I've read other Nicholas Sparks books in the past. Enough to know that there's usually a twist--I don't think there was as much a twist in this book as in some of his others that I've read.

There are many returns in this book:
*Trevor returns to his grandfather's home in New Bern--intending to fix it up to sell it but ending up falling in love with it again.
*Callie returns to her family and to life
*Natalie returns to realizing she can love again
*Trevor returns to a semblance of health (Cannot say totally cured but at least rare recurrences of PTSD)
*Trevor eventually seems to be returning to New Bern for a long-term residence

It does take a while to get to the answers in this story.

I don't like that Sparks let us think that Trevor and Natalie slept together outside of marriage (revealing later that she called it off before anything too physical happened).

I do appreciate Natalie's view of "in sickness and in health" and in how she reasons out why she is how Trevor loves her and fearing that a decision would change her fundamentally. I also appreciate that she tries to flee from temptation by asking Trevor not to contact her and by explaining to him in a letter. I also appreciate Trevor respecting her wishes (even at times that he didn't want to do so). It does make me wonder if he knew of Mark's passing when he asked Callie to invite Natalie to the wedding. ( )

This one was definitely a little out of my comfort zone but since I've liked other books by this author, I thought I'd give it a try.
What drew me in was definitely the writing style and setting. It wasn't complex or fancy but it seemed to add so much depth just with the words chosen. It felt like I was actually there, checking the bees, walking downtown, and floating on the river. I consider this to be the strength of this book.
I really liked Callie's story. She was so elusive and it really just pulled me right in.
While Natalie was not my favorite, I came to like her once I understood why she was making the decisions that she was.
Overall, I am glad that I read this one and would recommend giving it a try.

Rating: 4/5
Language: d***
Romance: a kiss
Spiritual: mentions of attending church
Violence: Trevor was injured in war, death

*I received a copy of this book from the publisher. All thoughts are my own and a positive review was not required.
( )

Another great love story from Nicholas Sparks! ( )

love

I’m no expert on PTSD, but I’m curious if someone who is would liken a breakup to being blown up in Afghanistan. The two events triggering similar responses. Because to me, an uneducated nobody who doesn’t actually know… it does feel a little tone deaf.

Furthermore, Trevor is a certified asshole. Zero redeeming qualities. And his insta-love for Natalie was gross. Natalie’s response was weird and the only likable things about her were tied to her appearance. And ironically enough I couldn’t even tell you what she looked like.

The Return felt like Sparks was trying to fit a minimum number of Nicholas Sparks tropes into a single novel and only technically succeeded. I honestly think this is the beginning of the end of my time with his books. I own two others I have yet to read, but will likely never purchase another one. May go so far as to donate the last three since I hated them. ( )