When the two grown daughters of Elizabeth Marshall discover an old diary of their mother's in her attic, it comes as a shock to learn that the true love of Elizabeth's life was not their father. But is all as it seems? That's the mystery the two daughters must unravel as they stay up late reading the words penned by Elizabeth so long ago. Their mother can't give them answers; after a massive stroke, she lies mute and near death in a nursing home. Only the pages of her diary can provide clues to what really happened. Did Elizabeth marry their father, Bob, out of a sense of obligation rather than love? What happened to the mysterious "A.J." and who ignited Elizabeth's passions as a young woman in the small town of Emory, Nebraska? In a richly detailed journey into the past, we see Elizabeth lose her heart to one man while remaining devoted to another. The Diary is a love story. It's also the story of the unshakable bond between a mother and her daughters. Elizabeth's daughters are forced to ask the question that all adult children must ask themselves at some point. How well do you really know your parents?
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"This book was pretty cute. I reminded me of every Nicholas Sparks book, but sometimes those kinds of reads are nice. I love stories that take place over two time periods, so it was fun to read about what happened in the diary in the 50s and also to hear about the now. I thought it was interesting how we never got to hear from Elizabeth in the present. The only voice of hers was from her diary when she was young."
— Stephanie (4 out of 5 stars)
“[Ericksen’s] strong reading makes this novel one listeners will want to speed through, while hoping it never ends.”
— AudioFile“The story is suspenseful and surprising, and the versatile Susan Ericksen gives the characters the life, color and personality they deserve, effortlessly and faithfully conveying the middle-class, Midwestern setting.”
— Publishers Weekly (audio review)" Sweet love story. I was as confused as Elisabeth and couldn't decide who I wanted her to choose. I liked the ending very much. "
— Laura, 2/10/2014" My Aunt Marilyn recommended this book to me and I'm so glad she did. I absolutely loved this book! I could have read this book in one day, but since I had other obligations, it took me two. "
— Beth, 2/2/2014" Eh. It was predictable , nothing outstanding. A good book for a snowy afternoon. "
— Mary, 1/30/2014" A fast read. A hidden twist that made the story. A must read. An author that never dissappints! "
— Linda, 1/29/2014" Hasn't this plot been used about a thousand times. I am really tired of beautiful heroines, who look like Elizabeth Taylor, except for the eye color. A bit of a bad boy hero and the good, jolly gee boyfriend who gets thrown over for the bad boy. Of course, the jolly gee boyfriend doesn't harbor any ill will cause you know Elizabeth and A.J> are just meant to be together. Throwing in the diary and the two daughters did not make it any better. UUGH "
— Beth, 1/29/2014" a quick simple easy to read in an afternoon love story "
— Leslie, 1/17/2014" It was a really good book. I really liked it. It was a great romance novel. I couldn't put it down. "
— Carina, 1/15/2014" I may be a sap but this was a sweet little novel :) "
— Maribeth, 1/9/2014" Quick, fun, predictable read. "
— Julie, 1/8/2014" I think I am going to choose this book for our NM book club so if you are a part of the club don't read it until it is my turn to host. It is a fantastic story of love and choices. Hopefully it will inspire some good conversation. "
— Kris, 12/22/2013" Easy read, enjoyed the ending, "
— Erica, 12/8/2013" Very good!! Kept my interest with a twist which you have to read to the end. A feel-good book. "
— Rhonda, 12/7/2013" Just saw this at the library and picked it up...nice little love story with a twist at the end. A good one-day read, when your pregnant, due any day, and want a little entertainment! ha, ha!! "
— Cynthia, 11/7/2013" This is an easy read, but very satisfying. I didn't suspect the ending, and that was a plus. Better than something by Nicholas Sparks, but along those lines. If you want something easy to read by the pool, this is it. "
— Jo, 10/9/2013" Reminded me a little of a Nicholas sparks book, though a little less interesting. A nice story and a quick read, but nothing stood out to me about this book. "
— Amber, 10/5/2013" sooo good! a really beautiful story, with a nice surprise ending! "
— Rachel, 3/23/2013" Awesome book- I poicked it up at the librry Wednesday night and finished it Thursday night. And yes i worked all day. "
— Stephanie, 3/19/2013" Loved this book!! The ending really suprised me. "
— Katie, 2/5/2013" Not my usual genre but I really enjoyed it. "
— Liberty, 6/3/2012" A great summer read. And yes I teared up at the end. "
— Turtlefrog, 5/30/2012" The book was a little slow at the start. I did enjoy the little "twist" at the end. "
— Daniella, 5/26/2012" Though few would call this historical fiction, it is that, if it is based on the author's parent's love story. A sweet story that reminds us that life is choices, hidden moments and memories, and that we rarely, if ever, truly know the ones that shaped us the most. "
— Alisa, 2/27/2012" This is a great romantic story that leaves you guessing until the end as to what "really happened". IMO the author could have shared more about the daughters to help the reader feel more of an attachment to them. I read this in one evening. A nice refreshing change of pace to the longer novels. "
— Renae, 1/8/2012" A lot like "The Notebook" but better, much better. "
— Shannon, 12/11/2011" 2 daughters find their mother's diary when cleaning out her house. The diary tells the story of a Nebraskan love triangle between the town beauty, her sensible "betrothed," and the artisitic and passionate boy who comes between them. A light, but entertaining and satisfying, read. "
— Lisa, 10/22/2011" Somewhat flimsy and oh-so-sweet. Clearly summer reading when you have nothing better to do. I really skimmed through to get to the end. "
— Lynn, 9/30/2011" sweet, very short (200 pages), with a nice surprise at the end. "
— Lauren, 5/17/2011" Short and sweet, reminded me of a short story. <br/><br/>Makes you reminisce of the "what ifs" in your life...contentment vs passion, safe vs unknown. At least it did me. <br/><br/>Could have easily read this in one sitting...but nothing happens in one sitting when you have a baby! :) "
— Amber, 5/6/2011" Short and very sweet. A fast read, but thought-provoking as well. It's about love and marriage. "
— Patty, 5/3/2011" It was a really good book. I really liked it. It was a great romance novel. I couldn't put it down. "
— Carina, 3/9/2011" Predictable, forgettable, but not that painful. "
— Patty, 2/11/2011" Somewhat a chick lit novel but turned out to be quite good. Thought I wasn't going to like the end but she managed to keep it a surprise and even though I had figured it out, she kept me unsure until she tied up the book. "
— Pam, 2/11/2011" Mostly I liked this book. The present day characters seemed a little thin and the two males from the past were not as interesting as the woman. However, the book kept my interest and kept me guessing. "
— Margaret, 1/6/2011" Not my favorite by this author, but enjoyable. "
— Karen, 1/4/2011" I liked this book. There are similaries to Bridges of Madison County in that two sisters find their mother's diary when she is dying. I got drawn in to the story and cared about the people. I would definately read this again. "
— Jeeperz96, 11/24/2010" A really quick read for me. The story line was very intriguing and kept me wondering, and I just kept flipping page after page after page. Then it was done before I knew. A real page-turner. :) "
— Hayley, 11/17/2010" This is a quick, delightful read. "
— Kate, 11/17/2010Eileen Goudge is an author whose novels Such Devoted Sisters and Garden of Lies were New York Times bestsellers. Her work has also garnered the RT Book Reviews award for Best Contemporary Novel.
Susan Ericksen is an actor and voice-over artist. She has been awarded numerous AudioFile Earphones Awards as well as the prestigious Audie Award for best narration. As an actor and director, she has worked in theaters throughout the country.