First, just let me say, I LOVE Sparks and his books.. except this one.

I am so disappointed in this book. I have two theories: One- this is Nicholas Sparks real writing and TWO- his wife had a MAJOR part in his previous writing/books. Get what I did there? Both theories are the same: his wife had a hand in his previous work. Is it pure coincidence that he gets a divorce, writes his longest book yet and it sucks? If you gave me this book, didn’t tell me the author/title was and told me to read it, I would be shocked that it was by the great Nicholas Sparks.

He’s the type of romance that makes you all gooey and then BAM hits you with real life. It’s amazing and you are usually left in a trance of, how did he do that again?! You are then unable to think about anything else for a few days, obsessing over it. Well not this time. To me, this was more of a mystery and not a good one at that.

Basically, half the book is so slow and drags out. I mean, you get half way through and we are on like the second date. What! Then it starts to pick up and the rest of the book is about finding Maria’s stalker. It then turns into a mystery novel, where you are trying to figure out (along with the characters) who is after her. Except that you know who it is pretty quickly. I mean this book is predictable! I figure it out, while they are constantly going around in circles and missing the obvious clue that is sitting right in front of their face. I am really good at figuring out mysteries and so it’s kinda hard to pull one over on me. I was trying to give them the benefit of the doubt. I know that not everyone is as skilled at figuring out the one clue that pinpoints everything. Still… it’s not until the very last second that it’s figured out and I’m yelling FINALLY!

Then there is the chase against time…. Will they be able to save her or will they run out of time. Then lets drive 120mph with the so-called love of my life, in the passenger seat, while she is having a panic attack. I’m sorry, it’s just madness and not even the good kind. Totally, not even realistic.

Then all the crazy happens and that is it. (trying not to give away too many spoilers) The ending was horrible! You have no idea who lives and dies... but then there is an Epilogue.. Honestly, it might have been better if he just left it and you have to wonder who lived and who dies. Wouldn’t that be just a crazy twist?! Instead we get the Epilogue and everyone. Lives. Happily. Ever. After. Sigh… maybe this is the twist? It never happens in his books. Someone important that you absolutely do not want to die, dies. It’s part of the BAM that hits you! Something that just makes your heart .. ache.
This book had a lot of the corny factor too. I mean.. you can only take so much. I know that his books can always have some, but it’s a good amount. It’s expected but this was just a bit too much for me to take. There’s also some weird lines and references that just don’t make any sense. I did not appreciate the Walmart plug, I hate Walmart.

The supporting characters were way more likable that the leading. I mean Serena, Maria’s sister, is just way more interesting and not as clueless. I loved Jill, Maria’s best friend from work. She was fun and didn’t put up with sexual harassment. Colin was just so annoying with all his “okay” answers. You barely get to know anything about him because he will answer every question or remark with an “okay.”

Sorry, Nicholas Sparks but John Green already took the “okay” and he did it fabulously, while you did not. Even though, I gave this book an “its okay” rating, don’t read anything into that! Haha.

I would definitely recommend skipping this one. Worst one I have read so far.