This is the story of a Navy doctor who was injured while serving in Afghanistan and is sent back to the U.S. Trevor received word that his grandfather is in the hospital and a visit and cryptic message lead Trevor to uncover what it was his grandfather was trying to tell him. On this journey, Tevor meets a mysterious young girl, Callie, and a local woman, Natalie Masterson. Both of these women also are shrouded in mystery, however, one of them is the key to helping Trevor figure out the mystery of his grandfather's message.


I felt the storyline was intriguing at first. Trevor's memories of his grandfather were heartwarming and gave Trevor more depth as a character. Callie's story is also very intriguing and surprising as it unravels. The character, Natalie Masterson, was largely unlikeable in my opinion. I felt that Natalie and Trevor lacked chemistry and wished that Natalie were more developed as an individual.


I would recommend the book if you love Nicholas Sparks novels; I think as a fan you would enjoy it. As a fan myself, I was a little disappointed by the storyline, however, how it unfolds is in true and great Nicholas Sparks storytelling fashion.


Happy Reading!



I have received a complimentary copy of this book from Hachette Books in exchange for an honest review. #SponsoredbyFaithWords

I will be the first to admit, I am in no way, shape, or form a Nicholas Sparks fan. I often feel that he just throws in some tragedy, not because it's needed, but to just manipulate his readers. Having said that, he is one of my daughter's favourite authors. When I was contacted by the publisher to read this one, I figured I might as well give it a go, especially if it meant I could message my daughter and rub it in that I was gifted a copy to review #sorrynotsorry

I am happy to report that although there was still that #instalove that Sparks is known for, I really enjoyed this storyline. I can't or won't say that there wasn't a tragedy or two thrown in, but if and when those tragedies or non tragedies happened they weren't thrown in as an abrupt ending just to try to shatter heartstrings of readers, that in a world full of everyday minor upsets, are very happy to cry over someone else's upsets instead of their own. More novels like this and although Sparks would still not be my favourite author, he might be one that I don't actively avoid most of the time...

Thank you to Grand Central and Netgalley for providing a review copy in exchange for an honest review

A special thank you to NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Trevor Benson, an orthopedic surgeon, was wounded by a mortar explosion while working in Afghanistan. Plagued with injuries, as well as post-traumatic stress disorder, he decides to take some time at his late grandfather's dilapidated cabin before going back to medical school, this time to study psychiatry.

Keeping busy with home improvements and tending to his grandfather's beehives, the last thing Trevor expects is to meet someone. Natalie Masterson is a deputy in town and very detached, but it turns out Natalie has a heartbreaking reason to keep her feelings guarded.

Trevor discovers that his grandfather was friends with a teenage girl from the trailer park down the road. Callie, who claims to be 19, works as a waitress at the local restaurant in town. She keeps to herself and when pressed, offers Trevor very little information about the mysterious circumstances of his grandfather's death. But he can't shake the feeling that there is more to the story.

In his quest to learn what happened to his grandfather, and unravel Natalie and Callie's secrets, Trevor will learn the true meaning of love and forgiveness, and the strength it takes to triumph over tragedy.

The Return was fine and by fine I mean that it's a nice book. But it just wasn't for me. In fact, I think I've simply outgrown Sparks' books—nothing will live up to The Notebook and The Wedding.

Of late, Sparks' books have been very formulaic. They feature the same people. It's like he just recycles his characters and gives them new names—they are literally that unoriginal, right down to their mannerisms and what they eat and drink. Swap out the small town for another made up small town and you've got a new Sparks book.

I devoured all things Sparks when I was first started my reading journey. I have read most of his work.

While this one starts a tad different, it's still the same old story Sparks. Good for him to be a consistent author who gives readers Carolina and two white people....but I think I'm done with him.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the advanced copy of this one. I did not finish the complete draft but what I did consume felt too familiar to keep going.

I loved this book! I have read every one of this author’s books and every one is both different and amazing. Nicholas Sparks has a signature style that pulls you into the story and into the characters’ lives. I highly recommend this book and can't wait to see the movie. As any Nicholas Sparks fan knows, this one will probably also become a movie.

The Return Review

I was so unbelievably excited when I got the email from Grand Central Publishing saying I could now download a copy of the newest Nicholas Sparks book. I was definitely not disappointed. I completely fell in love with Trevor from the beginning, he was charming and funny and I loved reading this story through his perspective. As usual the writing is fantastic and gripping and I found myself completely lost in Trevor’s world. I didn’t want to put it down. The only problem is, now I have to wait until he writes another one.

SYNOPSIS

Tending to his grandfather's beloved beehives, Trevor isn't prepared to fall in love with a local . . . yet, from their very first encounter, Trevor feels a connection with deputy sheriff Natalie Masterson that he can't ignore. But even as she seems to reciprocate his feelings, she remains frustratingly distant, making Trevor wonder what she's hiding.

Further complicating his stay in New Bern is the presence of a sullen teenage girl, Callie, who lives in the trailer park down the road. Trevor hopes Callie can shed light on the mysterious circumstances of his grandfather's death, but she offers few clues -- until a crisis triggers a race to uncover the true nature of Callie's past, one more intertwined with the elderly man's passing than Trevor could ever have imagined.