Books and Jams Readalong discussion

We made it!

What are your final thoughts?
How did you like the ending? Was it what you expected/hoped for or were you left wanting more?
If you could change one thing about this story what would you change?
What will your rating be?
Are you eager/interested in reading more from Chamberlain now?

I loved this book! I loved the mind-twist that happens when I read time travel books. I get so many questions! But in a fun way.

I cannot imagine the difficulty of being in Carly's position. In less than a 48 hour period she leaves her baby at the hospital, travels back to 1970, reconnects with her sister, travels back to 2013 and realizes her daughter is 12 years old! Yikes!! SO many emotions! I was heartbroken for her.

I loved so much that at the end we see that the mom went to where Hunter was for her 5th and final trip. That was heartwarming.

I also loved that Joanna remembered where Carly had shown her she lived in NC and ended up coming to see her.

I loved this book. It was a 5 star for me easy. I was sucked right in.

I’m sad that the book is over...but I’m happy about how it ended...I don’t know how to feel! 😂

I wasn’t sure how everything would be wrapped up at the end. I loved the twist about Joe, the scene between Carly and Joanna at the end, and the appearance of Myra.

This was my first Diane Chamberlain book and Im looking forward to reading something else she’s written. It’s my understanding that this book is a little different from her others, but I liked her writing style, so I think I’ll enjoy her others.

Does anyone have a recommendation of another Diane Chamberlain book they enjoyed?

Loved this book. Completed it in two sittings. I loved the glimpse of Carly’s life after her return to 1970. The subtle approach Diane took made me happy to find out what a good life Carly had without changing the focus away from the mother/daughter relationship.

Oh. My. Goodness! What a wonderful read! I so enjoyed this book. It was a 5 star read for me.

I also enjoyed the book very much and gave it four stars.
I am very satisfied with the ending of the book as well, Carly did the right thing for Joanna and did not try to take her away from her adoptive parents who adores her as much as she does.
I thought she would return to 1970 eventually but I never thought that Joe would be a POW. I found that aspect to be a little bit "too convenient" but I am so glad for the character's sake.
The epilogue part was also very emotional and while I was reading the tree house section where she went back to 1970, I was thinking why Carly chose this spot, it is so dangerous that she would get caught. I still think it does not make sense but I am glad it led to such a sweet epilogue.
Myra's going back to live with Hunter was sweet as well but I was expecting to see her in a more exciting role in the history, I have to admit.
I will definitely read more from Diane Chamberlain because I loved her writing style, and I was hooked to the book especially in the middle parts.

I like how to book end with her seeing her daughter and talking I wish she would have been
Able to keep her daughter or go back to that time where she lost her but over all I would have to give thus book 4 stars

I don't think I liked the book as much as the rest of you but it was good. There were definitely a couple of very unexpected twists in the story.
The ending was good but I do wish we could have a little more of the reunion between Joe and Carly.
I will give this one 4 stars. I would definitely be up for reading another Diane Chamberlain book. Her writing style is easy to read.

I must admit that the ending softens my opinion of the book. By the end of the last section I was seriously starting to dislike this story. I’m sorry to say but the idea that Carly would leave her sick infant baby in 2001 is just unbelievable. I understand she had a close relationship with her sister but a child changes everything. Especially when she thinks her husband is dead. What does she really have to get back to? So that plot point irritates me a bit. And Carly in 2013 is either so annoying with her obsession (which is warranted, but does not make her any less annoying to me) but at least she keeps a little bit of the boundaries. I enjoyed the introduction of the inn (I love B&Bs so much!) and that she kind of found a friend in Winnie. I also was like “I Knew it!” When Joe was found to be alive. Except I kind of thought he was alive and had left her (because nothing seemed to go right or easy for Carly that this would have just been the cherry on top! Glad I was very wrong about that!!) The ending of Carly leaving Joanna again to get back to Joe was nice. These types of books require a happy ending and I’m glad this one did. I will say this is a 3.5 star read for me but I see why other people absolutely love it. I would read something else by Chamberlain. Her writing is easy to get sucked into. Great pick, Krista!

My mind is officially blown!!! How have I let this book sit on my shelf for so long? I'm almost ashamed. :) I'm giving this a full 5 stars - although I considered 4.5 for a bit - there were a few parts that were a little slower paced than the rest of the book. I've read Diane Chamberlain before (Check out The Secret Life of CeeCee Wilkes) so I knew I was in for an emotional ride but never expected this.

My initial reaction when I finished the book was wishing there was more follow up - What did Joe think of meeting Joanna, what happened to Hunter and how did things go when his mom showed up? But after I thought about it, this book was really all about Carly and Joanna and that would have taken away from that true mother-daughter story that was the heart of this.

This is easily my favorite book I have read this year. AMAZING!

This was a good book - 3 stars for sure. I can't say that I would pick up another Diane Chamberlain on my own.

I read this book some time ago. So thought I’d drop by and say hi.

If I had known certain aspects of this book I would have wondered what one of my fav authors was doing! This isn’t going to work. But, it did. I thought it did very well.

The author has a great way with words and keeping things flowing. I read a lot of thrillers and I know with this authors books I need to go into them with a different mindset. Simply to not think too hard, to sit, relax and enjoy.m

The time travel took me completely by surprise. I’m not into things like that......but this worked. I am one happy camper as I loved it.

Glad you chose it Krista

This is my first Diane Chamberlain book also. I loved it and gave it 5 stars. Thanks, Krista, for picking this one! I enjoy time travel books, and this was very believable. Read it in 2 sittings. I anticipated the epilogue, but not that Joe would still be alive. I kept wondering how 9/11 would figure in the story as Hunter sent her back to 2001. Very creative that 9/11 sent her into 2013. Looking forward to more by this author!

I liked The Dream Daughter fairly well. The story was entertaining. I could see myself reaching for another book by Chamberlain if I need a light read between some of the heavy books I pick up sometimes. I like how everything tied up neatly. I gave it 3 stars.

I loved this book. Gave it 5 stars. I have read some of her other books. I think I will reread them again.

I enjoyed this book but not as much as many of you. I think some of the details as another reader pointed out weren’t so commonplace in 2001: texting and Google, etc. I think flip phones were much more the norm. And throwaway/prepaid phones weren’t really the go-to. But it was more Carly for me. She got on my nerves a bit and I didn’t feel like she would make some decisions that she did. I’m sorry! But I did enjoy the writing and some things did surprise me...I loved that joe was alive. Made me very happy and made the ending. I wouldnt mind reading other Diane Chamberlains in the future

In reading back my comments, I certainly sound like a crankster! I’m not sure why this book took a turn for me...I was really enjoying it and then not as much. I was even telling my daughter how much I liked it and telling her she should read it. I guess we all have books that we feel like we should REALLY like and want to really like and then don’t. I will say I’d seen a few reviews on Booktube about this book and everyone raved. Maybe that’s the reason - too high of expectations? Oh, well. But I swear I’m really NOT a crankster!

This book is amazing. I can't believe I've waited so long to read anything by Diane Chamberlain. I love this book and I was hooked and captivated from the beginning. I found myself anxious to see what was going to happen next but I didn't want this book to end. I was surprised with the ending. Though I didn't have any expectations, the ending was satisfying; I didn't feel like I was left hanging. I wouldn't change anything about this book, it's perfect, amazing, and brilliant the way it is. I give this book 5 stars and I will definitely read more by Diane Chamberlain. Actually, I started today. I'm glad that I joined in on this readalong and I can't wait to read Gone With the Wind next month.

I ended up really enjoying this book. I was curious throughout and hooked about halfway through. There were some parts of the book, especially about the time travel, that for me seemed corny and unbelievable. However, overall it is a riveting and well-written story and I am definitely interested in reading some of Diane Chamberlain's more "typical" books soon. 4+ stars!

I’m biased, I really love this authors book, but, if I had known about the time travel but I may have thought twice, but it worked! I loved it