The Stolen Marriage: A Novel

One of the best books I've read in awhile. I couldn't stop thinking about it after I'd finished it. All the characters were amazing and the storyline was riviting. Kept me going the entire time. From ww2 to polio to black and white not able to integrate. Fantastic book!!

I was surprised at some of the twist and turns. And sorta figured out the ending. But was still a pleasure to read.

This book is the best book I have ever read. It kept me captivated with all the plots, I couldn’t put it down. I have passed it on to a number of friends and Everyone agrees it is a fantastic book. Diane is excellent at always adding an element of surprise in ALL her books. I believe this would make a great movie so I sent a copy to a movie producer, I doubt they will even acknowledge my letter but that was how much I was intrigued with the story.

The most beloved book I’ve read in ages. I re-read it aloud to my mother who was in hospice care and she hung onto every word and really looked forward to each chapter. I then bought it for fellow readers as my favorite book to share. It’s historically accurate and beautifully delivers a heart warming story.

Amazing character development. Had twists and turns. Just when I thought I figured it out, it surprised me in all the best ways. Loved the beginning, the middle and the end. Absolutely fantastic!

It's amazing how a wrong step can change the outcome of your whole life! This is exactly what happened to the main character of The Stolen Marriage. Tess DeMello comes from an Italian family. She's Catholic and she has been in love with the same boy she grew up with as far as she can remember. This boy, now a man is a doctor and they are engaged. Tess in planning her wedding when he decides to volunteer in a different town and he leaves Tess alone for weeks making her wonder if he has changed his mind about marrying her. In one night, a wrong decision and Tess will have to leave the town and the people she loves. She will marry Henry Kraft and move to Hickory, North Carolina. Henry's mother and sister are not thrilled about the wedding. The town doesn't like Tess either. Everyone, will make her life difficult and make her feel like nothing but an outcast. It doesn't help that Henry keeps many secrets and he doesn't seem inclined to share them with her. He doesn't seem to want to share their bed either! The Stolen Marriage had a good mystery going on. I wanted to know what Henry was hiding and why were so many people were against Tess. I think Diane Chamberlain did a good job in leading us into the big reveal. I personally liked the outcome. It made sense to me. Tess was a good character to root for. She tried her best to continue with her career despite Henry and his mother not wanting her to pursue it. I didn't hate Henry but I didn't like him most of the time. I thought he let his mother and sibling get away with too much instead of defending Tess from them. Overall, I enjoyed the Stolen Marriage and wouldn't hesitate to grab another novel by Diane Chamberlain. Cliffhanger: No 4/5 Fangs

"The Stolen Marriage" is a wonderful and complex story about how drastically life can be changed by one incident. The main characters are well-developed, and the pacing is great. The rigid standards of the small town of Hickory, North Carolina, in 1944 are an important aspect of the story. I did need to reach for the tissues from time to time. Highly recommended.

I would give this 3.5 stars but there is no 1/2 category! I love the way Diane Chamberlain writes and this was an easy read like her other books. I just found the main premise unbelievable! I kept trying to bring myself into the 1940’s when the story occurred to convince myself that it could’ve happened. I loved the ending however, she had a few twists and turns that I didn’t expect, but they were great. I always want a happy ending and this book had one, so I finished it on a high note, but somewhere in the middle I wasn’t pleased with the story line...

This book moves fast and has lots of surprises. You will become attached to the narrator.

Good character development and interesting to learn about the polio facility. I have nothing more to add to this. Revies

I have been so excited waiting for this book to be released and it feels like I have waited forever. I have never read a D.C. book that I haven't loved and this was no exception. It was different in so many ways, yet at the same time so obviously written by Diane. Imagine loving someone for almost your whole life and then not being with them because of one stupid mistake. This happened to Tess and the result of that mistake took her far away from the person she loved with all her heart. The segregation of black people really hits you and it is hard reading at times, for them to be treated as second rate citizens as they were in that time makes you feel so ashamed. A brilliantly told story with elements of truth in it and a must read. Thank you Diane and please can we have the next book as soon as possible??

Had already read it, bought it for friends, had to restock it..the author is one of my top 5 autobuy authors for unforgettable characters and significant events woven into her intricate plots.

Another beautiful story from my favourite author. And Diane’s impeccable research about the era & the polio epidemic was so interesting. Love love loved it!!!