The Dream Daughter by Diane Chamberlain

I have had this on my shelf to read for quite some time. I am so grateful that I went into this story completely blind. I do have to congratulate Diane Chamberlain for writing a novel so filled with a mother's love for her child that at times my stomach felt twisted in knots. Anybody that has ever given birth to their first child can relate how powerful and phenomenal the love and attachment is and we would go to the end of the earth to protect our baby. Somewhere in the text of this novel it said show me a mother and I'll show you a hero.

That fierce love and innate yearnings we feel towards our children are so remarkably present in the descriptions written about Carly our main character. If ever a book that I have read about the bonds between mother and child so strongly depicted it is this book. Carly is pregnant and while getting an ultrasound finds out the grim news that the baby she is carrying has a fatal heart defect. The next blow comes when the doctor tells her there is nothing that can be done and that the baby will most certainly die as soon as Carly gives birth. This is even more excruciating because this baby is the only tangible piece of her husband who has died in Vietnam before he knew she was pregnant.

I was particularly moved at the heartbreaking descriptions and the strong emotions I felt later in the book. I am afraid to mention these vivid scenes as I don't want to spoil it for anybody who hasn't yet read this amazing book. I never read science fiction or fantasy and I was completely blown away at how finely executed the scenes of time travel worked so enjoyably for me. I would have passed on this one as it is the first I have ever read if I knew before being so thoroughly captivated that time travel could be used as cleverly as the author uses it.

My strongest suggestions to those who would pass on this novel is to please give it a chance. I promise you that this book delivers on such an extremely multilayered level of transporting you to experience parental love and you will remember that magical time when you first locked eyes with your own children. You will feel deeply how far you would go to protect your child from harm. It will reawaken memories of how profound and what a miracle it was to give birth and how instantaneous you loved your baby and how you would do anything to ensure that your baby will thrive.

Thank you to Net Galley, Diane Chamberlain and St. Martins Press for providing me with my digital copy in exchange for a fair and honest review.

After reading a well-known time traveler story, I was hesitant to read The Dream Daughter, but I am so glad that I did. I couldn't put this book down. I read it in 2 days - record time for me. There are two main characters, Caroline and Hunter. Hunter is the time traveler who helps Caroline get care for her daughter who is very ill with a heart condition that can't be cured in 1970 but can be in the 21st century. This is the story of loss and discovery on a decade's long span that is more believable than you can even imagine. Filled with unexpected turns, you are not going to want to miss this novel by Diane Chamberlain! Highly recommended!

I really like this author’s books and this one was no exception I loved the characters and the idea of the story! Love time travel books!!! It was hard to put down, I read it in one afternoon. I will be telling everyone to read this book! Thank you for letting me read an early copy!

I have read most of Diane Chamberlain's books and have never come across one I didn't enjoy!
As usual this is a compelling book with a gripping plot and relatable characters. It definitely kept me reading- rooting for Carly and willing her situation to turn out well.
It is a very moving story, showing the depth of a mother's love and the lengths she would go to for her child.
One element of the story (which I don't want to spoil) is very different from any of Diane Chamberlain's other books and, while I appreciate the originality, it did put me off a bit on discovering that this was part of the plot. It is a feature that is notoriously difficult to pull off well and, while I think Diane Chamberlain actually did a very good job with this, it made the story feel less "real" for me and moved it slightly into the realms of sci-fi.
Personally I prefer Diane Chamberlain's usual style but I still enjoyed the story and would definitely recommend the book!

The Dream Daughter was about time travel and suspense. I really enjoyed the book. I usually don’t like science fiction but I liked this book very much. It’s about a woman named Caroline. Her life hasn’t been easy. It’s first set in 1965 where she meets a stranger patient she has at physical therapy. I love the author which drew me to read this book.

What an amazing read. 5 stars.

I’ve read all of Diane Chamberlains books and this one is a work of art, truly. While the story is a work of fiction, during those 300 pages, I believed that time travel was possible. The charters were so well developed, I felt as if I was right there with them from 1970-2022.
I felt so connected to the charters and the story. Excellent read. I would highly recommend.

Review posted on Goodreads.com and on the Diane Chamberlain Readers page on Facebook.

Always a HUGE fan of Diane Chamberlain and this book did not disappoint. Went into this book knowing nothing about the plot or characters. Although the story is somewhat far fetched, I still found it impossible to put down and found myself considering the real possibilities of time travel. Loved the characters and thought the emotions were so clearly described, it was easy to feel great sympathy and empathy with Carly. I quickly turned every page wanting and needing to know how it would end. Loved this book and highly recommend! Thank you to Net Galley for the advanced reader copy.

I enjoyed this book from start to finish. It was a touching story. Even though the concept is completely unbelievable it is told in such a believable way. I couldn’t wait to find out if Carly would make it. All of the characters were so well developed and I was immersed in all of their struggles. I will hand sell this book easily!

“But what are they?” I asked, beginning to panic. “Your findings, what did you see?”

Scary words when you’re pregnant and the news isn’t good, “Your findings, what did you see?”. Caroline has already lost the father of her child, to learn that her unborn baby has a heart defect is horrifying. The time is 1970, and all hope seems lost until her brother-in-law, a man with his own mysterious past, a physicist, confides a deeply shocking secret, one that may change her entire future and that of her unborn baby. At first, it seems as if he has lost his mind or is playing a joke. Can playing with time be the answer? This ‘leap’ she must take, if Hunter is to be believed, will save her baby’s life but if it’s all madness, it could cost Caroline her own.

It is to Caroline Hunter Poole owes his own happiness, once just a strange guy with broken bones and deep depression stuck in a wheel chair none of the other physical therapists wanted to work with. Hunter chose her, the only PT he was he was willing to have take him on, feeling she reminded him of someone he once knew. It isn’t long before she feels he’d be perfect for her sister Patti. Patti and Hunter marry, he feels tight as brothers to Caroline’s husband Joe before his tragic death. How could he stand by and watch Caroline lose the one thing, her baby, that gave her any happiness, any hope after such loss? It will expose his secret to confide in her a path to save the baby and explain the mysterious incident that landed him in the hospital to begin with.

This story hits the heart of a mother, because the truth is for most women a child is loved the moment we carry them. It is many a pregnant woman’s fear that something could go wrong for her unborn baby. In Caroline’s case, it’s true. What mother wouldn’t consider the absolute impossible if it meant salvation for her child? Wouldn’t cling to even another’s ‘fantastical story’ if it could be true? This tale turned my thoughts to medical breakthroughs, while miraculous for some came too late for others. Time, in that instance, can feel like it plays favorites much kinder to future generations. But that’s a game we can all play, some of our simple illnesses today, in bygone times, snuffed out many lives.

Caroline will be displaced, and trapped by the windows of time may still lose everything she holds dear. How much do we sacrifice for love? What if the one chance your child has means letting go forever?

This is a unique story about time travel and how happy endings aren’t always destined to play out the way we planned. A unique twist as usually time travel novels are about love between a man and woman this instead is a mother and child love story. Wonderful.

Publication Date: October 2, 2018

St. Martin’s Press

I received this book "The Dream Daughter" from NetGalley and all opinions expressed are my own. I would say this book is interesting. It did take a little bit for me to actually want to continue reading. The second half of the book is much better. You try to put yourself in Carly's shoes - what would you do? So this book makes you think of the choices she made. I like the concept of the story.

I have read many of Diane Chamberlains books and thought I would know what to expect from her latest novel before I read it. I didn’t read any of the reviews or blurb before, I mean they’re all of a similar genre... or so I thought. This was completely different to anything I’ve read of hers before. I have to say, when I got to the bit about time travel, I was pretty shocked. I thought “seriously...?” I’m not a sci fi fan, and wasn’t sure if the book was for me. Fast forward a few days and I am practically ignoring everyone around me as I can’t put it down! I don’t know how she did it, so cleverly written, it draws you in (after I’d gotten over the time travel element). The attention to detail was perfect. The characters so engaging, I really felt moved by Carly’s story and wanted it all to work out for her so badly. When she finds out her brother in law is actually from the future (it’s not as weird as it sounds..) she is able to have an opportunity to save her unborn babies life. She takes the risk and there are many “omg” moments along the way. I loved the fact that the author included so many time relevant references, from music, to war, to acts of terrorism. A truly moving love story, please don’t give up if you don’t feel the time travel theme is for you - I almost did and I am so very glad I didn’t. This story is beautiful and heartwarming; with a fair share of drama and heartbreak along the way. So glad I received this ARC from Net-galley.

Excellent story line which was gripping from start to finish. Great characters. I would highly recommend this book.

This book is amazing! The main character, Carly, time travels in this book but it is very easy to follow. Carly has to make some very hard decisions and you find yourself wanting everything to work out for her. I really enjoyed this book and the characters are very relatable. There are suprised throughout the book to keep you guessing!

I usually love Diane Chamberlain's books. However, I was disappointed with The Dream Daughter. Diane has definitely written better books. I had a hard time relating to the time travel aspects of the story and somewhat disappointed with the simplicity of the story.

Diane Chamberlain’s novel The Dream Daughter starts in 1965 and encompasses time travel, the bond between parents and children, and the love of family. Carly a physical therapist encounters Hunter, a patient suspected of a failed suicide attempt. His mysterious origins and questionable mental health don’t deter her from introducing him to her sister. Years later Carly is a widow losing her husband to Vietnam and pregnant with a child thats heart defect has been deemed fatal. Hunter offers her hope in time travel. Carly’s trip into the future doesn’t come without loss. I would recommend this book to anyone.

Caroline is pregnant with her unborn daughter and is elated - until she finds out her child has a heart defect. Since it is 1970, no fetal surgery is possible to save her unborn child's life. Her mysterious brother-in=law Hunter is a physicist and asks Caroline to believe in him and that there is a way to save her daughter. He is from the future where a procedure is possible.
While certainly this book requires you to suspend reality and believe that time travel is possible, the characters were so believable that I invested in them and took the journey with them all the way until the last page. Diane Chamberlain once again writes a heartfelt book that will stay with me for a very long time!
Thank you to Diane Chamberlain, St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for the ARC of this lovely book.

Wouldn’t it be wonderful if, faced with a medical condition that has no cure, we could travel to the future where that cure is available? Well, to save her unborn baby – her Dream Daughter – Caroline (“Carly”) Sears does just that in 1970. Not, however, before thinking her brother-in-law, Hunter, is crazy when he tells her he is from the future, and that fetal surgery is possible in 2001.

The Dream Daughter is Diane Chamberlain’s heartwarming and heartbreaking new time travel novel. It will definitely be a sensation when it hits store shelves October 16, 2018.

Carly is overjoyed to learn she is pregnant, and writes to her husband, Joe, in Viet Nam. Before he can possibly receive her letter, she is devastated to learn he has been killed. She is devastated yet again when she learns her baby girl has an incurable and fatal heart defect. This baby has to survive; she is all Carly has left of her beloved Joe.
With prayers and strong faith, Carly “steps off” into the unknown where she finds both wonderful and tragic news. After Carly returns to 1970, and tells Hunter about spending time with his mother while in 2001, he thinks of the things we all wish we had said to our parents before it was too late. He wishes he had spent more time with his mom before she disappeared. Can he still do that? As for Carly, well, she learns never to take time for granted again.

The Dream Daughter is a wonderful combination of the sci-fi/time travel and Christian fiction genres. It will definitely be a sensation when it hits store shelves October 16, 2018.

What Makes This Book Reviewer Grumpy?

Only those common errors that we can get away with in spoken English, but not in written English:
• split infinitives;
• misplacement of the word “only” within sentences;
• words without spaces in between;
• words that should be hyphenated were not;
• words that should not be hyphenated were.

When I first delved into this book and realized that time-travel was a main component, I thought "oh no," this may not be for me. I could not have been more wrong and what I realized is that no matter the subject, everything that Diane Chamberlain writes has her signature "heart" in her prose and that is what makes the story amazing. I loved how this story wove through the time travel and and tied everything together in such a unique way. I fell in love with these characters and was sad when it was time to bid them farewell, as I find myself feeling every single time I finish a book by the phenomenal Diane Chamberlain!

It seems we've gone through a couple years where all the newly-issued women's fiction was centered on WWII. Now, in 2018, we've shifted to time travel, some of it with a little war element thrown in; perhaps time travel is the new-best-way to fit in the alternating perspective thing that is also so popular now. I don't want to give the impression that this is a fantasy, or a sci-fi story, because it absolutely is not. It's quite well done, the time travel is as believeable now as a cell phone that takes photos would have been in the 70s. I appreciate not guessing the ultimate conclusion. It's a lovely story of a young woman's efforts to save the life/health of her unborn child, and the many people it affects.

Once again P.A.Paris keeps you guessing. Loved the twists and turns. Kept me in suspense until the end. Would recommend all her books. I have read all 3. She has a style of writing that keeps you wanting more.#Bringmeback