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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
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
readingonthefly's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I liked it! It really did feel like all of his previous novels just mushed into one though. Girl on the run with a kid in one storyline and couple falls in love in the other. Need something more original for my next Nicholas Sparks book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Toxic relationship, Suicide attempt, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Kidnapping, and Mental illness
Minor: Drug use
chelseyyanny's review
medium-paced
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Loved Colby ! Was a little confused with Beverly but then it all made sense and it was completely shocking! 3star mainly bc it was slow at first and I was little confused at first. But again not disappointed with another Nicholas Sparks book 💙
Content Warnings
Minor: Mental illness and Suicide attempt
lzjolo's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide attempt, Car accident, Mental illness, Suicide, Death of parent, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , and Death
literarymary95's review
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
tense
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
3.75
This book gave me mixed feelings. I felt the story portion about Colby was great, but the Beverly portion was really jarring and sudden whenever it switched over to her perspective. I think it took away from the main story and made it hard for me to want to read any of her chapters even if I still did.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Suicide attempt, and Domestic abuse
Moderate: Sexual content
weasley1912's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
1. Her mental illness was "a rare type of bipolar 1 which includes a detailed delusions/hallucinations" . To me this feels like a cop out. If this is a real presentation of bipolar, as he said, it's rare. Which means you are representing a large group of people with symptoms they don't actually experience. The average person isn't going to remember that this was a rare presentation of symptoms . They will hear bipolar and remember this. Bad representing for mental health matters to me.
2. One of the last things in the book is him thinking to himself and he says even though he loves his family very much, between his aunt's stroke and his sisters bipolar, they have created a prison for him that he'll never escape. That is an enormous slap in the face to me. As someone who struggles with mental illness it is my biggest fear than my family and friends would feel burdened by me. And to have him say it. Even if it was just to himself. That's devastating to me.
3. The book ended and the couple had split for good reasons. It was practical and logical and the right decision. And then the epilogue only exists so they can get back together. It felt cheap.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Mental illness, Medical trauma, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, and Death of parent
kayjay279's review
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
It’s been awhile since I’ve read Nicholas Sparks, and I’m reminded why he’s always been one of my favorite authors. This story was absolutely woven to perfection, and I adored all of it. It had me feeling so many different feels, and then sad when it finally ended. Highly recommend!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness and Domestic abuse
rich2023's review against another edition
emotional
sad
- 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
This book was well written and helped me understand what life is like for someone who has bipolar disorder. The only thing I didn’t like is how Morgan and Colby had sex before marriage. I do appreciate how Nicholas Sparks doesn’t go into detail about these sexual acts.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Mental illness
jwalton23's review
emotional
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Mental illness and Suicide