Book Review: The Lucky One by Nicholas Sparks

The Lucky One by Nicholas Sparks


My rating: 2 of 5 stars



This was one of the hardest books to dive into, the process he uses to write this book just has the reader riding on the surface of the pages, completely unable to soak up the meaningless words he's written. It almost seems as if Sparks was disinterested himself, when he wrote this book. There was an utter and complete lack of passion, flow, and connect-ability.

I read a previous review where a goodreads member says the book was full of stereotypes, which is true, as if trying to rush, the author created these personalities based on basic knowledge, stereotypical passable facts and just space fillers. Reading this book was like reading a forced book in school, where you have no choice but to finish it, but in this case, I did no such thing.

I am not Sparks' biggest fan, but I do regard him as a good author, however, he dropped the ball on this one. His descriptions of settings and interactions are rather vague, leaving you struggling to picture the events in your head; for a book, this is suicide. Readers choose books because they can create their own visions of scenes based on the helpful descriptive writing from the author, with this book you are on your own.

Furthermore, this love story, while unique in its actual plot, has been written in such a chewed up, regular, basic, recycled manner, that it just seems like you are rereading every romance novel ever written, compiled into this one book.

The only reason I gave this book 2 stars was because I genuinely liked the plot and how the main character actually comes to connect with the leading lady, it's very unique and rides along this new "paranormal" line that is increasingly present in Nicholas Sparks books, such as Safe Haven, (I won't go into detail because it would be a spoiler for this book).

Overall, I do not recommend this book as a first-time Nicholas Sparks read. I do not recommend this as a first time romance read, or fiction read, or anything.



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Book Review: Dear John by Nicholas Sparks

Not enough is said about the trials and tribulations of love when you're in the military; and even less about the struggles one faces with aging family back home. But this books makes a perfect example about the real-life sacrifices and choices service members often have to make in order to serve.

Set in a comfortable and memorable beach background, John Tyree is portrayed as a lovable yet reluctant romantic, who falls for Savannah Curtis, and begins exchanging letters with her while deployed. John must face the challenge of dating Savannah in a long stance relationship while they both change as people, and manage the progression of his father's Asberger Syndrome.

Nicholas Spark's use of Johns relationship with Savannah strengthens the attachment of the reader, in his many mentions of Savannah's training with Autistic children; a condition very similar to Asberger, and how she helps John along with things he did not understand about his father before she enlightened him.

The story also tears at the heart strings of anyone who has ever been in a relationship where circumstance often plays a large role in its outcome. Overall this book opens a door to readers about what it's like to love so terribly strong, and how military life plays a part in who someone is at their core and how it helps them succeed; but all in return for an immense amount of sacrifice and experience.

Be prepared to be taken back to a time in your life when you were old enough to love anyone you wanted, yet young enough to still enjoy a carefree relationship, full of summer romance and memories with "that amazing guy" who wears a military standard and uniform to add to his appeal and lovableness. The story takes place in a time that everyone has encountered at one point or another, meeting summer love and making memories that never fade, long after both lives may have gone their separate ways. It enhances those "alone" moments in the rain and makes the reader feel a part of the events as if experiencing their own affairs all over again.

I would recommend this book to anyone looking for a tale of romance that encourages both excitement and sadness in the reader; for a well rounded experience.

© C. J. Leger September 16, 2014

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