Author: Nicholas Sparks
Format: Paperback
Source: Purchased from Barnes & Noble
Synopsis from Goodreads:
Denise Holden's life is a fragile mix of luck and hard work. A single mom of a speech-delayed son, Denise makes ends meet by moving to the small town of Edenton, North Carolina, and working the late shift as a waitress. When Denise crashes her car and her son Kyle flees the accident and disappears into the storm, her only stroke of luck is the quick arrival of Taylor McAden, a volunteer fireman. Taylor's got a knack for fixing people, and he can't help wanting to be involved with Denise beyond the initial rescue of Kyle.
As Taylor helps Denise recover from the accident and get to know the town, they discover a sweet bond and a magical chemistry that pulls them closer and closer. Though Taylor fits perfectly into Denise's family, he's unable to open his heart to being loved by her. As Taylor struggles to understand his conflicting desires, Denise questions the wisdom of gambling with Kyle's and her own emotions.
My Thoughts:
My relationship with Nicholas Sparks began with The Notebook, the movie. I LOVE that movie. It's one of the few movies I can watch over and over. I was so infatuated with the story (I wanted to be Allie and where was my Noah and plantation house?!!) and when I found out there was a novel behind it, I searched it out and picked it up; It was love at first page. From there, I've been picking up his books and waiting for his new releases.
Nicholas Sparks has a craft of bringing his characters to life. He doesn't just paint a story; he brings it to life. His character development is superb. He pays attention to detail, not so much that it's overload, but enough to allow you to be there.
My only complaint with this book, and many of his other books, is the book cover. There is no wow(!) factor; It doesn't draw me in.
The title (as with most of his books) has a double-meaning; not only is there a rescue in the beginning of the book, there's a more important rescue that takes place towards the end. Nicholas Sparks picks the perfect title for his books, making you wonder what it really means because he's not referring to the obvious.
As with most Nicholas Sparks books, have the tissues ready. You won't find lots of sex in this book. Nicholas Sparks is a romantic-sizer, not a sex hound.
The Book Vixen's Rating:
I love his books too and I turned a girlfriend onto him. I LOVE the notebook.
ReplyDeleteThis is one of my all time favorite Nicholas Sparks novel. I loved the way it became a triangle lovestory between man-woman and child.
ReplyDeleteI agree about his covers. They're so blah.
ReplyDeleteJulie & Leontine - isn't NS the best love story teller ever? It's no wonder they turn most of his books into films. I can't believe they already got a movie for The Last Song! I just saw the movie poster for it yesterday.
ReplyDeleteStephanieD - it's a shame about those covers. I wonder if he has any say in the matter.
Uhm...new movie?? From NS?? The Last Song...needs to know more!
ReplyDeleteLeontine - I just found out today that his book, Dear John, is being made into a movie! I was so excited that I did a post on it. Still waiting for a good trailer for The Last Song to show up. Not happy at all that Miley Cyrus is going to be in it.
ReplyDeleteAh, I think you are a Sparks fan! I wonder if I will turn into one of those. I'm not too sure about this one for a number of reasons. Firstly, it involves a fireman. (I once when on a date with a fireman and it was the worst date I have ever been on - so I have an unfair prejudice against them)
ReplyDeleteSecondly, you say it doesn't have a wow factor. Thirdly, both have past failed relationships and when I am newly married I do not like to think about marriages failing (okay I know that's ridiculous but I do have a love of melodrama. Thanks for the honest review.
Becky - I am a huge NS fan! Even though every single one of his books has made me cry like a baby.
ReplyDeleteRegarding the lack of "wow factor", I was referring to the book *cover* :)