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Dear John

by Nicholas Sparks

3.83 · rating details · 70,537 ratings · 6,294 reviews

An angry rebel, John dropped out of school and enlisted in the Army, not knowing what else to do with his life--until he meets the girl of his dreams, Savannah. Their mutual attraction quickly grows into the kind of love that leaves Savannah waiting for John to finish his tour of duty, and John wanting to settle down with the woman who has captured his heart. But 9/11 chan...more

Mass Market Paperback, 334 pages

Published July 1st 2008 by Grand Central Publishing (first published October 30th 2006)

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Dec 08, 2009

Arlene rated it

· review of another edition

Shelves: read-2009, romance

Dear John by Nicholas Sparks is one of those books I've developed a love/hate relationship with. I love, love, love the first part of the book, and I immediately fell for the main character, John Tyree. But when he gets his Dear John letter, it was all down hill from there, and I have to say I was left in angst. The ending is to some extent depressing, but I do have to give it to Sparks because he paints a realistic picture. However, someone needs to let the man know that he's writing fiction ...more

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May 02, 2010

Cara rated it

· review of another edition

Shelves: 2010, books-made-into-movies, male-protagonist, realistic-fiction, recommended-to-me

This book needs to have a different title like maybe The Rehash or The Tragic Tragedy . Seriously how many times do we have to hear about the same scenes?!?!

Ok so I didn't hate it, but really it was a bit of an overload. I had it coming though, I mean what did I expect by picking up a Nicholas Sparks novel? Sparks is a popular author for a reason. His writing draws you in but not forcefully. The words gently tug you along and before you know it you have to finish the book. I will ...moreThis book needs to have a different title like maybe The Rehash or The Tragic Tragedy . Seriously how many times do we have to hear about the same scenes?!?!

Ok so I didn't hate it, but really it was a bit of an overload. I had it coming though, I mean what did I expect by picking up a Nicholas Sparks novel? Sparks is a popular author for a reason. His writing draws you in but not forcefully. The words gently tug you along and before you know it you have to finish the book. I will give him props for that because I'm not one of those people who has to see a book to the end, if it's not holding my interest I chuck it.

After I finished reading I literally was exhausted. It's like Sparks was sitting at his computer and thought about all the ways to make it romantically tragic. I can just see him now, "Aha! That will definitely be a tear jerker, I'm a genuis!" Way overdone. I cannot say that enough. Don't get me wrong there a scenes where you are like that was good, but he tries to stick in too many. He is a master puppeteer when it comes to pulling your heart strings, basically merciless this guy.

The premise was interesting because I grew up as a military kid and I wanted see the perspective of a soldier without children. John is good in the beginning but then he changes pretty dramatically. In the first half of the book he keeps saying and my love grew stronger at least 4 or 5 times. Really John how much stronger can it get? There was this thing that really bothered me. He kept saying base but in the Army they call it a post, the Air Force calls military installations bases. The terms are of course are interchangeable and people use them both, but for the time John is in the Army he would have known that.

I would have rather read a story focused on John's relationship with his father and have Savannah as a side note. That would have been better. Kind of let down and don't even feel like watching the movie anymore. Basically I'm saying to pick up something else if you are not into sappy, sad, melodramatic stories.(less)

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Mar 28, 2011

TheBookVixen rated it

· review of another edition

Shelves: read-in-2010, re-read, own

Let me start off by saying that I am not a re-reader. My philosophy is why re-read when you can read something new, right? But when I saw the re-release of Dear John by Nicholas Sparks (with Channing Tatum on the cover!!) and the fact that a movie was made based on the novel, I wanted to revisit John and Savannah.

I think it goes without saying that Nicholas Sparks is one of my favorite authors. If Sparks writes it, I will read it. His books are on my auto-buy list. It all started wit...moreLet me start off by saying that I am not a re-reader. My philosophy is why re-read when you can read something new, right? But when I saw the re-release of Dear John by Nicholas Sparks (with Channing Tatum on the cover!!) and the fact that a movie was made based on the novel, I wanted to revisit John and Savannah.

I think it goes without saying that Nicholas Sparks is one of my favorite authors. If Sparks writes it, I will read it. His books are on my auto-buy list. It all started with the movie The Notebook. I was completely and utterly captivated with Noah and Allie's story. I wanted more. When I found out the movie was based on a novel, I went to the bookstore and picked it up and read my very first Nicholas Sparks novel. Then I read At First Sight, True Believer, Message in a Bottle....the list goes on and on. I fell in love with his writing style, the characters and with North Carolina (the state itself is a character in its own right in each of his novels). Sparks has a way of getting the reader immersed in his story, longing for more. He has a knack for pulling the reader right into the story.

Dear John is story of love, loss and emotion. It is a story that begs the question 'what if...?'. What if you took a different path in life? Would you still end up at the same destination? What if you made the wrong choice? Would you live to regret it? And what about the tougher questions, like how long would you wait for the one you love? Can love survive the distance?

John is a bit of a rebel but never fell too far off the right path. He was raised by his father, though the two weren't all that close. John had a hard time relating to his father. His father's coin collecting hobby kept them close for a short while. Over time, the two grew further apart. After high school, John realized he wasn't going anywhere in life so he enlisted with the Army for a 4-year tour.

Savannah is a girl who is pure and full of naïve innocence. She's an all-around good girl; you could even call her a goody two-shoes. She lives in a small town and is very close to her parents. She dreams of opening up a horse ranch for autistic kids. It is on a break from school, when she's volunteering for Habit for Humanity, that she meets John and the two fall quickly in love.

Neither John or Savannah were expecting to fall in love but their attraction was inevitable. His two-week furlough is up and he has to return to Germany. Savannah promises to wait for John to finish out his tour. The two continue their relationship through handwritten letters. Savannah writes first.

Dear John,

There's so much I want to say to you, but I'm not sure where I should begin. Should I start by telling you that I love you? Or that the days I've spent with you have been the happiest in my life? Or that in the short time I've known you, I've come to believe that we were meant to be together? I could say all those things and all would be true, but as I reread them, all I can think is that I wish I were with you now, holding your hand and watching your elusive smile.

The two continue their relationship through romantic letters, then the events of 9/11 happen and John re-enlists. The distance and time apart put a toll on their relationship. And the questions of "what if...?" begin.

Dear John is one of my favorite reads by Nicholas Sparks. It is a story you will not soon forget. You will cry. Your heart will ache. You will find yourself asking "what if...?". Dear John is about a love lost but not forgotten. I don't agree with some of the choices made by either John or Savannah but John's selfless act at the end of the story made me proud. Have the tissues ready! If you love a good, seamless love story that pulls on your heart strings, then you need to read Dear John. In fact, you need to read everything by Nicholas Sparks. His stories of timeless, endless love will captivate your heart and stay with you.

A movie has been made based on this novel. To date, there have been 6 book-to-movie adaptions for Sparks' works. I have yet to see Dear John but I will definitely be getting the DVD once it gets released for my collection.

You can find this review, and many more, on my blog The Book Vixen.(less)

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Aug 01, 2007

Melanie Chapin rated it

· review of another edition

Recommends it for: Anyone

This was a great book! I'm a huge Nicolas Sparks fan & have read all of his books now:) This is one of my favorites! Great story, easy to read, & it really sucks you in!
Ok, I loved it!!! When is Nicolas coming out with a new book!?!?!?

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Jun 22, 2011

Buggy rated it

· review of another edition

Shelves: shelf-09, contemp-rom, lit-boyfriends, men-in-uniform-af-sp-ops, not-so-hea

Opening Line:My name is John Tyree. I was born in 1977, and I grew up in Wilmington, North Carolina..."

You can always tell you're reading a great book when you find yourself skipping ahead into the final chapters to see how things will be resolved, even though you've vowed you wouldn't. Love doesn't always have a happy ending (especially when it comes to a Nicholas Sparks novel) and this is a wonderful, albeit quick tear-jerking romance.

Our hero John grew up with a ...moreOpening Line:My name is John Tyree. I was born in 1977, and I grew up in Wilmington, North Carolina..."

You can always tell you're reading a great book when you find yourself skipping ahead into the final chapters to see how things will be resolved, even though you've vowed you wouldn't. Love doesn't always have a happy ending (especially when it comes to a Nicholas Sparks novel) and this is a wonderful, albeit quick tear-jerking romance.

Our hero John grew up with a silent, meticulously organized father that he didn't understand. In his teens he began to rebel, hanging out, playing pool and drinking. This continues for a number of years with John working menial jobs, getting several tattoos and going nowhere fast. Eventually John decides its time to grow up and he joins the army. In fact it's during 2 weeks leave that he first meets Savannah, diving into the ocean to rescue her sinking purse. Savannah is your stereotypical good-girl; raised in a stable family she's kind, pretty and hopes to save the world. It's also love at first sight for our couple despite the warnings from her tattoo phobic college friends. Together the pair plans a future together, counting down the days until John's discharge as Savannah helps him understand his father and he in turn feels contentment for the first time in his life.

On Sept 11 everything changes as John in a moment of patriotic loyalty chooses to re-up in the army, putting a hold on their marriage plans while he enters the war in Iraq. The two try to maintain a long distance relationship but the war changes John and the years apart put a strain on their deep love. When John's father grows ill he returns home but will he be too late to save both his relationship with his father and the love of his life?

I fell in love with John's character and surprisingly his father too. Each is well written and they felt like real people. I also enjoyed reading about John's military career and the reasons that take men into a war. Savannah as the heroine was a little too perfect for me but their heartbreaking love story and the regret that they both share will keep you up into the wee hours, and leave you wondering about John long after you've finished reading its bittersweet ending.

Another great read from Nicholas Sparks that I would definitely recommend. Oh, and John if you're out there, I'm single... (less)

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Jan 27, 2010

Katia rated it

· review of another edition

Shelves: audiobooks, best-sellers, chick-lit, romance

OK, so...I finally finished. Like a lot of other people, I read this simply because I saw the preview for the movie and I HAVE to read a book before I see the film adaptation. In this case, I really wish I wasn't so anal retentive.

Anyhoo, the book. Typical Sparks fare - star-crossed lovers, torn apart by fate, life, what have you. I really enjoyed the interaction between John and his father a lot more than I did his relationship with Savannah, maybe because it seemed far more rea...more

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May 13, 2011

Ummu Auni rated it

· review of another edition

Shelves: read-2011

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. As much as this book affected me in some ways, I couldn't give this book a higher rating due to:

1. The relationship between John & Savannah - too fast paced, with small rift can cause tonnes of issues that escalated more than intended. Letters to John were simplistic enough, and it wasn't the core of the story. I would prefer more letters written, exchanging the love between the lovers.

2. John's time in army was painted too simple, there's nothing than can make me associa...moreAs much as this book affected me in some ways, I couldn't give this book a higher rating due to:

1. The relationship between John & Savannah - too fast paced, with small rift can cause tonnes of issues that escalated more than intended. Letters to John were simplistic enough, and it wasn't the core of the story. I would prefer more letters written, exchanging the love between the lovers.

2. John's time in army was painted too simple, there's nothing than can make me associate how army actually is. The author should have done more research.

3. Savannah - how can she simply let John go even though she loves him?

But, there are plus points in the novel, what I love most is the fact where the story started off with John describing his childhood memories, but the one thing that struck me most is the relationship between him & his father. I actually pitied John's father from the start, when John rebelled against him but he kept his silent, when he was trying to fit in, but then when John started started to scold him for his father's obsession on coins, his father tried his best to make John happy by putting away their only picture together (John grinning from ear to ear holding minted coins), or the fact his father raised John single handedly.

When Savannah told the possibility of John's father suffering Asperger's Syndrome, it made him angry, but then John mended his relationship with his father. Then, he understood why his father keeps silent, and conversation would be one sided or the obsession with coins, or the fact that his father follows certain protocol without fail. That part teared me up. I imagined how hard it must be for his father to raise him up as a single father, and then trying his best to fit in and cope with John's demands. The final years of his father was pro-founding & had me crying. It was wonderfully written on how John trying to mend his relationship with father, or the fact how he had taken his father for granted all these while.

The book could have a happier ending, I mean that's what fictions are right? But then, maybe Sparks try his best to put a more realistic approach, that the lover won;t be united in the end.

If you want a tear jerker, this is it. I stayed up late trying to finish this book, and that ends me giving a 3.5 to this book (less)

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Aug 29, 2007

Kristy rated it

· review of another edition

Mom recommended this one- I hate Nick Sparks' writing. It's too simplistic and yet too formal. In my opinion, no one in this day and age is allowed to use "for" when they mean "because." Too plot driven and he spells everything out. I might have loved this in 7th grade...

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Sep 25, 2007

Erin rated it

· review of another edition

Spoiler Alert - Though it started out really well, I hated the ending! In typical Sparks fashion, your not left with a happy ending. Though I have been a fan of his (The Notebook is one of my favorites), I am growing weary of these endings. I just don't like to invest my time and the roller coaster of emotions he sends you through only to be left unsatisfied. (If you've seen the movie Cold Mountain, you may get what I mean. I felt the same way at the end of it, "Hello...I spent 3 hours...more

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Jan 17, 2008

Caroline rated it

· review of another edition

I was looking for a book to read for the El trip home but didn't have time to really search. This was in the discard section of the library and I grabbed it thinking that it couldn't be that bad. After all, the Notebook was a good guilty pleasure. Could not have been more wrong. Ugh. I wanted to tear my eyes out and stomp on them after reading this. I felt dirty and compromised as if I had too much to drink one night and woke up next to a naked Mike Huckabee. This book was beyond preachy ...more

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Aug 08, 2010

Tatiana rated it

· review of another edition

Shelves: 2010, romance, contemporary

This was my first Nicholas Sparks novel and given what I expected, I wasn't disappointed, but I wasn't blown away by it, either. The characters weren't complex and the plot was predictable. However, I appreciated that Sparks didn't dish up your standard, run-of-the-mill love story. It was a growing up story more than anything else; we went on a journey, following main character and narrator, John Tyree, as he learned, among other things, how to love, how to forgive, and how to accept the people ...more

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Jan 14, 2009

Danielle rated it

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John Tyree is a soldier first, and then a man. So he thinks, until he meets Savannah Lynn Curtis. While on leave he falls desperately in love with Savannah, the proverbial girls of his dreams. Savannah is sweet, intelligent, and giving. But it doesn't take long before Johns military career and own personal struggles interfere with the promises made to his new found love.

I think it goes without saying that Nicholas Sparks is a master storyteller, and there is a reason he is so success...more

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Nov 09, 2009

Christina rated it

· review of another edition

***Spoilers***
I really loved this book but the ending just killed me, I hated the ending. After everything John goes through he doesn't get to be with the person he loves. Of course in the beginning of the book it states that they don't end up together but I still had hope and I thought they weren't gonna end up together for different reasons, but Savannah leaves John! She doesn't wait for him! She said she truly loved him and then she falls in love him someone else while John is away, whi...more

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Jul 24, 2008

Amy (amyb2332) rated it

· review of another edition

Shelves: audiobook, romance, 2008-audiobooks

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

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Feb 01, 2010

Heather rated it

· review of another edition

I loved this book! Which I was not expecting. It got to me, but I loved it. I just felt like I had to find out why (loved the way Sparks started it). Took a turn or two I was not expecting and it showed a few relationships I was not expecting, which I loved too. Not just a love story but about a man truly finding himself.

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Mar 23, 2010

Samir is currently reading it · review of another edition

Shelves: english-1, ssr

this book is about how john was a good student at school but one day when he found out his dad doesn't care about his grades all his dad cares about is coins so then john's grades dropped and he dropped out of school to find a job because they were poor.one day john thought about joining the marines because he didn't find a job.the character that changed a lot was john because before he went to the marines he smoked and drank but after he came back for a visit he was done with all of that

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Jan 06, 2009

Katie Hutchison Irion rated it

· review of another edition

What can I say, I had NOTHING to read. I am not the biggest fan of Nicholas Sparks and this made me even less of one. Don't waste your time unless you are up for a sad book with poor writing.

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Mar 19, 2009

Shirelle rated it

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Shelves: fiction

Another one of my favorites of his.

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Mar 24, 2009

Sarah rated it

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This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

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May 14, 2010

Sylvia added it · review of another edition

When i first began to read Dear John, by Nicholas Sparks, i had a typical idea of what the book might be like. A love story, just like all: boy loves girl- girl loves boy, something happens, someone dies, the end. I never thought that it would amount to such a intriguing book, not only discussing a love story but tying in other things, such as autism, and fate as well.
As a romance novelist, it is cliche to say that Nicholas Sparks is an emotional writer--one who writes with compassio...more When i first began to read Dear John, by Nicholas Sparks, i had a typical idea of what the book might be like. A love story, just like all: boy loves girl- girl loves boy, something happens, someone dies, the end. I never thought that it would amount to such a intriguing book, not only discussing a love story but tying in other things, such as autism, and fate as well.
As a romance novelist, it is cliche to say that Nicholas Sparks is an emotional writer--one who writes with compassion and sincerity. With The Notebook being one of my favorite movies, i began to read and think of this book with anticipation that it would either a) make me cry, just as The Notebook did, or b) make be believe that the characters were, to me, were relate-able. I surprised myself, though, that when i began to read, i saw this book in a sardonic and cynical manner. Until, i began to fall head over heels for that the two main characters, John Tyree and Savannah Lynn Curtis.
The plot of this book is based around a girl, and boy she did not expect to fall in love with. John begins the book, and continues in his perspective, with a bitter monotonous, typically army-guy outlook on everything. He returns to Wilmington one summer for two weeks on leave from the army and his station in Germany. He states on page 28, "i thought about paying a visit to Leroy's, but figured that nothing or no one had changed except for me." In this section, he makes a reference to the person he was before. John was considered a hothead, a high school graduate with no college degree, who joined the army. In the beginning of the book, he describes what the army life was like, and what type of people join the army. This is why when he begins to fall for Savannah the summer he meets her, he astonishes himself. In his old life, he used to hold in his anger, and Savannah teaches him to convey it in a better way. Only once, on the beach, does he have an episode of anger, when Savannah requests that his monotonous father may not just be antisocial, but a victim of Aspbergers.
"I pounded down the steps, hit the sand and headed for the house...i looked angry." he says. In the middle of the book, another factor is worked into it. Tim, who is a long time friend of Savannah's and an all around good-guy, has a younger brother, Alan, who is affected by autism. I like that this book does not only focus on the thought of love, but also on other aspects of life.
In conclusion, i believe that love is something a person looks foward to. This book includes wonderful details of what true love is like, and how love can hurt you more than anything. All in all, this book made me question not only what truth and happiness lies in love, but the philosphy of it;s creation behind it.(less)

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Apr 05, 2010

Suhang1 added it · review of another edition

Even the bittersweet love story between John and savannah is very touched me, the change John shows during the book is really impressed me. At the beginning of the book, he was a typical teenage boy, who would cause trouble in school, make wrong decisions, and hand out with wrong friends. when he dropped out of high school, he would like to go to the bar every single night. Finally when John realizes that he doesn't want to be doing this his whole life, he enlist in the army. The boot camp and ...more

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Jan 25, 2012

Jessica Ghiozzi added it · review of another edition

Nicholas Sparks’ novel, Dear John, is a story about a man names John Tyree who enlisted in the army after high school. While on leave, visiting his home on the beach in North Carolina he falls in love with a woman named Savannah who is working on the same beach as Tyree, 6oing work for a humanity group. They meet when Tyree retrieves her purse from the water and soon fall in love. When Tyree returns back to Germany they continue their romance through letters. John’s father and him do not have an...moreNicholas Sparks’ novel, Dear John, is a story about a man names John Tyree who enlisted in the army after high school. While on leave, visiting his home on the beach in North Carolina he falls in love with a woman named Savannah who is working on the same beach as Tyree, 6oing work for a humanity group. They meet when Tyree retrieves her purse from the water and soon fall in love. When Tyree returns back to Germany they continue their romance through letters. John’s father and him do not have an emotional relationship because his father mostly keeps to himself. Savannah encourages John to have more of a relationship with him and believes John’s father has autism. When she suggests this idea to John, it pushes him away. John attempt to build a relationship with his father yet he does not talk much other than his coin collection. While John is in Germany, Savannah vows to wait for him until his tour is over, until the events of September 11 happen and John makes the tough decision to reenlist. While still waiting for John to return home, Savannah finds herself falling in love with someone else and ends her ad John’s relationship with one last Dear John letter. John continues to stay in the army, not finding any reason to go home. His father fell ill and he returned home for his funeral. During this time, he finds that Savannah had feel in love with her friend, Tim. Tim had been diagnosed when melanoma and John anonymous donated his father’s coin collection to help get Tim treatment. John and Savannah spent a lot of time together when he returned home from his father’s funeral, but decided against any type of rekindling of a relationship with her for her own happiness.
I am a very big fan of Nicholas Sparks but Dear John was probably my favorite to read. I had seen the movie but many people said the book is very different and I was very happy I read the book as well. I did not expect the book to end how it did and if it ended any other way, it would not have been o of my favorite books. It makes the reader empathize for John because he does everything he can to make Savannah happy and ends up alone in the end, with no money or any family. I would strongly suggest this book to anyone who wants to read a very powerful book that really evokes many emotions.
(less)

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Jan 24, 2012

Tiffany rated it

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The novel Dear John by Nicholas Sparks is the second novel that I have read by him and I was most defiantly not disappointed. Never wanting to set my book down flipping through pages and pages. Sparks illustrates the tale of two people falling in love, but one leaves the other for another.

Sparks introduces the main characters John and Savannah. John is returning home to his father for just two weeks from fighting in the war. Floating on his board in the water, gazing at the sun Joh...more The novel Dear John by Nicholas Sparks is the second novel that I have read by him and I was most defiantly not disappointed. Never wanting to set my book down flipping through pages and pages. Sparks illustrates the tale of two people falling in love, but one leaves the other for another.

Sparks introduces the main characters John and Savannah. John is returning home to his father for just two weeks from fighting in the war. Floating on his board in the water, gazing at the sun John notices a beautiful brunette girl on the pier. While watching her from the water, she jumps up to sit on the ledge but accidentally knocks over her bag letting in plunge into the water. John quickly swims over to retrieve it and returns it back to her.

This spark leads to many days and nights spent together. On John’s last day, Savannah and him confess their love for each other. They both promise to write back and forth to each other. Savannah also promises that she will wait for him to return back home. Months and months pass by and John comes back home. He is only staying in town for a few days. They spend countless amount of hours together and then as soon as you know it John has to leave for two years. Savannah promises to stay together forever no matter how far apart they are. While away at war John receives another letter from Savannah. She writes that she can’t go on everyday without him and needs to move on and says her final goodbyes. John is heart broken. A few months later John gets another letter, this time its about his dad, he is very sick and is in the hospital, John flies home to take care of his father. While in town John finds out Savannah in married to Tim. Later on John’s dad passes away and Tim, Savannah’s husband, is diagnosed with cancer. John decides to sell his fathers valuable coin collection to help pay for Tim’s medical needs. 

John is all alone now, his father is gone and Savannah has moved on. Even though Savannah shot a bullet through his heart, John is still there for her and will always love her. The theme of the novel is loving someone so much that you can let them go. I recommend this to all readers and look forward to read another one of Nicholas Sparks novels.(less)

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Jan 23, 2012

Jordan Willner rated it

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When I was at the library getting books to read, I saw this book next to the book I was there to buy and decided to try it out too. Dear John is a love story, just like a lot of books! The plot of this book is a guy named John Tyree who decides to join the army but before he goes into it he meets a wonderful girl who he falls in love with named Savannah. John and Savannah write as much as they can to each other while he's in the war, but Savannah falls in love with another man while he's gone. J...more

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Jan 20, 2012

Lauren Vincek rated it

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First and foremost, I want to say that this book is very touching, and it felt very real to me. With that said, I shall begin my review.

Although on some level I understand why some people give this, and most, books written by Nicholas Sparks bad reviews - most of which include complaints that the books are all alike - I have to ask the question of...Why read them if you don't like the similar styles or writing and plot line? I find that very ignorant. Nicholas Sparks writes in his ow...moreFirst and foremost, I want to say that this book is very touching, and it felt very real to me. With that said, I shall begin my review.

Although on some level I understand why some people give this, and most, books written by Nicholas Sparks bad reviews - most of which include complaints that the books are all alike - I have to ask the question of...Why read them if you don't like the similar styles or writing and plot line? I find that very ignorant. Nicholas Sparks writes in his own way. Every one of his books is similar. If you haven't learned by now, that he will probably continue to write in his successful and emotional style, stop buying the books or renting them from your library. They are meant for those individuals who enjoy having their hearts swell with different emotions, and left feeling strongly one way or another. Whether you agree with what the protagonist did in the end or not, you have an opinion about it, and that's what his goal was.

His books, including Dear John, are all very romantic. Every one can relate in one way or another to the characters. Whether they have dreamed of love, experienced it and flourished, or if they were burned by it; they know of it. John Tyree in this novel was very easy to relate to. He was the epitome of an unknowing person who has no idea of a disability in a family member, and struggling for years to get past the problem. He had no idea that his father (view spoiler) and it was easy to understand how frustrating it could have been to have such an aloof parent, when all you wanted was to be close to them. It was easy to relate to the anger he felt when Savannah understood it and tried to talk to him about it. The part that really got to me was when (view spoiler) and he threw himself into the army even more and lost himself in his anger and depression. If you have ever had your heart ripped apart like that, you know what he was feeling. In that kind of state, you do stupid things - anywhere from drinking too much, doing drugs, over-working yourself, or in this case, re-enlisting in the army two more times. I am unsure of how people could expect it to have been written any other way and complain about how he was acting. You are supposed to understand and relate to the main character. Obviously, if you have your heartbroken, you aren't going to magically get over it. Especially your first love, when it is true love.

As for the ending of the book - it was pretty predictable. If you have ever read any other book by this man, you would be well aware of that. I understand that a lot of people get recommendations by their friends and/or family members to read books, but I don't read anything without looking it up. I don't really want to bother sitting down and spending my time reading something if it isn't even anything remotely like something I would be interested in. At least look up the author and see what genre they tend to write in. It's romance. It's tragic romance. You can't say "star-crossed lovers" because that means that they both died. I simply don't understand the logic of people purchasing and reading his books, after they have read more than one other, and then complaining that it is like the other ones. Of course it is. It's his writing style. It's been successful. He's very, very good at it. If you want a happy ending, read a different author.(less)

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Jan 19, 2012

Haley P is currently reading it · review of another edition

Dear John by Nicholas Sparks in my opinion was one of my favorite romance book that i have ever read. Sparks was able to paint a very sharp picture in my head through every chapter. I thought it was very intriguing and worth reading. The story was mostly a summer love more than anything.John, the main character, dropped out of school and enlisted in the Army, not knowing anything else to do with his life; until he meets the girl of his dreams, Savannah. They fall in love deeper than you can imag...more

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Jan 06, 2012

Misty Baker rated it

· review of another edition

If you have ever read a “Nicholas Sparks” novel (or even watched a movie adaptation of one) you should be well versed in certain aspects of his writing by now.

1 – Someone always dies… you may not know who, and you may not know when but it is inevitable, and

2 – He’s not all that big into “happily every afters.”

These 2 reasons are more than enough for me to normally steer clear of Mr. Sparks, but as usual, my OCD took precedence over my need for self preservation and...more

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Jan 03, 2012

Taylor O rated it

· review of another edition

Dear John is about a boy, John, that lives in North Carolina. After high school John enlistes in the army. While home on a leave, John meets Savannah who is in North Carolina doing mission work. Their attraction is mutual and they quickly fall in love.
John has to leave two weeks after they met to go back to the army. Savannah agreed that she would wait for him to finish his tour of duty. They write letters to eachother and picked up where they left off when he comes back on another lea...more

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Jan 03, 2012

Alexis rated it

· review of another edition

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. I just finished this book recently, and let me tell you, I had to force myself to finish it. A typical Nicholas Sparks novel.

At the beginning it was slow, but still pretty alright. A lot of it was cliche, but it wasn’t to the point where you couldn’t read the book at all. I liked John and Savannah’s relationship together, but I still don’t understand why these people fall in love. I mean, sure, a part of the book is about “true love” and all that. But they only know one another for ...moreI just finished this book recently, and let me tell you, I had to force myself to finish it. A typical Nicholas Sparks novel.

At the beginning it was slow, but still pretty alright. A lot of it was cliche, but it wasn’t to the point where you couldn’t read the book at all. I liked John and Savannah’s relationship together, but I still don’t understand why these people fall in love. I mean, sure, a part of the book is about “true love” and all that. But they only know one another for a week and they’re that deep about each other? And so that just marks one thing I don’t like about Nicholas’ books. They fall in love for no reason and that’s that. Wow. But, moving on, their relationship was “cute” in ways and I liked it. Then the book starting getting bad.

I wasn’t having the time of my life reading the book, but I was enjoying myself, which surprises me. The only Nicholas Sparks book that I truly LIKE, is The Last Song. Not that I hate this one. Savannah and John start getting into fights, then start growing apart. Well, for Savannah, at least. I wanted to put the book down so badly, but I had to find out what happened, even if it was a bit boring. And I don’t like reading a book and not finishing it may be the other reason. So I kept reading, only to find myself skimming a few paragraphs now and then because they were only cheesy sentences I didn’t bother reading. The ending ticked me off to no end, and I felt cheated. I mean, I worked so hard to finish the book and then that happens? Oh sure, Savannah gets her happy ending and runs off into the sunset with Tim. But what about John, huh? I guess it’s a bit more realistic, but is one happy ending too much to ask from him?

Nicholas can write, he just doesn’t use his talent very well. I guess one day he sat at his desk with a pencil and paper, thought of one romance novel and then used the same situation over and over except he changed the characters, settings and the situations they are in. I’ve only read three of his books (The Last Song, The Notebook, and now Dear John) and you have to admit, they can be similar in ways. Also he’s very cheesy and predictable. The same pattern happens: Two people fall in love, they frolic together in their happiness, and then some big situation happens and there is some sad ending. Am I right? And then it seems like I’m reading a normal conversation. His sentences get sloppy, choppy and completely boring! Ugh. He has amazing story ideas but ruins them. I just don’t like his writing style and can’t say anymore.

Like I’ve already said, I’ve read three Nicholas Sparks novels and don’t plan to read anymore. I liked The Last Song, but that’s all I’m giving him.

To be honest, I think a much better ending for Dear John would be John dying in war. I mean, it’s still sad and all – But Savannah falling in love with someone else? Totally ruined the vision for me.(less)

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Jan 01, 2012

Rebecca rated it

· review of another edition

I have this really stupid habit. Sometimes when I watch a really bad movie, I'll check out the book just to see what the original source material is like. 90% of the time this does not end well and "Dear John" has given me one of the worst experiences of this stupid practice.

John Tyree joined the Army in hopes of straightening himself out. It worked but one summer, home on leave with his emotionally distant father, he falls in love with Savannah, a beautiful and civic minded...more

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topics	posts	views	last activity
Bookworm Bitches : February 2010: Dear John	4	18	Feb 04, 2012 06:48am
Viskanta Readers: Dear John	1	2	Feb 01, 2012 06:19pm
Songs that match this book?	3	8	Jan 30, 2012 01:38pm
The Movie Version	85	244	Jan 30, 2012 01:34pm
Did anyone else think that the ending was kind of sad?	97	216	Jan 05, 2012 03:42pm
One Million Pages...: Dear John (September-Patriot Day)	1	6	Aug 26, 2011 08:17am
Characters	9	56	Aug 07, 2011 08:29am

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About Nicholas Sparks

As a child, he lived in Minnesota, Los Angeles, and Grand Island, Nebraska, finally settling in Fair Oaks, California at the age of eight. His father was a professor, his mother a homemaker, then optometrist's assistant. He lived in Fair Oaks through high school, graduated valedictorian in 1984, and received a full track scholarship to the University of Notre Dame.

After breaking the No...moreAs a child, he lived in Minnesota, Los Angeles, and Grand Island, Nebraska, finally settling in Fair Oaks, California at the age of eight. His father was a professor, his mother a homemaker, then optometrist's assistant. He lived in Fair Oaks through high school, graduated valedictorian in 1984, and received a full track scholarship to the University of Notre Dame.

After breaking the Notre Dame school record as part of a relay team in 1985 as a freshman (a record which still stands), he was injured and spent the summer recovering. During that summer, he wrote his first novel, though it was never published. He majored in Business Finance and graduated with high honors in 1988.

He and his wife Catherine, who met on spring break in 1988, were married in July, 1989. While living in Sacramento, he wrote his second novel that same year, though again, it wasn't published. He worked a variety of jobs over the next three years, including real estate appraisal, waiting tables, selling dental products by phone, and started his own small manufacturing business which struggled from the beginning. In 1990, he collaborated on a book with Billy Mills, the Olympic Gold Medalist and it was published by Feather Publishing before later being picked up by Random House. (It was recently re-issued by Hay House Books.) Though it received scant publicity, sales topped 50,000 copies in the first year of release.

He began selling pharmaceuticals and moved from Sacramento, California to North Carolina in 1992. In 1994, at the age of 28, he wrote The Notebook over a period of six months. In October, 1995, rights to The Notebook were sold to Warner Books. It was published in October, 1996, and he followed that with Message in a Bottle (1998), A Walk to Remember (1999), The Rescue (2000), A Bend in the Road (2001), and Nights in Rodanthe (2002), The Guardian (2003), The Wedding (2003), Three Weeks with my Brother (2004), True Believer (2005) and At First Sight (2005) all with Warner Books. All were domestic and international best sellers and were translated into more than 35 languages. The movie version of Message in a Bottle was released in 1999, A Walk to Remember was released in 2002, and The Notebook was released in 2004. The average domestic box office gross per film was $56 million -- with another $100 million in DVD sales -- making the novels by Nicholas Sparks one of the most successful franchises in Hollywood.

The film rights to Nights in Rodanthe, True Believer and At First Sight have been sold, and Nicholas Sparks has written the screenplay for The Guardian, though he has not offered it for sale at this point.

He now has five children: Miles, Ryan, Landon, Lexie, and Savannah. He lives in North Carolina with his wife and children.

His ancestry is German, Czech, English, and Irish, he's 5'10" and weighs 180 lbs. He is an avid athlete who runs daily, lifts weights regularly, and competes in Tae Kwon Do. He attends church regularly and reads approximately 125 books a year. He contributes to a variety of local and national charities, and is a major contributor to the Creative Writing Program (MFA) at the University of Notre Dame, where he provides scholarships, internships, and a fellowship annually.(less)

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“I finally understood what true love meant...love meant that you care for another person's happiness more than your own, no matter how painful the choices you face might be.” — 6,605 people liked it

“When you're struggling with something, look at all the people around you and realize that every single person you see is struggling with something, and to them, it's just as hard as what you're going through.” — 3,992 people liked it

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