The Stolen Marriage

"The tears. The regret. The terrible grinding guilt." ~ 9%

1944 Hickory, North Carolina. A 23-year-old named Tess DeMello marries a stranger in a small town. Yes, this is a historical romance. But there is also racial tension and hardships from the aftermath of World War II. Her husband, Henry Kraft, hides money, keeps secrets and shows no interest in consummating their marriage. It is a loveless relationship.

Everyone in Hickory respects Henry but not new wife, Tess. She is an outsider and blamed for a terrible accident. Then a sudden polio epidemic strikes the town and Tess, having earned a nursing degree, begins to work at the hospital. Tess saves lives while her own may be in jeopardy thanks to her husband's mysterious behavior.

"You can tell a lot about a person by the way a child takes to them." ~ 62%

Tess begins her story with a crisis and grew stronger rest of the book. This is something all of us can relate to. Sometimes it takes a huge boulder in the road for us to stand on two feet and make the most of our current situation. We have no choice but to be strong. And then, like Tess, we cannot undo anything so might as well move forward. This makes the main character so relatable and likable.

I look forward to Diane Chamberlain's compelling new novels. When it is time for a new release, I am sure to spend hours reading a good book; The Stolen Marriage is no exception. It is a historical romance that would be perfect for a Hallmark or Lifetime movie. It is a research-heavy book and the author clearly did her homework. I so respect that.

Happy Pub Day, Diane Chamberlain! The Stolen Marriage is now available.

Disclaimer: This book was received directly from the publisher for review purposes only. In no way does it influence my review. The opinions I have expressed are my own and would be the same if I spent my hard-earned coins.

Title: The Stolen Marriage
Author: Diane Chamberlain
Published: October 2017
Pages: 384
Edition: Galley
Rating: 🖤 🖤 🖤 🖤