Another great read by Nicholas Sparks. Fascinating characters that hooked me early on and just never let go. I stayed up way too late flipping pages. Tension, intrigue and hope were the the building blocks. Enjoyed this one.
Thank you NetGalley, Nicholas Sparks and Random House Publishing Group Ballantine for the opportunity to read and review this book.

This is classic Nicholas Sparks. There’s kindness and hard work along with romance and mystery. It’s not a beach read but you’ll love it like one.

Take one single mom (a doctor) with a teenage daughter and an elementary school son. Add one ex-military man seeking a birth parent he never knew. Stir it with an old man who can carve anything but somehow hasn’t carved out his own life the way he wished for. Drop them all into Asheboro, North Carolina with a sprinkle of charm and you might have something like what Sparks evokes in Counting Miracles.

Sparks writes the kind of book you want to read. You read it for enjoyment. You read it because he makes you care. Don’t mistake me, this isn’t a goody two-shoes story. Things happen that are hurtful or unkind. But Sparks’ characters don’t return hurt for hurt.
I may sound a little good two-shoes myself, but I think we need more stories with kind characters that are hopeful. Nicholas Sparks gives us one.

Thanks to Netgalley and Random House Publishing group for an eARC. I’ve read every one of Nicholas Sparks books and was really excited to read his new one. He really is a great writer and I always enjoy his novels but have to admit this one wasn’t one of my favorites of his. It tells two stories that towards the end intersect. One is the story of an old man and his search for a white deer while remembering his past and the other story is of a retired military man who is wandering with no direction who is looking for someone with a love story. Both are well written but I felt at times things dragged and I wanted more to happen. Then at the end I felt it was rushed and wanted more details in the ending. Overall good story but not his best story.

If you need a reason to read this, one of the main characters has a dog (who is sort of a main character himself - ily Arlo in)

Nicholas Sparks is a comfort author to me.
Usually his books rip your heart out, just to put them right back together, but this one didn't have that tear-jerker feeling for me. There were sad parts (of course), but none that I thought "I will never recover". This was a good, well rounded, emotional read, where you'll fall in love with the characters. I especially loved the family that made up several of the main characters and the way that they truly embodied how a family is there for each other and supports each other.

There are a ton of references to God and scripture in this book - Sparks depicted one of the main characters suffering in life and how he realizes how much he has in common with Job from the Bible. I really enjoyed this aspect of the book and how scriptures the character's father had shared with him have stuck with him throughout his life, through the good and the bad.

A huge thank you to NetGalley & Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine for an ARC copy of this book in exchange for an honest review

Such an incredible story! Should I have been prepared to have my heart ripped out by Nicholas Sparks? Probably! This story was beautiful & Tanner, Kaitlyn & Jasper are now deeply rooted in my heart. I haven’t stopped thinking about this book since I finished it & am already looking forward to a re-read!

This was fine? Generic but fine.

I hadn't read a Nicholas Sparks book in many years, so when I saw this, I was curious. I've read a lot of his books in the past, and at a certain point, they all started to blur together and follow the same pattern, and this one was no exception. If you really like Nicholas Sparks books, you'll probably enjoy this, but if you're like me and stopped reading his books years ago, this can probably be a skip. This was just more of the same that was a pleasant enough quick read that just felt like a shell of some of the more impactful Sparks books I've read before.

I can't even put a finger on concrete reasons why I didn't really connect with this. The writing was easy to follow. Yes, the story was predictable, but I'm generally okay with that in romance. The story almost felt like it was going through the motions, with a romance that fell flat emotional beats that rang hollow.

I can see why some people would enjoy this if you like Nicholas Spark's current style of writing, but clearly this was not for me!

Counting Miracles
by Nicolas Sparks

Tanner Hughes is retired military who heads to Asheboro NC in search of the biological father he has never met. Tanner plans to move on from there to another security assignment with USAID in Cameroon. Kaitlin is a divorced mother of two as well as a doctor who is big into “giving back”whenever she can—she even makes medical house calls to those who cannot or will not come into the doctor’s office. Tanner and Kaitlin meet and spend time together while he is in town. Their mutual attraction is very evident, yet Kaitlin decides to end things as Tanner has told her he will be leaving town once his search is complete. However, circumstances have the two of them running into each other regularly and Kaitlin wishes Tanner’s would consider changing his plans. Tanner, who is very attracted to Kaitlin, but no longer has living family members in the US, assumes he will just move on with his commitment to rejoin USAID overseas.

Jasper is an elderly neighbor and patient of Kaitlin’s, who is in poor health, yet spends time with Mitch, Kaitlin’s son, showing him how to whittle with wood. Jasper has mysterious burns over most of his body which makes him a pariah of sorts with the people of Asheboro. A rare albino deer has been spotted in the national forest near Asheboro and though it is not deer hunting season, poachers are on the lookout for it as an albino deer would be a trophy. Jasper has fond memories of an albino deer from when he was a child, and takes action to protect the deer at all costs, even though he himself is in poor physical shape.

I have read all of Nicolas Sparks books and always watch for his new releases. This book did not disappoint. I recommend it.

This Sparks book felt a little different to me. You have two storylines- the growing romance/relationship between Tanner and Kaitlyn and then the old man named Jasper. It took almost the entire book to see how these two pieces would intersect and why they were important. It was very slow going, but somehow still a somewhat fast read for me.

While I wouldn't say there was as much character development for Tanner or Kaitlyn, I still enjoyed them each as characters. Jasper was a sweet older man, and his back story is incredibly tragic. Very typical Sparks in that sense! Overall a good read, but it wouldn't rank up there as one of my favorites by Sparks.

I'll always reach for the next Nicholas Sparks, but I'm especially glad that I did this time. Instead of the formulaic romances of past novels...which have their appeal, for sure...this story instead has a main focus of ordinary people in search of the unordinary. In search of miracles. Jasper is an endearing older character with a tragic backstory and an uncertain future. Tanner is looking for some answers in life and settles in to find some in Asheboro, North Carolina. Kaitlyn and her little family think they're doing just fine on their own, but maybe there are some changes for them as well.
A rare albino white deer sighting triggers the start of events culminating in multiple miracles and answers to long-asked questions. I almost feel like this one has ended with the hopes of more to come. I feel like I've just gotten to know this interesting cast of characters who each had a point of view in the telling. Hopefully this is just the beginning...
Thanks to NetGalley and Random House for this ARC! All opinions are mine.

I love Nicholas Sparks because of the way he beautifully paints an entire story for us. Everything is detailed without being too overbearing. With this particular book, I wanted more of the romance & love connection, but still enjoyed the ideas of love found in different ways - an older man reflecting on his life, the man with his dog, a young man searching for his family & a single mother navigating her new normal.
It was well-written & developed & cozy for fall!
Thank you to NetGalley & the publisher for my copy of the book in exchange for a review.

I have read most of Nicholas Spark's books and I enjoyed most of them. For some reason, I just could not get myself excited to pick this book up and continue reading it. I don't know if it was the storyline, if I just wasn't in the mood for this genre, but I found it slow and not very interesting. I'm sure there are plenty who will love it. I just found it not as good as most of the others I've read. Please don't let this review stop you from giving it a try though.

This is, in my opinion, one of Nicholas Sparks most powerful, moving novels that I have ever read and I've read every single one of his books so far!!!!!!!!! This ,by this readers prediction, will becone one of his bestselling books ever. Wow Mr Sparks!!!!

Nicholas Sparks does it again!
This is exactly what you would expect from Sparks. The story was great, character development was profound, and emotions run high in this novel! A must read for sure!

Tanner was a military kid, always moving around and did the same as he grew up. He lived with his grandparents since he mother passed away during childbirth and he never knew his father. When his grandmother passes away she leaves him with a note that has his fathers name on it and Asheboro, North Carolina. Before he is due to ship out to his next assignment Tanner travels to Asheboro to see if he can find his father. When he arrives he goes to a pub and when leaving an 18 year old girl backs into his brand new car. Little did he know this would change his whole world.

In Asheboro, we also meet Jasper who lives alone in a cabin the woods. He lost his family in a terrible accident. His story is heartbreaking and the way it intertwines with Tanners is one that will pull at your heart.

Thank you Netgalley, the author and publisher for my ARC!

Nicholas Sparks is a must read author!! I have read every book he has written and he has never disappointed me. This book was heartbreaking at times but beautiful. I loved all the POV from different characters. The story flowed so easily and I didn't want to put the book down. Tanner was raised by his grandparents when his mother dies giving birth to him. On his grandmothers deathbed she told him the name of his father. So after she passes away he drives to Asheboro, NC where he was from. Along the way he will meet Kaitlyn who is a single mom to Casey and Mitch. We will meet Jasper as he is telling his life story to us. He is a neighbor and friend to Kaitlyn and Mitch. There is so much to take in from this story. You will get faith, love, hope, strength as a family, knowing where you come from, the love you get from an animal, forgiveness and finding peace. This is a beautiful story and no one tells them like Nicholas Sparks. I would highly recommend this book and every book he has ever written.


Thank you NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine | Random House for allowing me to read this ARC for my honest opinion.

Counting Miracles by Nicholas Sparks
emotional medium-paced
Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0

Nicholas Sparks is an auto buy author for me and this one wasn’t a favorite but it didn’t disappoint either. I enjoyed the Kaitlyn and Tanner chapters but the Jasper ones were a struggle for me. Eventually it all clicks and I loved his character. Something unexpected for me was the amount of scripture, I didn’t hate it just not typically what I see in his books.

This was a typical Nicholas Sparks book with a bit more of a religious/inspirational feel than I seem to recall from others. If you are a fan of his writing, you will enjoy this one. I haven’t picked up the last few books by Sparks, but I was in the mood for something like this and it came at the right time. I have been going through some struggles of my own and reading an inspirational story is just what I needed. Parts of this were a tough read, but that’s what makes these books so good. This is the story of Tanner, Kaitlyn (and her family), and Jasper, and how their lives all intertwine. I came to love all the characters in different ways, but grew especially attached to Jasper and his story. It was one of those instances where I wanted to keep reading about him. I will be recommending this to friends and family.

3.5 stars — While the story leaned a bit more religious than I typically prefer, it was still an enjoyable, slower-paced read. The three intertwined characters had rich, emotional backstories, and the character development was well done. One thing that really stood out to me was the opening, where the grandparents arrived in Pensacola—it reminded me of my own family’s experience and made it feel more personal.

However, if you’re expecting the signature heart-melting romance Nicholas Sparks is known for, this one didn’t quite hit that mark for me.

I'll be honest and say I haven't read Nicholas Sparks for a long time simply because I don't like sobbing hysterically. I'm happy to report that this one didn't do that. It still tugged at my heart, but the superb writing of this book told a great story of life, living, death and everything in between.

The character that pulled at me the most was Jasper. The extreme joy he had in his life, followed by the extreme pain and grief should have made him a bitter person, but it didn't. He was protective and willing to go to extremes to protect the vulnerable.

Kaitlyn is a single mom of a young boy and a teenage girl. She is pulled multiple ways with her job, her children and trying to be her own person. Tanner shows up in town and starts to show her that she can still be a woman with all the feelings. Tanner was a great character, even if he was kind of lost. He was in-between jobs that sounded more like missions. He was flailing around and really needed to ground himself.

I loved the kids in the book. The teenage girl was a real trip. She had all the teenage angst, but with a level of maturity thrown in sometimes that was surprising. Her little brother is very caring. He really had a heart of gold. He has become friends with Jasper when most people stay away from him.

This was a very emotionally satisfying book. I'm back on the Nicholas Sparks bandwagon.

Thanks to Random House Publishing--Balantine and NetGalley for the e-book. All thoughts are my own.

This book was heartwarming and really reminded me of earlier works from Sparks that ignited my passion for reading books about family and love.

You will fall in love with old man, Jasper, and his dog Arlo. Jasper’s story is captivating, heartfelt, and heartbreaking. I truly enjoyed that we were given snippets about his life throughout the entire book.

We all know that Sparks enjoys building characters and Tanner’s tale is one that is so interesting. He finds himself in Asheboro looking for family he never knew and encounters Kaitlyn and her children. They are drawn to each other. Tanner has always led a nomadic life, without attachments, but he feels himself being pulled towards his connection to Kaitlyn.

I loved how connected I felt to all the characters and how pulled into the story I became as I read. I devoured this read in a few hours and could not walk away from it. That is the power of amazing writing and strong character connection!

I will note that this book explores many biblical verses and references to God. I mention this in case you need the notice prior to reading.