The Bayman's Daughter

by Theresa Dodaro

The Bayman's Daughter is a time-slip novel that takes place in the quaint seaside hamlet of Sayville, Long Island. Once the playground of families like the Roosevelts and Vanderbilts, Sayville was also the home of the famous Blue Point Oyster. Although the main characters, Hannah Trumball and Philip Ferrara, are fictional, they interact with people who lived and worked in the Sayville area. The Bayman's Daughter is a story that intertwines the history of Long Island with a love story that crosses time, itself.

Hannah Trumball is the daughter of an English bayman and an Irish lady's maid. Her mother is a maid to Nannie Vance Roosevelt at Meadow Croft, the summer estate of John Ellis Roosevelt, first cousin to Teddy Roosevelt. Hannah is taken under the wing of the Roosevelt daughters, Gladys and Jean. But being exposed to such wealth from a young age, and yet not coming from a family of means, has Hannah torn between two worlds.

Philip Ferrara also lives in Sayville, but one hundred years later. One day he meets an old man named Louis at Foster Avenue Park. What the old man tells him, leads Philip to Meadow Croft on the night of Super Storm Sandy, and this results in Philip being transported back in time to the year 1912. When Hannah and Philip meet, their story really begins and Hannah and Philip discover that their meeting was always meant to be. After all, it's history.

Genres: Historical Fiction

342 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 13, 2021

About the author

I recently moved from Long Island to Coastal North Carolina and love meeting with Book Clubs who have read my books. I am a member of the national organization, The Authors Guild.

Reviews

[Terry DelBalso · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book brings you into the story. That amazing feeling when you feel as if the characters come to life around you; when they become real people. I loved the storyline from beginning to end. I was actually sad when I only had 100 pages left. While I was sorry to finish the book, I LOVED the ending!

[Kathleen Zimmardi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm only 42% the way through this book and I have gone through numerous emotions. This story, like all her other books is so well written it grabs you heart and sole. I had to put it down for a moment because the part I am at had me not just tearing up but sobbing for the main character and what he is going through. Each one of Theresa Dodaro's books have hit me in the same way. They make you live through the characters.

I haven't completed this book yet, but I highly recommend it!

WOW!!! I just completed the book. I didn't want it to end. You go through so many emotions while reading it, but you can't put it down! I HIGHLY recommend this book. Especially if you are into history. I plan to visit all the places mentioned in this book. Thank you Theresa for another great reading experience!

[Kathy Sarli · Rating 5 out of 5]

The novel Th Baymen’s Daughter by Theresa Dodaro was masterfully written. Not only does the author create a glimpse into the historical past of Sayville NY, but she also touches the reader through her connection with the characters and plot. Theresa’s passion for her craft shines through the lens she has created by her research, her use of historical places and events, and her true to life characters. Every reader will be spellbound by every word and chapter. If you want a good read, consider delving into The Baymen’s Daughter by Theresa Dodaro.

[Julia Johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Growing up in the Sayville area made this a very enjoyable book. Love hearing the history of places so familiar through a time jump storyline.

[Gleb Beleavski · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read

[Eileen Resta · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Bayman’s Daughter by Theresa Dodaro is an historical fiction novel that draws you in from the very beginning. From there we are taken on a journey through time with compelling characters both real and fictional. Theresa’s ability to teach us about the history of Sayville, Long Island using the perspective of families (real and fictional) living through the major events of the century is brilliant. She brings the story to present day and we learn that some of the landmarks of the story are still there and able to be visited. I have been to Sayville, a beautiful town, but my next visit will be more interesting as I locate some of the places Theresa highlighted in The Bayman’s Daughter. I was sorry to end the book, but now I look forward to reading Theresa’s other books.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ms. Dodaro is a gifted storyteller. Her writing is clean and simple, so I was really able to visualize the quaint seaside town of Sayville. Sayville is as much its own character in the story as the humans and pups are! I enjoyed the growth of all of these characters and their heartfelt journey. Phillip's time travel is a fun twist that kept the story moving through the years and over the pages. I hope to someday see for myself these locations that are steeped in history and imagine the lives of those who have inhabited the area.

[Laurinda Rissone-Bohrer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am only 16 pages in and already hooked! As a 30 year resident of Sayville and the second of three generations here, I am practically in tears as I'm reading through a story about my neighborhood! The accuracy with which the author describes my streets and landmarks makes me feel like I was on yesterday's bike ride of my neighborhood. From the red sauce (it's not gravy) to the mourning doves, the Sayville Ferries and boats, Thornhills Pharmacy,
to my beautiful Foster Avenue Park and beach, the author is truly representing our beautiful quaint town. I can't wait to read the rest of it!

[Kaylon Tran · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful story with fictional characters you can relate to and become invested in. Ms. Dodaro also does a wonderful job weaving in historical elements and personal tidbits of historical people that once lived in Sayville, Long Island and the surrounding areas. After reading so many of the reviews from people that live in Sayville, I wondered if this was a book the rest of us would enjoy—it is! I’ve never been to Sayville but feel as though I have—and that’s a good thing.

[Rosemary Green · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just finished reading The Bayman's Daughter. I loved the characters and found that the time period and events they experienced were so interesting and presented in a way that I felt like I was living it with them! I didn't want it to end! A Great-Read!

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed the time travel piece of this story and the telling of the local history of Sayville, NY. It was interesting to see how history affected the lives of the local families 100 years ago.

[Karen Murphy-Begen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I finished this book in 2 days. I could not put it down. It is a beautifully written story that tugs at your heart. A perfect summer read. It will leave you feeling happy and content. A must read!

[Sue Gioia-millwater · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it!

Really enjoyable especially all of the local references that were used throughout the story. Great families, landmarks and a wonderful ending.

[Desiree · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book for a recent book club. As a local who enjoys history, I was so excited to read The Bayman’s Daughter. Theresa’s writing brought the history of the area and the characters to life!!

[Eve Oneill · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the one of the sweetest but also exciting books I've read in a long time. Theresa Dodoro writes characters who you feel are friends you know and care about. I love the vivid and carefully researched settings and history. Her books are fun, exciting and hard to put down.

[Susan Ludwig · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 rounded to 4 stars
An interesting fictional look at part of a town's history.

[Rose Fallon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyed the book immensely!! Although, not as I expected, I totally enjoyed it! Couldn't put it down, and finished it in a few days!!!

[LESLIE PULVIRENTI · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting historical fiction book with a surprise ending! Definitely recommend for anyone interested in historical fiction.

[Sharon · Rating 1 out of 5]

I picked up this book because the premise, a time-slip romance rooted in Long Island history, sounded perfect. But it was a disappointment. The writing was unadorned and often juvenile, and the dialogue was eye roll worthy. At times it felt like I was reading a cheesy Hallmark movie, mixed with a historical chronology. Facts and people were thrown into the narrative like a checklist instead of woven through. And the characters were no better. Hannah was a flawless "Mary Sue" with no real depth and Philip was just plain dull. There were many instances where the story could have been more emotionally charged and moving, but it often felt empty and rushed. The idea had potential, but the book never delivers. I won't bother with this author again.

[Laura-Jean Liberatore · Rating 4 out of 5]

Combining history with fiction makes history fun. I really enjoyed The Bayman’s Daughter. Hannah, from 1912 meets Phillip from 2012 during Superstorm Sandy in Sayville, Long Island, NY. Hannah’s life is a simple one as her Dad is a Bayman and her mom is a maid for a Roosevelt family as they summer on Long Island. Learning some very interesting history that I hadn’t heard before, and being from Long Island, made this story even better. You don’t hVe to be from here though to enjoy a great story with characters you love. Highly recommend this book.

[Susan Mitchell · Rating 2 out of 5]

21/2 stars. The plot is interesting, though sometimes it reads like a chronology rather than a story. I am sorry to say the writing is somewhat juvenile. I’m not that fussy about grammar, but there are a lot of commas used unnecessarily. But if you grew up on Long Island as I did, you may find it interesting.