The Return by Nicholas Sparks

 

Trevor Benson never intended to move back to New Bern, North Carolina. But when a mortar blast outside the hospital where he worked as an orthopedic surgeon sent him home from Afghanistan with devastating injuries, he comes to regroup in the dilapidated cabin inherited from his grandfather.

Trevor isn’t prepared to fall in love, yet from their very first encounter, Trevor feels a deep connection with deputy sheriff Natalie Masterson. Though she seems to reciprocate his feelings, Natalie remains frustratingly distant.

Further complicating his stay is the presence of a sullen teenage girl, Callie. Claiming to be 17, she works at the local store and keeps to herself. Discovering that she was once befriended by his grandfather, Trevor hopes Callie can shed light on the mysterious circumstances of his grandfather’s death, but she offers few clues – until a crisis triggers a race that will uncover the true nature of Callie’s past.

It’s that time of year again when the long wait for the next Nicholas Sparks novel is over and it so happened that I needed a new book to distract me on my hospital visit for my treatment and The Return arrived just in time and it was the perfect book to give me the much needed escapism I needed.

Trevor Benson is suffering from PTSD after a mortar blast in Afghanistan has left him with life changing injuries. Whilst he contemplates his next step he heads to the familiar surroundings of his grandfather’s home which he has recently inherited but whilst spending time there he soon finds himself chasing for answers in relation to his grandfather’s passing.

I always find Nicholas Sparks novels very comforting and The Return is no exception. The storyline starts off at a gentle pace as we peel away the layers of Trevor’s character, he isn’t an instantly loveable character which is unusual for Nicholas Sparks main characters but as the storyline progressed, I found myself warming to his character and hoping for a happy ending for him.

There is a complicated romance that is weaved through the storyline that at the start I didn’t agree with me (this is the judgemental part of me) but as events unfolded, I soon found my opinion changed and I actually felt quite emotional for the situation Natalie was in.

All the way through this book although I was interested in Trevor and his fondness for Natalie, I was more intrigued by the young character Callie and that is why I preferred the second half of ths novel where things started to pick up and Callie become a larger part of the storyline. Although I had an idea about certain aspects of Callie’s circumstances, I was equally surprised when things were revealed and this just gripped me more and I couldn’t whizz through pages quick enough to see what happened next.

The author has clearly done his research when it comes to the workings of Bees and this was a little learning curve for me which I surprisingly enjoyed having never had any interest in bees I can see what hardworking regimental little creatures they are.

This was a comforting pacey read with gentle twists and turns that kept me entertained right up to the last page with an ending that was tied up perfectly. 

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Every Breath by Nicholas Sparks

Hope Anderson is at a crossroads. After six years with her boyfriend, she is no longer sure what she wants, and when her father becomes ill she heads to her family's cottage at Sunset Beach in North Carolina to make some difficult decisions.

Tru Walls has been summoned across an ocean from where he was born and raised in Zimbabwe by a letter from a man claiming to be his father. In journeying to Sunset Beach, Tru hopes to unravel the mystery surrounding his mother's life, but the letter will lead him in an unexpected direction.

When these two strangers' paths cross, their chance encounter sets in motion a heart-breaking story - one that will transcend decades, continents and the workings of fate. 

Nicholas Sparks always produces such deep and emotional novels that feel so real that it is no surprise that they end up on our screens. His latest release Every Breath is quite simply a beautiful fuss free storyline that is based on a real life romance which only adds to the empathy I felt for the characters.

Hope has been with her partner for over 6 years on and off, she is keen to take their relationship to the next step hoping for marriage and children but yet again after another argument and break up Josh has gone away with the lads leaving Hope to attend her best friends Wedding alone. It is whilst she is at her parent’s holiday home that she by chance meets Tru and her heart is all a flutter, is there such thing as love at first sight?

Tru lives in Zimbabwee and works as a Safari tour guide but he has been contacted by a man claiming to be his father wishing to meet him so he embarks on a trip to North Carolina and it is here that he has his heart captured by the beautiful Hope but could anything realistically happen between them when they both have lives and duties in different countries?

What an adorable heartfelt and somewhat tragic romance with such selfless characters who captured my heart instantly. Hope made such a heartbreaking decision, choosing the path she felt was right for her to take and my heart broke in two even though I could see her reasons for making that decision. Tru was a pure gentleman who deserved to have a happy ending. He was such an honourable man especially with his actions around Hope.

I loved watching the romance blossom between them both but I also enjoyed getting to know more about them and their backgrounds, some of the things they went through was truly heart breaking.

I really found myself questioning my own decisions I have made in life after reading their story, how many times have I made a big decision which has taken my life down its current path when if I had made a different choice where would my life be now.

I loved discovering the mail box where people leave letters, notes, manuscripts poems etc is actually real, I would love to be able to visit at some point in my life to sit and read what people have poured onto the pages.

This was another praiseworthy storyline by Nicholas Sparks full of hope, sacrifice and pure honest love. 

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Two by Two by Nicholas Sparks

Sometimes the end is just the beginning . . .
Russell Green has it all: a loving family, a successful career and a beautiful house. But underneath his seemingly perfect world, cracks are beginning to appear . . . and no one is more surprised than Russ when the life he took for granted is turned upside down. 
Finding himself single-handedly caring for his young daughter, while trying to launch his own business, the only thing Russ knows is that he must shelter his little girl from the consequences of these changes. 
As Russ embarks on this daunting and unexpected new chapter of his life, a chance encounter will challenge him to find a happiness beyond anything he could ever have imagined.

Nicholas Sparks is an author who I only came across last year ( I know I must have been hiding under a rock!) I have loved each of his books that I have read so far with See Me being my favourite so I was looking forward to reading his latest release Two by Two.

When the book begins we are introduced to a typical family who are trying to balance life, family and work. Vivian decides to give up work to look after their little girl full time which put the financial pressure on Russell but before long things begin to crumble and soon the roles are reversed.

This was the first book by this author that I struggled to get into, and I think it could have been because although we can see the pressure Vivian and Russell are under whilst trying to adapt to this new way of life there just didn’t seem to be any connection or emotion between the characters, but that comment soon came to bite me on the bum as by the end of the book it was highly emotive and there were such strong bonds that I well and truly broke down and was relieved I wasn’t reading the book in public as I would have gained some disgusted looks!

I loved watching Russell build his relationship with his daughter, there were some real tender moments and it all felt so real which made it so moving.

Each of the characters were well developed some who you will love such as Russ and his family but then there is Vivian …… I took an instant dislike to Vivian and as the storyline progressed she really got under my skin. She seemed to think the world revolved around her and she was nothing more than an unlikeable puppet master!

This book focuses not only on family struggles, relationships and friendships but also has a touch of light humour and a very poignant situation which is becoming all too familiar for everyone now days.

After the slow start to this book it soon became an addictive page turner that broke my heart in two so I would definitely recommend this book.

See Me by Nicholas Sparks

Today I am delighted to be able to share my review for See Me which is the latest novel by Nicholas Sparks as part of the blog tour. This is by far my favourite book by Nicholas Sparks and is easily up there with my favourites of this year.

At twenty-eight, he's focused on getting his teaching degree and avoiding all the places and people that proved so destructive in his past. The last thing he's looking for is a serious relationship. But when he crosses paths with Maria Sanchez one rainswept night, his carefully structured life is turned upside down. And when Maria, a hardworking lawyer, meets Colin she begins to question every notion she has ever had about herself and her future - and what truly makes her happy. Before the couple has a chance to envision a life together, menacing reminders from events in Maria's past begin to surface. And as the threat of violence begins to shadow her every step, she and Colin will be pushed to breaking point.

Usually I will read 3-4 books a week but for the last two weeks I have been unable to settle into any books which is really not like me but last night I sat down to start See Me by Nicholas Sparks and I have finished it this morning and feel like my reading mojo is back so Nicholas Sparks if you ever see this review then thank you for rescuing me from my reading slump!

The storyline follows Colin Hancock and Maria Sanchez and the chapters alternate between both of the characters points of views which allows us so not only see what they really think of each other but also helps the reader to form a firm unbiased opinion of them both particularly Colin. We learn early on that Colin has had a colourful past but that he is trying to turn his life around which is why he is an older college student. Colin meets Maria late one evening when he drives by her at the side of the road struggling to change her tire in the pouring rain and as he approaches her to help it becomes clear that she is frightened of him. From that event the pair begin spending time with each other but before long something from Maria’s past comes back to wreak havoc.

I have now read a handful of books by Nicholas Sparks and as much as I loved them I can say with ease that this is my favourite, the storyline really appealed to me I have always enjoyed books with a male lead who is believable and has plenty of flaws rather than our typical squeaky clean prince charming and Colin has had a very reckless and troubled past and he is determined to make something of his life with the help of his wonderful friend Evan and fiancé Lily who is helping to keep him on the straight and narrow. Maria is polar opposite to Colin which proves opposites can attract! She is highly educated, has a successful career and is very shy.

I found the first half of this book when I was getting to know the characters whilst they were getting to know each other really easy reading with a little touch of flirtation going on but the second half of the book couldn’t have been more different it was tense and had me on the edge of my seat with anticipation with what was going to be revealed next. Having the soft build up at the beginning of the book gave the second grittier half more of an impact I was so gripped by the storyline and it the suspicions carried me right through to the last knockings when a light bulb moment went off to me and I had realised I had missed such an obvious clue earlier on in the book and so I could of kicked myself but praise where it was due the author planted some clever clues right under our noses and yet I still glanced over them.

The ending was shocking and adrenaline was running, I couldn’t wait to read the Epilogue just to find out how it was all going to play out. It is quite easy to see why so many of this author books are made into films because his storylines play out so vividly in your mind and I am really hoping this one is also made into a film too as I will be the one sitting there dribbling over Colin he can protect me any day!

This book shows that everyone deserves a second chance as sometimes people are driven and determined to turn their lives around. This book deserves nothing less than a gem rating as I was totally captivated by this book.

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The generous team at Little Brown have offered a copy of See Me to giveaway, this is a UK only giveaway this time. GOOD LUCK!


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The Longest Ride by Nicholas Sparks

Ninety-one year old Ira Levinson is in trouble. Struggling to stay conscious after a car crash, with his mind fading, an image of his beloved, and long-dead, wife Ruth appears. Urging him to hang on, she lovingly recounts the joys and sorrows of their life together - how they met, the dark days of WWII, and its unrelenting effect on their families. A few miles away, college student Sophia Danko's life is about to change. Recovering from a break-up, she meets the young, rugged Luke and is thrown into a world far removed from her privileged school life. Sophia sees a new and tantalising future for herself, but Luke has a secret which threatens to break it all apart. Ira and Ruth. Sophia and Luke. Two couples, separated by years and experience, whose lives are about to converge in the most unexpected - and shocking - of ways.

I have been longing to try a book by Nicholas Sparks for some time now as there has been so much talk about his books and so I was eager to get my taster of his work. So for my first Nicholas Sparks book I have The Longest Ride which tells two stories that gradually come as one. Ninety-One year old Ira finds himself trapped in his car after a crash and as he battles to stay alive he visions his wife Ruth and this helps to keep him fighting.

Sophia has had a hard time recovering from her break up with ex Brian, it seems like where ever she goes he is always around, but life is about to go down a different path as she meets Luke , a bull rider but will the secret Luke hides from Sophia mean that what they have together could be in jeopardy?

The storyline is told by our three main characters points of views. I found the switch between each character was perfectly timed just as I was beginning to get comfortable with a character the storyline would then switch to a different character which kept my interest sparked. I warmed quite easily and quickly to all three of our characters and I felt as though they all brought their own little something to the storyline. I did find that during the middle of the book the story was pleasant enough but it was a little flat, I was still interested in what was going to happen but I think my expectations were high for this book because of the hype about the author.  To me the last third of this book is what really made this book because it was a lot more eventful and there were a lot of emotions towards the end and the pace seemed to pick up at the end.

What I loved about this book was I really couldn’t see how the two stories were going to meet, and this is what kept me intrigued. I also loved how the author manages to portray the strong love Ira has for his wife Ruth, it was very moving to read and it was clear that Ruth was his whole meaning to life. I loved that both Ira and Luke were both very gentlemanly characters and very loving and caring it isn’t often that we get two great men in a novel! Sophia was a great character too and I enjoyed watching her and Luke’s relationship blossom.

I am glad that I got to try a Nicholas Sparks book, it wasn’t what I was expecting at all but I still enjoyed it and I would read another of his books.

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