themararose's review
3.0
3.5 stars. I enjoyed the romance and the atmosphere as usual with Sparks books. However, i felt that there could have been more interactions with other characters and story lines.
bettyjowerthmann's review against another edition
lighthearted
relaxing
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
2.0
My first Nicholas sparks book. Nice story but a little too “Hallmark” for me.
allym659's review against another edition
4.0
This was one I had a hard time getting into, but more than half way through it picked up. It is a tear jerker for sure.
keely96's review against another edition
3.0
Listened to this as an audiobook. It’s been years since reading a Nicholas Sparks book…I forgot how depressing they can be. Didn’t love this one but didn’t hate it either. Tru & Hope met in North Carolina in the 90s and fell in love, but life wasn’t in their favor for them to continue their relationship. Tru was visiting from Zimbabwe and he couldn’t leave his son that lived there. Hope was in a relationship, but it wasn’t going the way she wanted, but she couldn’t give up the idea of not having kids, which is something Tru couldn’t give her. Fast forward 24 years later…after what seemed like a lifetime of living they found themselves back to each other and their feelings still existed. Hope was divorced and had children. Tru had recovered from a terrible accident and was single. Their lives matched up for once…but Hope had ALS and was slowly dying, but Tru decided they would love each other for as long as they could. I’m glad it ended with them being happy together and not going into more of the depressing aspects of a terminal illness.
thelexingtonbookie's review against another edition
3.0
First off, I want to say a huge thank you to Haley from @eclectic.bookworm.haley and Grand Central Publishing for their giveaway back in November, 2018. I won a hardcover copy of this novel, and I was super excited to give it a read! I had a few books lined up to read before it, but the timing couldn't have been more perfect to share this review.
When anyone hears the name Nicholas Sparks, they immediately expect a love story. Without fail, Sparks has turned out novel after novel of couples that, despite conflicts, gain a semblance of happily ever after. In Every Breath, Sparks delivers another sweet couple- Hope and Tru.
On a Carolina shore in 1990, Hope, along with her dog Scottie, is renting out a beach cottage for the weekend as one of her sorority sisters is getting married. She's come alone after breaking off her relationship with her boyfriend Josh for the fourth time. She still loves him, and believes that "If you love someone, set them free. If they love you, they'll come back." When she least expects it, a man comes up to her cottage with Scottie, and introduces himself as Tru.
Tru is a native of Zimbabwe and a tour guide in a wildlife preserve, who has come to the States to meet his father for the first time. His mother had recently passed, and he was eager to hear about his mother's past, though uncertain to hear why his father left her. While walking the beach, he noticed Scottie and assumed him lost. He brought him to a nearby cottage, hoping to find an owner- and met Hope.
From that day, though they only would be together for a week, the two fall hopelessly for each other. Unfortunately circumstances would separate them, but through the aid of a special mailbox, they were reunited. Sparks creates a simple, sweet love story for his readers, with a few twists to keep readers engaged and guessing.
I was however disappointed to learn that the story was fictional, as Sparks introduces it as being based on a true account. Truthfully, I think that if the love story were indeed true and separate from the author's legacy, it would have more of a lasting impact- such as if it were a memoir instead. I felt almost deceived when Sparks shares the epilogue, revealing this information. However, it is still a pleasurable read and certainly fulfills the expectations of Sparks' audience. Would I still recommend it? Yes, if you love everything Sparks writes or if you love romance novels, it's a solid choice.
When anyone hears the name Nicholas Sparks, they immediately expect a love story. Without fail, Sparks has turned out novel after novel of couples that, despite conflicts, gain a semblance of happily ever after. In Every Breath, Sparks delivers another sweet couple- Hope and Tru.
On a Carolina shore in 1990, Hope, along with her dog Scottie, is renting out a beach cottage for the weekend as one of her sorority sisters is getting married. She's come alone after breaking off her relationship with her boyfriend Josh for the fourth time. She still loves him, and believes that "If you love someone, set them free. If they love you, they'll come back." When she least expects it, a man comes up to her cottage with Scottie, and introduces himself as Tru.
Tru is a native of Zimbabwe and a tour guide in a wildlife preserve, who has come to the States to meet his father for the first time. His mother had recently passed, and he was eager to hear about his mother's past, though uncertain to hear why his father left her. While walking the beach, he noticed Scottie and assumed him lost. He brought him to a nearby cottage, hoping to find an owner- and met Hope.
From that day, though they only would be together for a week, the two fall hopelessly for each other. Unfortunately circumstances would separate them, but through the aid of a special mailbox, they were reunited. Sparks creates a simple, sweet love story for his readers, with a few twists to keep readers engaged and guessing.
I was however disappointed to learn that the story was fictional, as Sparks introduces it as being based on a true account. Truthfully, I think that if the love story were indeed true and separate from the author's legacy, it would have more of a lasting impact- such as if it were a memoir instead. I felt almost deceived when Sparks shares the epilogue, revealing this information. However, it is still a pleasurable read and certainly fulfills the expectations of Sparks' audience. Would I still recommend it? Yes, if you love everything Sparks writes or if you love romance novels, it's a solid choice.
maddiboo94's review against another edition
3.0
I found this book hard to get into and then very predictable.
weekendsfullybooked's review
4.0
"One of the great things about a leaf is that it reminds you to live as well as you can, for as long as you can, til it's finally time to let go and drift away with grace."
Summary
Tru and Hope find themselves at next-door cottages on the beach one fall - Tru is visiting from Zimbabwe to meet his biological father for the first time while Hope is in town for her best friend's wedding. Hope has traveled alone, as she is at a cross-roads with her on-again, off-again long-term boyfriend and grappling with her dad's ALS diagnosis. Tru has no idea why his dad would want to meet up after all these years, and neither Tru nor Hope knows that these few days will change their lives forever.
Why did I pick up this book?
I have enjoyed many of Sparks's books over the years, and hadn't read this one yet. Hoping to read all of them someday, so had to check this one off the list!
What did I enjoy about it?
If you've never read a Sparks novel, they are very traditional romances - couple meet under odd/challenging circumstances, they fall for each other, conflict hits, and they typically work it out one way or another. I like that they are comfortable, make me smile, and I don’t really have to think too much. They are truly an escape from reality, like a rom com you've seen a dozen times.
What did I not enjoy about it?
I guess it's been a while since I read one of his, but I forgot how far-fetched some aspects can seem. I'm trying to compartmentalize - these are not meant to be the next Great American Novel - but I did feel myself roll my eyes more than once. Also, I would definitely avoid the Audiobook. The female narrator half-committed to her accents and it was distracting. Finally, and this is petty, but I hate when the title doesn't make sense or have relevance in the book - maybe I just missed it! If I had to recommend an alternate title, I would suggest "Kindred Spirit."
Summary
Tru and Hope find themselves at next-door cottages on the beach one fall - Tru is visiting from Zimbabwe to meet his biological father for the first time while Hope is in town for her best friend's wedding. Hope has traveled alone, as she is at a cross-roads with her on-again, off-again long-term boyfriend and grappling with her dad's ALS diagnosis. Tru has no idea why his dad would want to meet up after all these years, and neither Tru nor Hope knows that these few days will change their lives forever.
Why did I pick up this book?
I have enjoyed many of Sparks's books over the years, and hadn't read this one yet. Hoping to read all of them someday, so had to check this one off the list!
What did I enjoy about it?
If you've never read a Sparks novel, they are very traditional romances - couple meet under odd/challenging circumstances, they fall for each other, conflict hits, and they typically work it out one way or another. I like that they are comfortable, make me smile, and I don’t really have to think too much. They are truly an escape from reality, like a rom com you've seen a dozen times.
What did I not enjoy about it?
I guess it's been a while since I read one of his, but I forgot how far-fetched some aspects can seem. I'm trying to compartmentalize - these are not meant to be the next Great American Novel - but I did feel myself roll my eyes more than once. Also, I would definitely avoid the Audiobook. The female narrator half-committed to her accents and it was distracting. Finally, and this is petty, but I hate when the title doesn't make sense or have relevance in the book - maybe I just missed it! If I had to recommend an alternate title, I would suggest "Kindred Spirit."