The Best of Me – Nicholas Sparks

Format: Paperback
Publisher: Sphere/Little, Brown
Published: 5th July 2012
Pages: 292 Pages

The Blurb
They were teenage sweethearts from opposite sides of the tracks – with a passion that would change their lives for ever.  But life would force them apart.

Years later, the lines between past and present are about to slip… called back to their home town for the funeral of the mentor who gave them shelter when they needed it most, they are faced with each other once again.

Can true love ever rewrite the past?

Rating: 4/5
The Review
Thank you to Poppy and Little, Brown for sending me a copy to read and review.

The Best of Me was my first Nicholas Sparks novel and it probably won’t be my last. When I read the blurb I was a little worried that I’d find the novel overly dramatic, as I’m sure you all know, I cannot stand too much lovey-dovey writing, but the level of romance, for me, was just right. Nicholas has a writing style that flows with dignity and the story comes across with such real emotion and not once did I huff in aggravation. It’s great to see a romantic story that doesn’t come across like a typical chick-lit love fest.

Dawson Cole is from a bad family, but he’s got a heart of gold and stays clear of anything dangerous. He’s always tried to do right in the world and it’s evident from his kind nature and thoughtfulness. Unfortunately, the death of a friend named Tuck brings him back to his old hometown, which immediately spells trouble for him.

Amanda leaves her family life for the weekend and ventures to her Mother’s for a quick visit. She too is visiting to attend a funeral of an old friend. Both Amanda and Dawson meet unexpectedly and they soon rekindle their once emotional relationship and talk of the past.

I absoutely loved the relationship between Dawson and Amanda because they were paired together beautifully. They don’t rub it in your faces or express love too freely, they simply do little actions which mean the world to one another, such as a simple hold of the hand or a kiss on the cheek. Throughout the novel both characters experience a variety of life changing situations and I honestly couldn’t imagine going through the things they did. My heart definitely popped out and ached for them both and I may have even cried a little, but that’s ok right?

I obviously won’t tell you the ending or what happens during, but I did not expect the main plot changer, oh my, that’s all I can say!

You can purchase The Best of Me on Amazon UK, Amazon US and Paperback.

Find out more about Nicholas at his website at http://uk.nicholassparks.com and on Twitter at @nicholassparks.