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mommy_reads's review
challenging
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
debbie92's review
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
emmapeterson17's review against another edition
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
lizf's review
adventurous
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
vbsquared's review
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
I usually know what to expect with a Nicholas Sparks novel. I’ve read every single book he’s ever written and even if somewhat formulaic, I find his writing to always be a good story (even if not necessarily groundbreaking literature).
So I have to say, the beginning of this book was a bit of a surprise for me. It is definitely Sparks’ attempt at something new. Suspense and Romance unknowingly connected until the end of the book. In the first two parts, I was excited to see where it would go.
But then I put the pieces together before the author intended me too - which again not unusual for a Nicholas Sparks novel, even if frustrating in this particular novel.
*spoilers ahead*
I think the reason that this is my least favorite Nicholas Sparks novel, however, is that when the author finally lays out the connection - it is done so in an icky way conflating domestic violence with drug use and mental illness reminiscent of past explanations of women hysteria. I’m not saying that people with mental illness don’t often have delusions and hallucinations and maybe Sparks was trying to capture a deeper story than he usually does - but it just fell flat. He makes you care for this character and her struggles to escape abuse only to at the end be like “yeah, just kidding she’s just crazy.”
I think I just thought the beginning of the book promised more and he failed to deliver.
So I have to say, the beginning of this book was a bit of a surprise for me. It is definitely Sparks’ attempt at something new. Suspense and Romance unknowingly connected until the end of the book. In the first two parts, I was excited to see where it would go.
But then I put the pieces together before the author intended me too - which again not unusual for a Nicholas Sparks novel, even if frustrating in this particular novel.
*spoilers ahead*
I think the reason that this is my least favorite Nicholas Sparks novel, however, is that when the author finally lays out the connection - it is done so in an icky way conflating domestic violence with drug use and mental illness reminiscent of past explanations of women hysteria. I’m not saying that people with mental illness don’t often have delusions and hallucinations and maybe Sparks was trying to capture a deeper story than he usually does - but it just fell flat. He makes you care for this character and her struggles to escape abuse only to at the end be like “yeah, just kidding she’s just crazy.”
I think I just thought the beginning of the book promised more and he failed to deliver.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse and Mental illness
reonna's review against another edition
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
teenala's review
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
brits___'s review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
zemily83's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Suicide attempt
katieannette's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness
Minor: Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Stalking, Child abuse, and Violence