Rating: 
Summary: Still good
Review: No, this was not my favorite Nicholas Sparks novel, but I enjoyed it nevertheless. Even when he's not at the top of his form, he's better than most. Of all his books, THE WEDDING is my favorite, but this one is still worth a shot.Also recommended: The Wedding, McCrae's Bark of the Dogwood, and Life of Pi
Rating: 
Summary: Bland Predictable Ending - No Surprises, No Curves or Twists
Review: For a #1 New York Times best selling novel -- I expected more. I heard good things about the book on the radio. I was looking forward to the "edge-of-your seat", "can't put it down", "page turning novel". I did not find it. The jacket cover predicted, a "surprising ... hair-raising ... spiced up suspenseful new recipe". I never tasted the old recipe but this new one has nothing to brag about. It was an interesting book, like reading the head-lines of a newspaper. You know there is trouble somewhere in the world, you have an idea it is the usual line-up of players in the same part of the globe. Now all you need to do is read the article to find out the details, of who did what ot whom. This is how I felt when reading this book. It did not take long for me to determine, who the problematic character was, I could see the direction the plot was going, I simply read the book to find out what details I needed to learn, of who did what to whom and why. The heroine is young, in her mid-twenties, who unexpectedly lost her husband to brain cancer ... that is a gripping beginning, it had my full attention. I was interested in learning about their lives together ... Instead, the book takes off in a different direction entirely. It explores her ability to develop a relationship four years after the death of her husband. The "new guy" is a consulting engineer, from a big city who is working on a project in her small town in North Carolina. He sweeps her off her feet, by taking her to expensive restaurants and giving her a gold heart pendant necklace. When he first kisses her ... she is taken off guard, she questions its timing, his motives, and her future reactions. This is the first clue, that something about *him* is a bit off. There are minute clues provided throughout the book, where the tensions will arise. Julie Barenson, our heroine, has a male "best friend" who used to be her husband's best buddy in high school. His name is Mike and he is carrying a torch in his heart for her, but he is having a difficult time expressing his true feelings. Julie's husband provides a gift ... almost from beyond the grave. He told a neighbor to give her a puppy, which will be her companion, her guard. Her husband also wrote her a letter, reassuring her, when she sees the dog, it is like a symbol that he is thinking of her. The stage is set early for who the main characters are and what parts they will play. It is easy to recognize where the tension in this book will be developed. The only reason to read the book is to find out what imagination which the author possesses to bring forth details to use to bring about, *THE* *EXPECTED* *OUTCOME*. This is not a spell-binding "I can't put it down novel". It is an average read. It ocntains a basic human interest, "romance" which makes it easy reading. It is a bland novel without explosive subject matter. Erika Borsos (erikab93)
Rating: 
Summary: Too much jelly...
Review: Nicholas Sparks' "The Guardian" is like a poorly made peanut butter and jelly sandwhich...The nourishing part is spread way too thin and the jelly is really piled on. The bread's a little soggy too...and it cakes on the roof of your mouth. To translate the analogy: not enough sustainance, way too much sugar, and some very second-rate prose to hold everything together. Certainly not of a caliber of the earlier Sparks novels--avoid this concoction.
Rating: 
Summary: Read it before, saw it before, nothing much new here
Review: I picked this novel up for a quick read on a long rainy weekend [we have lots of them up here, so I read a lot]. The cover wasn't standard "Romance Novel" fluff and neither was the jacket blurb. Imagine my disappointment when the author telegraphed the entire plot in the first twenty or thirty pages! I knew what would happen, who would do what to who and why, all before I really got started reading...and the heroine didn't even get a chance to deal with her life on her own. This would have been better if it'd been handled with more humor and less melodrama. All I can say is YUCK! Save your eight dollars and go to Starbucks instead!
Rating: 
Summary: Why does the dog always get it!!!
Review: This was a great story..Couldnt put it down..Hated the ending..why does the dog always get it!!!
Rating:
Summary: Amazing
Review: I've never written a review before, but I thought that this book really qualifies for one. I couldn't put the darn thing down! I am a college student, and for that day or two that I read this book I never got anything done. I could never find a good "stop spot" for the night. When I was near the end of the book I ended up staying awake until 3 in the morning finishing it. I absolutely love reading, but I have never cried or got so emotional over a book before. This one did me in at 3 in the morning. And that is saying a lot if you knew me. I highly recommend this book. It's an easy read, but if you are in college like me, sometimes you just want something that you can indulge yourself into without the analysis and critical thinking. Read this, and then read all of Sparks other books! Go, Now! Stop reading reviews! Shoo!
Rating:
Summary: Great book...You can't put it down!
Review: This was an amazing love story with a thrilling twist! I found myself stealing any minute I could to continue reading. I didn't want to put this book down. I'm a huge fan of Nicholas Sparks' books.
Rating:
Summary: like no other love story
Review: All you Sparks fans out there, this book was one hell of a thriller. The Guardian, unlike the other books Sparks have written, is not just your every day love story. Sparks uses both a taste of sugar and spice that makes this book so unbelievable. You finish up not knowing whether to be frightened, joyful, or sad. This book touches every aspect of your emotions.
I found this book to be an emotional story of true love and obsession. Twenty-nine year old Julie Barenson lost her husband four years ago when he died of brain tumor. He left her two precious and surprising gifts- a dog named Singer and his promise to her that he¡¦ll always be there watching over her. Sparks carries on the story with Julie beginning her life, and taking a risk in love once again. Even though the story is a bit slow and ¡§draggy¡¨ at first, it speeds up as you get deeper into the story. In The Guardian, what I loved the most was the unexpected changes and turning points throughout the story. The desire for the reader to keep on reading was what attracted me the most. Julie was caught between two different, however both, perfect guys. There was the rich, handsome Richard Franklin and the considerate, cute Mike Harris. Julie begins to see a dark and mysterious side in both Richard¡¦s past and personality. Bit by bit, Julie falls in love with Mike thinking this is the happily ever ending. However, situations get out of hand, leading the story to fall into a complicated shocking conflict of jealousy and fear.
Once you pick up this book, it¡¦s hard to set it down. There are times when you are lost in the romance of Julie and Mike. Other times you feel as if your heart is going to burst with fear because of Richard¡¦s sudden attacks of possessiveness. I strongly recommend this book to both Sparks lovers and someone who¡¦s just looking for a unforgettable read.
Rating:
Summary: Woe is me
Review: This was my first (and trust me, last) Sparks effort. My wife said I'd like this one; it was different and suspenseful. Well, to say the plot and characters were trite is putting it mildly. This has been done a million times before and a thousand times better. I literally was filling in the next line, the next scene, what was around the corner,etc., in my mind before even getting there. If you've never read a single "suspense" book before, you may get a little something out of this. Otherwise it's a wilted parsley sprig when you're looking for a T-bone steak.
Rating:
Summary: The romance part was great the thriller part so/so
Review: I loved the book. The only reason why I gave it 4 instead of 5 stars was because I think Sparks needs work in writing the thriller part. Though it did leave me in suspense at a lot of parts, a lot of other parts were so predictable. The love story between Mike and Julie was so beautiful. I really loved reading about how they fell in love. I think this book could use a sequel. About what happens with Mike and Julie together. That would be great.
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