Today's book. "The Stolen Marriage" by Diane Chamberlain. Really liked this one! I have been bored by a few books lately until you finally get to the "twist", but this held my attention the entire time. Sad, sweet, and everything in between.

This is *The Stolen Marriage by Diane Chamberlain* - New York Times bestselling author of _The Silent Sister_ and _Necessary Lies_.

Published *2017*, and inspired by a true event - the 1944 "Miracle of Hickory" when a town built a polio hospital in 54 hours.

Here is a summary in English:

*1944 - Baltimore:*

*Tess DeMello, 23 years old*, is happily engaged to the love of her life, her next-door neighbor *Vincent Russo*, who is becoming a doctor. She is also finishing her nursing training. Her mother is Italian Catholic, her future is planned.

Vincent goes to Chicago to help during a severe polio outbreak there and his return keeps getting delayed.

Feeling lonely, Tess goes on a short trip to *Washington D.C.* with her best friend. One night, after drinking, she meets a handsome stranger - *Henry Kraft*, a furniture factory heir from Hickory, North Carolina. They have a one-night encounter.

Tess becomes pregnant. In 1944, being a pregnant, unmarried Catholic girl is unthinkable. Wracked with guilt, she breaks her engagement to Vincent without telling him the real reason, ends her nursing career, and writes to Henry.