True Believer: Nicholas Sparks

Jeremy Marsh is a born skeptic and a science journalist who specializes in debunking the supernatural. When he hears about ghostly apparitions in a cemetery in Boone Creek, North Carolina, he leaves his beloved New York City for this small, rural town--and what his instincts tell him could make a great story. What he doesn't plan on is meeting and falling hopelessly in love with Lexie Darnell, who is sure of one thing: her future is here in Boone Creek, close to the people she loves. Now, if the young lovers are to be together, Jeremy must make a difficult choice: return to the life he knows in New York, or do something he could never do before...take a giant leap of faith.

Nicholas Sparks, romance, and a ghost story all in one package? Ooooohhhh! As a fan of all three, I was drooling with anticipation from the moment that I read the blurb on the cover of this book.

As a part-time follower of Nicholas Sparks, I have come to expect a certain standard from this author. Some of the criterion that set a Nicholas Sparks novel apart from today's other, rather orthodox romance stories are unforgettable, divinely written characters and a soul-rendering climax: sometimes with a happy ending, sometimes not. Happy or sad, I have learned to keep a box of Kleenex within arms reach during the last 100 pages of his books. However, Mr. Sparks veered from his modus operandi with this story to bring a new feel to his writing to which I am unaccustomed from his previous books that I have read.

As can be expected, Jeremy's character was exquisitely written and developed and was absolutely lovable: the perfect hero for our story. On the down side, Lexie was extremely stand-offish. So much so, that it drew away from what had the potential to be a perfect compliment to Jeremy. Additionally, my ever-handy box of tissues went unused as I turned the last page. The format of this story, while still being a excellent, solidly written romance, leaned toward the standard in today's market: guy meets girl, they fall in love, one fights against their feelings as there is a conflict as to the differences in their lives, guy chases after girl...and the beat goes on. I missed that heart wrenching, tear-jerker aspect that I have come to expect.

Nicholas Sparks is Nicholas Sparks. There are very few in today's market that can match the heart and soul that he pours into his writing. Those that have already read his books are already sure to pick up this one, but for those of you that have yet to give this writer a shot, it's time to get off your tush and get to reading. While this book doesn't quite live up to some of his other works, it's still a solid romance, that embodies the major elements of a good romance novel that I wish were capatalized upon by the myriad of wanna-be romance writers out there in today's market.

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Publisher: Warner Books; Reprint edition (February 27, 2007)
ISBN: 0446618152
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