Review (New Release): Every Breath by Nicholas Sparks

About the Book:

In the romantic tradition of The Notebook and Nights in Rodanthe, #1 New York Times bestselling author Nicholas Sparks returns with a story about a chance encounter that becomes a touchstone for two vastly different individuals -- transcending decades, continents, and the bittersweet workings of fate. Hope Anderson is at a crossroads. At thirty-six, she's been dating her boyfriend, an orthopedic surgeon, for six years. With no wedding plans in sight, and her father recently diagnosed with ALS, she decides to use a week at her family's cottage in Sunset Beach, North Carolina, to ready the house for sale and mull over some difficult decisions about her future. Tru Walls has never visited North Carolina but is summoned to Sunset Beach by a letter from a man claiming to be his father. A safari guide, born and raised in Zimbabwe, Tru hopes to unravel some of the mysteries surrounding his mother's early life and recapture memories lost with her death. When the two strangers cross paths, their connection is as electric as it is unfathomable . . . but in the immersive days that follow, their feelings for each other will give way to choices that pit family duty against personal happiness in devastating ways. Illuminating life's heartbreaking regrets and enduring hope, Every Breath explores the many facets of love that lay claim to our deepest loyalties -- and asks the question, How long can a dream survive?

My Thoughts:

Every Breath was beautiful and charming and everything I've come to expect from a Nicholas Sparks novel. I was captivated and intrigued from the opening paragraph, and I didn't want to put the story aside until I'd finished the very last page. I love the detail in Sparks's writing. I can picture the scenes perfectly and envision the characters vividly in my mind. The initial meeting, and the quick development of Tru and Hope's connection was written with passion and tenderness. The strength of their feelings. The beauty of their emotions. The timelessness of their love. I believed in it. I felt it. Their love was hopeful; it was real yet it had a magical quality. The characters and the different choices they faced along their journey were relatable, and I loved that about the book. If you're looking for your next sweet, romantic read, pick up a copy of Every Breath.