The Moments Between Dreams

by Judith F. Brenner

2023 IBPA Benjamin Franklin Award Silver Medalist in General Fiction
Top Notable 100 Indie Award of 2022; Indie Excellence Book Award 2023- Gold Seal Finalist in Women's Fiction; Finalist winning honor in Adult Fiction -The Wishing Shelf 2022. A story of hope, courage, and perseverance. Carol misses red flags about Joe’s need for control before she marries him, dashing her dreams for herself and her family. Trouble escalates after their daughter Ellie is paralyzed by the polio virus and Joe returns from WWII. Carol realizes how brutal waking life can be, and she conceals bruises and protects her children the best she can. The Moments Between Dreams is a captivating story of a 1940s housewife who conforms to the rulebook of society until Joe pushes her too far. His constant intimidation shrinks Carol’s confidence while she tries to boost Ellie’s. Church-going neighbors in Carol’s tight-knit Polish community are complacent, but Sam, a handsome reporter, stirs up Carol’s zest for life. Despite impossible circumstances, Carol plans a secret escape. Along a risky path, she empowers her daughter to know no limits and teaches her son to stop the cycle of violence and gender discrimination. View Book Trailer

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, Historical

304 pages, Paperback

First published May 17, 2022

About the author

Judith Brenner's essays have appeared in MN Parent, and WINK literary magazine. She is a manuscript copy editor, having launched Creative Lakes Media, LLC, in 2011. She also publishes a national trade publication, Sharpeners’ Report, and published non-fiction books related to that trade.
A former journalist in Chicago, Brenner earned an MBA in Marketing from the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, MN, and an undergraduate degree from Columbia College in Chicago. She completed a certificate program for a Mini-MFA from the University of Iowa Summer Writers’ Workshop.

Reviews

[Marilyn (not getting notifications) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Once I started The Moments Between Dreams by Judith F. Brenner I could not put it down. The story hooked me right from the beginning. I was transported back to Chicago’s Southwest side during the 1940’s to a primarily Polish neighborhood. This captivating story explored the polio virus as it poked its ugly head into the lives of so many families and infected children and adults without discrimination. Being born in the 1950’s, I vividly remember standing in line in the gym of my public school with my parents waiting to receive the polio vaccine. Unfortunately, the children living in the 1940’s were not as lucky. The Moments Between Dreams also took a close look at the way women were viewed by males during that time. Women were considered inferior to men in the 1940’s. Even if a woman and a man held the same position at their workplace, the man would always earn more than the woman despite which one performed better. A blind eye was often turned when a woman suffered from the hands of an abusive husband. The woman was looked upon as the instigator. Divorce also favored the husband, so many women learned to live with the abuse. Most women were expected to become housewives. They were called upon to cook, clean and have children. Author, Judith F. Brenner, did an excellent job developing the characters in The Moments Between Dreams. They were vivid, complex and so believable. Her research was impeccable and her writing flowed without flaw.

Carol met Joe Wozniak at a dance in the summer of 1936. Joe was handsome and basically swept Carol off her feet. Desire got the best of Carol though and before she knew it she was pregnant. Joe and Carol got married. It happened so fast but Carol loved Joe and he told her he loved her. Eight years later, Joe had bought a house for Carol and their two children, Tommy and Ellie, without any input from them. At a barbecue at their new home, Ellie came back from riding her bike. One of their neighbors had to carry Ellie into the house because Ellie was having trouble standing up. Ellie complained of a stomachache and headache. Everyone thought it was heat exhaustion and no one was overly concerned. The next morning, Ellie was running a fever and had no appetite. Carol had to carry Ellie to the bathroom. Her muscles were stiff and it hurt whenever anyone touched her. When Carol called their family doctor, he told her to bring Ellie to the hospital. Ellie was diagnosed with Polio. That was when things started to go south in Carol and Joe’s marriage. The signs had been there but somehow Carol missed them or tried to ignore them. Joe began to abuse Carol both physically and emotionally. When Carol discovered a letter that Joe had received from the draft board telling him that he was drafted into the navy Carol was beside herself. Why had Joe not shared this information with her? When she confronted Joe about the letter and asked how he could leave her with Ellie still in the hospital and having to cope with her diagnosis of Polio all by herself, he slapped her so hard that he had bruised her eye. That was the beginning of the temper Joe had hidden so well until then. It would only escalate as the years went on. Carol would learn that Joe was demanding beyond normal, that he would blame her relentlessly, become increasingly more and more controlling, dictate who she could see and who she couldn’t, make her dependent on him for everything and her consequence was his temper and the violence he inflicted upon her. This was not what Carol had signed up for but what could she do? If she petitioned for a divorce, Carol would probably loose custody of her children, loose her home and not receive any alimony. Carol’s mission was to keep her children safe, help Ellie navigate and live with Polio and empower Ellie to reach for the stars and do everything she set her mind on doing. She was determined to teach her son to respect women, not to rely on violence to get what he wanted or prove a point and to help him learn how to put an end to gender discrimination. The one thing that kept Carol afloat was her special friendship with Sam, a newspaper reporter who she met long ago and then reappeared in her life when Ellie was first diagnosed with Polio.

The Moments Between Dreams was a work of fiction but author, Judith F. Brenner, admitted that her own mother was a victim of the polio virus. She witnessed her mother’s courage, determination and passion for life first hand. This only enhanced the authenticity of this book. I really admired the character of Carol and that of Ellie. Neither of them ever gave up hope even when things appeared to be dark, desperate and hopeless. The Moments Between Dreams opened my eyes to the realities of Polio before the vaccine was available. This was Judith F. Brenner’s debut novel. I look forward to reading more books by her and I highly recommend this book.

Thank you to Greenleaf Book Group Press for allowing my to read this ARC of The Moments Between Dreams in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. The Moments Between Dreams was published on May 17, 2022.

[Anna Avian · Rating 3 out of 5]

A story of the 1940s and 50s about a mother's struggles to help her daughter after contracting polio and raise her son to be a kind and respectful man, the exact opposite of his abusive father. Carol does her best to cope with her life without depending on help from her father and two brothers which was something that I personally could not quite understand or justify. She seeks guidance from her church but ends up being reprimanded for "not making the marriage work". But despite all the hardships she keeps pursuing her dream for a better life and independence by taking small steps each day despite the fear and gruesome punishments she is subjected to.

I was able to read an advanced copy of this book thanks to NetGalley and Greenleaf Book Group.

[Laurie · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Moments Between Dreams crawled into my heart and I cannot recommend this family drama enough.

I was born in 1943 and have very clear vivid memories of my friends being stricken with the paralyzing illness of polio. As my beloved father was the local family physician who took care of these young people with such tender care, I had great empathy/closeness to these special patients & had the opportunity to visit them while in the iron lung. I can still sense the sugar cube containing the precious polio vaccine.

There were horrible family pressures during those war years. Kudos & bouquets to author Judith F. Brenner for crafting this heartfelt story, read it. Brava!

[Thelma · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Moments Between Dreams is the story of Millions Of Women suffering in silence of fear to lose everything their child, their security, and sometimes themselves. it is a story that I've read many times in different books or stories that are real and true and it seems like the world is not ready to finally say enough is enough of this violence and transgression, we continue perpetuating towards women and so many innocents that are there trying to survive in a MEN world.

At the beginning of the book when everything started to happen like many women I was in anger, screaming to Carol to stop making and giving excuses, like many of you we always try to judge and suggest why she didn't leave sooner or why she didn't do this or that. but after reading and knowing many cases of this nature I've come to the conclusion that is not that easy if you don't know what it is in stakes. nobody knows only the person who is going through this why is not that easy to just leave. in this case, Carol was afraid to lose her daughter who was still underage and Joe could easily file for kidnapping or something to make Carol's life a living hell.

I cry so much with this book because it is not fair that we still living under these circumstances and nothing is Done, man always get the benefit of the doubt, men always get the free ticket. I know during WW2 during those years 1940's and 50's women weren't not even allow to get divorced but still, Doctors and Priest would turn their faces the other way whenever a woman will declare she has been abused by her own husband. I never understood this, is it more valuable a man's life than a women's? is more valuable the status, the marriage than the lives of women?

Even Tommy once he was older, still question his mother's motives, because he never received the same treatment from his father just because he was a boy but Carol and Ellie knew a very different person, someone with so much lack of respect towards women in general, Joe was the regular macho guy, insecure, who will treat his wife as an enemy, the fact that he had a gun in his car and didn't let his wife drive was just disgusting.

in my opinion, Carol made so many mistakes but I guess that was part of the process for her to finally grow and move on meanwhile she gave so many excuses, if you have two brothers and a father that can help you very easily I'm not sure why she took so much time trusting they will help her and move on.

The worst part was when Joe started to hit Ellie too that's when I really wanted to pull him out of the book and kick him a few times. he was a terrible father, his example was the worst and I will not change my mind no matter what.

This is a book of faith, hope, and resilience, The story of a woman who was doing everything to maintain her family close and sane in the midst of polio and a man who forgot how to be a gentleman and a father.

I'm glad Carol got what she and Ellie deserved a second chance in this life, far away from a man who was not ready to love them only to cage them.

Overall it was a great book and story, I really enjoy it

Thank you NetGalley and Greenleaf Book Group, for the advanced copy of The Moments Between Dreams in exchange for my honest review.

[Dianne McMahan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great,but often frightening,happenings,that insecure,little men can do to their spouses, whom they presume to worship and love so much.
Carol and Joe got married before they had been dating 3 months,just after she told him she was pregnant.
Her mother's heart was broken,as she just didn't want to see her youngest daughters heart broken,by the kind of man, she thought Joe was.
Just before the outbreak of WWII & before they really had any money for a house or new baby,they moved into a cottage that belonged to her parents.
Six months later,Jimmy was born.Five yrs.latter,a baby sister.

There was no cure for polio and many other diseases also had no vaccines,in the late 40's or early 50's and much later. The baby daughter developed Polio and with the father joining the Air Force,the care of the children came under mother's job description.
For the next 20 yrs.the young daughter was rarely out of treatments nor pain.
The mother was virtually a prisoner in her own home,didn't have a dime of her own,wasn't allowed to drive or have friends and was beaten within an inch of her life,sometimes on a daily basis.
This is a story based on real-life and happened quite a lot in these prewar years.

Author(Judith F.Brenner) tells a good one

[Tammi · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book had me hooked from the beginning. Brenner’s writing about the topic of spousal abuse is very compelling.

Set in the 1940’s Carol marries Joe when she gets pregnant. Joe becomes very controlling and abusive. Carol quickly realizes he is not the man of her dreams even though she still loves him.

In the midst of dealing with an abusive husband Carol has to handle caring for her daughter who gets sick with Polio while Joe gets drafted.

From loving Joe, to wanting to leave, to knowing she couldn’t because her children would taken away, to wanting to be a good role model the writing had me feeling every one of Carol’s conflicting emotions and made me understand why she chose to stay as long as she did.

I would definitely recommend this book.

Thank you netgalley for an advance copy of this book for review.

[lori pennington · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was provided an ARC for an honest review by NetGalley.

An incredible story of n abusive marriage in the 40’s and 50’s. Well written and very well researched. Carol and Joe marry when she becomes pregnant. What follows is yers of abuse as their youngest suffers from polio. There is the typical pressure on young married people who struggle financially but Joe releases that pressure by abusing and controlling his wife and later on his daughter. It’s hard to comprehend the mindset of the abused and their abused. This is an interesting take on that.

[Grace J Reviewerlady]

An inspirational tale of a mother who will do anything to protect and nourish her daughter.

Carol was young when she married Joe; now with two growing children she is beginning to discover that he’s not the man she thought he was but with their daughter contracting polio she has other concerns to the forefront of her mind. Absorbing all the information she can, Carol wants to ensure that Ellie gets as near to a full recovery as is possible and she will do everything in her power to give her that chance. With Joe serving his country in WWII, life is just a bit easier at home but it’s not long before he returns and the pressure mounts. How long can Carol continue being the outlet for her husband’s temper?

In general, I don’t read abuse novels but there is so much more to this one. Born at a time after the polio vaccine was widely available, it’s not something I’ve encountered in life but I found the details of the different types of the virus fascinating – and I always like the feeling of learning something new from a book! I’ve recently been horrified to hear of polio cases appearing once more in the world; we must not get lax about such a valuable vaccine. Back to the book: Carol is a strong woman, intent on providing the best for her children but Joe treats her like a second-class citizen – perhaps more common in the 1940’s than now. It unsettled me that she was portrayed as perfect; after all, we all have our flaws – that’s what makes us human. This is an enticing read, hard to put down once begun and I did enjoy it. For me, four stars.

[Mary Jo Wiseman · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Gripping Story Beautifully Written

“The Moments Between Dreams” by Judith F. Brenner is a captivating story as relevant today in content as it was for the period for which it was written.

It begins as a love story between a young man and woman in the 1940s with the country on the brink of a second world war and a polio epidemic far from over. The relationship between the couple (Joe and Carol) while at first appears warm and loving soon begins to unravel as they struggle with world events coupled with their second born’s polio diagnosis which ultimately leads to a roller coaster of emotional and physical abuse at the hands of the husband. Carol knows she needs to free herself of the abuse but that she must also break the cycle of abuse on behalf of her children so they can go on with their own lives.

Today we talk about “red flags” in relationships and there certainly were indications early in the story that were cause for concern; unfortunately, for Carol they were not picked up on until it was too late – or was it. Legally and financially at the time there was little support for divorce. Alimony and child support were almost nonexistent. Carol could barely eke out a living on her own; she wasn’t allowed to drive, so where could she go?

“The Moments Between Dreams” is classified as “historical fiction”; it is that and more. It is informative. It is dramatic but also has its sweet spots. It is empowering and it is sure to tug at your heartstrings. I highly recommend it as a stand-alone read but firmly believe it would make for a GREAT book club read/discussion to help raise awareness about the past and current fear of viruses, and the long-time fear of abuse that goes on behind closed doors.

Read this gripping and inspiring story to learn how Carol was able to finally break free. And, if you know someone in a similar situation, I encourage you to share this book with them. You’ll also find a list of resources and contact information provided by the author to further provide assistance.

[InD'tale Magazine · Rating 3 out of 5]

An incredibly strong woman surviving the most horrifying situation, Carol exemplifies the epitome of bravery.

Read full review in the 2022 June issue of InD'tale Magazine.

[Judith Brenner · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm going to start the kick-off during the pre-order phase for this book that drops May 3, 2022 by revealing early book Endorsements:

"Brenner weaves a story of spunk and determination, of a woman determined to create a better life, a woman you’ll cheer for right to the hopeful ending." — Jill Hannah Anderson, Author of The To-Hell-And-Back Club and A Life Unraveled.

"From the minute I began reading The Moments Between Dreams, I was captured, yanked into 1944 and the life of Carol Wozniak and her family and struck by the similarities to the world we all live in today. As early as page 3, my stomach churned as her husband, Joe, shows early signs of being an abuser. Flawlessly written and relatable, our protagonist’s gut-wrenching situation as a mother, helpless in the face of her 5-year-old daughter’s battle with polio, is daunting enough. Little does she know what lies ahead. Put this book on your summer reading list." — Nadia Giordana, Publisher/Editor, WINK: Writers In the Know literary magazine.

“Thank you to Judith Brenner for shining a light on the difficult and painful issues of domestic violence. Dreams are a reminder to women that not every prince is charming, and of the courage it takes to become the heroine of your own story.” – Barb Greenberg, Founder, RediscoveringU.com, Author of the award-winning book, The Seasons of Divorce: Insights for Women in Transition.

"This powerful and well-crafted novel brings us back to the 1940s when a public swimming pool could infect your child with a virus. The story resonates with our own time, as a new virus transforms our lives. Brenner’s intimate and poignant portrait of domestic violence also is relevant today—the issues are the same." – Lucy Rose Fischer, author of The Journalist: Life and Loss in America’s Secret War.

"The Moments Between Dreams is an ideal book for libraries and book clubs and deserving of group discussion. The book raises important themes and issues that would allow a book club to really sink their teeth in and ferment productive and actionable conversations." -- Windy City Reviews, Chicago Writers Association. https://www.windycityreviews.org/book...

[Bobbi Wagner · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this suspenseful story. This is a new author for me which I look forward to seeing what is next. I enjoyed how the author used details to pull you into the story. Her writing style is such that the story comes to life and makes you feel as if you are part of the story. This is a story that takes place in the 1940s where a housewife has dreams but soon are squashed by the man she marries. She is left with the only thing she can do, protect her children. This is an emotional, suspenseful story that kept me turning pages.. A story that will take you on an emotional roller coaster. This is a story you dont want to miss. A story that has great growth and connectable characters. This is a great story that is hard to put down. I highly recommend it.

[Ellen Klos · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was given an advance copy of the book. I found the book, The Moments Between Dreams, to be a fast read but sometimes difficult to read. There are many discussable topics ranging from a mother's fierce love for her children, ravages of the polio virus, archaic marital expectations of the 40's and horrors of emotional/physical abuse by a husband.

[amy johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This novel takes you to the bustling city of Chicago in the 1940s, where Polish pride is revealed by church-going folks who embrace tradition, but then everything is disrupted by a polio epidemic. Narrator Carol loves her children deeply and she becomes a champion for her daughter’s recovery. While everyone’s focus is on little Ellie, Carol’s husband Joe adds tension to the dynamic of the family that progresses to full-on abusive control over ten years. Readers will see Carol transform from a person that loses her self-esteem and tucks away dreams of happiness while focusing on motherhood, until she embarks on her own self-discovery path. Carol balks at society norms and finally becomes her own champion.

I was engrossed in the story following Carol on her physical and emotional journey. There is a calm beginning that builds as you get to really know and care about realistic characters. I was fascinated by the historical insight about the polio virus. The circumstances of the virus align with the current COVID-19 journey we are all on as does the abuse cycle.

I would recommend this book for anyone looking for a feel good, easy read delving into realistic historical fiction portraying courage. It is a fascinating book relating to how people find happiness and make difficult but healthy choices when faced with adversity.

I received this novel as an early advanced reader copy in exchange for my honest review.

[Tracy Moore · Rating 5 out of 5]

A child with polio and an abusive husband in the 1940’s is what Carol is up against.
Like many women, especially during that time, Carol stays too long. I kept expecting her to leave and I’m left wondering why she stayed, especially with her daughter at risk.
Finally with no other choice, fate or maybe karma, she has an opportunity to pursue happiness.
I received this novel as an advanced reader copy in exchange for my honest review.

[Barbara Conrey · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Moments Between Dreams tells the story of a woman who chooses the wrong man yet does everything in her power to stand by her choice. I doubt there is a woman alive who cannot, on some level, relate to wrong choices.

The setting is World War II and the polio epidemic.

Brenner has created a historical novel that resonates with issues that are not just historical, but contemporary as well, yet she digs deep and gives us hope. The Moments Between Dreams will stay with you long after you read the last page.

Thank you to the publisher and author for providing me with an Advanced Readers copy of this book.

[Aly · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this book for free from a giveaway on Goodreads. I went into it not knowing anything about the book, but I sure am glad that I read it.
Trigger warning; there is talk of physical abuse throughout the book.
I found it hard to read at times, but I knew that I had to get through it to see the main character survive, and I absolutely loved her character arc.

[Melissa Schwartz Walsh · Rating 4 out of 5]

I won this Goodreads giveaway and was thankful to have read it; it was both inspiring and devastating. There were two main storylines set in the 40s-50s, one being Carol, a wife and mother of two, dealing with the difficulties of her daughter Ellie’s paralyses due to polio and the other being the serious physical and verbal abuse she receives from her husband Joe (content warning to be taken seriously). To set the scene, he hit her for anything including dinner not being ready quick enough, her wanting to learn to drive, wearing some makeup in public, basically anything. It was incredible around pages 183/184 how Carol is so blunt to Joe about how he hits her. She then isn’t afraid to face it out in the open, but he takes no accountability. She “makes him mad”; “it’s her fault” (even though she literally does nothing wrong, truly ever at any point. His biggest anger in life is her ever driving… even though she’s carried her daughter to and from PT on her back practically for months). And to make matters worse, Joe hits his disabled daughter on occasion. And of course, he claims to do all of it out of “love”. Totally sick. Religious issues and manipulation come into play; Carol feels stuck because divorce is considered a serious sin and even when she talks to the priest, he does literally nothing to help except suggest him coming to church and praying it away. She also learns that the financial consequences of divorce at the time would be a huge problem for her. We see Carol work so hard, with no car in Chicago to help her care for her daughter, and we see how she overcomes. One issue I had with the book was that some parts were dragged out, especially the end. Another is a spoiler
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I do not think Joe should have died, at least at the point he did. I wish Carol and Ellie successfully escaped him and a divorce later ensued, only for Joe to later in life face the consequences of his actions.

Otherwise this was a really in depth and well written story. “It is estimated that ten million people experience domestic violence in the US each year”

[Writing Wanders · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is extremely important because it covers a topic that is very sensitive and not often talked about, and it does it so elegantly. The characters in this book are all very well written, and as a reader you can't help but feel a connection with the main character, Carol. They say that love is blind sometimes, and this book is the absolute epitome of that.

The book does a really good job of showcasing how love can sometimes be confused with comfort or fear. The book also does a great job of showcasing how women at the time didn't have it as easy, and it wasn't as simple for them to just leave a relationship as it possibly is nowadays - today they have multiple options, back then they truly didn't.

I love how the book also talks a lot about the issues surrounding polio, in the case of Carol's Daughter. The book talks about how there isn't a vaccine right away for polio, but then how the vaccine does get produced and how there's a lot of mistrust and people not wanting to get the vaccine, it made me think of nowadays with the covid vaccine - so that was an interesting connection there.

I know that the book's main focus is about spousal abuse, but I do love how it focuses a lot on polio and what happened in the beginning with the epidemic, what it was like for a family to deal with something like that, and what society's reactions were to the disease.

Overall, I think this book does a great job of showcasing how layered spousal abuse actually is, how hard and difficult and treacherous it can be to leave an abusive relationship, and how back then the system was basically rigged against women - which is mind boggling.

I would recommend this book to just about anyone mainly because it sheds light on a topic that probably isn't discussed as often as it should be. Even though the book is set in the early to mid-1900s, it does a good job of showcasing the mental gymnastics that women sometimes have to do in order to try to rationalize the situations that they're put in regardless of what their actions are - and the fact that women of the 21st century have a lot in common with women of the 20th century says a lot.

[Barbara Turkdal · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Moments Between Dreams by Judith F. Brenner is one to be read.

Although it is fiction, it is a historical remembrance and advancements of the treatment of the Polio Epidemic that hit so many people, mostly children, in their prime of innocence.

That aside, the meat of the story is a hard one. A woman trapped by circumstance with an abusive husband and a handicapped child and another child to help mature around these front stage taking issues!

It made me sick that I, in my own past, had endured just a portion of what Carol (wife, mother) dealt with. I was uncomfortable with the memories that surfaced with the telling of this tale. I KNEW the way Carol was thinking. I was satisfied with the ending.

But alas, for Carol, it was the 1940s & 1950s and things were handled differently all around...family, church, legal, medical. Thankfully, we, as a society, have come so far forward in dealing with these situations.

Carol had to plot, plan and execute her escape from Joe and his jealous outlandish ways of enslaving his wife, all while protecting her daughter's future. And she suffered while getting to the point of action. Battered and abused, we, the readers are fortunate Carol did not end up in an asylum or dead!

The story covers relationships Carol has with her daughter, her son, her sisters, her brothers, her priest and a male friend from the newspaper.

I think the triggers in the story held me to a 4 star rating.
At times, the story, imho, stalled while we waited for Carol to get her plan together. But that is all reality... how well I know.

[Dotdala_reads (Sam R) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow, this one packed a wallop! You're thrown into the harrowing and challenging life of Carol and her two children- Tommy and Ellie. Ellie contracts Polio, and we follow the course of treatment through her hospital stays- through her pain, trials of endurance and new exploratory treatments. Carol's husband Joe is whisked away to the military, and most of the burden of caring for Ellie is placed on her solely. Missing an abundant number of warning signs, she is not only tasked with the long journey to recovery with Ellie- she now has to dodge the bouts of rage and anger from Joe when he is home.

This was a tough one to read- with themes ranging from familial obligation to domestic violence to acceptance and improving the accessibility for peoples who are disabled- it's not a light book to dive into. At times, I was flinching and had to pause because I felt disgusted with what was happening. The control an abuser has over their victim is terrifying- and even more scary for that victim to attempt to leave. Everything from not allowing Carol to open mail, drive, visit family, get a job, handle her own money- I just was heartbroken.

I think that this is an important read and very educational and I'm very thankful that the author included resources at the end in regards to Domestic Violence and seeking help for yourself or someone you may suspect is victim to it.

[Judy Beetem · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was delighted to receive an advanced copy of The Moments Between Dreams from the publisher. The following comments are entirely my own. Judith Brenner has crafted a detailed, accurate story of a Polish family in Chicago during the 1940s. Carol met Joe as a teenager and was instantly smitten. She soon became pregnant and Joe married her, much to Carol's mother's dismay. The story opens eight years later in the summer of 1943. Joe and Carol have two children, Tommy, eight, and Ellie, five. Joe surprised Carol with a new house located in the Polish neighborhood in Chicago. It is not the greatest but Carol makes do until Joe is drafted and Ellie is stricken with polio. Fortunately she has the support of her family and Joe is able to visit, albeit infrequently. Ellie was one of the lucky ones, she survived the disease with damage to her legs, but she is still able to walk. Ellie and Joe finally arrive home and their family is back together, working together to perform the constant physical therapy necessary for Ellie to regain some of her strength. Tommy is a huge help and very patient, Joe not so much. He takes out his frustration on Carol, punching her, kicking her, raining abuse on the woman who has tried so hard to take care of everyone. Carol lives with Joe's abuse for years until she's finally reached her limit. When Tommy is in college and Ellie is close to graduating high school, Carol has finally had enough and tries to flee with her daughter with disastrous results. Will Carol be able to escape her past and build a better life for herself and her adult children? Read and see!
Judith Brenner has written a well-crafted account of life in the 1940s and expectations of a young housewife and mother. Her descriptions of Carol's struggle to escape her husband's abuse make this story very real, it was difficult to stop reading. This will be an excellent book club selection - prepare for a long meeting as there is so much to discuss. Many thanks to Greenleaf publishing for the chance to read an ARC of this harrowing and heartwarming book.

[Carole Knoles · Rating 4 out of 5]

Most people living in America now do not remember the very real threat of polio but with news of traces of this horrible virus showing up New York it is again on the radar. Polio is also one of the two main themes of this very interesting book along with that of domestic violence making the story one of how far we’ve come and how far we still need to go. These serious subjects are leavened with a small side of romance and, although I am not a reader of romances, the author is not cloying about it. This book is worthy of a read in it’s timeliness.

[Jennifer Janis · Rating 3 out of 5]

Judith Brenner’s The Moments Between Dreams was a letdown. I was left feeling meh at the end. The potential for a heart wrenching, hopeful story was there, but ultimately it read more like a “paint-by-number” novel. Taking place in 1940s Chicago, Carol finds herself married young to Joe. His red flags show from their first meeting, but Carol follows what is expected of a young woman and puts her concerns away. While Carol silently endures the violence and emotional abuse from Joes, she makes sure to champion and advocate for their daughter, Ellie. Ellie’s journey as a Polio survivor is the only interesting part of the novel. Unfortunately, it’s not enough to save this book for me. I don’t need explicit descriptions of violence, but the incidences that Joe and Carol go through were so watered down and washed over that there was no real emotional impact. I just was not emotionally invested in Carol. It just…was not engaging. Brenner is an adequate writer, but just did not do it here. I wish I could give more than a 2.75/3 to this novel, but it was a let down for me. Thankful as always for the eARC from NetGalley.

[Janet Tripp]

When I received an early copy of "The Moments Between Dreams" I promised an honest review. We forget that other generations have endured wars and epidemics. Judith reminds us in vivid detail with her story of one family's upheaval caused by polio and war. It kept me reading past my bedtime. I expected a happy ending, but how would this mess work out? Occurring after a beating, Carol's breakfast conversation at the story's center was both heartwarming and the fulcrum for what happened next. Her story is one woman's awakening to create a life of her own. A lesson for us all.

[Sandra Eliason · Rating 5 out of 5]

This interesting book is a fast read that will keep the reader engrossed. The main question--will the narrator save herself from an abusive marriage and give her daughter a future—pulls the reader in, and the subplots developed along the way also keep one reading. Will she find another relationship? What will happen with her son? The tension builds as her husband’s abuses accelerate. Will Carol be able to save herself? Read to the end to find out. I recommend this book to anyone interested in women’s independence, escaping abusive relationships, and the history of polio in this country.

[Elizabeth · Rating 3 out of 5]

A Goodreads giveaway

I read half of this book and must admit I skimmed the rest. Set in the 40's and 50's the story was just too depressing. Polio and severe domestic abuse.

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. It felt very true to real struggles of a women who faces both the big things life throws at her and the consequences of her own choices. The backdrop of polio and World War II are particularly timely with the current state of the world. Well worth the read.

[Adrianna Lamm · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was given an advance copy of the book by Netgally and the publisher Greenleaf Book Group Press for my honest opinion. This story had me hooked from the beginning. It was a great story with strong relatable characters and it was a fast read. It takes place in a time period that I have not read a lot of books written in this era. It's based on the Polio Epidemic and domestic abuse (trigger alert). It is very well written you can tell that a lot of research went into it. This is a new author to me and I can't wait to read more books written by her. I highly recommend this book.

[Kathryn Holmes]

An exceptionally well written, researched and descriptive novel. The story takes place in the 40s and 50s yet the topic of abuse is still very much alive. I remember the polio outbreak and the fear it instilled in everyone. It’s inspiring to read about women who are hero's because they survive the hardships and challenges of life. The characters were very real to me.