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kschilke's review against another edition
2.0
It pains me to give a Sparks book two stars, but this book was actually painful to read. I'm a huge fan of his books, which might be why I was so disappointed with this one. I wanted to love it. And I read all 400+ pages hoping my mind would change. But the quality of this book...the plot, character development, even the writing...was not that great. So many typos!! Did someone even edit this? Was it rushed to the press too soon?? Not only was the story so-so but the typos were just distracting. Words were missing, or words appeared twice right after each other. For a well known writer I expected a little more attention on that front.
The story just lacked his usual touch for me. I found myself getting angry and frustrated with the some of the characters and unfortunately did not get any relief from this frustration.
I never write reviews on here...but I felt he need to for this. My mother in law and I usually share copies of his books or buy each other copies as gifts. I was too embarrassed to buy her a copy of this one, and even gave her many disclaimers before she borrowed my copy.
I hope his next book is much better quality than this.
The story just lacked his usual touch for me. I found myself getting angry and frustrated with the some of the characters and unfortunately did not get any relief from this frustration.
I never write reviews on here...but I felt he need to for this. My mother in law and I usually share copies of his books or buy each other copies as gifts. I was too embarrassed to buy her a copy of this one, and even gave her many disclaimers before she borrowed my copy.
I hope his next book is much better quality than this.
katiekat2015's review against another edition
I was disappointed with this book. It is very monotonous and EXTREMELY detailed about Russ' everyday routine. His wife is just plain awful to him and that fact that he just sits there and takes it is annoying and unrealistic. I didn't even get half way through before deciding I couldn't finish it. I felt like there wasn't even a plot, well not an interesting one at least! Don't waste your time!
edshara's review against another edition
1.0
This was a hard book to read and to finish. I almost gave up on it quite a few times, however, after waiting for it for over 2 months(maybe longer) to checkout from my library, I was too stubborn to DNF it. I must say the synopsis drew me, I like reading books with Single dads, who are good fathers, but that initial excitement didn't last.
Russell was a disappointing character. He was such a pushover and despite all the red flags and the emotional rollercoaster Vivian kept him on, he continued to be a willing patsy. I understand wanting to work your marriage, but at what point do you take into consideration, your own well-being? As for Vivian, I thought she was manipulative and condescending and I found myself wishing Sparks would write in some wonderful dose of fictional karma. I did however like Marge and Liz, as well as, Russell's parents.
While I hated the first several chapters, I began somewhat enjoying the book around the middle(not sure what chapter). The narration was tedious and it seemed their was more talking(Russell's thoughts) than their was actual activity. It also seemed unnecessarily long(with my settings the e-book was over 1300 pages). Of course in true Nicholas Sparks fashion, the ending was unnecessarily cruel and heartbreaking. I feel he could have done so many other things and all the characters would/could have still ended up in the same situations, as the book came to a close. While I probably will endure the emotional turmoil, that is his writing style again in the future, this is one of the few books of his that I know I won't read again or recommend.
Russell was a disappointing character. He was such a pushover and despite all the red flags and the emotional rollercoaster Vivian kept him on, he continued to be a willing patsy. I understand wanting to work your marriage, but at what point do you take into consideration, your own well-being? As for Vivian, I thought she was manipulative and condescending and I found myself wishing Sparks would write in some wonderful dose of fictional karma. I did however like Marge and Liz, as well as, Russell's parents.
While I hated the first several chapters, I began somewhat enjoying the book around the middle(not sure what chapter). The narration was tedious and it seemed their was more talking(Russell's thoughts) than their was actual activity. It also seemed unnecessarily long(with my settings the e-book was over 1300 pages). Of course in true Nicholas Sparks fashion, the ending was unnecessarily cruel and heartbreaking. I feel he could have done so many other things and all the characters would/could have still ended up in the same situations, as the book came to a close. While I probably will endure the emotional turmoil, that is his writing style again in the future, this is one of the few books of his that I know I won't read again or recommend.
tiggerser's review against another edition
4.0
I enjoyed the different style this was for a Nicholas Sparks book. I've read several and they are fairly similar plots. This one dealt with children and death and divorce. I enjoyed a little bit more darkness to a usually light read. It made the characters a bit more palatable.
Vivian was a bit less humanized than I would have expected so I didn't find that character all that believable, but I adored Russ's softer side and tenderness toward his daughter. I felt that some of Spark's own feelings for his children leaked out in these passages.
Vivian was a bit less humanized than I would have expected so I didn't find that character all that believable, but I adored Russ's softer side and tenderness toward his daughter. I felt that some of Spark's own feelings for his children leaked out in these passages.
taylersimon22's review against another edition
3.0
I was a Nicholas Sparks fan in the past, but then I fell out with romance. This was the first Nicholas Sparks novel I picked up in years. I don't remember if it's just his writing style, but I wasn't a fan of the protagonist just rattling off the events of his days like he was writing in a diary. The plot seemed too mundane. I understand the story was supposed to be about him and his daughter, but the relationship still seemed very surface level.
I also didn't like everyone glossing over how the protagonist was treated by his wife. This wasn't just a rocky relationship; it was abuse. Just because the woman was doing the emotional abuse, doesn't mean the abuse had any less impact.
Also, I listened to the audiobook version and I hated the cheesy song they came up with.
I also didn't like everyone glossing over how the protagonist was treated by his wife. This wasn't just a rocky relationship; it was abuse. Just because the woman was doing the emotional abuse, doesn't mean the abuse had any less impact.
Also, I listened to the audiobook version and I hated the cheesy song they came up with.
leaheid's review against another edition
3.0
Das Buch war genau so kitschig und mit Alltagsphilosophie beladen wie man es von Nicolas Sparks Büchern eben erwartet. Das Charakterdesign hat mir sehr gut gefallen und gegen Ende gab es tatsächlich einige unerwartete Plottwists und emotionale Szenen. Eine schön gestaltete Geschichte, doch nichts, dass ich nochmal lesen würde.
kgnade's review against another edition
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
eeyoresprncss's review
emotional
hopeful
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
cassymarya's review against another edition
hopeful
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5