Rating: 
Summary: Oh, Please!
Review: I was in a hurry when I flew into the library to find a book to read on a weekend trip. It SAID best -seller. That should have tipped me off. I finished the book because there was nothing else to read....at least I am warned.
Rating: 
Summary: I Yearn for a Happy Ending!
Review: I like Nicholas Sparks. He writes beautifully and I have been moved to tears by several of his previous novels. However, I am beginning to tire of this pattern of tragic endings. I realize the whole point of the story was to show empathy between the grieving daughter and her mother, but I yearned for a happy ending in this one. In my head, I envisioned Adrienne telling her daughter that she was finally moving to Ecuador to be with Paul or something. That for some reason she hadn't been able to go up until this point (maybe her father was still alive). I just felt the ending was too predictable.I will keep reading Sparks though...
Rating: 
Summary: Beautiful Relationship Story
Review: I think anyone who enjoys stories woven with family relationships as well as love stories, but not necessarily wild adventure and mystery, will put this book in a favorites category. The way Nicholas Sparks involves you with the characters and curiosity about what is ahead makes it hard to put down! It's a beautiful story of sad and happy times that I could relate to as I read the book.
Rating:
Summary: Nicholas Sparks, right on target again
Review: Just finished the latest book "Nights in Rodanthe. Again as all his books, moved me greatly. Sparks was able to pull me into his book and make me feel as though I was standing on the beach during the storm. I felt the warmth of the fire burning in the fireplace in the Inn.
Great book and a must read for everyone.
Rating: 
Summary: A Well Written Love Story
Review: I almost gave the book a rating of 3 but there were some good qualities in the writing that bumped it up to a 4. I like the way the writer was able to reveal the love between Seth and Drucilla without all the vulgarity found in some books. The story was told in a way that the reader could use his/her imagination as to what when on between to lovers. I do believe that the story was told to Amanda to help her get through the grief of loosing her husband. But, I think the mother got much more out of it for herself.
Rating: 
Summary: Nights in Rodanthe
Review: I had problems with the continuing shifting of the time line. It seemed that each initial flashback either had another flashback or another shift. I pressed on and found a formula plot and wished this message had been stuffed in a bottle. The writing was definitely heavy handed and contrived.
Rating:
Summary: An Unlikely True Story
Review: I find the stody to be very well written. Nicholas Sparks takes you through the facets of life in one short story. The beginning of the book had me wondering where he was going with the story, but when the storytelling began, it all fell into place. The story reflects what a lot of people go through in life. We all walk around with so much joy and pain that it is surprising we are not zombies. I recommend this book for anyone going through twisted emotions to which Nicholas Sparks did a fine job describing.
Rating:
Summary: Rather trite
Review: This was the 1st Sparks novel that I've read. My mom/sister were done with the book so they gave it to me to read on the airplane ride back home a few days ago. I couldn't help but think of "Bridges of Madison County" as I read the synopsis on the flap. I wasn't too far off. The plane ride was 4 hours, it took me 3-1/2 hours to read the book. I was hoping for those 2 to get together in the end. But alas, was not to happen. I can't help but wonder why this character Adrienne is carrying an unrequited torch for 15+ years with absolutely no hope to get the guy ?? As a somewhat emotionally healthy male reader - this doesn't cut the mustard with me. Maybe that's the fantasy fodder for women - and I'll probably get some nasty comments back about this, but geeeeeeeez, these characters need to quit living in the past. Metaphors something like "her own private museum where she's the curator and only visitor" in my male mind just scream to me "get on with life", that was 15+ years ago ! Oh well, I guess that's just the fantasy, wishing allure of it all :)
Rating:
Summary: Unbelievable Story
Review: Can you really imagine meeting this renowned surgeon at a b&B where you are the acting owner and this guest starts chopping vegetables, putting up storm shutters, picking up plates from dinner, making his bed, etc. Get real. Our own husbands would probably not do this at home although we might want them to. I felt this was total fantasy reading, which is great if you want something to read before bedtime. Once you start the first page you can imagine the ending. I know I did. Maybe this story fulfills a need in 40+ women who are searching for that perfect man and, as usual, the hero gets killed so it remains a perfect relationship.
Rating:
Summary: Same old Sparks....
Review: Adrienne Willis is weary of watching her daughter Amanda struggle through the untimely death of her husband. In an effort to comfort and teach her daughter that life must go on, she opens a bottle of wine, and her heart, to share a secret that she has harbored for much of her life... ...At 45, Adrienne's husband leaves her for another woman. Devestated, she believe's herself a failure as a wife, struggling to make ends meet for her family and her father whom is housed in full-time care facility. As a reprive, she agrees to watch a small inn in the small town of Rodanthe for a few days while the owner is away. The single guest, Paul Flanner, and the huricanne that strikes while they are alone, change her forever... This is a typical Sparks novel. If you've been moved by his other stories, than this one will touch you as well. I've rated this as only 4 stars because of its lack of origionality. Reading other Sparks' novels I could have guessed at the conclusion before picking up the book. But there is a comfort in that as well. Knowing the unique manner in which Sparks can describe and capture love and dispair is one of the charms associated with his novels. If you've yet to read anything by Sparks, this is as good a place to begin as any.
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