Carly's Gift: A Moving Romance of Sacrifice, Secrets, and Enduring Love

by Georgia Bockoven

From the author of Things Remembered and The Year Everything Changed comes a moving novel about love that lasts forever

What's in the past is over and done with . . . or is it?

Sixteen years ago Carly Hargrove made a decision that would irrevocably alter her life. With little comprehension of the life-long consequences of her actions, she trades her own future happiness to protect the man she's loved since kindergarten, David Montgomery.

With an ocean separating them, Carly builds a life for herself without David. She's the mother of three, lives in a beautiful house, and is married to a man who comes home every night—even if most of those nights he drinks too much. What more could she want?

Her answer arrives on a cold fall day when David shows up at her door. In town for his father's funeral, he has come to see Carly one last time, hoping to rid himself of the anger that still consumes him.

Instead, he is drawn into a web of secrets that rekindles the fierce need he once felt to protect Carly. He becomes caught up in her life in a way he never could have imagined—a way that will bind him to her forever.

Genres: Chick Lit, Romance, Adult Fiction, Contemporary, Womens Fiction, Own, Fiction

386 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 1993

About the author

Georgia was a Army child, who after a successful career as a freelance photo journalist before she turned to fiction writing. Published since 1983, she is an award-winning author whose books have sold more than four million copies worldwide. Her romance novel, A Marriage of Convenience, became a CBS movie in October of 1998 starring Jane Seymour and James Brolin.

Married wich John Bockoven, she is the mother of two, and resides in Northern California. When her husband retired from the fire department, she decided to take a break from writing and spend more time together. The result was a nature photography business that is both challenging and filled with creative energy.

Reviews

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Carly is married and has three children. Her marriage is not the best. Her husband, Ethan drinks. So when an old boyfriend comes back in town, Carly entertains the idea of a second chance.

David is a famous author. He is back in town for his father’s funeral. He does not want anything to do with Carly. She left him and married his best friend. When Carly reveals a secret, it will change David’s life forever.

Carly’s Gift is a treasure of a read. It will have you laughing, crying, angry, and believing in second chances. The angry part was aimed towards Carly’s husband, Ethan. He was such a jerk. I really don’t know what Carly found in him when she married him. However as much as I hated Ethan, this means to me that I have become invested in the characters in the book that I am having different emotions about them all.

I really felt for Carly and everything she went through in the past and the present. She is a good mother and she showed great strength. The person however that really surprised me the most was Carly and Ethan’s daughter, Andrea. While I know this story is suppose to be about Carly and David, Andrea won me over. She had me cheering for her the whole time. She acted more mature than the adults. I don’t want to say anymore as I don’t want to give away anything. All I am going to say is that you have to check out this book.

[Sara Strand · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you ever wondered what it's like to weave a web of lies, this story is your blueprint. Let's break it down for you: Carly is in love with David, an aspiring writer. David's best friend Ethan is in love with Carly. Carly unexpectedly gets pregnant very young through rape, so she's faced with not many options. Knowing David would put his aspiring career aside to take care of her and the baby, she chooses to essentially dump him and let him go off to England. Meanwhile, Ethan becomes the white knight and marries her, thinking that the baby is David's and his friend was the asshole who left a pregnant girl behind. Carly and Ethan have a troubled marriage because she doesn't really love Ethan the way he wants/deserves and though they had two boys of their own, she feels stuck.

Until David comes back for a family funeral.

Which is when the web comes loose because David finds out about the daughter that isn't his, but Ethan thinks is his, and while trying to do the right thing he becomes Andrea's dad because he understands the position Carly is in, and he basically is still in love with her. Oh but then Andrea gets sicks and the real story behind Andrea's father comes out and it's as traumatic as you would think it would be.

Overall? I liked the book. I kept going with it and had a hard time putting it down. I really kind of hated Carly. I mean, I understand that as a rape victim you've been through a huge trauma that irrevocably changes your life in some ways. But to not be honest with Ethan, the guy who stuck by her? Think of how different he would have been towards Carly and Andrea? It could be a whole other story. It feels a little selfish, and I suppose as mothers we have a natural inclination to be a little selfish when it comes to our kids.

But man- that ending? That ending is sad. You root for another ending but you aren't going to get it. As a mom, I can't even imagine because it happens over the course of a few years but it feels far faster than that. But in the end, even with all of the lies and the other people it hurt in the process- Carly did right by Andrea at the end. I can't give you any more than that otherwise it ruins the last third of the book. ;)

[Emilia Richter · Rating 1 out of 5]

Nicht die Liebesgeschichte, die ich erwartet habe.
Ich glaube auch, die Autorin war sich selbst nicht sicher in welche Richtung das gehen soll. Wirkte alles etwas ausgewürfelt.
Leider auch eine sehr schlechte Übersetzung („Liebe machen“. 😖)

[Rosie · Rating 1 out of 5]

I hated this. The story made no sense and wasn't good, the characters were flat and underdeveloped, the whole major plot took place in the last 40 or 50 pages and was rushed through and it was extremely predictable. When the author wanted us to dislike a character, she made him so despicable that it was unrealistic and she made others such saints...ugh even talking about it makes me shake my head.

[Edwinajones · Rating 2 out of 5]

The first 100 pages went by like a breeze the next 100 were nearly impossible then the end got really good. This is definitely a tear jerker at the end... Though I think it could have easily been at least 60 pages less and if the author had trimmed the fat I might have given it 4 stars... That 100 pages of torture is the reason it's reduced to 2.

[Peter Gantz · Rating 5 out of 5]

This review is originally from 1998, when I wrote it for that (now out of print) version of this book, The Way it Should Have Been.

This is one of the best books I have ever read. Georgia Bockoven is a writer in need of more discovery, I think. But it is a pleasure to give you a recommendation for this book, and every other book of Georgia's. I'm very glad to see this book back out in 'print'.

Georgia's stories touch more than your emotions...they touch your soul. This book is about the best life has to offer, and the worst. Not many writers can capture both and do so without drowning you in sorrow or forcing a suspension of belief. Bockoven manages the feat. Some reviewers have said it is depressing. I guess some might think that, but my view is they missed something really important. Life can suck, but it can also soar above all the strife and angst.

Ask yourself...Remember your sense of loss after the death of a loved one? The emptiness in your gut? Remember your sense of fulfillment when you found your true love? Remember how the joy of life at its best filled your whole being? When you read a Georgia Bockoven book, you...I don't know, you both remember your experiences and live the experiences of the character. It's amazing. It's the mark of a great storyteller. This book in particular will make you smile, and it will make you cry. Everyone I've recommended it to who has read it has loved it, if that helps any.

...I don't read romance novels as a general rule. If you like romance novels, I think you will like these books of Georgia's. If you like other genres (like me...right now I'm reading Ilona Andrews, for instance, and recently was re-reading the Jack Reacher books) I think you might still really like this book. My friends who have liked this book are from both crowds.

[Gwendolyn Broadmore · Rating 4 out of 5]

Carly's Gift, a powerful novel, by Georgia Bockoven: Sixteen years ago, under unimaginable strain, Carly Hargrove made a decision to protect, David Montgomery, the man she'd loved since kindergarten. Now she's married to Ethan for whom "enough" is never quite enough. But with three lovely children and a beautiful home, on the surface, Carly has everything she could possibly need. Her parents live nearby, in her sweet hometown of Baxter, Ohio. Then, on a bitter fall day, David turns up at her door. He's arrived from England, in town for his father's funeral, and he wants answers to rid himself of the anger that still consumes him. As the pain, secrets, and heartache start to unravel they're drawn into events that neither could have imagined. Take a stroll into the lives of these complicated people, you'll be surprised, and while you're there visit England as well. Gwendolyn Broadmore, author, Life Came to a Standstill.

[Margie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of Georgia Bockoven's older books. I liked her other books I read so much, I went back to find other things she wrote - this one did not disappoint!

At the beginning, I thought I knew where the story was going - wrong - absolutely wrong. It was an amazing twist. Then there were several other twist I did not see coming. This is a book that you just don't know what is going to happen until you read the very last sentence.

I think I have at least one more Bockoven on my shelf - I can't wait to read it!

[Carol · Rating 3 out of 5]

The original title "The Way It Should Have Been" is actually a better title for this book. As one reads one sees how deceptions, big and small, oftentimes snowball and impact the characters near and far. The author uses the quote from Maya Angelou, "Do the best you can until you know better. Then when you know better, do better," as the theme that shapes the characters in this story. The characters all did the best they could at each point in the story (except maybe Ethan), evolving into stronger characters as time and healing allowed (even Ethan).

[Laurie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book had a lot of suspense with who was Carly's dad? Other subplots included wondering if Andrea's mom and dad get back together. I guessed that Andrea had cancer from the clues they gave. It was also sad because of how her step dad treated her mom. A bit unrealistic that a man would agree to take his old girlfriend's daughter to live with him (although he was really her father).

[Linda Morey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sad sad . Carly had two growing up friends -Ethan and David . Fell in love with David but let’s him go to pursue dreams not possible in small town Ohio. She is pregnant and Ethan who loves her marries her -we see unhappy lives and then Andrea wondering about if Ethan or someone else is her dad . Left wondering if there is any relief from being with the wrong people etc

[Aireca Livingston · Rating 5 out of 5]

The best book I have read this year!

I loved this book. This book shows how far mothers will go to protect their children, and how far men will go to be with a woman...even if that woman does not really want to be with him.

[Donna L. Howard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Carly’s Gift

I would give this 10 stars if I could!! The more I read the more I wanted to read. Character development was excellent...felt like I knew each one personally. This isn’t first book I’ve read by Georgia Bockoven and it wont be the last!

[Mac · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 stars. I would have dumped Ethan as soon as I found out he was manipulating Andrea. I lost all respect for Carly when she overlooked that and stayed with him for the sake of her boys. I just could never relate to Carly.

[Joy · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐⭐⭐⭐➕This was my 2nd Bockoven book. It was great. When I read a 2nd, 3rd or 4th book by an author, I'm looking to see if they have predictable plots or are they original? So far, they are original. I want to read more.

[Kathie Andriano · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good book. Makes you evaluate your own moral compass and consider what you would do in similar situations. There was love, lies, heartbreak and tears throughout reading this story. First book I’ve by this author and I was not disappointed.

[Chloe · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars

A good read with a few twists - each one I guessed ahead of time. But that's ok!

[Alex Martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read

Get your tissues ready , this book will show the deeps of human suffering beyond belief. This is not a new book but it is worth the time . Bravo Ms Bockoven .

[Tara Cignarella · Rating 5 out of 5]

A page turner, a lull in the middle becomes a fast paced ending.

[Yassi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Utter rubbish. But for a couple of twists, would’ve gotten a single star.

[Beverly Starcher · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars

[Darla Safford · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting storyline, kept you engaged throughout the entire book.

[Darlene · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a story about childhood friends, sweethearts, what ifs, secrets, and sacrifice. Well written story line, keeps the reader interested to find out what happens next. Not a bunch of extra details to make it boring. This is about a mother's love and what she is willing to do and give up to protect her daughter. It is also about a mother's sacrifice at real love to marry someone who does love her, but also is controlling of her, their marriage, which causes her to remain submissive to him for over 16 years. The mother, Carly, becomes pregnant from a rape, which she tells no one about but her mother and a family friend at the time who was a deputy at the time. She doesn't tell the man she is in love with, David, because she doesn't want to ruin his life, his career, so she goes to another man, another childhood friend, tells him she is pregnant, which he assumes his best friend David is the father of. He and Carly marry, have the baby and she also goes on to have two more children, sons. Sixteen years later, the death of David's father brings him back home and back into the life of Carly. While Carly's husband, Ethan, is drunk one night, he "spills" the beans that the daughter he raised is actually David's. To keep up with the lies, Carly tells David that she is his and why she had done what she did all those years ago. Meanwhile, Andrea, the daughter, hears all this, makes the choice to go live with her dad in London. As time goes by, Andrea settles into a life there, meets a young man who she falls deeply in love with. While her mother visits her, Andrea begins to have nosebleeds and isn't feeling well. Reluctantly the mother returns back to the states and has David promise to take her to a doctor. Then, when she receives the call from him telling her that Andrea has leukemia and needs to start treatment right away. Of course, she goes there, against her husbands wishes. He feels she doesn't need to go be with her daughter because she has a family here to take care of and he tries to guilt her into staying. She goes anyway, Andrea starts treatment but seems to be getting sicker. Carly returns home, and makes a decision that will change everyone's lives to try and save her daughters life. The truth about who is actually Andrea's father comes out, no one believes it because they think Carly had "provoked" him into raping her by saying or doing something to make him do it. Carly then tells her husband about the who raped her and who is actually Andreas father. He did say he wished she had told him all those years ago, probably the most human thing he ever said, but he still was trying to control her and keeping her away from Andrea. Carly, finally after years of submission to this man, takes a backbone and stands up to him. She returns to London, defeated because she wasn't able to obtain a possible bone marrow donor for Andrea. While there, Andrea passes. She also confesses to David about the rape and why she chose to do what she did all those years ago. He too wishes she had told him, even though he wasn't sure what he would have done because things were so different for them all back then. Upon returning to the states, Carly leaves Ethan, the boys decide to live with her, they all move to Colorado and she also begins to paint again. The book ends with the boys telling her that David is in town for a book signing and her going there and they realizing they are to be together. This would make another good book, continuing on with them being back together after all they went through. Good book and I would like to read more by this author.

[Jennifer Plummer · Rating 3 out of 5]

While the story was well written, as in the dialogue flowed and you could easily picture small details, Carly's character was a bit ridiculous. In fact, the character's actions in this novel were the reason I had trouble enjoying it. ****This is a super spoiler alert**** I don't usually do this but I feel the only way I can describe why I disliked it is to point out key points.

First, we have Carly's character. She's 'self-sacrificing' as we all like to put it but it's not realistic at all to me to be quite so 'about everyone else'. It worked with the plot because I don't think the plot would have had the same effect if she wasn't this way but it made it really hard to relate to her and at times it even made her unlikable.

Second, we have David. While I know he was never meant to be a night in shining armor, really the whole reason this mess started was because he was so caught up in himself when he was younger, I can't understand why he could be so downright mean to Carly but love Andrea immediately and unconditionally. In one specific part of the book, he brings Andrea back to the States to visit and makes a comment about fighting to keep her and basically saying to hell with her mother. It reminded me of a conversation two individuals going through a nasty divorce would be throwing at each other and it was one of the few times I felt sorry for Carly. There was no love between them in that moment or else he would never have threatened to take away the child of someone he loved in that way. It was cruel.

Third, there was Ethan and Andrea. Ethan, though Carly tried to paint him as a good guy, was in my opinion mentally abusive. That's all I'll say there. Andrea, though sad what happened at the end, blew my mind with her situation. What parent allows for their daughter to up and leave with a virtual stranger?! She was still a minor and David was so selfish in these instances that it made me sick.

There were some good parts to this book, it wasn't all just frustrating, but when it is hard to relate to the characters, it makes the plot sticky. Bockoven's plot line was well done regarding everything but the character's relationships to each other. I love that she wasn't afraid to ask the dirty questions. For example, Carly asking David if he was having feelings for Andrea. At times, the skipping ahead so many years would get frustrating but the time jumps weren't always a bad thing and seemed to make the book flow. I kind of feel like it would have fallen flat had she actually included all the 'self-sacrificing' these characters were known for.

[Maryann Fox]

This as a fantastic book. Its the story initially of 3 friends: David, Ethan & Carly.

Carly & David each become the other's first love leaving Ethan out on the sidelines.

Circumstances occur and David leaves homes to pursue a writing career.

Carly is raped and becomes pregnant and Ethan steps up and decides to marry her and raise the child as his own.

Carly never reveals to anyone who the father of her daughter Andrea is but David knows it isn't him and Ethan assumes that David is the father and he resents the fact that he remained behind and raised David's child while David became rich and successful.

David returns to town years later when his father is dying and remains for the funeral before returning to England. He reconnects with Carly and their old feelings surface but Carly has two sons with Ethan. Andrea meets David and learns that he is her birth father and she goes to England with David so they can get to know one another. What starts as a short visit lengthens and before long Andrea makes England her home. Ethan resents David and is happy at the cahance for Andrea to be out of his and Carly's lives: as he puts it it will give them a chance to work on their marriage.

Andrea becomes ill and is diagnosed with acute lukemia necessitating blood testing for a transplant
which forces Carly to reveal who Andrea's real birth father is which comes as a total shock to David and Ethan and Carly's two sons as well as to the reader (I never saw it coming). Andrea is never told. Circumstances surrounding the rape and the secrecy behind it are revealed in an attempt to get Carly's paternal grandmother and her late father's two brothers tested.

Andrea's lukemia becomes incurable without a perfect match transplant and she dies.

Ethan and Carly divorce and her sons decide to live with her. She meets David again at the end of the book: her sons arrange for her to go to see him (he has also gotten (divorced).

This is a great book but very sad.

[kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have never read any of Georgia Bockovern’s books before this one, but I can tell you that this won’t be the last one I read! This will definitely make my ‘best of 2013’ when the year ends.

Carly, Ethan, and David have known each other forever, ever since they were young children. They were best buds and as they grew up, David and Ethan were best friends, and David and Carly fell in love. However, Ethan was also in love with Carly. Fast forward 16 years. Carly is married to Ethan and neither have been in contact with David for many years. Carly and Ethan are not so happily married and raising three children.

When David’s father dies, David returns to town after all those years, and is determined to talk to Carly to gain some closure. Ethan is very insecure in his marriage and does not want David anywhere around his family. And Carly has a very big secret she has been keeping all these years.

I read this story in almost one sitting, but life interferred and I had to read it in two! Once I got into the story, I found it hard to put down. There were parts that were sad, and other parts that were amazing. Ethan was pretty much a jerk through out much of the book, and even though it was easy to understand how his insecurity made him jealous, he was a little over the top towards Carly, and he was outright cruel to the daughter. As I read, I often wondered why Carly didn’t just reveal the secret and how bad things could have been had she been honest from the beginning. I still have to wonder if things wouldn’t have been better for her, but when the reasons for her decision became clear, I did understand. I still am not sure it was the right decision, but can’t say a lot more without major spoilers.

Read it. Find a friend to read with you so you can discuss it. And if you are in a book club, you definitely should make this one of your book club selections!

★★★★1/2 4-1/2 Stars

[Deborah · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received Carly's Gift by Georgia Bockoven through a Goodread/Firstreads giveaway and absolutely loved it. Oh My God! I cried a river toward the end. The story of Carly and David tore my heart out of my chest, filled it with the souls of these two characters and returned it so they could live inside of me forever.
There is no greater love between two people than one willing to sacrifice for the sake of the other. Carly's Gift is the story of love and sacrifice in abundance. David loved Carly. Carly loved David. They spent countless hours planning their futures together. But, when circumstances arose, Carly chose to walk away, to give David the opportunity for the future he deserved, the one he was reaching for, the one she knew he could achieve. David, of course, did not recognize her sacrifice for him. He only knew she wasn't there with him, that she walked away, betrayed him and married his best friend. And he hated her for it. For 16 years. Now married, immensely successful but still tortured by his memories of HER, David returns to attend the funeral of his father and decides to visit Carly to confront her and finally put to rest the relationship that has haunted him for so long. Little does he know his desire for closure will set in motion events that threaten to reveal the secret Carly has held close for 16 years, a secret that will affect them all.
Georgia Bockoven has a gift and Carly's Gift was just one she gave to us. I can't wait to unwrap the rest.

[Tiffanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Couldn't put this down. Carly completely in love with her childhood best friend David becomes pregnant at a young age. When she goes to visit him In New York while he's aspirong to be a writer he is so consumed with what's going on in his life Carly don't get to tell him. She breaks things off with David when she returns home she don't want him to give up his opportunity because she's pregnant and she goes on to marry her other childhood friend Ethan
She's never gotten over David and ethan knows he's not the baby Andrea father. He's always believed it to be David even though it's not. Carly let Ethan believe that to protect Andrea and David hasn't been around in 16 years.
Carly learns that David is her supposed father and wants to live with him. So Carly lets her go thinkin it will only be a week and she will want to come back after all London is different than Ohio. But a week turns into a month and her and David come for a visit but she decides to go back and stay there. David calls one day with news that Andrea is sick she had leukemia. The truth now has to come out who Andreas real father is

[Holly Scudero · Rating 4 out of 5]

For sixteen years, Carly Hargrove has been living a life she's mostly happy with, the one she chose when she set the man she loved free after her own life was irrevocably changed. She has been able to live with that decision for all these years until that very man, David Montgomery, walks back into her life. Soon, the delicate web of secrets Carly has woven to protect her eldest daughter draws David in, binding them together more tightly than ever. But when tragedy threatens to rip everything apart, how will Carly, David, and their families be affected?

Readers who pick up Georgia Bockoven's new novel, “Carly's Gift,” will be sucked in with just one chapter. Carly and David, two very different and perfectly imperfect characters, are immensely appealing, and the author does a good job of immersing readers in the small town of Baxter. The story seems like one which should be predictable, but there are a few twists that really threw me for a loop! “Carly's Gift” was a lovely novel, full of both happiness and heart-wrenching sadness, but one you will be glad that you picked up.

This review originally written for Sacramento/San Francisco Book Review.

[Tricia Douglas · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bockoven has written a very good story about family and love. When Carly is raped (we don't know by whom until the end) her friend Ethan marries her and helps raise the child that is born. That appears to be a common story line, but Carly's true love, David does not know of this rape because Carly has encouraged him to finish school and move on to his writing career. Only years later when David visits Carly does he realize his true and forgotten feelings AND the fact that the baby born to Carly might be his own daughter. There are a lot of twists and turns in this book, some a little predictable, some confusing, but in all a story that keeps the attention of the reader and keeps you guessing as to the truth of all the small lies being told from beginning to end. This is a unique story with something for everyone. Bockoven has done a wonderful job creating a story that is filled with the common love of family, but filled with surprises that the reader doesn't see coming until the end.