Sparks never misses. He knows how to pull at your heartstrings and this book is no exception to that. I loved the multiple POVs we got. I especially liked the small town feel and found family elements we get from this story, too. Perfect read for fall!

Tanner Hughes was raised by his grandparents after his mother died in childbirth. He never knew who his father was. He had a successful military career, and then retired from that and went to work for USAID abroad. He has spent his life never settling down. Then, when his grandmother is on her deathbed, she leaves him a note telling him who his father was, and where he was from. He sets off for Asheboro, North Carolina to try to find him. He had been in town less than 24 hours when he meets Kaitlyn Cooper, a doctor and single mom. There is instant attraction on both sides. Meanwhile, Kaitlyn's eighty-three-year-old neighbor Jasper lives alone in a cabin bordering a national forest. With only his old dog, Arlo, for company, he lives quietly, haunted by a tragic accident that took place decades before. When he hears rumors that a white deer has been spotted in the forest—a creature of legend that inspired his father and grandfather—he becomes obsessed with protecting the deer from poachers. As these characters’ fates orbit closer together, none of them is expecting a miracle . . . but that may be exactly what is about to alter their futures forever.
I am still a little teary-eyed after finishing this one. It was so good. It started as a bit of a slow burn, but once the book picked up the pace, I couldn't put it down. I loved the entire cast of characters, well except for the Littletons that is, and who really loves a bully? I was really rooting for Tanner and Kaitlyn to wind up together, and I loved the bond between Jasper & his dog Arlo. If you are a fan of romance, or even just really good fiction, then you will want to put this at the top of your TBR pile. I highly recommend it!

Counting Miracles is one of Nicholas Sparks' better novels in recent years. While I always think the "romances" in his books are way to fast paced, I found Tanner and Kaitlyn's chemistry to be more believable than others I have read from this author. The character Jasper's story is a modern retelling of Job. I do wish that the reunification aspect of the story was longer and wasn't limited to just the epilogue.

Thank you to Random House Ballentine and NetGalley for this advanced copy. Counting Miracles is available on September 24, 2024.

Counting Miracles by Nicholas Sparks
⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
368 pages
Releasing: September 24th, 2024

Tanner was raised by his grandparents & joined the Army like his grandfather. He lives a life where he travels constantly, not staying in one place for long. While his grandmother is passing, her last words were: find where you belong. Tanner goes to Asheboro, NC to find his absent father. In less than one day being there, he meets Kaitlyn, a doctor and single mother. The connection is immediate and quick. Nearby, Jasper is an older man whose story is told simultaneously. Nobody believes in miracles until they truly happen.

This book was bit of a slow burn for me. The multiple POVs took me a bit to get into & truly understand where he was going with them. I overall loved Jasper’s character and learning his past experiences that led him to where he is today. Overall, I was just wanting more with this book.

Read if you like:
✨Multiple POVs
✨Found Family
✨Small town

#nicholassparks #nicholassparksbooks #randomhouse #countingmiracles #booklover #bookstagram #book #bookcommunity #bookrecommendations

Another amazing book by Nicholas Sparks!! I absolutely loved this and cannot wait to see what else he writes. I am so glad the ending was how it was because I didn’t want to cry more than I already was!

I liked the story, but I didn’t love it. I ended up guessing the plot halfway through the book, which was kind of disappointing because I wanted to be invested in all of the characters.

Here’s what I liked: I really liked Jasper and his story. I liked his flashbacks and understanding who he was before the accident, what occurred, his previous life, etc. I also liked Mitch and Jasper’s friendship and found it really sweet. I also liked Arlo! Anytime a dog is in a story, it’s an automatic yes from me.

Here’s what I didn’t like: I didn’t really understand the point of Kaitlyn and Tanner. It felt rushed and unnecessary and I think her feelings were valid to be upset with him, but it also hadn’t been a week. I think that a more slow burning relationship where she helps him find his long lost relative instead of a “fling” would’ve contributed better to the storyline. That’s what it seemed was going to happen until it didn’t. It also felt like the story was a little drawn out and I wasn’t sure if I cared about the characters, aside from Jasper.

Overall, I think this book was good, but personally not for me. I’ve read other books by Nicholas Sparks and really enjoyed them, but I just didn’t with Counting Miracles. I think my mom will like this book though, as she’s read every book he’s written!

Classic Sparks that will please his fans. Tanner, retired from the Army and now orphaned, has set out to find the father he never knew and an accident with a teen in a parking lot changes his life in more ways than one. Jaspar is more or less a hermit, living in the cabin he built with his father. His chance encounter with another set of teens in the forest changes his life as well. Kaitlyn, the divorced mom of Casey and Mitch, is a physician who finds a spark in Tanner. Can they build a relationship when he's planning to leave to work in Africa? Will Jasper be able to protect the white deer that's been spotted in the forest? His back story comes out slowly and you'll find yourself rooting for him and for his dog Arlo as well. You, like me, might see how the subplots come together but it's got some tension and it pulls at the heartstrings. Thanks to netgalley for the ARC. This is good storytelling that engaged even a cynic like me.

In this soul-searching romance from Nicholas Sparks, Tanner Hughes travels to the small town of Asheboro, North Carolina, to try to find the biological father he never knew about. While on his search, he meets some of the townspeople including Kaitlyn, a divorcee with 2 children, and Jasper, a hermit living on the outskirts of town. Will Army vet Tanner be able to find the answers he's looking for and a place to finally call home, or will be continue his vagabond lifestyle, flitting off to the next adventure?

True to form, Nicholas Sparks wrote another heart-wrenching story where each of the main characters finds themselves at a crossroads in life, deciding to continue living half a life or . The characters were lovable and I was kept wondering if they'd be able to choose the happy for themselves. Nicholas Sparks writes plots similar to fans of trending author Colleen Hoover, but will, for me, always be the original writer who tells stories about lovable and relatable people struggling with real-life situations. His stories hit me in the feels every time.

** I received this book as an ARC from NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. ***

5⭐️ Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group-Ballantine for an advanced copy of Counting Miracles.

Tanner was raised by his grandparents, his mother passed away during childbirth and he never knew his father. On his grandmother’s deathbed she gives him his father’s name and where he lives. She also wants Tanner to settle and find where he belongs. Tanner goes to North Carolina in search of his father, while there he meets Kaitlyn a doctor and single mom of two kids. Tanner and Kaitlyn are instantly drawn to one another but Kaitlyn knows that he will be leaving soon so she tries not to get too attached but that becomes more and more difficult the more time they spend together. Kaitlyn also takes care of her neighbor Jasper who is kind of a recluse but her son loves spending time with him. Jasper has been through extremely tough times and he starts to search for a very rare white deer. He is hoping for a miracle!

This book was so good! I literally could not put it down. Nicholas Sparks always hits me with all the feels! The characters were so relatable and the story was fantastic.

Readers who enjoy nice and easy stories with likeable characters will love this book. I really enjoyed Jasper’s backstory and his love for his late wife. His spiritual wellness was amazing. Tanner, with his background seemed a little too perfect. The story was predictable but very enjoyable. Except, what happened to the Littletons? Recommended.

Nicholas Sparks never disappoints!
Counting Miracles by Nicholas Sparks is a touching and heartfelt story.
Sparks' storytelling prowess shines through the emotional depth of the characters and the poignant exploration of themes such as family dynamics, self-discovery and love.
The author's vivid descriptions and compelling narrative make "Counting Miracles" a truly immersive and thought-provoking read.
He has a writing style that just pulls you in right from page one and holds your attention until the very last word. This book is fantastic and will keep you up way past your bedtime as you will not be able to put it down. Do yourself a big favor and read this book.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group for providing me with an advanced copy of this book.

The Writing is a Work of Art

SUMMARY
Tanner Hughes just buried his grandmother and is now headed to a small town in NC. Tanner was raised by his grandparents and followed his grandfather's military footsteps. He spent 15 years in the Army with numerous deployments and has never stopped moving around since. It’s what he knows.

Before she died, his Grandmother told Tanner two things. The first was to “Find where you belong and make that place your own.” But Tanner has no desire to settle down anywhere. He is heading to Asheboro, NC, to follow up on the second thing his grandmother told him. It was the name of his father, whom he never knew. After NC, Tanner plans to head to Africa to help with USAID security.

Once he gets to Asheboro, he is devastated when a teenage girl backs her mom’s large black Suburban into Tanner’s brand-new 1968 reproduction red Shelby Mustang. When Tanner meets the teenage girl's mother, Kaitlin, a doctor and single mom, they instantly connect. While his car is being repaired, Tanner begins a futile search for his father and hopes to spend some time with Kaitlin.

REVIEW
You just can’t loose with a Nicolas Sparks book. He is known for romance and heartbreak and COUNTING MIRACLES is no different. It’s a moving modern love story between a woman with deep roots in her small town and a man who has no desire to settle down in one place. (Tanner is just like the Jack Reacher character in that regard.) But it’s also a story about Tanner’s search for a father who may have never known he existed.

All the characters are delightfully well-developed and relatable. From Tanner and Kaitlen to her children, 16-year-old Casey and 9-year-old Mitch, you will become attached to them all. Even Jasper, the old man who is teaching Mitch to carve, is quite the memorable character with his own story to tell.

The plot is poignant, and the writing is a work of art that will resonate well with many readers.

Thanks to Netgalley for an advance reading copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Publisher Random House Publishing Group-Ballantine
Published September 24, 2024
Review www.bluestockingreviews.com

Counting Miracles is a beautifully written book that will devastate you in the best possible way. The way Nicholas Sparks is able to intricately weave these stories is always amazing to me. The characters and their emotions felt so real to me.

Tanner Hughes goes to Asheboro in search of the father he knew nothing about before he leaves on another assignment of his choosing. Instead he finds Kaitlyn Cooper and her two children, Casey & Mitch. Both Tanner and Kaitlyn sense a story in each other and seem drawn to one another. Meanwhile, Jasper & his dog Arlo are in search of the mysterious white deer in the forest. Tanner, Kaitlyn and Jasper are all searching for something and once they find it, it’s truly miraculous.

I love the way this story is told.. in the present but with flashbacks of Jaspers life. It tells a story of real love, both romantically and platonic. My favorite character was Jasper. Nicholas Sparks makes his character so real you just want to sit with him or give him a hug.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Publication date is 9.24.2024.

I was given an e-arc from Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine through Netgalley for my honest review.

This book gave me all the feelings! I loved it from start to finish.
I think its meant to be a romance story, the ending was predictable but still so enjoyable!
There are 3 main characters and they are all great but in my honest opinion Jasper's story is the reason it became one of my favorite books of the year.
The way Jasper is portrayed I want to scream! He suffers so much through life I couldn’t stop crying and yet he lived with grace, being a kind and humble human being it just made me put my life in perspective and to just be grateful with what you have. I love that a book can make you have these feelings.
AND Jasper’s love story is just 😍😭 TRUE LOVE, he’s the perfect husband, partner, parent like wow my dream guy.
Thank you Net Galley and Random House Publishing for providing me and ARC in exchange for my honest review.

This is a beautiful book of second chances, finding your path in life, and being open to the world and what it might throw at you. Nicolas Sparks always writes such beautiful books, but this one is very sweet. Readers are going to love Tanner, Kaitlyn, and Japer. Their stories are beautiful, however when they merge there is magic. The book is laid out perfectly with two different storylines that merge and diverge at the perfect moments. All of Jasper’s reflections fit perfectly, helping tie the story together.
Thank you so much to Random House Publishing Group, Ballantine, and Netgalley for allowing me to read an advance copy of this book.

Nicholas Sparks is always a favorite and this one was as heart-breaking as all his others. This one might be a favorite of mine, especially because it revolved more around Jasper than the romance between Tanner and Kaitlyn. Like all Nicholas Sparks' books, you love the characters and can feel their pain. And Arlo... every old person needs a dog best friend🥹 I thought Jasper's parallel of Job was well done and he really has lived a life of devastation and blessing. 5 stars for a story about family, love, kindness, and finding your future.

Review live now on GoodReads and StoryGraph

Counting Miracles by Nicholas Sparks was an intriguing and delightful read. I enjoyed the modern day retelling of Job alongside a love story. The importance of family and redemption was heartwarming. Overall, I enjoyed Counting Miracles very much. It was a quick, easy and heartwarming read.

This was a beautiful book. To me, this book felt different than many other Nicholas Sparks books that I have read but yet similar to other Nicholas Sparks books, if that makes sense. I loved the MFC and her relationship with her children, as well as Jasper and Tanners stories and connection to Kaitlyn’s family. Everything came together so beautifully in the end, and I felt the messages the story told were so important. I felt it was a fast paced book in the beginning and end, however the middle of the book felt much slower. While I enjoyed the middle of the book, i found it felt like a lot was being said but nothing was happening?

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC of this wonderful book! I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys this genre.

When a rare albino deer has been spotted in the Uwharrie National Forest in Southwest North Carolina, an elderly man becomes obsessed with protecting the animal, putting himself in peril in Nicholas Sparks’ latest, Counting Miracles, coming out September 24. Jasper has been on his own for years, living in a cabin that borders the forest. A patient of Dr. Kaitlyn Cooper’s, he is also teaching her son how to carve.

Kaitlyn’s daughter is beside herself after a confrontation with an unwanted admirer in the parking lot of a restaurant, which distracts her as she backs out of her parking space only to crash into Tanner Hughes’ brand new reproduction 1968 Shelby GT. This leads to Tanner meeting Kaitlyn as she assures him that her insurance company will take care of his car.

Tanner is in Asheboro tracking down a possible clue to his biological father, putting off his next career move in Cameroon. However, he is immediately drawn to divorcee Kaitlyn, who offers to drive him to his hotel since his car is out of commission.

While Jasper, Kaitlyn, and Tanner seem to be on separate trajectories, they will all come together as Sparks crafts a story about love, loss, and hope, as only he can do. Nicholas Sparks, one of the world’s most beloved romance-drama writers, started his career with The Notebook in 1996, and many of his novels have been made into movies. Once again he has set his latest book in North Carolina where he lives.

My review will be posted on Goodreads starting September 19, 2024.

I would like to thank Random House, an imprint and division of Penguin Random House LLC, and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC in return for an objective review.

This is a beautiful story about a man who finds out from his grandmother his true father’s name. He goes on a search to find his father. Along the way he finds love, family, and stability that he has never had before.

A bit of a predictable read, but I still enjoyed it.

3.5 stars