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Summary: Enough with the immature, and angry men...
Review: Although I have enjoyed several of this author's previous novels, this one dissapoints. The main reason? A male character with the emotional maturity of a five-year-old. Two years after the death of his wife this guy is a self-indulgent rageaholic who can't get on with life. Yes, he is a good father and I admire that, but he is also impulsively angry, lacks self-awareness and is generally graceless when it comes to considering others' reactions to his wife's death. Yuck. As a man, I am tired of stereotypical (angry) and emotionally stunted male characters. How about a smart, sensitive, self-regulated guy for a change. I think I am most disenchanted with all the glowing reviews of the book by women readers. Is this behavior really romantic????
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Summary: A BEND IN THE ROAD
Review: Book ReviewA BEND IN THE ROAD Sometimes fate may cause an unimaginable situation, but then turn it into the best thing that happens in one's life. Along with these situations, one may also be faced with the difficult act of forgiveness. In 2001 Author Nicholas Sparks published a very powerful book; A Bend in the Road. After reading this realistic novel a person who hasn't experienced tragedy in their life may be able to understand the feelings of a person who has. Sparks displays an exceptional view of life by showing how one man endured both.
The fate of Missy's death was an unthinkable tragedy in which Miles thought he would never recover. However, it was that fate that brought him and Sarah together. And in the end the difficult act of forgiveness was carried out when Miles accepted Brian's apology. He understood that though Brian did kill his wife, it was unintentional and he was remorseful.
Thornhill 2
One could agree with Miles to forgive the killer. But is it possible to just forget about it? The book ended making one assume that Miles and Sarah pursued their relationship. But what happened between Miles and Brian? They all agreed to keep the secret amongst themselves, but how could that be done? The story should not have ended there. More could have been said about the relationship Miles had with both his new love and his wife's killer. Did he marry Sarah, and allow the murderer of his wife to become his brother-in-law? Other than that one shortcoming, the novel is truly great.
Losing a loved one in a hit and run accident is devastating. Having the courage to enter another relationship unknowing what the future may hold is frightening. But how would someone explain their feelings after finding out their lover's brother is the murderer? Sparks did an eminent job showing the feelings of love, anger, and forgiveness in this must read novel.
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Summary: A Romantic Mystery
Review: Nicholas Sparks has created a beautiful, and thrilling story line in the book A Bend in the Road. This romantic, spellbinding book is narrated by the killer of Miles Ryan's wife, Missy. When Mile's son, Jonah, is having troubles in school, his young teacher, Miss Sarah Andrews makes an arrangement with Miles to discuss possible tutoring sessions. Miles had been grieving the mysterious hit and run accident of his much beloved wife, but was surprised when he met with Miss Andrews and found himself quite attracted to her. They soon begin to fall in love and everything seems to be perfect until a numbing secret is discovered in the case of how Missy Ryan was killed. After the truth comes out, Ryan and Sarah must reevaluate their love for each other.
The author was brilliant at keeping the reader interested because every few chapters, the killer would write a journal entry describing his/her emotions and thoughts on what was going on during the accident. I thought this book was interesting because of the way the author made everything seem so real. I could picture every little detail in my head and understand how each character was feeling.
The characters were very believable because they had so many emotions. You really get to know Miles Ryan and how his life was completely about his family and the pain and anguish he went through after Missy died. Then when he meets Sarah Andrews, it seemed as if his life lit up again and had a new outlook on life, which was very refreshing from his normal gloominess. You want to reach out to Jonah when he has his nightmares and questions about his mom that he hardly got to know. Sarah was also a touching character because she dealt with the unfortunate news that she could not produce babies, which made her ex-husband leave her. She moved away from the city and came to the country to live closer to her family and have a better sense of belonging.
The theme is based on moving on through hardships and finding love again. Miles had to deal with the death of his wife which he so dearly cared for, so he could take care of his son and make a living as the deputy sheriff. Once he fell in love with Sarah Andrews, and then discovered the haunting truth about the death of Missy, both him and Sarah have to decide whether to stay together or leave each other forever. The author made it clear that once you find the one you truly love, nothing can break that special relationship.
I really enjoyed this book and thought it was very well written. Sparks' choice of words were perfect for describing the scenery and surroundings. This is illustrated on page 111 in the quote "Friday brought the first truly crisp air of autumn. In the morning, light frost had dusted every grassy patch; people saw their breath as they climbed in their cars to go to work. The oaks and the dogwoods and the magnolias had yet to begin their slow turn toward red and orange and now, with the day winding down, Sarah watched the sunlight filtering through the leaves, casting shadows along the pavement." The first journal entry from the person who killed Missy ended in a shocking way because I didn't realize that it was killer who was writing until then. The last few sentences were "I needed to see Miles, needed to see Jonah. Even then, I knew that our lives would be forever intertwined. I had to be there you see. I was, after all, the one who'd been driving the car. There were also a few places where the author used foreshadowing to keep the audience on their toes. An example of this is from page 95 and read "Because, she said simply, I'd hate to see him get hurt again." It was ironic the way the story had almost replayed itself when Miles was in the accident towards the end of the book and realized that what had happened to his wife was really an accident too. The quote " In his mind, that might be how he saw it. Miles hadn't meant for it to happen, after all, so that made it an accident. As it had been with Missy?" was when Miles realized that Missy's death was also an accident.
I believe this book would be best suited for a young adult or adult because of the romantic content. I also think a female would appreciate it more than a male since it's a love story. Although anyone who enjoys a romantic mystery book, would find this book hard to put down.
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Summary: Another good love story with a little twists
Review: A Bend In The Road is a good romance novel, but it was a little different from the other Spark's novels (The Notebook, A Walk To Remember) but it still held the romance. Of course this is one of Spark's best, but when I got to the end, it just brought me closer to the characters in the book, and this is a MUST read by Spark's fans.
I love this novel a lot, and if you are in for a romance novel especially on a rainy day, buy this novel, and you will not regret it.
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Summary: Nicholas' biggest fan
Review: OK, I have got three words for you: READ THIS BOOK! It is my favorite Nicholas Sparks book, and trust me, I am his BIGGEST FAN! This book is about Miles, who meets Sarah, his son's teacher. They fall in love, but there is a catch. You see, years earlier, Mile's wife was killed in a hit in run accident. The killer will expose him-herself. Read to find out if the killer tears Miles and Sarah apart or if it brings them closer. Trust me, you'll want to read it again and again.
MCT
Rating: 
Summary: A Bend In The Road
Review: Loving, enchanting, and mysterious comes to mind when a deep dark secret is revealed. Miles Ryan had the perfect life until the sudden death of his beloved wife, Missy. Since her death he's been a single parent to his young son, Jonah. Unfortunately, Jonah has been having problems in school so being a father, miles Ryan, goes to see Jonah's teacher, Sarah Andrews, who changes his life forever. She not only makes things better but reveals something to Miles which could affect their infinite relationship. This story captivates the reader and makes you want to endure to the end to find out the hidden secret, which connects Sarah and Miles in a totally dramatic way. It also makes you feel like you're part of this tragic romance between two people who share something they never knew they did.
Rating:
Summary: Very GOOD
Review: NIcholas Sparks wrote yet another great book for readers to read. the mystery and love in this story is so cool.. i cant wait to read another one of his books
Rating:
Summary: Great Book
Review: Nicholas Sparks has done a great job in writing this book it really got me. the romance and mystery was awesome. it was a bit predictable but i still fell in love with this book i cant wait to start reading his other books.
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Summary: Good Story of love amd forgiveness
Review: This is one of Spark's good novels, but it is preditible. I don't want to give much away. Miles Ryan's wife is killed in a hit and run. Sarah Andrews is a teacher moved to New Bern hoping she can forget her diovorce. Soon they fall in love--but they both have a secret which can ruin their love. Read this book. You'll like it. I have now read all of Nicholas Sparks books.......
Rating: 
Summary: Boring and predictable
Review: This is the first Sparks' book that I've read (listened to on tape). It was very predictable, and I was disappointed in the elementary style writing. I also did not care for Miles, the main character. You can figure out the "mystery" so early on, that it is almost silly to finish the book. Don't think I'll spend time on another Sparks' book.
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