The Choice by Nicholas Sparks: Delivers, is Well Worth the Read

Nicholas Sparks, the author of such best sellers as "A Walk to Remember," "The Notebook," "The Rescue," "A Bend in the Road," "Message in a Bottle," and others, is almost a household name. Of course Nicholas Sparks' "house-hold name" appellation was enhanced by the release of several of his books as movies.

Rather hesitantly I admit and even though he was born in my state of Nebraska, I have read few of Nicholas Sparks' books, nor have I seen most of the movies made from some of his previous books. The one movie I did view, and more than once, was "A Walk to Remember." After seeing the movie, I read the book. But other than reading reviews and listening when others discussed the pros and cons of the books or movies by Nicholas Sparks, I hadn't run out to see his movies or to purchase his books. However, when, in my role as a reviewer with Author's Choice Reviews, an editor sent me the book "The Choice" by Nicholas Sparks (ISBN 13: 978-0-446-57992-6, Grand Central Publishing), I knew it was time to see why Sparks has such a loyal following.

In Nicholas Sparks' work "The Choice," Travis has a home, fulfilling work and close friends, yet he feels like a family man without a family. No woman has touched the inner part of him that makes him willing to give up his bachelorhood. That was before the feisty Gabby moved next door. But, she has no intention of getting involved with a neighbor whose mutt she blames for the condition of her dog, which turns up very pregnant.

But as Travis and Gabby are thrown together, the two find something happens beyond neighborly friendship. So begins a journey of love, commitment, family and life. But then the unexpected happens. Will their love be a love to last a lifetime, even when that life doesn't turn out as they planned? The key to this book is the question "How far should you go to keep the hope of love alive?"

Once I read "The Choice," I understood why Nicholas Sparks' books are in demand. Sparks smooth style draws in the reader and builds the story brick by brick until the conclusion delivers its POW! And what a POW it is. "The Choice" is a profound, life-affirming story of life, love and sacrifice.

For those concerned with such matters in the books they read, there are elements in "The Choice" of casual use of alcohol as well as premarital sex without consequences. However, the characters are not cardboard cutouts. In "The Choice," Nicholas Sparks writes fully rounded characters that become real within the context of the story, characters that live and breathe and leave the reader with the feeling these are real.

"The Choice" by Nicholas Sparks is a story that leaves the reader believing in life...and hope.