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"The Return" of Nicholas Sparks

When I was in high school, I went through a huge Nicholas Sparks phase...I read everything he had ever published, starting with A Walk to Remember, which is the first book that tore my heart to shreds, and one of the only books I tend to read annually.

There are a few things you can count on when you read Nicholas Sparks:

  1. The protagonists will fall in love
  2. There will be a devastating twist (or two)
  3. You cannot guarantee a happy ending
These three reasons are why I continue to read Nicholas Sparks, and his latest novel, The Return, did not disappoint. 

Whose Return?

After the death of his grandfather, Trevor Benson returns to New Bern, North Carolina to tend to his grandfather's house and beehives. Once there, what he finds is a deep connection with deputy sheriff, Natalie Masterson, who does not initially appear to reciprocate his feelings. Another complication during his stay is Callie, a young girl with a mysterious history who somehow knew his grandfather before he died.

With so many questions, this book was definitely a page turner, with some harsh, heartbreaking, and completely unexpected twists. However, I feel like I carry a bias whenever I read Sparks' novels; I've read so many that my expectations are always high. I enjoyed The Return, it was easy to read and intriguing enough to keep me interested, but I also felt like Sparks' fell into some gendered stereotypes, especially regarding Natalie's career. It was just a hint of a stereotype, so I have no problem giving this book 3.5 stars.

So the big question is, will I return to Nicholas Sparks when he publishes more books? Of course! I will be a dedicated Sparks fan, just as I am your Opinionated Bookworm. To share any thoughts or requests/recommendations, please comment below, email me (theopinionatedbookworm@gmail.com) or follow me on Instagram (@theopinionatedbookworm1).

P.S. Here is a discussion question for you: Does your mood affect how you receive romantic literature? Let me explain...when I was not so happy in the romance department, this book was the last thing I wanted to read. However, when my own views on romance started to change, and the heartbreak melted away, suddenly I wanted to dive right in. What do you think? Is this just me?

Comments

  1. PhoebeNovember 17, 2020 at 12:15 AM

    My mood doesn't affect my reading of romance. The previous book does. If I read something emotionally taxing, I tend to reach for historical romance next to...reset. Something light and funny. Changing it up a little.

    There was a time when I was binge-reading regency romance. I was super stressed and couldn't read much of anything else. In retrospect, it was because of discovering Georgette Heyer, Julia Quinn and Lisa Kleypas that my attitude towards the romance genre became more accepting and appreciative.

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