Counting Miracles by Nicholas Sparks is a poignant story that explores themes of faith, hope, and the search for belonging. The novel follows Tanner Hughes, a former Army Ranger, on a journey to discover more about his father after the death of his grandmother. Along the way, he crosses paths with Kaitlyn, a compassionate, divorced mother of two, whose kindness and warmth begin to reshape his life. Their connection is the heart of this touching tale, as they navigate love, loss, and the beauty of second chances.

Set in the charming town of Asheboro, this story brings together a diverse cast of characters, each facing their own struggles. Jasper, a reclusive man scarred by tragedy and loss, is perhaps the most compelling of all. His journey of reconciling his faith with his past is beautifully rendered, highlighted by his belief in a miraculous white deer—a symbol in Celtic mythology of a messenger from another world. This moment, reminiscent of the biblical story of Job, leads to Jasper’s renewal as he forms unexpected friendships and finds new hope.

The novel is classic Sparks, filled with endearing characters, emotional moments, and a touch of humor. The interactions between Tanner, Kaitlyn, and her children feel genuine and heartwarming, particularly the bond that develops between Jasper and Kaitlyn’s son, Mitch. Through these relationships, Counting Miracles illustrates the transformative power of human connection and gratitude.

While some might find the religious undertones prominent—especially in Jasper’s reflections—this book is more about a universal struggle with faith than overtly religious messaging. Jasper’s character grapples with his beliefs in a way that feels authentic and relatable, making this exploration of faith stand out from typical Christian fiction.

In true Nicholas Sparks fashion, the story balances heartbreak with moments of unexpected joy. The resolution is predictable in some ways, but still manages to tug at your heartstrings, leaving you with a sense of warmth and closure. If you’re a fan of heartwarming romance, stories about family ties, or are simply in the mood for a tale that mixes love and faith with a bit of mystery, Counting Miracles won’t disappoint.

Nicholas Sparks can honestly do no wrong. Every book leaves me in tears and this one kept the streak alive.

Thank you NetGalley and the author for giving me an early copy to read and review. All thoughts are my own.

I have always loved Nicholas Sparks and his novels. This one sort of reminded me of The Longest Ride. It had 3 POV’s and while I loved Jasper’s part of the story, I don’t feel like it had much romance. I kind of wanted more of a connection and more scenes with Tanner and Kaitlyn.

I wish it had gone into more detail or evening just had an ending where the Littleton’s got what was coming to them. I feel like this book was really short and just had a lot of lose ends.

With all that said; I did enjoy the book. I just really wanted more because I know how great of a writer Sparks is.

3.5 rounded to 4

First, thank you for allowing me to ARC read this book. I’ve been a huge Nicholas Sparks fan since high school so I was very excited to read his latest novel.

I should start this review by saying I may have set myself up for failure here. I am not a religious person and this book is very deeply religious. The story got lost to me in the numerous Bible verses and stories. I found myself skimming several portions.

That being said, I overall enjoyed the story and I did bring me to tears in the same way Nicholas Sparks has always done. The love story, although rapid, felt real and raw. Jasper’s story was heartbreaking and hard to read, but a good reminder that even when things are hard, there’s always light on the other side.

This book was amazing! I’m a huge Nicholas Sparks fan and this book was another great one. The story is very well written, true to Nicholas’s style. The characters are easy to follow and I found myself wanting to know more of their stories as I read on. I was lucky enough to get an advanced read from NetGalley. Sad I’ve finished it, but yet can’t wait to read it again.

An excellent modern day version of the Book of Job. A man’s search for his father leads to a small town where a car accident introduces him to a devoted mom/doctor who cares for her family and patients but knows there’s something is missing in her life. An old man, disfigured by an earlier accident has problems living in the present and reflects on his loves lost. The author brings these broken people together in a way he has done so many times.

I am a long-time reader of Nicolas Sparks books, and while this one wasn’t my favorite of his, it was still an enjoyable read! Overall, it was a beautiful story about the importance of family. It was filled with tension, and I found it hard to put down at times because I wanted to know what was going to happen next. Thank you Net Galley and publishers for the honor of receiving an advanced copy to read!

“Then I remind myself that my broken heart also means that there was a time when it wasn’t broken, when my heart was light and full.”

Would it really be a Nicholas Sparks book if I didn’t tear up while reading it?! The invisible string and the white deer were two of my favorite metaphors throughout the book. That what’s supposed to happen will happen and sometimes what you think you are looking for is sometimes right in front of you. My favorite character was Arlo, of course. He was the real MVP throughout the book from attacking the teenage boys and getting help for Jasper. I thought that Casey had a great character development. The ending came together beautifully and everything that needed to happen did.

I have never not cried while reading a Nicholas Sparks book. The characters are always relatable, and I get way too invested. Somehow through all the heartbreak and sadness, he finds a way to make me ok again! A five star read for me as always!

There's always something about the way Nicholas Sparks tells a story that will always have you sobbing. This was such a beautiful story that had me crying multiple times.

Love Nicholas Spark's novels. I want to read many more novel by him including the wish and the notebook! This novel opened my eyes to his writing style which is amazing. It you have not read a novel by nicholas sparks than I highly recommend this one!

Counting Miracles is about loss, love, and faith. The narrative is filled of with the emotional weight of life’s storms—those inevitable trials that we all must endure. Yet, the book doesn’t leave readers in despair. Instead, it serves as a testament that God never abandons us when life becomes overwhelming .

Counting Miracles encourages readers to focus on the miracles that surround us, both large and small. It reminds us that these miracles, though sometimes unnoticed, are a constant presence in our lives.

I am a BIG Nicholas Sparks fan. I named my son Noah after reading the Notebook, so it’s safe to say I’m a tad partial. That being said, I can honestly say that this book is absolutely one of his best- and that is saying something.
I enjoyed the characters and how they navigated through their journey. As always, there was laughter, tears, laughter through tears. I loved it. I highly recommend to everyone I know!

Thank you to Netgalley and Random House for the opportunity to read and review this ARC!

This book follows Tanner, a retired Army Ranger looking for his biological father, Kaitlyn, a doctor and divorced mother of two, and Jasper, an elderly man with a traumatic past. I liked how the POV shifted between the three main characters with seemingly no connection between them until the plot began to unfold. Jasper’s backstory is heartbreaking and the most detailed of the three, but I felt his storyline was very slow. This novel is different from other Nicholas Sparks novels I’ve read, but overall, I liked the romance plotline and how the three characters stories intersected at the end.

Gorgeously written, I found myself so invested in these character's lives. This is a tear jerker, but a beautiful one. I loved this book!

Counting Miracles by Nicholas Sparks is a testimony of faith for all those who feel alone, lost or without purpose.

I found the structure of the story super interesting and engaging with the stories of 2 totally different characters with no apparent connection and how they begin to interconnect page by page.

One of the storylines is follows an ex-military man “allergic” to commitment who was raised by his grandparents after his mother died giving birth. His grandmother's last words were to give him the name of his father (whom he never met) with the intention that he would go look for him and perhaps find a “home” to settle.

The second storyline follows a lonely old man, whose life has been plagued by tragedy after tragedy. We're introduced to him in the present but he gradually gives us the story of his past.

It is an absolutely beautiful story full of lessons (especially for believers in God) that leave you delving into existential issues of life and putting into perspective the adversities that arise in our lives.

It starts off a little slow, but that last 15-20% of the story had me crying uncontrollably.

Thank you to Random House for the ARC of this book. I haven't read a Nicholas Sparks book in years but always used to love his epic love stories. This one initially had me hooked but as a whole I felt like it moved too slow for my taste. Tanner, the MMC, is former military who has really never set down any roots. He meets Kaitlyn, a doctor and mom of 2, and falls for her. I was rooting for them, but I didn't feel like there were many details about their love. I would've liked to see more about that. The other main character, is an old man named Jasper who has an extremely tragic backstory and leads a very reclusive life as a result. Of course all these characters are connected, but I can't say more without giving away the plot. I enjoyed parts of this one but it didn't blow me away. I do think Nicholas Sparks has a way with words in general and that the characters were interesting. 3 stars overall. Thanks for the opportunity to review it!

Thanks to NetGalley. This was honestly different from any other Nicholas Sparks book. I felt like it was more connected with faith based book and connecting with God. It mix in romance in it but overall it kinda wasn't what he usually writes. It was way different from all his other books has written before. I am thankful for given opportunity to read as ARC reader. I am excited for all my book lovers to read this.❤️

As a Nicholas Sparks fan I was looking forward to this book and it did not disappoint! Nicholas Sparks is one of my favorite authors and like always his books carry meaningful messages and realistic life events. This book is exactly like that and it was so touching. I definitely cried a bit reading this one.

This book has three main characters that each chapter or two is told through their perspective. First we have Tanner Hughes who is taking a break from being deployed and taking care of his grandmother before her her passing days come, the last conversation he has with his grandmother is about finding where he belongs and with his father’s name and the location where he’s from which is Ashboro, North Carolina.

Next we have Kaitlyn who is a doctor and a single mom to Casey and Mitch. Her path comes across with Tanner and as she gets to know him she needs to find out if there is more to their story.

Last we have Jasper who is 84 years old and his only company is his dog Arlo. After a very tragic event in his life he is left wondering what is left of his life. He likes to read and recite verses from his bible that fits with his life events.

I definitely recommend this book to anyone who is a Nicholas Sparks fan! Even if you’re not a religious person or if you don’t know anything about the Bible this book was still as great! I actually enjoyed the Bible verses and it was something different and unique that Nicholas Sparks included. I would rate this book 5 stars! Thank You NetGalley, Random House Company Publishing, and Nicholas Sparks! Publishing date of September 24, 2024.

I have attached my review on my Goodreads account at https://www.goodreads.com/user/edit/profile/profile_url

Thank you to NetGalley and Nicholas Sparks for allowing me to read your work for my honest opinion.
Meet Tanner Hughes former Army Special Op's for 10+ years, and currently on hiatus from his job at USAID (security work US Agency for International Development). Tanner is in Florida taking care of his late grandparents estate before he rejoines his team in Cameroon. Before he leaves the States again, he plans on making a few stops to meet with families of his fallen comrades, to honor them. Along the way he will make a stop in Asheboro, North Carolina to hopefully find who his grandma thought was his father, Dave Johnson.
Jasper and his dog Arlo live on the edge of the Uwharrie forest, on land that had been in his family for many years. Jasper moved here after a terrible fire claimed his family and left him scarred, he is now almost a recluse.
Jaspers story is told in hindsight as well as present day and how his life will ultimately intersect with Tanners.
While Tanner is on his quest to honor his comrades as well as his grandma’s request he finds love and acceptance in the most unusually way.
Although this story follows the typical Sparks formula I don’t feel it’s his best work . I give Counting Miracles 3⭐️