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Summer's Child
Early on the morning of her eleventh birthday, on the beach beside her North Carolina home, Daria Cato receives an unbelievable gift from the sea—an abandoned newborn baby. When the infant's identity cannot be uncovered, she is adopted by Daria's loving family. But her silent secrets continue to haunt Daria.
Now, twenty years later, Shelly has grown into an unusual, ethereal young woman whom Daria continues to protect. But when Rory Taylor, a friend from Daria's childhood and now a television producer, returns at Shelly's request to do a story about the circumstances surrounding her birth, something precarious shifts in the small town of Kill Devil Hills.
The more questions Rory asks, the more unsettled the tiny community becomes, as closely guarded secrets and the sins of that long-ago summer begin to surface. Piece by piece, the mystery of summer's child is being exposed, a mystery that no one involved—not Shelly, Daria, not even Rory—is prepared to face.
Now, twenty years later, Shelly has grown into an unusual, ethereal young woman whom Daria continues to protect. But when Rory Taylor, a friend from Daria's childhood and now a television producer, returns at Shelly's request to do a story about the circumstances surrounding her birth, something precarious shifts in the small town of Kill Devil Hills.
The more questions Rory asks, the more unsettled the tiny community becomes, as closely guarded secrets and the sins of that long-ago summer begin to surface. Piece by piece, the mystery of summer's child is being exposed, a mystery that no one involved—not Shelly, Daria, not even Rory—is prepared to face.
400 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1999
773 people are currently reading
6643 people want to read
About the author
Diane Chamberlain
80 books15.1k 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 993 reviews
March 26, 2011
With all due respect....what a bunch of crap. I am giving this book 3 stars as it was light and easy to read and it was not that I didn't enjoy it but what a bunch of nonsense. Everything just worked out so perfectly and the names of those beach houses drove me to the point of craziness!!I enjoyed her last book, Cee Cee Wilkes, but that one deserved a Pulitzer compared to this!! Don't let my review deter you. It is readable especially after reading a heavy duty Lionel Shriver before it. What gets me is that this has more stars on good reads than Shriver's. Goes to show you......there is no accounting for taste!!
June 23, 2016
I purchased this audiobook on Audible.com as it was a special of the day and looked interesting. I had heard of Diane Chamberlain, but have never read one of her books before. After purchasing it I looked at some of my friends reviews on GoodReads, and was disappointed to see that all but one of my friends who read it gave it 2 stars or less! By that stage though, I had already started listening to it and was enjoying it, so I thought I would see how long I could hold out. Well, so glad I didn’t listen to my friends reviews! I thought it was a great book!
On her 11th birthday, Daria goes out to the beach next to her home and discovers a newborn baby near some rocks by the water. When the authorities cannot find who the mother is, Daria’s family adopt the little girl and name her Shelly. Twenty years Shelly is now an adult, and has contacted a friend from Daria’s childhood, Rory Taylor. He is a TV presenter who works solving mysteries and Shelly wants him to help find her biological mother. Thus begins Rory’s investigation into what happened all those years ago, who is Shelly’s mother? And what other secrets is he going to unveil along the way?
I was immediately swept in by this book. I found it to be captivating and interesting. Sure, it had some slow parts and dragged on at times, but I was quite happy going along for the ride.
I found the characters to be great, they all had their secrets and it was extremely entertaining listening to it all come gradually together.
The narrator wasn’t the best I had ever heard, she was slightly dull in her portrayal of the characters and overall narration, however it was still enjoyable and easy to listen to. It didn’t take much away from the story for me.
The romance was sweet, and there was heaps of romantic tension! Fabulous!
There were so many twists and turns and revelations, I love it when I can’t see where something is going, and when the final reveal occurred, I was a bit floored! I actually thought of one part of the correct twist towards the beginning, but dismissed my idea because there were so many other things happening to distract me. Well played Ms Chamberlain, well played.
Would I recommend Summer’s Child?
Yes, absolutely for any fan of sweet romances, and family secrets! I thought it was a great read and am looking forward to reading others from Diane Chamberlain. I have heard this is not one of her best so I would LOVE to see what her best is like!
For more reviews check out my blog
www.booksbabiesbeing.com
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On her 11th birthday, Daria goes out to the beach next to her home and discovers a newborn baby near some rocks by the water. When the authorities cannot find who the mother is, Daria’s family adopt the little girl and name her Shelly. Twenty years Shelly is now an adult, and has contacted a friend from Daria’s childhood, Rory Taylor. He is a TV presenter who works solving mysteries and Shelly wants him to help find her biological mother. Thus begins Rory’s investigation into what happened all those years ago, who is Shelly’s mother? And what other secrets is he going to unveil along the way?
I was immediately swept in by this book. I found it to be captivating and interesting. Sure, it had some slow parts and dragged on at times, but I was quite happy going along for the ride.
I found the characters to be great, they all had their secrets and it was extremely entertaining listening to it all come gradually together.
The narrator wasn’t the best I had ever heard, she was slightly dull in her portrayal of the characters and overall narration, however it was still enjoyable and easy to listen to. It didn’t take much away from the story for me.
The romance was sweet, and there was heaps of romantic tension! Fabulous!
There were so many twists and turns and revelations, I love it when I can’t see where something is going, and when the final reveal occurred, I was a bit floored! I actually thought of one part of the correct twist towards the beginning, but dismissed my idea because there were so many other things happening to distract me. Well played Ms Chamberlain, well played.
Would I recommend Summer’s Child?
Yes, absolutely for any fan of sweet romances, and family secrets! I thought it was a great read and am looking forward to reading others from Diane Chamberlain. I have heard this is not one of her best so I would LOVE to see what her best is like!
For more reviews check out my blog
www.booksbabiesbeing.com
www.twitter.com/BBB_Mel
www.facebook.com/booksbabiesbeing
July 29, 2020
As usual Diane chamberlain does not disappoint. I was hooked from the start of this book. I found all the characters really warm and loveable and very 3D. I felt like I actually knew these people. I was left guessing until the end and what a great twist it was. I'd definitely recommend this book.
July 9, 2018
This was such a beautiful yet haunting story. And while I didn’t understand the motives behind the character’s actions, I couldn’t help but feel compassion for them anyways. Such decisions aren’t easy under any circumstances, let alone at such a young age. I kind of felt like I was a part of the story, puzzling out the answers alongside the rest of them and was just as shocked as they were when the final reveal came!
January 31, 2016
Diane Chamberlain is a story teller and so I suspect readers will happily tend to go along with the story of 11 year old Daria Cato who found a new born baby on the beach. I know I did. With some help from the local hang gliding priest, the baby is adopted by the Cato family. They name her Michelle but she is known as Shelly. From her rescue of the baby people refer to Daria as Supergirl and she attempts to live up to their expectations. As an adult Daria takes care of Shelly after her mother dies, because she feels she need sheltering.
Then comes the day Shelly enlists the help of Rory Taylor, a TV producer to try and help her uncover her mother’s identity. The people of the town and even Daria’s parents, never knew who the mother of baby Shelly was. Diane Chamberlain drops lots of red herrings throughout about who the mother is. I have enjoyed and even loved some books by this author and given some of them five stars, so I was excited to find one I haven’t read, even though it was tribally published in 2000.
Despite some reservations early on, I was happy to go along with the story but by the time I got up to a bit before the hurricane I was getting fed up. It had strayed into the realms of unbelievable. The characters didn’t ring true to me and the way relationships evolved didn’t ring true to me. There are some very sudden shifts. In the end events became too farfetched and left me shaking my head and very disappointed in this one. Not even the fact that my suspicion from early on about the mother of this baby was enough to rescue this book for me. Diane Chamberlain has written lots of better books over the years since. My suggestion is read one of her others. Necessary Lies is a great one.
Then comes the day Shelly enlists the help of Rory Taylor, a TV producer to try and help her uncover her mother’s identity. The people of the town and even Daria’s parents, never knew who the mother of baby Shelly was. Diane Chamberlain drops lots of red herrings throughout about who the mother is. I have enjoyed and even loved some books by this author and given some of them five stars, so I was excited to find one I haven’t read, even though it was tribally published in 2000.
Despite some reservations early on, I was happy to go along with the story but by the time I got up to a bit before the hurricane I was getting fed up. It had strayed into the realms of unbelievable. The characters didn’t ring true to me and the way relationships evolved didn’t ring true to me. There are some very sudden shifts. In the end events became too farfetched and left me shaking my head and very disappointed in this one. Not even the fact that my suspicion from early on about the mother of this baby was enough to rescue this book for me. Diane Chamberlain has written lots of better books over the years since. My suggestion is read one of her others. Necessary Lies is a great one.
February 19, 2020
"She'd run the distance of several cottages when she stopped short. Had it really been a baby? Could it have been a doll, perhaps? She looked back over her shoulder. Yes, she was certain it had been a real, human baby".
Summer's Child by Diane Chamberlain
First, might I say..wonderful cover art! I would give a star for that alone!
That being said I didn't like this as much as I expected although it was an interesting read all the same. It was not as ethereal as I expected.
But it has several good points to recommend it.
It is an easy and fast beach side reading which isn't a bad thing. And I enjoyed reading about the mysterious baby on the beach and the family who takes her in.
It also takes place on North Carolina's outer banks.The setting is spectacular. This is perhaps the perfect light summer read. It is engrossing.
I would say this is a pretty quick read and it was just a bit to "cozy" for me and more of a romance novel, in my mind, then a really tense mystery.
But that being said, it is a solid three star read and is absolutely not a bad book.
Perfect book to put in your beach bag.
Summer's Child by Diane Chamberlain
First, might I say..wonderful cover art! I would give a star for that alone!
That being said I didn't like this as much as I expected although it was an interesting read all the same. It was not as ethereal as I expected.
But it has several good points to recommend it.
It is an easy and fast beach side reading which isn't a bad thing. And I enjoyed reading about the mysterious baby on the beach and the family who takes her in.
It also takes place on North Carolina's outer banks.The setting is spectacular. This is perhaps the perfect light summer read. It is engrossing.
I would say this is a pretty quick read and it was just a bit to "cozy" for me and more of a romance novel, in my mind, then a really tense mystery.
But that being said, it is a solid three star read and is absolutely not a bad book.
Perfect book to put in your beach bag.
October 30, 2012
What a weird book. I love Diane Chamberlain but this one wasn't that great. It was WAY too long first off. There were too many characters and most of them weren't needed. I did not like Grace at all. Rory was an idiot. Why would he fall for a woman who was married and wanted nothing to do with him? And he asks her back to his house and for her number immediately after meeting her. Anyone would have known her interest was in Shelley but not poor stupid Rory. He kept pining over her and just could not figure out what was wrong with her. Then he finally falls for Daria as his second best pick and that is almost immediately as well. I HATED the whole plane crash part of the story and skipped over most of it. BORING! The same goes for Rory and Zack's relationship and the storm. WHO CARES?! Get on on with it. It drug out for over 400 pages and all I wanted to know was who Shelley's parents were and what the extra thing Daria saw on the beach was. A necklace??? Really??? I also hated the houses being referred to as names. Sea Shanty is okay but Poll-Rory. What a dumb name. Then we FINALLY find out who the father of the baby is. We are supposed to believe it was a 14 year old boy??? Seriously??? With the best looking girl who is 3 years older than him? Not likely. I did like the majority of the beginning of this book with Daria and Shelley but the rest was boring and had no place in the story.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 11, 2023
Amazing as Diane Chamberlain's books always are. Such a great story about found family and loving unconditionally. This one is going to stick with me for a while.
November 18, 2022
KNYGA IŠ BIBLIOTEKOS.
Darija būdama vienuolikos paplūdimyje randa ką tik gimusį kūdikį. Tėvai ją įsivaikina ir pavadina Šele. Po dvidešimt dvejų metų Šelė parašo laišką Darijos kaimynui Roriui Teilorui, kuris veda televizijos laidą „Gyvenimiškos istorijos“, kad padėtų rasti jos mamą. Deja Darija ir jos sesuo vienuolė Chloja nelabai to nori. Darija nuo vaikystės yra įsimylėjusi Rorį ir jo atvykimas vasaroti į gimtąjį miestelį ją labai džiugina. Netrukus Roris ima kalbinti visus kaimynus apie Šelės motiną, tačiau netikėtai užklupęs uraganas viską apverčia aukštyn kojomis.
Tai antroji autorės knyga, kurią perskaičiau. Mane sudomino aprašymas ir pasiėmiau ją iš bibliotekos paskaityti. Labai patiko, kad autorė į knygą įpynė lesbietę veikėją Lindą. Knyga man iš tikrųjų labai patiko, nes ši rašytoja rašo tokia gyvenimiškas istorijas, kurios gali nutikti bet kam, bet pabaiga kaip visada būna netikėta. O man, kaip jau visi žino, labai patinka knygos, kuriose narpliojamos šeimų paslaptys.
Pats siužetas man buvo gan nuspėjamas, bet dėl to knyga netapo blogesnė. Labai patiko įveltas kunigo ir vienuolės romaniukas. Ir žinoma pas šią autorę visada daug daug paslapčių, kurias norisi skaitant kuo greičiau atskleisti knygos gale. Sunku net rašyti šį atsiliepimą, nes bijau išduoti kas ir kaip. Manau šitą knygą reiktų skaityti vasarą prie jūros, o ne dabar rudenį, bet tiek jau to. Vertinu knygą gan gerai.
Rekomenduoju visiems Diane Chamberlaine gerbėjams ir tiems, kurie mėgsta narplioti šeimų paslaptis mažuose miesteliuose.
Darija būdama vienuolikos paplūdimyje randa ką tik gimusį kūdikį. Tėvai ją įsivaikina ir pavadina Šele. Po dvidešimt dvejų metų Šelė parašo laišką Darijos kaimynui Roriui Teilorui, kuris veda televizijos laidą „Gyvenimiškos istorijos“, kad padėtų rasti jos mamą. Deja Darija ir jos sesuo vienuolė Chloja nelabai to nori. Darija nuo vaikystės yra įsimylėjusi Rorį ir jo atvykimas vasaroti į gimtąjį miestelį ją labai džiugina. Netrukus Roris ima kalbinti visus kaimynus apie Šelės motiną, tačiau netikėtai užklupęs uraganas viską apverčia aukštyn kojomis.
Tai antroji autorės knyga, kurią perskaičiau. Mane sudomino aprašymas ir pasiėmiau ją iš bibliotekos paskaityti. Labai patiko, kad autorė į knygą įpynė lesbietę veikėją Lindą. Knyga man iš tikrųjų labai patiko, nes ši rašytoja rašo tokia gyvenimiškas istorijas, kurios gali nutikti bet kam, bet pabaiga kaip visada būna netikėta. O man, kaip jau visi žino, labai patinka knygos, kuriose narpliojamos šeimų paslaptys.
Pats siužetas man buvo gan nuspėjamas, bet dėl to knyga netapo blogesnė. Labai patiko įveltas kunigo ir vienuolės romaniukas. Ir žinoma pas šią autorę visada daug daug paslapčių, kurias norisi skaitant kuo greičiau atskleisti knygos gale. Sunku net rašyti šį atsiliepimą, nes bijau išduoti kas ir kaip. Manau šitą knygą reiktų skaityti vasarą prie jūros, o ne dabar rudenį, bet tiek jau to. Vertinu knygą gan gerai.
Rekomenduoju visiems Diane Chamberlaine gerbėjams ir tiems, kurie mėgsta narplioti šeimų paslaptis mažuose miesteliuose.
November 14, 2019
First off, I can’t believe I waited TWENTY years to read SUMMER’S CHILD! It is one of the best books I’ve read this year so far. The twists and turns just kept on coming and hooked me from the very first chapter!
Diane Chamberlain has always been a favorite author of mine and SUMMER’S CHILD is exactly why! She stole my heart from the very first pages and she never let it go! SUMMER’S CHILD is the story of Shelly, a baby who is found in the beach, abandoned, found by a little girl, Daria. Daria runs the baby home to her parents, who find a way to adopt her and then raise her. This is a beautiful story of love and hope with many secrets and past events unfolding.
At first, I truly thought I knew where this story was going, but boy was I wrong! Trust me, once you start reading SUMMER’S CHILD you won’t be able to put it down as Diane Chamberlain takes you on one heck of an emotional roller coaster ride! This is an intense story that never slows down. Daria always felt like Shelly’s caretaker since she had found her and when both her parents died, she continued to take responsibility for Shelly’s well-being since she is developmentally slow.
SUMMER’S CHILD is a great heart breaking story that had me up late one night trying to finish. I just had to know what happened to Shelly. She’s always wondered about her real parents and why her mother left her on the beach. She writes to the producer of a TV show who looks into mysteries and asks him to do a show on her and see if he can find out who her parents are. The investigation causes all sorts of problems for many residents as the reader is caught up trying to solve the mystery, with your mind going in all different directions. I still can’t believe it took me this long to read this amazing story, I’m kicking myself……..if you haven’t read SUMMER’S CHILD yet, you need to read it very soon. You won’t be sorry and then you can kick yourself for waiting so long! One of the best endings ever!
Diane Chamberlain has always been a favorite author of mine and SUMMER’S CHILD is exactly why! She stole my heart from the very first pages and she never let it go! SUMMER’S CHILD is the story of Shelly, a baby who is found in the beach, abandoned, found by a little girl, Daria. Daria runs the baby home to her parents, who find a way to adopt her and then raise her. This is a beautiful story of love and hope with many secrets and past events unfolding.
At first, I truly thought I knew where this story was going, but boy was I wrong! Trust me, once you start reading SUMMER’S CHILD you won’t be able to put it down as Diane Chamberlain takes you on one heck of an emotional roller coaster ride! This is an intense story that never slows down. Daria always felt like Shelly’s caretaker since she had found her and when both her parents died, she continued to take responsibility for Shelly’s well-being since she is developmentally slow.
SUMMER’S CHILD is a great heart breaking story that had me up late one night trying to finish. I just had to know what happened to Shelly. She’s always wondered about her real parents and why her mother left her on the beach. She writes to the producer of a TV show who looks into mysteries and asks him to do a show on her and see if he can find out who her parents are. The investigation causes all sorts of problems for many residents as the reader is caught up trying to solve the mystery, with your mind going in all different directions. I still can’t believe it took me this long to read this amazing story, I’m kicking myself……..if you haven’t read SUMMER’S CHILD yet, you need to read it very soon. You won’t be sorry and then you can kick yourself for waiting so long! One of the best endings ever!
June 16, 2019
2.5 stars
One summer morning, eleven year old Daria finds a baby girl, placenta still attached, lying on the beach at Kill Devil Hills, NC. She swoops the baby up and takes her to the beach cottage where her family summers, and thus the baby is saved. The family adopts the baby and this story picks up 22 years later as a boy (now a man) who spent his summers in the cottage opposite theirs comes back as a true crime television host to try and solve the mystery of who the mother was and how this baby came to be on that beach.
There are implausible coincidences, several twists and turns, with individual stories lapping in and out of the central one, and characters who misunderstand one another and carry both guilt and erroneous assumptions. There is the gratuitous love affair that, again, seems a bit implausible and a sisterly love that I can honestly say, having five sisters of my own, isn’t likely to be found out in the real world.
I never know what to write about this kind of book. It was fine for what it is. I didn’t completely figure out the twist before the end, and with this kind of book that is the most important thing. If you asked me what it was about a month from now, I might not be able to tell you, because it is not meant to leave a lasting impression or change you in any way.
Sometimes you just want to read something that is 100% escapism, and for me, this was that.
One summer morning, eleven year old Daria finds a baby girl, placenta still attached, lying on the beach at Kill Devil Hills, NC. She swoops the baby up and takes her to the beach cottage where her family summers, and thus the baby is saved. The family adopts the baby and this story picks up 22 years later as a boy (now a man) who spent his summers in the cottage opposite theirs comes back as a true crime television host to try and solve the mystery of who the mother was and how this baby came to be on that beach.
There are implausible coincidences, several twists and turns, with individual stories lapping in and out of the central one, and characters who misunderstand one another and carry both guilt and erroneous assumptions. There is the gratuitous love affair that, again, seems a bit implausible and a sisterly love that I can honestly say, having five sisters of my own, isn’t likely to be found out in the real world.
I never know what to write about this kind of book. It was fine for what it is. I didn’t completely figure out the twist before the end, and with this kind of book that is the most important thing. If you asked me what it was about a month from now, I might not be able to tell you, because it is not meant to leave a lasting impression or change you in any way.
Sometimes you just want to read something that is 100% escapism, and for me, this was that.
February 17, 2014
When she was 11, Daria found a newborn baby girl lying on the beach and saved her life. Despite efforts by law enforcement to identify the mother (with suspicions cast on every teenage girl in their small cul-de-sac), the mother was never found and Daria's family subsequently adopted the baby, who they named Shelly. Later as an adult, Shelly became curious about her roots and asked an old family friend, Rory, to try to find out who her mother was.
The book was light and fluffy. Even though there were serious issues (in addition to Shelly's parenthood, the book dealt with marital problems, death of a child, debilitating mental and physical illnesses, suicide, and other assorted soul-searching situations), they were all dealt with by happy, well-adjusted people who found happily-ever-after in the end.
It wasn't like I was looking for an Oprah book with lots of angst and worry and tears, but when a character kills himself and another character says, "Oh, that might have been my fault," I expect a little more than a single quick soul-searching conversation and then bright sunshine the next day. Otherwise, why have the character kill himself? Same with the other situations: if there's 300 pages of serious marriage drama, I don't really expect it to go away in a single two-page conversation. And Shelly: "Oh, so you're the one who left me on a beach to die. Oh well, what's for dinner?"
But I guess if you're looking for a heartwarming, slightly unbelievable novel that brushes over tough issues without any depth (BEACH BOOK), this is the one. All the characters were likable, if two-dimensional. And everyone got a happy ending (except the suicidal one).
The book was light and fluffy. Even though there were serious issues (in addition to Shelly's parenthood, the book dealt with marital problems, death of a child, debilitating mental and physical illnesses, suicide, and other assorted soul-searching situations), they were all dealt with by happy, well-adjusted people who found happily-ever-after in the end.
It wasn't like I was looking for an Oprah book with lots of angst and worry and tears, but when a character kills himself and another character says, "Oh, that might have been my fault," I expect a little more than a single quick soul-searching conversation and then bright sunshine the next day. Otherwise, why have the character kill himself? Same with the other situations: if there's 300 pages of serious marriage drama, I don't really expect it to go away in a single two-page conversation. And Shelly: "Oh, so you're the one who left me on a beach to die. Oh well, what's for dinner?"
But I guess if you're looking for a heartwarming, slightly unbelievable novel that brushes over tough issues without any depth (BEACH BOOK), this is the one. All the characters were likable, if two-dimensional. And everyone got a happy ending (except the suicidal one).
December 12, 2020
Ši savaitė vėjuota ir šalta. Na, o aš nostalgiškai prisemenu vasarą pasiėmusi skaityti savo mylimos rašytojos romaną "Vasaros vaikas". Šis romanas pirmą kartą išleistas 1999 m., taig tai senesnis rašytojos kūrinys, bet tikrai ne prastas - kaip visad daug paslapčių, šiek tiek meilės ir nuostabi vasaros nuotaika.
Istorija pasakoja Šelės atsiradimo Katų šeimoje istoriją. Ją rado Darija savo vienuoliktojo gimtadienio rytą ir šeima mergytę įsivaikino. Praėjo 22 metai ir Šelė išaugo į gražuolę panelę, tačiau ji labai patikli, turi mokymosi sutrikimų, tačiau Darija ją labai globoja. Vasarai grįžta Roris Teiloras, vienos gyvenimo istorijos laidos vedėjas ir bando išsiaiškinti, kas įvyko tą vasarą kai buvo rasta Šelė ir kas jos tikroji motina.
Chamberlain rašo pagaulias istorijas. Ji tikra paslapčių meistrė. Jos istorijos po truputį skleidžiasi ir pačioje pabaigoje tiesiog sprogsta. Gal dėl to tai mano komforto knygos, kai norisi nugrimzti ir užsimiršti. Tiesa, daugiau romanų paskaičius atpažįsti tam tikri savitumai bet man nė kiek netrukdo.
Istorija pasakoja Šelės atsiradimo Katų šeimoje istoriją. Ją rado Darija savo vienuoliktojo gimtadienio rytą ir šeima mergytę įsivaikino. Praėjo 22 metai ir Šelė išaugo į gražuolę panelę, tačiau ji labai patikli, turi mokymosi sutrikimų, tačiau Darija ją labai globoja. Vasarai grįžta Roris Teiloras, vienos gyvenimo istorijos laidos vedėjas ir bando išsiaiškinti, kas įvyko tą vasarą kai buvo rasta Šelė ir kas jos tikroji motina.
Chamberlain rašo pagaulias istorijas. Ji tikra paslapčių meistrė. Jos istorijos po truputį skleidžiasi ir pačioje pabaigoje tiesiog sprogsta. Gal dėl to tai mano komforto knygos, kai norisi nugrimzti ir užsimiršti. Tiesa, daugiau romanų paskaičius atpažįsti tam tikri savitumai bet man nė kiek netrukdo.
September 26, 2020
Manau, jog šios autorės bei jos knygų tikrai daug pristatinėti nereikia. Net neabejoju, jog bent vieną knygą yra tekę skaityti. Diane kuria puikias istorijas kurios dažniausiai būna žemiškos bei labai gyvenimiškos. Tad nekantraujau perskaityti ir šią naują jos knygą 📚
Vos vienuolikos metų Darija Kato ankstyvą rytą paplūdimyje randa kažkieno paliktą kūdikį. Kato šeima įsivaikina mergaitę ir ją pavadina Šele.
Prabėgus kiek daugiau nei dvidešimt metų Šelė tapo jau mergina, kuri pradeda domėtis savo praeitimi.. Ji nori išsiaiškinti, kas yra jos biologinė motina.
Šelė pagalbos kreipėsi į Darijos vaikystės draugą Rorį Teilorą. Jis laidos "Gyvenimiškos istorijos" prodiuseris. Jis pasiryžęs padėti merginai sužinoti tiesą, kad ir kokia ji bebūtų.
Apklausdamas vietinius gyventojus Roris sužino vis naujų dalykų, o ir panašu, jog bene kiekvienas turi savo paslapčių..
Kaip ir visuomet autorė pasistengė taip, jog knygą skaityti tikrai nebuvo nuobodu. Visi veikėjai bei aprašomi įvykiai be galo ryškūs, o puslapiai tiesiog tirpste tirpsta. Intriga išlaikoma iki pat knygos pabaigos. Tikrai greitai suskaičiau šią istoriją bei praleidau puikų laiką su ja. Nors keletą dalykų ir pavyko nuspėti, tačiau autorė tikrai nustebino knygos pabaigoje. Mano akimis tai nebuvo pati stipriausia šios autorės knyga, tačiau labai smagiai ją perskaičiau ir istoriją išgyvenau kartu su jos veikėjais. Šią knygą rekomenduočiau tiems, kurie mėgsta gyvenimiškus bei įtraukiančius romanus. Tikiu, jog nenusivilsite 😉
Vos vienuolikos metų Darija Kato ankstyvą rytą paplūdimyje randa kažkieno paliktą kūdikį. Kato šeima įsivaikina mergaitę ir ją pavadina Šele.
Prabėgus kiek daugiau nei dvidešimt metų Šelė tapo jau mergina, kuri pradeda domėtis savo praeitimi.. Ji nori išsiaiškinti, kas yra jos biologinė motina.
Šelė pagalbos kreipėsi į Darijos vaikystės draugą Rorį Teilorą. Jis laidos "Gyvenimiškos istorijos" prodiuseris. Jis pasiryžęs padėti merginai sužinoti tiesą, kad ir kokia ji bebūtų.
Apklausdamas vietinius gyventojus Roris sužino vis naujų dalykų, o ir panašu, jog bene kiekvienas turi savo paslapčių..
Kaip ir visuomet autorė pasistengė taip, jog knygą skaityti tikrai nebuvo nuobodu. Visi veikėjai bei aprašomi įvykiai be galo ryškūs, o puslapiai tiesiog tirpste tirpsta. Intriga išlaikoma iki pat knygos pabaigos. Tikrai greitai suskaičiau šią istoriją bei praleidau puikų laiką su ja. Nors keletą dalykų ir pavyko nuspėti, tačiau autorė tikrai nustebino knygos pabaigoje. Mano akimis tai nebuvo pati stipriausia šios autorės knyga, tačiau labai smagiai ją perskaičiau ir istoriją išgyvenau kartu su jos veikėjais. Šią knygą rekomenduočiau tiems, kurie mėgsta gyvenimiškus bei įtraukiančius romanus. Tikiu, jog nenusivilsite 😉
January 9, 2021
At age 20, Shelly Cato decided that she wanted to find her birth mother. Shelly was found on the day of her birth on the beach in Kill Devils Hills, North Carolina, and saved from near death by Daria who was 11 at the time. After none of the parents of the baby showed up, Daria’s family adopted Shelly. As Shelly grew up, it was apparent that she was slightly mentally hurt, probably by her traumatic first day of life but she grew up as a wonderful happy young woman with a family that protected and loved her. At the age of 20, with both her adoptive parents dead, she wrote a letter to Rory Taylor, a celebrity TV producer, to ask him to help her find her mother as part of his investigative TV show. Rory, grew up in the same beach cul-de-sac that Shelly grew up in though he left when he was a teenager and she was 3 years old.
When Rory arrives with his 15 year old son to spend the summer at his childhood house as a vacation and research for a possible show, he finds that practically every person he talks to has a different theory on who the mother is, but nobody has actual information. As the summer progresses, many old secrets are revealed to us the readers, and things change for many of the residents of the small beach town.
A nice beach romance/family secret history book. I found the characters likable and multi dimensional. The story flowed mostly and gave you a good taste of this type of American small town atmosphere. This is the third book I have read of the author and I think she knows how to tell a story.
When Rory arrives with his 15 year old son to spend the summer at his childhood house as a vacation and research for a possible show, he finds that practically every person he talks to has a different theory on who the mother is, but nobody has actual information. As the summer progresses, many old secrets are revealed to us the readers, and things change for many of the residents of the small beach town.
A nice beach romance/family secret history book. I found the characters likable and multi dimensional. The story flowed mostly and gave you a good taste of this type of American small town atmosphere. This is the third book I have read of the author and I think she knows how to tell a story.
December 13, 2021
Įtraukė nuo pirmo sakinio. Netikėta pabaiga👍🏻
June 6, 2022
This was a good read but not a great one for me. I usually love this author's books but this one was probably my least favorite. The plot was a bit predictable. I also didn't connect with the characters emotionally. Therefore, the story lacked emotional depth.
April 6, 2010
I couldn't put this book down and read it in a day. I liked it instantly and enjoyed the characters. Everytime I thought I had the "who done it" figured out, the book twisted on me again. I definitely did not predict the ending at all which was great because I hate when books are predictable. This is my 2nd book by this author, but I definitely preferred this book to the other.
March 12, 2016
I was reading this book, thinking okay 4.5 stars. It was going the direction I was expecting, I was like this is so predictable. Then Diane Chamberlain got me again. She always tricks me with her twists!!!
March 2, 2024
Wow kokia istorija😮🤩😍 kaip puikiai viskas susukta. Niekaip neitariau, kas ir kaip iki pabaigos, visi spejimai vis keitesi, bet pasirodo buvo klaidingi. Nuostabi knyga ❤️
October 9, 2023
https://wendyreadit.wordpress.com/202...
So, I found this Diane Chamberlain book from the year 2000, earlier in her career. I listened to the audiobook and the narrator's voice just showed no emotion for a very emotional story. The story takes place in the outer banks, a small cul-de-sac with a few homes, on the beach. Early one morning, a young girl finds a baby on the beach, a new born, which she carries home. The story starts there but is told to us 22 years after this incident happened. I did enjoy the unraveling of the story, the shocks and surprises along the way but lots of predictable events as well. This one is probably my least favorite of the thirteen by this author that I've read.
So, I found this Diane Chamberlain book from the year 2000, earlier in her career. I listened to the audiobook and the narrator's voice just showed no emotion for a very emotional story. The story takes place in the outer banks, a small cul-de-sac with a few homes, on the beach. Early one morning, a young girl finds a baby on the beach, a new born, which she carries home. The story starts there but is told to us 22 years after this incident happened. I did enjoy the unraveling of the story, the shocks and surprises along the way but lots of predictable events as well. This one is probably my least favorite of the thirteen by this author that I've read.
June 1, 2019
This is a perfect beach or holiday read. It was published back in 2000 but had a re-release in 2010. I found it on the Amazon Kindle charts for less than a pound, so that's why I got it.
On the morning of her 11th birthday, Daria Cato finds a newborn baby on the beach. She takes her home and with a little help, her parents adopt the baby and call her Shelly. 22 years later, Shelly writes a letter to Rory Taylor, who used to live near the Catos but is now a successful TV host. He specialises in True Life Stories, and Shelly wants him to find out about her birth mother. Rory agrees, and comes back to Kill Devil Hills (yes, that's the name of the place) along with his teenage son for the summer to do a little digging and find out who left Shelly on the beach all those years ago.
Throw in a tragedy, a storm, a back story involving Daria and her unwillingness to do the job she loves, a big accident, a couple of broken hearts, lots of secrets, and you get a pretty easy read.
I got sick of it about 150 pages in when there were still no real developments in the Shelly case. Some things really, really annoyed me too - Polly (Rory's sister) who had Down's Syndrome was referred to twice by locals as "retarded" - the use of that word makes my skin crawl and I don't think it should have been left in there. Also, it's stated more than once that Shelly suffered minor brain damage as a result of being neglected at birth - this causes her to act more childlike and speak without a filter. Only - she is perfectly capable of concealing information when the plot calls for it, such as her friendship with one of the men, her discussions with the Priest, and Daria's feelings. So which is it, does she have a filter or not?!?!
Regarding Grace:
Considering how long and drawn out the rest of the book was, the actual resolution of both Grace and Shelly's situations were rushed.
As for the reaction of the father - .
MAJOR SPOILERS: Having just finished Jodi Picoult's "The Storyteller", I think comparisons to Picoult are both inaccurate and insulting.
Altogether I wouldn't bother reading it again, and if someone had put a spoiler up I probably wouldn't have finished it, which is why I've tried to add as much detail as possible.
Bring it on holidays and leave it on the beach!
On the morning of her 11th birthday, Daria Cato finds a newborn baby on the beach. She takes her home and with a little help, her parents adopt the baby and call her Shelly. 22 years later, Shelly writes a letter to Rory Taylor, who used to live near the Catos but is now a successful TV host. He specialises in True Life Stories, and Shelly wants him to find out about her birth mother. Rory agrees, and comes back to Kill Devil Hills (yes, that's the name of the place) along with his teenage son for the summer to do a little digging and find out who left Shelly on the beach all those years ago.
Throw in a tragedy, a storm, a back story involving Daria and her unwillingness to do the job she loves, a big accident, a couple of broken hearts, lots of secrets, and you get a pretty easy read.
I got sick of it about 150 pages in when there were still no real developments in the Shelly case. Some things really, really annoyed me too - Polly (Rory's sister) who had Down's Syndrome was referred to twice by locals as "retarded" - the use of that word makes my skin crawl and I don't think it should have been left in there. Also, it's stated more than once that Shelly suffered minor brain damage as a result of being neglected at birth - this causes her to act more childlike and speak without a filter. Only - she is perfectly capable of concealing information when the plot calls for it, such as her friendship with one of the men, her discussions with the Priest, and Daria's feelings. So which is it, does she have a filter or not?!?!
Regarding Grace:
Considering how long and drawn out the rest of the book was, the actual resolution of both Grace and Shelly's situations were rushed.
As for the reaction of the father - .
MAJOR SPOILERS: Having just finished Jodi Picoult's "The Storyteller", I think comparisons to Picoult are both inaccurate and insulting.
Altogether I wouldn't bother reading it again, and if someone had put a spoiler up I probably wouldn't have finished it, which is why I've tried to add as much detail as possible.
Bring it on holidays and leave it on the beach!
August 25, 2010
This was a beautiful story of love and hope with many secrets and past events unfolding. I was attracted to the novel because of the premise of a child that was found...but what I found were so many different angles that related to my own story. Obviously, when a reader identifies with the characters there can be some interesting things happen. What surprised me was the fact that this novel helped me deal with some losses that I had and for even the curious question as to why my birth mother would give me way. Going into this story, I had hoped to find some kind of resolution but when it was all said and done, Diane had addressed two things that happened to me when I was a teenager. She paintes such beautiful characters that I could see myself in several of them. There came a place that I was so wrapped up with what was going on that I didn't see it coming but Diane spoke directly to me through her character. I started weeping and felt a healing balm touch my soul. That was it...I sobbed and took a deep breath...allowed the doubts to surface and strength take it's place. What a beautiful novel with multiple messages! I don't want to give you details so the story isn't spoiled for you. All I can say is that I'm confident that every woman reading this will find something she relates to and it is such a beautiful story, I would venture to say that you will want to get your friends and family to read it as well. After reading this, I spoke with my daughters about some things that happened to me when I was a teenager...some they knew and some I didn't even know until I read this novel. Whew...I've GOT to read it again. I read it a month ago and have pondered writing a review. So now, I think that I'll just have to read it again and then update this review...there is SO much in this story...I love Diane...she is a beautiful and talented author!!!!
August 27, 2014
I have a huge soft spot for Diane Chamberlain’s books and I have to say that this is my favourite read of hers so far. I love books that are family orientated with a dash of mystery and romance and I especially like how the author combines all of these factors to produce something that is so enjoyable to read, yet all feels so natural – the romance element never feels as if it is “tacked onto” the main part of the story.
Twenty two years ago, eleven year old Daria found a baby on the beach, Shelly, who was adopted by her family and brought up as one of their own. Now, Shelly has contacted old neighbour, Rory Taylor, presenter of True Life Stories, and asked him to investigate on her behalf, and see if he can find out who her mother was. Rory returns to do just this, but it seems that not everyone wants him to get to the bottom of things.
It is a really good read that you can get lost in, a saga that flows off the page with characters that you really get to like and want everything to work out for them. Halfway through the read the penny drops and you begin to start piecing the puzzle of Shelly’s birth together but, even then, the author still has some surprises up her sleeve at the end of the book. It is a story of family, love, passion and drama and there are some long hidden secrets that emerge throughout the book. A fantastic read.
Twenty two years ago, eleven year old Daria found a baby on the beach, Shelly, who was adopted by her family and brought up as one of their own. Now, Shelly has contacted old neighbour, Rory Taylor, presenter of True Life Stories, and asked him to investigate on her behalf, and see if he can find out who her mother was. Rory returns to do just this, but it seems that not everyone wants him to get to the bottom of things.
It is a really good read that you can get lost in, a saga that flows off the page with characters that you really get to like and want everything to work out for them. Halfway through the read the penny drops and you begin to start piecing the puzzle of Shelly’s birth together but, even then, the author still has some surprises up her sleeve at the end of the book. It is a story of family, love, passion and drama and there are some long hidden secrets that emerge throughout the book. A fantastic read.
January 10, 2016
Chamberlain never seems to disappoint with her novels. In this story, Daria is out walking on the beach checking for shells. She idly turns over a horseshoe crab she'll and finds a baby. Her parents adopted the little girl but Daria always felt like her caretaker since she had found her and when both her parents died, she continued to take responsibility for Shelly's well-being since she is developmentally slow. Years later, Rory Taylor shows up in his family's cottage which he has not been to since he was a teen. He is now the host of a show called True Life Stories where he tries to solve real life mysteries. Shelly has written to him asking him to try to find her birth mother. Daria is very concerned when she learns that Shelly has done this. Everyone in the family is angry at Rory because they feel that to benefit his show he might end up exposing information that might best be left unknown.
As the story unravels, we find more twists and turns than we could imagine. We discover just how twisted life can be and just when we think we know the answer and are waiting to see how it plays out, we take yet another turn.
I would recommend this book to anyone who wants a good read.
As the story unravels, we find more twists and turns than we could imagine. We discover just how twisted life can be and just when we think we know the answer and are waiting to see how it plays out, we take yet another turn.
I would recommend this book to anyone who wants a good read.
July 12, 2016
This was good and got even better at the end. I wasn't able to guess who left their newly born baby girl on the beach that night so I was happy that it stayed a mystery and that when it was revealed it made sense.
August 6, 2020
Iš pradžių siužetas atrodė visai neblogai, nors pamestų kūdikių tema ir labai nuvalkiota. Tačiau, kuo toliau tuo labiau veikėjai panašėjo vienas su kitu, vos pasirodžius Greisei tapo aišku kas ji tokia ir tada knyga tapo dar neįdomesnė.
Gal, jei būtų mažiau nuspėjama ar kupina tikrai išskirtinių charakteringų veikėjų knyga būtų geresnė. Dabar tik labai vidutinis kūrinys. Pradedu manyti, kad ši autorė kitokių ir nėra parašiusi.
Gal, jei būtų mažiau nuspėjama ar kupina tikrai išskirtinių charakteringų veikėjų knyga būtų geresnė. Dabar tik labai vidutinis kūrinys. Pradedu manyti, kad ši autorė kitokių ir nėra parašiusi.
March 16, 2021
Loved it! For one thing the setting is about 30 mins away from me (Outer Banks, NC) and the author does a great job in depicting the different locations. I love reading books which are set in my little corner of the world.
Then the story itself....so good! And those last few chapters had me picking my jaw up off the floor! Just wow!
Love love love this author!!
Then the story itself....so good! And those last few chapters had me picking my jaw up off the floor! Just wow!
Love love love this author!!
December 5, 2016
Oh wow, this was a massive disappointment.
A few years ago I read, and absolutely loved, The Midwife's Confession, and ever since have been waiting for a chance to read another of Diane Chamberlain's book.
There's no doubt that Chamberlain is a good story teller -- her narrative is totally plot-driven, and I'm okay with that, of course, when it works. I've got time now and then for a book that feels like a Hollywood movie. I do.
The major reasons that I struggled with this one was the total unrealistic characters (shallow, boring, cookie-cutter, sterotypical *American* -- models, football players, celebrities -- ugh), and how it felt that the author was just filling up the pages to get to what was, for me, a very predicable ending. It felt like she didn't care about the book because she knows millions will buy her book just for the name on the cover. I mean, I read it for this reason, didn't I?
But this book wasn't creative in any way, and that let me down. I kept going because it was a story, and I was waiting for a fantastic twist like in The Midwife's Confession. Alas, it never came, and I'm left feeling very flat.
Plus, how many times can I read in one book, the phrase "sun swept hair"?
Could this be just a dud? Should I keep going with this author? I get so bored of cookie-cutter, outrageously American-touting-isms that feel like they were written just to be a movie with skinny actresses with wispy voices, alongside tanned muscle men with tousled hair and a career in athletics. Come on... I'm so disappointed in this one.
A few years ago I read, and absolutely loved, The Midwife's Confession, and ever since have been waiting for a chance to read another of Diane Chamberlain's book.
There's no doubt that Chamberlain is a good story teller -- her narrative is totally plot-driven, and I'm okay with that, of course, when it works. I've got time now and then for a book that feels like a Hollywood movie. I do.
The major reasons that I struggled with this one was the total unrealistic characters (shallow, boring, cookie-cutter, sterotypical *American* -- models, football players, celebrities -- ugh), and how it felt that the author was just filling up the pages to get to what was, for me, a very predicable ending. It felt like she didn't care about the book because she knows millions will buy her book just for the name on the cover. I mean, I read it for this reason, didn't I?
But this book wasn't creative in any way, and that let me down. I kept going because it was a story, and I was waiting for a fantastic twist like in The Midwife's Confession. Alas, it never came, and I'm left feeling very flat.
Plus, how many times can I read in one book, the phrase "sun swept hair"?
Could this be just a dud? Should I keep going with this author? I get so bored of cookie-cutter, outrageously American-touting-isms that feel like they were written just to be a movie with skinny actresses with wispy voices, alongside tanned muscle men with tousled hair and a career in athletics. Come on... I'm so disappointed in this one.
June 27, 2010
For the most part, this was an enjoyable read. The story centers on discovering a girl's parentage after she was abandoned as a baby and the lives of her adopted sisters. While the cover of the book proclaims Chamberlain as a "Southern Jodi Picoult", I am not certain I would agree wholeheartedly. I did, however, very much appreciate the idea that Shelly, the grown-up abandoned baby, expresses throughout the novel: that as an adopted child, it wasn't that she felt her adopted family was bad or lacking in any way, but she did desire to know who her parents were, which is why she sets out to discover who they are.
Because of the story line in the novel, there are several teen pregnancies discussed as well as a couple other relationships; therefore, there's some content that would be objectionable. While I liked the main characters, I don't know that I would agree with their life choices at all times, especially in the case of the nun in the novel--another content issue there.
All in all, I found myself drawn in to the book, interested to see where it would go and how the mystery of who Shelley's parents were would be explained--Chamberlain does craft that aspect well, leaving the reader guessing until the moment that it's revealed, but would I read it again? Not necessarily.
Because of the story line in the novel, there are several teen pregnancies discussed as well as a couple other relationships; therefore, there's some content that would be objectionable. While I liked the main characters, I don't know that I would agree with their life choices at all times, especially in the case of the nun in the novel--another content issue there.
All in all, I found myself drawn in to the book, interested to see where it would go and how the mystery of who Shelley's parents were would be explained--Chamberlain does craft that aspect well, leaving the reader guessing until the moment that it's revealed, but would I read it again? Not necessarily.
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