A Bend In The Road by Nicholas Sparks

A Bend In The Road

From America's best-loved and bestselling author of stories of the heart comes a dramatic tale about a couple's newfound happiness together and the shocking secret that threatens to keep them apart.

Miles' life seemed to end the day his wife was killed in a hit-and-run accident. He still rises each morning to take care of his young son, and carries out his duties as deputy sheriff of New Burn, North Carolina, but it's all in a numb and hopeless haze. Then Miles meets Sarah Andrews, his son's first grade teacher, who is rebuilding her own life after a shattering divorce. Slowly, their newfound love starts to soothe the pain of the past. But when a devastating secret is revealed, they discover they have much more than love in common. Now, they are questioning everything they ever believed in—and had just begun to hope for.

My sister bought this but since she's a slow reader (or easily distracted) I borrowed it and read it in a couple of days.

This, unlike any other Nicholas Sparks book, has an air of mystery and suspense to it. It is not just a love story but something else, too.

Told between third person POV and the point of view of Missy's killer, A Bend In The Road will keep the reader engaged and wanting more.

Miles reminded me of Noah in The Notebook, the one who suffers a loss and gets sort of grungy. I liked him and I loved his way of interacting with Jonah.

Jonah, I think, was my favorite character. He has the spunk of a young boy but the heart and mind of someone far beyond his years. He's funny and thoughtful and is sort of the star-in-the-making.

Sarah's story was fun, too. I liked how she too did suffer in the past and it was not simply a lost boy is saved by girl story. It was very mutual, the relationship with Miles.

Of course, A Bend In The Road is targeted to adult readers but any teen will appreciate this fast paced love story.

In one sentence:
"More than what you expect, deeply satisfying."

Plot: 5
Characters: 5
Writing: 5
Cover: 5
Overall Feeling: 5
Average: 5

Dear John by Nicholas Sparks

Dear John

"When Savannah Lynn Curtis comes into his life, John Tyree knows he is ready to turn over a new leaf. An angry rebel, he had enlisted in the army after high school, not knowing what else to do. Then, during a furlough, he meets the girl of his dreams. Savannah Lynn Curtis is attending college in North Carolina, working for Habitat for Humanity, and totally unprepared for the passionate attraction she feels for John Tyree. The attraction is mutual and quickly grows into the kind of love that leaves Savannah vowing to wait for John while he finishes his tour of duty, and John realizing that he's ready to settle down with the young woman who has captured his heart. Neither can foresee that 9/11 is about to change the world and will force John to risk every hope and dream that he's ever had. Like so many proud men and women, John must choose between love and country. And like all those left behind, Savannah must decide to wait or move on. How do we choose wisely? How can we face loss-without giving up on love? Now, when he finally returns to North Carolina, John will discover that loving Savannah will force him to make the hardest decision of his life. An extraordinary, moving story, Dear John explores the complexities of love -- how it survives time and heartbreak, and how it transforms us forever." from GoodReads


In true Nicholas Sparks form, this story is one of romance, loss, and life. Let me start by saying that this is the first book I read on my new Kindle and not only was the Kindle amazing, but the book was, too.


It was Christmas day and my family came over and I couldn't let go of this book as hard as I tried. The voice of the main character, John, is so strong and unique that it kept me intrigue. I've never read too many books from the male POV but this one was just breath-taking. Seeing John fall in love and then go through the struggles that he goes through just kept me on my toes.


I cried a lot in this book, too. There are three parts and I cried on all three of them. It's such a touching and real story that it feels as if I went through it. I can't wait to see the move.


In one sentence:
A story that touches your heart and it lingers there days after you've turned the last page.


5/5 stars.
I leave you with the trailer:

A Walk To Remember by Nicholas Sparks

Set in 1958, Landon Carter is just a senior. Part of the popular crowd. He's the son of a political father and the expectations from him are high. But he only wants to go to UNC. He's the 'bad boy' who sits on the graveyard at night with his friends and drinks and makes fun of people. That's why he doesn't expect it when the daughter of the Reverend asks him to act the main character in a play. During this whole process, something even more unexpected happens: he falls in love with her, Jamie Sullivan.

Have any of you seen the movie? It's one of the best movies ever made and it has taught me a lot about God. It's the real first love of someone who was ordinary and meets a girl so extraordinary, he can't believe it. His love for her is unexpected and sincere. She's good with everyone and believes in the Lord's plan. But then, secrets start to unveil. She tells him that she's sick with Leukemia, blood cancer. He can't believe it. The love of his life is dying and he only just met her. He's afraid, and so is her. He sees the suffering of her father. But instead of turning his head away, he sticks with her, watching her slowly die. But he still thinks she's the most beautiful person he's ever met. Finally, he asks her to marry her, even though she has maybe just a few months to live. This love so strong that is willing to save both of them does. Jamie dies but he remains faithful to her. Believing that they are still together, even after death.

This book broke my heart. I had to change my t-shirt in the middle of the night because it was covered in my tears. The thing is, it's a beautiful book. So different from the movie and so much better. It's the kind of love that lasts through the ages. The best kind of love. I wish it happened to me too. Although a tragic tale, it's definitely a walk to remember. You will never forget it.

The Last Song by Nicholas Sparks

Let's start by saying I haven't read any Nicholas Sparks books before I read this one, so I can be considered a noob. That being said, I will give my one sentence opinion:


It was great!


Now I shall proceed to explain this opinion. First, a little background on my knowledge of Sparks and expectations from this book. One of my favorite movies is A Walk To Remember and I didn't even know it was Sparks's until very recently. I watched Nights In Rodanthe and I knew it was the same creator/director/whatever as A Walk To Remember but didn't even think that it was another work of Sparks.


I wasn't sure what to expect, to be honest. I thought that Sparks books would be too mature and deep for my level, thinking that maybe his books aren't directed at people my age. For once, I cancelled this idea when I read the description and it was about a seventeen year old girl.


I got a bit confuse about the prologue, seeing that it actually takes place after the actual story but quickly found my way back and was able to enjoy the story.


The book is well-paced and I was glad that we could see a third person objective POV differently in every chapter. Yes, the book is about a boy/girl love, but it is also about family love. I even consider this theme to be of equal if not of greater importance than the romantic love.


The end was very surprising, to be honest. It was also heartbreakingly beautiful. I am sure I bawled for the last 100 pages or so. Nevertheless, I was happy that there was humor in the story. The ending simply tied everything together. It was a happy ending to sad story and I think that is why this book is so beautiful. The theme of God is also very present. Being a Catholic, I related to it very much but it also made me see God in a different way and I have to thank this book for giving me hope again.




Overall 5/5


Cover 4/5


Characters 5/5