Nicholas Sparks always seems to create characters that feel like people you know or want to befriend in real life. Tanner & Jasper are those people. They each have a unique story to tell and Jasper’s Biblical insights were some of my favorite parts.

I thoroughly enjoyed how this story unfolded and of course it was beautifully written. You really just never know when someone will come into your life and change it in ways you could not imagine.

Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC :)

I throughly enjoyed reading this book from start to finish. The story was captivating and kept me engaged throughout. The details were rich and immersive, without feeling overwhelming. I appreciated how the characters were developed, with their backgrounds revealed seamlessly, making them feel authentic and well-rounded. Everything flowed nicely, and nothing felt out of place. Also, I liked how the ending tied everything together beautifully. I would highly recommend this book. Thanks to NetGalley for allowing me to read it.

Thank you Random House for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

Counting Miracles tells the story of Tanner Hughes who is searching for his father, and finding himself along the way.

This book was, like most Nicholas Sparks books, heartwarming and uplifting as relationships develop, stories are shared and pasts revealed.

The sweetness of this story plus the relaxed pace delivers a heartwarming tale of friends, family, and love. The blending of a directionless man searching for his biological father with an older man seeking to protect an albino deer and a mother and her kids dealing with the now smoothly creates a gem of a story.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of the book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Thank you to Penguin Random House Canada (Doubleday Canada) and Netgalley for an eARC in exchange for an honest review

ooof, where do I start? First of all, it seems the biggest issue with this book is that it is not marketed in any way as being that of a religiously text. It sort of comes out of nowhere when we're introduced to Jasper's character so initially I was shocked but thought "okay we're just adding some complexity to this character"; however, that was not the case. I would shelve this one as Christian Fiction, it's pretty heavy handed in that regard.

To say that's even a "critique" feels misleading because there is surely an audience for this novel, however it was not me and had I known this before I probably would not have requested it.

The problems I had with the book go beyond those aforementioned though. I was a Nicholas Spark girlyyyy in high school and had read close to all his publications back in 2010/2011? I remember them being a cheesy, predictable, feel-good romance novel that had some type of twist and an overarching theme or life-lesson behind the writing so I was looking forward to a bit of nostalgia going into this. This entire book fell flat & made me uncomfortable I am second guessing my judgement.

For starters, I had a hard time with navigating who exactly was the main character in this book. We start off with Tanner and then Kaitlyn and in my mind Tanner is the MC. But then we spend so much excruciating time with Jasper that suddenly he is the MC? & that should make sense since it seems he and Arlo (his dog) are on the cover; however, I didn't care for this character at all. I would have much rather spent the majority of the book between Kaitlyn, her kids and Tanner with a little bit of Jasper here and there than vice versa. I believe the outcome could have been the same but executed better if this were the case.

In addition, the writing felt too simple. To put it plainly, I just wasn't connecting with the story or the characters. Although they all undoubtedly have complicated pastimes, the writing was too shallow to bring any of that to the forefront of the story. To circle back to the religious component (that was also confusing), at times there are 2-3 bible verses on the page with interpretation but in the next moment Jasper states that he no longer believes in his practicing what he preached. It was confusing as to if he believed, if he didn't why are reading the bible, why are interpreting it and why are we following a white deer through the woods that is believed to be a visit from "the other side"?

Sparks has a line where he refers to "it's always darkest before the dawn" that he takes so literally when Jasper is abandoned in the woods & has to navigate his way back in the middle of the night. That part irritated TF out of me because duh it's not true in a literal sense and that's also not what the quote means!!!

Lastly, in some instance I couldn't care less if a relationship moves fast in a romance novel of all places. However, because we don't spend as much time with Kaitlyn and Tanner if felt too fast. Jasper's chapters were over-written and too long, it left no room for their relationship to spark any sort of longing or connection to the reader. & to think that no one in his life, not even his grandmother who raised him, could make him settle down but this woman who he just met could in one conversation? That part didn't resonate with me AT ALL.

Lastly Lastly, what WAS the point of this book? Again, at first, you think it's Tanner trying to find his biological father before he returns overseas for a job - we then go the majority of the book with no update on this search. Then it's Jasper and finding the white deer. Then it's Kaitlyn not jeopardizing her happiness and taking chances with Tanner. Then it's back to Tanner not going overseas and settling down. Then it's Jasper finally coming to terms with the death of this family..IDK it just seemed all over the place for me.

This is not the Nicholas Sparks I remember and know and came to cherish in my teenage years, I am a bit disappointed. On top of that, this is a USAID/military advertisement if I ever read or saw one which just...c'mon not my scene!!

Nicholas Sparks has done it again! All of his books are amazing but these last few have hit harder. I loved the story about Jasper and Audrey , although it ended tragically for them. As for Tanner and Kaitlyn meeting and then him ending up being Jasper’s grandson. It was beautifully told and I enjoyed it greatly. Thank you NetGalley and Random House Publishing -Ballentine for the opportunity to read this early before release.

Counting Miracles by Nicholas Sparks was so good! I have read several of his books and they all have been good! This one did not disappoint! I love how there’s some mystery with a twist and romance. There’s also some emotional parts in the story as well.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC!

Tanner is ex-military and on a mission to find his biological father. He's experienced a lot of loss in his life, but his grandmother gave him a clue on her deathbed that sends him to Asheboro, North Carolina. There he meets doctor Kaitlyn Cooper and is immediately attracted to her. But she knows he's planning to leave, so she is skeptical about getting attached. We are also introduced to Jasper, an old man living in a cabin not far from Kaitlyn and her two children, on the edge of a national forest. Rumors of a white deer have prompted him to seek the miracle he's been waiting for since he lost everything that meant anything to him.

Nicholas Sparks is the master storyteller when it comes to romance sprinkled with a little bit of mystery. If you have ever read any of his novels, there is typically heartbreak and loss, and while Counting Miracles does have some of that, it is not as up front tragic as most. We learn of the pasts of the main characters, and it draws the reader into a close relationship with each, as if they have been known all their lives. There will be tears, but they were welcomed tears.

I loved this story! It was a hook from the start. Now, I'll be waiting for the movie adaptation! Hurry and read it for yourself.

Thank you to Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine and NetGalley for the ARC. The opinions expressed are my own.

I received an arc from NetGalley and this is my honest opinion.

Nicholaus Sparks weaves an awesome storyline in his new Counting Miracles book. Tanner and Kaitlyn meet under some unusual circumstances but they form an instant bond and connection, but will Tanner be sticking around or moving on to work in Cameroon?

Tanner hopes to find his father but Kaitlyn and her family are a welcome distraction but is that all it really is, a distraction? An attraction or something more?

Watch these two wrestle with all the emotions, heartache and hope to come.
4.5 stars

Counting Miracles started off slow but after 40% I was very invested in the characters. I couldn’t figure out how Jasper tied into the story, but I think he ended up being my favorite character. He went through so many hardships in life but was given a fresh start by the end. Overall I liked this book and I’m very thankful for the opportunity to read an advanced copy. Thank you so much to the publisher.

Thank you NetGalley for this ARC. Nicholas Sparks did it again! I cried tears from feeling touched by the story and the characters in this book. I adored the cast and thought the story was neat in its symbolism. A beautiful story highlighting the importance of family, connection, roots, love and something greater than ourselves.

Tanner Hughes was an Army Ranger, and after leaving the service has continued to travel the world, working for aid organizations. When the grandmother who raised him becomes ill, he returns home to care for her. Just before her death, she urges him to find the place in the world that he belongs. She also tells him the name of his biological father.
So Tanner travels to Asheboro North Carolina to search for his only living relative. Once there, he meets Kaitlin, a doctor and single mom, and he enjoys spending time with her. But to Kaitlin, Tanner is someone who is leaving town soon.
Jasper is an old man who was scarred from serious burns. He lost his entire family when their home caught fire, and feels that God has abandoned him.
When Tanner, Kaitlin, and Jasper's stories intersect, miracles occur.

Counting Miracles by Nicholas Sparks is one of those books I just can’t wait to get my hands on! Every time I read a Sparks novel, I’m completely blown away by his ability to craft stories that tug at your heartstrings and stay with you long after the last page. With Counting Miracles, I know it’s going to be no different—filled with love, loss, hope, and the kind of emotion that only Nicholas Sparks can deliver. I’m eagerly anticipating its release, and if it’s anything like his previous work, it’s bound to be another unforgettable journey. This is definitely one to watch for!

There is a reason Nicholas Sparks is a best selling author, he knows how to hit his readers in the emotional gut. Readers expect the feels and the tears, and Counting Miracles did not disappoint.
There were some really hard parts for me to read of this book, because it pulled at the heartstrings, but it had a great message and overall it was a good read. I enjoyed the characters in the setting and as always the writing was fantastic. This is another solid hit by Nicolas Sparks.

*I received this book as an Advanced Reader's Copy (ARC) through NetGalley. I received this copy free in exchange for my honest review.*

Counting Miracles by Nicholas Sparks is fantastic. The story is told from the perspective of three main characters – Kaitlyn, Tanner, and Jasper – who all find themselves in the small town of Asheboro, North Carolina.

Kaitlyn is a physician and single mother raising her son Mitch and daughter Casey. She struggles with the challenges of single parenting while trying to move forward with her life. Tanner grew up with his grandparents and served in the military. He is looking to discover more about himself and hopes that Asheboro will have some answers for him. Finally, Jasper, an older man who has experienced great loss and sorrow, is looking for peace and closure as he reflects on the past.

This book is not my first Nicholas Sparks novel. As always, his writing feels familiar and comforting. The character development and story progression feel genuine and captivating, drawing me into the world of the characters. I truly felt like I was in the room with them, experiencing their anxieties and uncertainties.

All three main characters are easy to relate to. Kaitlyn’s moments of self-reflection particularly resonate with me. One of my favorite quotes is, “How long ago did she forget, she wondered, that life was as much about living as it was about responsibility.” That sentiment hits home for me. As a child of divorced parents, I also relate to Casey and her teenage angst. Sparks’ portrayal of her younger brother Mitch as innocent, loving, and completely obsessed with his sister feels authentic to anyone who has siblings. Tanner’s determination and resilience throughout the story also make him an admirable character.

But my favorite character by far is Jasper. His emotions are vividly depicted, and he stays true to his values and faith throughout the book. As a Christian, I appreciate the scripture references Jasper learns from his father, which deeply influences how he treats others and approaches life. This only makes my connection to him stronger!

Overall, Counting Miracles is a beautifully told story, and I highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys fiction and romance. I am already looking forward to rereading it!

Thank you to Random House Publishing Group – Ballantine and NetGalley for allowing me the opportunity to review this book. All opinions are my own.

Goodreads: Run date – Tuesday, September 17th (1 week before publication)
TikTok: Run date – Friday, September 20 (4 days before publication)
Instagram: Run date – Tuesday, September 24 (publication day)

I have read all of Nicholas Sparks’ books and was so excited to read his newest one. The story is heartwarming, but a little predictable. My favorite part was reading Jasper’s part, which was full of surprises and tears. I will say that this book includes a lot of bible verses and overt references to Christian principles, which may not be for everyone. Sparks weaves the verses into the story arc. Overall, I enjoyed reading this but it wasn’t my favorite by the author.

A wonderful story of family, love, redemption and faith. Tanner comes to Asheboro in search of familial ties. There he meets Kaitlin and her two children. They are friends with an older man named Jasper, who lives an almost reclusive life due to a family tragedy. The story comes full circle when relationships develop and deepen. Not to be missed.

From the acclaimed author of The Longest Ride and The Notebook comes an emotional, powerful novel about wondering if we can change—or even make our peace with—the path we’ve taken.

As soon as I saw that Nicholas Sparks wrote a new book, I knew that I had to get my hands on it and read it. I have been a fan for years and know that any book written by him will be emotional and heartbreaking/warming/wrenching (you choose the word). He has talent at building up his characters, story, plot, and ending so perfectly, and in such a way that the reader is fully immersed from the very first to the very last page. I was hooked as soon as I started reading Counting Miracles and know you will be, too. We experience family, relationships, grief, love, loss, tragedy, romance, fear, passion… The characters were so artfully created and presented, I had a very tender spot for Jasper. Despite his appearance and legend, he has a very giving (though broken) heart, and that was made clear as soon as his at first silent friendship with Mitch began and soon grew to become much bigger. He became a father figure in Mitch’s life and a very important person to all of the characters. Jasper was in fact the inspiration that led Sparks to write this novel. Or rather, an image of an elderly man who’d been injured in the forest with an old dog standing over him. That image stayed on the author’s mind and he decided to turn that image into his newest novel. It was such a beautiful book and I am looking forward to seeing it on film (because you just know it will be).

#countingmiracles #netgalley #bookreview

I haven't read a Nicholas Sparks book in a long time and this one was just ok. The pace was so slow. There a lot (and I mean a lot) of biblical references which I was nice (for me) but unexpected for a NS book. I thought the whole book was predictable and full of cliches. There was nothing original or different which is fine if you're looking for an easy read with a happy ending that doesn't take you out of your comfort zone.

I received this book as an Advanced Reader Copy from NetGalley for free. This review is voluntary and mine alone

This is another amazing story from Nicholas Sparks. I enjoyed getting to know these characters. The story itself is slower than most of his other books but it didn't bother me. I'm looking forward to seeing him at the Barnes & Noble I work at in Charlotte, NC soon.


Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for my gifted copy.