Customer Reviews

Summer's Child

5 star:		(14)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

Early one morning while walking on the beach, Daria found a newborn baby. Bringing the baby to her mother, she saved the babies life. Unable to find the mother the baby girl was adopted by Daria's family.

Now, 22 years later, the baby is a young woman and wishes to find her mother. After contacting a television producer, she allows an old friend of the family to delve into her past.

But this is not a mystery that the family wishes to have solved, and the more facts that are brought up the more questions are asked. Who was Shelley's birth mother that left her on the beach to die all those years ago?

Summer's Child is the second book I've read by Diane Chamberlain. While not nearly as heart stopping, page turning as Breaking the Silence, this book will keep the pages turning and surprise the reader in the end

Daria Cato, unlike her older sister, cousin, or mother, enjoys waking up early and walking along the beach on North Carolina's Outer Banks. On her eleventh birthday, Daria begins her solitary stroll along the Kill Devil Hills Beach when she finds a discarded new born whose afterbirth remains attached to her. She brings the baby to her home, which leads to the child's life being saved. When no mother is discovered, Daria's family adopts the baby, raising Shelly as their own.

Over the years, Daria's parents die and her sister becomes a nun. Daria raises Shelly. However, unbeknownst to Daria, Shelly has written a letter to a former neighbor, Rory Taylor, who is the famous host and producer of TV's popular True Life Stories. Since Rory is very good at uncovering mysteries, Shelly wants him to identify her birth parents. Rory was a teen when Daria found Shelly. He has always been a bit haunted by her story. As he begins his investigation, Daria worries about Shelly and opposes his inquiries. However, Daria and Rory fall in love even as the truth rocks a small coastal community.

SUMMER'S CHILD is a taut romantic suspense that digs deep into psychological relationships between people and the after effects of their relationships. The story line is fast-paced with the mystery of Shelly perfectly plotted. The lead characters are a delightful duo and the prime supporting cast (Daria's sister, Shelly, and Rory's son) adds depth. As with KEEPER OF THE LIGHT, Diane Chamberlain writes novels that entertains readers with a suspense-laden insight into the human condition.

Harriet Klausner

This was the first book of hers I had read. It was easy reading but always kept my interest. I am ordering my next Chamberlain book now.

I have read everything Diane Chamberlain has written. I have enjoyed all of her books. Summer's child is one of her best. The setting for the book is a beautiful place. Who wouldn't have wanted to keep and love the baby found on the beach. All the secrets of a small town keep the reader turning the pages. Even the church was involved. I didn't know who the mother was until the end of the book. Hat's off to you Diane, you did it again. Thank you for many hours of enjoyable reading.

Let me start off by saying I love Diane Chamberlain as an author. Having said that, this book was the worst book she has ever written. The characters were flat and the story line basic.

I won't reveal the ending or give another summary of the plot as others have already done so, but the ending was terrible. After investing so much effort into reading this story I was so disappointed in the ending. The whole book was a downer!!

Ms Chamberlain usually has an unusual twist at the end of her stories that keep you interested in reading but I had this one figured out after about page 40. I hope that she is not becoming one of the authors that loses her edge by cranking out 2 books a year. Since she has so many other good books that she has written--choose a different one!!

Summer's Child is the first novel I have read by Diane Chamberlain, and it certainly won't be the last! I found myself swept immediately into the story; and was kept guessing and wondering how all the pieces were going to fit together. Chamberlain has numerous plots going on within this tale, but the reader will not become confused, only anxious to fit all the puzzle pieces together, if they can! Chamberlain does a wonderful job of holding the reader in suspense and introducing the reader to multiple surprises not only at the end, but also during the course of the story.

Eleven-year-old Daria finds a baby on the beach on the morning of her birthday. Her family comes to adopt the baby, who they name Shelly, after no one claims the newborn. After the death of Daria's parents, Daria continues the role of caretaker for her sister, even at the expense of her own happiness. Suffering some brain damage after her birth, Daria is understandably very protective of Shelly.

Chamberlain leads the reader through the numerous families summering on the Outer Banks, and leaves you guessing as to who is Shelly's real mother. Nearly twenty years later, Shelly enlists the aid of one of the former residents, Rory Taylor, now a TV producer, to help her find her past. Rory starts asking too many questions, which has several of the residents becoming angry and asking him to leave well enough alone. Afterall, Shelly was raised in a loving and caring home.

The web of secrets leaves no one unscathed, as you will find out, yet Chamberlain masterfully weaves this intricate tale, blending everything into a cohesive, heartfelt, and warming tale. The ending will definitely surprise the reader! I highly recommend this book.

I am very much looking forward to reading her other books.

Diane Chamberlain kept me in suspense through this entire book. I could not put it down. The identy of the baby was a huge surprise and I could not have guessed who the mother was. A really good read and one that will keep you coming back for more Chamberlain in the future.

This was a wonderful read. Summer's Child had Diane's usual complex characters who are both compelling and realistic. This plot had so many red herrings that I didn't guess the surprise ending. I couldn't put it down. Don't peek at the end! Just read it and enjoy.

I originally submitted a review of this wonderful book about 2 weeks ago, but am now informed that it has apparently been lost in the system. Since the book is no longer fresh in my mind, rather than try to recreate the original review, suffice it to say that this story about a newborn abandoned on the beach at Kill Devil Hills, NC, 22 years ago incorporates elements of mystery, suspense, love and romance, familial relationships, and ulterior motives. Shelley, the grown up baby, asks for help from a TV show to discover the identity of her birth parents. More than one woman thinks she may be Shelley's mother, and the entire community seems to be rife with secrets and suspects. It takes Shelley's pregnancy, a hurricane, her disappearance, and a misguided suicide attempt to set matters right and reveal old and painful secrets. This novel is well written, wonderfully plotted, completely captivating, and one of the most poignant I've read in some time.

Diane Chamberlain does it again! That opening chapter really hooks you right into the book and gives you one heck of a joy ride. I could not put this book down....it was so FANTASTIC. I love to read well written books with lots of secrets and mysteries. Diane knows how to entwine those characters until the very last page...FIVE STARS FOR THIS ONE!