Book Review: 'Nights in Rodanthe' by Nicholas Sparks

Wow. How a story can move you to the point of tears. After turning the last page of the book I was left with the numb feeling caused by the pain of love and loss. I think the message of this story is learning to move on and live again after losing the one person you loved more than imaginable, but also to appreciate the time you spent together knowing that you wouldn't trade it for the world.

After Adrienne's husband leaves her for a younger woman she has rethink her life and future. When a friend asks her to look after their inn in Rodanthe for a weekend Adrienne sees it as the perfect opportunity to get away, but when a major storm is forecast for the same weekend she thinks her time away will be ruined.
On the other hand Paul has also recently divorced but realises his mistakes and wishes to change his life. He sells his medical practice, house and most of his belongings and is due to stay at the inn in Rodanthe for a few nights before traveling to Ecuador in the hopes of making a mends with his son.
Paul is the only guest due to stay at the inn while Adrienne is taking care of it. Both still coming to terms with their recent separations, they have no one else to turn to other than each other while alone together at the inn. Though at first their conversation was light and easy they soon started to open up to each other about their lives and feelings. And not before long they find themselves falling in love more deeply than either of them had ever experienced before. But all too soon their time together had to come to an end when Paul left to go after his son. I won't spoil the rest of the story but for the last part of reading the book I constantly felt like I was stopping myself from crying.

I really liked it when Adrienne said to her daughter "You're stronger than you think you are, but only if you want to be." because this is similar to something I always say: You can do anything if it's something you really want to do, but you won't be able to if you don't truly want it.

I would highly recommend this book - not just one of the best books by Nicholas Sparks that I've read, but one of the best books I've ever read!

Book Review: 'A Walk to Remember' by Nicholas Sparks

'A Walk to Remember' is a story of two teenagers who fall in love, despite there differences. Jamie and Landon, although knowing who each other are since they were young, live completely separate lives.
Jamie is the daughter of the town's Baptist minister. She is seen by others as someone who does no wrong, helps anyone and lives a carefree life. She lives her life apart from other teenagers, spending her time taking care of her father, volunteering at the local orphanage and rescuing hurt animals. Landon on the other hand is a typical teenage boy, spending his time hanging around with his friends and staying out too late.
It took me a while to get into this book as at the beginning its hard to see where the story is leading, but as with most of Nicholas Sparks' books it's the ending where everything comes together. There is unexpected twist at the end which completely changes their lives forever. This story shows the joy of giving, the pain of loss and how you can grow to love someone more than you ever imagined possible, so much that you would be willing to do anything for them.
Although I am not religious, the character Jamie in this book is and she carries a Bible around with here wherever she goes. There are a couple of quotes put into this book from the Bible and I particularly liked this one about love:
"Love is always patient and kind. It is never jealous. Love is never boastful or conceited. It is never rude of selfish. It does not take offense and is not resentful. Love takes no pleasure in other people's sins, but delights in the truth. It is always ready to excuse, to trust, to hope, and to endure whatever comes."



Book Review: 'At First Sight' by Nicholas Sparks

One of the most beautiful, but sad, stories I have ever read. After finishing another one of Nicholas Sparks' novels, I am reminded of how much I love them.

'At First Sight' is a story about falling in love, relationships, marriage, parenthood, trust and believing. From the very start I was captured by the story of the couple presented in the book. Although as with most of Nicholas Sparks' books the best part is the ending, the part of the book that leaves you with a lasting impression. Heart-wrenchingly sad, but simply beautiful too.

The story is about a man, Jeremy, who meets a woman, Lexie, on his travels as a writer. After spending just one week with her he falls in love and goes back to find her six weeks later to propose to her. After she accepts, he gives up his life in New York City and moves down south to be with her. Learning that Lexie is pregnant, the wedding is promptly planned for and the couple buy a new house together. From there they begin to have their ups and downs as a couple, learning that if their relationship is to last they must have trust in each other. There is also some unexpected news and a shocking tragedy that follows. But all ends well, as a new life has begun and the last image you're left with shows the unconditional love felt in this story.

I wanted to share a small section of the book that I loved reading, as I felt it was so true but something most of us don't think about. It explains the relationship between a man and woman, a couple and what each of them expects of the other, the sacrifices we make for the ones we love.

Lexie's grandmother giving her some 'words of wisdom' when the couple was going through a rough time before the wedding:

"Let me tell you, they [men] can be rip-roaring mad or frustrated or worried about work or life, but in the end, they're pretty simple to figure out once you know what makes them tick. And one of the things that make them tick is an almost desperate need to feel appreciated and admired."
"Of course they want great sex and want you to keep the house clean and neat and organised while looking beautiful and still having the energy to do fun things together, but admiration and appreciation are right up there."
"Men have to make sacrifices, too. Correct me if I'm wrong, but you want Jeremy to hold your hand and snuggle as you watch a movie, you want him to share his feelings and listen, you want him to spend time with your daughter and earn enough not only to buy but renovate the house. Well, I'll tell you straight up that no man says to himself as he's walking down the aisle, Gee, I'm going to work hard and sacrifice so I can provide a good living for my family, and I'm going to spend hours with my kids even when I'm tired, all the while hugging and kissing and listening to my wife and telling her all my troubles, and meanwile, I'm not going to expect a single thing." ..." A man promises to do the things to keep you happy in the hopes that you, too, will do the things that keep him happy"
"Men have certain needs, women have different needs; that's the way it was hundreds of years ago, and the way it's going to be hundreds of years from now. If you both realise that, and you both work on meeting each others needs, you'll have a good marriage. And part of that, for both or you, is trust. In the end, it's that simple."

I would highly recommend this book, and any others by Nicholas Sparks of which I've read 'Dear John' and 'The Last Song'.