What did you think of Nicholas Sparks' The Best of Me?

[Angela]

I was completely distraught by the ending of this book, I'm a big Sparks fan but even this I could deal with...I mean depressed! Had enjoyed it as some have said above until about chapter 22 but after everything that had happened, the story deserved a happy ending this time! Have been put right off the movie, don't think I could cope reliving the heartache....for #Dawson Cole a pure gent!

[Priscilla]

I really enjoyed the book

[Betty]

This wasn't his best work... and this was most definitely my last NS book.

[Sarah]

Allison wrote: "WAIT WAIT WAIT one more thing. I just realized this: as soon as this movie comes out on October 17, all of the people who hate it will either come out of the movie theater with these words:
"The bo..."

You're 13? Nice point. Not making fun, but commending. Kudos! Point makes sense with the book.

[Beverley]

This was my first Nicholas Sparks book and I enjoyed the plot though having a ghost appear through the story was not believable to me. Still it was nice to read a love story without the hero being rich, living in a mansion and having a powerful job. Dawson didn't even have a college education. According to those who read Sparks, his endings are the same, always sad. Well, not everyone lives happily ever after. You've got to admit his title was ironic! I don't know if I'll see the movie.

[Ap]

This book made me look to see if there is a happy ending before buying in future. It was predictable really not enjoyable. I read romance for the fantasy of a happy ending, there is enough sadness already. NS writes formula, and I like them with HEA. Live and learn.

[Annette]

This book was not my personal favorite, but it was good !!Nicholas sparks is known for his simplistic writing and yeah this book was kind off predictable but the characters were beautifully described .

[Priscilla]

Annette wrote: "This book was not my personal favorite, but it was good !!Nicholas sparks is known for his simplistic writing and yeah this book was kind off predictable but the characters were beautifully describ..."

I think so too the characters were beautiful describ;)

[Catarina]

I didn't really like it, meh

[Debbie]

This book was terrible. I actually didn't even finish reading the last few pages because I found myself so bored and annoyed by the characters. Not just one of the characters, all of them. There was no need to stop with killing off just the lame, sappy boyfriend / homewrecker dude. I found myself kind of hoping they would all just suffer the same demise, just so the story would be over. Sorry cannot fathom why anyone would have thought making this book into a movie would be a good idea.

[Kelly]

I do not like his books. I read one and was so bummed. waited a lot of years and then read this book. They just never end well. Real life has enough sadness and disappointments so why would you want that in your spare/relaxation time too? I like to finish my books with a feeling of happiness. Last one of these I'm wasting my time on.

[Recreational]

I concur. Nicholas Sparks is getting very repetitive. Death is constantly being forced into storylines. The man is usually caught thinking "I'm in serious trouble" when looking at the woman pre-relationship. The words "the lucky one" show up in most of his books. In Safe Haven, The Longest Ride, and The Best Of Me, one of the main characters see an illusion of somebody who passed away. There's been numerous fires. Are you getting my drift here?
Also, Sparks describes things in SO much detail. I understand that North Carolina and its landscape is beautiful and one of a kind, but it's really hard to focus on yet another paragraph about crickets and trees. I found myself conciously tuning out. And the worst part is, I didn't even try to reread it.
On to the next thing; characters. Amanda and Dawson weren't very enjoyable. Most of the time they were dead serious and arguing with someone. I mean, they smiled when they were with each other, but others? Nope. It's like they were determined to be miserable. (Especially Dawson, who lived alone and never even tried to be there for somebody except the guys on the rigs and Tuck. There was something realy sad about the you-can-only-have-one-true-love-and-if-you-mess-up-live-with-it concept.) I couldn't connect with any of them. They didn't have any lovable quirks and the P.O.V made everything worse. I wish Sparks would start writing in first P.O.V, like he did with A Walk To Remember, again! That would've helped the love stories feel less...skimmed over.

With more oxymoronic quick rants to come,
Recreational Vehicle

[Jennifer]

This was a good book, but upsetting too. Wrong on so many levels. I have plans to see the movie with friends...not sure I am excited about that though, so sad. Injustice for main character is so sad.

[Recreational]

Kelly wrote: "I do not like his books. I read one and was so bummed. waited a lot of years and then read this book. They just never end well. Real life has enough sadness and disappointments so why would you wan..."

I recommend The Rescue. It ends fairly well.

[Sarah]

Allison wrote: "WAIT WAIT WAIT one more thing. I just realized this: as soon as this movie comes out on October 17, all of the people who hate it will either come out of the movie theater with these words:
"The bo..."

I totally agree. I read this book for a project in english and it is AMAZING. As a 14 year old girl i know i dont know a lot about love but still, this is the best love story i have ever read. My friend introduced me to this book and i loved it. Acctually as im writing this im doing my project. But all oyu haters are just jealous of the love of Dawson and Amanda

[MahRukh]

Absolutely loved it !