Review: Safe Haven by Nicholas Sparks

Name of book: Safe Haven
Author: Nicholas Sparks
Publication: September 14th 2010 by Grand Central Publishing 
Genre: Contemporary Romance, Thriller
Source: Borrowed
Goodreads

Love hurts. There is nothing as painful as heartbreak. But in order to learn to love again, you must learn to trust again. 

When a mysterious young woman named Katie appears in the small North Carolina town of Southport, her sudden arrival raises questions about her past. Beautiful yet self-effacing, Katie seems determined to avoid forming personal ties until a series of events draws her into two reluctant relationships: one with Alex, a widowed store owner with a kind heart and two young children; and another with her plainspoken single neighbor, Jo. Despite her reservations, Katie slowly begins to let down her guard, putting down roots in the close-knit community and becoming increasingly attached to Alex and his family.

But even as Katie begins to fall in love, she struggles with the dark secret that still haunts and terrifies her . . . a past that set her on a fearful, shattering journey across the country, to the sheltered oasis of Southport. With Jo’s empathic and stubborn support, Katie eventually realizes that she must choose between a life of transient safety and one of riskier rewards . . . and that in the darkest hour, love is the only true safe haven.

-- My Rating --

3/5 Oscars: Liked it...

-- My Thoughts --

      I love Nicholas Sparks. He is one of the authors that I will always keep an eye out for. Yes, some of his books are great. Some are not so great. But, it's a fact, that's he's one of the most talented authors out there. He always brings something new to the field, and this book did not disappoint.

     Katie is off into a new town. Away from her violent past. And she has made some rules: Never form attachments, never get too close, and never leave traces of her old life. But when she meets her outspoken neighbor, Jo, and the  guy who runs the supermarket, Alex, and his two little kids, all the rules are thrown out of the window. Will Katie survive or will another disaster strike?

     This book is very different from Nicholas Sparks' other novels, halfway through, it becomes more of a thriller than a contemporary romance. The suspense, the thrill, the on-edge-of-your-toes moments are all you get from this book. And I liked it. But there is something in the end of the book, and in the end of The Best of Me, too. Nicholas Sparks has added something new to his endings and I don't really like it. His books were amazing the way they were, and I wonder if he believes in what he added himself. You have to read to find out what I am talking about.

      Of course, I don't have to say more, I would always recommend Nicholas Sparks' books to anyone. They are all different shades of amazing and unique.

Review: The Best of Me by Nicholas Sparks

Name of book: The Best of Me
Author: Nicholas Sparks
Publication: October 11th 2011 by Grand Central Publishing
Genre: Romantic Fiction
Source: Borrowed from a friend
Goodreads

THE BEST OF ME is the heart-rending story of two small-town former high school sweethearts from opposite sides of the tracks. Now middle-aged, they've taken wildly divergent paths, but neither has lived the life they imagined . . . and neither can forget the passionate first love that forever altered their world. When they are both called back to their hometown for the funeral of the mentor who once gave them shelter, they will be forced to confront the choices each has made, and ask whether love can truly rewrite the past.

-- My Rating --

-- My Thoughts --

     If you have been following my blog for a while, you would know that I am a HUGE fan of Nicholas Sparks. Before I started this blog, I had read "A Walk to Remember" and "A Bend In The Road", so I don't have reviews for them. I have also read "At First Sight", which you can find my review here. I love his books, the way the make me feel is exceptional, and this book was no exception. 

    Teenagers, Dawson and Amanda fell in love in the summer of 1984. But they were different. Way different. Amanda was a Collier, one of the royal families in town and expectations rose high for her.. Dawson was a Cole, a family famous for its criminal record, people expected him to be behind bards and have an empty future. They found comfort in each other and they were able to escape the cruel world. But at the end of the senior years, circumstances tear them apart.

     Now, twenty-five years later, they go back home to their mutual friend's funeral. When they meet again, they can't deny the spark that is still there. None of them has lived the life they imagined. Dawson should have died a couple of times, but fate always brings him back. Amanda is stuck in a marriage with an alcoholic. Will this weekend change their  lives? Find out the power of love in this striking new novel, by the ever talented author, Nicholas Sparks..

     I loved this book. It was a great love story, just like Nicholas's author books.. He is a very talented author. I love the way he makes me cry in all his books. There was something bugging me in this novel, I don't think I can pinpoint it. Maybe it was the "ghost" aspect of Dawson's life. You don't know what I am talking about, but once you read the novel, you will.

     This is a very enjoyable, romantic read. That left me crying. I will definitely read any books Nicholas Sparks writes. Recommended to fans of romance!

Review: At First Sight by Nicholas Sparks

Name of book:  At First Sight
Author: Nicholas Sparks
Publication: September 5th 2006 by Gran Central Publishing
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Source: Bought

There are a few things Jeremy Marsh was sure he’d never do: he’d never leave New York City; never give his heart away after barely surviving one failed marriage; and never become a parent. Now Jeremy is living in the tiny town of Boone Creek, North Carolina, engaged to Lexie Darnell, the love of his life, and anticipating the start of their family. But just as his life seems to be settling into a blissful pattern, a mysterious and disturbing e-mail sets off a chain of events that will change the course of this young couple’s relationship. How well do we really know the ones we love? How do we handle the inevitable doubts, fears concerning parenthood, and stumbling blocks that are sometimes placed in our way? Continuing the story of the young couple introduced in Sparks’s bestselling True Believer, this novel captures all the heartbreak, tension, romance and surprises of those who are newly wed. An astonishing tale about the love between a man and a woman and between a parent and a child, At First Sight is about endings that bring new beginnings . . . tragedies that lead to unexpected joy . . . and, most of all, the magic of everlasting love.

-- My Rating --

-- My Thoughts --

     A lovely, romantic author, Nicholas Sparks. He speaks right to your heart, I love his novels. After reading A Walk To Remember and A Bend In The Road, this book did not stray from the greatness of both, it was equally touching and emotionally productive.

     Jeremy falls in love with Lexie when he visits her old town, looking for some proves on the "ghostly" lights that appear at the cemetery at night. Falling more and more in love each day, Jeremy decides to move from New York to Boone Crick, Lexie's home. But fate has planned a completely different life for them, Jeremy and Lexie have to fight each day for the love they share. And the outcomes are not always pleasant.

     The story develops as Jeremy and Lexie try to overcome the ups and downs in their marriage, and to get ready for the little baby girl to be born. As the due day gets closer, Jeremy has to ask himself, is love at first sight truly possible?  Will his life turn out like how he planned? Find out when you read the heart-wrenching, emotionally-compelling novel, At First Sight...

     I adored this book! The characters are totally three-dimensional, and they develop throughout the book, you get to notice how Jeremy finds his true-self and his true passion. The story-line is utterly captivating. There is only one thing that always breaks my heart in Nicholas Sparks' books, the ending... When I read the end, it's mostly always the same thought that crosses my mind: "Why, Oh, Why??"

     You know what? Just go grab one of Nicholas Sparks' books. Whichever you choose, you will never ever be disappointed. Each of his books are sewn with a great delicateness and passion, each will grip you heart and never let it go. Nicholas Sparks is truly a genius storyteller...

Have you read any of Nicholas Sparks' books? What do you think about them? Which one do you recommend? Just leave me a comment....