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ingaluna's review against another edition
5.0
It made me think about myself and (the death of) my father in a whole new way. Loved it from the first till the last letter. Heartbreakingly beautiful.
robyn_bramwell's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Well now I feel bad for hating on Jo...
This was the first romance book I've read and it was a great introduction into the genre. I don't even know how to express how I feel about this book. It's so heartbreaking, hearing about Katie's past and secrets. And about her bravery and courage. I would recommend this book to anyone and everyone.
This was the first romance book I've read and it was a great introduction into the genre. I don't even know how to express how I feel about this book. It's so heartbreaking, hearing about Katie's past and secrets. And about her bravery and courage. I would recommend this book to anyone and everyone.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Physical abuse and Domestic abuse
jmariecapdem's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars
This is a good story however what made me sick of reading it were the extremely repeated phrases especially from the antagonist Kevin Tierney. I just found it extremely funny how he gets into his psychotic mode on and off cursing and saying verses from the Bible at the same time haha. This shouldn't have affected my love for Alex and Katie finding new hopes to start off with (but I'm afraid it did - LOL).
Nonetheless, this is about two people who have faced challenging pasts and then still being given a "life" - Alex losing his wife and Katie (actually Erin) who left his detective husband Kevin because he kept on hitting her - treating her like a stupid wife, not letting her have friends, have her own money or enjoy life. He thought he's a good husband by buying her a nice home, good clothes, furniture and appliances but he's wrong. He even didn't want them to have a baby. This has been hard for her as she kept on loving him and treated him the way he wanted for 4 years, cooking and cleaning the house for him without being loved the way she wanted in return. She thought marrying him will give her a safe, happy life but it's more than the nightmare she went through with her alcoholic parents. That made her plan an escape carrying Katie Feldman's identity to head miles and miles away from Kevin that detoured her to Southport. She maybe wise enough to get away but her so-good-detective husband still managed to find her.
In Real Life
This is totally another view in real life where no matter how we pretend that we "left" the horrors behind, it continues to haunt unless we get guidance from God and face it. We can't face anything alone either so He always have sent someone who could be with us while facing these challenges in life - be it family, a husband/wife or a new friend. Life is about challenges but don't get me wrong, it also gives the best rewards in the end like a fairy tale (we just don't notice at all).
PS. The suspense when Kevin found out a lead from Gladys Feldman to find her long lost wife Erin got me to stick to it until the end. It was bloody and full of fire as hell!
PSS. Carly's letters made me cry. You'll know when you read it.
UPDATE:
Watched the film and it's more than half different. :( It still ended up good but I expected to see more action portrayed on the novel on the film. Good thing I crush Josh Duhamel! :D
This is a good story however what made me sick of reading it were the extremely repeated phrases especially from the antagonist Kevin Tierney. I just found it extremely funny how he gets into his psychotic mode on and off cursing and saying verses from the Bible at the same time haha. This shouldn't have affected my love for Alex and Katie finding new hopes to start off with (but I'm afraid it did - LOL).
Nonetheless, this is about two people who have faced challenging pasts and then still being given a "life" - Alex losing his wife and Katie (actually Erin) who left his detective husband Kevin because he kept on hitting her - treating her like a stupid wife, not letting her have friends, have her own money or enjoy life. He thought he's a good husband by buying her a nice home, good clothes, furniture and appliances but he's wrong. He even didn't want them to have a baby. This has been hard for her as she kept on loving him and treated him the way he wanted for 4 years, cooking and cleaning the house for him without being loved the way she wanted in return. She thought marrying him will give her a safe, happy life but it's more than the nightmare she went through with her alcoholic parents. That made her plan an escape carrying Katie Feldman's identity to head miles and miles away from Kevin that detoured her to Southport. She maybe wise enough to get away but her so-good-detective husband still managed to find her.
In Real Life
This is totally another view in real life where no matter how we pretend that we "left" the horrors behind, it continues to haunt unless we get guidance from God and face it. We can't face anything alone either so He always have sent someone who could be with us while facing these challenges in life - be it family, a husband/wife or a new friend. Life is about challenges but don't get me wrong, it also gives the best rewards in the end like a fairy tale (we just don't notice at all).
PS. The suspense when Kevin found out a lead from Gladys Feldman to find her long lost wife Erin got me to stick to it until the end. It was bloody and full of fire as hell!
PSS. Carly's letters made me cry. You'll know when you read it.
UPDATE:
Watched the film and it's more than half different. :( It still ended up good but I expected to see more action portrayed on the novel on the film. Good thing I crush Josh Duhamel! :D
jtripp23's review against another edition
5.0
This book was fantastic! I wish the movie was more like the book, but I can't complain because I watched the movie first and it made me want to read the book! Everyone should read it!!
ambah27's review against another edition
4.0
I love Nicholas Sparks - if you want a romantic novel, his are the ones to read. It took me a few chapters to get into this book...but after you reach the halfway point, it gets awesome. There is romance, but also some thrills in this one. I really enjoyed it, I am never let down with Nicholas Sparks.
alexmall029's review against another edition
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Cancer, Alcoholism, Alcohol, Gaslighting, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Addiction, and Physical abuse
wietse111's review against another edition
4.0
Twijfel tussen 3 en 4 sterren. Heb niet veel gelezen in dit genre, maar ik vermoed dat dit binnen het genre een prima boek was. Het las heerlijk weg, en dat is uiteindelijk toch wat je hier in zoekt. Er zat zelfs nog enige spanning in.
De karakters hadden exact geen diepgang (het koppel bestond uit twee perfecte personen en de bad guy was ongeveer de duivel zelf), het boek is niet echt memorabel, maar dat mag de pret niet drukken.
De karakters hadden exact geen diepgang (het koppel bestond uit twee perfecte personen en de bad guy was ongeveer de duivel zelf), het boek is niet echt memorabel, maar dat mag de pret niet drukken.
ermw0's review against another edition
3.0
The film adaptation of this book is a comfort movie for me and I was convinced I had read this before, but I don't think I have. This book is fine. I actually prefer what the movie did.
The reveal that Jo is a ghost works so much better in the film. It was much less believable in the book. Sparks' books used to be the epitome of romance for teen me, so reading them now as an adult in a relationship I am cringing at how I thought this was -it-. Their romance is sweet but in real life you would be telling Katie to take a lot of time for herself before jumping into a committed relationship as a new wife/gf and stepmom!