The Best of Me, by Nicholas Sparks

mountaingirl8 · Post by **mountaingirl8** » 17 Mar 2015, 17:25

The Best of Me is an amazing story about two long-lost loves, Dawson and Amanda. The two met in high school, and began dating. They fell in love almost immediately, but their family and friends did not approve. Dawson was from a rough family who had a reputation for causing trouble in their small town of Oriental. His father and cousins would beat people up, get drunk, and get arrested frequently. So the other residents of Oriental figured Dawson would grow up to be a thug just like his family members. But this simply was not true.

Amanda knew this, and she continued to date Dawson in high school, against her family's wishes. But the opposition became too much to bear, and Dawson broke off the relationship at the end of their senior year. The two went their separate ways, and moved far away from their small town and the memories of their courtship.

While Amanda and Dawson were in high school, Dawson began working for an eccentric old man named Tuck. He also stayed in Tuck's garage overnight, trying to hide from his violent family members. After Dawson and Amanda moved out of Oriental, the friendship with Tuck remained intact, especially for Amanda.

After Tuck finally passes away, Dawson and Amanda are summoned by the executor of Tuck's estate. Not only do they have to face each other again, but they have to revisit their feelings for each other, and the painful memories of their breakup.

This psychological thriller takes the reader through a breathtaking journey of drama, family strife, romance, and secrets. The book never gets boring, and everyone who reads this book will have a hard time putting it down.

The Best of Me also became a blockbuster movie in 2014, and has captivated audiences on the silver screen. Believe me when I say this, that this book will tug at your heartstrings and make you believe, once again, in true love and love at first sight.

csimmons032 · Post by **csimmons032** » 18 Mar 2015, 13:28

The Best of Me wasn't my most favorite books by Nicholas Sparks, and believe me I am a huge fan of Nicholas Sparks. I didn't really like the fact that they had an affair, but I did like their love story when they were younger. I didn't think it was terrible, but it wasn't one of my favorites either. It was just so sad, however I had to get the movie as well. The ending of the book is kind of what made me want to keep it. It was both sad but good at the same time. It ended in a way that I really wouldn't have expected.

mountaingirl8 · Post by **mountaingirl8** » 19 Mar 2015, 14:22

csimmons032 wrote:The Best of Me wasn't my most favorite books by Nicholas Sparks, and believe me I am a huge fan of Nicholas Sparks. I didn't really like the fact that they had an affair, but I did like their love story when they were younger. I didn't think it was terrible, but it wasn't one of my favorites either. It was just so sad, however I had to get the movie as well. The ending of the book is kind of what made me want to keep it. It was both sad but good at the same time. It ended in a way that I really wouldn't have expected.

Well, they "sort of" had an affair. After they came home from the cabin, it says that Amanda wanted to make love to Dawson, but then changed her mind. And I agree about the ending; that was unbelievably sweet.

Samyann · Post by **Samyann** » 01 Jul 2016, 20:46

The Best of Me is written by Nicholas Sparks, narrated by Sean Pratt, and the unabridged audiobook is almost ten hours long. Downloaded this copy from the Chicago Public Library.

If you are in any way feeling low – don’t add to your misery with The Best of Me … or maybe it is a good idea if you want to revel in the sadness of others. The book will definitely pull you in, because it is, like all Sparks novels, a decent story. But, wow … it is a tearjerker and the author plays with your emotions – a lot!

The two main characters, after over twenty years, return to the home of their roots for the funeral of an old man they befriended as teenagers. Typical of a Sparks romance, you guessed it … the teenagers were in love. Romeo and Juliet characters from opposite sides of the social spectrum are pulled apart, life happens. Today one is an ex-con, the other is a mother married to an alcoholic. Thus is the thrust of The Best of Me.

Narration is fine, no trouble discerning who’s talking to who, a good production.

No explicit sex, no foul language – don’t hesitate to give as a gift to any Sparks or romance fan, teenagers included.

But … whoa … violins will be playing. *sniff*

Gravy · Post by **Gravy** » 07 Aug 2016, 02:18

I often wonder why I keep reading his books

It's like torture!

I enjoyed this one, but it isn't one of my favorites. I can see details that should have been tweaked that would've helped to make the story a bit more believable.
Still very good.

Samyann · Post by **Samyann** » 07 Aug 2016, 12:26

Because you are an ‘incurable romantic’? He sort of reminds me of Danielle Steel.

I’ve read several of his books and they are fun stories. Always a heartbreaking tale. Interesting that these tender love stories are written by a man.

Vahbiz Adajania · Post by **Vahbiz Adajania** » 17 Aug 2016, 22:01

An amazing read... Kept me glued till the end... After a few pages I thought I would dislike the book due to the love affair, but the book took an interesting turn of events and the ending was a surprise for me..

shar_mane · Post by **shar_mane** » 07 Sep 2016, 00:49

This book brought tears into my eyes. But at the end i Wondered such true love does really exist??? I guess almighty knows!! Its kind of heart breaking story. He dies! She cries and still has a smile on her face!! Is this a love?? A sacrifice??

bookworm01 · Post by **bookworm01** » 20 Sep 2016, 14:11

This book was incredible! I've read it twice, and I cry like a baby every time! It's so good to see such pure, innocent love. The ending breaks my heart. I honestly hope I get a love like this one day! This is a classic! Seeing two people who absolutely adore and sacrifice so much for their love was refreshing but heartbreaking to see!

kacey_s101 · Post by **kacey_s101** » 21 Sep 2016, 20:16

I honestly loved this book by Nicholas Sparks, I just recently started reading him and have read two of his books. I think he is a very good writer.
This book was my favorite so far, the characters were very well written. It was nice to have Amanda and Dawson come back to one another for a short time after so many years. They came back to one another and were meant to be. She made him a better person in some ways and he was very protective of her. He came from a broken home and didn't follow them in their foot steps; he broke from them and created a life of his own. He never wanted to be like them, he wasn't. He came back to Orential and stayed away from his family. Although I kind of saw the ending coming, at the same time I didn't expect it. It was sad but he saved Amanda's son and now she will always have a piece of Dawson in her life.