The Guardian

Rating:
Summary: My Favorite
Review: I felt that the Guardian was one of my favorite novels written by Nicholas. Maybe it was the dog, or the tremendous love story that plotted against my eyes. I feel that every Spark lover should get out to read this book.

Rating:
Summary: The Darker Side of Love
Review: I was surprised by this book, probably more than most who read it. I had read "The Notebook" and "The Wedding" back to back before picking up this one. I was so disappointed by the previous two that it took me several months before I could even look at this Nicholas Sparks gem. I'm glad that I have read it. The characters are phenomenal and the story line is suspenseful, without getting the love story lost in the intrigue.

I think Nick is on to something here. Perhaps his next book should be along the same vein or in another arena he has never tried before.

Rating:
Summary: an ok read, nothing great
Review: I didn't care for the stereotype small town Southern folk...the ditzy young floozy Andrea; the salon owner who's name even was old fashioned ;the male cop-dumb jerk. They seemed so cornball-ish. Even bachelor Mike's awkwardness when around Julie and also on his first dates with her were corny to read. The characters just seemed so contrived and too stereotypical.

Rating:
Summary: Excellent! Suspense like you wouldn't believe!
Review: This is the first suspense novel from Nicholas Sparks and he did a fantastic job with it. The characters are so real and the plot keeps you turning the pages till the end. If you've never read Nicholas Sparks --- READ THIS BOOK! You won't be disappointed.

Rating:
Summary: Nicholas Sparks does it again!
Review: The Guardian is a fictional book, a mystery, but at the same time a love story. It takes place in present time in the United States. The theme of the book is love, danger, and dealing with the loss of a spouse. It is about a women, Julie, who has lost her husband at a young age. He leaves her with a puppy, named Singer to watch over her. She feels like she is ready to start dating again and when she starts looking she finds a man named Richard but there is also Mike Harris, her husband's best friend. Soon, when Julie finally thinks she's happy, strange things start happening to her and she realizes if she doesn't take action soon, she will pay the ultimate price- her life.

I loved everything about this book. It was most definitely a page turner, especially toward the end. I usually read the most before I go to bed. One night, I started reading around ten, and I literally could not put it down! I read a little over 200 pages, and I didn't stop reading until 3 a.m. when my mom finally came in and told me I had to go to bed because I had to get up in another two hours. The book put me through a lot of emotions as it went on, I was excited, happy, mad, scared and sad. Even though "The Guardian" is a fictional book, it deals with real situations. It made me more aware of some dangerous things that could happen in real life, to real people. Most people think "this could never happen to me", but this book shows it can.

I think that this book targets many different types of people. Some people like action books, some like romance, but this books satisfies both wants and ties them together very well. The two elements in the story were perfectly balanced, and the way he paced the story, I never lost the slightest bit of interest. I enjoyed the novel and would definitely recommend it, I couldn't ask for more in a book.

Rating:
Summary: Read on the plane on my honeymoon!
Review: Well, I was in Australia at Lizard Island Resort in the Great Barrier Reef and I was badly sunburned. My husband and I checked out the resort's library where everyone could donate or borrow books and I found a copy of this one!

I really enjoyed this book and had a tough time putting it down when I had time to read. Sparks grabbed my attention in the beginning of the book with a very sad beginning and the mention of a dog coming into the story.

In typical fashion, it becomes a love story. There is a handsome stranger and a guy who was her husband's best friend. We all wonder who she will choose. This book was different than Spark's others as one of the suitors is not as trustworthy as he seems and our heroine and her hero get wrapped up in a bit of a mystery.

I thought it was a captivating novel. I wanted to see where the story would lead from the beginnning. I would highly recommend this book....I don't feel like it has the more typical tragic ending Spark's books often have....but definately worth reading!

Rating:
Summary: Something different from the more romantic Sparks.
Review: The Guardian by Nicholas Sparks is rather good, but it kind of has the twist like A Bend In The Road did. A lot of people I have told this novel about found the beginning to be slow, and things did not start to pick up until the middle of the book. The story goes around a widow named Julie, her husband died of cancer, and now she is alone, except for her dog Singer. She works in a hair salon, and is known around the town, her best friend Mike likes her a lot, but is afraid to come up to her and ask her out; he does not want to ruin a friendship with a relationship. Mike has known Julie for a long time, and have been friends for about five years. Then comes Richard, a handsome man from out of town who sweeps Julie off her feet. Now Mike is jealous, but he keeps his distance from Julie and Richard, and Richard has shown quite disquist with Mike, and Singer does not like Richard, since Singer does not like anyone who means harm to Julie or Mike. So as time goes by, Richard leaves town for some business, or so he says, then Mike makes his move. Soon, Julie and Mike are dating, Richard then comes back to town to discover the truth, at first he understands, then he gets VERY RUDE and dangerous with Julie.
Now as Julie discovers the truth about Richard, now her life is on the line and so are her friends! It gets better once you reach the end, and this is a MUST READ for anyone who like a good thriller with some romance in the middle. A great treat.

Rating:
Summary: Just Beautiful!!
Review: The Guardian by Nicholas Sparks is another gem! Not only does Sparks weave romance beautifully throughout, but also intrigue and mystery wonderfully captivate the reader, yet it is the intrigue, not the romance, which is the focus of the book.

Readers will fall in love, with one of the main characters named Singer, who happens to be a dog! Get out your Kleenex, as this book is another tear producer! The Guardian will have you anticipating from chapter to chapter. I am continually amazed by Sparks' sensitivity shown with each of his characters as well as with the plot and this book is no exception. Sparks is another one of those authors whose books will fill you with hope and love.

Rating:
Summary: Not Great
Review: The first part of the book was slow and so predictable. The book picked up a bit in the middle thanks to a sharp-thinking policewoman. The ending wasn't enjoyable at all.

Rating:
Summary: Not his best...
Review: The Guardian is the first Sparks book which isn't purely a love story, and it's probably why I don't think it's one of his best. It's still a tear-jerker though, and had me crying even just in the prologue. However, the "suspense scenes" with Richard are somewhat lacking of spine-tingling substance.

One thing to look forward to in this novel is "Singer". I'm sure all pet lovers will just fall in love with him. Despite everything, this book is still a must-read for the Sparks fan and for everyone who enjoys animals.