Member Reviews

Another wonderful book by Nicholas Sparks. I get lost in his little towns and fall in love with his characters.
Jasper and Arlo, living their best live in the Cabin.
Kaitlyn and the kids doing their daily best and Tanner coming in to save the day.
It was a great book.

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Long time reader of Nicholas Sparks books! Unfortunately, I didn’t love this one. I think cabin part of the story was just too much. It really affected me. Stranger from out of town, 3rd date of someone you just met…someone agreed to rent you the cabin for a night, and the mother of a teenage daughter agrees.
I say this while understanding that reading fiction always requires a lot of suspending your disbelief.
Apart from that section of the story, it took me a lot by the revelation at the end (that Tanner was Jasper’s grandson) to even remember who the father was in relation to the story. It almost was anticlimactic.

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Thank you to Netgalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
While I was excited for this title, I found the storyline to be slow and not engaging. The writing style was also difficult to feel connected to, too much "tell" and not enough "show" for my taste.

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It’s been a while since I’ve read a Nicolas sparks book. This was the perfect one to get back into his writing. This is the perfect book for those who seem to not know where they are in lost and have a sense of loneliness.

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Though Counting Miracles is the title of Sparks’ latest novel, I found myself reflecting on the strong theme of family throughout this heartwarming book. First, there is Jasper and his constant companion, his dog Arlo. As the story unfolds, we find that Jasper has been injured badly in a fire in which he lost his family many years ago. Because of the scars he has, he is often shunned by those who do not know him; therefore, he keeps to himself in his cabin in the woods where he has committed himself to protect the white deer others have deemed lucky to hunt.
Next, is Kaitlin a physician who routinely conducts house calls for those in need in the community and her daughter, Casey and son, Mitch. Last is Tanner, a former military man, who is in Asheboro after the death of his grandmother, who raised him, and is looking for his birth father.

Their lives become intertwined in ways that only Nicholas Sparks can make plausible. I was rooting for each of these characters! Miracles do, indeed, happen.

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*Counting Miracles* is a touching and beautifully crafted novel that interweaves the lives of three distinct characters, each on their own journey of discovery, healing, and connection.

The story begins with Tanner Hughes, an adventurous Army Ranger who has spent his life traveling and avoiding the idea of settling down. Raised by his grandparents, Tanner’s world shifts when his grandmother, on her deathbed, urges him to find where he belongs. She also reveals the identity of the father he never knew, sparking Tanner’s curiosity and leading him to Asheboro, North Carolina. There, he meets Kaitlyn Cooper, a dedicated doctor and single mother. Their instant connection hints at a deeper story, one that both intrigues and unsettles Tanner, who is accustomed to a transient lifestyle.

Kaitlyn, balancing her demanding career and motherhood, is drawn to Tanner’s mysterious and adventurous spirit. However, the looming possibility of Tanner’s departure adds a layer of urgency and uncertainty to their budding relationship.

Parallel to this, the story of Jasper, an eighty-three-year-old man living in seclusion with his loyal dog, Arlo, unfolds. Jasper is haunted by a tragic accident from his past and finds solace in the legends of the white deer, a creature that has captivated his family for generations. When rumors of the deer’s presence resurface, Jasper becomes determined to protect it from harm, leading him on a path that intersects with Tanner and Kaitlyn’s lives in unexpected ways.

Smith’s writing is poignant and evocative, capturing the essence of small-town life and the complexities of human relationships. The characters are well-developed, each grappling with their own pasts and uncertainties about the future. The novel’s exploration of themes like belonging, forgiveness, and the search for meaning is both heartfelt and inspiring.

*Counting Miracles* is a testament to the unexpected ways our lives can change and the miracles that can occur when we least expect them. It’s a story about finding one’s place in the world and the healing power of connection and love.

This novel is perfect for readers who enjoy character-driven stories with emotional depth and a touch of magic. Smith’s ability to weave together the lives of her characters into a cohesive and compelling narrative makes *Counting Miracles* a memorable and uplifting read.

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This is a GREAT READ. Tanner Hughes was raised by his Mom's parents. She passed during childbirth and he never knew who his father was. He followed in his grandfather's footsteps and became an army ranger. He traveled the world. He came back home when his grandmother was very sick and before she passed she told him his father's name and where to find him. Follow Tanner on his journey to find his father. To tell you anything about his journey would be a spoiler. A MUST READ!!
.

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Hey book lovers!

Just wrapped up Counting Miracles by Nicholas Sparks, and let me tell you, it’s a heartwarming rollercoaster you don’t want to miss! 🎢💖

The story follows Tanner, who’s navigating through life’s ups and downs with a mix of hope, love, and a little bit of magic. Sparks does what he does best—creating characters you can’t help but root for and crafting a story that tugs at your heartstrings while making you believe in the beauty of second chances.

The book is filled with those classic Sparks moments that make you both laugh and cry. Perfect for curling up on a rainy day or during a cozy night in. Trust me, you’ll be reaching for the tissues and savoring every page.

If you’re into feel-good stories with a sprinkle of romance and a lot of heart, Counting Miracles is definitely worth adding to your reading list. Enjoy the ride!

📖✨💞

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another beautiful story from Nicholas Sparks!!! absolutely loved this story, and of course per usual excellent writing!!!! one of my favorite 2024 books

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I have been a Nicholas Sparks fan for decades and always read his new books. The main character in this one is compared to Job from the Bible and that is a great comparison. Jasper and his wife Audrey marry, have children and do all they can to find success. Their story unfolds in this book in such a heart wrenching way that leaves the reader in tears at times. In conjunction with this family is a single mother of two kids. Her son, whittles with Jasper and that is where the two families come together in a way to shows community and helping others in your life. Throw in a sexy love interest for the single mom and this book has it all.

The book is amazing and had me reading into the night. The main characters are so loveable but there are a few characters in the book who are horrible people. Since the story is told over many years, the character development is so believable. Thank you #NetGalley for the ARC.

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I cannot say enough good things about this book! Nicholas Sparks has such a talent for creating characters that are so relatable that you forget they aren’t actually real. I loved the Bible verses throughout Jaspers story and they way he brought the characters together was absolutely beautiful.

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You can't go wrong with a Nichols Sparks book. You feel all kind of emotions, and feel connected to the characters as you read the story. It has Biblical scripts in this book and the title Counting Miracles fits.

I based my review on a digital Arc I received. Thank you netgalley.

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📖-Counting Miracles
✍🏼- Nicholas Sparks
📆- 9/24/24
⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗕𝗶𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝘀𝗮𝘆𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝗶𝘀 “𝗮 𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝘄𝗲𝗲𝗽, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗮 𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗹𝗮𝘂𝗴𝗵; 𝗮 𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗺𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗻, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗮 𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗱𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲” (𝗘𝗰𝗰𝗹𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗲𝘀 𝟯:𝟰). 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘄𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗱𝗶𝘀𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗶𝘀 𝗰𝗲𝗿𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗹𝘆 𝗮 𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝘄𝗲𝗲𝗽 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗺𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗻.

𝕊𝕪𝕟𝕠𝕡𝕤𝕚𝕤

This book follows three POV, Jasper (the old man), Kaitlyn, and Tanner. Tanner Hughes, a military veteran, decides to start digging into his past when his dying grandmother’s wish is for him to “find where he belongs.” He’s at a bar when his classic car gets hit by a young teenager by the name, Casey. Casey so shaken up gives him her mom’s number to file a claim to the insurance company. Tanner drives Casey home, where he meets Kaitlyn. They both immediately feel drawn to each other. As they get to know one another, Kaitlyn being a single mom and Tanner with zero responsibilities to tie him down they take a chance. But will Kaitlyn be able to take a chance on falling in love with someone who craves where his next adventure will be? As for Jasper, he’s had a tragic life. He’s lived a full life of suffering and has decided to reside in a secluded cabin with his dog, Arlo. Meanwhile there’s been a spotting of a white deer. Jasper feels that that is Gods message for hope and a divine guidance.

𝕄𝕪 𝕥𝕙𝕠𝕦𝕘𝕙𝕥𝕤 💭
This book heavily referenced biblical scriptures and of course God. If you do not have beliefs in God or the Bible then this book may not be for you. While I enjoyed the story I felt like it dragged on with Jasper and his hunting for the white deer. I feel like it could’ve been shorter. The ending for sure made up for it, I almost wanted to DNF this book. I am a big fan of Nicholas Sparks but this book felt more like for people heavily involved in church (nothing wrong with that). Again, these are my opinions and how I felt about this book. Overall I enjoyed the ending and how it all turned out to be. Would I pick up this book again? Probably not.

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Thank you NetGalley for the complimentary ebook of, Counting Miracles by Nicholas Sparks.

Wow, just wow! I loved it!

I absolutely love how Sparks keeps the same timeline, and his ability to intertwine his characters in such a profound way is astonishing!

These characters were far from flawless, but their flaws kept me on edge more than I expected. The thoughtfulness he used with Tanner was also an escape in itself.

Tanner was raised by his grandparents, because his mother died during childbirth. He’s been in the military, stock-investor, cares for his dying grandmother, and then goes on a road trip for answers.

On the other spectrum, you have Kaitlyn who’s a divorced, single mother raising two children on her own. She comes with her own share of troubles and puts in quite a few hours, but some of those hours are on a volunteer basis and helping others outside of her white coat.

One evening, Casey goes out to dinner and has an encounter with a guy (Josh) from her school. Tanner witnessed Josh being aggressive and steps in- then Casey goes to leave and smashes right into Tanner’s car. Oddly enough, Tanner parks his car and drives Casey’s mom’s suburban to her house and that’s when Tanner meets Kaitlyn. The story unfolds from there and I do not want to release any spoilers, so I will stick with it’s a must read book!

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Wow, Nicholas Sparks did it again! This book will make you cry and it will teach you life lessons. I also love the addition of faith themes and in referencing God. Thank you Random House Publishing Group for sending me an early copy of this book.

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Nicholas Sparks did not disappoint! Although it was a typical Nicholas Sparks and somewhat predictable, I loved how the plot cane together and I even cried in the end. The characters were well built and the plot kept me engaged until the end.

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Another soul warmer by Nicholas Sparks! A great easy read that draws you in from the first chapter.

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Nicholas Sparks will forever be a comfort read for me. I was so excited when I got approved to read this early.

What I love most about his books is that he makes you feel so many emotions. There’s no spice, there’s just pure emotion and it gets me every dang time.

Yes, you can figure out what happens for the most part, but the ride to get there is so worth the read.

This story follows three different POVs. Tanner, Kaitlyn, and Jasper. Each character had such a crazy story. They’ve been through different hardships, but somehow it all clicks and there is such beauty in the story.

I loved watching the character development, the relationships, the loss, the tragedy, all of it. There’s so much to unpack with this book and once I started, it was impossible to put this story down.

I will never stop reading Sparks books and I highly recommend if you need a comfort author, to give him a try.

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Synopsis: An intertwining story between an elderly man, a doctor with a young family and a military veteran.
Pros/cons: I have always enjoyed Nicholas Sparks’ books and was excited to get this advanced copy from NetGalley. (Due out in September!)
Unfortunately I found this story pretty bland. It was nice, but highly predictable and strangely very religious. I think that it will hit well with the older, conservative crowd, but it was just ok for me and I wouldn’t rush to recommend.

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⭐️⭐️⭐️ Counting Miracles was heartwarming but underwhelming. I found myself skimming over much of Jasper’s story, especially the parts about his 4 children. The relationship between Tanner and Kaitlyn fell flat and felt unfinished at the end.

I love Nicholas Sparks and looked forward to reading this book, but was left feeling disappointed.

Thank you Net Galley for the ARC!

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