tragedy?

I found The Stolen Marriage to be a fast-paced and haunting read. Ms. Chamberlain finds interesting historical tidbits, such as the town of Hickory NC and their ability to build a hospital to treat polio in less 100 hours (yes it's a real town and yes they pulled together to fight polio), and build a heartwarming and often heart-wrenching story around that historical fact. I enjoyed all of the drama and tension within the story, between Tess and her husband Henry, between Tess and her mother-in-law, between Tess and the societal norms of Hickory NC that were foisted upon her after her marriage to Henry, the racial tension of the time, the fight to battle polio, and more. Yes, there's quite a bit happening in this story, but it all works and works quite well. I liked all of the characters, even Henry with all of his issues and man does he have issues (read the book to find out more). For those of you that have read anything by Ms. Chamberlain in the past, I won't have to tell you to grab a copy of The Stolen Marriage because you probably already have it. For those of you that haven't read anything by this author, I strongly encourage you to get a copy of The Stolen Marriage to read ASAP. It's been a few weeks since I read The Stolen Marriage and I still can't get it out of my mind. I look forward to rereading The Stolen Marriage as well as any future writings by Ms. Chamberlain.

Yes, this was a bit soapy, but the historical aspect was well-researched and very interesting, and I really wanted to know what happened...I stayed up late finishing it and was satisfied with the ending! Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for providing an e-galley in exchange for an honest review!

Set during WW2, this historical fiction novel by Diane Chamberlain tells the story of a young woman, Tess, who at the beginning of the novel is in love and engaged to Vincent.  Vincent and his family have lived next door and been part of Tess’s life for as long as she can remember.  I won’t spoil the story by telling too many details but Tess ends up married to another man and moving from Baltimore to North Carolina.

Polio plays a large part in this novel and it is easy to tell that Chamberlain did extensive research on both the disease and the time period.  Tess is a nurse and Vincent is a doctor so that made them an easy match for being in the thick of fighting the horrible disease during the time before a vaccine had been created.  The book is well written, and while good from the beginning, really picks speed in the last third of the story.  By the end of the novel, all questions the reader has are answered in a satisfactory manner.

Thank you to both the publisher and NetGalley for allowing me to read an advanced copy of this novel.

Four out of five stars