See Me by Nicholas Sparks

Colin Hancock is giving his second chance his best shot. With a history of violence and bad decisions behind him and the threat of prison dogging his every step, he's determined to walk a straight line. To Colin, that means applying himself single-mindedly toward his teaching degree and avoiding everything that proved destructive in his earlier life. Reminding himself daily of his hard-earned lessons, the last thing he is looking for is a serious relationship.

Maria Sanchez, the hardworking daughter of Mexican immigrants, is the picture of conventional success. With a degree from Duke Law School and a job at a prestigious firm in Wilmington, she is a dark-haired beauty with a seemingly flawless professional track record. And yet Maria has a traumatic history of her own, one that compelled her to return to her hometown and left her questioning so much of what she once believed.

A chance encounter on a rain-swept road will alter the course of both Colin and Maria's lives, challenging deeply held assumptions about each other and ultimately, themselves. As love unexpectedly takes hold between them, they dare to envision what a future together could possibly look like . . . until menacing reminders of events in Maria's past begin to surface.

As a series of threatening incidents wreaks chaos in Maria's life, Maria and Colin will be tested in increasingly terrifying ways. Will demons from their past destroy the tenuous relationship they've begun to build, or will their love protect them, even in the darkest hour?

Rich in emotion and fueled with suspense, SEE ME reminds us that love is sometimes forged in the crises that threaten to shatter us . . . and that those who see us for who we truly are may not always be the ones easiest to recognize.

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Oh, N Sparks. How I love your romances. It’s been awhile since I have read one of Sparks’s books. I love his books because I don’t have to think about them. The plots tend to be predictable, but there is something reassuring about that. I often bring his books to the beach or read them after a particularly taxing book. They are like that comfortable sweater you throw on when you’re lounging around the house on a rainy day. They are just feel good stories.

I really liked See Me. I had the plot figured out about halfway through, but that didn’t stop me from enjoying it. See Me is a bit of a departure from Sparks's usual romances. It was more of a combination romance/mystery, which added suspense and kept the story interesting. I think this one might be one of my favorites from N Sparks, definitely up at the top of the list. Highly recommend it.

The Longest Ride by Nicholas Sparks

Ira Levinson is in trouble. At ninety-one years old, in poor health and alone in the world, he finds himself stranded on an isolated embankment after a car crash. Suffering multiple injuries, he struggles to retain consciousness until a blurry image materializes and comes into focus beside him: his beloved wife Ruth, who passed away nine years ago. Urging him to hang on, she forces him to remain alert by recounting the stories of their lifetime together – how they met, the precious paintings they collected together, the dark days of WWII and its effect on them and their families. Ira knows that Ruth can’t possibly be in the car with him, but he clings to her words and his memories, reliving the sorrows and everyday joys that defined their marriage.

A few miles away, at a local rodeo, a Wake Forest College senior’s life is about to change. Recovering from a recent break-up, Sophia Danko meets a young cowboy named Luke, who bears little resemblance to the privileged frat boys she has encountered at school. Through Luke, Sophia is introduced to a world in which the stakes of survival and success, ruin and reward -- even life and death – loom large in everyday life. As she and Luke fall in love, Sophia finds herself imagining a future far removed from her plans -- a future that Luke has the power to rewrite . . . if the secret he’s keeping doesn’t destroy it first.

Ira and Ruth. Sophia and Luke. Two couples who have little in common, and who are separated by years and experience. Yet their lives will converge with unexpected poignancy, reminding us all that even the most difficult decisions can yield extraordinary journeys: beyond despair, beyond death, to the farthest reaches of the human heart.

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It's been awhile since I have read an NSparks book, and this one doesn't disappoint. NSparks did a great job of weaving two seemingly different stories together, although I had an easy time figuring out how the two stories would converge and the overall ending. I would have preferred a bit more drama to the story, but other than that, the story had everything that we have come to expect and love about an NSparks novel. In the end, it was a pleasant read and a fine way to spend an afternoon.

Safe Haven by Nicholas Sparks

NSparks does it again! Safe Haven tells the tale of Katie, a mysterious young woman who shows up in the small town of Southport, North Carolina, determined to make a new start. She lives on the outskirts of town, doesn't have a car, works as a waitress at a local restaurant, and largely keeps to herself. Alex is a young widower with two children who runs the local market who is intrigued by the beautiful young stranger. After a series of events begins to draw the two of them together, Katie finds herself letting her guard down and falling for Alex. She is ever fearful that her past will catch up with her and shatter her safe haven.

This is another well written NSparks novel and if you are a fan of his, you will enjoy it. I didn't find anything truly remarkable about the story. I thought the antagonist of the story was somewhat darker than in some of his previous novels and seemed to have no redeeming quality whatsoever. He totally deserved what he got. Other than that I wasn't overly excited about anything else. I wouldn't call the book boring...but it wasn't terribly exciting either. It was a quick read and I read most of it while sitting on a ferry in Greece.

The film rights to the book have been purchased and they are in the process of filming the movie, which will star Julianne Hough as Katie and Josh Duhamel as Alex. The movie is scheduled to be released in February 2013.

At First Sight by Nicholas Sparks

At First Sight is the continuing story of Jeremy Marsh and Lexie Darnell. After falling head over heels for Lexie, Jeremy finds himself doing something he never thought he would - leaving New York City to move to Boone Creek, North Carolina. In the span of a few months, his life has changed dramatically - he's moved to a small town, is getting married, buying a house, and is soon to be a father, something he never dreamed possible.

Life is not the complete fairy tale he had hoped for, however. Jeremy struggles to adjust to small town life and finds himself experiencing a severe case of writer's block, which is made worse by his constant worry about supporting his new family and paying for the renovations to their new home. While he loves Lexie with all his heart, the couple hits a few bumps as they continue to get to know each other. When Jeremy starts receiving mysterious emails questioning how well he knows Lexie, his world is thrown into further upheaval as he tries to figure it all out.

At first sight is an emotional rollercoaster  filled with love, doubt, fear, heartbreak, tragedy, and joy. If you pick this book up, I suggest you have a box of tissues as well, because I often found myself tearing up, especially towards the end of the book. I enjoyed reading this continuation of True Believer. Once again, the "mystery" that spring up in the form of emails lacked some of the intrigue I would have liked and resolved itself a little too neatly. It almost seemed unnecessary for me considering of the other problems and issues that had already arisen between Jeremy and Lexie as they began to build their lives together. I don't want to give too much away, but I will say that I had hoped for a  more complete happy ending for Jeremy and Lexie. At First Sight is another NSparks classic.

True Believer by Nicholas Sparks

True Believer tells the story of Jeremy Marsh and Lexie Darnell. Jeremy is the embodiment of a city boy. Born and raised in New York City, he couldn't imagine why anyone would want to live anywhere else. He is a journalist who specializes in debunking the supernatural. His career is just taking off after an appearance on television, when he receives a letter from Boone Creek, North Carolina, describing some mysterious lights. His curiosity is peeked and he heads to Boone Creek which is "right between the middle of nowhere and where are we exactly?" to investigate.

While in Boone Creek Jeremy meets Lexie, the town's librarian, and she is unlike any woman he has ever met. She is not afraid to speak her mind and speaks with an unfailing honesty. At first, Lexie does not trust Jeremy and worries how Jeremy will depict her home and the people in it. Lexie grew up and Boone Creek, and while she lived briefly elsewhere, she cannot imagine making her home anywhere else. However, she finds herself drawn to Jeremy and begins to realize that he too is different from anyone she has ever known.  

While trying to solve the mystery of the lights, Jeremy and Lexie are increasingly drawn together. However, both struggle to overcome the wounds of past relationships and the obstacles of their current realities. To truly be together, one of them will have to compromise and take a giant leap of faith.

I really enjoyed this book, although I had to quite the skeptic in me. Jeremy and Lexie seem to fall in love very quickly - over the span of 2 days actually. While I'm not saying that this can't happen, as someone who has never experienced it, I'm not a "true believer" on that front. I was also a little disappointed by the lights mystery. I was hoping for a little more intrigue here, but was disappointed. Although that is what initially brings Jeremy to Boone Creek, the mystery definitely takes a backseat to Jeremy and Lexie's budding romance and it is wrapped up fairly quickly. I guess I would have like to have seen that developed more. It would have add a little more mystery to the story.

This is one of the few NSparks books that has a squeal, which is called At First Sight. I'm curious to see where he takes this story, so I'm picking up At First Sight next!

The Best of Me by Nicholas Sparks

The Best of Me tells the story of Dawson Cole and Amanda Collier. Dawson is from the wrong side of the tracks - his family is notorious in their small town of Oriental for boozing, crime, and generally being up to no good. He is quiet and does his best to be invisible and avoid the trouble caused by his family. Amanda comes from a wealthy, well-respected family. She is popular and beautiful, and could have anyone she wanted. During their senior year of high school, Dawson and Amanda fall in love - a deep, true love that changes their lives forever. However, the realities of life and circumstances beyond their control drive them apart and they are forced to end their relationship.

Flash forward 25 years and Dawson and Amanda find themselves back together in Oriental to attend the funeral of their mutual friend, Tuck. Dawson has spent the last 25 years trying to overcome his past while working on an oil rig. He lives a solitary life and has ever stopped thinking about or loving Amanda. Amanda is married and has 4 children. The past 25 years have been filled with immeasurable joy, pain, and heartbreak for her. She has lost a child and is living in an unhappy marriage. She also has never forgotten Dawson.

Dawson and Amanda are drawn back together, but once again life and circumstance threaten to pull them apart. Over the course of a weekend they are forced to confront the past, make tough decisions, and face the uncertainty of the future. One thing they know for certain - their love is a once in a lifetime love, a true love that will endure forever. But is it enough to overcome all the obstacles in their way?

I liked this NSparks book, but I didn't love it. I liked how Sparks weaved together all of the story lines of the different characters. This book as a little predictable for me. I could see where the story was going almost at every turn. The characters kept me interested in the story, but I have a feeling that if they had been less interesting or if their stories had been less artfully woven together, I would have lost interest in the story about half way through. I like a little mystery in my books. I like to be surprised by the direction an author takes with a story. There was no surprise for me in this one. There was still enough romance to keep a hopeless romantic like me interested enough to finish it, and if you are an NSparks fan, you will enjoy it. 

The Lucky One by Nicholas Sparks

The Lucky One is a re-read for me. I'm a huge fan of Nicholas Sparks and his swoon worthy romances :) I first read The Lucky One a few years ago and loved it. In fact, it's one of my favorite NSparks (my nickname for his books) books.

The Lucky One is about Logan Thibault, a U.S. Marine who finds a photograph of a woman during his 3rd tour of Iraq. After finding the photo, Logan survives several close calls and his best friend, Victor, attributes his good fortune to the photograph. After returning to the U.S., Logan finds himself unable to forget about the woman in the photo. He sets off, with his faithful companion Zeus, on a cross-country journey to find the woman in the photo. What he ends up finding is much more than what he expects. He finds his destiny.

I decided to re-read The Lucky One after recently seeing the movie. It had been a few years since I had read the book, and while I remembered the story, I had forgotten some of the finer details. Since I loved it the first time, I figured why not pick it up again? The book was much better than the movie, but that always seems to be the case. However, I was not completely disappointed by the movie. It stayed fairly true to the book with only minor additions and subtractions. Zac Efron was not the Logan I pictured in my head, but I thought he did a good job portraying the character. He's certainly come a long way from High School Musical!

I enjoyed reading The Lucky One for the second time just as much as the first time. Nicholas Sparks is a truly remarkable storyteller. His style is simple and uncomplicated, but he creates characters that are easy to relate to and who you truly come to care for. His leading men are swoon worthy and appeal tremendously to a hopeless romantic such as myself, without being too sappy. I recommend the movie if you enjoy chick flicks and highly recommend the book!