My good buddy The Book Vixen has graciously agreed to guest review here at FictionVixen.com today. She is Nicholas Sparks’ number one fan! Take it away BV!
Dear John by Nicholas Sparks
Paperback: 288 pages
Publisher: Grand Central Publishing
Available: December 7, 2009
ISBN-13: 978-0446567329
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Book received from: Purchased by reviewer
An angry rebel, John dropped out of school and enlisted in the Army, not knowing what else to do with his life–until he meets the girl of his dreams, Savannah. Their mutual attraction quickly grows into the kind of love that leaves Savannah waiting for John to finish his tour of duty, and John wanting to settle down with the woman who captured his heart. But 9/11 changes everything. John feels it is his duty to re-enlist. And sadly, the long separation finds Savannah falling in love with someone else. “Dear John,” the letter read…and with those two words, a heart was broken and two lives were changed forever. Returning home, John must come to grips with the fact that Savannah, now married, is still his true love–and face the hardest decision of his life.
Let me start off by saying that I am not a re-reader. My philosophy is why re-read when you can read something new, right? But when I saw the re-release of Dear John by Nicholas Sparks (with Channing Tatum on the cover!!) and the fact that a movie was made based on the novel, I wanted to revisit John and Savannah.
I think it goes without saying that Nicholas Sparks is one of my favorite authors. If Sparks writes it, I will read it. His books are on my auto-buy list. It all started with the movie The Notebook. I was completely and utterly captivated with Noah and Allie’s story. I wanted more. When I found out the movie was based on a novel, I went to the bookstore and picked it up and read my very first Nicholas Sparks novel. Then I read At First Sight, True Believer, Message in a Bottle….the list goes on and on. I fell in love with his writing style, the characters and with North Carolina (the state itself is a character in its own right in each of his novels). Sparks has a way of getting the reader immersed in his story, longing for more. He has a knack for pulling the reader right into the story.
Dear John is story of love, loss and emotion. It is a story that begs the question ‘what if…?’. What if you took a different path in life? Would you still end up at the same destination? What if you made the wrong choice? Would you live to regret it? And what about the tougher questions, like how long would you wait for the one you love? Can love survive the distance?
John is a bit of a rebel but never fell too far off the right path. He was raised by his father, though the two weren’t all that close. John had a hard time relating to his father. His father’s coin collecting hobby kept them close for a short while. Over time, the two grew further apart. After high school, John realized he wasn’t going anywhere in life so he enlisted with the Army for a 4-year tour.
Savannah is a girl who is pure and full of naïve innocence. She’s an all-around good girl; you could even call her a goody two-shoes. She lives in a small town and is very close to her parents. She dreams of opening up a horse ranch for autistic kids. It is on a break from school, when she’s volunteering for Habit for Humanity, that she meets John and the two fall quickly in love.
Neither John or Savannah were expecting to fall in love but their attraction was inevitable. His two-week furlough is up and he has to return to Germany. Savannah promises to wait for John to finish out his tour. The two continue their relationship through handwritten letters. Savannah writes first.
Dear John,
There’s so much I want to say to you, but I’m not sure where I should begin. Should I start by telling you that I love you? Or that the days I’ve spent with you have been the happiest in my life? Or that in the short time I’ve know you, I’ve come to believe that we were meant to be together? I could say all those things and all would be true, but as I reread them, all I can think is that I wish I were with you now, holding your hand and watching for your elusive smile.
The two continue their relationship through romantic letters, then the events of 9/11 happen and John re-enlists. The distance and time apart put a toll on their relationship. And the questions of “what if…?” begin.
Dear John is one of my favorite reads by Nicholas Sparks. It is a story you will not soon forget. You will cry. Your heart will ache. You will find yourself asking “what if…?”. Dear John is about a love lost but not forgotten. I don’t agree with some of the choices made by either John or Savannah but John’s selfless act at the end of the story made me proud. Have the tissues ready! If you love a good, seamless love story that pulls on your heart strings, then you need to read Dear John. In fact, you need to read everything by Nicholas Sparks. His stories of timeless, endless love will captivate your heart and stay with you.
The Book Vixen rating: 5 Froggies-aren’t they cute?
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Great review darlin'! I have to say this one a VERY hard book for me to finish (JUST finished the other day). I do love NS's writing…how could you not BUT I knew what was gonna happen (mostly) within the first few ch's. The reason it was so hard to finish is b/c Im all about HEA's and Im SO tender hearted it tore me up to know that not everyone in this story (without giving anything away)got their way ya know?!?! BUT then again thats life right!?!? ;o) Im actually going to see the movie tonight with a bunch of girls and Ive already put an entire pack of tissues in my purse! lol I really want to try more NS stories but am scared to! lol Ive already read The Choice, The Notebook and The Wedding. I surprisingly survived but DJ was by far the hardest! Ill have to think long and hard b4 I can pick up another…you got any safe NS books you could suggest to me? lol
This is definitely one of his best, though I have to say that two things in the story really ticked me off. I’m an author of love stories similar to Nicholas Sparks too so I’m really sensitive to those type of things. One was the choice Savannah made while he was gone toward the end (don’t want to spoil it for the readers), the other is the way that it ended; though I must admit he took the high-road. That’s not the way I wanted it to end. Loved your review.
I am a die hard Nicholas Sparks fan as well. Started in 1999 when I was dating my husband. He read The Notebook out loud to me. Of course now he is not nearly has romantic, ha ha ha! I can't wait to see this movie! Great post!
I love Nick's work, The Rescue and The Notebook have a spot on my never to be rid of shelf. I bought this the other day because the trailer for the movie seemed so good. I love his books and can't wait to get to it. This just makes me want to read it even more.
Hey Monroe–The Book Vixen did this review and she is a die hard NS fan. His books are pretty heart wrenching so I have to be careful what I read by him, he makes me cry for days LOL. I think BV will be by today to respond to comments and hopefully she'll have some recs for you.
Hi Tena–He read the Notebook out loud to you? How romantic! Thanks for stopping by!
Hi Lily of the Darkness!! I have a few authors that have permanent spots on my book shelves as well. Thanks for stopping by!
I've never read Nicholas Sparks. There is something that makes me cringe when I hear his name. Why? I am a John Sparks snob for absolutely no reason. This sounds like a lovely book.
I've never seen one of his movies either..that is right..I've never seen the Notebook.
Do I suck? yes.
Mandi–Nicholas Sparks tells love stories that can hit really close to home. You have to go into it with your shield and armor or you'll end up sobbing. You may not get a HEA.
No HEA? *whimper*
No always, it can be bittersweet. You have to be tough for Nicholas Sparks LOL.
Monroe – For you, I would recommend The Lucky One, The Rescue and A Bend in the Road. There may be a spot or two that'll draw a tear but overall, you'll be pleased with the outcome
I haven't read The Wedding *gasp*. I have that one and The Last Song sitting on my shelf, waiting for me. I'm saving them for later, like a delicious piece of chocolate
Tena – How romantic is that?!! Your husband read The Notebook to you!! He's like a character straight out of a Nicholas Sparks novel. He's a definite keeper!
Mandi – What about Message in a Bottle, A Walk to Remember, Nights in Rodanthe…? Have you seen any of those movies? You gotta watch at least one. Like FV mentioned, Dear John is coming out today. There is also The Last Song, which is coming out soon and The Lucky One is in production. Nicholas Sparks is the master of romance! For a NS virgin, I'd recommend the ones I recommended to Monroe (The Lucky One, The Rescue and A Bend in the Road). Those are a little easier on the heart
Thanks for having me over FV!!
Lily – We need to start a NS fan club
I can't wait to hear what you think about DJ!
Have you read The Last Song yet? I haven't read that one or The Wedding yet.
Thanks dear! I totally forgot that I read the Lucky One and I did like that one!
) I have those other two books so awesome Ill give them a try. What about True Believer?
Monroe – Did you know that a movie is being made based on The Lucky One? It's currently in production. I can't wait to find out who'll star in it. True Believer is another good choice that's easy on the tear ducts. At First Sight (the sequel to True Believer) however, is not easy on the heart strings.
Book Vixen-
Thanks so much! ANYtime I read him Ill go to you first! lol Thats exciting about the movie!!! I cant wait b/c I know Ill be happy about that ending! ;o)
Thanks again sweetie!
You are very welcome
Great review! The Book Vixen rocks!
Looks like a tear-jerker read. I loved the Notebook. Nice review!
I am a Nicholas Sparks virgin. I've read that his books are amazing but I started to read one long time ago and couldn't get into it.
::whisper:: I've never seen the Notebook. Can we still be friends?
FYI Channing Tatum is a hottie I heart him and his big boy muscles. Great review BV!!
Eleni – Awww, I'm flattered!! I love your blog (and vlogs)!
Donna – it's definitely a tear-jerker. Have the tissues ready.
KC – Which one did you start to read? You haven't seen The Notebook? You must go see it. Now. It's a beautiful love story. Rachel McAdams and Ryan Gosling were fabulous in it!
I share the same opinion on re-reading! But Nicholas Sparks is so good, I can’t help it, but re-read his books until a new one comes. Now that I think of it, I didn’t read “Dear John” in some time… and that’s one of the books Nicholas autographed for me when I met him in Miami. Can’t wait to find some time and then read it again in one sitting (like I do with all of his books).