The Stolen Marriage

A Novel

By: Diane Chamberlain

Narrated by: Susan Bennett

Length: 14 hrs and 7 mins

Publisher's Summary

From New York Times, USA Today, and Sunday Times best-selling author Diane Chamberlain comes The Stolen Marriage - a thrilling new audiobook of secrets, heartbreak, and small-town alienation.

In 1944, 23-year-old Tess DeMello abruptly ends her engagement to the love of her life when she marries a mysterious stranger and moves to Hickory, North Carolina, a small town struggling with racial tension and the hardships imposed by World War II. Tess' new husband, Henry Kraft, is a secretive man who often stays out all night, hides money from his new wife, and shows no interest in making love. Tess quickly realizes she's trapped in a strange and loveless marriage with no way out.

The people of Hickory love and respect Henry and see Tess as an outsider, treating her with suspicion and disdain, especially after one of the town's prominent citizens dies in a terrible accident and Tess is blamed. Tess suspects people are talking about her, plotting behind her back, and following her as she walks around town. What does everyone know about Henry that she does not? Feeling alone and adrift, Tess turns to the one person who seems to understand her, a local medium who gives her hope but seems to know more than he's letting on.

When a sudden polio epidemic strikes the town, the townspeople band together to build a polio hospital. Tess, who has a nursing degree, bucks Henry's wishes and begins to work at the hospital, finding meaning in nursing the young victims. Yet at home, Henry's actions grow more alarming by the day. As Tess works to save the lives of her patients, can she untangle her husband's mysterious behavior and save her own life?

©2017 Diane Chamberlain (P)2017 Macmillan Audio

Not what I expected... in a GOOD way!

I had this book in my wishlist and listened to the sample about 50 times over a period of months before officially deciding to listen to it. I don't know why it took me so long to decide to, or why I ever debated it, because this book was excellent!!

I normally go for Mysteries/Thrillers, or Psychological thriller books, just because they keep me hooked and on edge. Not only was this book a mystery, but it was also a love story, which was very refreshing to me. The author and the narrator did a fantastic job!

WORTH THE MONEY or THE CREDIT!!

This is the best book I have ever listened to!!!

This is the first book review I have written. I listen to at least 3 books a month. This book is so good I couldn’t not leave a review. If you’re on the fence, get this book. If your read a bad review, get this book. If you’re not sure if you would like this book, get this book. The narrator is amazing and the book is amazing also. I hate going to the store or having to go into town but I would just so I could listen to this book. You won’t regret it. From the beginning to then end, it’s so good.

Sorrowful Yet Positively Beautiful

Diane Chamberlain has pulled at my heart strings a few times, but 'The Stolen Marriage' brought those strings to knots. I listened to this beautifully narrated book (narration was best I have ever heard by far and perfect for this book!) every second I had available.

Chamberlain takes us to the non-fictional town in Hickory during WWII where Tess has made a horrible mistake and she becomes stuck in a loveless marriage. Her new husband's family is very wealthy and insists she does things her way. She is miserable, and worst of all she left behind the man of her dreams.

Something seems very odd with her new husband but she can't figure out what. In the meantime, Hickory, North Carolina opens a polio hospital for paralyzed children and Tess starts working as a nurse at the hospital. Things change tremendously and the secrets to her new family start to unravel.

The story is tough to read because it's very depressing in parts. However, I savoured every second of her beautiful prose and I loved the characters. I won't forget this book for a long time. 5 big stars!

-Wendi

At the halfway point, it got very interesting

I almost gave up on this one. What was revealed in the prologue ruined the first third of the book for me. So much of the suspense and mystery was destroyed by that prologue. I wasn’t much interested in the first part of the book and her relationship with Vincent because I already knew she married Henry. I wanted to get to that part, to where the prologue fit in, and to the part about the Polio epidemic.

Halfway through the book, I was finally fully engaged and ended up liking it.

✫✫ 5 Stars ✫✫

This book was a lovely surprise for me. I am usually only a romance girl but lately I've been in the mood for something deeper and this was exactly that. It was my first book by this author and will not be my last.
Tess's story was heartbreaking with a happy ending. I figured some of it out right away but other parts were a complete surprise. This book touches a lot of sensitive subjects from the 1940's and if I didn't realize some of them before I certainly do know. Tess was such a strong character in this book, she made mistakes but she did try to do what was best for everyone. I'd love to find more books like this one.

The narration was great, she did a fabulous job on all the characters.

Saintly heroines make for dull stories

What would have made The Stolen Marriage better?

This story was a painful listen because the heroine was so nauseatingly self-sacrificing. I couldn't bear all the hardships she faced.

Would you ever listen to anything by Diane Chamberlain again?

Only if I found out that she had a novel with an imperfect character who stood up for herself and forgave herself when she made mistakes.

Which scene was your favorite?

I liked the scene where she gave the sick child a doll that she'd had specially sent from Baltimore.

If you could play editor, what scene or scenes would you have cut from The Stolen Marriage?

I don't want to give spoilers.

Any additional comments?

I know of so many women who are hard on themselves in real life that I prefer to read novels about women who have more compassion for themselves, or more gumption, or more mischeiviousness (sp?). Just not the right book for me. I am sure many would enjoy it.

Loved every moment!!

I have been anxiously awaiting the release of this book! I loved every second of it and never wanted to take a break! It had everything that Diane always includes in her writing; Intriguing characters, along with a storyline that immediately pulled me in. There were of course twists and turns like Diane so masterfully creates. I love the depth of the historical research that was done! The only thing I didn't like about this is the fact I now have to wait for another book release before I'll have another Chamberlain book to read.
Job well done Diane!!

Polio during Covid19

It was timely for me to read about the polio epidemic in the 40's and how it ruined so many lives during this Covid crisis. As a nurse I enjoyed reading about nursing practices in the 40's with "iron lungs" and no antibiotics. We have really come so far. The melodrama the main character experiences was also decently written although a bit unlikely. However, all in all this was a great summer read. I have become a fan of Ms. Chamberlin, she weaves romance in with historical fiction and some social justice topics.

Disappointed

I found a story to be long and drawn out until almost halfway through the book. By the time it began to become interesting it also became predictable. At The end the author found it necessary to name and thank everybody and God for the success of her book.
I guess l just expected more.

LOVED LOVED LOVED THIS BOOK!!!!

This book keeps you interested and wanting more from the first sentence to the last. Diane Chamberlain has a wonderful talent of constantly moving the story forward with no low or dry spots for chapters on end. She does not over exaggerate detail to fill space, or drone on about things that have no relevance to the story. Her stories are full and interesting. I could not wait to jump in my car each day to hear this book. I have read a lot of her books and this one is the best by far. Would highly recommend to anyone wanting to lose themselves in a book. To top it off Susan Bennett is a wonderful narrator and she brings the story to life and portrays each character so well. She is a gem on her own. What a wonderful team these two talented women are. Thanks for a good read/listen!