Counting Miracles by Nicholas Sparks is the most beautiful story and told in a way that drew me in immediately and made it incredibly difficult to put down. As with all of the Nicholas Sparks books I've read in the past, the character development is excellent, as well as the descriptions of the setting. This one is set in Asheville, North Carolina and although I've never been, I feel as though if I did go, it would feel familiar. Reading this book gave me all the feels and definitely is one that you'll want to have tissue at the ready for the twist toward the end. I could see this as a movie and if it were, I'd be there on the opening night.

So, I've typically enjoyed Nicholas Sparks' books with only one miss over the years which I won't name because it was probably a "me thing." That said, I now read each new release with a sense of apprehension - - hoping that each new book will be another winner. Counting Miracles fell solidly in the camp of "another winner."

In this novel, we meet Army Ranger, Tanner Hughes. He's recently been with his grandmother as she was sick and just passed away. He finds out where his birth father lives - - a clue that no one ever passed on to him over the course of his entire life. So, he sets off for that town with the goal of trying to figure out who his father is. Along the way, he will meet other people who will come to meet a great deal to him. Fate has a funny way of taking you intentions and twisting them into something else.

Katelyn Tanner is a single mother trying to raise two kids mostly on her own. He ex-husband lives in another town and typically only takes the children on weekends and holidays/vacations. He also tends to be all about the good times when he has them and does very little discipline - - leaving that role primarily to her. When Kately and Tanner's paths cross, it seems to be a bad idea. After all, he's only there for a few weeks. Unfortunately, their chemistry has other ideas.

Thank you to NetGalley for this early copy.

Nicholas Sparks is well known for his stories of the power of love and family. Counting Miracles is another book to add to his list of fantastic books with characters that will stay with you long after the last page.

This story is told by three different people.
-Tanner was raised by his grandparents and followed his grandfather's footsteps into the military where he became an Army Ranger and served several deployments in the Middle East. He has no plans to settle down in one place but when his beloved grandmother dies, she gives him a clue that may help him find his birth parents. He travels to Asheboro NC in the hopes of finding out about his earlier life and his parents.
-Kaitlyn is a doctor and a single mother with two children. When she meets Tanner, there are some sparks between them but she knows that he won't be in town long and doesn't want to set herself up to be hurt when he leaves.
-Jasper is an 83 year old man who lives a very solitary life in a cabin near the national forest. His only company is his dog Arlo. He had gotten horrific burns on his face years earlier and stayed as far away from other people as possible. Kaitlyn's son befriends him and he gets to know the rest of her family. 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.

At the beginning of the book, these three people were strangers to each other. As the story progresses, they all become important in each other's lives. 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.

This book about love and the importance of family and friends is a Nicholas Sparks book that you don't want to miss.

*I did receive this book from NetGalley but all opinions are my own*

This book tells the story between three main people, Tanner, Kaitlyn, and Jasper. Tanner is looking for his father, whom he’s never met. Kaitlyn is a single mom who is looking after her two kids. And Jasper is an old man who lives near Kaitlyn in the woods alone. The book alternates between all three protagonists, and the reader watches how Kaitlyn and Tanner started a budding romance and how Jasper is trying to save the white deer from being poached by teenagers. Seemingly, there is no connection - but is that the truth?

This book was decent. I personally do not think this is a book for Gen Z like myself, instead more written for Millennials or Gen X. I almost automatically knew what would happen at the end- though at some points I did question myself. I think there was just a little too much religion and military talk for my liking and honestly I just did not feel the connection between Tanner and Kaitlyn. I did like Jasper and how we learned about his life piece by piece. And the parts towards the end when Jasper was in trouble and we saw chapters that were a page or paragraph feeling his emotions, and then would quickly switch to Kaitlyn and Tanner in their real lives with no trouble. Plus, we got to see Tanner and Kaitlyn put the puzzle pieces together from an outside point of view.

I had high expectations when I got this book. The Notebook, The Guardian, and Safe Haven are some of my favorites. However, this one left me feeling a little lacking. I liked the relationship between Tanner and Kaitlyn, a single mom raising two kids. Tanner, an army veteran, is in N.C. looking for the father he never knew while waiting to take another security position. When Kaitlyn's daughter rearends Tanner in a parking lot and ruins his Shelby, he drives her home and when he meets Kaitlyn the sparks are immediate.

Jasper is the reclusive old man who lives in a cabin and is disfigured by burns suffered long ago. He has lost everything, but tries to remain faithful, likening himself to Job in the Bible. This part of the story is long and drawn out and I felt it detracted a little from the overall story.

I found myself skimming over parts so that I could get back to Tanner and Kaitlyn. Jasper has an important role in the overall story, but it was too focused on him and not the love story I’ve come to expect from a Sparks novel. Overall I think it is a good book, but it just wasn't the best one I have read from this author!

Thank you to Random House Publisher and Netgalley for allowing me to read this book. Nicholas Sparks has an emotional book that captures the readers attention from the start. The characters are memorable and have a big impact on the story. Counting for miracles was a book by Nicholas Sparks that was like his others book that leaves a heartwarming message. I thought this book was a little to spiritual and didn't have to mention scripture passages.

Loved the scripture in this book. Nicholas Sparks knows how to case an imagination! Everything about this book is spectacular.

Nicholas sparks writes stories that fill your heart. This novel was no exception. Reminded me of his other novels but in the best way. I connected with both the characters and story

Another beautiful story by a great author. It's been a while since I have read a Nicholas Sparks book. I'm so glad I did. I love the story and parallels to the Bible story of Job. Beautifully done.

Nicholas Sparks' Counting Miracles is a complex tapestry woven with threads of love, loss, and the enduring power of hope. While it delivers the heartwarming moments Sparks' fans adore, it also grapples with heavier themes, making it a more profound read than some of his previous works.

The novel follows Tanner Hughes, a young man searching for belonging and connection. His journey takes him to Asheboro, North Carolina, a place steeped in both beauty and mystery. The narrative balances two timelines, creating a rich, layered story that keeps the reader engaged. Sparks' strength lies in crafting characters that resonate with readers. In Counting Miracles, he delivers a cast of individuals who are both flawed and endearing. Their struggles and triumphs feel authentic, drawing the reader into their world. The romantic elements, a hallmark of Sparks' novels, are present but don't overshadow the deeper emotional currents flowing beneath the surface. The central love story is tender and heartfelt, but it's the exploration of familial bonds and the search for identity that truly anchors the narrative. While Counting Miracles might not reinvent the wheel for Sparks, it offers a mature reflection on the challenges and joys of life. It's a story that will stay with you long after you turn the final page, prompting reflection on your own experiences with love, loss, and the enduring human spirit.

Is Counting Miracles worth your time? If you appreciate a well-told story that explores the depths of human emotion with sensitivity and grace, then absolutely. This is a book that reminds us to cherish the moments, big and small, that make life a precious, and sometimes miraculous, gift.

Sparks does it again with an amazing book. A man who goes on a journey to find his father he don’t know about, and o find love and God. I could not put down til it was finished.
Thank you NetGalley and as always Thank you Nicholas Sparks!

Okay I really loved this one? I've been a Nicholas Sparks fan for years and years- I love that he is still writing captivating and memorable stories! Set in North Carolina, the setting couldn't be more perfect for this epic story. I found the characters to be likeable and the pacing to be entertaining! Thank you so much, NetGalley for the advance read of this book! 10/10 would recommend!

Classic Nicholas sparks!

1 thoroughly enjoyed this book and appreciate getting the chance to read of early, thanks to netgalley and the publisher.

The characters were so relatable and lovable- Tanner, Jasper, and Kaitlyn.

I felt myself so invested in this story! The more you learn about the characters, the more you love them. For example Jasper. He had such a tragic life and some terrible things happened to him. Learning his story seriously broke my heart!

Then in the Nicholas sparks fashion, he finds a way to turn tragedy into something special. Not to erase what happened but to somehow make it worth it.

Lovers of this author will not want to miss this story-I promise!

I do, however, want to mention that there are quite a few bible versus mentioned throughout the story and that may de bothersome to some people. However, I loved it!


PS- if you have any extra ARC copies or paperback editions, it would make me the happiest reader in the world to be gifted one. My email is yourstruly_paytonreadsbooks@gmail.com if you’d like to reach out for my address or to add me to future ARC teams!

Counting Miracles is a novel by Nicholas Sparks. Two storylines run parallel to each other and come to a heart-warming connection toward the end of the novel.
In this novel, Tanner Hughes, a military veteran raised by his grandparents, is seeking information regarding his family tree. This search brings him to Asheboro, North Carolina where he meets Kaitlyn and her two children Casey and Mitch.
As he continues to search, we learn about an elderly gentleman named Jasper. The book flashes between Jasper’s past and his present life with all its hurts. We also see how his faith carried him along his journey.
Will Tanner find his family roots? Will Jasper’s hurts be healed? Find out for yourself when you read this amazing novel. Nicholas Sparks has done it again! He’s kept us wondering all while sharing his gift of storytelling with the world!
Thank you, NetGalley for allowing me to read this novel before its publication. The review will be posted on 10.21.24

Nicholas Sparks is at it again. Loved the North Carolina setting but wish the story had more resolution. Hoping for a sequel. Was very appreciative for the scripture that was referenced and weaved throughout the story. Not my favorite of Nicolas Sparks' novels but not my least favorite of his. I enjoyed the duality of the plot and the telling of two different stories. Would definitely recommend.

A heartwarming, classic Nicholas Sparks novel about love, loss and the hunt for the meaning of life.

ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.

I’m a little backlogged with my ARC’s but working diligently to get caught up. I really liked aspects of this story but disliked that it felt very predictable to me. The religious aspects were well integrated into the story and I enjoyed the dual storylines at the same time. The romance aspect felt a little different from his usual but I still liked the way it was heading. I would recommend to anyone who likes romance and fiction stories!

Nicholas Sparks does it again! (Cue the tears)

Counting Miracles is about Tanner Hughes, a world traveler raised by grandparents who never knew his parents. After his grandmother finally reveals his birth father’s name on her death bed, Tanner sets out to find him and maybe the family he’s never had.

Along the way we meet Kaitlyn, a doctor and single mom of two great kids who will do anything to give her the kids the world and never takes time for herself. We also meet Jasper and old, haunted, loner who has had the hardest life and no longer has anyone left but his dog Arlo.

Three unlikely people, all with stories that could use a miracle, and maybe they are due for just that…..
In true Nicholas Sparks fashion, there is going to be heartbreak, love, and all of the emotions while over coming some of life’s hardest lessons.

You won’t want to put this beautiful story down! It is so heartwarming and special and you’ll just want to hug the book once it is over.

I started reading books by Nicholas Sparks when I was in 8th grade and have continued all through my adulthood. It was an absolute honor to received an advanced copy of Counting Miracles in exchange for an honest review, so I thank Net Galley and Random House Publishing tremendously for that!

I flew through this thought-provoking story in 2 days! Sparks does it again! I felt such a connection to all of these characters, but Jasper’s character spoke to me the most. Don’t miss this unforgettable story!

3.5 stars, rounded to 4
My favorite part of this book was Jasper and his story. I loved Jasper, Arlo, Casey, and Mitch. I didn’t care for Tanner. The romance was my least favorite part of this book.