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Wyśniłam cię, córeczko
Ile jest w stanie zrobić matka, by uratować swoje jeszcze nienarodzone dziecko?
Diane Chamberlain, autorka bestsellerów z listy "New York Timesa", przedstawia poruszającą historię matki, która decyduje się wyruszyć w nieznane, by ratować życie upragnionego dziecka.
Kiedy Carly Sears, młoda wdowa po żołnierzu, który zginął w Wietnamie, dowiaduje się, że jej nienarodzona córeczka cierpi na nieuleczalną wadę serca, przeżywa załamanie. Jest rok 1970, lekarze nie są w stanie pomóc dziecku. Szwagier Carly, fizyk o tajemniczej przeszłości, zdradza jednak, że być może istnieje sposób, by uratować maleństwo. To burzy jej dotychczasowy świat. Będzie musiała odnaleźć w sobie niezwykłą siłę i odwagę, o których istnienie nawet się nie podejrzewała, zaryzykować życiem, porzucić to, co bliskie sercu i dobrze znane.
A wszystko to z miłości do nienarodzonego dziecka.
Wyśniłam cię, córeczko to niezwykła, przekraczająca granice gatunków, zapierająca dech w piersiach opowieść o walce, jaką musi stoczyć młoda matka, by ratować życie nienarodzonego jeszcze dziecka i rodzinę. Diane Chamberlain wykracza poza granice nauki i wiary, by stworzyć niezapomnianą opowieść.
Diane Chamberlain, autorka bestsellerów z listy "New York Timesa", przedstawia poruszającą historię matki, która decyduje się wyruszyć w nieznane, by ratować życie upragnionego dziecka.
Kiedy Carly Sears, młoda wdowa po żołnierzu, który zginął w Wietnamie, dowiaduje się, że jej nienarodzona córeczka cierpi na nieuleczalną wadę serca, przeżywa załamanie. Jest rok 1970, lekarze nie są w stanie pomóc dziecku. Szwagier Carly, fizyk o tajemniczej przeszłości, zdradza jednak, że być może istnieje sposób, by uratować maleństwo. To burzy jej dotychczasowy świat. Będzie musiała odnaleźć w sobie niezwykłą siłę i odwagę, o których istnienie nawet się nie podejrzewała, zaryzykować życiem, porzucić to, co bliskie sercu i dobrze znane.
A wszystko to z miłości do nienarodzonego dziecka.
Wyśniłam cię, córeczko to niezwykła, przekraczająca granice gatunków, zapierająca dech w piersiach opowieść o walce, jaką musi stoczyć młoda matka, by ratować życie nienarodzonego jeszcze dziecka i rodzinę. Diane Chamberlain wykracza poza granice nauki i wiary, by stworzyć niezapomnianą opowieść.
548 pages, Paperback
First published October 2, 2018
4340 people are currently reading
45881 people want to read
About the author
Diane Chamberlain
70 books14.9k followersDiane Chamberlain is the New York Times, USA Today and (London) Sunday Times best-selling author of 28 novels. The daughter of a school principal who supplied her with a new book almost daily, Diane quickly learned the emotional power of story. Although she wrote many small “books” as a child, she didn’t seriously turn to writing fiction until her early thirties when she was waiting for a delayed doctor’s appointment with nothing more than a pad, a pen, and an idea. She was instantly hooked.
Diane was born and raised in Plainfield, New Jersey and lived for many years in both San Diego and northern Virginia. She received her master’s degree in clinical social work from San Diego State University. Prior to her writing career, she was a hospital social worker in both San Diego and Washington, D.C, and a psychotherapist in private practice in Alexandria, Virginia, working primarily with adolescents.
More than two decades ago, Diane was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis and lupus, which changed the way she works: She wrote two novels using voice recognition software before new medication allowed her to get back to typing. She feels fortunate that her arthritis is not more severe and that she’s able to enjoy everyday activities as well as keep up with a busy travel schedule.
Diane lives in North Carolina with her significant other, photographer John Pagliuca, and their odd but lovable Shetland Sheepdog, Cole
Diane was born and raised in Plainfield, New Jersey and lived for many years in both San Diego and northern Virginia. She received her master’s degree in clinical social work from San Diego State University. Prior to her writing career, she was a hospital social worker in both San Diego and Washington, D.C, and a psychotherapist in private practice in Alexandria, Virginia, working primarily with adolescents.
More than two decades ago, Diane was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis and lupus, which changed the way she works: She wrote two novels using voice recognition software before new medication allowed her to get back to typing. She feels fortunate that her arthritis is not more severe and that she’s able to enjoy everyday activities as well as keep up with a busy travel schedule.
Diane lives in North Carolina with her significant other, photographer John Pagliuca, and their odd but lovable Shetland Sheepdog, Cole
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 6,337 reviews
June 8, 2018
My reviews can also be seen at: https://deesradreadsandreviews.wordpr...
5 Stars!!!!!
I have been reading Diane Chamberlain’s books for many years and I am always excited when a new book is going to be released. Needless to say, I was thrilled to have the opportunity to read an early copy of “ The Dream Daughter ”.
I think that the blurb for this book is very well written. It doesn’t give all the good stuff away, and I promise I won’t either. I didn’t know very much going into this novel and I’m glad it worked out that way.
The story begins in 1970. Twenty-six-year-old Caroline (Carly) Sears has just been told that the baby she’s carrying has a heart defect. Carly has already been through so much in the last year. So when she learns that it’s unlikely that anything can be done to help her baby, she is devastated. This baby means everything to Carly.
Thankfully she has the support of her sister, Patti and brother in law, Hunter. Hunter came to be a part of their family just a few years before. He is a physicist and he feels he can help Carly and her baby. He desperately wants to help her. But what Hunter tells Carly sounds unbelievable. At first, she wonders if he’s teasing her….and then she wonders if he’s lost his mind.
However, Carly will do anything if it means there is even the smallest possibility of saving her unborn child.
Wow! I LOVED this novel. I hated putting it down. But as I got close to the end, I started slowing down. I really didn’t want it to be over yet. I’m so thankful that I have a mother who will let me go on and on about the books I’m reading. But this time she asked me to stop sharing what was happening…. I got her hooked and now she wants to read it herself.
I will be honest; there was a moment or two near the beginning where I wondered if this book might not be for me. I wasn’t sure how I felt about the direction the story was taking. But I shouldn’t have worried as before I knew it, I was completely engrossed in the story.
I have so much respect for Diane Chamberlain. She takes chances and pushes the boundaries with her writing. This novel crosses genres that I never expected. “ The Dream Daughter ” is a wonderful story about love, family, courage, and the unbelievable power of a mother’s love.
In my opinion, this was definitely another home run by Diane Chamberlain. The unique story captured my imagination and all of the characters captured my heart. I highly recommend this novel, and I really hope that everyone who reads it loves it as much as I do.
I'd like to thank St. Martin’s Press for giving me the opportunity to read this book in exchange for my honest review.
5 Stars!!!!!
I have been reading Diane Chamberlain’s books for many years and I am always excited when a new book is going to be released. Needless to say, I was thrilled to have the opportunity to read an early copy of “ The Dream Daughter ”.
I think that the blurb for this book is very well written. It doesn’t give all the good stuff away, and I promise I won’t either. I didn’t know very much going into this novel and I’m glad it worked out that way.
The story begins in 1970. Twenty-six-year-old Caroline (Carly) Sears has just been told that the baby she’s carrying has a heart defect. Carly has already been through so much in the last year. So when she learns that it’s unlikely that anything can be done to help her baby, she is devastated. This baby means everything to Carly.
Thankfully she has the support of her sister, Patti and brother in law, Hunter. Hunter came to be a part of their family just a few years before. He is a physicist and he feels he can help Carly and her baby. He desperately wants to help her. But what Hunter tells Carly sounds unbelievable. At first, she wonders if he’s teasing her….and then she wonders if he’s lost his mind.
However, Carly will do anything if it means there is even the smallest possibility of saving her unborn child.
Wow! I LOVED this novel. I hated putting it down. But as I got close to the end, I started slowing down. I really didn’t want it to be over yet. I’m so thankful that I have a mother who will let me go on and on about the books I’m reading. But this time she asked me to stop sharing what was happening…. I got her hooked and now she wants to read it herself.
I will be honest; there was a moment or two near the beginning where I wondered if this book might not be for me. I wasn’t sure how I felt about the direction the story was taking. But I shouldn’t have worried as before I knew it, I was completely engrossed in the story.
I have so much respect for Diane Chamberlain. She takes chances and pushes the boundaries with her writing. This novel crosses genres that I never expected. “ The Dream Daughter ” is a wonderful story about love, family, courage, and the unbelievable power of a mother’s love.
In my opinion, this was definitely another home run by Diane Chamberlain. The unique story captured my imagination and all of the characters captured my heart. I highly recommend this novel, and I really hope that everyone who reads it loves it as much as I do.
I'd like to thank St. Martin’s Press for giving me the opportunity to read this book in exchange for my honest review.
October 2, 2018
4.5 stars
The year is 1970 and Caroline Sears baby has a heart defect and the baby needs surgery, and really does not have a chance. The only chance for her baby is to time travel to the time period that they have this surgery.
To save the baby, she would need to have feral surgery or it wouldn't have a chance to live. Carly's brother in law is a physicist and he knows how to time travel. Carly asks Hunter, How do you time travel and travel to the future? Hunter has it all figured out. Hunter tells her he would have to use his computer to find out exactly where and when she would step off. She asks him, "Step off, what are you talking about. He tells her there are naturally occurring gateways into time. They exist all around the U.S. There are infinite number of them and they are linked to a specific time and place. We call them portals. You have to figure out the exact - within seconds, less than 60 seconds at any rate - time you need to move into a specific portal to get to a particular time and place. You have to step off from something at least sixteen feet above the ground, either a roof of ledge, so that for a few seconds you are not earthbound. To be in the air untethered at the exact right moment.
This is a rich, genre -spanning breath taking novel about one mother's quest to save her child, unite her family and believe in the believable.
This is the second book that I have read about time travel and I loved both of them. I now want to read more books about time travel. It is so interesting. I loved this book and couldn't put it down. I just wanted it to go on forever and I didn't want it to end. I was captivated while reading this book. Time travel might be unrealistic but it was so interesting to explore another world in the future.
The characters were all well done. Their feelings were so real. There were so many emotions in this book and I felt all of them.
I loved the writing style. I am becoming a Diane Chamberlain fan and so far this is the best book that I read by her and I now want to devour more of her books.
I want to thank NetGalley, Diane Chamberlain and St. Martin's Press for the copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
This book is available now.
The year is 1970 and Caroline Sears baby has a heart defect and the baby needs surgery, and really does not have a chance. The only chance for her baby is to time travel to the time period that they have this surgery.
To save the baby, she would need to have feral surgery or it wouldn't have a chance to live. Carly's brother in law is a physicist and he knows how to time travel. Carly asks Hunter, How do you time travel and travel to the future? Hunter has it all figured out. Hunter tells her he would have to use his computer to find out exactly where and when she would step off. She asks him, "Step off, what are you talking about. He tells her there are naturally occurring gateways into time. They exist all around the U.S. There are infinite number of them and they are linked to a specific time and place. We call them portals. You have to figure out the exact - within seconds, less than 60 seconds at any rate - time you need to move into a specific portal to get to a particular time and place. You have to step off from something at least sixteen feet above the ground, either a roof of ledge, so that for a few seconds you are not earthbound. To be in the air untethered at the exact right moment.
This is a rich, genre -spanning breath taking novel about one mother's quest to save her child, unite her family and believe in the believable.
This is the second book that I have read about time travel and I loved both of them. I now want to read more books about time travel. It is so interesting. I loved this book and couldn't put it down. I just wanted it to go on forever and I didn't want it to end. I was captivated while reading this book. Time travel might be unrealistic but it was so interesting to explore another world in the future.
The characters were all well done. Their feelings were so real. There were so many emotions in this book and I felt all of them.
I loved the writing style. I am becoming a Diane Chamberlain fan and so far this is the best book that I read by her and I now want to devour more of her books.
I want to thank NetGalley, Diane Chamberlain and St. Martin's Press for the copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
This book is available now.
October 4, 2022
Where to begin? I feel at a loss for words because this book meant so much to me, and I want to convey that to you, but I'm having trouble finding the right words to do that. I tried to go into this one as blind as possible, which turned out to be a swell idea; as Goodreads friend and reviewer Dee stated before me, "I think that the blurb for this book is very well written. It doesn’t give all the good stuff away, and I promise I won’t either. I didn’t know very much going into this novel and I’m glad it worked out that way." <--- I couldn't have phrased it better myself, and if you'd like to visit the rest of her review you can do so here.
I know that the time travel aspect has a good number of readers on the fence, but I assure you, it is delicately used to further the structure of the plot and is in no way hardcore science fiction related. Diane Chamberlain has taken an emotional subject and, as she always does, put her signature spin on it to make it blossom into a book that took me places I could never press myself to go on my own. The desperation and unconditional love of a mother is a tough subject for me to read about, and one I am very choosy about delving into, but it's as if the author gently placed a hand on my back and guided me forward, saying "I know it'll hurt a little, but I promise this journey will be worth your time."
I hate to say anything specifically about the plot, but I will say that it will take you on a rollercoaster of feels. Along the way, I found myself not only tearing up, but also holding my breath in suspense, and even chuckling a little along the way! The Dream Daughter is the type of book I look up to as an aspiring writer, and hope that I can produce a work one day that includes such a full bodied range of deeply felt emotion and complex plot progression. I cannot imagine the amount of organization and clever output that went into creating this novel, but I sure am glad that DC was able to do it so flawlessly. Highly recommended to any reader who wants to step outside of their comfort zone and delve into something that cannot be contained by genre boundaries.
*I received a copy of this book for review via the publisher.
I know that the time travel aspect has a good number of readers on the fence, but I assure you, it is delicately used to further the structure of the plot and is in no way hardcore science fiction related. Diane Chamberlain has taken an emotional subject and, as she always does, put her signature spin on it to make it blossom into a book that took me places I could never press myself to go on my own. The desperation and unconditional love of a mother is a tough subject for me to read about, and one I am very choosy about delving into, but it's as if the author gently placed a hand on my back and guided me forward, saying "I know it'll hurt a little, but I promise this journey will be worth your time."
I hate to say anything specifically about the plot, but I will say that it will take you on a rollercoaster of feels. Along the way, I found myself not only tearing up, but also holding my breath in suspense, and even chuckling a little along the way! The Dream Daughter is the type of book I look up to as an aspiring writer, and hope that I can produce a work one day that includes such a full bodied range of deeply felt emotion and complex plot progression. I cannot imagine the amount of organization and clever output that went into creating this novel, but I sure am glad that DC was able to do it so flawlessly. Highly recommended to any reader who wants to step outside of their comfort zone and delve into something that cannot be contained by genre boundaries.
*I received a copy of this book for review via the publisher.
August 18, 2021
***EXCEPTIONAL BOOK ABOUT TIME TRAVEL AND A MOTHER'S LOVE***
I’m not a usual fan of time travel with a few exceptions but this was so much more! I’ve never read a book by Ms. Chamberlain but I certainly will be adding her books to my TBR list. This book is really about a mother and the choices she will make to ensure that her baby will survive first of all and also to have a healthy and happy life.
The book’s prologue starts in 1965 when Caroline Grant, a PT, meets Hunter Poole in a hospital in Chapel Hill, North Carolina (a place I have visited and loved! ). None of the other physical therapists in the department want to work with him, he has been uncooperative and pretty much non-verbal. Caroline is shocked when the patient actually pointed to her and stated “You! I want to work with you”, “I didn’t mean to scare you, I’ll do whatever you say, he added, I promise”. “You remind me of someone I knew briefly . . . .it feels good to see you”. With this start we are launched into the story.
As you know from the blurb Hunter is a time traveler and has landed in 1965 from the future. He and Caroline along with her husband Joe and Caroline’s sister Patti, form a close bond and the next we read of them is in 1970. Caroline is pregnant and has just learned that her husband has died in Vietnam. Hunter is now married to Caroline’s sister Patti and they have a one year old child.
When Caroline’s baby is found by the “new” science of ultrasound to have a seriously defective heart condition that will prove fatal either in utero or after she is born, Hunter has the idea to send her into the future to have the baby’s heart repaired while she is still in the womb. Not only is this fact difficult for Caroline to grasp but Hunter has to prove that he is actually from the future, not an easy feat. He also has to assure her that she and her baby will be able to come back to 1970.
The novel moves through the present and future and back seamlessly. I was very captivated by the story and finished it in two sittings. What I loved about this book is that the characters were well developed and I really grew to care about Caroline. As the mother of four daughters I know that I would have done exactly what Caroline did, anything that would help my baby survive. The other characters are also well described. The atmosphere in New York City in 2001 compared to 1970 is described in such a way that I could visualize the crowded streets and commuters with ear buds in their ears and seeming to be talking to themselves when of course they were talking into their cell phones, something completely alien to Caroline.
There are some warm hearted and funny parts of the story also. When Caroline is on bed rest in New York City and has to find a way to eat and rest, the doorman, housekeeper and owner of a deli down the street do all that they can to help this first time mother with no friends or family to care for her.
Her decisions throughout the story are for the welfare of her daughter and I felt a lot of compassion for her as a mother, great character development here.
You have to be willing to suspend some belief when reading about the time travel but it has a sort of “Back to the Future” feel to it where you really get to know these characters well.
I received an ARC of this novel from the publisher through NetGalley.
I’m not a usual fan of time travel with a few exceptions but this was so much more! I’ve never read a book by Ms. Chamberlain but I certainly will be adding her books to my TBR list. This book is really about a mother and the choices she will make to ensure that her baby will survive first of all and also to have a healthy and happy life.
The book’s prologue starts in 1965 when Caroline Grant, a PT, meets Hunter Poole in a hospital in Chapel Hill, North Carolina (a place I have visited and loved! ). None of the other physical therapists in the department want to work with him, he has been uncooperative and pretty much non-verbal. Caroline is shocked when the patient actually pointed to her and stated “You! I want to work with you”, “I didn’t mean to scare you, I’ll do whatever you say, he added, I promise”. “You remind me of someone I knew briefly . . . .it feels good to see you”. With this start we are launched into the story.
As you know from the blurb Hunter is a time traveler and has landed in 1965 from the future. He and Caroline along with her husband Joe and Caroline’s sister Patti, form a close bond and the next we read of them is in 1970. Caroline is pregnant and has just learned that her husband has died in Vietnam. Hunter is now married to Caroline’s sister Patti and they have a one year old child.
When Caroline’s baby is found by the “new” science of ultrasound to have a seriously defective heart condition that will prove fatal either in utero or after she is born, Hunter has the idea to send her into the future to have the baby’s heart repaired while she is still in the womb. Not only is this fact difficult for Caroline to grasp but Hunter has to prove that he is actually from the future, not an easy feat. He also has to assure her that she and her baby will be able to come back to 1970.
The novel moves through the present and future and back seamlessly. I was very captivated by the story and finished it in two sittings. What I loved about this book is that the characters were well developed and I really grew to care about Caroline. As the mother of four daughters I know that I would have done exactly what Caroline did, anything that would help my baby survive. The other characters are also well described. The atmosphere in New York City in 2001 compared to 1970 is described in such a way that I could visualize the crowded streets and commuters with ear buds in their ears and seeming to be talking to themselves when of course they were talking into their cell phones, something completely alien to Caroline.
There are some warm hearted and funny parts of the story also. When Caroline is on bed rest in New York City and has to find a way to eat and rest, the doorman, housekeeper and owner of a deli down the street do all that they can to help this first time mother with no friends or family to care for her.
Her decisions throughout the story are for the welfare of her daughter and I felt a lot of compassion for her as a mother, great character development here.
You have to be willing to suspend some belief when reading about the time travel but it has a sort of “Back to the Future” feel to it where you really get to know these characters well.
I received an ARC of this novel from the publisher through NetGalley.
January 14, 2018
I received this book in the mail late afternoon yesterday.
I read the entire book ‘this’ afternoon in one sitting.....comfort -reading - dream world!!!!!
Since this book does not come out until Oct. 2018...
I’ll write a review closer to the publishing date.
But for now .... let me just say... sometimes a book like this is the PERFECT BOOK DATE!!!
VIVA-LA-MELTY!!!!!!
I melted into Diane Chamberlain’s storytelling
Want to know more details?/!
BABY TIDBITS:
The prologue begins in April, 1965, Chapel Hill, North Carolina.
You’ll meet Caroline Grant and Hunter Poole.
Hunter needs physical therapy and it’s Caroline’s first day on the job. After a new Beatles song came on the radio - life would never be the same.
Part One begins in April 1970...
in Bethesda, Maryland.
Caroline Grant is now Caroline Sears. You’ll meet Caroline’s sister Patti who is married to Hunter Pool.... ( Carolyn introduced them)...and their one year old baby John Paul.
A knock on the door from a military captain, let Caroline know her husband, Joe, died in Pleiku, Vietnam. She was pregnant with his baby.
Be willing to suspend a little belief - and you’ll be on the edge reading this time travel story - PAGE TURNING ENGROSSING with characters you come to love!!!!!
That’s all for now folks!!!! Ask me more later!!!!!!
SATISFYING- thought provoking - enjoyable read!!!!!
Gotta love Diane Chamberlain!!!
Thank you St. Martin’s Press
I read the entire book ‘this’ afternoon in one sitting.....comfort -reading - dream world!!!!!
Since this book does not come out until Oct. 2018...
I’ll write a review closer to the publishing date.
But for now .... let me just say... sometimes a book like this is the PERFECT BOOK DATE!!!
VIVA-LA-MELTY!!!!!!
I melted into Diane Chamberlain’s storytelling
Want to know more details?/!
BABY TIDBITS:
The prologue begins in April, 1965, Chapel Hill, North Carolina.
You’ll meet Caroline Grant and Hunter Poole.
Hunter needs physical therapy and it’s Caroline’s first day on the job. After a new Beatles song came on the radio - life would never be the same.
Part One begins in April 1970...
in Bethesda, Maryland.
Caroline Grant is now Caroline Sears. You’ll meet Caroline’s sister Patti who is married to Hunter Pool.... ( Carolyn introduced them)...and their one year old baby John Paul.
A knock on the door from a military captain, let Caroline know her husband, Joe, died in Pleiku, Vietnam. She was pregnant with his baby.
Be willing to suspend a little belief - and you’ll be on the edge reading this time travel story - PAGE TURNING ENGROSSING with characters you come to love!!!!!
That’s all for now folks!!!! Ask me more later!!!!!!
SATISFYING- thought provoking - enjoyable read!!!!!
Gotta love Diane Chamberlain!!!
Thank you St. Martin’s Press
February 17, 2018
I can’t actually say that I believe time travel is possible, but I’m usually able to accept it in a work of fiction because anything can be made possible by an imaginative writer. Diane Chamberlain has made anything possible in this story and I was swept across the decades. What kind of unimaginable things would you do to save your unborn child ? What Carly does, reflects the depth of love of a mother for her daughter when she travels from 1970 North Carolina to 2001 New York so her unborn baby can have the in utero surgery needed to repair her heart defect. Armed only with this love of her baby and the trust in her brother-in-law Hunter who reveals his time travel secret to her in efforts to save the baby, Carly takes the jump through a portal to 2001. It’s a mind blowing experience for her as she makes her way in a world of technological advancements she never imagined in 1970, not just the medical aspects but cell phones and laptops, microwave ovens, etc. Events in our history are also seen from the different time frames such as The Vietnam War which is one of the central themes and 9/11.
The plan, of course, is to return to 1970 North Carolina with her healthy baby. Not everything goes smoothly, though, and the glitches that occur in Carly’s journey across the decades provide a page turning experience that kept me engaged with the story and connected emotionally to Carly. There are poignant moments that will make any parent’s heart ache and some that will fill them with joy. Although I almost always want to know more about characters that I come to care about, after the story is over, I thought the book would have been more affecting for me without the epilogue; thus 4 instead of 5 stars. I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys time travel stories and most definitely to fans of Diane Chamberlain.
I received an advanced copy of this book from St. Martin’s Press through NetGalley.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 6, 2019
👶🏻5 Stars for this Powerful story of Family, Love, Loss & Hope!👩🏻
The Dream Daughter grabbed me from the onset. I was never bored with the story - the twists just kept coming right along with the heartache. Despite its sci-fi elements this story was so relatable for me as a mother. At its core/heart this is a story of the overwhelming power of a mother's love.
It's 1970 and Carly learns her unborn child has a fatal heart defect for which there is no treatment. Faced with this devastating news she grabs hold of the only things within her grasp - hope, trust and love. She blindly leaps into the unknown and is willing to go through unimaginable lengths to save her child.
Carly is faced with numerous heartbreaking and difficult decisions. I could not help but feel a sense of awe at her strength and admired the pure love she had for both her husband and daughter. I felt so much compassion for this character.
I don't want to give too much of the plot away. This one would be best enjoyed by allowing its various twists and turns to unfold the way Chamberlain intended them to be revealed. The Dream Daughter was a bit of a welcome surprise for me. Every time I thought I had it all figured out, a new twist was revealed that had me rethinking everything and made it increasingly difficult to put the book down. My advice - go into this one with both an open mind and an open heart. It will be well worth the leap of faith.
A special thank you to Diane Chamberlaine, St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for the opportunity to review an arc of this amazing book.
The Dream Daughter grabbed me from the onset. I was never bored with the story - the twists just kept coming right along with the heartache. Despite its sci-fi elements this story was so relatable for me as a mother. At its core/heart this is a story of the overwhelming power of a mother's love.
It's 1970 and Carly learns her unborn child has a fatal heart defect for which there is no treatment. Faced with this devastating news she grabs hold of the only things within her grasp - hope, trust and love. She blindly leaps into the unknown and is willing to go through unimaginable lengths to save her child.
Carly is faced with numerous heartbreaking and difficult decisions. I could not help but feel a sense of awe at her strength and admired the pure love she had for both her husband and daughter. I felt so much compassion for this character.
I don't want to give too much of the plot away. This one would be best enjoyed by allowing its various twists and turns to unfold the way Chamberlain intended them to be revealed. The Dream Daughter was a bit of a welcome surprise for me. Every time I thought I had it all figured out, a new twist was revealed that had me rethinking everything and made it increasingly difficult to put the book down. My advice - go into this one with both an open mind and an open heart. It will be well worth the leap of faith.
A special thank you to Diane Chamberlaine, St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for the opportunity to review an arc of this amazing book.
October 2, 2018
Oh, this book. This book wrecked me in the best possible way. All the stars and tears.
I was so very wary about coming into this one because: time travel. It’s not my jam. But Diane Chamberlain just flipped the script on my skeptical behind and blew this out of the water.
In a nutshell, this is a story of a mother’s unconditional, unrelenting love and how she will do anything and everything for her daughter. As a mother myself, I found this to be so beautifully relatable and understood this feeling on a deeply profound level. To put yourself in this character’s shoes was an exercise in absolute heartbreak.
There are twists and turns and mind boggling time slips that will keep you on your toes and the pace moving along beautifully.
Please, dear reader, if you are anything like me and don’t do time travel in your books - give this one a chance anyway. You will not be disappointed.
Ms. Chamberlain, I applaud you for this deeply moving and intricately woven tale.
Thank you to St. Martin’s Press for my advance copy. This was a @6bookbesties read, be sure to check out the reviews from Kendall, Berit, Mackenzie, Jennifer and Holly.
I was so very wary about coming into this one because: time travel. It’s not my jam. But Diane Chamberlain just flipped the script on my skeptical behind and blew this out of the water.
In a nutshell, this is a story of a mother’s unconditional, unrelenting love and how she will do anything and everything for her daughter. As a mother myself, I found this to be so beautifully relatable and understood this feeling on a deeply profound level. To put yourself in this character’s shoes was an exercise in absolute heartbreak.
There are twists and turns and mind boggling time slips that will keep you on your toes and the pace moving along beautifully.
Please, dear reader, if you are anything like me and don’t do time travel in your books - give this one a chance anyway. You will not be disappointed.
Ms. Chamberlain, I applaud you for this deeply moving and intricately woven tale.
Thank you to St. Martin’s Press for my advance copy. This was a @6bookbesties read, be sure to check out the reviews from Kendall, Berit, Mackenzie, Jennifer and Holly.
November 14, 2018
Captivating, breathtaking & unputdownable!
Wow! I absolutely love DIANE CHAMBERLAIN and this book was phenomenal, one of my top books of the year.
THE DREAM DAUGHTER by DIANE CHAMBERLAIN is an irresistible, powerful and deeply moving story that immediately captured my attention and my heart. It had me in tears so many times over the course of reading this emotionally captivating story and in the end, it left me with feelings of such warmth in my heart.
I am so glad that I go into my books totally blind because not knowing anything beforehand about this story was definitely very pleasing and appealing. I absolutely loved the direction that this story took and totally embraced it.
DIANE CHAMBERLAIN delivers a beautifully written, unique, magnificent and intense story here with absolutely wonderful, relatable and compelling characters. The emotions and compassion that you feel for them are so palpable. My heart especially went out to Carly. Her unconditional love, courage, and strength were absolutely admirable and I felt so much compassion for her.
I do love my thrillers but I also love stories that take me on an emotional journey and this one definitely moved and touched me.
*Traveling Sisters Read*
Norma’s Stats:
Cover: Affecting, fascinating, suspenseful, eye-catching, piqued my interest, and an extremely fitting representation to storyline. The significance of this cover after reading this novel definitely made its impact on me.
Title: Oh my that title….that is all I’m going to say!
Writing/Prose: Well-written, beautiful, captivating, skilled, and proficient. I absolutely love this author’s writing style and will read anything she writes.
Plot: Suspenseful, thought-provoking, heartbreaking, heartwarming, complex, imaginative, perfectly-paced, enjoyable and extremely entertaining.
Ending: Tearjerker, satisfying, and heartwarming that gave me that gratifying afterglow upon finishing.
Overall: This book contained all the elements that I absolutely love in my books. For me this was book perfection! Would highly recommend!
Thank you so much to NetGalley, St. Martin’s Press and Diane Chamberlain for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of this book in exchange for a review!
Review can also be found on our Two Sisters Lost in a Coulee Reading book blog:
https://twosisterslostinacoulee.com/
Wow! I absolutely love DIANE CHAMBERLAIN and this book was phenomenal, one of my top books of the year.
THE DREAM DAUGHTER by DIANE CHAMBERLAIN is an irresistible, powerful and deeply moving story that immediately captured my attention and my heart. It had me in tears so many times over the course of reading this emotionally captivating story and in the end, it left me with feelings of such warmth in my heart.
I am so glad that I go into my books totally blind because not knowing anything beforehand about this story was definitely very pleasing and appealing. I absolutely loved the direction that this story took and totally embraced it.
DIANE CHAMBERLAIN delivers a beautifully written, unique, magnificent and intense story here with absolutely wonderful, relatable and compelling characters. The emotions and compassion that you feel for them are so palpable. My heart especially went out to Carly. Her unconditional love, courage, and strength were absolutely admirable and I felt so much compassion for her.
I do love my thrillers but I also love stories that take me on an emotional journey and this one definitely moved and touched me.
*Traveling Sisters Read*
Norma’s Stats:
Cover: Affecting, fascinating, suspenseful, eye-catching, piqued my interest, and an extremely fitting representation to storyline. The significance of this cover after reading this novel definitely made its impact on me.
Title: Oh my that title….that is all I’m going to say!
Writing/Prose: Well-written, beautiful, captivating, skilled, and proficient. I absolutely love this author’s writing style and will read anything she writes.
Plot: Suspenseful, thought-provoking, heartbreaking, heartwarming, complex, imaginative, perfectly-paced, enjoyable and extremely entertaining.
Ending: Tearjerker, satisfying, and heartwarming that gave me that gratifying afterglow upon finishing.
Overall: This book contained all the elements that I absolutely love in my books. For me this was book perfection! Would highly recommend!
Thank you so much to NetGalley, St. Martin’s Press and Diane Chamberlain for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of this book in exchange for a review!
Review can also be found on our Two Sisters Lost in a Coulee Reading book blog:
https://twosisterslostinacoulee.com/
October 7, 2018
A captivating exquisitely told story about the power of a mother’s love💕
WOW! WOW! WOW! This was simply book perfection! It already has a spot on my “Fave“ shelf! As well as a spot in my heart! The thing I am most proud of in my life is being a mom; and the three people I love the most in my life are my three amazing children! And even though they are pretty much all grown up now I would do anything to protect any of them! So of course I could not help but put myself in Carly‘s position in this book, to what Lankes is a mother willing to go for her child? Would you be able to face the unknowable? Believe the unbelievable? Take that leap of faith?
If you have not read this book yet, I am so jealous! You have such an amazing treat ahead of you... it is 1970... Carly has just lost her husband to the Vietnam war, and now she has found out that her unborn baby has an inoperable heart defect.... Hunter her sister’s husband, who seems to know the words to the Beatles songs before they have come out, and is also a physicist tells Carly there might be a way to save her baby.... BUT it will require her to believe the unbelievable and have faith and take a huge leap, quite literally.... you see Hunter is from the future he knows how to time travel and he can send Carly to the year 2001 where it is possible to operate on her babies heart... Time traveling? What? Who is the author again? DON’T panic! Trust me! It SO works! Shoot by the end of this book I was almost believing I could travel back in time myself!
Even though the time traveling aspect of this book was interesting and a little stressful... just imagine how much the world change between 1970 and 2001, microwave ovens, cell phones, Internet, the list goes on and on and on... this really is a book all about love, and hope, and sacrifice.... A beautiful heartwarming story with some time travel peppered in...
This is a genre defying, Decade spanning, story filled with all the components you want in a book... A perfectly pased and compelling storyline, relatable and captivating characters, and all the feels! This book truly surpassed my expectations and I probably could go on and on and on, but I will save you that! Strongly encourage you to add this book to your TBR ASAP! It will bring tears to your eyes, a big smile to your face, but most of all it will leave a warmth in your heart!
*** A huge thank you to St. Martin’s Press for my copy of this book ***
WOW! WOW! WOW! This was simply book perfection! It already has a spot on my “Fave“ shelf! As well as a spot in my heart! The thing I am most proud of in my life is being a mom; and the three people I love the most in my life are my three amazing children! And even though they are pretty much all grown up now I would do anything to protect any of them! So of course I could not help but put myself in Carly‘s position in this book, to what Lankes is a mother willing to go for her child? Would you be able to face the unknowable? Believe the unbelievable? Take that leap of faith?
If you have not read this book yet, I am so jealous! You have such an amazing treat ahead of you... it is 1970... Carly has just lost her husband to the Vietnam war, and now she has found out that her unborn baby has an inoperable heart defect.... Hunter her sister’s husband, who seems to know the words to the Beatles songs before they have come out, and is also a physicist tells Carly there might be a way to save her baby.... BUT it will require her to believe the unbelievable and have faith and take a huge leap, quite literally.... you see Hunter is from the future he knows how to time travel and he can send Carly to the year 2001 where it is possible to operate on her babies heart... Time traveling? What? Who is the author again? DON’T panic! Trust me! It SO works! Shoot by the end of this book I was almost believing I could travel back in time myself!
Even though the time traveling aspect of this book was interesting and a little stressful... just imagine how much the world change between 1970 and 2001, microwave ovens, cell phones, Internet, the list goes on and on and on... this really is a book all about love, and hope, and sacrifice.... A beautiful heartwarming story with some time travel peppered in...
This is a genre defying, Decade spanning, story filled with all the components you want in a book... A perfectly pased and compelling storyline, relatable and captivating characters, and all the feels! This book truly surpassed my expectations and I probably could go on and on and on, but I will save you that! Strongly encourage you to add this book to your TBR ASAP! It will bring tears to your eyes, a big smile to your face, but most of all it will leave a warmth in your heart!
*** A huge thank you to St. Martin’s Press for my copy of this book ***
February 16, 2019
My review may contain mild spoilers:
It’s 1970 and Carly has just lost her husband in Vietnam. She discovers that she’s pregnant, and now she’s told by her doctor that they believe the baby has a heart condition. Her brother-in-law, Hunter, finds a facility that can confirm exactly what’s wrong with the baby’s heart. Once the test is complete, she learns that her unborn child has a heart defect that cannot be repaired. They confirm that the baby will not be able to live once it’s born and there is nothing she can do about it. Carly is devastated along with Hunter and her sister. She doesn’t know how she can cope with losing this baby.
Hunter’s a physicist with a secret past, and he believes there is something that can be done to help this baby survive. He’s confident and has it all planned out. It’s up to Carly now. What will she be willing to risk to save her baby?
I’d love to just pour all of my thoughts out on this review, but I would have to share so many spoilers and I don’t want to do that. I was just so very connected to this book because had my oldest daughter been born in 1970, I would’ve been faced with this same exact nightmare. This would be me–just like Carly–desperate for help. Because my daughter was born in 2006, she was able to get the multiple surgeries that she needed to survive. In the 70’s, there were no medical advancements available to save these babies with these heart conditions. It’s such a horrible thought and every emotion was captured so perfectly in the novel as if the author had experienced this herself.
Regardless of my connection with the plot, the book is written so well and chock-full of so much detail–I just didn’t want to put it down. I had to discover what was going to happen and couldn’t predict a thing! There were twists all the way to the end. I had so many emotions and teared up multiple times. Toward the last 100 pages or so, I wasn’t sure if I was happy with where the story was going, but it was perfectly wrapped up in the end. I was still left to wonder what could happen with a few of the characters because there was actually room for more story, yet I was completely satisfied with it the way it ended.
I’ve never really been into sci-fi books that include some of the themes like in this one, but this is just a wonderful book and it worked. I would highly recommend it to anyone. I fell in love and wish I could give it more than five stars, in fact, this is going down as my favorite read of 2018 so far.
I’d like to thank St. Martin’s Press for sharing this book with me in exchange for my honest review.
5*****
You can also see my review @ https://readrantrockandroll.com/2018/...
It’s 1970 and Carly has just lost her husband in Vietnam. She discovers that she’s pregnant, and now she’s told by her doctor that they believe the baby has a heart condition. Her brother-in-law, Hunter, finds a facility that can confirm exactly what’s wrong with the baby’s heart. Once the test is complete, she learns that her unborn child has a heart defect that cannot be repaired. They confirm that the baby will not be able to live once it’s born and there is nothing she can do about it. Carly is devastated along with Hunter and her sister. She doesn’t know how she can cope with losing this baby.
Hunter’s a physicist with a secret past, and he believes there is something that can be done to help this baby survive. He’s confident and has it all planned out. It’s up to Carly now. What will she be willing to risk to save her baby?
I’d love to just pour all of my thoughts out on this review, but I would have to share so many spoilers and I don’t want to do that. I was just so very connected to this book because had my oldest daughter been born in 1970, I would’ve been faced with this same exact nightmare. This would be me–just like Carly–desperate for help. Because my daughter was born in 2006, she was able to get the multiple surgeries that she needed to survive. In the 70’s, there were no medical advancements available to save these babies with these heart conditions. It’s such a horrible thought and every emotion was captured so perfectly in the novel as if the author had experienced this herself.
Regardless of my connection with the plot, the book is written so well and chock-full of so much detail–I just didn’t want to put it down. I had to discover what was going to happen and couldn’t predict a thing! There were twists all the way to the end. I had so many emotions and teared up multiple times. Toward the last 100 pages or so, I wasn’t sure if I was happy with where the story was going, but it was perfectly wrapped up in the end. I was still left to wonder what could happen with a few of the characters because there was actually room for more story, yet I was completely satisfied with it the way it ended.
I’ve never really been into sci-fi books that include some of the themes like in this one, but this is just a wonderful book and it worked. I would highly recommend it to anyone. I fell in love and wish I could give it more than five stars, in fact, this is going down as my favorite read of 2018 so far.
I’d like to thank St. Martin’s Press for sharing this book with me in exchange for my honest review.
5*****
You can also see my review @ https://readrantrockandroll.com/2018/...
January 14, 2021
The year is 1970. Soon after she learns that her husband was killed in Vietnam, twenty-seven year old Carly learns that she is pregnant. Then she learns that her baby has a heart defect that will kill her shortly after she is born. That is when Carly's brother in law, Hunter, tells her that he is a time traveler and can arrange for her to travel to the year 2001, when there is surgery available that may be able to save her baby's life.
Despite the fear of leaving her only remaining family member, her sister Patty, Carly literally jumps at the chance to save the life of her baby. Life in the future is full of unknowns and questions but Carly will do anything to save her baby. This is a book of a mother's love of both her baby and her recently deceased husband. She has to gather every bit of courage to take this journey and once in the future, she suffers many set backs and struggles but she does not give up.
One of the things I liked about this book is that even though we were aware of the thoughts of both Carly and Hunter, both characters were still likable. Hunter wants to share what he can to help Carly save her baby. Carly was willing to give up everything for her baby and in ways that she would not have expected, farther along in the book. This was a very enjoyable read and I thank St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for this ARC.
Published October 2nd 2018
Despite the fear of leaving her only remaining family member, her sister Patty, Carly literally jumps at the chance to save the life of her baby. Life in the future is full of unknowns and questions but Carly will do anything to save her baby. This is a book of a mother's love of both her baby and her recently deceased husband. She has to gather every bit of courage to take this journey and once in the future, she suffers many set backs and struggles but she does not give up.
One of the things I liked about this book is that even though we were aware of the thoughts of both Carly and Hunter, both characters were still likable. Hunter wants to share what he can to help Carly save her baby. Carly was willing to give up everything for her baby and in ways that she would not have expected, farther along in the book. This was a very enjoyable read and I thank St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for this ARC.
Published October 2nd 2018
October 2, 2018
5 Unputdownable - Loved every minute of it Stars!
HUGE fan of time travel here, but even if you're not, know that Diane Chamberlain's upcoming new novel delivers just the right mix of present day and historical content with....NO awkward bouncing around.
It all begins in 1965 Chapel Hill, North Carolina when a lightbulb goes off in the head of a silent and mysterious man in rehab.
With no wasted words, the storyline develops....and quickly intensifies....with tough decisions to be made based on the deepest of trust, courage....and unconditional love.
"It's amazing what you'll do for your child, isn't it?"
As DC activates all our emotions....again....As the heartbreak roller coaster begins to settle a bit..........My. Oh. My.
THE DREAM DAUGHTER is an intense, wonderfully complex read, but most definitely "vintage Diane Chamberlain" that took me places I did not expect to go....places I want to go back again....and will....on October 2, 2018 when I pick up the hardcover.
Many thanks to St. Martin's Press via NetGalley for the arc in exchange for review.
October 12, 2018
When I heard this novel involves science fiction, I decided to take a pass. But when the publisher offered me a chance to read an advanced review copy, I couldn’t resist, as after all, this is Diane Chamberlain. It turns out the science fiction angle is only a means to deliver a wonderful story dealing with love, family, and the courage to do the right thing. I loved it.
The book got off to a bit of a slow start for me, but around 40% or so I was totally hooked. Carly’s mysterious brother-in-law Hunter tells her there is only one way for Carly to save her unborn baby who has been diagnosed with a severe heart defect. To elect this option, however, will take a tremendous amount of faith and courage. How far will Carly go to save her unborn child? And this turns out to be only the tip of the iceberg in terms of the decisions Carly will have to make to ensure her child gets the best life possible.
This story is a good ‘un, people. Carly is a gem of a person and so well drawn. I enjoyed putting myself in her shoes and trying to figure out the best way to go as numerous forks in the road continued to appear. The time line is complex and the reader needs to pay attention, but Ms. Chamberlain lays it all out pretty well. I found myself thinking more during this novel than I usually do, which is a good thing. There were multiple times I was sure I had the roadmap of the tale figured out, but was wrong every time. I cheered throughout the last few pages of the book even though it was all tied up a bit too nicely, something I don’t always need.
In summary, this book was a very pleasant surprise as I liked it much more than I thought I would. I heartily recommend it to all readers looking for a typically good Diane Chamberlain novel. If you have never read her, this is as good a place as any to start. I’m excited I still have many more of her books yet to read.
Many thanks to St. Martin’s Press, Net Galley, and Diane Chamberlain for an advanced copy of this novel. Opinions are mine alone and are not biased in any way.
The book got off to a bit of a slow start for me, but around 40% or so I was totally hooked. Carly’s mysterious brother-in-law Hunter tells her there is only one way for Carly to save her unborn baby who has been diagnosed with a severe heart defect. To elect this option, however, will take a tremendous amount of faith and courage. How far will Carly go to save her unborn child? And this turns out to be only the tip of the iceberg in terms of the decisions Carly will have to make to ensure her child gets the best life possible.
This story is a good ‘un, people. Carly is a gem of a person and so well drawn. I enjoyed putting myself in her shoes and trying to figure out the best way to go as numerous forks in the road continued to appear. The time line is complex and the reader needs to pay attention, but Ms. Chamberlain lays it all out pretty well. I found myself thinking more during this novel than I usually do, which is a good thing. There were multiple times I was sure I had the roadmap of the tale figured out, but was wrong every time. I cheered throughout the last few pages of the book even though it was all tied up a bit too nicely, something I don’t always need.
In summary, this book was a very pleasant surprise as I liked it much more than I thought I would. I heartily recommend it to all readers looking for a typically good Diane Chamberlain novel. If you have never read her, this is as good a place as any to start. I’m excited I still have many more of her books yet to read.
Many thanks to St. Martin’s Press, Net Galley, and Diane Chamberlain for an advanced copy of this novel. Opinions are mine alone and are not biased in any way.
October 2, 2018
5 stars for this full of hope read! ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
Huge Diane Chamberlain fan checking in! The Dream Daughter is easily vying for top spot in my favorite reads from her.
In the opening scene, Carly, a physical therapist, is introduced to Hunter, a mysterious psychiatric patient doctors think was injured during an attempted suicide. Flash forward several years, and Hunter is married to Carly’s sister, Patti.
In that same time period (the early 1970s), Carly finds out that her unborn baby has a heart defect. There’s no treatment for the defect in 1970, and the baby will likely not survive after birth. Hunter has an idea and offers his plan to Carly.
The Dream Daughter is all about a mother’s love and sacrifice. The ups and downs that Carly experiences once on the journey to save the life of her child are felt viscerally. I read the ending with relish. Not too neat or tidy, but completely fulfilling for the characters in which I was completely invested.
Chamberlain is a master storyteller. Those who love her know we can rely on her for a breathtaking read. The Dream Daughter is about love for family and love for child. Most of all, it is about believing that anything is possible with hope.
On a personal note, my alma mater was referenced in the book, as were several of my favorite places in North Carolina. I always feel like I’m going home when I read a Chamberlain book!
Thank you to St. Martin’s Press for the physical copy. All opinions are my own.
Huge Diane Chamberlain fan checking in! The Dream Daughter is easily vying for top spot in my favorite reads from her.
In the opening scene, Carly, a physical therapist, is introduced to Hunter, a mysterious psychiatric patient doctors think was injured during an attempted suicide. Flash forward several years, and Hunter is married to Carly’s sister, Patti.
In that same time period (the early 1970s), Carly finds out that her unborn baby has a heart defect. There’s no treatment for the defect in 1970, and the baby will likely not survive after birth. Hunter has an idea and offers his plan to Carly.
The Dream Daughter is all about a mother’s love and sacrifice. The ups and downs that Carly experiences once on the journey to save the life of her child are felt viscerally. I read the ending with relish. Not too neat or tidy, but completely fulfilling for the characters in which I was completely invested.
Chamberlain is a master storyteller. Those who love her know we can rely on her for a breathtaking read. The Dream Daughter is about love for family and love for child. Most of all, it is about believing that anything is possible with hope.
On a personal note, my alma mater was referenced in the book, as were several of my favorite places in North Carolina. I always feel like I’m going home when I read a Chamberlain book!
Thank you to St. Martin’s Press for the physical copy. All opinions are my own.
July 21, 2018
Diane Chamberlain writes a multi-layered, genre crossing and complex novel that is emotionally heartbreaking and moving. Through the device of time travel she outlines just how much the world has changed from the turbulent 1970s to the beginnings of this century and the momentous events that occurred such as 9/11. In 1970 in Maryland, 26 year old Caroline 'Carly' Sears has faced difficult times with the loss of her husband in the Vietnam War. She is pregnant and expecting his child, when she receives another crushing blow, her child is afflicted with a heart defect that cannot be rectified. Her supportive sister, Patti, is married to Hunter Poole, a man about whose background very little is known, and they are blessed with a child. Hunter feels he owes everything to Caroline, the person who helped him when he was a broken man. A man with huge secrets, he makes the decision to open up to reveal himself as a time traveller, informing her that he thinks there is a way to help her baby.
Caroline finds herself facing a mind blowing solution to her woes that sounds incredibly far fetched and puts her in a quandry. However, she is a mother who will do anything to save her beloved child, and for this she is willing to think beyond herself and go where she never thought was possible, into the future, to a New York where the leaps in medical science from the 1970s have been astonishing. Like all the best laid plans, returning back to the 1970s turns out to infinitely more complicated than thought for Caroline. She is bemused at all the technological shifts in society and how the perspectives on the Vietnam War have changed as the story moves in unexpected directions. Chamberlain writes a emotionally gripping story of love, loss, grief, family and mother-child relationships. Through the character of Caroline, she highlights the stresses and pressures of living in two different time periods and how far a mother is willing to go to save her child. For many readers, the inclusion of time travel in this novel will require a substantial suspension of disbelief, but I was fine with it as the author made use of the device well to illustrate pertinent points and issues. A great read that I thoroughly enjoyed. Many thanks to St. Martin's Press for an ARC.
Caroline finds herself facing a mind blowing solution to her woes that sounds incredibly far fetched and puts her in a quandry. However, she is a mother who will do anything to save her beloved child, and for this she is willing to think beyond herself and go where she never thought was possible, into the future, to a New York where the leaps in medical science from the 1970s have been astonishing. Like all the best laid plans, returning back to the 1970s turns out to infinitely more complicated than thought for Caroline. She is bemused at all the technological shifts in society and how the perspectives on the Vietnam War have changed as the story moves in unexpected directions. Chamberlain writes a emotionally gripping story of love, loss, grief, family and mother-child relationships. Through the character of Caroline, she highlights the stresses and pressures of living in two different time periods and how far a mother is willing to go to save her child. For many readers, the inclusion of time travel in this novel will require a substantial suspension of disbelief, but I was fine with it as the author made use of the device well to illustrate pertinent points and issues. A great read that I thoroughly enjoyed. Many thanks to St. Martin's Press for an ARC.
October 23, 2018
I must have tried 20 books. I quit all of them. Then I tried this one and I could not get enough of it! What a beautiful and moving novel! I ended up savoring the last part of it because I didn’t want it to end. I have been in a book rut for months.
I had no idea what this was about. I just decided to try it. It’s best not to read too many reviews. You do not need to love sci-fi to enjoy this one. A little suspension of disbelief and you’re golden!
I listened to the audio version. It’s fabulous! I can’t recommend this one enough! Please give it a try.
I had no idea what this was about. I just decided to try it. It’s best not to read too many reviews. You do not need to love sci-fi to enjoy this one. A little suspension of disbelief and you’re golden!
I listened to the audio version. It’s fabulous! I can’t recommend this one enough! Please give it a try.
September 17, 2018
This story surprised me in many ways. It was much more emotional than I was expecting and the unique blend of genres kept me satisfied with so many tense moments woven in (yes, edge of your seat moments)!
I enjoyed the author's writing style and how she kept me invested in the story line. I related to the mother, Caroline (Carly) and could feel the love she had for her unborn child. She is devastated when she learns her child has a heart defect and at the time (1970), no fetal procedures existed. But wait! Hunter, her brother in law, has a proposal that will challenge everything she believes in! Go Carly Go!! I was cheering her on until the end.
Hunter is a physicist and has a hidden past that rocks Carly's world in more ways than one! He tells her that he knows a way to save her unborn child, but it will require her to put everything she believes on hold and just trust him. My heart was with Carly as she made decisions and took chances that had me literally holding my breath. By the way, never leave home without your chronometer. At least if you are on a trip of a lifetime. I wasn't expecting all the surprises this story had and it was hard to put down. Although I was able to predict the ending, the ride was well worth the trip!
Thanks to St.Martin's Press for my ARC. Review will post to my blog on 10/02/2018.
I enjoyed the author's writing style and how she kept me invested in the story line. I related to the mother, Caroline (Carly) and could feel the love she had for her unborn child. She is devastated when she learns her child has a heart defect and at the time (1970), no fetal procedures existed. But wait! Hunter, her brother in law, has a proposal that will challenge everything she believes in! Go Carly Go!! I was cheering her on until the end.
Hunter is a physicist and has a hidden past that rocks Carly's world in more ways than one! He tells her that he knows a way to save her unborn child, but it will require her to put everything she believes on hold and just trust him. My heart was with Carly as she made decisions and took chances that had me literally holding my breath. By the way, never leave home without your chronometer. At least if you are on a trip of a lifetime. I wasn't expecting all the surprises this story had and it was hard to put down. Although I was able to predict the ending, the ride was well worth the trip!
Thanks to St.Martin's Press for my ARC. Review will post to my blog on 10/02/2018.
October 2, 2018
Uplifting, heartfelt, and addictive—Diane Chamberlain’s newest book The Dream Daughter is one that I won’t soon forget! This is truly the story of the immense amount of love that one woman has to give, and how that love can transform and transport through time and across boundaries to bring her together with those she loves most. I can’t wait for readers to experience the beauty of this story for themselves!
See my full review and some more goodies on my blog PhDiva.blog
About the Book
In 1965 Hunter shows up in a physical therapy clinic with a broken ankle. Caroline Sears is in her first day working as a PT since graduating and Hunter is her first patient. Despite his mysterious past, he and Caroline (Carly) form a connection that day. Carly gets through to him in a way that the other workers could not. She reminds him of someone he once knew, he said.
Five years later, Hunter is married to Carly’s sister Patti and Carly finds herself widowed and pregnant. The news of her daughter’s heart defect crushes Carly. She just lost her husband, how will she survive losing their child as well? But Hunter may have a secret. He knows of a time in the future where the medical advancements are enough to help her unborn child. You see, Hunter isn’t from this time and he may have the key to helping Carly save her child.
But it will take incredible bravery for Carly to take the steps necessary to help her baby. Alone in a new world, Carly moves ahead with the courage that comes from the love of a mother for her unborn child. Carly will do whatever it takes to make her dream daughter a reality.
Reflection
Wow! What a stunningly beautiful story this is. Do not let the time travel put you off. This is very much not a book of science fiction, but rather, a book about the love of a mother for her child. The sort of love that can truly cross time, space, and our notion of reality in order to save a child that does not yet exist.
The premise of this book might make you think this is a sad story to read, but I found it to be anything but that. Carly has so much strength, despite her fears. She never falters when it comes to her daughter. She never questions what she would do to have even just a single moment with her. I found this to be entirely uplifting to read. I found this to be a book filled with joy, despite all of the challenges. The power of love sang through this novel.
There are a few mothers in this book that I enjoyed. I don’t want to spoil anything, so I won’t be too specific here. But I do think that this book explored the idea that there is no perfect way to be a mother. Mothers come from all different backgrounds and have different ways of showing love. But all of the mothers in this book love their children so deeply, even though they may not be traditional parent-child relationships.
Hunter himself is fascinating. We get to see a few sides of Hunter—as a husband, a son, a brother-in-law, a musician, a scientist, and a friend. Hunter is a truly fantastic character. He is so necessary to the story, though he appears in very few scenes. His love for Patti and their son is another uplifting note to this story. Even in the tough times, Hunter is a charming, loveable character.
I wish I could say more. I wish I could go in depth about what I felt at each moment in this book. But then, I’d be taking the discovery away from the next readers, and I’d never want to do that. There’s a theme in this book of allowing yourself the luxury of not knowing something in advance that through the nature of time travel could be known. It preserves the joy in life sometimes, the not knowing. It allows the characters to act with their hearts. To hope, even when things are tough. To go blindly into the unknown and gain all of the benefits of living instead of simply knowing. That is how I recommend you read this book, my fellow book lovers. I hope you go into it with an open heart and mind, and I hope you find your own connection to this beautiful story.
See my full review and some more goodies on my blog PhDiva.blog
About the Book
In 1965 Hunter shows up in a physical therapy clinic with a broken ankle. Caroline Sears is in her first day working as a PT since graduating and Hunter is her first patient. Despite his mysterious past, he and Caroline (Carly) form a connection that day. Carly gets through to him in a way that the other workers could not. She reminds him of someone he once knew, he said.
Five years later, Hunter is married to Carly’s sister Patti and Carly finds herself widowed and pregnant. The news of her daughter’s heart defect crushes Carly. She just lost her husband, how will she survive losing their child as well? But Hunter may have a secret. He knows of a time in the future where the medical advancements are enough to help her unborn child. You see, Hunter isn’t from this time and he may have the key to helping Carly save her child.
But it will take incredible bravery for Carly to take the steps necessary to help her baby. Alone in a new world, Carly moves ahead with the courage that comes from the love of a mother for her unborn child. Carly will do whatever it takes to make her dream daughter a reality.
Reflection
Wow! What a stunningly beautiful story this is. Do not let the time travel put you off. This is very much not a book of science fiction, but rather, a book about the love of a mother for her child. The sort of love that can truly cross time, space, and our notion of reality in order to save a child that does not yet exist.
The premise of this book might make you think this is a sad story to read, but I found it to be anything but that. Carly has so much strength, despite her fears. She never falters when it comes to her daughter. She never questions what she would do to have even just a single moment with her. I found this to be entirely uplifting to read. I found this to be a book filled with joy, despite all of the challenges. The power of love sang through this novel.
There are a few mothers in this book that I enjoyed. I don’t want to spoil anything, so I won’t be too specific here. But I do think that this book explored the idea that there is no perfect way to be a mother. Mothers come from all different backgrounds and have different ways of showing love. But all of the mothers in this book love their children so deeply, even though they may not be traditional parent-child relationships.
Hunter himself is fascinating. We get to see a few sides of Hunter—as a husband, a son, a brother-in-law, a musician, a scientist, and a friend. Hunter is a truly fantastic character. He is so necessary to the story, though he appears in very few scenes. His love for Patti and their son is another uplifting note to this story. Even in the tough times, Hunter is a charming, loveable character.
I wish I could say more. I wish I could go in depth about what I felt at each moment in this book. But then, I’d be taking the discovery away from the next readers, and I’d never want to do that. There’s a theme in this book of allowing yourself the luxury of not knowing something in advance that through the nature of time travel could be known. It preserves the joy in life sometimes, the not knowing. It allows the characters to act with their hearts. To hope, even when things are tough. To go blindly into the unknown and gain all of the benefits of living instead of simply knowing. That is how I recommend you read this book, my fellow book lovers. I hope you go into it with an open heart and mind, and I hope you find your own connection to this beautiful story.
January 21, 2021
For the second time this month, I have been transported back in time through the words of a book, to a year in our history which is very reminiscent of what is also going on in our Country today.
The Year is 1970 and our nation is very divided by the Vietnam War.
Protests are getting violent, and the National Guard has been called out.
Caroline “Carly” Sears has just lost her husband Joe, in the war, when she discovers that her unborn baby, has a heart defect. There is little that can be done, but she is Carly’s last piece of Joe, and she is desperate to save “her”.
Her brother in law, Hunter, a physicist, informs her that although nothing can be done in 1970, that there will be an experimental treatment in 2001, which could save the baby, and he confides in her that he knows this because he has time traveled from the future, and he can send her there.
Of course, Carly is skeptical.
But she is also desperate.
Will Carly have the courage to believe him, and take that leap of faith?
Will she really be able to give birth in the future, and return to 1970 with a healthy infant?
This is probably NOT a book I would have ever read, if I had not taken my own leap of faith!
A wonderful new friend gifted me this copy, wanting to share a favorite story with me.
But, I had given “The Time Traveler’s Wife” 2⭐️ back when EVERYONE was reading and raving about it. I wasn’t reviewing yet, but apparently I already had “outlier tastes”! 🤣
And, nobody could convince me to read the Outlander series!
And, I mean, NOBODY!
I was convinced that time travel was NOT for me.
But, I did end up reading Stephen King’s 11/22/63 and I loved it, so I was hoping that this one would work too.🤞🏻
And, you know what?
It did!
I was fully engaged from the start and rooting for this resilient woman to find a way to save her daughter and find some happiness in her life!
And, I was VERY SURPRISED by two plot twists! 😱
In the best way.
So, now I am thinking that it MAY just be time travel ROMANCE which doesn’t work for me?
I will definitely be more open to stepping through another portal or two, after being touched so deeply by this story.
Another fun buddy read with DeAnn!
Be sure to watch for her review too!
The Year is 1970 and our nation is very divided by the Vietnam War.
Protests are getting violent, and the National Guard has been called out.
Caroline “Carly” Sears has just lost her husband Joe, in the war, when she discovers that her unborn baby, has a heart defect. There is little that can be done, but she is Carly’s last piece of Joe, and she is desperate to save “her”.
Her brother in law, Hunter, a physicist, informs her that although nothing can be done in 1970, that there will be an experimental treatment in 2001, which could save the baby, and he confides in her that he knows this because he has time traveled from the future, and he can send her there.
Of course, Carly is skeptical.
But she is also desperate.
Will Carly have the courage to believe him, and take that leap of faith?
Will she really be able to give birth in the future, and return to 1970 with a healthy infant?
This is probably NOT a book I would have ever read, if I had not taken my own leap of faith!
A wonderful new friend gifted me this copy, wanting to share a favorite story with me.
But, I had given “The Time Traveler’s Wife” 2⭐️ back when EVERYONE was reading and raving about it. I wasn’t reviewing yet, but apparently I already had “outlier tastes”! 🤣
And, nobody could convince me to read the Outlander series!
And, I mean, NOBODY!
I was convinced that time travel was NOT for me.
But, I did end up reading Stephen King’s 11/22/63 and I loved it, so I was hoping that this one would work too.🤞🏻
And, you know what?
It did!
I was fully engaged from the start and rooting for this resilient woman to find a way to save her daughter and find some happiness in her life!
And, I was VERY SURPRISED by two plot twists! 😱
In the best way.
So, now I am thinking that it MAY just be time travel ROMANCE which doesn’t work for me?
I will definitely be more open to stepping through another portal or two, after being touched so deeply by this story.
Another fun buddy read with DeAnn!
Be sure to watch for her review too!
May 31, 2018
3.5 stars
What would you do to save your child?
That really is the question in this book. Caroline Sears receives word that her unborn baby has a fatal heart defect. She is devastated, she has lost so much already. Her husband has gone missing and is presumed dead in Vietnam. Then one day her brother-in-law, Hunter comes to Caroline/Carly with some startling news. He believes there is a way that her unborn baby can be saved. She needs to suspend some disbelief. The reader needs to suspend some disbelief. As he explains to her how her child can be saved, some things begin to make sense and she decides to make a leap of faith!
I won’t say much more about the plot but to say, this book is about one woman's journey to save her child and, in the process, grows as a person and learns what being a mother is all about. The reader is also given a glimpse into the progress of medical science and prenatal care. We are also shown the emotional scope of having a child with a birth defect and the struggles to keep your child healthy and the emotions (and exhaustion) of having a child with health issues. When being strong is not a choice but a necessity.
While reading this book, I felt many emotions and it was like a roller coaster ride. Would her baby receive the treatment she needs? Will the child survive? How will she make it back home? How will her sister react?
This was not my favorite book by Chamberlain, but it was enjoyable and as I stated, it does evoke emotion. Chamberlain continues to write thoughtful books which stir the emotions while dealing with real life issues. She does take a chance with time travel in this book and I appreciated that she did not get too technical with how time travel works, etc. I appreciated that she let Carly's courage to save her baby take center stage and kept the time travel take a smaller but important role in this book. This book is about love, sacrifice, family and strength.
Thank you to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. The thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own.
Read more of my reviews at www.openbookpost.com
What would you do to save your child?
That really is the question in this book. Caroline Sears receives word that her unborn baby has a fatal heart defect. She is devastated, she has lost so much already. Her husband has gone missing and is presumed dead in Vietnam. Then one day her brother-in-law, Hunter comes to Caroline/Carly with some startling news. He believes there is a way that her unborn baby can be saved. She needs to suspend some disbelief. The reader needs to suspend some disbelief. As he explains to her how her child can be saved, some things begin to make sense and she decides to make a leap of faith!
I won’t say much more about the plot but to say, this book is about one woman's journey to save her child and, in the process, grows as a person and learns what being a mother is all about. The reader is also given a glimpse into the progress of medical science and prenatal care. We are also shown the emotional scope of having a child with a birth defect and the struggles to keep your child healthy and the emotions (and exhaustion) of having a child with health issues. When being strong is not a choice but a necessity.
While reading this book, I felt many emotions and it was like a roller coaster ride. Would her baby receive the treatment she needs? Will the child survive? How will she make it back home? How will her sister react?
This was not my favorite book by Chamberlain, but it was enjoyable and as I stated, it does evoke emotion. Chamberlain continues to write thoughtful books which stir the emotions while dealing with real life issues. She does take a chance with time travel in this book and I appreciated that she did not get too technical with how time travel works, etc. I appreciated that she let Carly's courage to save her baby take center stage and kept the time travel take a smaller but important role in this book. This book is about love, sacrifice, family and strength.
Thank you to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. The thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own.
Read more of my reviews at www.openbookpost.com
December 27, 2021
Just re-read this book in 2021, and still absolutely loved it even if nothing came as a surprise to me. Below is my original review...
I don't even know where to begin with this review, but I will start by saying it is probably one of my favorite novels I've ever read, and it has really touched me in a way no book has done in many years.
THE DREAM DAUGHTER is about Carly, a woman in North Carolina in 1970 whose husband died in the Vietnam War. She is pregnant with their child, only to find out that the unborn baby has a serious heart defect...one that Science hasn't been able to figure out how to fix in 1970. Carly's brother in law, Hunter, tells her there may be a way to save her baby girl. It's going to require major trust, extremely careful planning, and time traveling to the future when Science is more advanced.
When I thought about what I would write in my review, I wasn't sure if I should mention the time travel aspect of the novel, as that could initially turn off some readers...especially those familiar with Diane Chamberlain's previous novels. However, I read a blurb before I read the book myself, and was questioning if I should still give it a shot (I'm not a fan of time travel stories either), and am SO GLAD I did.
THE DREAM DAUGHTER is the richest, most character-driven, and thought-provoking novel I have read in some time. The time travel aspect actually enhances the story greatly, and all it requires is a leap of faith that Diane Chamberlain will work her magic, which she does phenomenally. I was overcome with emotions while reading this. It was suspenseful in all the right places, shocking, heartbreaking, exciting, and riveting. Because of the time travel aspect of the story, there are some true events that get touched upon, and one in particular that I knew was going to be a plot point. When it did, my mind was blown at the twists.
I highly recommend this to all of Diane Chamberlain's fans, and fans of the genre. Please DO NOT let the time travel aspect deter you. This is a very special book, and I absolutely loved it and will rave about it to anyone who will listen.
Thank you to Diane Chamberlain, St. Martin's Press, and NetGalley for an ARC of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
I don't even know where to begin with this review, but I will start by saying it is probably one of my favorite novels I've ever read, and it has really touched me in a way no book has done in many years.
THE DREAM DAUGHTER is about Carly, a woman in North Carolina in 1970 whose husband died in the Vietnam War. She is pregnant with their child, only to find out that the unborn baby has a serious heart defect...one that Science hasn't been able to figure out how to fix in 1970. Carly's brother in law, Hunter, tells her there may be a way to save her baby girl. It's going to require major trust, extremely careful planning, and time traveling to the future when Science is more advanced.
When I thought about what I would write in my review, I wasn't sure if I should mention the time travel aspect of the novel, as that could initially turn off some readers...especially those familiar with Diane Chamberlain's previous novels. However, I read a blurb before I read the book myself, and was questioning if I should still give it a shot (I'm not a fan of time travel stories either), and am SO GLAD I did.
THE DREAM DAUGHTER is the richest, most character-driven, and thought-provoking novel I have read in some time. The time travel aspect actually enhances the story greatly, and all it requires is a leap of faith that Diane Chamberlain will work her magic, which she does phenomenally. I was overcome with emotions while reading this. It was suspenseful in all the right places, shocking, heartbreaking, exciting, and riveting. Because of the time travel aspect of the story, there are some true events that get touched upon, and one in particular that I knew was going to be a plot point. When it did, my mind was blown at the twists.
I highly recommend this to all of Diane Chamberlain's fans, and fans of the genre. Please DO NOT let the time travel aspect deter you. This is a very special book, and I absolutely loved it and will rave about it to anyone who will listen.
Thank you to Diane Chamberlain, St. Martin's Press, and NetGalley for an ARC of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
March 10, 2018
3.5 I have said many, many times that I have difficulties with novels!s that deal with time travel. Before this one there has been only one other, that by Kearsley, that I ended up enjoying. So why is that? In this case I loved most of the characters,but most of all I loved the unique situation presented in this book, a mother fighting for her unborn child's future. If what was possible in this book, was actual!y possible in reality, I can't think of a mother who wouldn't have done exactly what Carly did. The instinct of a mother to protect her child is just, in most cases,too strong, even among animal mothers.
This was a unique take, told well, seems straightforward but is anything but, there are still twists and turns one doesn't see coming. Enjoyed the look and history of the different time periods, and the way the story plays out, the end quite poignant. Chamberlain does a fantastic job here, a story that drew me in and kept me reading, not tripping up on details,which would have been easy to do. The time travel aspect became secondary, I just enjoyed the story. It was had not to feel for Carly and the hard choices she had to make. A heart rendering tale well told, though given the subject is does descend occasionally to the sentimental. How could it not?
ARC from St. Martin's Press.
This was a unique take, told well, seems straightforward but is anything but, there are still twists and turns one doesn't see coming. Enjoyed the look and history of the different time periods, and the way the story plays out, the end quite poignant. Chamberlain does a fantastic job here, a story that drew me in and kept me reading, not tripping up on details,which would have been easy to do. The time travel aspect became secondary, I just enjoyed the story. It was had not to feel for Carly and the hard choices she had to make. A heart rendering tale well told, though given the subject is does descend occasionally to the sentimental. How could it not?
ARC from St. Martin's Press.
November 3, 2018
The Dream Daughter by Diane Chamberlain is a 2018 St. Martin’s Press publication.
A frenetic, heart wrenching, but captivating story of strength, hope, and love-
It’s 1970-
Caroline ‘Carly’ Sears is newly widowed and expecting her first child. If this weren’t stressful enough, her doctors believe her unborn child may have a fatal heart defect. With her sister and brother-in-law by her side, Carly may need to accept the reality that her child will die soon after she is born.
Hunter, a physicist, has a tough decision to make. Upon hearing of his sister-in-law’s prognosis, he knows he can save her child. How? By traveling back to the future.
As it happens, Hunter is from 2018, but he traveled back in time after his wife dies, meets Carly, then her sister, whom he marries, and starts a family with. He’s carved out a nice life for himself and is content. But, he is willing to risk it all for Carly and her baby. Will she believe he is from the future? Is she brave enough to travel into the future? Will she be able to return to 1970? How will the truth effect Hunter’s marriage to Carly's sister?
I’ve been sitting on this book for a while. I knew it would be good because Diane Chamberlain has never disappointed me. The early reviews were amazing. But, I still procrastinated, waiting for the day the book called out to me.
After I finished the book, I just couldn’t find the words to write a review. So, I procrastinated some more. I hope I can do the book justice, especially after reading so many wonderful reviews of this amazing book!
As I have said many times, time travel is a hard sell for me. But, this may be the most realistic and believable depiction of time travel possibilities I have ever read. However, it is the mother’s love for her child that resonates, that makes the risks worth it.
The story is also one of the most suspenseful novels of its kind I’ve ever read. The emotions are raw, tangible, almost physical. I was riveted, held captive by this story, the suspense nearly intolerable, but I was simply unable to tear myself away from it.
The characters are eclectic, Carly is obviously the most sympathetic, while others are an enigma. The twists and turns are breathtaking, surreal, and pulse pounding, holding me on the edge of my seat, with my heart in my throat.
This novel is so well constructed, so thought provoking, poignant and soul- stirring!! I don’t think I’ve read anything quite like it before. Chamberlain’s novels always leave an impression on me, but this one captured my imagination, and left me reeling with emotions. I loved it! Loved it! This one is imprinted on my brain and in my heart and I promise it will not fade from my consciousness for a long time to come!!
5+ stars
A frenetic, heart wrenching, but captivating story of strength, hope, and love-
It’s 1970-
Caroline ‘Carly’ Sears is newly widowed and expecting her first child. If this weren’t stressful enough, her doctors believe her unborn child may have a fatal heart defect. With her sister and brother-in-law by her side, Carly may need to accept the reality that her child will die soon after she is born.
Hunter, a physicist, has a tough decision to make. Upon hearing of his sister-in-law’s prognosis, he knows he can save her child. How? By traveling back to the future.
As it happens, Hunter is from 2018, but he traveled back in time after his wife dies, meets Carly, then her sister, whom he marries, and starts a family with. He’s carved out a nice life for himself and is content. But, he is willing to risk it all for Carly and her baby. Will she believe he is from the future? Is she brave enough to travel into the future? Will she be able to return to 1970? How will the truth effect Hunter’s marriage to Carly's sister?
I’ve been sitting on this book for a while. I knew it would be good because Diane Chamberlain has never disappointed me. The early reviews were amazing. But, I still procrastinated, waiting for the day the book called out to me.
After I finished the book, I just couldn’t find the words to write a review. So, I procrastinated some more. I hope I can do the book justice, especially after reading so many wonderful reviews of this amazing book!
As I have said many times, time travel is a hard sell for me. But, this may be the most realistic and believable depiction of time travel possibilities I have ever read. However, it is the mother’s love for her child that resonates, that makes the risks worth it.
The story is also one of the most suspenseful novels of its kind I’ve ever read. The emotions are raw, tangible, almost physical. I was riveted, held captive by this story, the suspense nearly intolerable, but I was simply unable to tear myself away from it.
The characters are eclectic, Carly is obviously the most sympathetic, while others are an enigma. The twists and turns are breathtaking, surreal, and pulse pounding, holding me on the edge of my seat, with my heart in my throat.
This novel is so well constructed, so thought provoking, poignant and soul- stirring!! I don’t think I’ve read anything quite like it before. Chamberlain’s novels always leave an impression on me, but this one captured my imagination, and left me reeling with emotions. I loved it! Loved it! This one is imprinted on my brain and in my heart and I promise it will not fade from my consciousness for a long time to come!!
5+ stars
September 29, 2018
I had enjoyed the one prior novel I had read of Diane Chamberlain. So I jumped at the chance for an ARC of her soon to be published book without reading too much about it.
Well, let’s say I’m not a big fan of time travel books. It’s a genre I tend to struggle with accepting. The premise is that it’s 1970 and Carly is pregnant. Her husband died in the Vietnam War not even knowing she was pregnant. And now the baby has a heart defect. Her brother in law offers a solution. Cue the Twilight Zone music.
Chamberlain does a good job with fleshing out Carly’s reluctance to believe Hunter. For those of us who grew up during the 60s and 70s, Hunter’s comparison of the past vs. today is spot on. As is the flip side, as Carly tries to navigate all the changes she has to take in on the fly.
Chamberlain doesn’t really try to explain the whole portal travel thing in too much detail, which is a good thing.
The book does best when it concentrates on relationships. She shines when she deals with the various aspects of motherhood.
But overall, I found the whole premise hokey and could never get into it. This just wasn’t my cup of tea. I would definitely seek out more of Chamberlain’s books.
My thanks to netgalley and St. Martin’s Press for an advance copy of this book.
October 7, 2018
I’ve always loved Diane Chamberlains books. Been reading them for many a year and always know I’m in for a good solid read each time I pick up her newest book.
When I began reading this I have to be honest that I said to my daughter, I’m not sure about this storyline. If I didn’t know better I would think I’m reading a different authors work.
But low and behold all of a sudden this took hold of me and I literally couldn’t put the book downl I was totally in awe of this author taking a path that she had never taken before and wowing me.
I didn’t have any problems being invested in the time travel aspect. At first I was “hmmmmm” but then the plot just took over, overwhelming me and my thoughts and emotions that I was gob smacked into actually believing this to be a natural way of travel.
The tension within these pages made me break out in a tense sweat. I was urging it all to work out to get things right that everything will come together and be fine.
God the tension in this made my head whirl.
It was so cleverly crafted, researched and thought out.
Such a wonderful all consuming read.
Thank you St Martin press via Net Galley for my copy.
When I began reading this I have to be honest that I said to my daughter, I’m not sure about this storyline. If I didn’t know better I would think I’m reading a different authors work.
But low and behold all of a sudden this took hold of me and I literally couldn’t put the book downl I was totally in awe of this author taking a path that she had never taken before and wowing me.
I didn’t have any problems being invested in the time travel aspect. At first I was “hmmmmm” but then the plot just took over, overwhelming me and my thoughts and emotions that I was gob smacked into actually believing this to be a natural way of travel.
The tension within these pages made me break out in a tense sweat. I was urging it all to work out to get things right that everything will come together and be fine.
God the tension in this made my head whirl.
It was so cleverly crafted, researched and thought out.
Such a wonderful all consuming read.
Thank you St Martin press via Net Galley for my copy.
August 26, 2018
Diane Chamberlain is one of my absolute favourite authors. I was ecstatic when I was approved for this book!
This is a first for Diane Chamberlain..a different type of story but yet the same kind all in one. I don't want to give too much away. The story is fantastic! The blurb on the book was perfect. I must admit that I only skimmed it. I purposely did not want to hear too much (as I'd heard rattles throughout the book community already.) I automatically read anything by Diane Chamberlain. I'm glad I was so delightfully surprised!
The year is 1970 and Caroline (Carly) is pregnant and so very sad. She has recently lost her husband in a horrific way. She is now living with her beloved sister and brother-in-law. But something may not be right with the baby. Her brother-in-law proposes a solution. But could it be a miracle or the most ludicrous, insane thing ever?
This book is packed with a lot of deep, heartfelt emotions throughout the whole story. It's the same type of classic Diane Chamberlain but with a new twist to her story. Her writing is on par as usual. I could not put this down! I so highly recommend it!
I'd like to thank NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for allowing me the opportunity to read this Advanced Reader Copy.
This is a first for Diane Chamberlain..a different type of story but yet the same kind all in one. I don't want to give too much away. The story is fantastic! The blurb on the book was perfect. I must admit that I only skimmed it. I purposely did not want to hear too much (as I'd heard rattles throughout the book community already.) I automatically read anything by Diane Chamberlain. I'm glad I was so delightfully surprised!
The year is 1970 and Caroline (Carly) is pregnant and so very sad. She has recently lost her husband in a horrific way. She is now living with her beloved sister and brother-in-law. But something may not be right with the baby. Her brother-in-law proposes a solution. But could it be a miracle or the most ludicrous, insane thing ever?
This book is packed with a lot of deep, heartfelt emotions throughout the whole story. It's the same type of classic Diane Chamberlain but with a new twist to her story. Her writing is on par as usual. I could not put this down! I so highly recommend it!
I'd like to thank NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for allowing me the opportunity to read this Advanced Reader Copy.
January 12, 2022
4.5 Stars
”As you wander through this troubled world
In search of all things beautiful
You can close your eyes when you're miles away
And hear my voice like a serenade”
--Lullaby,Dixie Chicks, Songwriters: Dan Wilson / Emily Robison / Martie Maguire / Natalie Maines
I think I might be the only one who has never read a Diane Chamberlain book before, but after reading a few goodreads friends reviews, I knew this was one I wanted to read. I was inundated with other books when I did receive a copy of this, but I finally got most of the books I wanted to read first in my “read” pile, and could indulge myself by pushing this one up a bit in sequence.
Stories involving time travel are a bit on the tricky side for me – buying into them, that is, but I thought this was handled well, with just enough information for the reader to be kept engaged.
What it does add is an ability to see the transformation and changes that have occurred between 1965 and 2013, through the eyes of one young woman, Carly, who has endured a major loss in her recent past as this begins, when she finds out that her unborn child has a heart defect, with little likelihood that anything can be done. Through her brother-in-law, Hunter, she is offered a chance to change that, but what he offers is more than a little hard to believe, let alone contemplate.
What would you be willing to do to save your unborn child’s life? What would you be willing to sacrifice? There are so few guarantees in life, but Carly knows there isn’t anything she wouldn’t do if it will possibly save her child.
This story is very emotional driven, but with a story including love and loss one should expect that. I didn’t expect it to be as engaging as it was, but between the emotional side of the story, all the secrets and twists and turns I didn’t want to put this down, and kept turning the pages.
I loved both the eras and the locations this was set in, NYC and North Carolina, the ease with which Chamberlain moved the different aspects of the story set in the 1970s and spun the multiple layers of the story set in 2001 and 2013 and beyond all together into one beautiful, multilayered story about the bonds we share with family, whether born into or created, and with those we love; the blessing and power of forgiveness, and the driving force of a mother’s love.
Published: 02 OCT 2018
Many thanks for the ARC provided by St. Martin’s Press
March 7, 2020
So good, so heartbreaking. An amazing story that is simultaneously historical fiction and science fiction. We follow a young woman named Carly who is living in the 1970’s. She’s dealing with a horrible situation, her husband recently died in the Vietnam war, and she just discovered she’s pregnant, but the baby has a heart defect that will likely kill it shortly after birth. Carly then discovers her brother in law Hunter is actually a time traveler and he’s from the future, and he wants to send her to 2001 where he knows there is experimental surgery that can save her baby. So Carly is sent to 2001 in New York City, where she hopes to save her baby’s life.
This story was so incredibly moving and heartbreaking and I was obsessed from the first chapter. There were so many good plot twists and things that happened that I couldn’t believe. I feel like any mother or sister or wife could relate to this book and feel something for this main character because of the impossible decisions she has to make regarding her loved ones.
I loved the time travel aspect of this book, I love that the explanation about how it works didn’t take over the entire story, we only knew what we need to know and the rest is still kind of mysterious. I loved Carlys character so much, and she’s so freaking brave in this book, I don’t know if I could do what she did.
This story was so incredibly moving and heartbreaking and I was obsessed from the first chapter. There were so many good plot twists and things that happened that I couldn’t believe. I feel like any mother or sister or wife could relate to this book and feel something for this main character because of the impossible decisions she has to make regarding her loved ones.
I loved the time travel aspect of this book, I love that the explanation about how it works didn’t take over the entire story, we only knew what we need to know and the rest is still kind of mysterious. I loved Carlys character so much, and she’s so freaking brave in this book, I don’t know if I could do what she did.
August 30, 2018
Slide over. Sit a spell......
Truth be told, I didn't find myself drawn into the first few pages of this novel. The Dream Daughter has Diane Chamberlain handing over a heavy-ladened sandwich on a bendable paper plate. After the first bite, you begin asking yourself what, indeed, is in this hard-to-describe secret sauce that keeps you salivating for the next bite?
This, dear readers, is not my usual fare. I'm not drawn to the likes of time travel, although it does intrigue me. What makes all the difference in the world is that it is penned by Diane Chamberlain. She creates believable characters with believable drive. And what is at the core of all things in this universe is the gut-wrenching reality of we humans with the lost opportunities that slip through our fingers. Regrets that gnaw at us for a lifetime. Or, perhaps, do we have the capability to grasp that golden ring and change the barreling course of the inevitable?
Carly Sears carries within herself the weight of grief so profound that even words are empty vessels. It's April of 1970 and Carly harbors the knowledge that her newly wed husband, Joe, will not be returning from the Vietnam War. Her emotions are in turmoil as the onset of a pregnancy finds limited joy. This child is a mother's monument to the love she shared with Joe. That is why the news of a fetal heart defect is met with such shock and disbelief. How can she bear another loss? In the scheme of all things, the universe is just asking too much.
Carly tries to find solace from her sister, Patti, and her strange, secretive brother-in-law, Hunter. Now here is where Chamberlain asks you as readers to open all the spickets. And, heaven help us, you'll find yourself munching bite after bite of that aforementioned sandwich. Hunter proposes that Carly travel in time to 2001 for a scientific breakthrough with in-uteral surgery to save the life of her child. Book it, Carly.......
Chamberlain provides us with profound scenarios mirroring the onset of the digital revolution happening in America during this time period. We become risk-takers along with Carly. She is forced to take on situations in which she lacks the skill sets. It's akin to opening up packages in which we have no control of the contents. And Chamberlain does it masterfully. Even though we know that there are no "do-overs" in life, just the mere thought of a chance is a powerful, powerful thought.
I received a copy of The Dream Daughter through NetGalley for an honest review. My thanks to St. Martin's Press and to the talented Diane Chamberlain for the opportunity.
Truth be told, I didn't find myself drawn into the first few pages of this novel. The Dream Daughter has Diane Chamberlain handing over a heavy-ladened sandwich on a bendable paper plate. After the first bite, you begin asking yourself what, indeed, is in this hard-to-describe secret sauce that keeps you salivating for the next bite?
This, dear readers, is not my usual fare. I'm not drawn to the likes of time travel, although it does intrigue me. What makes all the difference in the world is that it is penned by Diane Chamberlain. She creates believable characters with believable drive. And what is at the core of all things in this universe is the gut-wrenching reality of we humans with the lost opportunities that slip through our fingers. Regrets that gnaw at us for a lifetime. Or, perhaps, do we have the capability to grasp that golden ring and change the barreling course of the inevitable?
Carly Sears carries within herself the weight of grief so profound that even words are empty vessels. It's April of 1970 and Carly harbors the knowledge that her newly wed husband, Joe, will not be returning from the Vietnam War. Her emotions are in turmoil as the onset of a pregnancy finds limited joy. This child is a mother's monument to the love she shared with Joe. That is why the news of a fetal heart defect is met with such shock and disbelief. How can she bear another loss? In the scheme of all things, the universe is just asking too much.
Carly tries to find solace from her sister, Patti, and her strange, secretive brother-in-law, Hunter. Now here is where Chamberlain asks you as readers to open all the spickets. And, heaven help us, you'll find yourself munching bite after bite of that aforementioned sandwich. Hunter proposes that Carly travel in time to 2001 for a scientific breakthrough with in-uteral surgery to save the life of her child. Book it, Carly.......
Chamberlain provides us with profound scenarios mirroring the onset of the digital revolution happening in America during this time period. We become risk-takers along with Carly. She is forced to take on situations in which she lacks the skill sets. It's akin to opening up packages in which we have no control of the contents. And Chamberlain does it masterfully. Even though we know that there are no "do-overs" in life, just the mere thought of a chance is a powerful, powerful thought.
I received a copy of The Dream Daughter through NetGalley for an honest review. My thanks to St. Martin's Press and to the talented Diane Chamberlain for the opportunity.
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